Elevate your basics.

That has been my motto lately. I too often find myself sticking with the most simple of pieces when I do not have somewhere ‘specific’ to go. I know there is nothing wrong with a plain tee {I live in this one and this one}, dark denim {I wear these so often they’ve got a hole in an area that makes them no longer appropriate to wear in public–UGHH!}, and flats {the soles may or may not be totally worn out on these}, but sometimes it is good to take it up a notch. It never hurts to put a little oomph into your outfit, even if you are just making a quick grocery run. I honestly feel more confident when I appear put together than when I, regularly, run out of the house in leggings and a hoodie! Don’t get me wrong there is TOTALLY a time for that kind of attire, usually early weekend mornings for me, but I’m trying to be better about making that a majority of the time.

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. -Leonardo da Vinci

Ok, so maybe da Vinci wasn’t talking about something as trivial as my plain jeans & tee look but I will say that quote resonated with me for a lot of different reasons. One of those reasons I feel embodies my attempt to elevate my basics:

Being overdone is over done.

That may not make a ton of sense, so let me explain…when I’m out and about I constantly see young girls with WAY too much makeup and when we’re out on a Saturday night there are always girls in outfits that barely cover themselves. They have completely overdone themselves. So often they’re trying to compete with over girls versus doing their hair, makeup, etc. for themselves. I’m all about ‘you do you’ but I wish more females saw that their true value and worth doesn’t come from others’ acceptance of them. Simplicity goes so much further, in my opinion. But as long as you’re loyal to what YOU want and how you want to dress or do your face how you like. then I’ll support it–overdone or not! 😉

In the spirit of dressing for myself and to make me happy I want to continue to keep most of my looks simple as that’s how I feel most comfortable. Trying something new with this outfit, I decided to add a little more to those usual basics. Instead of super plain denim, I wore a skinny pair with very subtle destroyed details, instead of a plain tee I went with a ribbed–and absolutely ESSENTIAL closet staple of which I own in 7 colors–tank, instead of an oversized cardigan I chose an adorable & affordable faux jacket, and finished everything with leopard shoes, because why not! I didn’t feel too overdone for a quick run to Whole Foods, Hy-Vee, and Target but I also didn’t feel like I just rolled out of bed. An incredibly well-dressed elderly woman even complimented the loafers–winning! Because I elevated my basics, I could easily have gone out to dinner with Kyle or drinks with the girls and not felt over OR under-dressed for the outing. An outfit that is as versatile as it is comfortable is a total keeper in my book!

Shop the Look:

Jacket / Tank / Denim / Flats (really old, similar here & here) / Crossbody