I'm so excited to intoroduce a new feature here on A Beautiful Mess, Fashion Mixology! The concept is simply this... We take 8 pieces of clothing and make 8 different looks with those pieces. Shoes and accessories don't count as pieces, only dresses, pants and tops! The goal of this feature is to inspire confidence and ideas to stretch your wardrobe farther. Enjoy...
For this edition of Fashion Mixology, we chose four pieces courtesy of Ruche. We chose basic pieces that could be layered into different looks. We chose a simple brown dress with an interesting lace collar, a striped sweater in a pretty shade of green, a pretty coral top with a tie and a navy pleated skirt.
We also chose four pieces from my own closet. A cute vintage floral top, a pair of skinny jeans, a strapless denim dress and a mustard yellow cardigan.
I love layering tops under dresses. It's a great way to bring a strapless dress into Autumn and Winter!
Tying button up tops over a dress is a fun way to make a top more fitted. Sometimes loose tops can make me look shorter, so I always try to tie up the waist, whether with a belt or a tied up look.
Sometimes simple is best! I wear sleeveless dresses with cardigans SO much in the Autumn and Winter seasons. Sometimes I belt under the cardigan and sometimes over too!
Don't be afraid to layer a sweater under a dress. This lighweight sweater is perfect for layering! I added a belt and a colorful pair of tights to make my look more colorful.
For this look I wore my new favorite top under this cute dress. I wore this look out on a date with Mr. Larson one night. I love the mix of jewel tone colors and neutrals.
High waisted skirts are one of my favorite wardrobe staples! I love wearing them over cute tops that might otherwise be too full for my body type. High waisted skirts look cute on most body types!
For this look I layered a top with a tie and a cardigan and paired them with jeans. This is something I'd wear to work or to a family event. It's pulled together enough, but still completely casual.
For this last look I layered my solid colored high-waisted skirt over a patterned shirt. This is a great option for bright or bold patterned tops as it balances the look out with a solid bottom half.
Hope you're feeling inspired to mix up your wardrobe! XO, Elsie
Additional Credits: Shoes in Look 1 c/o ModCloth, Denim Dress & Mustard Cardigan/Target, All tights and red bow c/o American Apparel, Boots in Look 2/Theadsence, Skinny Jeans/Jessica Simpson Collection, Pink Belt/J.Crew, T-Strap heels in Look 5 c/o Ruche, Shoes in Looks 6-7/borrowed from Skunkboy, Clutch in Look 7/Coming soon to Red Velvet, Sunflower headband/DIY here!♥
Fearless layering - I love it!
I love this post idea.
Faye xo
Posted by: Faye H | September 06, 2011 at 01:52 PM
Fantastic! So much inspiration for my closet! High waisted skirts are one of my favorite things!
Posted by: Chelsei | September 06, 2011 at 01:56 PM
Elsie, i absolutely adore you. You make me feel so inspired!!!!
Posted by: Jess | September 06, 2011 at 01:58 PM
oh, i love them all!! especially two and eight :)
Posted by: Georgia | September 06, 2011 at 02:07 PM
ooh! i love this series of for posts and am excited for more! cute ideas! can't wait to try some, thanks elsie!
Posted by: Kimber | September 06, 2011 at 02:08 PM
Im not even lying, I am soooo jazzed that you layer strapless dresses and shirts. I always do this, but it seemed like breaking the rules. You've totally given me support in my crazy ways! Love your blog/store/life
Posted by: Charity | September 06, 2011 at 02:09 PM
elsie.. fun post! such cute combos.. i love mixing as well (; particularly love #8!! *tiffany*
Posted by: wanderingairstream | September 06, 2011 at 02:09 PM
such a great idea!!!! I adore the long blue skirt.
Posted by: Nicole @ Giraffelegs | September 06, 2011 at 02:17 PM
This is amazing! Love your outfits here! I will definitely be trying all of these ideas!
Katiediditt.blogspot.com
Posted by: Katie | September 06, 2011 at 02:20 PM
So cute. I think my favorite outfit is the last one!
Posted by: steffy | September 06, 2011 at 02:23 PM
What a fun post! Thanks for sharing! :)
Posted by: Kate Wise | September 06, 2011 at 02:24 PM
I just love this! This idea is going to be so helpful to me when I move to Ethiopia, where my wardrobe will be limited. You just made the fashionista in me a little less sad.
-Britta
Posted by: Britta Cait | September 06, 2011 at 02:24 PM
perrrty!
Posted by: margot | September 06, 2011 at 02:26 PM
Awesome! You have got me inspired. Thanks!
Posted by: Hannah | September 06, 2011 at 02:26 PM
How awesome! It just goes to show - investing in a few good classic pieces can take you a long way if you layer them up and play around with what's in your closet. Great work! And I'm dying over outfit number 8.. SO cute!
xo
Posted by: Michelle - Simone's Rose | September 06, 2011 at 02:27 PM
Love love love this. I love wearing vintage for this very reason. It's so easy to mix vintage in and restyle it a bunch of different ways to modern it up a bit. Thank you for the inspiration!
Posted by: Amy Morby | September 06, 2011 at 02:28 PM
Before I even started reading, I had no idea that that first photo full of outfits had any of the same pieces in it! Great outfit mix-ups!
-meesch
http://www.aperfectkindofday.com
Posted by: meesch | September 06, 2011 at 02:36 PM
I have done the 30 for 30 remix, but I love the 8 items for 8 outfits! Just great!
Posted by: Alease Michelle | September 06, 2011 at 02:36 PM
my favorite thing about this post is how wearable all these looks are! they are all cute! but i think my fav is #7! :) i adore dresses...but a lot of times i end up in jeans. p.s. i can't wait to get my "first date dress"!!!! i am currently dreaming up in my head how i will style it. oh and i had tim pick out which dress he liked the best...and he picked that one! :)
Posted by: Amanda | September 06, 2011 at 02:38 PM
love these so fun and adorable
-grace
http://herumbrella.com
Posted by: grace | September 06, 2011 at 02:39 PM