When someone has already done it for you, why struggle?
True confession time! I have read Kellyann’s blog for years. I didn’t know about subscribing and certainly wasn’t brave enough to comment on her blog. Now, I realize that was silly for a couple of reasons. Kellyann is one of the nicest people in the blogosphere. Secondly, commenting is easy. Seriously, there is nothing to it. Just write something. Fill in the boxes…bing, bang, boom! You’re done! So, if you’re thinking about commenting on anyone posts (but especially mine), do it! You may discover a friend-in-waiting!
Kellyann featured the cutest corduroy dress in this post. Unfortunately, that dress was not available. But, I had been lusting after this dress, and Kellyann’s post gave me the reason to push that button! I love corduroy in all of its forms. This dress is “spiced wine” which is a fancy name for berry! It’s a fine wale corduroy, and with its swing silhouette, it’s an easy dress to wear. I, however, wasn’t looking for a dress to wear! Kellyann showed several ways to wear her dress. I’m a little on the lazy side. I’m only sharing two. Look for this dress to pop up again because I’ve got some ideas percolating!
Look Number One!
Ignore the dopey expression on my face. Focus on the graphic tee. This is an oldie, but a goodie from Old Navy. Two or three years ago (maybe longer, I don’t know), they were in a Parisian mode! I picked up this wonderful graphic of the Eiffel Tower. I’ve never been to Spain (bonus points if you can name the band) though I’d love to go. But, Paris is on my bucket list! Kellyann paired her dress as duster with a camisole and black jeans. I don’t own any black jeans (if I did, they probably wouldn’t fit right now) so I went with tried and true blue! The camisole was replaced with my graphic tee. I don’t know about you, dear readers, but I have problems showcasing a graphic tee if I’m wearing something over it. Does that happen to you? No? Must be me!
Make your clothing work for you.
Once upon a time, I would never have even considered wearing a dress as anything but a dress. Times, however, have changed! My daughter often teases me and says I’ve never met a shirt dress I didn’t like (there are many other things she says that about)! The beauty of a shirt dress is that it is so versatile. In this first look, just as Kellyann did, I’m wearing my dress as a duster. I think the dress as a duster instantly elevates my outfit to something just a little dressier than a cardigan might. By making your clothing work for you, you can get a much better cost per wear (cpw). Shirt dresses seem to be made for decreasing your cpw!
A minimalist I am not…
I am the first to admit (and my daughter can also testify) I have too many clothes. I am not one of those people who does a closet purge. That would take me too many days. I’m a Libra, too, so I would have so many items that would move from the give away pile to the keep pile and back again! I don’t do that trick with reversing your hangers. What I do have is a glorious closet where I can see almost all of my clothes. This makes it easy to combine different things and truly make my clothing work for me!
Also inspired by Kellyann!
For this look, I simply buttoned up the dress, added tights, booties, and jewelry! Kellyann wore her dress with tall boots. While the weather has cooled off here, I am not ready to pull out my tall boots! I have a pair of berry tights, but they were just not the look I was going for. I decided to go in a completely different direction and pulled out these green tights. I love purple and green together. The quilt on my bed is shades of purple and green. I realize I should be pairing a shade of yellow (opposites on the color wheel) with purple, but I like green best! These booties are by Sofft (similar).
Shirt dresses are your friend!
I was looking at the little photobomber! 
Catch that hand action! 
Shirt dresses usually include collars and a buttoned front. They rarely include a seamed waist and are usually a little looser in the body. This dress also has an inverted pleat at the back which adds to the swing factor! I have broad-ish shoulders and appreciate the ease across the back. And, friends, it has pockets! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. J Jill is a wizard when it comes to pockets. The description says these are on seam pockets. They are stitched down which means there is no additional bulk there. I like stitched down pockets as long as they aren’t intrusive to the design of the dress. I also like the fact these pockets don’t hang inside the dress. That kind of pocket can sometimes make a dress hang strangely. You can add a scarf or a belt and have a completely different look! Last night, I was cold so I borrowed a trick from Jodie and pulled a sweater over the top of it. I popped the collar out and bingo boingo! Another new look! See how versatile these workhorses are!
Can I please just talk about my hair for a minute?
I have never liked my hair. It is thin. It is fine. It is as straight as Kansas is flat (in reality, I don’t know how flat Kansas is). Before I started coloring it in my 40’s, it was a light to medium brown. When I began coloring it, it became more of an ash blonde/brown color. My youngest sister was my hair stylist for decades and wasn’t excited about the idea of me going grey. When we moved, I had to find a new stylist. She is a master at color! A couple of years ago, I told her I wanted to stop dyeing my hair and see what happened. Lauren was as willing as I was to give it a try. I was absolutely thrilled when it grew in this lovely silver grey! I wore my hair much shorter then so growing it out didn’t take as long as it could have. Lauren worked her magic to help the process along. And, friends, this is my hair! For the first time in my life, I love my hair! I receive compliments on my hair! Random people stop me to remark on my hair! That has never happened to me! My hair is still thin, fine, and straight. I think it has a little more texture to it with the grey, but it is still a pain to style!
The Lewk
The first row shows my Josef Seibel mules (similar), old Stella & Dot necklace and earrings, and John Hardy ring. The second row shows the Sofft booties (similar), old J Jill necklace, and prasiolite earrings from eBay.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
In Tuesday’s post I showed how I interpreted Darlene‘s look. Today, I’m style stealing (did you know that was a thing?) Kellyann’s look. If you’re unsure about how to put together an outfit, take a look at Pinterest for sure. But, to see real women wearing real clothing, visit your friendly neighborhood (isn’t the internet a neighborhood of sorts?) blogger to see what she’s wearing. Have you ever style stolen a look? Or, do you interpret another person’s look? Are you a fan of the shirt dress? Do you make your clothes work for you? Let’s have a conversation! I’d love to read your thoughts? As always, I so appreciate you visiting my blog. I would also love it if you’d subscribe! It’s easy! Just complete the form below!
This is a beautiful dress. I can totally see why you love it. It looks amazing styled as a duster!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Thank you so much, Lovely! It is comfortable, too…so that’s a win, right?
Thanks for coming by!
It’s funny but I never commented or subscribed to blogs either for at least the first few YEARS I was blogging! I’m not sure why that intimidated me so much but it did. I love your dress worn both these ways (and I know exactly which post of Kellyanne’s you’re referring to too!).
Aren’t we funny? I was intimidated, too! I don’t know why, but I’m so glad I did start commenting. I’ve gained some new friends! I was glad to see Kellyann’s post and even more glad when it was sold out so I could buy this dress!
Thanks, Joanne, for coming by!
Meekan sure is such a lovely woman. Indeed, commenting doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t cost, so why not. I love the color brown, luckely we see a lot of it this season!
Thanks, Nancy! I really only commented on one blog for so many years. I was a lurker, I guess! Then, when I started, a whole new community reached out!
Thanks, Nancy, for commenting! You make my day!
Marsha, you nailed it! Great job and isn’t it fun to use one piece multiple ways. Even better when you don’t need to buy anything new. I am honored by your thievery!
xo,
Kellyann
Thanks, Kellyann! I have worn shirtdresses as dusters before, but you just gave me the excuse to buy this corduroy one! A girl has to have a corduroy shirtdress or two, right?
Thanks for coming by!
What an awesome idea – shirt dress to duster! I am discovering that my closet is sorely lacking in these layering pieces. I had one coat in Vegas, and that was good enough. Not here. Kellyann is a sweetheart! I, too, love purple and green together. Pinning your post, Marsha.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Oh, Michelle, I wish I could claim this as my contribution to fashion! Look at all the fun you will have finding new layers! Will we be seeing purple and green in the new house? Thanks for pinning my post! (shhh…I don’t even know what that really means)
Thanks for coming by!
Kellyann shared her corduroy dress on Instagram this past week when there were a couple still in stock and it took everything in me not to buy it! You will like my post tomorrow: sharing 5 outfits I wore these past couple of weeks where I am copying someone’s look. Love how we can get inspiration to try new ways to wear what we have.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
When I saw Kellyann’s dress, I really, really wanted it. I’m kind of glad it was sold out because I remembered this one. I had tried it on before so I knew how it fit. It really works for me when I don’t know if the other would have. I can’t wait to see your five outfits. I need to do more scouting others’ looks and copying them!
Thanks for coming by!
You look great and I’ve admired your beautiful hair since I first saw your blog.
Oh, Judy, you have made my day! I honestly never liked my hair before going grey. I don’t know if it’s the color or the change in texture. But, now I like it!
Thanks so much for your continuing support!
This is exactly what I love about our clothes…they can be Super versatile. And it’s what I love about our blogging community…how wonderful the women are!!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Sometimes, I forget just how versatile my clothes are. I get stuck in ruts and need a good kick to get out of them! Since I’ve been blogging, I have really been pushing myself to go that one step farther. My goal is to be the next Iris Apfel! Wouldn’t you just love to sit down with her and have a chat? And, yes, I am growing to love this blogging community!
Thanks for coming by!
Well, I’ve never been to Spain…but I kinda like the music! And your dress!! The color is perfect, & I like purple with green too :).
Hahaha! Someone who reads my entire post!!!! I love it! I wonder now…are you of my generation or just an old soul? It seems we like the same music and colors!
Thanks so much for coming by!
That shirt dress is lovely on you, such a nice colour for autumn! I love it as a duster, I like doing that with my dresses often too, although I don’t have that many shirt dresses now to do it with. I wore them a lot when breastfeeding, they made everything so easy! 🙂 But haven’t worn them as much more than dusters for a while!
Hope that you are having a good weekend 🙂 Thankfully the rain has stopped here.
Thanks, Mica! I just have an undying love for dresses! The only ones I’ve gotten rid of are those that are more closely fitting. So, I have a lot of shirtdresses as well as pullover type dresses. I’ve even worn the shirtdresses over the pullover dresses! Aha! I’ve been wondering about next week’s posts!
We are definitely heading into winter here. It’s been chilly, wet, and windy! The trees are mostly bare of leaves now. It seems they hardly have time to be colorful before they’re bare. I spent today with my youngest granddaughter and will spend tomorrow with my oldest. I hope your weekend continues to be good!
Thanks so much for coming by!
Love this versatile dress! The color is stunning and I adore you wearing it as a duster. I wish I had beautiful silver grey like you do but that’s not a reality so coloring for me every six weeks! Can’t wait to see this dress styled again on your blog!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thank you so much, Kathrine! I was just so tired of the roots showing (and with this color underneath…the roots were very apparent) so I decided to take a chance. I really was surprised at the color as my mom’s was not pretty.
I love this dress, too. It’s one of those colors I know I can wear so I seem to buy lots of it. Once upon a time, the color was teal! I walked into my closet, and the whole thing was teal! I try to buy lots of different colors, but there are some you just keep going back to, right?
Thanks so much for coming by!
Great post, dear ♥ I like you look!
Shkvo Space | Instagram
Thank you so much!
I love your hair, too! Mine is obviously thin and fine, too. I’ve always been blonde so it’s hard to imagine me in gray and I suspect it wouldn’t be too pretty. My hairstylist doesn’t think I should! With my light pigment, I’m afraid it would make me look totally washed out. It definitely works for you, however!! Love your “Kellyann” looks, Marsha!
xx Darlene
Oh, thin and fine hair is just not fun, is it? I mean, there is only so much you can do. And, if you put too much product on it, it just gets weighed down even more! My little sister, who was my stylist for many years, didn’t want me to go grey. I’m not sure why…part of me suspects she knew it would be prettier than hers (she has naturally curly hair and lots of it). I honestly was shocked at how pretty it is (that makes me sound so vain) and how it works with my complexion. I have had to change up what colors I can wear now…more saturated jewel tone colors.
Kellyann has some wonderful looks…I may have to copy even more!
Thanks, Darlene, for coming by!
Haha!! The title of this post spoke to me. I cannot think for myself!! Well, that’s not entirely true. When it comes to fashion, I need some encouragement to think for myself. Wearing a dress as a wrap or a tunic would not occur to me. But now I have seen a bunch of my favorite gals doing it…present company included. And with such great success. Love this look. Your olive tights are calling my name, too.
I feel the same way about my hair! Have colored it for probably 15+ years. Decided the August before Covid that I was done. And it very gracefully began going natural. It feels so much healthier, softer. Still thin but the combination of gray and dark brown shades gives the illusion of depth or thickness. I am happier with my hair than I have been in a long time. Your color is tremendous. And the cut is so cute.
Hahaha!!! I have to say I’ve really been trying new things since I started blogging. Even if I’m just running to the store, I now stop and give a little more thought to what I’m wearing! I have worn dresses as dusters for a couple of years, but that was just because I was cold and a cardigan didn’t give me coverage…you know what they say about necessity! I need to find some more colorful tights. I don’t even remember where I found these olive ones. But, they’re one of those things, that unless they’re on your immediate radar, you just don’t think to look for them!
I love your hair. I would have not thought it was thin! Trust me, my hair is the only thing on me (right now) that is thin!! I am so glad I’d decided to stop coloring it before Covid. My stylist truly is a wizard with color, but I was tired of having roots all of the time! I’m not sure if it’s any softer or not. But, thanks so much for the compliments! I’ll take them!