Spring is coming, it’s time to lighten up!
I’m drawn to all the airy, faded colors right now, so last week I shopped my closet and pulled out all the light colors I could find, including this sweater.
I got this sweater for my fall wardrobe, and it paired beautifully with the rust + cognac tones of fall. Turns out, it also works perfectly for my spring wardrobe (and color palette) too — that wheat color mixes just right with faded denim and springtime blush.
If you remember, one of my wardrobe goals this year is to add a little more color, and I think blush is going to be my color for spring. So I’m testing it out in small doses first — with a bandana.
I love a bandana loosely tied around the neck, but I’m curious — do any of you wear bandanas in your hair? I want to try it, but I haven’t quite figured out how to pull it off — what to pair it with and how to style it. I’ll try it soon, but got any advice for me in the meantime?
Anyway. Last Monday I posted an outfit similar to this one. Same sweater, same clogs, same bag. In fact, the only difference is the jeans. Take a look:
When I first noticed how similar they were, I felt like I should try harder to show “different” outfits because of the blog. But, in real life, I usually wear outfits like these — similar with just a few key differences.
Different color palette, different attitude, different styling — isn’t it cool how different that sweater looks tucked in vs. untucked?
Even though they have a lot of overlap, these are two unique looks. It’s a nice reminder that you can get a new look by simply changing one element of an outfit.
So tell me, got a color in mind for your spring wardrobe? Any advice for wearing a bandana in your hair? And what are your thoughts on this whole “change one element of the outfit, get a new look” thing?
Happy Monday!
xo,
• • •
Liked today’s outfit? You can shop it and support Unfancy at the same time by using these affiliate links:
01 | Sweater by Leith (Fit note: I’m wearing an XS) | similar | similar
02 | Jeans by Girlfriend (made in USA) (Fit Note: These jeans have zero stretch. I’m usually a 24 in jeans and sized up to a 25. They feel tight in the waist at first, but over a few wears they mold to your body. Wash them on cold, don’t ever put them in the dryer, and they’ll stay molded like that forever.) | similar under $70 | similar under $100 (made in USA)
03 | Clogs by Bryr in Sable (handmade in USA) | similar | similar
04 | Bag by Live FashionABLE (made responsibly) | similar (on sale)
05 | Bandana by Madewell
Oh this bandana is perfect. I’ve been after a small silk scarf from spring and blush is one of my colours too. Doesn’t seem to be in that colour way on the website though :(
I have short hair and wear a bandana rolled and knotted just over my parting. In my head I think I look a little bit vintage but I suspect I look more Hilda Ogden (uk cultural reference sorry!)
Rachel, I had to look up Hilda Ogden on Google — haha! I was expecting something totally different. But I’m confident you pull it off a little better (unless you keep rollers in your hair too??) ;)
The new colours I want to try for spring would be different shades of dusty pink/peach. Most of my wardrobe is made of grey, cream, cognac, burgundi and blue/black jeans. I think it would work perfectly. I really love cherry blossoms and I feel that spring is blooming out of those colors.
I usually try bandanas in the summer, mostly like a pin-up girl style, with a loose bun. In the spring I like to pull it just like you did in the pictures, mostly when i go out in the chillier evenings.
I totally agree with you in changing one item and getting a different outfit, I tried that a lot during the winter.
You can add a totally different vibe by changing the top or the bottoms.
Spring is comiiing!:D
Andreea! I see I’m not the only one excited for Spring, along with pink-ish hues! :)
Greetings! Good post! Yellow and nude are my spring favorites as they pair well with navy,black and white jeans. My skin is warm,so a natural look for me. I like a bandana around the head with hair untucked,but I feel like I need to wear hoops or studs to finish the look. I am rising up to the capsule challenge. As a fashion lover,I strive for developing my own style rather than being fashionable only. We all dislike buying mistakes-right!?! x
Lisa, we all dislike buying mistakes, but they are bound to happen! Especially as you’re still figuring out your style. You’ll get there. The styling you described sounds cute already! :)
When I’m on holiday I sometimes wear a bandana in my hear. I tie it around my head with the knot in front, and then tuck in the ends. I use a hairpin on either side behind my ears to keep it in place. I try to make a messy knot of my hair, and make sure a little bit is showing near my forehead, otherwise I feel I look like someone who’s sick… I sometimes also use a somewhat larger bandana as a belt on high-waist jeans with the shirt tucked in, have you tried that before? It gives a 50’s vibe and adds a bit of color in the middle :)
Great tips, thank you Renee! :)
I love a bandana tied around the neck! For a long time I struggle with how to get it to stay turned the way I wanted it (not quite tied in the back, but not quite tied in the front… somewhere in between), until one day I realized that if I turn the pointed corner to the front towards one shoulder and then tie it slightly in front on the opposite side it stays put and looks super cute / effortless. Just a tip in case anyone else struggles with that!
Thanks for everything you post, Caroline! This was wonderful as usual!
Emily, thanks for sharing your discovery! I’m sure someone will benefit from that. :)
I am in love with those pants. Are they comfortable once you wear them in?
Yes! They do take some breaking in, but they’re comfortable and feel like good ol’ quality denim. Not too stretchy. Hope that helps! :)
Caroline!
Thank you for sharing! I really like this outfit with the bandana; it just adds a little something extra. I don’t think that I can pull off a bandana, but you do wonderfully! As I have pared down my closet, I notice that I do the same thing and I think that is great to just switch out one piece of the outfit! It makes things easy and less complicated and I know I will love it. For me I have a couple of rosewood pink pieces that I love throwing over just a grey muscle tank (my favorite!) that are more spring like.
Thank you for the ethical pieces, I really appreciate that!
Random questions, if companies gift you clothing that you don’t like what do you do with it? Also if someone gives you a gift that you don’t want/need that you’ve had for a while do you feel comfortable getting rid of it? Thank you! Love your blog!
Hey Rebecca, such a great question! I actually don’t accept gifts from companies anymore because of that very thing. Last year was the first year I tried accepting gifts from companies, and as much as I tried to only accept things that worked for my wardrobe, a few things just weren’t quite right after all. In that case, I usually offered them to a friend.
When it comes to friends and family, most of us are on the same page and have had conversations about wanting fewer gifts in general — instead we make a donation in each other’s name of give an experience.
For the random gift that just doesn’t work, I take it case by case. But with a lot of kindness and gratitude, I feel comfortable having an honest conversation and asking for a gift receipt. Being honest like that gives the relationship a chance to grow in a new way. :)
If it’s a gift that has been sitting unused for awhile, I will let it go.
Thank you so much for your wisdom! I really appreciate your response. It was kind and thoughtful :)
Just bought the bandana (in red) using your link :) Thanks for sharing this lovely outfit!
Woohoo! Thanks for the support, Christy. Hope you love it :)
Mint is a colour I want to wear this spring, but also some dusty pink ;) I really enjoy your content!
http://texturecharmscolour.de
This year’s “colors” have always been *my* colors. Don’t you just love it when that happens? For as long as I can remember (high school days?) I have always been attracted to: warm tans, rich rusty cognacs, mossy greens, brick reds and deep wine colors for fall. And for spring time I’ve always favored: beige, ivory, blush, dusty rose, faded baby blues and a more muted faded kahki green colors. My grandma’s signature look was a neck scarf and I’ve had some of hers tucked away for sometime now — perhaps I’ll pull some out and see if I can interject any of my favorite hues this way. Good stuff as always lady! :)
Yay Laura! That is the best! :)
I’d love to add some mint or light turquise pieces to my closet! I love these colors anyway but not that I’m pregnant most of my maternity clothes are grey, navy and white, I think a touch of mint or light turquise would be perfect! I’m thinking about getting something non-maternity like a light cardigan, blazer, scarf or necklace, something that I can wear after the bump is gone.
Noemi, that sounds like the perfect way to introduce a new piece or two for Spring. :)
Oh, please;-) One of the reasons I love your blog is the fact that you mix and match the same items over and over. I think the light blue jeans and the bandana give the sweater the intended springy look. It’s perfect!
For my spring wardrobe, I have discovered dark blue as the new black. It is not quite as harsh and it is a softer contrast. I’m looking for some accessories in cool soft pastels as they are the colors that suit me.
Question for you: Do you believe in the 4 season color analysis? I have that old book from the 80’s “Color me beautiful” and over the years, it has helped me a lot building a wardrobe I feel good in.
Hey Tina, I’ve never tried the color analysis, but I have heard of it and I’d be interested to look more into it! :)
quick question! do you hand wash that sweater or machine? I love it, but am hesitant to buy high-maintenance pieces (hand washing basically means I’ll never wear it). thanks :)
Hi Jen, I have both washed it by hand and put it into a lingerie bag in the washing machine on delicate. Both worked great! :)
I’ve done the Bandana, Faux Bangs, and a Bun look before as a way to shake things up and add a summery, carefree vibe (see the model in the product photos here: http://skinny-vinny.com/collections/all/products/flannel-bandana, also, how cute is this indigo flannel bandana??). Also, if I’m feeling the vintage vibe (or, let’s be honest, on particularly bad hair days or lazy days), I’ll sometimes do the full head wrap: http://tobebeautifulingodseyes.blogspot.ru/2014/02/classic-1950s-headscarf-tutorial.html
Sounds so cute, Anna! And faux bangs even — that’ll really mix it up. Love it. :)
I definitely go from navy to lighter blues in spring/summer. Blush doesn’t do much for me, but smokier, softer versions of deeper colours I wear in winter, so berry colours become more soft reds or violets, forest green becomes more aquas. I wear more white and stripes too.
Last year I wore some silk scarves as bananas, but I might buy a new one as I really like the look.
These colors look great together and are perfect for spring! I love blush pink tones, so I’ll definitely be wearing them as my “pop of color.” As for bandanas, I always tie it on the top of my head as it holds better and it also creates a cute bow detail!
http://www.insearchofsheila.com
I love wearing bandanas and small scarves in my hair. I usually style my hair in a bun, wrap the scarf around my head like a headband, and tie it in the back. I haven’t really figured out how to make it work with my hair down :)
This past year I’ve really gotten on board with the whole neck scarf or bandana tied around your neck thing. Now I can’t stop! I’ve tried to figure out how to wear them in my hair but no luck so far, haha. So, I’m glad I’m not alone. If you find out how, I hope you share it here! ;)
http://www.wonderlandsam.com
I just purchased this bandana in the same color using your link…can’t wait to get it!
Great color for spring and summer. I usually wear longer, lighter weight scarfs in the spring and summer, but I know I will get lots of use from this bandana.
Yay! Thanks for the support Denise! Hope you love it :)
Personally, I love the last two suggestions on here for using a bandana in my hair http://www.topinspired.com/bandana-hairstyles/ :)
Those are great. Thanks, Mary Theresa! :)
Unfortunately blush tones, creams, browns, and pastels (all the nice spring things) look terrible on me! I am letting my natural grey grow in (I’m a brunette and it’s a bit salt and peppery at the moment) with a warm but light skin tone and all these colours that I used to love on me don’t look fantastic with my hair (makes it AND me look washed out, yellow, just does not flatter!). Any ideas on some colours that would be nice for spring for me?
Joanna, I don’t look good in these colors either, even though I’m not letting my grey grow in (white actually). I’ll be wearing brighter berry and rose tones along with shades of blue.
Thanks Carol, I do love red, rose and blue along with my regular black wardrobe :)
Joanna,
Try jewel tones!! Raspberry, emerald, sapphire blue, royal blue. Everyone looks good in shades of blue. Forget conventional color pallets. I have grey hair coming in too and grey/purple is my new color.
Thank you June! I also love jewel tones. I do suppose that they can be ‘spring-y’ colours too :)
Caroline, you need to add more color! People are too bland these days. Virtual everyone is wearing tan, chambray and black. I’m so tired of it that I’m going to go a bit extreme this summer and get a yellow skirt to wear at the office where I work. Really excited!
You might try wearing bandana like a headband. Especially if it in a solid color. I recently saw this on a 50’s pattern, the woman was wearing a lace shift dress and a matching bandana-styled headband. Her hair was pulled back but showing. It looked simply adorable, but not kidish at all. Of course, that was the 50’s
Every day I seem to reach for the same outfit/uniform: Boyfriend jeans, belt, 90s ankle boots, v-neck long sleeve tee (white, black, or grey), hoop earrings. I recently got a black Fedora that I love to wear as well.
For Spring I up the anti with a striped top, straw fedora, ankle strap wedges. Woohoo. And yet, I always feel put together as well as comfortable.
I do actually own other pieces like midi to maxi jean skirts, etc., and I do wear them, just not as often. I also have a few faux head scarves that look nice and are easy to wear (I can’t tie real scarves with any mad skill). I like your idea of adding blush to mix for spring and summer, so I’ll be on the lookout.
Enjoy your week and thank you for another excellent post.
I’m trying to figure out the bandana thing too. I go camping a lot in the spring and summer for days at a time and having really short hair makes looking presentable hard. I really don’t like hats, although that would easily solve the problem. I’ve been experimenting with Buff Headwear because it looks less “Rosie the Riveter” than a bandana. Although it looks a little more hippie. Neither of which I feel like me in…
I’ll be wearing lots of blue, gray, cream, turquoise and all the shades of pink/ red this spring. Pretty much my colors all the time.
So pretty for spring. You could also try tying the scarf to your purse, 1950s style to add a punch of colour or print to your ensemble. My spring additions are bright rose and robins egg blues. I am also like Joanna, earth tones wash me out. I used to be the corporate black and white, but slowly easing into navy, white and red/pink.
I love bandanas! But yeah, my mom once asked me why I was dressed like Rosie the Riveter! I had paired a Burgundy bandana and a light chambray shirt. Lol!!!
I soak mine in the summer in cool water and tie around my neck when I’m hot and doing barn or garden work!
They also look cute tied on a purse or bag….ala Elle Woods!!
I only tie one on my head when I’m painting a ceiling though!
i tried a cotton bandana first, but it was too bulky (i wound up cutting it in half on the diagonal and use it for keeping my hair back when painting). i use a green silk bandana i picked up at a thrift shop for a quarter. it seems to work best for me with a loose, messy bun with lots of texture and flyaway bits. i like to tie it on top because i like the texture of the knot, but the ends look like rabbit ears so i usually tuck them under. a few strategically placed bobby pins keep it secure since the silk is slippery.
i say stick to what you love, you don’t have to change it up for us… unless it’s what you really want to do for you. ;)
ox
I love wearing a bandana on my head! And I totally use my head bandanas to add color to my outfits too. I usually wear them when I put my hair up in a bun or ponytail or something like that… I fold the corners in once and then once again to make a band about 1.5-2 inches thick and then I tie a little double knot on the front/top of my head. If it’s a long bandana I’ll do a tiny bow. My trick to making it look good on myself is to do a little puff with my bangs (or hair that would be bangs) and put the knot above the puff. It gives the look more movement. I agree that the look isn’t for everyone, but for me it spices up my ubiquitous updo. :) I’ve also done it around the top of my head with my hair out (tied in the same location, just over instead of under hair), but I like that look best on myself when I have bangs/am outdoors doing outdoorsy things. Have fun experimenting!
Bandanas on the head are so hard. Now scarves on handbags, that’s another story. I love that for lightening up a heavy bag.
I wear bananas in my hair! I do a poof in the front and then tie all my hair up Rosie the Riveted style! Super cute!
As you have long hair you could braid the silk scarf into your hair, or do a pony tail and tie it where your hair is banded together
I love wearing a foundational outfit with a few subtle changes (hair, makeup, purse, shoes, etc.)! Most of the time, nobody notices that it’s a repurposed outfit unless I’m wearing a memorable piece (a loud top or eccentric dress).
xo, Sofia
http://www.thecozie.co