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spring style

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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!

Lately, I’ve been indulging a new love of comfortable, rustic-looking clothing that emulate something that someone living on a farm in the early 1900s might have worn. It’s so simple and no fuss, as well as being pretty dang cute- especially when in comes in provincial patterns like plaid and gingham! Because of this strange, newfound love of prairie, farm girl style, discovering the brand Ace & Jig was a surprising treat!

Designed by Cary Vaughan and Jenna Wilson, the mission of the Ace & Jig brand is simple: Create effortless clothing from interesting, eye-popping textiles that can be worn in several ways and for several years. Instead of designing to appeal to the latest trend that will die in a single season, Ace & Jig designs pieces for the long game, in timeless silhouettes that you can layer with other pieces to create new looks day after day, which makes building a wardrobe with a low environmental impact a lot easier!

Not only does Vaughan and Wilson’s brand help to cultivate sustainable fashion, it also empowers women in genuine ways, like employing a group of women in India and paying them fairly to weave their custom textiles. It seems that the essence of the Ace & Jig brand is wholesomeness and an honest desire to improve the world, which is something I have no problem getting behind!

And the clothes are pretty alright, too. I was instantly delighted by the vibrant plaid prints, as well as the surprising ways the outfits were layered, like having an apron-esque, pinafore layered over another dress, or a pair of overalls over a pair of pants made from the same print. All of the layering in the outfits creates depth through interesting silhouettes and refreshing color combinations, that I can’t imagine being unhappy while wearing one of them, and it makes me want to romp through a field of rolling, golden grass with a milk pail in hand.

I think we could all take some notes from Ace & Jig on how to refresh our wardrobes by layering our clothes in innovative ways. We can also probably all agree that the age-old rule that says you can’t mix prints may be a bit outdated.

Check out my favorite looks from their last two collections below:

Fall 2019

Spring 2019

Day 9 of April is here and I’m still trying to cope with the fact that spring has somehow snuck up on us all. Instead of wallowing the death of winter, I decided to celebrate the coming of the warmer season by styling some adorable, spring-inspired dresses paired with some blooming, handmade flower crowns to really channel the spirit of this flowering season!

Since spring is a transitional season that still has its cool days, I added additional layers to each outfit that not only serve to add some extra warmth, but also add some fun details that make the looks truly precious and perfect for celebrating a season so full of life and youth!

Bring your soul back to life by checking out my outfits below:

Porcelain Pink

I really went for that porcelain doll look in this coral pink, linen dress layered over a sheer, blush pink shirt with long sleeves and a frilly, lacy collar that reminds me of a vintage doily (who says grandma chic isn’t a thing?). I added a bit of eclectic fun with a pair of glittery sock boots that are just so much fun to wear!

Pink Dress & Lace-Collared Shirt: Thrifted from Buffalo Exchange. Sparkly Boots: Asos.

Little Forest Scout

The preppy, scout look has always deeply appealed to my girlish sense of style, so I really went for that vibe with this sage green dress layered over an oversized, long-sleeved blouse with a charming neck bow. For finishing touches I added beige knee socks, white platforms for some sass, and an absolutely adorable My Neighbor Totoro watering can that I’m currently obsessed with and happened to perfectly match my getup.

Green Dress: H&M. Blouse With Neck Bow: Thrifted from Goodwill. Derek Lam Platforms: Thrifted from Buffalo Exchange.

Light and Airy Pleats

For extra warm and sunny days, a light-as-air dress with all-over micropleats will do just the trick! I love the soft blue color that pairs so well with the off white of the platform sneakers and lovely, lace collar that peeks out the top and adds a bit of fancy detail. And this flower crown is one of my all time favorites that I’ve ever made! Little leaf ears- so cute!

Pleated Dress: Oak & Fort. Sheer Shirt with High Collar: Forever21. Platform Sneakers: Converse.

Spring Sailor

Again, my little, preppy heart skipped a beat when I saw this chambray, sailor-inspired dress. I love the square bib and the drop-waist skirt, which both add to the playful, girly vibe of the dress, which is so swishy and light, that it’s perfect for a spring day! I layered it over a sheer, collared shirt with a cute heart pattern just for a bit more detail, and finished the look off with some black sock boots for a modern, stylish touch.

Sailor Dress: Urban Outfitters. Sheer Heart Shirt with Collar & Sock Boots: Forever21.

I’m telling you guys, spring is definitely dress season, so it’s time to pack your wardrobe full of a bunch of super cute options! And if they work well as layering pieces, that’s even better!

Also, making flower crowns is one of my favorite hobbies, so if you like what you see and think you would like to buy one, let me know and I’ll think of putting some up for sale! Until next time~~

April is already nearly a third of a way through, which means I’m having a crisis because time is moving too fast, but it also means that SPRING HAS SPRUNG. And that means the weather is, regrettably, warming up, and we all need to pull out our spring wardrobes and dust them off again.

spring is the perfect time to wear dresses because dresses can be easily layered with sweaters or jackets to stave off the chill on cooler days, but also work great on their own for warmer weather. For the past few seasons, it seems like the ~*prairie girl chic*~ style has reigned supreme as the casual dress trend of choice, led by Batsheva and her army of feminine, fresh, farmer girls in pretty, puff-sleeved creations that have inspired me to add more puff sleeves to my own wardrobe.

If you want to add some puff-sleeved whimsicality to your own spring styles, check out all of my favorite puff-sleeved dresses available for purchase now:

Frilly Femininity

Look like a lovely, vintage dolly in this frilly dress with puff sleeves, eyelet details around the collar and puff sleeves, and a flouncy, tiered skirt that will have you falling in love!

free people nanette dress puff sleeves spring 2019 prairie victorian vintage fashion style the young eclectic

Free People Nanette Dress – $325

Plaid Puffy Party

Plaid is currently a huge part of my wardrobe (keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming plaid-themed editorial!) so I was instantly attracted to this vividly-colorful, long dress with the subtlest of puffed sleeves. Paired with sneakers, it’s a great spring look!

asos neon rose maxi tea dress with puff sleeves in bold check spring 2019 prairie vintage fashion style the young eclectic

Asos Rose Maxi Tea Dress – $67

Sweet, Pink Denim

You wouldn’t think that vintage, prairie details would look good rendered in a more modern material like denim, but I think this dress manages to pull it off well, making the dress look more structured and substantial. Not to mention, denim has been a lifelong obsession of mine, so of course I couldn’t leave this one off the list!

ulla johnson wilona puff sleeve denim dress spring 2019 prarie fashion style the young eclectic

Ulla Johnson Wilona Puff Sleeve Denim Dress via Nordstrom – $375

Artsy & Architectural

It’s no secret that I love a good, crisp white shirt or dress, so this one with the simple V-neckline and ruched, balloon, puff sleeves definitely appeals to my simple fashion sensibilities. The crispness of it really gives it an architectural, art-student vibe I love!

zara poplin dress with balloon sleeves puff spring 2019 prairie style fashion the young eclectic

Zara Poplin Dress with Balloon Sleeves – $49.90

Love In Knit

This knitted masterpiece features a high neckline, charming, ruffled bib and some long, puff sleeves for a truly marvelous look that I would love to rock on a first date. Even the deep, red color is giving major romantic vibes!

reformation chapel dress puf sleeves spring 2019 cute prairie style fashion the young eclectic

Reformation Chapel Dress – $118

Vintage, Bohemian Babe

The simplicity of this linen dress with wooden buttons down the front is astounding and also very alluring. In this dress, it looks like you should be in the mountains of Austria, singing about how the hills are alive with the sound of music. Julie Andrews-level singing ability not included, unfortunately.

free people jayma midi dress puff sleeves spring 2019 prairie cute fashion style the young eclectic

Free People Jayma Midi Dress – $108

Chic Simplicity

A good, white dress is necessary to get you through the endless days of spring and summer. Not only will the light color help to keep you cool, but it’s also a fashionable choice that you can never go wrong with. It will also match pretty much any accessories you choose, so there’s no losing with this one!

zara puffy sleeved dress puff sleeves spring 2019 prairie cute fashion style the young eclectic

Zara Puffy Sleeved Dress – $69.90

Prairie Princess

This midi dress charmed the pants straight off me, with its sweet, floral print, high neck, and Victorian-style, long, poofy sleeves. This dress feels like it materialized straight from an old romance novel and I can’t get enough! The back is also open, which gives the dress a bit more sex appeal, for those of you who don’t just want to look like a character from a Laura Ingalls Wilder novel.

reformation abigale dress puff sleeves spring 2019 prarie cute style fashion the young eclectic

Reformation Abigale Dress – $218

Prim & Proper

All of the little, sheer portions of this prim, white dress give it a bit of modern flair, while the relaxed silhouette and full sleeves channel our favorite vintage, prairie style that is perfect for spring!

sea poppy pintuck puff sleeve midi dress spring 2019 vintage prairie fashion style the young eclectic

SEA Poppy Pintuck Puff Sleeve Dress via Nordstrom – $485

Tangerine Dream

This sheer, bright orange dress was so much fun for my eyes that I had to include it on the list, even though it’s almost sold out. The entire bodice is sheer, creating a ton of fun opportunities for innovative, eclectic layering (psst- keep a lookout for my upcoming editorial on creative layering!) which I’m pretty much obsessed with right now. Fun, playful layering is such a big trend for spring, a dress like this one would be perfect!

hannah kristina metz dress bando puff sleeves spring 2019 prairie cute orange style fashion the young eclectic

Hannah Kristina Metz Blythe Dress via Ban.do – $99.95

I hope you liked this quick roundup of some super cute, spring dresses you can incorporate into your warm weather wardrobes! Keep your eyes peeled for more upcoming editorials and let me know if you like these types of articles, so I can do more of them!