Smart Classic

I am not one to dress in a ‘classic’ style too very often.  What is it about a blazer that makes jeans feel so pulled together? I love, love, love a blazer with jeans. So simple…so classic…so polished.  The blazer in my outfit today feels like the caramel on my sundae.  I would just be vanilla ice cream in a dish without it.  I know it’s a neutral color, I know it’s uninteresting, but it just tops me off nicely.  I had a couple business meetings today and in no way felt like I was ‘in jeans’.  I felt well dressed. 

If the blazer is the caramel on my sundae, my shoes are the cherry on top!  Red tassel loafers.  Yummmm!  My shoes were so smart.  They were perfectly suited to the outfit and so much fun!  I am admittedly a shoe addict, and this pair is certainly on my keep forever list.   

My outfit was classic with a kick.  I took a very classic combination: dark jeans, white shirt, camel blazer and loafers and made it my own. I suggest you do that with all your outfits.  Take your basics and ordinary outfits and add your own personal touches like I did with the red loafers, or the drape top in place of a button down and not exactly classic jewelry.  That’s how you get personal style.  You take something anyone else can put together, and add your personality.

Petite Print

Being very petite, I am challenged when I dress myself.  I want to look like a woman, not a child.  I want to make my body look longer & leaner. But, I just want to wear what I want to wear! 

Today, I wanted to wear a something that made a statement…something that jazzed up my Monday. I knew I was facing a FULL day, with meetings, work tasks, and personal errands I needed to juggle.  Coming off a great weekend, I felt energized and ready to face the day.  I tried on one tunic which did not make me smile…in fact, I heard a faint sound which sounded like it may have been 'hell no’ from my mirror. (It ended up in my ‘donate’ pile).  Then, I saw it….calling to me from my clothes rack: the zebra dress.  I put it on and felt my mood instantly elevate. This was it.

I have never worn this dress, I think because of the print. I like print. I really like animal print…but like I said, I’m petite.  Something like this can be overwhelming.  It wasn’t once I was all dressed.  Leggings, knee high boots, a lightweight scarf and simple jewelry completed my look.  It was black & white, crisp yet playful, and comfortable. I got several things checked off my To Do List, feeling individual and striking (like a zebra), all the while. 

Tip: The key to wearing prints on a small frame is proportion. You want to keep the print small, like you, and rather simple….not too busy.  The second challenge is always dress length.  I am 5’0”.  Skirts should hit above my knees to extend the leg, and if I wear tights/leggings, they should match my shoes, for a lengthening affect.  And, as always, heels make you taller, and make clothes look better!
As for animal prints, (please) watch the cut of the garment.  A modest cut makes this dress work. If it were cut really sexy or revealing, I could end up looking like a streetwalker.  Remember, it’s all about balance.

Additional Tip: On the contrary to the petite advice, more ample sizes should go for larger prints, and let skirts hit at the knee or just below, depending on height.  

TGIF

Yeah! Friday!  Ok, so I admit…I bummed out today with my wardrobe. But, I also will admit I liked it. 
The strategically torn jeans, rolled up, the killer lace up boots, the slouchy sweater….Heaven!  I felt tough and relaxed…ready for the weekend…and still like a woman who was displaying my own personal style. 

Now, my idea of ‘bumming out’ is a little different than some others, apparently. I happen to read an article this morning about people who are wearing pajamas out in public (not just teenagers).  OMG….really?!  Have they no self respect?  Have they seen their asses in those pants?? I am all about self expression…all about wearing what you want. But pajamas? Pajamas aren’t clothes, they are sleepwear.  The article was actually defending this outfit choice.  I read there’s one official in Caddo Parish, LA trying to have pajamas ‘banned’ in public. I’m tempted to side with him.  I don’t want to ban anyone from wearing what they want……but…..come on, people.  Are these pajama wearers making deals, and meeting deadlines, and finding their soul mates in bunny print flannel PJs??  I’m afraid that 100 years from now, the decline of our society may all be linked to public pajama wearing if we aren’t careful….. 

As I looked down at my ripped jeans, I realized I was pretty bummed out today and should probably shut up.  But, I held my head high. My version of ‘bummed out’ was jeans, boots and a sweater….with make up and groomed hair….oh and fabulous Tom Ford cat eye shades. I must say I felt pretty hot. Tough. Sexy. Now, if everyone would rock the ‘bummed out’ look with some style (and sans pajamas), I could go for that…at least on Fridays. 

Happy Weekend!  What are your thoughts on the pajamas in public issue?

Tip: Ripped (or embellished) jeans are challenging for adults to wear.  Working them into your regular pieces, such as my modest Ann Taylor sweater, my fave lace up boots, and typical accessories like cat eye glasses, loop earrings and my everyday handbag, helps me to avoid looking like I’m trying to be a twenty-something.  If you pair ripped jeans with a rock tee, a studded belt, and motorcycle boots, you may look like you’re in costume.  Yikes.

Chill

I knew it would be a chill day when I woke up...because for starters, I got up early, showered, and went back to bed! I don't often do that.... 

Now, that didn't make for a good hair day, but I just didn't care.  Odd for me...I'm pretty vain.  But, nothing was on my calendar, its been a pretty busy and slightly stressful week, and I wanted to have a "chilled out" day. 

When I finally dragged myself from the warm sheets, I put on a natural, lightly made up face, and headed to my closet.  The cooler temps had me geeked up to feed my boot addiction.  So, easy choice on the skinny jeans tucked into kneehigh boots. (I don't know about you, but I feel fierce in jeans & boots)  My chill mood led me to a black tunic, a faux fur vest, a long pendant, and my fave black hobo bag....all together, a cool vibe. A little bit urban hippy.  

Off to the office (with NO caffeine!) I went. My reserved parking place was taken by someone who clearly shouldn't be there.  That would normally TICK ME OFF...but I was like, oh well, I could use the walk.  And strut my stuff along the way!  Yep, clearly this chill-urban-hippy look has me feeling pretty good.

Nothing extremely colorful happened....nothing seemed to bother me...I just had a day.  A chill day.  Once home, I did a little cleaning of the house, slipped into PJ pants, and poured myself a glass of Chianti.  Ahhhh.....

Good outfit!  Note to self: wear this again when you just wanna...........chill.

Tip: The fur vest is the focal point.  Stick to one focal point for success.  And, anything that makes you feel                        , makes you look and act                   .  (You fill in the blank..."fabulous", "chill", "sexy", whatever word works for you)

Neutral not Drab

As it often does here in Houston, it rained today. The chill in the air made me reach for a sweater…this long sweater from XXI.  (I love it. It makes me want to curl up and read a book) I pulled on jeans and leather boots to complete the look.  As you can see, I kept it casual for the rain.  I knew I’d be in the office all day, so I wanted to be comfy.


I knew as I walked out the door that my mood and my outfit matched the day….cloudy. I didn’t have high expectations. I grabbed a hat to keep my head dry.


I opened my day at the office with a grande soy chai all over my desk…thank goodness, I saved the laptop from drowning, but several papers and sticky notes were lost in the tragedy.  An hour into my day, and I have yet to do anything productive. (I did notice my sweater matched the chai…nice)


I had work to do, matters to address; yet no certain definable energy, or lack thereof, to note.  My day was neutral, like my outfit, although I won’t call it drab. I got some things taken care of….I was comfortable…what more can a girl ask for when she’s inside all day hiding from the rain?  Did my outfit cause me to spill the chai? No.  Did my outfit launch me into stardom? No. 

The key to wearing neutrals is to mix it up…you can wear any neutral colors together. All browns or all grays can be boring if you don’t accessorize well.  I put an olive green tank, ‘chai’ colored sweater, jeans and brown boots with my brown & black hat and gold jewelry.  My color pallet was neutral, but the shape of the sweater took center stage.  It’s not boring, but it’s neutral.  

Colorblock Monday

Mondays most often feel blah to me…So I wanted to add some color to my Monday today.  This red/teal/leopard combo made me smile the second I put it on my body.  The kickpleat skirt is comfortable and the tie neck blouse always makes me feel like a lady, in a throw-back sort of way. The combination, though, with the leopard platforms thrown in, that was the ticket!  I've never worn these pieces together.  I felt a little quirky, and surprisingly a little sexy.

The color didn’t have a huge impact on my day, but it did have an impact on my mood. I was cheery & flirty, much like my outfit. I had pep in my step, and I caught some people admiring my colorful ensemble. 

I enjoyed my colorful Monday.  (I could have worn black tights, and will in the future, but it was forecasted for 75 degrees in Houston!  So…I opted for the bare legs.)

Tip: what makes this work is the style of the shirt & skirt complimenting each other and the neutral shoe.  Yes, leopard can be used as a neutral….brown, tan, black.  It acted as a neutral in this case, yet still brought something extra to the outfit too. 

Nothing to Post....

You are dying to know what I wore today, see a picture, and how my day went, aren't you??
Well...I'm sorry, but I don't have much to share today.  I will begin sharing photos and outfits as of this coming week. Promise!

So you know, today I wore red skinny jeans, a black 3/4 sleeve tee with white stripes, and black suede boots.  Flat heeled black suede boots. Was my outfit fabulous? No. Was my day fabulous? No.  I didn't even put on earrings....and that's the kind of day I had; a day that doesn't require earrings. 

I ran some errands, paid some bills, did some surfing on the web, and although I had on RED jeans, which is a color which typically invigorates me....I had a blah day.  Maybe it was the flat heeled boots. I don't usually feel too terribly fabulous in flat shoes, being 5'0" and all...


What I Wore: Red skinny jeans: Zara, Black tee with white stripes: Zara, Boots: Nine West.

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http://www.sassyberet.com/

Welcome to...WHAT I WORE TO LIFE!

Hi Friends....I'm a first time blogger, and I thank you for reading. 

I'm a personal stylist and a writer and had a thought........why not combine the two?!!?


So, here I am!  Combining the two. I have been considering the impact of our chosen outfits on our day. I'm afraid I have found that the affects can be, and typically are, huge.   A t-shirt day? Not likely that much will happen.....a ball gown day?  Probably a day fit for royalty! 


Well..what I'm going to do is take you, week by week, through my life's events, and how my wardrobe shaped them. 


Thanks again for joining me....and I hope you'll pay more attention to "What YOU wear to life".