How To Wear A Button Up: With a Statement Necklace

            Recently, I came across an image created by Lauren of My Closet in Sketches in which she shows 6 ways to wear a button up shirt. I LOVED the idea and was so inspired that I decided to do outfit posts for each concept. Here is today's:

            I love the statement necklace I received for Christmas and knew it was the perfect piece for this post. As a personal choice, I prefer not to wear my oxfords all the way buttoned up. To give the outfit a comparable appearance, I wore a turtleneck. If you haven’t tried the turtleneck-under-a-button-up before, do so! (see how I wore it HERE). Lauren’s idea is excellent because the button up is the perfect canvas for a statement necklace.

See how else I wore this skirt HERE.

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Cardigan as a Shirt

            Recently, I began a professional internship in my field. I work 5 days a week. This program requires professional attire, but no skirts. I never realized how much I like wearing skirts and dresses, so getting dressed has been a bit trying, to say the least.

Additionally, the building in which I work is extreme in it’s temperatures. One half of the building is cold and the other is hot, like 100 degrees hot (sometimes). This forces me to dress in layers because I never know which side I’ll need to be working in.

            These factors (wardrobe restrictions and temperature) have really challenged me. I’m looking at my closet and all I see are things I can’t wear. My method has essentially been: pants, layers, sensible shoe. I thrifted this Lands’ End sweater in brand new condition and decided to highlight the print by wearing it all the way buttoned up, as though it were an Oxford shirt!

See how else I wore these pants HERE!

Thriftfully Yours,

B

The Striped Oxford (Casually)

            I have around 20 button-up shirts (not including all those secretary blouses, see HERE) so I’m always looking for new ways to wear them. So far, I’ve tried wearing them over turtlenecks (HERE) and under sweaters (HERE). For me, the button up shirt is synonymous with office attire. I’ve worn button ups with dressy trousers and skirts.

            This striped Ralph Lauren top with Peter Pan collar is a piece I recently thrifted and couldn’t wait to style it. A button up with jeans isn’t some great fashion revelation, certainly. However, it is new for me! I love how each piece balances the other, stylistically. I used the same concept of balance with the accessories—a pearl necklace and cowboy style boots.

See how else I wore these dark wash skinny jeans HERE and HERE

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Shopping Review: Recent Purchases

Readers, here are my recent purchases from Kohl's, Lands' End, and Target. 

Chaps Plaid Boys Button Up $7.65

Okay readers, I lied. I said I was done with plaid—but I did it again. I was perusing the boy’s section of Kohl’s and spotted this plaid button up. It was on mega clearance and I had to snap it up! Always remember to shop multiple departments! You never know what you might find. (Remember that time I found a boys rugby shirt? I did. See that post HERE).

Lands’ End Tall Down Puffer Cost with Hood $90

I own many coats, but none that I would consider winter weather appropriate. I have a few wool coats that are more fashionable than warm and I decided I needed to change this. I waited until after Christmas, hoping there would be sales on sites like Eddie Bauer, Lands’ End and L.L. Bean who all produce quality coats that are good for wear even in freezing temperatures. I knew I wanted down/puffer, in a color other than black and with a fur-lined hood—this coat is that and more. The color is perfect—dark enough that it won’t show ever mark and different enough from black that I won’t resemble 90% of the coat wearing population. The cost has a double zipper and snaps closed too. The pockets are fleece lined as are the interior cuffs—making it impossible for cold wind to sneak into your sleeves. The length is perfect for me—not too long, not too short. When I sit down my rear is covered (great for outdoor events, like a late fall football game). And this coat is WARM. I didn’t have a price in mind for this purchase, but I was secretly hoping to snag a great piece for under $100 and I did! It was sold out online and I hunted it down in a Sears for cheaper than the online price! I love when that happens!

Xhilaration Purple Heathered Tights $5

For the past two years, I have been focusing on patterned tights and have acquired a large collection. However, I own a lot of patterned clothing and wanted some solid (but still fun) tights to wear in cold weather. These opaque tights from Xhilaration (at Target) are thick enough for winter, come in a rainbow of colors and are only 5 bucks. I already own them in heather grey and dark purple. They wash well.

Thriftfully Yours, 

B

How to Wear: The Rugby Shirt (Dressed-Up)

            A while back, I thrifted two rugby shirts. I wore the first one HERE with skinny jeans a boots. I’m always looking for new ways to style my pieces, but this rugby shirt was stumping me. It’s such a casual garment, I couldn’t imagine it working with anything other than jeans.

            While recently perusing the popular Tumblr “Wicked Preppy,” I came across this photo.

Finally! An alternate way to wear a rugby shirt! I recently replaced the plain, navy button on my navy blazer with golden ones and thought it would look great in the very “Ralph Lauren-esque” ensemble. I paired it with my grey silk Banana Republic skirt and a riding boot to keep with the preppy aesthetic.

See how I wore this skirt another way HERE!

Thriftfully Yours,

B

The Collarless Jacket

            When I picked this cardigan up at the Junior League, I was so excited. I had added a collarless jacket to my hunt list and this plaid, sweater version was perfect. However, I repeatedly passed it by when perusing my closet for inspiration. Styling this piece was challenging me! I tried it on over some long sleeve tees and realized the crew neckline of the cardigan needed something taller under it—this meant a turtleneck or a button up.

            I bought this maroon turtleneck recently from H&M and realized the color was a perfect compliment to this cardigan. To keep the outfit from going “granny,” I paired it with skinny jeans and a red shoe. I don’t often wear jeans but these dark wash skinnies (Forever 21—thrifted from a local consignment store) are my go-to pair when I’m feeling the denim vibe. I also wore my grasshopper necklace, which I found while antiquing in December.

Thriftfully Yours,

B

The Nautical Dress

            Full Disclosure: This outfit is not that exciting, but I did wear it on a recent, exciting day (more on that later). I picked this dress up from Junior League (see that full post HERE) not too long ago and I was itching to wear it. The nautical motif is one I much prefer and find more appropriate in the summer, but I was determined to make it work for winter.

            Enter: Tights. It’s really a perfect answer for using any seasonally inappropriate piece during the winter (also, turtlenecks). This navy blue pair from Merona is slightly ribbed and super soft. I went traditional on the accessories (gold skinny belt to define the waist, and a pearl necklace) but added an unexpected twist with my mustard smoking loafer. (See how I wore this shoe another way HERE)

             So my exciting day entailed ice skating, lunch at my favorite Vietnamese restaurant, tubing and dinner at the skii resort. This is what I wore to dinner. 

Thriftfully Yours,

B