Let's Link Up! One Piece Many Ways

Today I am oh so excited to participate in my very first link up hosted by Audrey at Putting Me Together!  Audrey has challenged her readers to choose one piece of clothing and incorporate it into several outfits…”one piece many ways!”

For my featured item of clothing, I chose a knee-length navy and white printed skirt with an elastic waistband and pockets (who doesn’t love a skirt with pockets?!?).  This skirt has been one of my favorite purchases of the summer because it is super comfy!  Also, navy is one of my favorite neutrals and I have been having fun remixing it with different tops.   Here are a few of the outfits I’ve been wearing!

This first look is a casual, every-day ensemble.  This is also one of my first experiments with pattern mixing.  I find pattern mixing to be pretty scary because I’m worried I will do it horribly wrong and consequently will look like a crazy person.  I think this skirt works with the purple, striped tee because the print on top is big and bold while the print on the bottom is smaller and subtle.  What do you think?  Does my pattern mixing attempt work for you and why?  I’ve added a jean jacket, cognac sandals and my amber necklace to accessorize the look!

I think that my second ensemble would make for a fun summer date-night outfit!  I’m wearing a slim-fitting pink tank top and a pink bubble necklace for a monochromatic look.  Add some fun printed wedges (mine are covered in tiny pink flamingos), and you are ready for a hot night on the town!

My third and final look can be worn on breezy summer days and into the fall.  I will definitely be wearing this outfit to work when I go back to school!  I’ve combined my go-to skirt with the ever-versatile chambray shirt.  I added the belt to lend a different structure to the skirt and the coral heels for a pop of color!

Don’t forget to visit Putting Me Together to see lots of ways that readers have worn “one piece many ways!”

What I'm Wearing:

• Navy Printed Skirt: Target (exact)

• Striped T-Shirt: Old Navy (exact)
• Jean Jacket: Hand-Me-Down (similar, similar)
• Amber Necklace: Gift (similar, similar)
• Cognac Sandals: Target (exact)

• Pink Tank Top: Gap Outlet (similar, similar)
• Pink Bubble Necklace: Francesca's (exact)
• Printed Wedges: Gift (exact)

• Chambray Shirt: Old Navy (similar, similar)
• Belt: Eastern Market D.C. (similar, similar)
• Coral Heels: DSW (similar, similar)

A Birthday Party and a Big Necklace

This weekend I attended a first birthday party for my friend’s daughter.  For some reason, deciding what to wear to this event had me stumped!  On one hand, this is obviously a big event (I mean, you only get one first birthday party, right?).  However, kids’ birthday parties aren’t typically very formal occasions.  Each outfit I contemplated seemed either too casual or too formal.

I managed to make a decision by focusing my attention on one piece that I truly wanted to wear, and then I built my outfit around that item.  During previous snuggles with the birthday baby, I have noticed that she loves touching and holding on to my statement necklaces.  Therefore I decided that my outfit must include a big necklace in honor of the glamour girl in the making.  This also seemed like the perfect moment to sport a necklace that I bought last week!

I paired the necklace with one of my go-to skirts (super comfy).  I liked the way the skirt accentuated the pretty blues in the necklace.  I used to strictly wear this skirt with solid-colored tops but as I continue to experiment with remixing my wardrobe, I find that this skirt is really versatile! In this case, I decided that a striped t-shirt kept the outfit casual while adding a bit more character than a plain tee.

What do you think?  What are your go-to ensembles for events that are somewhere between formal and casual?

What I'm wearing:

• Striped Tee: Old Navy (exact)
• Skirt: Old Navy (similar, similar, similar, similar)
• Blue Statement Necklace: Francesca's (exact)
• Wedges: DSW (exact)