Transformers... no, not the movie

I'm talking clothing. I'm not morphing my blog into a fashion blog, but every once in a while, I'm going to talk clothes. I'm a girl. It's fun.

I had a little "comment discussion" with Vintch where we were lamenting dressing with the cold weather, but also recognizing that we don't have to go out and purchase a whole new wardrobe for winter... we [you] can "transform" a summer wardrobe. [Or maybe you can afford to go out and purchase a whole new winter wardrobe... if so, where's the love!? I'll shoot you my address and you can send me a check.]

Just have fun with the wardrobe you have. It is actually kind of a fun challenge to take your summer clothes and figure out ways to layer, be cute, AND stay warm. Be creative. Be bold.

With that said, I'm going to have a few posts in the coming weeks on "transforming pieces." I will suggest a few of my favorite things that make the transition from summer clothes to winter clothes a wee bit smoother, and I'll also get some gurus to come on and post some of their favorite things. If you'd like to contribute, shoot me an email: aejonestheblog@gmail.com. [Sydney from The Daybook did a great post about this type of thing. Follow her - she is fantastic.]



For my first Transforming Tool: [I sound like a magician..."For my first trick..."]

1. Belts - skinny/ big belts are great. You can get a handful of cute skinny belts from F21 for a small price. [Just got three for four dollars for Christmas. I know. Awesome.] Black is a staple. Gray is great. But I'd definitely throw in a few colors - pink, yellow, moss green. Maybe even gold or blue. You don't need to dress like a nun during the winter season - throw in some color. [Not that there's anything wrong with dressing like a nun... I just prefer, you know, not to. That's just me.]

Skinny belts can be worn over almost anything: blazers, dresses, sweaters, button-ups, t-shirts.

My favorite place to wear them is around the smallest part of your waist... just above the hips. [It accentuates those feminine curves we all "love."]

A few visuals for you:

Simple black...

...totally classy.

But notice: basic tee underneath, cute jacket/ sweater over top. Throw a belt around it and it looks polished and finished. You could also throw a colored belt (camel, pink, yellow, teal) around this to add a bit of color.

 

 This is just showing that you can wear a skirt, shirt untucked, and a cute belt on top. This is a little too matchy-matchy for me - kind of one color scheme going on. Throw a gray pencil skirt on and that would kind of mix things up a bit. Since you have the fun collar, you could throw a cardigan on top [maybe black] and put the belt on top.

You normally wouldn't think of wearing a belt over a chunky sweater, would you? Kind of goes against everything your mom taught you about dressing when you were little. Guess what? Now we're the ones teaching our moms how to dress! A belt over a chunky sweater like this: super, super darling. [I love that sweater by the way, don't you?] You could wear this casual, to the office, on a date, with the girls...

Doesn't this outfit look comfortable? I know it doesn't have a belt around it, but you could totally throw a belt around it. I would do a simple, camel-colored, leather belt.



I think we all know how much I love this combination since I used in a previous clothing post. This gives you a good visual on wearing a belt with a blazer. You don't always have to wear the jacket buttoned - just depends on the jacket.




There we go ma dears... hope "Transforming Tool #1: The Belt" can help you as you transfer some of your summer pieces into winter.