Hey everyone! So, I’m doing a “no spend January” where I’m not buying anything new. Yeah, not that fun but reality. Instead, I’ll be showing you items you’ve probably already seen in different combinations and discussing how I’m mixing things up and how you can have many outfits with a few core items. If you want a further explanation on how to make your wardrobe earn it’s keep read my post on What Exactly Is A Capsule Wardrobe.
First off let me say I wish I had switched up this black handbag for the tan and black one you’ve seen here. It looks a little too heavy (like a bowling ball) with this outfit. I was trying to work with the black stripes of the dress but the all black handbag looks out of place, especially since I have all these jewel tones happening and then the neutral tan. The black just doesn’t add anything to this outfit. I admit — I’m still learning!
I’ve shown my Over The Knee (OTK) boots before but always with pants. I wanted to show them with a dress that maybe is too short for comfort. I love this dress because it’s made of bamboo so it’s really soft but it’s a little too short for a dress and too long as a tunic. My OTK boots give me coverage and warmth and I feel comfortable wearing this dress. Now, I get that these boots aren’t flattering. They do make my legs look stumpier and thicker and wrinkly (kind of like a tree trunk! but I love trees!). I think they would be more flattering if they were a darker color. Plus, I think the look of OTK boots is still a new one (at least for us middle-aged women!) so our first reaction is “bleh”.
However, they are warm and snug as all get out. Last week here in Michigan it was gross cold (like -20 fahrenheit) and I wore these boots all over. Fine, I have wrinkly legs but I have warm, wrinkly legs! Now, you do get a peek of thigh when your leg is bent so keep that in mind. I wore my thick black tights but tights the same color as the boots would have been less noticeable.
When we took these pictures it was a cold windy day in Charlotte (I know! Isn’t it supposed to be hot in the south?) and I wanted to be warm since we were walking around downtown (or Uptown as it’s known) and taking our daughters to the Levine Museum of the New South (which was super cool, educational and exactly what we were looking for to learn more about the area).
I’m also trying to mix up my colors and try new combinations. I could have easily worn my black sweater that is exactly like this burgundy one (the purse would have looked better then) but I wanted to push myself. Being matchy-matchy makes an outfit look outdated and now with these tan boots (my first brownish boots I might add), I’m trying to explore different color combinations. Since these boots were inexpensive and I didn’t know if I would like them or wear them, I picked a color I never wear. Now that I have them, I want to push myself to come up with outfits that work with them. I’ve said before I get bored easily so these tan boots are an interesting challenge!
On Monday the email program that sends out the post to all of you lovely subscribers was not working. Hopefully you received your email eventually, though I know a few did not. I’m looking at different email programs to use instead so hopefully this won’t happen again. If you missed Monday’s post featuring my favorite looks from 2017 you can read it here.
We are expecting temperatures in the fifties tomorrow so I’ll be trying to get some outfit photos. Hopefully it won’t be windy! Wish me luck!
Linking up with Nicole at High Latitude Style!
Every time you click on a link or purchase an item from that link I receive a few cents. I put those cents back into making sense of this thing called the internet! I pay for hosting this website and all that comes with that. Thanks for helping me do that!
10 Comments
Thank you for inspiring us to make do with what we have, vs. buy, buy, buy! Your blog resonates with me in so many ways – comfortable, stylish clothing (including shoes and boots) for people larger than a size 4, and a happy, balanced lifestyle. I love your blog!
You are so welcome! I’m just an average woman showing what I’ve learned with clothing and keeping it real. I wish I had unlimited funds, but even then I (hope) I wouldn’t just be buy buy buying. Thank you for your kind comments!
Julia, I think this outfit is one of your most flattering. Thanks for the inspiration! Wishes for everything good for you and your family in 2018.
AnneCatherine
Thank you Anne Catherine! That is high praise! And thanks for the good wishes and I hope you have a healthy and happy 2018 yourself!
I love these boots. I also love trees, so… 🙂
Ha ha, your legs do NOT look like wrinkly tree stumps (or whatever you said up there!).
That dress is darling!
Hope your MI temps stay within bearable range 🙂
Bettye
https://fashionschlub.com
You seem to be a day or so behind Michigan’s weather so it’s a blizzard here right now so I expect your weekend will be snowed in as well. Hope you have a good book! And yes, this dress seems similar to many striped dresses I’ve seen you wearing. Great minds……..
Even my normal length boots aren’t always wrinkle free, so I’m going to say, so what to any wrinkles. I’ve decided to embrace my wrinkles (whether that’s on my face or clothes)!!!!
And I love this. What I want to know is how you get your dress not to cling to your tights? Are you wearing a slip??
OXOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
PS..my hubby just told me I need to stop buying too…..eeek!!! That’s my addiction…
I’m not wearing a slip. I don’t know why it’s not clinging. I actually rarely have that problem. Maybe it’s your magnetism that causes the static?
I prefer flattering over warm. Just don’t go outside. Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style.
Ha ha Nicole!