Thursday, March 05, 2009

Spruce up your Spring wardrobe!

You know the economy is bad when OHmommy hasn't been inside a mall and/or clothing store for the entire month of February and the first four days of March. However, I do not feel like changing my style to mirror our current economy. I need to shop... just more creatively!

There are things we can all do, without spending too much money, to spruce up our upcoming spring wardrobe. Recycle your spring dresses, cute capris, practical jeans and floral skirts from last year with just two new additions. A fun cropped jacket and a pair of colorful ballet slippers will allow you to re-use your spring staples yet again.

For well under $50 you can make your old wardrobe feel FRESH and SPRING like all over again with just the addition of these two things. I have often said that a cropped jacket is the mature version of a hoodie. They are comfy, classy, and cheap. I have searched Target, Walmart, Old Navy, and H&M and found that all of the above mentioned stores have a very cute selection of jackets and slippers. Jackets all below $40 and ballet flats all under $20.

I have this cropped jacket. LOVE. I often wear it with jeans, as I did here. It sold out last year at Old Navy and they brought it back this year. I promise you that it will be love at first sight for you too.

This year I am obsessed with color and really loving coral. Walk into a JCrew and you will see that coral is HOT this season. This jacket has tiny pleats on the back that look so sweet and will look awesome with just about anything: jeans, black pencil skirt, capris.


I am also loving this shade of green for the spring. I haven't worn a blazer since the 80s but the color looks so fun. Throw on a pair of jeans, a plain t-shirt, and some flats and you are ready for preschool pick-up, running errands, or dinner with your husband.


This season I am staying away from my black ballet flats and instead taking some risks with vibrant colors. I found these green ballet flats by YOU Crocs that are so comfy. And... these shoes below scream SPRING! Paired with just about anything they bring a smile to my face.

Want to take even more of a risk this season, try out patterned ballet flats. How sweet are these?

If you aren't willing to spend money on a new cropped jacket or ballet flats. For the love of GAWD go out and purchase a pair of colorful $10 rain boots and tuck your pants into them. Or. GASP.... wear them with a skirt!

Wear them often and jump in puddles daily!!! Feel like a child. They are sooooo in style right now and will brighten up your day.

Cropped jackets are an easy way to spruce up your wardrobe because they can be thrown over just about anything. Think mature hoodie. Flats and rainboots are so in right now so embrace your inner child and slip into some. Looking good this spring is easy to do with just these two new additions to your spring wardrobe.

Want to see what I came home with after my day at the mall? Check out my newest addition to my cropped jacket collection here. Love at first sight. Again.

37classy comments:

Heather said...

I have been grabbing up flats here and there to spruce up my wardrobe. I am unsure of cropped jackets-not sure if I can pull them off. Will have to take Giggles with me to see.

tiarastantrums said...

now where the heck did you find those rain boots for $10??!!

I think I am too short and too hip-py to wear those jackets!!

Dennis and Leslie said...

I love ballet flats, LOVE them! Especially my new gold TBs, thanks for the tip ;)

I cannot make myself buy a pair of rain boots, don't know why...just can't, but I bet they are adorable on you!

Jessica said...

Good advice! I LOVE all of those flats & I definitely need some for myself!

the mama bird diaries said...

I haven't bought anything since Christmas. Serious spending freeze.

Old Navy is completely my go-to place for something cheap and cute.

Junebug said...

I haven't worn ballet flats in some time because I am so short I like heels. But they are darling. Both my daughters wear them all the time, right through winter with no socks! I do have some Hunter rain boots and a sexy camoflauge pair also! (hee hee) I wear them for riding my four-wheeler! But they are cute with pants tucked in. You can see me in them on my four wheeler on my blog a few days ago posted.

Julie said...

A tailored jacket/blazer (like that green one) is a staple in my wardrobe. By getting them at a shorter length (right above the hip), they manage to not look 1988, but still make me look shapely and feminine. Those of us with short waists don't quite go along with cropped jackets.

However, the bright shoes? All about 'em!

Chelsea said...

Mmmm, I love my pink flats. It was a whim and at the time I felt like maybe they wouldn't be practical. But I was surprised at how much they go with. I love them. And I love my blazer. One of the best purchases I have made. I might need another one.

Cecily R said...

I LOVE the boots. I NEED the boots. I need puddle jumping boots.

Rhea said...

I have puddle stomping, butt-kicking cowgirl boots...but those rain boots are pretty cute.

Love your Spring wardrobe picks. Economical and colorful! Love it.

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

On your suggestion, my sister bought me some of the YOU ballet flats...and bought her self another couple pairs as well.

Those rain boots are cute. I'm pretty sure I couldn't pull them off though.

Unknown said...

I want those $10 rainboots, we do A LOT of splashing in puddles around here. It IS fun!

GypsiAdventure said...

oh the jackets are too cute! I don't have any, but an really contemplating getting one - and yes, definitely colors...spring is really a great time to add color and get away from the drabness of winter!
Great ideas and as always style!
~K

Anonymous said...

This is too funny to me: I was sitting at V's last night of basketball and I was eying my fav red patten leather ballet flats and was thinking I should email you and do a segment on spring fun fashions.

Amy said...

Other than the fact that spring is basically summer here, I would love to scoop up a cropped jacket, they are super cute! And these feet are so super accustomed to flip flops that anything that actually comes up over my heel gives me blisters from hell. But I guess I should get some ballet flats. Traci was telling me the same thing everyday. I just really like showing off my pretty pedis!

amanda said...

i love the flats. i'm way picky though...they can't show toe cleavage or it bugs me. weird. yep.

Musings of a Housewife said...

Love the ballet flats! Love the IDEA of the jackets but I never like them on me. Hmmmm...

Nan Patience said...

Thanks for the inspiration. Love the colorful rubber boots, the cropped jacket--yes!

Here's a designer who caught my eye in an Elle magazine: http://www.buffalojeans.com/en/inspiration/. I guess I sort of like that cool, tainted, rocker, clean, Brit look. Not that I hardly ever achieve it!

Becca said...

I love cropped jackets... buttoned. Considering I will be 7-9months pregnant during the spring, I think I will pass. Fall, maybe?

I LOVE me some flats, I just hope my feet don't swell!!

Melissa @ I Pick Pretty said...

All gorgeous, but I'm particularly liking those flats and the rain boots. Just added a pair of crinkly silver TB flats to my collection, but my Target ones have held up wonderfully & of course are a fraction of the price.

Kari said...

LOVE those ballet flats!! Especially the green ones!
I had a pair of rainboots about 3 or so and I wore them everywhere and with everything. Until my dog got ahold of one of them...and they were..umm....demoted from MY favorite pair of shoes..to HER favorite shoes. I was so upset. Still have not found a pair like them since. My wardrobe is in need of CPR. So, thanks for the advice.

Stephanie said...

You dress soooo cute. My big belly would ruin everything you listed here....well except the ballet flats! Off I go to get some....:oD

Unknown said...

I SO wish we had H & M here but we don't. I have been able to shop there while in NY and Cali though. Guess at least I'm saving some money by not having them here... Cute flats!

Amy said...

I have also been thinking about how to keep up with some fun things and go easy on the spending.

sigh

Kate Coveny Hood said...

At this point, my "financial advisor" (a.k.a. my husband) has banned me from anywhere that you must exchange money for products. So that really rules out quite a bit... I'm currently shopping my own closet. It's amazing what you can dig up when you're going through shopping withdrawal. Let's just say that cowboy boots have been making a big comeback in my own personal wardrobe. Yee Ha.

A Crafty Mom said...

GREAT tips!! I love those flats and I also need some colour badly - I have a pair from Lands End that are brown - super comfy and I wore them all last year but it is time for something with a little more life. We are seriously budgeting now as our family is a recent victim of this crazy economy, so these ideas are fabulous for me!

Blessings From Above said...

LOVE those colors...perfect for spring!

Lynn C Mama to 3 said...

I would like to lodge a complaint to all rainboot makers out there via your blog. I would totally wear them, but they don't make cute ones (like those you pictured) in a size 11. GASP? Did she say 11? Yes! I am wicked tall and my feet are size 11 and for some reason if you have size 11 feet, you must be interested in rainboots that were handed down from the Gorton's Fisherman. MAD! I am mad!

Robin said...

What I would give for a professional to pick out my outfits. I love color too, but when I try to add it to my wardrobe, I look like a rainbow threw up on me. Oh well back to black for me.

I am P said...

I love, love, love those boots...must haves, fun and cute too, what more do you need?!

Melissa said...

I love this whole post!! I am in love with my flats, and cropped jackets!!!

Momo Fali said...

I love those boots. They look way fun!

Rachel said...

You are so cute!.
The jackets are darling as are the flats.

The Daily Stroll said...

Love your spring choices!! Being pregnant I live in my flats right now and I even found a cute maternity blazer that I have worn several times! But I have to admit that I'm ready to shop for normal clothes again! :)

BTW..They also have some really cute rainboots at Target!

Zoeyjane said...

How much did I love all of that? Too much to admit to, without lose some street cred. I need to find a sassy cropped jacket that doesn't look too boxy on me - at a price I can afford. So far, this task is IMPOSSIBLE to accomplish.

Darci White said...

I have both of those flats from Old Navy - love them. :)

I also love cropped jackets and that summer green color too - I just wish I was about 3'' taller and cropped jackets would look much better on me.

Jill said...

I won't do flats - heels are my M.O... but I do so dig the jackets.

One day when I actually have a waist again I must check them out... the green one is my fave!

 

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