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Un-Fancy

fall outfits, Outfits: Fall

4.18 two ways to wear denim on denim

10/27/14

fall-outfit-ideas-36  fall-outfit-ideas-39 fall-outfit-ideas-38 fall-outfit-ideas-37fall-outfit-ideas-37

Not feelin’ the heels or the hat? Take it down a notch with flats instead.

fall-outfit-ideas-40

With flats? This is a put-together-yet-comfortable errand running outfit.

But with heels + a hat? It’s a cool dinner outfit.

The denim on denim look has been around for a while. It’s been my fall-back outfit for a few years now. In fact, that shirt you’re looking at is 4 years old. I’ve worn it so much that when fall came around this year I thought I might be done with it. I *almost* left my chambray shirt out of my fall capsule wardrobe.

But I threw it back in at the last possible second. And I’m glad I did — when I added the booties and the floppy felt hat, the denim on denim look felt updated and a little edgy.

So tell me …

How do you wear denim on denim?

Hat: H&M (similar)

Top: J.Crew

Bottoms: Madewell

Flats: Madewell (in a different color)

Booties: Aldo

Bag: Nordstrom

Bracelets: Moulton

And! Don’t forget I’m still accepting applications for guest bloggers. Have hesitations about applying? Apply anyway. Because the very things you’re hesitating about are probably the very things that people will love + relate to.

And also! I just have to keep giving love to my oober talented friend Becky for the insane job she did on my new blog header. Send some kindness her way if you get a chance.

xo

38 Comments

Related

Comments

  1. Mallory says

    October 27, 2014 at 7:54 am

    Totally random question, but are you taller than your husband in these shoes? xx

    Reply
  2. Lisa | Happy By says

    October 27, 2014 at 8:06 am

    What I love more than your outfits and tips is the positivity you reflect Caroline.
    May you have a great week!

    Reply
  3. Kimberly says

    October 27, 2014 at 8:22 am

    I wore the denim on denim look for the FIRST time about a week ago. I paired my medium washed chambray with my dark wash chambray pencil skirt, nude pointed toe kitten heels, and a chunky pearl choker. The best part … I was comfortable! ;)

    Reply
  4. Lauren says

    October 27, 2014 at 8:35 am

    I love the denim on denim look! As a Texan, it’s so universal around here and I love finding creative ways to rock it.

    http://www.lonestarlauren.wordpress.com

    Reply
  5. Jackie (York Avenue) says

    October 27, 2014 at 8:49 am

    I love my chambray! Such a versatile piece, I can see why you couldn’t leave it out of your capsule. Good point on being able to dress it up – that’s something I really hadn’t thought of. I typically wear mine in a super casual way, with really dark or black jeans, and flats or booties. I got a new one from Madewell this year because I didn’t really have a perfect version of it, and I really love it!

    Reply
  6. sunbystar says

    October 27, 2014 at 9:42 am

    I like it, so much; it is basically my uniform.
    :-)
    Happy Monday!

    Reply
  7. Melissa says

    October 27, 2014 at 9:49 am

    Hi Caroline! How do the Aldo booties run? I’m between sizes and wondering what to order. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      October 27, 2014 at 10:28 am

      Hi Melissa! They run about a half size small, so I’d order up. :) xo Caroline

      Reply
      • Melissa says

        October 27, 2014 at 10:48 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
  8. Kat{berries} says

    October 27, 2014 at 10:19 am

    Hi Caroline,
    I actually did a denim on denim post a couple days ago and I’m basically wearing the same colour jeans and shirt as you are. {Plus a sweater, it’s cold here! Here’s a link to the post: http://www.katberries.com/2014/10/outfit-6-double-denim.html}

    I think with double denim you have to be a little careful – you can’t have two pieces of very similar shade because then it looks like you’ve tried matching it, and that’s not a good look.
    I think my main rule about denim on denim is to wear solid colour{ish} contrasting pieces. Here, you’re wearing blue and blue, and it works because there’s no crazy wash or pattern and the two blues are in contrast.
    But I think black denim + any other colour denim is my all time fave combo. Love black denim!

    xo Kat

    Reply
  9. Nan says

    October 27, 2014 at 10:59 am

    This may sound crazy..but I still have not had the guts to rock denim on denim. I love the look that seems to be common right now but I always wonder if I can pull it off, so any time I pull out a chambray shirt to wear I always reach for black or colored jeans instead of blue. But your beautiful outfit above is making think I just need to go for it!
    xo Nan – Simply Elegant Blog

    Reply
    • ARC says

      October 27, 2014 at 12:07 pm

      Oh me too! My high school self had that rule drilled into me – no jean jacket + jeans so now I’m afraid :D But it looks good when they’re different colors, for sure.

      I’m thinking I need a chambray shirt for my next capsule. I’m seeing them everywhere.

      Reply
    • Beth says

      October 27, 2014 at 8:08 pm

      Me too! Totally afraid of denim on denim. I think it stems from jr high when this girl wore black jeans all the time & also black shirts (hey, it was the 90s. There was a lot of angst.) & her blacks didn’t match, & my friend & I were all “ewwwwwww” while breaking out our plaid shirts & acid wash. Lol!!

      Reply
  10. Amy Ann says

    October 27, 2014 at 11:11 am

    I love denim on denim and these looks are no exception. Those booties are amazing!

    xo, Amy Ann
    The Real Arnolds

    Reply
  11. Katie says

    October 27, 2014 at 11:25 am

    That’s so interesting to hear you almost left out this chambray shirt! Caroline, it’s so helpful and cool to hear about your process and what you decide to add it, what you hem and haw over and what you leave out. I’ve been working on my capsule wardrobe this month ever since I discovered unfancy and I’m almost there, but there are a few items I’m hemming and hawing over. Most of the time I wear double denim with black jeans and a denim top. Sometimes I’ll do the blue on blue, like over the summer I mixed a nicer looking chambray shirt with some cut-off jean shorts. I liked the contrast of “fancy” top and “unfancy” bottoms.

    Reply
    • Cynthia says

      October 27, 2014 at 11:40 am

      Love the idea of mixing black and blue denim, Kat. I’ll have to try that!

      Reply
  12. Cynthia says

    October 27, 2014 at 11:38 am

    Denim on denim isn’t something that I’ve done much, but I really like the look!

    I always wonder about hat protocol for dinners, so I tend not to wear them out to dinner or dinner parties unless outdoor dining is part of the plan.

    Reply
    • Liz Nwansi says

      October 27, 2014 at 8:01 pm

      Yeah see, I love hats but I feel like I just can’t pull them off! I envy all the women who effortlessly rock fall hats

      Reply
      • Cynthia says

        October 27, 2014 at 11:53 pm

        Well, hats I do. :-) It’s wearing them to dinner that makes me nervous. I turned to Emily Post and even she doesn’t have a clear answer!:
        http://www.emilypost.com/everyday-manners/common-courtesies/479-hats-off-the-who-what-when-where-of-the-hat

        However, white pants are now okay after Labor Day and I imagine that Caroline, if anyone, can convince us all that hats at dinner are cool. :-)

        Reply
  13. Corrie @ Brooklyn Bliss says

    October 27, 2014 at 11:52 am

    I love and wear my chambray shirts so much I regularly wear holes in the elbows and have to keep replacing them. I’m impressed yours has lasted you four years of continual wear, and I’m also kind of jealous!

    I got myself a maternity chambray shirt to replace my most recent busted one and one of my favorite outfits out of my current fall capsule is pairing it with dark denim skinny jeans and leopard pumps. I love that it’s taking an outfit that’s traditionally kind of western and country and making it a bit more edgy and urban with the addition of the leopard.

    I also just sent you an email with my formal application to guest blog. It’s a really great idea to include guest bloggers next season, and I’m so excited to see who you choose and everyone’s unique style working with such small wardrobes.

    Reply
  14. ARC says

    October 27, 2014 at 4:19 pm

    Also, my application is in. Fingers crossed :D

    Reply
  15. Taylor says

    October 27, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    I adore this look! I really like the addition of heels for a night out.

    xoxo
    Taylor

    Reply
  16. Glint says

    October 27, 2014 at 4:36 pm

    Looks gorgeous darling! Btw, it’s uber, not oober :)

    Reply
    • Beth says

      October 27, 2014 at 8:14 pm

      If you really want to be correct, it’s über! ;)

      Reply
      • Caroline says

        October 28, 2014 at 11:22 am

        Thanks Beth! :) :) xo Caroline

        Reply
    • Caroline says

      October 28, 2014 at 11:23 am

      Oops, haha! Thanks Glint! :) xo Caroline

      Reply
  17. Kristen says

    October 27, 2014 at 5:33 pm

    Caroline, I just started following your blog and I’m hooked! I’m building my capsule as we speak!

    Also funny story…I met a sweet gal this weekend and we were doing intros. She was telling me about her craft,”…mostly illustrations, drawings and doodles, blog headers, etc…” To which I replied “Did you do Unfancy?!?!”

    I met your fabulous Becky!

    Also LOVE (insert heart eyed emoji here) denim on denim. Will be adding it to my spring capsule!

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      October 28, 2014 at 11:22 am

      Aw YAY! I just love Becky! So glad you met her. :) xo Caroline

      Reply
  18. Eliza says

    October 27, 2014 at 6:15 pm

    It was actually Unfancy that inspired me to try denim-on-denim! I normally wear this color combination with Converse opposed to heels, especially since a student like me would be tripping all over the place otherwise! Also, I just listened to your interview on The Lively Show, and enjoyed hearing more about how Unfancy came to be. Keep doing what you’re doing!

    Reply
  19. Liz Nwansi says

    October 27, 2014 at 8:00 pm

    Love love love your blog. Found it through someone else but can really relate to my mommy lifestyle. Denim on denim is one of my favorite pairing and you do it well!

    Reply
  20. Svenja says

    October 28, 2014 at 3:18 am

    Absolutely love the combination. For quiet a long time I always said that denim on denim was an absolute no-go. I’ve grown to love it so much over the past two years and there’s always so many lovely ways ti mix it up.
    Love,
    Svenja

    Reply
  21. Nina says

    October 28, 2014 at 6:05 am

    I love the idea, but I have a few questions. These ‘seasons’ I presume change every year, correct me if I’m wrong please, I’m just trying to understand. So next summer, what do you do with clothes from the previous season? Do you simply throw it out? I notice I do find myself changing styles from year to year but sometimes I do really like an item and keep it for a while longer, especially if it’s pricey and great quality. If the season does change from year to year, is that why? Because most of us retire our clothes yearly anyway?

    My second question is regarding night clothes and special occasions. How do you go about that with sleeping attire? Also, what should you purchase for swimwear? Only one swimsuit or two, is there a limit w/the capsule wardrobe? Should we bump it up to 30, just to have those two special occasion dresses you wear for weddings or funerals? I noticed you link the book in one of your posts and I’d like to read it some time, but right now for this full time school and working girl, I can only dream of reading anything else but school work.

    Reply
    • Kathy Mader says

      October 28, 2014 at 9:46 am

      I think I read where Caroline is planning on keeping the bulk of each capsule next year but maybe changing out 6 – 8 pieces to freshen up each one. I also think I read that stuff like workout clothes and pj’s don’t count for capsule. Check out the pictures of her capsules…I believe I saw her fancy going-out dress in one of them. You need to verify what I “think,” but somehow that’s what I think, LOL.

      Caroline, my niece is going to apply to guest blog. So excited!

      Reply
      • Kathy Mader says

        October 28, 2014 at 9:48 am

        Oh and I saw a picture of Caroline wearing the cutest swimsuit ever. Maybe that was on Instagram.

        Reply
    • Caroline says

      October 28, 2014 at 11:18 am

      Hi Nina! Thanks for commenting! Check out my FAQ page at the top — I think you’ll find just the answers you’re looking for. :) xo Caroline

      Reply
  22. Nina says

    October 28, 2014 at 9:06 pm

    Thank you both Kathy & Caroline, I will be sure to read that!

    Reply
  23. Nicole Berry says

    December 2, 2014 at 10:45 pm

    I am always nervous to wear denim on denim, but this looks great. Ill be brave and try now!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Fall Style & Shopping Less says:
    November 3, 2014 at 7:00 am

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