Monday Musings: Adding Color and Changing Your Style Recipe
We had several bouts of hail over weekend which makes my upcoming vacation to Mexico all the more exciting. These trips are priceless for me because I get to spend lots of quality time visiting with my brother, Pete. He lives in a very casual community where no one gets overly dressed up…but I still want a few new pieces.
I’m bored with everything I’ve unearthed from the guest room closet and went so far as to order a few colorful, embroidered tops! They will likely go back because while they’re very fun, they don’t match my style at home, and it seems nuts to have clothes I’ll only wear in Hawaii and Mexico. The funny thing is, I still have a few Johnny Was pieces from 30+ years ago that I haven’t been able to part with, which just goes to show how far my style recipe has changed over the years.
I have been more attracted to colors of late and plan to introduce some into my core wardrobe. I’m taking my sweet time at it because I want everything to be cohesive and work together. Orphan pieces and imposters just frustrate me and are not a wise investment.
Casual Restaurant Outfit
I’m all for dressing casually, but sometimes, I like to kick it up a notch. Since we eat home most nights, eating out feels like an occaision. I changed into some updated casual pieces for an impromptu dinner out at one of of favorite Italian restaurants last week.
Yes, it’s all neutral, but I promise I am experimenting with a bit more color these days. Everyone else seemed to be in jeans, but I enjoyed looking slightly elevated…and these pants have an elastic waistband :).
Save or Splurge
This week’s save or splurge continues on my theme of warm weather getaways with an outfit for a day at the beach or relaxing by the pool.
No day in the sun would be complete for me without a big hat, strong mineral sunblock and protective sunglesses. Add a flattering suit, modest cover-up, roomy tote and comfy slides for the perfect poolside outfit.
I’ve got blues on my radar these days so these outfits feature a pretty floral suit in deep blue, a blue coveup, neutral hat and straw bag with neutral pool slides. There are no earrings, but knowing me, I would wear a very simple pair because I’m not swimming laps, so I don’t have to worry about losing them.
The save outfit comes in near $192.00, and the splurge is closer to $1,136.00 . Can you tell the expensive one? I think you might be surprised at a few of the sources for these outfits. I’d happily wear either look.
Thanks for reading, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.
I’m enamored with your travel clothes. Wearing that “put together” look, I will feel fashionable even at 84. (A pet peeve of mine is the absolute trash look – like they just came off a 10 mile hike).
Did I miss the yard and the pic of your knitting project? Love to see it!
I haven’t shared it yet, but I will!
Love the scarf! I have a very similar one I bought at an artisan boutique on Granville Island in Vancouver. I am now inspired to build a neutral travel wardrobe and use my scarf! Thanks.
For inexpensive shopping you might be surprised on what you can find on Thred Up. Recycling shopping experience.
I like your neutral outfit! I’ve been looking for some black pants I can wear right now. In the winter, I live in black leggings, but lately I’ve seen some pictures of myself in them and I’m rethinking that strategy! I’m hoping these will be the right fit. I love the neutral sweater too, but the 30% wool, and that style sweater, especially in a neutral won’t work for my chest area shall we say…Lol. I’ll use your styling as a guide and find something else to wear on top. I just like your whole look. I always wear lots of color, but some days you just feel like calming it down.
I do find neutrals very calming
I love your hair in the photo! From previous posts, I think you look good in blue, Jennifer. A smoky/slate blue would look terrific with black, white, or taupe and would mix well for a travel capsule. Strong blues and white say “summer” to me, but slightly more muted tones work for more seasons. Have fun in Mexico!
I know you pack light with only a carry on, but if you wanted to recycle some of your tropical clothes, you could take them, enjoy wearing them while in Mexico and plan to leave them behind. I have friends who do this, but always leave notes saying theyāve left the items on purpose so no one gets in trouble.
That’s a great idea, Susan!
Well, I know this is probably not something you would do, but I thrift my tropical vacation pieces. I have a cheery H&M cotton peasant blouse I found at Goodwill. I frequently find linen tops (especially when shopping for that in the middle of winter here). Add a few bright tees, a pair of white jeans, cut offs and sandals and I’m good to go. I don’t need or wear most of that at home and wouldn’t want to spend the money on clothes I don’t normally wear.
I always remind myself, we all have different essences, coloring and texture preferences..
classic may prefer neutral, winters may prefer bolder color, boho may prefer prints, autumns may prefer warmer colors, tall stature needs a different proportion than petite, some may have fabric sensitivityā¦
I may prefer a visual representation that looks neat, some may prefer a less formal presentationā¦ itās a fascinating subject..
The tote bag gave it away for me. However, that’s the only thing in the splurge I would wear. Your neutral outfit is lovely. As a boho (ish) person, I can tell you that neutrals can do boho, too. Mixing up textures, fabrics, shade of neutral colors can give the effect of boho without bright colors. Tone on tone embroidery is one of my favorite ways of doing it.
Brilliant observation and idea Kay! I used to wear much more boho shaped clothes. I do like enbroidery so I’ll see if I can find tone on toner options.
I love your outfit for a dinner out. We don’t eat out often either so I like to dress up a bit too. You see everything out there! I haven’t bought a swimsuit in a good long while but I really like both of these. Have a great trip š¼
Thank you Rosemary. I’m getting pretty excited to see my brother.
We will have about 2 weeks of spring weather then the heat will start. I wear Bermuda shorts and cotton knit tops all summer to survive. I will wear linen blend boyfriend shirts as toppers and sometimes linen blend pants. Air conditioned air even in our house can take over and I need a topper. I add shades of blue as my color and the rest is all light neutral. We have similar coloring. Try wearing a red or black camisole under your red sweater. It will be more comfortable and give you coverage with a reach or bend.
Great idea
First off, I am glad you are feeling better Jennifer. As to your outfit; do share the same sentiments as Suzanne below as love the combination of neutrals you put together that IMHO also read polished and occasion appropriate without an ‘over statement’ of casual. Last but not least; did guess the ‘splurge’ today because of the design of the bathing suit.
-Brenda-
Up here in New England, we also live in shorts and flip flops way past the temperature ‘limit.’ I’m going to try the RP sunscreen, thanks. I use their moisturizer, per my dermatologist, so why not the sunscreen. Of course, I’ll use others as well. I here you about short tops: I’m only 5’2″ but there are cropped lengths that clearly feature belly-buttons, and that’s a fashion don’t for me!
I have a minimalist style, but in summer I love love love a Mexican embroidered peasant dress. Most days itās a work from home / lounge caftan but I have also worn them to bbqs and summer parties and gotten tons of compliments. Get one in your best colors! They come in various lengths. I like the midi.
I had a customer who was well into her 80ās when i met her. She always looked so nice, dressed up more than our area ever does. Usually neutrals with lavender or light blue thrown in sometimes. I always told her how lovely she looked. She told me that she had been a widow for a number of years, but her husband liked her to dress up (his job, functions etc) and she continued to do it because she missed him. She also rocked neutrals!
Such a lovely story! Thanks for sharing it with us Jan
I love the phrase “orphan pieces and imposters”! I’m working on ridding my closet of some of those right now.
You look so āaliveā in color, especially brights like red & royal blue! Please keep experimenting because color looks amazing on you!
Thanks Shirley. That red sweater winks at me from the closet each morning but I’m not reaching for it often. It could be because it’s quite cropped and requires an underpiece.
Jennifer, I think it’s perfectly fine to have a small capsule wardrobe of vacation wear, as long as you have room to store it. If you regularly go to Hawaii or Mexico, why not? I love the Splurge look the most – that bathing suit bodice detail gave it away for me.
Good morning…..the cut of the bathing suit looked more expensive to me. And it is. I wish I had a reason to buy one. My question…..is there value in spending more on mineral sunscreen? If the percentage of key ingredients is the same, won’t both more expensive and less expensive protect the same from the sun? BYW, I am enjoying the Ilia sunscreen/skin tint you recommended.
If the ingredients are the same, you should get the same protection. I find most difference in sunscreen with the way it applies feels and looks on the skin.
I am looking for colors also and hope you’ll continue to post options. Have a great trip to Mexico!
Jennifer, I get such a kick out of you and your love/hate relationship with color! Neutrals looks so great on you, and there is no doubt that the neutral look tends to look classic. But I think that most people (including myself) could not pull off the all neutral look. In fact, color is my best friend! I seem to get tons of compliments when I wear certain colors, and I have noticed that my mood corresponds to the cheeriness of the colors I wear. So I continue to look for soft, rich, or vibrant colors when I go shopping for new clothes. Good luck on your color journey!
I got a kick out of it myself! I try so many clothes on, itās always staring back at me in the mirror, and the constant source of inspiration.
P.S. from my previous comment. The Tommy B. jacket you featured today is a staple in my Florida wardrobe. I have it in 3 colors. It’s my perfect lightweight alternative to a blazer. Highly recommend it!
Thanks!
I love your “elevated” outfit and neutral color combination as it’s one of my favorites. I appreciate it more and more when I see people make an effort to kick it up a notch in their dressing. We moved from a NYC corporate work wardrobe to SW Florida a few years ago and it’s been an adjustment. I’ve made a vow, however, to never wear shorts and flip flops anywhere except the beach.
Many people live in shorts and flip-flops where I live in the summertime, so itās not just a Florida staple