night and day...

 

thrifted shirt: Banana Republic

skinny jeans: TJ Maxx

 

I am wearing this outfit tonight, probably with a sweater, to get sushi with some friends. I love the top! The swirls are different from what you would normally see on a tank top. Banana Republic is really great about taking a regular type of shirt and tweaking some aspect of it to make it special. That is probably why they are so expensive normally. Good thing I don't have to worry about that!

 



 

thrifted pants: Banana Republic

 

Here is the above top with black capri pants. As you can see, a nice top is good for day wear and for night wear. There really is no replacement for a dressy sleeveless top: You can wear it with or without a jacket, you can dress it up with nice pants or dress it down with jeans, etc. I encourage you to get creative with your pieces; mix and match combos you wouldn't normally wear. This will get you out of your comfort zone and lead you closer to a better personal style.

 

The best thing I did to get more creative with my outfits was to look at what celebrities wear and try to emulate. They have endless funds to wear whatever they want, so it is much easier for celebs to find their best personal style. I suggest this: take a picture of a celeb outfit, and look in your closet to see if you have any clothes that match what they are wearing. Then, wear the outfit. You will be surprised at what combinations you have in your own closet already!! I do this all the time, and in addition to being a good idea, it adds an element of fun to the process. Plus, if you squint your eyes just right, you might look like your favorite celebrity. Haha, not.

 

thrifted shoes: Ann Taylor

 

Finally...look at these!! Ann Taylor heels. Aren't they ADORABLE!! I LOVE the little piece of leather on the back, so hot. Oh, thrifting, you so crazy. There actually was a stain on one shoe, but I cleaned it when I got home and it came off! Score! While getting these, I also found a huge tiki mask decor thing. I really wanted to buy it but I didn't, mostly because I saw that episode of The Brady Bunch where they found a tiki idol and I didn't want disaster to fall upon me :) .