The Fab 40’s From the Ground Up
It is time again for my fabulous friends in their 40’s to share some fun fashion ideas with you. We hope to inspire you to get creative with your wardrobe pieces and try something new and fun. Life is too short to wear boring clothes after all!
The Fab 40’s is a group of six fashion bloggers from around the globe. Each month we choose a different theme and invite a guest blogger who is also in their 40’s to join us. This group’s goal is to take on a style theme and show how we each interpret and incorporate it into our own lives. With six widely varied views, you are certain to find something that speaks to you each month and encourages you to continue to have fun with fashion after the age of 40.
This month was Daenel’s turn to deliver the style prompt…and knowing all of us Fab 40’s ladies so well…she chose the starting point for styling the outfit right at the ground level. From the Ground Up invited us to create our outfits starting with the shoes. Because who doesn’t love shoes? We were asked to pick our prettiest, craziest, ugliest, most obnoxious, or just our favorite shoes and make them the central focus of the whole ensemble.
Based on the email exchanges in the group as we were sending each other our outfit photos, it seemed everyone loved this theme (shoes lovers..all of us) but everyone struggled with choosing which shoes they wanted to highlight. In fact, I struggled so much that I bailed completely and resorted to an outfit photo shoot from way back in May.
But this outfit was the perfect choice for the theme since I really did build the entire thing from the ground up. Upon the specific request of a friend (you know who you are), I was asked to style tights with clogs. My initial reaction was a big resounding, “F*@^ing clogs? Are you serious? With tights? Ick.” But I do recognize that not everyone has the same sartorial tastes and who was I to be so catty and mean about it? So I figured I would give it a try. It is when we try these things that make us say “Ick” that we often discover something that we actually really like. Which is exactly what happened in this instance.
I did happen to have a pair of clogs that I purchased years ago for a 70’s inspired outfit and I think I only wore them once. As a self admitted clothes and shoes hoarder, they were still sitting right there on my shelf after years of neglect waiting for that moment when I would need them in order to accommodate a friendly request. I aim to please, you know. And my closet is evidence that I keep everything just so I have an arsenal of wardrobe weaponry at my fingertips in order to meet such whimsical requests.
And so this outfit was built from the ground up months before Daenel gave us the theme. I guess that is serendipity at its best. And just a side note…I have since become kind of obsessed with clogs and added three more pairs to my arsenal.
We do not have a guest blogger this month, but I want to introduce you all to the newest member of our group, Dee of Dee Sayz. Dee has been a guest blogger with us before and we are ever so grateful that she has agreed to join us a regular member of the Fab 40’s! Dee is based out of Gurgaon, India, and offers so many great tips on minimalist styling drawing from her Indian lifestyle as well as her background in fashion and design. We are super excited to have her twist on our fashion themes here every month! I hope you are all as inspired by her as the rest of Fab 40’s gals are.
I am always a fan of cute neutral wedge for summer. Dee has taken a basic white tee to all new levels with these fab wedges.
Outfit Details: Shoes-Aldo / Skirt-Mango / Tee shirt-Gap / Bag-Chloe / Necklace-Lifestyle Stores
Daenel of Living Outside the Stacks is the brain behind the feet this month! She is also taking some summer basics, a white blouse and cropped denim, and making them super special with these cool ankle strap sandals.
Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots is a woman after my own shoe-obssessed heart. She always, always brings some pretty serious shoe game and she has not disappointed this time either with these embellished slides. Are you picking up on this idea of the shoes making your basic wardrobe pieces into something really special?
Outfit Details: Shirt-Old Navy / Jeans-c/o Royalty for Me / Necklaces-Various / Diamond Bracelet-Gift from Brian / Shoes-Shein / Bag-Charming Charlie / Sunglasses-Tahari
Sheela of Sheela Writes also steps it up every time with her choice of footwear. However, I don’t know if Sheela has anything “basic” in her closet at all! Every single piece that she styles has interest and creative appeal that catches your eye and makes you say “Oooh” with every combination. I pretty much am lusting after her entire outfit.
Outfit Details: Reversible Coat-Jagged Hanger / Lace Bodysuit-Victoria’s Secret / Pants-NY & Co / Booties-GX by Gwen Stefani / Sunnies & Bangles-thrifted
Suzy of Suzy Turner Books & Style gives a classic twist on a little black dress with these magnificent nude stacked heel sandals. Nothing elongates the leg and makes it look sexier than sky high heels in nude. Paired with an elegant black dress and Suzy is seriously worthy of a magazine cover!
Outfit Details: Utterly divine shoes-Jimmy Choo / Dress-Zara / Denim Jacket-Primark / Clutch & necklace-Inherited
And now my outfit…which I have already explained. I recently had a conversation with the friend who suggested this combination and I asked him this question, “But how many shoes does one woman need?” His response could not have been more perfect…he said, “As many as she wants.” Oh, swoon. I’m pretty sure I fell head over heels in love right in that moment.
Outfit Details: Clogs-Indigo Rd. / Dress and Tights-Old Navy / Jacket-Thrifted from Solitary Consignment / Hat-Linda Gibbs Handmade Leather Earrings-Good Life Gift Shop
Have you ever built an outfit from the ground up? I actually do it quite often when I have a fabulous new pair of shoes that I want to show off. I start with the shoes and go from there. It is a nice twist and a fun way to keep the process of getting dressed interesting and varied.
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Ups.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
22 Comments
Nancy
I think I have about 70 pair of shoes, so you can say I am a addict. Last week I was clearing out my closet to sell some stuff and only one pair of shoes went out! Like if I wear all the 69 pair!! Not!! They are for looking at!
Lovely series, now I can drule over other bloggers shoes!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Nancy! When I cleaned out my closet, I only took out about 5 pairs of shoes (I probably have 200 or more pairs total). Yet I was able to part with 15 trash bags filled with clothes. Shoes are so hard to get rid of! I do like to just look at them, too, even if I never wear them. Perhaps were are collectors (like Anne Bray likes to say) rather than hoarders or addicts!
xoxo
Shelbee
jodie filogomo
I love the idea of starting with the shoes…because they are seriously important. And as a woman we are SO lucky to have the options about fun and stylish ones. (makes me so glad I’m not a guy! Ha ha)
XOXO
Jodie
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Jodie! I do love starting with the shoes, too, as well as having so many options. Most men don’t understand the importance of these options! Although, there are some pretty fabulous men’s shoes out there. It’s funny, my husband was just admiring the way a guy was dressed the other day…he was wearing dark washed slim fit boot cut jeans with a really cool fading on the front, a slim fit short sleeve button down shirt, and cowboy boots. Jeff said he looked very cool but acknowledged that he could never pull off that look. It takes a certain kind of swagger for that sort of thing. Now my husband can pull off other looks, just not that one!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jacqui Berry
I have a fair size shoes collection, but it’s all very samey! I need to think outside the box for a change. Nice to see all your super interesting feet additions. Happy Monday Hun. Jacqui Mummabstylish
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Jacqui! I think every woman needs some statement shoes in her wardrobe! You should get on that. Haha. But be careful, it can become addicting!
xoxo
Shelbee
Suzy Turner
Occasionally I start from the ground up – especially when I have a fabulous new pair of shoes lol. This is my first time wearing my Jimmy Choos and it seemed the perfect opportunity to showcase them!
Had I not chose them, I would have loved a pair of clogs like yours to try out. Not sure I would have experimented with tights but now I’ve seen you do it, MAN…. I love it!!! I seriously need to get me a pair! You’re a style inspiration, Shelbee!
Hugs Hugs
Suzy xxx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Suzy, thanks so much! I’m going to have let my friend know that he kind of started thing with this request of his! Tights and clogs for the win! But now I might want a pair of Jimmy Choo’s! But who wouldn’t want a pair of Jimmy Choo’s? So fabulous, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Looking about how a lot of bluegrass followers dress around here. Very nice.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Patrick! I have another bluegrass ready for tomorrow!
xoxo
Shelbee
Karen
I am so loving the look – a bit of country, a bit of bohemian and a bit of tights with clogs – what’s not to like! Kx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, thanks so much, Karen! It is definitely an eclectic combination, but sometimes those kinds of combinations work out quite well!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jessica A Jannenga
I’ve got a fair amount of shoes from blogging, but have bought my share, my mom was astonished when she visited and saw the shoe mound. Love those clogs, they have a boho vibe and the combo of blues/navy and cognac looks so good! Love the jacket too! Great look my friend! I love everyone’s unique take on this.
thanks for linking!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jess! I have a giant shoe mound/room/way too many that I can’t possibly wear them all! I was kind of digging the blue and cognac, too. It isn’t a color combination I would normally choose, but it turned out pretty great.
xoxo
Shelbee
Daenel T
I know you were iffy on this outfit with the initial request, but I think you nailed it! It kinda has that flower child in cool weather vibe. I love it. And cannot wait to imitate it when it gets cooler.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Daenel! I can’t wait to see how you imitate it. You are going to totally rock the cool weather flower child look! And now that I have added more clogs to my closet, I am looking forward to styling them with tights more often!
xoxo
Shelbee
Anna at Muttonstyle
Yes I do occasionally start with the shoes or boots. If I’m able to wear heels as I’m not walking then I will but generally the footwear is an after thought with me. I do admire that you actually had clogs when challenged by your friend. Thanks for linking to Muttonstyle Monday. New one open today at uk midday
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Anna! I do love starting with the shoes, but sometimes, I also must be practical and pick the outfit and then the most comfortable shoes that will work with it.
xoxo
Shelbee
Mica
I’ve never seen clogs with tights before! I like how your shoes match the jacket, nice bit of matchy-matchy!
Hope that you had a wonderful weekend 🙂
Thank you so much for joining the #weekdayWearLinkUp 🙂 I just posted this week’s linkup, I’d love you to join again! 🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Mica! I try to stay away from too much matchy-matchy, but I really liked this bit of matchiness, too! I will be definitely wearing clogs with tights more often once the weather cools down.
xoxo
Shelbee
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