Stylessence – Page 2 – Everyday achievable, with a splash of the unexpected.
If there is one accessory that really throws me off my game it’s a hat. I love them on other people and I buy them thinking I will wear them, but I can never really seem to put them with an outfit when the time comes. This hat is inspired by my favorite blogger, she wore it and I thought I needed to give this hat thing a try. I think from my beach hats I find hats to be, in general, more casual but that is not the case. They can be dressed up or down and even worn with a cute skirt. If you are starting with a darker hat, like this one, add accents of that color back into your outfit. This will help you feel like you are not top heavy with the darker color.
I think if you choose to wear a hat (and you should!) make sure you own it. You can drown under a hat if aren’t feeling totally comfortable. Start small, wear you hat for a short amount of time or to an event you know has a time limit. Don’t just wear hats when you have dirty hair, you will start associating hats with that and you won’t feel put together when you do wear them.
I hope this fall brings us many more hat outfits!
Now is the time to get your bold summer prints, everything summer is on sale. I always buy shorts for next year at the end of the season. Not only do you not have to pay full price, but they seem new next season when you pull out your summer wardrobe. I got these floral printed shorts two years ago at the Loft, they add a pop of color to any outfit. Loft is the place to go for printed shorts, they are bold, proportionate and on trend. Pairing the shorts with a black top dresses the outfit up and makes the floral print stand out. A white top will be more summery and airy with your printed shorts. If you are feeling especially bold, pair your shorts with another simple pattern with similar colors.
If you are more of a denim shorts girl try Gap, J.Crew or Madewell for end of summer denim sales!
Minnesota has been experiencing unseasonably cool temperatures and rain the last couple of days. Whenever rain is in the forecast I pull out my Hunter wellies. They are one of the most iconic rain boots in the world and there are so many styles and colors to choose from, I try to find any reason to wear them.
I layered by look with a black puffer vest and distressed jeans to keep warm. This puffer goes with everything, I think I wear it at least once a week in the fall and winter months. If you are looking for something light, fashionable and warm try out this J.Crew puffer. It comes in many colors, but beware it does sell out by the end of the season. I tried to get this black one last Christmas, not only were the sold out but not reordering so I had to search from store to store and wait for one to be returned.
This blouse from Loft is one of my favorite staples; it has the perfect amount of swing and is not too boxy. It is a twist on the traditional white blouse and I am in love. I like to add a longer necklace with the blouse for something unexpected and subtle. We are back in the seventies and eighties starting today, but I secretly can’t wait for the fall season and the clothes that go along with a little chill in the air!
Many people always ask me how to wear big statement necklaces and wonder if they can pull them off, I think anyone can pull off any piece of jewelry. Start simple, let the piece speak for itself and pair it with an understated outfit. A solid t-shirt with jeans and either heels or flats, depending on the occasion, can make the necklace pop and is a great way to start wearing some bigger pieces of jewelry. Once you are more comfortable wearing the larger and intricate pieces then start wearing them with patterns and fun colors.
I chose a soft grey t-shirt, dark jeans and wedges for a dinner look. I prefer the Gap modern crew tee, they come in every color, sleeve length and are very comfortable. When dressing up your outfit pair heels and an evening clutch together to take the look into the evening hours. During the colder months, you can layer a basic blazer or jacket. Since my coin necklace is so large I chose to layer with rings and small stud earrings, this way nothing takes away from the necklace. Jewelry can make an outfit, you just have to be brave enough to put it on!
Nothing says summer like a bright floral print tank. Bold prints and bright colors are summer staples and with back to school just around the corner many of these styles are going on sale! There are still plenty of warm days headed our way so it’s the perfect time to buy. I think floral prints are the perfect accent for this season; they are flirty, fun and can be dressed up or down.
This tank could be combined with white shorts and a jean jacket for a casual night or paired with a skirt and heels for a dressier look. I wore it with jeans and lace up heels for casual Friday at work. I pulled the outfit together with gold bangles and rings, given the intricate nature of the neckline.
No matter the occasion, make summer more fun with your own prints, patterns and bright color palettes.
I believe in stripes for every season and this season its pink stripes. This boat neck stripe shirt from J.Crew has been a go to for me since I bought it. It’s easy, fun and can be dressed up with accessories. It is three-quarter length sleeves but is great with jeans on a brisk day or on a warmer day with shorts for a balanced summer look.
I like wearing my pink stripes with gold accents and a little sparkle. My necklace is also from J.Crew, it has a blush colored stone and hanging diamonds that dress up your casual look just a little. You could also wear a sparkly statement necklace and heels if you were wearing this for a late night look. On a cooler day or night pair with a jean jacket or cargo jacket.
Please note this shirt also comes in other colors so you can fill your closet with stripes for each season!
If I had to pick one color to incorporate into every outfit this summer it would be army green. I’ll take it any way I can get it; shorts, jeans, jackets, vests, button downs. It’s a basic muted shade of green that goes with a lot of other colors and can make you look tanner, instantly! I love pairing it with denim and white, like this outfit, or with a black and white striped shirt or dress.
Don’t be afraid to mix styles, pair your army green with an ivory lace top or skirt. Girly with a splash of masculine can really set your outfit apart. I always like to add metal accents; gold, silver or both look great with army green. Leopard is also a great neutral pattern to mingle in, try shoes like I did, or a handbag!