A Look Back at 2020 - My Favorite Outfits

Before I launch into a short series on some of the current winter trends, i wanted to revisit my favorite outfits from this past year. 2020 was a year unlike any other with the Covid Pandemic, racial unrest and the election overwhelming our newsfeeds. There were times where I just didn’t feel like being a blogger any more. I just wanted to crawl into a nice, cozy hole and not come out until all of the bad news went away. Fortunately, I didn’t do that. I had a sense that every single one of you that regularly follow me, needed a brief respite from all the bad that was going on around us. The normalcy of looking at and talking about faith and fashion, just seemed to be a good thing to do, so I kept at it.

I have a feeling that 2021 is not going to be a whole lot different from 2020. Change is going to continue to happen and change is what often pushes us well outside of our comfort zones. However, my little blog is still going to be here, as long as God gives me the health, energy and brain power to continue, I will do so. Many of you have become like family to me. Those of you who have regularly commented or even taken the time to send me a personal email have been a great source of encouragement to me, so thank you.

Here is a look back at 2020. As I have done before, I go month by month and pick out my faves. I’d love to know which outfit really inspired you.

January

Actual Amy - Waterfall Cardigan

Actual Amy - Waterfall Cardigan

Why I like It: This whole outfit is very much me. I love the rusty textures of the waterfall cardigan and faux suede boots. As you all know, I love my jeans and the striped long sleeve tee is the perfect choice for this ultra casual outfit. I also like the subtle print mixing going on between the stripes, snakeskin patterned bag and the speckled bead pendant.

February

Seeing Red - Thrifted Thursday - Burgundy Skirt

Seeing Red - Thrifted Thursday - Burgundy Skirt

Why I Like It: In all honesty, I had three outfits, all together, that I liked from February. I decided to post this one as my favorite, because it was totally unexpected. I honestly did not think this outfit was going to look as good as it did when I started putting it together. I wasn’t sure about the color combo or the mix of smooth faux leather pencil skirt with oversized textured sweater, but I absolutely love everything about this outfit. The color combo was perfect and the unexpected mix of textures and lengths honestly works well. The only thing I might have changed is the shoes. I’m wondering if a burgundy shoe would have been a better choice, but overall it worked. The other two that I liked from February were, Seeing Red - Red with Tan - Velvet Jacket, and Seeing Red - Actual Amy - Plaid Jacket.

March

Spring Trends 2020 - Maxi Dresses, Psychedelic Prints and Vests

Spring Trends 2020 - Maxi Dress

Why I Like It: March was the month I focused on the Spring Trends for the year. I will do that again this year. I like the boho, hippy vibe of this outfit with the medallion printed maxi dress, the striped tee and the denim vest. It just presents a fun, eclectic mix that makes for a great casual date night look.

April

Transitional Spring Outfit

Photo credit Rachel Christensen

Photo credit Rachel Christensen

Why I Like It: Who doesn’t like a kimono? They are just fun, fabulous pieces and every woman should have one or two in her closet. I have many more than that, but there are so many pretty styles, prints and colors. This pink, burgundy and white piece is no exception. I especially like the fringe on the sleeve and bottom hems. Every since I learned about print mixing, I have become obsessed and nothing pairs better than stripes and flowers. The burgundy colored accessories complete the look perfectly.

May

Pantone Spring/Summer - 2020 - Sunlight, Flame Scarlet and Ash

Photo credit Amy Christensen

Photo credit Amy Christensen

Why I Like It: There is nothing special about this outfit, other than it is something I would actually wear. Though all of the outfits I post are things I actually own, I don’t necessarily wear everything that you see, exactly as you see it. The reason for this is, I am trying to show a varied audience outfits that could be used for every day, work, going out or traveling. Right now I am not working outside the home and we really aren’t going anywhere, yet this outfit is something I would still wear.

June

Pantone Spring/Summer - 2020 - Tanager Turquoise, Heritage Blue and Blanc de Blanc

Pantone Spring/Summer - 2020

Why I Like It: This look is classic. It could be worn by any woman, anywhere. It is a great outfit for work, but could also be worn for a date night, or lunch with the girls. It also exudes spring and summer with the bright floral top, crisp white ankle pants and silver ballerina flats. The blue bag, beaded necklace and bracelets add fun matching elements to the ensemble.

July

Summer Outfit - Geometric Maxi Dress - Casual

Summer Outfit - Geometric Maxi Dress - Casual

Why I Like It: Honestly, I like this outfit, because I think it is fun! I love the hat, the tee and the geometric print on the maxi dress. The top is a light weight sleeveless tee material, so adding the other tee did not add bulk, weight or make it hotter. This would be a great look for traveling, going to the beach or on a picnic.

August

Outfit Inspiration - Dressed Up Casual Style

Outfit Inspiration

Why I Like It: What is not to love about this dressy casual look. The star piece is the thrifted kimono. It took a simple white tee and boyfriend jeans up to a new level of style. The fringe necklace compliments the purples in the kimono and the rusty orange bag the oranges. This was a nice transitional outfit for the waning days of summer.

September

Pantone Fall/Winter 2020 - Samba, Fired Brick and Sleet

Pantone Fall/Winter 2020

Why I Like It: September was another month where I had several favorite outfits, but this one still stands out as a winner. Once again, the combination of colors, as well as the print mixing, really goes a long way to making this dressier outfit perfect for the office. I also like how my last minute addition of blush accessories pulled everything together. Two of my other faves were, Pantone Fall Winter 2020 - Peach Nougat, Sandstone and Military Olive, and Color Play - Fall Mix.

October

Pantone - Autumn/Winter 2020 - London Palette - Samba, Tawny Birch and Sheepskin

Pantone Autumn Winter  2020

Why I Like It: I don’t wear neutrals all that often, but a combination like this really pops. The neutral palette colors of Tawny Birch and Sheepskin, combined with the bright Samba red makes an exceptional outfit. The added joy is that everything in this outfit is thrifted, except the pearls. When I can put a whole outfit together with thrifted pieces and it ends up looking like this, I am all for it.

November

Fall/Thanksgiving Outfits - Harvest Tee and Distressed Jeans - Dressy

Fall/Thanksgiving Outfit

Why I Like It: This outfit is just very me. I love wearing tees, and jeans and throwing a nice blazer and a pair of boots on really levels up a very casual outfit. The addition of a fun statement necklace and a cute bag also provide a dressier look, even with the distressed jeans.

December

A Dickens’ Christmas - The Ghost of Christmas Past

A+Dickens'+Christmas+-+The+Ghost+of+Christmas+Past.jpeg

Why I Like It: Out of my whole Christmas series, I think this outfit and these photos were my faves. Winter white is really trending right now and when I put these pieces together for my Ghost of Christmas Past persona, I didn’t realize how popular these creamy whites were. The outfit itself was cozy and in keeping with my love for pants and flats. Ha, ha.

There you have it, my favorite picks from 2020. What were your faves? I would love to hear back from you. Also, if there is anything you would like to see more of on the blog, or a different topic you would like me to talk about, please let me know.

I hope your New Year is off to a great start. Check back on Thursday for a look at some of the current winter trends.

Photo credit unless otherwise stated, Rebecca Trumbull Photography.

Wearing White - Ankle Pants

Hi everyone. Can you believe it is the middle of August already? It is still summer here in the mid west. I had a nice reprieve from the heat when I went to my mom’s which is near Buffalo. Sometimes being at the other end of Lake Erie can make a 10 to 15 degree difference. We had a few beautiful days to celebrate my mom’s birthday.

Growing up, my mom and I had a pretty good relationship. I think she was glad to have a girl after two boys. She used to sew us matching dresses and all through my growing up years she always made an effort to take an interest in what I was interested in, whether it was watching late night Sci-Fi Theater or prerecorded Alice Cooper concerts. We both love to read, watch birds and go for walks. My mom and I have seen plenty of sun sets and walked through blizzards just for the fun of it. At 93, she can’t walk as steadily anymore and has a harder time seeing print on a page, but we still watch the birds and television together.

My mom grew up in an era where wearing white was something you only did after Memorial Day at the onset of summer and only until Labor Day at the onset of fall. Usually that meant white shoes, white hand bags and an occasional white skirt or sweater. Obviously, fashion has come a long way since then and white is whenever and whatever you want it to be. Personally, I still like the lighter colors for spring and summer and the darker colors for fall and winter, but as I said, I am trying to get out of my own box.

Today’s white piece is a pair of ankle pants from Christopher and Banks that I have styled on the blog before. You can see these styled with a geometric print top, a gray studded tee, a neutral open front cardi, a bright floral top, and a chambray popover blouse.

Currently, I have two problems with these pants. First of all, I have gained weight and they have gotten tighter than they were. Second, when I stood up you could see all the wrinkles. I was a very warm day and everything was sticking to me, so I am sure that didn’t help either. Ha, ha.

My tee was a recent thrift store find. It is Disney brand and very silky and soft. I love the words and if you don’t remember, or have never seen Disney’s Cinderella, here is a refresher. There are times I wish I was a princess, or at least had the castle. I already have a lot of shoes.

To make the outfit transitional to fall, I added my Torrid olive military jacket. This was a Christmas gift a few years ago, from my younger daughter. I love the detailing on this piece from the cuff stripes to the double rows of buttons, to the pockets.

I opted to keep my accessories dark to go with the jacket and tee. These Clark peep toes shoes are a great transitional shoe with plenty of coverage for cooler weather, but still a peek of skin and toes.

My Rosetti leopard print bag is a new thrifted piece. Leopard print is always a winner and I didn’t have a bag with that print, so why not? I have a feeling I will be using it regularly in the cooler weather.

Since there was more going on in this outfit with the graphic tee, the added textures on the jacket and the print on the bag, I opted for a simple choker.

I hope you enjoyed seeing this outfit. Do you own a military jacket? I’m including a few shopping links for you to see. Every time you click on a shopping link, I get a few cents. Every little bit helps. Thanks for all your support.

Have a great Tuesday.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. 

Tuesday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb, and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge.