My wardrobe is SOLID, man.
And I don’t mean that in a good way.
I walked into my closet just now, which is pretty big, and looked at my side, where my clothes hang, and I have a lot of clothes (although I only WEAR about 20% of them). And out of all those clothes, I have FIVE, count ’em FIVE items that aren’t one solid color. And that’s only if you count TWEED as a non-solid.
Not surprisingly, I wear those five items over and over again, because people, an outfit of a solid block of color on top, and a solid block of color on bottom, without a single thing to break it up? SNORE. And we all do it, because it’s easy, and a wardrobe made up of solid-colored staples? Well it’s sensible. It’s practical.
But it’s also totally, forgettably dull. I’m just bored with the whole jeans-and-a-solid-t-shirt look, aren’t you?
I’ve done it for YEARS myself and darn it, I’m bustin’ outta the mold this spring and summer. Who’s with me?
I SAID WHO’S WITH ME?
So I’ve been Windows shopping again. This week I was specifically searching for print tops, because I don’t know that I want to put a print on this bottom quite yet. And since I’m still a little, um, unstructured in my midsection after the baby, I also wanted to find tops that would help GIVE me some structure there.
So here are a few of the ones I found, structured print tops for spring, at various price points.
First, a long sleeved floral by Elle for Kohl’s. This one would easily take you from winter to early spring, and it’s on sale for $19.99.
Also by Elle for Kohl’s. Did you know coral is a universally flattering color? And this shape? Also pretty darn universally yum. Also on sale for $21.99
Cute, huh? Vera Wang for Kohl’s. Sale price: $36.99
Knot-front top from Chadwick’s of Boston. Super flattering for a smaller-busted figure. $29.99
Drape Neck Mesh Top from Chadwick’s of Boston. Dress this one up or down, you’ve got yourself something really different and special. Sale price: $29.99
Boden’s Primrose Printed Top – Several colors available. Watch out for the Eurosizing! $58.00
Boden’s Essential Shirt – Also in several colors. $68.00
Garnet Hill Essential Cotton Blouse – Also in Blue or Raspberry. $78
Express Ruffled Front Shirt – Several prints available. $49.50
Now that wasn’t so hard, was it? Come on, y’all! Let’s ditch the solids and start a Prints Revolution!
About Melissa
I love print dresses but usually not tops – how weird is that? I like the first two tops and the two shirts but not so much the rest – not sure what it is but the pink ones and the big blue florals scare me a bit!
I struggle with printed tops too. I love my plain t-shirts and sweaters. I have worked to venture out, especially in the spring and summer.
I think for me it all dates back to the times my grandmother would tell my Mom, sister and me: Oh no, you don’t want to buy that print! You’ll wear it once and if you ever want to wear it again, people will be thinking, “Oh here she comes again in that strawberry print dress!” So her concern was that the garment WOULD be memorable. In her book, it was better to be non-descript so you could wear the same thing over and over again and no one would remember or recognize it.
Good finds! I think I would be willing to try them all.
Cute- I love that pink one from Chadwick’s! Looks like Kohl’s is the place to go for cute tops this spring- thanks for sharing!!! 🙂
I call it the “Mom Wardrobe” and I am sooo guilty of it. I cleaned out my closet the other day and I had 16 (!!!!!) plain different colored t-shirts from either the Gap or Old Navy. Do we need to start a support group? 🙂
Cute tops! Maybe I’ll get brave this year – LOL!
On one hand, let’s say the left, I know you’re right. I was looking in my closet last night and I’ve got enough solid tshirts – short and long sleeved to start my own gently worn tshirt shop. On the other hand, the right, I don’t have money to replace my clothes every season and I think that prints have a tendency to look dated very quickly. Having said all that, I’m headed to Kohl’s to buy the coral one – I’ve eyed it the last few time I’ve been in there and seeing it here has helped me make my decision. I guess I’ll go for moderation and add a few prints to my very solid closet! Thanks for this post.