Cooling off? Throw on a happy red plaid scarf!
I like mixing styles. To me, it’s the easiest way to give an outfit effortless air.
The most basic formula for mixing styles?
Mix masculine + feminine.
Here, I’ve got on a feminine-ish skirt with these masculine-ish wool high tops. Not only is it super comfortable — it’s cool and relaxed.
That’s all today. :)
Have you ever tried this whole mixing masculine + feminine thing? How do you do it — give us a quick idea or two!
Top: JCrew
Skirt: Aritzia
Shoes: Madewell
Bag: Nordstrom
Scarf: Madewell
Rings: Moulton
Necklace: Madewell
I love the masculine/feminine combo…I’ve never been able to quite put my finger on why…but you’re right – it seems effortlessly cool! My fave combo is pairing a boyfriend-style sweater with a statement necklace. That’s my look for today in Canada where the temperature is dropping…
I love your blog! I agree the masculine and feminine mix is super cute. I love wearing my pearls with a cute flannel button-down blouse.
Yes! Love your outfit…adore that scarf (it’s been in my cart). So, mixing masculine and feminine is one of my favorite ways to make my style unique. I love a pink angora sweater with BF jeans, a plaid button up with skinnys and leopard heels or any heels, really. Perfect formula;)
XO, Gina
http://classyeverafter.blogspot.com
What a lovely outfit!
Love your style – and blog! Thanks for the inspiration. Lately I’ve been pairing my camo skinnies with everything girly …. lace sweatshirt + baby pink ballet flats, sheer flowy black top and black suede booties and layering more “blingy” jewelry with my basics (lots of Noonday Collection).
I love this combo because it just gives you a cool girl vibe, which Austin is all about! Lovely outfit.
http://www.lonestarlauren.wordpress.com
I love how you break down the concept of why the outfit works. Like most of your readers, I wish I had your legs! Sad trombone. ;-) I would pair the same shirt and scarf with a jersey pencil skirt instead. You’ve helped me to think, what pieces do I have or what could I tweak to make it work for me. Thank you!
Love the mix of masculine and feminine! I like to pair a flowy top with oxfords or masculine boots, or wear my grungy utility jacket with some high heels. Almost every outfit I wear is based on that concept!
I like the classic blazer, tee, skinnies, and stilettos or utility jacket with a flowy dress. :)
LOVE!!
My favorite combo is a dress with Converse sneakers. Perfect for daytime errands!
Love balancing out masculine and feminine (though I rarely do girly). I love clean cut shirts with a cozy scarf or delicate necklace. Or a crew neck sweater (works with my boyish upper body) + skinny, curve-hugging trousers and elegant and/or high heeled shoes. I like shirtdresses as well which seem genderbending on their own (is it a shirt? Is it a dress?) but I rarely find a good one.
This is funnily close to the outfit I have planned for tomorrow–black (pencil) skirt + madewell chambray + light brown tote :)
Could not agree more with this basic formula for an effortless look. My favorite combo of masculine + feminine is a skirt, both of the flowy or pencil variety, paired with a ball cap… It’s also my secret formula for looking pulled together when I don’t have time to do (or don’t feel like doing) my hair ;) I can tell your inspiration has been renewed this autumn with a change of wardrobe — so has mine! Bring on the fall capsule love!
Caroline,
I love your sense of style. My friend Emily is trying out your capsule wardrobe and that is how I found you. I truly love the idea. But I’m struggling slightly.
I am a professional student in Pharmacy school and am forced to dress up every day for class. (No jeans allowed) So my only days I get to “express myself” is on the weekends. Most of my dress clothes are bland and boring. I also live in Michigan, and its going to be frigid before long. My closet and dresser are overflowing with clothes that track back to early high school since I still fit into them.
Its a horrible cycle: I feel guilty buying new clothes because I have so many clothes already. But I don’t even like some of my clothes. But I also have a very shallow budget due to being in college (for the last 6 years)
How would you recommend doing a capsule wardrobe for a professional lifestyle that requires a lot of dress pants, pencil skirts, dresses and dress shirts? And how would you go about starting this with a horrendously small budget?
Thanks!
Mandi
Hi Mandi! You may want to try having two smaller capsule wardrobes — one for work and one for the weekends. And give yourself some grace with the budget area — don’t worry or feel frustrated if you can’t spend much the first time. I didn’t spend a cent on my first capsule wardrobe and while it wasn’t ideal, it taught me a lot and gave me some time to save up for smart purchases next time. :) xo Caroline
Thank you! I think I’m going to look into that. I will let you know how it goes!
Mandi
Cute outfit!! The Wildflower Shop has a similar scarf but cheaper that I’ve had my eye on ;)…PLUS its reversible! What!? Love me some plaid!! :D
http://www.thewildflowershop.com/accessories/1945-lesley-reversible-scarf.html
I love the masculine/feminine thing with clothes. I think the balance can be thought of in terms of hair, too. For ex the other day I saw a woman with super short hair and she was wearing tight pants or leggings and the combo of the curves yet the short hair looked really nice. Since I have short hair I tend to dress a bit more feminine to keep the balance- more skirts, more fitted tighter jeans), soft looks. I imagine it could be the opposite with very long hair. Maybe then it kind of balances with looser and more tomboyish styles. I’m not sure if everyone thinks of it that way but that yin yang formula seems to work for me.
BTW, love this whole capsule idea- honestly I’ve even bought some of the exact pieces, since style-wise I feel similar (yet a little older and shorter!)