23 Aug
Fashionably Modest (Thrifted): Casually Preppy
I tend to like to dress up, and so what you see here isn’t always representative of what I’ve got on while I’m bumming around the house. Who wants to see me in unwashed hair and a flour covered wal-mart dress anyhow? I was heading out to run errands in something a bit more casual than usual though, so I asked TH to snag a picture before I left. Three things:
Holy cow I am tan. Thank you running! Also thank you to the dermatologist who finally cured the rash on my face (I got myself addicted to a steroid cream, which is why you should only take your prescription *as directed* and actually do the follow-ups when the doctor tells you to come back in.
Also I realize these shoes don’t really match, but my options for non-black shoes include a pair of pink flats (out because of the shade of red in the skirt), my yellow wedding heels (too dressy), my coral heels (out again because of the red in the skirt) and a pair of red peep-toes (too dressy). So I’m stuck with this thrifted pair of wedges that give my toes blisters every single time I wear them, and thus really need to be sent back to the thrift store ASAP. I need to get some casual footwear in brown. Is that what you would pair with this combination? Or would some red flats be better? I always struggle with navy.
I am in love with this skirt. It’s stretchy and soft and feels more like pajamas than anything else. And it has pockets.
Shirt: Lacoste, $1.75
Skirt: Sonoma Lifestyle, $6
Shoes: $7
Necklace: Avocado from Etsy, Gift
Total: $14.75
I'm a farm-raised almost-crunchy stroller-pushing picture-taking lifestyle-blog-writing gastronomy-obsessed divine-seeking thrift-store-combing cheese-inhaling pavement-pounding laughter-sprinkling lover of individuality and taking chances.
I Googled “Red white and blue outfits” and found these:
http://www.thinkthrufashion.com/2009/07/one-independence-day-weekend-6-different-looks/
Seems like she’s wearing white, gold, and navy options with her same color scheme.
http://www.chictopia.com/photo/show/303645-lovebirds-blue-forever-21-dress-red-vintage-belt-red-kimchi-blue-shoes-white-cotto
Found this and she’s wearing casual red flats
http://www.chictopia.com/photo/show/255809-Nautical+Themed+Pashmina+Afghan-red-f21-dress-blue-thrifted-shirt-white-chloe-shoes
Found this and she’s wearing white.
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Jenna Reply:
August 23rd, 2011 at 9:46 am
This Chictopia site is AWESOME. I’m going to pin a whole bunch of outfits from there.
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Meg Reply:
August 23rd, 2011 at 10:51 am
I laughed so hard because I checked my Pinterest right after I read this comment and said “Wow! She really did pin a lot”
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I love the skirt!
Try to find a metallic pair of shoes (strappy sandals, wedges, flats…whatever makes your heart sing). They’ll go with everything and will add a bit of flair to even the most casual of outfits
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2I agree that metallic shoes are a great neutral. I wear my gold flats with everything.
I also think a yellow top would look cute with that skirt and your current shoes.
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3This is definitely something I wear all time. Comfy, casual, preppy. Honestly, if it were me running errands, I would throw on a pair of flip flops and call it a day. The cheap $5 Old Navy ones are great for this! I would prob wear my black ones and not care if it doesn’t match exactly, well, because that’s what I have. But with $5 flops, you could get a few pairs for cheap (navy ones, black ones, white even).
Or maybe a cute brown sandal, wedge or espadrille if you want something more than a flip flop on the go.
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4Look at you! So cute! Don’t shy away from a belt here - your midsection is likely tinier than you realize!!
I’d wear yellow or navy shoes with this one. Maybe silver or gold, but probably not brown.
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5I would ware casual yellow, navy, or nude/brown flats. I would probably lean more towards the yellow though!
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6I my goodness I look like an idiot. I can spell, meant wear not ware!
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7I think I would have worn the pink flats. Mixing pinks is always preppy. Love the outfit, my perfect summer wear is a jersey skirt and polo shirt, great for anything from the office to a picnic. I would have worn flip flops or flat gladiator type sandals in silver as that’s what I have. I tend to pair colored flip flops with navy.
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8I would pick up a pair of nude colored flats for things like this. White would be lovely, but who wants to keep white shoes clean? Payless has cute ones for under $20.
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9Agree with others about metallic shoes (aren’t they trendy right now for an additional bonus?). I have a pair of gold Born heels that are super comfortable (these ones: http://www.bornshoes.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=6186) and I wear them with everything. Bonus: heels make your legs look better if you have stubby calves like me. A little pricey but shoes are worth the investment I think.
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10it’s been suggested already, but i really recommend investing in a metallic shoes. i don’t wear heels much, but i wear gold and silver flats and sandals ALL THE TIME. they go with everything. a pair of silver sandals and some silver accessories would be perfect with that outfit.
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11I agree with the ladies above, you can’t go wrong with metallics. I’m taking my silver ballet pumps on holiday to go with my navy/red/white wardrobe (I really don’t wear gold!!!!!)
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12I would wear some cute tennis shoes with this; the athletic nature of the fabrics scream for a casual shoe. And not like running shoes (then you’d just look like an old lady), something like keds or chuck taylors or something. I paired tennis shoes with a skirt here: http://harmonsquad.blogspot.com/2011/06/sunday-best_27.html
And if you’re not a tennis shoe kind of person, some canvas flats are great substitutes!
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13I have some cheepo flats from Forever Shoes that I bought for about 12 bucks. They are silver and I LOVE wearing them with navy. I also have some inexpensive gold sandals from Old Navy that work wonderfully with the blue tones. Right now a lot of places like Old Navy, Target, etc. seem like they are having sales on flats and sandals so its a fun time to grab a few pairs for 50-75% off - for some reason I always love a shoe more when I grab it at a marked down price
I think the best shoe advice I got consisted of suggesting that you spend more money on the staples (nice black leather boots, black stilettos/heels, brown heels, etc) and then supplement with trendy shoes at cheaper prices. I love my black boots and although it hurt to buy them, I feel they were worth the 150 because after 5 years of wearing them all the time, they are still looking brand new. On the other side, I spent 12 bucks on some trendy zebra shoes and won’t be upset when they wear out in a year or two because by then the fad will have faded anyway
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Hayley Marie Reply:
August 23rd, 2011 at 10:47 am
http://www.oprah.com/style/6-Must-Have-Shoes/5#slideshow
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I would go with brown shoes or black!!! you look gorgeous!!!
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15I agree with the previous posters about Metallic shoes. I have a pair of pewter sandals that I wear practically daily and a couple pairs of silver/pewter flats that I love as well. Perfect for unmatchable outfits. I also like to mix random shoes with outfits, sometimes even if they don’t match, they work better than something that does match.
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16I highly suggest you invest in a pair of toms!! They are a little on the pricey side but my friend swears you can occasionally find them at places like Nordstrom rack. They are super comfy and look great with pretty much anything. Get a neutral pair or some thing fun and you won’t ever regret it! Plus, you’ll be giving a pair of shoes to kids in need!
http://www.toms.com/
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Melanie Reply:
August 24th, 2011 at 7:12 am
I second this! I got a pair for my birthday, and they are amazing! SO COMFY!
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I’m going to agree with other commenters, I love metallics with Navy. I have a gold pair of flats and a silver pair and they are almost ragged I wear them so much!
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18I tend to wear red and navy/ red and aqua quite often ( as recently pointed out to me by a friend
) and my go-to shoe pairings are nude, silver, gray or gold (gold a little less often only because my gold shoes are all peep toe or sandals and I work in a lab). Gap has these great, fold-up ballet flats that are pretty cheap. I have them in silver, nude and red. This outfit would be really cute with a pair of Keds or Toms, too, IMO.
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19Your face looks so tan! You look happy and healthy
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20I’m in the casual, non-running-type tennis shoe camp.
As an Apostolic Pentecostal, I wear skirts all the time, and I pair casual polos and tees with jersey skirts often for casual summer wear. I’d go with something along the line of Chucks, Keds, or Toms. They make metallic color ranges in a lot of those types of shoe-I know several people with silver Toms.
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21GREAT tan and loooove the nautical hotness here!
And so many good ideas on the shoes!!! I definitely agree on investing in a metallic pair… goes with 90% of things! Unforch, it’s my belief that this outfit would be in the uncovered 10% : / To me, preppy =/= metallic. Definitely something brown or tan. And I totally agree with the $5 Old Navy flip flop idea!!!
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22Oh goodness, i do love a good thrifted outfit! If I were wearing that, I think I’d scrounge up a pair of yellow flats. I think they would look darling!
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23These:
http://www.clarksusa.com/eng/product/plush_madras/87674
They go with everything. I also have another pair of Clarks ballet flats in the same color and I wear them several times a week. A chestnut brown color will also work.
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24I always have a hard time matching navy! But, I agree with the others who suggested a metallic (either silver or gold). With this outfit, I think a pair of white flip flops would have looked perfect.
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25Love this outfit - it’s something I could wear to school. Has me re-thinking my outfit for tomorrow in fact! Thanks Jenna
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26I would def go for a flat with this outfit, but something super casual rather than a “fancier” leather, suede, or patent leather. I have some simple silver canvas flats from H&M that would go well, or something slightly more athletic work be cute too.
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27My vote is for some tan flats
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