WIW -- Finding my Way to Smart Casual

I'm in that brief period between finishing my school year and my children finishing theirs. Of course, I've already double booked this time, filling it with grand plans and projects, although only a small fraction will make it to completion! My wardrobe needs change, too, and I find it harder to feel fab. Here are some of my recent WIW:

1/2: Out to lunch with the 'rents
White bermudas --- Lee (last year from Kohls)
Polka Dot top -- Liz Claiborne for JCP
Chambray Jacket -- Croft and Barrow, Kohls
Wedges: Payless (last year)

I like wearing lighter colors for a change. Mostly I just struggle with dressing for pleasing proportion and not just to try to look as skinny as possible. (Angie's post was timely)

3/4
Knit dress: Croft and Barrow for Kohls
ON Jacket
Old wedges

This dress is comfy as jammies, and I like the length, shape and pattern. It's still in the stores,and is available in a khaki/cream stripe which would look great on a netural gal. Just remember to size down! I think I may purge the shoes. I kept them because they bookend my hair, but they're a little blah compared to my other wedges.

5-7 WIW Today
Skirt: JCrew, thrifted
Pink Cami
Jacket: Carson Pririe Scott (last year)
metallic flats (old)

I call this AJ and Astrid's silhouette. I'm not sure that the pale blue works with the bright color. My plan was to treat is as a neutral. I felt very ladylike, but I'm always a little unsure as to whether this silhouette is too "dainty" and young for my age and frame. This skirt is incredibly light and cool, so it will have playground duty this summer!

What should I wear more of? What should I change or tweak?

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14 years ago

Jonesy

Veteran

I'm in the same exact period right now! I really think these outfits are fab! You should see me in my caftans and mismatched lounge wear...I think my fave is 1-2, but I love the striped dress and the last outfit looks great too (I prefer the jacket unbuttoned).

Makrame

I absolutely adore 1-2 and 3-4, especially with the jackets. The polka dot top is great, that Kohl's dress is perfect, and your styling is fab!

sarah

Beth Ann, these are fantastic casual summer looks. I absolutely LOVE 1 and 3, and the others are fab, too. You are rockin' it.

bj1111

1-4 are so smart and casual. very beth ann.

Transcona Shannon

I find with the change in seasons, I get almost restless with my wardrobe. I want to dress a little "freer" and less structured as the weather warms up.

I absolutely LOVE you in that striped dress/denim jacket combination Beth Ann! The colours in the dress are beautiful (you need more plum) and the shapes so very flattering.

I also really like the white shorts outfit - very nice.

Anonymous

My favorite is the striped dress with and without the denim jacket. You look great! Very flattering outfit.

Beth Ann

Thanks for the feedback! At least I finally look in my closet and have things that I can mix and remix. I'm still on a very steep learning curve, but I fee like the items in my closet are playing more nicely with each other now -- fewer orphans and one-hit wonders.

Shannon -- The striped dress/denim combo reminds me of some of your outfits! Now, if only I could borrow some of your shoes! I'm a 9 1/2!

Jonesy -- You rock the caftan world! For some reason, I always associate caftans with a pool. If you don't have one already, you must start digging! I'm sure your dd would agree that it would make the perfect accessory!

ManidipaM

Beth Ann, I love. every. inch. of #1. Very, very cool. A little jealous of the 'Old wedges' and smiling at the top's fab mod print.

#2 is extremely easy good-looking --- an FFBO option? Good last(?) use of the bookender shoes --- I love how the straps create a 'stripe' that's perfect with that dress. I confess I'd not be able to let go of shoes that bookended so perfectly and looked so good! Are they less than comfy? I'll cheer up a bit if so But of course, if they're pointless duplicates, you should absolutely pass them on!

Like Jonesy, I like that jacket unbuttoned in #3. The stronger colour of the top balances the visual 'weight' of the chambray somehow, to my eye.

christieanne

I liked the casual look of #1 that is dressed up with the jacket. Green and blue in the top go so well with white too. And the dress is one of those items that you will most likely live in this summer. It looks easy to grab and go and so effortlessly put together with the denim jacket.

I am not as fond of #3 but it still looks great and if the skirt is comfy and cool, keep working it !

celia

All this looks are great.Changes in weather, schedule always make us doubt our wardrobe but you look effortless smart casual.

Thanks, Christianne!

BTW -- Mandipa, I was in a "shoe hole"' mode last year. Fortunately, I have "peasant" feet and can wear budget shoes. I kept buying "pretty good" shoes, but not really making great choices. This how I ended up with 3 pairs of neutral (metallic, tan and brown) wedges. Of course, I'm so hard on shoes that having a small shoe wardrobe just means I destroy them in months instead of years, so I can keep all of these and still wear them into the grave. Um, I have 3 pairs of "neutral" ballet flats, too. If I had fussy or tiny feet, I'd be sunk! Here's to hoping your new Clarks work like Cinderella's slippers!

Sona

I really, really like 3-4. The bermudas outift rocks too. I think if you have more dresses with a silhouette similar to 3/4 you should defintiely wear more of those!
And 5-7 are really so reminiscent of AJ and Astrid!!

citygirldc

(website)

That purplish chevron looks great on you especially that color. 5 an 6 is summery fun. You look great in all your outfits.

Mamapicklejuice

Love, LOVE the first two outfits - absolutely covet them. They look summery, fresh, lovely and still a touch structured/tailored - isn't it great what a jacket can add? The skirt in #3 is a great "playground find"! Are the buttons on the front decorative?

MPJ -- The buttons aren't decorative -- they're actually how I get in and out of the skirt. The pleasts are actually stitched down, also, although it appears box pleated in the photo. I like it best belted with a simple t, I think.

Sarah A

#1 and #3 are my favorites! The shirt in 1/2 is so fun and the shorts fit perfectly! I love the chevron dress topped with the denim... i am really digging this YLF denim jacket theme.

Love all the details on that last skirt, Beth Ann...buttons AND stitched down pleats - very flattering and neat details.

Kiwichik

I like the propotions in all these outfits. My fav is the stiped dress & denim jacket. Nothing wrong with the wedges. The last outfit suits you & the chambray skurt works as a neutral. I like tge crisp white sorts with the green top very crip & summery.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

All these outfits are 10s and you look gorgeous!

KILLER all round.

Thanks, KC & Angie! I seem to be unsure of myself and my closet these days, so it's great to get positive comments. I DO however, feel so much more content when I look in my closet, or I would is someone would get in there and tidy up! Actually, what I mean is: YLF has helped me make better choices, and now I have a wardrobe that works. That is huge! Further epiphanies and changing style directions to come, I'm sure!

Suz

These are terrific outfits, Beth Ann! I especially like #1. Those shorts look so great on you and the top is so pretty and fresh. But I equally like #3.

christy

All of those are great, but I ADORE 1/2 - perfection! And a big yay for a comfy dress - really cute with the denim jacket.

Traci

You look great! I'm sitting here trying to plot how I can get myself to kohls to check out that dress. I love it!

Amy

So much fun! I love your take on smart casual. I just bought a striped dress and am totally going to copy the way you styled yours. Very fab!

Thanks, Amy, can't wait to see your striped dress.

Traci: These dresses are kind of hidden in the stores -- in the back corner of the Croft and Barrow section, hanging with other (less fab) dresses. Size down!

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