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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

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Helena

Veteran

Or, what would Reese do?

As I've mentioned, I would like to build on my classic, polished and casual style by adding pieces/creating outfits with some crisp and pretty details in 2021. Who better to look to for insp than Reese Witherspoon, specifically as she wears her Draper James aesthetic?

Now I have realized that I have pared back my wardrobe to the essentials for the most part - so new additions will be thoughtful but emphasize this evolving direction ... in the meantime, I'm working with what I've got. Classic pieces, gingham in navy & white, delicate jewellery.

I was also sick of winter clothes and my usual uniform, so I'm pretending it's spring, since I don't have to go anywhere! I'm also sick of being miserable so I was attempting to have a bit of fun with the photos!

Have a good day friends! xx

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32 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

Star (Lise)

Veteran

I also really like the Reese Look - and it suits you!

Inge

(website)

Yes! This is a great outfit that ticks all your style requirement boxes mentioned above, Helena! Love the blue gingham on you, and the pearl pendant, earrings, and subtle make-up add great polish.

Great pics, and I hope you are feeling a bit better today! xxx

Anonymous

I like your version of the gingham shirt better ! Where is it from? Gingham lends itself to pattern mixing so well - and this shirt looks like a good layering piece too. Now I think I need one too

Anonymous

Love Reese and gingham! Wonderful outfit

Helena

Veteran

Lisa, it's from Gap lol!! It's actually old ... prob 2014 now that I look, because I copied Princess Kate's New Zealand outfit from that year ... I don't wear it often but it does seem to come back in frequently so I pull it out every once so often - so defo worth a look for one, I'd say.

rachylou

Veteran

Haha. I know what you mean by Reese, but at the same time I was a little worried. Reese has a little girl/big cabbage rose quality that sometimes seems very geographically specific to her home place. Like lisap, I rather prefer your version! Just lovely!

Anonymous

Just right!
Sooo ready to pack away the coats and boots!

Carla

Veteran

This may be the first time I’ve seen you in a button down! I LOVE this outfit Helena.

cat2

Veteran

I would call the Draper James look Southern Lilly Pulitzer — similar shapes but in patterns like gingham and plaid rather than Palm Beach prints. I think it’s wearable any place you are likely to find plaid.

RacheyLou, I wouldn’t dismiss it just because it’s not your aesthetic, or because Reese wears Barbie pink when pitching those Legally Blonde movies.

Helena

Veteran

Thanks everyone!

Rachy, I agree - there is a Tennessee meets SoCal quality to her style that can be a little difficult to translate to Toronto in winter. It was virtually impossible to find an inspo pic for winter weather. That said, I definitely think there are elements of her style that translate well, at least as accents ... and I accept my limitations, such as my inability to wear plaid without looking like a lumberjack, where she looks like an adorable southern girl.

I WAS going to say, defo no big florals for me, but then I put my mask on to drive DS to the pizza place for a takeout ... so maybe, big floral in small accents is more accurate!

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slim cat

Veteran

Great look and goes so well with mask ! You look polished and comfortable.

Pat_P

You are definitely one of my style inspirations! And here in New England, I’m also starting to dream about spring, even though I know it is at least two months away. I always enjoy seeing your photos and love the polished simplicity of your look.

kellygirl

Veteran

SO cute! Great inspiration photo. You nailed it your way!

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

You nailed it!

I'm still busy pretending it's winter, which is getting harder every day. Sigh.

cat2

Veteran

My solution to plaid is not to buy it in classic blouse cuts, which don’t look good on me anyhow, but to wait for it to show up in accents or in another shape. I have a Clear the Rack plaid top on order for Spring that is a popover in a small plaid without much contrast with a square open neck. I have no idea whether it will work, the brand is new to me, but that shape works for me with jeans and boots.

I also think it’s funny when folks diss prints out of hand. A floral can be on trend like those Bathsheba prints, or perfectly dreadful like in some of my high school HomeEc projects. Staud has some gorgeous sophisticated tropical prints but we all know that can go horribly wrong in the wrong hands. So I don’t rule anything in or out based on such a broad category.

JAileen

Veteran

I really like your style. You do it better than Reese.

kkards

Veteran

FAB, you’ve nailed it...i think of Reece’s style as preppie lite.

rachylou

Veteran

Oh no, I agree cat2. I went straight aways to look at Draper James when it came out, because Reese Would Know. But I did have a moment there where I pictured our Helena with a big pitcher of lemonade on her porch in a snowstorm

RobinF

Veteran

So cute! Love the gingham.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You look super cute! Great pattern mix with the mask

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

What a great style inspiration! The outfit is super on you. And that mug! What a great way to start the day.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Good morning, your beautiful self! Love this look on you, and fully understand putting one capsule away and being ready for another.

Jules

Veteran

Hahaha rachy we are having an actual snow "storm" in my part of Toronto today, and now I'm tempted to have a front porch lemonade party! Not much more random than various other covid era "themes" we've come up with to amuse ourselves at home... also to say I don't think I've ever seen you completely dismiss *anything*, lots of interesting perspectives on a variety of things but never dismissal.

Helena, the outfit is super cute and I like the pattern mixing with the mask too! Opposite pattern scales in the same colours is perfect for modern classic pattern mixing IMO.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

That floral mask is great with the gingham! I’m usually not into the coordinating masks, but that works really well.

nemosmom

Veteran

This is an outstanding look! I am jealous of your lack of fleece indoors

Christina F.

Veteran

This gingham shirt has to be one of the best things I've seen on you. YLF!

Helena

Veteran

Thanks all; really appreciate it! Amazing how a change in clothing can brighten the mood

Rachy, lol'ing at the porch lemonade party ... I'll be honest, we haven't done lemonade but DH and I HAVE donned parkas, toques and snowboots to have wine on the porch in winter Sometimes you just have to get outside! It's handy too because I like my wine nicely chilled.

One time DH, DS and DD decided to build a winter fort ... by the time I got outside, they had set up a projector and were all sitting in the snow watching Netflix on the snowscreen they'd built ... people stopped their cars to take photos haha ... only my techie fam ... *rolls eyes*

Nemosmom, I am actually freezing haha ... but I just couldn't cope with woolies today

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Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Great look on you! The picture of your family projecting onto the snow is priceless. Hope you are feeling less miserable - spring will come.

Minaminu

Veteran

Helena, you look great in that gingham blouse! I prefer your outfit than the other picture, you look more polished and comfortable!

I hope spring will arrive soon, my daffodils are about to blossom!

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