Categories
1980's 80's 80's fashion 90's accessories adults affordable Amazon Amazon Fashion anthropologie art blog autumn awesome backpacks bag bags bargain beach style beach wear birkenstocks blog blogger boho boho chic boho style booties boots brandname bright colors bucket bag camera capris casual casual chic cheap chic childhood clothes collaboration color colorblock colorful comfortable commentary crazy crossbody bag curvy daily look deal design envy design inspiration designer designs dolce vita Draped dress dressy dressy summer outfit esty ethnic fabric fashion fashion blog fashion blogger fedora felt hat For Love & Lemons forever21 Free People fun funny gallery geeks gif gladiator sandals gojane guest blogger h&m handbag handmade happiness happy harem harem jumper harem jumpsuit Health/Wellness hilarious hip Hope How To humor ideas inspiration instagram j.crew jacket jersey jersey fabric jersey knit jersey tank jumpsuit jumpsuits Lake Michigan laugh leather Leather backpack leather bag leather sandals life life goals life list lifestyle blog lightweight live colorfully. living lol Lyst macys madewell magazine maxi dress MC Hammer minimilist style modern moodboard MTV NastyGal nickelodeon nordstrom Nordstroms on sale OOTD OOTD Magazine OOTD Submit open toe opinion outerwear outfit outfit of the day oversized personal style personal style blogger pinterest polyvore pop culture positive project prozac Pure Michigan retro Revolve Clothing rompers rustic sale sandals satchel self love shoes Shopbop shopping shorts shoulder bag showcase simplistic spring spring 2015 spring fashion Spring Style Springtime fashion street style style style blog style blogger styling summer summer 2015 summer dress summer fashion summer style summer time swimsuit cover up tips To Do tooled leather tooled leather bag trapeze Traverse City trends trendy trousers Uncategorized unique Vanilla Ice versatile vintage vintage bag wardrobe wardrobe update wellness work studio

Harem Jumpers: Stylish & Comfy Style or 80’s Fashion Relic?

harem jumper OOTD

I am a child of the late 80’s/early 90’s and I loved every wacky, bodacious second of it. Although as we reflect back on those years, it is undeniable that an overwhelming majority of our most painfully awkward and embarrassing pop culture moments occurred in the 80’s.  It was a decade that produced some of the most memorable cringeworthy style fads of all time, such as: Acid wash jeans, scrunchies, hairspray and perms, neon colored wind suits and of course harem pants. Inspired by the greats of the era, MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice.


 

(I still firmly believe those were the greatest fashion years of my life. Sometimes I wonder if it was growing up in the late 80’s early 90’s that gave me my flare for the dramatic when it comes to clothes (hence wearing an oversized jumper in 2015 and loving it))

Just recently I saw a picture of everyone’s favorite overgrown man child, Justin Beiber, wearing some serious harem pants and  I literally said outloud: “Hammer did it better.” Bc. how could anyone forget this:

or this:

and while we’re at it, this:

unfortantly, hammer pants were one of the few fashion items my parents refused to purchase for me (along with glittery  pink, fringed cowboy boots). I see now that my parents were doing me a favor because i have a feeling my hammer pants wouldn’t have gone over very well with all the kids at my school in West Texas. So, thanks guys for that.

But that doesn’t mean I can’t fulfill my Hammer Time fantasy as an adult! I am free to make my own bad decisions! Sometimes being an adult IS great, because no one can tell you “no” if you want to buy an oversized diaper jumper and wear it in public!

I was pleasantly surprised with how it fit, although it’s a very thin jersey knit fabric so it attaches its self to unappealing areas (the crutch and the butt). I did wear it on a really windy day which didn’t help with that though. It is really comfortable and I actually really like the styling and draping of the fabric. I had to be careful when I walked because this particular jumper always ended up giving me a wedgie. The jumpsuit I purchased was the cheap version (as usual) which may speak to the thinness of the fabric. Shopbop has a designer brand option which is undoubtably better quality in their  Basic Terrain Harem Jumpsuit, for $158.00:

basic terrain jumpsuit


to wear or not to wear:

It’s not an item I will be wearing very often but it’s really fun to have in my closet for days when I  am feeling bored with everything else in my closet and also because I like to put it on and do the Hammer Time dance in the mirror when I need a quick trip down memory lane. Plus, I bought mine on Amazon for less than $15.00

In conclusion: no one pulls it off like the Hammer but I have a feeling the harem jumper hasn’t had it’s final style moment yet…
harem jumper street styleMy Outfit details: Spaghetti Strap Harem Jumper, $14.95, vintage tooled leather bag, Gottex Women’s Laurent Felt Hat, $79.00 on Amazon, Yara Birkenstock Thongs $120.00

yara birkenstock thongs

 

so the final question is: would you? I am totally okay if your answer is a resounding no.

Advertisement
Categories
accessories affordable Amazon Amazon Fashion anorak jacket anthropologie ASOS backpacks badass Badgley Mischka bag bags BCBGMaxazria beach wear beauty birkenstocks blog blogger body con boho boho chic boho style boot booties boots brands bucket bag cardigan casual casual chic chic CHLOE clothes cocktail dress colorful comedy comfortable converse sneakers creative inspiration creative process crossbody bag curvy daily look deal denim denim jacket design board design envy designs Diesel Denim drape back Draped dress dresses dressy dressy summer outfit espadrilles esty ethnic evening gown EVENING/COCKTAIL fashion fashion blog fashion blogger floral print dress forever21 formal gown free Free People French Connection fringe fringe leather bag Gap gladiator sandals gojane h&m handbag heels hip How To humor infinity scarf inspiration inspo instagram j.crew jacket jeans jersey jersey fabric jersey knit jewelry Joe's jumpsuit lace laugh leather Leather backpack leather bag leather heels leather sandals life life list lifestyle blog live living lol longline jacket Lyst macys madewell Max Studio maxi dress midi dress midi skirt minimilist style MINK PINK mod cloth modern NastyGal necklace necklaces New Balance Nordstroms on sale OOTD OOTD Magazine OOTD Submit open back open toe opinion original outerwear outfit outfit of the day pants pencil skirt pendant personal style personal style blogger photography pinterest pop culture retro sale sandals scarf shoes Shopbop shopping skirt skirts slip dress sneakers style summer fashion travel Traverse City Uncategorized wardrobe update

Fringe Benefits: My Favorite Fringed Pieces for a Boho Update to Any Wardrobe (12 Items under $100!)

fringe skirt ootd

You know those trends that come and go (mom jeans, Birkenstocks, dr. martans, etc) but you can’t let go of? They always hold a special place in your heart and your wardrobe, and no matter how “in” or “out” your beloved trend may become,  you cling stubbornly to it and refuse to let die.

Fringe is that for me. Well, one of many in a long list of fashion faux pas I commit every time I get dressed.

But no matter how ridiculous I may end up looking I pass up a good ole fringed clothing item without picturing myself twirling gaily in the wind wearing said fringed clothing item, ala Buddy the Elf…

elf-buddy-im-in-love

Usually these daydreams involve meadows and music and ponies….but that’s a story for another day.


 

I stumbled upon my new favorite fringed clothing unexpectedly while browsing the boutiques on a mini vacation to Traverse City. I almost passed it up because even for me, I was worried it might be a” bit much” (and for me that’s really saying something) but the imagined twirling I was doing while wearing that skirt was too glorious to pass up.

fringe skirt ootdmy outfit details:Sam Edelman Women’s Faux Suede Fringe Skirt, $53.30, Scoop Neck Woven Camisole, $13.00,

 

So I was inspired to compile an extensive list of some of favorited fringed wardrobe items for even the most conservative of wardrobes:

bcbg drap fringe dress

BCBGMAXAZRIA Women’s Maddie Drape-Front Cocktail Dress (53.00)

topshop fringe sleeveless dress

Top Shop Sleeveless Fringe Dress, available at Nordstroms ($58.00)

freepeople nomad cotton shroud

Free People’s Nomad Cotton Fringe Shawl ($329)

free people suede fringe skirt

 

Also from Free People (the leading authority on boho chic) Free People’s Sedona Leather Skirt, ($329)

asos glamorous wrap cami dress with fringe skirt

Asos’ Glamorous Wrap Cami Dress  ($69.00)

471-Minnetonka-Women-s-Classic-Fringe-Boot-Boots-in-Brown-Suede-Hardsole-1

Minnetonka Women’s Classic Fringe Hardsole Boot $43.00 on Amazon

forever 21 bib necklace

Forever 21’s Fringe Bib Necklace(22.90)

matiko brendan fringe heeled sandals free people

Brentwood Fringe Heels ($150)

fashion union crepe wrap back top with fringe detail asos

Asos’ Fashion Union Crepe Wrap Top($44)

hm fringe bag

H&M’s Black Fringe Bag ($29.90)

french connection spotlight fringe

French Connection Women’s Spotlight Fringe, $90.00 via Amazon

topshop fringe maxi slip dress

topshop maxi slipdress

Topshop Fringe Maxi Slip Dress($90) available at Nordstroms

asos mini suede fringed backpack

Asos’ Mini Suede Fringed Bag ($60.00)

forever 21 tiered fringe midi skirt

Forever 21’s Fringed Midi Skirt ($29.00)

sam edeleman fringe faux suede skirt

Sam Edelman Women’s Faux Suede Fringe Skirt ($61.55)

And just in case you thought I was kidding about the swirling and twirling, a picture that should never see the light of day…

ootd fringe skirt

 

Categories
accessories Amazon anorak jacket anthropologie blog blogger boho boho chic booties boots boyfriend jeans brands canvas capris cardigan casual casual chic chic denim Draped jacket LA Hearts lightweight longline jacket outerwear outfit outfit of the day oversized oversized sweater PacSun personal style personal style blogger pinterest relaxing retro sandals simple simplistic skirt skirts sneakers spotlight spring spring 2015 spring art spring fashion spring outerwear Spring Style Springtime fashion ss 2015 statement jewelry street style style style blog style blogger t-shirt tennis shoes trends trendy trousers tutorial varsity tee versatile wardrobe white denim

Spring Outwear: Lightweight and Versatile Longline Anorak Jacket

 

LA Hearts Pac Sun Longline Anorak Jacket

LA Hearts Longline Anorak Jacket available at Pac-Sun
LA Hearts Longline Anorak Jacket available at Pac-Sun

 

 

The women’s Longline Anorak Jacket by LA Hearts for PacSun and PacSun.com offers a draped fit with a zipper and button closure. I love the super light weight fabric and chic look and looks great dressed up or down available at Pacsun.com for $69.95. It’s one-size fits, which I was worried about because those never usually fit me but its REALLY big!

 

 

LA Hearts Longline Anorak Jacket

Categories
accessories affordable Amazon anthropologie ASOS bag bags beach blog blogger bodycon boho boho chic booties boots brands bright bright colors bucket bag cardigan casual casual chic cheap chic clothes collaboration colorful colors comfortable crossbody bag curvy cute daily look denim jacket design detail dolce vita Draped dress dresses dressy dressy summer outfit espadrilles ethnic fabric faces fashion fashion blog fashion blogger favorite floral forever21 Free People fresh fringe fringe leather bag gardening Grand Rapids hands happiness happy hosiery humor ideas instagram j.crew jeans jersey jersey knit joy Leather backpack leather bag leather heels life lifestyle blog lol macys midi skirt minimilist style MINK PINK mod cloth modern mood board NastyGal nature necklace necklaces Nordstroms OOTD OOTD Magazine OOTD Submit open toe outfit outfit of the day oversized sweater oxfords pattern patterned skirt patterns pendant personal style personal style blogger pinterest print prints rag and bone retro Revolve Clothing ring rustic self love shoes Shopbop shopping simple simplistic skirt spotlight spring spring fashion Spring Style Springtime fashion statement jewelry street style style style blog style blogger styling suede boots summer summer heels tribal jewelry tribal pendant tutorial Uncategorized versatile wedges white denim

spring style: fun, flowy, floral, boho dresses

hooray for all things Spring….Sun, flowers, rain, birds, allergies. I’ll take it all if it means I can stand outside for more than a minute without getting frostbite.  I’ve been waiting for a day that was nice enough to wear my Free People Parker Dress. Although there aren’t enough photoshopping or fliters that help my legs look less blindingly white and pasty.

free people dress black esparilldos

I’ve rounded up some of my favorite floral spring dresses I found online:

Free People Parker Dress, $69.00:

FREE-people-parker-dress-sage

MINKPINK Women’s Moon Flower Midi Dress:

mink-pink-midifloral-dress

Needle & Thread’s Summer Garden Floral Sequin Bodycon Dress ($360.00):

needle&thread-bodycon-sequin-garden-dress

Free People First Kiss Dress, $98.00:

free-people-first-kiss-boho-dress

 

Free People Embroidered Austin Dress, $148.00:
free-people-austin-embroidered-dress

Needle & Thread Gilded Filigree Three Quarter Sleeve Cocktail Dress:
needle&thread-gilded-filigree-dress

 BB Dakota ‘Heleen’ Print Fit and Flare Midi Dress ($98.00) at Nordstroms:

BB-dokata-heleen-floral-dress

Volcom Juniors Nevermore Dress

volcom-floral-dress

 

Categories
affordable anthropologie bag blog bodycon boho boho chic boot booties brands canvas capris cardigan casual chic christmas clothes colorful creative creativity curvy denim detail Draped dress dresses dressy fabric fair trade fall fall fashion fashion favorite Grand Rapids graphic design grey h&m hair style handbag happiness heels holiday dresses holiday style ideas j.crew jeans jersey jersey knit jewelry joy lake landscape leather leather heels life lifestyle blog love midi dress midi skirt NastyGal nature nature walk New Years nordstrom Nordstroms OOTD opinion outfit oversized sweater oxfords patterned skirt pencil skirt personal style photography pinterest plaid project rag and bone Revolve Clothing scarf shoes Shopbop shopping showcase skirt skirts socks spotlight statement jewelry street style style style blogger tights tutorial Uncategorized unique versatile vintage wardrobe winter winter fashion winter style world

#OOTD: Double Side Split Top & Knee High Stockings

I’m trying out something different and just going to post more simple, short OOTD (outfit of the day) posts with the outfit details…bc sometimes I can’t think of anything really interesting to write about the outfit…unless you guys think of something.

overside baggy cardigan, tights and knee high stockings
overside baggy cardigan, tights and knee high stockings
deep, double side split top, tights and knee high stockings
deep, double side split top, tights and knee high stockings

outfit details and prices:

skirt: ZARA knit tube skirt, blush color, $79.90,

zara knit skirt

 

cardigan: Zara TWO-TONED wrap jacket, $79.95,

zara cardigan

Socks: Commando Up All Night Thigh High Socks, $34.00, Nordstroms

thigh high socks

Tights: Nordstrom’s ‘Love’ Sweater Tights, charcoal color, $28.00

or these American Apparel Above the Knee Socks available on Amazon for only $13.00

Click on picture to purchase in amazon

Nordstroms charcoal sweater tights
Nordstroms charcoal sweater tights

Boots: Madden Girl “Mistley” Combat Boots $34.99 available on 6PM.com

Categories
accessories affordable ASOS bargain boho boot booties boots brands cardigan casual cheap chic christmas classic classics collaboration colorful curvy cute deal denim designs dolce vita Draped dress dresses dressy esty etsy fabric fall fall fashion fashion favorite fresh fun gift gift idea Gingham plaid gojane Grand Rapids Gucci h&m hair style handbag happy health Health/Wellness heels hip holiday holiday dresses holiday season holiday style holidays How To ideas infinity scarf inspiration j.crew jersey knit jewelry Joe's layers leather heels lines lists macys midi dress midi skirt NastyGal necklace necklaces nordstrom Nordstroms on sale open toe opinion oversized sweater oxfords pants pattern patterned skirt pencil skirt personal style pinterest plaid Pumps rag and bone red relaxing Revolve Clothing ring Sam Edelman scarf self esteem self love shoes Shopbop shopping showcase simple skirt skirts spotlight statement jewelry statement necklace style style blogger tips trendy tribal tribal jewelry tutorial Uncategorized versatile wardrobe winter fashion World Market

My Midi Dress Dilemma: 4 Tips for Wearing a Midi for the Body Conscious Woman

6 marvelou smidis(all 6 dresses available on asos top left: ASOS RED CARPET Premium Embellished Midi Dress With Plunge Front $227.40, top middle: Asos Midi Wiggle Dress in Paisley Print $113.17, top right: ASOS Baroque Embellished Midi Shift Dress $161.08, bottom left: Self Portrait Lucille Midi Dress  $473.75, bottom middle: ASOS Petite Wiggle Dress with Wrap Back $85.28,  bottom right: ASOS Gray Floral Drape Back Midi $94.75)


I really, really love the midi dress look and I emphasis the word look because the way a midi dress looks on a model (stunning) is not how a midi LOOKS on me. The models’ curves (or lack of them) are perfectly highlighted in the form fitting style of a midi and the length accentuates their slim legs. I don’t know if I really thought that I would look the same as the 100 pound 5ft 9 model did in the same midi.

Here is the midi dress I purchased:

jersey midi asos
Asos Midi Cami Body Conscious Dress

but…SURPRISE! I didn’t look anything like the model. It accentuated my curves alright, every friggin nook and cranny was on display. It probably didn’t help that the midi I bought was thin jersey fabric, which is probably one of the least forgiving fabrics there is. So I buried the dress in the back of my closet and tried to forget I ever thought I could pull the look off.

The thing is…I’ve never liked my body, but I also think most women in America have struggled with loving and accepting their bodies at some point. I’ve been working up to writing about the journey I am on to loving myself and it’s been a long, bloody battle for me but….(and I swear all this has to it has to do with the midi dress!)

But since I turning 30 this year, it really hit me how much of life I have wasted and how many experiences I missed out on because I’ve been to busy disliking myself and caring to much what people think.Doing these self-absorbed, materialistic Personal Style posts was a coconscious decision of mine to do what makes me happy and to (try) not to worry about whether or not people like it. Also, it’s nice to actually start caring about myself again 🙂


So, when cleaning up my closet, I stumbling on the crumpled up midi dress of disappointment and gave it another go (outfitted in my spanx body armor) and decided to give it another try and I came up with a few different ways to wear a form fitting midi with more confidence.

#1 Oversized Cardigans like this one from Revolve Clothing, are your friends.

drapey cardigan

Wearing a big, drapey cardigan helps me feel like I have a layer of protection and it keeps all my lumpy areas that I am self-conscious about covered. But the open front still shows off the cute length and style of the midi.

midi skirt winter outfit

#2 Wearing shoes with heels (booties are my favorite for winter) add much needed length to your frame.

Here are a few pair of booties that give me the warm fuzzies and that I think would look good with a a casual style midi dress:

Joe's Cutout booties

 

 

above: Joe’s ‘Abby’ Cutout Leather Booties available at Nordstroms for $119.37 (40% off from original price of $198.95) Sam Edelman booties

 

Above: Circus by Sam Edelman “Talon” Booties  available on sale at Nordstroms for $87.06 (originally $129.95)

wedge booties

Above: Naughty Monkey ‘Angle Tangle’ Toe Wedge Bootie also at Nordstroms for $129.95

For a dressier look here are a few heels I am currently drooling over:

Gucci Gold toe Heel

above: Gucci’ ‘Coline’ T-Strap Cap Toe Heels at Nordstroms for $398.98

capped toe heels

 

 

above: Joe’s  ‘Ali’ Ankle Strap Pump, on sale at Nordstroms for $72.95dark blue pumps

 

above: Louise et Cie ‘Sarmienta’ Pump at Nordstroms for only $79.95 (50% off)

Most midis cut off at around calf-level (depending on height) which I love but also has the tendency to make legs look shorter and bulkier.

#3 Layer it up to create different looks.

A midi is fun to play around with different looks and is a versatile dress that can be simple and classic or fun and trendy.  Adding colorful layers, like my favorite crazy plaid pants, creates lines, and helps to “distract” the eye from those worry areas.


IMG_6163 - Version 2
midiandblacktopA split sided basic top is perfect to throw over a midi because it covers my least favorite areas (my tummy and the booty) and I like the look it creates.

#4: Spanx is also your friend.

Good ole trusty spanx, instilling confidence into the self-conscious since the dawning of time.