It's been more than two years since we shared our last Fashion Mixology post. I don't know if it was nostalgia or what, but we decided we really missed this feature. So we're bringing it back!
The concept is simply this—we take 8 pieces of clothing and make 8 different looks with those pieces. Shoes and accessories don't count. The goal of this feature is to inspire confidence and ideas to stretch your wardrobe farther! Fun right?
The pieces I picked out from my own closet for this post are—1. Awful Tank Top 2. High Waisted Denim Shorts 3. Yellow Kimono 4. Dot Sweater (from Target a few years ago) 5. Gingham Blazer 6. Black Pleated Skirt 7. Black Bodycon Dress 8. Black Crop Top
And here are the outfits I came up with—
1. This outfit is casual and fun. I would wear it pretty much anywhere from brunch to a day out with my mom or a casual weeknight pizza date (I'm fantasizing about the pizza a little…). I love the trend of big, breezy kimonos. I've collected them in many colors and fabric types. They're just a really easy way to add color and style to a plain jane outfit.
2. This look is something I'd definitely wear to work or to a casual biz lunch. I love fitted blazers, and especially when I find them in fun patterns. Throw on some comfy heels and done!
3. Okay, so, the thing I dislike most about this time of year is when it's warming up outside, some businesses and restaurants WAY overcompensate with the AC. So you are constantly going from hot to freezing throughout the day. For this reason I pretty much always carry a cardigan or light sweater in my purse/car.
Light sweaters with shorts and skirts are one of my favorite outfits. Dress it up with a fun necklace and sunnies.
4. I have a major weakness for crop tops, but they're not always appropriate for every occasion. But I've found that with one extra layer added (like a blazer or kimono), they become a lot more versatile. I love how that extra piece can take an outfit from "a little too bare?" to pulled together.
ps—gold heels go with everything!
5. One of my favorite simple silhouettes. I love a comfy top with a fun short skirt. It can be dressed up with heels or become more casual. Some days (you know the ones) comfort takes priority over fashion and this is one of my go-to looks for those days. Hey—it's cuter than yoga pants!
6. Layering tight pieces can make them look more easygoing and casual. This black bodycon is a little fancy feeling (even though it's just an inexpensive and super comfy jersey dress). It's definitely a date night dress, but when I layer this funny tank over the top and give it little knot, it becomes instantly casual and easygoing. Magic!
7. Ah! I love yellow! Another easy outfit is this bodycon with a bright kimono on top. It's fun and feels put together, but it's also an outfit you can throw on in 5 seconds as you're running out the door!
8. Picnic outfit! I love a tucked in tank with a skater skirt.
And on that note, did you know this Ban.do watermelon purse is actually a cooler!
Accessories and shoes links: Tortoise Cat Sunnies, White Birkenstocks, Red Clogs, Colorful Necklace, Stripe Sunnies, Cat Eye Sunnies, Gold Clogs, Plus Sign Hat, Bucket Bag (in brown, white seems to be out of stock), Watermelon Bag.
Thanks so much for reading! I really hope you guys are excited that we're bringing back this feature. It's a lot of fun to put together, and it honestly makes me feel inspired to mix things up more in my own closet! xx- Elsie
Credits// Author: Elsie Larson, Photography: Emma Chapman. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess Actions.
75 Comments
I’ve missed this so much!
Yessssss, more outfit posts please! Thanks for the inspiration! 😀
OMG, I’m super in love with that blazer.
http://aneducationindomestication.com
LOVE the polka dot sweater!!
<3 Haley @ http://www.beautyinthischaos.com
I love this too – and that cooler bag! Omg. I’m so glad you’re bringing this feature back – I wish I had read it before I went shopping for my Portugal trip – but I’m definitely inspired to mix things up!
Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com
These are all so cute! You’ve proved once again that black and white with pops of color can look so classy and polished, even with more casual pieces.
It’s great how you elaborated on exactly where you’d wear them too. That really helps when thinking about what you need in your wardrobe, and all of the occasions you listed make for a great checklist of summer outfits to have… even better when you can mix and match them!
-Molly
http://www.modcircus.com/
I love this feature! I am always uninspired when it comes to creating new outfits with things I already have. This will be so helpful!
all these outfits are adorable! I love capsule wardrobes!
http://www.simplisticallystyled.com
I love how you mix and match the outfit and totally love the awful tank top and the yellow kimono! Love this post <3
http://www.kinikunormal.blogspot.com/
Love these posts. Thanks for the fashion inspiration.
Liv
http://www.livforstyle.net
Thanks for the fashion inspiration.
Liv
http://www.livforstyle.net
Love all these outfits! I can’t wait to see the next Fashion Mixology posts!
Great post – absolutely love the polka dot jumper. I’ve got a real love for polka dot stuff at the moment and this is so cute.
Good work on the mix and matching too – would literally wear all of those outfits! 😀
Her x
Hooray!!!
xx- Elsie
Right?! It’s so fun!
xx- Elsie
Thanks so much Molly!
xx- Elsie
Thanks Nina! I just started working on the next one!
xx- E
Yay, I’ve missed these posts!
love all of these!!
xx nikki
http://www.dream-in-neon.com
Beautiful! Such a fun series. And I love that yellow coverup! Great color on you!
http://sometimesgracefully.com
Yay! Thank you!!! xx- E
This is awesome! Also we cannot believe that watermelon purse is a cooler. So…. cool.
(couldn’t avoid the pun)
♥Heather
SO happy this feature is back, it’s one of my all-time favorites!! Love seeing creative ideas for stretching what we already have in our closets 🙂 These looks are too cute!
The outfits are super cute 🙂
This is wonderful! I love all your style and fashion posts, keep them coming!!!
So cute! I love this idea for a vacation where packing space is limited. Think through all the possible combinations and you’ve got a ton of great outfits with just a few pieces!
outfit 4 is so lovely, seems like my style! xx
http://katiemelissa-x.blogspot.co.uk/
What are those espadrille/oxford shoes you’re wearing with the polka dot sweater and the skirt? They’re amazing!
I love this series! All the outfits featured in this post are awesome, but 4 and 5 are my absolute favorites.
Happy Tuesday
http://www.lovecompassionatelee.com/
Such a great feature!!! And so well done. Bravo, friend!
Carrie
http://www.wearwherewell.com
I absolutely adore your polka dot sweater!! I don’t know what it is, but there’s something so happy about polka dots! XX
http://hannahhappily.blogspot.com
Shoe Mint! They are really cute, but beware SO SO slick. It’s like the bottom sole is made of hard shiny plastic. At least they’re cute though! :))
xx- Elsie
This is so cool! I absolutely love this post – it’s totally inspiring me to do more with my closet!
Marianne
http://www.thematimes.com
Yay!! I love these posts!
These outfits are so cute! This gives me lots of ideas for future outfits!
I’m super excited!! I’ve been trying to get creative with my clothes and make outifts like this. Now I’ll have some inspiration! Thanks for bringing it back!
http://www.sweetlytattered.com
Loved this post! That kimono is such a gorgeous colour and it looks with the black dress. 🙂
Oh my gosh! Where did you get the white platform lace-ups?? Those are so cute!
Loved it then, love it now… and layering a tank over that bodycon is my fav..
Hems
agoldentulip.blogspot.com
These outfits are all so cute! Wearable, comfortable and still fashionable. Elsie you’re looking good! I can tell you’re losing weight. You were always beautiful anyway, I’m just saying you’re looking very fit and fabulous!
OMG!!!! O loved this post! Actually I’m loving those new posts about style. I love the style of you guys! It’s so inspiring and colorful!
Please, keep going, keep going! 😀
I love the white with black polka dot shirt. I need one like that. Just discovered your blog, it’s excellent!
Love this feature! Shows how versatile some items can be x
http://cocoamay.blogspot.co.uk
Such cute looks!
The Quirky Queer
Favorite post ever! Went straight to buy the yellow kimono. Sold out. ?
I have really missed this feature! Thanks for bring it back! Where are those adorable sneakers from?
Cute! I always try and buy things that I can wear multiple ways!
Casey
http://thedistrictfox.com
I’m in love with that yellow kimono, where did you find it?
I got it from SheInside (it’s American Apparel brand).
xx- Elsie
Shoe Mint!
xoxo!
It’s American Apparel brand. I think I’ve seen em in their local stores.
xoxo! Elsie
Thank you Alyssa.
xx- Elsie
Shoe Mint!
xoxo- Elsie
I love this feature!
I am like you always carrying a light cardigan with me everywhere because of how businesses overcompensate on the AC. It’s annoying but a great way to handle the temp changes. Also, gold shoes are one of my wardrobe staples because of their versatility.
All of these outfits are gorgeous! I love how all the pieces in your closet are so basic yet all of them are very interesting and unique.
Your blog is truly amazing! I love your cute and quirky style! 🙂
-Elly
http://a-girl-named-elly.blogspot.com/
My favorite is the last one; the watermelon bag is too cute xx
adropofchic.blogspot.com
YAAASSSS!!! I missed these post! Please keep them coming! Great looks, love every single one of them but my favorite are numbers 7 and 8! Love!
xo
alysamadisun.blogspot.com
Where did you get the black bodycon dress from?! I love it! The perfect piece to dress up or down!
Love your site so much! I really love #3 and #4 looks! So chic that polka dot sweater. I hate that too…it’s supppper hot outside and then you go into a store and it’s like the frozen tundra! hahaha…
Regina / Head Glam Girl at Margarita Bloom
Margarita Bloom | Retro Vintage Skincare & Beauty
http://www.margarita-bloom.com/
Blog: http://www.cherrylipsblondecurls.com
Twitter: @mbglamourville @margaritabloom
Instagram: @margaritabloom
Where are the shoes from outfit #5 from? I love them!!
All these looks are so cute! Especially love the polka dot sweater with shorts and a pair of pretty red shoes, preppy chic outfit!
Prudence
http://www.prudencepetitestyle.com
Yes!!! I’m SO glad that you’re bringing this fun feature back! It’s so inspiring! Thank you Thank you Thank you
I’ve always loved this feature! I’m so glad you guys are bringing it back! It’s such a great way for ‘normal folks’ to get inspired by their own wardrobe. It’s a little intimidating to see all these amazing fashion bloggers in new outfits every single time. This feels so much more realistic! Love it!!!
xoxo Holly Erinn
http://www.happinessbrand.blogspot.com
Where is the black pleated skirt from ??? Thanks A.
Good that you’ve brought it back.Great inspiration <3 hugs from the Polish mom blogger 🙂
Glad this is back! I love the 4th look so much!
-M
http://www.violetroots.com
Freaking Adorable!
Your yellow kimono is awesome! And I love how you put together the outfit with the crop top
Awesome! You should do more of these, I’ve always loved this kind of articles in magazines! 🙂 x
I love all of these outfits and I’m glad the feature is back! After all it’s how I found your blog years ago 🙂
Finally!! Fashion mixology is back!!! Please keep it coming! I love these ideas, thanks ladies! You guys are amazing 🙂
I was so excited to see one of these posts again! I’ve been stuck while creating outfits lately, so this is helpful! I love all of these!
Laura
http://laurahager.blogspot.com/
Great looks girly, love this post!!
XO, Jessi
mywhiteT.com
The point of good I really favor in your blog..