ladylike

I felt very girly wearing this blush, black and white outfit. I don't really own a lot of items in the pink family besides this cardigan, my pink chambray shirt and my LC blazer. Although I would consider myself pretty girly in the sense that I like clothes, painting my nails and not getting dirty, I don't really do pink. I don't have some deep explanation for this. Maybe my parents dressed me in only gender neutral clothing as a child so now I've continued this in adulthood?

Ok, I'll stop now ;)

Last day left to win one of these purse tassels! 

Cardigan: Banana Republic Outlet  {similar}

Blouse: Forever 21  {save, similar}

Pants: Urban Outfitters  {exact}

Earrings: Tiffany & Co.  {save / exact}

Necklace: Souvenir from Germany  {similar / splurge}

Watch: Fossil  {save / very similar}

Bracelets: Forever 21

Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs  {exact on sale}

Purse: Kate Spade {save / similar}

via Instagram

Behind the Blog: Twelve by Six

This week's Behind the Blog is about Laura who blogs at Twelve By Six. I don't remember how Laura and I even crossed paths, but she is now one of my blogging BFFs, and also the only blogger I've ever met in real life. She's a smart and beautiful girl, so I'm thrilled to have her here today!

Tell us what motivate you to start blogging. Were you following a lot of personal style/fashion blogs before you started blogging?


I was following fashion/personal style blogs for awhile before I even thought about creating a blog (probably a year or more), and they definitely inspired me to start my own.  I wasn't really sure at the beginning what my intent was, but I wanted to get out there and be part of the community, so I started the blog and thought I would learn and figure it out along the way.  When I began, I was following more "aspirational" blogs where everything looks professional and editorial and I think I had it in my mind that those were what a blog was supposed to be like.  When mine (obviously) was not able to measure up, I first had to stop comparing, and then I had to reconsider the purpose of my blog with the added consideration of the time and effort I have available to put into it.  I still like and read some of those aspirational blogs, but I realized that I'm much more interested in real girls with real lives and their journeys of discovering their style through outfit photos, so I turned my attention to outfit photos and started focusing my daily posts on that.  I still like to throw in posts that show other parts of my interests and personality, but I feel like the main focus of my blog is on the development of my style and being a part of the larger community of girls doing the same!

Which blogs do you read every day? 

Fashion-wise, I mostly read blogs that focus on a mix of professional and realistic casual wear that I would actually incorporate into my life.  I read Sidewalk Ready, Whipped Style, Franishh, Work Clothes, I Suppose, Kendi Everyday, City and Burbs, and Veronika's Blushing on a weekly if not daily basis.  I also read a few other types of blogs like home and design, photography, food, and various funny stuff like Get Off My Internets and The Bluth Company tumblr. 


Who takes your pictures? What cameras/lenses do you use? Have you ever been "caught in the act" of taking  these pictures?

Usually my husband is nice enough to take them for me, but if he's not available I use a tripod and camera remote.  I used to do the self-timer run, but I finally decided to get a remote on Amazon for like $12 and it makes things infinitely easier.  I have a Nikon D3100 and a few lenses, though I typically only use my 35mm f/1.8 lens for outfit photos.  I don't  think you "need" a fancy camera to be a good blogger though, I have this because I'm also interested in photography generally too!  I've only been caught taking photos a few times, so I'm pretty lucky.  I've taken a few in public (thanks to my husband) which isn't that bad since I just feel like a tourist, but I've been seen doing my own with the tripod by my neighbors that share the common balcony where I usually take my photos - definitely a bit weird!


What programs do you use to edit and upload your pictures? 

I almost always use PicMonkey to edit and crop my photos, which works well for me because I do very few edits and it's really simple and fast to use. I usually crop the excess background, adjust any exposure issues (which typically fixes any color issues on its own, especially if the photos were outside), and if I really have to I make color adjustments to get a more true-to-life representation, but I've only ever done that a handful of times.  I have PhotoShop but don't typically use it because it's overkill for what I need to do for my blog pictures, and I've never "photoshopped" my face or body to look better (nor do I intend to!).


Do people in real life know about your blog? What were their reactions when they found out about your blog?

My husband does, but he's the only one.  I don't think I hide it on purpose, there's just never been a time that it came up and it seems like a weird thing to bring up out of nowhere.  Plus, I do think that a lot of people probably wouldn't get it and might see it as superficial or silly, so I feel a bit guarded about who I would want to know and I probably fail to bring it up as a result.


Your blog, besides talking about fashion, also has bits of fitness thrown in. Do you read a lot of healthy living blogs as well? Do you feel having your Friday Fitness post helps keep you accountable for eating better and running?

I do read some healthy living blogs (usually once or twice a week or as resources when I'm looking for a new recipe or something) and find them pretty inspiring and motivating for the most part.  A few favorites are Fitnessista and Sprinkle Massacre because they focus on fitness as part of daily life, plus they share tons of great workouts and recipes.  I do think the Fitness Friday posts help me stay accountable, and it seemed like at least a few people were equally interested when I started posting about it, so I thought I'd keep it going since I love hearing what other people are up to as well!  I've gotten some great suggestions in the comments about quick weeknight dinners, workout ideas, and that kind of thing.  While my blog is mostly focused on style, fitness (or aspiring to be fit and healthy) is such a big part of my  life that I like to be able to take some time to talk about that more real side of my life.  I also think it really fits in with the style focus because it's hard for me to feel good about myself and interested in expressing my style when I don't feel fit and healthy, and running and fitness are one way I try to keep myself confident.  I also never wanted my blog to appear to glamorize appearance at the expense of health, so I try to tie it in for that reason as well.  Being fit and healthy matters to me more than being skinny for clothes, so it's also a helpful personal reminder that even though I may not have the same body type as some people in fashion/blogging, I still love being fit and healthy on its own terms and I can still enjoy fashion and participate in this community.  I do think it's tough coming up with fresh content about fitness every day because honestly, sometimes it's just routine and I eat the same things a lot of days, so I'm going to be scaling this back to a monthly update!


Many fashion bloggers hop from one trend to the next. How do you try to stay on trend while working within 
your budget and closet?

I think the biggest thing is to remain focused on what you like regardless of whether it's "in" or "out" at any given time. Classics are always in style, so building a wardrobe of well-fitting, quality pieces is the best way to always look current.  Have a a base of classic pieces also makes it easier to mix some trendier items in without looking like a trend whore.   Participating in some trends can be fun, but it's important to pick and choose based on what fits your taste and your lifestyle.  Something I've been trying to focus on this year is having quality pieces in my wardrobe that will last a long time and easily mix and match with other pieces, which leaves less room in my closet and my checking account for fads.  Some trends can be easy to pass on if you just aren't into them (flatforms...) or they are just not right for your body type (harem pants...).  Other trends may be more tempting because they look cute, but I still try to be realistic about what works in my life.  For example, recent trends I couldn't get into were peplum and neon - even if I liked them, they're just not items I would get enough wear out of given that I work in a professional office 5 days a week and usually prefer to be more casual on the weekends.  If I had unlimited funds it might not be a big deal, but I've come to a point where I just don't want to spend money on something that will sit unworn in my closet (and eventually discarded) because I don't really have occasion to wear it.  Staying within a reasonable budget is always something that I strive for (even if I don't always achieve it...), so wasting money on flash-in-the-pan trends isn't something I want to do.  For new things I am interested in, I try to budget accordingly and shop smart so I can still purchase quality things that will last but not spend a fortune!  Another great way to participate without going all out is by using accessories, like neon necklaces or bracelets for summer, or maroon tights or scarves for this fall.  I've also recently been making wish lists to focus my attention on those things I really want to add to my wardrobe each season - it really helps me ignore some of those impulsive momentary wants.


Putting yourself on the internet comes with the expectation that not everyone will always love what you are  wearing and writing. Have you encountered any of these criticisms, and if so, how do you handle it?

I feel that I've been pretty lucky in avoiding much criticism so far, actually.  Of course I've had a few comments here and there, but even those are more constructive criticism rather than just bashing.  I think the best way to handle stuff like this when it does happen is to try and remember that when people are just being negative to hurt someone, that's their issue and isn't really about the other person.  It's always hard not to let it get to you, but staying positive and seeking support from real friends/family and other bloggers is always helpful.


What has been the best thing to come out of blogging? 

So many things I didn't expect, honestly!  The community and friends I've made blogging are definitely one of the best things about blogging.  It's really cool to have a relationship with readers and other bloggers who are interested in the same things, and I love the creativity and inspiration I see in others (and foster in myself!) as a result of this awesome community.  Another great thing about blogging is learning more about my own style.  When I started, I was definitely interested in fashion, but I knew a lot less about what worked on me, what I actually like instead of what I was just wearing because I had in my closet, and what kind of things I wanted to focus on adding to my closet long-term.  It's been a really big learning experience for me, and I've become more able to trust my intuition because I have a clearer sense of what I like.


When it comes to promotion of your blog, what methods do you use? Do you spend a lot of time commenting on other blogs, pinning your looks, doing link ups

Promotion is something I really don't get into; I just don't love it, and I don't have a ton of time to spend on it either.  I'm also  not overly interested in monetizing my blog or making it a business, so since I really just do it for fun, I can't justify spending a ton of time on promotion.  I do spend time commenting on other blogs, but it's because I actually like and follow  those blogs and I try to make those comments meaningful (like, I don't just blanket comment on hundreds of blogs a day with generic compliments).  I do participate in a few link ups weekly, and this is something I would like to try and do more of in the future.  I try to look through submissions on those link ups and find a few new blogs I like to follow/comment on  as well.  I use Pinterest a lot for inspiration from other sources, but I actually don't pin my own looks, and I don't have a  blog Facebook or Twitter.  I also do guest posts occasionally because it's fun and it's nice to be able to mix readership  between my blog and those that I like.  Overall, I guess I'd say it's not super important to me because I do this for fun, and  I've found that guest posting, participating in link ups, and meaningfully commenting on other blogs is a great way to gain  readers without succumbing to the dreaded "follow me, I'll follow you!" comments.

What tips or suggestions do you have for your fellow bloggers?

I'm sure everyone's heard this before (and you'll definitely hear it again), but you have to stay true to yourself when you blog.  If you're blogging for money or sponsorships, or to show off every trend that comes out rather than develop your personal style, your readers will see through it.  I've unfollowed tons of blogs because you can tell when people get caught up in the next cool trend instead of just doing their own thing.  It's also helpful to realize ahead of time that getting involved in blogging will make life full of temptations - I see probably 50 things on other blogs every single day that I think are gorgeous, but trying to keep up and have everything other bloggers have is a fast track to going broke and being stressed about blogging.  It's really important to learn that you can enjoy and admire something without needing to own it yourself.  I would also say that you don't have to know 100% what you're doing to get started blogging; learning along the way is inevitable and in fact enjoyable - we're all in this to learn as we go!  One thing I would recommend is planning enough backup posts that you have a fallback for when life gets busy and you can't take photos/post daily - I wish I had done this and I'm still trying to build up a contingency set of posts for that reason.  I also think taking good photos is important, but as I said above, you don't have to have a fantastic camera.  The biggest aspect here is making them large enough for readers to see your outfit (if that's what you're posting about), which is pretty easy to do just using the "resize" function on any photo editor.  Overall though, keeping focused on your own voice, your own style, and dressing for yourself, first and foremost, is so important.  If you're genuine and really enjoy what you're doing, people will still read your blog even if there are technical things you still want to work on.

Don't you just love her? Thank again for participating Laura! Next week we have Shanna from Because Shanna Said So!

One Item, Four Ways: Loft Sequin Striped Top

I purchased this Loft top as a part of my November Budget. After finding out that Whitney also just purchased the same top, we decided it would be fun to show multiple ways of wearing the same top using pieces in our own closets. Although I maintain that my blog is not about dressing up (but rather actually showing what I wear every day), I had a great time playing around in my closet coming up with these outfits. It made me realize what I'm lacking (skirts, heels, evening bags) but also made me think of future outfits I can wear with my new shirt. Our four categories are work, date night, girls night and party. Make sure you check out her post as well! Girlfriend has a great collection of skirts :)

Work

At work, my legs have to be covered and my shoes have to be flat. I went with some of my favorite pieces - a classic blazer, dark wash skinny jeans, and cap-toed flats. It allows a fun and sparkly top to pop out without being overbearing in a work environment.

Blazer: J. Crew  {exact}
Jeans: American Eagle  {exact}
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs  {exact on sale}
Earrings: Tiffany & Co. {exact}
Watch: Fossil  {very similar}
Bag: Kate Spade  {similar}
Purse Tassel: DIY by my mom (win one here!)

Date Night

Between Chris's long rotation hours and loans, and how much money I've had to put into school applications, most our our date nights are very casual and inexpensive. We like to go to movies (usually a matinee) or just going on walks with our dogs. For this outfit I choose comfy shoes, a crossbody bag, and my new cargo jacket I purchased in Germany. It allows a dressier top to seem a bit more casual.

Jacket: Hof Germany  {similar}
Bag: Gift from my BFF Hannah {similar}
Jeans: American Eagle  {exact}
Shoes: Rocket Dog via DSW  {exact}
Watch: Target
Bracelet: DIY
Nails: seen here

Girls Night

I think this top was made for girls nights. It's cute, sparkly and can stand alone without too many accessories- everything you need in a top! I paired it with my beloved black skinny jeans, a black trench for the treks between events (read: bars), a simple clutch and a pop of red.

Trench: Banana Republic  {very similar}
Jeans: Urban Outfitters  {exact}
Shoes: Unlisted  {similar}
Clutch: Forever 21  {similar}
Bangles: Forever 21

Party

I'm in love with this outfit and wish that I had somewhere to wear it to. Subtle pattern mixing and classic pieces allow the top to take center stage. Sequins were made for the holidays!

Skirt: Target  {similar}

Belt: Old Navy  {similar}

Heels: Nine West via Marshalls  {similar}

Clutch: Charming Charlies  {similar}

Bracelet: InPink

double the layers, half the frump

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I was having a problem with getting my life figured out layering shirts. I couldn't get the button down/sweater look  to work without my entire torso turning into one big blob. Bri suggested I try layering a tank top in between the two layers to help smooth out the button up. Duh. This is why I blog - so I can complain and you guys can teach me how to dress myself.

Sweater: J. Crew Factory  {exact}

Button-up: J. Crew  {similar}

Jeans: American Eagle  {exact}

Watch: Fossil  {similar}

Shoes: Tory Burch  {exact}

Nails: seen here

First Snow

No, it unfortunately (fortunately?) has not snowed in Madison yet, although it seems that much of northern Wisconsin was covered in snow this past weekend. I'm not a huge fan of snow on the ground anyway, but I do like the idea on my nails!

Julep sent me* this beautiful dark teal as well as a few other colors I'll post about soon. I've been a long time fan of the brand, and the colors I received did not disappoint. For those of you who haven't heard of Julep, they are a nail polish company that can be found online, in Julep parlors across the country, and Sephora. If you become a Julep Maven, each month you are sent a box of 2-3 nail polishes as well as a few extras (I've received glitter pots, hand lotion and nail polish remover pads). The thing that drew me to Julep versus other beauty boxes is that you get to see what you are going to receive each month, you can switch to a different box if you don't like the one chosen for you, or you can opt out completely of that month if you decide you don't want anything that month.

If you are interested in becoming a Julep Maven, you can take the beauty quiz here to get started. If you are interested in purchasing nail polishes separately from the Maven program, you can use the code VIP20 to receive 20% off any purchase greater than $20.

Teal: Julep Donna, c/o
White: Julep Eileen (dots made with dotting tool)

Linking up with the Nail Files and Mani Monday.

*This is a sponsored post. I received nail polish for free, but all opinions are my own!

November Budget

1. J. Crew Factory Tippi: $70 + 50% off = $35
2. Forever 21 Striped Top {seen here}: $20
3. American Eagle Skinny Jeans {seen here}: on sale for $35
4. Urban Outfitters Staring at Stars Cardigan {seen here}: $69
5. Forever 21 Polka Dot Contrast Scarf: $13
6. Banana Republic Outlet Earrings {seen on instagram}: $7
7. J. Crew Outlet Perfect Gingham: $60 + 50% off = $30
8. Loft Sequin Striped Tee {seen here}: $50 + 40% off = $30

November Budget: $239







While this is $90 over my self-imposed budget, I sold over $120 worth of clothes on eBay this month, so I feel that it kind of evens out how much I spent. I should have been smarter about purchases this month as I spent a majority of this month's spendings (~$120) over the Thanksgiving week (the 2 J. Crew tops, the Loft top, the scarf and the earrings). I felt like I was holding back on purchases as there were several items I put back in their place instead of taking them to the register, but again, writing it down makes me realize that those 5 items add up quickly. I think December will be much better for my budget. I have quite a few new items that I already have several ideas for (look for a post about this later this week!) and my family is also not exchanging gifts this year for Christmas as we are going on a family vacation, so that will keep me away from the mall as well.

How did you do this month? Did you find some awesome deals during the Black Friday sales? Do you put away money the rest of the year to save for this weekend? Link up with Budgeting Bloggers below -  please make sure you link back so your readers can discover other budgeting bloggers.



P.S. Don't forget to enter the Leather Tassel Giveaway!

Giveaway: Genuine Leather Tassel

My mom made me this purse tassel recently and I love how it adds a little something extra to my purse. She generously gave me one to giveaway to one of you as well! Just use Rafflecopter to enter below. This is open internationally and will run for a week. I'll email the winner at the end!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

sequins for all

Happy Black Friday! Did you guys enjoy all of the sales today? Chris and I didn't leave the house until 8 AM for the mall and the outlet mall - we weren't going to fight anyone over some discounted shirts so we figured we might as well sleep in. I ended up buying a scarf (at full price....) at Forever 21, and then a button up and a sweater at the J. Crew outlet store. I also purchased this shirt at Loft on Wednesday. I bought my mom the same shirt as a birthday present - a girl can never have too many striped shirts or sequins! Later next week Whitney from Along the Lines of Style and I will be doing a "different ways to wear this shirt" post. I already know she's going to look adorable!

As far as "tightening" went over Thanksgiving, Chris and I took the pups on a 3 mile run that morning (it was like 50 degrees here!) and I didn't take seconds at dinner. I still got to enjoy everything about the day, but didn't feel as guilty at the end of it.

My youngest sister Karoline offered to take these pictures so I made sure to throw in a few fashion blogger poses. Here's the over the shoulder /skinny face / hair touching picture. Looking good gurrrrl.

Top: Loft  {exact}

Jeans: American Eagle  {exact}

Belt: The Limited

Shoes: Tory Burch  {exact}

Bracelets: Borrowed from Mom

Earrings: Tiffany & Co  {exact}

Nails: Maybelline Racy Red

We also tried to take pictures for our Christmas card. I've heard that taking pictures with children is hard, but I feel dogs are even worse. Look at Baer being such a good boy, posing like the stud he is. Hans could not care less though.

Does this say "Merry Christmas from the Stewart-Hasselhof household"? Or does this say "Feed your boyfriend a cheeseburger, medical school rotations are starving him"?

Changing Locations

Hey guys,

As some of you may have noticed, I have changed the URL of my blog. When I first started it, I wanted it to be Franish with 1 h, but it wasn't available which is why I had 2 h's at the end. When I was playing around on the design yesterday, I realized it was available and made the change. If you follow on bloglovin / google reader / facebook / twitter / instagram (Christ, social media seems to be taking over my life) you won't have to do a thing as everything has been transferred over. Older posts may have backlinks that don't work though. Please let me know if you have any troubles or if something isn't working.

Thank you for following along on this little hobby of mine. You guys are wonderful and I love that blogging has brought you into my life.

Franziska

Foggy

A few weeks ago I talked about how I wasn't sure what I was going to do about taking pictures once it was too dark before and after work. This morning I left home even earlier so I could make a little Starbucks run before work, so I figured I might as well check off some of the fashion blogging cliches in one picture.

Starbucks: check
In the middle of the street: check
Foggy ambiance: check
Skinny Leg Pose: check

Next week I'll make sure to cover hair touching, looking off into the distance, the flamingo, pattern mixing, and the "oh I didn't see you there" pose ;)

Shirt: Lands End, thrifted  {similar}
Cardigan: Old Navy  {exact}
Scarf: H&M
Jeans: American Eagle  {exact}
Shoes: Crown Vintage  {similar}

reporter

My aunt is an optometrist in Germany and she generously made me a new pair of glasses since my old pair were "awful". I'm still getting used to these as they are quite a bit bigger than my last pair, but I've been told they are more flattering than my old pair was.

I think between the glasses and then blazer, I look like a news reporter. Maybe if this whole medical school thing doesn't work out (which it may not after receiving some disappointing news today) I'll go into journalism...

Blazer: H&M  {similar}

Top: Forever 21  {similar}

Jeans: American Eagle  {exact, on sale}

Belt: Madewell  {similar}

Purse: Kate Spade  {similar}

Tassle: DIY by my mom!

Watch: Target

Shoes: Tory Burch  {exact}









Linking up with the Pleated Poppy

Tightening

How cute is that little one? He's one of my three new second cousins that I met this weekend.

We made it home safe and sound last night. I wish I could say the same for my luggage, which did not arrive as expected. I was pretty nervous about my luggage not arriving because I have some irreplaceable family keepsakes in that luggage but luckily I got it all back safe and sound. My camera, makeup, and toiletries were all packed in the suitcase as well, so pictures weren't an option this morning.

It's probably better that way, because I am not feeling up to par physically right now. I don't get to go to Germany often, so when I do, I gorge on all of the food. I definitely am not feeling too great about physical appearances at the moment. My family is traveling to Gulf Shores for Christmas, so I have 5 weeks to "tighten" it up.

To say I've been trying to lose weight most of the last 15 years wouldn't be an exaggeration. I can't really think of a time where I was content with how my body looked. It mostly doesn't bother me too much because I know that physically I'm healthy. I ran a half marathon a few months ago, I can run up stairs without feeling like I'm dying, I don't eat a lot of fast food. In high school I ran cross country and when I was still in college, marching band kept me really really active. Since then, I've somewhat lost the motivation, especially since I no longer have the scariest 75 year old yelling at me to push myself.

I think beyond the exercise aspect, food is really what does me in. It's not necessarily what I'm eating, but how much. I hate the feeling of being hungry. If you asked Chris what he disliked the most about me, I bet you he would say that I get really grumpy when I'm hungry. I get really possesive about my portions, and more is always better in my stomach's opinion. 

To be successful in a quest to feel good about myself physically, I need to change things. The first part is exercising. I like to sweat, I like to "feel the burn", but I'm also lazy and will look for any excuse to not work out. Exercise needs to be a part of my routine, something that I can't back out of. My plan is to do Jillian Micheal's 30 Day Shred Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings before work. It only requires getting up 35 minutes earlier, and then it's done. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I'm going to either go to the gym or to pilates (thanks Groupon!). Devoting 150 minutes a week to exercise is 1% of the week. I think I can handle that.

As far as food goes, in the past calorie tracking has really worked for me. I use the Calorie Counter and stick between 1500 -1800 calories. I always think how much that is, but when I total everything I eat, I see how easily the calories add up. Like clothing budgetting, when I have a set amount I'm supposed to stick to, I think more about what I'm about to eat. When I look at my meal calorie amounts, snacks and lunch (which is often times purchased at the work cafeteria) add the most to my daily caloric intake. I make the same 300 calorie breakfast sandwich every morning, and Chris and I make pretty healthy dinners (lots of fish, chicken and vegetables) so snacks and lunch need an overhaul. I plan on bringing more lunches to work (sandwiches, veggies, leftovers from dinner) and having more yogurts, fruits and nuts as snacks. I need to retrain my stomach to not yell at me when I haven't had anything to eat in 2 hours. 

So that's the plan. Hopefully by the time Christmas rolls around, I won't be rolling around as much.

Guide to Preppy Dressing by the Preppy Leopard

You guys may remember reading about Tierney from Behind the Blog a few weeks ago. Tierney has that classic style when it comes to dressing, so I asked her to put together a little post about what constitues preppy dressing.

Just to clarify, my family doesn’t have a boat.  We don’t belong to a country club, and we are hardly American royalty.  (Although, we do have a castle in Ireland…or had a castle in Ireland…Long story.)

Really, I’m not sure from where my obsession with the stereotypically “preppy” look came.  I’ve always gravitated towards prep-school staples in nautical hues.  (I attended a private Christian school, but sadly, no uniforms.  I was probably the only person who wished we had uniforms.)

I think maybe I can point to a combination of Gossip Girl and J.Crew as the catalysts that pushed me over the preppy loving edge.  As an aspiring YA author, I devoured the entire Gossip Girl series and waited with baited breath for the television show.  Blair Waldorf quickly cemented her spot as the Queen B of my style loving heart.  I loved her school girl inspired pieces in classic colors.  (And, I also loved that when I re-watched the first season years later, she still looked stylish.) 

Then, I started working at J.Crew to make some extra money during college, and I learned the art of layering from dressing countless mannequins.  Now, I possess a closet that is 50% navy, 25% red, and 25% black.  Everything I own can be mixed and matched and will always look pulled together.  I’ve fixated more on quality and staying power of my clothing, versus freaking out over every new trend.  (And, when there’s a trend I kind of like, I buy it in a classic color that I can wear for the next few years.)

Interested in pulling together your own classic wardrobe, but not sure where to start?  Let me be your guide!

The Classic Blazer.  Fit is important here, and if you need to, buy a size too big and have it tailored to your body.   I recommend navy because it works year round in both the office and on the weekends.  In the summer, it can make a sundress work-appropriate or in the winter, it can be worn over sweaters for a cozy layered look.  This will also be an investment piece that will get a ton of wear, so be prepared to spend at least $150. The whole point is to have this for years!

Best brands for blazers:  J.Crew.  LL Bean. Ralph Lauren.

Look for:  Navy.  Plaid.  Black.  Gray.  Herringbone.  Tweed.  Camel.

The Sweater.  I prefer cardigans because I think they are easier to layer, but this depends on your personal preference.  The kind of knit matters too.  If you’re always hot, then stay away from heavy wools and look for thinner cotton blends.   I don’t spend a lot of money on my sweaters unless they’re really special.  (One of my favorite things to hunt eBay for is vintage wool sweaters with animals!)  Also, I recommend to stay away from J.Crew sweaters unless you’re getting their cashmere.  Almost every sweater I have from J.Crew has holes in random places (as compared to my cheap Old Navy versions that last forever).  Plus, I’ve noticed that Gap and Target many times will copy-cat J.Crew’s cutest designs, which is a win for our wallets!

Best brands for sweaters:  Tommy Hilfiger.  Gap.  Old Navy.  

Look for:  Your favorite colors!  Show your personality with bright colors or prints, but make sure that they can integrate easily into the rest of your wardrobe!

The Oxford.  Button down shirts are your very polished best friend.  Like a blazer, they can be dressed up and layered for both work and the weekend.  While investing in a few basic colors (like white or navy) is great, I really love bright, happy patterns (like gingham, plaid, or even leopard!)  I rarely wear an oxford all by its lonesome, so look for options that have great detail on the colors and sleeves. 

Best brands for oxfords:  J.Crew.  Tommy Hilfiger.

Look for:  Classic colors and prints.  Polka dots.  Gingham.  Plaid. 

The Bottom.  Whether you prefer pants or skirts is a matter of personal taste.  I’m super tall (5’11!) and I have the hardest time finding pants that fit properly.  So, my solution is to wear skirts (or dresses) all the time.  It’s to the point that I’m actually more comfortable when I’m in a skirt than when I’m wearing jeans.  (Plus, you have the added bonus of always looking polished.)  The same rules apply to both pants and skirts—fit is important.  Nothing too short or tight.   Like with the sweaters, look for what makes you happy, but make sure you have a few options in your classic range of colors.

Best brands for skirts:  Land’s End.  J.Crew.

 

Look for:  Classic cuts.  Classic colors.  I tend to not like patterned pants since they’re usually not super flattering, but patterned skirts are a win!  (Weird how that works…)  

The Shoes.  Shoes are definitely a matter of taste, but luckily there are several different options that all retain their classic appeal.  Remember, don’t look for what’s “trendy”, but for what you can wear over and over.   I usually wear Tory Burch Reva ballet flats or Sperry’s loafers and boat shoes.   I think the boat shoes are better for weekends though—if you want a good work shoe, I would look for loafers or ballet flats.  In the summer time, there’s nothing like a great pair of Jack Rogers.

Best brands for shoes:  Sperry Loafers.  Sperry Boat Shoes.  Tory Burch.  Jack Rogers.

The Rest.  Once you’ve assembled all your building blocks, you may start to see certain colors or styles become dominant in your closet.  When your aesthetic is pinned down, you can start expanding to accessories.  Because I have so much navy, I don’t like to carry a navy purse.  Instead, I’ll grab a bright red or deep camel color for contrast.   Personally, I don’t like wearing a ton of jewelry, so I usually wear the same pearl necklace and gold watch every day.  

Thanks Tierney! I'll be back Monday with our regular scheduled programming!