Fun with Fashion

Hey y’all! It’s finally warming up around here and everyone is coming out of their winter hibernation to sit on patios and have cocktails. Audrey did such a great job of highlighting some wonderful wardrobe staples for the warmer months last week, and I want to add to that. We talked a lot this past weekend (did y’all know that I went to Texas last weekend?) about ways we play with our own personal style. Some of it has to do with what works with our individual personalities and shapes and sizes, but I think there are certain things that everyone can do to maximize what they have hanging in their closet. I love shopping, but I don’t have the budget to go out and buy something new every time I want a new look, so I have to find ways to make the stuff I already have look new and fresh. Not that I don’t go shopping a little more than I should from time to time…

1. Find Inspiration: I am more than happy to admit that I am not quite creative enough to come up with inspiration on my own. I love the Women’s Fashion section of Pinterest. I try to find looks put together with items similar to something I already have in my closet. I love In Style and People Style Watch magazines. People Style Watch especially because they do a really great job of finding great trends for reasonable prices. They also do a great “This Works” “This Doesn’t” section for both clothes and hair with great explanations as to why something works vs. why something similar doesn’t.
2. Accessorize: There is no better way to make an old outfit look updated than adding some accessories. A bright scarf, a chic belt, some trendy sunglasses, the right shoes, or some great jewelry can take jeans and a white t-shirt from ordinary to extraordinary. The right accessories can change the look of a basic outfit. A leather jacket and some ankle booties and you’re biker chic. A bright scarf, some killer earrings, and some heels and you’re a trendy fashionista. Sandals and a headband…you’re a hipster. You get the idea.
3. Layer: One of my favorite things about spring, before it gets too hot, is that you can add layers to change up your look. A good denim or leather jacket. A cute sweater or well tailored button down can add dimension to an outfit. The key here is fit. Too loose and you look sloppy and too tight and you look like a busted can of biscuits. If you are wearing lots of layers up top, keep it simple on the bottom. You don’t want to draw people’s eyes all over the place. Think of one thing as the “showstopper” and the rest of your outfit should compliment and highlight it, not take away from it.
4.Get Your Hair Done: It may seem obvious. It may seem ridiculous. But how you fix your hair can say a lot about what you are trying to say about yourself. A ponytail says “I’m getting stuff done today” while a blow out might say “I’m fabulous”. Putting your hair in an up-do can give a sense of elegance to any outfit. If you want to add a little pizzazz, headbands or hair clips can do the trick. Just remember, don’t put a lot of thought and effort into your wardrobe and then forget to fix your hair. That just says, “I tried, but I don’t really care that much”.
5. Play with Color: Like Audrey, I tend to gravitate toward neutrals. Black, white, and tan are my favorite colors when it comes to my clothes. I tend to buy those things because they are easiest to mix and match, and especially with traveling, that is what I need. But I try to add color in my accessories. Nothing spices up a classic LBD like a bright pair of heels, and a bright scarf can take jeans and tee from drab to fab. Obviously, on Wednesdays, you should wear pink. (Kidding…but, really.)
6. Be Yourself: If you only hear one thing, hear this…if you don’t dress in a way that you think represents you in the way you want to portray yourself, you’ll never feel at home in your own skin. I am a big believer in the whole feeling your best when you look your best, but that doesn’t mean that you have to be someone you’re not. Ultimately, none of the other stuff matters if you don’t like it, so play with looks. Mix and match and don’t be afraid to try new things! Be fabulous…but be yourself.
Namaste…or whatever.
XO ~Cassie