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(ABOVE) Pink, navy and black, a classic color combination.


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May 16, 2018 / Video Post Notes

CUTE AND FUN OR MORE REFINED–WHICH LOOK DO I WANT…AND WHY?

Black Classic Accessories For Elevating an Outfit

For this date night OOTD, I could have paired my navy shirt with navy accessories, and I would have loved the outfit. Navy and pink are very preppy, and I naturally gravitate to preppy looks. However, I wanted a slightly more dressy feeling, so I decided to pair my outfit with refined black accessories and earrings: a classic-shape ladylike Chanel bag, kitten-heel sling-back sandals, and petite-dangle onyx and gold earrings.

Knee-Length or a Little Shorter?

Along with my accessories, something else that affects the look of this outfit is the length of my magenta eyelet skirt (which is 40% off right now) and had I taken the time to think about this in the store dressing room, I would have saved myself a lot of fashion angst.

When I first tried on the skirt a few weeks ago, I couldn’t decide whether I wanted it knee length (23 inches) or a smidge shorter (21 inches)–which would mean moving into the petite section in my corresponding size. I also kept vacillating about how tight/slim fitting I wanted it. After traipsing back and forth from the petite to the misses departments several times, then hemming and hawing more at home, I finally–or so I thought–decided on the shorter skirt and in one size smaller than my typical size. Translation: slightly shorter and slimmer. (I’m not sure I’ve ever taken so long to make a simple clothing purchase!)

Why My Changing Taste in Clothes?

I’m regaling (boring) you with all of this, because that shorter skirt is the one I’m wearing in this post and video but, oh my goodness, please bear with me…it is not the one I own today–and the reason is not just because my thighs are no longer as tight or smooth as they were in my 40s. Although, I did initially assume that was my reasoning.

What I discovered is, my style is evolving more now than it ever has before, and I attribute that to feeling more and more comfortable with what I like and determined to dress as I choose–even if it isn’t what current fashion magazines might be showing. For me, that translates to adding into my wardrobe more knee-length skirts. Yes, that means I don’t have to worry about my less -than-perfect thighs, but that’s not the only reason I love knee-length skirts. After all, I like and do still wear shorter skirts for casual wear and for fun dressing up. But, for a classic, understated, elegant look, I like having a knee-length (or slightly longer) pencil skirt as an option–whether worn with a kitten heel or a high heel.

Take this outfit. I think it looks cute and fun. I do like it. However, I think it would look just a bit more refined and sophisticated if the skirt was knee length. For that reason, I returned the shorter skirt and now have it in the knee length.

I’m so glad to have learned this about myself, because it will make outfit decisions much easier going forward. (I’m sure store personnel will be much happier with me, too!)

Questions to Ask Myself Before Choosing Which Skirt (& Shoes)

From now on, when contemplating putting together a skirt outfit, I’ll ask myself: Do I want a casual look? If so, I’ll choose a shorter skirt with flats. Fun and flirty? I’ll pick a shorter skirt with kitten heels (like I show here). Sophisticated and refined? Then I’ll choose a knee-length pencil skirt with either kitten heels or stilettos. At least, that’s my feeling on the subject for now. I’m still learning. 🙂

Which brings me to another question: How do you feel about skirt lengths?

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit me here at the blog–and for listing to me vent!

All the best,

~Janis Lyn Johnson


 

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(ABOVE) On the left, I try on the misses size 2 at Talbots (23-inch length); on the right, I’m wearing the petite size 2 (21-inch length). My apologies for the lighting differences! I’m so happy I ultimately decided to return the petite (after this shoot) and bought the longer misses skirt. Although the petite skirt on the right is adorable, I just think the longer one on the left is more versatile. It can be elegant and sophisticated when worn with heels, or simple and casual if worn with, say, wedge sandals or espadrilles. (This skirt is 40% off for a limited time.)

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(ABOVE & BELOW)  100% Pure Coco Butter Matte Lipstick Marrakesh.

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MY CLOTHING

TOP: Brooks Brothers (similar Brooks BrothersTalbots; also Comme Des Garcons Navy or Black Cardigan; Caslon Navy Elbow-Sleeve Tee, Navy Three-Quarter-Sleeve-Tee) / SKIRT: Talbots c/o, 40% off for a limited time.

MY ACCESSORIES

BAG: Chanel, Spring/Summer 2018 (similar Vintage Mini Chanel  Bag or Tory Burch, Kate Spade, Rebecca Minkoff / SHOES: Vaneli

MY JEWELRY

EARRINGS (similar Ross-Simons, Kendra Scott)  / ENAMEL BANGLE: Talbots / WATCH: Michele

MY MOISTURIZERS/MAKEUP (All Natural/Organic Ingredients)

FACE SCRUB: Coconut Oil Mixed with Himalayan Salt (alternative 100% Pure Organic Acai Pulp Facial Scrub) / FACE MOISTURIZER: Nourish Organic Face Lotion / LIPS-EYE AREA MOISTURIZER: Nourish Organic Shea Butter / FACE MAKEUP: BareMinerals Matte Foundation SPF 15, Golden Medium 14 and Golden Fair 04, applied with BareMinerals Flawless Application Face Brush (also available here) and Sigma Flat Angled Kabuki F88 Brush / CHEEKS:  Gabriel Apricot Powder Blush and Gabriel Vibrant Pink Powder Blush, applied with EcoTools Cruelty-Free Stippling Brush  / LIPS: 100% Pure Coco Butter Matte Lipstick Marrakesh  / EYELIDS: 100% Pure Blackest Long Last LinerLASHES: 100% Pure Ultra-Lengthening Mascara, Black Tea, combed out with a Folding Eyelash Comb With Metal Teeth.

100% Pure Also Here: 100% Pure Europe100% Pure UK100% Pure Canada

(Some links in this post are affiliates. More information here.) 


 

YouTube Video

 


 

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Navy Washable Silk Shirt

brooks-brothers-womens-navy-jacquard-button-up-shirt

Navy Jacquard Shirt

comme-des-garcons-button-front-cardigan-navy

Navy Cardigan (Other Colors Available, Including Black)

caslon-navy-three-quarter-sleeve-cotton-tee

Navy Three-Quarter-Sleeve-Tee

caslon-ballet-neck-elbow-sleeve-tee-navy

Navy Elbow-Sleeve Tee

talbots-magenta-scallop-pencil-skirt

Magenta Eyelet Pencil Skirt

chanel-mini-lamb-leather-top-handle-quilted-bag

Vintage Mini Chanel Bag

kate-spade-cameron-street-sara-leather-satchel-black

Kate Spade Bag (Black or Blush Available)

tory-burch-mini-juliette-top-handle-bag-black-or-navy

Tory Burch Bag (Black or Navy Available)

rebecca-minkoff-black-top-handle-bag

Rebecca Minkoff Bag (Other Colors Available)

vaneli-maeve-slingback-sandal-black-patent-leather

Black Patent Leather Sandal

kendra-scott-lee-small-drop-onyx-earrings

Kendra Scott Small Black Onyx Earrings

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14K Gold & Black Onyx Earrings

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Magenta Enamel Bangle (More Colors Available)

Michele-Serein-Gold-Plated-Diamond-Watch

Michele Watch

 


 

Favorite Stores

NATURAL & ORGANIC MAKEUP

100% Pure

Gabriel / Zuzu Luxe

Hemp Organics/Colorganics

BOOKS, ORGANIC FOODS & MORE

Amazon.com

CLOTHING STORES

Ann Taylor

Banana Republic

Brooks Brothers

J. Crew

Kate Spade

Land’s End

Lilly Pulitzer

L.L. Bean

Ralph Lauren

Talbots

DEPARTMENT STORES (ACCESSORIES, CLOTHING, JEWELRY & HOME DECOR)

Bloomingdale’s

Henri Bendel

Lord & Taylor

Macys

Nordstrom

Neiman Marcus

Saks Fifth Avenue

DISCOUNT DESIGNER ACCESSORIES, CLOTHING, JEWELRY & HOME DECOR

Gilt

Neiman Marcus Last Call

Nordstrom Rack

TJ Max/Marshall’s

The RealReal

Ruelala

Saks Off Fifth

HANDBAGS & LEATHER AGENDAS, CALENDARS, ACCESSORIES

Gigi New York

Graphic Image

Kate Spade

HANDBAGS, WALLETS & SHOES

Jack Rogers

Kate Spade

TheRealReal (Authenticated Luxury Consignment)

Shoes.com

6pm.com

Zappos

Zappos Luxury

HOME & PATIO DECOR, TABLEWARE, FURNISHINGS

Belle & June

Birch Lane

Horchow

JossandMain.com

Land’s End

L.L. Bean

PBTeen

Terrain

Wayfair.com

HOME ORGANIZATION

QVC

HOME OFFICE ORGANIZATION (AGENDAS, BINDERS, CALENDARS, PLANNERS & MORE)

Filofax

FranklinPlanner

Graphic Image

JEWELRY (COSTUME & FINE)

Bauble Bar

Ross-Simons

Satya

TheRealReal (Luxury Consignment)

QVC

WATCHES (DESIGNER)

Michele

Kate Spade