Wardrobe Project: Chic Mom

Rebecca, my sister-in-law, is a beautiful, young mother who has naturally great taste and style. She asked me to help her with shopping and putting her wardrobe together. She lives in Northern California and feels like she is in a funk with her style. With her permission, I am going to write about the process.

Here is me and Rebecca after all the shopping with our matching necklaces. We both really needed these.

Rebecca was used to wearing tighter fitting clothing because she has an a amazing figure and is TINY! Who knew they made size 24 jeans??? The style right now is a little bit looser. However, Rebecca is so tiny and petite that tight jeans and pants are the only way to go. I wanted her tops a bit looser so that there would be a contrast. The goal was for  Rebecca to look sophisticated and chic. I wanted her wardrobe to be composed of only things that could all work together. I wanted it streamlined and intermixed. Here are some things that we found for Rebecca and the process:

The Tops:
I wanted Rebecca to have 5-6 tops and sweaters and 1 great military jacket. A few a bit dressy but still wearable for the everyday. She goes out with her girlfriends and her husband and likes to look a bit dressier.  She has plenty of causal clothing for lounging and going to the park. She wanted me to bring her wardrobe to a more fashionable and chic level.

Zara striped wrap blouse

Anthropologie Here and there tee

Anthropologie trapeze baseball tee

Anthropologie vest

Anthropologie washed denim buttondown

Gap chambray boyfriend shirt

Gap tank

Gap pure cotton pullover sweater

Zara jacket

Bottoms:

Gap deconstructed 1969jeans

Gap 1969 Legging skimmer jean

Gap 1969 Always skinny skimmer jean

Gap 1969 Legging jeans

Shoes:

Zara Lacquered Platform shoes

Zara Combination high heel sandal

Haviana Slim illusion flip flops

Jefferey Cambell In Love Flat

Accessories:

Anthropologie Chasca necklace

(Rebecca's is in a different color scheme available in stores)

J Crew Wildside wide bangle

Ray-Ban Thick Cateye Wayfarer sunglasses

Rebecca Minkoff M.A.C Shoulder bag

Belts: A great belt makes an outfit.  It is a great way to add an interesting pop to your ensemble.  Here are some belts I picked:

Gap Animal Calf Hair belt

J Crew cork belt

J Crew snakeskin covered buckle belt

J Crew snakeskin covered buckle belt

Here is Rebecca in some of the outfits I picked for her:

Bangs!

I was inspired by these photos and thought I would try some bangs. Keep things fresh. Hair grows back; worst case scenario:

p.s. These are the Jenni Kayne look-a-likes that I am living in lately. I have these in taupe too. They are buttery soft and super comf.

Going to the Desert and What to Wear!

This is the second year my mother-in-law and I have gone to the BNP Paribas Open in Palm Desert. I LOVE this tournament and staying in Palm Desert is my favorite! Here is a photo of us from last year:

Here is what I am going to wear this year: It is going to be hot, super sunny and we are going to be going out for dinner every night.  My sister-in-laws are coming too so it will be great to see everyone!

For the tennis:

1. J Crew vinatge cotton v-neck t-shirt

2. AR Trap 3389 sunglasses

3. Lizzie Fortunato scale in lime bracelet

4. J Crew summer straw hat

5. Lizzie Fortunato crossroads necklace

6. J Crew Linen scarf

7. Rebecca Minkhoff Barb sandal

8. J Crew 9 inch chino shorts

For the night out:

Beverly Jacobs Spring 2013 Lookbook

Get your lounge on

I recently had a client ask me about clothes to lounge around in.  I think this is the area of our wardrobe that we typically let go, in order to save money on the things that no one is really ever going to see.  I don't think anyone needs to or has to spend a lot of money on clothes to hang around in, but we all want to look somewhat put together in case a neighbor comes by.  We don't want to be in our husband's college t-shirt and sweats.  Here are some alternatives to that look:)

Zara slub cotton trousers

Gap sunkissed sweatpants

These are SUPER comf and look great with a loose t-shirt. They come in 3 cute colors too.

Gap Terry funnel neck top

Gap striped French terry funnel neck top

This top above is so cute with these (see link above for sunkissed sweat pants)

These pants are soft, cozy and look great with some flip flops and a t-shirt.  

Zara v-neck t-shirt

Zara special marl t-shirt

Zara square t-shirt

This t-shirt is my fave. I ordered it in almost every color. It is the perfect shirt to throw on and go. Not to mention it is an endlessly forgiving cut. Great for a Sunday evening after a weekend of big meals!

And to top off these cozy ensembles I like a super-soft wrap sweater or hoodie (the sweater will cost you but you will wear this everywhere, and it is super versitile (dress it up or down)--well worth it!

Club Monaco Cashmere Hoodie sweater

A great cozy shoe to put on with all of this:

Minnetonka Moccasin boots 

This color appears to be sold out most places, but I love the dusty brown and black too.

A great military jacket goes a long way

When I was client shopping I came across so many great military jackets. This is the perfect item to bridge winter and spring and it also pulls together an outfit and makes you look chic.  Buyer beware: A too poofy or bad cut will make you look frumpy.  It is key to find the right fit, color and detailing to give you edge not age!

Here are some yes's and how to wear them:

Madewell outbound jacket

H and M jacket

H and M jacket

H and M jacket

Forever 21 Studded Utility jacket

J Crew Army fatigue jacket

I love this bangle with all of these jackets: edgy, cool and interesting:

Lulu frost for j crew bangle

In a Lookbook:

Clockwise from top:

Madewell black Silk picket stripe tee in true black

Lulu frost for J Crew bangle

Needsupply Leonard in Horn sunglasses

Mango leather tote with metallic panel (I lOVE this real leather, gorg tote for such a fair price!)

J crew cropped matchstick in Marquette wash jeans

These shoes are super cool with this too if you are feeling daring:

Beverly Jacobs Lookbook