The Fab 40’s in Plaid and Floral
I am always up for doing something a little unexpected. So when Mary of Curlybyrdie Chirps suggested mixing plaid and floral for this month’s Fab 40’s theme, I was enthusiastic to get to work creating my look. Not to mention that plaid and florals are two of my favorite prints and I have an overabundance of both in my closet. No trips to the thrift shop would be necessary for this theme like last month’s wild challenge required.
The Fab 40’s is a group of six fashion bloggers from around the globe. Each month we choose a different theme and invite a guest blogger who is also in their 40’s to join us. This group’s goal is to take on style trends and show how we each interpret and incorporate them into our own lives. With six widely varied views, you are certain to find something that speaks to you each month and encourages you to continue to have fun with fashion after the age of 40.
I have mixed plaid and floral in many an outfit before…a floral dress and plaid blanket scarf, a plaid blanket scarf with floral boots and a striped sweater, plaid gloves and floral booties, a plaid vest with a floral scarf, a plaid shirt with plaid scarf and floral sneakers, a plaid scarf with floral booties, another plaid scarf with another pair of floral booties, a plaid scarf with a herringbone vest and floral booties, a plaid scarf and gloves with a herringbone jacket and floral boots, plaid pants with a floral scarf, plaid pants with a floral kimono, plaid pants and floral tunic, plaid scarf and floral pants, plaid shirt with floral bomber jacket, and plaid shirt with floral scarf. So my goal for this challenge was to take it a step further.
At first, I styled a velvet dress in pink floral with plaid combat boots. It was cute. But I never photographed it because I just wasn’t wowed by it. I mean, I am in the company of some of the edgiest, most stylish fashion bloggers here, so I need to up my style game every time just to keep up with them! So I took it a step further and ventured into the realm of the unexpected by styling two contrasting plaids with my floral over the knee boots.
When I first styled this outfit, I added a red trench coat because it was drizzling a bit. We headed off to the old tank factory to take photos and the wind was so bad that there was hardly a decent photograph to be found among the 100 that we took. I did manage to salvage some of them, but then I kind of liked the library as a more appropriate backdrop for this school girlish look.
The library is located right on the main drag in town and I always feel so awkward taking photos there as the cars slow down and look at me. I can never get comfortable with that. But then later that day after we took these photos, I got this message on Facebook from a girl named Shelby…“I drove by you today doing your photo shoot! It felt like I was star struck.” All I can say is this…thank you so much, Shelby, for that! It totally made my day and made me feel a little less awkward taking my photos! And thanks for stopping by the consignment shop the other day as well. It is always great to see you!
Has that ever happened to any of my blogger friends? You are spotted during a photo shoot, trying to be discreet but knowing full well that it is not possible to be discreet, and someone spots you and makes a comment?! When the comments are like Shelby’s, there is nothing quite like it! Sometimes, the comments may not be as kind. But oh well. Forge on we must in the name of fashion and for the sake of blogging.
I had every intention about writing something today a bit more thought provoking and profound on the topic of doing the unexpected. But I was too busy doing the unexpected and never quite got round to writing. You see, I just booked a 5 day stay in Asheville, North Carolina, for the first week of July to visit a friend. I have not taken a solo road trip like this in probably close to 20 years and I am feeling exhilarated! So any blogger friends in or near Asheville, I will be available if you want to meet for coffee! I am not sure of my exact schedule while I’m there but I will be staying for 5 days from July 2-7.
And now let’s get to my fabulous friends of The Fab 40’s and see how they styled some plaid and floral.
First is Mary of Curlybyrdie Chirps, the one who created the theme. And with a one and done combination of plaid and florals in the most magnificent jacket I have ever seen, Mary has left me with my jaw dropped and in complete girl crush mode!
Outfit Details: Jacket – Debenham’s – Preem / Jumpsuit- New York and Company / Shoes- Shoe Dazzle / Bag – Goodwill Find – Loft / Earrings – JcPenney
And then there’s Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots featuring the most amazing green floral kimono over beautiful Glen plaid slacks. It is the perfect combination in so many ways.
Outfit Details: Duster – c/o Shein / Polka Dot Cami – Loft / Pants – Express / Shoes – Madden Girl / Necklace – Ann Taylor / Earrings – NY&Co. / Sunnies – Deb & Dave
Next is Suzy of Suzy Turner, Pixie Chick in Portugal. Suzy claims to have struggled with this theme, but I am going call her bluff because she just looks too damn fabulous to have struggled at all! The combination of the bold floral sweater with the plaid accessories is just too good. And those shoes! Suzy, please send me those shoes!
Outfit Details: Plaid heels – Bershka / Floral sweater – Oasis / Blue trousers – Promod / Plaid scarf – hubby’s / Handbag – Gift from mother-in-law
And Sheela of Sheela Writes has once again knocked it out of the park! And I am so glad that she opted for a plaid mini skirt like me. Because it just goes to show that rocking a plaid mini skirt over the age of 40 is not only totally acceptable, but it is downright badass!
Outfit Details: Rose Sweater – tiny boutique in Schulenberg / Floral Bodysuit & Floral Velvet Cap – c/o Forever21 / Plaid Skirt – thrifted / Biker Booties – Bakers /Cuff c/o Unearthed
And now Daenel of Living Outside the Stacks with her stunning black lace floral blouse and these amazing Glen plaid and floral slides! This is an outfit I may need to recreate myself. Brilliant!
Outfit Details: Top & Shoes – Target / Necklace – Walmart / Earrings – Nickel & Suede / Bracelet – Old / Jeans – Laurie Felt for QVC
And finally my outfit…a little red plaid skirt with a Glen plaid boyfriend blazer paired with my favorite floral over the knee boots.
Outfit Details: Blazer – Target / Blouse – Cato Fashions / Skirt – Old Navy / Boots – Burlington Coat Factory / Clutch – Coach / Necklace: Solitary Consignment / Watch: Hyde Watch in Ebony & Iron c/o Jord
So tell me, are you bold enough to combine plaid and florals? Or contrasting plaids and florals? Hopefully, we have inspired you today to try something new! I will leave you with a silly little outtake from this photo shoot…this is what happens when I decide I am going to casually walk down the street and I tell my husband to capture my super model walk!
By the way, have you entered my giveaway yet? You can win $100 off a brand new Jord watch of your own or for a gift for someone else. You can see my Jord watch styled in the photos here. You can also read all about it here or go directly to the giveaway entry form here. There are not very many entries in yet, so you stand a great chance of winning if you enter now! It only takes a minute and an email address!
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
36 Comments
Tamar A Strauss-Benjamin
Perfect outfit with that knotted blouse!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Tamar! Have a fantastic week!
xoxo
Shelbee
Nancy
What a lovely combination that is! Floral and plaid! Mary looks fab too in her perfect coat and your boots are amazing!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Nancy! I do love a good pattern mix these days and I find myself doing it often. And yes, Mary’s coat has me in a downright swoon! Have a fabulous week, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
mireille
You have the coolest clothes and I love your creativity! Love this combination! And perfect backdrop with the library and snow.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Mireille, thanks so much! I just love when I get inside my closet and create something cool! It’s kind of like playing dress up every day. Actually, I guess that is exactly what it is! Playing dress up…adult version! Have a great week, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Kellyann Rohr
Great outfit Shelbee! I love that you got a sweet shout out from someone who saw your photo shoot. We take my photos in front of our house and my neighbors are always out mowing the lawn or playing with their kids! It is so awkward. One of my neighbors asked if I was a realtor since I am always taking pictures, ugh!
Good for you taking a solo trip to see a friend, I think you are going to have a great time!
xo,
Kellyann
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Kellyann! I honestly think I feel more awkward taking photos in front of my house than I do in other public places! Isn’t that funny? I guess because we always have to see our neighbors and you never really know who spots you driving by somewhere else. I am so excited for this trip! It is going to feel like forever for July to arrive, I think. Have a great week!
xoxo
Shelbee
Anna at Muttonstyle
Plaid is so big at the moment. I hadn’t thought of adding to floral though. Excellent plan. Thanks for linking up and I hope you notice my reference to you. I thought of you when as it looked so much like places you visit.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Anna, thank you so much! I do love combining prints! And I did see that and I totally forgot to mention it in my comment! Gah! I think I was typing before coffee. Thanks so much! I will go back and leave another comment. Have a fantastic day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jacqui Berry
You all look fabulous in your plaid and floral – a style I’ve yet to wear! But where did you get your legs, i’d love to buy a pair of these – wow! Thanks for sharing Hun. Jacqui Mummabstylish
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jacqui, thanks so much! What a lovely compliment! I guess I have worked hard for my legs…or they have worked hard for me! Either way, I do appreciate them!
xoxo
Shelbee
jodie filogomo
I swear I could reacreate this outfit Shelbee. I love how you pulled it all together especially with the 2 plaids with the coat!!
Gorgeous galore!!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jodie! I wanna see your version!
xoxo
Shelbee
Morgan Prince
You look great – the outfit really suits you!
#creativemondays
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so very much, Morgan! Have a fantastic day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Nailil
Love your look and those of all the other ladies too!!!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Nailil! Have a fabulous day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Ivana Split
What a lovely tartan skirt! I really like how you styled it.
https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Ivana! I kind of wish I had more similar skirts now.
xoxo
Shelbee
Shugunna Alexander
Love love love those boots!!!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Shugunna! They are definitely favorites of mine!
xoxo
Shelbee
Rena
Bravo to you and the rest of the ladies on your outstanding renditions of the floral with plaid theme.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Rena! This was a super fun theme especially since I do love a good pattern mix!
xoxo
Shelbee
Suzy Turner
LOL I’m loving those last photos of your super model walk, Shelbee!! I bet you and your hubby have such a laugh during your photoshoots. And how cool is it that a reader spotted you taking the photos!
I must say I adore the backdrop of your shoot – that library looks gorgeous.
Speaking of gorgeous – YOU. LOOK. INCREDIBLE. Like I said in my post, Britney eat your heart out. I’m totally loving that you mixed two different plaids and added the florals boots. It’s simply genius!!
I hope you’re having a wonderful week, my friend.
Big hugs
Suzy xxx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Suzy, thank you so very much, my wonderful, beautiful friend! I was a little hesitant about the double plaid at first, but then I figured I should just be bold and go for it! And you know, since I have the super model walk down pat, why not be as bold as I can be! Hahaha. Oh, we do have a blast, for sure! Love you!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
A perfect place for wonderful photos. You look very nice. You did a wonderful job in matching everything.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Patrick! Much appreciated!
xoxo
Shelbee
michelle
Love the plaid blazer – It would even look cute with jeans!
michellespaige.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Michelle! I actually did style this blazer with jeans and a graphic tee on the blog here and it was super cute!
xoxo
Shelbee
Paul
Looking sexy and hot in this combination. Have fun in Asheville and have a cup of coffee for me.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Paul, thank you so much! I am so excited for Asheville, you have no idea! I will definitely drink a toast to you whether it’s coffee or something else! Haha.
xoxo
Shelbee
Gail
Wow what gorgeous boots! I love the floral design! I think I would have struggled with this as a challenge — I don’t have much in plaid (tartan) or florals, which is silly because I like both. Thanks for joining #WowOnWednesday Shelbee.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Gail! This was one of my favorite combinations for the Fab 40’s to date!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mica
Such a fun clueless-esq way to meet the theme! 🙂 how fun someone noticed you taking photos too! I just setup my camera and tripod and take a pic or two as quickly as possible before neighbours spot me, haha! I try keep it short so I don’t get noticed much!
Thank you so much for joining the #weekdayWearLinkUp 🙂
Hope you had a wonderful weekend 🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Mica! That is so funny. I hate when my neighbors spot me taking pictures. I am actually less self conscious when I am more in public! Hahaha. I guess because I have to see the neighbors every day. Have a fantastic week!
xoxo
Shelbee