...what you repeatedly wear

The best way to continue to wear a dress that you've already worn (several several times - like this navy blue dress above) is to change how you style it.

First, change up your jewelry - try a different metal, try a different length & style of necklace, or perhaps add a watch. Or a ring. Several rings?

Next, change up the accessories. Try a belt, or a scarf around your neck. Or a scarf AS a belt. Or, go without a belt, if you always wear a belt with said dress. Maybe you've got a hat that would look great with this dress. See how many different options you've got?

As for your shoes,  I'm more of a flats/flat sandals girl myself, but I have been trying to throw in some heels and wedges. You know, to "up my style game." whatever that means... So, if you always default to the same pair, dust off the neglected ones that could really make your look stand out. Or the ones that perhaps you're too afraid to wear (a la "In Her Shoes"?).

While you're at it, try something different with your hair. Maybe with your makeup. I tend to repeat the same hairstyles over and over (and over. and over.), but I have been trying to break up the monotony that is my hairstyling skillzzzz with some braids and different parts. However, that's tough to do when I repetedly hit the snooze button and am rushing out the door to work...*cough*

See? If I was good at math I could tell you how many outfit options we've created, just with the few above additions and swaps. Alas, I am not very good at math, but it would be something to the something-th power, and that would be a lot of options to change up a dress you repeatedly wear.

So, go forth, and have yourself a stylish weekend, my friends!

dress: thrifted

belt: Target

shoes: Rocketdog via DSW

necklace: Target

watch: Kohl's

neon and houndstooth

I've had this skirt for ages, but it hasn't gotten tons of wear for having had it for so long. I used to only wear certain things with certain things - this tank with that shirt, this top with that skirt. Close-minded, I know, but I thought if I did the leg-work of thinking about my outfit beforehand, I'd save time when I was getting dressed in the morning. 

However, I've since abandoned that train of thought (hallelujah!) and now mix and match to my heart's content. Exhibit A - neon and houndstooth + gray tights + cognac boots + teal-ish jewelry. How's that for mixing and matching and accessorizing?

top: Old Navy

skirt: GAP

tights: Old Navy

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

different vibes

Here are two (slightly) different looks, using the same pieces of clothing. One with a bit more sass, the other more casual. Both are made up of black & white plaid, leather, and pearls - say what?

I like to think the fedora and the booties add a teeny bit of an air of mystery, or perhaps, intrigue...?

It's fun to play with different accessories to see how they can easily change up a look.

And then the Chucks dress down my look.

I've got several different vibes going on:

plaid (casual)

+

leather (tough-ish?)

+

pearls (sweet & classy)

+

glasses (super smart)

+

swapping out the shoes (trendy vs. casual)

+

the oxblood fedora (mysterious-ish?)

Not something I used to do a lot of, but now, I'm a big fan of combining different looks

(sassy + sweet, or edgy + warm&fuzzy) into a single outfit.

And, somehow, this worked (I think).

See how I did this just a few days ago here.

black and white plaid: Old Navy

leather skirt: thrifted

pearl necklace: Ann Taylor

bracelet: Target

glasses: America's Best

fedora: thrifted (Target)

booties: Old Navy

Chucks: actually, they're Converse One Star via Target...

Blizzard-ing

Sunny Sunday errands call for Dairy Queen Blizzards. Can you believe I got away with bare legs in November?? It was really short lived though - we had snow the following evening.

This look is composed of a few layers. First, a black American Apparel tank dress with Zeta Tau Alpha running down it in neon pink, layered under a slouchy pink striped sweater from Aéropostale. Secondly, a gray statement necklace paired with gray faux pearls. I'm all about adding dimension and texture, especially when it's the same color, or within the same color family - gives it a little something extra.

Accessories here include: jewelry, sunglasses, bag, and my fave - the Blizzard.

dress: ZTA Recruitment via American Apparel

sweater: Aéropostale

shoes: Payless

purse: T.J. Maxx

gray faux pearls: Kohl's

gray statement necklace: WalMart

Blizzard: Dairy Queen

not what I wore for Thanksgiving

This is not what I wore for Thanksgiving.

But if I'd had a more "traditional" Thanksgiving with a turkey and stuffing, I'd have warn something like this - stretchy skinnies, and a roomy button up. And see how I accessorized with my scarf, jacket, and purse??

Instead, I wore my bathing suit and lounged by the pool in the sunshine.

Instead of turkey, my brother and sis-in-law made a delicious low-country boil.

Instead of stuffing or sweet potatoes, we had a delicious conch ceviche. 

Instead of falling leaves or snow, we had lots of sunshine and a delightful sea breeze.

I've spent the past few days at the beach with my family, and heading home is going to be rough...however, I'm very thankful for the time I got to spend with them.

Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you for reading!

buffalo plaid: Kohl's

scarf: from a friend

skinnies: Aéropostale

jacket: Target

booties: Old Navy

purse: T.J. Maxx

back to accessorizing

Back to accessorizing - scarves, bags, glasses, tights and jewelry. One of my favorite things about this dress is the myriad of ways it can be dressed up or down - simple with nude sandals, a little more funky with neon shoes, or a bit more complex with shades of blue and red and new boots (above). It's also roomy enough that I can layer underneath it, instead of just on top. I'm not saying I'm a layering expert, but I find it a bit more challenging to layer in unexpected ways - UNDER a dress, as opposed to piling layers over the top of what I'm wearing. 

dress: Kohl's

shirt: thirfted (French Connection)

scarf: WalMart

tights: Old Navy

boots: Frye

bag: thrifted

time change

Here are the borrowed oxfords again (yesterday, too). One way to expand your "accessories palate" is to borrow items from a friend - for a day, a month, a longer period of time. You get the benefit of being able to wear the item, coupled with the money savings of borrowing, and without the commitment of purchasing an item you might not love just yet. It's a great way to try out a trend before diving in headfirst. 

Another way to incorporate accessories into your outfits is with headbands, headscarves, hats, hair clips, and maybe the occasional butterfly clip (kidding! this is NOT 1999). I added this headband, layered a variety of bracelets, and pattern-mixed a floral scarf over a striped tee. Just some subtle upgrades to pull my whole fall look together.

Also, this time change has really messed with my picture taking. Even when I get off work early, it's dark by the time I get home. I'm trying my best to not take pictures inside, but, please bear (bare?) with me until the sun's schedule is more accommodating for office-hours-working-people like me.

shirt: GAP

sweater: Aéropostale

pants: Aéropostale

scarf: Target

headband: WalMart

bracelets: Walmart, Hobby Lobby, Lia Sophia

shoes: Frye (borrowed from a friend)

brunching & accessorizing

This outfit was just about perfect for brunching. The button-up shirt and stretchy skinnies allowed for maximum food intake, with minimal discomfort. And the plaid on the shirt helped to camouflage any food or beverage spills that might have happened...

The oxfords are borrowed from a friend (I've been trying to steal this pair from her for over a year, but she just. won't. hand them over). I added a sparkly statement necklace to glam up the plaid, and threw an old seashell clip in my hair. I belted my pants and half-tucked my shirt - it's a completely different look untucked, try it sometime. And the little teal clutch matched my shirt just perfectly.

Until I started this blog, I would have never:

1) worn these shoes and this belt together (they don't match)

2) worn this clip with this jewelry (they're different vibes)

3) mixed a sparkly statement necklace with dainty gold bracelets (they don't match)

4) worn pants other than jeans or dress pants (jeans were truly my comfort zone)

5) worn a sparkly statement necklace to dress up plaid (shouldn't your whole outfit just be the same aesthetic - dressy? casual? sporty? etc.?)

Look how far I've come! All with a little courage, time, guts, inspiration, and accessories :)


shirt & pants & clutch: Aéropostale
necklace: WalMart
belt: American Eagle
shoes: Frye (borrowed from a friend

ah-sessoreez (accessories)

 

This evening, the Mr. and I went out to frolick with my bestie and her boyfriend, who was in town. I knew I wanted to wear my new Frye boots, so I (kind of) built my entire outfit around it. My bestie had also told me that when I wear this jacket, I should pair it with something very feminine – the epitome of juxtaposing. Since the jacket is so dark and utilitarian, she thought it would look great with a flirty or twirly skirt or dress underneath. So, I paired it with a lace/crochet skirt and a soft cream sweater.

Sweet and girly, topped off with a utility jacket.

AND NEW BOOTS.

Additionally, another good friend of mine, Lyndsie (she took some of our wedding photos - check out her website here) mentioned to me several months ago that she doesn’t know how to wear accessories, and could use some help and ideas. So, I’ve decided to do my best to focus on accessories for the month of November – how to wear them, how to pair them, how to use them to complete, or enhance, an outfit (thanks for the idea, Lynds!). 

I tend to view accessories as "finishing pieces," or "completer pieces." Without them, you're fully clothed, but your look might be a bit "blah," or "basic." I tend to be running late in the mornings when I'm getting dressed and forget to ah-sessorize, but have lately tried to make an effort to complete my looks by being thoughtful with my jewelry& scarves&hats&tights&newglasses.

In the above look, I added some jewelry, switched to a fun clutch, and added herringbone-print nude tights. And the jacket counts, too, I would say (and I guess the croakies and sunglasses, too...). Without all of those items, I'm still dressed, but it's not too exciting - accessories help to add depth and dimension.


sweater: American Eagle
skirt: Aéropostale
scarf: gift from a friend
tights: Old Navy
boots: Frye via Nordstrom
jacket: thrifted (Land's End)
clutch: thrifted