Time for another reader request! This one’s from Kari over at Better Together, who writes: Hey D–I love your design style and your taste in handbags. So if it is at all possible, I would love to see your personal style in clothes. I’m stuck in an awkward phase of teenager/young adult/woman and definitely would love to see some of your favorite outfits or pieces. Thank you! -Kari
Well it’s taken me a while to master the self-timer on my camera and to find a good spot for photos (I decided on my closet). Not to mention getting all these pics situated (some of you might have seen my accidental publish last night–oops!), but I’m now finally able to fulfill this reader request. Thanks for your patience Kari–hope you enjoy it!
DISCLAIMER #1: I do not consider myself a fashionista. I don’t subscribe to any fashion mags, nor do I live in L.A. or New York. I’m just a small-town Midwestern girl who wears what she likes, and likes to keep it simple. If you think my choices in apparel are atrocious please nominate me for What Not to Wear and I’d love you forever.
DISCLAIMER #2: Please excuse my two week old DIY pedicure. In addition to WNTW nominations, I also accept spa gift certificates. Thank you.
Now on to the clothes.
I think my fashion style is similar to my decorating style–I believe less is more, and comfort oftentimes wins out. I have an aversion to jewelry that rivals my aversion to knick knacks–if I’m going to add an accessory, it’s got to be something that makes a statement. And shoes–like throw pillows–can make or break a look in my opinion.
So let’s start with jeans outfits. These are the only pair of skinny jeans I own and I love them. Although I don’t like to spend much money on clothes in general, I went really cheap with these since I wasn’t sure if I’d like the whole skinny jean look or not. Both the jeans and the orange top (my favorite color) are from NY & Company. The whiskey-colored wedges are from DSW.
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I got these dark wash jeans from The Limited and the shirt is from NY & Company. I’m a big fan of the trapeze-style tops out this year. They’re super comfortable and especially kind to my love handles. The shoes are the whiskey-colored wedges pictured above.
Another pair of dark wash jeans–these are from GAP. I typically wear a “regular” length, but I purposely got these in “short” so they’d be shorter to show off more of my shoes. Shirt is from New York & Company–noticing a trend? I got most of my summer tops at NY & Co this year. These orange Ralph Lauren stilettos are one of my favorite pairs of shoes. I wear them all the time. And I rarely wear them with orange clothing. I don’t like to be too matchy-matchy. I think it’s more fun (and the shoes make more of a statement) when they’re paired with an unexpected color.
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These are the same GAP jeans from the above pic, but I cuffed them to show off even more of my fabulous shoes–this outfit’s all about the shoes. I just adore this pair by Two Lips. They are so funky and fun, and definitely a pair of shoes I plan an outfit around.
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Now on to some dressier outfits. I love these pinstripe dress shorts. I paired them with a short-sleeve cardigan from Ann Taylor Loft, and black & white houndstooth Chinese Laundry stilettos.
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These dressy bermudas are from The Limited, top from NY & Co, and turquoise necklace from NY & Co. The shoes are from Nine West and I like how there are no straps in front until the toes which helps my legs look longer.
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And you gotta love a wrap dress–so simple and easy to wear:
I was shopping with my friend Beth one time when I spotted a dress in a cute print on clearance at GAP. I tried it on and recognized instantly it did nothing for me. But it was oh so comfortable! So I came out of the dressing room hoping Beth would say it looked fine and tell me I’m just being too critical of myself. Nope. Didn’t happen. She promptly informed me the dress made me look twice my size and told me to take it off. “But it’s so comfortable!” I whined back to her. Her reply: “You’re shopping for work clothes, not pajamas. Take it off.” Good point. I took it off.
I’m now happy to report I’ve found a work-appropriate dress that is even MORE comfortable than pajamas! This great little number from NY & Co is so comfy I got it in 2 colors. (I added the white belt in the picture below. The dress is just a solid black cotton.) I can dress it up for work or dress it down for a weekend BBQ (both of which I’ve already done). Love it. And keeping up with the comfort factor–these sassy wedges, from Macys, are actually the Dr. Scholl’s brand–I was so surprised!
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I hate collared shirts. I don’t know what it is but I just can’t stand a collar up around my neck; however, I couldn’t resist this cute shirt dress. I love dresses for work–takes all the guess work out of things. Just throw on the dress and shoes and you’re done. I also like to pair a heavier shoe with a shorter hemline, like these fabulous red stacked heels from Nine West–one of my favorite shoe purchases this summer.
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Another dress I love–this brown number from The GAP. I love the sleeve (very flattering!) and the skirt is so full–it has a lot of movement when I walk which is fun. I like to wear this dress with this dark red chunky necklace.
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I love this ruffled top I got from The Limited. Not only was it FREE, it’s also so cute, and gloriously free of a collar. I’d never been into tucking in my shirts–despite seeing my friend Beth rock a nice tuck a few months ago. When I first wore this top I left the house with it untucked and I thought it looked fine. Well after a few hours of sitting at my desk, the bottom of my shirt was all wrinkly, and I thought it looked terrible. I had meetings that afternoon and didn’t want to look all disheveled, so I begrudgingly did a quick tuck job. Well imagine my surprise to find it looked so much better tucked in–much more polished and put together. Consider me a tuck convert.
And last but not least, this top is from The Limited. It’s work-appropriate (for me anyway–our office is very casual) while the fun bright color keeps it young and fresh.
And, after all that–if you ran into me at the grocery store this weekend it’s most likely you’d find me in something like this: jeans, a tank, and flip flops.
So, there are just some of my outfits from the past month. Hope you enjoyed this peek into my closet!
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I seriously want to raid your closet D…especially your shoe wardrobe!!
Ditto “I am a”, prepare for an invasion.. I love NY&Co but find that it can be overwhelming, so I have to go when I’m in a good mood and hopped up on Diet Coke. Love all of your shoes, I’m very jealous.
I am stuck in the airport and I can’t see your pictures. I can’t wait to check them out tonight. I really appreciate this, thank you so much!
OMG if I ever find myself in Wisconsin we are so going shoe shopping together! You have a great sense of style and I’m with you I love building outfits around the PERFECT pair of shoes.
I love your taste in shoes! Seriously, I need an upgrade! I wear flip flops like they are going out of style… I guess those have been out for some time now! =)
Thanks for the updated/young adult/fresh style!!!
Love it!
So fun – love all the shoes, and your very neat closet! I would really love to have all wooden hangers…someday!
You are a brave, brave woman!
I absolutely love your style choices, especially how the shoes consistently pull it all together.
My favorite outfit is the brown GAP dress, super flattering.
can i hump your leg?
Super Cute!!!! I love all the outfits and all the shoes!
You are so dadgum cute.
LMAO @ janny and the humping. I’ll get in line behind her to do the wild thing your leg.
Thanks so much for all your positive feedback ladies!
Kari–sorry to hear you’re stuck in an airport right now! Hope you like your post when you’re finally able to see pics!
Emily–I KWYM about NY&Co. I tend to check them out online first, find what I’m interested in, and then just look for that in the store. Going in blind is way too overwhelming for me, too.
ShoeZQ–It’s a date!
Leah–Yeah, I was a little apprehensive to fulfill this reader request (hence the disclaimers, lol), but I thought–meh, what the hell. And I’m wearing that brown GAP dress today, with a tan cami underneath and the wide belt from pic 1 (and no necklace). I love this dress!
Janny & Yo–also a date. Threesome anyone?
I love your blog and your clothes! This post made me realize I may be stuck in a rut wardrobe-wise. Thanks for inspiring me to go shopping!
Love your wardrobe!! What brand is the black sling backs?
Cute cute cute!
Can I hire you to come decorate my house and purchase my wardrobe? That would be fabulous!
Steph–the black sling backs are Nine West.
Love your style and the commentary as well.
I can’t imagine how long the prep for this post took!
Found your blog through This Young House. Everything in your house looks great – love your style. I need to post pics of my house.
Wow this is a great post and very visual. I love the shirt dress, it fits you perfectly and it’s very classic.
You just satisfied the clothes whore that I am, w/ this post! Thank you, now I need a cigarette. HA!
Good Lord, you’ve got style, girl!! I now have a crush on your closet.
P.S. I hate collared shirts too. My hair always gets stuck inside my shirt and I blame the collar.
Um, look who’s getting 19 comments per post these days. Make that 20. yesss.
I just want all of your shoes. You have great personal style and it is very similar to mine, minus the fact that I don’t wear heels very often, but I love them!
Um, you’re adorable. I want to just borrow your house and clothes for a day. Is that weird?!
Just kidding. But seriously – love your choices and outfits.
LOL! You girls crack me up! Thanks everyone for all your super sweet comments!!
Oh and Joi–I’d tell you how long it took to put this post together, but you might pass out from it. And we just can’t have people passing out around here unless it’s for a very good reason. And there’s alcohol involved.
Love this post! I have to say that I too fell in love with the super comfy dress from NY&Co. I have 3 of them! 😮
D!
You should model! You’re so cute in all the shots! I really like the brown dress on you – looks great! I cannot imagine how much time you had on your hands to fulfill that request!!! G must have been out of town!
Kadi