Me? I definitely have warm-weather clothes and cold weather clothes. while tank tops are great for layering and you can always put on a little diaphanous skirt over jeans for a cluttered bohemian look, that is not my thing. Additionally, my limited space for clothes states that I really do need to pack up a lot of it for half the year, and the other half for the other half the year.
Last week I packed up all my distinctly summery skirts, backless tops, shorts and capris and zipped them in to my suitcase until april. In exchange, I took all my sweaters and long pants out of hiding and made space for them in the drawers and closets. Even in the desert, it gets cold and this is necessary.
I bought a few new staple pieces for the fall including some soft grey boots from ross (I asked for a discount at the register due to some negligible stains on the side and got them for an additional 20% off), and a matching grey scarf from Cost plus world market. The scarf was priced at $10, but I had $6 left on a gift-card, so I effectively got it for $4. Also got some brown maryjane pumps at ross, and white sweater tights at tjmaxx. Thrifted a little more denim and some sweaters and called it done! I will not need to do any more clothes shopping (for the next few YEARS, if I can manage to mix & match skillfully enough).
Denim
Skirts in a variety of lengths, bulks and washes
Jeans in a variety of washes and formality
I have two skirts for the winter; a dark wash CK skirt ($3-thrift store) which hits a couple inches above my knees and has a narrow-ish cut, and a bulkier candies skirt ($6-thrift store) in a lighter wash that hits just below my knees and is more bell-shaped. It adds curves nicely with a thick sweater where the narrow skirt would be rendered invisible.
I have a lot of trouble finding jeans that fit right so I only have about four pairs. Lately I've been gravitating toward higher waisted jeans I can belt above my hips and put a sweater on over, and they work just fine for the colder months.
Brown
Leggings; Tall pump boots; Maryjanes; Layering pieces; Cardigan
Brown is a great staple color for me. I wear it more for accessorizing and accenting than as a big piece; I have no brown pants, skirts or tops, but jeans and a white shirt with the boots and cardigan looks really nice. I love the mixable-matchable quality of my wardrobe this season.
Grey
Flat slouchy boots; Awesome scarf; Sweater; Sweater tights
Grey is my new favourite color to wear. I usually just match the boots ($15-Ross) with my scarf ($10-Cost Plus but I had a gift card), and match the ck cable knit sweater ($3-thrift store) with the sweater tights (TjMaxx) and a denim skirt. The former pair I do constantly, and the second not so much, but I like to rock it with my brown maryjane pumps and the bulkier denim skirt~adorable:
Going out for drinks with the girls
Black
Flat slouchy boots; Leggings; Skirt; Sweater
I don't wear a lot of black, but it can provide a nice grounding accent to an outfit when you don't want too much. I've worn the leggings most this season, with the straight denim skirt and a t-shirt, but will probably retire them when it gets too cold for the skirt. I can wear the skirt with the grey sweater-tights and slouchy boots, and add a colorful top and black patterned scarf to the mix & it looks really nice.
Whitish
Sweater, Layering pieces; Cardigan; Tights
I like shades of white rather than stark, sterile white. I have a soft white v-neck sweater I like with the straight skirt, white sweater tights and brown maryjanes, and I like mixing white shirts and camisoles with the different jeans/ cardigans I have.
The key to living as cheaply as possible and looking as pulled-together as possible is definitely having a small closetful of pieces you can easily throw together in a huge variety of combinations, so that you're not wearing the same recognizable outfits every single day, and nobody notices that they've already seen each individual piece you're wearing at some time before.
Other Stuff
Of course, it doesn't hurt to overlap seasons at all and mix in more colors here & there. I like to throw in some dark, jewel colors during the in-between months, like a pair of muted orange pants; burgundy flats; a couple of purple sweaters; and dark green wherever I can cram it in. I did buy a rainbow striped sweater that will look cute with jeans just for hanging out with the girls and staying cozy, and I also have a red sweater from last year that I'll definitely wear at some point. Other good accents:
~Dark green knee socks worn with a heavy skirt and boots
~Dark red flats worn with jeans or tights
~A couple extra pairs of patterned tights
~Lots of jewelry
~Creative hair
Tonight I'm going to an outdoor potluck. I'm certain it's going to be FREEZING, so I'm planning to bust out my long johns and formulate an outfit that will look adorable, while still keeping me snug and warm. After this inventory though, I'm up for the challenge!
No comments:
Post a Comment