Distressed Clothing

When I bought this Ralph Lauren denim jacket online from Dillard's, I was impressed with the unique details, but the distressing level was not so obvious from the photos. I almost returned it but decided it might work with the right combination.

I normally avoid distressed or slouchy clothing. I feel that crisp, clean, highly structured pieces are more complementary to my aging face. After adding the brightly colored silk Ralph Lauren scarf from Stein Mart, I felt a lot better about the combination. I will also wear this jacket with bold silver jewelry, a white silk tunic blouse, and black faux leather leggings for different textures.

The Ralph Lauran bag is one I have been researching for almost a year. If I think more than twice, "I need __________" as I am getting dress, that item becomes the next piece I look for to complete my wardrobe. Identifying a need repeatedly keeps me from acquiring a lot of items I never use. Shopping impulsively never seems to work well for me. I look at the styles, the sizes, the features, and prices. I shop around for investment pieces before making the commitment. This ensures that I will be happy with my purchase and that I will use it often.

The booties are by Gianni Bini from Dillard's.

The black tunic was provided by J.Jill last year. The black Ponte leggings are from Chico's last year.

The leather and mixed metal bracelets were provided by Jewels of the Vineyard.

I hope my tips help you to create a wardrobe that serves you well every day!

Basic Wardrobe Q&A

"Have you posted about building a starter wardrobe? I would like to start buying with a wardrobe in mind instead of on the spur of the moment."

Thank you for your question, Colleen. I have not blogged about a starter wardrobe per se since everyone's needs are different. Your colors and lifestyle might be totally different than mine, but I will list my own wardrobe requirements as an example for this project.

Keep in mind that these are my basic starter pieces. Other colors, patterns, and textures can be added over time, but you first need basics that can be worn every day and with each other without being memorable.

I need blazers in navy, black, and white. Note that I have chosen simple lines with slim lapels and slightly nipped-in waists. Too boxy is the wrong silhouette for my busty figure. If I am standing before an audience to talk, I will button my jacket, but otherwise, I rarely close a blazer or jacket. (I will never close a double-breasted jacket, and that is also not one of my basics.) I look for fabrics that can be worn for three seasons.  

The following elements are three tank tops and/or three nice blouses in silver/gray, white, and black and three long-sleeve simple tees in gray, white, and black, which can be worn with or without the blazers. Note the simple lines and plackets on the blouses. I need simple scooped or V-necklines, small collars (if at all), and no ruffles, pockets, or other details that add volume to the bust area. I often have to buy a size larger in a button-up style blouse to avoid the gap. The neckline should drop below my collarbones because I have a round face, and this trick elongates it.

When I wear a long sleeve tee alone, it will be of a heavier weight knit so that it flows smoothly across my body. However, if I layered a long sleeve tee, it needs to be lighter-weight fabric and more slim-fitting to add no bulk under the jacket. The Simple Comfort Covered Perfectly tops are my all-time favorite for layering.

The trend in jeans or pants might be flares, crops, or wide legs, but I will stay with my straight narrow leg pants because that flatters my body shape. I need three pairs of straight-leg jeans (black, blue, white), one straight black pencil skirt, one nice pair of black dress pants. I dislike wearing dresses immensely, but I do have a couple of black ones just in case. I have a long-sleeved winter weight dress and a simple, lightweight summer dress to wear a scarf or a sheer topper. 

I could have saved a lot of time and money if I had kept these simple styling tips in mind when I started shopping for my new slimmer body a few years ago.

Your colors and lifestyle needs might be totally different than mine, but the following guideline works for everyone every day. 

Dress for the weather, the event to complement your body type and to reflect your personality.

If you went shopping with me today, these would be the items I would buy for my basic wardrobe. I am not fond of bright colors or prints, so there are never any of those in my cart.

White Jacket

Even on a cold winter day, a white jacket can brighten things up. I wear white all year round on dry days.

We were on our way out to lunch when Mr. Mickey snapped these photos. The sun was shining on Sunday, but our temperatures had started to drop.

The gray long sleeve tee and jeggings are old from Chico's. The vintage St. John winter white jacket was a gift from my dear friend Mitzi. St. John is known for knits, but this cotton and elastane jacket is from their Country Collection they did a few years ago.

The sunglasses, Zac Posen bag, and Calvin Klein booties are from Saks Off 5th.

The fun rhinestone mixed media bracelet is from S.M. Bradford Co. on Hilton Head Island.

Jackets are my favorite wardrobe item. They can be new, vintage, or even menswear, but they complete basic pieces beautifully. The fit is essential. If the jacket is too snug in the back of the shoulder seams drop down too far, you will need to pass on that one. The tailoring charges will likely be more than the cost of the jacket.

Double-breasted jackets are in vogue again, but if you are busty like me, you will never close them. Worn open, they look great, worn buttoned, I look like a barrel.

Running Errands

On this day, I had to go to the grocery store and run some other errands, so I wore jeans with a graphic sweater with open-toe booties and threw on a jacket. It wasn't freezing here, so this amount of layering was enough.

The ankle jeans are old from Chico's. The Nine West booties via Saks Off 5th are also from last year. The Zac Posen bag was recently purchased at Saks Off 5th.

The Geiger coat is several years old. I purchased it before I lost weight, so it is two sizes too large. The style is very versatile, and I had invested so much in it I decided to get the sleeves tailored so that the size wasn't so obvious. I was also wearing the coat three years ago here.

I often get comments about my heels and requests to style looks with flats. I have purchased a few flats and will be showing them as options on future blog posts. My posts are not created to show staged outfit ideas. I share what I actually wear with you, and I rarely wear flat shoes.

A Luxury Resort

We took a lovely drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains to spend the day at Primland.

I wore a leather-trimmed black jacket by Helmut Lang via Saks Off 5th. The silver tank is by Erin London via the Marble Lion at the Inn at Biltmore. The pants are Travelers from Chico's. The black suede pumps and the reptile clutch are from Saks Off 5th.

We have been planning to visit this resort for a long while so we decided to drive there, have a late lunch, and take a tour.

The views from every angle include mountain ranges which seem to go on forever.

We saw no bears today but wouldn't that be a thrill to have to wait for one or two to cross the road?

The approach to the Lodge.

The two-story wine "cellar" is located in the main lobby.

Photo from the Primland Website

Photo from the Primland Website

Photo from the Primland Website

Photo from the Primland Website

I am looking forward to spending some time in the observatory. Since the location is so remote there is no light pollution from towns, allowing for an unobstructed view of the night sky.

The views from the library are awe-inspiring! 

We enjoyed our visit immensely!

Leaving the resort, we saw this majestic fellow grazing beside the road. He didn't seem to mind that we stopped to take his photo.

Wild turkeys foraging for food and one of the many stone bridges along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

A wall of ice at twilight along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The perfect ending to a perfect day!

Polo Ralph Lauren Jacket

When something speaks to me as forcefully as this jacket did, I can not pass it by.

I was browsing through Ralph Lauren's offerings on the Dillard's website when I saw this classic military-inspired jacket. The burnished brass buttons and faded gold braids are in perfect harmony with the washed twill, slightly faded fabric. If the trim and buttons were bright gold, I would not have been drawn to it at all. Ralph Lauren has always been the master of details.

I will wear this jacket many times! It also looks great with white, black, caper green, or even khaki jeans. For the first time, I wore it out to lunch with Mr. Mickey on Friday with straight leg ankle jeans from Chico's last year.

The tee is the white Simple Comfort from Covered Perfectly.

The shoes are a couple of years old by BCBG via Ross. The brown leather Calvin Klein belt is old from T.J.Maxx.

The bag is by Zac Posen via Saks Off 5th.