7 Tips To Style Denim For Fall

7 Tips To Style Denim For Fall

Saturday, October 20, 2018

Sweater: c/o Influenster+Kohls | Jeans: c/o Influenster+Kohls | Shoes: Thrifted

Sweater: c/o Influenster+Kohls | Jeans: c/o Influenster+Kohls | Boots: Target

I don't know about you but I tend to wear the most denim in the fall. Maybe it is the cooler temperatures that make me reach for my favorite pair of jeans or the fact that they are the perfect piece to style with a cozy sweater:) While I am often known as a "dress" and "skirt" girl I can't help loving a classic pair of jeans, especially after checking out all the fall styles Kohl's has this year!
When I was growing up I used to shop at Kohl's all the time with my grandmother! It has been years since I have shopped there for seasonal pieces and I am soooo glad that I decided to see what they had for this fall!
Not only did I find two styles of jeans that I LOVE, but I also got to try out two new brands that I have never actually worn before. I have to say that this wide leg denim style from the Jennifer Lopez collection are my new favorite piece! They are the comfiest pair of denim ever (perfect for dancing and teaching) and I love the style, plus they are high waisted:)
As for the second style, it is definitely more modern, but I love the cut, wash, and distressed fray hem! I have always loved Levi denim as a brand, but never actually owned a pair, so I am happy to say they live up to the hype!

However, when it comes to wearing denim I truly believe it is all about how you style it....sometimes it is all about creating an allusion that makes an ensemble perfect and something you love and feel confident in!
So keep reading for some of my denim styling tips:

1. Play With Shapes: As someone who not only loves fashion but teaches design classes, I am often focused on paying attention to elements of design and pairing things that offset each other in a cohesive way. My best advise is to wear a different shape on the top compared to the bottom. For example, when wearing wide leg denim I either pair a fitted top with it or a top that has a wider collar or sleeves (like an inverted triangle). I like to create hourglass shapes or elongated triangles with wide leg jeans and long inverted triangles with skinny jeans. 
2. Chunky Sweaters: I am a huge fan of chunky sweaters! When it comes to wearing them I don't mind pairing them with wide leg jeans, but this can sometimes drown you. Thus, my favorite way to style a chunky or over sized sweater is to pair it with skinny jeans. This balances the focus between the legs and the torso and doesn't accentuate so much of your upper body. (so often people pair fitted tops with skinny jeans which often seems unflattering because it is all the same shape). 
3. Tuck The Waist: I have always liked the idea of tucking in the front hem of tops and sweaters into the waist of skirts and pants, but after following Rachel Martino I have grown to love it even more! This works well with chunky sweaters or loose tops because it recreates shape and a focal point. Often times we wear over sized tops with jeans and leave them be (which sometimes works), but this tends to overwhelm our shape, thus tucking in the front hem of a top or sweater into the front of jeans creates a focal point at your waist and gives you a flattering shape. 
4. Dark Wash First: I have always liked skinny jeans, but haven't always felt comfortable wearing them. However, when I started wearing dark wash jeans I realized they seem less revealing than light wash, thus I started becoming more comfortable in them. If you are like me, I would suggest trying out dark wash skinny jeans before you wear light wash....it makes a world of difference. 
5. Longer Hems When wearing skinny jeans (or really any jeans) you can sometimes be uncomfortable with how tight they are at the back. My trick for this is to style them with tops that have longer hems. This doesn't mean they have to be tunic tops, but tops with longer back hems or sweaters that are longer. Then tuck the front in! This gives a focal point for the front of your look and coverage in the back. 
6. High Waist Is Your Best Friend: If you haven't tried High Waisted jeans you are missing out! They might have used to carry a stereotype of being "mom jeans" but they are so instyle now and are not only comfortable but flattering! High waisted jeans fit at your natural waist and actually give you shape, plus smoothing out any unflattering lines. 
7. Style Up or Down: Don't let yourself get stuck in a box that jeans are only casual. Play around with styling them up or down. The best way to do this is changing your shoes to heels or a statement shoe, but you can also do this with accessories. 

Are you a denim Fan?

- Madison 

**This post is in collaboration with Influenster & Kohls, all opinions are my own**

The Perfect Wrap Dress

The Perfect Wrap Dress

Monday, September 17, 2018

Dress: c/o eShakti (similar)| Shoes: Wallmart | Headband: H&M 

Being a teacher I find that my style has expanded a bit these last few weeks, if anything it has definitely become more diverse in the styles that I wear on a daily basis. Before teaching I did love to put together fun and creative outfits for daily events, but not that I am in a field where comfort and professionalism are at the forefront in what I choose to wear, I find that I often reach for simple staple pieces to get me through the week. 

eShakti has always been one of my FAVORITE brands and through the years I have had the immense pleasure of working with them on a number of occasions. I always look forward to seeing the new styles they come out with or tweaking a style to fit my needs (because all of their dresses and various pieces are customizable) and this dress above is no exception. Over the years I have discovered that I quiet like wrap dresses! I sadly don't own very many, but the few that I do own are some of my favorite pieces because they are easy to wear, very comfortable, and quite versatile. 

When I stumbled upon this striped dress while browsing the selection on eShakti I was drawn to the classic wrap silhouette and the fun colorful stripes. I decided that it was the perfect dress to add to my collection and it has quickly become a new favorite! I can't tell you how comfortable wearing a wrap dress is, and with my somewhat high energy job it is the perfect dress for teaching:) 

I especially love the pop of color in the stripes, and like that they are actually a bit more muted colors which makes them the perfect colorful addition to my fall wardrobe. 

I decided to go "comfy" with this ensemble and paired it with my new favorite shoes, these slip on black loafers. I am all about the YELLOW right now and this gorgeous yellow headband that I picked up at h&m has been the perfect accessory to many of my latest looks, including this one (not to mention it reminds me of Noelle Downing and Steffy every time I wear it). 

Are you a fan of wrap dresses?

-Madison

Little Red Boots

Little Red Boots

Monday, August 13, 2018

Dress: c/o ThredUp | Scarf: Vintage | Boots: Joules | Purse: Vintage Coach

I've always loved the idea of red boots (also worn here, here, and here) and right before I went to New York in January I finally got a pair. Granted, I don't wear them all that often (NY was the one time I wore them a LOT) but I do love how they add such a fun pop of color to a look...plus they always remind me of all of my favorite classy/preppy East Coast & Southern bloggers and I can't help not loving them.
I received this dress from ThredUp recently, as I shared about my collaboration with them in a recent post and I have to say that I am absolutely OBSESSED with this dress! It is a Banana Republic dress and it is the classiest thing I have ever had...from the timeless shirtwaist design, to the light blue cotton fabric, all the way to the dainty scallped sleeves and hem what isn't to love! As soon as I saw the dress I knew that it was one of the items I wanted to get from ThredUp, and I love that I got it for such a great price (because on a regular day I don't shop at Banana Republic). This dress reminds me of so many things...it reminds me of The Astronaut Wives Club, Julia Hengel from Gal Meets Glam (just add pink and your set), and Sarah Vickers from Classy Girls Wear Pearls.

Because this dress reminded me of so many style inspirations I decided to go for classy prep as it was a rainy day and I decided my red boots would pair perfectly. With that I wanted to add another pop of color so I pulled out this vintage paisley scarf and I quite like how the whole look turned out.
I have decided that since this dress is such a classic staple I am going to bring it back a few other times throughout the coming months, styling it different ways:)

- Madison

The Value of Time

The Value of Time

Monday, June 11, 2018

Shirt: Thrifted (Ralph Lauren) | Pants: H&M | Shoes: Thrifted | Bag: Target | Earrings: Five Below | Scarf: Thrifted (Vintage) | Watch: c/o JORD 

I don't know about you, but I feel as though at the turn of each new year time goes by faster and faster! As much as I think certain weeks or months will inch by, they always end up flying by faster than I think and before I know it a month, and then two months, and then a year are up.
When I think about time and how fast it goes, I always wonder how much I miss. I think so often, we are focused on getting as much done as we can in the time we have, but what if our focus on fitting so much in causes us to miss things? What if we are so focused on getting things done that we miss what time has to offer?
When the topic of time comes up it always gets me to thinking? It makes me think about how many hours I have in a day and how much I need to get done, but it also makes me think about wasted time. What if those moments we take to relax or those times we get sidetracked are moments we could have dedicated to something important?
I guess when it comes to time there are always so many questions, but also so many thoughts on making the most of every moment. Like when you think you are to busy to get everything done, but in the long run if it is important to you you will make time! That is a resolution of mine as of late, to make time for what is important to me and to stop making excuses!


As for this look, it is a little different than my usual style, but something I have been loving lately! I found these paper bag waist pants at H&M a couple of months ago and fell in love with them when I tried them on. They reminded me of something an artist would wear, and according to the 6th grader I had in class one day that's what he thought too:) Since the pants are so unique I usually pair them with a striped top, for this look I chose to pair them with a striped tank top. Since the look is very "business" like I paired it with flat loafers and my business bag.
To finish off the look I decided to wear my JORD wood watch for an extra unique flair. I have always loved the style of JORD watches because there are not many like it. I love that they are wood and bring in a natural style to a look while adding in a slightly modern flair.

- Madison