Want To Level Up Your Look? Listen Up.

Want To Level Up Your Look? Listen Up.

Is it possible to look fabulous and expensive while being environmentally conscious all on a budget? Yes, it is! Adding one statement piece can change your go-to outfit in 30 seconds.  Recycling your own clothing can freshen up your look and give good quality pieces another shot at the long lives they deserve; it can be as easy as switching your black bag for a leopard print purse that you bought in the early 2000s, or swapping your sneakers for those vintage boots you impulsively bought at a consignment store. Recycling pieces can turn your sidewalk into a red carpet without breaking the bank or the planet.


Leopard Print

This is now a fierce trend, predicted in late 2023 to be the look for 2024. Stars like Kourtney Kardashian and Dua Lipa have been spotted rocking the pattern, and labels like Dolce & Gabbana and Celine have debuted the print on their spring runways.  Faux fur spots have been in and out of public approval for the past 70 years and they hop back and forth between “trashy” and “classy,” making the trend like no other. The chic print has been worn since the dawn of time, but the first debut of artificial spots was done by Christian Dior in 1947.  Since then, it has been worn by celebrities like Cindy Crawford, Jennifer Lopez, Gwyneth Paltrow, and just about every female style icon. Although it's a beautiful pattern, some fashionistas are intimidated by it. But have no fear!  You could go bold and wear a maxi leopard print dress, then pair it with black heels and a black bag.  Marylin Monroe showed us you can accessorize with spots to elevate your look. You could try wearing your regular outfit with a hint of leopard, such as in your satin leopard print bag or silk spotted scarf hanging in the back of your closet. If you're feeling risky, pull out your leopard print jeans and wear them with a crisp white button-down. So chic! Or, grab your favorite pair of jeans and pair them with a satin-y leopard print blouse.  No leopard print in your closet?  Don’t worry!  Leopard print can be found in any secondhand, consignment store, or your cool aunt’s closet. Subtle or bold, these spots are irresistible, making this decade the new roaring 20s!


Riding Boots! Cowgirl Boots! Chelsea Boots! Oh My!

These boots seem to reappear every year once the leaves turn brown, but you can style them year-round!  Every girl needs one good pair of leather boots; these can be ankle-high (also called “Chelsea Boots”), mid-calf, or even knee-high boots.  Broken-in boots look far better than brand-new pairs, and any consignment shop could host your dream pair!  Keep an eye out for brands like “Frye” and “Tecovas,” especially the vintage sets, or classic “Dr. Martens” if those are more your style. To style your Frye boots or cowgirl boots, try on a long, gingham dress, or a short, black dress.  If you’re not a dress girl, try a pair of low-rise shorts and a flowy blouse.  If you’re a “Dr. Martens” lady, try pairing them with your favorite jeans and a fun t-shirt or button-down. Then, to extend the life of all of these, wear your boots with a skirt and a sweater in the fall.  Your athletic shoes always wear out quickly, forcing you to buy a new pair every year or two, while leather boots will stick with you for years and years. Leather boots are such an underrated and versatile piece that can be found anywhere or paired with anything. It's time to ditch the cheaply made and boring sneakers and get yourself a pair of good quality and gorgeous boots. 


A Mellow Yellow

That dress captivated us in 2003.  Kate Hudson wore that gorgeous, yellow Carolina Herrera gown in “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” and it's had a chokehold on us since.  Two decades later, the color known as “butter yellow” has been slowly climbing to mass popularity.  The “color of the season” has been worn by A-list celebs and the internet is raving over the shade.  Sabrina Carpenter stunned the world on her 25th birthday in a beautiful butter yellow dress that she bought second-hand.  Is the color hard to sport?  Only if you’re afraid of it.  Butter yellow is mellow enough to pair with anything in you’re closet!  Just think of it as if it were the new white and trade in your colorless, button-down for a whimsical, light-yellow blouse.  The color is playful, bright, and non-seasonal.  Although butter yellow is less common than plain white, second-hand and consignment shops are always full of goodies you could never find anywhere else.  The hard work it takes to find these pieces always pays off. 

You do not need boxes and boxes of cheaply made clothing to upgrade your style; all you need is a good quality blouse, a pair of leather boots, and some statement accessories.  Now all that may sound like your bank account melting away, but with consignment shopping, you get high-end, amazing quality, and nearly unique pieces at reasonable and delightful prices.  Next time you’re in your favorite consignment store and a leopard print purse or some light yellow heels catch your eye, add it to your wardrobe and let the compliments roll in.  



Credits:

Tara Gonzalez, I’m Just a Girl Who Loves Bows, but What Does That Even Mean? 

Bazaar, December 21, 2023


Alexandria Dale, Butter yellow is officially the colour of the season, here's how celebs are styling the hue

Cosmopolitan, June 5, 2024


Photo Creds:

Robert Okine

Getty Images

Sabrina Carpenter

@Zaraynaf (Instagram)

Elianaarvizu (Pinterest)

Adobe Stock

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