I'm baaaaaack, and ready for fall!

I know, I know, I know. I'm horrible. But let's just say that I took a summer vaca from this blog? Shall we? I hope you will all forgive me because I really am ready to throw myself back into this blog. Especially since my favorite season for fashion is coming upon us- FALL! This time of year is the best time of year for shopping. It's the back-to-school/ready for fall time of year and all the stores are full of fabulous fall fashions. Here's why I love Fall- you can dress up different pieces by layering. Layering is such a great thing, especially when Fall is like it is where I'm living. Sometimes the day will start of cold and then warm up and vice versa, so layers are the perfect answer to that. And aside from the practicality, layers just look great as well. This lady looks great for so many reasons. She is layering with a jacket and a scarf. The jacket is a great fallish orange. Just because the weather is starting to cool off doesn't mean you have to start dressing in all blacks and browns! And this is a perfect example of that. Scarves are also a great accessory to keep you warm and make you look great.

Layering works for guys too- as you see this guys has done. He has a great jacket over a cardigan, over a shirt. And it looks great. He could get rid of the jacket or the cardigan and still look great. And notice once again that the cardigan is red- another great fall color.
So as you go and get your back to school or fall shopping done, keep these things in mind. And don't forget to only buy things that you feel amazing in and absolutely love. And of course- buy and wear things that fit! Be on the lookout for more fall fashion blog posts soon!

A Tip for Shopping

Sorry- no pictures this week!

Today we are talking about something we all relate to- money. Looking good is not always free, unfortunately, especially since some of us are trying to improve our look and simply don't have the means to do so. Looking good is not about shopping at the most expensive stores. You can find clothes that look good on you anywhere- including thrift stores. To prove my point I'm actually giving myself a challenge- I am going to go buy a fashionable outfit entirely from a thrift store to show you what I mean. I will then take pictures and post them up on this blog. In the mean time, let's discuss this. If something fits you, and makes you feel good about yourself, it doesn't matter where you got it from.

Don't get caught in the trap of thinking that you have to buy hundreds of dollars worth of clothes at once either. A wardrobe is something that takes time to build up. I have been working on mine for years- literally. When you first start out, buy the basics that will start to give you that refined look. They need to be neutrals so they will go with most everything- at least at first. You also don't need to get into the mindset that you are shopping for an entire outfit when you go out in search of clothing. If you do that, the money really adds up. Look for one item to begin with- whether that be a jacket, a skirt, some shoes, etc. Focus on what you need most to look your best and buy that, without worrying about buying the rest of an outfit. Incorporate pieces into your wardrobe as opposed to outfits. If you do this, you can mix and match, and your wardrobe will naturally be bigger than it would be if you only kept certain items with certain outfits. If you switch up the different pieces enough, you might not have to ever wear the same outfit again! If that is your goal at least... Remember you can have tons of different outfits with different combinations of different pieces that you buy.

Don't let money intimidate you. Save up for specific pieces and have patience. In due time, you will have a fabulous wardrobe that makes you look and feel your best. And don't forget that buying a simple accessory can change an outfit entirely- bringing even more variety into your life. Think outside of the box when it comes to the clothes that you already have- and you might be surprised what you can come up with.

More Springtime advice

Today's post is directed at my female readers. Don't worry guys- a post just for you is coming soon! If you can't tell, I'm really into shoes. At least I find myself blogging about them a lot. I used to be much worse than I am now. But I still love them. So I want to talk about sandals! Especially since its going to be warm outside now, and every girl is going to want to show their feet! Is it too drastic of me to try and dissuade you all to not wear flip flops? They are just so.... not feminine, usually very dirty looking, and just not fashionable. Try wearing something more like this:

They are still flat, so they wont hurt your feet, and yet they are feminine and will help you in looking your best. These look super cute with any spring time or summer outfit. They look great with skirts, dresses, capris, shorts, or even jeans. You really can't go wrong. And if you get them in a neutral color, like the ones above, you can pretty much wear them with whatever color you are wearing. I just bought some sandals from Target that lean away from the flip flop and I love them. They are still comfy, keep my feet cool, and are so cute! They are once again a little detail of your outfit to making you look even more beautiful. And while you have your toes showing- paint your toes a fun color to add more jazz and femininity. And cute sandals are available everywhere, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding them!

Looking Good- It's more than just clothes

I've spent a great deal of time discussing how you can look better by making a few simple changes to your wardrobe. Fashion and looking good isn't just about your clothes though. There is bit more to it. Looking good also includes things like how you do your hair, make up for the ladies, and accessories. Don't let the word accessories scare you away boys! This woman here is in a fashionable outfit, but she also has a simple make up job and hairstyle that makes her even more beautiful and confident looking. Her hair isn't greasy or frizzy, but it's also not in some crazy style that would take a lot of time. Take the time to make your face and hair look great. You can still wear your hair up, just make it look sleek and clean. And here's my plug for make up. To all of the women out there- you DO look better with make up on. Even if you don't think it makes a difference, it does! I'm not saying you have to wear a lot of makeup, because usually a little goes a long way. Simply wearing mascara alone will do wonders for your look. Take the time to take care of yourself! You will feel better!

And guys- don't be sloppy. Take the time to be clean looking and sharp. Fix your hair in a way that looks best on you. If you have facial hair, keep it neatly trimmed and don't have a beard just because you think it is funny or cool. You aren't doing anyone any favors! :) I chose this picture because there are subtle things about this look aside from the clothes themselves that make him look very chic. First of all, he is wearing cuff links, which add a huge level of sophistication. Then he is also wearing thick rimmed glasses (love!) and a nice watch. These are the kind of accessories that work well with a look for men. Even if you aren't dressed up, you can still have a nice watch on, or belt. The little things will make you look more polished and lead to a more confident you.
I know many of you are thinking that no one will notice these little "dumb" things like make up or accessories. And does that matter? The point is that you will know, and you will therefore know that you look better. People might not notice why you look better, but they will notice that you do. And it will be because of those small little things. They aren't hard to do!

Time for Spring, Time for Color

Well spring is finally here! (In Utah at least) And that means it's time for spring fashions! Spring fashion is about a lot of things, and one of those things is COLOR. Don't continue to wear the dull grays, blacks, and neutrals of winter if you can help it. Go for bold colors that you look good in. You can use color in your fashion in multiple ways. One way is to take a dramatic bold piece with a solid color, like all of the dresses below. The dresses are a bold color while the accessories, shoes, and purses are a neutral color. It makes a statement and if done right, can lead to more confidence.

Another way to use color is to use it as an accent against an outfit made up of mostly neutral colors. These guys aren't really dressed for spring... but the principle still applies. Notice the first guy is wearing a bright red pant and a bold colored shirt with the black coat being the main article of clothing. Since it is spring, you can wear a cardigan instead. Or a light jacket. The second guy is wearing a red scarf against a mostly neutral outfit. If scarves aren't your thing, you can wear a red shirt or coat instead. And then the last guy has his accent color in his shoes. Notice how the blue doesn't really match anything else that he is wearing, and yet it still goes. Keep that in mind when you are looking to use an accent color.

You don't need to wear colors that are matchy matchy. But you should be wearing color! Wearing a bold colored shoe is a great way to add color to an outfit- whether you are a guy or girl. Pretty much all of the color rules go for either sex. A really popular color right now is mustard yellow. It looks good paired with pretty much any color- my personal favorite is when it is paired with navy blue. So remember to be colorful, be bold, and be confident. It's spring!

Comfort and Style- they aren't enemies!

Ah comfort. I can't tell you how many times I have heard someone excuse their horrible fashion with saying something along the lines of "Oh but Grace, it is just so comfortable!" or "I dress for comfort, not style." That's all fine and dandy- but I think you are selling yourself short if you believe in either of these excuses. I enjoy being comfortable just as much as the next person, but you don't see me walking around like this:

And neither should you. Wearing sweatsuits is something that NO ONE and I will repeat, NO ONE should be wearing in public. I don't care how "comfortable" they are. Are regular pants really that uncomfortable? Did I miss something? If your pants are really THAT uncomfortable, I would suggest that maybe you need to get some new pants. Don't give up looking good for the idea of being comfortable because feeling good about yourself definitely outweighs feeling warm and comfy in your favorite pair of sweat pants. If you don't believe me, then hey try it! There are a ton of options out there that are a) comfortable and b) stylish. So I don't want to hear these excuses any longer! Let me give you an example of how I feel about a certain "comfortable" product out there right now:

Everyone tells me that these shoes are so comfy, and therefore people think they are wearable. Is anyone looking at these shoes? They are simply not ok, no matter how cushioned they are. Did you know that there are actually stylish and comfy shoes out there? Call me crazy, but it's true! Ladies, I understand that you don't want to wear shoes that are pointy, or high heeled, etc because they make your feet hurt. And that's fine! But look for a cute ballet flat or some oxfords (see last post) which are flat and will be kind to your feet. Guys- there are tons of stylish shoes you can wear that aren't nasty running/tennis shoes. Try some casual leather shoes for a change. Wrap your mind around the fact that you can have more than just a Sunday pair of shoes and a casual pair of shoes. If you get stuck in this mind trap, then you end up having a fancy pair of shoes that you feel you can only wear to church or formal occasions and a pair of tennis shoes that get beaten up and nasty extremely quickly because you wear them all of the time. Tennis shoes should be used for exercising. It's ok to have 3 or 4 pairs of shoes!

I understand that people want to be comfortable, I just want them to also understand that you don't have to give up comfort to be stylish and you don't have to give up style to be comfortable. The sooner we all realize this, the better. If nothing else, never wear sweat suits or crocs in public. You will feel better in a good looking outfit than you would in a fuzzy sweatshirt. Just imagine the possibilities!

Current Love

I have a current obsession. And that obsession is oxford, wing-tipped shoes. For men and women. They are soooo classy and just great all around. I actually just bought a pair online, and I can't wait to get them! They are the perfect trend right now because you can dress them up or wear them casually- and both guys and girls can wear them. See how this woman is wearing them in a more dressed up manor. Doesn't she just look classy?

And then here are some women- celebs wearing them in a more casual manor. Notice how you can wear them with skirts or pants- dressy or casual. And they are flats, so they won't hurt to wear them around all day. More proof that you don't have to wear heels to look classy and fashionable, ladies!

And guys- there is nothing more attractive (at least to me right now) than guys wearing wing tip oxfords. So classy and shows the sign of a true gentleman that knows how to dress. Here are some shots that I got from thesartorialist.blogspot.com. I also got the woman in red oxfords from that site too. It's a blog that I definitely love and you should check out. I love this older gentleman in his outfit and oxfords. Notice his ability to wear them with jeans, so casually, and yet still look classy. This doesn't just go for older guys!

And I absolutely LOVE this picture. There's something amazing about it. And they are wearing oxfords! There are all sorts of oxfords, so go ahead and find some that are fitting to your style, if you feel! I just bought some for only $25 so you don't need to spend a lot of money, if that's what you are worried about. Guys- these shoes work really great with a suit too, in case you are needing to upgrade your Sunday/business shoes to something more fashionable and classy.
So happy oxford season! I love this trend and I hope you can learn to love it as much as I do.

I also hope that you all like the new design! I spent quite some time on it, and I absolutely love it. I also added an "about me" tab at the top, if you want to check that one out! I will be adding more tabs in the future, so keep your eye out for that!

The everlasting search for the perfect JEANS

Something that I'm sure we all struggle with is finding a good pair of jeans. I'm unsure as to why it is so difficult for everyone to find good jeans- especially women. But hey it is! But that doesn't mean we should give up the search and wear jeans that don't make us feel and look our best. I just want to start off by warning all of you against some jeans that are out there. If you own jeans that look like any of the following examples, get rid of them! And get rid of them fast. They aren't doing you, or anyone for that matter, ANY favors. These all go for girls and guys FYI.

Exhibit A: The destroyed Jean

No. They were popular like um I don't know? 5 years ago? But they aren't now. And they shouldn't have been then either. They just look silly and make you look like a slob. If you want to look more refined, sophisticated, and confident, I suggest that wearing destroyed jeans is not the way to do this.

Exhibit B: The over embellished Jean

Also a big no. Jeans are something that should be kept simple. When you have so many embellishments on your jeans, all of the attention is going towards your jeans and not to you. And that's not a good thing because it is most likely negative attention. Guys don't think this let's you off the hook. I have seen many guys wearing jewled jeans with crosses or other "guy" things on them. And they don't look good. Let's keep is simple shall we?

Exhibit C: The cargo/carpenter Jean
I'd say this one is the worst offender of all of these jeans. Because I see SO many (usually guys) wearing them. And they are not ok! Do these jeans look flattering to you? If they do, then you need to relearn the word flattering :) They don't help shape you at all and they are extremely outdated. They are ok if you work at a construction site, or are doing other jobs like painting or wood work. But other than that, let's just not, ok? If your jeans have pockets on the side of the legs, then that is a huge indicator that you should probably get rid of them.

Exhibit D: The Mom (and Dad) Jean
Once again outdated jeans. Do you see how these jeans make these women look slightly pregnant? And how incredibly unflattering they are? The high waisted mom jeans are the worst- so try to avoid them at ALL cost. Even if you are a mom!

Exhibit E: The pajama Jean
haha! Sorry- I just had to. I don't actually know anyone that owns these, but aren't they just awful? At least as jeans they are. Maybe they would make great pajamas...

When buying jeans try to follow a few standards:

1. Buy jeans that are long enough for you. Then they don't give the flood look.

2. Buy jeans that are darker in wash. Not all jeans need to be darker in wash, but if you are wanting a more sophisticated look, it is definitely the way to go.

3. Go for jeans that fit closer to your body. Skinny jeans definitely fit this description, but that doesn't mean you have to buy skinny jeans. Just jeans that fit throughout your thighs at least. And then a simple boot cut works. Anything wider than a boot cut- like a flare isn't very flattering usually.

4. Never settle on a pair of jeans because you are tired of looking for a good pair. Only buy ones that you love and feel good in. It may take longer than you would like, but I know you can find the right pair. Be willing to try different cuts and sizes if you can't seem to find some that fit you correctly.

Happy Jean hunting!

It's your life, dress for it

What kind of life do you really want for yourself? I don't know mean just things like- oh where do you see yourself in 5 years? Or what do you want to be when you grow up? But what kind of life do you really want yourself to live in order for you to be happiest? Are you confident? Powerful? Successful? Comfortable with yourself and others around you?

I really like this idea of living the exact kind of life that I want to live. I want to live a life where I feel good about myself and feel confident. And I want to feel powerful- meaning having the power to do whatever I want to do and to do it well. This may not seem to have much to do with fashion- but trust me, it does. Confidence is something that is oh so important. No, I do not have a perfect self image and 100% confidence, but let's all take this journey together towards feeling better about ourselves. I want to remind you of the reason why I started this blog. I want people to realize the connection between feeling good and looking good. When you look good and more importantly, know that you look good, you feel so much better about yourself. Why? Because of one thing- confidence. Dressing well leads to more confidence. You look good and therefore have the confidence to talk and create relationships with the people around you.

So how can we live a life of confidence? How can we encourage ourselves to do the things that we have always wanted to do and just never had the strength or self assurance? I would like to submit that dressing for such a life is a great step in the right direction. You all remember Britney Spears, right? You know- that girl who was incredibly successful and then had a mental breakdown? Well she's making a comeback. She already has a hit- "Hold it Against Me" on the radio and itunes right now. Whether you like that song or not is not the point. The point is that she seems to finally be coming back and living a life of confidence and love for herself after such a low point. This is what she looked like during her low point:

Notice how incredibly sloppy she is. Her hair is messy, she probably doesn't have any make-up on, and (the worst offender) is wearing sweatpants. In public! Does she look like she is living the kind of life that she wanted to be living during that time? Her appearance on the outside is screaming how she was feeling on the inside. Or at least one can assume. She was dressing for the type of life that she was living. Which relates to my title. Dress for the kind of life that you want to have. If you want a successful career, then dress for the job that you want to have! If you want a life that is just simply full of happiness, then dress in a way that shows you are happy and glowing with confidence. This is what Ms. Spears has done in this next picture:

Do you notice the difference? She looks a million times better- and her current success shows it. She has found the strength to make a come back, which requires confidence. She is dressing for the kind of life that she wants. She cares about herself enough to dress in a way that shows it. Her hair looks groomed and her outfit looks clean and great. And she's not wearing sweatpants! I'm sure she still has a fair amount of problems, and hey, who doesn't? But doing something simple like dressing in things that are clean and fit you well leads to a better chance at living the kind of life that you want to live- a more confident one. Clothes make you! So instead of hating it, embrace it! You'll definitely notice a difference if you just try and dress in a way that says "I am a confident beautiful person" for at least a week. Go ahead- give it a try. And go ahead and share your experiences on the blog! I would love to hear from you.

Shirts with Attitude

Have you ever been out in public and seen someone wearing a shirt like this? Or do I dare ask if you yourself own such a shirt?

I call these kinds of shirts "attitude shirts" and no I did not coin this phrase. They say some completely ridiculous statement, like the one above, and gives the wearer all the wrong kind of attention. Having "Don't ask! You can't afford me anyway!" written across your chest is not giving off the "I like the nicer things in life" message that the shirt seems to be trying to convey. There are so many shirts with these sayings with attitude on them- for guys and girls. And if you want my real opinion- I think they are absolutely ridiculous. Your shirt may say you are 100% angel, but all I'm seeing is that you have 0% taste. (burn!) haha You don't need your shirts to scream "look at me! I have something to say!" You want people to look at you because you look great and are giving you the kind of attention that you deserve. This will lead to you feeling more confident because people will want to get to know you for the right reasons. It's always better to be more safe than sorry- so I'm thinking that you should keep all of your shirts with sayings either for bed time or throw them away. Burning them is also an acceptable alternative. Don't have your shirt tell the world what you are, but let them have a chance to get to know you. And no- these shirts aren't funny. (In general). And even if they are- that doesn't mean you need to wear them out in public. I would generally stay away from the following types of shirts:

1. Shirts that tell the world how awesome you are- for example the 100% angel one. If you are really that awesome, then you don't need a shirt that says so.

2. Shirts that insult anyone who reads them, such as "You can't spell Stupid without U" or some other ridiculous phrase. They aren't very funny and they just make you seem more unapproachable.

3. Extremely political tee shirts like "Bush sucks!" are also unnecessary. If you are that passionate about politics, start some friendly debates or find others with similar interests as you.

4. Shirts implying that you live a certain kind of lifestyle- such as "This is your boyfriend's shirt"- they just make you look trashy. And we don't want that, now do we?

I'm sure there are other examples, but I'm sure you get the point. Don't let your shirt do the talking. It's tasteless and is not helping anyone in looking or feeling better.

The Basics: Part 2

Yes, I know it's Thursday. Let me just tell you that having a break on President's Day has just entirely thrown off my week. So since we didn't have school on Monday, its really Wednesday today, right? :) I figured better late than never though. So apologies to those of you that thought I would be posting yesterday.

Time for another lesson on a basic article of clothing that we should probably all have in our wardrobe. I'm talking about military jackets. They seriously look great on everyone- no matter what body type they have. And let me tell you why- it's all about STRUCTURE. Clothing with structure is always better that clothing without it. It fits you better- or at least appears to, making you look better. Military inspired jackets come in many different types. I've shown multiple different kinds below. One common thread among them all though are the structured shoulders. They give you a more clean cut look and lead to a more fashionable style.

Notice how this girl is wearing one simply with jeans. Any casual outfit of jeans and a tee can quickly be turned into a high fashion look by simply putting on a structured jacket. It's not hard to put them on, making your ability to look your best that much easier. You can also wear them in a more dressy way as well. They go great with dresses, skirts, dress pants, etc. This also makes them extremely versatile- which is why you NEED one in your wardrobe- if not multiple. I personally own 4 or 5 and I am always on the look out for more.

Military style coats are also great for when its a little colder outside. This girl is wearing a fantastic coat and she looks great. By changing simple things about your wardrobe, you can easily feel better about yourself because you are looking better. Choosing a military jacket or coat over a fleece hoodie or zip up is an excellent example of this. You look good while still remaining warm.

Military jackets are also not gender specific- both guys and girls looks amazing in them. I find that wearing a military jacket always makes me look so much more fashionable than I really am- and that goes for everyone else as well. Whenever I wear one, I get endless compliments on my outfit. If I had been wearing that same outfit without the jacket, I would argue that it would be just an ordinary outfit that most people would overlook.

Military jackets look good on all genders, body types, and for all occasions, whether casual or dressy. They also come in so many different styles, that you can choose one that fits to your personal style while still looking structured and fashionable. They also come in many different fabrics- making them good for all seasons as well. So if you don't already have a jacket or coat of this kind- I strongly suggest getting one if your goal is becoming a better and more fashionable you!

Dispelling a Fashion Myth

So many, if not most people in America at least think that under no circumstances can you wear brown and black together. And let me just tell you- it's simply not true! Brown and black are both neutrals, and can therefore be worn together. Now don't get me wrong, some black and brown combinations look better than others- but isn't that true of any color matching that we do? I actually love the combination of black and brown- I think it's quite classy. When I went to Europe a few years ago, I noticed that everyone was wearing brown and black together and I couldn't believe it! I had always been under the impression that in the rules of fashion, this was an absolute no-no. But as I looked around Paris, I saw that everyone wearing the combination looked great and classy- and from that moment on I was converted. Check out these pictures of people wearing brown and black together and it working:

There are so many other ways you can mix up your browns and blacks. Camel or tan browns also work really well against black. Wearing brown boots with a black dress or pants is actually ok! Don't be afraid to be bold and mix these two colors that in your mind don't seem to go. I just wore brown boots with a black dress and brown cardigan the other Sunday and I looked and felt great! And you can too. Go ahead and try it. Maybe it's not for you, and that's fine. But all I'm saying is that this supposed "fashion myth" is simply that- a myth.

Your Style with Style

There are many people that are simply opposed to this whole idea of being stylish and fashionable. They usually say that they either don't care about how they look and that people shouldn't judge them (which I disagree with) or that they just don't like the things that are in fashion these days and that it just isn't their style. This is why I'd like to tell everyone out there with that argument that being fashionable or having style doesn't mean that you have to conform to wearing what everyone else is wearing. You can have your own style and yet still be stylish. Are you starting to understand yet? Fashion isn't about wearing stilettos and brand name clothing. It's about wearing clothes that make you look good and as said before- it's about wearing things that fit. Let me give you an example:

This girl has a certain style, as you can see. She obviously likes comfort and for some reason is wearing a ridiculous hat. haha. She looks like a "geek" as some may say. I am not saying being a geek is bad thing- just for the record! But what if she was able to hold onto her "geeky" style and still look good, leading to a more confident life? She might look something more like this:

Call it geek chic if you will. This new girl still holds to the original idea of a similar look as the first one, but pulls it off in a much more refined, good looking way. She doesn't look like the average fashionista, and yet still looks confident, trendy, and chic. See how you can keep to your style while still being stylish? If you aren't one to wear a skirt in public, that's fine. Imagine this same outfit with a great pair of jeans on. Still a great look. Just use your imagination!

Guys- of course this applies to you as well. By adjusting your wardrobe just a little bit, you can make a world of difference. Notice the different between wearing a hoodie this way:

And this way:

Both of these guys are wearing comfortable outfits including a hoodie. One looks so much better than the other though. See what I mean? You don't have to give up your comfy style, or geeky style, or emo style, or whatever style you may have. You can still have style while maintaining your own personal one. By just switching up a few little things you can look and feel better!

Shoes!

Shoes. One of my personal favorites. Here's my thought in one simple sentence: Shoes make or break an outfit. No I did not come up with that, but that doesn't make it any less true! I could leave it at that, but lucky for you, I will expound.

There is nothing worse than an almost amazing outfit. Why almost you ask? Because of the shoes. Let me give an example.

Both of these women have cute dresses on and then it all goes downhill from there. I'd also like to take the opportunity to say how much I absolutely hate Uggs - or any off brand boot that looks somewhat like them. They are ok for snow activities, such as sledding, and it pretty much ends there. They aren't flattering AT ALL. The only thing they do is ruin outfits world wide. :) If you want to wear boots, you don't have to wear something super uncomfortable, but you CAN wear something like this:

They look much better, but still keep you warm! This goes with all shoes. If you are daring enough to wear heels, then that is awesome! I love heels, but I do understand that they aren't the best thing to wear everywhere, especially if you have to walk a lot or stand all day. There are plenty of cute shoes though that are also cute and fashionable. Try ballet flats instead of tennis shoes. You will look great, and if you get the right flats, they will keep your feet comfy all day.

Guys- this goes for you too. There are plenty of options out there for guys to wear that aren't tennis shoes- or at least ugly tennis shoes. :) Any of these are good options to wear with jeans. So look nice, why don't you?

The Basics: Part 1

When putting together a wardrobe, you don't have to have a lot of money, but you DO need to have a few basic items to help add to looking great. I want to do a series of posts that I will post here and there describing things to have in your wardrobe. So this is a first post in a series called "The Basics." Makes sense, right?

I want to start the basics discussion with the need for people (women AND men) to have cardigans! I personally love cardigans, and I hope that you all can learn to love them just as much as I do. If you have a simple outfit on, you can easily spice it up with a cute cardigan.

Now this girl may seem a little TOO trendy for you, and that's fine, but the point is just to show how she paired two different patterns. And that it is OK. I will be discussing this concept in a later post-but I just want you to notice it for now. Cardigans go with practically everything. I honestly probably wear one almost every single day of the week. You can dress them up (like the man below) or you can dress them down (like the girl above). And they just really seem to be the perfect accessorizing article of clothing.

One suggestion for ladies is to buy embellished cardigans. Many have flowers, jewels, sequins, etc on them and they add that little extra umph to your look. Old Navy is a great place to find these kinds of cardigans. I'm sure they are available in a lot of other stores, but that is where I find all of mine for a great price. The embellishments add a little feminine touch and putting a cardigan on over your outfit is effortless, so it isn't hard to try and think of something fashionable to wear. And if you are ever so bold (which you should be!) try a cardigan in a bold color- like the guy shown below.
Guys, don't be afraid to wear cardigans. They aren't just for Mr. Rogers and nerds. Notice this great looking guys sporting a bright red cardigan and looking great! They are awesome for keeping you warm during the fall and winter and adding color to your wardrobe. And like I said- you can wear a cardigan like the guy above to dress it up, or even with jeans and it will still look great. Don't be afraid to try it!

So in case you didn't catch it, buy some cardigans!! They are great basics to a fashionable wardrobe and everyone needs to wear and appreciate them more often. Until next time!

It's better to be overdressed than underdressed

This is the best picture I could find to illustrate the feeling of being underdressed... It's not the best example, but I'm sure all of you know what it feels like.

Let me just warn you now that this is often a pet peeve of mine. Knowing when and where to wear what is an extremely important skill that everyone needs to know. A lot of people seem to think that it doesn't matter what you are wearing at a certain event because we all shouldn't care about what other people think of us, or we just want to be comfortable or some other reason that we come up with for an excuse. In reality, knowing how to dress appropriately at certain events and places just shows what a refined and respectable person you are. By dressing appropriately you are showing your respect for the host and are also avoiding the embarrassment of being the only person not dressed for the occasion. Not only that- but if you are dressed nicely and appropriately, your confidence will be boosted, and you guessed it, you will feel better merely by looking better.

A good rule of thumb to go by is that when in doubt, dress up rather than dress down. If you go to an event in jeans while everyone else is wearing dresses, you will feel rather self conscious and like you don't take it seriously. If you show up to something in a dress while everyone else is wearing jeans however, you are still looking great and won't feel as embarrassed. Guys- this rule is for you too! I often see so many couples in public where the girl is dressed in her best while the guy is wearing jeans and a t-shirt. This simply isn't ok. Guys can put on a collared shirt with slacks just as easily as they can put on jeans, so why not look better? And at least like you deserve to be with such an attractive woman? :)

If anything, getting dressed up should be something to look forward to as opposed to something that everyone dreads. We get to wear jeans and casual wear almost everywhere. It's not that often that girls or guys get to fancy themselves up and go all out, so we should enjoy it when we have the opportunity! A good example is going out to the theater for a broadway show or nice concert. Look at this as an opportunity to dress up and look your best while enjoying some culture. Not only will you feel better about yourself, but you are showing your respect for the people putting on the show.

I'd like to end with a few events and places that should ALWAYS be dressed up for.

Wedding receptions

Church

Formal dances (I hope that's obvious)

Broadway shows or events like unto them

Formal concerts (such as the symphony)

Award ceremonies (such as graduations)

Business meetings

Interviews (no matter where you are interviewing for)

Nice restaurants

And any other place throwing a formal party or event, such as a charity ball

I suppose I should also give a rough definition of what dressing up means. It means in short - NO jeans (or anything denim really), NO tennis shoes, NO tee shirts, and NO flip flops. There are other rules than this, but if you follow this, you can't go TOO wrong. I will probably write another blog about dressing up, so don't worry! If you look at dressing up as a way of getting to look your best, you will then be able to look forward to such events as opposed to dreading them. Until next time!

Also- if you have any ideas that you want to see on this blog- then just let me know! Comments are always helpful as well!

The #1 Rule- Wear clothes that fit!

I'm not sure how much any of you keep up with popular culture/news, but a while back there was a huge controversy over Jessica Simpson gaining a ton of weight, and this picture was the one that was circulating throughout the press.

Now this isn't some rant about how the press shouldn't care whether or not Jessica Simpson gained weight (which they shouldn't by the way), but it's more just an example I'd like to use to show how much wearing clothes that fit matters. A few weeks after this picture started circulating, I happened to be watching Oprah when Jessica was the guest of the day. She talked about this photo and her perceptions of beauty in general. It seems like Jessica has gained a lot of weight from the looks at this picture- but according to her she was only a size 6 in this picture. A size 6! So what I would like to suggest is that perhaps she isn't wearing an outfit that is the most flattering/fits her in the best way.

Fashion is all about fit. Some people are so amazed at how models can somehow pull any look off, even if it isn't the most fashionable or tasteful outfit. I would gather to say it's because the clothes fit them in the way they are intended to be worn. By simply finding clothes that fit you perfectly, you will be well on your way to looking and feeling better!

Now this isn't about having the perfect body type. Instead of wishing that you could change yourself to fit into certain clothes, let's change our mindset, shall we? Let's just find clothes that make our already incredible bodies look as good as they can and should!

Here are a few tips that I would suggest for finding clothes that fit you or getting rid of clothes that don't fit you. Now I'm not perfect- in fact I struggle with some of these tips as well, which is why I'm writing the blog! Because I know that I'm not the only one that struggles with these things.

1. If you find yourself adjusting something on your outfit at all hours of the day, that's a huge clue that you probably shouldn't be wearing it. Wearing something that fits does NOT mean you should be extremely uncomfortable. If you are tugging at your shirt to make it longer, or pulling up the chest line, maybe you should consider that the shirt you are wearing is too small. Just a thought. If you wearing clothes that don't require adjusting all day, then you are already feeling better, aren't you?

2. Accept the size that you are. I often find myself thinking in my head that I am a certain size. So when I go to a store- I only look at that size and that size alone. If I find an awesome pair or pants, and then go to try them on, sometimes I will find that they are a little too small for me. So I either don't buy them, or squeeze into them and buy them anyway. haha. I hope I'm not alone in this! The point is that I shouldn't be afraid to go the next size up- or in some cases down- if that's what will look best on me.

3. If you see something in a store that you think looks SO cute on that model/mannequin, don't be afraid to try it on of course. And yes- you NEED to try on clothes. It has taken me a long time to finally come to this realization, because trust me, I hate trying on clothes as much as the next person. But trying it on is necessary because we all have different body shapes, and perhaps the way it looks on a mannequin will be different from how it will look on you. If you try it on and it hangs differently that you would like, or doesn't look quite as good, but still acceptable, I'm thinking you shouldn't buy it. The reason is that if you don't love how it looks on you in the store, you never will. So remember that- and don't sell yourself short! Hold out for the clothes that you look and feel your absolute best in because as cliche as it sounds, you are worth it!

4. And finally- don't wear clothes that are too big either! Wearing clothes that are too big for you can be just as bad as wearing clothes that are too small for you. They can make you look bigger than you really are, and who wants that, right? Wear clothes that come close to your body, but not uncomfortably skin tight. You are beautiful and should show yourself off.

Those are a few tips that I feel are appropriate for wearing clothes that fit. If you have any questions about your specific body type- let me know and I can either answer them, or guide you in a direction to where you can find answers. The best way to know is if you look in the mirror and feel good about yourself. See you next Wednesday!

If you look good, you feel good!

Well I have officially started my new fashion blog! I have decided to call the blog "If you look good, you feel good" for a number of reasons. The main reason is that I feel it is a great summary catchphrase for what I want people to get out of this blog. This isn't your typical fashion blog. I don't want to constrain myself to talking about what is currently in style and how you should never wear white after labor day. I will throw a few things like that in as well, but the main thing I want to talk about is just the whole concept of feeling good about yourself! Call it self esteem, if you will. So many of us, especially women, have such poor body images and often have only negative things to say about our worth, appearance, etc. And I want to try and put some positives vibes out there in the best way I know possible because trust me, I know what it's like to feel like I'm not worth much.

I know everyone says that it's what's on the inside that counts, and it is! But in my humble opinion, the outside often reflects how we are feeling on the inside. Often we can't help but feel depressed and sad about things that we can't control, but we CAN help what we look like on the outside. And I have found that when I look good, I have more confidence and in turn feel better about myself, even if my circumstances remain the same.

Looking good can slowly lead to more self confidence, which is such a huge support to living the life that we all want to live for ourselves. So this blog will contain tips that I have found helpful in making myself look my best, and therefore feeling my best. A lot of people have told me that they struggle to even know how to put together an outfit and know what looks good, so this blog will offer helpful tips to you if you find yourself in that category as well. I'm excited about all of the different topics I have prepared and can't wait to get started!! Here's to looking and feeling better!

Also- I will be updating this blog every Wednesday- so keep an eye out! And if you like what you see, don't be afraid to follow the blog!