Today I am showing how versatile something as simple as a plain white tank can be. This tank is from Uniqlo*, which is one of my favorite stores for basic items.
If you’ve got one last vacation planned this summer, packing a white tank is a must. Throw it in the suitcase with some shorts, a patterned skirt , a maxi dress or even white jeans and you’ve got 4 easy, effortless looks. Which one is your favorite?
Shorts- Athleta, Shoes- Target Skirt- Target, Shoes- Lucky Brand Jeans- H & M, Shoes- Naot, Purse- I bought this in Italy 20 years ago! Dress- Gap, Flip Flops- Havianas
*I tried to find the tank from Uniqlo to link, but couldn’t find one. Here is a link to a cute one from Target instead.
Normally I would advise against raiding your teenage daughter’s closet. There is nothing worse than a ‘forty something’ mom trying desperately to look young and hip… but today I am breaking that rule.
My 16 year old is away at camp in Canada this week, so I ‘borrowed’ her camo skirt to try out some outfit ideas. To avoid looking like a teenager, I am wearing the skirt low on my hips to add length. One less inch and I’d be in trouble! I also have kept things really simple by pairing the skirt with with a plain tank or graphic t shirt. My daughter would probably wear this with a tube or cropped top- but no thanks! Simple black slides or sandals complete the casual look.
I’d love to hear from you on which top you like best?!
I am a big fan of jackets. I own a LOT of them. I think they are the perfect item to add to any outfit to keep warm.
First off, I love the jacket on the left. It’s an olive green field/ military style jacket. Paired with the right top and jeans, it can be a cute outfit, like when I wore it here. However, today, this look is not doing much for me.
So I replaced the field jacket with this cute olive bomber (similar) This jacket is made out of Tencel, which if you aren’t familiar with it- you should be. It is made of wood pulp (earth friendly) and is one of the softest fabrics out there. So comfortable to wear! If you are thinking about buying a jacket to add to your wardrobe- consider getting a green bomber. The color is a great neutral that can be worn with everything- and it is a stylish alternative to a cardigan.
I then replaced the high neck white tee shirt with this cute scoop neck tank. Working with the casual vibe, I switched out the black jeans for my ripped/ ankle length pair and then slipped on my black and grey tennis shoes instead of the heavy black boots. To complete the outfit, I threw on this fun necklace that adds a little interest.
Well, my trip to the desert has come to an end, and it’s time to go back to Seattle. For my journey home I am wearing skinny jeans, a white tank and my black blazer.
My after look is a little more stylish than the t shirt and jacket in the photo on the left. The neckline of the t shirt is too high, the jacket is too casual to be wearing with skinny jeans (it’s better suited for a workout), and the black boots are clunky.
This blazer is more polished – and the cute necklace, bracelets and slip on loafers (which will be easy going through security) complete the outfit. I’m carrying this large black bag as my carry on. It holds my laptop, Mer-sea wrap and everything else I’ll need for the flight- and best of all, I got this cute purse at H & M for about $20 (a few years ago)!
Well, I don’t know about fab– but the comparison between these two looks is quite a contrast, don’t you think?
Let’s start with the look on the right- these baggy rolled jeans paired with my UGGs looks frumpy. The plain white t shirt (part of the problem is the ultra high neckline) under the boyfriend style cardigan also contribute to the frumpy look.
In the look on the left I have replaced the frumpy (and baggy) mom jeans with some cute skinny jeans (please know that you DO NOT have to be a size 0 to wear skinny jeans- I am somewhere between a size 4 and 6). I’ve got on brown boots instead of the UGGs. I then switched out the plain white shirt for a cute tank- it’s a very small detail, but notice the cute ruffle around the neckline. Small details like that add so much interest to a look. Lastly, I added a cute necklace to tie the whole look together.
Tank- NY and CO, Cardigan: Nordstrom, Jeans: Madewell, Boots: DSW, Necklace: gift
There is a great style blog called Ain’t No Mom Jeans– I love checking it out from time to time. It’s amazing how something  basic and simple as a pair of jeans can really change your look.
The jeans I am wearing on the right I bought at the Goodwill for a Halloween costume- but they are so bad, I decided to show them today so that you can see a side by side comparison of what a difference jeans can make.
It’s not helping that I tucked my tank in- but I wanted you to be able to see the 18 inch rise and the elastic waistband. That’s not all that’s bad though- the color is awful (acid wash is not my favorite) and the baggy- yet gathered at the ankle- style isn’t flattering. The one nice thing I can say about these jeans is that they were so comfy!!!
Luckily, the jeans on the left are also comfy- and a lot more stylish. The dark wash is much better- the cut is slimmer (but not too tight) and the slight flare at the ankle is a great alternative to the boot leg cut. Paired with pointy heels and this cute blazer- I’m ready for work!
If you haven’t already- do a personal jeans assessment. Are your jeans dated? When did you buy them? Are they still ‘in style’? If you think you need new ones- there are lots of great options in lots of price ranges. Shop around and try on lots and lots of different pairs/ styles/ brands… Â My favorites are Madewell, CABi, Old Navy, James Jeans.
Unfortunately the lighting is so awful in my bathroom that you can’t even tell that I’m rocking my purple jeans- but trust me, I am! (As much as a 42 year old can rock anything! Not!)
This is a great outfit for those days when you are running around town and want to be comfy, casual and cute!
As mentioned, I chose my purple jeans, a white tank (notice the little ruffle detail around the neckline) and this cute beige open cardigan. To add some fun to the look, I wore my leopard flats and added a cute Stella and Dot necklace.
I’ve said this a million times- but it bears repeating:
I know I’m not  the most fashionable person out there. And yes, I’ll agree that this outfit is a little on the ‘safe side’.  I realize that for many people the idea that I am giving fashion advice is crazy… most of my friends are far more fashionable than I am!
But that being said, having this daily journal to document what I am wearing has inspired me to re-think my clothes, try new looks and get great advice from readers. Please remember that this blog is for us real ‘everyday’ moms who just want to look pulled together- not like we stepped off the runway (or are trying too hard to look young, hip and fabulous!). Enough said!
I bought this cute red and white checked shirt at Old Navy at the start of the summer- thinking it would be a fun 4th of July shirt. However,with temperatures in the 100’s (I was in Kansas over the 4th) there was no way I was wearing this… so it has sat in the back of my closet ever since.
Today I decided to bust it out. I layered it over a white tank and then paired it with my dark J Crew cropped pencil jeans, for shoes I opted for these cute sandals from Target. I know- these sandals offer absolutely no support- but I knew I wasn’t going to be on my feet much today- so I decided to go for it!
As for my before picture… please know that I would NEVER actually wear this outfit- I took this picture to make a point.
When wearing a shirt like this, you might be tempted to go all Daisy Duke and knot your shirt at the waist and pair it with denim cutoffs.
Please don’t!
Surely the picture on the right says it all! Â This doesn’t look sexy, or hip or young… it looks like a sad, desperate attempt to look young.
If you are over 40, you really shouldn’t be wearing denim cutoff’s* (or actually any denim short in my opinion) any more. Opt for a cute denim skirt instead… or cropped jeans (just make sure they are cropped at the ankle and NOT the mid calf).
Dress classy instead of trashy… there you have it, I sound like my mother again today. I guess that’s a good thing!
By the way, it’s my sister’s b day today and I want to wish her happy day. Your card is going to be late. Sorry.
I decided to try it tucked in as well for a little more polished look (but then I have to suck in my tummy all day. UGH!)
* I suppose if you are going to the beach you could wear your denim cut off’s… but a cute swim suit coverup would be more appropriate.
I’m not sure how much I’m really ready to do yet… but I actually missed my little old blog this summer- so I’ve decided to come back- but on a not so regular basis (meaning I won’t be posting my outfits every day!).
So here goes…
Today I’m wearing the simple and ever classic combo of black and white. I’ve paired skinny black leggings with a white loose tank and then to add interest (and to hide my hips a bit) I’ve thrown on this drapey grey vest. I’ve decided to keep my shoes really simple- and opted for my black patent Birkenstocks. (Missey- these are for you!). And, naturally, I’ve added a necklace to complete the look (which follows my rule of 3!)
I like this outfit because it’s easy, comfy, looks effortless and yet seems somewhat stylish!?
Now for the before! I actually took 2 before pictures- because it’s so easy to go so wrong.
In my first before I am wearing cropped black pants.
These cropped pants make my legs look so short!
Ladies- PLEASE get rid of any pants you have that are cropped the mid calf. They are not flattering and make your legs look really short. The other problem is my white t shirt  is matronly with the high neckline. Lastly, these shoes are also awful! I bought these last year when the menswear trend was so popular- and let that be a lesson- don’t follow every trend. These shoes are goofy & clunky looking- not sleek and stylish (which is what I aspire for! 🙂
My second ‘before’ look is the slim black pants, but paired with a regular tank. I’m showing this because the tank alone is not flattering. Not only can you can see my pooch- but the short length doesn’t provide enough coverage of my hips and butt- and no one needs to see that! Opt instead for a loose fitting, longer flowy tank that provides more coverage.
This fitted tank emphasizes every bump and the length is too short with this tight of pants. Cover your bums ladies!
So there you have it- I hope you have had a great summer- and thanks for visiting me today!
  Today’s reader request is from a local Seattle gal- who wants to dress ‘summery’, but also realizes that it’s only 55 degrees outside.
This is a tough one- because while everyone else in the country seems to be wearing summer clothes- we in the Pacific Northwest are still faced with really cold temps.
We want to look appropriate for the season- but we are also a practical bunch of people!
Today I’m showing how I took a black long sleeve wrap top and by making very minor changes- made it look a little more ‘summery’.
To do this I need to show more skin!
I opened the neckline a bit (this was done by loosening the wrap a bit), added a white tank underneath, pushed up the sleeves and rolled up my jeans. I added to bangle type bracelets and switched out my ballet flats for sandals.
Now I’ll be warm, but also don’t look too wintery.
What are your suggestions for dressing for the season?
Everyday Mom Style 