Style

Stretch Your Closet: 3 Ways to Wear a Striped Peplum

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Okay wait, is anyone else seriously freaking out about how March is basically almost over and spring is pretty much here (at least in Utah – hey-o 60-degree weather!) Usually the winter months drag by for me, but I’ve seriously been so busy and my schedule has been so full that the days are flying by. And yes, as a matter of fact, I have been saying NO to a lot of things so I can live my best #yearofme, but there have been a lot of things that I’ve wanted to say YES to and it’s kept my plate full. It’s no walk in the park working a full-time job, running a blog/biz, helping to run the youth group at church, getting to the gym on a regular basis and leading a social life. Normally I have complete breakdowns at being so busy, but right now, I’m really loving it (well, 95% of the time.) More on this later, though.

What I DO want to talk about today, though, is stretching your closet to make one piece of clothing work in a variety of ways. If you’re new here, then I want you to know that I consider myself an everyday kind of girl, with an everyday kind of budget. I don’t have money to drop on new clothes every day (and I don’t believe in buying clothes to take pictures of just to return right after. Not trying to throw shade at those who do, but I don’t want to style anything that I don’t keep in my closet in real life.) Stretching my closet and getting the most wear out of my clothes is super important to me, hence why I created this series called “Strech Your Closet!”

I’m super excited about today’s edition because THIS STRIPED PEPLUM IS THE BOMB! But really, it is so, so versatile and fun, for a number of reasons, but mainly:

1. It has a peplum, so it really takes a basic striped top to whole new level
2. It goes with everything.

Although, I do want to say that you shouldn’t get foundation on it because it’s pretty impossible to get out. I had to reorder this top after ruining my first one, but it is THAT GOOD that I DID reorder it (and vowed not to apply my makeup while wearing it ever again.)

Wear your Striped Peplum to Work

Disclaimer – at my office, we’re allowed to wear dark wash jeans a couple times a week in lieu of dress pants or a skirt. This outfit would look just as good with a pair of straight dress pants (but I’d recommend switching out the combat boots for something a tiny bit more delicate if you do wear dress pants.)

OKAY so. Here is the peplum (cute.) When I get ready for work, I always think about adding something a bit more fancy or luxurious to dress it up a bit for a more professional feel, ya feel? This sherpa vest (yes, I have two and no, I’m not sorry about it) has a bit more of a fancy cut and fit to it – it’s got an asymmetrical hem and it tucks in at the waist so it doesn’t look as outdoorsy (compared to the other sherpa vest that I stretched 3 ways in this post.)

I also added my favorite tassel pendant to really dress it up. Also, because I find myself always fiddling with it while working at my desk – I love having something to keep my hands busy when reading through resumes because job skills can blur together if you look at them long enough.

Since I styled this for a casual Friday at the office feel, I put on my combat boots – which are the perfect combination of cutesy and hardcore. I work with a bunch of crazy sales guys so I’ve got to have a little bit of edge so I can keep them in line (looking at you, Trent, Demo, Riley & Adam.)

Wear your Striped Peplum running Errands

Okay, mixing prints is one of my favorite things to do – especially with a thin stripe print like this. I can’t even put my finger on it, but there’s just something about stripes and florals that just WORKS. However, I’ve learned it’s all about balance. Let one print do most of the talking and let the other be an accent – hence why I popped on a subtle floral print scarf instead of a floral jacket.

Distressed denim is perfect for weekend errands and it’s taken me FOREVER to find a pair that would work with my knee replacement. These babies are PULL-ON JEGGINGS from Old Navy. RIGHT? I freaking love them because they feel like leggings, look like jeans, have a big enough hole for left knee and are so comfy. They. are. winners.

And of course, my TOMS are my go-to errand shoe. I love these because of how easy they are to slip on and off. Also because they are comfortable. Also because they go with everything.

TIP FOR BUYING AND OWNING TOMS- I scored these at Costco for $24 bucks, so always check Costco before paying full price. Also, size 1/2 down because these guys do stretch out. And when you inevitably step in dog poo (like me) you can toss them in your washing machine for a quick rinse!

Wear your Striped Peplum on the Weekends

We’re stretching our closet, right?? That’s why I’ve got my favorite distressed Jeggings and my TOMS on REPEAT because I want to show how different an outfit can look with just a couple minor swaps. No more floral scarf and necklace – I threw on my layered utility jacket that would be more fitting for being outside on the weekends when taking the dogs to the park or going for a quick jaunt in the Jeep.

Just by switching out two accessories for a jacket, this outfit takes on a whole new vibe and purpose. This outfit is my favorite out of all three – it feels stylish but effortless and casual at the same time. It just felt like ME! I’d wear this every day if it was socially acceptable!

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OKAY, I’d love to know which outfit out of the three is your favorite.
Also, what are your weekend plans?

Oh and, hey. Thanks for being around and supporting me and HTC. It means more to me than you’ll ever know.