Spring Trench + Stripes

J. Crew is on point with their spring jackets; and I'm completely on board (I also love this field jacket that I featured on the blog yesterday)! 

As I get older, I'm starting to realize the phrase "quality over quantity" is truer and truer (you were right after all, mom).  While I still love buying fun trendy pieces, I've come to realize that I need to be smarter in spending my money, and that the bulk of my money spent on my wardrobe should be dedicated to well-fitting, quality pieces that are classic and can be worn for many, many more years.

Enter, this beauty, the J. Crew Factory trench jacket.

Even though April just ended, the weather has been very unpredictable with many cooler and rainier days.  That being said, jackets are still a must even though summer is right around the corner.  I love this timelessness of the trench, and that I can throw it over any outfit (good or lazy...) and still look put together!

Trench: J. Crew (on sale!) || Tee: J. Crew || Jeggings: American Eagle || 

Sneakers: Puma || Crossbody: Banana Republic || Sunnies: aerie || 

Watch: c/o Fossil || Bracelet: J. Crew, clearance find (similar)

The trench is a classic wardrobe staple, that looks awesome thrown over a fun sailor stripe tee and jeans for a chic casual look.  It was perfect for a day of shopping and lunch with my mom!

Speaking of classic investment pieces, how gorge is this Banana Republic cross body (also comes in a nude color) I scored at their sale yesterday (40% off!)?  Every girl needs at least one good leather bag in her style arsenal for a quick polished look.

What are your classic wardrobe staples?  :)

Shop My Look:

Easy Peasy, 1,2,3!

Sometimes getting an outfit together in the morning is a big ol' pain; blank stares into your closet, wondering what the heck you're going to wear today.

I have a super simple solution.  Break it down; just like your would one of those unnecessarily long math word problems.  When you dissect an outfit piece by piece, I've found it's much easier to pull something together than when you're just thinking of the whole outfit.

Pick one piece that you love, and then go from there.  Today I chose a fun, vintage inspired jacket.

Step 1: Start with your basics.  When I'm styling a fun, detailed jacket, the rest of my outfit is composed of basic pieces so that the jacket is the crown jewel of my look.  Today I'm wearing this nice, light aerie button up top (perfect for the warmer weather, or in this case, layering), paired with a pair of classic black American Eagle jeggings (perfect for any clean, classic look!).

A statement piece is only as good as it's basic base.  At least to me anyways.  If you feel good in your base pieces (the fit, comfort, etc), then you'll have the confidence to rock the hell out of your statement, no matter how bold it is!  When you feel good, you'll look good (never underestimate the power of confidence!).

Plus, a good basic outfit can be style in a hundred different ways, depending on what other pieces you decide to add on; it's basically your blank canvas, to dress up any way you want!

Step 2: Add one or two fun elements...but don't get too crazy!  Again, you want the jacket to be the star of the show.  I added this recent purchase, a J. Crew suede clutch (goes with everything!), and a pop of color in the form of a vintage silk scarf (this one is great too!).

Step 3: Add that statement piece!!

...in this case an awesome jacket!

I found this awesome vintage inspired military jacket (similar here!) on Poshmark (use code PNXBH when you sign up to get a $10 credit!).

How do you cut down time on morning styling? :)

shop my look