It's no secret around here that I am a blazer fanatic… I'm guessing a few of my you gals reading right now are too. In my opinion there is a blazer for every occasion and an occasion for every blazer. I definitely could wear this closet staple everyday… especially this time of year. Blazers are the absolute perfect transitional wear… which means for me they get heavy wear in the spring and especially the fall.
I love that you can layer a blazer over a tank, tee or even a sweater… so you can really customize your outfit for the seasons and your style effortlessly. Here are eight of my favorite blazer looks that I have worn here on the blog… PLUS my top picks for blazers that are in stores this fall. There are seriously SO. MANY. GORGEOUS. OPTIONS. It's darn near impossible to even choose a favorite here… but tweed, velvet and houndstooth have got to take the cake here. But all of these are gorgeous and classic pieces that would be perfect in any fall wardrobe. What are your favorites? I'd love to hear!
Earlier this summer I kicked off a new seasonal series here on the blog featuring wardrobe essentials based on some awesome feedback from you, my readers! You gals were loud and clear that you wanted clear and concise seasonal advice on what to put in your closet. Some of you wanted inspiration on filling in the potential holes in your wardrobe each season and others of you wanted a specific guide on creating a capsule wardrobe to minimize the amount of items in your closet while maximizing the style and ease of getting dressed each morning.
I loved the idea too… so I was happy to deliver! You gals loved the summer version of the "wardrobe essentials" so I knew it would be a great series here on the blog. Today I've got the fall version of the wardrobe essentials for you… and I think you are going to 'fall' (wink, wink) in love. Keep in mind… some of these pieces you may already own, or you may own similar items. Use this as a guide for a cohesive fall wardrobe filling in blank spots in your personal closet as needed.
I don't personally subscribe to a 'capsule' wardrobe but I will say that I don't own a ton of clothes… I really zero in on what I love each season and try to create outfits repeatedly out of those pieces without adding endless new clothes to the mix. I find it easier to create outfits with a smaller palate… and that is really what capsule dressing is at it's core, I suppose.
Here are my fall wardrobe essentials… which pieces do you plan to add to your wardrobe this fall?
There are few investments for your wardrobe that will last as long or give as much return for the money as a gorgeous handbag. A few years ago I made a promise to myself that I was done buying one-off cheap handbags and that I was going to invest in gorgeous quality handbags, preferably that were leather or other high quality materials, even if that meant owning less handbags or getting to purchase them less often. It's a decision that I have never regretted especially since now I have a collection (albeit, small and practical) of beautiful bags for any occasion.
Investing in a gorgeous handbag is the way to go in my opinion! Here are a few of my favorites right now…
In honor of Mother's Day weekend I thought I would pull together some great spring and summer wardrobe staples for busy moms on the go! Classic white tees, slip on shoes and sandals, simple skirts, cozy sweatshirts and boyfriend jeans are just a few of the pieces that busy moms should have on hand in their closet. They are easy to wear, layer and mix and match and they all make for super easy outfit combos whenever you need to look great with minimal effort.
Have an extra special Mothers Day weekend to all the moms out there!!
When the seasons change my basic staples seem to magically change with them. Suddenly my chambray shirt isn't for layering for winter… it can now stand on it's own for spring and feels fresh and new. Or my black jeans don't have to be paired with boots, but seem to have new appeal when paired with sandals.
When you dress for the full four seasons like we do here in the midwest, even the season-less basics can look and feel a little different each season. That is the fun (or challenge!) of dressing for a 100 degree swing in temps in a year. Now don't get me wrong… especially after spending a little over a week in California recently, I wouldn't mind less of a swing in temps, but that's the reality of living in Michigan.
There are a few wardrobe pieces this time of year that are absolute staples to have on hand. These are the pieces that get worn over and over again and really become the foundation for your spring wardrobe. These pieces work great with the trendier pieces you may choose this spring and also are great for the sometimes cool, sometimes warm weather that the spring season throws our way.
Shop these pieces below at all price points… so that no matter your budget your closet will be set for spring!
From the timeless denim jacket to your (new) favorite jean shorts to a fun and flirty tank… this season I am LOVING the classics. A linen blazer in white, a pair of loafers with bows and fun details like scallops and tassels are the perfect balance of classic and modern this season. Pieces like these become instant favorites and are sure to be on repeat in your closet throughout the spring and summer.
A well rounded wardrobe is all about balance. Finding the perfect pieces at high and low price points helps to build a great closet while still watching your budget.
Over the years I have found that there are certain items that are always worth the investment. For quality and for style… these ten pieces will never fail you!
leather shoes… I've never regretted any of the quality leather shoes I have bought. Sure they are a little more money, but they will end up being much more comfortable and longer lasting.
leather gloves… a great pair of leather gloves is not only a gorgeous addition to your closet, but a warm one!
chambray top… I wear mine chambray top so much that the cost-per-wear is probably the lowest out of all of the pieces in my closet, even though it's at $80.
leather boots… for long mid-west winters a pair of boots that is warm, well made and beautiful will be an asset for your wardrobe.
blazers… many of the blazers I own are several years old and they still get worn a ton. Invest in great cuts that fit well and you will have them for years to come.
cashmere sweaters… this is something I hope to invest in this winter, beautiful cashmere can last for years when cared for right and will always add an extra touch of femininity and class to your wardrobe.
warm winter boots… warm winter boots that you love will pay you back ten-fold on freezing cold winter days. These will keep your feet unbelievably warm and you won't look like an eskimo wearing them!
leather bags… a real leather bag will last forever. Literally. I have a collection of a few bags that I know I will keep forever or that hopefully I can pass on to my daughter. I've never regretted spending money on a beautiful bag.
winter coat… treat yourself to a gorgeous wool coat this year. You can dress it up or down and it's another piece that you will have for years and years to come.
denim… I love to go high and low with jeans. But I always make sure there are at least a couple of kick-a$! jeans in my closet at all times for days when my ego needs a little boost or I have somewhere to be that I want to feel my best. Madewell's skinny-skinny is my current favorite - but you should find your own favorite!
This blog is always evolving and part of me still doesn't know what I want to do when I grow up. Will I be blogging forever? Is this a viable career going forward? What the hell is a blog anymore even? There are always questions about the future of blogging and where I will be in five years swirling around in my head. But one thing that I always (read: usually, I still suffer with moments of self-doubt) know is that where I am now is exactly where I am supposed to be. Even though the "now" is always changing.
Wardrobe consults and wardrobe styling clients have been a common thread throughout most of my blogging career. What started out as one random reader asking for help with her work wardrobe over 5 years ago (5 years!!! 5 years???) has been an amazing experience for me and hopefully readers and clients too. Even when I decided to take time off from taking new clients there were still emails of the loyal ones wanting services. It's always felt right to offer these services because you readers always wanted them.
Recently I was introduced to Keaton Row that brings together wardrobe stylists (like me) with people that want a little help in the wardrobe department (maybe like you). I can offer these services FREE to you through Keaton Row and even mentor other ladies that want to start their own wardrobe styling services. The way Keaton Row works is a little different than how I have done consults in the past so some of my clients may not like it - although it's hard not to love! But the fact that it is free will be a huge opportunity to work with a lot more of you on a regular basis and maybe even help those of you that were hesitant to pay for my services. So I'm going to give Keaton Row a try AND keep my regular consult program going too. If this is a service you are interested in you can decide which way works best for you. I am truly excited to work with MORE ladies this way and to have an opportunity to work with you on a more regular basis as well. I think it's really a win-win for my readers and clients. I highly suggest you head over there and check it out! If you have any questions, always feel free to email or leave a comment!
None of this has anything to do with this outfit… summer whites for the win! That's all I'm saying about this look!
When the calendar flips to August I immediately start thinking fall clothes (it naturally comes with the territory as a blogger). Not that I wish one day of summer away - no way… I'm still in full on summer mode. But in between lazy mornings, afternoons poolside and bbqs I am already working on scouring the sites to see what surprises fall has in store for us style-wise. I will feature a lot of these finds here on the blog… hopefully to make your fall shopping easier!
I randomly ended up on the Ann Taylor site recently - drooling over this jacket - and the more I poked around the more goodies I found and loved. Ann Taylor is the epitome of classic style and what I love so much about all these pieces is that not only will they be timeless enough to wear for seasons to come but they are also great transitional wear to fall. Black jeans can still be worn with a tee shirt and sneakers this September or a leather jacket can easily be layered over a great summer dress for a perfect summer to fall look.
And since Ann Taylor pieces are always so beautiful but conservative… they also translate well to an office environment as well. You really can't go wrong with any of these gorgeous pieces for fall!
