Embracing Modesty, No. 5
Is is it bothering y’all that I am flipping back and forth in this series between Mom and teens? If so, I will try to be more consistent, but I can’t make any promises. My brain isn’t always completely under my control and gets all excited about something that it just has to get out. Like Spanx. If I let myself even think about Spanx I start needing to talk about them and cherish the blessed elastic that is the modern day girdle.
So this week we’re back to me. Plus-sized. Mom of 9. Not the bathing beauty you probably would rather be looking at. Just me in a brown skirt and top. Yawn.
We’re going to take that boring old brown and wear it 6 different ways. I love to take a simple base and be creative with it. Keeping the basics on hand helps when you need to get dressed quickly but still want to look nice. Many looks from one set of clothing. I think I read that in a fortune cookie once.
I like brown because it’s basic but I’m not walking around in black all of the time looking like I’m in mourning. Brown and gray both give me a new winter palette to work with. I decided to put on a basic brown skirt and top then add different pieces to show you. Here you go…..
1. A man’s shirt
I found this man’s shirt on clearance at Walmart a few years ago and it’s a great way to be warm, look casual but still nice. I added a little flower to jazz it up. Jazzing things up is what life is all about.
2. Lace shirt
I sweet little lace top over the brown is a good way to feel more feminine. Notice I am showing my shoes in each picture. I got so many questions about my shoes that I thought I’d show them. We’ll be talking about shoes later in the series.
3. Basic sweater
Don’t be afraid to mix brown and black. It’s daring. It’s unexpected. And the long sweater is slimming for the plus-sized figure.
I sound like an infomercial. I may as well start shouting $19.99!!!
4. Denim jacket
You can’t go wrong with a denim jacket. I added ribbons and trims to this one. It’s fun to wear. The necklace is just something I made with odds and ends.
I got tired of the same old poses so I tried doing some more model-ish looks. Here’s my, “I’m too cool to stand up on my own” look.
And even better, the “I love this post” pose.
5. Knotted scarf
I’m not sure why I look like I am not very happy in this picture. I remember being happy when it was being taken. Perhaps I was tired. I’m beginning to think I may not be cut out for modeling.
I did better when my son Adam came out to see what we were doing. He always makes me smile.
6. Crocheted vest
Now really, this is just getting ridiculous. I look positively miserable. Smile woman. Show us that vest you have on.
That’s more like it.
The little nest necklace is from an etsy shop called Melody Joy Designs. There’s one bead/egg for each child. I met Melody last fall and she is darling!
Now that I’ve smiled I have to confess, this is how I look most of the time.
OK maybe not that bad.
So I’m wondering, do you like to express creativity through your clothing? If so, using a neutral pallet and building on it is a great way to do that simply with not much money.
Check out the rest of this series in our Embracing Modesty Gallery!
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I love the way you added the trim to the jean jacket! I love that idea. I get on cj banks website all the time and wait till they have something I love 70% off then I buy it. It usually involves a jean jacket in some form. What a great way to take the average ordinary jacket and make it unique! Now I have to be on the hunt for interesting trim! You always have creative ideas that I think I could implement! Thanks for the inspiration! Love this series!!
You’re gorgeous, Lisa! Inside and out!
I love the way you are switching between yourself and the girls. (I have one preteen girl and a younger one.) I am a neutral/solid colors type of a gal, but I love to add splashes of color/print to whatever I wear so I loving your vest!
This series is so fun and you make me laugh. I tend to have a serious look on my face when I am thinking about something or concentrating and it makes me look really unhappy, even though I am not. I have to remember to smile sometimes. I like your creativity and feminine flair items (remember the gigantic ring at Genghis Grill??). Now that we are moving I am trying to pair down my clothing to be more multi-functioning and you gave me some great ideas!
I love your humor with your pictures, modeling and smiling! You’re gorgeous. I love how you have so many different outfits with the basics. Me? I have maybe 10 skirts and 45+ shirts…and not that many quick and easy combo outfits. *sighs* Want to come to Southern California and help a Mama fix her closet and wardrobe?…
You seriously CRACK ME UP!! I’m loving that “I love this post” pose!! : )
You look darling in each of these outfits! I love how creative you & your girls are with your jewelry & accessories! So cute & so different!
My favorite outfit is the one with the long cardigan & the black & white polka dot scarf! Can’t go wrong with polka dots! Always classic & always beautiful!
I just laughed out loud when I saw that last picture – priceless!
My favorite outfit is the one with the lace top. I think it’s neat how you start with a basic set to make so many different outfits. That is totally opposite of me: I look for the perfect (okay, so almost perfect works too) outfit and then stick with it. In my case it doesn’t cost more money, since I am a huge fan of thrift stores and refashioning.
You make me laugh – and that last picture is almost a ‘poise’ worthy pose, I’d say! I am not very creative with my clothing – but I’m trying! I don’t have any necklaces to wear, but I do wear a flower of my own creation almost every day – in fact when on friend’s little boys refer to me they call me the Flower Lady which is so much better than my old moniker! Today I’m wearing a dark denim skirt, black mock, cozy soft heathered grey v-neck sweater and a big fluffy yellow frayed linen flower {that I made} to brighten me up! It took me forever to branch out and put yellow with grey … I am just that fashion challenged!
I am SO looking forward to the SHOE segment because that’s where I am really really stumped. My skirts are all long too and I never know what to wear with them. I have two pairs of shoes for winter and it’s really limiting, but it’s what I’ve got to work with. I never know what to look for that goes well, and shoes are so expensive. I only buy ‘good’ shoes and high heels are out since my poor cracked feet are a mess – in fact one foot had a face to face with a scalpel yesterday and is wrapped up pretty tightly in a sterile ‘wet’ zinc oxide dressing until Monday. We went to the library today so I tried to look put together despite having to cram this huge overdressed tootsie into a shoe, but even when this problem is resolved, I need some guidance.
Dear Erma,
You’re beauty to behold through and through (x 9).
Signed,
Brown is my black.
You always look great Lisa!
I love that lace top – I am just starting to embrace layering….
Thanks for these posts.
I think I missed #4 so I am off to read that one!
You are so cute! I’m diggin’ that polka dot scarf. And the jean jacket. And the bird’s nest necklace. Lace top adds a sweet touch. I happen to have a long, brown, flared knit skirt that I will be eyeing a little differently now, thanks to you. Way to change your look!
you. are. my favorite. Seriously, your modeling poses are the best! and if I dont see you soon I will be upset, I havent seen any of these outfits in person yet!
You do know how to change it up – I’ve rarely seen you wear the same outfit twice.
I hang my clothes by color (mostly solid bottom skirts and tops) and pull it all together with a colorful scarf. My scarves usually have a lot of the same colors or at least a couple of my basic wardrobe colors. I match the scarf to the under top, add a lightweight jacket and matching shoe and I’m good to go.
I’m really enjoying this series – can’t wait to see what’s next.
Lisa, you are an excellent dresser & writer! I really enjoy all of your posts.
I love your style! So I went looking for the “basics” to copy the style. I found the brown and black (and gray) maxi skirts online at Hanes.com I am 5’1 so the maxi falls at my ankles. Not to do a product view, but I thought I would share a great find. Thank-you for the inspiration!
Lisa–I have been following(lurking) for awhile, here and on instagram, and I always love how you put yourself out there and just make life fun. Thank-you!
your “love the post” pose made me laugh my head off.=)
Oh Lisa, please come and help me. I actually received a gift card to a local store that has plus size clothes that I like on other people. Once they get on me I don’t like them anymore or I can’t decide or what if I look silly and don’t know it and ahhhh, I don’t like to spend money even if it was given to me. I went once and got so overwhelmed I left without buying anything. The second time I went in determined to buy something bc my hubby hates the clothes I am wearing now. I got a bra and a pair of mom blue jeans. BORING. I need someone to hand me the clothes and tell me to put them on.
Absolutely love the denim jacket and the decorating of it. It is so cute. Think I will look for some at a thrift store. When I go visit my daughter in Calif. I get to go to larger thrift stores with lower prices. Gave me motivation to look for all kinds of things to make outfits.