This week, I’m musing about the outfits I wore last week and, in hindsight, reflecting on the Coco Chanel tactic I’m finding helpful. Interestingly, I did not wear denim every day. It was close, but because our temperatures yoyoed each day, I had to switch things up.
Last week, a reader asked if I changed into sweats when I came home or before I cooked dinner. The answer is no. Once I get dressed for the day, I stay dressed except for removing my shoes when I come into the house. If it’s my night to make dinner, I wear an apron.
I believe our clothes need to survive our life and not be treated like something precious…unless they are a delicate fabric, which I don’t seem to own. Your wardrobe needs to work for your style, aesthetics, and lifestyle.
I tucked the tee into my Frank & Eileen denim skirt and added a simple black belt. The skirt arrived last summer measuring 37″ long, which was almost to my ankles, so I cut around the bottom and removed about 7″ to make the proportion better for me. That’s one of the benefits of unfinished hems; you can easily customize them yourself. I added this black cashmere cardigan around my shoulders, carried my black shoulder bag, and tied the accessories together with my black espadrilles.
I added my favorite cable hoop earrings and a necklace, but when I looked in the mirror, I saw that the necklace was too much, so I skipped it. It was Coco Chanel who famously advised, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and remove one accessory”. Funny enough, several times this week, I have needed to remove an accessory, but one time, I actually added something.
I felt casual but polished in this outfit because the colors all jibed. The eye travels up the black accessories and jams to a halt at my face, which may not be ideal, but it works for me. The next time I wear this combination, I’ll try my black frame glasses.
Because this outfit was making such a soft, neutral statement, I decided to zhush it up a bit with an old, large floral brooch from one of my favorite artists, Sarah Cavender. I don’t earn a commission from her products, but I want you to see her designs because they’re really unique. You can also find some here on eBay or Artful Home.
I wore small, low-profile Vintage Tiffany earrings and added a thin necklace…but after looking in the mirror, I removed the necklace to allow the pin to make the statement.
Striped Shirtdress and Sneakers
Wednesday was a warm day, so I pulled out this ancient J. Crew striped dress.
I had a dental cleaning appointment and needed to stop by Whole Foods to send some things back to Amazon. Since my bunion was being a stinker and I knew I’d be running around a fair amount, I wore my comfiest white sneakers. These don’t have any orthopedic claims, but I can wear these all day, day after day, and my feet are always happy campers.
Since the dress is a thin cotton, I draped a Talbots cardigan around my shoulders in case I needed some extra warmth. I also really like the chill vibe it gives my outfits, so I’ve been doing it often lately. I carried my Claire V woven bag, which feels so ladylike with its bamboo handle. Have you noticed the different vibe a handheld purse gives your outfits compared to a shoulder bag or crossbody?
I finished my outfit with a large link necklace and drop earrings. I took one look in the mirror and removed the earrings because I just didn’t need them. Thanks again, Coco.
Striped Polo Top and Wide Leg Jeans
Thursday, I picked up my grandson after school so he could visit with my sister-in-law and play card games hour after hour. He killed us at Dominos, but the cards didn’t go his way that day. A rare thing.
I wore my Lands End black and white striped polo shirt with white, wide-leg jeans and my Freda Salvador white woven flats. Since the top has a nicely shaped hemline and isn’t too long, I wore it out and skipped a belt.
I switched to a crossbody bag because I hit both Target and the grocery store in the morning. I prefer to be hands-free when I’m shopping so I can confidently turn my back on the cart and know exactly where my purse is. I wore my favorite bucket hat and chunky silver-toned huggies. Bold earrings with clean lines are still very popular, so I’ve gotten a ton of wear out of mine. I added a Sergio Gutierrez liquid silver mesh bracelet that I found in a boutique many, many years ago, and it’s still sold today. Does that make it a classic? I skipped a necklace because of the crossbody strap.
Denim Shirt, Jeans, and a Big Hat
Saturday was a little league game, and the weather was warm but breezy.
For this outfit, I broke Coco’s theory of accessories and added three necklaces. I can’t explain why it felt right, but it did. I wore my ruffle neck denim shirt open over a white tee and straight-leg jeans. I’ve always been a fan of double denim, and I particularly like it with touches of animal print, so I added my leopard print belt. Mine is from J.Crew, which is on backorder, so I linked a similar one.
I wore my slip-on Ecco sneakers and my big Freya hat that I bought during my trip to Hawaii last year. My handbag went inside my Cuyana tote bag, which carries extra snacks and my water bottle.
I started with my small vintage Tiffany earrings, added my Lagos necklace, and then just kept adding until it felt right. There was no rhyme or reason other than to wear enough to make it seem like a statement necklace.
So some questions for you:
- What makes something classic to you?
- Do you check your outfits for balance and accessory overload before you go out?
- Do you choose a handbag based on feel and/or function?
Thanks for reading, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.