New to the Mix: Grown-Up Overalls

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Lightwash denim overalls: Hollister (On sale NOW for less than $25!!!!!)|Striped tee: Zara|Neon pink pumps: J. Crew (old and sold out, but similar linked below!)|Crossbody bag: Rebecca Minkoff
When I was a kid, I always loved overalls.  I remember a specific pair, that I wore ALL THE TIME when I was about 10, that I had gotten for a birthday present from the Gap…they were a medium wash blue, with embroidered flowers across the front bib.  They were everything.
So obviously, I was overjoyed when grown up iterations of my favorite 90s staple started showing up in stores and coming down runways…I feel like the jumpsuits and rompers that have become ubiquitous over the past few years kind of paved the way for the return of the overalls– plus, we’re always looking for a new way to wear denim, right?
Last summer, when my husband and I were renovating our newly purchased house (!), I dug out an old pair of short overalls (shortalls?) to paint and work around the house in– and it was literally like riding a bike, or reconnecting with an old friend– It was like I had never taken that flowered Gap pair off– overalls and I were reunited!
The pair I’m wearing above is actually my second pair of full-length overalls.  My first was a black pair from H&M (making it to a post some time soon I hope!).  This second pair was a major sale score at Hollister, a store I don’t normally shop in.  I stopped in to pick up a few ribbed tanks for summer and came upon these guys in the super sale section for only $21!!!! I love these particular ones for the light wash, which is less expected than a medium wash blue, and the fit– a slouchy but not too slouchy boyfriend-ish fit that isn’t baggy on my rear.  Seriously, the combinations I’ve come up with for wearing overalls are endless!! With converse, with heels, with loafers…with a leather moto jacket over them and any tee-shirt or tank underneath… they really can be dressed up or down.  Here, I paired them with a classic striped tee and neon pink heels, for the something unexpected part that I usually to throw into an outfit.  The gold choker keeps the look modern and fresh and the crossbody bag fits the (kind of) sporty vibe.  I hear so many girls and women say “these are so cute on you, but I could never pull them off”–and I always say “of course you can!”  I truly believe this– fashion is all about taking risks and developing your personal style through trying new combinations and trends, but anchoring them with classic “you” staples– for me, it’s the neon heels and gold choker that make the overalls feel most “me”.  I would wear these every day if I could.  I’ve linked some favorite pairs of mine below (and my EXACT pair from Hollister is still on sale, and linked above! Hurry!), along with my same striped tee and some pink heel picks.  Enjoy, and have a great week guys!
xo,
Christine
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Look: Denim-on-Denim & My Spring Picks

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Leather motorcycle jacket: Mango | Denim chambray shirt: J.Crew (on sale!)|Cuffed jeans: American Eagle | Blue suede heels: J.Crew | Mirrored Sunglasses: Wildfox
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Leather marbled clutch: Rebecca Minkoff | Gold link bracelet: J.Crew |Blue suede heels: sold out, but similar here : J.Crew |Navy blue nail polish:Essie “After School Boy Blazer”
Denim-on-denim became acceptable, heck, downright FASHIONABLE a few years ago…and though many people still refer to this look as the “Canadian Tuxedo” (lol), and can’t get bad, early ’90s flashbacks out of their heads when they even think of doing denim on both the top and bottom of an outfit…I’m actually a huge fan of this look, I think BECAUSE of the irony of it all!  I think it’s done best when it doesn’t look like you are trying to match the two denim pieces exactly– in this outfit, the lighter denim wash in the chambray shirt contrasts nicely with the darker jeans.  Throwing in a third, or “completer piece”, like the leather jacket, adds a texture contrast to the outfit and keeps it from looking too “country” or “farmer”.  Same goes for the heels– I chose blue suede J.Crew heels in order to keep the outfit kinda monochromatic.  The marble Rebecca Minkoff clutch and mirrored Wildfox sunnies are two of my definite stand-by pieces this spring as well– they add just the right amount of edge to so many outfits! My favorite oversized gold chain-link necklace and bracelet add the perfect metallic shine.

Wearing denim in unexpected ways, particularly in the form of dresses and overalls, is a MAJOR trend for spring/summer (I’m still deciding on which of each I’m going to commit to!)– below, shop some of my favorite denim picks for Spring!

Happy Weekend!

xo,

Christine

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Runway Remix

Varsity Jacket & Skirt

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3.1 Phillip Lim Runway, Spring ’13

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Victoria Beckham Runway, Spring ’14

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Fendi, Resort ’15

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Rebecca Minkoff Runway, Fall ’14

The “varsity” jacket, sometimes called the “bomber” jacket also, has been coming down runways for a few seasons now.  They are pretty much EVERYWHERE, which usually makes me NOT want to wear something, but in this case, I pulled from some old runway inspiration (my favorite varsity jacket looks above) and challenged myself to find a way to wear mine in a way that was different, and me.  Also, come mid-winter, my everyday jeans-booties-sweater routine is starting to feel like a rut…

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Grey varsity jacket: JCrew (sold out, but similar ones here)| Black crepe flared skirt: JCrew | Grey linen T-shirt: Madewell | Black leather booties: Vince |Gold chain choker: Baublebar | Gold chain and black leather bracelet: Zara (sold out)

I like the idea of pairing one of these jackets (which are a nice change up from a blazer or denim jacket) with a skirt; the contrast in sportiness and femininity appeals to me.  Gold chains and black booties, instead of dainty or romantic jewelry and a more feminine heel, feel right for me with this look, to keep it from reading too “school girl”– they add a toughness that the outfit needs.

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Shop my additional picks for this look below:

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Black jacket
sheinside.com

3 1 Phillip Lim jacket
theoutnet.com

Madewell skater skirt
madewell.com

Lela Rose skirt
net-a-porter.com

Chicwish circle skirt
chicwish.com

Vince leather boots
bergdorfgoodman.com

Madewell black boots
madewell.com

mytheresa.com
Hope this inspires you to look to past runways to remix pieces you already have!
xo,
Christine