Texture Talk - Part 2 - Embellishments and Fabrics

Last week I took a look at how adding texture to our outfits can change and elevate our same old, same old looks, to a new level. Texture is all around us in nature and in the homes we live in. Take a look at your living room or bedroom. There is texture on the couch in the form of upholstery, pillows, and throw blankets. Your bed probably has a thick cushy comforter or mattress pad that adds comfort for a better night's sleep. We fill our homes with pictures, decorations and nick nacks to add depth and interest to the environment we live in. Why would we not do the same thing to our outfits?

Last week I looked specifically at adding texture in the form of our accessories, such as bags, shoes, jewelry and scarves. You can see that post here. This week I want to look at fabrics and embellishments and what choices there are to add texture in this regard. 

Embellishments:

This would include anything added to a clothing piece that gives it texture that is not specifically fabric related. Fabrics like lace could be an embellishment, but I am going to leave that for the fabrics section. 

Things like beads, jewels, sequins, fringe and special buttons, are all embellishments. Certain types of stitching, like the embroidery above, as well as things like gathering or ruching also add texture to an outfit. 

Fabrics:

Lace

I love lace and I think it can add an element of elegance to any outfit. It obviously adds beautiful texture when it is worn. Combining lace with leather or lace with some other embellishment makes for an even more interesting outfit. 

Knits

My pictures all revolve around open weave knits. Things like crochet or knitted pieces are great for boosting the texture factor. However, even regular knits made in a factory add dimension to a look, especially if they are ribbed or manufactured in a way that builds texture. You'll see an example of ribbed knits a little further below. 

Fabrics made with special textures:

Pleats

Quilting

Ribbing

Texture is a wonderful thing to add to our outfits. As you begin thinking about fall in particular you will be naturally reaching for things like cozy knit sweaters and fun boots. Coats and jackets will also add an element of texture to your outfit. 

I am going to stretch this into one more post, because I think there is one more area of texture we need to discuss. Look for another post next Thursday. Until then, have a great weekend!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Summer Trends 2018

Still in the throes of trying to get caught up after vacation, I decided to finish off the month of May with a look at what is trending for Summer 2018. I'm picking the trends that I think are fun and interesting and won't be including things like transparent rain gear or outside the box sports gear. I like to include those trends that I think most women would find interesting, but if your into see through rain gear, by all means, go for it. 

1. Color

Color is one of my favorites, as you know by my seasonal Pantone series, and this summer is no exception to the color wheel. Everything from brights, like a Crayola crayon box, to pastels as soft and sugary as cotton candy, are gracing the racks and shelves of clothing retailers every where. 

2. Feathers and Fringe

Embellishment on a clothing piece is a great way to add texture to an outfit. Often, these little details can take an outfit from ordinary to extraordinary. Check out these fun pieces. 

3. Floral Dresses

The floral trend is here to stay and I am glad. Floral prints are pretty, feminine and everyone can wear them. Whether you like tiny prints or big and bold, there is a floral dress sure to suit any woman's taste. 

4. Tropical Prints

If you can't go to the tropics, why not bring it to you? This year there are all sorts of fun tropical patterns, sure to make you feel whisked away to any number of magical places filled with swaying palm trees and moon lit beach walks. 

If you think a clothing piece is too much, then choose a colorful bag. You still get the fun of the trend, without feeling like you are a walking add for a trip to Hawaii. 

5. Checks

Checks and plaid are another pattern that seems to be sticking around through all seasons. Gingham is once again a summer staple, but so are other plaids. 

These are just a few of the summer trends that will be showing up in the stores and probably on a number of blogs, including my own. 

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the pictures it will take you to the retailer that sells that particular piece. Your clicks earn me a few cents. If you purchase something through my blog, I get a little commission. All opinions are my own. I've tried to include a variety of pieces just to show you what is available, but there are lots of options out there. If you are like me, you may already have some of these trends in your closet. 

Have a great weekend!

Beautiful Blogger Bests - Wearing Fringe - Accessories

This week's featured beautiful blogger is Jodie of Jodie's Touch of Style. Jodie's blog specifically caters to women ages 50 and over. She offers a multi-generational perspective on fashion by using herself (50's), her step mom, Nancy (60's) and her mom, Charlotte (70's) to model in all of her fashion posts. You can read more about Jodie and her two other beautiful family members and models on her About page. 

Jodie is a fantastic fashion blogger based in Colorado. She is down to earth, creative and honest, not only about fashion, but about herself. I anticipate Jodie's posts as she models everything from tee shirt dresses, to faux leather skirts, to wearable art, for all three decades. 

Today's post was inspired by a series of posts Jodie did last spring on wearing fringe. Jodie did a three part series which you can see by clicking on these links: Fringe 1 (On a Clothing Item), Fringe 2 (On a Necklace), and Fringe 3 (On an Accessory). 

I have decided to divide this up as well, with my first post today dedicated to fringe on accessories. Somewhere down the line I will dedicate another post to fringe on clothing. 

Fringe on a Scarf:

Fringe on a bag:

Fringe on a necklace - a tassel:

Fringe on a bracelet:

Fringe on a poncho:

I would also include shoes with the accessories, but my moccasin pics weren't ready, so I will include those in my next fringe post at a future date.

As you can see there are many ways to wear fringe and what was once a style statement of the 60's has made a strong resurgence and is probably here to stay. I will say that Jodie was really the inspiration behind my getting on the fringe band wagon. 

Jodie of Jodie's Touch of Style is a fashion blogger that actual women can follow and be inspired by. Be sure to visit her site and give her some love. 

Next Tuesday we will feature another of Pantone's Fall 2016 color choices and my Color Crash Course on Thursday will spotlight red and orange, just in time for fall. I hope you will be back for more fun on Stylin' Granny Mama.

Have a great weekend!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull (all except bracelet photos). Make up Rachel Christensen.

Fringe finds:

Scarf - JC Penney - $22.40

Bag - Kohl's - $36.00

Tassel Necklace JCrew Factory - $23.50

Tassel Bracelet - Nordstrom Rack - $12.97

Poncho - Macy's - $36.99