Striped Sunday?

Lets bring some relaxed Sunday-ness to this Tired Tuesday.

Stripes on stripes, again. Should I call it Striped Sunday?

Yoga? Or calling on the Autumn Gods?

Tank: Forever 21

Longer Tank: Gift from me mum

Cardigan: Thrifted

Leggins: Under Armor

Shoes: What shoes? Who wears shoes on a sand bar in a river?

Sunglasses: Target

WooWoooo! Standing on a little sand bar on the Dead River. These pictures were taken on a Sunday where I just throw on whatever for the long study session that usually is Sunday. But, as you can see, that doesn't always happen. 

Hopefully these nice outdoor photos and colorful stripes brought something to this kinda blah Tuesday. Wish it were the weekend again.

Study outfit and a plethora of stripes

With the start of school, Sunday is usually not fun day. I sit there for long hours pouring over whatever chapter I have to have read, or homework assignment, or test to study for. So then does it matter what I end up wearing when I'm just huddled on the couch clinging to a pen and notebook, studiously taking notes?
Yes.
Reason One) It's fun to put different outfits together with clothing one never thought to put together before. 
Reason Two) I now work at a pretty conservative place, so the weekends are my time to get a little crazy with my clothing.
Reason Three) It bears repeating, it's fun. I never was a sweatpants/sweatshirt type of girl.


Here is my study outfit for this Sunday:

Both Tanks: Forever 21

Cardigan: Target

Scarf: Not sure...

Spandex: Under Armor

Shoes: Really, you can't tell?

I have to show you the inside of my shoes. You will not find this in any store that sells Nike. My husband made me these and I like to show these off to anyone who will look at the inside of my shoes. He is an orthotist and makes braces and inserts for flat footed people like me! (and more, google what an orthotist does if you want). They match my shoes! How awesome is this! Lets give my husband a few more explanation points!!!

Stripes, stripes anyone? Comfy outfit, really. The stripes just made it more so. I love this look for some reason and I can't tell you why. Just layer on a bunch of stripes, add slightly disheveled hair and see how you feel. Fun, that's what that feeling is.

Feeling a little Nautical?

Today I feel a little more on top of things. Yay for me. Hope everyone else out there is adjusting nicely to school, or work, or just the cooler weather. 
And here is me in a nice blue striped shirt...

Shirt: Target

Cardigan: Target

Skirt: Maurices

Belt: Forever 21

Boots: Born

Socks: Hue

Necklace: American Eagle, ages ago

Yes, there is that pencil skirt again (and the boots and the cardigan). I am loving it right now and wearing it frequently. It is easily worn high waisted, and belted. Can you not tell how much I love stuff belted? It just highlights the waist so nicely, makes shirts look like they fit better (if they don't). They easily dress up an outfit, make an outfit look more pulled together...shall I go on about the benefits of a belt? Nah, you guys get it.

I like the nautical feeling of the stripes. I had been looking for something like this for awhile. When running into a whole huge rack of the blue and white stripped summer basic, well, I ran away, because it just felt so old womanish to me. Whats different about this shirt? I don't know. Maybe because the white is slightly off white or because the stripes are on a basic scoop neck t-shirt? I don't know. Ah, the mysteries of why I do the things that I do...

Nautical stripes are great for the U.P. because there is water, literally, everywhere. Isn't it great? If you don't think so, move away for awhile and then see how you feel about wide open spaces and the scent of fresh water. You will miss it. Guaranteed. 

Really, nautical stripes don't need to be worn on a boat or by water for that matter. It's a pretty easy trend to pull off. Just keep in mind that stripes can sometimes make you look a little...wider. If you happen to run into an entire rack of blue and white stripes, you don't need to run away like I first did. Experiment, see what size stripes/fit/cut/whatever look best on you. Just, you know, avoid a sailor hat with it. Or not, that could be cute too. With bell bottoms!

Have fun, my little U.P. sailors enjoying the long weekend and the last long days of summer.

Patterns

I have always avoided patterns beyond something simple or little. I have always gravitated towards solids. Solids were comfortable, solids were safe, solids don't have to be, but I made them invisible. Then I decided to be more...daring with my wardrobe. I started incorporating patterns. At first it was what I call Monet skirts. A swipe, a dot of color that came to represent pretty flowers. Then it was a whole dress in a pattern.


Then as more patterns came into style, like the African prints that are everywhere, I had to try it. I waited to find one that I loved, that suited me. Forever 21 came to the rescue. They always have a ridiculous amount of patterned material. I found a pattern that was reminiscent of the Pueblo Indians of the west. I loved it. I bought it and wore it layered with solids, a cardigan when it was cool, a peach tank layered over it and belted with a skinny brown belt. It is all about balance for me when dressing.


My next attempt with patterns will be to wear pattern on pattern. I can see my husband's eyebrows already rising in question at the idea. I had always avoided this, really only seeing it in magazines where the pictures are taken from the runway and anything from the runway are always "hyperreal." But it is doable. I will probably take one of my many Monet patterned skirts and pair it with the striped tank I just bought. Or layer the tank over one of my summer dresses. The key is to find a common color that each pattern has. It pulls the look together and makes it look like you did not get dressed in the dark. There really aren't any hard and fast rules concerning patterns (some would argue this, I say screw you who still uphold the no wearing white after labor day. What is that anyway?).


Something a little more low-key than tribal prints is the nautical stripe, which is just striped blue and white. Honestly, I have not tried this look yet. In fact, I ran into a rack of Calvin Klein, which exclusively boasted just that look, I wanted to turn and run in the other direction. It always looked a little grandma-ish to me, not my grandma, but someone's grandma. It's all about how it's accessorized, though. Find a boat neck, which I always thought looked sexy (doesn't necessarily sound sexy), but delightfully shows off the top of the shoulders and the delicate collarbone, which always looks good on a girl. Use a scarf or bag in red or green to add a pop of color. For a bolder look find a bottom in those colors, like a red skirt or shorts.


Be careful with stripes for they can add width. Always test drive them before buying. Try it on to make sure that it isn't too tight. A top should skim curves not cling uncomfortably, that way stripes can add or embellish that which you don't want. If the top is a little loose add a belt to cinch in the waist. A belt can break up the pattern a bit and give you an hour glass figure and who doesn't want that?


Enjoy the patterns on those summery days when the beach beckons, my U.P. lovelies...