What to Wear For...The First Days of Summer!

I'm ecstatic to be able to wish you all an official "Happy Summer"! Chicago has had its fair share of muggy and humid 90 degree days in the past few weeks. I've been in "Summer mode" for most of the month of June. Now that it's official. I can give you some great tips on how to pick out clothes for those icky, sticky days without looking dull.

I have had ample experience in dealing with uncomfortably hot environments during the Summer months. I work at a public school, and because the building is so old there is NO AIR CONDITIONING in my office. It's a bit of a problem to say the least. Chicago Summers can be some of the worst out there. One needs to pull out all of their fashion tricks that have to do with staying cool in order to survive. Let me share a few with you...

1) Breathable material

Top - $2.49 (Thrifted)

Shorts - Gift (Old Navy)

Shoes - $5 (Thrifted)

Necklace - $3.80 (Forever 21)

Earrings - $1 (Thrifted)

Bracelets - $6.80 (Forever 21)

This top may look like it has longer sleeves than would normally be comfortable in the Summer, but it's incredibly light. One of the best kind of shirts you can find at a thrift store are old silk shirts from the 1980s like this one. They often have fun patterns and look great tucked into a pare of high waisted shorts. They also don't break the bank! I purchased this one on a Salvation Army shopping trip a few weeks ago along with four other shirts that were all $2.49 each! You really can't beat that...

2) Bright colors

I'm sure we've all heard this in our grade school science classes, but lighter colors absorb less heat energy than dark colors. We also look more vibrant sporting bright colors when it's constantly sunny out. As the Summer wears on, many of us normally acquire a healthy tan and can graduate to wearing lighter colors that we'd be unable to wear any other time of the year. Take advantage of this!

3) Minimal layers

Tanks - $3.88 each (Walmart) *Buy the striped one HERE*Skirt - $11.80 (Forever 21)Shoes - $11.88 (Old Navy)Necklace - $5.80 (Forever 21)Earrings - $1 (Thrifted)Bracelets - $1.99 (Thrifted)

I'm lucky to work in the office that I do. We have a lot of leeway as to what we're allowed to wear in the Summer due to our situation of being sans air conditioner. I hope I've demonstrated with the picture above that it is possible to look classy and stay cool at the same time. I'm wearing complimentary colors (as always) that really exude a "Summery" look without pushing "inappropriate". Something like this is easily dressed up with the flats I've chosen, and the simple and bordering on neutral accessories. They serve to accentuate the outfit and don't push it overboard. Sometimes that is easy to do with brightly colored outfits such as these.

Have your own tips for dressing up (or down) in the Summer? Feel free to leave comments here or on Facebook.

Until next time!
~ they seek her there

What to Wear For...A Fashion School Event

Today is the (near) start of a new week and the launch date of a brand new feature here at They Seek Her There: "What to Wear For..." It was born out of the realization that though I'm convinced my life is a little hum drum from time to time, I do have unusual events to attend for which there is really no dictated wardrobe. I'm about to change this. This is my honest attempt to provide a standard for these strange moments in our lives when we throw open our closet doors and proclaim to no one in particular: "What am I going to wear?"

Last Friday, I had my first official fashion school event. For those of you who are not aware, I've decided to switch my career track up a bit and attend school for Fashion Marketing and Management. I was invited to a portfolio show at the school, and I wanted to attend to network and put myself out there a bit. What to wear? What to wear?

For something like a networking event in the fashion industry, my first instinct was to find a piece that was both affordable and unique. Sometimes that can be extremely challenging. My answer lie in the new Target collaboration line - The Webster at Target. If you are unfamiliar with The Webster, it is a Miami boutique that is being showcased via Target's new initiative "The Shops". This concept is all about getting unique little stores all over the country to showcase their products in Target stores. If you look closely the next time you pop in to the bulls-eye branded outlet, you'll notice these shops in different departments including food and cosmetics.

All of The Webster's products have a flair of the "resort" look - a trend that is carrying through from Spring to Summer. You can see the line here on Target's website.

At any rate, purchasing such a dress from a Target collaboration line isn't going to force me into pennilessness, but it's still going to be something that is limited and one-of-a-kind. I also want to project an air of professionalism and a specific definition of my "look" with my styling. I went for a 60s "mod" look complete with pink and white piped heels.

Dress - $39.99 (The Webster for Target) *Buy it HERE*

Necklace - $7 (Forever 21)

Headband - $1 for pack of 2 (Forever 21) *Buy it HERE*

Earrings - $3.80 (Forever 21)

Shoes - $6 (Target)

As you can see, I kept the accessories incredibly simple. I'm sure you can also see the vintage "touches" of the outfit - the cut of the dress, costume jewelry-looking necklace, piped shoes with the gold button embellishment. This is undeniably vintage inspired. I also know you can't really see the earrings, but they were in the vintage spirit as well. They look something like this:

$5.80 @ Forever 21.com

Keeping the accessories neutral and simple, highlighting the embellishments on the shoes, and giving myself an all over "clean" look aided me in presenting myself professionally as well as being able to convey that I knew what I was doing styling-wise.

The event went great! I made several contacts, got an idea of what I might want to make for my own portfolio show, and felt generally welcomed into this new school. I think I'm going to like it there come October.

Stay tuned throughout the Summer for more unusual events and the looks I put together to accompany such occasions!

Do you have an unusual event approaching that you might want styling tips for? Please feel free to comment here or drop me a line on Facebook. I would be happy to help!

Until next time!

~ they seek her there

Trend Tip: "Hot" Colors

Summer is upon us! (At least it definitely feels like it where I'm from...) This means a shifting of the minds (and wardrobes). Lighter fabrics - in weight and color - and a re-thinking of how you're going to stand out when you step outside on those hot days.
With me, everything seems to come back to colors. It's always going to be colors. If you can pull off just the right color scheme, the rest of the outfit falls into place.

Yes, I'm going on and on about colors. So, what are some good color combinations for the upcoming season of pool side lounging and long days? I have an answer for you. Today I bring you three color trifectas which are sure to challenge you and give you a foolproof Summer look.



This is our first group - peach, gray, and aqua. This Spring has been all about "soft" and "delicate" looking shades. These include peach, gray, lavender, and mint. I guarantee that each of these shades will show up in this post. However, you can't just have a look for Summer that is made up of only soft colors. We're no longer transitioning from the cold months to rainy days and balmy nights. We're now in the months of heat waves and neverending sunshine. There needs to be a bit more of a "pop" to the color coordination we're trying to pull off. That's where the aqua comes in. This is how I've styled this group:

Scarf - $2 (Thrifted)
Earrings - $1 (Thrifted)
Sweater - Gift (Old Navy)
Dress - $20 (H&M)
Shoes - $6 (Target)
Sunglasses - $15 (Target)

I'll tell you a bit of a secret about this look - I took these pictures in early Spring. Even then I was thinking ahead and trying to add something to the normal color combinations that were suggested for the season. Against the pale and delicate palette of peach and gray, the aqua earrings really pop! Feel free to style in a more demonstrative way when you try this out for yourself.

Neon is everywhere for Summer. If you've been a regular reader of this blog, you will be already well acquainted with this fact. If you've been reading, you'll also know that one cannot dress in neon alone. It must be balanced out with various neutrals. Navy and gold definitely qualify as such.

Earrings - $3.80 (Forever 21)
Shirt - $15 (H&M)
Cami - $8 (Kohls)
Necklace - $7 (Forever 21)
Skirt - $3 (Thrifted)
Shoes - $6 (Target)

I will admit that this shirt doesn't truly have neon pink detailing, but it's a vibrant pink nonetheless. I also broke a very important (and personal) fashion rule - wearing loose fitting clothing all around. Usually a belt would be required with two pieces such as these, but I've been seeing the "bohemian" nature of this outfit on various blogs lately and decided to give it a go. I wasn't disappointed. It also taught me a nice little fashion lesson - rules can be bent and/or broken. There is a time and a place for certain fashion choices, but when something is as casual as this look, the rules can be re-evaluated.

Now it's your turn...

Got a look that you've been able to pull off for Summer using this color scheme? Are you thinking of trying this color scheme out? Feel free to leave comments/your own examples of this "try your own" trio.

Until next time!

~ they seek her there

Lunch Break: "Kiss With a Fist"

It's no secret that I am an admirer of Florence Welch - lead singer of Florence + The Machine. Whether it's music or style, that girl can do no wrong! Today's "Lunch Break" is inspired by Florence's 90s-esque video for her song "Kiss With a Fist".

If you've never seen the video (or heard the song), feel free to click here and become educated on the ways of Florence. I've been playing around in making an "inspired by" outfit set for this look for a few weeks. Admittedly, Florence's look does play up the 90s feel a bit more, but I wanted to modernize it so all of you could rock the look.

Top, Tights, Shoes, Skirt

Want another opportunity to dress like Florence? Feel free to read my "So you want to dress like...Florence Welch" post.

Until next time!

~ they seek her there

Unconventional Styling - Neon

Much like last Spring and early Summer, neon is a trend that is not disappearing anytime soon. When trends don't seem to want to die out, it's better to embrace them than to fight them. Neon is loud and fun and (mostly) painless to pull off. Unfortunately, neon is also extremely unconventional. It's not always going to be on trend so it requires a bit of imagination to fit into your wardrobe. This is where my blog post today comes in...

This really started sometime last week. One of my co-workers was looking for a pair of shoes to wear with a dress she had ordered for a wedding. (See Set #1.) My (admittedly strange) first instinct was to go with a pair of neon pumps. She liked the idea, but apparently the people attending the wedding were more "conservative" with their dressing and she didn't think she would quite fit in. We moved on. In the end, we found a pair of shoes that would combine her "brighter" preferences and also allow her to blend in with the other attendees.

After the dilemma was solved, I couldn't quite get my immediate response out of my head. Yes, putting neons and neutrals together was a basic fashion step for the season but since when is this my go-to tip for styling? When did such unconventional looks become the norm for me? This warranted some thinking about.

What if you weren't afraid of trying those strange, not conservative looks out on the street, in your classes, to the beach, or to run errands? Even I hold back a bit myself sometimes. Below are three looks that "push the envelope" in styling. Two are simple matches that you can follow on example and do yourself. The third is a more complete look to challenge you...

Set #1

Two-Toned One Shoulder Dress - and - Neon Pumps

This is the look I had suggested to my co-worker. This is the exact dress she had ordered and the heels I suggested she pair the dress with. This also marks the first time that a plus-sized piece has been used in any of my sets. There will be lots more featured in the future!

Set #2

Rectangle Poncho Sweater - and - Neon Shorts

This is a great "bridge the gap" between Spring and Summer outfit. For those slightly chilly mornings or nights you have this fun poncho. Pair with neon shorts to give you a unique look and "bright" attitude.

Set #3

Black Dress, Purple Strappy Sandals, Neon Pink Nail Polish, Patterned Tights

Here's our challenge for the post. I'll confess that I based the entire look around the tights. Tights are one of my shameless addictions. (Someday you may even get a post on them...) For such a loud piece, you need a simple neutral to tie it together. This is the purpose of the black dress. We've got neon pink nail polish and the purple heels to bring different color elements in from the tights. It's definitely a bit overboard - but in all the right ways!

Need styling advice - conventional or unconventional? Have you tried an unusual look that heads in admiration? Feel free to drop me a comment or Facebook message!

Until next time!

~ they seek her there

Standing out...and loving it!

Before we go any further, I'm warning you now that this post is about BEING YOURSELF. It might be a little cheesy and a little "easier said than done", but I've found out some interesting things since I've started this blog and I'd like to share them with you.

I have a bit of a confession to make to all of you - I've wanted to have a blog like this FOR YEARS. Why did it take me until last November to start? I could blame laziness or procrastination, but the real reason is that I lacked confidence. Yes, your lovely fashion blogger was not confident in her ability to share what I had to say with the world. Sure, I walked around with a look that stood out and garnered compliments that may or may not have reflected such a wardrobe. That hasn't changed, no. Rather it's the notion that I possessed a skill with which I had to become comfortable. After I took the plunge, it seemed that the creativity didn't stop flowing. I had idea after idea after idea. There's a multitude of amazing topics I want to share with you on this blog that we haven't even cracked the surface of yet!

I'm not trying to paint a picture for you of this girl who has an unshakable sense of who she is - that would be unrealistic. I have days where I look in the mirror and my outfit just doesn't "click" or I don't feel great about my weight or I look exhausted from my previous crazy day. (Trust me, I have a lot of those!) In the face of an icky attitude, I pick out something brightly colored, lean heavily on my music for the day, and I hope for the best. Sometimes, it's all you can do.

I've gotten the question posed to me as to how a reader of mine can project a confidence in what they wear like I seem to. Without the risk of this post turning out to be a "Guide to Being Your Fearless Blogger", I think I can give some of you out there a few easy tips on how to shrug off your questionable mood and be yourself. In the end, it just might make you feel better...

1) Do one thing today that you'd normally fear to do on a daily basis.

Okay, let's be real for a minute. I'm not suggesting you drop everything, take the day off, and go skydiving. Far from it. I'm suggesting wearing a color combination you might not normally wear, write for five minutes if you're so inclined, pick a quiet and undiscovered (by you) location to take a 15 minute walk. Spend sometime stretching your boundaries. Yes, this is harder for some than others. I always go on in this blog about things that are "harder for some than others". You all embrace things at your own comfort level and speed. No need to go overboard. I'm suggesting a mere step off the beaten path in your daily routine.

2) Give yourself time.

One of the biggest mistakes I find that people make in dealing with themselves is giving time to the goals and accomplishments they wish to see realized. I'm even guilty of this action! We seem to give an infinite amount of understanding to others when they cannot realize their end game, but we are all too quick to blame and judge ourselves when the situation does not turn out to be what we'd hoped. Forgive yourself a bit everyday - allow yourself to be excused when you fail. It really is harder and harder every time to get up when you fall. Lack of personal motivation doesn't help you to get a hand up. I hate to sound like overused platitudes, but you're the LAST person that should be telling YOU that you cannot accomplish anything!

3) Be a little crazy!

I'm going to give you a sample of an as of yet unused outfit post to illustrate...

Sunglasses - $16 (Target)
Earrings - $0.50 (Thrifted)
Button up - $13 (Forever 21)
Shorts - $9.99 (FCUK for Sears)
Necklace - $2 (Thrifted)Belt - $2 (Thrifted)
Tights - Gift (Gap)
Shoes - $6.80 (Target)
Purse - Gift (Louis Vuitton)

Admittedly, it's taken me years and years to feel like I can get away with being the person that I am. I have been through rough patches that still bring up old issues for me and make me doubt myself more than anyone else could. Being told that I wasn't good enough to be me hurt worse than hiding the person that I am. I keep this in mind constantly. I like being just a little bit crazy, and I hope the fact that I've opened up a bit about issues we all face has made you think about being just a little bit crazy, too.
Until next time,
~ they seek her there

Taking it to the Beach

One of my dear friends/followers via Facebook informed me that she would like to see a post about swimwear. Seems reasonable. After all, swim wear has been at least hanging on the store racks for about two and a half months now. Let's stop ignoring that elephant in the corner and just talk about it already! Talk about it we shall.

I recognize that there are many body types a woman can have. Even though I probably have a body type with which I could wear a bikini, it's not really my first choice. Due to my awareness of how...careful women can be with their bathing suit choices, I've included a variety in my sets for this post. Hopefully, everyone can find something they like and get excited for the season to come. I even slipped in a little something for the guys...

"Neon + Neutrals"

Sheer Top, Bikini Top, Sunglasses, Earrings, Bracelet, Nail Polish, Shoes,
Bikini Bottom, Capris

Neon is going to be a trend we see extend from Spring into Summer. Neon is an "eye-catcher"; if you're confident enough wearing it, it's an incredibly fun look to pull off. When executing this look, you have to remember to not be overpowering with the neon. Slipping neutral accents in your outfit is encouraged.

"Let's Go Sailing"

One Piece, Hat, Bracelets, Tank, Sandals, Earrings, Shorts, Tankini, Bottoms

The "boating" or "sailing" look is a trend that fashion cannot seem to shake. Not that you'd want it to disappear! The boating look is a style everyone can be comfortable with and pull off. It's undeniably classy and versatile. Best of all, it fits in with any beach setting!

"Wild Child"

Bikini Top, Tee, Earrings, Bracelets, Sandals, Nail Polish, Bikini Bottom

This just might be my favorite set of them all. I like to push the envelope with what "matches". Conventionality shouldn't have to define the way we dress. We should embrace colors, patterns and "mismatchedness". It all makes life just a bit more interesting.

"Bohemian Chic"
Ring, Necklace, Earrings, Dress, One Piece, Sandals

I will confess that I organized this set with a friend in mind. This specific person tends to dress very freely and bohemian. In all fairness, she was probably well aware of her choice of styling before I entered her life. The fact that I repeat this to her time and time again makes her really rise to the occasion and embrace her look. That's the kind of thing I love to see! The bohemian look is also something I consider to be timeless. It's also a look that's nearly effortless to pull off when wearing swimwear. Sometimes, low maintenance is fantastic.

"A Little Something for the Nerds"

Tee, Suit, Cord Bracelet, Sandals, Sunglasses

This is our lovely selection for all of the men out there. I tried to add a little something for everyone, but mostly this is about making the "nerdy boy" (so to speak) add a bit of chicness to his wardrobe. Why the nerdy ones? Sometimes, they need a little advice, too... I'll confess that this bathing suit was pointed out to me via this article on Racked. I may be slightly drawn to pieces that cause controversy. The tee is a pick from a Chicago area company called Threadless. The website is adorable. I encourage everyone (girls and guys) to check it out.


I hope some of these quenched your thirst for affordable swimwear to wear to the beach or just poolside. If you'd like to see a cute suit up here that I haven't featured, feel free to contact me and I will style for you!

Until next time!

~ they seek her there