RAIDING MY SISTER'S CLOSET: ONE PIECE, FIVE WAYS

I've done a lot of One Piece, Several Ways posts here on the blog (you can see them here, here, & here), but it's been a few months since I've done one. So when we decided to do another one for this round of Raiding My Sister's Closet, I was excited to stretch myself a bit and find five ways to wear one of my new favorite pieces -- a black sequin top. 

1. Layered

It's easy to wear a top by itself, but things sometimes get tricky when you start layering. I went with a basic chambray so it didn't compete with the sequins, and then pinned up the hem of the sequin top to give it a more casual look and expose the bottom of the chambray. Then, to keep things even more casual, I went with an oversized leather bag, brown wedge booties, and a top knot. 

sequin top: target // chambray: target // booties: forever 21 (similar) // bracelets: target & c/o hello fab // bag: c/o lily jade

2. Fancy

I'm such a sucker for the oxblood trend, and this leather skirt in that color is absolutely perfect. It creates such a fabulous combination of textures when it's paired with the sequin top -- it's a little edgy, a little feminine, a little over the top, but still so simple. Plus, since the leather skirt is fairly thick, there's no awkward bulging around my waist when I tuck in the sequin top -- win.

sequin top: target // skirt: c/o lulu*s // heels: kohls (similar) // clutch: c/o single thread boutique

 3. Juxtapose

I love a good juxtaposition, and pairing this sequin top with a casual utility vest does just that. I added a pair of leopard pumps for a fun pop of pattern, and then kept the rest of the outfit pretty simple.

sequin top: target // vest: DIY (similar, similar) // jeans: american eagle // heels: c/o sole society // bag: c/o oasap // cuff: c/o inpink

4. Boyfriend

I've seen a lot of people pair sequins with a pair of boyfriend jeans, so I had to try it out. I love the contrast of the distressed denim with the fancy sequins. I added a clutch, some gold arm candy, and a pair of killer black heels to complete the look -- perfect for date night with your boyfriend (although I'm pretty sure all boyfriends actually hate boyfriend jeans).

sequin top: target // jeans: c/o lulu*s // clutch: c/o windsor // heels: kohls (similar) // bracelet: c/o hello fab

5. Black-Out

The key to wearing monochromatic and not making it totally boring and flat is to play with different textures. The sequin shirt is perfect for this since it's a fantastic textured piece. I added a leather jacket to add some contrasting texture, as well as a pair of suede booties.

jacket: c/o choies // sequin top: target // jeans: h&m // booties: c/o sole society // sunglasses: c/o sunglasses shop

Now go check out Janssen and Landen's One Piece, Several Ways!

    

One Piece: Five Ways -- Utility Vest

For Christmas this year, my mom bought me a utility vest. When she came to my house for two weeks after the baby was born, we spent a fair amount of time perusing fashion blogs, and talking about fashion, inspiration, and clothing in general. And after seeing a few bloggers rocking the surplus vests, we decided I needed one. 

So, of course, being the awesome mom she is, she bought me this cute one from Old Navy.

But now after two months of it hanging in my closet, I've only worn it two or three times. I'm finding it harder to style than I expected. So it's time for a One Piece: Five Ways post featuring this vest, because it's way too versatile and has too much potential to just sit in my closet all the time.

Here's what I came up with...

Neon.

 vest: old navy (similar, similar, and similar) // sweater: nordstrom rack (similar) //  necklace: c/o wild about jewelry (shop) // jeans: american eagle (shop) // flats: old navy (shop) // purse: coach (similar) // sunglasses: forever 21 (shop)

While neon clothes can be hard to style by themselves, since you risk looking like a walking highlighter, the vest adds a nice neutral and helps break up all the bright colors. This is perfect weekend, vacation, or errand running attire.

Casual.

 vest: old navy (similar, similar, and similar) // top: forever 21 (shop) // jeans: abercrombie and fitch - old (similar) // sandals: target - old (similar) // necklace: kohls (similar)  // hat: forever 21 (shop) 

I picked up this top a few weeks ago when Kayla was visiting (she got one too and talked me into it!), and I've found it to be a great wardrobe staple. However, even though it has a little bit of visual interest on the front, the outfit is pretty plain when paired with just jeans. Adding the vest gives the outfit some structure, and layering creates additional visual appeal. Throw on a hat, a simple statement necklace, and some sandals, and I'm ready for a day at the beach, or a casual weekend. 

Layered.

cardigan: target (shop) // vest: old navy (similar, similar, and similar) // pashmina scarf: purchased in London (similar) // striped tee: forever 21 (shop) // sunglasses: old navy (similar, similar) // clutch: thrifted // jeans: american eagle (shop) // flats: forever 21 (similar) 

I sometimes struggle with collared tops, especially under sweaters and cardigans, but since this vest is so open up at the top, it doesn't constrict or cover up my neckline in a way that bothers me. And with a colored scarf, and a little striped tee peeking out underneath, it creates a nice additional layer for a very visually interesting outfit. If it was colder more often around these parts, I'd be re-creating this outfit all the time.

Over A Dress. 

vest: old navy (similar, similar, and similar) // striped tee: forever 21 (shop) // dress: tobi (shop) // wedges: payless (shop)  // bracelets: gift and target

I thought of this outfit a few days ago as I was looking through my closet, and it became the whole reason I wanted to do this one piece five ways post. This dress is so feminine with pleats and floral, so mixing it up with a more masculine piece like this vest, and a fun colored stripe top, makes this a really fun and interesting outfit.

Belted. 

vest: old navy (similar, similar, and similar) // sweater: forever 21 (similar, similar & similar) // skirt: mikarose - gift from my mom (shop) // heels: target  (shop) // belt: from another dress // necklace: francesca's - gift from my mom 

I wanted one of these outfits to be dressy, and by keeping the color palette simple (black and white only), and picking pieces that weren't overly dressy, which could look weird with such a casual vest, it created a streamlined outfit. I added a patent leather belt, which gives the vest some structure and keeps it from flopping around (which feels casual to me), and then I threw on black stilettos, a big silver necklace, and a smokey eye to complete the dressy look.

So now no more excuses for not wearing this vest!

One Piece Five Ways: Leopard

It's high time for another one piece five ways post, don't you think? I received this gorgeous leopard dress from Zoe Alexander and since it's so different from anything else I have in my closet, I had fun figuring out all the different ways I could style it. To be honest, this was the hardest One Piece Five Ways I've done so far, but the challenge made it even more fun.

1. Casual (as a skirt)

button up: target (altered) // bubble necklace: c/o wild about jewelry // boots: macys

Just like jeans, one of the easiest things to pair with a loud print is chambray, which helps balance out this busy print. I added some casual boots and a little pop of color with a bubble necklace, and then of course my new favorite accessory -- my glasses. Cute, fun, and comfy.

2. Casual (as a top)

skirt: target // cardigan: target (shop) // flats: payless (shop) // necklace: forever 21

Since this dress doesn't fold up well into a top that can be paired with pants, my only choice to make it into a top was to layer a skirt over it. I went with a brightly colored stretchy skirt, which helps keep it casual, and then threw on a comfy boyfriend cardigan. Some simple flats and a pendant necklace (which you can't see at all, sorry) pull the outfit together while still keeping it casual. 

3. Pattern Mixing

sweater: forever 21 // wedges: payless (shop)

If you're still scared of pattern mixing, the best way to do it is by pairing a large print with a small print, and pair similar color tones. A pair of cute wedges in the same color family and little or no jewelry keeps this outfit from being too crazy. 

4. Office Wear

blazer: forever 21 (old) // belt: from another dress // wedges: forever young shoes (old)

A leopard print dress doesn't exactly scream "work wear," but I wanted to figure out a way to make it office appropriate (since I get comments every once in a while from readers about office friendly clothing). A neutral blazer, buttoned up, helps break up the full length of leopard, and keeps it from being so sexy for the office. A thin belt and a pair of simple black wedges polishes off the look and keeps it sophisticated.

5. Evening Attire

belt: from another top // tights: forever 21 (shop) // heels: target // earrings: gift from Landen

This dress was made for going out, so this was the easiest look to throw together. Black tights, sky high stilettos and big sparkly earrings make the outfit sleek and pretty, while a thick black belt breaks up the all over leopard and cinches in your waist. Add a little extra eye makeup and a swipe of color on your lips and you're ready for a night out.


Zoe Alexander specializes in maternity wear, but their clothing is made to wear during and after pregnancy. Obviously this dress works perfectly for me post partum, but is definitely stretchy enough to wear if I still had a big belly. Also, all of their clothing is made with your specific measurements, so it fits like a glove. See their entire collection here. 

Pieces

It took me years to figure this out, but just in the last year or so, I've realized that my closet needs be made up of good "pieces" --  items of clothing that are versatile and can be worn in many ways with many other pieces. If you have good pieces, the outfits possibilities are endless. Now, not everything in my closet is completely versatile, but much of it now is and I'm well on my way to having a closet that I'm really, really happy with. Getting dressed everyday is now like a game, figuring out how to wear things differently than I ever have, or pairing unexpected pieces together.

Today I want to show you one of the most versatile items in my closet, a piece that all of you probably have too -- the Little Black Dress.

I have several LBD's, some fancy, some more casual. This one is kind of in the middle, but I can change the entire look of the dress, either very casual or very dressy, and all very not-boring, with just a few key pieces. Check it out.

Here's the dress by itself (cute, but snoooooze):

dress: downeast basics

Now let's change it up with five very different looks:

1. Casual striped t-shirt: h&m, knee high socks: target, boots: target

2. Sophisticated blue button up: target, blazer: f21, nude heels: kohl's, glasses: old & embarrassing (remind me to never wear my glasses in a photo again...)

3. Funky cardigan: cozy, leopard scarf: made by me, tights: kohl's, mary jane wedges: target

4. Feminine lace skirt: made by me, polka dot tie blouse: jcpenney, heels: forever young shoes, red lips: sephora

5. Dressy velvet blazer: anthropologie, fishnet tights: target, heels: forever young shoes, earrings: gift from Philip

All of the added clothing items are pretty standard kinds of pieces that most of you probably have sitting in your closet right now. Wearing them by themselves can be pretty boring -- learning how to put them together and creating different interesting looks is how you express your personality through your clothing and have fun with your clothes; and that's the name of the game. Now go start playing!


Oh, p.s.  Kohls.com has generously provided my readers with several discount codes for next week, so if you're now in need of a few fantastic new pieces, head on over to their site and check out their awesome post-Christmas deals (and seriously, they have great stuff).

Extra 20% Off Kohls.com
Promo code: MISTLETOE
Valid 12/25

Extra 15% Off Kohls.com
Promo Code: SLED15
Valid: 12/26-1/2

Extra 20% Off Kohls.com with a $100 purchase
Promo Code: SLED20
Valid: 12/26-1/2