My Summer Style Guide- How to Dress for the Country
I consider myself a pretty lucky gal to have grown up in the country and even luckier to be spending part of my summer there. I love the wide open spaces, the tall grass, the lovely creatures, the soothing sounds and crisp air. When I go frolicking in the country side I always remember to wear flats, and something with movement. The air moves differently in the country, so you want something with layers or frills so that it catches and dances. And I like the rustic look of the burlap clutch.
Chambray shirt- Old
Dress- My Ma’s old skirt
Flats- Blowfish
Clutch- RACHELelsie
Sunnies- H&M
Are you guys spending some time in a beautiful countryside this summer? Or are you gets strutting in your heels around a chic urban city?
Either way, I hope you’re having fun.
My Summer Style Guide- How to Dress for a Festival
I asked my lovely guest writers to share what they would/are wearing to a summer festival. This week I am a very lucky girl and I’m heading down to Portland Maine to see the Gentlemen of the Road festival featuring Mumford and Sons. I couldn’t be more jazzed, especially to wear this dress to the festival. I scored this baby at a charming vintage shop. To me it is perfect festival wear because it’s casual, comfortable but still really pretty with this floral print. When heading to a festival it’s important to wear hat for added sun protection. But most importantly comfortable shoes are a must, I’m wearing my moccasins because they are really comfortable and durable for unpredictable terrain.
Dress- Vintage (similar)
Hat- Le Chateau (similar)
Bag- Spring
Shoes- Locally Made
The only thing I might change about this outfit before I head out to the show is changing the satchel to a backpack.
I hope you guys get to enjoy a summer music festival or two, and if you do I want to hear all about it!
much love.
Menswear Monday
First, is there anything nicer than crisp new jeans? They look so good and fresh. Second, this is a perfect example of how you need to select colors that compliment your skin tone. Hubster has a lot of pink in his complexion, so wearing red only emphasis it. But here he chose to wear burgundy because it’s in the same family as red so you get a similar feel, but it’s darker and doesn’t make him look the same shade of red all over.
Happy Monday Loves!
much love.
P.S. His whole outfit is brought to you by Old Navy!
Shapes Over Styles
I just to have a certain style, when I was a teen I was, well, a punk kid. Can you believe it? I’m a little embarrassed. Anyway, the point being that I only wore punk style clothing like ratty jeans, studded belts, band tees and the like. I didn’t care so much about fit or shape. Now I base all my clothing decisions on shape and fit. I usually select dress that fit on the top and flare on the bottom to cover the parts of myself that I’m unhappy about (hello thunder thighs). I think that has been my biggest lesson in style. I don’t get hung up on things like whether I think I can pull off the bohemian or glam or retro or sporty look, I embrace all sorts of look as long as the fit is right.
Dress - H&M (similar)
Shoes- Blowfish (similar)
Bag- Aldo
Necklace- DIY
Sunnies- Old Navy (similar)
Isn’t that pup the cutest?
How do you guys feel about this? Do you go for a certain look first (quirky or conservative or mod) then worry about fit or are you looking for great shapes first?
much love.
Hit Or Miss
I have been reading Diane Keaton’s autobiography Then Again (which is fantastic BTW) and there are some gorgeous photos of her during her Annie Hall days. I was feeling so inspired by her menswear look, it’s so classic, iconic even. So, I decided to put together a Diane Keaton inspired look, but I put a little spin on it by adding a bright print. I was pretty happy with this look until the Hubster said I looked like Blossom. Now I am a little torn, is this classic like Diane or dated like Blossom?
Dress- Old Navy (similar)
Vest- Smart Set (similar)
Shoes- Blowfish (similar)
Clutch- Btwn Wind & Water
Hat- H&M (similar)
Scarf- Thrifted
I have been taking a very hard look at this outfit and now I am starting to fall on the side that I might look like Blossom in this photos. But is that a bad things? She is a classic character.
What do you guys think Hit or Miss?
I promise you won’t hurt my feelings if you think it’s a miss.
much love.
Guest Post by Dash Dot Dotty.
Today’s guest post is by Dotty from Dash Dot Dotty! She is one of my favorite bloggers; her photos are magnificent, her locations are great and her style is so chic! I’m so thrilled she’s here today!
Guest Post by Threads and Buttons:The Inspired Kelley
Today’s Guest Blogger is Kelley from Threads and Buttons! I am so happy that she made her way onto my lil blog. Kelley is so cute, she has an incredible ability to thrift shop and tells hilarious stories! Her blog is so beautiful and the photography is fantastic, I couldn’t be more honored to have her here!
Hey there Fabric Strips and Ruby Lips readers. My name is Kelley, and if we haven’t met yet over at my blog Threads and Buttons, well then nice to meet cha (insert virtual handshake here)! Usually I’m over on my blog sharing outfit posts, thrifting tips, recipes, photographs (I’m actually a photographer), DIYs, and whatever else happens to be on my mind, but this morning Roxie was nice enough to invite me on over to spend the day with you guys while she is relaxing with family. So, I’m going to share an outfit post with you and then, as per Roxie’s request, give you some insight into what inspires me and my fashion.
On with the outfit!
Shoes: Target (Similar) – Jeans: Thrifted (Express) – Top: Thrifted – Belt: DIY shown HERE
Sweater: Thrifted – Necklace: Target then spray painted
When Roxie told be that my guest post should discuss what inspires me and my fashion, I was afraid. Is it just me, or does that sometimes seem like a question that is just begging for a cliché answer (although I KNOW that’s not the kind of answer Roxie was looking for)?
It kinda feels like that job interview question where they ask you your biggest flaws and you don’t know whether to be honest (“I tend to fall asleep at my desk around 3:30 out of boredom…”) or just totally make something up (“I push myself WAY too hard when it comes to filing paperwork and impressing big name clients.”).
For some reason I feel like I’m not fashionably inspired in the way I’m supposed to be. The runway isn’t very appealing to me, Vogue is not my Bible, and when I see a fashion blog with stiletto heels, flowing gowns, brand names that make my bank account cry, and an angry, hungry model starring me down, I tend to scream out of fear and never return to that site ever again (except perhaps in my nightmares). Instead, I turn back to the blogs that I enjoy.
I read blogs for lots of different reasons: Some of them are stinking HILARIOUS (Tales of an Ordinary House Wife, Feathers and Freckles, etc.); some of them are written by ladies that I would like to be friends with because they just seem too sweet to be real (Love Ramsey, Snappy Casual, The Daybook, Jen Loves Kev, etc.), some have beautiful photography (A Beautiful Mess,Girl and Closet, Ben Blood, etc.), and some put together outfits that are just too dang cute not to drool over (Kendi Everyday, Lucy Laucht, Sunday Crossbow, etc.)!
What I’ve found, is that in order for a blog to make it to my “daily reads” list, it usually has a balance of all of these qualities (silly, sweet author, appealing photography, beautiful outfits) while also possessing one more trait. The authors and their outfits are REAL. Not only do the ladies seem genuine, but their outfits look like something that normal people would wear in their everyday lives. Yes, we all like to get dressed up sometimes, and some of us live fancier lives than others (I would be one of the “others” in this situation), but are we really ALWAYS in high heels and silk dresses? If you are, awesome, say hello to the queen for me, but I’m not. So, while my list is EVER changing, these are the blogs (in no particular order) that I think fit me best and inspire me on a daily basis right now.
So yea, I know that was a LONG drawn out explanation, but that’s how I find fashion inspiration. Where do YOU look for inspiration?
It was great hanging out with you guys! Don’t be strangers, make sure to leave your inspiration location comments below and stop by my blog Threads and Buttons to say hello!
-The Inspired Kelley
