Unconventional Styling - What to do with those pesky vacation tees?

Now that Summer is in its twilight, re-organization of our lives and our closets are in order. Recently, I've been weeding out all the pesky pieces of rarely worn clothing in my collection. One of the methods I try to employ to keep the size of my wardrobe small and to also maximize its usefulness is to often restyle. What is restyling? It's the habit of taking a piece of clothing in your wardrobe and styling as many outfits as possible around it. This practice is especially helpful for those who have limited space but want a change in their wardrobe from season to season.

In the recent downsizing of my own apparel, I realized the alarming amount of tees that I have accumulated over the years. Among these tees, I found that I had in my possession a few of those dreaded "My friend went to _____, and all I got was this lousy t-shirt" tops. I know I'm not the only one who has these lying around the house, and I wanted to give you guys some ideas of what you could do with these all year round.

On the Lakeshore

Tee; Bracelet Set; Charm Bracelet; Shoes; Earrings; Nail Polish; Shorts

The first choice in my set is a testament to city that is very near and dear to me - Chicago. Strange Cargo, the company who designed this tee, is a homegrown company. Their Lake Michigan tee is a fresh take on the classic vacation t-shirt. I put together this set with a last ditch celebration of Summer in mind. It is also styled with a vintage twist in mind - of days long past when we traded friendship bracelets and the worst thing we had to worry about was remembering the sunscreen while laying out.

Fall Transition

Tee; Sweater; Bag; Pants; Shoes; Headband

This is a clear transitional outfit to take you from Summer to Fall. Popping colors make this outfit eye-catching. The fun colors are (not surprisingly) inspired by the New Orleans atmosphere. This set is also extremely functional - a feature that I often appreciate in an outfit.

The Travelin' Man

Tee; Pants; Sweater; Backpack; Shoes

One of the most important aspects of traveling is being comfortable. Whether your preferred method of transportation is car, train, or plane, casual clothing is a must! It's also important to bring functional clothes while you're out wandering. When I travel, I like to remember to bring a jacket or sweater that can be incorporated into all of the outfits I've packed. Shoes that can go the distance and a versatile backpack are also important to the regular traveler. This Cleveland tee was the inspiration for the men's set. The colors are toned down enough to make the transition for Fall. I've also incorporated a pair of pants that are on trend with the current colored jeans fad.

I hope I was able to give you guys some insight on multipurposing otherwise non-functional pieces to keep your wardrobe small while having limitless outfit possibilities. Feel free to share your own examples of outfit re-purposing with me here or on Facebook.

Until next time!

~ they seek her there

So you want to dress like...Matt Smith from 'Doctor Who'

Today I bring you a solo menswear post! I haven't done this yet on my blog, but it's always exciting to venture into something new.

I have to admit that my "geek" is showing again. Last night was the premiere of one of my favorite shows Doctor Who, and its stars Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, and Arthur Darvill are somewhat of a group of fashion icons. They all have quirky and fresh outlooks on what to wear in the limelight. For this post, we'll take the star of the show - Matt Smith - and breakdown two of his unique looks.

On the Street

Hat; Sweater; Sunglasses; Shirt; Jeans; Pin

Inspired by the bright color scheme of the stripes on Matt's sweater, I put together this very Fall appropriate outfit. You can probably guess that Matt incorporates "hipster"-type pieces into his wardrobe. He often sports unusual accessories (like his hat pin) and is never without a good pair of sunglasses. He also doesn't shy away from color.

Photoshoot Savvy

Shirt; Pants; Shoes; Chain; Sunglasses

Remember what I was saying about unusual accessories? Matt doesn't fail to push the envelope with this look that includes the key necklace accent. There is also no shortage of color with this look as well. I've again adapted this look from a Summer photoshoot to a functional Fall look for men.

I hope you enjoyed our little foray into geek fashion. I plan on highlighting more actors from this series, so if you're familiar with Doctor Who and would like to see certain pieces featured, please let me know here or on Facebook! For now, expect me to be back later this week with hot pieces for Fall.

Until next time!

~ they seek her there

Olympics 2012 - Week Two Wrap-Up

It's hard to believe that another Olympic Games has come and gone. Rio de Janero has been given the Olympic torch for safe keeping until 2016. And now we wait...

While you've been mourning the loss of prime time swimming heats and trying to one-up your co-workers by knowing the most current medal count, I've been putting together the final six outfit sets inspired by various countries who participated in the Games. Again, I tried to keep the collection eclectic - even including some menswear sets this time! Like before, I also tried to convey a different theme with each set.

New Zealand

Dress; Planner; Shoes; Scarf; Bracelet; Earrings; Coffee Cup

This the "working woman" set. It's complete with practical and comfortable pieces that don't appear sloppy. The black and white accents along with the polka dot planner are inspired by the New Zealand Opening Ceremony outfits. The bold blue shade of the dress and the deep red of the earrings offset this black and white palate that appears throughout. The professional air given off by the look of this set has also been inspired by the pieces featured in the Opening Ceremony.

Germany

Bow Tie; Pants; Shoes; Hat; Jacket; Oxford

I again took advantage of the look of an Opening Ceremonies outfit to complete this set. The original from which I drew inspiration has a mixed formal and athletic look. I also wanted to tie in the original color scheme of the outfit - light blue, pink, and khaki. The bow tie seemed essential to keep the formal element of the outfit at work. This set can also serve as a great transition example for a Summer wardrobe to Fall.

Hungary

Skirt; Necklace; Nail Polish 1; Nail Polish 2; Shoes; Earrings; Bangle; Sweater; Scarf

I have to admit that I put together this set with myself in mind. This is exactly the type of look I would dare pull off in the Winter. I was inspired by the look of Hungary's architecture and art when I put this together. The country has countless churches in the gothic style, and the monarchy of Hungary was incredibly important once upon a time. There is a rich history there to say the least. I also tried to pull in the color scheme of the flag with my choices.

U.S. Virgin Islands

Top; Bandeau; Jeans; Necklace; Bracelets; Bag; Sandals; Scarf; Earrings

This is my last ditch effort at a Summer look. This is the logical conclusion to carry on with when the words "Virgin Islands" are uttered or read. This look could also serve as a transition outfit between Summer and Fall. The bright colors are still appropriate for the "warm" feeling of Summer, but the heavier pieces of clothing allow you to wear this outfit well into September.

Egypt

Tee; Scarf; Watch; Pants; Sandals; Blazer

This is our second menswear set of the bunch. Again, I'd been thinking of the Summer to Fall transition with this one. The balance of casual and formal looks still exist. I continued to take into account the color scheme of the countries flag. Personally, I think the tweed jacket is the most practical and versatile piece between both of the menswear sets. Sooner than later, we're going to be entering the colder months of the year, and this jacket is an undeniably smooth transition piece for - yes, I will daresay it - each season.

Thailand

Pants; Earrings; Sandals; Bangle; Scarf; Top; Backpack

This is the "world traveler" look. Comfortable pieces, interesting color combinations, unusual patterns. This set has it all. I couldn't help but include the elephant print scarf in this set due to their association with this country. The backpack really completes the traveler look - neutral and practical. No matter where you might journey, this outfit will not let you down!

Sadly, this completes our Olympic coverage (at least until Winter 2014). I'll be back in the coming week with lots of amazing pieces for Fall!

Please Facebook or comment with any topics or outfits you'd like highlighted for the upcoming season! I'd be happy to oblige.

Until next time!

~ they seek her there

Olympics 2012 - Week One Inspiration

Can you believe that it's only been a little over one week since the Opening Ceremonies? I can't fathom it! In celebration of the end of week one, I have six outfit sets inspired by six diverse countries that have really caught my eye during their stint in London. Whether it's because of their amazing overall cultures or outfits during Opening Ceremonies, these are countries that have particularly piqued my creativity.

Argentina

Top; Skirt; Purse; Earrings; Socks; Shoes; Bracelet; Nail Polish

Though they haven't won a medal (yet), Argentina has 137 dedicated athletes eager to take on home from London. In reflection of their athletic dedication, I've picked "resort" themed pieces. These are relaxed, sporty pieces that (if you recall) were especially trendy this past Spring.

Iceland

Scarf; Tights; Shirt; Earrings; Bracelet; Booties; Skirt; Sweater

Due to Iceland's climate, I've decided to build this set around Fall or Winter-type pieces. I've also selected pieces that have linear accents and touches of the colors of Iceland's flag. In the past, Iceland had a very developed monarchy. I tried to add a "royal" touch with the set's charm bracelet.

Jamaica

Blazer; Tank; Pants; Shoes; Bangles; Earrings; Nail Polish

Why Jamaica? Honestly, it has a lot to do with how amazing their Opening Ceremonies uniforms were. The linear accents that were reflective of their flag and the vague tribal print in bright green and yellow were hard to miss. In my opinion, it was one of the most original sets of uniforms seen in the parade.

This set brings that tribal print feel in with the pants as well as the bangles. I also tried to bring in the feel of the clean lines of the original collection with the blazer in this set. The rest of the pieces convey the colors of Jamaica's flag.

Mexico

Bottoms; Bikini; Sandals; Belt; Shrug; Bag; Sunglasses; Bracelet

There are two reasons why I was inspired to give Mexico a set - I have a personal interest in the country and Maria Espinoza. If you don't know who Maria Espinoza is, she is the premiere women's Taekwondo champion. She won one of two gold medals for Mexico at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and she's only 24! She was the flag bearer for Mexico in the Opening Ceremonies and wore a traditional dress that really made her stand out above the rest.

Because of Mexico's normally balmy climate, I decided to style this set around swimwear. We're coming to the end of the Summer. As sad as this may seem, this means sales on pieces like bathing suits and sandals and the like! Taking advantage of this fact is what I had in mind when putting this set together. Like the others, I was also inspired by the color scheme of Mexico's flag.

Russia

Necklace; Skirt; Ring; Sunglasses; Shirt; Flats; Bracelet; Dress

I had a request from a reader on Facebook to try to style a set for a country on each continent (with the exception of Antarctica, of course), so Russia was my "bridge country" - if you will - for this group of inspiration outfits.

Russia has a rich folk and architectural history. Many cultures have found their way past its boundaries, and at one time it was part of one of the biggest empires in the world. I tried to give this set a bit of folk "flavor" with the flowered skirt. I've included the deer ring for not only a bit of that same flavor, but because one of the most prolific animals found in Russia is the Red Deer. This set continues its "fairy tale" qualities with the cut of the shirt, red flats, and Nesting Doll necklace. Also included is a dress that conveys the exact print and colors of the Russian flag.

United States

Cuff; Wallet; Sweater; Dress; Skirt; Shirt; Necklace; Mug

Last - but not least - comes the set for my home country the United States. I tried to include eclectic pieces with this set; something for everyone. I needed to show a bit of "big city pride", so I added the New York City cuff and Chicago mug. The striped detailing is an obvious parallel to the flag, and the star skirt is plain FABULOUS. If I had to pick a favorite piece out of the entire set, this would have to be it!

I'll be posting one more group of inspiration outfits during these Olympic Games. Still haven't seen a country you want featured? Please feel free to drop me a line (as always) here or on Facebook, and I'll do my best to build a set for that country!

Until next time!

~ they seek her there

Olympics 2012 - Team UK

The wait for the Olympics is over! Tomorrow, we'll be treated to 16 days of exciting events sure to be talked about in households and workplaces all over the world. Everybody watches and everybody roots for their favorites. It's epic (for lack of a better term) to consider.

How to dress in honor of these events? I'm going to be giving a collection of pieces - each one inspired by a different country - that you can wear in support of the country/countries you might be cheering on. Since the Olympics this year are hosted in London, the UK is represented first.

Tee; Sweatshirt; Earrings; Flats; Socks; Coin Purse; Necklace; Tights;

Dress; Jeans; Sneakers; Tee #2

I've found pieces both specifically created for the Olympics and some not at all related for this set. The sweatshirt is Stella McCartney - modeled specifically after her Olympic uniforms designed for the United Kingdom. Others are merely clever and show an appreciation for the country like the earrings and the tights. Personally, I love the charm of the UK and appreciate the styling details on the dress or the fun symbols that represent London on the coin purse.

Want to see a specific country featured that might not be so obvious to your lovely blogger? Please feel free to drop me a line here or on Facebook and let me know some of the countries you guys are cheering on!

Until next time!

~ they seek her there

Lunch Break: Couture Olympic Uniforms

Just two short weeks from today, the London Summer Olympics begin! *cue lots of jumping around and excitement from my corner* Among other things, this means designers of all sorts have emerged from the woodwork to debut their collections which they've created for the nations of their respected Olympic teams. Below are a few of my favorites and links to their collection details...

1) Jamaica

(Credit to Mental Floss )

Designed by Cedella Marley (daughter of the infamous Bob Marley) for Puma, this collection is my favorite. Not only does it scream "resort/sportswear" - what is currently on trend - but it also has the most aesthetically pleasing color palette of all of the collections.

2) Germany

(Credit to International Business Times)

Adidas got an early start, revealing these uniforms in April. Again, this collection has an eye-catching color palette and great versatility. The jackets are easily dressed up or down!

3) South Korea

(Credit to SmartCanuks)

Fila is another company that was paying close attention to what is on trend when they decided to create South Korea's sailor-inspired uniforms. These offer a fresh and young look for each of the athletes attending the Opening Ceremonies. Even the men look great in these blazers!

4) New Zealand

(Credit to 3 News )

This was another designer paying attention to the menswear. The black jackets piped in white are screaming with classiness. The print on the women's dresses is a bit vintage inspired. These are two looks that really go together. Though these are standard black and white, I think this group is going to stand out at Opening Ceremonies.

Visit Mental Floss for all of the featured nations and let me know your favorites! I'll be back very soon with some looks inspired by the 2012 Olympic Games.

Until next time!

~ they seek her there

And I leave you with links!

As I mentioned late last week, I'll be leaving for a five day vacation in lovely Minneapolis tomorrow morning. While there, I don't think I'll be blogging all that much, but I'll do the best to update via Facebook and Twitter.

For your enjoyment while I'm away, I leave you with some interesting fashion links to pique your interests...

* What's so special about this dress? Look a bit closer. It's made out of gummy bears! Twelvmag has the whole story about this Alexander McQueen inspired gown made entirely out of the colorful confection.

(Photo courtesy of TwelvMag.com)

* Remember when I did that little featurette about cosplaying and fashion? Well, it seems that Racked wanted in on the action and did this article about the recent Anime Expo in L.A.

* Ladies, want in some more great deals from Kohls? Right now, they're having a massive Fourth of July sale that includes markdowns on these two cute tops! Peter Pan collars are really in, and you can't beat a neutral top that is only $16 and work appropriate!

* Part of keeping a blog is having a love for writing. If you share this passion, head over to Figment. You can feature your own original stories and create cover art for them! If nothing else, this is a great boredom deterrent...

* Going hand-in-hand with my Unconventional Styling post about the Fourth of July, MentalFloss has 15 Offbeat Holidays You Can Celebrate in July.

* My history buff side is showing. Brush up on your UK history in time for the London Olympics. Did you know there were probably female gladiators who competed at the Colosseum in Ancient Rome?

* Need to fill up your weekend? Try this DIY project from P.S. I Made This. It's a custom made geometric print top! The possibilities are endless. Personally, I'd get a faded neon tee from a craft store and go crazy...

* I'm a Chicago area native, so I have a lot of pride for my city. Another native, artist Steve Shanabruch, has done graphics for all of the Chicago neighborhoods. These are gorgeous even if you're unfamiliar with the city. Plus, you get a little history lesson on each of the neighborhoods.

* Apparently, a majority of you men out there think Pinterest is just for women. Your lovely counterpart Manteresting is up and running for your pleasure.

* Need a simple way to stay hydrated during these long, hot days? Here are three recipes from A Beautiful Mess to make your own fruit (and vegetable) infused water. Yum!

That's it for now, readers! Please feel free to check in with me this weekend through @seekherthere on Twitter if you're not already following me! I'll have a report coming to you early next week.

See you on the other side of the weekend...

~ they seek her there