Tag: style
Mad for Blackwatch Plaid
Is blackwatch plaid in style? It’s a classic! It was especially popular this fall, but since I’m just getting around to posting about it now, there are currently tons of deals on blackwatch apparel. As far as I’m concerned it will never go out of style.
I was using blackwatch ribbon last year for Eco-friendly gift wrapping, I wore it this year to match Perry in this zip up vest, and I’ll surely be incorporating it in decor and style for years to come. As usual, I want to be transparent that the links in this post give me a very small (paper doll-sized) commission if you click a link or make a purchase.
When I saw Vineyard Vines had a blackwatch vest for sale I was interested-until I found a cheaper version for less than $20 and went that route instead. Plus, there was a matching blackwatch dog vest for Perry for 7.99! I’ve never actually matched outfits with my dog before and I was reluctant to do it because it’s a little bit too Elle Woods for me. Isn’t shopping with my dog enough? But I couldn’t pass up this opportunity for a matching plaid dog jacket, so here we are.
Deals and sales on blackwatch plaid styles
Here are the best in blackwatch plaid apparel sales that I’ve rounded up for you. Vineyard Vines and J.Crew are both clearancing out winter styles, including blackwatch items at great prices — extra 50% off final sale items right now.
Blackwatch plaid style for men
And men, I haven’t forgotten about you! Is blackwatch plaid in style for guys? Always! Here are some places to find your own deals on blackwatch plaid apparel.
Do you agree that blackwatch plaid is a classic?
How to Try Spring Style Trends on a Budget
Tweed, Pink, Plaid and Pleats
With pleats in style for spring last year, they’re back again but lighter and airier. Think a delicate few pleats in flowing fabrics. Not gonna lie, I’m not really into this 70s/90s thing fashion has going on right now but I can work with a pleat here or there.
How to try a style trend on a budget
This outfit is a great example of how you can incorporate a trend seamlessly into your look, without needing to buy an entirely new outfit. In general, trend pieces are not where you want to spend a lot of money, because you likely won’t be wearing them for many seasons. Yes, things do come back into style eventually but only after you’ve finally given those items away. It’s practically a scientific law. Just ask my choker collection, which went MIA just in time for the Great Choker Revival of 2016.
I picked up this skirt last spring when pleats were everywhere, just so I could try the trend. I hadn’t worn pleats since…I don’t know, 2003? The tweed jacket and plaid scarf are items of classic style and good quality. Admittedly, I did not splurge on them as they were given to me secondhand. But they are items I would say you could spend on if you wanted. The designer purse was a splurge (A similar one here is a majorly discounted), the necklace a vintage heirloom and the cowgirl booties and tights were just things I had in my closet.
So the takeaway here is: Save on trendy items + Splurge on quality classics + Combine them into outfits that are the perfect mix of staples you can wear again and on-trend pieces that won’t destroy your clothing budget.
Then you can throw your scarf in the air without a care in the world!
These photos were taken by Mo Ashley. They have a lovely early spring, Secret Garden-inspired aesthetic that I’m really enjoying. It reminds me of my Secret Garden Literary Scarf. For more of her work, see these earlier posts I did with her on my favorite ever Anthropologie dress, transitional season style and subtle colors.
What are you looking forward to this spring?
For more spring inspiration, take a peek at my Style Inspirations board on Pinterest.
For immediate shopping ideas to create your own look, start here:
Mix and Match Your Style with LuLaRoe
I can’t scroll my Facebook feed these days without seeing multiple posts about LuLaRoe fashions. Out and about I’ve seen women wearing it everywhere, even at the Minnesota Blogger Conference. So I decided it was time to try it for myself. With the help of my friend Hanna in Michigan, I tried styling LuLaRoe leggings and a dress and I’m reporting back to you on how you can try it yourself-and snag a super exclusive deal on your first order! I’m especially excited to share my styling tip of fishnets over LuLaRoe leggings further on in the post.
Things to know about shopping for LuLaRoe
LuLa-what? You kind of have to learn new lingo for this brand, so let me help you out. I learned about:
- Where it’s sold. It’s direct sale, so when you shop you’re supporting Stay at Home Moms who run their own LuLaRoe businesses out of their homes. You can buy online through Facebook groups (join Hanna’s here), at home parties or at pop-up shops.
- Patterns. The brand is for its patterned leggings-which come in motifs from dragons to piano keyboards. The patterns are limited edition, so you likely won’t see anyone else wearing the same ones as you (pro) but it can be hard to locate a specific pattern (con). Not to worry if you’re more of a solids and basics gal-there are classic black leggings and almost everything comes in solid colors, too.
- The fabric. I am partial to natural fibers, so what I was most reluctant about was the poly/spandex content. When I tried the leggings and dresses I realized why these are worth breaking my rule for: not only is the fabric is super soft, but the dresses fall just the right way so they are flattering without being tight. And the leggings stretch over your curves without getting stretched out.
- Sizing. Finding the right LuLaRoe size is easy in leggings: there are only two sizes, One Size (OS) for sizes 0-10 and Tall Curvy (TC) for sizes 12+. There are also kids’ sizes for your mini-me. For tops and dresses, I suggest asking a consultant to help as they are experts on their product. It runs large in my opinion-Hanna picked out a size XXS Carly dress for me, and it fit beautifully although I am definitely not a size XXS in any other brand.
- The fit. No thigh gap? No problem! The stretch kind of holds you in for an outfit that’s forgiving, flattering and fun.
Grab this Deal: Coupon and Free Shipping on LuLaRoe!
If you’re new to shopping with Hanna Serena, she has an exclusive deal for my readers. Get a coupon AND free U.S. shipping on your order. I don’t get any kickback from this, I’m just offering it as a perk if you want to try some soft leggings. Head to LuLaRoe Hanna Serena and tell her you found it through me.
LuLaRoe Styling Tips
This brand is designed for mix-and-match. Although you can totally wear head-to-toe ‘Roe, I like pairing them with other things in my closet for endless new looks. For this look, I used fishnets over LuLaRoe solid leggings to make a whole new look! I felt like it dressed up the casual outfit a bit too.
Fishnets Over LuLaRoe
You can see from the photos in this post that I wore the same Carly dress and solid leggings and switched up the color of the accessories (white vs. pink scarf, black vs. pink fishnets) for two totally different looks:
If you have any questions that I didn’t answer here, let me know and I’ll try to help or find someone who can! Do you wear LuLaRoe, and if so what do you have?
Throwback to Summer
Everyone is so excited for pumpkins and raking leaves, and here I am reminiscing about lake shores and sundresses. Regardless of the season, I’m so excited to share this outfit post. I bought the dress for my cousin’s wedding, which was a casual wedding on a working farm. The fabric, viscose and silk, was breathable and comfortable. It ended up being one of my favorite purchases of the summer. This Anthropologie Santee Swing Dress is now majorly marked down (over $125 off!), although only available in limited colors and sizes. Sometimes getting end-of-season deals can really work out in your favor. 
Pineapple accessories can be worn year-round in my book. I wore this pink pineapple belt in October with a different dress. I also plan to get a little more wear out of this dress by pairing it with a blue wool cardigan. Even though the print is tropical, the fabric is thick enough to gracefully transition into cooler weather.
What do you think of using summer pieces into fall? As long as it’s done sparingly and appropriately, I think it can be a great way to get more use out of favorite garments that stir up fond memories of summer.
Dress – Anthropologie. Belt – from a friend. Hat – inherited from my grandma
Photos by Mo Ashley, shot in downtown Wayzata, MN
How to Upcycle Leggings with a DIY
So I wear leggings a lot. Like, a lot. I’ve often thought “I hope my readers don’t notice how often I’m wearing leggings in all these outfit posts.” Whether it’s regular black leggings, LuLaRoe leggings, or even Lisa Frank leggings, my drawers are full of them all the time. If not, the laundry situation is seriously dire. One thing is sure though: leggings do not last forever. As any avid leggings wearer knows all too well, they get baggy, thin, ripped and unwearable. There are things you can do to delay this such as line drying, but eventually your relationship with your dear wardrobe stable will come to its inevitable end. Or will it?
Since I care so much about the environment, I like to avoid tossing things mindlessly in the trash. Since you’re reading this, I bet you do too.
If they’re truly beyond any hope, I cut them into squares and upcycle leggings into rags. The soft cotton is ideal for cleaning. If they’re kind of still good, you can patch them using old sweaters or sock cuffs, as in this tutorial:
This upcycling project is inspired by a pair of boutique leggings first worn in the New Year Style Guide. I realized these unique, comfy, cuffed leggings could be easily recreated as a DIY upcycled leggings project. Here is the original pair:
The cuff part can easily be made out of the sleeves of old sweaters, or old decorative crew or knee socks. You’ll need a coordinating pair of leggings to sew the cuff to.
For a sewing project, it was pretty easy! I don’t consider myself a confident sewer (I gave up trying to get the machine properly threaded for my Princess Anna costume and ended up hand stitching practically everything) but this was totally doable.
How to Upcycle Socks as Legging Cuffs
Step 1: Cut the arms off the sweater or the foot of the sock. Up to 12 inches is a good length for a cuff. You should now have two tubes of fabric which will become the cuffs of your upcycled leggings.
Step 2: Slide the tube onto the ankles of the leggings. Fold down the edges if needed and pin to secure.
Step 3: Hand or machine sew both the top and bottom edge, securing the upcycled cuff to the leggings. Wear them with flats or ankle boots to show off the cute cuff of your new upcycled leggings!
Full price, the boutique leggings were $36. Congratulations, you’ve just made a pair for the cost of a basic pair of leggings, plus created a new use for an unwanted garment that might have ended up in a landfill. Not to mention this is a totally exclusive item that no one else will have!
Here’s what they look like on.
For more reading, here are more of my favorite ways to reuse old items. And read my upcycled corkboard tutorial here.
Do you upcycle leggings? What do you do with them? I’d love to know in the comments!
