Basic Outfit with Bling!

Start with the basics…

I’m not doing a no-shop January or February, but I am definitely being more intentional in my shopping. Truthfully, I haven’t seen anything I just have to have. I also haven’t been anywhere so there’s that! What’s a blogger to do if they aren’t buying anything new? You start with the basics. In this case, I chose a skirt, a tee shirt, and a denim jacket.

When you’re short waisted…

It’s tough when you’re not only short but also short waisted. If you’re short waisted, that means the distance from your shoulders to your navel is shorter than the distance from your navel to your crotch. If you’re long waisted, the distance from your shoulders to your navel is longer than the distance from your navel to your crotch. In other words, if your aren’t short or long waisted, your navel is just about right in the middle of the distance from your shoulders to your crotch. Clear as mud?

And, so…

Believe it or not, it took me decades to figure out I was short waisted. I just always thought I was short, petite, vertically challenged, whatever you want to call it. But, whenever I would wear a skirt (even when I was slim), it would ride up until the waistband was right under my bosoms! I honestly don’t remember when I discovered the idea of being short waisted. I have to tell you…it was life changing. Now, when I wear a skirt, I know there isn’t going to be that long sleek distance you see on models (as if I’d ever look like a model). But, I still wear the skirts!

When your curves are soft…

Alison of Wardrobe Oxygen often talks about having soft curves. I like that description. It’s a little more kind than saying you’re round or have a large tummy. With my weight gain, I’ve had to also grapple with my soft and larger curves as well as the short waist. For me, this means I have more of an hourglass shape than when I am slimmer. I never thought of myself as having a big bust, but geez! I know everyone says the camera adds 10 pounds, but the photos show me I have some big bosoms! I don’t especially want to emphasize that. The tendency, for me at least, is to use coverups like denim jackets, tunics, and now kimonos. Do these things really disguise my bustline? I don’t know. But, I feel more comfortable.

Embracing the waist…

I don’t mean that literally, though there is nothing better than your grandkids embracing you round the waist! That no longer happens to me because mine are all taller than me…even O! I am trying to embrace my waist while not necessarily keeping it! I am really, really working on losing this weight. When I lose it, the soft curves will still be there. The short waist will also still be there. But, the soft curves will be smaller and dressing the short waist will be easier.

But, I digress…

My whole idea with this post was to take a basic outfit and zhuzh it up. Now, I’m not a professional stylist, nor am I a fashion editor. But, as Leslie might say, I’ve been dressing myself for over six decades now so I might have a tip or two! One of the things I do is add some interest around my face. Theoretically, this draws the eye up to the face and away from what lurks below! This boatneck tee is an older style from J Jill (similar), and the denim jacket (similar) is also J Jill. Next, I added statement earrings. My skirt is also from several years ago and is from Gap. My tee was much too long, and I didn’t want to tuck it in because of the short waist! I tried the old trick of tucking the hem into my bra. That created more of a crop top look. I decided to twist the hem a bit which then created some ruching at my waist and liked the look. If I had been going anywhere, I would have secured the “knot” with an elastic. I thought I’d hidden it, but I guess not!

The Lewk!

These just may be my most comfortable pair of L’Artiste boots. These are the Suzette boots (very limited sizes). Part of it may be they have the shortest heel of all my boots! These would be an example of “I should have bought two” as discussed by Rena recently. I have done that with makeup and some tee shirts, but I’ve never bought a second pair of footwear because I might wear the first pair out! These would definitely be the exception to the rule! They are just that good! I added my statement necklace, earrings, coil bracelet…all from Stella & Dot as well as a David Yurman ring with a bit of bling!

Wrap it up, Marsha!

I tried a couple of belts to create more of a waist, but I really didn’t like the look. I think, by tying the knot in the tee and creating that ruched effect, I created a softer, more feminine look. I often try to offset something that’s very feminine with something a little more masculine…hence the combat style boots. So, can we talk? Have you ever explored whether or not you’re short, long, or regular waisted? Do you have tricks you’d like to share? Or, have you never even considered that’s what might be making your ensemble just a little bit off? Please do leave a comment or two, and we can talk. I do respond though I’ve been a little behind lately. Still having the problems with emails going out. I’m hesitant to just take something out because who knows what will happen then! Please check back in a couple of days to see my responses. I have a feeling WordPress has done something because I don’t receive notifications of responses from other bloggers (on their blogs) who use WordPress. I’m thinking of switching to Disqus, but I’m not sure if my blog is compatible with that. Oh, the joys of being a one woman show!

Affiliate links and such:

Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, My Bijou LIfe, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, and I do deClaire and Mummabstylish. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I’m a co-host on the Weekend Traffic Jam (here). I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I also host Final Friday Print Mixing on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties! Just a note…Traffic Jam is on a bit of a hiatus as I try to figure out how to continue it.

Thank you!

At this point, you know what I’m going to say and, perhaps, doubt my sincerity. Please don’t. I truly do appreciate each and every one of you who subscribes, comments, or emails me. I’m trying to grow my blog, so please feel free to share it with your friends if you think they’d like it. If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here. Here’s a link (I think) to my itty bitty Poshmark closet. Feelfreeto look around (not a lot to see right now).

10 on the 10th…

Here are next month’s prompts! I hope you’ll join me

Where you can find me:

Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, My Bijou LIfe, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, and I do deClaire and Mummabstylish. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I’m a co-host on the Weekend Traffic Jam (here). I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I also host Final Friday Print Mixing on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties! Just a note…Traffic Jam is on a bit of a hiatus as I try to figure out how to continue it.

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