wardrobe wednesday

Horsin' Around

 

When I was 9 years old, I started showing horses and spent much of my childhood (and teen & college years!) in the show ring. And while I've long since left the boots and buckles behind, I still have a soft spot in my heart for equestrian themed apparel. Because whenever I'd don those riding jodhpurs and jacket, I felt like a character in a Ralph Lauren ad, ready to take on the world (or at least the rival polo team) while sipping rosé as my plaid ascot flutters in the breeze. 

And the fact that those breeches were stretchy, comfy and flattering?? Just an added bonus! 

So when I came across these Joe's cargo pants at Nordstrom Rack with decidedly jodhpurs-esque details like reinforced knee patches and structured but stretchy fit (can I get an AMEN?!), I knew they needed to be mine. 

Paired with a vintage feather print blouse and my favorite boots, I almost feel polo-ready. Of course I couldn't resist adding some color with a casual red corduroy jacket, and the fact that it almost exactly matches Ralph Lauren's Hunting Coat Red is no coincidence. So with that, I'm off to gather the hounds and ride off into the sunset. Tally ho, my fellow fashionistas! 

 

Joe's Jeans Cargo Skinny Pant | on Tradesy
Vintage Feather Blouse (thrifted) | similar
Gap Corduroy Jacket | on Poshmark
Bed Stü Cobbler Series boots | similar
Betsey Johnson belt
Voss Art & Home tote

Pattern Mixing 101 | Stripes + Scarves

When it comes to pattern mixing, it's easy to get intimated and overwhelmed. But the more comfortable you become pairing prints like leopard spots and polka dots, the more personal and unique your outfits will become! Start with baby steps - like adding a patterned scarf with a striped top - and soon you'll be playing with pattern like a pro. Here's three simple ways to starting adding pattern play into your life:

 

1  Pick two patterns, but one color. One of the easiest and foolproof ways to mix prints is to chose two in the same color palette. Here, a stripe and star print work together without being too busy because of the monotone palette.  Don't forget to add a pop of color (red boots!) and a little texture (sequin clutch!) to keep things interesting.

Gap Striped Tee
Mossimo Star Scarf | similar, similar
H&M Super Skinny Low Jeans
Coconuts by Matisse Booties | on ebay
Target Sequin Clutch | similar
F21 Ruby Ring | similar

 2  Consider black a neutral. A busy floral pattern can be tricky to combine with another print, but by pairing it with a black & white stripe, which reads as a neutral, the combination works. And don't be afraid to thrown in a third pattern in the same neutral palette, like I did with the spotted clutch.

J. Crew Ruffle Sleeve Top
Ed Hardy Silk Scarf | similar
Old Navy MidRise Rock Star Skinny Jeans
John Fluevog "Leader" Mary Janes
Jack Wills Clutch | similar

 

3  Pick a common color.  A multi-colored plaid is a cinch to pair with stripes - just pick one color from the plaid (in this case, red!) and make that your stripe of choice. This same scarf could easily top a royal, yellow, or orange stripe tee and look just as smashing!

J Crew Factory Stripe Sweater | similar, similar
Gap 1969 Girlfriend Jean
Charming Charlie Blanket Scarf | similar, similar
Very Volatile Fringe Booties
Steve Madden clutch | similar

 

 So there you have it - three easy tips for mixing patterns. Now go grab your favorite scarves & stripes and starting creating your own combos!

 

FIVE ON FRIDAY | Easy WAYS TO REFRESH YOUR WINTER WARDROBE

It's likely most of us have been wearing our winter wardrobes for several months now, and chances are it could use a little rejuvenation to get us through until spring. So here are five simple ways to enliven your winter closet!

 

1   Snap Up a Scarf. Not only is a new scarf practical for the wintery days that lie ahead, it's an easy way to add a pop of color or texture to any outfit. Look for versatile patterns like this black & white plaid pom pom scarf from J. Crew Factory or an embellished floral (like this one from Shein) that can easily transition into spring. There's also a good chance you'll find these accessories on sale right now, so it's a relatively cheap way to add a bit of flair into your cold weather apparel!

2   Ditch the Denim. We all hold onto our jeans longer than we should, but now is the time to sort through your closet and get rid of the denim that no longer fits or is past its fashion prime (yep, those baggy overalls from college definitely qualify!)  If you haven't worn it within two years, donate it! And then ease the parting sorrow by shopping for a chic replacement, like these Levi's culottes or an embellished pair of boyfriend jeans. 

3   Hang it Up. There's nothing better than walking into an orderly, organized closet and investing in quality hangers is the first step. Wood hangers help clothes maintain their shape better than wire or plastic and help eliminate the "clothing congestion" by allowing more space between each garment. Yes, you may have to do some purging (see item #2) but right now my favorite wooden hangers from Ikea are on sale for $3.99 for a pack of eight, so go grab a few bundles and spend some time sprucing up your closet. Your clothes (and closet) will thank you!

4   Love Your Leather.  Your leather boots, handbags and coats take a beating during snow and sleet season, so don't forget to show them a little love. Now is a great time to apply a leather cleaner/conditioner like this one from Restoration Hardware (I bought it for my couch, but it works equally well on apparel) to insure that your investments have a long life of looking good!

5   Tailor Your Togs.  Grab that pile of things needing hems, alterations or mending and get them to a tailor now. The sooner you do, the sooner you'll have them back into the rotation and a wider variety of wardrobe choices at your fingertips! (And if you happen to live near the Boulder area, Elegant Tailoring is a fabulous option. I've personally had Yeldiz alter everything from cocktail gowns to swim suits and they do amazing work!)

 

Happy Friday, my friends!

Loving the Layers

Happy New Year everyone! And welcome to my very neglected little blog! I've spent so much time & energy into building Shop Wardrobe Wednesday (which will celebrate it's second birthday in March!) that my regular posting here has gone by the wayside. But I've decided to remedy that this year and have big plans for more regular posts with an updated format and new features. I hope you'll visit often, offer feedback and find inspiration here for your fashion adventures!

Since I've spent the last few months indulging in all the wonderful concoctions, cocktails and calories that the holiday season has to offer, I'm definitely feeling a bit fluffier than normal. And my skinny jeans are reminding me that daily indulgences in egg nog and Christmas cookies are doing nothing for our relationship. It's definitely time restructure my diet and fitness routine, but until the results of my resolutions start to show, I'm loving dressing in layers. 

 

Not only are layers a necessity to keep warm in the Colorado winter, they are a great way to disguise extra poundage that always seems to accompany holiday celebrations. I love the drapey coziness of a cape and the fact that it offers tush coverage while looking chic is a huge bonus. This one from Woven Heart is also reversible to a darker pattern for double wardrobe duty!)

 

 

I've layered the cape over a lightweight turtleneck tunic, a great basic for pairing with the season's scarves and statement necklaces. And my base layer is a black ribbed tank. I'm a huge fan of these Under Armour tanks for their long length and slight compression to suck in that tummy. And remind me that crunches, rather than cosmos, need to happen on regular basis. 

 

In the past, I've tried to provide links to my outfit pieces when available, but since much of my current wardrobe has been thrifted, I often can't find the actual item online. But my main goal is to provide inspiration for outfits - ideas you can use with similar pieces you already own - and not to generate sales with retail links. So if the actual item isn't currently available in retail shops, I'll try to link similar style options (especially if there are bargain options on Poshmark or eBay!) And as a further resource, I'll also be featuring a flat lay photo of the outfit - perfect for pinning and referencing when you face the dreaded "I Have Nothing to Wear" days!

 

 

Navajo Woven Heart Cape
H&M Super Skinny Low Jeans
Mossimo Turtleneck Tee
Frye Campus Boot in Dark Brown
Bedstü clutch | similar, similar
Slate Demi Chevron Necklace from Rocksbox
(use code LISABFF448 to get your first Rocksbox free!)

 

And with that, I'm off to bundle up in some layers and log a few miles in my running shoes. Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!