Remember when I was young, unmarried, funemployed, and childless and there were collages on this blog every day. I do!
I also remember thinking that I was such a busy person. Oh, the laughs. What I wouldn’t give to be that busy for just one week. And to have that waist line again. Ah, dreams…
But back on topic, I have a great big collage for you today. A compilation of outfits to style that jersey quarter zip you bought to wear on the weekends and now can only wear on the weekends. Let’s get to it.
The Half-Zip. Post-pandemic, we all wear sweats again. The Varley ones are my fav. This half-zip gets worn on every school drop-off day. Every quick trip to the park. I have it three colors, but the ivory marl is my favorite.
And, yes, I know it says not to dry it. I put all my Varley pieces in mesh bags to wash on cold and then, I tumble dry on low. I’ve never had an issue. I’m a real person with a normal house, I don’t have that much space for lay-flat dry, nor do I have the time.
Blouse // Skirt // Shoes // Bag // Earrings
The Office. A jersey half zip is a great topper for a lightweight work blouse. It’ll keep you warm on your fall morning commute. It’ll keep you warm when the Comms guy decides the office should be kept at Nordic temps. And you can easily shed it or tie it over your shoulders when you head to a meeting.
Here, I chose a simple printed blouse from Mango and paired it with a Caslon navy skirt in stretch jersey. Add in a great (GREAT) navy flat for under-$175, and a plum handbag for contrast and you’re basically done. I chose a navy enameled hoop to carry the color palette through the look, and I’d throw on some plum nail polish.
Not feeling the navy? Try a black skirt with this moody floral blouse from Tuckernuck. You could also bring the fall color palette home with an ochre blouse and ivory skirt.
Blouse // Jeans // Shoes // Earrings
Work from Home. I bought this blouse from Boden. Couldn’t stop myself. It’s perfect for Zoom. A little peak of color under the half-zip.
I added some simple wide leg, ankle jeans from Rag & Bone. This is my favorite Mom Jean style. Add in the clogs that are my slipper replacement, and a pair of nap earrings. They’re supposed to be more comfortable to wear on long days. And, don’t worry, they also come in white metal.
For the makeup, I am experimenting with a new tinted sunscreen. And for WFH, I can usually get away with just a bit of under eye corrector, blush, and mascara, since I wear blue light glasses.
Pants // Coat // Hat // Sneakers // Earrings
Weekend. Specifically, a weekend spent standing on the sidelines of a sports field. This look is easy, styled, comfortable, and still a little chic. No need to put on the windbreaker or fleece that you’ve had since college and a pair of leggings older than your kids. You deserve better. You deserve Cool Mom status.
The trench pulls it all together. Banana Republic is back and this olive coat proves it. And it’s perfect over the ivory marl. Add the sneakers I still love two years later and the hat I wear on every third-day-hair day, put on a cool earring and be done.
Do you need makeup for soccer? Probably not, but there’s no reason not to smooth out the complexion with a little CC creme and a brow gel.
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These are all great outfits! Do you have a Varley refer a friend code we should use if we buy the half zip?
What awesome options! I’ve been on the fence on the Varley half-zip, noting you’ve been singing its praises for a while so I may cave. I’m also eyeing Buck Mason’s soft/cozy looking items so if anyone has an opinion on Buck Mason, especially for a petite 5’2″ gal, I am all ears. Thanks for the lovely suggestions on this post! 🙂
I have unreasonable expectations about materials in my clothes, so I went with this 100% cotton half-zip https://matethelabel.com/collections/fleece-half-zip-sweatshirt instead of Varley. I imagine it’s considered a “dupe” but I really like it!
LOVE Buck Mason for the record. My husband shopped there for years and I finally tried a few women’s items and they’re some of my most worn wardrobe items – esp. their sweaters and tees/tanks. Very impressed with the quality and how they’ve held up. Actually, you’re reminding me to check and see if they have anything new…
Oh, thanks a ton, EMM for your thoughts! ~K
Banana Republic is back? Hallelujah.
Screenshotted and saved: “No need to put on the windbreaker or fleece that you’ve had since college and a pair of leggings older than your kids. You deserve better. You deserve Cool Mom status.”
Those navy flats are gorgeous, have you bought anything from C. Paravano before?
I have and like the flats I purchased (looks like Eva is the style). I’m between 8.5 and 9 and found the 8.5 to be roomy enough.
I love these posts! I can copy them and look like a person with style (rather than 3 kids and full-time job).
Killing it, Belle. I love the collages but mostly just the whole outfit, earring to shoes, and the styled different ways. Because I need it! The writing and storyline brings it home, too. Thanks