CLOSET STAPLES: GINGHAM BUTTON UP

OUTFIT DETAILS: GINGHAM BUTTON UP  | |  EYELET SKIRT (MADE BY ME, TUTORIAL HERE + SIMILAR HERE)  | |  SANDALS  | |  SIMILAR BAG  | |  WATCH  | |  RING

What seems like ages ago, I used to do a closet staples series here on my blog. It seemed like time to do another, so today I'm sharing one of my favorite closet essentials -- the gingham button up.

Gingham is one of those prints that works for all seasons, and a button up in this pattern is the perfect piece because you can wear it so many ways and for all different kinds of weather.

During the summer, I love tying the sleeves around my waist over a shift dress. In the fall, I wear it with a pair of jeans and ankle boots. In the winter, layer it under a sweater. And in the spring, wear it over a dress and button it up but tie the ends into a knot at your stomach.

My very favorite gingham button up is this one from j.crew factory, but I also love this larger check one that's under $15, and this one that has more of a boyfriend fit. This one has contrasting lining, which creates a pretty little detail, and this one in a lighter blue is so pretty.

Shop a few of my favorites in the widget below (click each image for details), and snag yourself one for Fall!

photos by jylare smith 

RAIDING MY SISTER'S CLOSET: WARDROBE BUILDING BLOCKS

 DETAILS: denim dress made by me (tutorial here, buy similar here and here) | espadrille sneakers | fringe bag | similar necklace | mirrored aviators 

*photos by Jana Laurene

In the past year or so, I think I've really figured out my style. And although I can't quite put it into one particular style category (like feminine or preppy), I feel like I've discovered what I love to wear and what pieces make me look and feel my best. I still take risks with my outfits, but I feel like the thing that has made the biggest difference is figuring out my Wardrobe Building Blocks. These are pieces that are the foundation of my wardrobe -- the pieces off of which I build the rest of my outfit, and the pieces I find myself buying and wearing over and over. 

My main wardrobe building blocks are dresses, heels, sneakers, distressed denim, and basic tops. For each season, the pieces change, but the categories do not. I might wear a sweater dress instead of a sundress, or a simple sweatshirt instead of a basic tee, but the building blocks remain the same, and thus my style stays consistent. 

My chambray dress and these striped espadrille sneaks are staples for my summer wardrobe, and are great building blocks because they are so versatile. I wore them here for an easy summer look with a cute fringe bag (by the way, crossbody bags are definitely one of my accessory staples), but this dress is great with heels, a jacket, a sweater, a button up tied over it, or even with tights and boots. As for the sneakers, they're almost as versatile -- I wear them with jeans, shorts, dresses, and skirts. 

I get emails and comments all the time from readers trying to find their style, and I think this is the key. If you can figure out what your wardrobe building blocks are (or at least what you want them to be -- so long as they work with your body type and lifestyle), you can find your style. 

Next week I'll get more into what specific things you should look for as you build your wardrobe and discover your building blocks, but for now check out Janssen and Landen's wardrobe building blocks! Happy Tuesday!

6 WAYS TO WEAR YOUR WHITE BUTTON UP (PART 2)

On Tuesday I shared 3 ways to wear your white button up, and today I want to share three more looks. The possibilities are nearly endless with a basic white shirt like this, and they really are an essential for every woman's closet, so if you don't have one, seriously go get one.



First up, Layered With a Sweater. This is such a perfect fall layering piece -- throw it under any of your sweaters and either roll the sleeves up, or keep them down and have the wrists puffed (like I did here). You can also leave the collar unbuttoned (like I did here), or button it all the way up for a more preppy look. Try it with oversized sweaters, thick and thin sweaters, or three quarter or short sleeved sweaters.

similar sweater

old navy white button up

dittos jeans, c/o

gap shoes (sold out, similar here)

lily jade bag, c/o

Next, Tied Up. I've only started doing this to my shirts in the last few months because before that I felt like it looked too "cowgirl." But as long as you're wearing modern, feminine pieces (and not cowboy boots), it doesn't look cowgirl at all. Plus, it's a great trick for remixing those oversized button up blouses. Try it over maxi dresses or shorter dresses. 

old navy white button up

tobi dress (sold out, similar here)

hinge booties (on sale!)

similar bag

rayban wayfarer glasses

And lastly, layered under a dress. During the cooler months you can still get some good use out of your sleeveless dresses by layering button ups under them. I typically go for a chambray button up, but a white button up creates a whole different look, both evening and work appropriate. Plus, I love the little hint of sparkle tucked under the collar. You could also wear it under sleeveless maxi dress, or sleeveless tops. 

joules dress, (sold out, similar here and here)

old navy white button up

bcbg paris heels via dsw
similar bag
urban outfitter sunglasses

See Part 1 here (and happy remixing!)

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JYLARE SMITH AND JANA LAURENE

CLOSET ESSENTIALS, PART 3 // CHAMBRAY BUTTON UP

A few months ago I started a series about my closet essentials -- the pieces in my closet that I just can't live without. Today let's talk about chambray button ups. These are without a doubt one of the most versatile pieces in my closet. I remember a few years ago when people started wearing them, and I was super unsure of them, probably because my dad had a chambray button up and I often teased him about wearing it with his blue jeans (a look I wear regularly now. Sorry, Dad!).

I have a medium blue and a light blue one, and although my light blue one probably gets a little more use right now, they are definitely both staples.

photos by jylare smith

old navy chambray, c/o 

h&m denim, similar on sale!

similar bag

inpink necklace, c/o (similar here and here)

similar sunglasses

similar heels

HOW TO WEAR THEM:

The possibilities are literally endless. Try them tucked into a skirt, half tucked with jeans, unbuttoned with a tank or dress underneath for a laid back look; wear them with white, blue, or colored denim, wear them underneath a sleeveless dress, or tied in the front (like I did yesterday to church); wear them open and belted (or closed and belted), then wear the sleeves cuffed or half cuffed. The list could go on. Have I convinced you the possibilities are endless yet? 

WHERE TO BUY THEM:

Chambray button ups can be purchased almost anywhere, but I found a few of my current favorite ones. Click the images below to shop for them! 

See the first two parts of my closet essentials series here and here. 

p.s. Happy, happy birthday to my baby sister! Hop over to her blog or instagram and wish her a happy 25th!!

CLOSET ESSENTIALS, PART 1 // LEATHER ANKLE BOOTS (+ A GIVEAWAY!)

A few weeks ago I shared 5 tips for building a great wardrobe, and mentioned in that post that I was working on an updated closet staples series. Well, here we are. Part one of a Closet Essentials series. To be honest I'm not sure how many parts this series will have...maybe ten, maybe twenty. But I want to share my most worn, most loved, and most versatile pieces in my closet. The things I cannot live without. 

And along the way, I'll share how I style them, how you can style them, and a few places to find similar or identical items. Also, I should mention that these are no particular order.

CLOSET ESSENTIAL 1 // 

CLASSIC LEATHER ANKLE BOOTS

These have been something I've been on the hunt for for the last two years, at least, and although I've purchased and been sent a few pairs that were nice, they weren't real leather, and weren't a really classic pair. So it wasn't until I ran across these gorgeous leather ones at Nordstrom Rack a few weeks ago that the hunt was finally over.

photos by jylare smith

________________________

top: c/o lulu*s

jeans: c/o dittos

boots: nordstrom rack (similar)

sunglasses: c/o lulu*s

necklaces: c/o bip and bop, here and here (don't forget to enter the giveaway below!!)

watch: michael kors

bag: similar

Which Ones To Choose:

• The most classic pairs are a normal shaft height, no embellishments, and a block heel. 
• Choose black or brown, depending on your preference. Both are very classic and incredibly versatile
• If your legs and ankles are thin, low-cut, medium, and high shafts are great on you. If your legs and ankles are thicker, go for just the medium height, like mine. 
• Recognize these as an investment piece. If you can't afford real leather at this stage of your life and you really, really want a pair, look for pairs that have nice and realistic faux leather or faux suede. But for this particular item, it's worth it to save for a few months and then splurge on a nice pair because if you take care of them, they'll last you for years. 

How to wear them:

• I just wrote a post over at Babble about this very thing -- the Dos and Don'ts of Cuffing Your Jeans with Ankle Boots. Check it out and learn how to wear them with your jeans. 
• Wear them with dresses, skirts, jeans, shorts...you name it. These are one of the most versatile pairs of shoes you will own. And if they are a classic, unembellished pair, you will be able to wear them forever!

Where to Buy Them:

I've found some fantastic pairs of all shaft heights, heel heights, and materials, but all very classic and versatile.

Are you convinced to buy a pair yet? Trust me, you need them in your closet. They are an essential. 

Stay tuned for Closet Essentials, Part 2 coming up soon!

. . . . . . . . . . . 

And now for a fantastic giveaway from one of my amazing sponsors, Bip and Bop. It's a darling little etsy shop with the prettiest and most delicate jewelry. They're giving away $100 to their shop so you can pick yourself up a few pretty things to add to your closet! My favorite is her love letter necklaces, like the one she made for Philip and me, but I'm also obsessed with this gold feather necklace and the infinity bracelet. 

Enter with the Rafflecopter widget below! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway will be open for one week -- good luck, and Happy Wednesday!!

Sisters Share It All: Wardrobe Staples (Part 1)

After a reader's question about wardrobe staples, we've decided to do a special Sisters Share It All for the next three weeks. This week we're talking about ten clothing staples that we think every woman should have in their wardrobe -- or if you were to start your closet from scratch, these are ten things you should start with. Items that are essential, as well as remixable. Oh, and this list is clothing only; we're not including accessories like jewelry, scarves, belts, etc. That's a post for another day.

So below is the list of ten staples that we came up with, along with links to the pieces I would buy if I was going to go out and buy these staples for my wardrobe right now.

1. Nice fitting pair of jeans. these are my current favorite jeans; they're called "jeggings," but they're real denim, just with a bit of stretch. Also, they go on sale all the time.

2. Second pair of pants. (trousers, khaki's, or colored jeans) I like these olive green ones because they're colored, but not too bright, and super versatile.

3. Solid or striped tee for layering. As far as layering goes, I'd go for stripes over solid every time. And there are a million striped tees out there, but this one is inexpensive and cute.

4. Blouse. I love this one from UO because it's lightweight enough for layering, has a small pattern to add a little bit of interest, and neutral so it will go with everything.

5. Pencil Skirt. A nice black pencil skirt is a timeless staple every woman should own. Invest in a nice one [that fits you well] and it will last forever.

6. Dress. I like this one because you can easily dress it up or dress it down, add a wide or skinny belt, or pair it with scarves and jewelry [since it has no collar or embellishing at the neck]. Plus, it has pockets and a small sleeve so you can easily wear it with a cardigan or by itself. 

7. Cardigan. I just recently bought this cardigan and love it. It's lightweight, but warm enough, and the longer length makes it perfectly casual and cozy. Also, any color would be great and versatile.

8. Blazer or lightweight jacket. I know blazers are so popular, but I just have a hard time with them -- I feel so stuffy when I wear them [although I think other people look great in them]. So I went with a fun faux leather jacket. A full black faux leather jacket seems a little biker chick to me, so I'd go with brown. 
9. Flats. I got these flats as a gift last year for Christmas and have worn them to death this year. They are sparkly, but not so sparkly that you can't wear them very casually. They're neutral and go with everything, plus they have a nice shape that I think is hard to find in a lot of flats.

10. Heels or Wedges. Ok, I would never personally buy 5" heels, but the point is that if you're going to buy one pair of heels, go with something classic [aka. black], but something a little more fun that just your basic black pump. The metallic heels on these make them edgy and funky, but are still a good pair of black heels that will go with everything.

My sisters, Janssen and Landen, also have ten links on their blogs today, showing the pieces they would buy if they were rebuilding their wardrobes right now. Go check them out! 

    

Oh, and we're not doing a linkup this time, but we'd love to hear your thoughts on our ten staples, and any additions or changes you might make if you were making a top ten list!