Today I’m so excited to join six other lovely ladies to share some fashion ideas to help you get a jump-start on your spring style. Each person did a spring style subject of their own choosing. I can’t wait to pop over and see what each one has in store for us!
Recently I’ve cleared out the closet and even sadly dusted some of my clothes. I’m sure most people can relate given the past year. I do think it’s been a lesson on just how many clothes we all own and what we now feel we can live without and also what we truly want to wear. When organizing and cleaning your closet, look at what you DO love! Make a list of things that you wear repeatedly, always love and that flatter you. Choose accordingly when you shop. I noticed I am always drawn to things like printed pants, but rarely wear them and the same with busy tops.
This process has made me see the things I really wear again and again, over the years are mainly classics of some variation or other. In spring that means good white jeans, pretty blouses, comfortable dresses, a lightweight jacket and flat sandals for me.
Maybe instead of buying a whole lot of new, buy less and pick better basics! Some things everyone can use this season:
-Some good white jeans (like discussed in this post)
-A new pair of blue jeans in an updated shape
-A well made sandal that will upgrade everything
-A nice quality white blouse
– A couple inexpensive dresses ( maybe a long and a short)
-A tote or cross-body in a lightweight fabric or straw.
With that list in mind, I added a few things to my closet this spring – An eyelet blouse a beautifully made classic from J.Crew. It comes with a light shell liner with snaps to attach it. ( It’s on sale now with an extra 50% too, a great deal for this regularly $110 blouse.) The different styles of eyelet on this give it a fun element, but eyelet will always be a spring and summer classic. (For those who asked I bought a size 6, which feels just right with some room for a bit of stretch for my size 5’4- 130ish for some indication of how the numbered sizes run. )
I wore it with my white jeans and black accessories for a transitional spring look. My J. Crew white vintage straight leg jeans are still looking great after buying these last summer.
I also added these new wide leg cropped jeans from Banana Republic. I wear my jeans a ton and I like this thicker no stretch pair that will give a updated look to all I already own like this denim shirt. These are also on sale now and come in petite, which we right for 5’4 me, – also in regular and tall.
I also added this sweet blouse from World Market. They have some pretty tops and coverups!
Once again I couldn’t resist the stripes and love the ruffles and embroidery. They have quite a few cute ones.
In the ‘buy better’ category I bought these Tory Burch Cloud sandals I had my eye on for sometime. They have the support of a Birkenstock type shoe and I love the blue denim color. They also come in white, tan, a pretty yellow and black. Every Tory Burch item I have ever bought I still own and that says a lot. I love the quality of her things. We could all use more of those kind of items in our closets.
My cross-body is honestly almost 10 years old or so – also Tory, and the closest they have now is this cutie in brown and black. I love the tassel and size for your phone and sunglasses.
In lightweight tote category, I spotted this striped cutie when buying the jeans. I don’t have a fabric tote and as I always love stripes, it’s a classic in this black/cream that it will go with so much. Also the new Banana Republic Cozy Slub long sleeve t’s are excellent. I love the one I have here in black are a perfect fit in medium and beautiful quality. I am going to buy white too. A good basic to have in the wardrobe.
My jeans here are a classic and one of my favorites for their straight leg fit and mid-rise. The Reese Straight Leg Kut from the Kloth. I have them in petite and they hit at the right place. Mine are a few years older and they have updated the hem. The sandals are a few seasons older from Everlane, but J. Crew has some thin leather ones that are similar.. I have them in white too and they run true to size.
I have also been looking for a lightweight jacket and noticed everyone wearing oversized blazers now, which looks so great. I have been rummaging through my son’s closets, but none are quite long enough. I found this black linen blazer that is machine washable and has a cute light blue collar you can pop-up. I will dress it up with dresses and skirts and down with my jeans and t-shirts. The longer and oversized look is fun and current.
Here I just threw it over my shoulder. It’s a versatile piece.
On a trip to Target, I spied two dresses that were pretty and fun. I find myself wearing dresses so much in the warm months. For everyday spring and summer, Target items seem to always be current, have pockets and wear well too. I found this maxi dress in a soft blue ( again kind of a theme here) stripe and thought this would be great for Easter, for weekends and even as a cover-up.
This tie-dye dress was so cute I grabbed it on the way out. This runs small and I bought a large. I love the gauze fabric. It might be my going out dress when the time comes again! It also comes in a lovely blue version!
Well that’s my fashion ramblings and philosophy – clean your closet, buy less and classics that update what you already own. A few new dresses are a nice seasonal thing to add as well and give you a little lift!
Please visit these fellow bloggers and see what they have for you in spring fashion ideas…
I also wanted to say thanks to all of you who stopped by and left comments on the last Californians at Home Post featuring my friend Elizabeth’s home. I never have had so many comments on a post so thank you and thanks Elizabeth!
Kim
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Lovely!!
Thank you Ellene!
Kim what a great job you did! I knew you would find something cute from Target! I actually tried that dress in the mustard loved it but it looked terrible on me. I love those tiered dresses but they just don’t like me! I have those banana jeans totally agree! I LOVE that J crew top and own it. Now I want that striped bag what a great price! You really knocked it out of the park this time!
Cindy I didn’t see that mustard color.. I was wondering how it looks!You have these jeans? No wonder they look similar and I love that they come in petite! How funny we have the same pieces.. Love your eyelet dress today too! so fun joining you all. xo Kim
LOOKING SPRING~ISH IN THE GARDEN TODAY!
I adore the photo on the bench of YOU!
Off I go to explore what the OTHER GALS have in store……………
THANK YOU for the WONDERFUL ARTICLE……..people came out of the WOODWORK on may FACEBOOK page on THAT !!!
A WONDERFUL SERIES TO KEEP UP!
XXX
Thank you so much Elizabeth! I knew you would approve of the long dress.. You would look great in it too.Go see the other gals. Thank you again for the wonderful week and comments sharing your world! xoxo Kim
Kim…you have THEE best advice on what to buy and what not to! I am going to read your white jeans post again. Love your Tory Burch sandals…and you are right…every Tory Burch item I have (just two and now three with a new purse) wears for YEARS. Thanks for doing this with us. GREAT post.
Mary Ann
Thanks Mary Ann! So fun and I love your post too! I agree Tory just makes beautiful things. Thanks again for asking me. xo Kim
Kim, I love everything you picked here. Definitely the style I’m going for even if I don’t always achieve it. lol Eyelet anything is such a classic. I think I have 4 at last count, one a 20+ yr old Ann Taylor. You know I have always loved my uniform of white jeans and I’m really in the market too because one pair I grew out of (the good way) and the other have a huge hole in one knee! Wore them to death. So I will be re-reading your post. Do you know which jeans you’re wearing in the picture with the cute striped tote? Love the fit of them.
Hi Marianne! I love that you have 4 eyelet shirts! See they last and always look good. I do think they get softer over the years too. You in Florida, and I in California, almost have the same wardrobe I think. The jeans with the tote bag are these Out from the Kloth. Love the fit and I think the ones I have are an old version. They now changed the hem a bit-but these are the Reese. Such great jeans and a mid-rise which is nice. I have petite as I am 5’4, but it comes in regular too. Here they are..https://rstyle.me/+gEZfoCvJJSxYYEJieDu63Q
Kim, you are so beautiful!! You make all of your outfits look fantastic!
Kelley how are you? You are too kind always!! We still need to meet up after this pandemic and it looks soon. Hope all is good. xo Kim
OK, you impaired me. I noticed that I do have pants I never wore all year. Out they go. I have not been in a store in over a year. I’m hesitant to start now even with the vaccine. ButI can begin by weeding out So thank you. You look great in everything!!!
Sandra you are so kind! Thank you I did the same and love the extra space in the closet now! Less is good and better things. xo
Sio nice to meet you Kim! I hear you on too many clothes. I need to clean out my closet too. It get too fun and I need to stop buying so much. It’s so fun to freshen up for spring and white jeans are a fave of mine too.
Hi Rhoda! So great to meet you through this too! I know it’s hard for us all to clean out- but liberating too. I know love the white jeans and have too many.
Totally in love with that gorgeous striped maxi! Adore adore adore it on you 💙 and such great advice! I try so hard to buy less, it’s a work in progress 😩
Sarah I am working on it too. It’s changing the mindset and the habits.. We will get there, and just working towards that is a step! xx
Kim,
Hi! It’s nice to meet another Cali beauty. My new motto is what you mentioned, “Buy less and pick better basics.” I generally can stick to this except when I shop at Target. They get me every time with the chic and affordable fashions perfect for spring and summer.
Eugenia so true isn’t it about Target.. and I am always just there for the paper towels! So great to meet you too! Looking forward to following you! xo
Love your sunny, casual styles and the idea of poaching from your men’s closets.
I went straight to the J Crew site to order the sandals but need advice on size.. Do you find them TTS? I usually go down 1/2 size in open-toe.
I’ve ordered so much from that company this year, it looks like I’m trying to personally save them from “reorganization”!
Wren you made me laugh! I know I have to say I have been a loyal customer of theirs too. I just think the quality has been nice and they are going back to their stylish classics. The J Crew shoes seem true to size. In the Tory Burch blue sandal I bought a 7.5 and I sometimes wear 8, so I thought that sandal ran a little big. Hope that helps! xo
Kim such great advice on buying good basics. I like that you have some fun color added in your dress and the blue striped one looks so comfy and cool. Great job👍
Thank you so much! The blue is super comfy too. xo
More great choices Kim! I’d happily wear everything you’ve chosen or suggested. In fact, I already wear, some outfits almost identical to yours! I’ve a few pairs of Boden crop denim jeans very similar to the BR ones. We must have great taste 🤣
I’d love to go shopping with you … one day!
The blue and white stripe dress looks gorgeous on you … perfect for summers days. So cool ( in both senses) and floaty! I have a linen maxi, with various width stripes in mainly blues with a little light grey … it looks better than it sounds! Lol
I love cotton or linen totes too. I’ve a lovely neural ,shades of cream linen one and a red and cream stripe with leather handles … it’s so roomy, great for travel and always feels very French!
Rosemary xxx
Hi Rosemary! Thank you.. I agree I think we have similar tastes. That maxi sounds lovely. I have to check out the Boden crops jeans too. Let’s hope a shopping day together is in our future! I know I love the linen striped tote too. Your tote sounds like something I’d love. I think this one came in a red too, but they were out in store. Pops of red in bags and shoes always strike me as French. They know how to add that little bit and make it look great! So fun always chatting with you. Have a great weekend! xx
Kim! I adore your style! I always buy something that you’ve recommended! I love your BR finds! I always forget to look there! I don’t know why! Your style is always relaxed, sophisticated, and you have a way of making it look effortless. Like that jacket over your shoulders!
xo
anie
Annie, I feel the same about your style. I love that trench! BR I have not ventured out to in a while and was pleasantly surprised how cute the things are and the quality too. Anyway thank you- and doing this was so fun!xx
Hello Kim,
My stylish friend! As always, you picked so many good things! I admire your laid-back style, classy and clean lines without a bunch of fuss. I love anything with stripes, that’s my go-to pattern! And I live in denim.
Like you, I’m tryin not to buy too much and make careful choices. But I think the problem for me right now is I feel desperate for something new! I’ve gotten tired of everything in my closet. Even my favorite things are on constant rotation and so I feel ready for a refresh. It’s tempting and too easy to buy online, but almost everything winds up being returned because of fit or itchiness or something. I guess I’m picky!
I do love those Tory Burch sandals, they look comfy. Maybe I’ll splurge?
Thanks for the fun inspiration!
XO Heidi
Hello dear Heidi! I can relate after the past year, and in spring I feel like I need a bit of newness too. I think online shopping can be a challenge. Honest, I’ve gotten a bit better at it, as I had to last year. I tend to shop at the places I know, but I have ventured out to other online places and been surprised how easy it was to return things.. I just got sick of the same shops! The Tory Sandals are super comfy- and cute. I love that combo. Let me know what you think! Hope your weekend is lovely. xoxo
Hi Kim, I can totally relate to your post. With the pandemic this past year and also making the decision to downsize to a smaller house, like everything else, I guess it has come down to how much do we really need, and in the case of our wardrobes, I find definitely less! Like you, I find myself always returning to same pieces again and again. Also, drawn to bright patterns, but never actually wearing them, lol. When I moved, I thought I had really purged my closest, but while I am waiting for the house to be finished, I keep finding more items that no longer serve me, probably never did. I did find a couple of cute dresses from Anthropologie for warmer days here on the east coast. Totally love the tote from Banana Republic, ordering it right after this . Can’t wait for the warmer weather here. Have a Happy Easter, Robin.
Hi Robin, So funny we are drawn to those bright and fun patterns, but wear them seldom! I have MANY. I just feel like they are such a statement too- you can’t repeat wear them as much and they aren’t as versatile! Anthropologie is a great source for dresses I agree. I always like their selections. You know moving is such a great way to really look at all you have and realize it’s too much! Since I moved out for the remodel and back – it helped hugely getting me to purge! I bet downsizing got you to rethink it all too… It’s a good feeling knowing what you have. I hope you have a wonderful Easter too! x Kim
Kim – I laughed at your comment about dusting off clothes. Same thing happened over here … what an eye opener. I love your classic, understated look. I just ordered the Target blue and white dress … love it. You’ve got me thinking about how to edit a bit more in my closet and what pieces I might need to add. Thanks for always keeping me inspired. xo
Hi Juliet! It’s so sad, I literally wore less than 10% of my clothing last year. I do hope I get to trot more of it out in 2021. After looking at it all, I realized a lot of it is just uncomfortable and frankly too dressy. I don’t need heels as much anymore, even on vacations I rarely wear them, and almost never going out here. I don’t need tight or skinny jeans, except maybe a pair or two to wear with tunics and things. And I don’t need drawers and drawers of sweaters and t’s. I need 5 great ones, a few pretty blouses and jackets, some perfect fitting pants and jeans and that is about it. Your new closet is gorgeous! I have loved all your dress choices always- and you inspire me too. xo
I like your style. It’s very close to mine, but I also love to wear bright colours. I’m the same height as you which is good to know. I never find petite clothes here, which is crazy, as most people are not very tall. So sometimes it feels like the ‘ clothes wear me ‘ instead of the other way around. I love anything made of linen for summer as it gets so hot here. In fact, it’s super hot today with a breeze straight out of Africa 😟
Loree, I didn’t know we were both the same size! It’s always a challenge to find things that feel right when you are 5’4. I agree too many things are made for taller people. Also I have long limbs, which is odd for a short person, so I don’t always fit petite things! Do you do a lot of mail order there? What chains are on the island? European I am guessing? Wow a lot of linen pieces now at Banana so maybe check them out. I bought a linen tank top and there are cute linen shorts too! Stay cool! xo Kim
Love your blue stripe maxi and Tori sandals! You have such a relaxed breezy style! I’ve been struggling with trying to resist buying new clothing and accessories for the reasons you wrote about. Love these posts!
Hi Ginger! Thanks so much. I totally get it. Hopefully we can shop our closets too and add just a few things here and there. xo