Closet Crash Course: Meet Dawn

I'm so excited to share the next Closet Crash Course with you!

But before we get into it...can I just pause for a second, and tell you guys how lucky I am? People actually invite me into the homes, give me access to their entire wardrobe, and bring me drinks while I mess with all their stuff (it was water..but still!) Best "job" ever?

Now, meet Dawn:

Yeah, she looks a little like a floating head, but that's my fault. I just wanted to get her in front of that awesome painting. (Her husband had it painted to match a favorite vacation snapshot of hers. See? Awesome.)

In fact, her whole house is pretty awesome (apparently "awesome" is the new "happening")...and gave me a glimpse into her style.

She told me her dining room is her favorite spot in the house. I can definitely see why! I love the bold paint choice, contrasted with the clean white. And the mixture of classic patterns with more rustic pieces makes the whole look sophisticated without being stuffy. Well done, Dawn!

And before we move on to the real reason we're here, let me give you one more sneak peak into her adorable home.

 In her bedroom, Dawn made a photo wall complete with chalkboard timeline. This has pinterest fame written all over it!

Ok....now that we got the grand tour, lets start digging through the really good stuff: her closet! Here's what we're working with:

I can definitely work with this.But wait...there's more!

Yep. We're going to be just fine!

So at this point, after seeing her beautiful home, and extensive wardrobe, you might be wondering what someone with such great taste, and a full closet would need with little old me? Ok...I was wondering that! When I asked Dawn what made her want to do a Closet Crash Course, she said she struggles a bit with casual dressing. She's got an awesome career in the pharmaceutical business, and can rock a biz-cas dress+blazer in her sleep. But when it comes to weekends- going out with girlfriends for drinks, taking the kids to the mall- she's not always quite sure what to do. It's a tough balance sometimes between too dressy, and too bum-y, and she needed help finding her footing there. She said she had seen my Get Dressed posts in the past, and thought I'd be able to give her some advice for the 5-9, vs the 9-5.

So with that goal in mind, I started making a mess working my magic.

That picture on the right? Yeah, that's a pile of just scarves. yessssssss.

Outfit 1: 

Dawn had a great chambray-esque tunic, but I suspected she didn't feel fully comfortable wearing it. I obviously think it looks great with a striped layering piece, though a pop of color would be great too. Dawn just got some great jeans from Lucky, but I think she could still use a super-dark pair to contrast with mid-tone blues like this (so you don't feel like you're wearing a Canadian Tuxedo)

Jeans, Left: Lucky, Right: Levi's.

 And if she wanted to try something new, Dawn could go for a colored cord. Grey or teal are fun updates without straying too far from her comfort zone.

Corduroy skinnies: Old Navy.

And to complete the look, I'm recommending that Dawn ventures into Belt Territory. She confesses she likes belts...on other people...I think she really needs to give it a try though, because her tiny waist would look great with a cinched in helper.

This one is fun (and shows how to knot off the excess end, even if you're not going for the double wrap look):

 Brown belt: Zappos.

But a simple skinny braid would do just fine.

Braided belts, Left: AE, Right:Forever 21.

Outfit 2: 

This one is simple, but shows that sometimes you just need an outside perspective...

Dawn already had all of the pieces for this outfit, but for some reason, she had the tank classified as "summer only" in her brain. It was a simple push, but adding a cardigan helped her realize she could get more mileage out of clothes she already loved.

Do you have items that you think of as "one season only"? If so- take some chances! Layer a flimsy tank over a long sleeve T. Try a chunky sweater knit with a pair of shorts. You might find a new combo you love!

 Outfit 3: 

I'm biased on this outfit, because it's my style 100%. I dig the short-over-long layering, the grey and purple pallet, and obviously, that scarf is right up my alley. This was another case of a pairing that was natural to me, but maybe not so much to Dawn. And that's why I think it's so helpful to have the perspective someone that dresses differently than you...what I'm doing isn't rocket science, but it might be something that wouldn't occur to you because your style is different. And trust me- I'm sure I could learn a thing or two from Dawn when it comes to business-casual. We all have our comfort zone, and sometimes our ruts, but the goal is to encourage each other to try something new... sometimes that means a big risk, but sometimes it's just a small tweak.

 Outfit 4: 

For this next look, I wanted to try something a bit different...Dawn loves a dress, and has a pretty solid rotation of them in her wardrobe. She also has a bunch of cardigans and jackets, so that type of combo is pretty typical for her. But I wanted to see if we could push some of her clothes out of the "dressy" category, and give her a bit more of that casual edginess she's looking for. So I started with a grey knit jersey dress, and layered a striped T over it. She's got a great cream scarf to add some contrast, make simple knit pieces look a bit more polished.

For the shoes...I took one for the team...and took off my boot.

 A big part of the dressy/casual struggle is footwear. Dawn has a ton of healed boots, and some kick-around town type sneakers, but she's missing that in between category, that looks classy without trying too hard. (Picture: the footwear equivalent of her dining room!) I spent a ton of time searching for the perfect boot for myself, so I have to recommend it here too. I love the tall-not-too-tall height, the goes-with-black-or-brown color, and the classic-riding-boot-shape-with-a-hint-of-boho-slouch of these guys.

Plus they're on sale. Score!

 Cognac boots: Macy's.

Dawn could use one of the braided belts from the first look to finished off the look. It will help maintain her shape and prevent her from looking too layered up and frumpy.

Outfit 5: 

For this look I wanted to try to take one of her classic button up tops, and help bridge it more into weekend wear. I love the look of the small floral print, with the solid layer over it. And the contrast between the structured shirt, and the drapey cardigan is an easy casual pair.

Add the cords and the boots from the looks above? Perfection.

Outfit 6:

Ok, this isn't technically an outfit, but stay with me for a minute. I found this Phillies T in her dresser, and had a hunch that she loved it, but didn't think it was really appropriate for doing anything except watching the game in her sweats. (annnnnnnnd, I was pretty much right). But fitted graphic T's like this can be perfect for hanging out on the weekends...in public even!...if you pair them with the right thing. Here I'm suggesting Dawn look for a casual military inspired jacket. Layering that over a plain T give it a bit more style, and saves you from wearing a ratty hoodie just because your arms are cold.

I like that this one has the waist detail, so Dawn can cinch it in. That will help keep the look feminine, and save her from feeling overwhelmed by a larger silhouette.

Military Jacket: Urban Outfitters.

And I'm a little reluctant to suggest it, because the price is a little high for my taste, but this version from Lucky Brand is pretty perfect. I like the shorter length, and more tailored shape. I think this could pair well with just about anything Dawn owns, and plays to her comfort level with jackets- just taking it into a new realm.

Army Green Jacket: Lucky Brand.

Outfit 7:  

And last but not least, we have a Closet Crash Course tradition: a piece I wish was mine! A grey cowl sweater with a kangaroo pocket? Yes please. Everyday.

I think this item is perfect for Dawn, because it's the ideal mix between classy and casual. It takes cues from typical sweats, but ups the style quotient a bit with rich sweater yarn, and great ribbed details. This is the type of thing she should look for more of: pieces that borrow some elements of what she already knows works for her, and add in a bit of the laid-back fashion that she's looking for.

These pair easily with jeans, but would also look great with a casual pant (heel and tightroll hem optional).

Green twill pants: Gap.

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So there you have it, another Closet Crash Course on the books. I had so much fun with Dawn...she was so excited about the process, and even did a mini-photoshoot with her daughter after I left. Is she  the best? Looking great, Dawn!

Hope you all loved this round as much as I did!

Interested in a closet crash course of your own? Email me for details!

Closet Crash Course: Erin

It’s time! Closet Crash Course time!

Quick backstory: Erin is a work at home mom, hoping for some pulled together looks to make the most of what she owns, and make her feel a touch more polished. She’s got some great building blocks, but needed a little shove to take some risks and ease out of her clothing-comfort zone. Let’s get to it!

Outfit 1:

While I was ransacking her closet, Erin showed me this pink cardigan, and confessed she’s only really worn it once, despite really liking it. I’m a firm believer that every outfit could stand the addition of a cardigan so I was determined to show her how to drag this guy out of her closet and show it off.

I love it here with a printed tank…the colors really work together, and when paired with a brown dress pant, the look can start business casual, and extend into date night.

(We also had a little real-talk session on gold jewelry. Turns out Lindsay isn't the only one who thought that was just for Fly Girls and Flava-Flav. If you’re still worried about wearing gold, stop. Find a simple piece you love and pair it with warm toned ensemble, for a classic, not matronly or ghetto-fab look. And if you’re into ghetto-fab? Awesome…grab some doorknocker earrings, and go on with your bad self.)

Necklace: Loft. 

And see that purse? That’s where Erin totally taught me a thing or two: It’s some crazy contraption called a Miche Bag where you buy the main portion, and then there are “skins” that you drop it into, to change the look without having to switch all of your stuff into a new bag. Uh, GENIUS! I rock a similar system with a giant purse, and a primary colored cloth diaper sack, but somehow no one is knocking down my door to make that a trend….hmmmm….

Miche shells in Dawn, Leah, and Chloe.

Anyway, I loved this look because Erin was stuck in a bit of a “collar shirt + dress pant= business” rut. Most jobs now have enough flexibility that your wardrobe doesn’t have to be that formulaic. She can easily repurpose some of the more casual pieces in her closet for the business world, if the rest of the outfit is classed-up. To tweak this further, I recommend Erin adds a classic pencil skirt to her closet, to keep the sophisticated business look, but mix up the monotonous dress pant parade.

Pencil Skirt: The Limited 

I love the simple, flattering shape of this one, and the brown color pairs well with a ton of the warm-toned pieces Erin gravitates towards. Plus, I know she’s got a killer pair of heeled boots to add to the mix.

At this point I started getting Erin’s daughter involved in the convo….

Me: “So, are you a girlie-girl, or…”

Lil’ one: “Nah, I’m just a girl. My grandpa likes to hike, so I have to be ready to go.”

This is good advice, folks: When Grandpa comes calling, girl’s gotta be ready.

Outfit 2:

I’m coming to the realization that every Closet Crash I do is going to contain at least one item that I try to weasel into my purse and take home. This time, that item was Erin’s emerald cardigan. It is stunning. Rich and yummy, and I may have put it on pretending to explain an outfitting option, when really I just wanted to pretend I owned it. (It did look good with my outfit though!)

I first paired it with a plain white top, which is a no-brainer, but served as a jumping off point for the extra pieces I had in mind:

For real. I’m having a leopard moment, and I refuse to be sorry. I mean, how good would this look with the rich color of that sweater? Yes, please.

Belt Pair: Steve Madden.

And for shoes I think these would be perfect.

Nude Flats: Target

Erin’s got a great collection of heels, and some fantastic boots, but I think a beyond classic shoe would add a sweet finishing touch to wardrobe, and allow her to up the “dressy” quotient of her every day looks just a smidge, to make her feel that much more confident and put together.

Outfit 3:

Alternative option?

How about a bright red-orange dress?

Ok, at first glance I know it might be a little scary. And actually, in this picture it looks a little Christmas-y. (ok, a lot Christmas-y) But trust me that in person, it was really pretty. Pairing two bold colors is something people are often scared to do, because it might clash, but I encouraged Erin (and now, you!) to go for it. When you put together a look like this, every single person may not love it…but they’re not going to think you don’t know what you’re doing.  The way I see it, if you want to try out a look that scares you a bit, you have two options: Just a taste, or the whole enchilada. Dipping your toe in the trend-water is a safe way to go, and can help you build confidence, but jumping in head-first is sometimes just as rewarding. If you go for it, like all the way go for it, people think you have the confidence it takes to pull off the look. And they’re right. Because you just did it.

So how about switching up the orange for another bold, but more similar color:

Dress: Boden.

Tell me you wouldn’t admire the girl wearing this if you passed her on the sidewalk. I say be that girl.

Outfit 4:

Ok, back to the orange dress…I can’t help it. It's such a pretty piece, and I’m jealous that Erin can pull off this color (I don't own a stitch of red or orange...). For an unexpected twist on the dress, I layered it under a grey and cream striped lace top. (Did you hear all my favorite words just slam into each other? Grey-striped-lace. It’s time for the fashion cliches to come out: I die.)

Not everyone was feeling it…And by “everyone” I mean my stylist-in-training and unofficial shadow: Erin’s daughter.

Pipsqueak: “Why are you putting that shirt OVER that dress?”

Me: “ummmm. Cuz it looks good? Maybe? You don’t think so?”

Why is it that kids can make you feel insecure? Aren’t I supposed to be older and wiser? With better fashion sense?

But even though it wasn’t an instant hit, I’m digging the versatility of treating the dress like a skirt, to give it a different look. It’s got a built in ruched waistband, so Erin will need to add a belt over the outfit to cinch in her waist and avoid looking like a potato sack. Something simple:

Belt: Urban Outfitters

And while we’re talking accessories:

How great are Erin’s boots? And get ready to say, “Whaaaa?” They’re from the Victoria’s Secret Catalog. Oh that Colin Stuart. Her really knows his way around a lady’s foot. Depending on the weather, Erin can go bare-legged, or add a tight. A subtle pattern could add interest without being too “out there.”

Tights: Target

And what’s the finishing touch to all things? A scarf! (How we got to outfit 4 before the scarves started coming out, I will never know.) I know I can be a broken record with this scarf thing, but I like to think of it as my signature move. Like when Russian gymnasts have vault maneuvers named after them? If the Olympics ever expand to include a fashion event, pairing a striped shirt with a patterned scarf will be known as a Courtney Bowden. Low difficulty, High artistic value.

Scarf: Anthropologie

Outfit 5:

For the last look, I wanted to bridge the two sides of Erin’s closet. She had a lot of “dressy” that she deemed appropriate for work, and then a pile of “casual” that was for kicking around that house. It’s a common dividing line, but I wanted to bring together some seemingly disparate pieces, to show her how each item can have a life outside of it’s typical function.

We started with a button-down shirt, with a teeny floral pattern. It’s part of Erin’s go-to look when getting dressed for work, but usually worn unlayered, paired with a dress paint. To go for something a little unexpected, I snagged a heathered fleece top, in a coordinating shade of pink. I suspected Erin had only ever worn it to yoga classes, and I was just about right. This look is a classic preppy pairing, but the floral pattern of the shirt and the laid-back fabric of the top give it a fresh twist.

If she liked the idea, but wanted to go more traditional, the shirt could be swapped out for a simple oxford.

Shirt: Gap.

Or to keep the shirt, and make the look a little bit more polished, she could go with a basic lightweight sweater.

V-neck sweater: Old Navy

Add some skinny jeans, and those nude flats from outfit 1, and you’re done.

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That about does it...What do you think? Are you digging this crash? Or are you left with questions? Let’s chat! Tell me what you loved, what you’re not sure about, and what you’d still like to know…And don’t worry about offending me. I can handle an honest critique:

Erin’s Daughter: “You say ‘happening’ a lot.”

Me: “ I know, right? And literally. You should literally count.”

And, scene.

Interested in a closet crash course of your own? Email me for details!

Disclaimer: compensated affiliate links may be used in this post.

Closet Crash Course: Meet Erin

Last month I went out on a limb, and tried a crazy idea that had been rattling around in my head for a while. Closet Crash Course started out as an experiment, to see if I could actually make one of my pipe dreams come true, but thanks to the trust from a few relative strangers, it’s turning into a real live thing! I’m encouraged that people are into the concept, thrilled that I actually got to do it again, and so excited to share this round with you. So thanks for having faith in me, dear internet friends, now let’s Crash!

Meet- Erin.

Ok. That’s not her. Erin actually wanted to stay someone anonymous, which I respect. (I mean, my business is out there on virtual front street, but that’s not for everyone) She’s a professional in a public industry, and isn’t quite comfortable putting herself, and her wardrobe quandaries, out there for everyone to see. But, she’s graciously allowed me to share the results of her CCC (Should we start calling it that? Too baby-sitters club?) so long as I don’t show her gorgeous face. Fair enough. (But you guys are missing out…she’s stunning. And so sweet. And that sombrero doesn’t do her justice.)

Need a little background info on what she’s looking for? Me too! She filled out a questionnaire for me to learn a bit more about her tastes and needs.

Highlights?

• Her self-described style: “Classic with a hint of sexy” (love that!)
• Needs: business casual outfits, and date-night looks to go out with the hubby.
• How I knew I could help her: She was “clueless on accessorizing”. OOOOOooooh girl, you came to the right place. 

Armed with a bit of a backstory, and trailed by Erin’s adorable daughter (most accurate description of her:  firecracker. Wait for some of the choice quotes she laid on me during the process) I promptly dove into Erin’s closet:

 Or should I say closetS. Erin is living the dream you guys. A giant walk in closet for all of her clothes, a large dresser for any folded items and another closet just for shoes and dresses. Jealous?!

I grabbed well…pretty much everything. And started working my magic.

(and by that I mean, I arranged and rearranged things on her bed while the dogs wrestled, and her daughter judged. More real life than fashion industry glamour-  and I wouldn’t have it any other way.)

I had a blast working with Erin. We chatted while I hemmed and hawed over different combos, and I tried to rattle off answers to some of her fashion conundrums while I worked. I was worried at first I wouldn’t be able to pull together enough outfits to inspire her (a fear more based on my insecurity than her wardrobe) but I found my grove fairly quickly, and kinda love where we landed.

I can’t wait to show you the results. Ok, I can wait. And I’m going to. I’ve already blathered on forever, and I’ve got too much cuteness to share to have your fatigued fashion fingers start scrolling and skimming. So I’ll leave this as Closet Cliffhanger, with the promise of a big Crash tomorrow.  

Closet Crash Course: Lindsay

Anyone still with me? Or did you all die from suspense?!

Ok...over dramatics aside (for the moment), it's time for the big reveal of my first  Closet Crash Course. (If you're a little lost, check out the intro post.)

This is Lindsay: 

Actually, this is Lindsay: 

See those precious little bugs photobombing her portrait? Those are her babies. Her 13-months-a-part babies. Yep. She's a mama, and a super mama at that! But she's also so much more...In her own words, Lindsay is a "wife, social, wine drinker, mother, church-goer, bar-goer, thinker, writer, passionate" (How great is that? Could you sum yourself up that well? If you don't already know her, you totally want to, right?)

It goes without saying that two kids in *just* over a year is a big transition, but Lindsay is going through a shift in her work world too. Since the babies, she's gone from working full time, then part time, to now starting a business. So now she spends the bulk of her time home with the kids, but prefaces that by describing herself as a "wake up - shower - make-up kind of mom", and cautioning "no rolling around in sweats with my hair a wreck". (What? Staying home, but not wearing sweats? Did I mention that I was nervous I'm under qualified for this?)

In talking with Lindsay a bit more, I found that basically she's looking for some casual outfits, that make her feel put together, even if it's just to go chase the kids around in the park. She's struggling with the same thing a lot of new moms battle- a closet full of clothes in five different sizes, that are all too ratty to feel cute, or too nice to be practical. She feels stunk in the "jean zone" and wants to mix things up a bit rather than just wearing a different colored version of the same top each day. (Ummm, sound familiar? I'm starting to think Lindsay is the voice of all new moms.)

A bit more about Lindsay:

• Self-described style: classic with some funk
• Deal breakers: red plaid, logos, wedge shoes, stretchy jeans, horizontal striped anything. (We all know I can't work with that last rule, so we'll see how long that lasts)
• Quirks: Never wears belts (confesses she doesn't really understand the concept), doesn't like thick sweaters ("they're hot and itchy!"), Gets bored quickly, but doest have the funds to constantly buy new things (again- sound familiar?!)
• Needs: easy, go-to outfits that she knows look good, with the option to dress it up a bit more for client meetings, nights out with the girls, or dates with her hubby.

So armed with that information, I began the "Crash" part of the process. She showed me around her wardrobe...and I have to say, that though it was fun to poke around someone else's stuff (so nosy!) I was still nervous that I was in over my head with this idea.

Thankfully, Lindsay's closet came with a pep talk: 

So I shoved aside the self doubt, and started making a mess. I mean, making some outfits:

And since you've already waded through a novel of my blabbering, let's move swiftly along to the outfits, shall we?

Outfit 1: 

So yeah, she says she hates stripes. But she owns this shirt, so I felt it was my duty to show her that stripes aren't so scary after all. I paired this boatneck top with a similar toned cord jacket. She can wear the shirt during the day with the kids, and then throw on the jacket to class it up a notch if she's got a meeting, or date. Add some medium-dark denim and you're done. Oh- and how great is this vintage gold necklace? I'm obsessed with it (I had to hold myself back from snagging it as a souvenir) but Lindsay was a touch horrified that I used it. Turns out she doesn't "get" gold...thinking it's too old fashioned, but I love how simple it is with this classic preppy look, and the gold pairs well with the warm colors of the outfit. Anyone else scared to wear gold? I know it got a bad wrap there for a bit in the early 2000's, but it's back, so if you've been on a gold hiatus, give it a try!

Perfect pairing: 
This might be too crazy for Lindsay right out of the gate, but let's have some fun.....How about adding some cheetah flats? (I wish they were leopard because that sounds classier....) Animal prints can be CAH-razy if they're used too much, but a little hit here and there (a belt, a watch band, a shoe) can be a fun but sophisticated touch to an otherwise simple outfit.

Cheetah flats: Target

I'd also recommend a classic watch, with a few bangles to fem it up a bit.

Watch: Fossil

Leather Wrap Bracelet and Bangles: Bauble Bar

Outfit 2: 

This is an easy, easy, example of how to take a favorite summer piece and rework it for fall. Wardrobe extending staple: a drapey cardigan. Lindsay loved this dress for the warmer months, but needed a way to extend its life into the next season. Plus, she wasn't so fond of how much it showed off, so the cardigan is a perfect solution for both needs. I found some yellow hoops that play well off of the subtle safari vibe, and make the whole outfit look a bit more polished.

Accessory extra:
Add a big bag, perfect for lugging around the kids stuff, or toting work files. I like the bohemian look of the slouchy leather and braided trim on this one, but the hardware keeps it professional. (p.s. the peach romper shown with the bag? not professional. ignore.)

Dakota vegan leather bag: Baghaus

Outfit 3: 

Mmmmmmm, mustard. 
Ok- I actually hate mustard-the-food. But mustard-the-color? Can't get enough. This is a great basic piece that Lindsey can wear with almost anything. I chose some warm tweed dress pants, to help push her to the more tailored end of the spectrum, but she could easily wear it with some destroyed denim to kick around on the weekend. To finish off the look, I added a skinny belt, another item Lindsay owns, but is nervous about wearing. If you're not used to wearing belts, they can seem tricky, but give it a shot. It's a great way to cinch your waist in and give boxier tops more of a shape, and can help inject a bit of color into an otherwise plain outfit.

Add on suggestions:
Though her brown belt works, this would be an easy place to try one of fall's biggest trends- Oxblood (not oxblood-the-blood, oxblood-the-color). A skinny maroon belt would look great with these classic autumn colors.

Patent Belt: Forever 21

Another Courtney accessory go-to option: a scarf! I'm not sure I've ever seen an outfit that doesn't call for a scarf....and this look is no exception. I'd go with a woven printed version to contrast against the soft knit of the sweater, and add some pattern to the look.

Vintage Flower Scarf: Madewell

Or, Want to mix it up even more? Try tucking the sweater into a pencil skirt, and adding some boots. Yellow may seem like a bright color, but this shade of mustard pretty much acts as a neutral, so you can still go bold with other pieces. I'm loving this  corduroy pencil skirt for a pop of color and a cozy texture. I'm not sure Lindsay's going to rock a bright pink skirt with such a punchy color up top, but with the current color blocking trend now's the time to go bold. (Ask yourself WWJCD? what would J.Crew do? They'd go for it.)

Perfect-Cord Pencil Skirt: Old Navy