Ask Anything: Got the Blues?

My cousin Stacey and I have been best friends since we were babies. She is just six months older, but she has always been the more dominant personality. She used to tell me lies about baby ducks living in our grandmother's shag carpeting. Now Stacey turns to me for fashion advice. Should I threaten to punch her in the face? Should I make-up a story about baby animals living in her closet? NEVER! This is far too serious a matter.

Stacey asked a really great 2-part question that I think could benefit a lot of people with their summer wardrobe. Both questions have to do with matching shades of blue... never an easy task!

"First... I have a navy and white striped shirt which I wear with a white jacket (and it looks super cute).  I wore black pants with it and nude shoes which I equally liked, BUT I don't particularly like black and navy blue together.  Besides jeans (because I obviously can't wear them to work), what color pants would you wear with that shirt and not look ridic?  ANNNDD... I have a dress that is navy blue, light blue, tan, and white.  What color shoes would you wear with them? (besides your usual nude, white, or blue?) --Stacey

First, to the navy blue and white striped shirt.  Stacey mentioned later in her e-mail that she has a pair of green pants that she recently bought, and I say YES.  (We all know how I feel about colored pants).  Navy blue is technically a neutral, so wearing this top with a pair of colored pants is a definite fashion do.  Another color that could work with it is red, which, paired with gold jewelry, would give an adorable nautical look.  If Stacey ever plans on wearing the top without the white jacket, she could try white pants for an extra light and summery feel.

Now, Stacey's question about the dress had me stumped at first.  My obvious first reaction would be tan or nude shoes, but she wants to think a little more outside the box than that.  And why not?  I asked Stacey to send me a picture of her dress, and I used Polyvore to put something together.

"Blue Summer" by VeeLynn on Polyvore... created especially for Stacey. :)

The verdict is: color blocking!  An excellent spring and summer trend.  There are a couple of options for shoes.  A sunshine yellow pump (or flat) contrasts nicely with the blue in the dress.  A matching yellow belt pulls it all together.  (Although the belt is optional since I know how Stacey feels about belts).  Another option is this adorable Nine West wedge.  It has all the colors of the dress plus some complimentary yellow and mint green.  Even though the wedge has its own pattern, it works with the striped dress because they are in the same "family" of patterns. (In this case, stripes!)  As far as jewelry: dress it up with some pretty gold earrings, or keep it casual with some chunky bangles.

Don't let blues get you down!
~VeeLynn

In The Polyvore Set:
Dress ~ Old Navy, Spring 2013
Pumps ~ Guess, Spring 2013
Wedges ~ Nine West, Spring 2013
Belt ~ Ted Baker, Spring 2013

Grr, Baby

Animal print is touchy.  It is so easy to go overboard, and then it goes from fashionable to trashy.  I think that tops and dresses that are just one solid animal print are too much.  For example, some thing are mixed prints, and that keeps it from being too overwhelming if all the prints are in the same color family.

I cropped out my unmade bed.  You're welcome.

This piece has elements of leopard print, giraffe print, zebra print, and also throws in some purple.  Think about this dress / tunic-that-I-can-wear-as-a-dress-because-I'm-short as a solid leopard print.  Not as cute, right?  While it seems like having more than one print would make something even busier, it actually draws the eye in various directions and keeps it from being too much.  It actually adds a degree of subtlety as each pattern is, in itself, subtly represented.

About a month ago, I had to go to a dinner with the artistic team and a reviewer for a show I had designed.  I thought, "As the costume designer, should I not look fabulous?"  A resounding yes!  It was starting to warm-up (only to get cold again the next day), so I thought a leopard print skirt would be a great choice.  Sadly, my legs need a tan like Barbara Streisand needs people.  So it goes.

2 pictures, 1 post.  I didn't crop out my mess in this one.  Deal.

Wait, is that skirt a solid animal print?  What did I just say?!  I SAID, "... tops and dresses that are just one solid animal print are too much."  I also tend to like my statement pieces to be on the bottom, like in this post, so maybe it's just me.  You'll notice I paired the skirt with a purple tank.  It is so easy to want to put black or brown with leopard print because it obviously matches and that's that.  Adding a color like purple, pink, blue, white, you-name-it, makes your outfit pop.  It also keeps the animal print from being overwhelming because, like the mixed-pattern print of the dress up there (^) it draws the eye in various directions.  Black and brown are dull and keep the focus on the print.

The tank I'm wearing is a silky material with lace and sequins... I know you can't really tell from the picture.  This adds texture, as the skirt doesn't have any sort of embellishment.  Over top, I added a loose-fitting peplum cardigan.  The looser fit and the peplum at the hips balances out the tighter fitting skirt and tank.

Wait, is that cardigan black?  What did I just say?!  I'm just full of contradictions today, aren't I?  Well, you don't want to go TOO overboard with color.  A black or brown cardigan over top of a colored top brings it all together.  Which brings me to the shoes...

Black heels could also have worked with this outfit, but I feel that would have broken things up too much, especially since the skirt is primarily tan.  Also, nude colored shoes lengthen your legs with dresses and skirts, and we all know I NEED that.  These shoes aren't a solid nude... they are various colors of tan and a snake skin texture.  Putting these with the leopard was a risk, but I think it worked.  Snakeskin is more of a texture than a print, so it doesn't take away from the leopard at all, especially since they aren't right next to each other.  I finished the look with simple jewelry... a small blingy bow-tie necklace and some dangly earrings that have a hint of pinkish-purple.

From my jungle to yours,

~VeeLynn

First Photo:

Dress ~ Love Purple, found at GoodWill (!) <-- more on this later.

Second Photo:

Tank Top ~ Xhileration (Target), A long time ago

Skirt ~ Ann Taylor LOFT, Spring 2012

Cardigan ~ American Rag (Macy's), Winter 2012

Shoes ~ Naturalizer (!) (Naturalizer.com) Winter 2012 <-- more on this later, too.

Necklace ~ my  friend ordered it for me from a Chinese website. :) Spring 2011

Earrings ~ Betsey Johnson (Macy's), Winter 2012

BOOTylicious

I thought I should share this sooner rather than later.  Remember the boots I was wearing in my last post?  You don't?  No need to scroll down, here's a refresher:

Hey, there's my floor!

I got these on the SUPER CHEAP.  They were originally $69; way more than I was willing to pay for a pair of black faux-suede boots.  My current pair, though, was in dire straights and I was in need of this winter wardrobe staple.  How much did I pay?  $14.  Yes, you read that correctly.  FourTEEN dollars.

The secret to getting super cheap shoes is to wait until the end of the season. The temptation is a killer, but all good things must go on sale.  Then clearance.  I have to admit that part of my savings came from my employee discount.  But even so, they still would have been only $17.

The danger of waiting until the end of the season is that there are slim pickings by the time things are 75% off.  I lucked out because I am a size 5 1/2 and not many people can wear that size.  It's a little more difficult if you are one of the more common sizes (7 - 9).  The good news is that not many people want to pay full price for things, so unless there are sales or coupons, there is a decent chance that there will be lots of leftovers for us bargain vultures.

Have a general idea of what you want (ie, black suede flat boots) and go from there.  I know that "black suede flat boots" sounds super specific, but in the world of women's shoes... it's not.  Being uber picking can be detrimental.  "I want black suede flat boots with three buckles at the top and two around the ankle," limits your options severely, even at the beginning of the season.  Also, don't be hung-up on your shoes being "so last year."  Would you be able to identify what year a pair of boots is from?  Unless you're Calvin Klein himself, I doubt it.  But just in case you were wondering, Mr. Klein, these boots are by Rampage at Macy's.  This is where less detailing can be helpful.  More on that in another post.

Stay BOOTiful!
~VeeLynn

All Black Attack

So I work at Macy's.  I want a career in fashion, but I have a long way to go from being a retail associate. :-\  As a Macy's associate, we have to wear all black.  We can wear colored shoes and accessories, but mostly it's just all black all the time.  It's can be really easy to fall into a rut and wear the same old black top and black pants day after day.  It's also really easy to look frumpy in layers upon layers of black.  Yes, black is slimming, but piling on monochromatic layers could make even Kate Moss look a little lumpy.  Let's take a look at the VeeLynn approach:

Dork in the middle.

What makes up this ensemble?  Black sweater dress, black leggings, black boots, black bow belt.  I said we could wear colored shoes and accessories, but on this particular day (back when it was colder, obviously) I chose not to.  Another option is to wear a colored top under a black blazer or sweater.  I love a good blazer, but I hate wearing matching business suits.  Nothing against people who wear them, but I just can't pull it off. I think I look frumpy, and -- maybe this has to do with being five-foot-nothing -- I think I look like a kid playing dress-up.  Insecurities abound!

Anyhoo, this sweater dress is perfect because you don't need another layer on top of it to keep warm.  It's perfect with leggings and a pair of boots.  The neck line is interesting... it can be cowl neck or off-the-shoulder if you're feeling frisky. (NSFW!)  I adore anything with a bow.  That's why this belt is perfecto.  Cinches the waist, adds interest and a cuteness factor.  I'm also wearing earrings that you can't really see.  They are white plastic hoops with black polka dots.  A great pop of "color" and funk (yes, funk) while pulling it together.

What's the lesson here?  If you're going to go monochromatic (and for the love of all that is holy, please don't with anything but black or white)... keep it interesting!  Add details -- like a fun neckline or cute belt -- and a tiny pop of color or two.  It's a fine line between overdoing it and making it fun.  As Coco Chanel once said "Before you leave the house, take off one accessory."  Or... never put it on. ;)

Stay colorful!

~VeeLynn

In this outfit:

Sweater Dress ~ Candie's (Kohl's), Winter 20...10?

Leggings ~ Target

Belt ~ Charlotte Russe, 20...11?

Boots ~ Rampage (Macy's), Winter 2012

Earrings ~ Claire's?

Hair ~ awful.

Spring Has Sprung

I met my girlfriends for Mexican food and a much-needed margarita this evening. I made mine a jumbo size. ;-) In any case, it was 75 degrees outside, so I had to go into my under-the-bed tote and pull out the capris. Green capris to be exact. Last spring, I wanted nothing more than green capris... and so it was.

I'm consistently making a mockery of myself.

I paired my capris with a sweater I got this past winter that I am absolutely in love with.  It's so quirky and wonderful.  There is a patch of lace down the center back, hence the awkward photo on the right... I was trying to show you the lace. With little success.  You can't see my shoes because they're just old, ugly flip flops.  Sometimes shoes make the outfit... not this time.

Colored pants are a spring / summer favorite of mine.  I would rather have loud pants than a loud shirt.  In this case, both are a little loud,  I guess.  Pairing colored pants with a patterned top in neutral tones adds texture without making you look like an Easter egg.  The lace detailing on this sweater adds a second "layer" of texture.  Going cami-less underneath makes me feel just the right amount of scandalous.  I also think leaving the back open makes it a bit more springy, no?

I also love wearing tight bottoms with a baggier top, or vice versa.  Wearing two "tight" items can a make you look skanky (or in my case... muffin-toppy).  Two "baggy" pieces can make you look frumpy.  Although there are exceptions to every rule. :-)

Happy Spring!

~VeeLynn

In this outfit:
Sweater ~ Almost Famous (Boscov's), Winter 2012
Capris ~ Ann Taylor LOFT, Spring/Summer 2012

Ask Anything: Size Matters

Tonight, I had my very first fashion consultation... via Facebook Messenger. It makes me so happy that my friends come to me for advice! I thought that this one situation could benefit a lot of people, so I asked her permission to post. Here we go:

"I need some fun spring outfits - the problem is that my size is right on the verge of regular/plus size. I'm a 14-16. Where do I find knee length dresses?" -- Kristy

Believe me, when it comes to shopping for unusual sizes, I'm the queen of the castle. I happen to fall on the opposite end of the spectrum from Kristy. I can wear children's sizes. (Some good buys there for you tiny gals. But, this is for another post... I digress.) Kristy is an awesome bargain shopper, so like moi, she loves stores like TJ Maxx and picks through the sale racks at department stores. Because, let's face it, who doesn't love a good buy?  Sometimes, though, necessity (or gift cards) demand that we splurge.

My first thought was Lane Bryant, but Kristy is not a true plus size, so their clothes tend to be baggy on her. After minutes of greuling deliberation and feeling like a failure at my future career path, I suggested that she try stores like Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor LOFT, or New York & Company. These stores are great for women of all sizes. Their clothes are great for day-to-night looks, so even though they may be a little pricier, it is always a good investment. Something you can wear to multiple occasions.

One thing about these stores is that there is a lot of vanity sizing going on. What does that mean? It means that their clothes tend to run about a size too large, so that when you need a size smaller than normal, you feel great. So goes the theory. For example, at Ann Taylor I am a size 00 petite or XXS petite. A double-zero I am not. How does this benefit women like Kristy? She would actually be one of the median sizes at these stores, allowing her to move up or down a size or so given the fit of individual garments.

Check out these stores online! Something for all shapes and sizes!
Ann Taylor
Ann Taylor LOFT
New York & Company

Happy shopping!
~VeeLynn

Welcome!

Hey hey!  Welcome to Tatters to Trousseau!  I'm usually awful at keeping-up with blogs, but fashion is something that I have a great deal of passion for, so I think I'll be better with this one. ;-)

So, what is this blog?  There are literally thousands of fashion and beauty blogs out there in the blogosphere... how is this one any different?  I have more clothes than I know what to do with, and I'm probably about 3 steps away from being on an episode of hoarders.  I haven't grown since about 7th grade, so I never HAVE to get new clothes, but who can resist the call of the wild shopping mall?  Of course I have given some old things away to charity... something about glittery hearts and butterflies doesn't quite seem to fit my personality anymore.  Also, I may not have gotten any taller, but I have definitely gotten fatter since I was 13. :-/

Well, that was a lovely summary of my history, but I still haven't answered the question.  How is this blog different from other fashion blogs?  I always had an inkling that my clothes would come back into style.  So even if I hadn't worn them for years, maybe, just maybe, they would be wearable.  Even if you haven't been hoarding clothes for the past 15 years like some people (ahem), I can show you how to take some of your old accouterments and make them new again!

Not only that, but I'm killer at bargain shopping.  I will share some of my best bargain finds, and help you make your own bargain buys.  Sometimes "bargain shopping" gets a bad rep.  You can get great, brand name stuff for awesome prices, even at stores like Macy's.

Thanks for reading, fashionistas!

~VeeLynn