white jacket – the Spiff

Fashion, maxi dress, outfit inspiration, white jacket

Dressing for the Outdoors

May 19, 2014 No Comments

The funny thing about the weather here in Tennessee? It’s one big surprise party.

This past Thursday (in the middle of May) we opened our doors and…surprise! It’s cold outside!
Watching the weather last week, I quickly realized the short/sleeveless sundress I had planned on for an outdoor wedding rehearsal Thursday night, wasn’t going to work out so well.

Thankfully, this maxi (that I’ve had my eye on since January) had gone on sale and was available in my size at JCP.

I snatched it up, took it home and tried it on with my white leather jacket to make sure it would all work together. Sure enough, it did and I was perfectly comfortable the whole evening.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when getting ready to attend outdoor events this spring/summer…

1. Keep an eye on the weather. Even if you live in a place where the temperature doesn’t change much, you at least need to know if it’s going to rain.

Wednesday night last week we got a whole lotta ran, so I brought along some waterproof flats just in case we had to tramp through mud Thursday night. This helped save my good shoes.

2. As soon as you can, come up with a contingency plan.

If you see the weather doesn’t coincide with what you had planned to wear, immediately start coming up with alternates. By working on your outfit in advance, you save yourself from running around like a headless chicken the day of.

Now I know there are millions of life factors that get in the way of doing these things sometimes, so even if you do end up wearing a sun dress in 55 degree weather, or sinking in the mud in your favorite heels – be sure to press those shoulders back and keep a smile on your face the whole time.

Because I can tell you one thing that’s not pretty – a frowny face that’s dishing out nothing but complaints!

outfit inspiration, spring, white jacket

How to Wear Your Summer Dresses Now

April 8, 2014 No Comments

I want to prove to you (for the third / time) just how great it is to have a white jacket for spring…

Over the weekend, I had another shower to attend. One that I thought started at 2 in the afternoon. It wasn’t until 9:45 that I discovered that the shower was, in fact, at 11am. And at 9:45 that morning I wasn’t driving home from a manicure and facial…I was driving home from an outdoor run. Hair was a wind-blown mess, legs were still in winter mode (ifyaknowwhatimean). I was by all accounts a mess.

But thanks to this white jacket, a sharp razor (so sharp in fact I’ve got the cut up my leg to prove it), some Oscar Blonde dry shampoo and a curling wand, I got myself together, and within 30 minutes I was back out the door and on my way to pick up the guest of honor.

What’s the lesson in all of this?

1. Don’t enter the wrong time in your phone.

2. Check it the morning of the event just to make sure (even if you think you know the time).

3. Pick your outfit out in advance so you can fly through the getting ready process if you forget to do step one and two.

Thankfully I had done step three already and had already decided to wear this summer dress with my new white leather jacket. The jacket and the black booties helped to give me warmth and balance out the girlyness of the dress (not to mention they both helped to off-set my winter white skin).

If you don’t want a white one, at least consider a jean jacket or a blazer to get more mileage out of your summer clothes!

*Side note: My toes weren’t painted either (joy!) but they were going to show in my shoes. So I just did a quick swipe of Designer De’Better (OPI) on the only toes that were going to show. Pick a polish like that, that looks good with just one swipe and you’re ready to go!

florals, jackets, skirt, style setter, white jacket

How I Styled Floral and a White Leather Jacket

March 18, 2014 No Comments

When I say that a white jacket is going to carry you through this awkward spring/winter transition and how you should really get one, I mean it.

I’ve been shopping around for a white leather jacket to add to some ensembles I had in mind, and I finally found the perfect one.

The funny thing is, I tried this same jacket on in a medium and thought it was ok. It wasn’t until I went back and tried the small size on (only because the medium one was gone) that I really fell in love with it.

What you have to watch out for with shorter jackets like these, is you don’t want the sleeves to feel too big. Because the back of the jacket is so short, I like to make sure that the sleeves don’t go all the way down to my wrists so that it has a shrunken look overall.

If not, it just looks to me like you have gigantor arms, and no one wants to look like they have gigantor arms, right?

I’m just so happy to have found this as it was the perfect dose of edge to add to this floral pattern shirt and pink skirt. Speaking of which, lets all pause and take note of the fact that I purchased not only a pattern that’s not stripes or animal print, but also it’s a floral.

I picked it up at Forever21, by the way. They have so many different styles that you’re sure to find one you’ll like!

For more white jacket inspiration, read the Style Setter blog I wrote about it!