I have only two days left of my "30 Days of Denim", but I decided to interrupt my calendar to bring you information on the care and feeding of your denim. Some of us have jeans that we have had forever, they are probably our most "go-to" items in our closet. The older jeans get the more care they need, but so do your new ones need loving care. Come on, jeans put in a hard day's work , if you prone to wearing them a lot. So like you they need some tender loving care too. Here is some great information. 1. Jeans can be worn 5-10 times before being laundered unless they are used from some pretty grimy work. 2. When you do wash your jeans turn them inside out, make sure you have zipped them up and buttoned them at the waist. 3. I usually use very little detergent (I do have a front load washer, which typically uses less ). If they are brand new I will put about a half a cup of white vinegar in the wash as it helps to set the indigo dye. Woolite also haS a dark wash product that works well. USE ONLY COLD WATER. 4. After they have washed pull them out, straighten the legs and hang from the waist. I let my jeans air dry until there is just a little dampness left, then they go in the dryer. It helps so they are less stiff. Do it for just a very few minutes. Drying is hard on jeans. 5. Jeans should be hung straight, I hang mind from the hen as it helps to keep them wrinkle free and may be just maybe helps to lengthen them. 6. This is the most wonderful tip of all, if you don't want to launder your jeans yet wrap them up and put them in the freezer overnight to kill any bacteria, you think they may have. TOMORROW HOW TO WASH SELVEDGE VINTAGE JEANS.
We have two more days of warm weather and then the cold hits. I have been pulling pots in from the garden as the plants seem to be sensing the change of scenery too. No matter I am ready for winter, I am actually kinda tired of my warm weather clothes so a change in the closet is just as welcome. This jacket is synthetic but it's so warm I love having it for the cold. If I add my selvedge chambray shirt and it's a great casual about town outfit. Add a little color with a red belt and a autumn scarf.
CASUAL
Dressy
You all know how I am always preaching multiples, well here it goes again. These two Boyfriend Sweaters from J. Crew, are two of my favorite sweaters, I have one in a sand colored linen for summer as well. These sweaters are so comfortable and I love how flattering they are for me. Either sweater can be worn with either necklace and of course another one of my many pairs for Levi's 505 from Kohl's. Now remember when you find a top that works, purchase it in several colors. Often I will buy one and figure out how much I love it and then I go back for more. Often times the second and third ones are on sale, which makes me even happier. If you purchase classic basics like these you can have them for several seasons.
Depending on the event, or the day either necklace works with either color, the belt works with both. I would put a crisp roll on the hem of the jeans as the sweaters are so soft and drape-y.
For much more casual look, even with the necklaces.
This dresses it up a bunch.
There is a definite chill in the air today and according to the forecast there are more cooler temperatures ahead. It's fine by me, I do get a big depressed about winter coming, but fall is so gorgeous. I sure hope we get the fall colors this year though, it's been so dry it's unbelievable. Well, if nothing else I can get the colors in my wardrobe, and below is a fine example. This cotton and silk tuxedo shirt in a golden color is perfect for the marled camel colored wool cardigan. One of my fall favorites. I add this citron colored beaded necklace that has a golden and rhinestone bee for the closure. Paired with my once again straight legged 505 Levi's this look is a fall hero. Add a little attitude to the jeans by doing the more relaxed twisted roll at the hem.
The middle hem is the twisted roll, it's softer and definitely more casual.
Second scarf from the left top roll is perfect with this outfit.
Dress it up a bit and add some color.
More casual for sure.
This is my favorite fall/winter blazer/jacket. In the fall it's an outerwear in the winter it's a blazer. It's wool tweed, double breasted men's wear inspired jacket. I wear it with almost every shirt in my closet but I love this look for fall. Black and white gingham shirt plays off the tweed jacket, the scarf is a real beauty, being full of fall colors. The necklace just adds a little sunshine to the day. Pink belt plays off the scarf and the jeans are 505's by Levi's with a flat roll at the hem. If the days turns warm I still have a great look with the shirt and the scarf. Oh Yeah. This rocks the look and so does the red purse with the cordovan colored shoes. Either works it's a fun look. The red purse works with the scarf colors so do the shoes.
Tomorrow night we are going dancing. I love to go out dancing, it's great exercise, it releases all your worries from a week of work and it's just plain fun. We have definitely had a change in the weather today so tomorrow night this is what I will be wearing, I think. The great little moire sleeves stop has a vintage feel but looks new, the shearling jacket (fake fur of course) is perfect for a cool night. I love the idea of the sweet romantic top with the rugged jacket. I have always preferred high- low, cheap- expensive, new-old look in my dressing so this outfit fits that look completely. I really love those over sized pearls which again have a vintage but new feel. Add a animal print belt and it's a pretty outrageous outfit.
My favorite dancing shoes. The purse just may stay at home. Sometimes I just bring my I.d., a credit card and lipstick when I got dancing.
Menswear dressing for fall is really hot stuff. I personally love it, as I am way more tailored then "girly." So here are some tips for wearing this look. My jacket is a bit over sized but not by much, it's double breasted too so that makes it seem a bit bigger. In order to control the look and make it not look sloppy I wear a white shirt (you can add a lace cami, or a ruffled blouse) that fits me closer to my body. My jeans are straight legged Levi's 506 and for sure I would wear a belt probably a colorful one or one with some detail like studs. The pearls are rather tongue in cheek, adding a little swagger. I would definitely roll the sleeves up along with the shirt sleeves as added attitude. So roll to the jean hem again a little more feminine.
I love either of these bag and shoe options although I can think of a lot more I could do. These however, add color and a little touch of "she's a girl."
The whole purpose of this series is to teach you how to mix and match. How to mix textures, colors, prints and strips, how to combine accessories, with the outfit. How to make an outfit look dressy and yet with different shoes and purse it becomes everyday. Experiment with your clothes, have fun with them, be a little daring. Make sure you do it on a day when you feel confident, or practice some of your outfits before you leave the house on days when you don't have to be some place. If you feel foolish or out of place don't wear it out and about. At least once a week experiment with your clothes. If you tend to buy things in a color palette, certain styles and always go for the same thing, then that is probably your style. If you bored with it shake it up.
J Crew knit sweatshirt that is more like a sweater and one of my favorite go to fall items. A black and white gingham shirt, and a very old Banana Republic belt that I wear as a necklace, animal print belt from Crew as well. Levi's 506 from Kohl's.
Dressy
casual
Dressy and just plain fun.
I love red, which you already know if you follow me. This sweater has a lot of say on it's own, so when accessorizing, I use something that is in another color range but can hold it own against the red. The animal print belt makes it fun and interesting, to match red everywhere else would be a disaster.
Modern red J. Crew Tippi sweater, bubble necklace in a color no longer sold and J. Crew animal print belt. The Levi's are the Made In America Vintage boys jeans. You would not believe what I had to do to get them to fit. I would do a soft roll at the hem.
Very casual and yet works with this outfit.
These booties are my favorite shoes, even though they are reddish I can still wear them with this sweater. They are so muted in color.
It was a long big week-end so I owe all you my followers an apology for not posting my blog this week-end. Either there wasn't time or I was too tired. This is one of my favorite outfits. I love this layered ruffle jacket in navy grosgrain/ It's comfortable and depending on the jewelry it can be dressed up or dressed down. These are the kinds of jacket you should look for one that suits many needs, times of day and formalities. That way you get your money's worth. I have it styled here with a rhinestone necklace, but if I were to wear it for everyday I would just leave it plain or add a smaller necklace. The red belt is in keeping with the red lining trim, even though you probably will only see a peak of the belt Remember that straight legged jeans are the most flattering for the most body types. .
J. Crew channel style jacket with Levi's 505, red J. Crew skinny belt and J. Crew Rhinestone necklace.
Red Hobo bag and vintage red high heels, I can get away with all this red because the outfit is so somber in color.
Ballet flats and a channel style jacket are you kidding perfect. Red Hobo bag.
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