November 7, 2012

Today's Everyday Fashion: Inspiration

My first attempt (not a fan)
The end result

I love today's inspiration outfit, however, I didn't love it on me (I prefer her proportions, with the longer tops). It wasn't a total loss though because I mades changes and wound up with the second outfit, and wore it for air travel last weekend (I was traveling for work so went a bit dressier than usual). Using inspiration as a shortcut, and yet staying true to yourself and putting your own spin on it = definitely my favorite method for getting dressed, and what I hope to inspire you guys to try each time I share an "inspired" outfit. What's your inspiration method? Which look do you prefer?

ps. See ten more ways to wear a striped shirt here.

Inspiration photo: Pinterest
(top) Navy blazer: Gap, $75 (similar)
(top) Chambray shirt: Mudd c/o Kohl's, $20 (similar, similar, similar, similar)
(bottom) Camel blazer: Express, $25 (similarsimilarsimilar)
Shirt: H&M, $18
Pants: Gap, $20 (similar, similar, similar)
Necklace: My Stella & Dot website, $228
Shoes: c/o Nine West, $62
Purse: Karen Millen, $235 (similarvegan)
Rings: My Stella & Dot website $39 and $69 and $39
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot website $59 and $59

1. Banana Republic  2. 6pm  3. Forever 21  4. Lands' End  5. Gap

39 comments:

  1. I've been reading your blog for a few weeks now & love it! I take elements that I like from inspiration photos & go from there...(:

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  2. LOVE your 'end result', your taste is impeccable. Thanks!! :)

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  3. Love the final result! Super cute! :)

    [nat in love]

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  4. I like the second look better. Less busy and more simple. I love a striped shirt. I got mine from Gap a while ago and I love it, so versatile.

    Agi:)

    vodkainfusedlemonade.wordpress.com

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  5. I definitely like your second way better. And that necklace is awesome!

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  6. I might end up being the only one but I actually like your first outfit! I think maybe you'd like it more if the chambray shirt peeked out instead of being so blatantly obvious? Either way, I like both outfits. Also, I have that H&M shirt. Isn't it amazing how many outfits you can wear it with??

    http://fashionedible.blogspot.com

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  7. I like your end result better too! I am the same way- I have a picture I'm replicating or something in my head that I want it to look like and it sometimes doesn't work out- but it's a good springboard for finding something that does!
    ~Karen
    www.sewstitchincute.blogspot.com

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  8. I agree! Other than being shorter, her blazer is also covering more of the chambray and I like that better. :-)

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  9. While I like your first attempt, I think that you have to be comfortable in what you wear. Inspiration is just that...inspiration. I'm glad you found your own spin that worked for you! You look great in both outfits!

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  10. You nailed it with that camel blazer!!! 

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  11. I love this look, the recreation you did is spot on! I love the added chambray shirt.

    XO http://shesaidhesaid-fashion.blogspot.com

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  12. I agree with the person who said that the denim shirt should be hidden more. also, maybe by cuffing the bottom of your jeans it would even out the proportions. just a thought. loved both outfits though!

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  13. I'm actually a fan of the first outfit. I love the mix of blue in there and the layers. Layers make it look casual and fun, in an expert way!

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  14. I like the second look a lot. I think if your jacket covered the denim shirt more it would have been looked better. J could I wear a suit jacket with the first look? I have a hard time deciding if a suit jacket can be worn in a more casual look. Thanks! 

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  15. I like the second look a lot. I think if your jacket covered the denim shirt more it would have looked better. J could I wear a suit jacket with the first look? I have a hard time deciding if a suit jacket can be worn in a more casual look. Thanks! 

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  16. I like that first outfit, but I think it's the cardigan that throws it out. maybe if you had a navy blazer to throw over the chambray it would feel more pulled together. Love the second outfit as well though! Very cute and work appropriate.

    www.whenwewander.blogspot.com

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  17. I like the second look significantly more! It's certainly more put together looking. The first makes me think of college slubbing.

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  18. Love both outfits but I think the second one is a little more put together! The first one has too many elements to it! I am really wanting those orange cords and they look fabulous with the striped shirt! 

    http://designerinteal.blogspot.com

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  19. I think I like the layered one, but the jury is still out.
    work-it-blog.blogspot.com

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  20. I like the way you wear the colored pants. They have been a trend I've steered clear of, but I've seen several of your outfits using them and they look great!

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  21. J - when and where will you announce the winner of the fossil? 

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  22. Becky, entries closed on Monday at midnight I believe, but Izea will be choosing and contacting the winner!

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  23. I suddenly feel old because I have no idea what college slubbing is?!

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  24. The first outfit is with a navy blazer with gold buttons (not a cardigan)! I agree that the first look wouldn't work with a cardigan, though, and my blazer needs to be longer/bigger like hers to make it work.

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  25. Gizelle, yes i love wearing suit jackets casually! That is a trick I do all the time. Here's my black suit blazer 10 ways (old post): http://www.jseverydayfashion.com/2011/01/flashback-friday-black-boyfriend-blazer.html

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  26. I prefer option 2. Love the color combo.

    -AJ
    FitTravelerAJ.blogspot.com

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  27. Thank you so much J for taking the time. Indeed you have done a great job with putting all these many outfits with your blazer. Could I do that with any suit jacket? Thanks!

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  28. Yes, I think most suit jackets can be worn with jeans! That particular blazer I show is also very long (boyfriend style), which makes it better with the sequin dress and shorts - so not all suit jackets would work in every outfit necessarily, but with jeans yes!

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  29. Thank you so much J! I am so inspired by this post and your help! I am going to put together an outfit with my navy jacket! I wish you could see how differently I dress since I read your blog!

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  30. first one !!! more hype and style .....
    (how many clothes do you have ??? posting so much outfits .... I admire your closet LOL)
    Anastasia - fashion designer
    http://www.letthemstare.com

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  31. Nice post! if you want to look fashionable and want to look trendy this winter wear 
    hooded fleece jacket in different colors and styles!

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  32. I love your (CHAMBRAY-BLUE) shirt color with your first outfit............ because it  r.e.a.l.l.y.  "brings out" the DEEPER BLUE color of the dyed, semi-precious stones of your Indira Necklace!!    To achieve the same Total Look - (i.e., without the BULK of the sleeves of your navy blazer............ *over* the sleeves of your chambray shirt............ then *over* the sleeves of your striped top) - a simple sleeveless, button-front, collared blue blouse could maybe (?) achieve the same effect for those of us----(like me, haha!!)----who don't necessarily want to *add* extra visual pounds to their upper arms. 

    I also love the color combo of your second outfit;  and it's clean lines with your striped top;  your dramatic, sophisticated Indira Necklace;  and your sleek pumps.    Personally, I might move my necklace UP one or two links, just to cover
    that One Little  E.x.p.o.s.e.d.  Stripe............ (i.e., it somehow seems to detract from your *gorgeous* necklace, although that might only be my skewed perspective about it!!)............ or I might simply wear a striped top with a slightly-SCOOPED neckline instead............ to avoid having "an exposed stripe" entirely, (haha!!)

    To (optionally) "soften" the look of your second outfit a little bit, maybe a SOLID, camel-colored silk (or silk-like) chiffon scarf draped right under the lapels of your camel blazer would look nice............ e.g., similar to your post of November 21, 2011:  "Today's Everyday Fashion: The Souvenir": 

    http://www.jseverydayfashion.com/2011/11/todays-everyday-fashion-souvenir.html

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  33. I have cords in this color and I am so thankful that you are posting outfit ideas with them! I have my tops figured out but I'm having a harder time with jackets and shoes. I work in a preschool so I need my clothes to be layerable and easy to move in. I'm not really into blazers, do you have any suggestions on what other types of jackets would work? I'm on the hunt for a pair of nude, cognac, or nay blue flats to go with. I work with infants so I am barefoot in the classroom. Shoes need to be easy to get on and off :)

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  34. Love the end result photo the best. 

    Sometimes I look to inspiration photos in terms of colour palette but loosely on the overall styling, like here: http://coverupchic.blogspot.ca/2012/09/fall-suiting-emerald-and-blue.html or literally on the styling itself but not on the colour palette, as I did here: http://coverupchic.blogspot.ca/2012/11/fall-attire-pleats-and-fur.html. Overall, I aim to not look like I am trying too hard, feel uncomfortable, and it has to fit with my overall style.  

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  35. Sara, not all blazers are created alike - how about one in a stretchy, soft materials - the kind that is shaped like a blazer but more like sweatshirt material.  I think army jackets are really comfy, too. And a sweater jacket is super comfy, but might not be dressy enough for work.

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  36. you even look alike =)))

    Does anyone notice?? =)))

    xo JANE xo
    http://livingwithjane.com/

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  37. I really love that caramel blazer! You have inspired me to start using inspiration photos :)

    www.kevandautumn.blogspot.com

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  38. I love the red pants!





    http://owleyevintage.blogspot.com/



    http://www.etsy.com/shop/OwlEyeVintage


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