Three Fine Tees

Three Fine Tees..see how they run...

I know we've talked before about t-shirts, right? I kid! I kid! I'm always talking about them because, frankly, I love t-shirts. I love them soft and drapey and slightly middle-section hiding for those of us who don't want to suck in after we eat, frankly. And Jcrew has them. Let's run down the top contenders.

I loved this soft, linen, Jcrew t-shirt when I saw it on Ain't No Mom Jeans, and I think we might all need one. Currently on sale. Of course it will go with shorts and bottoms, but what about tying it up over a long maxi skirt? Maybe a patterned one? Throw on a hat and head out the door.

Not on sale, but still a great graphic t-shirt. I'd take it up a notch from the typical jean shorts and wear this to work tucked into a pencil skirt (polka dots? red? coral?) and top it with a slouchy menswear-inspired blazer (gray?).

My Top 5 Posts of All Time

My Top 5 Posts of All Time

Recently I was checking my blog stats to see which posts have been the most popular. Since I regularly get new readers, I thought you might like to see what readers have liked (come back to, read, shared, pinned) in the past almost year of my writing this blog. Here are snippets of my Top 5 Blog Posts of all time!

1. Jeans and a T-shirt Upstyled

Today I'm talking about two of my favorite things: t-shirts and jeans! As my best friends and husband will tell you, I love t-shirts. I may have too many of them, actually, but this isn't about me! Right?

I have many clients, including Miss Mustard Seed, who are creative people who work for themselves and it makes most sense for them to dress casually and comfortably. I also have many clients who are active mothers and grandmothers, and they spend a lot of their time in casual, comfortable clothing, too. But, I think there is a way to be comfortable and wear what is actually (or essentially) a t-shirt and jeans and also reflect your personality and feel more polished. Here's how. Keep reading here.

2. The Post About Jennifer

Typically, my in-person client posts have less dramatic names, but I feel dramatic about this post and this client. Today's post is about Jennifer, my last client of 2013. If you follow me on instagram, you know that Jennifer was an incredibly special client.

To tell you about Jen, I first need to tell you that when I was driving to her house, I was more than a little worried that I was about to be kidnapped-or worse. Or at the very least punked. I take safety precautions before going into anyone's home, but on that day I had extra measures in place. You see, the email that Jennifer's husband sent to me (the day after Veterans' Day!) was, well, seemingly too-good-to-be-true. Here is an excerpt:

I am requesting a personal home and shopping experience for my wife.  She read about you on one of her favorite sites... Mrs. Mustard Seed.  Her 40th Birthday is December 9th and I am throwing her a surprise get together with a few friends on the 7th.  THE ONLY THING SHE WANTS FOR HER BIRTHDAY IS AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOU :)!

My wife is a very special person to everyone, but especially to me.  You see...I am a retired disabled vet.  I went through (and continue to suffer from) medical issues caused while serving.  Just diagnosing the issues was a long drawn out process that took years and let alone the surgeries to try and resolve them.  My wife, Jen, was by my side through it all.  I am sure you have heard stories like that before, but to be honest she was more than by my side.  She saved my life...just by being the most awesome and supportive friend I have ever had.  

This person went on to describe that his wife, Jennifer, is also active military. While he can no longer work, she continues to serve. He told me that they were soul mates. He told me that he wanted to have his family pool together money for me to take her personal shopping in lieu of any other gifts. He wanted to know if I would accept her as a client. Accept her!? If she was real, I would marry her! (Side note: I waived my fee and had Jen add it to her spending amount, which I only mention to tell you that Jen's response was to ask me if I would reconsider and make it a fund for another woman to get six hours with me. She's amazing.)

That is how I ended up meeting Jennifer on the weekend before Christmas. She was real, and this is how she looked when I arrived..Continue reading here.

3. Halloween Costumes for Women Who Don't Want to be Naked?

Today's post is a bit different than the usual. We're talking about a very specific type of clothing to put on our bodies today: costumes! I find what to wear for Halloween to be increasingly complicated: I'm past the point of "going out" like I once did to a club or dancing, but I still want a fun costume. Our neighbors throw the best Halloween party (they start decorating their home over Labor Day weekend), and, oh yeah, it's my birthday...Read the rest here.

4. Reader Q&A: How to Wear Jean Skirts

Earlier this week, I Kelley posted a question for me in the comments section of my post about fresh ways to wear jeans, and I loved it!

Hi! I've not been following for a real long time, and I immensely enjoy your great advice and tips.
I don't wear jeans, but I do wear jean skirts. Could you do a post on jean skirts?
Been wearing more belts, Kelley

I love this question because  I think jean skirts have the potential to be a very versatile piece of clothing for every age, but I also think they can go downhill fast. Here's why.

5. Reader Q&A: What to Wear While I'm Pregnant

Yesterday, my best friend talked about what to wear during early maternity-and beyond-from a mother's perspective. I haven't ever been pregnant (and am not currently, just in case you were curious! Did you wonder?), but I have what might be an abnormal interest in maternity fashion. I just think that pregnant women can get away with things that the rest of us can't when it comes to clothes, and I love that! And there's nothing that says that you must wear clothes from a maternity store while you're pregnant. So darlin', here' are the five questions to ask yourself. Find them here.


That's it! My Top 5 posts of all time. I notice that you all tend to like posts written in response to reader questions and posts that tell a good story like Jennifer's. So please do continue to ask me questions via email or in the comments because other women are thinking the same thing and want to hear an answer! Keep it comin'! 

 

Fresh Ways to Wear Jeans-including for New Years Eve!

Fresh Ways to Wear Jeans-including for New Years Eve!

Yesterday, I talked about a few favorite places to buy jeans. As I said, I typically don't spend a lot on jeans, but that's just my preference. I do think once you have a good pair, you should celebrate them-and how you look in them! We all love jeans for their ease, for their predictable fit, and for their ability to make us feel stylish. Let's talk about that last one. There's something inherently rugged and a bit boyish in a jean, right? Here are a few ways I love that women wear jeans and make it clear that while we're borrowing from the (cow)boys, this look is purely ours. 

Wait, wait, wati-why am I talking about jeans on New Years Eve? Because this year, we're staying home, and I imagine some of you are, too! We've been running around a lot this holiday season, and I'm so looking forward to a warm fire, chocolate fondue in our new set, and a stack of boardgames to play with my husband, dogs underfoot. And what's better for a night home-or a New Years Day brunch-than your favorite pair of jeans? Not much.

Add a short jacket

All links available on my Pinterest

I love a contrast in style. I love the moment where a destroyed denim meets a classic, slightly preppy blazer. I love how the woman on the top right buttoned up her jacket all the way over the jeans, not leaving any shirt showing underneath, and I love how the bottom right has jeans that are a little loose with a very feminine print on top and a winter white blazer. I think all of that makes great style.

So-how to translate these ideas to your closet? Pull out a pair of jeans that you like how they fit. Then, pull out a jacket or blazer or sweater with some structure around the shoulders. Ideally, one that hits you at or below the top of your hip bone. Then, look over your shirts. Is there one that is printed with a same background color as the jacket? Is there a soft tank you could wear underneath and button the blazer all the way up? Is your jacket nubby and soft and could you pair a silkier top underneath it to contrast the two textures? Give it a try!

Wear Brights with Denim-or Bright Denim

Ok, so, I've chopped the heads off these images to emphasize that these outfits can work for women at every age. You might not want the jeans to be skinny depending on your comfort level with fitted clothes, but the premise is the same: try something bright. Yes, this works well in the spring and summer, but why not pull out the brights now? 

All links available on my Pinterest

To keep from looking like a teenager or someone dressing "too young," keep one thing simple: the dark jeans on the left, the basic blue color in the middle, or the classic white button down on the right. Each outfit layers colors or patterns, and that's what brings your personal style in. None of these were likely purchased as an outfit in a store-and they shouldn't look like it!

Pull out a pair of dark jeans or bright jeans. Put it on your bed. Then, add a classic element (yellow cardigan, white button down, neutral bag, classic belt) and then add a second item that's a little cheeky (pink sweater with bright blue scarf, bright patterned shirt, leopard print belt and pink cocktail ring). You won't need a fancy shoe and can add boots or flats depending on your winter weather. Not quite ready for this much color? Try a bright lipstick with your usual jeans and t-shirt instead.

Dress Up Dark Jeans with Layered Visual Interest

All links available on my Pinterest

Here's how to create a layered, interesting outfit like these: lay out your darkest jeans on your bed. Then, add in a statement piece: a red cardigan or a sparkly top. then, pull out anything you own that looks like it would be friends with that statement piece. Oh! Red cardigan, meet red clutch. Classic black-and-white dots, meet bright red pops. Well, shiny black shoes, you of course want to hang out with shiny red clutch. And little dot earrings you would be sad if polka dot top leaves you at home! My clients can tell you, that's literally how I think about it-and do it. On the neutral end, this is a great outfit because it takes the sparkly shirt and reduces it to its basic elements: it's gray. It's a neutral. What other neutral guys do you have hanging out in your closet or folded up in a dresser? Take them out to play with your dark jean base!

Mix Casual with Edgy

All links available on my Pinterest

I don't wear high heels often, but I love this, and it's much easier to wear heels when I'll be sitting on the couch for most of the night. I love the idea of a big, baggy, comfortable sweater or shirt with skinny jeans and high heels. This is the ideal date night outfit, in my opinion, because I'll feel comfortable but also a bit edgy-even sexy. It's that feeling of wearing your boyfriend's sweatshirt in college mixed with a little bit of an edge. You could absolutely swap out cowboy boots or low boots for the heels, which I will do while gathering snacks and drinks for tonight's date night in our chilly weather!

I'm always interested in what you all are wearing so please feel free to email me any ideas or questions to startclosein at gmail.com!

Jeans and a T-shirt Up-Styled

Jeans and a T-shirt Up-Styled or Jeans and a T-shirt for Adult Women

Today I'm talking about two of my favorite things: t-shirts and jeans! As my best friends and husband will tell you, I love t-shirts. I may have too many of them, actually, but this isn't about me! Right?

I have many clients, including Miss Mustard Seed, who are creative people who work for themselves and it makes most sense for them to dress casually and comfortably. I also have many clients who are active mothers and grandmothers, and they spend a lot of their time in casual, comfortable clothing, too. But, I think there is a way to be comfortable and wear what is actually (or essentially) a t-shirt and jeans and also reflect your personality and feel more polished. Here's how.

Upgrade Your T-shirts: Choose a Shirt with Embellishments

The things we all love about t-shirts is that they are comfortable, easy, always fit the same way, and feel laid back. Look for those same elements in a shirt that might have some more embellishments, and it will be just as easy to wear as a basic tee.

Via

I love this laser cut from Asos Curve and this structural detail from Asos.   Even something as simple as these little buttons from Garnet Hill can feel special.

Brighten Up Your Bottoms

I love jeans. LOVE THEM! I think it's great to wear them often, but I also think you might consider boosting the color of your bottom piece in place of standard denim. The result is that you can still wear a basic t-shirt (like gray, black, white, navy) and feel comfortable, but your outfit will feel more purposeful, more reflective of your bright personality. And the times that you do wear blue denim will read more like a choice and less like a default.