Spring Trend - Utility Dressing

Today I am looking at another spring trend, utility dressing. Typically we think of utility dressing as something a mechanic, painter or other utility worker might wear. Often the uniform will have large pockets, snaps and zippers for ease of wear and storage. These same details have translated into women’s fashion with utility jackets, pants, vests and tops. This spring the trend is bigger than ever and includes jumpsuits in sleek, fun styles.

I am not a fan of jumpsuits. I spend way to much time in the bathroom, so i need things to be as quick as possible, especially when I am at work. However, since I decided to do this little series, I thought I would try to come up with an outfit that mimics a jumpsuit, but still has the ease of a two piece outfit.

This outfit is actually made up of three pieces, but you get the idea. The way to mimic the jumpsuit look is to go back to a monochrome color scheme. I chose olive for my outfit, because that is the color I had utility type pieces in. Large pockets, snaps and zippers all make this outfit fit into the utility vibe.

My button up top is Worthington brand and I’ve had it for a while. I love to shop JC Penney’s clearance racks and I’m sure that is where I found this. I am fond of Worthington pieces as they are usually made for average women like me, who need a little stretch, but still want some structure in a blouse or a pair of pants. I’ve gotten a number of dress pants in this brand too. The other thing I like about this blouse is that is doesn’t gape in the front. The buttons are in the right spots. There is nothing worse than gapage (yes, I did use that as a word) if you are trying to look put together for work or other activities.

My cargo skinnies are another JC Penney purchase from a few years ago. These are Gloria Vanderbilt. I like her brand for the same reason I like Worthington, ease of wear and fit. I used to get Gloria Vanderbilt jeans, but my taste in jeans has grown to include brands that have an edgier and perhaps more youthful vibe to them. I think Gloria Vanderbilt is great for dress pants or, like these, something different than jeans.

The utility vest is a more recent purchase from last season at Kohl’s. This olive utility vest is Mudd brand and was another clearance find. There are very few things that I buy, that aren’t from clearance racks or thrift stores. I could have used my olive utility jacket, because yes, I have one of those as well, but it was a completely different shade of olive. Isn’t it funny how colors that are supposed to be the same, can be so different, but that’s a topic for a different post.

Here is a more detailed look at the pockets on both the pants and the vest. As you can see the vest also has toggles so you can adjust the fit to make it tighter or looser. It has both a full zipper and snaps, giving it added metallic details. I like the brassy look of the metals as well.

My accessories are fairly simple. A black velvet choker with a cross, a few faux leather bracelets, a straw bag with black trim and my black heeled Ralph Lauren boots. The bag and boots were thrifted.

I cuffed the pants for another fun element. If you didn’t want to cuff them, you could also tuck them in. Doing that allows the buckles on the boots to shine, adding that metallic utility detail to the entire outfit.

I’m adding this picture, just because I really liked my modelesque hair and smile. And I didn’t even need to have a fan! Ha, ha.

What do you think of utility dressing? Do you own any utility pieces? Do you own a jumpsuit. Remember, you don’t have to jump on the jumpsuit wagon to get the same effect. Following trends is not so much to mimic a look as it is to make it completely our own. I think that is exactly what I did with this outfit.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Let me know your thoughts. I am so thankful for some of my subscribers who regularly offer their encouragement. I’d love to hear from even more of you. If you have a thought you’d like to share, just put it in the comments. You can also enjoy more outfits and ideas by following my Instagram posts and my Pinterest boards. If there is anything different you would like to see me feature on the blog, shoot me your ideas either in the comments below, on my Facebook page or if you subscribe you can shoot me an email. This isn’t just about fashion, but about making friends and traveling life together.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

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