Fresh Spring Fashion

Fresh Spring Fashion

It's pretty rare for me to see something in fashion that takes my breath away. Today on Instagram was one of those rare moments. I gasped. Of course high fashion and runway often make me pause, but this gasp was different from the kind of tilting my head to the side and going "Hmmm..." This was more like WOW! LOOK AT THAT! THAT'S NEW! AND WEARABLE!

The reason was this shot from Essentiel-Antwerp.

Not only did I want that top, I wanted it for many of my clients and friends. I love the shape and the color, and I love it styled with those shorts! I was giddy, knowing that the website would have even more clothing like this. My only worry--would they ship to the US?

They do! Through a third party so not cheaply, but they do! And the goodness just kept coming. This shirt looks cut similarly, and I love the boxiness of it with shorts for spring and summer!

Hello, lover. I have seen the idea of a "short suit" created from two bold, matching pieces before, and I love it. I love this particular pattern, and I'd like to see women of all ages embrace the idea of buying double of a great pattern. I bet you'll find options for tops and bottoms this season at H&M and other "fast fashion" spots, too! And if you're not into the bold and bold look, they can remind you how absolutely stunning bold pants can be with a neutral shirt.

And you'll see neoprene dresses in lots of stores, too, so make a note of how to style one casually like they did here!

They don't just do casual inspiration well, either. I love their looks to inspire us all for dressing for the office for spring. For example, I love this slouchy, boyish shirt with this full, floral skirt. Sign me up! I know I can re-create this at home!

And you know how much I love stripes with florals. It's the gateway to pattern mixing because it always works. Every time.

They're styling a lot of sandals that are very trendy right now: Birks, thick soled sandals, and wedges. But, I love their take on these wedges because it makes me want to paint a bright line on the bottom of my cork soled shoes!

Looking for standout wedge sneakers instead? They've got those, too. 

So lessons learned from this post would be: take a second look at shorts that you have and try wearing them in a different way this spring. Try a boxy shirt. Try a pattern that contrasts. Or try wearing a shirt or jacket in the same exact print.

Also, try a boxier shirt with a feminine skirt to work. Extra points for pattern mixing!

Spring Outfit Inspiration from Old Navy

Spring Outfit Inspiration from Old Navy

I love a good Old Navy bargain, especially at the change of season. I'm never 100% committed to what I'll want to be wearing when the weather first changes, and so I don't usually want to spend a lot of money on things that I might not want to wear by July. I often think of Old Navy as a standby for simple pieces that will last a season.

But, guys? This season Old Navy has some downright inspirational styling for spring and early summer, too! And some cute poses for a Facebook profile or Instagram pic!

Stay Warm in the Spring Chill-or Cover Up in the Summer Sun

 

What I love above is that they've chosen to cover something up (3/4 length sleeves, knee length dress, camo jacket, denim vest) and reveal something (wrists and ankles, shoulders and feet, arms and ankles, legs and wrists) in the same outfit. It's grown up spring style done well. Of course, you know I love a straw fedora, too.

Pack Easily for a Weekend Trip to the Beach

Below are four outfits that would be perfect for a weekend trip: the red skirt for an evening out (worn directly from work if need be), the ripped jeans and stripes for the farmer's market in the morning, the jean skirt for a glass of wine at a restaurant on the coast, and the shorts for brunch and a few last hours at the beach on Sunday. You could easily do this with two pairs of shoes since the ripped jean sneakers would love to be friends with those jean shorts.  Throw in a swimsuit and the perfect sleeping slip and you are set! Quick tip: buy a more expensive bikini top that offers the right amount of support (hard to find in a cheap one) and an inexpensive bottom that's from the same color family or matches one of the colors in a patterned top.

Keep it Simple

For summer, is there anything better than a sweet maxi dress that you can wear from sun up to sundown? Not in my book! I love a denim top for summer, too, since you can take a dress and turn it into what looks like a skirt and top-or wear it tied over cropped pants on a cooler day.

I'd also wear all of these to one special beach rainy day spot: the outlets! It makes it so much easier to try things on when all you have to do is slip off a dress or remove a top or bottom to try something on.

Old Navy's not a sponsor. Not getting paid. Just liked it.

Summer Wedding Guide: Finishing Touches

Summer Wedding Guide: Finishing Touches

Via

If you’re pressed for time (who hasn’t been asked last minute to attend or assist at a wedding?), here are a few wedding-ready-tips I like to keep in my back pocket.

Bring a conversation piece. Even if the rest of your outfit could have been better (even above, she's wearing a simple dress, a plain belt, and a cardigan, but that floral crown and curled hair really make the outfit!), wearing something that women will want to talk with you about cures all last-minute-outfit evils. Think shoes with bows on them, bright lipstick, two or three necklaces worn together, a parasol for an outdoor event, or cowboy boots under a dress. Also, if you plan to use your iPhone to take pictures, consider a fun, cheap case!

Borrow from the Guys. My mother is the queen of the menswear look. She has several tuxedo jackets, and I love when she wears one to a wedding with skinny black pants and a simple white shirt. If you have a really structured white jacket, that can work, too. I also love women in vests-or a tie if you can pull it off. 

Via

Dress Per the Wedding’s Theme. If you’ve been invited to a costume wedding, then that’s a whole other post! But, even the most casual City Hall wedding often has an implicit theme, and if you can capitalize on that, you’ll feel right at home. Take cues from whatever materials you’ve gotten from the couple: an invitation, a website, or just what you were told. If it’s as simple as “Brooklyn, City Hall,” for example, then you know anything quirky and playful is called for. Break out those cat eye sunglasses! Black and white? Play it up in the details! Boho beach couple throwing a bash? You know what to do.

Via

And if the invite is as formal as formal can be (we have a lot of that in DC), check unlikely sources for floor length dresses; I’ve spotted a few great ones lately at Marshalls, Ross, and Nordstrom Rack. And remember my tips from above: a simple black maxi dress can read as a formal dress with the right accessories. When in doubt? Borrow something amazing-or go vintage! I’d much rather end up with a dress I spent less than $50 on and abeautiful little purse or fun watch I’ll use again and again.

What To Do When You Buy Something in A Bright Pattern

What To Do When You Buy Something in A Bright Pattern

I hope you all had a nice Easter weekend! My mom surprised us with a layover visit in the beginning of the week, and then my mother-in-law made her annual trip up for the weekend. We had so much fun with one mama after the next! My mother-in-law loves for me to pick out new things for her so we hit the outlets on Friday afternoon. It was pretty busy, but we stay focused when we shop! She even got a couple of things for me that I had picked out, including the wildest pants. They're the Hampton fit, but I don't see the pattern on the Banana factory website.

When I shop, I like to think of how I will wear whatever I'm trying on. If I can think of three ways to wear it, then it's worth it for me to take home. If I can only think of one or two ways, then it better be a real bargain! In my head, all I could think was a white shirt and a black shirt, but I was rushing and knew there were more options than that. So, I decided to take my mother-in-law up on the offer to purchase them and figure it out when I got home. Here's what I did:

1. Start with a basic, but use texture to create visual interest.

In my head, I was thinking that black would toughen up this happy print a little bit. Instead of reaching for the plain black v-neck I had pictured in the dressing room, I laid out a loft tank. You can't see it in this iPhone shot, but the tank has a crochet pattern in the front. Then, I added a thin cardigan (similar here) for the chilly spring weather we've been having. I spotted my Boden wedge booties and thought they'd be more fun than black shoes, and I'm trying to wear them as much as possible before it gets hot.

Spring In Your Step: 4 Trends Worth Trying

Oh my goodness! What an honor! Today I’m honored to have been asked to the Beautiful You Blog.
Last year when I attended the Conference with my friend Hannah for the first time, I was so inspired by all of the beautiful women there. This year, they're even asking women to donate shoes to women and children. How incredible! There is nothing more inspirational than a group of women getting together to change the world. If I can inspire you to look and feel your best this spring while you're out changing the world, that would be amazing! So let’s get down to it and talk about spring trends.

Pick From A Fresh Crop of Jackets

A cropped jacket is the perfect transition piece: you can wear it now with longer layers and pants and in a few months with a long, flowing maxi skirt.  Pair a floral print with stripes to toughen up a feminine print or stick with solids to toughen up spring’s skinny white jeans or a full skirt.   I find that graphic t-shirts with white, black, or gray backgrounds look the most current and the least like a teenager would wear. Continue reading here! 

Spring Ahead with Feminine Touches and Repeating Patterns

Spring Ahead with Feminine Touches and Repeating Patterns

On Tuesday, I guest posted over on Love Always Hannah. Here's a sneak peek of what I wrote about. Be sure to click through to Hannah's blog for the rest (and stay for her insightful-and beautiful-posts the rest of the week)!

Hi! I’m Ella from StartCloseIn Styling. My passion is helping women fall back in love with the clothing they already own. And what better time to fall in love than during the spring?
It’s almost spring-right? Right? I know that in the DC area, we’re all a bit nervous that it will never come! Here’s my take on it: fake it ‘til you make it! Let’s talk about how that translates into clothing. Look in your closet and find something that screams spring, like these gorgeous bright pants.

Then...Read the rest here!

Simmi: Classic with a Twist

Simmi: Classic with a Twist

Last week, I have an incredibly fun personal styling session with Simmi. She works in a stylish office and also has two young children so she wanted some outfits that were ready to go to the office and come home for playtime.

When I work with clients, I start to think about an easy phrase or description in my head that helps me to define a consistent look with them. For example, I have clients whose closets and lifestyle strike me as Modern Prep or Vintage, Collected Ease, or Casual Comfy Chic.

These words help me to foster a cohesive look for my clients; if something does not fit at all within their style, I question whether it belongs with them. Of course, I go to great lengths to make sure everything they already own can be used, but sometimes we all fall into the trap of buying a perfect shirt or dress...that's perfect for someone else!

Here, what I found with Simmi was that she loves classic, clean lines that are kept young and modern with a twist. For example, a bright color or print or a snakeskin shoe. She also needed fresh, modern outfits that feel like spring is coming and can move into summer, but she also gets chilly easily. I understand that completely since I freeze in my office all summer long, but I don't want to continue to wear things that look like they're too wintery.

What to Buy Now For Spring/Summer (Casual Picks)

What to Buy Now For Spring/Summer (Casual Picks)

A soft dress that I can dress down with sneakers or "dress up" with wedge sandals? Perfection.

Ok, guys. I've been a bit of a negligent blogger here. The thing is, I know in my mind that there are those of you throughout the country who are already experiencing spring. We had one glorious spring day last Saturday when all I could think about was maxi dresses and slip on shoes...and then it snowed over 8 inches on Sunday and Monday. We got a day off from work and all, but it was a real downer. I was no longer thinking about sandals and straw hats.

But! I know that it is coming, and I know that for those of you in California, Texas, and Florida, spring is a reality! Spring has sprung for you lucky ducks! Today and tomorrow, I'm going to share some of the looks that I love for spring/summer. Today I'll share my casual picks and tomorrow my more polished choices. Sound good?

Easy Slip-On Shoes

Via Zappos

 

You don't have to search far this season for shoes that beg to be left by the door and slipped on almost as an afterthought. JCrew does espadrilles particularly well, and these come in a bright, tribal pink, too.

Other favorites this time of year are Bensimon sneakers (like these polka dots! or these brights!) on the preppy end and Rocket Dog on the edgier end. Oh! And I don't see them in yet, but I got a Bensimon knock off pair at Old Navy last year and the year before, and I loved them and wore them into the ground. Keep your eyes peeled!

Via Zappos

Statement Pieces on the Bottom

In the warmer months, all I want to do when I'm not at work is slip on something easy like a t-shirt or tank top and be out the door-to the farmer's market, to the dog park, wherever. I find that I want to stockpile basic v-neck t-shirts that are soft and that I can wear over and over again.

One way to keep them looking fresh is with more interesting bottoms, whether pants, dresses, or skirts. This skirt (above) from H&M is a great piece. It's striped (yay!), holds its shape, and can be dressed up or down. I've seen similar skirts everywhere from the Loft to Target and beyond this season. Scoop one up!

If you're more of a jeans girl, even the jeans are interesting this year. Instead of your typical jeans, try something with patchwork or holes. These are $29.95 from H&M. Please note that each of these pairs is shown with heels, but I would be wearing my casual slip ons from above with these, not heels!

These are $288(!!) from JCrew.

Even basics like sweatpants and yoga pants are feeling funky lately. Try a pair of harem pants instead of jeans or black pants. My only advice is to make sure to watch your backside because some of the thinner fabrics on these pants can really show panty lines.

H&M

Basics on Top

Via Asos

Now, let's be clear about something. Unless it's on the beach, I'm not likely to tie my shirt up that high anymore (again?)-unless there's something underneath it. I love the look of a tied or cropped shirt over a maxi dress, for example, or over a tank top. I think it's a fun way to play with the cropped trend without feeling like you're trying to relive the glory days. On the other hand, if you're up for it, take note of how high the model's skirt is and follow suit. She's not showing her midriff and her belly button, which helps it to read as very demure.

Via the Gap

My favorite t-shirts come from the Gap, the Loft, and Everlane. I almost always buy t-shirts in at least one size-too-big so that they'll shrink and still be drapey. I like brights and whites for the summer, personally, but I also love the look of pastels on other people, especially women with gray hair, redheads, or blondes.

All t-shirts don't need to be plain, though. There are a lot of fun tongue-in-cheek printed shirts available this season, and I can picture how great they'll look with harem pants, skirts, and jeans. Here's a favorite from Asos. 

So that's it: my spring uniform. Something fun on the bottom paired with a basic t-shirt and some slip on shoes. Likely a straw fedora on my head and a long swingy sweater or jean jacket until it actually warms up. Talk tomorrow about more polished options!