Oh, Olive! Casual Look

It is old news that olive is the new neutral, but that doesn’t mean everyone knows how to wear it. Olive is not everyone’s perfect color, although, you know me. I think everyone can wear every color, if you find the right shade. Olive is not olive, is not olive. In other words, there are varying shades of olive, just as there are varying shades of red, yellow and every other color. Olives can vary from yellowy browns to almost gray. My husband has numerous types of camo for various types of hunting, but almost all of them have olive in common. However, they are not the exact same shade of green. Knowing this, I decided that a few posts on how to wear olive, might be a good idea for this middle of the summer time. Do you feel like summer is zipping by faster than the Eurostar train running from Britain to France? Before you know it, it will be time for the Autumn/Winter Pantone series.

If you follow my Instagram account, you know that I styled this look over there, minus the vest on Monday. We started a style challenge this week called #stretchyourstyle . Using things we already have in our closet we come up with outfits to go along with the daily or weekly theme. We are doing colors this time and yesterday’s was olive and orange. That was all I needed to inspire me for what I wanted to do next on the blog.

You’ve seen these Gloria Vanderbilt skinny pants on the blog before. They were a Kohl’s purchase from a few years ago. These are a work horse in my closet and the fact that they are olive was the frosting on the cupcake of fashion. They have a good amount of stretch, but don’t loose their shape. They are casual, but can also be dressed up, which I will show you on Thursday and they make a great neutral color. You can see them styled with a floral bomber jacket, a lightweight graphic sweater, an olive vest and top, a snakeskin jacket, a floral dress, and peachy print top. If you click on the links they will take you to the original posts.

Let’s talk for a minute about what makes a color neutral. The best way to describe it is a color that can go with all other colors. Colors like black, navy, tan, and white have long been considered neutrals. More recently olive has become a favorite neutral, able to be combined, not only with the other neutral colors, but with colors that vary from light to bright and everything in between. I honestly cannot think of a color that I would not pair well with olive.

My thrifted pineapple top is Elle brand. To go along with that I put on a gold belt and did the front tuck, so the belt is visible. I also added a simple gold necklace.

The open weave knit vest was a thrift find on our anniversary trip. It is Jordache brand. I just love the pretty detailing on this boho piece.

For Mother’s Day my husband gave me a gift card for Nordstrom. I only shop there occasionally, as their prices are a little higher than what I usually feel comfortable spending. However, Nordstrom Rack is a better option as prices are slightly less, and the gift card works for either. I got online and started looking at clearance and sale items, and came across these Sperry olive colored sneakers. I knew they were going in my cart. I have been looking for a pair of olive colored shoes for the warmer weather and these are perfect. They are comfy too, so that is a plus.

You’ve seen this pale green tote on the blog before as well. This is from Charming Charlie. I love the metal stud detailing along the sides and the contrasting green hues.

Do you have an olive pair of pants? Do you consider olive a neutral? How do you like to wear your olive? I will be showing you a work wear look on Thursday, so be sure to check back for that.

I am including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links and are brought to you at no cost. If you click on a link, I get a few cents and those cents do add up after a while, which I really appreciate.

For more outfit fun, be sure to check out my Instagram, where I post almost daily with my typical every day looks.

Have a great day!

InVESTments: Wearing Vests in the Summer - Short Knit

For the final installment in this series on wearing vests in the summer I wanted to show how to style two different shorter knit vests. While knits can be great for keeping us warm in the cooler months, we don't have to leave them in our closets over the summer. By choosing lighter weight pieces to style them with, we can still have fun wearing our cozy vests. Both of the following looks are more casual.

Look 1 - With Shorts

This light pink, zip up vest is another of my Christopher and Banks finds. I went for a subdued look with the khaki Bermuda shorts (Christopher and Banks), and taupe ankle boots, bringing in a pop of bright pink in my short sleeve sweater and bag. 

The vest has a subtle textural pattern over its entirety. The short sleeve sweater (thrifted, Ralph Lauren) also provides texture. Different textures allow pattern mixing without having to worry about clashing colors. 

I kept the jewelry simple with my gray pendant necklace and a few gray bracelets. 

A friend gave me this Vera Bradley bag for my birthday a couple years ago. It's the perfect companion for this outfit. 

I could have worn sandals, which would be expected for a summer outfit, but in keeping with thinking outside the box I opted for my SO brand ankle boots. 

Look 2 - With Capris

This knit vest by Chaps, I got at Kohl's at the end of the winter season. Isn't it a great summer piece? I styled it with a navy tee (Christopher and Banks) and white capris (Coldwater Creek)for a crisp warm weather look.

You can see the vest detail in this picture. The different weave, the cardigan feel, and the shawl type collar make a cozy statement, no matter when it is worn.

I chose to only add this light yellow flower pendant necklace for jewelry.

I've used this bag numerous times on the blog. It just adds a touch of class to so many different outfits. 

This time I went with sandals. They seem to dress up this outfit just enough.

Here are the two looks side by side. 

Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments section below. I always love to read your feedback. It helps me know what you like, as well as gives me a boost! Ha, ha. 

Be sure to check back Thursday for my look at a few summer sweaters on the Piece Perfect column. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Below are some shopping links. These are affiliate links which means if you click on them, I get a few cents. If you purchase something through a link, I get a little commission. I appreciate all your support in this manner. All opinions expressed are my own. 

InVESTments: Wearing Vests in the Summer - Long Knit

An open weave vest is perfect for summer because it allows air movement. Whether the fabric of your vest is yarn, lace or some other material, having perforations, or open weave will keep you cooler than a vest of the same material without the holes. 

This week's look was based around a long, open weave vest that I featured last fall in my Pantone series. You can see that look here in the post Potter's Clay. For this week's outfit I decided to pair the vest with a pair of crop pants, a button up short sleeve top and accessories. 

Everything in this outfit except the sandals and the jewelry was thrifted. These plaid Sonoma ankle pants are a combination of colors we usually think of for fall: brown, tan, orange and black. However, the light weight of this chino type fabric makes me think summer. To keep the look summery under the clay brown knit of the vest I chose a bright orange New York & Co. top that suggests more peaches and cream than pumpkin. This orange perfectly compliments the orange in the pants.

The above two photos show you more detail of the open weave of the vest. I love the fringe on this vest. It adds length, but also adds a fun bohemian vibe to the outfit. 

I added a gold stretch bracelet and a simple pendant necklace that I picked up at Meijer on clearance. I wanted the focal point of the outfit to be the vest, so I kept the accessories minimal. 

The cute black clutch and St. John's Bay block heel sandals complete the look. 

I know it might seem silly or at least not very practical to layer on a long vest in the summer. However, there are times and places for everything. For example, this would be a great outfit for work. Let's face it, most work places are overly air conditioned and usually you have no control over where the temperature is set. Wearing these layers will give you extra warmth without giving you extra weight. Also, this vest and others like it can easily take an outfit from day to night just by switching out a few things like shoes, your bag and jewelry. Exchange those black block heels for a pair of nude  or blush heels, add a blingy clutch or cross body and layer on a few long gold chains and you are ready for dinner and the dance floor. Ha, ha.

I hope you like this post. Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below. I know you are very busy, but your comments help my blog to grow. Also, check out my Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram. Once in a while there will be different things featured on those. As always thank you for your support.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Friday linking up with Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots, Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge and Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style. 

InVESTments: Wearing Vests in the Summer - Asymmetrical Hem

I have always liked to wear vests. I know for some women, vests just aren't a piece of clothing they consider wearing. Today, however there are so many more options. Rather than the structured denim and stiff cotton fabrics of my childhood, vests come in all manner of materials, lengths and styles. In this series I would like to show you a variety of vest types and ways to style each of them for the summer months.

This week I am featuring a vest with an asymmetrical hem line. Asymmetrical means that the hem is not the same all the way around. This vest is shorter in the front and longer in the back. This vest is Say What? brand which can be found a numerous retailers including Target, Macy's and Kohl's. I know I found this on clearance, but I actually can't remember where. Ha, ha. My brain just isn't what it used to be! 

The looks in this series will revolve around a more casual style. This outfit would be perfect for work.

For this look I wore a pair of checked ankle pants that are New York & Co brand. Here is a cute polka dot pair. 

I wanted to keep the palette a soft neutral so I chose an off white Faded Glory tee that I've had for a few years. Here is a cute lace front one from Walmart. 

For accessories I just threw on a couple of beaded necklaces that drew in the soft pinks, grays and tans of the vest.

I found this bag at one of my favorite thrift stores called Savers. The brand is New Directions which is found at the retailer Belk. Here is a similar one currently in stock. I bought the bag because I loved the soft hobo bag styling and the buttery rum color. I'm sure I'll be using this in the fall. 

You've seen these cute SO flats before that I got at Kohl's. I loved them so much that I ordered two more pairs, a light blue and a floral. They will probably show up on the blog sooner or later! Click here to see these and many other colors. 

The open weave of this vest makes it a perfect addition to a summer outfit, but I can see styling it with long sleeves, skinny jeans and boots for fall. Do you like vests? How do you like to wear yours?

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a shopping link below, I will get a few cents. I appreciate all the support you give to me. I wouldn't have a blog without subscribers and readers like you. Thank you!

All opinions expressed are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Shelbee in the Spread the Kindness link up. Wednesday linking up with Sara and Hannah of The Perfect Storm. Linking up with Jo-Lynne Shane in the Fashion Friday link up.