Style Diaries | Flexible Fashion
It’s a new season with two reasons for new pieces: 1.) Because every wardrobe needs an update from time to time + 2.) Because I’m down 100 pounds from last fall so basically nothing I was wearing a year ago fits. It’s great until you have to replace everything + that adds up. So I’m always watching out for sales, seeking multi-functional pieces + taking advantage of outlet shopping. So many of my current pieces are from francesca’s because they’re almost always running a sale. I also can’t see spending money on something I’m not going to wear more than once. I’ve already been to prom + am nowhere near ready for a wedding. I have no need for a ballgown or expensive snakeskin anything. If you do, I’m super jealous. I wish I had a reason to buy a ball gown but I don’t so until then, I’ll be buying dresses at francesca’s + selecting my pieces carefully. But this post is not about dresses….
As I choose them carefully, they need to be flexible. To me this means two things: I need to be able to adapt them to work with many other pieces, figuratively flexible, + actually comfortable enough that I can sit for at least two hours a day in the car in them, literally flexible. There’s nothing worse than being uncomfortable in the car + I’m not about to be half naked on my way to or from work just to make it bearable. So I want to tell you about two pieces in my wardrobe that fit both types of fashion flexibility for me.
I’m going to end on a high note so I’m going to start with the one that came out of left field. As I’ve been replacing my big ticket items, especially work clothes, I’ve neglected to give enough attention to “small staples,” ie. tanks, vneck tops + leggings. Don’t worry though, leggings are quickly moving up the list because I can’t live without them. But finding camis or tanks to go with shorts when I need them is getting to be more + more difficult. I threw on an “old” (aka from last year) green tank + shorts that I was swimming in. Not flattering. Thankfully I was just running errands + grabbing lunch with mom, but still. They weren’t glamorous errands, just mailing care packages to a few friends + picking up a few things for work at a local orchard. Normally I’d have dressed much cuter, but when I had to be fashionably “on” for a concert later, I certainly didn’t want to waste an outfit. But you would have thought I’d have learned earlier in the week when I was trying to find something to wear for work when it was chilly + I didn’t feel like wearing a dress. That’s when I came across this tank, or should I say a swimsuit coverup I bought at Target when I went LA back in May. It’s definitely business in the front, party in the back with most of the back being a fun cutout. The day we went to Santa Monica, I threw it on over my suit for our grey morning at the beach. When I needed a top last week this fit the bill + it was a great backdrop for my new favorite statement necklace. Rest assured, I won’t be going much longer without these much-needed camis, I promise! I can’t believe I’ve let myself + anyone who appreciates my style down.
The second piece I want to tell you about is my new duster. The first time I ever saw anyone wearing a duster was my fifth grade teacher. She had two + wore them often. In my opinion, they’re kind of hard to pull off. Too often, they’re more shabby than chic. I haven’t found a foolproof method for picking the perfect one, but if I find anymore, I’ll letcha know what they have in common. I’d like to have a green one as I have some cute scarves + a new pair of riding boots I could style them with… The ides, they just come to me! But back to the duster at hand. This greyish tan piece came from the Express outlet during mom’s + my Labor Day shop fest. I’ve already worn this comfy + cute, but definitely not as warm as it could be sweater three times over the course of the last two weeks. The high-low style changes the sweater game for me. I’ve paired it with a floral dress, black pants, my purple pants from Chapter One + jeans. It can’t wait to try it with a few skirts + boots. But it’s great for the office or dinner with friends. Can’t wait to see how it pairs with all of my favorite fall activities this season. Expect to see me trying more of this trend.
What are your favorite pieces so far this season? I want to hear all about them!
xo.
