Cozy October with Ageless Style

Ageless Style is a monthly style challenge and link up for women of all ages.   Each month we pick a different theme and style an outfit based on that theme.  This month's theme is "Cozy October" and was picked by Jennifer.

We decided to initiate our newest Ageless Style member, Jennifer, by having her pick this month's theme.  Jennifer chose "Cozy October" which is great because it is the perfect theme for fall and it also leaves a lot open for interpretation.  I had actually never even heard of the phrase "Cozy October" before Jennifer mentioned it, and now of course, I'm seeing it everywhere.  Isn't that crazy when that happens?  I even saw a sweatshirt that said "Cozy October" but of course they didn't have my size (the story of my life).  I actually don't even know why someone created the phrase "Cozy October" because the weather really isn't consistently "cozy' in October, even in the frozen tundra of Wisconsin where I live.  Most days we are still in the 60's and 70's and early October this year was down right hot!  I think November is more of a "cozy" month.  Anyhow, here is how I interpreted the challenge:

Since most days in my neck of the woods are cold in the mornings and evenings, but hot in the afternoons, I layer, layer, layer....removing and/or adding clothing as the temperatures drastically change.  Here is an outfit I recently wore on a fall trip to the sweet little town of Galena Illinois where the day time temperature was 78 degrees but it was only in the mid 40's in the morning,  This is the outfit for the day time high.

And here is the outfit I wore that same day, early in the morning when the temperatures were in the middle 40's.  I added a thick cropped neutral sweater and a leopard print scarf.  I love scarves for these kind of days.  If you notice in the photo above my neck and chest are quite exposed;  adding a scarf brings instant warmth to those areas.  I actually use scarves more in the spring and fall than I do in the winter.  In the winter my coat goes up to my chin, making a scarf unnecessary.  But in the spring and fall my coats/sweaters never go that high up making a scarf very necessary to stay warm.

I chose a leopard print scarf because leopard is really trending this season, plus the colors blend in well with the rest of the outfit.

I could have tucked my shirt in to look more polished, but I was afraid of it getting wrinkled knowing I'd be removing the sweater later in the day, I also think it helps break up the long line of beige.

Because I was outside in the sun walking all day I wore a felt brown hat.  Boy, did I get a lot of compliments on this hat.  Many women are afraid to wear hats, but they really do complete the outfit.

I carried a brown crossbody bag for security reasons and because it went with my outfit 😁

I normally would style this outfit with a cute pair of brown booties, but because I was walking all day, I chose a comfy pair of neutral flats.

If you recognize the top, that's because it was from my latest Stitch Fix box.  I'm so glad I kept this top.  It's so versatile!  The pants are new from a local boutique in my hometown and they are already sold out.  They are so trending this year!  I love the shorter length too so you can show off your cute shoes 😀.  They are by Kut from the Kloth which has many similar options.  Everything else I'm styling is old.

And now be sure to check out what the rest of the ladies in the group are wearing and link up with as well.  Next month's theme is "Chocolate Brown and/or Cream" and was chosen by ME!  If you want to join us, just email me before November 20th,  (email address located on my "contacts/follow" page in the side bar) and I'll include you in next month's post.

Have A Great Day!  Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!

Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits

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Bo ~ Bo's Bodacious Blog

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Jennifer ~ Overflowing with Thankfulness

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Joanna ~ My Slice of Life

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Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style

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Leslie ~ Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After

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Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom

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Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle

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My Stitch Fix Rejects

Back in August I ordered a fall box from Stitch Fix.  I kept three of the five items in that Fix.  In case you missed it, HERE is the post where I show the three items I kept.  I mentioned in that post that I would show you the two items I rejected in a later post.  Well today is the day!  Here are the two items I returned:

41 Hawthorn  Tiffany Tulip Sleeve Blouse

Cost:  $49.00

I really liked this top and I even pre-approved it when I saw it in my box, but I ended up returning it because I felt it aged me and I had a difficult time styling it.  I prefer it styled with the pants above, but the color just wasn't right.  The more on-trend style of the pants, plus the heels, modernized the top, but the color was off.  So then I tried it with white ankle pants and flats (pictured below);  now the colors looked better, but I also looked like I was retirement community material. 😂. Now I'm old enough to be living in a retirement community, but I don't want to look like it.  

I also returned the top because I have found through my years of experience with Stitch Fix that if you do the math you have to keep everything and get 25% off your entire box, or, you have to return at least two pieces because otherwise what you keep ends up costing more than if you kept the entire box and took the 25% off.  For example my entire box was $364.00.  If I kept the whole box and received the 25% discount my total would be $273.00.  However, if I chose to keep the three pieces that I did (the jacket, the pants, and the fall blouse in my previous post) plus this top,  the total would have been $295.00...$22.00 more than the whole box.  It's really shame it works this way, because otherwise I think I would have kept this top.

Fortune & Ivy Adene Knit Fitted Ponte

Cost $69.00

When I saw this dress in my box preview, I wanted so badly for it to work. I was so excited to have a casual olive green dress for fall and I imagined all the different ways I could style it.  But the second I tried it on, it was a disaster;  which is funny, because usually it's the opposite for me:  I don't like it, till I try it on. 

The number one reason I hated this dress was how big it made my boobs look.  Oh my gosh!  This is a classic example of how clothes can make all the difference on your body type.  Just compare the difference in the size of my bust in the photos with the blue floral top to the size of my bust in the green dress.   It's crazy!  I look like I went up five bra sizes.  The second reason I did not like this dress is because it was uncomfortable.  I should have taken a clue from the name of the dress "fitted" and "knit".  This is a really structured, tight fitting knit and I felt like I was wearing a straight jacket when I had it on.  The third reason I didn't like it was style, both the color and the style of the dress reminded me of my Class A Army dress I wore many years ago when I was in the Army Reserves.  And finally, and this reason is also related to style, I had no idea when I would ever wear this. If I wear a dress, it's usually to a casual event, church, or a wedding.  The style of this dress if more appropriate for an office.  Since I don't work outside the home, I just had no purpose for this dress.

I did try it on with the cute camel Liverpool Peplum Jacket which was also included in the Fix (and that I kept), and adding the jacket made all the difference in the world for it helped camouflage my bust.  However, I can't buy something with the intent that I would always have to wear something over it.  What if I get hot and want to remove the second layer?

 

So what do you think?  Did I make the right choice rejecting these two items?  I'd love to hear from you.

Have A Great Day!  Amy

Linking up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!

 

Ageless Style: "Show Us Your Fashion Splurges!"

Ageless Style is a monthly style challenge and link up for women of all ages.   Each month we pick a different theme and style an outfit based on that theme.  This month's theme is "Fashion Splurges" and was picked by Marsha.

This month's Ageless Style challenge is to show fashion splurges.  Being a thrifty gal myself, this was a bit of a challenge for me as I get more excited about finding a great fashion bargain, than splurging on fashion.  My favorite stores to shop are TJMaxx, Ross, and JCPenney!  But, I do splurge on certain items, like jeans, hiking clothes, and most importantly hiking boots and shoes.  In my opinion, money really talks in those type of items.  But I really didn't just want to show you just my jeans and hiking clothes,  so I decided to order a Fix from Stitch Fix.

Stitch Fix is an on line personal design service.   I used to get Fix's regularly, at least once a month, but after a while I decided because I'm retired, I really did not need that many new clothes so I canceled my subscription.   Although I love the brands and clothes that are in every Stitch Fix box, I've always considered them kinda pricey for my taste so it is definitely a "splurge" to me to keep something from my Stitch Fix box.

Since summer is nearly over, I asked my Stitch Fix personal fashion designer to send me some new fall trends, and boy, she did not disappoint.  She sent me five items, and I kept three of the five.  I will show you the other two items, but I'll save it for another day.

The three pieces she sent me that I kept are:

41 Hawthorn Roseabel Slim Straight Pant in Olive.  $78.00

Papermoon Tatum Relaxed Blouse in Navy.  $49.00

Liverpool Peplum Jacket in Camel.  $109.00

Keeping the camel Liverpool jacket was a real splurge for me.  I never spent so much money on a lightweight jacket before...a winter coat, yes, but not a light jacket.  BUT IT IS SO CUTE!  And, my husband loved it, plus it went great with the blouse and pants they sent me.  How could I resist?  I decided I would treat myself for once and allow the splurge.  I don't buy a lot of clothes anymore, so I can afford to spend more on fewer pieces.  I also feel just adding one updated, high quality piece to your wardrobe each season is worth it.  

The blouse I felt was over priced too, I could have found a similar one at TJMaxx for less than $20.  But once again, I really loved how the colors in the top matched the jacket so perfectly, and I liked the style too, so spending $49.00 on it really wasn't much of a splurge to me.

The pants are what I would normally pay for a new pair of jeans.  In fact, I just purchased a pair of winter white Kut from the Kloth jeans from a local boutique for $94.00.  I buy one or two new pairs of jeans each winter, so I always stay on trend with the newest styles.  I also feel if you want a really nice pair of jeans, you have to spend at least $75.  

I did have to send these pants back and get another pair one size smaller.  So if they look a little baggy to you, that's why.  They were too big for me.  

I absolutely love this outfit and feel it totally represents me.  It is chic, casual, comfy, yet kinda dressy.  I accessorized it with large bamboo diamond shaped earrings and neutral open toe booties.

 So what about you?  Are there any fashion items you splurge on?  I'd love to hear from you.

Now be sure to check out what items the other ladies in the group splurge on and be sure to link up with us as well.

Have A Great Day!  Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!

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Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style

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Leslie ~ Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After

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Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom

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How To Style Cozy Knits with Stylish Monday

On the second Monday of every month a group of style bloggers and I pick a theme, style an outfit based on that theme, and then do a link up together where you can join too!  This month's theme is "Cozy Knits".

This month the ladies of "Stylish Monday" and I are showing off our "Cozy Knits".  I live in Wisconsin where we have some pretty cold winters, in fact, the day these photos were taking it was frigid -12 degrees...Brr!  Cold days like this call for some very warm clothing so I grabbed one of my oldest knitted sweaters in my closet plus a pair of thick leggings.  I added the tall boots instead of booties to help keep my legs warm.

My favorite way to style cozy knits is with leggings.  I find thick sweaters add a lot of bulk to my frame, especially since the majority of my body weight is above my waist, so I like to wear something "thinner" on my lower half like leggings or skinny jeans.

My eggplant-colored leggings are from Stitch Fix and are named "Kennedy Skinny Pants".   I can see why they call them "pants" as they are a high quality thick Ponte knit, but they are as tight and stretchy as "leggings" so I call them "leggings",

 Although I do prefer to wear a longer top/sweater with these leggings, I don't find I need to have my butt completely covered as I would if I had a cheap, thin pair of leggings on.

My cowl neck sweater is super old.  I've shown it to you many times before on this blog.  You can check out these posts HERE and HERE if you're interested in seeing other ways I've styled this sweater.  It's a very basic sweater in a natural color, so it never goes out of style and there are so many different ways I can wear it.

Joy

Joy -   Joyous Styling    cozy knit are so yummy in the colder temperatures, this sweater knit skirt is on sLe under 23.00 dollars, I love it so much I have it in Ivory.

Lucy

Lucy - Lucy Bertoldi.com  Loving how this cute crochet cardi ties together the whole jumpsuit look.  Making it feel cozy and fun- for the perfect casual chic styling!

Julie

Julie - Fashion Trends and Friends and Instagram FashionTandF -  I’m loving all the knitwear sets that are totally on-trend for the winter!  Think elevated sweatsuit - sweater material joggers and a cute matching sweater top!  The sets are so comfy, cozy and easily split up to be styled with other pieces!  Don’t you love having lots of styling options?!  This is the perfect trend for winters in Illinois!

                                     Nicole

Nicole - High Latitude Style - I have loved knit jumpers all my life. My late mom knitted many of them when I was a kid. I remember a bottle green one with white shoulder section and orange embellishments, a citrus A-line, and a matching skirt and cardigan ensemble in red with green and black stripes. She used acrylic yarn and created super soft, cozy pieces. Her girlfriend, however, knitted wool sweaters. They were so itchy.

Michele

Michele - On Instagram as Seechele_styles - Kicking knits up a notch in my knit sustainable cream boots with a thrifted cream knit ribbed turtleneck.   

                        Andy

Andy - Pearls and Pantsuits - Trend alert! Cable knits are having a moment, so I splurged on this neutral colored cable knit dress from Stitch Fix, and styled it with my tall suede boots. It’s a cozy look, and perfect for winter! Pop on over to the blog to see a few more knit pieces and for my style tips for knitwear for pear shapes.

                                                                             Suzanne

Suzanne - Ask Suzanne Bell - I finally bought a Shacket, and better yet, she’s a sweater! Truly, one of the most versatile pieces I've bought all season, I've found this multi-functioning knit piece can be worn as a jacket, sweater, tunic or layering piece - how fab is that? And since today's post is all about knits, I thought I'd show you a few ways I've styled this neutral-colored plaid wonder this past week.

Nancy

Nancy -  Nancy’s Fashion Style - Knit dresses! Can’t do without in winter, they are just so cozy and warm. This one is a bit older but I love to wear it, especially with sneakers. Can it get any more comfortable?

Emma

Emma - The Style Splash - I probably spend half the year in knitwear of some kind so I have acquired quite a collection over the years. This bright orange sweater with frill detailing is hard to beat though - I love the colour, plus it’s super soft and cosy. It’s great to pair with another bright hue or team with neutrals.

Shelbee

Shelbee - Shelbee on the Edge - This leopard coatigan is one of my favorite knit pieces that I own. I wear it literally all fall and winter long with all sorts of different outfits. Stop by my blog to see what I have styled underneath…hint…it’s more knits!

And Me!

Amy - Amy’s Creative Pursuits -  Living in a cold climate, I survive the winters in cozy knits like this thick cowl neck sweater and warm leggings.

Have A Great Day! Amy

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