We’re back with our own version of layers, but before we dig in, I want to remind everyone that September is a perfect month to start transitioning your wardrobe. If you’re like me and have to store off season clothes somewhere else in the house, I have some advice for you. And for those that have large, beautiful walk in closets I have tips for you too. So here goes:
- As you are moving or rearranging your spring/summer out and your fall/winter in, take a fresh look at the summer pieces first. Did you wear them even once this past season? If the answer is no, off they go into a pile to either be given away or resold at a second hand store. If you aren’t quite sure, turn your hanger backwards when you go to hang it back up. If you wear it next season, turn the hanger back to normal, if not, that is two seasons in a row not wearing it and we need to have a talk!
- Not everything in your closet has to move. I keep short sleeve tees, pants, jeans and most of my skirts and dresses in my closet all year round because of the ability to “layer”. Sometimes it’s nice to have something short sleeve or sleeveless when you are piling on the layers and you’ll feel better about getting all the good wear out of them. It’s a reminder too that it’s okay to invest and reinvest in nicer pieces that your wear all year long because your cost per wear is low.
- And speaking of cost per wear, I give myself permission to buy ONE new pair of boot cut jeans per year and I don’t go cheap. Jeans are a huge staple in our wardrobes so lighten up in this area and purchase jeans that fit well, look good on you and wear well. I’d rather see you have one or two nice expensive pairs than six cheap brands. A good deal isn’t a good deal if you never wear them. (Nordstrom is a great place to start when trying to decide what brand fits you best)
- And the last thing I like to do is get those seasonal pieces dry cleaned or ready to wear for when the weather changes again. Nothing worse then getting excited about a dress you haven’t seen for 6 months, and to be reminded of the spills and stains.
Okay, so back to layering we go. I’ll start with Aubrey this time and her very comfortable outfit with many layers.
Here in Austin, it is still over 100 degrees today so I faked my cold weather outfit and my hubby and I didn’t last as long outside as my mother did in Colorado. I picked one of my favorite fall outfits for a comfy day and especially for traveling. The long tanks under my Anthro hoodie help me feel comfortable and conservative wearing leggings as my main pant. It’s hard to see, but one of my favorite things to do with long sleeves in the winter is to throw a bracelet on top of the sleeve. This, among the next couple little tricks, will turn your lazy-comfy outfit into a cute-comfy outfit. I also love throwing the sequin grey top on underneath to add sparkle. And of course, don’t be shy to throw your hair up into a high messy bun, they are so fun when you’re young and can get away with it. (jewelry: hand-me-downs from best friends, boots: Tyler’s in Austin, TX, leggings and purple lace tank: the Rack, sequin tank: boutique in Denver, hoodie: Anthropologie sale!)
Now it’s my turn. I wanted to show you a couple different styles so please forgive all the pictures that follow. I’ll start off with the idea of wearing jeans under a dress.
This dress is from several seasons ago, from Target, and I have worn it to death. It is sleeveless and is perfect in the spring but also fun to wear in the fall under jackets and sweaters. This is my newly acquired black blazer I found on the clearance rack at The Rack, by Theory. It was originally almost $300 and it showed, with a beautiful lining and feminine seams. I loved the length also as it covers my bum. I also made sure it was just a size or two big knowing I wanted to wear sweaters underneath this winter. (bracelets, earrings: Stella & Dot, boots and skinny jeans: The Rack, belt: Cabi outlet)
And here I am on a cold, winter day with my “cape” from Anthropologie. I have actually had this for a couple of seasons and am so glad to see how popular it has become. For those of us with hourglass/sapphire shapes, cropped capes are wonderful because of the broad shoulder it creates and being able to see the waistline also.
I’ll now switch gears to the maxi skirt. This is a wonderful example of investing in nice pieces and holding on to them forever. My ruffled skirt is also from Anthropologie and I can’t even remember when I bought it, it is that old. But how fun to pull it out again and change how I would normally wear it.
In the summer I wear this with a white cotton top and a jean jacket so I was excited to try layering a long sweater. (skirt: Anthropologie, sweater: second hand store, belt: cabi outlet, pearls and earrings: stella & dot)
And I couldn’t resist throwing on my new blazer…
And now the cape…you just never know what kind of weather you may have…
So that’s enough of us, now it’s your turn. Your assignments before our next blog are to get that wardrobe moved around, picked through, cleaned and freshened up. Now you’re ready to start shopping again from your closet and putting together some of your own layered designs. Staying warm and feeling good from the inside out!
