6 WAYS TO STYLE A WHITE BUTTON UP (PART 1)

Whenever I read articles or books that talk about closet essentials, a white button up blouse is mentioned. I always felt like it was more of a mature item that I didn't really need in my closet, but a few weeks ago I finally picked this one up at Old Navy and I've been wearing it like crazy. It's the perfect layering piece, goes with everything, can instantly dress up or add class to an outfit, and is flattering on everyone. So I'm joining the masses and saying that this is a piece you must have in your closet.

Today I want to show you a few ways to wear it. Since I'm sharing six ways total, I'm splitting it up into two posts, so check back on Thursday to see three more ways to wear it!



First up, business casual. I get reader requests often, asking me to do more work appropriate attire, so this one is for you. Layer the button up under a structured blazer and pair it with pointed toe pumps and a classic style bag. If you want it completely work appropriate, swap the jeans out for a pair of patterned pixie pants!

similar blazer 

old navy button up

dittos jeans, /co

nordstrom bag, similar

bcbg paris heels via dsw

similar sunglasses

Next up, Casual. The way to dress down a structured piece is by wearing something completely opposite, whether it be edgy, super casual, or very unstructured.  I went for edgy and casual with a baseball cap and converse sneakers, and then paired them with some fun leather pants to add a bit of edge. Another great option would be a flowy maxi skirt like this one, or super distressed denim. 

old navy button up

sheinside leather pants, c/o

white converse

jcrew hat, similar

lily jade bag, c/o

michael kors watch

And lastly, wear it as a neutral. Or in other words, use it to tone down your crazy clothes. This skirt from Shabby Apple is super loud, colorful, and metallic -- definitely not subtle or neutral. So I threw on that white button up to neutralize the outfit. Try pairing it with super bright tights in the fall and winter, or with patterned pants or shorts! 

old navy button up 

shabby apple skirt, c/o

similar heels

similar clutch

michael kors watch

Don't forget to check back on Thursday to see my other three looks!

PICTURES BY JYLARE SMITH

RAIDING MY SISTER'S CLOSET: DRESSED UP, DRESSED DOWN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARA WALK

dressed down outfit: 

ily couture tee, c/o

asos skirt

old navy sandals

lily jade bag, c/o 

dressed up outfit:

merrick's art for golden tote lace top

asos skirt

shoemint heels, c/o

similar bag

One of my favorite things to do is figure out multiple ways to wear something. Every time I'm shopping and find something I want to purchase, I have to think of at least two or three ways I could wear it before buying it.

I recently bought this white pleated midi skirt from Asos a few weeks ago, and while I could think of about a hundred ways to dress it up, I was struggling to find ways to dress it down.  So when my sisters and I decided to do a dressed up/dressed down post today, I gave myself a little challenge and chose this skirt.

It turns out with a pair of simple sandals , a graphic tee, and a high pony tail, it's pretty easy to make it casual! Perfect for a lunch date or the weekend. 

Now hop over and see what Janssen and Landen are dressing up and down!

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!!

ONE DRESS, TWO WAYS

The longer I work on building a great wardrobe, the more I gravitate toward pieces that I really love and that are really versatile. I used to buy things because I felt like they filled gaps in my wardrobe, not because I really loved them. I also restricted myself with certain purchases because I felt like I already had too much of a certain style or color, so I couldn't buy anymore. Now I've learned that as long as I'm not buy the exact same item, similar pieces are totally okay, and are often helpful for me when styling my closet.  It's okay to have a ton of different black pumps, because sometimes an outfit really works with a wedge shoe, or an ankle strap shoe, or a stiletto, or a pointed toe pump. So having the versatility is really great.

This striped dress from Lulu*s is a great example. I almost overlooked it because my closet is already overloaded with stripes. I even have a striped dress very similar to this, but my other one is maternity (although it can still work for non-maternity), has short sleeves, and is navy and white instead of black and white. These slight differences in the two dresses make for almost endless remixing options in my closet, so I picked it out and haven't regretted it a bit. 

My favorite thing about stripes is that they're so easily dressed up and down. So I teamed up with Lulu*s today to show you two ways I'm wearing this dress, both casual and dressy and join in on their Fashion Face Off contest! Check out the details below to win $500 to their store!

photos by jylare smith

outfit 1:

lulu*s dress, c/o (similar, similar)

chicwish jacket, c/o

lulu*s sandals, c/o

lily + jade bag, c/o

old navy sunglasses, similar

outfit 2:

lulu*s dress, c/o (similar, similar)

similar jacket

similar clutch

lulu*s wedges, c/o

lulu*s sunglasses, c/o

This week Lulu*s is talking about Florals vs. Stripes, two of this springs hottest trends. Which one are you loving the most this season? Make sure you're following along on instagram (mine and lulu*s) for a chance to be featured and win $500! Check out more details here, and follow along with hashtags #teamstripes and #lulusfashionfaceoff.

Happy Tuesday!

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!