Willing the Warm Weather

Who’s ready for warm weather!?!  If you’ve seen me out and about in carpool or on my dog walks, you know that I am trying to will in the weather with my wardrobe!   I’ll admit, the weather and I are not yet fully in sync out here in Northern California.  I have been freezing my booty off but, I have at least been looking stylish at the same time!  

The warm weather is trying with all of mother nature’s might to get here and sooner or later she will persevere!  In the mean time, I’ve put away my winter wardrobe and have pulled my spring styles up, front and center.  This has also given me a chance for a nice spring clean out of my closet, to donate clothes I’m ready to move on from, and clearly make room for new styles. 

As pathetic as it is, I’ve set some (many) outfits together in my closet for morning time saving purposes.  Additionally, I find putting outfits together quite theraputic.  Sad? Not for me!

I know I’ve said it before but, I’m sort of an either or girl.  I love a statement but, typically (never say never) I just like one statement at a time.  For example.  I created a little chart below for the way my brain works when putting an outfit together. First question I need to ask myself, who am I today and what am I doing?  Second, is there anything calling to me to wear?  No, I am not kidding. Then onto weather and practicalities.

I’ll say it’s a typical day for me lately, with an appointment or two, driving the kids in circles for hours, a dog walk and some zoom calls.  I like to put some pep in my own step as it makes me feels good and cheers me up so, I’m typically up for statements. Always? No.  Typically? Yes.  What is calling to me?  Usually comfort.  

Next, my weather sunshine willing and I start with what I’m wearing on the bottom.  Lately I am drawn to my collection of lightweight fabulous pants that seems to be growing a bit out of control.  If I’m choosing one of these, my statement is done and I need to fill in with simple options. 

 So, a bodysuit, simple shoe, coat hopefully I don’t need but, when in doubt of the weather choose a leather jacket always (probably choose one anyway) and keep rolling down the line choosing simple options.  The best thing I find about wearing something with a little life in it is that, you can throw your hair in a knot, toss on some lip gloss and still look majorly glam.  

Now let’s say you chose a jean or a simple pant or short.  Use your statement piece somewhere fun!  You could go crazy with a fun top, wild shoes, major earrings or a great red lip!  I know these rules aren’t for everyone but, they work for me.  I find that if I follow these guidelines, I can have fun with dressing without it being overkill.  

Basic Rules:

Choose one from each category, only one category may be a statement piece.  Once you’ve chosen your statement piece, know you’ve got to go simple in the remaining categories.  Also a little trick I like to stick with along the lines of my “either/or” theory is fitted and baggy.  If you choose a baggy bottom, try a more fitted top!  And vice versa.  You’ve chosen a fitted bottom? Add some volume up top!  I like the way this works for the silhouette and it also makes my choosing go by a little faster.  If you know your statement piece first, it helps.  If the statement is a baggy top, you know you need a simple bottom….etc..

Exceptions to the rules:

You can choose simple in all categories and that’s usually a good statement in itself

You can go over the top for holidays and look like a Christmas tree if you want and it’s great

You can choose statement dresses or swim/coverup with statement bags and statement earrings (but you definitely need to keep the shoes simple in this case) 

Statement shoes IMO are only good if you’re keeping the outfit basic,  otherwise you loose the effect of the shoe and look like a bit of a clown.  Simple dress? Fabulous heel.  Wild McQueen dress? Keep the shoe simple.  

Here are some of my favorite looks that are waiting for me in my closet!  Like I said, not a system that works for everyone but, it works for me! Hope you enjoyed my tips! 

XXX Maggie

Outfit #1:

I should likely clarify my version of simple.  Here, we have a few things that could be considered statement pieces but I am going to hand it to the denim here.  High with a good waist these jeans “accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative” as the genius Bing Crosby told us.

The gorgeous lilac top, a simplistic perfection pop.  A great platform heel that you’ll only see a touch of under the denim now and then.  Top this look off with Gedebe’s to die for clutch and always some of my favorite gems.

Outfit #2

Back to the bottoms for this look!  I’ve been obsessed with these pants since I first saw them and knew when I got them I would have to honor and respect them in all their glory!  You know what that means? Keep the rest simple and let those pants shine!! 

Outfit #3

I wore this dress on Easter and am fully on board with how they’ve styled it here! Keep it simple and let the dress speak for itself. I wore my hair down and seeing this picture, fully regret it. Next time its a simple ponytail or bun for me! 

Outfit #4

This is a very standard look you’ll find me in.  I’m obsessed with Lingua Franca and the good they put out in the universe!  Clearly, her pieces are a statement in and of themselves. Paired with a good jean and sneaker, you’ve got a winner for sure! 

Outfit #5

One of my favorite new spring looks that I can’t wait to wear! Emphasis on the pant again here, seems to be my trend.  A great rose colored accent on top and bottom will finish it off just right:)