All Leggings Are Not Created Equal

This post has been mulling around in my head for awhile because I think it all the time - as I shop, at the gym, and just out and about as I see a legging hazard. I know leggings are hugely popular right now - which is wonderful on many accounts and I wear them weekly. However, they are not all created equally. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

If they feel or look thin, you will be able to see through them. And no, don't tell yourself, ' oh I will only wear these with things that cover my butt, it will be fine'. Will you sit down in them or move in them at all? Then don't buy them. It is just a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen.

When you see the cute little leggings on the hanger in the crazy, wild, colorful pattern - give those puppies a good stretch - just pull in opposition with your hands. If you can see the white under the print, OR through the fabric - that will happen across your butt. Not a good look. 

I know the work environment keeps getting more and more casual, but be careful wearing leggings to work. It depends a lot on what you pair with them and where you work of course. This is not a rule or judgement, just a word of caution. One option is to buy a real pant that looks and feels like a legging - a ponte (pon-tee) pant. I did a lot of Googling to try and give you a real/credible definition - and found lots and lots of other fashion blogs who echoed my sentiments about these as an alternative to leggings. It is basically a double knit blend that is soft and durable. They are wonderful for travel. Here are some links
LOFT
Express 
GAP
You get the gist. 

I like leggings with a poly, cotton, spandex blend, as opposed to just lycra and nylon or rayon. My FAVORITE for workout or daily wear are the Zella Live in Leggings available at Nordstrom. I have 3 pairs - 2 black, 1 dark heather grey and they have stood the test of time - weekly wear and washings. I have had 1 pair for over 2 years. Every once in a while I touch my toes and look in the mirror just to make sure you still can't see through them. I think these are the best bang for your buck as well. $60 and under is not bad for something I wear weekly. 

Okay so a lot about leggings.... what is your favorite pair?

New Year's Resolutions

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season - now bring on the new year!!

If you are big on resolutions, here are some to consider for your wardrobe. 

#1 - What is in your closet? 
This is a perfect time to evaluate your wardrobe and possibly donate, sell, or eliminate some extra items. For Winter clothes, take stock of what you haven't worn yet this season, and if you don't wear it by the time Spring roles around, let it go. 
If you are in St. Louis and would like some help with this - give me a ring! I enjoy this so much. 

#2 - Shop smart at sales
It is so tempting to buy something because it is on sale, and this time of year (including the weeks before Christmas) we are bombarded with 'lowest prices of the season', 'winter clearance', '70% off'. That little voice tells you that you are missing out on some great deals - you must go shopping! I suggest making a list of things you want to add to your winter wardrobe (after you do #1 above). It might be a nice wool coat, or a pair of boots you have been eyeing all season, or maybe you have a formal event later in the year and a holiday dress on sale would be perfect. Look for only the items on your list when you are shopping the sales. The other option is to shop for basics -  jeans, tanks, tees - but only if you don't already have too many. 

#3 - Less is more
I try to tell myself this all of the time, but it is something I struggle with. I have a commitment problems with clothes. I worry that I might change my mind, and then feel guilty I spent money on something that I no longer like. The $5 Rule mentioned here helps with this. Think quality over quantity. And let me clarify, quality does not have to mean top of the line. Just evaluate the item with keen eye - look at seams, hems, fabric content, shape, and more to determine the quality for your lifestyle. 

#4 - Tread lightly with trends
As new trends emerge throughout the year, don't feel like you have to follow them. If they are not right for you, your personal style, your body type, or your wardrobe, pass. Wait for the next one to come along. 

#5 - Have fun
This is my number 1 rule. I'm not going to say I don't 'stress' about what to wear sometimes, but I try not to take myself or my clothes too seriously. They are just clothes, after all. I use them as my creative outlet on my best days. On other days, you can still find me in leggings and a sweatshirt. 

Holiday Attire

Let the Holiday Parties begin - or continue if you have been partying all month. Work parties, friend parties, family parties.... what should I wear?  I wanted to get this post out earlier this month, but as I have mentioned before, sometimes life gets in the way. 

I don't have any rules or anything about dressing for holiday parties. If I had to pick one, it would be - I would always rather be over-dressed, than under-dressed. Be comfortable and have fun with it. I love a little sparkle for the holidays, and there is plenty of it out there this season. 

I found a gold sweater I loved at The Limited, and then I searched high and low for Winter White pants. I must have tried on 15 different pants. They were too wide, too long, too transparent - OR my pet peeve - you could see the pockets through the pants. One options when this happens is to cut the pockets out and sew the opening shut, but I didn't have time for that.  I ended up settling on a pair that fit great everywhere, but they were ankle length. Being short, I thought maybe that would be 'regular' length for me, but no. So I had these all ready to return, but after my search everywhere else left me with nothing, I kept them and decided to just roll with it. Because I was wearing a long flowing sweater, I needed a slimmer pant. 

This is not the most flattering side pic - but the pants have a little leather tuxedo stripe on the side I was trying to show. This was a super comfortable outfit to wear at an all day family party, except for my shoes. After a few hours, I changed into my slippers and my cousin challenged me saying,  "I want to see those on the blog". So here ya go :)  Just keepin' it real. 

Merry Christmas!

Putting it all together

I love putting outfits together. It genuinely energizes me. The best analogy I can come up with, is to compare it to cooking. Some people love to open a fridge or pantry, look at all the ingredients and whip them up into wonderful, delicious combinations. Clothes are my ingredients. I love to experiment, mix and match, and create. I am terrible with actual ingredients. 

I felt like I nailed it the other day. This was a new mix for me out of things I have had in my closet for awhile. I had thought about throwing on a navy or denim jacket over the dress, but I still thought it was missing some flavor. Turns out it was mustard! Too much with the food analogy? 

navy and white polka-dot belted shirt dress

red patent leather shoes
mustard yellow cardigan with gold trim
animal print purse (not pictured) - I couldn't figure out how to hold it and look normal taking my selfie.

When adding or mixing colors, I usually start with the main color of the item I want to wear - for example - navy dress. Then I think about where I can add colors - shoes, purse, scarf, sweater, jacket, jewelry. I add one piece/color at a time until I feel like the look is complete. Colors don't have to match - just coordinate. Get rid of any color 'rules' in your head. 

Here are a few outfits I pulled from my closet to try and show you want I mean. Fall and Winter make it super easy to add color with a scarf or jacket. 

Fancy Pants

It's Party Time!! This time of year seems to be filled with 'events' that require festive attire - ya know a little more snazzy than business casual or church. 

Last weekend Jason and I went to a Dinner/Auction for our kids' school. I knew right away that I would wear my Fancy Pants! These are sequin pants/jeans/leggings that I bought from The Limited 2 years ago. I saw them and knew I had to have them. Do you every look at something and immediately know, "that looks like something I would wear" ?  (This is a good way to learn your style, see what types of clothes you are drawn to almost without thinking). Anyway I loved these pants, but wasn't sure I would wear them enough - see $5 rule. So I left without them, couldn't stop thinking about them and went back the next day and bought them. I have gotten so much use out of these pants!

Not only are these pants a fun alternative to the LBD, I feel awesome whenever I wear them. So that is really my point in this post - have something in your wardrobe that you know makes you feel great whenever you wear it. It lifts your mood whenever you put it on. It feels inherently "you".

They don't seem to carry them at The Limited this year, but a quick internet search lead me to two pair. First from Bloomingdales here. 

And these from H&M come in gold and silver - I love the gold ones.

And here is me not looking as happy as I feel when I wear these pants. We were rushing out the door for the Auction and I really wanted to get a good photo, but it was dark outside. So hopefully you get the gist. 

Fashion and Style

"Fashion is about dressing according to what is fashionable. Style is more about being yourself." - Oscar de la Renta

I heard this quote of his last week when the media was covering his passing and celebrating what an extraordinary influence he was on the fashion industry.

This describes exactly how I feel about style! My reason for sharing my style through this blog is because it's fun. It might serve as an inspiration for someone else to use clothes or style to make themselves feel good, or make a statement, or just help get dressed in the morning. My plan is not to tell others what they should or shouldn't do. Of course I'm always happy to offer my opinion :) 

I went shopping today - lured out by some coupons, some sales and one specific mission. I walked around for the longest time looking around and not liking anything! I get very frustrated when this happens. Sometimes I find this happens because i realize I don't NEED anything. And then I leave. BUT, I just happened to come upon this gem of a sweater and my hope was restored. I loved it the minute I saw it. I hemmed and hawed for a brief moment while I heard my brother in my head asking me 'why are you wearing a blanket'? - but I didn't care, I still love it. And it happened to go great with what I was wearing. So the kids and I hoped out at this pretty little scene and snapped a pic.

Sweater - Sun & Shadow at Nordstrom
Tunic - Plieone 
Jeans - from my favoite list
Boots - Minnetonka - mentioned here and I love them!

I happened to already be wearing the Minnetonka boots when I bought the sweater, and part of me thinks together with the sweater it is a little much with the western theme. But sometimes you just go for it anyway.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Since it has been raining here ALL day and for days at a time, I figured I would post about my favorite rain-wear and other rain essentials. My must have for rain is Hunter Boots! 

Like most large purchases, I lamented over these for a couple seasons. I told myself that I didn't go out in the rain that much. But once I decided to bite the bullet and buy them, I wear them ALL the time. You do not have to get the Hunter brand, but I intend to keep these forever, so I chose to invest a bit. Special note on the investment, I cheated and bought the children's boots that are half the price of the adult version. I'm a women's size 6, and I ordered these in a size 5 and have I lots of room for layers and boot socks - which I highly recommend - like these.

I wear them with jeans, leggings, cords, skirts - anything really, if it is raining. For you true city dwellers who walk to work, I can't imagine not having these.  One very important thing to note - I wear these with fleece boot socks in chilly weather, but a snow boot they are not! The rubber gets super cold and then freezes your feet - I learned that the hard way. Since I heard it might be another frigid winter, check back for my fav snow boots, as soon as I find them. 

It can feel challenging to put together an outfit when it is raining. I won't even go into the hair issues when its raining!!! But it definitely presents an outfit challenge. There are certain pants, shoes, jackets that you just can't wear in the rain.  So I tend to go for the basics in dark colors so water spots don't show, and then pair with a fun trench and fun umbrella! I have a trench very similar to this - Macy's Jessica Simpson - I love the sheen. And of course a leopard umbrella. Quick note on the trench - if budget is not an issue I would have a standard issue black or khaki trench and a fun print or bright color for spring, but if you have to pick one, go for one you can wear all the time with anything. 

Here is what I decided to wear tonight - out to dinner with friends, in the rain. I know I just spent paragraphs talking about the Hunters - but I'm in black booties here. I know I won't have to walk much and these shoes can take the rain. Instead of my trench, I chose my faux leather jacket - polyurethane is quite waterproof. And a scarf to take the chill off. I am out of practice with my modeling - this will have to do.