Pantone Autumn/Winter 2023 - New York Palette: Viva Magenta, Red Orange, and Eclipse

I have been wandering in the wilderness for a few weeks trying to maneuver the hard bits of life and the emotional drain that comes with it. That said, I want to keep bringing you content as often as I can and I appreciate your support and patience during these times when I am struggling.

Getting back to my Pantone color series we are looking at another combination of colors from the Autumn/Winter New York Palette. This trio is perfect for fall and I thought the classy, casual vibe of this outfit would be great for your Thanksgiving Day festivities.

I really like how this outfit turned out. Let’s look at each piece.

This Viva Magenta top was actually a piece I gifted to my daughter, but it ended up on her get rid of pile, so of course I snatched it back. Ha, ha. I have so few really classy, dress tops and I just love the bishop sleeves on this piece.

This Red Orange utility jacket was one of the first few utility pieces that I bought, so I have had it for six years. I purchased this at Nordstrom Rack because I fell in love with the color. You can see another Pantone post I did using this piece here.

Another thrift find, these Eclipse pants are so fun with their embellished velvet flowers. I have a feeling I will be pulling these out multiple times for the holidays. Not only are they unique, but they are comfy.

The accessories really pulled this whole look together. The scarf actually had all of the colors in it. My bag, and patent leather ankle boots added a classy element to the outfit, and the pendant necklace was a nice finishing touch.

What did you think of this outfit? Do you like these colors? Do you have these colors in your closet? Let me know what you think in the comments.

I hope you are having a great week!

Fashion Fun: Men's Oversized Button Down

When it comes to thrifting for fashion, I like to think outside the box. I always peruse all the sizes, because so often size is relative. What I mean by that is, it is relative to the brand. A size 12 in one brand might fit you perfectly, but a size 12 in another brand, might be too big or too small. I honestly believe sizing is different than it used to be. If you shop vintage clothing, at all, you will see that most of the pieces are relatively small. Women tended towards being smaller in the waist, hips, and shoulders than we are now. Not sure why, but it does seem to be the case.

I have also started looking in the men’s section of thrift stores for fun pieces like tees and printed button downs. I like the roomier cut of a men’s medium or even large shirt and they often have textures, prints and fabrics that are different than those on the women’s racks. Today, I am going to show you three different outfits using three men’s button downs that I purchased while thrifting.

Outfit 1 - Men’s Button Down as a Tunic

When I saw this paisley madness, I knew I had to have it. This is Visconti brand. If you type the name be sure to type in Visconti clothing. and you’ll see they have them at Dillards. They also have their own website, but I am not here to encourage you to buy a new shirt. This to encourage you to look at the men’s racks if you thrift, or even if you shop clearance. I absolutely love the colors in this piece and it is easily worn all year round as a top or as a “shacket”.

I topped this look with a thrifted, black Nadia brand, corduroy vest. I added my Simply Vera, Vera Wang skinny jeans and my black knee high boots. The black embroidery on these jeans are what sold me. The abstract floral print goes with so many other pieces.

I didn’t really need to add any jewelry since the print is so busy, but I thought it would be fun to add this piece that has a variety of colors and textures. It blends in, yet also stands on its own.

Outfit 2 - Men’s Button Down as a Work Wear Top

This shirt is Izod brand. This year’s Pantone Color of the Year is called Very Peri. I think it is a very pretty color reminiscent of the Periwinkle flowers, which can come in blue, purple or white. I thought this checked shirt fit the color well. One thing I have to do with most of the men’s shirts I purchase is roll up the sleeves, but rolling up the width of the cuff is just the right amount, so you can hardly tell.

My denim pencil skirt is also thrifted and Gloria Vanderbilt brand. I like the length of this and if I still had a reason to wear a skirt would definitely be wearing this often. I added the navy hose to cover my veiny legs and thought the black, thrifted Nine West loafers gave it a work wear look. I also added the denim blue cloth belt and the dark purple agate pendant necklace. My thrifted, Merona bag, also brings in that Very Peri vibe.

Outfit 3 - Men’s Button Down as a Shacket

I’ve had this thrifted, Ruff Hewn corduroy button down for a few years now. I love the color and typically think of it as a fall piece. It is soft, warm and roomy, so a perfect piece for wearing over lightweight sweaters, sweatshirts or long sleeve tees.

I wanted this outfit to have more of a spring vibe, so I went with my Sonoma floral joggers, and a thrifted light pink Express short sleeve tee. I opted for metallic accessories including my silver Sketcher sneakers, pewter hand-me-over bag, and my silver and copper necklace.

Here are the three outfits side by side.

I hope you enjoyed this look at how to style a men’s oversized button down. It is fun to explore other options in your fashion wardrobe, and you never know when something you try will become your new favorite style. Which outfit was your favorite? Do you wear men’s clothing? How do you like to style a men’s or women’s oversized shirt? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments.

Thanks for stopping by the blog. I have provided a few shopping links for your enjoyment. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Having Fun with Layers - Casual Valentine's Day Look - Celebrating 5 Years

Here I am again, celebrating another year of Faith and Fashion blogging. When I started this little hobby back in 2016, I had no idea how my sense of style would change and evolve. I also never realized how doing this 2 or three times a week every week for the last five years would help my ability to write. Starting this blog, in part to help me write regularly, has helped me to become a better writer. As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect. I am no where near perfect, but I do have more confidence, not only as a writer, but as a woman who knows something about fashion. As I have done in recent years I wanted to have a giveaway, so be sure to read all the way to the end, so you know what the drawing is for and how to enter. This year there will be two winners!

I decided to spend a few weeks talking about layering. I realize we are all looking forward to spring, but we are in the middle of the deep freeze here in the mid-west and I really don’t want to be trying to take pictures of light weight, flowy spring outfits. Well, I really would rather be doing that, but I would have to take everything to Florida to take pictures. Ha, ha. No chance of that happening right now. Instead, what I am going to do, is show you a few spring pieces that I have doctored up for the cold weather, and that means layering.

I love layers. I love being able to wear multiple pieces from my closet all at the same time and it has a very practical purpose. Layers keep me warm. I do understand that many women are menopausal and that means hot flashes, so layers are not as practical, but what I hope to do is show you layers that are easy enough to take off when those heat waves blow through.

Today’s outfit revolves around a light weight pair of floral pants that I recently purchased at Kohl’s.

When I saw these cute twill joggers on the rack at Kohl’s I thought, “I’m going to buy myself something that is new for the season.” Typically I wait until the end of the season to purchase new pieces and then wear them for the remaining weeks of the season, or put them away until next year, but these were on sale and I had a good coupon. I love the floral print and the light weight fabric, which makes them great for spring and summer. These are Sonoma brand.

If you are anxious to wear your new spring finds, but it is still cold, I would start with an under layers. I chose a pair of black tights and a black tank top.

Most under layers will not add a lot of extra bulk, but they will add warmth. If you are suffering with hot flashes, don’t add the extra under layers. You will be warm enough with the normal pieces.

I wanted to draw on both the dark, almost burgundy pinks and the light pinks in the flowers on the pants, so I chose a light weight thrifted SO sweatshirt. Layers do not have to add bulk, as I said before. This sweatshirt is a lighter weight fleece, making it much easier to wear something over the top.

For my top piece I chose a light pink, faux leather, Christopher and Banks moto jacket. The light pastel pink certainly makes me think of spring with all of its pretty flowers and of course Easter outfits and colored eggs.

I added a few simple details like my fringe pendant necklace, which actually has some olive colored beads; a couple of beaded bracelets, my blush colored, thrifted New York and Co bag and my Spirit burgundy ankle boots.

I noticed after the fact that my shoes were all scuffed and covered with dust and cat hair. I’m sorry for the poor photos as well. My glasses were picking up the glare from the windows. I wasn’t going to go outside, as it is so cold and I was trying to get the best light, but didn’t take the glare into account. The joys of being an amateur photographer. Ha. ha. My daughter has been so busy and I haven’t want to add more work to her already full plate. That’s okay, because this is real life.

I hope you enjoyed this post on layering fun. Think about the spring pieces in your closet and how you could make them wearable in the cold temperatures by adding layers. What could you wear?

I’m including a few shopping links to get you thinking about spring. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Have fun shopping, and don’t forget about the giveaway. Just follow the directions and you will be entered to win one of two gift cards. Entries for the give away will close on Friday February 12th, at midnight. I will announce the winners of the give away on Tuesday February 16th.