I’ve been thinking about fashion a lot lately. Well that’s not a new thing, I guess.
This has been different though. A little more cerebral. Bear with me…


In my mind, there are two types of fashion blogs out there – personal style blogs where women take photos of themselves wearing fashionable, trendy, creatively put together outfits and style how-to blogs that break down the latest trends, show you how to put outfits together and give you shopping guides on where to find the latest trends reasonably priced. This blog is the latter.


When I started taking photos of my outfits and posting them here a couple of weeks ago, I started to feel this weird juxtaposition. I started to feel like I wasn’t fashionable enough to hang in the ‘personal style blog’ world. Especially with stuff like this floating around the Internets (funny…and I get where they’re going…but like the first commenter on the Refinery29 article, it just seems a bit elitist??).


My insecurities made me start reevaluating what we’re doing here. I had lots of questions…
Are you still fashionable if you wear something from Old Navy?
Can I call myself a fashion blogger if I share big box store items with you?
To be fashionable, do you have to do things like wear a necklace as a headband or shorts as a shirt?
Is this blog not on-trend enough?


This article helped. Particularly the ‘Beth and Christian’ segment. Beth’s before photo is totally on-trend. Oxford flats, tights with shorts, boyfriend cardigan…she looks like something from a personal style blog. And she works in the fashion industry to boot. But, I REALLY like the way her boyfriend styled her. She looks far more put together. So, that made me think…


And then I started looking to the people around me. REAL people who read this blog. And I realized a personal style blog that pushed the limits of a wardrobe and took risks with fashion wouldn’t be helpful to them. What most women need and want is help on how to look stylish and put together. It doesn’t matter if it comes from Neiman-Marcus, the hippest vintage store or Wal-Mart – they just want to look good (actually, they’d prefer it come from something as accessible as Wal-Mart). After seeing stylish models and celebrities in magazines and on TV, they’re looking for something like this blog to tell them how – in a REAL way.


They’re two entirely different things, really – those two different types of style blogs. Most people will look at the personal style blogs for inspiration, but never really feel like they can pull off the looks themselves. It’s an unattainable, not-for-me exchange.


What we do here on Ssasy Chic is inspire, instruct and make trends accessible so you leave feeling confident enough to wear them.


Does that make this any less of a style blog? Nope. It’s just different.


So, I’ll continue posting the how-tos, the what-to-wears and the where-to-finds. And, I’ll keep working on the what-I-wores, too. ‘Cause it sounds like you want to see how to pull it all together…not just in theory – how to ACTUALLY do it.


Glad we got that cleared up. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming…

My style obsessions change weekly, it’s true. That’s what happens when you write a fashion blog.

I’m tough on shoes. I’m not sure how I manage to do it, but I seem to gouge every leather, suede or silk covered heel I own. I’ve declared that henceforth, my everyday heels MUST have heels made of wood or another sturdy material. I love these Michael Kors strappy sandals. They’re very seventies inspired and don’t scream Summer – I’d be able to wear them this Fall as well.



I know Winter is over. I know I should move on from the sequin style. I just can’t bring myself to do it. Especially when it’s a mini skirt like this. It’s perfect for weekends downtown, cocktail parties or, you know, just hanging out around the house.



Oh, Audrey… I loved your style. I’m stoked cropped pants are in this season. I’ve done the cropped skinnies and the boyfriend chinos, but my all-time favorite is the Audrey Hepburn cropped trouser. I’d wear them every day if I could get away with it. The most true to her style pair I’ve found is this one from JCrew.



Speaking of Audrey. I NEED this for the beach. I’m moving away from the well-worn cowboy hat into something more mysterious like this straw hat. Worn with super huge sunglasses…can you see it?



I also need this. ‘Cause if I’m cooking in that sequin skirt, I have to have an adorable apron to protect it. Don’t you think?



And, this is just one of those can’t-live-without-it items. In every color, of course.

What are you obsessing over lately?

Many of this Spring’s most popular styles have a boho-chic quality to them. Maxi skirts, drapey tanks, strappy sandals…while they could also be considered part of the Seventies trend, they are decidedly bohemian when worn in a certain way. If you’re a fan of the loose, flowy boho chic style, here are 4 key pieces for Spring 2011.

Maxi Skirt

Anthropologie | Nordstrom | Target

Drapey Tank

Target | Nordstrom | Anthropologie

Strappy Sandals

Target | Piperlime | Nordstrom

Long Necklace

Nordstrom | Forever21 | Anthropologie

Put those 4 together and you’ll have the boho-chic look mastered!

What’s that you’re telling me? To relax?


Seriously…
Do you know how hard it is to pose by yourself? This is why I’ve never modeled (that and the 30 pounds I’d have to lose). I need a prop or something…


Again, I need to –
have husband take more than one picture.
check pictures husband takes.
relax.


And, no face again…there was a huge smudge on my camera lens (most likely from a cooking photo session) that completely blurred my face.


I’ll get better. I promise.

Dress – Victoria’s Secret
Sweater – Nordstrom Rack
Belt – JCrew
Sandals – Sam Edelman

Give me one more chance?

We’re coming up on that time of the year – WEDDING SEASON!!
Dressing for a wedding can be tricky. You want to keep your attire more casual than the wedding party so you’re not mistaken for the Mother of the Bride or one of the bridesmaids. If it’s a Spring wedding, you want to make sure you’re warm enough for an evening outside. And, it goes without saying that you want to look stylish and sophisticated.


Here are two outfit ideas if you plan to attend a wedding this Spring.

Sheath + Cardigan

Wear the cardigan over the dress or belted for a more put together look. If the wedding is on the dressier side, opt for a pashmina instead of a cardigan.

1. Nordstrom
2a. JCrew
2b. Nordstrom
3. Banana Republic
4. Piperlime

Maxi + Blazer

Layering a blazer over this chic maxi-dress will give a super stylish look while also distinguishing you from the bridesmaids. If the wedding is on the dressier side, opt for the pashmina instead of the blazer.

1. Nordstrom
2a. JCrew
2b. Nordstrom
3. Forever 21
4. Piperlime

Have a specific quandary about wedding attire etiquette? Share your dilemma in the comments….