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What to Wear

How to Love Your Chambray Shirt

I was recently asked what to wear with a Chambray shirt. My answer. . . everything! This piece is incredibly versatile; Just take a look at style bloggers across the country. You can outfit this shirt with:

White jeans and a colorful headband.

Dressed up with a ballerina skirt.

Layered underneath a striped sweater.

Sequins! Chambray and sparkle creates the perfect fancy:casual ratio, plus chambray and sequins really rolls off the tongue. : )

Denim on denim. I love that Rachel added a neon belt to break up the monochrome of the rest of the outfit.

Pants with a pop of color and neutral accessories.

Printed skirt and statement necklace.
Chambray- Forever 21. Skirt-Gap. Shoes- Dillard's. Necklace-Blossom.

Some 'Wear' Beyond the Sea

My hope is that each of you get to escape sometime this summer. If your vacation takes you to the seashore, you will want a wardrobe to cover all your bases: beach, dinner, and strolling the boardwalk, all while embracing the notorious ease of the coastline. Packing can be a daunting task, and I'm here to help eliminate the headache so you can focus your energy on the relaxation ahead! 



Swimsuit and coverup- If you find yourself at the beach every day you will want two swimsuits. This will come in handy when one is sandy, or hasn't quite dried out from the previous day. You can wear the same coverup every day.

Mix and match tops- Keep in mind that the first day of travel counts as an additional outfit. Four tops should be plenty, especially considering that on the days you spend all day at the beach, your ensamble will only be on display for a couple of hours in the evening.

Jeans and skirts- You don't need colored jeans, but they add a pop of color, and sure are fun!  Skirts are a great option for warm days and can be paired with a cardigan to take your get-up from day to night.

Sweaters- With the unpredictable coastal weather, you will want to be prepared for it all, and sweaters are the ideal, lightweight option.

Shoes- Flip flops, dressy sandals, and ballerina flats are all you need from the beach to a late-night movie.


Now that we know what to pack, let's watch it all come together with these tips to convey effortless style with minimal wardrobe pieces.


Learn to love mixing and matching. These days, anything goes, so you should be able to get multiple uses out of the same pieces. Try a floral printed top paired with a structured skirt, and for a casual feel, trade the skirt for colored jeans.

floral top, mix & match


Take advantage of the cool coastal weather and layer. Layering is a great way to add panache to any ensemble and usually has to wait for the winter months. Sunny days and crisp nights allow the lucky chance to practice this timeless look. For this look, I traded one of my sweaters for a fitted blazer.
Untitled #9




Accessorize! Changing up a necklace or belt can change the entire attitude of an outfit. This allows you to re-wear a piece of clothing with a completely different look. Accessories are also great for trips because they don't take up much packing space, yet have a big impact on your overall appearance. 
Untitled #9


Happy vacation!

Love your Peplum Skirt

Today's post comes from a reader question. You may remember the darling Jessica from her Style Showcase. I thought it would be a good opportunity to not only answer her question, but to inform the rest of you if you have similar questions. 
Jessica inquires: "I just bought the cutest olive green peplum skirt. I want to wear it in summer/winter to get my money's worth. My mom told me to pair it with a white button-up for starters, but I want more ideas/suggestions, too. Can you help me?" 


Good for you getting your money's worth from your purchases, Jessica! Your mom is right. A white button-up will look great with this skirt. In fact, you can wear it with a lot of things from your basic wardrobe. If you are looking for something different, or to make a statement, remember that olive green is a neutral and can be worn with just about anything. For a fun pop of color try navy blue, pink, or olive's color wheel complement, lavender. With a plain blouse, let your accessories do the talking. Pair a lavender blouse with a simple necklace, printed shoes, and coordinating earrings.
1. Similar
2. J. Crew
3. Topshop
4. Dillards
5. Anthropologie

Another great option for summer is a floral top. You will love this blouse from Old Navy because the print is eye-catching, yet the silhouette is simple. You will want to tuck everything into a peplum skirt to allow attention to the detail of the skirt. Balance the feminine top and flouncy skirt with a cuff bracelet and simple studs to keep your look edgy.

3. Macy's
5. Target

By trading your summer color palette for something richer, your skirt can be ready for fall! Take your look from Thanksgiving to New Year's with a sequin tank, matching cardigan, and knee high boots. Keep your styling simple by skipping a necklace and adding simple drop earrings and a wrist full of bangles.

1. Similar
2. Express
3. Macy's
4. Pink Mascara
5. J. Crew
6. Kohl's
7. Kohl's

Thanks Jessica for your inquiry, I hope this helps, and I hope it helps the rest of you, too!
If you have any style questions e-mail me at grownupdressup {at} gmail {dot} com.