Finding Your Method to Style – Tips, Inspiration & Encouragement
Ever since I was little I have worn shades of pink….not a huge fan of the soft pink (unless, OF COURSE, it was a vase full of peonies, roses or tulips!); but a good solid shade of fuschia, well, now we are talking about something I can wear! Summer calls for bringing out the color and …
Today was one of those days that didn’t quite go the way I had planned. Between kiddos not feeling good, to my curling iron going to Heat Styling Heaven (guess I’ll be doing a post on what my replacement wand will be!), my daughter and I still managed to leave the house and make it to a very sweet friends bridal shower. Only an hour and fifteen minutes after it started; but thankfully, it was a come and go event so we didn’t even have to worry about being “fashionably late”. PHEW!
   
This is one of my favorite combinations for outfits and it’s been on the Instagram feed a couple of times. It has been literally decades since I owned a pair of khaki pants, and last Spring, I came across these ones from VINCE. They are the Boyfriend Trouser style, and Vince does change their colors each season, so you may not get this exact green. If I’m being honest, I bought them because I think they make my butt look great. Yep….that’s why and I feel GREAT every time I put them on. Perfect sized pockets, I can actually put my whole hand in (they aren’t just “decoration”), and the front lays nice and flat from hip to hip with no buckling so there is no bunching in unflattering areas.
The top is from a brand called Lush and I found a couple of beautiful versions of it from this season HEREÂ and HERE. They are flowy, easy to accessorize and will go with anything from skirts, to jeans, to oh…look at that….khakis ;D I recommend having a couple of tops like this in your closet because they look and feel dressed up every time; but aren’t so fancy you can’t wear them causally.
These shoes get a ton of feedback and I can’t say enough about how happy I am that I bit the bullet and got them last year. I really do wear them so much, and I can definitely appreciate the quality in these shoes and they are a great example of how investing in a higher end piece, and taking care of them properly, will give you great style for a long time. These ones are from VINCEÂ and great news!! They are 25% off!!!
How about those ACCESSORIES!! This is just a perfect example of how the right pieces can totally customize this outfit to your personal style! This top and pants is just a blank canvas waiting to be made perfect for YOU. I chose some brand new Summer Collection pieces from STELLA & DOT. The long necklace is called the Mirage Pendant, and I’ve layered my shorter Engraved Bar and the Arc Necklace with it. My stud earrings are part of the Mondrian Ear Jackets, I wear these every day. My arm party is pretty typical for me! The Icon Watch with the double wrap strap in Latte, the gold Renegade bracelet (I truly think everyone should have this in their favorite finish…either gold, silver or rose gold!) I’ve also got my Engraved Cuff and the Gilded Path Double Wrap.
  
This perfectly summer tote is called the Riviera Tote in Raffia Fringe and it is as totally on trend (with that fringe tassel) and a fun bag to carry around. Fits everything I need!
And finally…..STELLA & DOT is now into SUNGLASSES!! These are the Miramar Blonde ones (also available in black) and I was VERY excited to start wearing them. There are 5 different styles to choose from and all come with a super cute hard case and cleaning cloth so you can wear them, store them and keep them clean with ease.
So when the day doesn’t end up going the way it is supposed to, it’s always nice to put on an outfit that is tried and true and give the impression that you totally have it all together! Happens all the time in this house…how about yours???
xoxo Taryn
20’s, 30’s, 40’s…..what age category do you land? I know…it’s such a huge range and, if you are like me, you have a hard time believing where you really land on that spectrum!
But it’s really important to know, that as you leave each decade, some of your wardrobe needs to be left behind also. Dressing like you did in your 20’s is not something you should be trying to pull off in your late 30’s or  40’s. It’s not that you CAN’T fit into that dress, or you don’t look totally, incredibly, kick ass AHHH-MAZING at 40; but I feel very certain on this one…it’s not the way to go.
That’s not to say you won’t have a few great pieces that may stand the test of time and trends; but it is not often that a piece of clothing is designed to be worn for 20 years. OF COURSE there are amazing finds in Vintage shops, and who wouldn’t covet some classic Chanel….whoa baby, that would be GOLD. I still own some very classic pieces from my former life working in an office; but they rarely make an appearance. Things like a great pair of black pants or a blazer. Camel colored trench coat or a great suit; but anything else may have seen it’s share of airtime. Hems will drop for the last time, seams will start to unravel and actually, no, it doesn’t fit anymore. It’s kind of like when your child leaves infancy and graduates to toddler, then to big kid, and on an on. You’d love to hang on to it for JUST a little longer but life is telling otherwise.
I found my professional sense of style around 27. I finally had a little extra money to get some quality pieces. Things that would coordinate with other items I had or bought, and just knowing my style and color preference. I’m primary colors and classic style with a great set of heels! Skirts changed from mid thigh to just above the knee. MAN a great pencil skirt, freshly ironed shirt tucked in and a pair of heels…..pretty sure I felt like I could do anything in that outfit. There’s a special feeling that comes over you when you look at yourself as you walk out the door and say, “NAILED IT!”
One of my ALL TIME FAVORITE articles in InStyle Magazine is where they show you how a particular look should be translated for someone in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. I could appreciate how the outfit changed with each decade. All look very on trend, professional, casual, sexy…whatever the look they were going for was, just in an incredibly appropriate way. What a coincidence with the warmer weather on its way, they have this awesome article to reiterate what I’m talking about — InStyle Magazine Celebrities In Shorts
This past decade has been a lot of fun style wise for me. I’ve been really intentional with my Method to Style and feel a transformation has happened. Nothing gigantic but a tweek here and there and I know it will always evolve. THAT is the beauty of fashion over the decades….not that you transform completely (well, some of you might!); but you alter it slightly as you mature into the woman (or man) you are becoming. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to create a polished or finished look. There are price point levels at ALL department stores to give you choices. BUT, I will say…if you are still shopping in the Juniors Section because you still wear that size in your late 20’s and 30’s…I can promise you…the styles in that department aren’t meant for a young professional….time to LEVEL UP.
So while you may maintain those killer legs over the years…..just because you have them, doesn’t necessarily mean you have to show ALL of them….don’t worry. As women, we see, and we give you the sisterhood nod to a rockin’ bod under your fabulous style 😉
xoxo Taryn
This was one of those outfits that I have had in my closet for a VERY long time but NEVER put it together! My Style Method here was to wear denim on denim; but it had to be different colors…I’ve yet to attempt blue on blue! And then one day, I had these red/coral jeans on …