Denim on Denim

Do you follow trends? Sometimes I do try a trendy combination.

Denim on denim isn't a new styling trick. Remember those acid-washed denim jackets with matching acid wash denim jeans from back in the eighties? In fashion history, every trend comes back around about every twenty years, and each time the younger generation thinks they invented it. I was wearing frayed and torn cut-off jeans when I was sixteen also. You can breathe easy; I won't be revisiting that trend!

At this stage of life, I carefully consider all trends before hopping on board. I don't want to look like I am still wearing the trend from the last time it was popular. My way of incorporating a trend now is to bring it up a notch and wear it in a more elegant way than a twenty-something might successfully wear a look. I know my body isn't the same, even if she and I wear the same size. I style a trend that can mean all the difference between feeling silly and being very confident and comfortable.

Slim-fitting legging style jeans give me a smooth flat front to layer tops over without all those loops and a snap and zipper showing through. I prefer them worn with a long tunic top rather than a shorter top that shows more of the body. These wide waistband midnight blue jean style leggings are from Foxcroft. The material is soft and smooth, and the fit is true.

This tunic is also from Foxcroft and is made from Tencel, a supremely soft and comfortable material that can look like denim. I love the details of this tunic! The details all work well for me, from the face-flattering V formed by the Johnny Collar to the high small front pocket placement. The long sleeves mean I can wear the top open as a jacket, look over a tank top, and the way I wore it here. The high-low hem instantly makes me look five pounds thinner!

When I go with the denim on denim look, I always vary the intensity of the two colors so that there is a high contrast between the top and bottom.

I typically want most of my backside and the tops of my thighs covered by the tunic I am wearing for a casual look. That is always a successful look for me when wearing legging-style pants. If the pull-on pant is more loose-fitting and dressy, I will often wear a shorter top layered with a longer jacket. This combination will break up the unflattering straight line of the hem of the jacket and the top's hem, stopping at the same point.

I wore this look to my warehouse and to run errands on a sunny day last week. I paired my tunic and leggings with shoes and a bag, both by Calvin Klein. The sunglasses were by Kenneth Cole Reaction via T.J.Maxx last year.

Nude shoes are my go-to color for warm weather, thanks to their slimming leg-lengthening effect. Nude means the color closest to your skin color.

Another styling tip that helps me look more up to date is not to button every button. If I am layering over another top, I might button only the two buttons in the center. Here I left the lower button undone. This looks more relaxed, but it also keeps the tops from wrinkling so much when I sit down. The seat belt causes wrinkles, no matter how careful I am!

You Could Be The Next Covered Perfectly Model!

I would love to meet you and spend the day on set with you at the next Covered Perfectly photoshoot!

My dear friend Pauline Durban, President of Covered Perfectly, is shown with me and Mary Ann, who was the winner last year.

We had so much fun working together! Mary Ann and I became quick friends and continue to visit with each other online.

If you will be in southern California around the end of February and would like to enter this contest, please visit the Covered Perfectly website.

If you are looking for elegant basic tops that you can wear all year round, you will love these! I wear these sleek Covered Perfectly tops under everything in cooler months and alone when the weather allows. I especially enjoy this particular neckline because it is so flattering for my round face. I can accessorize it with almost any necklace or scarf, and it looks great under all my jackets and sweaters.

 

Last evening Mr. Mickey and I were the guests of my sister and her husband for dinner. My sister is very comfortable in the kitchen (unlike me!), so we enjoyed a fabulous meal.

 

For this casual family evening, I wore a black Covered Perfectly long sleeve Simple Comfort top with a cascading cardigan from Foxcroft and old jeggings from Chico's with booties from Antelope Shoes. 

The cardigan was supplied by Foxcroft, and the booties were supplied by Antelope Shoes. The opinions are my own. 

I hope that you are enjoying special times with your family and friends.

Merry Christmas!

The Perfect Cable Poncho

I love wearing this cable knit poncho from Foxcroft.

While I rarely wear a sweater in cable knit, this poncho works as the perfect outer layer. It takes a long sleeve black tee and jeans to the next level without adding the normal bulky look I get when I wear a sweater.

The leather buckle detail at the neckline is just the right edgy touch to make the poncho feel special and updated.

Foxcroft Sequined Blouse

You may not think of Foxcroft for evening wear, but they do have something for every occasion in your life!

I wore this black fully sequined blouse from Foxcroft to dinner and the Symphony on Saturday evening.

Since our weather was quite chilly that evening, I topped off the look with a black ruana with faux leather trim. I wore tailored black pants with black evening pumps. One of my friends stopped by to say hello at the intermission of the symphony. She told me I looked like a movie star. I know it was the sequined blouse that dazzled her!

We have had rain and overcast skies for several days, so finding the light to take a good photo of this beautiful blouse has been very difficult. We took these photos to show the detail of the blouse on another day. I wore it with the front tucked in a bit to accentuate the waistline on the symphony evening.

Foxcroft Sweater

I have been wearing Foxcroft items for a few years, and I always find the high quality and classic style to be wise additions to my wardrobe.

This red asymmetrical cowl neck sweater is one of my favorite pieces from Foxcroft. The loose, bold style of this sweater looks great paired with narrow dress pants and cute shoes.

The pants are old from Chico's. The box clutch is old via T.J.Maxx. The shoes are by Charles Jourdan via Saks Off 5th.

I wore this look to dinner with friends on Friday evening. I received lots of compliments on the sweater. I love the fact that it is also very comfortable.

Welcoming Fall!

Fall is such a gorgeous season here! I love the changes in leaves and the weather and the chance to wear a different wardrobe.

Today I am adding another layer to the look I showed you yesterday. This beautiful ruana is by Foxcroft.

Soon, our weather will be cool enough to need this extra layer during the day.

As the weather continues to get colder, I will wear this ruana over a jacket for warmth and an added pop of color and texture.

Foxcroft offers timeless pieces of high quality that have served me well over the years.

The top is the long sleeve Simple Comfort from Covered Perfectly. 

The bag is old from Finely House Couture in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. The boots are from Antelope Shoes. The necklaces are old from Chico's.

Aztec Sweater

My favorite casual weekend look for cool fall mornings includes comfortable jeans and a simple tee with a fabulous sweater.

This Aztec Cascade Cardigan from Foxcroft is perfect with my comfortable old jeans, a silver-gray tank, and Ralph Lauren boots.

I put on sunglasses and a bit of lipstick, and I am ready to go to Starbucks for a classic chai tea latte. Cheers to the weekend!

Predictable?

Never let it be said that my look is predictable.

You don't often see me in a dress, but today I am showing you a versatile one. It can take you through three seasons and can be worn in a variety of ways.

We had high humidity and heat on Sunday, so I surrendered and let my hair air dry on its own without the aid of a blow dryer and large round brush. I also wore an easy-breezy soft, lightweight chambray dress from Foxcroft.

I will wear this comfortable and cool dress with sandals and minimal jewelry in the hot summer months.

When the temperatures drop, I will layer the dress with a slim-fitting black tank, leggings, boots, and a low slung belt for a bit of spice. These leggings are actually Calvin Klein yoga style pants for workouts. They have three little gold buttons at the back. I appreciate clothing that can serve more than one purpose.

I wear two sizes larger on the top half of my body, so when I buy a dress to fit my shoulders and bust, the rest of the dress is quite billowy. This is the main reason you often see me wearing a tank, pants, and jacket or cardigan combo.

I have several favorite pieces from Foxcroft that have served me well for several years. This dress will be part of my wardrobe for a long while, not only because of the high quality but also because of the classic, versatile style.

Checks For Spring

Many of the fashion trend reports for spring are showing checks. Ah, spring... will it ever arrive?

We still have several inches of snow, with more on the way, so we are showing you these lovely blouses from the comfort of my kitchen.

These beautiful blouses were sent to me by Foxcroft.

This elegant black and white check blouse is so light and airy it will be comfortable to wear all summer long.

Tabs keep the sleeves in place when you turn them up. I love this feature!

Layers For A Cold Morning

When the temperatures drop into the 20's it is officially cold here in East Tennessee.

Mr. Mickey and I attended a surprise birthday lunch for one of his long time friends today.

I am wearing a long sleeve tee in silver gray with a low slung belt over denim jeggings from Chico's. The long light gray sweater is from T.J.Maxx. The red, black, and gray tartan ruana sweater is from Foxcroft. The over the knee boots are by Vince Camuto via Belk. The fur-trimmed gloves were a long-ago gift from Mr. Mickey's wonderful daughter, Regina.

Tartan Ruana

Ruanas are a very stylish alternative to sweaters.

I love the elegant look of sweeping one side over the other shoulder.

This Tartan Ruana is from Foxcroft. All of their items are very high quality. The styles are timeless and elegant.

I wore the ruana with black jeans, a silver-gray long sleeve tee, and D'Orsay suede heels.

On an earlier occasion, I wore the ruana with a black long sleeve tee and black pencil skirt with short boots and opaque tights.

It would also work very well with faded blue jeans and a black turtleneck.