Outfit #2: Ann Taylor shirt+BCBG shorts+ivory flower necklace
I’m continuing my attempt at Courtney Carver‘s challenge for minimalist fashion– Project 333— by showing you the outfits I create out of the eleven pieces I selected. As you know, I have been downsizing my wardrobe this summer in order to move into a small apartment in SoCal. I must admit that it has been tempting to pair outfits in advance to see how many combos I can pull together, but my first advice from this project is: construct your outfits one day at a time!
My previous post on Project 333 explains that I will be wearing 11 items in 1 month (with a few exceptions such as shoes, my bag and sunglasses) to demonstrate how easy it is to maximize the potential of a small wardrobe. The end result is to purchase only what we need or absolutely love, and allow our budget for each item to rise a bit. That way, we can purchase beautiful pieces to wear for years.
The eleven pieces!
I love what Courtney Carver herself has to say about a simple wardrobe: “Simplicity in the closet lends itself to personal style. Instead of chasing trends, you can finally wear clothing that fits your body and your lifestyle. It may take some time to figure out how you want to dress, but soon you’ll feel more comfortable, receive more compliments, and be better dressed with less.”
Instead of chasing trends, you can finally wear clothing that fits your body and your lifestyle. This is fantastic news– how great is it to actually develop your signature look? I can tell you that the compliments will start flowing in no time!
Why I chose these pieces: A loose silk top goes perfectly with almost anything. It tucks into shorts for a “romper” look; it pairs well with high-waisted skirts for a more polished ensemble; and it goes with your favorite pair of pants.
On top of that, these shirts are super flattering and comfortable!
I was also lucky enough to find a top and shorts that are pretty close in color. This outfit would look great with monochromatic pieces. The easiest pairings are, of course, white on white or black on black. Très chic!
Where to find these pieces: As I mentioned in my first Project 333 post, the sale rack is a great place to look for silk tops and flattering shorts. You’ll be surprised to discover how versatile a plain dressy shirt can be! My top is from Ann Taylor (similar here) and shorts from BCBG. (Psst! Banana Republic is having a 40%-off everything sale RIGHT NOW)
Pull the look together: With a funky necklace, cat-eye sunglasses and a natural red lipstick. My sunnies are from Anthropologie (similar here); necklace from my mom in the 80s, and lipstick from Cle de Peau Beaute in 103S (absolutely LOVE this line).