Evaluating summer closet (pic heavy)

OK, so my NAS shopping (so far) is over and today I decided to evaluate my closet for what I purchased for the spring/summer months. I have a migraine and did as much as I could while on drugs, lol. Looking at items I have only worn once or twice is what I am concentrating on right now. These are the main culprits. Booties, jean skirt, and dressy shorts. My thought when I purchased them was to add items that I do not normally wear and stretch my comfort zone and get out of my summer rut of jean shorts, tanks and tees. Needless to say, I have been a poor 'stretcher'. Here are the outfits I put together today. I tried to take outdoor pics but the sun was too bright for my head so I moved inside. Please excuse the poor quality pics.

#1,2 & 11 - Dressy shorts with longer top to hide tummy. (Not sure I like this combo)
#3 Jean skirt with #10 Nine west bootie
#4 Jean skirt with #9 Bronx oxford bootie (thought these booties would take the place of high-top sneakers)
#5 Jean skirt, dressier silk top with #10 Nine west bootie
#6 Jean skirt, trellis sweater/sweatshirt with #10 Nine west bootie (I know, soul sucking beige but I love the pattern)
#7 Jean skirt, trellis sweater/sweatshirt with #9 Bronx oxford bootie

So, what does not work? Ditch the trellis sweater? Which booties look best? None? I need help so all opinions welcome.

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12 years ago

rebekahphoto

Veteran

I like the dressier top in #5-the drape and rich color are fab. of the booties #9 does a great job of lengthening your leg line, looks cute & a good summer/fall transitional boot!

Sona

I like all the booties and the top in 5.

rachylou

I like the tops in #5, 6 and the booties in #10 - fab!

I like booties #9 also, but they seem very unlike you. I don't know if that's good or bad.

Glory

Sorry to hear about the migraine - hope it passes quickly
I love all of the footwear and the skirt is awesome. I also like the tshirt in 3 and the top in 5!

deb

Rachy, that is my issue. I would normally wear flats so I thought if booties were in my closet, I would wear them. Now I am in the 'push myself outside my comfort zone' mode. I am not sure it will work, though.

froggiebecky

I love the combo of the skirt plus the booties. I also love the trellis top. I'd wear that (with tights) into the fall, as well. I'm not a fan of the shirt in #3--well, the shirt itself is fine, but maybe not with the skirt. Perhaps a more fitted tee would work? I don't know enough of your style to pick out the boots..the Nine West ones give a slightly western vibe while the lace-ups feel a bit preppier to me.

Jaime

(website)

I am a little confused about which bootie is which but i really like the cowboy style ones #9. I like the tops in #5 and #6.

Anonymous

I like all the booties and the tops in 5 and 6!

Suz

I love those cowboy style booties in 9 and think they look fantastic on you with the denim skirt! Definitely keep and wear the skirt. You have fab legs and it looks terrific. Plus, it's really not a big stretch from denim shorts to a denim skirt, especially a faded one.

Love the top in #5.

It's hard to judge the shorts....can you wear them into the early autumn? If so, I would hang onto them. You might end up finding a way to make them work.

I like the look in #3, too -- granted, it's casual, but this would work 100% in my life, plus the T looks TAUPE to me, LOL.

If you have 3 pairs of shoes that are not working, I wonder whether it would make sense to limit footwear purchases for a while? I know you have a ton of absolutely stunning flats. Just wondering if your real problem isn't a surfeit of riches rather than a lack of styling ideas or ability?

I am sorry you have a migraine. Hateful things. I hope it eases.

ETA: I really admire your decision to go through your closet and question those items that aren't getting wear. I need to do this too, only it still feels too early, since summer has literally just started a few weeks ago -- I could hardly expect myself to wear my light sleeveless tops before the temperatures got warm.

Vix

Hi Deb --

Suz said so much of what I want to say re stretching/discovering/evaluating.

I wanted to add that sometimes the pieces I buy to shake things up a bit get worn immediately, and sometimes they take a little longer to worm their way into rotation. Usually that latter is due to not putting the new things with older things that feel like me and/or getting things to work proportion-wise...but when I get the click it's a good feeling (and nice to have something different than one of my "uniforms!"). So hang in there for a while longer and keep experimenting.

-- I'll come back to #1/2 but I love all the outfits with the cowboy booties/denim skirt; they look very natural/effortless on you and look intentional...like you put some thought into them. Again dittoing Suz on your great legs. I also think these tops in warmer, earthy, not-too-intense neutrals look really great on you (a tough feat as many of us look like death in them!).

-- I actually like the brown/ivory booties on you and especially like them with the lattice top since they echo the texture. They aren't bad with the denim skirt, but because they're more delicate I wonder how they'd look with something a little softer/drapier. A knit skirt? Your jean shorts if they're worn in/faded? I don't know what's in your closet but maybe there's a little something to try.

-- Back to #1/2. I like the idea of all the "stretchers," but (sorry!) it's my least fav of the bunch on you due to the brighter color and high contrast...it seems to fight with your personal coloring.

I wonder what would happen if you tried one of your Ts with the shorts/black booties? I could see a darker graphic T being kind of cool/oh I just tossed this on, ha. Personally I'd try the two tops here (4/5) and see how it went. Nothing to lose, right?

Keep us posted!

Sux and Vix, these are great ideas and I will put them into action and see what comes of it. Thank you so much!

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