Happy DIY Day!

Just a quick post to update you on my DIY success from yesterday!

I may not be Gwyneth, Mila, or Kristen:

Capped Toe Pumps in Action

But, I’m still pretty stoked about easy it was to create my own pair or pumps:

Summer Clothes in Winter? Of Course!

Although it’s arguably the coldest week of winter so far, it doesn’t mean you can’t think warm thoughts! What better way to transport yourself to a sunnier place and time than by pulling out a few summer items and incorporating them into your routine?!

Don’t think you can do it? I’m here to prove to you this week that it’s super easy!

Example A: Capris

No one has to know that you’re rocking your favorite cropped pants when they’re tucked into boots! Your ankles stay warm and as an added bonus, it’s easier to wear the boots to begin with because you aren’t jamming all of that extra fabric in there. Voila! (Sorry that the picture doesn’t make it obvious, but I promise you I am wearing capri leggings tucked into black boots!)

January 16: Black and White Strip Top (The Limited), Black Capri Leggings (Target)

 

Example B: The Sleeveless Blouse

Think that just because it’s January that it means you have to stick to long sleeves? Wrong! I’ve found that my sleeveless blouses are perfect for pairing under a sweater for two reasons: 1) You don’t have to rearrange everything and get the sleeves “just right” like you do when you wear a long sleeved shirt, and 2) You’re totally ready in case someone asks you how to get to the gun show (Bad Humor, but c’mon… you chuckled)!

Vast Improvement! Navy V-Neck Sweater (J. Crew), Sleeveless Ruffle Blouse (NY & Co.), Straight Leg Jeans (Paige Denim

Boring Sleeveless Blouse

Layered Neutrals

It’s Day #2 of Refinery29 2012 Color Trend Week here on the Wear Everything Project and today is all about Layered Neutrals. You’re probably asking yourself right now, “Aren’t layered neutrals just as boring as a single neutral?” And part of you is right– but as Refinery29 notes in their slideshow, by layering pieces, you start to get a multi-dimensional effect that is pretty cool! In fact, I think I dig it over the black, on black, on gray that I’ve been rocking lately.

For today’s outfit, I started with a sweater shell that wasn’t going to see the light of day unless I wore the one skirt that I had specifically bought it to go with. You know how it goes: you find the perfect combo of items and suddenly the two pieces are married– there’s no chance you’d want one to cheat on the other with another item in your closet. Yet, as one of the “oatmeal” items that I own, I figured that I would start with that as my base and try to think outside the box by building around it. After studying the pictures from Refinery29, I added in some gray jeans and a gray and beige flecked sweater that I think pulls it all together. Ta Da! Layered Neutrals– just don’t tell the skirt!

Today’s Lesson: Just because you have a piece of clothing that you bought to go specifically with another item in your closet doesn’t mean you have to only wear them together! Get creative and start thinking of other ways to incorporate that item into your outfit repertoire.

Refinery29: Layered Neutrals

January 10: Oatmeal Merino Sweater Shell (Ann Taylor), Gray Wash Trouser Jeans (The Limited), Shawl Neck Duster Cardigan (New York & Co.)

70’s Appliances

Are you ready?! We’re kicking off my week of  Refinery29’s 2012 Color Trends with 70’s Appliances.

I’ll be honest, I was a little bit nervous about this one. Just the thought of “Harvest Gold and Almond to Avocado Green” made me a bit weary, but once I realized that I actually own these colors, it was game on. It’s also a great excuse to bust out a few items that I may have had to force myself to wear otherwise to get through this challenge and see them in a new light.

The lesson: trying new color combos can be surprisingly fun! Don’t sell yourself short either– just because you think you can’t pull off something, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t at least try.

So how did I do?

January 9: Silk Gold Halter (Express), Tan Boyfriend Cardigan (The Limited), and Brown Corduroys (Old Navy)

70's Appliances- Color Trend #1 of 2012

The Turtleneck Tribute

What do Gloria Steinem, Steve Jobs, and Rhianna all have in common? A love of turtlenecks! According to recent NY Times Article “The Turtleneck Comes Out of Its Shell,” we are currently in a state of turtleneck redux. Thank goodness I own 14 of them!

From lightweight tissue versions from J. Crew to chunky cable knits and everything in between, I too am a lover of this classic silhouette. Comfortable and functional, I agree with the words of designer Rachel Roy— “I am a turtleneck believer.”

So that begs the question: What is your go-to neckline? Are you a v-neck gal? Or maybe you’re a classic crewneck type of gent? Let us know!

I was hopeful that I could find a quiz or article to give you all some insight on what these necklines all mean, but instead, I thought this might be an interesting article to leave you with: The Most Flattering Neckline for You  (Good thing I have a long face!)

 

Day 17: Chunky Cable Knit Turtleneck (Victoria's Secret) and Tweed Mini Skirt (The Limited)

 

By the Numbers

And we’re off! The Wear Everything Project is officially underway. As an added bonus this time around, I’ll be documenting my outfits (as much as possible) so that you can see what 305 items of clothing really look like!

That’s right folks, 305 items of clothing. Am I a bit ashamed? Of course I am. Does any one person really need 11 V-neck T-shirts? What about 13 button down shirts? I guess I had to have something to wear under my 17 cardigans…

It’s amazing to see what’s buried in that closet once you really start digging! As someone who loves a good pivot table, it’s also interesting to have the data on what colors and brands I’ve been collecting over the years.

Black is the most commonly found color in my closet, clocking in with 54 items. Gray, White, and Navy were the next most frequently found hues—25, 22, and 21 items, respectively. I can’t say I’m entirely surprised, look at what I picked out to wear today…

Running the numbers on the brands I’ve been amassing was also fascinating. With 48 items in my closet from Express, they should be paying me for all of the advertising I’m doing! Forever 21 came in at a distant 2^nd Place, with 32 items and The Limited slid into 3^rd place with 28 items.

So with two articles of clothing down and 303 to go, how long do you think it will take me?!

 

Day One: Navy Tissue Turtleneck (J. Crew) and Gray Cords (Levi's)