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Business: My Closet

I seem to have gotten lucky when it comes to this spring's business trend.  One key factor in the trend is a monochromatic look, and I found five gray/black items in my closet.

This silk blouse (Paul Harris Design) fits the fluid look shown by Bottega Veneta.

I also found a gray sweater vest (Cherokee)...

...gray dress shorts (Charlotte Russe)...

...my new black capris (Charlotte Russe)...

...and gray dress pants (Express).

What business attire did you find in your closet?

Next post: Business: Fashioned
Previous post: Spring Trend: Business

Spring Trend: Business

This week, we'll focus on the spring trend of business attire.  Designers showed many variations of this trend, including futuristic designs and satin pieces, but a monochromatic look was the common theme.

Look through your closet for pieces that fit this trend, and come back tomorrow to share what you found!

Do you enjoy wearing business attire?

Next post: Business: My Closet
Previous post: Bohemia: From the Runway

Bohemia: From the Runway

A few simple ideas from the runway can brighten your bohemian outfits.

Hats added flair to bohemian runway looks.  Be inspired by Marc Jacobs and Maurizio Pecoraro by wearing a straw hat in black, gold, or a bold color.

For a feminine addition to your outfit, accesorize with flowers.  Try wearing them in your hair or at your waist, as shown by Marc Jacobs, or add them to a choker, as seen at Maurizio Pecoraro's runway show.  I made a choker by attaching a flower clip (Colleen, Clever Nesting) to a ribbon.

If you have a bohemian-style skirt or dress, wear it with a belt for a runway look shown by Salvatore Ferragamo and Etro.

Do you have straw hats and flower accessories in your closet?

Next post: Spring Trend: Business

Previous post: Bohemia: Fashioned

Bohemia: Fashioned

Now that you've pulled your bohemian clothes from your closet, let's have fun fashioning some outfits!

If you have a printed top, like my peasant blouse, you can pair it with wide leg jeans for a casual look.  I substituted boot cut jeans because they still have a bit of flare.  To finish off the look, add platform sandals and jewelry made from beads or natural materials.  (Blouse and lace-trim cami, Charlotte Russe; jeans, Mossimo; sandals, Candie's; necklace, unknown; ring, unknown, from Uganda.)

In the photos Elle showed as examples of the bohemian trend, Marc Jacobs put together a striped sweater, dressy pants, and platform sandals.  You can try a similar look if you have a striped sweater.  Modify your outfit to match the clothes in your closet, such as wearing peep-toe heels if you don't have platform sandals in the right color.  (Sweater and bead bracelet, Charlotte Russe; pants, Express; shoes, Payless; wrap-around bead bracelet, handmade gift.)

Now it's your turn to fashion some outfits!  Write about your bohemian style in the comment section.

Next post: Bohemia: From the Runway

Previous post: Bohemia: My Closet

Bohemia: My Closet

Did you find bohemian clothes in your closet?  Here's what I found in mine.

One of my friends recently gave this peasant blouse (Charlotte Russe) to me.  I think she's convinced that my true style is bohemian.

When I was dating my now-husband, he took me shopping at Charlotte Russe.  I found a few shirts I liked and then let him choose which one to buy.  He liked this sweater, and I pulled it out of my closet because of its blousy construction and also because Marc Jacobs included striped sweaters in his spring collection.

I found this skirt (American Eagle) at a thrift store when I was shopping for long skirts to wear on a trip to Uganda.

These jeans (refuge from Charlotte Russe) are great!  Unfortunately (or fortunately?) they're too big for me to wear now.

Speaking of clothes that don't fit, these brown pants (Be Bop from Charlotte Russe) are also too large, but that was my fault for buying the wrong size just so I could have a new outfit.  I learned my lesson.  It's not fun having cute clothes I can't wear!

These dark grey dress pants (Express) fit well, plus they're comfortable.



What did you find in your closet?  Comment below!

Tomorrow we'll start fashioning outfits based on the bohemian trend!

Next post: Bohemia: Fashioned

Previous post: Spring Trend: Bohemia

Spring Trend: Bohemia

The mismatched prints, layers, and boldness of the Bohemian style fascinate me.  However, this spring's take on bohemia showcases muted colors and focuses on one-tone and single-print attire.  Look in your closet for peasant blouses, wide-leg pants, and long, flowing skirts.  Even if your clothing items fit better into the bold bohemia category, pull them out because you can tone them down with other pieces.

Come back tomorrow to share your finds!

Which do you prefer wearing - bold colors or muted tones?

Next post: Bohemia: My Closet
Previous post: Punk: From the Runway

Punk: From the Runway

Fashioning your clothes into a punk outfit takes only a small collection of basic pieces, one or two extras to liven the look, and a bit of creativity.  Let the runways lead you...

Balmain showed my favorite punk look of the designer collections I perused.  I interpreted the collection as all-American punk with a hint of glam.  To fashion the trend from your closet, start with skinny jeans or short jean shorts.  Add a red, blue, or flag-inspired shirt, then top off the look with pointy shoes for the jeans or ripped black tights and boots for the shorts.  You can also wear a jacket with this outfit.  For my Balmain-inspired punk look, I ripped a few holes in black tights and added black boots.  (Tights, Sheer Elegance; boots, Mudd; denim skirt, So Wear It Declare It; shirt, XOXO.)

Balmain's collection also contained some shiny and glittery pieces.  You can work these into your outfit through accessories, like shoes, belts, and jewelry.  (Shoes, Fabulosity from JCPenney; belt, unknown.)

If you own a leather jacket, follow Burberry Prorsum's example and wear it with a short, ruffled dress.  Other elements from this collection that you might find in your closet include snakeskin, leopard print, and bright clutches and belts.

Now it's your turn to get creative with the clothes in your closet.  Fashion some punk outfits, and come back and share your creations!

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Next post: Spring Trend: Bohemia

Previous post: Punk: Fashioned

Punk: Fashioned

As I mentioned in my previous post, you won't find the clothes in my closet leaning toward the punk style.  However, if you're like me, you can still enjoy wearing a toned down version of this trend.

You can build upon a basic tee with leggings, a denim mini-skirt, a jacket with an attitude, and converse-style shoes.  (White v-neck tee and leggings, Mossimo; jacket, Charlotte Russe; denim skirt, So Wear It Declare It; shoes, Fabulosity from JCPenney.)

If you wear skinny jeans, you can pair them with a basic tee.  I added my Fabulosity shoes to this outfit, but shiny black combat boots worn with a dark-colored tee would give you an edgier look.  (V-neck tee, Stranded from Target; skinny jeans, Mossimo; shoes, Fabulosity from JCPenney.)

How punk is your style on a scale of 1-10?  I think mine might be a 2!

Next post: Punk: From the Runway
Previous post: Punk: My Closet

Punk: My Closet

My personality, and my clothes, don't lean toward a punk attitude, but I still found a couple of not-so-rough-around-the-edge punk items in my closet.

The first item is a basic white v-neck tee by Mossimo.  This is probably my favorite t-shirt in my closet because of its amazing fit.

Some trends need to stick around for a couple of years for me to warm up to them.  As a tried and true "boot cut" gal, I never thought I'd buy skinny jeans.  I tried them on and thought they looked funny.  A few months later, I tried them on again and still thought they looked funny.  But then I pulled on faux-fur ankle boots over the skinny jeans, and the magic happened.  Skinny jeans (Mossimo), meet my closet.

What punk clothing items did you find in your closet?

Next post: Punk: Fashioned
Previous post: Spring Trend: Punk

Spring Trend: Punk

This week, we'll take a turn away from feminine fashions to focus on the punk trend.  Punk covers a wide variety of styles, so search your closet for skinny jeans, leather and studded items, and tomboy pieces.  Also look for deconstructed clothing, which has an unfinished or pieced-together look.  For a visual on deconstructed clothes, check out this punk look in Balmain's spring collection.  Come back tomorrow to tell us what punk items you found in your closet!

Do you gravitate more toward feminine or punk styles?

Next post: Punk: My Closet
Previous post: Prints: From the Runway

Prints: From the Runway

The spring fashion show runways were filled with ideas for styling prints.

For a simple way to accessorize prints, follow Loewe's example and add a bright purse or headband in a coordinating color.  The thrift store I go to most often has the best purses!  I accented the red roses on my blouse with a red satin-like purse that I bought this week.  (Blouse, A. Byer; capris and bracelet, Charlotte Russe; shoes, Payless; purse, Bath & Body Works.)

Another top-notch idea combines floral prints with a nautical theme, as shown by Christian Dior.  I paired a floral print skirt with a white nautical jacket for a sea-worthy look.  (Jacket, Charlotte Russe; skirt, Luna Chix; sandals, Candie's.)

With items from your closet, how can you add bright accessories to your prints or combine them with a nautical theme?

Next post: Spring Trend: Punk
Previous post: Prints: Thrifted

Prints: Thrifted

Hypnotic prints are so fun, and I was excited to find this blouse at a thrift store.  The color scheme is even similar to a dress by Christian Dior.

What's your best find from a thrift store?

Next post: Prints: From the Runway
Previous post: Prints: Fashioned

Prints: Fashioned

Now that you've located your clothes with large floral blooms, hypnotic prints, and geometric patterns, let's fashion them into some trendy outfits!

You can pair a patterned piece with a coordinating solid piece to make the colors pop.  I matched this rose-patterned blouse with my new black capris, which recently filled a gap in my wardrobe.  (Blouse, A. Byer; capris and bracelet, Charlotte Russe; shoes, Payless.)

If your entire outfit consists of prints, like my geometric print dress, just add neutral or matching shoes, and accessories if you have them.  (Dress, kensiegirl; shoes, Payless.)

What are your tips for styling prints?

Next post: Prints: Thrifted
Previous post: Prints: My Closet

Prints: My Closet

I hope you found some great items while searching your closet for prints!

I found geometric prints and floral patterns in my closet.  One of good friends gave me this beautiful rose-print blouse (A. Byer) as a birthday gift.

This blue and black geometric-patterned blouse (Merona, from Target) needs to be handwashed and then twisted into two knots to dry.  When my husband found out, he said my laundry was too complicated.  It probably is!

When I was just starting to date my husband, I found this dress (kensiegirl) at the mall.  I didn't want to spend the money for it at the time, but I showed it to him.  That same day, he went back to the mall and bought it for me as a Christmas present!

My mom gave me this hypnotic-patterned scarf.

What prints did you find in your closet?  Share in the comment section!

Next post: Prints: Fashioned
Previous post: Spring Trend: Prints

Spring Trend: Prints

We've styled our way through half of Elle's spotlighted Spring 2011 trends!  The next trend we'll cover is prints.  Search your closet for clothes with hypnotic prints and also for those with large flower patterns.  Come back tomorrow to share what you found!

Which do you prefer - hypnotic prints or floral patterns?

Next post: Prints: My Closet
Previous post: Brights: Color Combinations

Brights: Color Combinations

When exploring the color blocking trend, following a couple of guidelines will make your outfits look fabulous!

Guideline #1: Pick 3
If you look through the designs spotlighted by Elle, you'll see that the designers combined three colors for each outfit.  Details and accessories were either one of those colors or neutral (such as white, black, tan, or gold).

Guideline #2: Stay in the Family
In this case, color families refer to groups of colors such as primary colors, jewel tones, brights, and pastels.  By choosing colors in the same family, your outfit will look pulled together and not mismatched.

Primary Colors

Jewel Tones

Brights

Pastels

I really enjoy wearing jewel tones and brights.  Which color families do you gravitate toward?

Next post: Spring Trend: Prints
Previous post: Brights: Thrifted

Brights: Thrifted

Continuing with the brights theme, let's take a trip to the thrift store!  One place I visited had a couple of jewel-tone blouses (purple blouse, Judy Bond; yellow blouse, Sunny Leigh).

I didn't look too closely at these ruby red shoes (Breckelle's) because it was closing time.  However, it might have been neat to buy them and lace some thin ribbons through the loops.

This blue skirt (Dockers) fits the bubblegum color theme.

Next time I go to a thrift store, I think I'll look around for jean shorts that aren't super short or distressed.  What would you like to find at a thrift store this spring?

Next post: Brights: Color Combinations
Previous post: Brights: Fashioned

Brights: Fashioned

You've pulled your bright bubblegum and jewel-colored clothing from your closet.  Now what?  If you have the right pieces, you can simply put a few together and head out the door.  However, your raw material might not lend itself to combos in the same color family or the same style.  In that case, you'll need to get more creative and modify the trend to suit your wardrobe.

For an easy modification, start with a monochromatic outfit and bring in other colors with accessories.  I added a bright pink scarf and blue belt to a jewel-tone dress.  Note that the pieces can be patterned as long as one color stands out, like the pink in my scarf.  Unless your shoes are one of your colorful accessories, a neutral pair will polish off the look.  (Dress, Merona, from Target; shoes, Predictions, from Payless; scarf and belt, unknown.)

For another easy modification, substitute bright white for one of the pops of color.  I don't own shorts in a bubblegum color, so I put white shorts with a purple shirt and pink flip flops.  I still got a bright look, but I didn't need to go shopping!  To accessorize, choose colors that match your outfit for a streamlined appearance.  (Shirt, lace-trim cami, and shorts, Charlotte Russe; flip flops, Old Navy; bracelet, KappAhl.)

What bright outfits did you fashion from your closet?

Besides the latest trends, I also want to let you know about three Fashion Your Closet updates:

1. Anyone can leave comments now.  You don't need to have a username anymore, so share your style in the comment section!
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Next post: Brights: Thrifted
Previous post: Brights: My Closet

Brights: My Closet

How many bright items of clothing did you find in your closet?  I didn't expect to find many brights in my closet, but I found nine!

Most of the items were either blue or pink/purple, like this shirt from Charlotte Russe.

I bought this one-shoulder blouse last week (Charlotte Russe).

Both of these button-down shirts are from New York & Company.

Although these vests from Aeropostale might be too warm in some locations this spring, my northern friends could take advantage of the extra layer!

I almost took this jacket (Aeropostale) to the thrift store, but I changed my mind when I started blogging about the brights trend.

I bought this dress (Merona, from Target) when I knew my then-boyfriend-now-husband was going to propose.  I'm pretty sure I spent at least 30 minutes deciding between the green and the charcoal.  The charcoal looked very classy, but I thought the green was more fun.

I bought these shorts (Charlotte Russe) last year and still haven't worn them.  Maybe I'll find a bright shirt to pair with them!

What brights did you find in your closet?  Come back tomorrow for some ideas on fashioning the color block trend with your brights.

Next post: Brights: Fashioned
Previous post: Spring Trend: Brights