If you want to instantly look chic and like you spent a few more dollars than you actually did I highly recommend wearing a monochromatic look. By wearing the same color head to toe you create a more streamlined look, with every piece being the same color you create a luxe vibe. Something about all one tone elevates any look, hello! Canadian Tuxedos!
SWEATER: I have to be honest, I wore this sweater for 5 minutes to take photos. Literally put it on as we snapped the first photo and took it off the second the last photo was taken.
WHY? First, I took these photos a month ago and it was 80 degrees. Second, I wasn’t sure if I liked it and after I took and saw photos I just didn’t love it.
I bought this sweater with the intent of it being very oversized to wear with these leggings once it gets really cold. It’s one of the looks I want to go-to when the weather is crazy cold. The images online show this sweater as being close to mid thigh length … on the model who’s probably 5’10” at least 5’7″. So, I ordered a size up for ultimate coziness and on my 5’4″ frame it doesn’t even cover my butt sooooo … I returned this and am still on the hunt for an oversized chunky sweater in black.
LEGGINGS: These are the Spanx Leather Leggings. I ordered a size up as recommended and they fit perfect. Keep in mind I was in between sizes when I purchased but as my weight goes down (very slowly) they continue to fit well. LENGTH: I was very surprised to find out after ordering the regular length they were wayyyy too long, I’m talking a few inches (2). I ended up with the PETITE option and I still have a little length. While I am 5’4″ I do have very short legs.
BOOTS: These are old and no longer available. The pair I linked for you guys is a pair I would 100% purchase if I didn’t already have these.
Not to brag but I’ve made some really good purchases this Fall, this dress is right at the top! It’s light weight enough to wear now and will work great layered with coats and boots in the Winter. While I love my neutrals I’m down for a bold color every now and then, this orangy-red color is one of my favorite colors so it was a no brainer. It’s bold yet subtle at the same time.
I say this dress fits TTS if you are between sizes going a size down is a safe bet. The quality of this dress is great for the price point. It’s a Medium weight rib knit. Someone asked if it’s see through at all and my black volleyball shorts that I am wearing underneath says NO!
HOW TO STYLE FOR WINTER
An over the knee boot with midi dresses is very chic, the slit on this dress allows you to show off the boot too! Pair this dress with an OTK boot, long wool overcoat and a wide brim hat for a chic look. If you want a funkier look pair your dress with a lace-up bootie, bomber jacket (or short fur coat!) and a baseball hat, a newsboy style hat is another option.
WHAT I WEAR UNDER DRESSES
I wear volleyball style shorts under all my dresses. I prefer the thick absorbent fabric over typical spanx style shapers. I have a post about how to prevent chub rub that includes a video of me shopping for undershorts and comparing the two styles. That’s 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!
A co-ordinating sweater paired with OTK boots is perfect for work wear. It keeps you warm, cozy, lowkey feeling like you’re in sweats but you’re put together and professional.
Both the sweater and skirt are new, I actually bought them together so I could wear them as a set because I love a set. My boots were purchased 2 years ago from DSW, I’m always able to find a good OTK boot at DSW.
Pairing your skirt with a crop sweatshirt and sneakers is a great casual look for fun activities. You’re comfortable, chic but can move around easily.
My sneakers were a new purchase for Fall, I wear them at least 3xs a week. Pretty sure I got my monies worth the first month I bought them. My sweatshirt is from Last year, I found it at MissGuided. My beltbag is a Target purchase from 2 years ago.
This look is exactly what the Rule of 5 is about while the skirt and sneakers are new Fall for everything else is old. The pieces that created this look were purchased anywhere between 1-15 years ago. When you only bring items into your wardrobe you absolutely love and will wear you’ll have your pieces for 5, 10, 15 years!
These are the same sneakers from our Casual Chic look above, my T-shirt isn’t a T-shirt material it’s actually a twill fabric cut like a t-shirt regardless I got it last Spring from TJ Maxx. Denim jacket is 10-15 years old, Ralph Lauren from Macy’s. Hat was purchased 2 years ago from Wal-Mart for $3, they still have it too! This oversized clutch was a birthday gift from a friend about 5 years ago.
This was kind of a wild card look, I wasn’t sure how it was going to look, if the silhouettes would work well together or not but I yolo’d it anyways. After actually putting everything I on I really like it, it gives my cool NYC street vibes.
Another look that is the perfect example of the Rule of 5, the pieces that make this up are anywhere from 6 months – 10 years. My booties were added to the team last Fall, I scored them on sale at Nordstrom Rack. This satin bomber was picked up at H&M in July for $10 during their end of season sale. This is the same T from above. My hat which is a fave was scored 10 years ago from the men’s section at Target. The hat I linked is almost identical, I’m thinking of purchasing it as well to give this one an upgrade. Lastly, my clutch was purchased this Summer as a staple addition to my handbag collection.
YASSSS, QUEEN!!! I do yas queen myself, when you slay, you slay no need to be modest you deserve to give yourself credit. This was another wild card look for me, I wasn’t sure how it would come across but ma’am, it is hands down my favorite look of all 5! You can absolutely wear this to GNO, date night or even work (just take off the hat). The hat and the booties take this from work wear to sassy and chic for a night out.
Same booties and clutch from the last look. Sweater was purchased last year from Express, I love that it’s not cropped but does hit at the top of pants. The waist is also “ribbed” to give a cinched waist look, it’s my favorite optical illusion. My hat was a score I bought the day before at H&M, it’s a faux suede. I already have a black faux suede hat but it didn’t fit my head well. I have a very small head and this hat is smaller and has elastic in the back so it fits much better. Originally, I couldn’t remember if I really had a black suede baseball hat so I bought this one with the intention on returning it after I checked my inventory. However, when he rang me up it was only $4 so I’ll be donating my original hat to someone with a bigger head.
I included a bonus look because I really wanted to share this skirt with a flat loafer to wear to work if you don’t wear heels. Everything is the same from the last look.
These slide on loafers were purchased a few months ago from Fall/Winter, they are a Gucci dupe I found on Amazon. I’ve already started wearing them and the weather doesn’t even permit them yet. I love them so much, worth the purchase. I sized up per reviews but I think TTS would have worked after breaking them in aka you work the fur in. There’s a strong chance I’m going to invest in the actual Gucci’s next season, that’s how much I love them.
If I were an outfit this is the outfit I would be. I don’t care how cold it gets this Fall/Winter the streets are getting some variation of this knit jogger set.
My Fall 2019 wardrobe is literally my dream wardrobe, last year I envisioned all the pieces I wanted but no one made an affordable option. Luckily for me, my dreams and wardrobe I’ve been able to get my hands on all the pieces I dreamt of last year.
KNIT JOGGER SET
Right now, my favorite is this knit jogger set I scored from Zara (it’s also available in white but I wasn’t risking that). It’s thick enough to help keep you warm and smooth you out but thin enough that you don’t burn up. I’ll 100% wear this in the Winter with booties and a long wool overcoat.
I’ve been sharing my new Fall pieces as they’ve come in on IG stories and this set has been really popular there. A few fit tips … I bought my TTS for both the top and bottom, I’m between sizes in bottoms but went with a size down because your girl is in the gym heavy right now if ya know what I mean. The top is VERY CROPPED, it sits right below my bra. I’m 5’4″ so because of my height and pulling my pants up like Steve Urkel only a tad of midriff shows. If you are any taller you are going to show some stomach or you can layer a tank underneath if you don’t want your mid section out.
FUR LOAFERS
The Gucci loafers were on my “list” this season but not at the top of the list because I have goals I went with this Gucci dupe from Amazon. I will say they are comfortable and fill the void of needing a flat shoe that isn’t a sneaker or UGG boots. I highly recommend them! I will be pairing mine with leather leggings and sweaters, sweatsuits, knit sets and of course denim. I’ve heard they’ll keep you feet warm when it’s cold (this is coming from a Southerner) but I will 100% pair some fun socks with them when the temps drop.
