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Maybe you’re like me, and keep clothes like pets or beloved family members, making them impossible to let go (I’m working on it- okay?). Having the same clothes forever can lead to them feeling stale and uninspired, breeding feelings of apparel apathy. There are few things I hate more than wearing the same outfit over and over, so I have to innovate within my own wardrobe to keep things fresh. Otherwise, I’d want to spend way too much money buying new things to keep my ravenous desire for unique outfits slaked.

While it can be frustrating some mornings when I look into my closet, bursting with way too many clothes for one woman, and proclaim “I have nothing to wear!”, a blessing to come from my obsession with escaping wardrobe boredom is the birth of some outfits that are pretty dang cute. For this editorial, I put together some joyous little ensembles with some playful layering that I think emulates the liveliness of the spring season, incorporating plenty of floral-esque colors that are a landmark of spring style.

I hope these fun, little ‘fits can inspire you to try to reinvent your own wardrobe without having to buy anything new! Think of it as some kind of puzzle or game, and see what kinds of things you can come up with that you may not have thought of before. I’m sure you’ll be surprised at how many ways there are to wear one piece of clothing!

Check out my creations below:

Lovely Denim Doll

Anyone who knows me knows that denim is a major theme in my wardrobe, and there is pretty much nothing I can do to resist a cute, denim dress- especially one that’s good for layering. I paired this one with a sweet, pink shirt with puff sleeves and a round collar to give the whole outfit a vintage, doll-like, girlish feel, a look that I’m really into right now. The blouse even has a print of tiny hearts that contributes to the unique and quirky aesthetic.

Top & Dress: Thrifted from Goodwill. Shoes: Converse.

Green Gardener

In a pair of khaki shorts and a green shirt the color of newly-sprouted leaves, I felt like some kind of scout, ranger, or gardener that spends all day sowing new seeds for spring. I layered a loose-knit, sleeveless sweater over the oversized, green button up for an extra layer of detail to give the outfit some depth and texture. All I need now is a cute, little beret and I’ll be all set!

Green Shirt: H&M. White Sweater: Thrifted from Goodwill. Khaki Shorts: Uniqlo. Shoes: Converse.

Sheer Beauty

I’m going to be honest, I’ve had this sheer, long-sleeved shirt for a very long time and haven’t managed to wear it pretty much ever, and I was on the brink of giving up on it entirely before this outfit. I managed to find it a home paired with a light pink, cropped sweater that features a ton of shimmering embellishments like beading and sequins. I think the pink, floral embroidery layered over all of that snazzy beading has a cool effect, and the whole outfit gets a preppy treatment when paired with a voluminous skirt and some sneakers. This outfit almost makes me like a spring cheerleader, and I’m obsessed!

Sheer Top: Forever 21. Beaded Sweater: Thrifted vintage. Skirt: Oak + Fort. Shoes: Converse.

More Pink, Please

Pairing a pink top with pink pants? A bold move- but why not? I totally embraced my clownish side with this fun, layered outfit that includes a tunic/mini dress (that I usually wear as pajamas, but who’s asking) with ruffled, bell sleeves layered over a sheer, white blouse with ruffled, bell sleeves. I think the double layer of ruffled sleeves is what makes this outfit truly special! And all of the pink- how could we forget that?

Pink Dress: Zara. White Blouse: H&M. Pants: Banana Republic. Collar Necklace: Forever 21. Shoes: Converse.

Inspired yet? If not, stick around because I have another editorial coming soon!

If you’re living in the Northern Hemisphere at least one thing is probably obvious to you: It’s December and that means it’s winter around these parts and even if you live in a hot and steamy locale like lovely Texas, and winter might not be as cold as your mental image of a white winter, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t get just a little chilly occasionally (think- those days where you walk outside and you don’t instantly start sweating). And when it’s chilly, layers become an integral part of your style choices because they give you the option to add or subtract warmth as you go, which can be very convenient if you traverse in and out of doors with frequency.

I happen to love fall and winter fashion precisely because of the layering. The more layers, the more possibilities- and one of my favorite things to do is figure out ways to wear my clothes that I’ve never thought of before. I put together a few outfits that make creative use of layering to celebrate the colder weather. Check out my creations below:

Velvet and Faux Fur: A Match Made In Heaven

Velvet is one of the most indulgent materials of the winter season and it pairs so well with the shabby-chic vibe of my thrifted, faux fur jacket. Plus, I layered a sheer, high-collared shirt underneath for an extra layer of detail that really made this fancy look pop.

Festive (?) Black

Are you questioning whether or not black can be festive? This is an interesting question, one that perhaps deserves a separate discussion. For now, check out the way I layered this flowing velvet/satin shirt over a high-collared, vintage Victorian shirt which I thrifted in high school to play an 1800s rich woman on the go at our annual art gallery event. A red plaid jacket, some glittery sock boots and a gold key pin worn directly over the heart finish off this otherwise understated look with festive flair.

Sexier-Than-Normal Librarian

When I first styled this outfit, I was really skeptical that it would actually look good, and to be honest, the jury is still out. I paired my long, thrifted plaid, pleated skirt (honestly a dream find that has been rotting in my closet since high school before I rediscovered it) with a velvet mock-neck top and a funky loose-knit blouse. Some dangling tassel earrings were the finishing touch. Perhaps the best part of the outfit are these cute little block heels- they remind me so much of Barbie shoes that they never fail to make me smile! 

Bombshell Ingenue Looking For Love

Honestly, I might have saved the best for last. Just look at how cute this ruffled, green dress is layered over a mock-neck, short-sleeve sweater. And with a black peacoat on top, I look like I belong in a romance novel, searching for love during the loneliest season of the year. Of course I added a white rose to the look, just to drum up drama. Why  not?

If you liked these outfits, thanks! I appreciate it! If they’re not your thing, that’s totally fine because most of the fun of fashion is having different perspectives and learning and collaborating with each other! Stay tuned for even more styled shoots in the near future!

The beauty in myth is that they all serve to teach us a valuable lesson- Icarus let his hubris launch him into the sky, only for him to come crashing back down, a beautiful, blazing glory. While Clare Waight Keller used Icarus to inspire the Givenchy Pre-Fall 2019 collection, it did not fly too high for its own good. In fact, it too, has a valuable lesson to teach- the art of layering.

 In the Fall and Winter seasons, it may be tempting to put style aside and just focus on keeping warm, but this collection serves as a reminder that Winter fashion is just so damn fun, so why not take advantage of it? One look sees a cinched dress pulled over a high-neck collared top for a prim, pressed style. Another pairs a soft, slouchy knit sweater with a crisp, pleated skirt. Every outfit plays with your expectations of color, pattern, line, material- begetting looks that are chicly unique.

Perhaps one of my favorite looks sees a structured,  super-cropped jacket paired nicely with a long, classic-looking, yellow dress, creating a stimulating juxtaposition of length. Plus, the collection employs one of my all-time favorite shoe looks- a tall, slouchy boot coupled with a long, flowing dress. 

While myth and legend can serve as muses for the most dramatic of collections, Givenchy’s newest collection is understated and sleek- a modern crash course in how to put together a thoughtful outfit. I was struck and inspired by the smart use of length and layers, married gorgeously with architectural lines and varying delightful textures. This collection proposes a thesis we should all heed- when consideration goes into the choice of each piece in an ensemble, the results will be nothing short of elegance. Excellent tailoring helps too.

Check out a few of my favorite looks from the collection below:

All photos found on Vogue.com courtesy of Givenchy.