Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Pure & Simple

Shirt: Goodwill, $3 // Blazer: Vintage via Goodwill, $5 // Jeans: Tilt, $18 // Shoes: Vintage, thrifted, $1

I put on this outfit as you see it and was satisfied. Then, I found myself feeling obligated to add an accessory though I didn't want to. That got me to thinking about the concept of simplicity. Is it lazy to dress simply? Can only certain people look chic in a minimal outfit? Does a good simple outfit have to include an unusual, eye-catching piece of clothing, or can you dress in basics from head to toe and still be stylish? I think my natural style tends to be pretty darn simple, but I kind of fight it.  Don't get me wrong; I love jewelry (and hats and scarves and so on) as much as the next girl, but sometimes I add accents in an attempt to look more stylish. When really... I just want to keep it simple. Thoughts?

48 comments:

Kristi said...

I really love the simplicity. And the shoes add a little extra pop to the outfit!

sarahannnoel said...

As much as I love gaudy looks on others, I tend toward simple, understated looks for myself. I think fashion is just right when you're comfortable with yourself and expressing the way you feel--if you're in a simple mood, dress simply. I could be the girl in four inch heels and a tutu one day, and jeans with flats the next. That's the fun in dressing up.

DMKG said...

I think it's perfect!
~Dana
www.dailydoseofdana.tumblr.com

caroline duke said...

$1 shoes?! i love them.

and your hair looks so cute up!

Lorana said...

I love this outfit! It's simple yet looks comfy :]

Katie Aman said...

I think simplicity is always very chic and stylish-but the fun shoe is enough to make the outfit truly unique-this is lovely!

Kimberellie said...

Huh, it is such a personal thing! I find I am actually the opposite. I just don't feel right about an outfit if it is too simple. I always feel more me when I pile on the extras.

But sometimes if I have something that is just the perfect fit, a dress, a blazer, a skirt, whatever, than I very much want to keep it simple. And then I know what you mean, there is that sort of "obligation". I don't know. It is a fine fashion line!

heart:

purplestinkindogtoy.blogspot.com

Leah Brunner said...

love this look! those shoes look great!

Anonymous said...

While I'm usually a statement piece kind of girl, I don't usually do a lot of jewelry. On days when I leave the house without wearing even a pair of earrings, though, I do tend to feel that guilt.

It's really an unfortunate thing because sometimes simplicity is the most stylish of all!

Rachael
www.styleeveryday.com

Kelly said...

I'm exactly the same way. As pretty as jewelry is, there's so much to worry about when choosing the right piece (neckline, color, metals, blegh, style, overdoing it) that its so much easier to go without. And most of the time I think it looks a lot better and streamlined anyway.

Dylana Suarez said...

Gorgeous sunglasses! Look stunning on you!

DarlingV said...

I love your entire outfit for me simple is always better, but every once in a while it's nice to dress up to ^_^.

juliamarisa said...

i think simpler can be far more stylish if simple is your style. its easy to over accessorize and then start to look excessively trendy. i don't think you've ever done that though. and i think this outfit is excellent. i do love stripes.

Inés said...

outfit,simple and chic

piglet said...

Great look, the bright pink shoes really make it!

Anonymous said...

cool :D... =) so soft...

Polina said...

not gonna lie, i did unfollow you a few days ago because i found your outfits to be ugly but then the last three you have struck gold so i followed you again!
sorry to lose faith ;)
love this outfit today, very cute!

tm said...

I almost never wear jewelry, but every now and then I feel like I need to add "something." Since I tend to wear a lot of color and pattern, though, it's probably a good thing that I lay off the accessories. :)

My favorite accessory? A watch.

Mila said...

Pure and simple, AND cute. I think simplicity is elegant if you piece it together correctly, and you did!

xoxo,
meme-stylenewbie.blogspot.com

Francine said...

I used to do that, but after a while I grew tired of it. The most I do now is a kooky necklace or brightly colored eye shadow or something. I've found I still feel good even if I'm not all "blinged out" in accessories!

E said...

i find my style to be pretty simple too. i'm not a huge jewelry person, so i usually try to add a pop of color to a simple outfit.

Lexie said...

i'm very much a minimalist when it comes to getting dressed, but i love your ability to accessorize!

chris @ court + hudson said...

Ahhh, yes. You hit the nail on the head when you said you kind of fight it. I (most) always feel that way. I like "stuff" in an outfit, but I feel most myself when stripped down to just basics.

Karen said...

Love the simplicity!! I am always so impressed when every single item of clothing is thrifted!! Love the shoes - the color is so fun!!

http://rubytuesdayfashionanddesign.blogspot.com/

Cheers,
Karen/Ruby Tuesday

Anonymous said...

My bf and I just had a fight about this exact question over the wkend. My style in reality tends to be simple too, but I always feel so boring when I dress simple. However, I don't know if I am so creative that I really can't venture out without looking costumy. Hmm...

Anyways, you look PERFECT in this outfit. I LOVE those shoes (and am kind of sad you thrifted them only because I can't jump online and buy them)!

xoxo
Amy

P.S. You find the greatest thrift items...where you do you?

Fabulocity in Amish Country said...

I think the simple thing is super fabulous if you know how to put the right things together... which you totally do! :)

miss twinkletoes said...

I'm a fan of simple - it works well for me and I think overdoing can be too much. You look great!

www.twinkletoes-golddangles.blogspot.com

Desiree said...

I just did a post on this, http://distinctlydesiree.blogspot.com/2010/03/purple-passion.html - I always feel like I need accessories, therefore I never feel completely pulled together in the summer time because sometimes it is just too hot for all the things I feel like I should wear.

natalia said...

You know, I don't feel like going nuts on accessories is a requirement. But since I started trying to explore developing my own style a bit more, I try to do one thing every day outfit-wise that I normally wouldn't, and sometimes that's just pairing two things together that I wouldn't have thought of before. Some of the best outfits are simple - it's all about a well-considered approach.

nat / datinganalbino.tumblr.com

shopgracieb.com said...

I think its about what you feel comfortable in that day. If you're having a simple type day - go simple. If you're feeling like more is better - go all out. For me, it's the times that I go against my gut that I end up feeling the most "un-stylish."

btw - love the outfit!

Looks and Books said...

I really like this outfit a lot. I often have the same instinct about simplicity, as if I'm going to look boring if I don't wear at least one pop of color or bold accessory. But simplicity often catches my attention on others, so why not rock it myself?

In conclusion--simplicity does not equal boring. Especially when it involves awesome pink shoes.

Anonymous said...

I think this post perfectly illustrates the difference between simplicity...and simply boring. Your look is anything but boring.

Jolie said...

I think it depends on one's mood and what you're doing that day! Sometimes I feel like simple is good enough and other days I need an extra pop of color to brighten my day!

ragan said...

really when i tend to dress more comfortably and not to look cutsey i do dress more simply. I think we do tend to associate simplicity with laziness but I also think it depends on the attitude of the wearer. because if you own what you wear no one will question if you were just being lazy

Anonymous said...

I really love a simple outfit like this. Wonderful!

Sarah said...

I love simplicity in just about everything, especially fashion! This outfit really shows that you can keep it simple with minimal accessories, but each piece really pops and adds such an interesting element to the whole outfit! I LOVE the shoes and that candy pink color!! The whole outfit looks so chic, retro, and effortless!!

Shea Lennon said...

First of all, I love this. Secondly, I couldn't agree more about simplicity. I tend to dress pretty simply myself, but often feel inclined to accessorize to look more fashion-y. It really just depends on my mood.

Academichic said...

In this case, the simplicity is anything but boring - it looks polished and perfectly executed. I'm not sure what makes something simple 'elegant' and not just 'plain'. I'm tempted to say that a lot has to do with confidence and how you wear an outfit rather than what that outfit actually is. S.

The Fancier said...

I completely understand what you're saying. I've had the same exact thoughts many a time. I think that an outfit looks fine as is but then decide that it needs accessories if I want it to appear stylish, and yes it does seem sometimes that only "certain" people can pull off a simplistic look.

mari claire said...

love this look! especially the pops of pink!

♥ ♥ ♥
marijanes.blogspot.com

Nicole said...

wow, talk about a bargain outfit. everything looks so cute.

Anonymous said...

I love that the lining of your coat and your shoes match! great color combo

Emily Kennedy said...

When you're feelin it, keep it simple. The shoes, jacket cuffs and glasses are accessory enough.

jenloveskev said...

I am in love with this outfit. You look beyond cool!! Well done.
Happy Weekend!
-jenloveskev

Jessica said...

I really adore this look. I love stripes and blazer together, and the shoes are the perfect touch of color. Love the sunglasses too! It's just amazing...and thrifted. Love it!

sara said...

perfect.

Nishant said...

I could be the girl in four inch heels and a tutu one day, and jeans with flats the next. That's the fun in dressing up.
home jobs india

mommy Orkid Belle said...

I love this look. Perfect for a mom like me. Casual yet chic!