INSPIRATION FOR WHAT TO WEAR TOMORROW:
1.
This look is SO simple (yet so effective), and the navy situation just adds a little something into the normal black-on-black mix you know? Tuck in a lightweight blouse, adding a simple wrap belt defines the waist, and you can opt for a neutral heel. If you want edge, add a bold necklace and pop of color on the lip (or via a pop color heel). If you want to keep it demure, go with a simple drop earring or a stud earring, and bracelet. These three pieces are an easy foundation for a ton of different looks. One more option for Fall would be to throw a colorful scarf into the equation.
KEY PIECES:
- lightweight blouse
- pencil skirt
- wrap belt
STYLING IDEAS:
- stud earrings
- black leather tote (yes, navy and black can work)
- neutral heel (taupe/grey)
SHOPPING OPTIONS:
2.
source: laurenconrad.com
A trench coat can take anything casual, and class it up a bit. You can't go wrong with a trench, seriously. The four key pieces in this outfit can be switched up a number of ways to get plenty of wear out of the one look. You can opt for a black pant as opposed to a skinny jean and boom, you have something for work. Add in a wide-leg white pant, red lip, and statement necklace along the collar of the blouse, and now you've got something to wear out at night or day depending on what your 'everyday' looks like.
KEY PIECES:
- trench coat
- skinny jeans
- ankle boots
- shoulder bag
STYLING IDEAS:
- office: go for a black skinny or wide leg
- a basic black pump or even leopard print works
- add-in a statement necklace under the blouse collar
SHOPPING OPTIONS:
3.
J.Crew does 'simple style' so well. They hit the nail-on the head each season via a formula that works. There's nothing wrong with having a set formula, or blueprint (if you look at Week 2 of the Ultimate Closet Guide I show how helpful a blueprint 'uniform' can be). Actually, that takes the stress out of getting dressed in the morning and allows you to focus on investing in a few core pieces while you have fun playing with different ways to incorporate a trend (where you can afford to spend less and make the look your own). This look is comfy, classic, and easy to switch up. Love it.
KEY PIECES:
- overcoat (black or navy; go neutral)
- lightweight crew-neck sweater or sweatshirt
- tweed skirt (volume with an a-line or pencil depending on body type; Pears opt for pencil)
- shoulder bag/tote pop color (brick red?)
- neutral pump/ankle boot depending on height (ankle boots will cut the vertical eye-line on more petite types)
STYLING IDEAS:
- this could be weekend/casual by adding in a distressed skinny or boyfriend jean
- a pop of color on the lip works well
- layer necklaces and rings
SHOPPING OPTIONS:
4.
source: dailynewfashions.blogspot.com
White shirt, legging, ankle strap. Seriously though, it doesn't get much more simple than this style equation. You can amp up the look by streamlining the fit on top or keep it loose and throw in some serious accessories. Toss on a bold (red maybe) fitted blazer or go with a classic grey (could even opt for a herringbone or chevron print for Fall) and you've polished things up for a more professional look. For those looking to streamline their top halves, opt for a more fitted shirt and go crazy with a printed legging to draw attention to those gams. Hourglass shapes, cinch in at the waist (use those curves) using that fitted layer of a blazer (or cardigan) I just mentioned. You've got options.
KEY PIECES:
- white (oversized) button-front shirt
- leggings (with or without the stripe/embellishment)
- ankle-strap sandal
- black tote
- sunglasses (Ray-Bans)
- oversized watch
STYLING IDEAS:
- this could be weekend/casual by adding in a distressed skinny or boyfriend jean
- a pop of color on the lip works well
- layer necklaces and rings
- Add in a top layer: colorful blazer, cardigan, etc.
SHOPPING OPTIONS:
NEW ON THE SHOPPING LIST:
A LITTLE EXTRA INSPIRATION:
source: www.hplyrikz.com
In Week 1 of the 30-Day guide-book I just published I talk a lot about letting go (it IS the Closet Overhaul portion of the 30-day ultimate closet adventure after all, and letting go is fundamental to that part of the process).
But what's important about that first week isn't just the physical act of filling up those trash bags. What's important is shifting your perspective from what you're letting go of, to what you're about to gain.
I get it, it's only natural to veer (read: careen) towards the dark side on this one. We all do it. So fine, cool, now that you know what you're up against, make a plan to say 'hello' to the 'El Negativo' inside, give it a hug, and by all means, move on by switching your internal 'station' to something more upbeat.
Think about the amazing things about to come into the space you've created in your closet. Think about the lives you will touch with your donations, or think about what you'll do to treat yourself with the few extra bucks you make when your pieces sell on-line. Think full, not empty.
This applies elsewhere in life (you knew this was coming right?):
You lose a job. Ok fine. That sucks. We get it. But ask yourself, "so now what?"
It's not oversimplifying the situation. You need to recognize what happened and pay your respects, sure. Then you snap out of it and start looking forward. Asking, 'so, now what?' will help you do that.
Break-up? Ughhhh, blow to the gut/ego/heart, etc. It's rough. But that person is not meant to be around for a reason. Yes, it sounds like a Hallmark card, but really it's not, there is someone else that is meant to be in your life and hey, maybe that's just YOU. Whoa. You, just you. Yep, I said it.
You can be enough and maybe now is the time you get to revel in finding your authentic self, finding out what YOU want. All of a sudden the devastating breakup turns into a gift. It's a pain in the ass, but it's a gift if you CHOOSE (everyday) to look at it that way.
If you choose to see the gifts, the space, the possibilities you could be taking the blinders off to things that may be right in front of your face, waiting for you with open arms: the friend, the love, the job, the life, or the 'you' you've been looking for.
If you don't open up to that, you just won't see it. If I looked at ALL of the cards stacked against me this past year, I would have never moved to San Francisco and added 'author' to my resume. It would have never happened. It is a daily discipline, still, to adjust and shift my perspective, but it's a cool one and when I stop to look at things, I can see how it has changed and continues to change my life.
I invite you to try it out with me every day. Pick a ritual, tea time, coffee time, on the bus, sitting in the car, whatever. Try it out. It's your choice.
Sit on that one for a minute. Now ask yourself:
'So....now what?'
What are you going to choose to focus on tomorrow/this week?
