Going There Series Part 4: Family Reunion

With students out of school and plenty of opportunities for fun and games, summer is the season for family reunions. So what to wear when you'll be seeing extended family you likely haven't seen in awhile? Here's my personal breakdown.



For the Average Family Reunion

Family Reunion by TheClosetFiles featuring American Eagle Outfitters jackets

A casual dress a good pick because it shows that you care about looking nice for your family. I choose to pair it with wedges because they keep the nicer appearance while still being comfortable and grass friendly. If you have any type of simple heirloom jewelry like a charm bracelet or necklace, wear it! Chances are your grandma won't be able to contain her excitement. Just make sure to bring along a jacket or cardigan to cover up with.




For the Active Family Reunion

Casual Family Reunion by TheClosetFiles featuring Old Navy shoes

Lots of families choose to have a very active family reunion. With games like potatoe sack and 3-legged racing, you will want to be sure your outfit is cute and functional. For this type of event I chose cute shorts and a fun graphic tee. Complete the look with some bracelets and flat sandals and you'll be ready to go!

Do you have an upcoming event you're wondering what to wear to? Send me an email at theclostfiles@aol.com. I'd love to help!

Going There Series Part 2: Internship

From life-guarding to working in retail at the local mall, there are endless opportunities for those of us looking for quick summer cash. However, as we grow older it becomes necessary for us to put a little more time and effort into choosing summer jobs or internships that will help us grow and experiment in our future career plans. For those of us that have worked hard and found the perfect (or maybe even not so perfect) internship, it’s time to buckle down and get a little more serious. Things that may not seem like such a big deal now, like arriving early and looking put together day in and day out may mean the difference in a recommendation or job offer in the future.

There are three main categories of work wear: casual, business casual, and business professional. Even for accomplished professionals the thin lines in between these categories can be blurry, so I’ve put together a few sample outfits and guidelines for getting ready.

Casual

There is a pretty big difference between casual and business casual, so make sure you are confident in exactly which set you will be expected to adhere to. Casual dress means that you are allowed to wear almost anything. Jeans, simple t-shirts, longer shorts, and casual shoes are all acceptable casual wear options. However, stay away from baggy jeans, sweats, and cheap flip-flops. Even though you have plenty of freedom, you don’t want to abuse it. In fact, I’ve found that it’s always a good idea to dress slightly nicer than how you are expected. This shows that you are taking your job or internship seriously and care about making a good impression

Business Casual

Option 1

Option Two

Business Casual is just a step down from business professional. Although you won’t be expected to wear suits or jackets, you should look put together and professional. Unless specifically mentioned, jeans should not be worn in a business casual workplace. Instead, stock up on slacks, nice capris, skirts and dresses. When wearing a skirt or dress, look for a length you would wear to church. While I don’t always stick to knee-length, I definitely don’t go much shorter for work.

Business Professional

Option One (For more conservative jobs)

Option Two (For less conservative jobs)

When it comes to Business Professional, you should be ready to dress like a serious professional. Although the amount of freedom allowed will depend on your exact workplace, blazers or jackets are an expected part of all outfits. While professionals at the most conservative locations (like legal firms) will likely stick to darker colored suits, and minimal accessories, working people at places with more creative freedom (like advertising or graphic design agencies) will probably be incorporating bright colors and fun prints. Regardless of where your job falls on the spectrum, feel free to show your personality with fun accessories like those in the outfits above.

Trendy Tuesday: Tribal Print

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Like nautical, tribal is one of those trends that come back every spring and early summer. It's a fun trend to experiment with because the print can be found in almost any size and color on almost any type of clothing and accessory.

The easiest and perhaps most common way to wear tribal is to throw on a printed dress. Add some simple accessories and throw on a denim jacket if it's cold and you have an instant fashion-forward outfit.

How I Wore it:

What

Dress: Belks? , $20

Camisole: Forever 21, $3

Denim Jacket: Gadzooks, $20

Gladiators: Old Navy, $5

Earrings: Rue 21, $3

Ring: Gift

Just to illustrate the fact that tribal is a reappearing trend, I bought this dress on clearance 3 years ago. Its a string halter with a bandeau style top. To make it work appropriate I layered the dress over a plain white camisole and under a denim jacket. Simple gladiators and drop earrings completed my "trendy tuesday" look.

Other Ways to Wear Tribal:

If you've been following my blog, you know one of my signature looks is a high-waisted skirt with a plain top, belt, necklace and flats. Following that combination, here is my first tribal outfit. The whole look is based around the fun printed skirt. However, since this outfit is pretty loud (graphic skirt, bib necklace and gladiator sandals) this outfit is for someone who isn't afraid to experiment with the trend

Another hot way to wear tribal for the warmer weather is with shorts. Since busy patterns draw the eye toward them, if you're self conscious of your legs and thighs, this style may not be for you.

If you're really wary of tribal print items but still want to give the trend a try, get some fun tribal-inspired bangles. I love the wooden/gold/muticolored combination in the bracelets below, plus it's an easy way to test out the trend.

So, what are you're feelings on tribal print items? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Going There Series Part 1: Getting There

Although not many of us would consider "getting there" to be half the fun, that's no reason to slack on looks, or not to have some fun along the way!

A majority of people throw on simple jeans and a top for a plane ride, and usually dress down to the point of pajamas when spending the day in a car. So what if you're probably never going to see those exact same flight attendants or McDonald's servers again. Do you honestly want the only image of you they'll ever see of you to be in sweats? You never know who you could meet while traveling, so use it as an excuse to dress comfy-cute!

Air Travel

Although comfort is definitely important when it comes to air travel, the biggest thing to consider should be ease. Shoes should be easy to remove quickly for those trips through security. Do yourself (and the people in line behind you!) a favor by packing the lace up booties and buckle clad gladiators in favor of simple flats or slip on sandals. When picking out your actual clothes, keep in mind your rompers and shorts or pants with lots of buttons may not be the best choice i case you need to make a Nascar speed rush to the bathroom in between flights. No matter what you wear, where you're going, or what season it is, ALWAYS pack a comfy cardigan you can pull out and wear on the plane. I've used mine as a makeshift pillow and micro-blanket in addition to simply wearing it.

For my example outfit I stuck with my typical airplane wear: a jersey dress, cardigan, cute flats, and a fun necklace. To be extra trendy (again, you never know who you might run into at an airport) I added black bike shorts with cute lace trim. Even if you’re not crazy about this trend, pick up a shorter pair that won’t peek out from underneath your dress. That way if a gust of wind blows your dress up when walking across the tarmac you won’t have to spend the whole flight wondering if your neighbor caught sight of your cartoon printed undies. Final suggestion: Don't forget to pack some chapstick (softlips is my favorite) and a teeny-tiny bottle of moisturizer.

Car Travel

With multiple friends and/or family members, long car rides are almost always cramped. Depending on your car-mates' preferences, it may also be really cold and/or warm. Dressing to stay comfy and cute in this type of situation is definitely a challenge, but not impossible!

For my sample outfit I choose a sleeveless jersey maxi dress, which will cover you up in the cold air-conditioning, but also allow you to breathe in warmer environments. I also added a scarf for layering (again, totally multipurpose: think pillow, mini-blanket, and even hair tie in dire circumstances) and comfy sandals. Lastly I choose some fun bangles and a pair of sunglasses to complete the look. Don't forget to stock a big bag with items (iPod, cell phone, markers and paper, etc) you'll use to keep yourself occupied during the journey Hey, you know you feel better when you look better ;)

General Traveling Tips:

1. Make sure to stay hydrated, but at the same time make sure you're not just drinking out of boredom- Nothing's worse than having to maneuver you're way to the back of the plane or asking your driver to stop multiple times.
2. If you'll be driving for a long distance, why not pick a few random and fun quick stops along the way. Think "the world's largest rubber band ball" or something along that line. That way you'll have something fun to look forward to, but you won't be set back more than 20 minutes or so. Having a few fun things to look forward to makes a long trip easier to deal with.
3. Get yourself a few little indulgences, that way you have simple things to be excited about. For example- I usually buy a new magazine and some fun pens and stationary a week or so before I plan on leaving, but I don't allow myself to touch them until I'm on the plane or in the car. Even though they're small, they make you look forward to the actual "getting there" part.
4. Finally, pack a wallet size picture of your destination and write down a few of the activities you're most looking forward to. Having a visual reminder of what you're waiting for makes it all seem a little more worth it :)

Going somewhere this summer? Leave me a comment and let me know your summer plans. Travel safe and have fun everyone... Happy Summer!

Going There Series

Now that it's summertime I'm so excited to do more than just outfit posts. One of the projects I'll be working on is the "Going There" series. It will consist of outfit ideas and advice on what you should wear and bring to any type of event that might occur during the summer. I have so many fun event ideas to start working on, but I need your help! Let me know what you'll be doing this summer and the type of events/places you would like me to work on.

Have a wonderful summer!

Trendy Tuesday: Tie Dye

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Tie Dye is definitely a big trend for the upcoming warmer months, and what could be more fitting? With it's bold colors and prints of every shape and size, this print is perfect for cool sundresses and fun summer accessories. Just be careful with how you wear it- the goal is to look like a fun and trendy adult, not a kid who just came home from camp.

Tips on Wearing Tie Dye

1. Since tie dye is a very "out there" trend, keep it the focus of your outfit and keep accessories and shoes coordinating but minimal
2. Have fun with colors- but keep it mature. Limiting your print to a few colors instead of the entire spectrum can mean a big difference.
3. To avoid looking like a hippie pair this trend with modern silhouettes and skimp on the bohemian accessories.

How I Wore it

Skirt: Target, $15

Top: Old Navy, $4

Necklace: Gift

Belt: Vintage from my mom

I styled my look around this amazing skirt. It was just $15 at Target, and I'm crazy about the cool color palette of blues and purples. I added this low cut back top from Old Navy, a vintage belt to camouflage the skirt's elastic waist band (I couldn't help myself, the skirt is SO comfortable) and this long silver leaf necklace to pull it all together. I know this trend not be for everyone, but personally, I can't wait for more.

Other Ways to Wear Tie Dye

Trendy Tuesday: Tie-Dye by TheClosetFiles featuring Lucky Brand tops

I love the cool look of tie-dye jeans. Although personally I haven't been brave enough to try them (I'm working on it) I definitely think they look best when worn skinny (unless you want to look like a hippie) with simple tops and fun accessories.

Want to Try Tie Dye in Small Doses?

If you love the look of this trend, but are a little bit wary of going all out, why not work with accessories? Trendy accessories are a great way to add some spice to your current look without breaking the bank.

Scarf

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I LOVE scarves. Whenever I'm having an "off" day, I just throw on a coordinating scarf to look put together- and what a better addition to your spring wardrobe? Light summer scarves are a great way to layer up without adding bulk and heat.

Bag

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Big bags are great to have during the summer season. Just think about all the beach towels, hats, sunscreen, flip flops, money, etc you'll need to carry around. I love this tote because it brings the tie-dye print together with this subdued color palette, making it perfect for a hot summer day!

Finals Week: Effortless Ideas for Looking Good

Taking finals is many students' worst nightmare, and who can blame them? After working hard for all semester, we get to look forward to a week (or more) in which we have crucial exams in every one of our classes. Despite good preparation, it's almost impossible to prevent extreme lack of sleep. Even though most students rely on casual staples like jeans and t-shirts to get through the last week, it's important to give a good final impression to your professors and classmates.

Although many schools have already finished the dreaded finals week, these outfits are a perfect fit for anytime you need to look cute in a hurry.

Outfit One

The most important thing to consider during a stressful time like finals week is comfort. This outfit consists of comfy classics almost every girl has in her closet: trusty jeans, a loose and flowy T-shirt, and a comfy cardigan. All that's needed to pull this outfit together is a necklace and cute sandals. Add a fun headscarf to help cover greasy roots, and you're set to go!

Outfit Two

This outfit is most similar to what I would wear during a time like finals week. As an easy way to look more put together, I usually don't wear a sash that was made to go with the dress, or skirt, or whatever. Instead I like to pair these items with a contrasting belt and some simple accessories. This outfit was based around the scarf, which ties the red, brown, and blue together. Add a watch to keep yourself on track and you have a cute (and easy) outfit.

Pink Zebra

What

Jeans: TJ Maxx, $20

Top: Polo Ralph Lauren Outlet, $9

Boots: Kate Spade, $109 (My biggest splurge to date)

Trench: Kristin Davis for Belk's, gift

Necklace: American Eagle $7

Where

Classes and a study group

Why

Sorry for the lack of blogging lately. This Monday starts our last week of classes and my professors sure aren't making it any easier. I've had more exams and presentations in these last weeks before finals than any other time. Ugh. I believe I'll be doing a post on 'How to look good after and all-nighter' for Thursday beauty day. Until then, here's my casual look for the rainy day. Have a good week everyone :)