what were you doing one year ago | spring fashion how tos
what were you doing one year ago today? that’s a question i spent last evening mulling over after all of the comments we received on yesterday’s post: does fashion still matter? i read through every single bit of feedback we got, not only on the blog, but on our other social channels too. first of all, thank you. i’ve got such wise readership, and i love hearing your perspective on what’s going on. at a really high-level, there were two major themes in the comments. 1) it’s not that fashion matters right now per se, but rather it’s looking and feeling our best even in times of uncertainty like these. such a smart point, and i totally agree. and 2) the new “normal” isn’t normal nor should it be thought of such. and it’s this point that prompted my lead question for today. one year ago today, i was starting to plan for my son’s and daughter-in-law’s wedding. had just begun to dress shop, and mr. style was starting to suit shop. to remind myself—to remind ourselves—of real normal, i thought i’d do something fun today and raid the archives. i went back to April 2019 and pulled together 3 spring fashion how tos for you. i hope you enjoy the fashion distraction again today, and let me know in the comments what you were doing one year ago today.
how to wear a jumpsuit
happy Monday, ladies from the glorious south where the birds are chirping, bees buzzing, and trees bursting with buds. if it’s spring then snowball viburnums are in full bloom. what a glorious sight! and the perfect backdrop for a simple black jumpsuit. every year we try to snag a photo in front of this gorgeous tree. so i’ve vigilantly watched this neck of the woods for the past few weeks. today was the day!
this up for anything black jumpsuit from Ralph Lauren has a flattering bateau neck and tapered legs. it can be dressed up for dinner and a show or dressed down for “let’s do coffee.” for a casual cool outfit that takes sixty seconds to create throw on a denim jacket and white sneakers. voila, instant casual chic
similar jumpsuit | similar jumpsuit 2 | similar jumpsuit 3 | similar jumpsuit 4 | sandals | bracelet | earrings
how to wear a jean jacket
my fling with spring continues! but if there’s one thing we know about this season it’s that the weather can change in a heartbeat. one reason i grab a jacket before i head out the door. sometimes it’s a raincoat other times a denim jacket will do the trick. since today’s ootd is casual through and through a military inspired denim jacket from Ralph Lauren is the perfect companion. details like metallic soutache, epaulets, and silver buttons add a jaunty flair. princess seams and darts at the front and back of the collar update this classic officer’s jacket and give it the spit and polish it deserves.
since the temps are already on the rise i know my denim days are short-lived. typically when the summer heat arrives i transition to shorts, skirts, and dresses. so i grabbed a pair of white denim, chose a lightweight sweater, and decided yellow driving mocs were the perfect addition to add a pop of color. but the star of this show is the denim officer’s jacket. am i right?! good old ralph takes a classic wardrobe staple and puts a spin on it. which is exactly what we need from time-to-time to stay modern and fresh.
similar jeans | similar sweater | similar jacket | similar shoes
how to wear high low
good morning, ladies. happy monday! i hope you enjoyed the long Easter weekend. our spring weather was sprinkled with tornado watches and flash floods on friday and saturday with a high of fifty-something. it was downright cold and dreary! but sunday was a glorious sunshiny day which seemed to make up for the chilly ones. mr. style and i wandered parts of the UGA campus for photos sunday afternoon. hopefully, you can catch a glimpse of the beauty that surrounds these historic grounds. the University of Georgia was founded in 1785 and is one of the oldest public universities in the United States. people always ask why mr. style and i decided to make athens our home. the university had a big part to play. it offers sporting events, concerts, an art museum, and, of course, the energy of the students that abounds for nine months out of the year. and an adorable english bulldog mascot that goes by the name of uga.
there’s been much discussion on the blog recently about fashion price points. so i’m sharing how i wear high low items. of course, on any given day you will see me wearing mid-price brands: Ann Taylor, Talbots, J.Crew, Everlane. their classic styles will always have a place in my closet. but if i’m shopping at Target or Akris Punto and something catches my eye, it has a 100% chance of coming home with me. because if you find something that makes your heart go pitter patter you’ll wear it. isn’t that the point of a stylish wardrobe? and i love to mix luxury items with basement bargains. i’ve always had the mindset that clothes should be worn. and worn regularly. i feel the same way about my home decor. why should my china be relegated to special occasion dining? why not mix and match them with other pieces all through the year?
similar jeans | similar shirt | similar cardigan | similar cardigan 2
A year agotoday I was on my yearly tripn to JupiterFL. My favorite destintation. My sister and I are widows and feel we have much to share. So….no Florida at this time. I wish you health.
i hear jupiter, fl is beautiful. the last trip mr. style and i took was to panama city beach. we loved the sugary sand and pristine beauty.
A year ago today? It almost hurts to remember that we were on the glorious isle of Capri, beginning our Wonders of the Amalfi Coast tour – ouch! Rather than dwell on that, I’ll be thankful for continued health and work today! Wishing you the best – and keep those inspiring thoughts and photos coming!
i’m so happy your trip to Italy went as planned last year. what a memory! oh, how i love Italy.
I was also getting ready for a wedding: my son’s wedding on May 11 in Nashville, as well as remodeling a home we moved into 2 weeks after the wedding! I’m so grateful that both of those events were in 2019 and not 2020! We are postponing our 40th anniversary trip to Europe, which was to be this month, until (hopefully) September. I’m certainly utilizing the “comfy” parts of my wardrobe more than I would normally. But I’m actively shopping online for the warm days ahead when we can all be out together again! Won’t that be wonderful?!?
oh my goodness, you were a busy lady last year. i’ve often thought how lucky we were to have our son’s wedding go off without a hitch. congratulations on your 40th. fingers crossed for your European celebration.
Hi Beth! I remember the jumpsuit photo from last year. Loved the jumpsuit with metallic accessories AND the huge blooms on the shrub … a great photo. I think I recognize the sweater you are wearing with the jean jacket. I have one that looks exactly like it, purchased from Talbots. It is always such a confidence-booster to me when I recognize an item in one of your posts, knowing I have the same in my closet. Thank you for inspiring and encouraging us!
that tree is one of my favorites in all of Athens. thanks so much for stopping by each day.
Love the jumpsuit – bought it the first time you posted it. Love the yellow loafers – bought those the first time you posted them. so I guess last year at this time I was pinning and buying your fashion recommendations!
love, love, love that you snagged both of those items. that jumpsuit is so comfy and those yellow drivers brighten any gloomy day.
Since April 7th last year was a Sunday, I am sure I was in church worshipping God & learning more about grace. Grace was the theme of our all church study las Lenten season.
what a lovely memory. we all need grace in our lives.
Hi Beth,
One year ago today I was sitting under the cherry blossoms trees in Osaka, Japan. My husband and I were at the end of our month long trip to Japan visiting our daughter in Osaka. Boy how things have changed in a year. She will start SIP on Tuesday and have been working from home for about a week.
Stay healthy and safe , I look forward to your daily blog during SIP days.
what a lovely memory, willette! one that you will always have tucked inside your heart. stay safe and healthy!
Yikes, some people can be really cutting/rude.
I love that, although you love classics, you represent a broad range of styles on your posts. You encourage us to think outside the box and show us how to blend old with new. If we don’t like the blend, that’s up to us, after all it’s just a suggestion. Choices. 🥂
style is all about personal preference. that’s what makes it so fun! it would be a boring world indeed if we all wore the same thing.
Thanks for all your contributions during this wobbly time. I see from my phone photos this day last year I was on my way to Kona, HI. I’m grateful for those wonderful memories today. 🤗
kona, hawaii. now that’s a nice memory to have. i’m certain the weather was perfect as it typically is in paradise.
Hello BETH,
Hope all is well with you and your team.
You look stunning in the black jumpsuit
outfit.Hard at work trying to keep my two
small businesses . Your blog is a great distraction for me.
hi patti! keep your nose to the grindstone and i’m certain you and your businesses will weather this storm.
Hi! The pic of you on the grass is the ultimate….love the denim, the jacket and especially your hair. I am always struggling whether to cut or not to cut. I am 71 years young and my hair is the color of Andy Warhol, natural, I wear it longish short like you and always get compliments when out and about . Although longer is sometimes more sophisticated, i think short is more flattering and an instant facelift! Happy Easter and stay safe. Always hugs to Oscar, Ollie and the little fur baby!
to cut or not to cut that is the question. i love my hair short but change is good too. about every five years i grow my hair out. the process is a pain but once the length gets to chin length you can style it in so many different ways.
Sometimes the right shoe in a great color can just make an outfit. I love all these looks but partical to the denim jacket look. Since I haven’t binged your blog yet and I’m new here, this is a wonderful way to get yo know you better.
My husband was setting up equipment at the Shriners to give a benefit on the weekend for the children one year ago today and I was taking advantage of the empty house to scrub my floors with my new scrubber. Both turned out well. : )
welcome, eve! i hope you find some inspiration while you scan our archives. what a wonderful memory with your husband helping children and you cleaning house!
I’m new to your blogs. Really enjoying them as I am very fashion challenged. You have such great ways of matching items together. I live in New Zealand so some of the brands and products are not accessible here however your ideas are a great help thank you.
hello down under! i’m so happy you discovered the blog. thanks so much for stopping by.
Oh my gosh–it hit me last year at this time, I was pretty much self-isolated then, too–April 8th (tomorrow) is the 1 year anniversary of my second total knee replacement surgery! Haaaaa. So this past year has been a wonderful year until corona hit us all. I do agree with what many of your readers have said–the new normal is going to be quite different. I think much like 9/11, we will slowly get back to life, but we’ll probably also have lots of changes in place to ensure we are not this vulnerable to such a catastrophe again. Sad, but I’m hoping we see some positives come out of it all. There are always ways to improve our lives, and maybe this one came along to force us all into thinking about things we can improve. Your spring photos here are lovely. I am finding solace in nature and all the beauty that seems to remind me the world goes on, and somehow we’ll all come through it all. Take good care…