Shop Your Closet: The Plaid Shorts

With spring here and Memorial Day being the unofficial kick-off for summer festivities, it's time to start thinking more about warm weather style.  To that end, I'm starting a new regular feature on the blog called Shop Your Closet! 

As I have been trying (somewhat unsuccessfully) to reduce my clothing expenditures and stick to a budget, I have been playing in my closet a bit more, looking to wear pieces that I already have in a greater variety of ways to increase their use value.  So, periodically, I will be featuring an item from my closet worn at least three different ways to help give you all ideas on how to style pieces in your closet.  In addition, this feature will help me slow down with new purchases - does the article of clothing I'm considering meet a wardrobe need? Is it functional for my life?  Do I already have what I need to make at least three outfits with this new piece? 

Shorts:  Myrda J Designer Apparel (Available here)

I start the new Shop Your Closet feature today with shorts!

Enjoying shorts is somewhat new to me. I didn't have much problem with them as a kid, but by college, I was not a huge fan.  It seemed like every pair I ever tried would ride up between the legs and as my body confidence waned, I didn't feel comfortable showing off my thick thighs.

In the last few years, things have really started to change for me regarding shorts.  Don't get me wrong...I still prefer a cute skirt or culottes over shorts, but I have a newfound love of shorts.  Saint Louis has hot and humid summers.  They can be quite miserable - a pair of cool cotton shorts like this flirty pair from Myrda J Designer Apparel is a great solution.  Plus, I think printed shorts are less overwhelming than printed pants on my petite frame.

Blazer:  Eloquii (Available here)

I can easily pair these shorts with a blazer as I did here for a pulled-together but not too serious look for evening. 

Bodysuit:  BoohooUSA (Available here)

This is my favorite of the three looks featured today!  It's a little sexy, a little sophisticated, and it makes me at 4'9" look like I have legs for d...well, legs for a day at least.

Shoes:  Candie's (Available in other colors here)

Clutch:  Ann Taylor
Bracelets:  LOFT and gift

Tee:  Torrid

For an easy, breezy summer look for wrangling kids, running weekend errands, etc., I could pair the shorts with a tee and sandals for a more casual feel.

Wedges:  Sugar

Bracelet:  The Limited

Bikini top:  GabiFresh for SwimsuitsForAll

Lastly, I took a little summer inspiration from Chastity of Garner Style and paired my plaid shorts with a bikini top, perfect for laying out in the backyard with a good book or hanging poolside with the kids.

Sunglasses:  Tory Burch

Do you like wearing shorts? Have you tried Myrda J - this indie designer carries petite plus sizing to fit us shorties so well!!! :-D

How would you style this pair?

Want to try a pair for yourself?  Myrda is graciously offering all Style Cassentials readers a coupon worth 20% off your entire cart!  Head to MyrdaJ.com now through June 15, 2016 and use CASSENTIALS2016 at checkout to save!

Sunglasses:  Calvin Klein

From Look #1
See the bodysuit in another look here.
See the blazer in other looks here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

From Look #2
See the tee in other looks here, here, and here.

From Look #3
See the bikini top in another look here.

The Shorts Alternative

I've mentioned on the blog before that I'm not much of a fan of shorts.  I like a pair of denim Bermuda shorts in the summer, but that's about it. 

Skirt shorts:  New York & Company (Available here)

I don't have a problem showing my legs, but shorts inevitably always seem to ride up in the middle.  I find this so annoying and unattractive that I generally just avoid shorts altogether. 

Last month, I discovered these skirt shorts from New York & Company.  They are actually shorts, but the flouncy legs create the effect of a skirt. 

Jacket:  Torrid (Available here)

Now, this is what I'm talking about!!

Top:  ASOS Curve (Available here)

I love them, and I thought they looked great paired with a crop top and a moto jacket.  I wore this outfit last Saturday while out running errands.

Satchel:  The Limited

Locket:  Vintage

Bracelet:  Paperdolls Boutique

Booties  Target (Available here)

I don't usually dress to please my fiancé, but it was nice that he couldn't stop saying how much he loved this outfit and how I looked in it.  :-)

When the weather warms up more, I can see myself pairing these shorts with simple tees and tanks and flat sandals for easy summer style.

Are you a fan of wearing shorts?  Any tips for preventing the ride-up factor?

For the jacket in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Honorable Mentions 4

It's time again for an honorable mentions post! 

If you missed Honorable Mentions 1-3, catch them here, here, and here.

DATE:  Black and White
The first look is a recent date look.  The man and I grabbed a quick dinner, and I chose my white mini dress with shadow stripes and added a faux leather jacket for the air conditioned restaurant.

Dress, Jacket, and Boots:  Target
Purse:  Forever 21

Necklace:  Kohl's

WORK:  Black Pants and Textured Tops
For work, I'm always reaching for black skinnies and textured tops.

Recently, I chose a beige textured Aztec print tank and added a blue blazer.

Pants and Blazer:  The Limited
Top:  The Limited (Available here)
Shoes:  Target (old)

Necklace:  The Limited
Rings:  Torrid (Available here)

A lace-front top adds interest to a simple black and white look.

Pants and blouse:  The Limited
Tote:  Isabel & Ruben Toledo for Lane Bryant

Sandals:  Payless (old)

CASUAL:  Denim and Grey Tee

A loose grey tee paired with denim and silver gladiator sandals make for easy casual looks.  I added denim crops to watch fireworks on the 4th of July and opted for shorts and a fun tote for a quick weekend run to the store.

Denim crops:  The Limited
Tank:  Gap
Clutch:  Vintage
Necklace:  New York & Company

Shorts:  The Limited (Similar here)
Top:  Babooshka Boutique (Available here)
Sandals:  Target Kids

Rings:  Earthbound Trading Co. and local jewelry show
Bracelet:  The Limited

Hope you enjoyed today's honorable mentions!  :-)

DATE LOOK:
For the white dress in another look, see here.
For the jacket in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, and here.

WORK LOOKS:
For the black pants in another look, see here.
For the blue blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.

CASUAL LOOKS:
For the crops in other looks, see here, here and here.
For the shorts in another look, see here.
For the top in other looks, see here.

Printed Shorts in Redbook!!!

Today I bring you exciting news that I have been anxiously waiting to share! 

In April, I was contacted by Redbook magazine about being featured in an upcoming issue of the magazine.  I was told that I needed an image wearing printed shorts for their August 2013's "Real Style" feature. 

I sent in several images in a few different printed shorts outfits, and this is the one they chose:

Shorts:  The Limited (No longer available; Similar here)
Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)

Page 77, August 2013 issue, courtesy of Redbook Magazine

 The runners-up here and below:

This one and the one below were my favorites!!

Blazer:  The Limited
Clutch:  The Limited

Heels:  Target (Available here)
Bracelets:  Target

Peplum top:  Forenza by The Limited
Blazer:  The Limited (Available here)

Earrings:  Target
Bracelets:  Target, The Limited

I am so over the moon about being contacted by Redbook.  While I would be excited about any national feature, I love that Redbook takes a very affirmative approach to including women of various shapes, sizes, and ethnic identities in their magazine.  It's an honor to be included in a magazine that appreciates the diversity of female beauty.  In my opinion, women's magazines, including Redbook, have a long way to go towards full inclusion, but Redbook stands as a shining example that the tide is changing.  It's so fulfilling to be part of their trailblazing efforts!

It's also ironic that the feature was on shorts - I have just started to break out of my shorts-phobia.  Shorts would not have been my first choice for my first major feature, but in the end, I think it was perfect! So many women that I know hate shorts and refuse to wear them because they don't think they're flattering or they are embarrassed of their thighs.  Not too long ago, I was one of those women! 

If you like the look of shorts but have been held back by self-doubt, it's time to challenge those fears and rock those legs!!!    :-D

For the ivory blazer in other looks, see here, here, and here.
For the peplum top in other looks, see here.
For the navy blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.

Shake N' Shimmy

Hope you've all had a great weekend. Today marks the end of Black and White week!

Shorts: New York & Company (Available here) Blazer: The Limited (Similar here)

I finish this week off with a summer evening shorts look.  The outfit features geometric print shorts and my fun fringe top.  I'm usually not a very big fan of shorts, but I fell in love with the bold print of these.

Fringe top:  Ann Taylor Petites
Clutch:  Vintage

I added neon pink and red accessories to finish off the look and to add some fun pops of color.

Shoes:  Target (Available here)

Hope you all enjoyed some of my favorite black and white looks this week!  I'll be back soon with lots of color!!

Necklace (worn as bracelet):  The Limited

To see this top styled differently, see here, here, and here.

For more on spring's black and white trend, see here.
For more on spring's shorts trend, see here.

For more on the history of fringe, see here.

Spring 2013 Fashion Preview: Tailored shorts

The cold weather is ruining my spring fashion buzz, leaving me a little less than inspired in coming up with new outfit ideas that I can actually wear right now.

So, instead, I'm featuring one of spring's major fashion trends:  tailored shorts.  Bermuda shorts are hugely popular for spring, but you can also find plenty of mid-length shorts as well.

I'm a hesitant shorts fan.  To wear shorts in an easy, breezy way for summer can sometimes be a little too casual for my tastes.  Then, there's the dreaded chub rub problem and riding up that shorts often seem to do.

That said, I love the idea of tailored shorts for a slightly dressier look during the spring and summer.  My favorite way to wear shorts is for evening.  I love wearing shorts in dressier fabrics (silk, lace, leather) with heels for a summer evening out.

Below are my picks from the runway: 
Work/Day looks:

Rachel Comey Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.elle.com

Emporio Armani Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.thefashionspot.com

Evening:

Gianfranco Ferré Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.elle.com

 Casual looks:

Mara Hoffman Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.realbeauty.com

Nicole Miller Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.realbeauty.com

 More attainable options:

LOFT printed walking shorts

The Limited denim metro shorts

Forever 21 shorts

ASOS shorts

Do you like wearing shorts?  How do you like to wear them?  Casual? Work?  Evening?