Shopping Our Closets - Light Weight Joggers and a Button Down Shirt

This week I want to share with you two pieces I think are essential to a warmer weather wardrobe: light weight joggers and a button down shirt. These two are practical and versatile and able to be used for so many outfits. For today’s post I combined these pieces to make a comfortable ensemble easily worn to a summer graduation party, a casual night out, or a trip to the zoo with the kids or grandkids.

I was never a jogger sort of gal. Jeans have always been my go to, and occasionally dress pants for work when I had an office job. Joggers were for exercise, not daily wear. However, I came across a floral Sonoma pair at Kohl’s a couple of years ago and thought I would give them a try, since I loved the floral pattern. You can see those styled here. Now I have this purple pair, and a blue pair. In addition I have added a few pairs that I thrifted.

Those of us who have very bad varicose veins do not really like to show our legs off on a regular basis, but we also like to be cool in the hot weather, so a light weight, comfy pant like these joggers is the perfect compromise. They are completely versatile as well, so you can make them super casual, or add a silky top and heels for a more dressed up vibe.

Style Tip: Never say never when it comes to clothing. Trying new styles and pieces is exactly how you grow your wardrobe and how you really hone in on your exact style. Style, just like many things in life, is a trial and error type of thing. Try something and if you don’t like it, move on to the next thing.

I went for a purple with purple combo in this outfit, but I wouldn’t call it monochrome, because the purples are quite different. My tee seems to lean in the blue direction, although if you saw it by itself you would definitely say it is purple. I love graphic tees, and this thrifted Misslook piece is spot on my style. You can also see my purple hued bracelets that I added for jewelry interest.

Style Tip: If you like to wear tee shirts think outside the box as to how you style them. A nice, crisp white tee is just as much a work wear piece as a nice, crisp button down. Add a neck scarf or some layered necklaces, top it with a structured blazer and you’ll look ready to take on the world. On the other side, tees, especially graphic ones with words or designs, can be uniquely yours and tell a lot about your personality and what you value.

Once again, I am using a classic button down as a shacket. This thrifted yellow piece is White Stag. I have hung onto a few more structured, solid colored button downs as layering pieces that can be used all year round.

I chose this bright yellow bag as I thought it drew out the bright yellow in the center of the daisy on my shirt and compliments the pale yellow button down. This was a thrift find and is a brand called Bueno.

I got these pale yellow Universal Thread sneakers at Target on clearance a few seasons ago.

What do you think of this look? Do you wear button down’s as light weight layering pieces? Do you like to wear tee shirts? How do you like to style them? I always love to hear your thoughts, so please feel free to leave a comment or two.

As usual I ‘m including a few shopping links for you to peruse. Please feel free to use these links as inspiration for your own wardrobe. I only make money on these links if you use the link to purchase something. These are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own.

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Pantone Spring/Summer 2022 - NY Palette: Harbor Blue, Dahlia, and Northern Droplet

These are the last three colors from the Pantone Spring/Summer 2022 New York Palette. Today’s colors are festive and fun, the perfect combination for a summer event. I always love a brighter, richer approach to color anyway, so these are probably two of my faves from this palette. Click here to see the actual Pantone colors.

Harbor Blue is a medium blue green giving it a teal vibe, but with a little less intensity. Dahlia is a beautiful shade of purple that reminds me of spring and summer flowers like Azaleas, Cosmos and Pansies. Northern Droplet is a light shade of gray much like an early morning fog over a mountain lake.

For my outfit today, I ended up using a slightly darker gray rather than a light gray. I don’t own a lot of light gray because it is one of those colors that doesn’t do me justice. It is also what I would term, a non color, meaning it doesn’t really do a whole lot for very many people. Certainly there are women who look wonderful in a light shade of gray, but it seems to me that a medium to dark gray is a better choice for most of us.

As of the posting of these photos it is still cool in the midwest. We have had so many gray and rainy days, I am honestly starting to think we are turning into the new northwest and joining our friends in Seattle. However, I did want to give you an outfit where I at least showed a little bit of skin on my legs, just to give the feeling of oncoming summer and warmer weather.

My Harbor Blue bomber jacket was a clearance purchase from ShopNational a few seasons ago. I love the floral textured pattern. The banding at the neck, sleeves and bottom makes it extra comfy to wear. It is a unique piece that I don’t wear a lot, but one that I will hang on to for its versatility and vibrant color.

My thrifted jeans are a brand called Stylus. This appears to be a discontinued brand that may have once been sold at JC Penney and Walmart. I like that they have a tiny bit of distressing near the pocket and above the knee.

My Bambi tee is a thrifted Sonoma piece. When I first got it I knew the print was of deer, but after closer inspection it is definitely Bambi’s silhouette. You can also see my silver necklace that my bestie gave me back in March when we were in NY visiting my mom. I opted for the olive canvas belt because there is a bit of olive in the scarf.

My beautiful scarf was gifted to me by a dear friend who was clearing out her home in preparation for their move to Tennessee. Every time I wear it, I am reminded of her and her husband who moved to be near their youngest daughter, her husband, and their first baby. I just love all the colors in this scarf and feel like it is the perfect piece for every season.

Style Tip: When you don’t know what outfit to put together, pull out a favorite printed scarf. Take cues from the scarf on putting the ensemble together by choosing pieces with matching or similar colors. It really helps for picking out outfits and I do this often, when I am going away for the weekend.

My Ked’s sparkly sneakers are quite old, and perhaps need another run through the washer. I chose my simple Aerosmith tote (a hand me over from my younger girl) for my bag.

Do you like these colors? Would you wear these colors together? Let me know what you think of this outfit by leaving me a comment.

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Thank you for all of your support. Have a great weekend!

Marvelous Maxis - Wearable White

White has long been a summer staple for many women. I can remember when I was a girl, going shopping with my mom before Easter to get a new pair of white church shoes. Back then, we didn't wear white until after Memorial Day, with the exception of Easter Sunday. White is now a year long embraceable color. Spring, summer, winter and fall are all appropriate seasons for wearing white. In the warmer months our white clothing will usually gravitate to capris, shorts and lighter weight tanks and sleeveless tops. I have also found white skirts are a fun item to have in your wardrobe. 

Today's skirt is St. John's Bay brand from JC Penney. They currently do not have a white maxi version, but they do have a knee length version here. 

Look 1 - Casual

I topped the white skirt with a simple orange and white striped tee that I found at a thrift store. I like the bright color of this tee. 

I added my antler and bead necklace from Cabelas and a bracelet that matched. It's funny how sometimes you can buy two separate pieces of jewelry, at two different places, at two different times and end up having them look great together. 

To keep the look ultra casual I wore my black flat espadrilles. These are Easy Spirit brand and have a nice cushy insole. Here is a very cute low wedge version. Espadrilles are a great shoe for summer as they are usually made of canvas, which keeps your feet from getting too hot. They also look cute with just about everything.

Look 2 - Dressier

I didn't dress this outfit up as, much because I wanted to show you that making only a few little changes can make a casual outfit look a bit more dressy. 

I kept the same tee, but topped it with a Joe Fresh navy eyelet jacket from JC Penney. Penneys no longer carries Joe Fresh, but they have their own website. Here is a cute version from Old Pueblo Traders. 

You can see I also kept the same bag. This roomy top handle bag is from shopping a friend's closet. It is an Aldo brand bag and is well constructed with a burlap looking body and tan leather trim and handles. 

I swapped out my antler and bead jewelry for a few orange beaded bracelets and a bird pendant, with a gold chain and pretty faux rhinestones. 

I also swapped out my flat espadrilles for my Croft and Barrow Ortholite sandals. These are very comfortable, look stylish and come in two other colors. You can see them here. 

Here are the two outfits side by side.

Do you own a white maxi skirt? How do you style it? Do you wear it all year round or just in the summer? I actually could see wearing this skirt with a heavy sweater and boots in the colder weather, so I may just have to try that. I'd love to hear your input in the comments section below. 

Check back Thursday for a colorful outfit on my Color Crash Course column.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

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

Linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb, Nicole of High Latitude Style,