Blah to BAM! ~family style!

This weeks's blah to BAM comes courtesy of my gorgeous niece. She is such a great supporter of this little blog and is always up for trying out our fashion tips. She texted me a few pics asking for a little advice on how to get a dress to work with layers. Honestly, I didn't even give her any tips before she texted me with her BAM! outfit. To say the least I was impressed and not to mention, a little proud. On top of it all, she was willing to let me use her photos for one of these posts. Thanks girl!

 Blah....

This is not a bad start. The dress is a fabulous cobalt blue which is totally on trend. Also, she did what I probably would have done first too--grabbed a blazer to make a summer dress work for winter. However, a few things make this look a bit blah....

1. The blazer is a boyfriend style and therefore has no shape. Her waist is completely lost somewhere in the middle. Never a good thing. 

2. The outfit looks mashed together color wise. This is due in part to the similarity in color tones of the blazer and dress. 

3. Lack of accessories doesn't give our eye anything interesting to rest on. 

Three easy additions to move this from blah to BAM...

WOW. What a difference. She made some super easy and super quick changes and the WHOLE outfit is way better. 

1. Contrasting cardigan: This was a huge change. Adding a cardigan in a much lighter hue than the dress makes the whole outfit pop. Despite the overall new color tone, the outfit appears MORE cohesive than the original. 

2. Belt: Holy moly did the belt MAKE this outfit. She has a waist! A tiny, gorgeous waist! Whoo Hoo! Never underestimate the power of a good cinch at the waist. Well played girl, well played. 

3. Accessories: She added two simple accessories that gave us the perfect focal point. Her necklace is SPOT ON for placement--just above the belt and her bangle bracelets add a air of femininity that I am a sucker for. 

The cognac boots are a perfect winter option for this outfit. I maybe would have even thrown on some gray boot socks too for a little extra warmth, but I live in the frozen tundra so...

Feel free to send us your Blah to BAM photos! We would LOVE to feature them on the blog!! 

From blah...to BAM!

Starting a new post series on how to take an outfit from blah---to BAM! A basic to beautiful kind of thing. I really believe that most women want to look stylish for their own reasons. However, some women simply don't feel like they know how to "put something together." It may be that you are not sure of what colors "go" or if this shirt goes with those pants..?  It happens so often and we get frustrated so often that we just throw on the basics and walk out the door. I want this post series to show that it really doesn't take much (effort or items) to make an outfit pop. On to exhibit A....

Don't get me wrong..there isn't a single thing WRONG with this outfit. It's centered on an adorable graphic sweatshirt from Old Navy and dark skinnies will never lead you astray. However, it's simply a little BLAH. It has a very muted color scheme and the cream of the sweater can wash even a tan person out. The point here is to ratchet it up a notch by adding or changing a few small things to make it say BAM! Exhibit B....

Well, now I'm not sure about you but this is definitely on the road to better...if not BAM! The changes and additions took me all of about 4-5 minutes to do but I think the overall effect and therefore the overall outfit is much improved. I added color to the neutral tone of the sweatshirt by adding a coral button up as an under layer. I just love the pops of color peeking out from the collar, sleeves, and bottom. I accessorized with a spikey statement necklace and a chunky silver bracelet. These two small additions help finish the look and are evidence that you took just a tiny bit of extra time. I also made a change to my shoes. The flats are adorbs but I just felt that the look would be complete with some slouchy black boots instead. I made four quick additions/changes and the whole look is greater than the sum of its parts! Blah....to BAM! 

Shop My Style (really just go to Old Navy and you'll be golden:) 

Button Up: Old Navy

Sweatshirt: Old Navy

Tuxedo Skinnies: Old NAvy 

Necklace: Old Navy

Boots: Steve Madden

Bracelet: Southern Comfort (gift from my sista!)