Kentucky Derby Style

Tomorrow, I’m heading to Louisville, Kentucky for the 141^st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.  This trip was planned to celebrate my dad’s 60^th birthday in May.  Along with experiencing “the greatest two minutes in sports”, Derby fashion plays a huge role in the history of the Kentucky Derby. 

According to the Kentucky Derby’s website, “Colonel M. Lewis Clark Jr., founding father of the Kentucky Derby, envisioned a racing environment that would feel comfortable and luxurious, an event that would remind people of European horse racing. For a well-to-do late 19th and early 20th century woman, a day at Churchill Downs, especially on Derby Day was an opportunity to be seen in the latest of fashions”.

Dressing for the Kentucky Derby is a time to express your inner Southern Belle with bright and pastel colors in lightweight fabrics and of course, donning a decorated statement hat.  Wearing a hat to the Kentucky Derby is believed to bear good luck and its one of the oldest traditions in Kentucky Derby history. 

 To learn more about the Kentucky Derby fashion history, click here.

Dress: Fossil // Shoes: Kohl's // Bracelet: BCBG Max Azria // Hat: Flowers and Feathers - Hobby Lobby

When I was decided what to wear for this spectacular event, I knew I wanted to wear a dress that contained bright springtime colors, but was also comfortable to wear all day.  I recently saw this gingham checkered print dress at Fossil and I immediately fell in love with the color combination.  I tried it on and I loved it even more because it was long enough for my tall frame and it already had a matching tie belt which helps to define my waist.  Plus, the dress was on sale so then I knew I had to purchase it.  When I bought it, I was experimenting the different ways to wear the dress and then I realized I could wear it to the Kentucky Derby because it matched the two criteria above that I was looking for.  For the Derby, I’m pairing this dress with my white wedges for extra comfort along with a customized wide-brimmed hat I made myself.

Are you going to a Kentucky Derby Party?  What are you wearing?

Earth Tones for Earth Day!!

Happy Earth Day!! Since it’s Earth Day, what better way than to showcase some outfits featuring an earth tone color scheme.  An earth tone color scheme draws from Mother Nature’s natural pigments in dirt, rocks, minerals, moss and trees which consist of browns, tans, greens, deep oranges, and warm grays.  I usually gravitate towards wearing earth tones on a regular basis because I think they look great with my skin tone.  Below are three different outfits containing these muted tones.

Outfit #1 - Love me some Olive(s)

For this outfit, I paired my olive peasant shirt with dark wash skinny jeans and brown cowboy boots for a casual rugged look.  I accessorized with an olive, red-orange, and brown stripe headband, antique gold metallic cuff, cocktail ring, and a muted pink stone necklace for a bohemian touch.

Shirt: Old Navy // Jeans: American Eagle // Boots: Vendor at Iowa State Fair //
Headband/Necklace/Bracelet: World Market // Ring: Vintage (Grandma's)

Outfit #2 - Ochre & Prints

Ochre, which is a natural earth pigment, varies from yellow to dark orange to brown.  For this outfit, ochre is classified as a dark orange.  I decided to mix stripes and a print so I paired my Fossil ochre and ivory stripe shirtdress with my bohemian color block and print casual shoe along with a cognac faux leather jacket for an added layer.  I finished the ensemble with some owl earrings, a cocktail ring, and wood bracelets to emulate earth’s surroundings.

Dress: Fossil // Jacket: TJMaxx // Shoes: Payless (sale) // Earrings: Old Navy //
Bracelets: Craft Fair // Ring: Vintage (Grandma's)

Outfit #3 - Taupe For Work

For this last outfit, I paired a brown, mustard, and green print cowl neck shirt with taupe capri dress pants along with forest green suede heels.  I accessorized with a pair of chevron mustard earrings made out of recycled material, a chevron print gold bracelet, and a cocktail ring.  This outfit would be appropriate for the workplace during the spring or fall, just switch darker tones for more white accents during spring.

Shirt: Younkers // Pants: BCBG Max Azria // Belt: Target // Shoes: Clarks //
Bracelet: Express // Earrings: Craft Fair // Ring: Vintage (Grandma's)

Do you like to wear earth tones? How would you wear them?

Spring Trend: Gingham

Happy April Fool’s Day!! Spring is here and Easter is around the corner – time to start investing in some spring trends.  Gingham is a popular trend this season, but I actually believe it’s more of a spring and summer staple in which I think everyone – men and women – need to invest in a piece.  This picnic table print can come in a variety of colors, but of course mine is green because green is my favorite color and I tend to think of this hue as the epitome of spring due to the flourishing green grass and trees.  Below are three different outfits utilizing my green gingham button-up shirt.

Outfit #1 – Green and Blue

Green and blue is a perfect spring color combo.  For this outfit, I paired the gingham shirt with royal blue skinny jeans.  I accessorized with a pair of white keds, white statement necklace and minimal jewelry.  I finished the casual look with a loose side braid.

Shirt: JCPenny // Jeans: JCPenny (sale) // Shoes: Target // Necklace & Bracelet: JCPenny // Ring: (old)

Outfit #2 – Menswear Details

Since gingham can be worn by both genders, I created an outfit that embraced an androgynous vibe.  I paired the gingham shirt khaki boyfriend ankle pants along with a brown fedora and cognac oxford shoes.  A menswear watch is another great detail that can be added to the ensemble.

Shirt: JCPenny // Pants: Old Navy // Shoes: Dillards (Steve Madden) // Hat: Vintage - Grandpa's 

Outfit #3 – Lemon and Lime

Another color that can be paired with green is yellow.  For this outfit, I was inspired by the fruit flavors found in Sprite and 7up soft drinks.  This time, I tied up the ends of the gingham shirt for a summer twist and paired it with bright yellow skinny jeans.  I added white wedges, a belt, and retro sunglasses to the complement the refreshing color combo.  This outfit would be a great option on a sunny day.

Shirt: JCPenny // Jeans: Marshalls // Belt: Mint L.A. // Shoes: Kohl's // Sunglasses: Atomic Garage (Vintage)

How would you wear gingham?