April 26, 2012

Today's Everyday Fashion: An Outfit










































I've had this shirt for several months, but so far have only worn it with shorts or jeans to run errands, certainly nothing special enough to call an outfit. This photo inspired me to get out my plum jeans, a leopard purse, nude heels - and for the first time in this shirt, I felt "dressed." Which got me thinking, when do clothes become an outfit? Is it a certain number of accessories? An amount of effort or creativity? I'm sure this answer is different for everyone, so tell me what you think. What makes the difference between feeling "dressed" versus just wearing clothes?

Inspiration photo: Gucci
Shirt: Marshalls, $10
Jeans: c/o Ross, $13 (similar, similar, similar)
Shoes: Colin Stuart c/o MJR Sales, $17
Purse: River Island, $60 (similar)
Necklaces: My Stella & Dot website single chain $59, double chain $41
Rings: LOFT pink ring $11, My Stella & Dot website $49
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Bracelets: Banana Republic, My Stella & Dot website $49


1. BCBG stripe top, $104
2. Mango stripe top, $39.99
3. Forever 21 stripe top, $12.80

31 comments:

  1. I definitely think it is the addition of accessories/handbag that makes an outfit - styling is SO important!

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  2. I think the biggest difference is completing the outfit with accessories, shoes etc. Otherwise it’s just a top, pants etc. but when you tie things together with accessories, you complete it. And I think that switching up the accessories makes a huge difference.

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  3. I love your shirt.  I think was makes you feel dressed is when all the clothes go together like a puzzle.  It won't feel right until all the pieces are in the exact right spot.  I'm still learning this and learning that I do have use accessories to make me feel more "dressed".

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  4. Cute! You're way better at pulling off colors than I am. I think the difference in feeling dressed versus just wearing clothes is how confident you feel in them. :-)

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  5. Accessories and that little skip in your step/ strut, knowing that you look and feel great...that's what makes an outfit for me. This top looks great on you!

    Maja - http://clotheskinksandcurls.blogspot.ca/

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  6. What a cute top!!! It must be orange top, neutral shoe day cause that's what I've got going on as well.
    Niki
    http://www.fashionatforty.blogspot.com/2012/04/dress-week-look-4.html

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  7. I think the right amount of accessories makes an "outfit" rather than just being dressed. It can be as simple as wearing the right shoes, throwing on a necklace/bracelet.

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  8. The one thing I have noticed on your blog is that regular denim jeans (skinny or flare) don't usually make it into your "outfits." Do you consider jeans too casual for an outfit? They are a staple in my day to day outfits, but your use of different color skinnies has had me on the look out for more color in pants. 

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  9. i agree i think accessories can help make an "outfit" - also, i think it's that whole "accidentally on purpose" - you know, looking like you didn't put any effort into your outfit while you actually put a lot of effort into your outfit. or something. i don't know if that totally makes sense but it makes sense in my head :)

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  10. I LOVE the purple pants! What a fun outfit!

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  11. Oh, my everyday purse looks a lot like that and my new go-to jeans are purple skinnies.  I need to get an orange and beige top!  :) 
    For me, I feel "dressed" if I have a clear look that I've put a little thought into.  Sometimes that look is really minimal on accessories, but if I'm minimal on purpose then it's part of an outfit, and if I'm minimal because I was lazy then I'm just wearing clothes. 

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  12. I think you make a great point Rose - it's partly the intent. If I was lazy, I feel like I'm wearing clothes, but if it was minimal with intent, then it's an outfit. Kind of like when people say "oh, I just threw this on" (and mean it), but they look adorable. Might seem like an outfit to us, but they might just be feeling like it's clothes. :-) 

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  13. I'm picking up what you're putting down. ;-)

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  14. SK, I honestly don't wear blue jeans that often! My ripped skinnies get the most wear - and partly why I love them so much is because of the added detail of the rips. (I like lots of detail to my outfits, I feel bored without jewelry, color, a belt, or something.) If not, then I'm usually wearing my white skinnies, colored denim or a skirt. For the blog, I do try to present more "outfits" here than just something I would wear to the grocery store. I definitely think blue jeans could be part of a very stylish outfit - I have posted several looks with them (mostly in the fall/winter) and you can see all my 800+ outfits easily via my FB page's photo albums if you are interested! (http://www.facebook.com/jseverydayfashion)

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  15. It's all in how you feel!  If I feel good in something, it's an outfit, no matter how simple or detailed.  If Im basically just covering up and putting on clothes because you can't leave the house w/o them, then its just that, clothes.

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  16. That is such a great question - for me, I think it's if on top of the clothes I've coordinated accessories and a bag.  Those are at least the criteria I use for blogging.  Many days, an outfit for me is simply the state of not being in pajamas or yoga pants. ;)

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  17. This may sound weird, but I think the fabric of the clothing is a big factor in whether something is dressy or not. To me, silk or chiffon screams dressy. Of course, cotton can be dressy, too, but this is just my logic lol.

    Tiffany
    http://shoeschampagne.blogspot.com

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  18. super cute 'outfit'... you put this together so nicely!  love it.

    www.rachaelkhawkins.blogspot.com

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  19. Wink. ;-) Thanks Rachael!

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  20. Tiffany, I totally think that is valid! A dressy material like silk is great for looking polished at work, and I often favor a silky material even for casual events because I prefer to be more dressed up. Great point!

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  21. I hear that sister. On days where I'm 100% working from home I like to stay in my pajamas to save time. Or because I'm lazy. Jury is still out on that one. ;-)

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  22. I think it depends on the person and the destination. If I'm headed to my couch... it is NOT an outfit! I'm also dying over those purple pants!
    work-it-blog.blogspot.com

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  23. for me I guess it's about accessorizing - I don't know every look is a look really I suppose, even if YOU don't think so.x

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  24. I love that top!  Can you share the brand?

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  25. Amy, the brand is Just Ginger!

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  26. your top is so cool! Looks great on your tan skin!
    http://gandacummings.blogspot.com

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  27. Your gorgeous outfit is *so* wearable and affordable, J. ............ yet ALSO simply so *sleek* and "European chic," TOO, (i.e., what with the dark plum and nectarine colors, moderated by neutrals)!!    By the way, there is a "Plum and Nectarine Sangria" (with assorted recipes on the Web);  but this may be one of the prettiest  *p.h.o.t.o.g.r.a.p.h.e.d.*  Sangrias, link directly Below.    (Is anyone here THIRSTY??!! Haha!!):

    http://kellylovesluna.com/2011/09/02/plum-and-nectarine-sangria/


    For me, I think at least one----(of many)----differences between my FEELING "dressed," versus just wearing clothes, is simply whether or not I've spent time showering and doing my hair/makeup more extensively.    Early in the day, I can, say, run a quick errand to the Market and/or to the In-Store Post Office in a clean pair of nice jeans and a tee, and NOT really feel "dressed"............ then, that very same evening, right before just casually going out, though, I can shower and more carefully do my hair/makeup............ put on an (essentially) exact color/style pair of clean jeans and a tee, (as earlier in the day)............ but then, however, I'll actually FEEL "dressed," (i.e., after showering and doing my hair/makeup more extensively)!!      *G.O.*  *F.I.G.U.R.E.*,  (haha)!!

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  28. I definitely think accessories (a lot or a few) make me feel like I got "dressed" that day.

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  29.  

              
    Gorgeous photos – the shirt
    look is so pretty!

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