3 Chic Styling Hacks For Spring
Feeling stylish is never just about what you wear, it’s about how you wear it.
With a few simple adjustments, your look can go to from boring or chaotic to fashion-forward and confident.
It’s all in the styling.
So this week, I’m showing you how it’s done with my three favorite fashion tricks for spring 2020.
THE SHIRT JACKET
Repurpose the top you already own into a light-weight jacket — the trendiest top layer for spring.
First, collect a handful of button downs in your closet (1-5 is perfect).
Each one needs to be silky, soft, or flowy, not too fitted.
Once you’ve collected them, unbutton each fully, so you see them as jackets.
Next, find a sleeveless or long-sleeve top to go underneath each jacket. Avoid pairing short-sleeve shirts because it might create a distracting focal point under your shirt jacket, near your upper arm.
Choose a your undershirt for each shirt jackets by using the colors and/or shapes in the shirt jacket to guide you.
For light, bright colors like watermelon, blush, coral, and aqua, pair other light, bright colors like lemon, key lime, lilac, or white.
More of a neutral gal? Keep the look creative by mixing warm and cool neutrals. Try navy underneath a charcoal button down, caramel underneath black or vise versa.
Can’t get enough of the jewel tones? Mix colors like cobalt, hot pink, royal purple, and marigold to create bold combinations where both pieces play into each other seamlessly.
Add blue denim on bottom, simple pumps or fashion sneakers as the shoe, and a clean pair of hoops as your accessory. Finish the look by front tucking your shirt and leaving your shirt jacket fully untucked. Wear this look for brunch, lunch, a casual day at the office, running errands, or on a movie date with your favorite person.
THE LAYERED NECKLACES
You’ve probably seen this trend in stores and online, but you may not have thought to look for it in your closet. And chances are, it’s already there!
Layered necklaces will make you look more complex and thoughtful without adding much weight to your outfit for spring weather.
The trick to nailing this technique is trying multiple combinations, trusting your instinct when you like a combination, and wearing that combination (yes, you’ve gotta wear it!) to affirm your new skills.
To layer from your collection, first, pull out all your pendant necklaces that are on chains (rather than leather or anything non-metal). The length can be anywhere from a choker to a long pendant.
Next, choose two to layer. You can mix the metals (i.e., silver and gold or gold and rose gold) or you can stick to a single metal color.
To determine if the two you’ve chosen create the the right combination, make sure the two pendants aren’t sitting directly on top of each other. You want them to talk to each other, not over each other.
If they’re sitting on top of each other, adjust the chain length, so they each have enough space to each be seen. If adjusting the chain length isn’t possible on one or both, abandon one of the necklaces, and add a new one in to the mix.
The most important thing is that each pendant is visible by not sitting in the same exact spot, so give yourself time to create as many combinations as you need to find the right one.
Once you find the right combination, you can keep wearing it like that over and over again.
Ready to get more complex with it? Add a third tier of the necklaces and repeat the process of making sure each pendant is visible when you're wearing it.
Worried about them tangling when you wear them? This hack will curb your fears.
BLAZER + SHORTS
And yes, no matter how old or young you are, you can totally rock this trend.
Once of my favorite general styling techniques is to go dressed up/dressed up, meaning taking a traditionally casual pieces and pairing it with a dressier piece to create a look that works for Austin culture. Mixing two unexpected pieces together allows you to feel put together and appropriate in dressy casual settings, while the unexpected pairing makes people look twice in envy at your mastery of style. #nailedit
So for this dressed up/dressed down look, I’m addressing a pair that’s perfect for spring: the blazer and shorts.
Before I go any further though, I need you to know that no matter your qualms with your legs (I’ve heard them all from lots and lots of women), your legs are beautiful and strong and deserve to see the light of day (with sunscreen applied, of course).
You can and should wear shorts, and I want to help you do it.
To pull this look off, give yourself lots of freedom, because there are many different types of shorts and blazers that can work for this look.
Types of blazers that work: structured, unstructured, patterned, printed, silky, boyfriend-style, oversized, 80s inspired, classic business, and relaxed.
Pull out two or three.
Types of shorts that work: blue denim, black denim, white denim, linen, chino, paper-bag waist, and biker shorts.
Again, pull out a few (if you have a variety of shorts, pull out different kinds) and lay them out.
Add a couple basic layering tops to pile to go under the blazer. Options include a white tee, a black tank, a chambray shirt, or a bodysuit.
Throw the basic top on first, add the blazer on top (leave it open on the front), and throw the shorts on bottom. Like the combo? Keep it and take a picture for future wears. Unsure if the blazers and shorts are the right fit? Just like the layered necklaces, you’ll swap out one of the pieces (either blazer or shorts) until you find the perfect combo.
Push up the sleeves of you blazer to right above your elbow to give the look a relaxed touch and finish it with booties, fashion sneakers, or pumps.
Enjoyed today’s tips? Leave me a comment below and share which styling trick you’re excited to try this spring.
Lots of love and joy!
Raquel
