Lace & Pearls

A Seattle Style blog. Helping women who struggle with their personal style or those who just need a fashion fix!

Spring Wardrobe Challenge Outfit #3 – My Best Closet Staple

Have you ever bought something that you weren't sure about only for it to end up being your favorite closet staple? That's what happened with this sweater vest. I got it last year from Club Monaco at an end of the season sale. I remember being worried that I wouldn't wear it, but wanted an alternative to my beige one.Have you ever bought something that you weren't sure about only for it to end up being your favorite closet staple? That's what happened with this sweater vest. I got it last year from Club Monaco at an end of the season sale. I remember being worried that I wouldn't wear it, but wanted an alternative to my beige one.Have you ever bought something that you weren't sure about only for it to end up being your favorite closet staple? That's what happened with this sweater vest. I got it last year from Club Monaco at an end of the season sale. I remember being worried that I wouldn't wear it, but wanted an alternative to my beige one.This series is part of the 10X10 Spring Challenge. For more information on what it is and how it works, click here.

Have you ever bought something that you weren’t sure about only for it to end up being your favorite closet staple? That’s what happened with this sweater vest. I got it last year from Club Monaco at an end of the season sale. I remember being worried that I wouldn’t wear it, but wanted an alternative to my beige one. Surprise-surprise, I’ve literally worn it weekly for the entire season! Talk about return on investment, right?

My Best Closet Staple

The best thing about this vest is it goes with everything! I’ve worn it with jeans, dresses, and every top in my closet. It’s my weekly go-to, so of course I included it in my capsule. For this look, I chose to layer this vest over my trusty snow leopard sweater, another great staple! The merino wool is so warm and smooth, plus I love the print. I could totally see the top of this outfit being paired with a faux leather skirt and tall boots. So chic!

Now that the winter sales are winding down, I highly encourage you to invest in a sweater vest for next fall. I’m on the hunt for my spring alternative now, but this one from Nordstrom will be awesome for next year. For the warmer months, I’m leaning more towards this utilitarian style. Military outerwear never really goes out of style whether it’s a jacket or vest, so I’m adding it to my wish-list this year.

That’s why Lee’s 10 x 10 challenge is amazing! It really allows you to identify the gaps you might have in your closet and separate your needs from your wants. I don’t necessarily need a vest, but do know that it allows me to maximize my closet and get more bang for my buck. In my eyes, the vest is a necessary closet staple that I will indeed pick up this spring.

I almost forgot to mention the jeans! These are the same cut and style as the ones seen here, except a different wash and no button fly. The fit is the same, but the material is definitely tighter and not as comfortable as the lighter color. You might not find them as comfortable if you are curvier in your midsection. I might even recommend sizing up. I still love the jeans, but won’t be wearing them as regularly.

What are your favorite closet staples? Please share in the comments.

Shop the Look:

Vest: Club Monaco (similar) | Sweater: J.Crew (similar) | Denim: J. Crew | Necklace: Lace & Pearls Jewelry | Purse: Ted Baker (similar) | Lipstick: Urban Decay 1993 c/o

*c/o: courtesy of or gifted.

📷: Genelyn Jaye Photography 

Related posts:

  1. Unintentional Capsule Wardrobe + Spring Wardrobe Challenge 10×10
  2. Spring Wardrobe Challenge Outfit #1 – Mastering the Half-Tuck
  3. Spring Wardrobe Challenge Outfit #2 – Taking Fashion Risk
  4. Spring Wardrobe Challenge Outfit #8 – The Lightweight Sweater

Spring Wardrobe Challenge Outfit #2 – Taking Fashion Risk

Let's get to the point of today's post - trying something new and taking a fashion risk! Even though it was outside of my comfort zone, I styled this dress as a skirt and look how good it turned out. Let's get to the point of today's post - trying something new and taking a fashion risk! Even though it was outside of my comfort zone, I styled this dress as a skirt and look how good it turned out. This series is part of the10X10 Spring Challenge. For more information on what it is and how it works, click here.

I’m not the biggest fan of dresses or skirts. I wear them in the summer, but pretty much steer clear of them in the colder months. I have a handful of reasons for not loving them but the three reasons that stand out the most are:

Read More »

Related posts:

  1. Unintentional Capsule Wardrobe + Spring Wardrobe Challenge 10×10
  2. Spring Wardrobe Challenge Outfit #5 – 6 Things I’ve Learned From My Capsule Wardrobe
  3. Spring Wardrobe Challenge Outfit #7 – Be the Change You Want to See
  4. Spring Wardrobe Challenge Outfit #10 – Capsule Wardrobe Recap

Spring Wardrobe Challenge Outfit #1 – Mastering the Half-Tuck

I have always been envious of those who wear the half-tuck. I've tried countless times to make it work but it always looked like a hot mess! I tell friends that they need to show me, and they look amused. I have always been envious of those who wear the half-tuck. I've tried countless times to make it work but it always looked like a hot mess! I tell friends that they need to show me, and they look amused. I am so excited to kick off this series! I have been wanting to do a capsule wardrobe ever since I discovered Caroline Rector’s Un-fancy! I’m sad that she no longer keeps her blog up, but you can still follow her on Instagram.

If you missed my introductory post to this challenge, you can check it out here. I promise, you won’t be disappointed and you might even want to create your own capsule wardrobe! Now let’s get started with the basics.

Read More »

Related posts:

  1. Unintentional Capsule Wardrobe + Spring Wardrobe Challenge 10×10
  2. Spring Wardrobe Challenge Outfit #3 – My Best Closet Staple
  3. Spring Wardrobe Challenge Outfit #2 – Taking Fashion Risk
  4. Spring Wardrobe Challenge Outfit #6 – Transitional Outfit For Spring

Unintentional Capsule Wardrobe + Spring Wardrobe Challenge 10×10

After cleaning out my closet, I barely had anything left! This is when I thought about creating a capsule wardrobe: minimal, neutral, and basic. I like the look on some, but it's not necessarily my style, although I've always wondered if I could create a capsule wardrobe for myself that was more on the feminine side.Since gaining over twenty pounds, the majority of my clothes no longer fit, but instead of holding onto everything, I went ahead and put most of my closet on consignment and gave the rest away. I understand that getting rid of things can be scary, but I’ve always been very focused on keeping my closet in order, so I knew it was the right decision for me. Plus, if I lose the weight, I know that I’ll want something new and that makes me less worried about feeling remorseful.

Read More »

Related posts:

  1. Outfit Remix: Easy Ways to Maximize Your Wardrobe
  2. Spring Wardrobe Challenge Outfit #3 – My Best Closet Staple
  3. Spring Wardrobe Challenge Outfit #4 – The Knit Dress and Why You Need One
  4. Spring Wardrobe Challenge Outfit #5 – 6 Things I’ve Learned From My Capsule Wardrobe

Outfit Remix: When Good Outfits Repeat Themselves

You can learn a lot by looking at old photos and taking note of your favorite closet staples. Doing this will allow you to save money as well as eliminate frustration, buyers remorse, and unworn clothing with the tags still on them. See original outfit post here.

You can learn a lot by looking at old photos and taking note of your favorite closet staples. Doing this will allow you to save money as well as eliminate frustration, buyers remorse, and unworn clothing with the tags still on them.You can learn a lot by looking at old photos and taking note of your favorite closet staples. Doing this will allow you to save money as well as eliminate frustration, buyers remorse, and unworn clothing with the tags still on them.Oops I did it again! For some reason, whenever I wear a black and white top, I always struggle with how to style it. Since I lack imagination when it comes to a monochromatic look, my go-to is always a pop of color. The obvious clothing choice was this cranberry color cardigan. It was only until after this shoot that I realized I had worn almost an identical look 3 years prior, during my first year of blogging! At least I’m consistent.

Repeating this outfit got me thinking about the steps to defining your personal style. I’ve been in the process of pairing down my wardrobe, primarily due to weight gain and not liking a lot of excess in my closet. I realized there is no sense in having a bunch of stuff in my wardrobe that doesn’t fit!

You can learn a lot by looking at old photos and taking note of your favorite closet staples. Doing this will allow you to save money as well as eliminate frustration, buyers remorse, and unworn clothing with the tags still on them.

When Good Outfits Repeat Themselves

Assess your lifestyle and get rid of the excess. What do you spend most of your time doing? Are you a stay-at-home mom? College student? 9-5 desk job? Depending on your lifestyle and what you like to do on the weekend, having a fabulous wardrobe might not be ideal. Why have a massive selection of cocktail dresses if you rarely go out? Be realistic and only keep what you need.

Get more of what you love. If you’re a homebody and crave comfort, maybe you should splurge on a nice pair of leggings and some cozy knits. If you prefer a more classic style, fill your wardrobe with gorgeous closet staples like a silk blouse or blazer. I love denim as much as the next gal, but my work doesn’t allow for it. Instead of having a closet full of premium denim, I only have 1-2 pairs that I rotate on the weekend.

Be prepared for those one-off events. If these events are far and few between, keep it simple and only have 1 or 2 nice dresses instead of 10.

What tips do you have for defining your personal style? Share in the comments. For similar post read:

Shop the Post:

Cardigan: J.Crew Factory (similar) | Blouse: J.Crew (this one is cute) | Denim: J.Crew | Bracelet and Necklace: J.Crew (old) | Shoes: Paul Green (similar) | Clutch: DSW | Lipstick: Neutrogena MoistureSmooth color stick (Rich Raisin) c/o

*c/o: courtesy of or gifted.

📷’s by Hello Rigby

Related posts:

  1. Spring Wardrobe Challenge Outfit #3 – My Best Closet Staple
  2. Spring Trend: Ruffles + Anguay Designs
  3. Outfit Remix: Lace Bomber + 3 Reasons Why You Need a Pair of Grey Denim
  4. Spring Wardrobe Challenge Outfit #8 – The Lightweight Sweater

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