Favorites in Our Closets

There are so many!

 Winter Bee: I’ll start off with this Talbot cardigan I bought a few years ago. It is a closet staple that can be worn all year. It’s a lightweight knit, great for layering in winter with a heavier shirt underneath, and in summer just right for office air conditioning or a chilly evening.

It ticks all the boxes for me: *navy blue- goes with everything *scalloped edges are cute *falls at the right hip length *wash and wear (I can’t eat a meal without wearing it) *three-quarter sleeves *neckline, while a scoop, falls lower than most cardigans, almost into a V-neck *lightweight and soft but not sloppy. One of these days I will do thrift search and see if it comes in any other color (or get a back-up).

I’ve only started wearing cardigans in the last few years- I always pictured cardigan sweater sets and while I admire them on other people, they look dreadful on me. Add to that a big bust and for some reason I thought cardigans always had to be buttoned! Hallelujah for the day the light bulb went off and I realized I didn’t have to button a cardigan; I could wear it open.

I take an OOTD photo pretty much every day- I strongly recommend this habit, not to share on social media but as a valuable tool for assessing your outfits. Looking at a photo gives you an objective eye you don’t have looking in a mirror. I have a folder I keep my favorite outfits in, and pretty much every time I wear this sweater, I love the outfit, I feel pretty in it, and it’s in the fav file!

Here are three ways I’ve worn it:

You can see how the lower neckline is better for me, and the length lands just above my thigh, which is my ‘Golden Ratio’ or ‘Rule of Thirds’ point (that’s a post for another day…).

Tangerine Tea: I am going to start off a bit bold. A little less fashionista, a little more self expression! My closet has a pretty clear division of work clothes and everyday clothes. This jean jacket is my absolute favorite piece on my everyday side! It’s trendy with it’s light color and rips. A great choice for a night out with the girls!

I have always expressed myself through my clothes. This jacket showcases my interests as well as my crafty side. Patches and pins include some of my favorite nonprofits, cartoons, and just simple designs that I thought were extra cute. Some also hold special memories. The yellow submarine on the back reminds me of my dad because he has always loved The Beatles and shared their music with me growing up. I bought that particular patch when the whole family went to an exhibit on The Beatles a few years ago.

You can see that the back has lots of space for more patches! I love having this jacket as a work-in-progress over the last few years. I encourage you to see if you can add a little something to any of your existing pieces. Instead of patches, you could try your hand at embroidery.

Jean jackets can be worn so many ways. You can wear it with the sleeves down or rolled up, with different style shirts underneath, and with leggings. You can even wear it with a pair of jeans (denim on denim outfits are back, babes!). Make it the statement, or just through it on as your going out the door. It’s always a winner!

What’s your current closet favorite? Are you a cardigan fan? How about jean jackets? Do you take OOTD photos? How do you express yourself through your clothes? Share in the comments!