The Classy Junk: spring

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Dressing for Transition Seasons | Advice + Outfit

I know talking about the weather is boring small talk but it seriously impacts our clothing choices. So, it's hard to not talk about the weather! Clothes are our literal armor against the chilly gales that whip around us and, on a less practical level, the weather effects our moods and clothing is the outward display of the chilly gales whipping around inside of us. When we're bouncing around between 70 degree days and freezing rain it can be difficult to make style choices.

Side eye to mother nature...who does she think she is? Sybil? Save it for Sally Field, lady!

When the weather can't decide if it's one season or another, you have the great transition seasons. And while they're not my favorite weather-wise, I actually love dressing for these times of the year. It's a challenge to meld the warm and the cool into something that satisfies weather that's neither winter nor spring and reflects a mood that can only dip it's toes in the exuberance of a new season. One of my favorite ways to accomplish this is to pair typically winter colors with spring colors. Adding the blush colored cardigan and belt tips the scales towards an outfit that is more bloom and blossom than falling leaves and snow covered hills. I'm still protected from the elements but my lighter, happier mood is the sprinkle on top.

If you're unsure how to pair colors from the opposite ends of the spectrum, start with colors in the same color family. Even though wine is dark and saturated it has the same roots as the softer and airier blush so they will always look good together (like you and your cutie sister). You can also use prints as a cheat sheet, as well. The floral on my bag acts as a bridge incorporating both colors into it's palate. If you aren't sure where to start you can grab a print and pull out two colors, one spring and one winter, and build your outfit on that.

Keep in mind that all of this is a mere suggestion based on the desire to dress thematically for the season and you should always where whatever you want, whenever you want, regardless of what fashion magazines tell you is in this season or not. #velvetforeveryseason

Friday, March 4, 2016

Navy Plaid and Blush | Outfit

Spring has sprung! Well, not really because we just had a blizzard. But, spring doesn't really happen in Wisconsin the way it happens in the rest of the world. As temperatures rise and everyone else is experiencing the reawakening of the world with blossoms and sunshine, our first signs of spring are heaps of dirty snow that refuse to melt and soggy, brown, litter covered grass. The beginning of spring, for us, is more like the death rattle of winter and we're left dealing with the corpse.

That's why spring is much more of a mindset in Wisconsin. Spring is here when our coats start to feel like they're smothering us and we cannot bare the thought of pulling on our grubby, salt stained boots one more time. No matter how cold and wet it is. It's when we decide to grit our teeth and dig our hearty, Midwestern heels in and firmly tell winter, "no more." If we can't have blossoms and sunshine then we'll just pretend. We'll wear cheery clothes and shorts in 30 degree weather because we just...can't...take it...anymore. So, huzzah. It's spring. Because we say so.