Last week, my 14-year-old, Maddie, ordered some summer clothes online. I gave her a budget and told her she could get whatever she wanted. Knowing my need to control everything, I’m attempting to be more “chill,” encouraging her to develop her unique style. Luckily she isn’t into some of the more skimpy pieces marketed toward her demographic, so I didn’t have to worry about what she bought.
I never saw her so genuinely excited, from the autonomy she had placing the order to waiting for it to arrive. Then, finally, it showed up yesterday, and she tore it open, squealing as she pulled each new piece from the box.
Every single item could have been from the Delia’s catalog.
From the color combinations and styles to the daisy dangle earrings, she looked like the coolest girl from the mid-90s.
Boy, have the 90s have come back with a furry.
It’s wild to see how everything old is new again, and surprisingly, one trend I’m not mad about is the rise in bodysuit popularity.
Yummie is a brand that creates undergarments, activewear, and a selection of fashion pieces that incorporates elements of shapewear into its designs. Described as a “hug, not a squeeze.”
It’s kind of like wearing a tank top and Spanx at the same time. Wear it alone or as a layer under a summer-weight cardigan or light blazer.
I like it styled simply with shorts, jeans or a long pair of linen trousers for a tucked-in look that smoothes out your waistline.
Easy-peasy.
Our Style Content is Inspired by Our Readers
Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers.
Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.
Are you thinking about trying culottes? Or maybe you have a pair and you’re not sure what to do with them?
Good! Let’s talk about how to wear them in the most flattering way.
Culottes are an excellent alternative to shorts and, when styled well, a more flattering option than capris.
Of course, if you want to create a well-balanced and proportional look, there are a few tricks to follow. And that’s where we come in with our series Pinterest in Real Life.
In our weekly series, Pinterest in Real Life, I break down style inspiration looks show you how to wear them in your daily life. I take some of our community’s most popular inspiration pictures shared in our Private Facebook Group and recreate looks using affordable, accessible items that many readers already have.
These posts are designed to be both educational and filled with practical shopping recommendations. I encourage you to check your closet before you make a purchase. But, if you need something, I also highly recommend our featured pieces. As always, our content is not sponsored.
First, the inspiration picture is lovely. It’s simple and easy, ideal for a chilly spring afternoon. The pants stop at a flattering length, extending the line of her leg without chopping it off. To replicate this yourself, be sure your pants stop right below your calf.
The tie waist is a fun detail, but it may be limiting if you carry your weight in your mid-section. I’m not saying you can’t wear the tie belt. You absolutely can. Personally, the tie doesn’t work for me, and I feel like I am always fussing with it. It’s one of those things I think looks adorable on others but weird on me.
When you wear a wide-leg bottom, a good rule of thumb is to pair them with a block heel to balance out your bottom half. It helps to ground the outfit. This is especially helpful if you are top-heavy or shorter since the block heel will keep the pants from feeling too much.
Next, let’s go to the top. You can see in the inspiration picture that the tank and denim jacket hit right at her waist. This is ideal. You do not want to wear anything long with culottes, or you’ll look overwhelmed by all the fabric. Instead, keep the top well-tailored and straightforward.
A crisp white tank is easy. I’m using the Nic + Zoe white tank that many of you picked up earlier this month. You could also use the Spanx tank we featured in our What to Buy at Nordstrom post.
Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers.
Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.
If you feel like maybe you’re in a style rut, it might be time to shake things up a bit.
Nothing too drastic, but putting your toe outside your style comfort zone can kick start your enthusiasm for the new season and open your eyes to even more fashion possibilities.
Plus, I bet you get a ton of compliments, and that never hurts:)
Over the next few weeks, we’ll feature lots of outfit inspiration designed to help you incorporate a new trend or jazz up your basics to show you how to add the “twist” in the classic-with-a-twist style we love around here.
And we’ll do that by featuring new items while mixing them with other popular items recently featured on the blog, so you can get the most out of your purchases.
Today, we’re starting with how to wear a pair of print pants.
Print bottoms have been around forever. What makes them a trend, and can therefore date them, is the pattern. To keep them leaning classic choose a subtle print. (Of course, if you love a big, bold print, go for it! They may just be limited in how long you’ll want to wear them.)
For this post, I’m using these Ann Taylor crop pants in what they are calling an animal print. It’s more of an abstract version of one, using neutral colors, which I like more than a traditional print. The base color is called “Night Sky.”
Anytime you work with a pattern, the easiest way to make it work in an outfit is to pull out one color and work with it. Here, because the weather is warming up, I’m using white. It instantly makes the look feel fresh.
To keep it sporty, I used white slip-on sneakers from Allbirds. These are great, everyday sneakers for under $100. You can walk all day in them, run errands, travel, visit the grandkids, etc. There are many color options; I prefer the white, grey, and beige.
Finally, I discovered Gorjana, a fantastic affordable jewelry brand, last year. If you want a few jewelry pieces that look different but still fall under the classic category, give them a try. I picked these under $50 earrings for this look because they are small enough for a casual day but mimic the pants’ print, tying everything together.
Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers.
Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.
I usually wait until after Thanksgiving to decorate for Christmas, but I started this week. My kids have been in full-time, in-person school since the start of the school year (it’s been wonderful) but are going virtual for two weeks, beginning on Monday.
Knowing the next few days will be filled with distractions, I’m putting in a marathon effort this weekend to get the holidays set up.
This year I want to make it as cozy and fun as possible. That shouldn’t be too hard since Vivi turns two a few days before Christmas. Getting to redo all of our holiday traditions with a little one again has been an absolute gift. I’m not sure who is enjoying it more, her or me.
One of my favorite childhood traditions was how my mom made sure we always had a few special things to wear, like pajamas just for Christmas Eve and a new Christmas Day outfit. Of course, I do the same for my kids. Because what we wear can set the tone for the occasion and end up marking a memory.
And for me, there is no pattern more memory-evoking than a Fair Isle print.
So as we head into the weekend, I’m rounding up some of my favorite cozy Fair Isle sweaters for holidays at home. They are perfect for this time of year, for Thanksgiving, the night you decorate your tree, or just snuggling on the sofa with a holiday movie.
5 Fair Isle Sweaters for Thanksgiving and Beyond
How fun are these? They’re the stuff of Hallmark Movie magic. If you pick one up, or already own one (and you really only need one) keep your look simple: a pair of jeans, a pull on pant, or a jogger, the pour yourself a glass of wine and relax by the fire.
Below are my top picks in all sizes including regular, tall, petite and plus:
Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers.
Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.
Over-the-knee boots have been popular for some time. Over in our Facebook Private Group, I get questions about them frequently. Specifically how to wear them and if they are age-appropriate.
So let’s start with the question of age. It’s simple. AGE DOES NOT MATTER. The Well Dressed Life is all about helping you achieve a modern and classic style, which is inherently timeless and ageless. I break down my philosophy on age and “appropriate” dress here.
For style inspiration, you have a lot of options. But first, lets talk about the boot.
I wanted one that was versatile, affordable, casual and easy to incorporate into my uneventful life.
I will never be comfortable posting pictures of myself, but thank you to everyone for being kind. I know the pictures are helpful, even though I feel like a major dork in them.
Are they the best quality? They do the trick, which is to let you wear a trend while it’s popular without feeling committed to it and spending a small fortune.
They are surprisingly comfortable. The block heel gives nice support and they are not too high making them super easy to walk in.
I paired them with the Joe’s Curvy Skinny Ankle Jean. (On sale for $80 at Nordstrom Rack – they usually retail for $189). I LOVE these. They are high waisted, with nice stretch. But the slide over any skinny jean easily.
I’ve worn them a few different ways, usually with jeans (above) or leggings and a long cardigan (below). The key is to keep it simple. Almost think of them as pants, if that makes sense.
I original purchased the tan suede, and just ordered them in black for the holidays. I think the suede adds a richness to the look but again, has a casual vibe.
Our Style Content is Inspired by Our Readers
Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers.
Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.
Last month our series, “What to Buy at,” featured Banana Republic. I love BR for their classic modern style and commitment to offering an inclusive size range. They make my job so much easier.
After that post, I received several questions about how to wear these joggers, specifically, how to style joggers in an outfit for work and weekends. So today, I’m breaking down a few options to wear for whatever work looks like for you and ideas to make them casual, since right now those worlds are merging together.
If you are new to our site (welcome!), today is an excellent example of how many of our posts are designed to help you build a functional, practical, and chic wardrobe. I use items from popular, mainstream retailers, focusing on realistic price points and inclusive size options.
My goal is to help you build a wardrobe much like I did when I worked with my private styling clients. I reuse popular items throughout each season, so what you purchase through this site becomes a piece you turn frequently.
In the looks below, I used a combination of items you may already own, along with some new options, all well priced, all available in a range of sizes.
Maybe the best thing to come out of 2020 is jogger pants. They are having a big moment. With work and home life being one and the same, it’s nice to have a few pieces you can grab that straddle both worlds.
The cut, tapered leg, and drape of a jogger make them a more polished alternative to leggings and sweatpants. At this point, we know how much better it feels to get dressed in some capacity for our day. Feeling pulled together makes all the difference in our mood and productivity.
Don’t let the casual nature of these pants throw you. Wear them like you would any pair of black pants. Here, I used this black and white marled sweater from Gap. It’s easy-peasy, comes in regular, tall and petite up to an XXL and on sale for $41. This is suppose to be oversized, not giant, but not fitted. I like how the sweater complements the joggers; both feel cozy and casual.
The trick to wearing a casual jogger with a jacket is to make sure the fabric of the jacket works with the jogger’s material. Here,I’m using the Ann Taylor motto jacket we featured earlier this month. It’s done in a knit, which means it will complement the blend of the joggers.
When video conferencing, think about wearing colors that bring light and warmth to your face. The sweater is a lovely base to add some simple accessories, like a chain link necklace and stud earrings. These small details will add layers to your look and help you look more professional.
What’s not professional are these Ugg slippers 🙂 Who knew when I bought them in late 2019 just how much I would wear them, lol.
Finally, consider your make-up if you are regularly on camera. You may need a darker or brighter lipstick, so you don’t look washed out. My favorite is this red lip by Kosas.
Below is our article from March (when all of this nonsense started). I used a similar pair of olive joggers to create three casual outfits. Almost all of the items are still available.
Joggers are what you want to wear when you don’t want to wear sweats. They are slightly better, and make all the different in that space between feeling sloppy and like you still have your life together.
I’m featuring them in a dark army green. It’s a fantastic, updated neutral.
You likely have these pieces already hanging in your closet. I want to call out the tee shirt because it’s what many of you are looking for. It’s a lovely ballet neckline with a sleeve that goes to your elbow, making it ideal for layering or to wear alone.
I added a long necklace by Kendra Scott (on sale for under $40 at Nordstrom Rack) – because why not? Jewelry makes me feel human.
Finally, I am crazy about these shoes by Louise et Cie. They are a leather slip on sneaker in a leopard print available in lots of sizes for under $50, also a Nordstrom Rack. I was not allowing myself to buy another leopard print shoe, but will be breaking that rule with these.
I took the joggers and added a simple grey sweatshirt by Everlane. I find they run slightly small, so size up, or pay close attention to the measurements.
Then I added these chic and comfortable Rothy’s in camo. I’m wearing my Rothly’s in my office almost daily. There’s something about wearing a real shoe that helps me feel grounded.
Now, keep in mind, my office is a few steps away from my house. I have to go outside to get in, so wearing shoes is required. I get it might be less important if you are currently working at your dining room table – just something to consider.
Finally, these earrings, by our new favorite Gorjana. I’m mentioning them because they come in gold AND silver tone, and so many readers have requested more silver options. They are incredibly affordable and a simple way to raise your spirit.
Our Style Content is Inspired by Our Readers
Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers.
Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist View Post and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.
We receive so many requests for posts featuring cute outfits with black jeans so today I’m sharing a few that are practical, chic, and can be created with pieces you may already have in your closet.
Black jeans are an obvious wardrobe staple that you can dress up or down.
Below, I list my top picks for black jeans at all price points, share tips on how to best care for them and offer inspiration on how to style them for a day of working from home, a casual weekend, and a date night.
And please keep in mind, because our readership is far reaching, everyone is experiencing various forms of restrictions differently. My priority here is first to help give practical tips, and also keep things forward thinking and optimistic 🙂
Premium denim is expensive for a reason. Long time readers know my focus is always on buying the best you can afford, with the understanding that just because something is the most expensive doesn’t mean it’s the best.
Brands like Paige (above), AG, Citizens, etc., all focus on quality material and fit, and they last much longer.
Unfortunately, they don’t offer much in inclusive sizing.
In the just under $100, or “mid” range, I like KUT from the Kloth. The Diana (above) has a curvy cut and is available in missy, plus, and petite. Consider sizing down in these. When you try them on for the first time, they should feel tight. Tight like you are going to want to get the next size up.
Don’t, because they stretch out immediately.
Finally, we love Old Navy around here. They have a completely inclusive size scale (including tall) and are decent quality for the price. These are $20 jeans, so don’t expect them to last longer than a season or two. They will shrink and fade faster than the better brands.
So you get the most out of your purchase, it’s important to care for them properly. Do everything you can to avoid washing them. Of course, if you stain or spill something on them, you have to wash them. But if you’ve only worn them for a few hours, fold or hand them back up neatly until your next wear.
I know that sounds gross, but once you start to wash them, they will shrink, fade, and generally lose their shape. This goes for all jeans.
It’s helpful to have more than one pair so you can rotate wear. Spot clean when necessary, and when you are ready to wash them, turn them inside out and follow the instructions on the tag.
Okay, let’s get into outfits …
Today I created three cute outfits with black jeans, a laid back look, a casual chic outfit, and something simple for weekend date night.
For our first look, I was thinking of days working from home, or travel, when you have to head to the airport or train station (eventually). I’m using a skinny black jean, you could also wear a slim straight leg.
Grab a basic white tee; I like these v necks at J.Crew. Then, add a long cozy layer. I’m a big fan of H&M. This cardigan is a wool blend, and I love the color – it looks extra sophisticated.
Layers that add interest without bulk are essential to incorporate as the weather cools. So, I went as classic as it gets with a Barbour olive vest. (In my mind, I spend weekends in the English countryside.)
Keeping things simple is the key to getting dressed and out of the house on the occasional date or girl’s night out.
Last year, a friend was wearing a beautiful blouse at a friend’s 40th birthday dinner. When I asked her where she found it, I nearly fell off my seat when she said Express. I know! She said, but some of their things are great and affordable.
And isn’t that just what we need a night out tops to be? Because I have no room in my budget for a $200 top.
Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers.
Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist View Post and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.
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