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Category: women’s fashion

10 Fall Wardrobe Essentials

posted in women's fashion by Sara on
I’m celebrating the season with a whole week of my fall favorites! Yesterday was fall inspired decor and today it’s all about fashion! I just can’t get enough of the beautiful colors, denim shirts, boots, scarves, and lots and lots of layering! 
Last week in the Wardrobe Basics series we talked a little bit about learning how to shop and in light of the season I thought I’d share some of the must-haves pieces for this fall. The great thing about all of these pieces is that they can easily be incorporated into your wardrobe for year round looks!

1. The first essential piece for fall, and your wardrobe, is a great pair of straight leg trousers or jeans. Now your style might be skinny jeans all the way which is great, but it is always good to have some variety in your wardrobe to create more versatility. I myself am still on the lookout for a great pair of trousers. (Similar, Similar)

2.  Second on the list is your basic sweater: great for layering and mixing with other pieces in your wardrobe. Make sure to find one that is light enough for those warm fall days yet structured enough to layer with other pieces for added warmth on chillier days. (Similar, Similar)

3.  A blazer/jacket. Fall is all about layering so a great fitted blazer/jacket is going to be your best friend. Truthfully I’m not much of a blazer person but would more prefer a great military or motorcycle jacket. (Similar, Military Jacket)

4.  Next on the list is a pair of boots. I’m obsessed with boots during fall! I have several pair of them but I’m loving the ankle boot trend going on this fall! I know it is not for everyone, but do what best fits you and your style. As for me, these classy ankle boots are on my shopping list! (Similar, Similar, Similar)

5.  Another great layering piece: the military vest! Need I say more? (Similar)

6.  Besides my obsession for boots, I have also have an obsession for scarves. It is a great way to add interest and detention to any outfit. (Similar, Similar)

7.  My favorite denim shirt! This is probably my most versatile piece in my wardrobe and is definitely a fall must-have! (Similar, Similar)

8.  I’m all about leopard prints…in small doses anyway. Let’s not get too crazy here. A simple leopard print belt is another great way to add some print and interest to an outfit. (Target)

9.  Another great versatile piece in my wardrobe is my striped tee, also very trendy this fall season. You can easily dress up this tee with a colorful scarf or a statement necklace and a jacket. (Similar, Similar, Similar)

10.  Last on the fall essentials list is the colored skinny jean. And believe it or not I just bought myself my first colored skinny jeans last weekend and I LOVE them! I love the great colors out this fall like cranberry, mustard yellow, army green, plum, and red! (JCP, Similar, Similar)

Again be sure to visit my Fall Favorites Pinterest board for more great fall inspiration!

Wardrobe Basics: Shop

posted in shop, Wardrobe Basics, women's fashion by Sara on

Step 1: Clean Out 
Step 2: Make a List {Part 1, Part 2}
Step 3: Shop
Step 4: Mix and Match
Step 5: Accessorize

Before learning how to shop for clothes, shopping was often a very frustrating and overwhelming experience for me. In fact, I generally avoided shopping all together because we usually just didn’t have the money for it. When we did, it was very little. With only enough money for one or two items, I would stress over finding the perfect thing. The problem was that I usually didn’t know what exactly I was looking for other than it had to fall within me budget. With an infinite variety of clothes, styles, colors, and patterns to choose from I would become easily overwhelmed, lost, and confused. I’d spend hours shopping just to come out empty handed. In cases where I did find something it often was a random article of clothing that did not bring a lot of versatility into my existing wardrobe.

While I still have a very minimal budget for clothes shopping I am learning how to utilize the money I do have by shopping for quality pieces that will expand the versatility of my wardrobe. However, the key to a successful shopping trip is to first know your style and what exactly it is you will be looking for. If you need help or a little refresher on how to find your style and make a shopping list, make sure to read parts 1 and 2 of Step 2 in the Wardrobe Basics series. If you feel confident in your style and have your list ready, it is time to start shopping!

In order to help you have a more successful shopping trip I have come up with a few rules/guidelines for you to use:

1.  Stick to your list
If you’re like me and get easily overwhelmed when shopping, sticking to your list will give you a clear focus/direction as to what it is you are looking for. No more wandering around stores lost and confused– Hallelujah! Sticking to your list will also help you stick to your budget (if you have one). It is often easy for me to get sidetrack by something I want (but don’t necessarily need); however, being on a strict budget I try to only buy the things on my list.

2.  Don’t settle on the fit
In order to build a wardrobe you will love, fit is important. I’m not just talking about the size of your clothes, but also about buying clothes that flatter your body. If you’re not quite sure what styles and shapes work best for your body, chances are you’re going to have to do some experimenting. Try on multiple styles and shapes to discover what is going to be the most flattering on you and work to your advantage. Finding clothes that both fit and flatter your body may also require you to sometimes try on different sizes than you would normally wear. All clothes are made and fit differently, so don’t necessarily rule something out because the size you normally wear doesn’t fit.

3.  Versatility is key
Buying versatile pieces is going to end up saving you money and giving you a more workable wardrobe– it’s a win win! Buying versatile pieces doesn’t necessarily mean having to buy all neutrals just because neutrals go with anything. Like we talked about in Step 2, it is good to have a few basic neutral pieces but colors and prints can be very versatile as well. When trying on clothes, the questions you should ask yourself to determine if something is going to be a versatile piece in your wardrobe are: Does it go with a least four other pieces in my current wardrobe? And, can it be layered, tucked-in, or belted to create more looks?

4.  Be yourself
Buy clothes that represent you and your personality. They should be clothes that you feel comfortable in and are functional to your lifestyle. Being a mom, I buy things that I can move freely and comfortably in. I don’t buy anything that can’t be thrown in the washer or is high maintenance.

5.  Keep a positive attitude
While shopping use to be a very frustrating and negative experience for me, I’ve since willed that sort of thinking out of my head. It may take you some time, along with some trial and error, to figure out what works best on your body, but don’t get discouraged. If something doesn’t fit, the problem is in the clothing not your body. Take this experience of shopping and building a new wardrobe to embrace your body just the way it is. Have fun and good luck!

** I apologize for the wait on this post…I’ve been without a computer. This entire post was typed on my Kindle if you can believe it. 

Linked to:

Inspiration Monday: Thrifty Finds

posted in inspiration Monday, thrifted, women's fashion by Sara on

Since starting up school again we’ve been on a super tight budget. It’s back to eating tuna  fish sandwiches, buying no name brands, and conserving in just about every imaginable way. While being on a strict budget might mean sacrificing certain things, I’ve learned that fashion does not have to be one of them…I’ll just be going about it in a different way.

Being on a tight budget, I feel inspired to start repurposing, thrifting, or making things myself. I’ve never had much luck at thrift stores but I’ve realized that finding what you want, at the price you want takes time and patience. I’m lucky to have a large Goodwill store, which seem very plentiful in Oregon, right across the street where I have found some amazing finds!

My first fabulous find was this gold braided belt…you know how I love my metalics! In my searches elsewhere, a similar belt has been upwards of $12. Along with the belt I found this ruffled collar top from J.Crew. I love having basic tees in my wardrobe as they are so versatile and this top has definitely met those needs. A week later I came across this bold leopard print skirt from Target with the tag still on. To my overwhelming joy it was even in my size– a done deal! Lastly I picked up this blue cardigan, also originally from Target with the tag still on, and just couldn’t pass it up.

While I never would have thought it possible, I’ve been able to add some great versatile pieces to my wardrobe at a price I could afford without having to sacrifice my style. I just love a good deal, don’t you?!

Linked to:
http://pennilesssocialite.blogspot.com/search/label/Look%20What%20I%20Got
http://vodkainfusedlemonade.com/2013/09/12/vest-stripes-booties-tres-chic-fashion-thursday-link-up/
http://www.perfectlycoutured.com/2013/09/three-fer-thursday-link-up_12.html

Wardrobe Basics: Make a Like {Part 2}

posted in Wardrobe Basics, women's fashion by Sara on

Step 1: Clean Out 
Step 2: Make a List {Part 1, Part 2}
Step 3: Shop
Step 4: Mix and Match
Step 5: Accessorize

With your closet cleaned out and your style defined, you are now ready to make your shopping list! Keep in mind that you are not necessarily building your wardrobe from scratch…if you are, that is ok too. You may have some really great pieces already in your wardrobe, so the goal now is to determine what additional pieces you need in order to complete your wardrobe. However, when writing your list make sure your get specific about what it is you are looking for. This will inevitably save you time and money, and will also make shopping a lot easier because you will know exactly what you are looking for. If you need pants, don’t just list “pants”. Write down what style it is your are looking for; jeans or khakis, straight or bootcut? Below I’ve given some simple guidelines and examples of good basic and versatile pieces to include in your wardrobe. From these guidelines, determine what best fits your style then go through your wardrobe and decided what pieces you need to go shopping for.

Jeans:
You should have at least 2-3 pairs of medium to dark wash jeans in your wardrobe. Whether they are skinny, straight, bootcut, or flared, jeans are definitely a wardrobe staple. Try and look for more darker washed jeans as they tend to be more flattering, versatile, and can easily be dressed up.

Pants:
Try and have at least 1-2 pair of neutral colored pants– khakis, trousers, cargo pants…you name it! If you’re brave and love a splash of color, you can also add in a pair of colored pants as well. I have not ventured so far as of yet, but a great pair of colored pants is on my list. Having a few pairs of pants in addition to your everyday blue jeans will even further the versatility of your wardrobe.

Skirts:
It is always good to have at least 1 basic neutral skirt in your closet that can easily be mixed and matched with many of  your other pieces. It can be any style: pencil, a-line, high-low, or maxi…whatever best fits your style. Adding some great printed and colored skirts into your wardrobe can also increase your wardrobe’s versatility. However, when adding color into your wardrobe, make sure they are colors that fit in and can be worn with the clothes you already have. If you are not big on wearing skirts, you can always substitute another pair of pants.

Tops:
This area is very broad and is completely up to you and your style. I love to layer so I tend to buy tops that can easily be layered with other pieces. I also like using cardigans, vests, and jackets to add dimension and color into my outfits. Above are just a few examples of tops that are both basic and versatile. Each could be paired with a pair of jeans, a pair of neutral colored pants, or a variety of different skirts. These are all aspects you should look for when buying tops.

Dresses:
To be honest, I am not very big on wearing dresses. I almost always choose wearing a skirt over a dress but having a great dress in your wardrobe will serve you well. Even if you only have 1 dress, as long as it fits great, is comfortable, and versatile you can get a lot of use out of it and create many different looks. It is probably good to have at least 1 dress in your wardrobe that can be worn to fancy occasions but the rest can be for everyday wear.

Good luck making your list and remember to be specific! See you next week for Step 3: Shop!

Again if you missed Step 1 about cleaning about your wardrobe, click {HERE}.
If you missed Part 1 of making your list, click {HERE}.

Linked To:
http://staceyembracingchange.com/2013/09/05/creative-inspirations-linky-party-52/
http://www.everydayfashionandfinance.com/2013/09/three-fer-thursday-link-up.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20EverydayFashionAndFinance%20(Everyday%20Fashion%20and%20Finance)
http://stylelixir.com/2013/09/fridays-fab-favorites-join-the-link-up.html
http://www.naptimecrafters.com/2013/09/friday-favs-party-123.html

Wardrobe Basics: Make a List {Part 1}

posted in Wardrobe Basics, women's fashion by Sara on

Step 1: Clean Out 
Step 2: Make a List {Part 1}{Part 2}
Step 3: Shop
Step 4: Mix and Match
Step 5: Accessorize

Now that you have purged your closet of all that extra baggage, you’re ready for a fresh start. Don’t freak out if you only have a few items left in your wardrobe. This doesn’t mean you’re going to have to spend a fortune filling it back up. Remember, we’re going for quality and versatility, not quantity. Your wardrobe won’t do you, or your self-esteem for that matter, any good if it is full of clothes you dislike and will rarely ever wear for whatever the reason may be. But, before we can talk about making a list and then going shopping you need to know your style and be confident about what it is you are looking for.

A lot of you probably already have a good idea about what you do or don’t like when it comes to different styles. If so, shopping is going to be a lot easier for you. Unfortunately this was not something that came easy to me right away. Before reworking my wardrobe I was stuck between the clothes I had owned since high school and a few pieces of an attempted “grown up” look. It was a random wardrobe with no clear style direction. I’d often see outfits I loved but was unsure about how to translate those looks into my own style in a way that would flatter my body. However, with some experimenting and a little bit of research I have since been able to develop a style that I feel confident in. If you’re like me and having trouble determining what your style is, here are a few pointers:

1.  Learn from your past experiences.
We’ve all tried on clothes in the dressing room before that we winced at the sight of. What might have looked great on the hanger just didn’t do for your body what you were hoping for. Please note, and drill into your memory, that this is not a problem with your body but with the article of clothing. If a particular style doesn’t work for your body, make note of it and move on. Finding your own style can sometimes be a little bit of trial and error, but from these experiences you can learn what styles, shapes, and colors most flatter your body and should be the ones that you incorporate into your wardrobe.

2.  Use Pinterest as your personal style tool.
Pinterest is a great tool in getting a sense of what your style is. If you’ve created a fashion/style board on Pinterest, scrolling through your pins can show you a lot about your style. As an example, below is a picture from my style board on Pinterest. From this little clip you can get a pretty good idea about what I like in terms of fashion. It is quite apparent that I am in love with stripes and layering. It is also clear that I tend to like more neutral and muted colors. Keep in mind that the goals is not to replicate the outfits that you pin, but use them as inspiration to develop your own style that is fitting to you.

3.  Be realistic. Be you.
When you think about your style and the look you want to achieve through your wardrobe make sure it is a style that is both functional and reflective of the person behind the clothes. As a mother of an active one year-old it is not realistic or functional for me to wear heals on a day-to-day basis. I also prefer a skirt or a pair of pants over a dress, which is why I own very few dresses. If you live in a hot climate, heavy layering may not be a realistic option for you. These are all things you should keep in mind.

Once you’ve determined your style, you can then begin to make a list of the pieces you need in order to fill the gaps in your wardrobe. Tomorrow I will be posting Part 2 of this step and discussing the essential pieces that should be in every woman’s wardrobe. If you missed Step 1 of Wardrobe Basics click {HERE}.

See you tomorrow!

Linked to:
http://www.adventuresofadiymom.com/2013/09/terrific-tuesday-79.html
http://www.muchadoaboutsomethin.blogspot.com/search/label/tell%20us%20tuesday
http://www.livelaughrowe.com/readers-choice-awards-live-laugh-linky-77/

Inspiration Monday: When at First You Don’t Succeed…Try Again

posted in diy, family, inspiration Monday, sewing, women's fashion by Sara on
Hi everyone! I hope you’re all having a great Labor Day Monday! It is an exciting day for us as it is my husband’s first day of his PsyD program and the start to the next four years of our lives. The last two weeks of us being here has finally lead up to this moment; however, we have allowed ourselves some fun before the real work began.
Over the weekend me and my little family rode the tracks into Portland and spent the day sight-seeing and roaming around. We first hit up Powell’s City of Books, a giant book store that fills a whole city block with over a million books. I could have spent all day in there alone, but after a couple hours we decided to move along. By this time it was lunch, so we walked over to the food chart vendors and got something to eat. I told my husband to surprise me with something while I fed Addie her lunch, so I don’t know exactly what is was that I ate but it was delicious! After lunch we continued to walk to streets of Portland and experience all it had to offer in the short span of a day. Portland is a beautiful, lively city and I can’t wait to go back. 
The rest of my weekend was spent sewing. While sewing is usually a pleasurable hobby for me, this was certainly not one of those times. I love experimenting with new fabrics and am always on the look out for inspiration when it come to designing new pieces. Recently I happened upon these two shirts on Pinterest and ever since I’ve been anxious to incorporate leather sleeves into one of my designs. With some bird silhouette fabric I’ve been waiting to use, I decided to give it a try. 
With none of the local fabric stores having the right weight of faux leather I was looking for, I ended up settling on some that was slightly heavier weight…problem #1. Problem #2 surfaced when I began sewing on my new serger. Since I started sewing more seriously I’ve been using my mother’s serger, and while it may be old it is a simple and quality piece of equipment. But with the move, I decided it was time to get my own machine. Trying to learn this new piece of equipment has been an absolute nightmare, not to mention it completely mauled my sewing project. Realizing that this project just wouldn’t work with the materials I had, I decided to take a new approach. 
After studying up some more on my serger and with a bit more practice, I was a able to piece together a simple tee with the left over bird silhouette fabric. With the scrap of faux leather, I attached a peter pan collar to give the shirt some flair. What started out has a disastrous project, although well inspired, turned out to be a fabulous save! 

Bare with me as I am also still trying to learn my new camera…or I should say my husband is. I coaxed him into coming to the park with me so he could take pictures. What can I say, he loves me 🙂

Linked to:
http://dcinstyle.com/guest-wedding-link/
http://watchoutforthewoestmans.blogspot.com/2013/09/watch-what-im-wearing.html
http://stylelixir.com/2013/08/fridays-fab-favorites-join-the-link-up-giveaway.html
http://www.thetraintocrazy.com/2013/09/make-it-wear-it-thursday.html
http://www.mixmatchfashion.com/2013/09/summer-style-linkup.html

Wardrobe Basics: Clean Out

posted in Wardrobe Basics, women's fashion by Sara on

Have you ever found yourself rummaging through your closet full of clothes just to come to the sad conclusion that you have nothing to wear? I’ll be the first to admit that I have been guilty of this on more than one occasion. I especially found myself in this situation after having my baby. With my wardrobe being cheap and ill-fitting before I was pregnant, it only got worse after. My closet was full of clothes and yet there was nothing that made me feel great or even good. In fact if you asked my husband about it he’d tell you my closet was full of clothes I never wore…which is partially true. It was a wardrobe full of random pieces, none of which went together very well. I’m not saying you have to buy expensive clothes to have a great wardrobe, but I have learned that quality, fit and versatility are key when in come to getting the most bang for your buck.

After having my baby, I began to have a new lease on life. Having a daughter of my own made me rethink the way I viewed myself as a women, my body, and my confidence. I want my daughter to grow up a strong confident woman who knows her worth and her beauty regardless of what the world will tell her. To raise such a women, I knew I’d have to be one myself. While many people would argue that dress has, or should have, nothing to do with one’s confidence or self-esteem, I would argue otherwise. Being well groomed and wearing clothes that both fit and are modest shows that you respect yourself and your body. I’d also argue that it displays and even inhibits a level of outward and inner confidence in who you are and what you stand for.

While I am not by any means a fashion expert, I hope you’ll be able to take away some of the tips and lessons  I’ve learned through my own wardrobe building experience. So, over the next month I will be posting a 5 step series that will help you build a wardrobe you feel confident in and one where you’ll always have “something” to wear. Today lets talk about Step 1.

Step 1: Clean Out
Step 2: Make a List {Part 1, Part 2}
Step 3: Shop
Step 4: Mix and Match
Step 5: Accessorize

If you’re like me, the first step will be one of the hardest. You’d think I’d be more than happy and willing to throw away all those ill-fitted clothes, but there is always that little thought in my head saying, “once I lose a couple more pounds it will fit” or “I might wear it someday”. Trust me, you’ll never lose those couple of pounds and that someday will never come especially if you don’t have a good basic foundation to start with. It is crazy that we settle for wearing clothes that don’t fit, whether too small or too big, just because we don’t yet have the body we want.  Why not look and feel great in the body you have right now?

A good rule of thumb is that if you haven’t worn an article of clothing for over six months get rid of it. If it is worn or tattered with holes and stains, throw it away. In general, if something in your wardrobe don’t make you feel confident, comfortable, and beautiful every time you put it on then it too should go. Like I mentioned earlier, I often have a hard time purging my wardrobe so I tend to go through the clean out phase every couple of months. Sometimes when I repeat this step a month or two later I am able to come to the realization that I will never where a particular piece of clothing that I have been debating over.

Once you’ve gone through cleaning out your wardrobe, take a deep breath and don’t look back. You’re now on your way to a more workable, versatile, and polished wardrobe! Next week we move to Step 2 where I’ll discuss how to fill the gaps in your wardrobe.

Linked to:
http://www.simplyclarke.com/2013/08/wildcard-wednesday-23.html
http://www.adventuresofadiymom.com/2013/08/terrific-tuesday-78.html
http://www.muchadoaboutsomethin.blogspot.com/2013/08/tell-us-tuesday-4.html
http://www.livelaughrowe.com/fabulous-furniture-makeovers-live-laugh-linky-76/
http://www.reasonstoskipthehousework.com/the-weekly-creative-thursday-link-party-4/
http://www.serenitynowblog.com/2013/08/weekend-bloggy-reading-link-up_30.html