Comfy Cozy Sweater Dress

I had so much fun with my mom while she was here, and it was nice having a craft buddy for a couple of days. We were consumed by fabric, ornaments, thread, hot glue and practically every other craft item on the planet (aka, my heaven). Point being? Lots of crafts, not lots of blogging. But now she is gone...sniff sniff...so my craft filled office can become a blogging office once more.

I went back to my closet to find something that I don't wear enough of and the item of the day is my sweater dress. I loved it when I bought it, but then I started getting irritated because the sleeves were shaped weird (no picture, sorry. Camera and I are not getting along today) and so I more or less put it on the shelf of "one day" which also means "forgotten". So I pulled together some inspiration:

(I love this sweater dress. I am actually lusting over it at this very minute.)

This is cute with the leggings, turtle-neck underneath, big belt, and bangles. 

Love the boots idea. 

A couple things I noticed while looking for inspiration: All were wearing belts around the waist, leggings underneath, and cute jewelry. So I put these things into action while sprucing up my sweater dress, but I still had to figure out how to mask the ugly sleeves (straight sleeves that look like they are 4 sizes too big for my arm). While I was looking through a magazine the answer came to me. A cardigan (yes my "fix-all" has come to my rescue again). This way, it covers up the sleeves, and makes the sweater dress look even cozier than it already is. Not only will it help with the sleeves, but keep it in mind if you feel that your sweater dress hugs to close to those curves.

What do you think?

I have got the belt, the leggings and the bulky jewelry. I had too much of gray and black so I wanted to add some color with the jewelry. 

Now for the shoes, I added some pumps if I was to be going out with Matt on a date.

But since I am not today, I wanted to be comfy so I just threw on some boots and off I go. Now I feel chic without feeling like I am wearing too much or anything uncomfortable which is always my goal as you well know :)

Sir Yes Sir!

I beg for your forgiveness! I was so busy with costumes last week that I didn't have time for my very favorite blog. (The costumes turned out great though so it was worth it!)

I am pretty sure Link was the cutest batman there, not that I am biased or anything :)

Without further adieu, lets get onto the main event today....drumroll please....High-waisted shorts with leggings! I have been in lust over this fashion trend and I am happy to see that this combo has hung around yet another fall/winter. This is such an easy thing to do for those shorts that are too short! Now that it is fall/winter time you won't be too warm with leggings underneath. Now through on a loose fitting shirt tucked into the shorts, a cardigan and some booties or even flats for a more comfortable day. Easy peasy!

This is the perfect way to wear the leggings with shorts. Thick enough that you don't see leg, but with the booties they still look like tights

Wouldn't these shorts look so cute with leggings underneath? I am a huge fan of the military look. 

Found this uber cute collection of items that would look so cute for fall! Just add some black leggings and you are set!

One more way that we can be modest and fashion forward! Have so much fun with this outfit, I know I am going to. And I will talk to you tomorrow!

"Talk to me Goose"

I hope everyone got that Top Gun reference! It only makes sense to use it since today I am talking about the aviator leather jacket :) I cannot pretend that this jacket is one of the things that I pulled out of the closet with dust on it because it is the jacket I probably wear the most. This is the jacket that makes me pray for cold weather just so I can wear it!

The thing is, my friend recently re-addicted me to Smallville and I have spent the last 2 months catching up on the seasons I have missed. And as I was catching up on season 9 Lois wears the cutest outfit and it reminded me of an aviator and I loved it!!

So this is my inspiration for this blog post! Isn't it so cute?! Ok, well I think it is and so I created my own version of the outfit:

A loose fitting shirt underneath my aviator leather jacket, zipped up and topped off with a great scarf! Ta-da! So easy. And just one more way for me to wear my favorite leather jacket :)

The Ominous Pleather Pants

In my search for more clothes that I do not wear in my closet I found my pleather pants. Before I bought them I thought "there are so many things I can wear these with", and then -you guessed it- I actually couldn't. Well, maybe not couldn't, more like to lazy to figure out how. So, I thought this would be the perfect item today.

As I searched for a way to wear them I found lots of different ideas:

You can pair them up with a mini-dress and some black heels!

Going out on a date? Try the blazer with a billowy shirt and black booties.  

My favorite :) Comfy and chic all at the same time.

Give it a hippie look with a loose fitting shirt and a small belt. Then add some bulky bracelets to finish it off!

Ok, I cannot just give you an idea and then not even put it to the test myself, so I took the idea of adding comfort to these pleather pants and here is what I came up with:

I paired it with my most favorite Roxy sweatshirt, and because it wasn't long enough for my liking I added some length with a gray cami underneath. And you can't see this, but I am wearing those black booties that I love so much :)

Alright, now there are plenty of ideas! No reason you can't bust out the pleather and rock it!

Obsessed With Cuff Pants

I have to say that if one trend has caught my attention and obsessive tendencies, it is DEFINITELY the cuff pant. So cute, and modest all on their own. Now be careful, because we are not talking 80's MC Hammer pants (which I owned, in almost every color. Don't judge), or pirate pants. Be careful that you are picking a neutral color like black or gray because that is the difference between 2010 fall fashion and 1985 fashion.

I am loving the comfy aspect of the pants, and also the way that you can wear them with just about anything. My personal preference? Cuff pants, with a loose fitting tee or dress it up with a more elegant shirt. Whatever you do, wear them with heals. Pick boots and you have a pirate. Flats might work, but be careful that they are not making these comfy pants look more like sweats.

Here's the pics to help you love the look: (Now, some are immodest, but remember the cardigan could fix those!)

These are my favorite! Personally though, I would have hemmed them up because the length is making her legs looks shorter than they are.

This is a cute cuff pant from Modcloth.com (you know, that cyber boutique I can't get enough of?)

Have fun with this look! I know I will :)

The Bib, Not Just For Babies

The bib necklace has been all over the fashion scene. It is worn with t-shirts to elegant gowns and it looks great with both, so it is safe to say that this is a piece you might just want to get a hold of. And don't be afraid of its size, the bigger the better!

Now as this is a modest fashion blog, I am going to tell you all about how the bib necklace can help you dress modestly! Yes, a necklace helping you dress more modestly. Hear me out. We all have those shirts and dresses that are great everywhere except where they show too much cleavage, and we have just stuck with putting a cami or tank under them, which is okay, but now we have an even better choice. The bib! All you do is throw on that shirt or dress that needs help in the cleavage department, and then put on that bib statement necklace and voila! Here is a  picture (as always!) to help you see what I mean.

This is the perfect example of how the bib necklace adds just enough to the top of that low lying shirt, and depending on the bib you get, they usually have ribbon ties which means you can raise or shorten it to the shirts level.

Here are some other ways to wear the bib!

This bib is perfect if you only want to buy one because of its neutral colors. 

Another example of how it adds to the top of a shirt, but also give that big bold statement that has stuck around for over a year, and I don't think it is going away any time soon! Luckily, because I am in love with the big and bold :)

A Little Lace Goes A Long Way

I know I have been on a cardigan kick, and I promise I will take a break...right after this post! I have found a simple, easy, and did I mention cheap, way to update your old cardigan. And as this is a blog is about sharing fashion secrets, I would love to share mine with you.

Lace has been everywhere, but be careful cause a little lace goes a long way, and too much...well...lets just leave that to late night gentleman's clubs. A wonderful example of how it can be done right? Well, here are some pics! But remember to keep reading after the pics, and I will show you how to create that chic look in a oh so simple way.

Cute right?! I just love the feminine touch! Ok, so here is the first step to creating this look at the price of just a few dollars:

Step 1:

Get yourself some uber cute lace. I got mine from Hobby Lobby, but even Walmart is stocked with this wonderful fabric decor.

Step 2:

Measure it to the cardigan. You will want to decide if you want the lace to go all the way from the top to the bottom of the cardigan, or if you want the lace to end when you reach the design on the bottom (if it has one like this cardigan does).

Step 3:

Ok, once you have your lace cut to measure, you will need to pin the lace next to the band the buttons are on. You will do this for both sides of the cardigan (the band with buttons and the band with button holes).

Step 4:

Sew the lace onto the cardigan with one line, pretty close to the edge of the lace and the beginning of the band. Then you will sew the bottom of the lace to the cardigan, and the top of the lace to the top of the cardigan. This should secure the lace if it is not to ruffly. If it is ruffly (like mine is in the picture), then you can just sew small sections of the outer part of the lace to the cardigan. These sections should be so small that you won't see them, and for my cardigan I only needed 3 small sections to hold it to the cardigan firmly, but with the small sections it still lets the lace bubble up and add dimension. Again, however, you don't have to do that if you don't want, and you won't have to if you choose a lace that sits flat when you pull it straight. If you do pick a lace like this then you will make sew two lines down the length of the lace: one near the button band, and the other down the middle. If you do this, make sure the thread is the same color as the lace.

Step 5:

Ta da!

This is the cardigan I finished! You know it was easy if I could do it. Now go make a cute and stylish cardigan of your very own for the price of lace and thread. Good Luck!

The Sundress, Just For Summer?

This post is in reference to the question posted by my good friend Kristen :) Can we wear a white tee under a tube top dress/sundress? YES WE CAN! (technically it is a free country and you can do what you want, but fashionably, it is a yes!).

First reason why...I found it in Vogue. (Did I find a picture of a tank over a white shirt in Vogue...I think you know the answer to that question). It is a simple and easy way to make that sundress work in a modest way.

Now maybe you are asking yourself "why is she talking about the sundress and it is fall, almost winter?". This is a wonderful question, and the reason is that the sundress is PERFECT for fall, and here are some pictures to prove it!

This one is my absolute favorite, and I am thinking about wearing it tomorrow in fact! I am sure that everyone has tights, a cardigan, and a belt. Done, you have yourself a fall outfit with your little summer sundress.

Colorful tights were in last season, and they are definitely in this season. They are also perfect to keep your legs warm and of course to look fall chic in your cute sundress.

Get all of the wear you can out of your sundress by just pairing it with simple accessories! And (drum roll please) the biggest reason to talk about sundresses right now?........Because they are on sale! Stores are going to be putting them on clearance now that summer is over, but you know the secret now. So go get yourself a new one, or spruce up the one you have. Good luck!



**And remember, if ever you have a question about something you would like to modify to be modest or really about anything, just email me at modestfashionsense@gmail.com and I will add it to my blog. If you are thinking it, it's a good bet someone else has too, so lets all work together to be chic and stylish while keeping our standards :)