Spring Fashion Tips & My Favorite Crops

I am really looking forward to consistent spring weather for many reasons.  One of them is the shedding of heavy layers and letting my skin breathe and see the sun!  Even though I'm cold blooded and wear sweaters well into June.  My new favorite clothing item is the Old Navy Pixie Ankle pant.  You can find it here.  It comes in a gazillion patterns and colors.  I'm partial to patterns and color because they elevate normal into something interesting.  And they pair nicely with plain shirts, button downs, even dressing up a plain tee.

My Favorite Crops

Old Navy's Pixie Pant came out last spring, so I pounced as soon as I had a good coupon.  Never shop without a coupon.  Old Navy is almost always running an online promo.  I chose a nice, classic black.

I Looooovvve them!  They fit like a dream, just enough stretch to flatter, pockets to break up the rear-view, perfect length to pair with flats, sandals, keds, or heels even.  They are getting a little woe-be-gone because I wear and wash them so much.  I've been planning on replacing them this year.

In January I happened to go into the Old Navy store during a clearance event and found 4 more pair in just my size!  I scored them for $11 a pair.  That's about an $18 savings right there.  This is very thrilling for me, saving money on clothing!

I wore the plaid pair just a few days ago. My 14-year-old said "whoa. what's with your pants" by which I could tell she meant she was totally jealous.  Paired with a denim button down and some fancy shoes it's as easy as slipping on a pair of jeans and a tee shirt but 200% times more put-together looking.

I also really love the Old Navy Boyfriend Skinny Khaki, found here.  Last spring they had a ton of fun patterns and colors in the store.  I picked light blue, which is like a dressy jean.  I also got brave and got a green camo pair.  Surprisingly they go with tons of tops, and don't look duck-hunter at all!  I pair them also with button downs in denim & black, or bright tops as well.  With my Chucks on and my blue crops I gotta kiss myself I'm so pretty! (you, too, can be your own fashion photographer. ha!  I need a selfie stick!)

A current trend right now is to mix patterns, as you can see with these dotted pants and subtly striped white button down.  And the heels add a little sass and femininity.

Fuchsia trouser pants elevate a white tee, blazer, and salt-water sandals.  What would look overly casual with just jeans, now looks dinner-date appropriate.  Don't forget to paint those toenails!

This wild pattern makes it look like you have accessorized, when all you did was slip on a pair of pants.  Genius.  (I finally got a photographer. Thanks, Clever Girl!)

This is from Easter and has nothing to do with pants.  Can you tell I'm totally digging these glittery gold vans?  Find similar here.

Wardrobe Tips

I'm a jeans-and-running shoes gal 80% of the time, but some days it's nice to dress my age.  When I do my girls say things like "are we going somewhere?".  I love looking snazzy and I love when my clothes have a little pop!  Be brave and experiment with color and patterns.

One wardrobe practice I try to adhere to is to buy coordinating items.  These are things that can be worn in many combinations with many other items in your wardrobe.  I get one non-coordinating clothing item per year, from Mr.  It's usually not practical, not cheap, and not everyday!  Other than that I stick to my Rockstar Jeans in low-rise or mid-rise, my Gap Favorite crew neck tees, classic button downs like this, & cardis like this.

Another tip I've adopted is this: every woman should have one nice white button-down shirt, and you should buy a new one every year.  Just one, once a year.  This keeps your white looking fresh and the style and cut updated.  Same thing goes for white tees.  But buy a couple, not just one.  Yellow pits are icky and white tees get stained really easy.  It's nice to look fresh!

The last thing about wardrobe is that sometimes having lots of options is NOT better.  If you find yourself wearing denim button downs, white long sleeved tees, or crew neck sweaters a lot, have several of the style you love.  Don't buy items thinking you're expanding your horizons; chances are they'll just sit in your closet and make you feel guilty for not wearing something you bought. I have three denim button downs because they are my go-to dress shirt.  I also have three black gauzy tops, because they are my other go-to item.  They pair with skirts, crops, jeans, and look nice all day.  Buy what you'll wear.  That being said, try something new if you love it, if you can picture when and where you'll wear it, and someone you trust is with you to confirm that it looks nice on you. We'll call her your shopping wing-man!

Look on my Pinterest board "My Style" for more ideas.  The pins for today are the "16 Pieces 40 Outifts" the mixed patterns pin, & the "15 Outfits at Target" idea.  I can't spend $1600 in one shopping trip, but the idea is to expand your brain into thinking outside the box.

Have fun dressing for Spring!