What is a uniform? Simply put it’s the base of an outfit you are able to duplicate with different pieces. For instance, my F/W uniform this year is all black with white sneakers. This includes but is not limited to; black jeans, velvet leggings, leather leggings, joggers, sweatpants, hoodies, sweaters, bodysuits, etc just mixed and matched. I do switch up my shoes, accessories and overcoats
In Spring, I reach for white tops and denim and all year around I love a sweatsuit and sweatshirt dresses. Your uniform may be a proper trouser and button up blouse or pencil skirts with oversized tops. Whatever the styles of pieces most worn by you is your uniform.
My entire outfit is exactly what my uniform this season is about. Easy to throw on and go, chic, put together, a bit sassy and most importantly cozy and warm! Everything I’m wearing in this look is worn at least once a week interchanged with other pieces.
SWEATER: This sweater is made to be oversized but I still went a size up to wear with leggings. It is wool so 1. it’s a little itchy 2. it stretches out. WTBS, I used to neverrrr wear anything itchy but now realize that when it’s cold I don’t feel the itch. I do layer with a medium weight knit l/s top underneath. As far as stretch goes, I probably should have purchased my TTS
LEGGINGS: These are the Spanx leather leggings, everyone has them for a reason … they are that good. I’d say I am between sizes but normally buy a Medium in everything. I went up to a Large in these, I’m also wearing petite. I’m 5’4″ but with really short legs.
SNEAKERS: I purchased these Pumas as my F/W sneaker with the intent of wearing them with all black and dress. I love that the silhouette is structured and sleek, I think that’s what helps to make them look more polished with my looks. I purchased my TTS and they fit great, I wear these a few days a week.
HANDBAG: this is the Louis Vuitton Alma BB, I filmed a 1 month review and What’s in my Bag. You can check that out HERE!
WHO ELSE HAS BOUGHT A NEW TOP BECAUSE YOU “LOVED IT SO MUCH” THEN MONTHS LATER IT STILL HASN’T BEEN WORN?
We’ve all been there! There has been a time in our life we’ve walked in our closet looking for something to wear only to be reminded of the items we purchased but still haven’t worn, tags still attached and all.
When we make impulse purchases we end up with a closet of one offs that we only have one other item to wear with it, if even that.
When we make impulse purchases we end up with a closet full of clothes yet still have NOTHING to wear. WHY are we like this?!
In 2013, after losing 20lbs, purging 90% of my closet and only having a clothing budget of $150 a month I was in desperate need of a high functioning wardrobe. That is when, why and how I created my #1 shopping rule, The Rule of 5.
I knew in order to still buy quality pieces I loved I was going to have to get creative (and disciplined) and that’s exactly what I did. Every single purchase I made for the following year was well thought out and 100% intentional. I had no room for impulse purchases, the function of my wardrobe couldn’t afford it.
I bet you don’t like throwing your money away, do you?
We all deserve to hit our financial goals (and best wardrobes) and a great starting point is to become more intentional with what we spend our money on.
I want you to be great in everything you do so I wrote a 24 page book to fully share The Rule of 5 with you. There’s even worksheets for you to brainstorm your goal wardrobe!
Just enter your email below for your FREE Rule of 5 guide to get started on your best wardrobe yet!
LOOK 1
TURTLENECK: One of my favorite affordable purchased this season is this Turtleneck Sweatshirt. It’s a slight crop but also oversized. I purchased a size down for a sleeker look.
SWEATPANTS: Last year I wanted a pair of 90’s oversized sweatpants so this past Spring I finally purchased a pair. These are made to be oversized, I ordered TTS.
LOOK 2
SWEATER: I purchased this sweater last month (still available!) and it’s hands down my best Winter purchase. It’s wool so this is definitely a Winter sweater. I ordered a size up for an oversized look and to wear with leggings.
DENIM: Madewell makes excellent denim and these are no exception. I purchased this pair 2 years ago, this style has been consistent in their F/W selection and are available again this year as well. They fit TTS.
LOOK 3
SWEATSHIRT DRESS: New purchase this season, it sold out in 48 hours but sizes have been bouncing in and out of stock. Fits TTS
LOOK 4
HOODIE: Pro Tip: get your oversized sweatshirts and hoodies from the men’s department. This one was purchased last year but it’s a style that’s around year around. I go up 1 or 2 sizes for a good oversized fit that covers the bum.
SIMILAR DENIM: Another pair of Madewell jeans, they really are amazing! These are the slim boy fit, purchased two years ago. Madewell usually has this cut available but in different washes, if you get REAL lucky you may be able to find them on Poshmark.
LOOK 5
TOP: A must have item(s) for me is Champion sweatsuits, they are soooo good both in quality and fit. They are perfect for running errands or lounging around the house. In the cold Winter months I wear mine under full length coats, nice shoes and cold weather accessories. It dresses up the sweats and keeps you warm. As far as this top I bought it a few months ago in my TTS.
BOTTOM: These slim fit joggers were purchased with the top also in my TTS.
Easy, for me I love a baseball hat with hoop earrings! Baseball hats with hoops reminds me of New York hip hop in the 90’s (& really forever), that’s where I get that style inspo from. Your shoes and handbag both play a big roll as well.
For my footwear I went with a heeled lace-up hiker boot, this pair is a sleek version of hiker/combat boots but that is the silhouette they’re modeling. You can also wear a flat combat boot, a classic sneaker such as Air Force One’s or Vans.
For the handbag I went with a fun on trend/in-season quilted clutch. I love a clutch and think they had a touch of street chic to any look. I think a crossbody handbag (think Classic Chanel flap bag) also keeps things street ready. I will never ever recommend a tote bag for a chic look, it kinda looks like you’re going to work or traveling but that is my humble opinion. As I always say, do you, what you love and feel great in.
HOW EVERYTHING FITS
Considering both my jeans and booties are old and no longer available this portion will be shorter than normal.
TURTLENECK: I love this turtleneck sweatshirt. 1. it’s a sweatshirt, 2. it’s super soft and cozy. and at $25 it’s a steal. I sized down because I wanted a slimmer crop look. It is somewhat cropped but it’s wide cut, I wanted it a little more fitting than that hence the choice to size down.
H&M has been soooooo good to my F/W wardrobe this year. Every piece I’ve purchased has sold out within a week of purchasing it, I purchased each piece the day it was released. I was stalking their website what can I say. Some items were restocked with more color options, some are going in and out of stock and others I’m not sure if we’ll see again. If you don’t want to miss out make sure to follow me on Insta: @julia.marie.b I share all of my purchased the day I order them on stories.
Warning: If I say to order something because it will sell out and you want it, ORDER IT! I have 15 years retail merchandising experience both in-store + corporate, I know when a style is hard to find/rare, those are the pieces I tend to purchase and that sell out the quickest.
You guys have loved my H&M picks so much I put together a Try-On Haul and added styled photos of each piece all in one place so you know where to find it. This Black Friday H&M is having a 30% off SALE ( 11/29 ), I will say if you see the Fur Coat or Sweatshirt dress in your size before than do yourself a favor and BUY IT, it’s highly likely it won’t be available later on!! If it’s still available on Friday re-purchase it and return the full price items.
I’ve added everything in this haul and more new pieces I really like and/or think you’d like to a photo linked in my LikeToKnow.it to make it all easy to reference/shop. Click below …
WHO ELSE HAS BOUGHT A NEW TOP BECAUSE YOU “LOVED IT SO MUCH” THEN MONTHS LATER IT STILL HASN’T BEEN WORN?
We’ve all been there! There has been a time in our life we’ve walked in our closet looking for something to wear only to be reminded of the items we purchased but still haven’t worn, tags still attached and all.
When we make impulse purchases we end up with a closet of one offs that we only have one other item to wear with it, if even that.
When we make impulse purchases we end up with a closet full of clothes yet still have NOTHING to wear. WHY are we like this?!
In 2013, after losing 20lbs, purging 90% of my closet and only having a clothing budget of $150 a month I was in desperate need of a high functioning wardrobe. That is when, why and how I created my #1 shopping rule, The Rule of 5.
I knew in order to still buy quality pieces I loved I was going to have to get creative (and disciplined) and that’s exactly what I did. Every single purchase I made for the following year was well thought out and 100% intentional. I had no room for impulse purchases, the function of my wardrobe couldn’t afford it.
I bet you don’t like throwing your money away, do you?
We all deserve to hit our financial goals (and best wardrobes) and a great starting point is to become more intentional with what we spend our money on.
I want you to be great in everything you do so I wrote a 24 page book to fully share The Rule of 5 with you. There’s even worksheets for you to brainstorm your goal wardrobe!
Just enter your email below for your FREE Rule of 5 guide to get started on your best wardrobe yet!
How do you wear oversized joggers without looking frumpy? Easy, pair your joggers with a slim fitting top and sleek shoes. Channeling my inner Kim K., I paired my joggers with a mock turtleneck bodysuit and heeled booties. Later on this day I switched out my shoes for Classic Puma Cali Sneakers, with my pants cropped the joggers still look good.
When wearing an oversized piece, in this case the pants, you want to pair it with a slim fitting item, insert turtleneck bodysuit. If you wearing an oversized sweater I recommend wearing slim denim, pants or leggings. By pairing your oversized pieces with slim fitting pieces you are balancing the look out. You are also preventing yourself from looking frumpy and 30lbs more than you actually are.
When you pick out your footwear I always recommend going with something sleek, it will help to elongate your look creating slimmer lines and in return making you appear slimmer. If you wear heels, a sleek pump is always a good idea especially with oversized pants. You absolutely want to stay away from anything that resembles an UGG boot. That is too bulky however, I’ll totally wear what I just told you not to in the dead of winter on a quick store run. Temps under 40 degrees don’t have dress codes as far as I’m concerned.
