Color Play - 2 - Pantone Spring 2023 - NY Palette: Tangelo, Peach Pink, Machiatto

These are the final three colors from the Pantone Spring 2023 NY Palette and I wanted to let you see them. This is also going to be a color block outfit, though not as distinct as the previous one with the more primary colors. These colors are softer and make me think more of light spring showers and Easter flowers. This outfit has almost a monochromatic feel as the colors are similar in their hues.

With Easter only a week away, I thought it might be nice to focus on an outfit that would work for a casual Easter get together. It used to be we dressed up for this holiday, and I think many people still do, but while many are still donning their white shoes and pretty spring dresses, there are others who will reach for a more casual, practical outfit for a day of cooking and preparing treats for the grandkids’ Easter hunts.

This outfit is made up of three main components: bottom, top and accessories. I am including the vest in with the accessories because it is not essential to the outfit. You could easily wear a top and bottom without a topper like a vest or blazer. For this outfit, the vest was representing another of the Pantone colors and not only does it add an element of warmth, but an element of texture and interest.

My Peach Pink pants are W62 brand and I believe were from Dress Barn. I have styled these on the blog before. You can see them styled here in a monochrome look, with a red moto jacket, with a pastel pink cardigan, with a LuLaRoe tee, with a cropped blazer, and with a different set of Pantone colors,

Sorry for the poor picture quality. Phone pictures are great, but not so much when it comes to editing.

My Tangelo vest was a Christopher and Banks purchase a few years ago. I love the deep orange color and it serves well for both spring and fall.

You can also see in the above picture my thrifted Old Navy sweater top. I had a Machiotto colored jean jacket picked out, but I didn’t have any other orange that worked as well as my vest. Even though there is a distinct marled print you can see the brown color throughout.

I added the scarf as a way to pull the entire look together.

My daughter was getting rid of this pretty, statement necklace, so I snatched it up. I thought it went great with this outfit.

My sneakers are Mossimo and were thrift find. They also mimic the Machiotto color almost perfectly and add another bit of shine to the look.

My bag was a gift from my daughter. Both my girls know I love purses, so I am always excited when I get a new one as a gift. I love the embellished detail on this piece.

What do you think of these colors? Would you wear these together? What are you going to wear for your Easter Day celebration?

I’m not sharing any shopping links to day, but hope you have a marvelous weekend.

Buy Me A Coffee.

Color Play - Pantone Spring 2023 - NY Palette: Fiery Red, Empire Yellow, Blue Perennial, Light Aqua

Today I am looking at a color combining technique that is known as color blocking. Color blocking is the combination of solid colors creating distinct blocks of color. I don’t use the color block technique very often because I love prints. Many times I will combine something like a pair of jeans with a vest or sweater in a solid color, combined with a print top. I guess in that case I am almost always doing a type of color blocking. However, jeans are a type of material that don't typically look solid. Does that make sense to anyone else out there besides myself? Ha, ha.

This outfit is bright and colorful and a great ensemble for the crazy fluctuating temperatures of spring.

The color block technique is a great way to combine one color with another without worrying if they match. The whole point is to combine different colors to create a fun, statement worthy outfit. All of these pieces have been in my closet for a while. I have worn each of them separately, and I have worn the vest and pants together before, but not this combination.

My Light Aqua top is Massini brand and was a clearance find from Kohl’s a few years ago. It is a medium weight knit with a cozy feel.

My secondhand pants have made numerous appearances on the blog and are Ruby Rd. brand. You can see a number of my posts in this one post, Why You Should Have a Pair of Colored Pants - Bright Blue. While I don’t pull these out real frequently for my day to day outfits. I have used them over and over for a special occasion or for the blog.

This yellow vest is a brand called Love Tree. I really like this piece. It came with a detachable hood, and the inside of the vest has a fuzzy, warm sherpa lining. I think I got this at a local boutique, but I actually cannot remember. I know, I know! Too many clothes. I’ll save my clothing muses for another day.

I decided to focus on Fiery Red as an accent color, so my bag, and my pendant charm necklace do the trick. Isn’t it cool, how the red pops against this already colorful outfit? I have this crossbody bag in a similar style, but different brand (both from Amazon), in black. They are great bags with three separate compartments to keep all your things organized. They are not huge, but big enough for the essentials. I’ll give a few shopping links below. A crossbody bag has become my regular go to, because I like the hands free approach. This is especially helpful when you are chasing grandkids, or shopping.

I really wasn’t sure which shoes to wear, and the only reason I ended up with my high top mesh Converse was due to the red stripe around the sole. Ha, ha. Really, my thought process for putting an outfit together is not all that complex. I tried the outfit with a pair of white sneakers first, but it just didn’t look right. I think the heaviness of the fabrics and the vest needed something a little less springy, but I also didn’t want to use knee high boots as those seemed too wintery…thus the Converse.

So what do you think of this outfit? Do you like the color blocking technique? Tell me about an outfit where you have used it. Your comments mean so much to me. You are the reason I keep this blog going, so it is wonderful to hear from you.

Please feel free to show your support for me and the blog by using my Buy Me a Coffee link. When you contribute to my page I can use that money to buy a treat when I am working on the blog at a coffee shop. I appreciate all your support.

I’m including a few shopping links. I only make money off of these links if you purchase something through a link, however, I bring these to you to give you ideas. All opinions are my own.

Have a great Tuesday!

My Style - Pantone Spring 2023 - NY: Classic Green, Love Bird, Leek Green

For today’s look, I decided to combine the three greens on the New York Palette into one outfit. These greens are all different, but go together making a fun, bright, spring outfit perfect for any casual occasion.

You know my go to is always casual and comfortable, but aIso like my outfits to look put together, so it at least appears that I gave a little thought to what I am wearing. I always try to plan my outfits out the night before, so that I don’t have to take the time in the morning to make those decisions. Do you pick out your outfits the night before, or do you just throw things on at the last minute?

This outfit is my style: casual, cute and comfortable. It is the type of outfit in which I feel most confident and most like myself. I love wearing button downs as a topper over a graphic tee or light weight long sleeve tee. Skinnies are always going to be part of my wardrobe, no matter what the trend forecasters say. I will definitely style other types of pants from boot cut, to straight, to wide leg and flares, but skinnies will still hold a place in my closet.

I thought this Periodic Table of Muppets tee perfect for the Classic Green color on the NY palette. The thing I love about graphic tees is that they allow every individual to speak for themselves. They show the bands we like, the shows we watch, the activities and hobbies we groove on. A graphic tee can tell a lot about a person. What do you suppose this tee says about me? If you guessed that I grew up watching the Muppet Show, then you are right! Ha, ha.

This thrifted Jaclyn Smith Love Bird button down is such a great piece for spring and summer. Gingham always moves our minds towards the warmer days of spring and a summer full of outdoor activities and picnics at the park.

While these olive pants are not as yellowy as the Pantone Leek Green, it still gives you the idea of olive drab, which you know comes in a variety of shades from green gray to green brown and green yellow. I’ve had these Gloria Vanderbilt utility skinnies for a number of years and have styled them multiple times on the blog. You can see them with an olive utility vest, a light weight sweater, a floral bomber jacket, and a snakeskin print jacket.

The addition of my Steve Madden white sneakers keeps the outfit feeling springy and fun.

This brown and white bag was a thrifting treasure. It is Rafe NY brand. I really like the style and roominess of the this bag. The fringe tassel and woven buckle strap on the front pocket add such fun details. The bag is a bit heavy, so I won’t be using it for any long shopping trips, but it will make a great travel bag with room for a book and a few snacks. Ha, ha. I felt it went very well with the whole vibe of this outfit. What do you think?

I didn’t get a good close up of my necklace, but it is a simple short pendant and the colors mimic the other colors in the outfit.

Style Tip: Go monochrome without going monochrome. All of these colors are in the green category, but they are all different. Even still, the outfit does have a distinct monochrome feel. This is also a great way to put an outfit together. Pick a color category, then choose various shades from that category to make up your whole outfit. Use your accessories as a way to add a few pops of different color.

What do you think of this outfit? Does this mimic your style? What is your casual go to style? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Leave me some love.

I’m including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links and are brought to you at no extra cost. If you purchase something through a link I get a little bit of a commission. I also now have a Buy Me a Coffee link, so if you are so inclined you can support this little blog by doing that. Thank you so much.

Buy Me a Coffee

I wasn’t able to find anything in the Love Bird color, so you may have to track that one down yourself by Googling it or by looking for it at thrift stores.

Have a great week.

Outfit Inspiration: Pantone's Color of the Year - Viva Magenta

I still want to bring you a look at the Pantone Color Institutes color selections for this year, so this month I am going to feature a few of the New York Palette Spring/Summer 2023 colors for each of my monthly columns. The Pantone website has become increasingly user unfriendly for just the average joe. If you want to buy their services and products they are great, but I can no longer get specific color info. If you look at their page for the Palettes, the colors are now featured as these tiny, almost imperceptible to the human eye, swatches. Ha, ha.

Before I start, let me reiterate, these are my interpretations of the Pantone colors. They are not exact matches, but correspond as closely as I am able to make them with my limited information from the website and my limited wardrobe.

Viva Magenta is a bright, rich pinky red that easily catches the eye. It is a pretty color that can be combined with loads of other shades for a spring and summer worthy outfit palette. I don’t have a lot of pieces this color in my closet, so I was glad to see I had this Sonoma 3/4 bell sleeve top and the thrifted Libby Edelman shoulder bag.

I decided to combine the Viva Magenta with two of the other colors from the Spring New York Palette. Summer Song is a soft, light blue that reminds me of a light wash denim, which is why I chose my thrifted J. Jill - Out of the Blue embroidered, jacket as a topper. I love the embroidered details on this piece. I’ve worn this on the blog before. You can see it with a white skirt for summer, and with a pair of wide leg jeans.

Vanilla Cream is one of the classic colors on the palette this year. I would say it is a cross between a pale pink and a pale coral. The Crayola Crayon box might call this one Flesh, ha, ha! These thrifted Refuge jeggings, seemed to come pretty close to the Pantone color. I don't typically wear leggings or jeggings without a longer top, but these have back pockets and do look more like jeans than leggings, even though they are incredibly soft and stretchy. You can see how I styled these with a black floral top, a belted orange tank top, in a pink monochrome look, and in a flat lay.

My SO ankle boots were a clearance find from Kohl’s a number of years ago. You can see how I styled them with my cognac jeans, a yellow knit cape, dark pink cords, and gray plaid cropped pants.

Are you a fan of Pantone’s color of the year, Viva Magenta? Do you like it combined with these other spring Pantone colors? Do you have any of these colors in your wardrobe? Leave me a comment or two. I always love to hear your thoughts. I do try to respond to all of your comments, so be sure to check back after a few days.

I am including a few shopping links for you to look over. I do apologize that I have not yet gotten linked up with some other affiliate partners. It’s all about the research which takes time. I haven’t given up, but for now I will keep bringing you at least some possible options through my ShopStyle affiliate program. These are brought to you at no additional cost, unless you purchase something of course. Ha, ha.

My Style - Blue Jeans and Plaid Blazer

Nothing says comfort and style like a good pair of jeans and a fun blazer. This is the kind of style I love and dressing like this always makes me feel stylish, and confident. An outfit like this can be worn on casual Friday’s at the office, out for lunch with your gal pals, or for a casual date night with your significant other.

In keeping with my month long attempt to use mainly Valentine’s colors in my outfits I had to showcase this recent purchase from Maurice’s. I got this red plaid blazer and a few other fun items at great prices as they are moving fall and winter stuff out to make room for spring and summer. This piece may just be wearable for at least three seasons if not all four. It is a medium weight knit, but still structured enough that it lays well. It has a double breasted feel, with a one button closure.

My jeans are oldies that I have worn for many blog posts and Instagram photos. They are a brand called Kikit, and like many of my favorite jeans are beginning to show their wear. Do you have a few pairs of favorite jeans that you always find yourself reaching for over and over?

I thought this Elle brand, Eiffel Tower sweater would be a good mix with the black and white in the blazer. While this interpretation of the French tourist attraction is by no means symmetrical, I like the way it is filled in with the black velvet paisley swirls, flowers, and lace.

Since I was going for a casual, fun look I opted for my thrifted black marled Converse sneakers. My jewelry was simple with a short chain necklace with blingy globes and the burgundy twist bracelet. Last, I chose my black top handle/cross body bag, which was from Amazon.

Do you like to wear a blazer with jeans? What is your go to style for a casual Friday look or going out with friends? Let me know in the comments below. I love to get your feedback.

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links, which means I get a few cents when you click on a link. I appreciate every click. All opinions are my own and you are not charged anything extra to make a purchase through my links. I supply these links mainly to give you ideas and options for outfit pieces you may not already have. I appreciate all you clicks and purchases.

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2022 - New York Palette: Samoan Sun, Martini Olive and Chiseled Stone

Today is my last post for the Pantone Autumn/Winter 2022 New York palette series. I decided to do a flat lay for a change due to several factors that are affecting my ability to get posts done. The first is time. I do not know where time goes, but it sure seems like I have less of it than ever before and I am not even working a regular job right now. Second, I injured my knee a few years ago and recently I tweaked it and it has been very painful. I have an appointment Thursday to have it checked out, but I knew it was going to be hard to get pictures done with changing clothes, running up and down the stairs and going outside, so I thought a flat lay the next best thing.

The three colors today’s outfit revolved around are great colors for fall and I think this outfit would be perfect for a casual Thanksgiving celebration. My yellow Samoan Sun sweater is a thrifted Old Navy piece. It has more orange undertones to it, but I still think it works great for this outfit.

My Chiseled Stone striped tee is another thrift find from a brand called Company Ellen Tracy. I looked up Ellen Tracy and it is a clothing retailer with some nice pieces. You can check it out by clicking on the link. The brand seems to exude class and modesty. Prices are a tad high for my limited resources, but I like to show you retailers you might be interested in. If I had the money, I would definitely shop this brand more often.

My Martini Olive utility skinny pants have made multiple appearances on the blog. They are Gloria Vanderbilt brand. You can see these pants styled with a floral bomber, a light weight pullover, a snakeskin print jacket, a floral dress, a lace vest, and a floral dress as a jacket.

My accessories were simple and I chose to emphasize the black to coordinate with the stripes in the tee.

I love this simple charm pendant necklace. It adds a touch of interest to almost any outfit without being overly garish. I couldn’t even tell you where I got it, but knowing my past shopping habits it was either thrifted, or bought at Kohl’s or JC Penney. Ha, ha.

I’ve shown you this black Aidebam bag on the blog before. I got this one from Amazon, but Amazon’s inventory changes pretty regularly and I don’t see this exact style on there anymore. I will include a few shopping links at the end. Here is a very similar one.

These black boots are a very recent thrift find. They were my size and I loved the “witchy” vibe of them. They are a brand called Rampage. I have a wedding coming up and right now I am planning to build my outfit around one of two pairs of ankle boots. I also found a blue velvet pair, another thrifting treasure that I wasn’t lookin for, (but I was). I hope to do a blog post next week on what to wear to a fall wedding using the outfit I come up with. Keep a look out.

Style Tip - The right shoes or boots with an outfit can absolutely make the outfit. If you are not sure about which pair of shoes to wear when going to an event or celebration, try on a few different pairs. Remember, heels of any height will upgrade a look, even when wearing distressed jeans and a tee. If you are going for a more casual look, then think flatter souls and a heel that is an inch or less.

I hope you enjoyed this flat lay and the conclusion of my Pantone series. From now through the end of the the year I hope to bring you holiday inspired and winter looks. Leave me a comment or two, letting me know what you thought of this outfit. Which was your fave in the series? 1 - Lava Falls, Amazon, and Arctic Wolf, 2 - Orange Tiger, Nosegay, and Autumn Blonde, 3 - Rose Violet, Caramel Cafe, and Polar Night, 4 - Waterspout, Midnight and Loden Frost or today’s.

I am including a few shopping links for you to look over. Remember these are affiliate links, which are brought to you at no extra cost. You do not pay anything extra to purchase something through one of my links. In fact, it helps me by putting a few cents into my pocketbook. I really appreciate every little bit.

Have a great week!

What I've Been Wearing Lately: Fall Edition

I have one more Pantone post to do, but I am going to save that for a later date. This week I wanted to share with you a few of my day to day outfits that I have been wearing this fall. As I have done before, I will give a bit of the philosophy behind my outfit choices, why I like it and a few style tips. I hope you enjoy this quick look into my every day style.

Outfit 1 - Colorful Flannel with Gold Chenille Sweater and Fall Tee

Inspiration - Instagram challenge prompt on favorite fall fabrics

Thrifted Pieces - Flannel tee, and combat boots

Style Tip - Don’t be afraid to layer over layers and think outside the box when it comes to color. Bright colors are our friends, especially in the dreary days of winter. In addition, flannel shirts make great shackets for those not so cold early days of fall.

What I like about it - It’s casual, cheerful, comfortable, and incredibly cozy. (Fun tee purchased at Love in Faith tees.)

Outfit 2 - Brown Velvet Blazer with Black Jeans and Gray Button Down

Inspiration - Pinterest Dark Academia Style

Thrifted Pieces - Brown blazer, black cropped flares, and gray polka dot button down

Style Tip - Don’t be afraid to try new styles. I came across the Dark Academia Style on Pinterest and instantly knew it was something I wanted to try. It combines dark pieces to make outfits that look ready for the college campus, or that could easily be translated to the work arena.

What I like about it - I definitely like the modest factor, at least in many of the pins I found, though there could be some very short skirts or shorts, but even there, the styles are often worn over top of dark hose or tights. In addition, this is a look I am comfortable in that makes me feel confident. I am excited to try more styles in the Dark Academia vibe.

Outfit 3 - Purple Tie Dye Top, Utility Vest and Jeans

Inspiration - Instagram challenge prompt on our favorite layer.

Thrifted pieces - Utility vest

Style Tip - Just like boots are made for wearing, so are vests. Don’t be afraid to wear them over dresses, sweaters and even sweatshirts. A vest can make a casual outfit look a bit more polished and dressier. Just add a heeled boot and a bit of jewelry for a fun date night look like this.

What I like about it - I like the way the vest pulls everything in the outfit together. The purple in the sweatshirt didn’t really match the blue of the vest, and yet when the whole thing came together it was perfect. The dark navy boots and the beaded necklace were the cherry on top.

Outfit 4 - Tulle Skirt, Tee and Cropped Denim Jacket

Inspiration - Instagram “Roctober Style Challenge” prompt For Whom the Bell Tulles

Thrifted pieces - Tulle skirt, cropped denim jacket

Style Tip - Get a tulle skirt! These things are the bomb. I have yet to wear it out in public, but just having it in my closet to wear for an Instagram challenge, makes me incredibly happy. I looked for a long time for one at the thrift store and when I found this I felt like I had won the lottery. Ha, ha.

What I like about it - What’s not to like? A tulle skirt combined with a kick butt Wonder Woman tee, denim jacket, and burgundy combat boots?? It is my description of pure fun.

Outfit 5 - Yellow Cable Knit Sweater, Dark Floral Scarf and Distressed Boot Cut Jeans

Inspiration - Instagram challenge prompt, add an extra accessory

Thrifted pieces - Yellow cable knit sweater, and distressed jeans

Style Tip - Layering accessories is a fun way to wear more of your pieces all at once and it adds texture and interest to your outfit. Using a long pendant necklace with a simple scarf wrap like this highlights the necklace, the scarf and the bright sweater backdrop.

What I like about it - I love the contrast of the bright yellow with the darker burgundy and green in the scarf as well as the bronze color of the necklace.

I hope you enjoyed this look at some of my every day outfits, or outfits I donned as part of Instagram challenges. All of these looks, except for the tulle skirt, I wore for the whole day and is very typical of what I normally wear. I like to be intentional about what I put on each day, because it reminds me that I am a special, and beautiful individual with a creative eye and a love for color, fabrics and fashion.

Let me know which outfit is your favorite, or which one you most identify with. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Have a great week everyone!

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2022 - New York Palette: Waterspout, Midnight and Loden Frost

Today’s Pantone Autumn/Winter colors include a bright blue, a dark blue and a light green. Waterspout is a bright aqua blue which seems an odd choice for an autumn palette, but the color gurus will do what they do, and actually it is rather nice to have a few brighter, lighter choices as the days get shorter and the skies begin to gray. Midnight is not really like the midnight blue crayon we all had in our big boxes of Crayolas growing up, but perhaps more like the night sky just after the sun sets, but before the stars start to come out. Loden Frost is a sage green with a little bit of depth and richness.

So far in this series, I think this is my favorite outfit. I like the combination of blues and greens and thought it was an appropriate look for a warm fall day.

I’ve styled this thrifted dress before on the blog. I have had it for years and it is getting a little snug since all my weight has done its post menopausal thing and moved to my mid section. Ha, ha. But that is the beauty of layering. You don’t notice it as much. This is a brand called Oliva Rose, however, there are numerous brands out there with that name, so I have no idea where it originated.

I found this Maurice’s brand sweater at a thrift store. I really like Maurice’s, but I try to stay out of that store. They have so many cute things every season. I like their tees, tops and jeans, but I wait for good sales and coupons, because things cost more now than ever. I am also really trying to curb my buying all around.

My sea turtle scarf is from the dollar store. Back when my oldest was pregnant and we were putting together the shower the theme was Sea creatures. I found a few cute scarves for game give aways and this was a left over. My necklace was a product of two different thrifted pieces that ended up breaking, so I put them together.

My olive Fossil hobo bag is also thrifted. It is another work horse in my closet and is continually in and out of rotation. Fossil brand is a good quality brand and while I never buy them full price, I do love when I can find one on clearance or at a thrift store. This one is a great utility bag with multiple pockets and compartments for everything you need.

I found these navy boots last year online at Kohl’s. They are Journee brand. I am not too adventurous when it comes to my boot colors. I like browns, black, and gray, but I thought it would be nice to have a navy pair, specifically of knee high boots, for a different vibe. Do you like your boots to be a more basic color, or do you like a bright, bold look for your feet?

I hope you enjoyed this post. Let me know what you think of these colors. I am including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links. When you click on a link, I get a few pennies. When you purchase the item through the provided link, I get a little bit more. I appreciate all you clicks. All opinions are my own.

I hope you are having a great week.

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2022 - New York Palette: Rose Violet, Caramel Cafe, and Polar Night

As I continue the Pantone Autumn/Winter color series, I want to remind you my graphics are interpretations of the colors and do not match exactly. I have provided links to the Pantone website and the colors, so you can see what they actually look like. This week’s colors are a combination of a bright pinky purple, an earthy caramel brown and a deep navy. My Rose Violet is definitely too purple. If you click on the link you can see it really is more of a Fuchsia pink than purple. I don’t know why I thought my kimono was the right color. Oh well, I still think it makes for a bright, interesting outfit, even if the colors aren’t exact.

I received this beautiful silk robe from my younger daughter when she and her sister gave me my spa day for my birthday this past January. I really only wear robes in the winter when it is cold, so I thought this pretty piece deserved to be showcased.

Style Tip: Think outside the box when it comes to your clothing pieces. A bathrobe might suddenly be the perfect topper for a holiday party, or your cute checked pj pants might be a great addition to your casual Friday work wear routine.

I was having a hard time smiling when I took these pictures. I still feel tired and the dreary weather wasn’t helping my sinus headache. My hair is a bit fly away too. Oh well, you don’t follow me so that I’ll show you fake pictures and phony smiles. This is the real me, so thanks for loving me anyway! Ha, ha.

My Polar Night tee is an older Christopher and Banks piece. I like to have multiple solid colored tees in short sleeve and long sleeve versions strictly for the purpose of layering, either under pieces like this or just for added warmth under a pullover sweater.

You’ve seen these Stitch Star patchwork jeans on the blog before. I think they worked well for the Caramel Cafe color. The last two times I combined them with red. See the red sweater, and the red knit vest. I think they work well with the purple and with the navy colors.

Style Tip: Don’t be afraid to try new color combinations. You might find you like something even better than your regular go to choices, plus it makes you feel almost a bit daring stepping outside your comfort zone.

I kept my accessories simple. I liked the contrast of the navy tee with the pale purple necklace. I also chose my thrifted silver cross body bag.

I thought the navy SO ankle boots were a compatible choice with the navy tee, but a pair of caramel or cognac colored books would have worked too and the similar color would elongate the leg.

What do you think of these colors? Would you wear a kimono like this anywhere but the house? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I’m including a few shopping links. Enjoy shopping and remember these are affiliate links brought to you at no added cost. If you click on a link I get a few cents. I appreciate all your clicks.

I hope you are having a wonderful October. We have had some beautiful days and the leaves have been just gorgeous. I will not be posting next week as we are taking a few days away with our family, but look for more posts on the blog the following week and as usual I will be posting regularly on Instagram and Facebook.

Have a great weekend!

Fall Trends 2022 - My Take: Outfit 2

This week I am focusing on three more fall trends: an oversized button down, cargo pants and a cozy coat. Here in the midwest cozy coat season is not upon us quite yet. In fact, it still feels summery and seeing as summer doesn’t end for a few more weeks, I think these warm temps are around for a while longer. That makes it hard for me to transition to fall outfits. As much as I want to, I am still reaching for my tees and cropped pants, rather than sweatshirts and boots.

For this outfit I started with the cargo pants, then the oversized button down, followed by the tee. I realized as my outfit came together, that it was going to have a monochrome vibe, so I kept my accessories more understated with similar tones. Let’s take a look at each piece separately.

Cargo pants

I found these Sonoma straight leg pants at a thrift store and I liked that they were a lighter weight version of a cargo pant. Like typical cargo pants they have extra pockets on the legs, as well as the normal pockets front and back. These also have full seams on the front of the legs giving them extra texture and interest. In addition these have tabs on the lower leg so you can roll them up and button in place, if you want to use them as more of a crop pant.

Basic tee

My Time and Tru tee is another thrift find. I was looking for a few tees like this that would work as good layering pieces. You can also see my necklace and a little bit of my belt, both of which have black and silver.

Style Tip: A light weight tee or cardi is a great way to add warmth in the cooler weather without adding too much bulk.

Oversized button down

I found this J. Crew button down on the men’s rack at the thrift store. The men’s rack is a great place to look for oversize pieces that have a more masculine flair. I often see gingham patterns in women’s departments, but they are usually larger checks. Sometimes it’s nice to also have a smaller print.

Style tip: Men’s shirts typically have longer sleeves since many men’s arms are longer than women’s. If you are a seamstress just cut the cuff off and make a hem. Otherwise just roll the cuffs once. You still get a cuffed look, but it’s not hanging down past your knuckles.

I added my olive green Sperry’s and a recently thrifted silver cross body bag.

Last but not least my topper.

Cozy coat

I fell in love with this cozy number that I found thrifting last year. Using it in the cold weather, I found it to be quite warm. The brand is Emma James which is an off shoot of Liz Claiborne. It is faux suede and has a faux fur lining throughout.

I think many of us have more than one cold winter coat. I have a wool one that I like to use in the really cold weather, and a real leather jacket that gets used before it gets super cold. This one is great for cold days and lighter weight so a good coat for shopping.

I hope you have enjoyed this post. Let me know what sort of coats you have. Do you wear oversized button downs? Do you wear cargo pants? I love to hear from you, so be sure to leave a comment. I am adding a few shopping links for you to peruse. Every time you click on a link, I get a few pennies. When you make a purchase through one of my links, I get a little more. Thank you for all your support. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Fall Trends 2022 - My Take: Outfit 1

The next few weeks, I am going to show you my take on some of the Fall 2022 Trends that I talked about last week. I think it is one thing to see these styles on the tall, thin models on the run ways, but something quite different for those of us with real post menopausal bodies. There is always a small body of fashionistas that say wear whatever you want because it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks, but the reality is most of us still care what other people think about how we look. That is precisely why I like to be more reasonable and realistic when it comes to what trends we might like and be able to pull off.

Today’s look combines three trends I talked about last week: a pair of baggy jeans, a white tank top and a bomber jacket.

Let’s start at the top. I have had this white tank top for years, and typically, I just wear it under things as an added layer in the cold weather, but it does have a tiny bit of embellishment around the neck line, so I thought it would be good for this post. The brand is St. John’s Bay, but I can’t remember if I bought it at JCPenny when it was brand new, or if I bought it second hand.

Next lets talk about jeans, and more specifically baggy jeans. I think jean trends are not realistic for all women. Baggy jeans don’t necessarily look good on every body. This pair of Sonoma mom jeans I found on the clearance rack at Kohl’s. I bought them because I wanted to try something with a higher waist. They are not truly “baggy”, but they are not fitted either. The biggest problem I have with baggier jeans is that they add volume to my lower half, and I have enough volume there already, thank you very much! Ha, ha.

This pair is ankle length, which I think makes my legs look shorter. They are also a straight leg rather than a flair or a skinny. The wash of a jean will also change how it makes you look. A darker wash is always better if you want a more slimming line on the bottom. I am going to try these with ankle boots when the temps get cooler to see how that works.

I didn’t bother with a belt, although my normal tendency would be to tuck the shirt and wear a belt. Most of the things I saw that captured this tank and jeans trend left the jeans without a belt.

I have several bomber jackets, but I chose this burgundy colored one for the quilting. Quilting or puffer style is another trend that seems to be popular for this fall season. Now you can find quilted phone cases, hats, vests, jackets, skirts and more. I thought the quilted bandana a rather unique piece I would definitely wear. If any of the pieces below, just click on the picture and it will take you to the retailer.

My bomber jacket was a thrift find. It is light weight, so for me it will serve more as a layering piece for inside, just like a sweater or blazer would. There was not brand tag in this one.

Style Tip: Think outside the box when it comes to layering pieces. Not every jacket you own has to be for outerwear. Light weight bombers, utility jackets, moto jackets and even sweater coats can be used as the top layer for a work outfit, or a lunch date. I even wear these sorts of layers at home to keep me extra cozy in the winter.

When it came to accessories for this outfit, I just threw a few things together. Since the look was ultra casual, I didn’t add any jewelry. I reached for a thrifted, tote bag with a little more structure. Work horse bags are trending right now, so I thought this one met the criteria. It is large enough that I can carry all the essentials plus notebooks, a sweater and whatever else I may need for the day.

Here are a few other fun bags to look at.

For shoes I chose my leopard print flats. I got these a number of years ago at Christopher and Banks. I really don’t love them, so they will be going into my “get rid of” pile. I think I like a toe that is slightly more pointed for a flat, or a loafer style. There’s something about a rounded toe, that I don’t think looks great on my feet.

Leopard print is trending once again, and most likely will always be the classic animal print seen on the runway, and in our closets.

I hope you enjoyed this outfit. Let me know what you think in the comments below. Do you own a bomber jacket? Do you wear it as outer wear or inside? Are you a fan of leopard print? I always love to hear from you, so leave me some lovin’! Of course you can also leave me a criticism. It is all part of being real with each other. I just like to hear from you!

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

Have a super day everyone!

Outfits from a Short Trip

As I said last week, I wanted to show you this week how my outfits turned out that I packed for the trip to my mom’s. Most of the days I showered, got dressed and put on my make up, but Friday I spend cleaning my mother’s house: a job that needed to be done for some time now. Wearing all pink enabled me to not even think about how my pieces were going to go together. I already had it figured out ahead of time. That is the reason I like to have a theme or color(s) when packing for a trip.

Day 1: The Drive

I chose a comfortable pair of jeans with a good amount of stretch. My short sleeve tee is thrifted and I opted for the Christopher and Banks chambray shirt as a light weight extra layer. It was cooler and with the windows down this shirt was the perfect topper. I added my fun blue Converse sneakers which are comfortable and light weight.

Style Tip: Use a long sleeve button down as a light weight jacket. Rolling up the sleeves gives a little extra freedom and coolness. Add shoes that match your pants for a more elongated effect.

Day 2: Thrifting with My Bestie

I love the simplicity of the this outfit and the vibrant touch of color. No matter what is trending, florals are always in season, just like animal prints. Spring, summer, winter and fall, you can’t go wrong with a floral print. Everything I had on this day was a thrifting find, making it even more appropriate to wear when going thrifting with your best friend.

Style Tip: When deciding on accessories for an outfit with a busy print like florals, choose a statement piece that will stand out against the background using an accent color that appears in the print. For my outfit I chose a green pendant necklace with a bold silver chain and border around the stone. Also, don’t be afraid to wear fun shoes. I found these bright purple Sperry sneakers at the thrift shop around the corner from my house. They are a party for my feet!

Day 3: Birthday Picnic at the Park

Obviously I have a thing for florals. Ha, ha. I really needed to iron this blouse before wearing it, but who wants to iron? Once again, I chose my necklace according to a color in the print. I decided to keep to a shorter, layered piece to allow the beauty of the flowers and soft colors to show off fully.

Style Tip: When wearing a lower cut v-neck add a tank top with some sort of neckline embellishment that just peeks out the top for added interest and coverage. This also adds warmth in the cooler fall temps.

Day 4: Cleaning Day

This was my outfit after I spent about almost eight hours cleaning my mom’s house, then took a shower. Seeing as she just turned 96 and has become quite frail and unsteady, it has been a while since a thorough cleaning happened. My niece has been doing occasional cleaning, but she also has her own family, so is very busy.

I started at the top of the house with vacuum in hand and sucked down every cob web, and spider I could find. I did bedrooms, closets, the hall, down the steps, the back entry way, the laundry room, kitchen and living room. I also mopped and cleaned the bathroom and kitchen. I finished by vacuuming the living room carpet. My mom was very appreciative and now she can have a little piece of mind.

Style Tip: Wear comfortable clothes while you clean and after. Ha, ha

Day 5: Company

This look was great for playing with the grand baby, and visiting with, not only my daughter and son-in-law, but another niece and her daughter and their pup, who stopped by to wis my mom a happy birthday.

Style Tip: You can be comfortable in jeans and tees, but still look neat and classy. Try choosing jewelry with a bit of sparkle and bling or a metallic toned belt to bring the look up a notch.

This outfit is another fave. It is comfy and classic. The floral tee is not bold and bright like Day 2, but is more delicate and whimsical in its print. Plus the message is so appropriate. I was also impressed that this necklace matched almost perfectly with the green and pink tones in the tee.

Day 6: The Drive Home

Once again, a comfy outfit for the ride home. Thrifted tee, and jeans, and back to my Converse. The pale pink sweater was just the right coverage for the last half of the drive as the temps went down.

Style Tip: If you like to wear tee shirts like I do in the summer be sure to choose ones that portray messages, graphics and movies or music groups that you identify with. I love tees that give messages of encouragement and hope.

So those were my outfits for my time away including my travel days. I hope you enjoyed this post, and I hope you are having a great week.

Packing for a Short Trip

I thought I would do something a little different and take you through my thought process when I am packing for a short trip away. I am not really into capsule wardrobes, because I really love my clothes, and I also love having variety and choices. I think capsule wardrobes are great and maybe some day I’ll give it a try, but for now I am trying to use the many clothes that I have. However, that does make it harder when I am packing for a trip to decide what to bring with. I try not to get into a rut and wear the same things over and over as far as my tops, so when I pack for a trip I usually pick a theme, an accessory like a scarf or bag or a color to work around to limit my choices.

For this little trip I am taking to my moms for her birthday, I decided to go with the color pink. Usually I pick two or three colors to focus on, but this time I chose a dark pink and a light pink. I have two lighter weight sweaters that I thought would be perfect for a late summer trip where the temps will still be warm during the day, but possibly cooler at night and also thinking about air conditioning in stores and restaurants.

Once I chose the two sweaters, then I started to pull out tops that would coordinate with those and this is what I came up with.

After I chose my sweaters and tops, I decided to add a necklace for each outfit, even if I decide to not wear one, at least I have the options with. I also swapped out the coral tank top under the floral button down for a more neutral light beige one.

I knew I was going to be ultra casual as is my normal style so I chose simple shoes and jeans to complete my looks.

Using things like colors, a special accessory or a theme can help you narrow your selections for a trip whether short or long. Next week I’ll show you all the outfits as I wore them.

How do you decide what to wear for a trip? Do you have a capsule wardrobe or a large wardrobe like I have with many choices? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me a comment or two.

I hope you are having a great week.

Dreamy Dresses from Closet52: Floral Print Maxi Dress

Today I am featuring the last of the three dresses gifted to me by Closet52. This company based in New York City is a dress boutique featuring various styles for casual, work and special occasions, all at fairly reasonable prices. I have found the quality, drape and material of all the dresses I received very good. The fabrics are thick enough to hang well and provide full coverage without the need of a slip. There might be certain ones where a slip would be essential, but it appears that most of the more sheer fabrics have full slip liners under both the top and the skirt.

Today’s dress is the Floral Print Maxi Dress. This one is currently on sale, so if you are interested now would be the time to make a purchase. I do not receive any additional compensation if you buy, but I am pleased with all three of the pieces I received and I think you will be too.

I decided to keep the look casual for this piece, but I think this would be a great wedding guest dress. Glam it up with heels and a sparkly bag and your all set. This dress has a halter style top with a a gathered neckline that ties in back at the neck. I slipped my arms out of my bra so you could see it without my straps showing. I think this would also look cute with a tee shirt underneath.

The long pleated skirt is gathered at the top with an elastic waistline. I felt the elastic looked a little wonky when it was hanging on the hanger, but once I put it on it looked fine. I added a belt just for a little extra pop of pink.

With the close up of the pattern you can see the pretty flowers with a bit of gray and a very light pink in the center. All my accessories except my sneakers are thrifted.

I thought the floral embroidered jean jacket went well with the dress, even though the flowers are shaped differently, there is enough similarity to give it a cohesive feel.

Adding my white Steve Madden sneakers completes the casual look of the outfit.

I can see styling this dress in a few different ways like adding a pullover sweater and boots for the cooler weather, or a long cardigan and some loafers for a dressed down office look. When you shop for a dress, be sure to think outside the box for other ways to style it.

What do you think of this dress? Have you stopped by Closet52 to check out their selection? What did you think? I always love to hear your thoughts, so leave me a comment or two. I appreciate all your support, especially over the last year as I have been trying to get back into a more normal rhythm for the blog.

Have a great week everyone!

Photo credit Jessica Trumbull with Rebecca Trumbull Photography.

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!

Pantone Spring/Summer 2022 - NY Palette: Spun Sugar, Coca Mocha, and Perfectly Pale

Today’s Pantone colors are a blend of earthy and pastels. Spun Sugar is a light, airy blue reminiscent of hazy summer skies. Coca Mocha makes me think of a double scoop of chocolate ice cream and Perfectly Pale is the perfect summer alternative to basic white. See the actual Pantone colors here.

I think these colors are a great pairing for spring and summer. We often think of brown as a fall color, just like we think of white as only a summer color. Well, girlfriends, we definitely needing to change our thinking about color, as in all colors work at any time of year. I will forever love my darker browns, oranges, yellows and burgundies in the fall, but that doesn’t mean I won’t occasionally put them on in the heat of summer. God made color and color is good, all year round.

My Sugar Spun tee is a Sonoma piece. I don’t know that I consider myself wild, but I definitely am glad I live in a free country. That is something I never want to take for granted. I am thankful for all who have fought for so many years to keep our country the free nation it is. I have come to have a deep affection for graphic tees, especially those with words on them.

This outfit is all me. The colors work for me and the pieces are all thrift finds except the necklace, bag and sneakers. The Coca Mocha velvet blazer is a brand called SSA, and is definitely showing wear. I need to do some stitching around the cuffs as it has been wanting to come apart. But overall, I think the blazer still has some wear left in it. This is not something I would normally gravitate towards in the summer, but with our weather being so wacky, I think I will keep this available.

Style Tip: Don’t put your blazers away for spring and summer. Think of them as light weight jackets that you can throw on with cropped pants, capris and even shorts. They make any casual outfit look classy and put together.

My pants are Gloria Vanderbilt and a newer thrift purchase. I knew I wanted a few other lighter weight and lighter colored pants for spring, so this utility pair does the trick.

Style Tip: If pure white is not your bag, find light colored bottoms for summer in pale creams, tans and yellows. You’ll get a similar effect to wearing white and won’t have to worry as much about your colored underwear showing through.

Summer for me means less in the accessory department. I can’t wear most scarves as I get too hot and many of my jewelry pieces make me break out in the warmer weather. These warm months are where I turn to pieces with hippie vibes that use cording, or heavyweight string for pendants and bracelets. I am thinking about taking a few of my hubby’s metal detecting finds and turning them into jewelry, so I guess this would be the time.

My daisy necklace was a Christmas gift from my husband. I like the little quirk it has, because that’s me, just a little quirky. Ha. ha. I am also showing off my round Nine West snakeskin print bag, that I got a few seasons ago from Kohl’s on clearance. Last, but not least, I had to use my bright blue Converse again, since they went along with the Spun Sugar color.

What do you think of these colors? Do you like the colors together, or would you put them with other colors? I love hearing your thoughts and ideas. You inspire me too!

I’m including a few shopping links for you to peruse. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a great day!

Pantone Spring/Summer 2022: Glacier Lake, Daffodil and Snow White

Welcome to the New York Palette of the Pantone Spring/Summer 2022 colors. Pantone has changed the way it allows usage of products, so images are no longer free. Now you have to have a subscription to use the color swatches via the internet, so I have had to get creative in putting together my graphics. I am also not using my daughter’s photography services now, as she is very busy with her business and her baby. I am definitely creating new pathways in my brain, but that is good.

If you want to see the actual Pantone colors click on the following link: Spring/Summer 2022 - New York Palette. I try to get my colors as close to the palette colors as possible, but they are not exact. I appreciate the Pantone Institute’s use of color and always enjoy seeing what the colors are for each season.

For today’s outfit, I thought the mix of yellow, blue and white perfect for spring and even for the upcoming Easter holidays. This color combo makes me think of the sunny flowers the color is named for, and the many blues of summer including skies, lakes and denim. White is always classic, not only for summer, but every season.

My Glacier Lake vest is a Christopher and Banks piece that I found at a thrift store. It has the utility look with the larger, square pockets, encased drawstring and metal buttons. I love using my utility vests in the spring and fall.

Style Tip: If you want an extra layer but don’t want all the bulk choose a light weight vest. A utility vest or a dressier suit vest will provide extra warmth, but won’t add the bulk of a quilted, or sherpa type piece.

My bright, yellow cable knit pullover is St. John’s Bay piece. I honestly can’t remember if I bought it at JCPenney or if I got it thrifting. Ha, ha. My white Gloria Vanderbilt jeans I have had for a number of years now. They are just the right weight and thickness for no-show issues, and can be dressed up or down.

My floral scarf is a piece I recently thrifted. I love scarves. I think they add so much to an outfit.

Style Tip: When styling an outfit with two or three solid colors, add a printed scarf for additional color and interest.

You’ve seen my Merona thrifted bag a few times now on the blog. I thought it was a good choice for this springy look. I also opted to wear my Steve Madden platform sneakers. When it comes to platforms, these are very low, which I like. I really don’t like all the extra bulk of a thicker platform or a really thick lug sole on boots.

What do you think of these colors? Would you wear them together? Do you have these colors in your closet? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me a comment or two. I am including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links, which means I get a small commission when you click on a link. All opinions are my own.

Have a great week everyone!

What I've Been Wearing Lately

I didn’t have the time, nor the energy to come up with outfits for a blog post, so I thought I would just share a few of my everyday outfits that I posted on Instagram. I know some of you follow me there, and on Facebook so these might be repeats for you, but to keep it interesting and fun I will be adding a few style tips and commentary on why I chose what I did and my thought process or the inspiration for putting it together. I also thought it would be fun to tell you which pieces are thrifted.

Outfit 1 - Tan Blazer with Striped Tee

Inspiration - Pinterest

Thrifted Pieces - Striped tee, blazer, jeans, belt and shorter necklace

Style Tip - Florals and stripes are an easy and quick way to print mix without getting overwhelmed.

What I like about it - It is casual, but a bit dressier with the blazer and jewelry. It adheres to my fashion style with the combat boots and floral scarf. The layers make it great for these transitional days as winter ends and spring begins.

Outfit 2 - Sunflower Skirt with Pullover Sweater

Inspiration - Style challenge on Instagram for #wearyellowtoendendo22 with @ldywhobrunches and @sarahceeraz

Thrifted Pieces - Sunflower skirt and gray faux suede boots.

Style Tip - Try choosing color combos that aren’t perfectly matched. It might go against your fashion sense, but it is good for your brain to think differently about how colors pair up. You might find color combos you never thought to put together.

What I like about it - I ended up wearing this outfit all day and it was extremely comfortable. It was just the right amount of layering to keep me warm and I didn’t feel overly constricted. I like the boho vibe of it, but it also says classy with the long flower pendant and the chic chenille sweater.

Outfit 3 - Plaid Jacket with Space Tee

Inspiration - My closet and my own creativity.

Thrifted Pieces - Plaid jacket.

Style Tip - Skinny jeans and straight leg jeans are the best for tucking into boots, so don’t get rid of all of your skinnies, no matter what is trending. Skinnies and straight leg pants give you a sleeker fit through the leg, but especially around the knee and top of a taller boot.

What I like about it - This outfit just speaks to my inner lumberjack persona. I love plaids and earth tones like brown and green. I like the contrast of the darker green tee, as opposed to choosing an olive green to match the tones in the jacket. Pairing the jacket with a scarf allowed me to wear the wool without doing all the itching.

Outfit 4 - Casual Blue Sweater and Jeans

Inspiration - My own closet and a desire for comfort. (You would be amazed at what motivates my fashion choices - Ha, ha.)

Thrifted pieces - Light blue sweater and light blue long sleeve tee underneath.

Style Tip - Choose a sweater with texture to minimize noticeable bulges around the middle. The eye is busy trying to follow the texture and pattern, rather than focusing on your bits. (I also size up, but that is a personal choice.)

What I like about it - Casual style is my jam and this is a perfect example of all the things I love: jeans, soft, roomy sweaters, pretty color and fun sneakers.

I hope you enjoyed taking a closer look at my everyday outfits, and hearing about where I draw inspiration from, and how I use my thrifted pieces. I also hope you are enjoying my style tips. Let me know what you think by leaving your thoughts in the comments, or on Facebook. I appreciate all your support.

Fashion Fun: One Blazer Three Ways

Everyone should own at least one or two good blazers. What I consider a good blazer is a piece that fits well, is made well and doesn’t show wear after only a few years. I have my own stockpile of blazers, because they are timeless. I do have wool based blazers that I only wear in the fall, winter and spring because they are the perfect classy layer to keep me warm. I also have a few that serve me well in the warmer months in overly air conditioned restaurants and theaters. Today, I want to show you a thrifted piece that I recently found.

I have been looking for a tan colored blazer for a few months. I didn’t care if it was tan, or beige, or camel, I just wanted something in that color family. I now have two. The one I will show you today being the first one I found. Last week I found a darker one at the dollar thrift store in the town south of us. How could I possibly pass up a beautiful blazer that fit me well and made me look like a girl straight out of Pinterest, for only a dollar? I couldn’t! Ha, ha. Do I need two tan blazers? No, and eventually, I will probably get rid of one, but for now I have two.

Outfit 1 - Casual with Jeans

This piece is a brand called Collections for Le Suit and I got it at Goodwill when my husband took me out for my birthday back in January. Looking at it in these pictures shows me that it is a little big. I lost a few pounds when I was sick and have not gained it back. Not being able to taste anything helps with that. Ha, ha. However, it will be nice to wear with bulkier sweaters and sweatshirts in the cold months.

My Apt. 9 jeans are also thrifted, though from a few years ago. I like the darker wash and bootcut of this pair. I have found most of my favorite jeans at thrift stores. It is a great place to find and try brands you haven’t heard of or can’t afford at regular retail prices. My patterned turtleneck is a thrifted brand called Investments Essentials. The funky pattern is what drew me to it.

To complete the look I added a beaded layered necklace, my Very Peri thrifted Merona bag and my old Sonoma heeled ankle boots from Kohl’s.

Outfit 2 - Workwear with Plaid Trousers

These plaid trousers are another dollar thrift find. I didn’t even try them on, figuring for only a buck, I could just donate them if them didn’t fit. What drew me to them were the light blue stripes. These are Mossimo brand.

I decided to pair them with my light blue Sonoma shirt. I got this from Kohl’s a number of years ago. A good chambray shirt, whether a light wash or a dark wash, is always in style and can be worn with so many things.

I finished off the look with silver accessories, and my blue Converse sneakers.

Outfit 3 - Dressy with a Polka Dot Skirt

I found this fabulous black and white polka dot skirt at the same dollar thrift store where I got the pants. How could I resist this classy, flowy piece, especially when black and white is trending for spring. It is a brand called Urban Coco. It has a white elastic band waist making it very comfortable. It also has a partial lining which hits just above the knees. I hope to see this one get some wear this summer.

White tees are all the rage for pairing with blazers, so I thought why not bring that into play here. My simple white tee is a Time and Tru piece from Walmart. This brand has definitely given Walmart a place in the fashion world, and they seem to be affordable pieces meant for real life wear.

For the rest of my look I kept it simple by adding a thrifted pendant necklace, a blag sparkly clutch and my Clark’s open toed shoeties.

If a girl’s got a twirly skirt, the girl’s got to twirl!

Here are the three looks side by side.

Which outfit do you like the best? Do you have a blazer this color? How do you like to wear it? Leave me some love in the comments. I really appreciate it. I am including a few shopping links for items similar to pieces in these outfits. Feel free to look them over. These are affiliate links, all opinions are my own.

Fashion Fun: Men's Oversized Button Down

When it comes to thrifting for fashion, I like to think outside the box. I always peruse all the sizes, because so often size is relative. What I mean by that is, it is relative to the brand. A size 12 in one brand might fit you perfectly, but a size 12 in another brand, might be too big or too small. I honestly believe sizing is different than it used to be. If you shop vintage clothing, at all, you will see that most of the pieces are relatively small. Women tended towards being smaller in the waist, hips, and shoulders than we are now. Not sure why, but it does seem to be the case.

I have also started looking in the men’s section of thrift stores for fun pieces like tees and printed button downs. I like the roomier cut of a men’s medium or even large shirt and they often have textures, prints and fabrics that are different than those on the women’s racks. Today, I am going to show you three different outfits using three men’s button downs that I purchased while thrifting.

Outfit 1 - Men’s Button Down as a Tunic

When I saw this paisley madness, I knew I had to have it. This is Visconti brand. If you type the name be sure to type in Visconti clothing. and you’ll see they have them at Dillards. They also have their own website, but I am not here to encourage you to buy a new shirt. This to encourage you to look at the men’s racks if you thrift, or even if you shop clearance. I absolutely love the colors in this piece and it is easily worn all year round as a top or as a “shacket”.

I topped this look with a thrifted, black Nadia brand, corduroy vest. I added my Simply Vera, Vera Wang skinny jeans and my black knee high boots. The black embroidery on these jeans are what sold me. The abstract floral print goes with so many other pieces.

I didn’t really need to add any jewelry since the print is so busy, but I thought it would be fun to add this piece that has a variety of colors and textures. It blends in, yet also stands on its own.

Outfit 2 - Men’s Button Down as a Work Wear Top

This shirt is Izod brand. This year’s Pantone Color of the Year is called Very Peri. I think it is a very pretty color reminiscent of the Periwinkle flowers, which can come in blue, purple or white. I thought this checked shirt fit the color well. One thing I have to do with most of the men’s shirts I purchase is roll up the sleeves, but rolling up the width of the cuff is just the right amount, so you can hardly tell.

My denim pencil skirt is also thrifted and Gloria Vanderbilt brand. I like the length of this and if I still had a reason to wear a skirt would definitely be wearing this often. I added the navy hose to cover my veiny legs and thought the black, thrifted Nine West loafers gave it a work wear look. I also added the denim blue cloth belt and the dark purple agate pendant necklace. My thrifted, Merona bag, also brings in that Very Peri vibe.

Outfit 3 - Men’s Button Down as a Shacket

I’ve had this thrifted, Ruff Hewn corduroy button down for a few years now. I love the color and typically think of it as a fall piece. It is soft, warm and roomy, so a perfect piece for wearing over lightweight sweaters, sweatshirts or long sleeve tees.

I wanted this outfit to have more of a spring vibe, so I went with my Sonoma floral joggers, and a thrifted light pink Express short sleeve tee. I opted for metallic accessories including my silver Sketcher sneakers, pewter hand-me-over bag, and my silver and copper necklace.

Here are the three outfits side by side.

I hope you enjoyed this look at how to style a men’s oversized button down. It is fun to explore other options in your fashion wardrobe, and you never know when something you try will become your new favorite style. Which outfit was your favorite? Do you wear men’s clothing? How do you like to style a men’s or women’s oversized shirt? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments.

Thanks for stopping by the blog. I have provided a few shopping links for your enjoyment. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.