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8 Black and White Skirt Outfit Ideas for Summer
Jodie and her crew recently styled black and white skirts 3 different ways, and it made me wonder how I have worn black and white skirts in the summer. I found 8 OOTD in my archives to share with you today to keep this summer outfit inspiration with this item going. (And I see no reason that these ideas wouldn't work with black and white pants, shorts, skorts, etc.!) First, a short introduction to the black and white skirt you'll see in most of my outfits...or a re-introduct
sallyinstpaul
14 hours ago


Combining Black and Brights in Summer for SIA: Matt Beyrer
Shelbee at Shelbee on the Edge is the curator for this round of Style Imitating Art (SIA), and she selected the dye sublimation on wood "Triumphant Salute" by contemporary artist Matt Beyrer. She wanted to pick an artwork to "honor our nation's fallen soldiers on this national day or mourning" and chose this artwork because it had an emotional impact for her, and she thought the colors were beautiful...which is absolutely true. source: https://shelbeeontheedge.com/ Since mag
sallyinstpaul
6 days ago


A Fresh Green and White Spring Outfit for SIA: August Macke's Promenade
Marsha at Marsha in the Middle is the curator for this round of Style Imitating Art (SIA), and she selected the painting "Promenade" by early 20th century German Expressionist painter August Macke. She chose this artwork because she had heard of Expressionism but didn't know anything about it, and her search turned up this painting that she found delightful. source: https://marshainthemiddle.com/ The bright greens of the trees appealed to me, so I pulled out my thrifted Eloq
sallyinstpaul
May 20


A Black and White Summer Print Mix Outfit with the Thrifty Six: Hemlines
I have been welcomed into a wonderful group of fashion and lifestyle bloggers that focuses on styling preloved clothing and accessories in themed monthly posts (third Monday of the month). I hope that this showcase of secondhand items and outfits provides some shopping and style inspiration for anyone who is interested in creating great looks in a way that is sustainable for our planet and our pocketbooks. Today's topic is my choice of Hemlines...I thought that the Necklines
sallyinstpaul
May 18


Styling a Celestial Jewelry Set for SIA: Joseph Fratrel's Allegory of Astronomy
Salazar at 14 Shades of Grey is the curator for this round of Style Imitating Art (SIA), and she selected the painting "Allegory of Astronomy" by 18th century French artist Joseph Fratrel. She chose this artwork because she was in the mood for a more classical piece after our recent modern artworks, and her love of anything astronomical/celestial plus Star Wars Day on May 4 ("May the Fourth be with you") made it the perfect option. source: https://14shadesofgrey.wordpress.co
sallyinstpaul
May 6


Designing Paper Beads and Paper Jewelry for SIA: Paper Sculptures
Shelbee at Shelbee on the Edge is the curator for this round of Style Imitating Art (SIA), and she selected the paper artwork portfolio by American artist Karen Hawkins. She chose this artwork because we have had 10 selections in a row that were colorful and she was ready for a more neutral piece. You know that she had me at "paper." Of the artworks shown on the artist's website, I selected this wall hanging from her "book cover + paper collages" section because I liked the
sallyinstpaul
Apr 23


Add an Old Belt to Dress Up a Scarf and More Creative Uses for Belts with the Thrifty Six: Belt It
I have been welcomed into a wonderful group of fashion and lifestyle bloggers that focuses on styling preloved clothing and accessories in themed monthly posts (third Monday of the month). I hope that this showcase of secondhand items and outfits provides some shopping and style inspiration for anyone who is interested in creating great looks in a way that is sustainable for our planet and our pocketbooks. Today's topic is Belt It...and right away I was feeling the challenge
sallyinstpaul
Apr 20


Tonal Dressing to Mix Dark and Light Colors in a Spring Outfit for SIA: Allen Street
Marsha at Marsha in the Middle is the curator for this round of Style Imitating Art (SIA), and she selected the 1905 painting "Allen Street" by American artist George Luks. She chose this artwork because she wanted to find an art movement she had not heard about, and she couldn't resist the fun name Ashcan movement that runs counter to the typical "high brow" vibe. She particularly liked the colors in this painting. source: marshainthemiddle.com Because I am a color lover
sallyinstpaul
Apr 8


How to Wear Bright Blue Pants with 30 Wears: Cerulean Blue Jeans
Seeing Mica's recent 30 wears post for her olive tank top reminded me that it's been a while since I've done a 30 wears post, so today I am featuring a pair of cerulean blue ankle jeans that I bought at Lands End. This was an odd purchase for me because I bought them in a Lands End store! I had some returns to make for an online purchase, and while I was at the store, I decided to take the opportunity to try some things on. The vivid blue color of these jeans were just so
sallyinstpaul
Mar 30


Layering Necklaces with a Cowl Neck Top for the Thrifty Six: Necklines
I have been welcomed into a wonderful group of fashion and lifestyle bloggers that focuses on styling preloved clothing and accessories in themed monthly posts (third Monday of the month). I hope that this showcase of secondhand items and outfits provides some shopping and style inspiration for anyone who is interested in creating great looks in a way that is sustainable for our planet and our pocketbooks. Today's topic is Necklines...and I immediately knew I wanted to exper
sallyinstpaul
Mar 16


Brown Color Combos: Rust & Green/Teal/Mint
Today I am continuing my brown color combos series...which may surprise you if you think this color is only suited to fall and winter. But the Pantone spring/summer colors for 2026 include a dark, rich brown among its neutrals; coffee bean is "a deeply roasted bold brown with a smoky, chocolatey and nutty appearance." Pantone specifically calls out their neutral selections as "seasonless shades: a range of trans-seasonal neutrals [that] underpin the foundation." While 202
sallyinstpaul
Mar 2


Start a Romantic Casual Outfit with a Color for the Thrifty Six
I have been welcomed into a wonderful group of fashion and lifestyle bloggers that focuses on styling preloved clothing and accessories in themed monthly posts (third Monday of the month). I hope that this showcase of secondhand items and outfits provides some shopping and style inspiration for anyone who is interested in creating great looks in a way that is sustainable for our planet and our pocketbooks. Today's topic is Romance...perfect for mid-February as many of us cel
sallyinstpaul
Feb 16


Start an Outfit with a Scarf for SIA Edward Burne-Jones
Salazar at 14 Shades of Grey is the curator for this round of Style Imitating Art (SIA), and she selected the circa 1870s painting "The Garden of the Hesperides" by English Pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Burne-Jones. She chose this painter because she loves the Pre-Raphaelites, and she picked this particular artwork because of the " spring-like subject matter (the Hesperides are the nymphs who tend to Hera’s orchard, where the Apple of Discord that started the Trojan War cam
sallyinstpaul
Feb 11


Styling a Bird Cardigan in Winter for SIA Winter on the Marsh
Salazar at 14 Shades of Grey is the curator for this round of Style Imitating Art (SIA), and she selected the painting "Winter on the Marsh" by contemporary British artist Dee Nickerson. She chose this artwork because of the winter scene and the primitivist style of the painting. The scene reminds me so strongly of a winter on the Norfolk marshes...which, let me be clear, I have never seen! But reading the 15 books in the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths, which is
sallyinstpaul
Dec 17, 2025


How to Style Dressy/Office Pants Casually with the Thrifty Six: Vested
I have recently been welcomed into a wonderful group of fashion and lifestyle bloggers that focuses on styling preloved clothing and accessories in themed monthly posts (third Monday of the month). I hope that this showcase of secondhand items and outfits provides some shopping and style inspiration for anyone who is interested in creating great looks in a way that is sustainable for our planet and our pocketbooks. Today's topic is my selection of Vested...because I find Dec
sallyinstpaul
Dec 15, 2025


Brown Color Combos: Teal
Today I am continuing my brown color combos for fall/winter outfits series with teal, a deep, warm color that creates a rich and elegant color combination when paired with medium to dark browns with either warm or cool undertones. I have 4 teal + brown outfit examples to inspire you in ways to wear the season's trendiest color. In this post, I am featuring a paisley scarf from my collection that does a wonderful job of bringing colors like brown, beige, rust, and teal togeth
sallyinstpaul
Dec 8, 2025


How to Start a Colorful Fall Outfit with a Scarf for SIA André Derain
Marsha at Marsha in the Middle is the curator for this round of Style Imitating Art (SIA), and she selected the 1906 painting "The Turning Road" by French painter André Derain. She chose this artwork because she kept coming across the term Fauvism and didn't know anything about it; when she asked ChatGPT for famous painters who were Fauvists, this artwork came up. Although I am unfamiliar with this artist's work, I know a bit about Fauvism because I have read a couple of b
sallyinstpaul
Nov 19, 2025


Styling a Colorful Casual Fall Outfit with the Thrifty Six: Chiffon Scarf
I have recently been welcomed into a wonderful group of fashion and lifestyle bloggers that focuses on styling preloved clothing and accessories in themed monthly posts (third Monday of the month). I hope that this showcase of secondhand items and outfits provides some shopping and style inspiration for anyone who is interested in creating great looks in a way that is sustainable for our planet and our pocketbooks. Today's topic is Chiffon...which is not a fabric I gravitate
sallyinstpaul
Nov 17, 2025


Brown Color Combos: Pink
Today I am starting my dark brown color combos for fall/winter outfits series with one of my all-time favorites: pink! I like pink + brown together so much that I posted 8 outfits featuring soft pink and brown last winter in my soft pink color combo series. In today's post, I have an additional 4 pink + brown outfit examples to inspire you in ways to wear the season's trendiest color. First, I have an updated solid brown clothing capsule to share because my back-ordered br
sallyinstpaul
Nov 7, 2025


Creating a Purr-fectly Whimsical Jewelry Set for SIA Cat Symphony
Salazar at 14 Shades of Grey is the curator for this round of Style Imitating Art (SIA), and she selected 1868 drawing "Katzensymphonie" (Cat Symphony) by Austrian artist Moritz von Schwind. She chose this artwork because "a symphony of black cats just fits the bill" of "something Halloween-related without being too obvious." The artist created this work as a gift for his friend and fellow member of Die Schwarzen Katzen (Black Cats) drinking club Joseph Joachim to celebrat
sallyinstpaul
Nov 5, 2025
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