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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Spring Trends (Already?)

I know, I know, why am I already talking about spring trends, when we are about to be blasted by arctic air and winter doesn’t officially end for another two months? Some of it has to do with the fashion industry and the fact that they are simply very pushy. Ha, ha. They want us to already be thinking about, blogging about and buying for the next season. I don’t really buy into that so much, but I do think it is nice to think about warmer weather and being able to go outside without freezing our patooties off.

Pixabay

When I begin to research the upcoming trends for each season, I simply Google Spring 2019 and all sorts of links pop up. The fashion news industry is on top of its game and you can find dozens of articles on this year’s trends. As always, I pick and choose which trends I want to participate in and I try not to “buy” into a trend, unless it is one I know I will be wearing for a very long time. I will invest in a piece or pieces for something I feel comfortable in and that I feel will work well for many seasons to come. For example, leopard print. This animal print has been around for a long time and even though animal print in general made a come back last fall and into this spring, leopard is just one of those that I feel every woman can wear and pairs well with just about any color.

The following is a partial list of the 2019 spring trends, with a few examples. This list is not exhaustive, rather are the ones that I liked from the websites I looked at.

1- Beige or Neutral Head to Toe

Since I am a woman who really likes color, I am not thinking this trend will be my favorite, but I wanted to have an open mind. Shopping my closet, I found a few pieces that might work, so you will see an outfit, designed by me, that mimics this trend, coming soon.

2 - Neons and Pastels

Almost to the opposite extreme of head to toe beige we have neons and pastels abundant on the color scene. You’ll see more on color when I do my Pantone Spring 2019 series in a few weeks, but for now, neon yellow, green, pink and more will add a pop of color to any outfit. In addition, if neon is not in your comfort zone, then pastels are back in full force. Look for soft greens, light purples and calming blues. Tie Dye is also back, so if you still have that tie dye shirt from the sixties or seventies pull it out. It’s back in style! If you don’t have anything tie dye, it’s a great project to do with your kids or grandkids.

3 - Utility Dressing

Jumpsuits are coming back in force and especially those that look like worker outfits. Zippers, pockets and similar embellishments have turned the ordinary into the extraordinary. If you don’t like the inconvenience of a jumpsuit, try pairing a utility jacket with a similarly colored pair of jeans or cargo pants. It’s like wearing a jumpsuit without the struggle when you have to use the restroom.

4 - Crafted Pieces

Crafted pieces are coming back around. Think about the sweaters and shawls many of our mothers and grandmothers used to knit and crochet. These are becoming popular again and include things like macrame, weaving, and fish net. If you go out in your garage, you might be able to find something that could serve as trendy attire. Ha, ha. Honestly, though, I like crafted pieces, especially light weight knits that can serve as over pieces in the spring, summer, and fall.

5 - Black & White Polka Dots

Polka dots are back and in the classic color combination of black and white. I like polka dots in any color, but pairing black and white makes for a print that can be work friendly and easily transitioned to a casual or dressy date night look. I compare polka dots to animal print or camouflage. It is a print that can be worn in many ways and with many other colors. Adding one piece like this to your wardrobe will give you new options for creating fun classy outfits.

7 - Scarf Prints

Print mixing is bigger and bolder than ever. An easy way to do this is buy a piece that already has the print mixing done for you. Scarf print pieces are the perfect way to mix prints and take the guess work out of it. Scarf prints are also a classy way to jazz up an outfit, whether pairing with a pair of jeans for a casual date night look, or a skirt for the office.

These are just a few of the Spring 2019 Trends that you will see online and in stores. You don’t have to buy into the trends at all. You can do exactly what I did and shop your closet. I found a number of pieces that are similar and I will be showing you my spring trend outfits over the next few weeks.

What trend is your favorite? I’d love to hear you thoughts.

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Have a great day.