What Should I Wear!?: The Big Date Debate

     The first thought on anyone's mind when asked on a date is usually: 'What should I wear???'. It's the major issue when it comes to a date, even if it's not the first date. I received a request for this one, so I'll give some tips and some outfits for all you clueless gals.

-You must look presentable. Let there be some effort put into your outfit(even if your date doesn't).
-You should look slightly dressed up, but not too much.
-Wear something you feel confident in.
 -Also something comfortable.
 -Nothing racy, over-confident...skanky. Yes, you want eyes on you, but your date's eyes; not the creeps or pigs around you.
-Be clean, wear your hair nice, put on some makeup.
 -You can still be yourself. Dress for yourself.

Day:
Weather you're going to a cafe, lunch, walking through a park or city, the movies, ice skating, etc. I'm gonna base this off of fall/winter since that's what's in season right now.
1.) Throw on one of your favorite pairs of jeans. You could also wear a simple skirt.

Jeggings are comfortable and simple. You could wear any jeans you want, just feel good in what you're wearing. This pair found at http://www.forever21.com where any pair of jeans is under $30. 

A super simple and comfortable skirt in a cute color and pleats is great.(Also forever21.com) You can pair it with some snazzy tights. Which you can find almost anywhere, I found some great pairs at JC Penny's:

 

jcp.com

   2.) Wear a simple shirt(see the theme here is simplicity, just for you) or a sweater.

This kind of a long-sleeved tee can go with jeans or a skirt and it's easy to match. This shirt also comes in black, white, purple, white w/black stripes, and black w/white stripes and it's only $12.95 at http://www.hm.com. You can then add a cute knit scarf. You can probably find one in the midst of your closet of winter coats or this one is from http://shop.pacsun.com/

A raglan shirt or cropped top is good too, comfortable. There are so many different cropped tops, haccis, raglans, and poncho shirts at http://www.charlotterusse.com/. 

Button down shirts like a flannel or even a plain button down are perfect too. If you have a khaki or corduroy skirt the flannel can match. These shirts found at americaneagle.com.

 3.) Shoes! This can be quite the dilemma. Do not wear heels. Definitely not on a casual daytime date!Your feet will hurt and you could end up walking taller amongside your date. Instead go for comfy. 

BOOTS BOOTS BOOTS... sorry it's kind of exciting when you see super cute boots you want. Everyone asks me about my own pair that look like these>>>
Boots are pretty much perfect for a date. They're comfortable and just plain cute. Each of these found at jcpenny.com for under $40. Most of these also come in black too.

You could also wear a pair of flats, casual sneakers, or oxfords.


Night:

hm.com

For fancy dancy dinners or whatever you feel qualifies.No pants. Blah. I feel like if I told you to wear pants, I could see this uncomfortable dorky looking girl in her black work pants sitting down to dinner with a guy who's face says oh dear. So strictly skirts and dresses. Snazzy tights work well with both...obviously. Now you don't need to stress out and be way fancy. I'm not talking like homecoming dresses don't worry. 

Some cute date dresses:

forever21.com

hm.com

forever21.com

forever21.com

forever21.com

hm.com

Some skirts too:

 All of these from forever21.com. Then you can add a pair of heels(don't be daring and try anything above 3 inches, you want to be comfortable not dying) and add a cardigan or a blazer. Remember to be simple and be yourself. And good luck too!

 
 

365 Outfits-Explained Thoroughly

     You definitely know her. She's that girl that must own the largest closet ever. Every day she comes into school wearing different clothes, it looks like she never wears the same thing twice. You pretty much despise and envy her just because she has perfect clothes and the wardrobe that doesn't repeat itself. How does she look so trendy every day?

-Reality Check-

     That's not even style. Repeat that to yourself, you don't want to be that girl. However, there are ways you can be better than that girl, with style and a smaller wardrobe.

Step 1.) Gaze into the vastness of your closet.

Step 2.) Find basic clothing you own-jeans, t-shirts, plain cardigans, flats, plain button-down shirts, etc.

Step 3.) Find key pieces of your wardrobe, meaning- jewelry, prints, skirts, tights(snazzy), scarves, shoes/heels, dresses, blazers, etc.

Step 4.) I'll help you with this one. This is so complicated, we're gonna mix your basic clothes and your key pieces...multiple times. Oh gosh. Let's think...

1. Jeans go with anything-casual or dressy, jeans are an unlimited go-to item for mixing outfits, you can literally wear them with t-shirts, blouses, blazers, heels/flats/sneakers, anything.
2. T-shirts are also a must-have. A white, black, or gray tee can be paired with jeans and flats for a minimalist look, then add a scarf, or wear a skirt, or a blazer, add jewelry.
3. Add a cardigan to almost any outfit, you can wear a printed tank with it for less drab. Wear cardigans with dresses, t-shirts, jeans, everything. It adds warmth. 
4. Button-down shirts are very versatile, they can be worn open, buttoned up a little, button up all the way. Also cuffs rolled down, up, or rolled up over a cardigan. They can be worn with pants, jeans, skirts, under the appropriate strapless dress. They can also be worn with bow ties and ties. It's classy and androgynous(adj. feminine menswear term for 2012).
5. Ballet flats are comfy and in neutral colors they can match many outfits. They look great with skinny or flare jeans, dresses, and skirts. In more flashy styles, flats can give an outfit a little jazz, wear a something simple and add some cute ballet flats.
6. Heels can make any outfit dressier, it's pretty much common sense. 
7. Scarves, are amazing, there are hundreds of different ways to wear them as well(ways to tie a scarf: texeresilk.com and www.scarves.net)
8. Jewelry can make the most simple outfit. You can wear jeans and a plain white t-shirt and layer on some necklaces, wear bracelets and rings, some earrings and you're good to go.
9. Tights. You can take a dress or skirt and make it snazzy, with snazzy tights. Patterned tights, colored tights, or be classy with black/nude/gray. 
10. Blazers can over over a variety of clothing. Wear it with a button-down for that authentic feminine menswear, show class with a tank, you can wear it with plain t-shirts or even band t-shirts, and wear it with sweaters too. 

My Secrets on How I Recycle Outfits:
-I have a pair of nude flats that I wear with a lot of different outfits.
-Flare jeans look killer with heels, but they're also great with flats.
-I love blazers. Everyone needs one, I usually wear them with a dress or jeans or shorts and tights.
-I have some dark blue jeggings that are comfy and look good with just about anything.
-I have this white-button down I bought a few weeks ago and I think it's my favorite. It's t-shirt material with 3 buttons, and it's oversize. I can wear it over leggings, with skinny jeans, or a skirt.
-I like to wear a cardigan over a button down shirt. Roll the cuffs of the button down over the cardigan sleeves.
-I wear my pearls with anything. Costume jewelry is usually cheap and are easy to layer.
-Scarves are great. I like putting less effort into my look sometimes, so I can throw on simple clothing and then grab a scarf.
-Sometimes I like to wear my dad's button down shirts or sweaters. They look good with a lot of things-jeans, leggings, tube skirts, etc.
-I put on suspenders to make an outfit fun.
-Same goes for snazzy tights.
-I wear my fake doc marten military boots with a lot of outfits, even with dresses or a fancy skirt.
My closet isn't really huge. I may have different outfits every week, but that's because I like to experiment by mixing different pieces.

Finally, some helpful hints:
*Experiment!
*Don't buy full outfits when shopping, keep in mind what can match with the clothing you already own.
*Don't be in a cycle with your outfits. That's weird. I don't wear the same outfit again for 2 or 3 weeks, sometimes maybe a month-I don't pay that much attention. I actually don't repeat a lot of outfits though because I like to wear different outfits and experiment.Everyone has favorite outfits however.
*Jeans can be worn more than once. They are made to be washed less so they won't fade, they're durable, and you can wear them more. About twice is ideal for me.
*Key pieces are absolutely key to a small wardrobe. I've said this before and it's definitely true.

That was a long post. Geez. Okay next post coming soon.

The Pleather Skirt....

I'm sure you've heard or seen a pleather skirt or maybe it's old news to you. Well this trend is trying to scale its way up the runway for fall and winter. I don't like it. It's not a cute casual look. I actually kind of like it as a more dressed up look, however it just feels tacky to me. The same with pleather pants...Olivia Newton is the only one allowed to pull them off.
<--This is a cute one. By the way it's only $11.50 at charlotterusse.com





This is not.-----> This is tacky. Very tacky. It could also send a bad message towards your personality...
I mean I'm all about dressing for yourself, but frankly wearing specific types of clothing you're obviously dressing for someone else. Believe me, we all know.



My tips for a pleather skirt are quite simple:
1.) If you're going to buy one, find one that makes you look jazzy, like a million bucks. Because you don't want to be tacky.
2.) In order to not look tacky, I'd advise you to stay away from any embellishments on the pleather, meaning-studs, diamonds, sequins, chains, etc.
3.) Black is perfectly classy, gold is too. Unfortunately almost any other color in pleather looks strange.
4.) Make sure the skirt is not too body constricting or short. It's edgy, don't make it even more racy.
5.) Pull them off plain or with a pair of black snazzy tights.

Honestly I don't think I'm buying one. Don't let me sway your decision though.