Fall Capsule Wardrobe Link Up

Today marks the start of the Fall Capsule Wardrobe Remix over at Greater Than Rubies!  Caitlin has challenged us to choose 20 items of clothing from which to make 30 fall friendly ensembles.  From cozy sweaters to pumpkin spice lattes, fall is a season that I adore and I am super excited to start thinking about fall fashion.

Today I am showing you the 20 items of clothing that I will be featuring in my 30 fall outfits.  Most of these pieces I have been purchasing since the spring (like the gingham shirt and the brown blazer) but have been saving for the cooler weather.  A couple of the items I've thrown in (more precisely, the skirts) have been summer favorites that I'm hoping to incorporate into my fall wardrobe.  I will be using some of my favorite fashion standbys...a denim jacket, stripes and polka dots...but I will also be stepping outside of my comfort zone...can I really pull-off a military-inspired vest?

Let's take a closer look at my remixable choices!

Tops:
1.  Mustard Striped Sweater: Banana Republic
2.  Blue Gingham Shirt: Banana Republic
3.  Black and White Striped Shirt: Banana Republic
4.  Polka Dot Sweater: Target
5.  Hot Pink Eyelet Shirt: Gap Outlet
6.  Multi-Color Sleeveless Top: Gap Outlet
7.  Chambray Shirt: Old Navy
8.  Michigan State University Sweatshirt (hey, fall is football season!)

Bottoms:
9.  Skinny Jeans: Old Navy
10.  Green A-Line Skirt: Banana Republic
11.  Black Dress Pants: Gap
12.  Navy Print Skirt: Target
13.  Black Leggings: Old Navy

Completer Pieces:
14.  Brown Blazer: Antropologie
15.  Purplish Grey Military Vest: Eddie Bauer
16.  Navy Cardigan: Kohl's
17.  Pink Blazer: J.C. Penney
18.  Grey Sweater: Ann Taylor Outlet
19.  Denim Jacket: Hand-Me-Down

And Last But Not Least:
20.  Multi-Color Dress: Dressbarn

Stay tuned for more posts featuring outfits comprised of these fall favorites as well as links where you can purchase similar items!  And don't forget to check-out Greater Than Rubies for other Fall Capsule Wardrobe looks!

Can it really be this simple?

Let’s talk about color blocking.  Now this is a fashion phenomenon that has me a bit puzzled.  I mean, all you have to do is wear several different solid colors at one time?  Can it really be this simple?  Or is it too simple and I’m doing it wrong?  I’m having flashbacks to being the first kid in the class to turn in a test.  Did I ace it or did I make a horrible mistake?

In any case, here is my interpretation of the color blocking trend.  This top is one of my purchases from a recent outlet shopping trip.  The top is already an experiment in color blocking so I added colored capris to enhance the effect.  A chunky necklace pulls the look together and nude heels add a bit of class!  And ta da: color blocking…I think? 

What I'm Wearing:

• Top: Banana Republic Outlet (similar, similar)
• Capris: Loft (similar, similar)
• Necklace: Francesca's (similar, similar)
• Heels: DSW (similar, similar)

Back to School Butterflies

On the first day of school every year while I was growing up, my mom would take a picture of me in my carefully chosen "first day of school outfit."  I would pose by the front door, my hand on the knob, wearing my shiny shoes and a new backpack.

All these years later and now as a teacher, I still get butterflies on the first day of school and I still pick-out that perfect outfit!

This one is for you, Mom!

What I'm Wearing:

• Dress: Banana Republic Outlet (similar, similar)
• Belt: Charming Charlie (similar, similar)
• Shoes:  Ummm, a big department store? (similar, similar)

Au revoir, summer!

Yikes!  It has been quite a while since my last post!  My excuse?  As a high school teacher, summer vacation is over and I went back to work on Monday.  I spent the last week furiously attending teacher meetings, lesson planning and decorating my classroom.  I’m exhausted but I’m feeling positive about seeing my kiddos bright and early on Monday morning!

Although I’m suddenly much more busy than I was one week ago, I don’t want to let my new blog fall by the wayside.  In fact, one of my motivations in starting Whitney à la mode is to have a project just for me!  I love teaching and giving my all to my students but having this blog as a personal and creative outlet helps me to feel more balanced and happy.

Anyways, back to the clothes!  I know that summer is technically far from over and the weather will remain steamy, but the start of the school year makes me feel like fall has arrived!  I am posting this fun, nautical summer outfit as my unofficial farewell to the fun and relaxing summer I have enjoyed!

A striped blazer had been on my wish list for almost a year when I bought this one several months ago.  I absolutely adore it but for some reason I have trouble thinking of ensembles with which to wear it.  Do you have any ideas?  Here I paired it with white shorts, a mint tank and coral flats for a pop of color!  It is a fun summer outfit but I would love some ideas for wearing this blazer into the fall!

What I'm Wearing:

• Blazer: Banana Republic (similar, similar)
• Tank Top: Gap Outlet (similar, similar)
• Shorts: Old Navy (exact)
• Flats: Hand-Me-Down (similar, similar)

Maxi Dress-ed Up or Down

So, I’ve finally done it!  I’ve finally found a maxi dress that I absolutely love!  I know that maxis have been a chic and comfy trend for a few years now, but I have had the hardest time finding maxi dresses that work for me…they have been unflattering, too revealing up top, too long, too tight on the bottom…you name it, I’ve struggled with it!

But my struggles are over!  This weekend my mom and I took an outlet mall trip that we have been planning for months.  I LOVE outlet shopping and a trip to my favorite outlet mall with my favorite (and only) mother made for a spectacular day!  I’m looking forward to sharing all of my lovely finds with you, starting with this marvelous maxi!

The fit of the dress is what makes all of the difference and the empire waist of this dress really works for my body.  The print is really fun and almost animal-esque without being too crazy!  I like that the print is done in neutrals because it provides a fun base for some creative remixing.

My first maxi dress look is a bit dressy with coral heals and a chunky coral necklace.  The second look is more casual with black sandals and a jean jacket.

Have you ever been frustrated because you can’t quite make a look you love work for your body?

What I'm Wearing:

• Maxi Dress: Banana Republic Outlet (similar, similar, similar)

• Coral Necklace: Premier Designs (similar, similar)
• Coral Heels: DSW (similar. similar)

• Jean Jacket: Hand-Me-Down (similar, similar)
• Sandals: Bata (similar, similar)

Polka Dot Paradise

I truly adore polka dots and this polka dotted t-shirt is one of my closet staples!  When Caitlin at Greater Than Rubies announced this week’s Remix Rewear Restyle theme of polka dots, I knew I wanted to feature my favorite little tee.

Here are a couple of things I LOVE about this t-shirt:

• It is grey- one of my favorite neutrals!
•   It goes with practically everything.
• It wears with the ease of a t-shirt but…
•  Its fitted and patterned nature makes me feel put together.

This polka-dotted wonder is fun to wear with colored bottoms like these raspberry capries.  I also added a beaded, white statement necklace to highlight the white polka dots.  I almost put on my metallic wedges to complete this outfit…but then I decided: What the heck!  I’m gonna go all out polka dots!  And I threw on my new polka dot sneakers.  When in (polka dotted) Rome…right?!?

P.S.  What do you think of my new bangs?  I haven’t had bangs since I was in second grade but I’m loving them!

What I'm Wearing:

• T-Shirt: J.Crew Factory (similar, similar)
• Capries: Loft (exact)
• Necklace: Francesca's (similar, similar)
• Sneakers: DSW (exact) <-- (Cheaper than the previous link I provided!)

Summer Layers

Today’s Remix Rewear Restyle challenge over at Caitlin’s blog, Greater than Rubies, is to create an outfit featuring summer layers.  In the Washington D.C. area, any sort of layering during the summer can feel too heavy.  Summer weather is hot and humid!  My go-to accessory to dress-up an outfit in our nation’s capital has been a statement necklace…that’s about all I can tolerate in the heat!

Luckily, I have been home in Michigan for the past several weeks.  There is a running joke amongst Michiganders that we can experience four seasons-worth of weather in a 24-hour period of time.  Therefore, summer layers are a MUST!

I wore this ensemble when I went up north to a friend’s lake house this weekend.  The house is on Lake Huron so the weather ranges from warm and sunny to cool and breezy. 

The foundation of my outfit was easy and comfy for the ride up north.  I think the pops of color are enough to make it a put-together outfit…although I might add some chunky jewelry if I planned to wear only this for the entire day.

I arrived at my friend’s house just in time for a breezy dinner.  I threw on this scarf for a little extra style and a little extra warmth.  While the scarf isn’t entirely matchy matchy with the rest of my outfit, the purply and pinky tones worked with my shirt and shoes.

For any outdoor evening activities I needed to add one more layer!  This cozy cardigan warmed me up and completed my summer layered look.  Since layering clothing is often a technique that is associated with the cooler seasons, I think it is important to keep things colorful when layering during the summer!

Do you have to think about summer layering in your neck of the woods?  And don’t forget to check-out Greater Than Rubies to see how other readers have layered their summer looks!

What I'm Wearing:

• Sleeveless Top: Old Navy (similar, similar)
• Shorts: Loft Outlet (similar, similar)
• Scarf: Target (similar, similar)
• Cardigan: Target (exact)
• Sneakers: DSW (exact)

Belt Debate

I sure have been enjoying the most widely known perk of being a teacher…my summer off!  For the past few weeks I have been enjoying my home state, Michigan, and have spent good, quality time with my family and friends.

Being home and living out of a suitcase has felt a bit like a remix challenge because I only have so many items of clothing from which to make original outfits.  It has been difficult but it is also a fun way to get my brain working during this first month of writing my blog.

You will recognize today’s teal skirt from one of my previous posts and you may recognize this top from Audrey’s blog, Putting Me Together.  I’ve already written about how much I admire Audrey’s ability to make sense of clothing.  She really encourages her readers to use their own clothes to recreate her looks, but sometimes I can’t resist running out and purchasing something she is wearing…like this sleeveless top.  It is just so feminine and coolly comfortable for the hot summer weather.

To complete this look, I decided to add a belt.  However, I struggled to decide which belt to wear!  I like the mint belt for an outfit consisting primarily of blue tones.  On the other hand, the pink belt adds a fun pop of color and pulls out the pink flowers in the shirt.

Which look do you prefer?  The mint belt or the pink belt?

What I'm Wearing:

• Sleeveless Top: Target (exact)
• Skirt: Old Navy (similar, similar)
• Mint Belt: Target (exact)
• Neon Pink Belt: Target (exact)
• Wedges: DSW (exact)