Easy Outfits FEATURING Designer Denim!!

We all have mornings where we are running close on time and don't have time to think about what we are going to wear for the day. I had that morning today, and that spurred the inspiration for this blog post!

Every woman should have a fall back outfit. Something that you can wear when your not feeling your best, or when you just don't have time to actually put something together. 

One common thread for this post is the Designer Denim we have in the store. buying high end denim may not seem like it's worth it, but if your a denim lover, its totally worth it. High end denim will normally be a higher quality denim and will also be cut better to better fit you. Of course finding the perfect brand of high end denim that fits your body is important. All brands will have different styles that will fit differently, but most brands stick to the same cutting and fitting methods.

My personal favorite quick outfit is a basic top, a great pair of jeans and a scarf. 

 

Talbots top ~ Size Large Petite ~ $14
Silver Jeans ~ 31/12 ~ $59
Scarf ~ $15
Earrings ~ $6

 

Putting on a scarf instantly makes me feel put together. When wearing a scarf, not many other accessories are necessary. I always wear earrings (as taught by my mother) and usually a simple watch or bracelet. 

 

Coldwater Creek Cardigan ~ Size Small ~$18
NEW Max  Studio Tank ~ Size Small ~ $18
Paige Jeans ~ Size 26/2 ~ $59 (20% off!)

 

Another favorite of mine is wearing something with sequins. Sequins lift my mood and make me feel dressier than I really am. No worries, wearing sequins casually is totally acceptable! 

Levi's Shirt ~ Size Medium ~ $14
7 for all mankind Jeans ~ size 30/10~ $59 (60% off!)

Button downs are a trend for this Spring. Grab one and your favorite pair of jeans, add a simple necklace and your done! If you want to be even more trendy, pop open a few extra buttons and be a little risky!

 

Talbots Sweater ~ Size P ~ $20
True Religion Jeans $59

 

These True Religion jeans are a standout on their own! True Religion is known for their extra bold, contrast stitching. With such detailed jeans, pair it with a simple top. Tuck in just a little bit of the front of the sweater to be ultra trendy.

 

 Chicos Zenergy top ~ Size 0 ~ $16
Ea rnest Sewn Jeans ~ size 28/6 ~ $59 (60% off!)
Nine West Shoes ~ Size 6.~ $26

If your like me and your not into the skinny jean craze, go the opposite and try a pair of boyfriend jeans. They may be slouchy, but that doesn't mean they can't be chic. Balance the slouch with a fitted Tee. Cuff the bottoms of the jeans and throw on a pair of colorful heels. Instantly chic!

 

 

JEANS 101:

When you pay a lot for your denim (and even when you don't) you want to take care of them so they last!

 

TIP 1: Only wash them when you HAVE too. There is no need to wash your jeans after every wear unless there are visible stains, or if they have lost their shape. Some believe that putting jeans in the freezer will kill the bacteria (odor) and give them back their original shape.

 

TIP 2: Wash in cold water on the gentlest cycle. If jeans are new, and have excess dye in them, this dye can transfer to other things like purse and shoes. To get rid of this, wash your jeans in a mixture of cold water, white vinegar and salt. Soak first.

 

TIP 3: NEVER DRY JEANS IN THE DRYER! Most jeans now have spandex or lycra in them which gives them their comfortable stretch. The heat from the dryer will break down the spandex in the jeans causing them to stretch out and lose shape quickly.  Hang or lay flat to dry. Don't worry if they feel stiff after air drying, once you have them on you won't even notice it.

 

If only do one thing to save your jeans, keep them out of the dryer!

 

Winter Blues

Are you suffering from the winter blues? The calendar might have just recently turned to winter, but we've been wearing winter clothes since October. Wearing the same tired outfits over and over makes winter even more depressing! Come to Our Friends' Closet to pick up some new winter items! 

Vince Camuto Tank~ Size Small~ $21 (40% off)

 

An electric blue tank is sure to lift your mood, and this white hot blazer is sure to keep you warm!

 

Anne Fontaine shirt~Size 10~$100
Sangria Dress~Size 4~ $22

Belt~S/M~$9

Break out of your winter blues by breaking out of your comfort zone! Take a simple cocktail dress, add a button down shirt, inspired by the menswear trend, and top it off with a belt! 

Leifsdottir Cardigan~size XS~ $42
Merona Tank~Size S~$5 (40%  off)

 

This sweater is unique all on it's own! Pair it with a plain top underneath (a wine color would look great!) so the details of the sweater stand out on their own! Burgundy/wine colored corduroys would be a great match to this sweater.

The Limited Pants~size 6~$12 (40% off)
Pink Tartan Sweater~size Large~$89

Keep the fall/winter trends going with these blue jacquard pants! Tuck them into your knee high boots with a  cream sweater for a simple yet trendy look!

Liquid Wool Coat~size 2~$129 (60% off!)

 

This beautiful wool coat will go great with anything that's already in your wardrobe! Its sure to keep you warm and keep you looking great all winter long!

 

The Chanel Look

Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel began her design career in the 1920s, but her style and influence will live on forever. Every woman has something in her closet reminiscent of Chanel even if it doesn't have those famous C's.

 

This is because Chanel designed for eternity, not for a season. Bettina Ballard, former Vogue editor, said of Chanel, "She will certainly go down in history as the only couturier who spanned the taste space of almost half a century without ever changing her basic conception of clothes."

 

Little did Ballard know that almost a full century later, we would still be wearing items inspired and conceptualized by Chanel.

 

If you own one piece of costume jewelry, or a "little black dress", you own a piece of Chanel's legacy. If you don't own a little black dress, Our Friends' Closet is here to help fill the gap in your wardrobe!

 

The little black dress, or now known as the LBD, is a staple piece every woman should have. If you buy the right LBD it can be used in a variety of ways. Black is known to have slimming capabilities, so throwing on a simple LBD on a day your not feeling so hot will instantly rev up your self confidence.

 

Contrary to popular belief the little in little black dress does not mean short. It was called little due to it's simplistic nature. A simple black dress can be worn casually for an everyday look, or can be dressed up for a night on the town. Or you can purchase a simple black dress for day, and an extra special black dress to wear for more dressy occasions.

 

Loft Dress size L $16

 

This Loft number has enough sparkle and a deep enough cut that it is ultra sexy for a night out. But throw a cami underneath, and maybe a cardigan over top, and it's instantly appropriate for day! Wearing a longer necklace brings the attention to your chest, better keep that for date nights.

 

Andrew Marc size 12 $39 (50% off!)

 

This dress may be simple in cut, but the details of the dress make it a knock out! The sheer black netting at the shoulders, and buttons from collar to waist give an air of mystery to this dress. Too much black for your taste? Throw on some colored jewelry and it will POP! against the all black background of the dress!

 

Ann Taylor skinny belt $12 (25% off)

Jacqueline Conoir Blazer size 4 $89 (50% off)

Dress size 10 $49

 

A satin dress may not sound like a dress that would work for day time, but when it's toned down with a colored blazer, and a oh so trendy skinny belt, this look is perfect for the office! Have a date after work? No problem. Remove the jacket to show off your shoulders, add some sparkly jewelry, and a sky high pair of strappy sandals. If the silhouette of the dress is too blousy for you, keep the skinny belt on all night long to show off your trimmed waist.

 

NEW The Limited dress size 10 $29 (25% off)
Necklace $10 (25% off)

 

Another dress that is perfect for day or night! Add the faux pearls to make it a true Chanel look! (Chanel is cited as the first to openly admit to wearing fake pearls, and is therefore credited with the "invention" of costume jewelry.)

 

Odille Dress size 6 $39 (50% off)

 

This strapless number is an LBD better left to those fancy occasions. While the fabric may be simple, but the cut of this dress is meant for a lavish night out. With bows in contrasting fabric, this LBD is anything but simple.

 

Silpada 3 strand necklace $129
Freshwater pearl necklace
Long Pearl Necklace $10 (25% off!)

 

 

If your going for a true Chanel look, don't be afraid to pile on the necklaces.

Gabrielle Coco Chanel

1883-1971

Still a fashion icon!

"These colors are impossible. These women, I'm bloody well going to dress them in black! So I imposed black...Black wipes out everything else around it."
-Coco Chanel