Top It Off

I am so blessed to be a part of a group called the Peony Project.  This is a group of women bloggers from around the world who want a community of Jesus-loving, writing-fanatic, encouraging ladies surrounding them and their journey though Blogland.  Recently I put myself in the hot seat and asked people what they would like to see on my blog.  A friend of mine, Bonnie, who blogs at Strong + Sweet, suggested I post more about my fashion.  She said she likes that I am "not afraid to be silly." I take that as a huge compliment, because it is true and I am so glad people can see that! I love fashion, and I think one should make fashion for oneself.  The runway may dictate over all fashion, but you dictate what you want to see in your wardrobe and in your life.  So, in honor of Bonnie and her kind compliment I am starting with some of my favorite, albeit quirky, tops.  Hopefully, this will be inspiring to women to wear what they like, but still do so fashionably.  I firmly believe that however crazy the piece, if paired with subtler or calmer pieces you can make it work.  I will admit there is a time and place for everything, and sometimes the time and place is at home being silly.  Without father ado, here are some of my favorite pieces. {Disclaimer: I didn't want to scrounge around for summer pieces, so when the seasons change yet again, I will maybe do more summery pieces. Most of these are Autumn/ Winter pieces}

1. Black and White Printed Caché Sweater

Purchased at Caché in 2012 or 2013

This is one of my all time favorite sweaters.  If you can't tell, this sweater is dirty... How embarrassing.  {Just so you don't waste your time checking, its the right sleeve.} I wore it the other day and I honestly am just too excited to share these pieces with you to wait for it to be clean.  Note to self and others, do not wipe your makeup caked face on your favorite white-sleeved sweater.  Anyways, I love love love the pattern on this sweater.  I firmly believe that this is one of the best pieces that Caché has ever come out with.  I have worked there for almost 4 years, so I can say that! I have worn it so often that my mom, bless her heart, has had to sew up the side because I ripped the seam (It was just this winter, so I have had it for a while and wear it a lot, it is GREAT quality).  Because this is a crazy pattern I do try to break it up sometimes.  My favorite color palette (if you couldn't tell) is red, white, and black.  So, with this sweater I usually pair thicker black leggings. (Also from caché.  The best investment ever; check them out here.  I have three pairs.  All in GREAT condition.  I buy a pair every year.) And I will tend to add a solid red scarf.  Because this sweater is extremely tight knit I am able to wear a looser knit scarf or a jersey scarf.  I will also wear this with a black scarf and my red glasses.  Makeup wise I often pair this with a subtler smokey eye and a bright red lip for a more daring look.  For a more daytime, "I don't want to touch up my make up look" I do a nude lip and neutral, thick eye liner eye.

2. Bird Printed ModCloth Blouse

Purchased from Modcloth.com in 2012 or 2013

As for blouses that I own this one has gotten the most wear.  I even wore it for a photo shoot for my school.  It is the official shirt of the official face for the new Middle Level Education Major at the University of Valley Forge.  (My picture is there, so if you don't believe me check it out! And if you do believe me, check it out anyways!--Special thanks to my school and marketing for letting me be a part of that shoot.  I really am honored!) Anyways, I got this shirt from Modcloth as a birthday present from my grandma.  She had sent me a gift card and I was in dire need of more teaching clothes. So I hit up ModCloth and got this shirt.  Thanks Grandma! A teacher can't go to a school once a week and wear the same thing! The students would notice! This is definitely one of my best purchases.  If you are in need of vintage looking or definitely unique clothes search around on ModCloth.  I will give a warning, pay attention to reviews.  Not everything from this site is the best quality, but reviews are typically super honest and super accurate.  I love this shirt to death, despite how thin it is.  It does require a cami underneath, but I usually pair it with a blazer or cardigan--ya know, teacher style. I usually pair this with tan or black dress pants when teaching. It has all of the colors of the rainbow on it so it really is super versatile.  If I am wearing this outside of the classroom I pair it with skinnies and boots for the fall months. My mustard cardigan is a favorite over this.  As for makeup and this shirt I typically like the shirt to be the focal point.  Neutral eyes, neutral lips.  Nothing fancy.

3. Green, Fun-Buttoned Anthropologie Sweater

Purchased at Antrhopologie at an unknown time, possibly Junior Year of HS.

I have no regrets with this purchase.  Back in the day when I had money to throw away I purchased this sweater and I am pretty sure it cost almost 100 dollars. Unfortunately, I payed for the label I mean for goodness sakes it isn't even 100% wool. HA! If I remember right, I was a junior in high school when I bought this sweater, and it is still a favorite to this day.  It does not unbutton.  It is simply a pull-over, chunky-knit, adorable-buttoned, best-sweater-ever sweater.  I know I get made fun of when I wear this sweater, I mean, come on. It is not really flattering in the least, other than it is slightly shorter than sweaters and for me that means it hits me at my hips,  praise Jesus! (I am 4'11" finding things that hit at the right place is like finding a needle in a haystack.) It has no shape.  But it is fun! I am hoping that when I become a teacher this will still fit me.  It will definitely make a regular appearance.  If my personality could be knitted into a sweater, by golly I hope it is this one.  I wear it with kakis to school or skinny jeans and brown boots on a regular day.  Again, very very subtle makeup, because no matter what I do, this sweater is all people are going to see, and I love that.  I will have to wear this sweater soon. Ugh, I love this sweater.

4. Medium Wash J. Crew Chambray Shirt

Purchased from J. Crew (online because it is a petite) in 2013

A chambray shirt is a classic piece that every woman needs in her wardrobe.  It can be work with a skirt, or jeans, or leggings--everything! My chambray is wrinkled because, like the first sweater on my list, I have recently worn it.  Nothing worn of mine stays unwrinkled.  I have no idea why.  Does anyone else have this problem? I received this shirt at my request from my parents for Christmas.  Never have I regretted requesting this shirt.  Except maybe when I go to iron it.  I love that I can wear this shirt under a sweater with a bold statement necklace or over a plain solid tee.  It can also be worn alone! Versatility!  I love putting it over a solid color tee and wearing a bright fun scarf or a big knit scarf.  (That may be my next fashion blog post...scarves.  I love scarves!) This color of chambray isn't the best to pair with denim pants so I usually wear this tucked into a skirt or over my thicker pant like leggings.  It is really a great piece because it can be dressed up or down depending on how you wear it.  Likewise, when pairing makeup with this shirt it is all about what look you are going for.  If I am wearing a statement necklace with this shirt I may try to draw from the colors in the necklace and same if I am wearing a scarf.

5. Dark Wash Target (Kids) Jean Jacket

Purchased at Target in 2014

Yep, you read that right.  My favorite jean jacket is brought to you by Target Kids.  Remember when I was talking about finding things that hit me in the right place? Well often times I find that kids clothes do the trick.  Especially with jackets.  Because young girls bodies are quite obviously different than mine, things like shirts and pants don't always work, but jackets are a-okay! I got this jean jacket from target kids just a few months ago.  It was on 20 dollars! SCORE! It hits me at a phenomenal place on my waist and the sleeves are not too long.  It really is a miracle.  Jean jackets are wardrobe miracles and can be worn with everything.  If you don't have one, find one.  They are warm.  They are cute.  They will always be in style.  Not everyone can find the perfect jean jacket for 20 dollars.  I really would suggest paying a few extra dollars for a jean jacket that fits you well than just buying one though.  Jean jackets will last a long time. (I have another jean jacket that fits great, but I am starting to not like the lighter wash from 8th grade!!) Jean jackets should be investment pieces! Like I said before, these jackets can be worn with everything.  They can make a summer dress a little more appropriate and warm for fall.  they can go over a thinner sweater or a tee.  You can pair them with scarves and necklaces.  I really don't ever think a jean jacket will go out of style.  One piece of advice, do not get one with decals on it.  It limits you to what you can wear it with.  Again, as for makeup, I do whatever the rest of my outfit says I should do.

6. Multi-Colored Striped ModCloth Cardigan

Purchased from ModCloth.com in 2013

Here is another ModCloth purchase.  This one was given to me again by my parents for last year's Christmas.  I don't wear a ton of brown, but this cardigan makes me want to! I wear this a lot to my field experience because it just reminds me of a typical teacher piece.  This, again, is a great fit for me because it is a little shorter and it hits me at a great place on my hips. The colors are fun and go well with any season.  That is a definite added bonus! There really isn't too much to say about this piece other than I love it and it is different than a lot of other cardigans on the market right now because it isn't as thick, it has fun colors, and it is striped! It is also fun because it is 3/4 sleeves rather than a full length sleeve.  I am always more comfortable wearing bracelets with 3/4 sleeves so this leaves room for fun jewelry options! Because this is a shorter cardigan I wear this with kakis or jeans. Depending on what color I decide to pull from the stripes I can have fun or downplay my makeup.  I do like finding a lip color to match the pink stripe.  If I can't, then a nude lip and a brown eye does the trick.  Simple and cute with a little bit of quirkiness.

7. Plaid Brown and Forest Green CAbi Vest

Purchased at CAbi in 2012

I have had this vest for a couple of years an I love it.  You can't really tell in the picture, but it has a few different colors amidst the chocolate brown, cream, and forest green.  I tend to be drawn to the burnt orange flecks in the pattern.  Because of the belt that snaps in the back this vest is very flattering.  This was a complete impulse buy, and I am super glad I got it.  This can be worn with leggings or jeans and it looks great slightly dressed up or dressed down.  I love putting an orange long sleeve tee under this with my American Eagle hi-rise jeggings and my chocolate brown Steve Madden combat boots.  This is definitely one of my more "Bum Day" pieces.  Based on the outfit I just described.  When I put my face on with this outfit I typically lean towards browns, but I will often put my favorite Urban Decay eyeshadow color, Mildew, on the outer corner. This really tends to make my green eyes pop.  I love it! Obviously with a bolder eye and a bold vest, I go with a more neutral nude lip.

8. Apple Print Kate Spade Blouse

Purchased at Kate Spade Outlet in 2013

I was super blessed to work at a Kate Spade outlet last year, and I was also super blessed to be able to purchase a few items while working there. This has to be my favorite Kate Spade clothing purchase ever.  As a future teacher I wanted a shirt I could use on the first day of the school year.  Let me tell you, I will wear this shirt on the firs day of school for however many years I can.  The majority of the shirt is black and white, but the little stems on the apples are bright yellow.  How fun?  I usually wear this with a black skirt and a wide black belt.  I have also worn it with black dress pants and a cardigan as well.  To me, this shirt is the epitome of Kate Spade.  It is classy, good quality, and slightly quirky. It can be dressed up or dressed down without loosing its classy Kate Spade style.  After working at Kate Spade my life was changed, this was really where I found my absolute love for fashion.  If I had the time I would love to work there again.  Here's to hoping! When I wear this shirt, as I mentioned before, I wear it with all black.  I really want the pattern to stand out.  I try my hardest to not wear overbearing jewelry or makeup, because I love this shirt SO much!

I hope you have enjoyed my "Top It Off" blog post and the fun shirts that I have in my own personal closet.  Any of these companies I have mentioned could be considered some of my top go-to clothing companies, among others.  A special thanks to Bonnie, for inspiring a more personal fashion blog post and hopefully more in the future!

What is your quirkiest top in your closet? I spent a fortune on one of my favorite sweaters, have you ever done the same thing? (I need to know I am not alone!) How would you describe your style? How do you make your fashion statements? 

Now, go find your quirkiest top and Carpe Diem, Dear!

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