February challenge
It’s the third Thursday of the month, and we’re back with a new style challenge! This month, Joanne of My Slice of Life chose ponchos, wraps, or capes. In case you’re unfamiliar with this group, each month, one of us picks a theme. We then create outfits with that theme or trend in mind. When you get to the graphic below, you’ll notice we’ve had a couple of changes. We are welcoming Rosemary of Distinctly Southern Style who has joined us while Daenel has left due to other commitments. Daenel from Living Outside the Stacks selected Very Peri for the month of January! In December, Carrie at A Simple Lovely Life suggested holiday looks. You can find my December and January looks here and here. I have to admit some months are easier than others!
Spring trends 2022
Have you been reading about all of the different trends for this coming spring? I’ve seen many blogs and articles talking about what to expect this year. Mini skirts, neon and bright colors and ballerina flats are a few you might expect to see in the coming months. I have to chuckle when I read these because I wore many of those trends a few decades ago! Platform shoes…check! Gladiator sandals…check! Mini skirts…check! Bell bottoms…check! Low riding jeans…check!
Follow the trends?
I don’t think of myself as a trend follower. I buy what I like. If it is a current trend, fine. If not, I’m OK with that, too. Will I buy a pair of platforms this year? Probably not because of my foot. Will I buy a pair of bell bottom jeans? Oh, if I could find that perfect pair, I would buy them in a heartbeat! In fact, I own exactly one pair of skinny jeans…one pair! I don’t think they suit my body so I don’t feel comfortable in them. That’s a trend I have skipped. I guess that’s rather ironic because I do love leggings which are basically soft skinny jeans, right?
Trend?
I realized as I was writing this post I wasn’t exactly sure what a trend even was. I found this article fascinating and informative. It’s a fast read. Basically, there are two types of trends when it comes to fashion…long-term (also known as macro trends) and short-term trends (micro trends). Short-term trends are not the same as fast fashion but can definitely be a part of it. These kinds of trends change within a few months and can last as long as three to five years. Macro trends not only take a longer period of time to occur but are centered around demographics and lifestyle. They usually last five to ten years. An example of a macro trend might be the acceptance of denim in the business world. An example of a micro trend would be the different silhouettes of denim each season.
Found one!
This month, Joanne selected ponchos, wraps, or capes for our Ageless Style link up. Well, I thought I was going to have to actually go out and buy one. ! For a hot minute, I thought about styling one of the Athleta Pranayama Wraps. Those may be called wraps, but I think of them more as a combination cardigan sweatshirt! Since I didn’t think it was what Joanne had in mind, I would have been cheating! Then, I remembered I’d bought a poncho at J Jill a few years ago. Obviously, this is another trend I didn’t exactly get behind! This poncho is two of my favorite things…grey and cabled! Actually, it’s three because it’s also asymmetrical!
Making it work
I decided to go with a rather minimalistic approach to this challenge. I know most people (read fashion bloggers) would say you wear something more tailored and fitted on the bottom when the top is rather flowy. But, sometimes, you have to go against the current, right? I grabbed these wide leg jeans and paired them with this blouse (seen here) under the poncho. I added the red shoes for a pop of color, and I think they delivered!
The Lewk
Because I wanted to stick with the black/white/floral motif, I wore this gorgeous necklace! I have had it for eons! My kids bought it for me for Mother’s Day one year. I remember being really disappointed because I’d seen it in the store while shopping with my daughter. It was a little on the pricey side so I didn’t buy it. When I went back to get it a week or so later, it was gone! My daughter had gone back and bought it! I usually only wear it in the summer, but I thought it worked quite well with this outfit. I also wore my diamond earrings but didn’t grab a photo of them. They’re just diamond studs. The rings are part of a set from Sundance Catalog. I bought mine years and years ago and paid nothing near that price! The shoes are Pikolinos (similar).
Not quite there yet, but…
I do not currently have any types of affiliate links…fellow bloggers, if you have any hints on how to accomplish this, I’d appreciate it. But, I thought I’d include the disclaimer information should this ever happen! Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. On this post as well as all past posts, italicized links are provided as a convenience to you.
And, now the good stuff!
Here are links to all of the lovely ladies in the Ageless Style collaboration. Please do visit them on their various media. Also, please join the party and click on the link below to share how you wear your poncho, wrap, or cape! Join the party even if you don’t wear ponchos, wraps, or capes! Link up with us, visit a couple of others, and leave a comment!
Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Bo ~ Bo’s Bodacious Blog
Blog / Instagram /Pinterest / Bloglovin’
Carrie ~ A Simple Lovely Life
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Joanne ~ My Slice of Life
Blog
Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style
Blog | Instagram | Facebook |
Leslie ~ Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle
Blog /Instagram
Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Rosemary ~ Distinctly Southern Style
Blog / Instagram / Pinterest / Facebook
Robin ~ Hello I am 50ish
Blog / Instagram / Pinterest / Facebook
Wrap it up, Marsha!
While I like to think of myself as stylish and even fashionable, I’m not sure I would ever say I was trendy. And, that’s OK. One of the things I’m discovering about myself through this blog is that it’s OK to dress one way one day (or even part of one day) and a completely different way another day! There are days I feel like wearing lots and lots of accessories and days I forget to even put in my earrings! Life is too short and precious to worry about whether or not I’m wearing the “right” thing with the even more “right” thing. I’m just going to wear what I like and what (in Marie Kondo’s words) sparks joy in me! What about you? Do you consider yourself trendy, fashionable, stylish or possibly all three? Do you follow trends closely? Are there any trends you’ve decided to just skip altogether? Leave me a comment, please! I’ll respond and we can have a wonderful conversation! Thanks to those of you who subscribe. If you don’t and you just found me through this link up, won’t you consider subscribing?
Where I frequently link up:
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 and Doused in Pink. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs!
I don’t follow trends either but want to be up to date about then to incorporate them in my outfits to keep a modern look. And skinny jeans have never been my thing. A poncho is a item that I like a lot but never know when to wear. Although, I do wear mine on colder summer evenings.
Trends are so hard to follow some times. If I do buy something considered a trend, it’s usually an accessory or inexpensive. I like the look of a poncho on other people, but not so much on me. Although, when I take the dog outside, I usually wrap an afghan or a throw around my shoulders! I should have done my post on that!!!
I love how your outfit came together and I am glad your remembered this poncho/wrap. A perfect neutral to go with everything. Love that splash of color with the shoes too. Well done!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks, Mireille! I do love grey! I’m glad I remembered I had it (but I was kinda hoping to have to buy one)! I thought the shoes were a good pop of color!
Pearls and a poncho? Yes, please! I am headed your way today – we will be in Indiana until Tuesday. Headed to watch a volleyball tourney for our son. I am scared I am going to freeze to death, this girl doesn’t really have winter clothes!
xo,
Kellyann
Oh, I hope you stay warm. Would you believe it was almost 60 here yesterday? Good luck to your son!
Love the dark shade of this poncho! The pearls add a really chic Chanel vibes. Thanks so much for the link up Marsha!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Oh, I do love Coco Chanel! One thing I really would like to have is a Chanel purse. I doubt I will ever get one because there are no stores close to me that carry them. Oh, well, small worries, right? I’m glad you visited, Kathrine! Good luck tomorrow night!
I love how you styled this! The layered necklace is so pretty & adds just the right amount of special. I agree that you don’t necessarily need to go fitted on the other half when wearing a looser fit piece…it’s all about what you love & feel amazing in, right? xo
Debbie
http://www.yourstyledstory.com
Thanks, Debbie! I just knew I didn’t want to go the tried and true way! Trying to add a little rebellion into my look!
I really need to wear this necklace more often…it’s one of those special pieces you don’t want to break…but that’s just dumb! Because ain’t no one wearing it in my closet!
I love your necklace over the poncho styling Marsha. I would never have thought of that. New trick for my trunk. Now i have to get a poncho. ?
I just needed something to break up all of that grey. I toyed with a couple of other necklaces, but they didn’t really show up like this one did. I can’t wait to see you in a poncho with the necklace on the outside!
That poncho is so cute! And I dislike pairing flowy on top with fitted on the bottom lol. I always feel like an ice cream cone when I do that. On some people it works, on me, no. And I am excited to hear bell bottom jeans are coming back, they are the best!
That is a perfect analogy! I’m not sure if it’s because I’m so vertically challenged or what…but the proportions of a flowy top with slimmer bottoms just seem off for me! I love bell bottoms…mine (back in the 70s) were huge!!
Thanks for coming by!
I love your pearls with your poncho. It takes a look up a whole notch!
I have a similar one, and I plan to copy your look with black pants and a top soon!
Thanks for the introduction! I am so happy to be a part of this fabulous group of ladies.
Rosemary
http://www.distinctlysouthernstyle.com
Thank you so much, Rosemary! I was just trying to come up with something that would really contrast with the charcoal grey. But, now, I’m going to have to wear these together more often!
I’m glad you’ve joined us and look forward to getting to know you better!
I consider myself fashionable and stylish but not trendy. I usually just start to like a trend (like skinny jeans) as it’s on it’s way out (though I still prefer flare leg/boot cut jeans the best). I love your asymmetrical poncho!
I’m honestly not sure if I consider myself fashionable and stylish or not! Most of the time, it’s jeans and a sweater(s)! I think I’m like you in starting to like a trend on the way out. I never gave up my love for flared jeans, though!
I totally love this with the wider jeans….again we are totally on the same wavelength Marsha.
That poncho needs to come out and play more…it’s such a fabulous piece.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Hahaha! Isn’t that something how we do that? I like this poncho, but it’s actually really a strange fit. The opening is very wide and actually could slip down on one shoulder, but then it throws everything off. I did try turning it so it was more cape like, but then I looked like Superman! I was kind of amazed at how much I liked this look in the end!
I am definitely in for the bright colors but no so much the mini-skirts, I think I’ll leave that up to my teenager. I am like you, I do look at trends but I don’t buy a piece because it’s only trendy, I have to feel like myself in it. I love this poncho and I was reminded I had a very similar one a few years ago.
bosbodaciousblog.blogspot.ca
Mini skirts and I bid each other a fond farewell eons ago! But, if I had wonderfully long slim legs, I might consider one! I do love bright colors but not neon ones. I’m glad you liked my poncho. I really thought I was going to have to go buy one!
Your poncho is such a great layering piece! Love it with the pearls!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks, Jill! The pearls were just a happy accident! I needed something that would show up against the grey!
I do love a poncho. Surprised you haven’t worn this one very much! Love the styling.
I think it’s because one of the things I love most about it…the asymmetry…also makes it rather difficult to wear. It falls down on one shoulder and covers the other arm completely. It does look good, I’ll grant you that!!
I love your poncho Marsha!
Especially with the pearls. very stylish.
I wear ponchos all year long as an extra layer. They just get thinner as the weather gets hotter.
I am so glad that you explained the differences between macro and micro trends!
Have a wonderful weekend!
I thought it was interesting to come across those two definitions…I’d never thought of fashion (or other businesses) in that way.
Thanks for the compliments! I’ve been a little overwhelmed by how many people liked those pearls. They are very special to me, but I didn’t realize the impact they had on the outfit.
I’m not sure if ponchos are for me…large scarves definitely!
Love these recommendations and pictures with these glasses. Thank you so much for sharing.
https://www.mariannyc.com/30thbirthdaycelebration/
Thanks, Mariann! I actually have a couple of new pairs of glasses coming! I’m hoping they work well!
Marsha, you look great! I hope you have an amazing week!
Lots of love,
Krissi of the marquise diamond
https://www.themarquisediamond.de/
Thank you so much, Krissi! It always means a lot to me when I receive compliments. I’m never sure how exactly to respond, but I do appreciate them.
I hope your week is fabulous as well!
Thanks, again!
You look amazing in your wrap. As for skinny jeans, that’s pretty much all I own. I have a closet full of them, and now they are apparently on the way out (or so they say. the fashion gurus have been saying that for years, yet they are still here).
I think if they’re your jam, keep them! I’ve just always felt so constricted in them. I think it’s because I grew up wearing bell bottoms! And, we should wear what we like, right?
I wonder if most ponchos are asymmetrical? Really like the texture in yours. And it is such a flattering style. You have created a very chic look and have the best accessories. That black and white necklace looks like a nod to the roarin’ 20s. Love it.
Thanks, Leslie! I don’t know…I always think of Clint Eastwood when I hear poncho…hahaha!! I should wear it more often, but it’s not all that warm. The roarin’ 20s! Now, I just need a flapper dress!
This is such a beautiful wrap on you! The asymmetric cut is so fun and it pairs really nicely with your outfit. I love your statement necklace too, with it and the pop of colour from the red shoes you accessorised perfectly! 🙂
Thank you for joining the Weekday Wear Link Up! Hope that you had a nice weekend! Ours was a quiet one at home as we were flooded in on Saturday and are still flooded in now.
https://awayfromtheblue.blogspot.com.au
Thanks, Mica! I love this necklace, but I’m always very careful with it since it was a gift from my kids. I need to wear the wrap more…maybe next winter!
Thanks for coming by!
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