Madewell is having another insider sales event and everything is included! Here are the links to my top picks! I either have these, have a similar version, or have tried these on!
Madewell Insider Sale Picks
Tag: everyday madewell
Thanksgiving Outfit Ideas (Maternity Friendly)
Casual & Comfy
Pairing a button down with faux leather leggings both keeps you warm and feels like a little extra oomph for any outfit! I paired it with this amazing coat from Madewell, but you could easily pair it with a plain camel colored coat and it would look just as amazing. I thought sneakers looked the best with this outfit, but you could easily do boots or even mules for a more dressed up look. Throw on some accessories and you’re ready for Thanksgiving…even if it’s just in your house!
Elevated & Comfy
It may seem pointless to some, but dressing up (even at home) can make you just feel better sometimes. I decided to go for a classic Thanksgiving look by pairing some ruby red plaid pants with a black turtle neck. I chose white mules to help brighten up the darker tones (not to mention these particular mules are SO comfy) and threw on a long vest for layering. Visually this outfit is toned down and to me it just screams holidays. Throw on a dark red lip and “ta-da” you are all dressed up, with possibly no place to go haha.
“Dressy” & Comfy
When I want to “dress up” but I’m not in the mood for jeans or pants, a dress is my go-to outfit idea. Wearing a dress can instantly make you feel like you are more dressed up when all you really did was throw on one article of clothing 😉 . I of course jazzed this dress up a bit with some layers. I am not quote sure why the 90’s gal in me came out for this outfit, but I love it. This look feels super chic and says “I’m the cool one” in the family. You can even add a fun pop pf color like I did with the red socks!
Sophisticated & Comfy
When I think “sophisticated”, I think jumpsuits…just me? That’s ok, you might change your mind when you take a look at this black on black polka dot jumpsuit from Madewell. This piece is so chic and I love that you don’t have to really add much to the outfit. Of course I added a few accessories, but truly, throw your hair up or let it down and you are ready to go (virtually) anywhere!
Mini Packing Capsule
Ok, so I have mentioned maximizing your suitcase for the summer in an older blog post, see here. But when you’re going out of town for a shorter time, sometimes packing (at least for me) is harder, because I only need 3 and it’s hard to decide!
So, I thought I would share what I do when packing for a mini trip. For reference, we are heading to Charleston for a long weekend. This is a joint bachelorette/bachelor party that my husband and I are attending. We will be spending some time jointly and other times seperate so I’ll be with the girls.
Consider the Activities
When packing, I try and consider what I will be doing. For example when going to the beach, I know I will mostly be in a bathing suit and I will need more “cover up” type clothes that are easy to throw on over a bathing suit. For this trip, our itinerary is flexible and I know some key activities we will be doing.
We are going to a concert one night and I don’t know about you, but concerts tend to be a little gross and I want to make sure I pack clothes/shoes that don’t easily show dirt and aren’t fragile.
Us girls are going to be doing a lot of Charleston exploring (eeek)! So I know I want to pack comfortable shoes as well. I also know we will be attending some semi-dressy restaurants.
Consider the Weather
I mentioned this in my How to Maximize Your Suitcase this Summer post last summer. Considering the weather is one of the most important things when packing. I’m sure you already knew that! So I know that in Charleston, it will be in the 50s/60s and mostly sunny on the days we will be there! Therefore I want to pack layers, we will be walking quite a bit and while it may start out chilly it can quickly get warmer with all that movement (at least for me haha).
Consider how You’re Styling Your Hair
What? Haha, yeah I say this, because a straightener or curler will take up room in your bag and if you aren’t planning on styling your hair much, it will probably be an unnecessary space taker.
Consider Your Accessories
I tend to not wear a ton of accessories anyway, but when I travel I especially don’t. This is in part due to the fact that I don’t like the carry the extra things and also in part due to the fact that I don’t want to lose things that I care about! So I may pack a cheap necklace or pair of earrings, but not much.
I also consider my purses. Am I going to need a huge purse or would a belt bag be better? Or maybe I need both? These are questions I ask myself.
All things Considered…
Now it’s time to plan out your wardrobe for your trip! I sometimes jot down a few notes about what I need or want. This is just an organizational tool I use, but it isn’t for everyone!
So, here are the key things I wrote down for this trip:
- I need shoes of some sort that won’t get ruined at an outdoor concert.
- I need comfortable shoes
- I may need semi-dressy clothes for dinner one night.
- I will be styling my hair so I will need my styling tools
- I need to pack layers for the weather.
And with that here is my Mini Packing Capsule:
Outfit 1 (travel day)
Outfit 2
Day Time Outfit
Night Time Outfit
Outfit 3
Day Time Outfit
Night Time Outfit
Outfit 4 (travel day): Outfit Repeat!
Links:
Day 1 Outfit (travel day)
Day 2 Outfit Day
Day 2 Outfit Night
Day 3 Outfit Day
Day 3 Outfit Night
Day 4 Outfit (travel day)
Hope this helps!
20 x 20 Challenge–What does it even mean?
Ok, so I have done a lot of research on this. I first saw it when I was in the Instagram rabbit hole. Intrigued, I clicked on the # and began scanning. Essentially, the idea is to select 20 pieces from your closet and make 20 days worth of outfits.
I decided to do this, because I have entirely too many clothing items and I really want to hone in and figure out what pieces I need. This sounds simple, but in reality I had a hard time deciding what I did and didn’t want in my wardrobe for this challenge.
I decided to use Conni Jespersen’s (from @artinthefind) advice and ask myself some essential questions:
*FYI She is an amazing person to follow along with especially if you want style/organization tips!
- Look at the piece in question: how does it make you feel?
- Do you love the the cut, color, and style?
- Is it a piece you are “iffy” about?
- How much wear do you get out of the piece? (versatile pieces are key)
- How often do you wear it?
For me, I try to select neutral pieces that can be worn repeatedly.
I consider the pieces I typically buy as investment pieces.
What I mean by this, is that I wear them for years–if you didn’t know, I am a recovering fast fashion addict and I have tried hard to get back to repeating outfits/pieces. The cool thing about the 20×20 challenge is that the goal is to create 20 different outfits with 20 pieces!
So, I decided to hone in on a color scheme for this challenge which wasn’t hard, because I typically buy neutral clothes.
Below are the pieces I selected. I have linked each piece based on the number listed beside it (or similar options).
- Brown Sweater
- Chunky Sweater (size down)
- Striped Turte Neck
- Black Turtle Neck
- Blazer (size down)
- Cardigan (size down)
- Stripe Sweater
- Graphic Tee | Similar Graphic Tee
- Vintage Jeans | Petite Option
- Cali Demi Boot Jeans (size down)
- Skinny Button Fly Jeans | Petite Option
- Black Skinny Button Fly Jeans | Petite Option
- Everlane Loafers | Madewell Loafers
- Mules
- Similar Boots
- Sneakers
- Bag
- Bar Necklace
- Horn Necklace
- Bandana Scarf
Below are the 20 outfits I put together.
Keep in mind these are outfit combinations that you can probably go in your closet and create. The pieces do not have to be exactly like mine, but rather use the formula. For example:
Cadigan + Graphic Tee + Straight Jeans + Sneakers = My outfit number 13
Hope this helps! Be sure to leave a comment for any questions and catch me on the gram trying to sport these outfits!
Click below to see how I maximized my suitcase this past summer!
Layering for Winter
When it comes to layering, there are a few tips and tricks that I live by. Since I hate getting super hot, I thought I’d share how I layer in order to stay cool in those warm places…
I start with a basic neutral outfit. For example, a black or striped turtle neck + jeans + boots.
Next, I layer something warm and easy to take off, i.e. a cardigan, flannel, or sweater.
Then, I put on my outerwear, a coat, hat, and/or scarf.
When layering, I always make sure you can see the bottom layer. This is why I like to build on top of a long sleeve turtle neck. It is easy to make sure the neck and sleeve peek out ever so slightly. The turtle necks pictured are from Madewell, they’re nice and thin which makes them great for layering, then you don’t get too hot. They’re also easy to tuck and don’t add a lot of bulk. Pro tip: I always size up in coats in order to have enough room to layer.
Left to right:
Outfit 1: Similar Hat | Turtle Neck | Cardigan | Similar Coat | Jeans | Similar Boots
Outfit 2: Bandana | Turtle Neck| Flannel | Jean Jacket| Similar Coat | Jeans | Boots
Outfit 3: Turtle Neck | Similar Sweater | Similar Coat | Jeans | Similar Boots
*The Old Navy Sherpa Coat is SOLD OUT as of 12/19/19 which is why I didn’t link that one.
That’s it, it is really that simple! Don’t overthink layers, they are meant to be easy and basic. If you want tips on how I “cuff ’em, tuck ’em, and go” click here. I also mention pattern stacking in that blog post if you’re interested 😏!
When in doubt, cuff ’em, tuck ’em, and go!
Ya gotta love being either too short or too tall for clothes, am I right?
In my case, I am always a little too short for clothes that aren’t sized “petite” or “short” and lets be honest with ourselves, there is always a piece of clothing that doesn’t come in your size. Rather than trying to make myself fit into clothes, I am a firm believer in making clothes fit me 😏. When I find that my shirts or even my pants are too long, I “cuff ’em, tuck ’em, and go”.
What does that even mean?
Well let’s take shirts/sweaters for example, if you have short arms, like me, you may find yourself constantly pulling up your sleeves of feeling like you have no waist due to your extra long top. This drives me absolutely crazy, especially when I am doing something with my hands!
To solve this issue I have learned to cuff my sleeves, tuck the front, and be on my merry way out the door. I do this with pants as well. I personally do not like to tuck my pants in my booties (knee boots are different story); therefore, I cuff my pants–only when needed.
When cuffing my sleeves I try to follow the wrist rule. When I stretch my arms out, I want to be able to see my wrist bone. I also cuff only once or twice. I don’t like to add too much bulk (especially when layering).
When cuffing my jeans I take into account a couple of things. First, my shoes. Are they high? If so, I try to cuff them just above to where a little bit of skin is showing. Are they low? If so, I definitely want to go just above my ankle–this adds height! I also consider the jean and how I want the cuff to look. Sometimes, I go for a thicker cuff. This is to add visual interest. Other times, I cuff at just the hem line. This typically depends on the top I pair it with or my mood haha!
This “cuff ’em, tuck ’em, and go” technique not only adds visual interest, but it looks purposeful and thus, nobody will even notice that the clothes you’re wearing weren’t exactly “made for you” 😉.
With that being said, I pulled together some examples of outfits for you guys in which I have had to “cuff ’em, tuck ’em, and go” and I truly wouldn’t have it any other way ❤️!
Photo 1: Flannel | Turtle Neck | Similar Jeans / (Petite Option)| Boots | Bag | Sunglasses
Photo 2: Similar Sweater | Jeans / (Petite Option)| Boots
Photo 3: Blazer | Turtle Neck | Jeans / (Petite Option)| Boots | Bag |Sunglasses
For reference, I am 5 ft tall. In photo one, I am wearing petite, photo two I am wearing regular, and photo three I am wearing regular!
*This also works with clothes that are slightly too short. Don’t get me wrong, there is a point of no return with some clothing, but if things are slightly too short, you can “cuff ’em” and pair them with higher boots to make the outfit look more purposeful and if you have high waisted pants you might even be able to tuck ’em 😉!
4 Ways to Style a Blazer with Jeans
First off, let’s talk about the blazer. When Madewell came out with the Caldwell Double-Breasted Blazer in Desert Check I knew I wanted it; however, it didn’t (and still doesn’t) come in petite…with me being 5 feet tall, I figured it wasn’t going to fit me well. Nevertheless, I went to Madewell just to try it out and lets just say, it’s what my blazer dreams are made of! So this blazer is supposed to be oversized which helps my issue of being short and there not being a petite option. The blazer hits me just below the widest part of my hips so when wearing it I always either front tuck my top or make sure it is a fitted top–this helps create a waistline and give your body more of a shape!
I did size down 2 sizes! I would normally wear a M (medium) in something like this, but I ended up getting an XS (x-small). This could be in part because of my height, so I would recommend trying this or if you don’t live near a Madewell maybe order two and send one back after trying them on! I was worried an XS may be too small on my arms, but it seemed to fit fine, but if you plan on wearing a chunky sweater under it, that may be something to consider when choosing a size!
You could wear this blazer buttoned, but I don’t mainly because I want to create that waistline I mentioned earlier. With that being said, if you do choose to button it the sizing could vary a bit there. Now, let’s get to the fun stuff…the outfits!
If you missed my styling video, you can catch it on my IGTV channel!
Blazer |Necklaces | Top | Similar Jeans | Shoes | Bag
I cannot get over this tee, it has honestly just completed my wardrobe! I love the effortless look any graphic tee can give to an outfit. When paring a tee shirt with a blazer it tends to give off a put together look even when you’re actually as comfy as you can be! With the colors in this blazer being more neutral, I decided the pop of green from this tee would pair nicely. You could even pair a bright tee with it to go for a bolder look–however, I tend to stay within the duller more neutral color palette when it comes to my clothes.
I wanted to go with a “fun” cut denim so I went with my demi-boot cut jeans to carry the eye down my leg and flare out. Since I wore my heeled boots, this helped create some height! I’ve mentioned how comfortable these boots are before and I’ll say it again…they’re great! No, I don’t recommend hiking in them, but they’re a nice heel to have and go with virtually anything! Tie it all together with a cute bag and there you have it, an easy comfy yet put together outfit!
Blazer | Necklace | Top | Jeans | Shoes | Bag
*There are only two sizes in the striped top left so here is a similar top.
This outfit is one of my favorites because of the pattern mixing. This can be intimidating, but here are a few helpful tips I’ve picked up along the way…
- Keep your patterns in the same color family! For example, I paired my navy blue and white striped tee with a blazer that has hints of navy blue in it as well!
- Choose patterns with different scales. For example, I paired chunky stripes with a pin striped pattern.
- Keep it simple. What I mean but this is that although I mixed patterns up top, that doesn’t mean I need to mix them on the bottom too, which is why I went with a dark jean and white sneakers!
If you want more advice on different ways to mix patterns and prints, let me know! I could go into a lot more detail, but for the sake of this blog post not being a mile long, I’ll move on!
Blazer |Necklaces | Top | Jeans | Shoes | Bag
For outfit number three, I paired a classic white button down with a straight jean and boots! This is perhaps the simplest and most classic option for pairing a blazer with jeans. This look is chic and probably will never go out of style! The jeans I decided to pair with this outfit go over the boots just slightly and give me all the 90’s throw back vibes, which I am loving!
Pairing minimalistic jewelry with this outfit dress up the look while also making it look effortless! If you haven’t noticed by now, effortless style is my goal in life!
Blazer | Similar Top | Jeans | Shoes | Bag
The final outfit gives me all the fall/winter vibes with a cozy turtle neck under the blazer! This is perhaps the only time, if at all, that I would button the blazer. I still kept the front tuck to create the waistline, as I did with all the other tops, but this look is very easy to wear. I went with a dark solid turtle neck (mine is navy blue, but I linked a similar one in black), which draws your eye to the blazer versus the top and helps make your waist appear smaller, not that you need to girl 😏! And again, I paired this with straight jeans and boots giving off those 90’s vibes!
So, those are my tips, tricks, and ideas for how to style a blazer with jeans. I hope this was helpful on some level and helps encourage you to mix up your outfits and dress outside of your comfort zone. Thanks for dropping by my corner of the Internet and reading style advice, until next time 😘.
Madewell Denim vs Everlane Denim
If you know me, even slightly, you know that I love Madewell; especially their denim. I am truly Madewell obsessed 😳. Not only do I love their fit, but I love that they have fair trade denim. I first saw Everlane popping up on some larger blogger accounts that I follow and was intrigued by their ethically made clothing.
When I looked in to Everlane clothing, I couldn’t help but notice that they had some cheaper options for denim. When they had their “Choose What You Pay” sale, I knew I had to try some of their denim. Once I ordered a pair, for only $48, I noticed some similarities in my Madewell jeans and thus decided to compare them for you all!
Let me preface by saying that anytime I purchase online, I research. Meaning, I read reviews and make sure I am getting the “right” size for me–I think is so important to keep in mind that sizing is different in every store.
Just because you have to go up or down sizes, doesn’t mean you should punish yourself or your body.
With that being said, the Madewell denim that I am referencing here was trial and error to find my size. I got The Curvy Perfect Vintage Jean in Fitzgerald Wash from Madewell for $98, that’s right I said the curvy fit and I am not ashamed. The Perfect Vintage Jean in Fitzgerald Wash fit me in the waist and the sales lady told me they looked awesome, from the outside looking in, they probably did. You couldn’t tell that they literally made my butt feel (and in my opinion look) like a pancake, I could barely move in them, and I was very uncomfortable. I definitely could’ve bought them if I gave a shit about size and the “regular fit” versus the “curvy fit”…but I don’t. I ended up with the petite size 27, also keep in mind that in the regular fit of these jeans I had to go up a size.
When it came to the Everlane jeans, I got The High-Rise Skinny Jean and wasn’t expecting to see any similarities in them versus my curvy fitted Madewell jeans. For reference, I got the ankle size 29 in these. Below is a side by side photo of the jeans.
Left: Madewell Right: Everlane
You can see that they are cut differently in the hip/thigh area and the ankles seem to be more fitted on the Everlane jeans. But when I put them both on, they fit so similarly. The wash is also very similar! With the Madewell jeans being 100% cotton and the Everlane jeans being 98% cotton, I feel that I get more stretch out of the Everlanes and slightly more gapping in the waist.
The Madewell jeans fit a little looser in the hips and ankles while the Everlane jeans are more fitted. However, both give the elusion of a loose fit toward the bottom. They both hug my hips and butt very well. I will say, it’s easier to sit in the Everlane jeans, but somehow I find the Madewell jeans more comfortable. Here are three comparison photos to see how each pair fit me:
Left: Madewell Right: Everlane
Shirt | Madewell Jeans | Everlane Jeans | Shoes
Left: Madewell Right: Everlane
Hat | Shirt | Madewell Jeans | Everlane Jeans | Shoes
Left: Madewell Right: Everlane
Shirt | Madewell Jeans | Everlane Jeans| Bag | Shoes
I like the look of both and I feel like both can be dressed up or down. The price comparison is $98 for the Madewell pair and $48 for the Everlane pair. So if you want to go the cheaper route, then you may want to try the Everlane pair. However, keep in mind that everyBODY is different and how these both look and feel on me may be completely different for you! Great news is, if you decide to purchase online, you can always exchange or return!
Budget & Brunch 