Compromise

Business casual can be interpreted so many ways, it can be very confusing. Some workplaces do not allow jean at all – or just on Fridays. Others allow jeans but only under certain guidelines. My office is very casual, which can be good, but also challenging at times. On any given day you’ll see anything from jeans to shorts to dresses and just about everything in between. I wear jeans most days, but after spending 20+ years in the corporate world I still have a hard time wearing flip flops or sneakers to work.

I usually try to look as professional as possible in jeans, which means some sort of layering – especially considering the frigid nature of our office climate. It’s also good for those power surges I seem to be experiencing more frequently – ah, the joys of – well, you know. Layering also lets my outfit go from work to dinner out when necessary, another benefit of our casual Texas atmosphere.

Today’s outfit is a great compromise between professional and casual. I could easily substitute a pencil skirt or nice pair of black or khaki slacks and dress it up, but the jeans are comfortable and appropriate for my workplace. The jacket has actually been off and on all day – the weather is very humid and the air conditioner is having a hard time keeping up. Ah, springtime in Texas!

How do you dress for work? Is business casual appropriate, or do you dress up? I’d love to hear from you about your particular work wardrobe challenges!

Today’s outfit:
Off-white blazer: H&M
Navy blue printed tank: Ross
Levi’s Skinny jeans: Urban Outfitters
Aerosoles Black wedge sandals: DSW
Silver hoop earrings: Target

Frugally yours,

Lori

Target Style

Today’s outfit is going to be one of my favorites! The skirt is a recent Target purchase (on sale for $15!) and I absolutely love the colors and already have several ideas for future outfits. Today I kept it simple with a lime green tank and white sweater, but I could definitely see it with a jean jacket (blue or white), cobalt cardigan or even a white cotton sweater. Target’s pencil skirts are very well made, lined and have pockets (always a plus for me!) so when I can find one on sale it’s a big deal!

Today’s outfit:
Merona printed pencil skirt: Target
Mossimo cotton tank top: Target
White cotton cardigan: LOFT Outlet
Blue belt: LOFT
Merona Nude Patent Pumps: Target

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frugally yours,

Lori

Wardrobe Basics

Graphic tanks are some of my favorite wardrobe pieces. With varied colors they can be paired with a jean jacket, neutral or bright colored cardigan or a basic black jacket. They look good with jeans (blue or colored), khakis (pant or skirt) or shorts. Truly versatile pieces! Target has some ruffled tanks right now that are slowly making their way into my closet. It’s always dangerous for me to walk through Target because there’s always something new, something on sale or better yet, on clearance.

Today’s outfit was a last minute choice. The outfit I was going to wear just didn’t work so I put this together without a whole lot of planning. I wanted to wear a white/off white sweater, but it was dirty so I opted for the oatmeal color. I like the look, but not sure it’s a favorite. What do you think?

Today’s Outfit:
Merona Graphic knit tank: Target
Merona Oatmeal ¾ sleeve cardigan: Target
Blue Curvy Fit slacks: The LOFT
b.o.c. gold ballet flats: DSW
Green bubble necklace: J Crew Outlet

Frugally yours,

Lori

Springy

Springy. That’s how a friend described today’s outfit. It’s the first time I’ve worn the white jean jacket and the shirt so I was very glad to get the feedback! I’ve been looking for a white denim jacket for a while, so when I found this one on sale and JC Penney I knew it was time to snap it up. I’ll wear it a lot this spring and summer – over t-shirts and knit tops, maxi dresses and paired with jeans and skirts. It’s a great layer for air conditioned spaces.

The blouse came from the LOFT outlet and I have a feeling will be a favorite this season. I have several things I can wear it with so it will be fun to work with!

What are your “go to” pieces for spring and summer? I’d love to hear from you!

Today’s outfit (I’ve shown it with and without the jacket):
White Jean jacket: JC Penney
Graphic print blouse: The LOFT Outlet
Denizen skinny/bootcut jeans: Target
Black Pumps: Payless
Turquoise Bubble Necklace: Charming Charlie
Silver hoop earrings: Target

Frugally yours,

Lori

Spring Fever

Spring fever has settled on me like the pollen on my car. Seriously, I’m so ready for warmer weather, lots of outdoor time and cool drinks on shady patios. I’ve packed away my sweaters (the bulkier ones anyway) and have my skirts and shorts ready to be paired with fun tops and cute sandals. I’ll still wear jeans to work most days (because I work in an arctic-like office), but my off times will be spent in shorts and cool dresses. I’ll keep some cardigans and blazers in the mix for those air conditioned spaces, but you’ll be seeing more t-shirts and tank tops in the coming weeks. Yes, you can still wear t-shirts and tank tops after the age of 50!

Today’s outfit:

Rock Star Skinny Jeans: Old Navy
Orange and Purple top: Old Navy
Coral Blazer: Macy’s (Clearance)
Aerosoles Black Wedge Sandals: DSW
Silver hoop earrings: Target

 

 

 

 

 

Frugally yours,

Lori

Stripes, etc.

I have a confession to make. I love stripes. A year ago I avoided them like the plague, but now I am a huge fan. I have several striped shirts in my closet and wear them frequently. How do I wear them? Let me count the ways:

With skinny jeans (naturally)
With my go to black blazer
With a solid scarf
With a printed scarf (Yes. You. Can.)
With a black or gray maxi skirt
With a denim skirt

You get the idea. Striped shirts are very versatile and may, contrary to some, be worn with another pattern. You just have to pair them carefully. I’ve found many of my stripe idea on Pinterest. So many, in fact, I’ve created a “Stripes!” inspiration board. I’ve included a few examples below, as well as a couple of ways I’ve worn my striped shirts recently.

How do you wear stripes?

       

Frugally yours,

Lori

Inspired by Nature

I’m often inspired by nature when coordinating outfits. Some of my favorite spring flowers are Pansies (or Petunias as my dear father used to call every flower – mainly to aggravate my mom!). I love them for the awesome color combinations: purple and yellow, dark and light blue, yellow and red – the pairings seem endless. Today’s outfit is a perfect example. The bright patterned cardigan seemed a little much to me at first, but is now one of my favorites. I almost went with a plain white tank, but was inspired to go with a purple tank and yellow necklace instead. What do you think?

Today’s outfit:
Purple tank top: Target ($8 every day!)
Multi color cardigan: Target
Denizen Boot Cut Jeans: Target
Nude Patent Pumps: Target
Yellow necklace: Cato
Gold earrings: Lori Yeary Designs

Frugally yours,

Lori

Spring Cleaning

How often do you clean out your closet? Been awhile? If you’ve been procrastinating I encourage you to do it soon. I usually do a clean out when I switch from one season to the next. It’s a natural time to evaluate what you wore and what you didn’t during the previous season, but you have to be honest. I’ve found the best way for me it putting my hangers in backwards when I hang clothes. If I haven’t worn an item by the end of the season I take a hard look at why and if it should go in the donate bag. Sometimes you have to be brutal. Sometimes you need an objective friend (or daughter) to nudge you in the right direction.

When changing your wardrobe to a new season it’s well worth your time to try everything on before hanging it in the closet. Evaluate each piece so you can make an informed decision on whether or not to keep it. Does it still fit? Is it comfortable? Does it need to be altered? Do you still like it? Put things in piles: Keep/Alter/Donate/Throw away and stick with your decision! One of my rules is every item must coordinate with at least two other items in my closet. If it pairs with three or more that’s a bonus. There are a couple of exceptions, but they’re special event outfits so they get a pass. Same thing goes for shoes. I try to buy shoes that will coordinate with several outfits and regularly weed out my shoe collection. I schedule a donation pickup with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society at the beginning of each season. It’s a great motivator to clean out – not to mention a nice tax deduction for the next year.

When was the last time you cleaned out your closet??

Today’s outfit:
Lime green ¾ sleeve sweater: The LOFT Outlet
Lime green tank: Target
Dark teal slacks: The LOFT Outlet
Nude Sandals: Ross
Necklaces: Lori Yeary Designs

Frugally yours,

Lori

Fashion Intimidation

It’s easy to be intimidated when it comes to fashion, especially for women of a “certain” age. There are so many opinions and schools of thought! We want to be stylish, but not look like we’re trying too hard. We don’t want to look like our grandmothers, but not like our daughters either. So how do I do it? Lots of trial and error. Extensive internet research and second (and sometimes third!) opinions. But mostly I go by what feels good to me. I try not to be too trendy, instead going for a pulled together and comfortable style. I love Gilda Radner’s philosophy: “I base most of my fashion taste on what doesn’t itch”. Funny, but so true! If I find myself constantly readjusting a blouse or pulling at my jeans it’s an indication that something doesn’t fit properly. If my shoes aren’t comfortable for a full day of work then I either need to rethink how/when I wear them or give them away. Uncomfortable or ill-fitting? In the words of Sweet Brown “ain’t nobody got time for that”!

Last year I went on a diet and exercise program and lost 30 pounds. As a result I had to completely replace my wardrobe – which sounds great until you actually have to spend the money! I also had to reevaluate how I dress my new, improved body. At the age of 54 that’s an interesting proposition. I wanted to accentuate my new, thinner frame without revealing too much. I also had to be budget conscious and build up slowly so I didn’t give my very understanding and supportive husband a heart attack! This process is one reason I started writing this blog. I’ve been amazed at the response!

Thanks for reading – I’d love to get your feedback and questions!

Today’s outfit:
Teal Empire Waist top: LOFT (hand me down from my daughter!)
White Cardigan: LOFT Outlet
Denizen bootcut jeans: Target
Brown Aerosole Sandals: DSW
Orange bubble necklace: J Crew Outlet
Long gold chain: Lori Yeary Designs
Gold earrings: Lori Yeary Designs

**I showed the outfit with and without the sweater. It’s still a little chilly here, so the sweater was comfortable.

Frugally yours,

Lori

Color Full

Green is one of my favorite colors. Finding the right shade of green for my color type can be tricky, but I think I’ve finally got the hang of it. Did you ever have yours “colors done”? Years ago a friend was starting a seasonal color analysis business and offered to do my color chart for free. Honestly I was disappointed to find out I was an “Autumn”. I didn’t like the colors so I was surprised to find out some my favorite colors weren’t on the list. Then again I always wondered why I felt I needed to wear more makeup when I wore certain colors.

Shortly after getting my color chart I was in an Easter pageant at our church. The costumer put me in an orange headscarf and I couldn’t believe the number of compliments I received about the color next to my face! It was truly amazing and eye-opening. From then on I determined to buy clothing only in the colors on my chart – and have done so ever since. What a difference in makes in the way I feel about what I wear – and I rarely make color mistakes now!

If you don’t know your “star” colors, just remember the last time someone raved about something you wore. More than likely they commented on the color as well as the garment. Take note of what you were wearing at the time and how you felt about it. This is the beginning of finding your personal style. It’s really not hard – and makes getting dressed every day so much easier!

What’s your favorite outfit and why? I’d love to hear from you!

Today’s outfit:
Green Mossimo cotton sweater: Target
Skinny jeans: Target
Brown and Tan Sandals: DSW
Necklaces: Lori Yeary Designs

Frugally yours,

Lori