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OOTD x2: Turquoise Summer Outfits + DIY Red & Aqua Paper Bead Bracelet Set

Writer's picture: sallyinstpaulsallyinstpaul

Welcome to another round-up of recent outfits, this time focusing on outfits featuring a pair of comfortable turquoise t-shirt knit pieces that are perfect for summer. I am also sharing paper-to-bead-bracelet photos for a new DIY bracelet set.


Both of these items were purchased secondhand at different times, and I did not realize until this moment that they are both from Lane Bryant. They are not a matched set because the cardigan is ever-so-slightly lighter in value, but they do appear to be the same basic color with the cardigan just lightened a bit. They could easily be worn together...though I haven't done so (yet!).

Turquoise 3/4 sleeve knit cardigan - thrifted, Lane Bryant (Goodwill) - 22/44 - $5.24 - 10/2018

Turquoise knit skirt - thrifted, Lane Bryant (ThredUp) - 18/20 - $10.99 - 3/2019


Outfit #1: A few days after July 4, I was still feeling the red, white, and blue combination, but I changed it up somewhat into a red, black + white, and turquoise version. This is wear #29 of this red knit top (it should hit 30 wears later this season!). I don't think I've shown this thrifted Chico's striped t-shirt knit cardigan on the blog, which reached a cost per wear (CPW) of $1 in this outfit.

Teal blouse + white skirt + chevron cardigan - plus size summer outfit idea for women over 40
OOTD 7/7/22

For red + aqua necklaces, I have two options. I decided to wear this bold multi-strand beaded necklace that has gold beads in front, and I chose my gold ballet flats to coordinate with it.

Teal blouse + white skirt + colorful print scarf - plus size summer outfit idea for women over 40

This dark aqua silk scarf with a square red and black design (which you can get a glimpse of there on my shoulder from the tail of the scarf hanging down) made a good headband. (I'm not sure what the secret is to wearing a silk scarf as a headband; I know some people struggle with the slippery scarf not wanting to stay in place on their head. I can only guess that my fuzzy hair provides enough friction that the silk stays put!) I continued the red + aqua color scheme with these world's easiest DIY hoop earrings made with glass pearls on a pre-made silver-tone hoop.

Teal blouse + white skirt + colorful scarf - plus size summer outfit idea for women over 40

Today's bracelet stack is a DIY set that I made inspired by the beaded necklace I'm wearing. I purposely made the 3 paper bead bracelets and the white and red glass bracelets with neither gold nor silver spacer beads for flexibility (so it can work easily well with this necklace and the second red + aqua necklace I mentioned that has silver metal). Because the mixed metal ship had already sailed with my silver-based earrings, I decided to wear the aqua magnesite/silver bracelet too.

DIY pink teal white black bracelet - plus size summer outfit idea for women over 40

For those interested in the paper bead bracelet details, here are the papers I used to create them. A floral tunic top image from a Lands End catalog made into tube beads with white metallic acrylic paint on the ends; bracelet finished with white glass pearls.

Bead/bracelet stats:

Lands End catalog page

6.5" long / 0.5" wide tube strips

1/8" paper bead roller

Rolled into 4.5mm tube paper beads

Strung with 6mm white glass pearls


Reflecting the strange times we live in, a coronavirus graph illustration from The Economist magazine made into bicone beads; bracelet finished with round aqua magnesite beads. (Does jewelry based on coronavirus imagery sound creepy? Although I don't actually believe in magic, I claim that this is my version of "evil eye" jewelry worn to avert negative forces using apotropaic magic.)

Bead/bracelet stats:

The Economist magazine page

7" long / 1" wide bicone strips

3/32" paper bead roller

Rolled into 4mm tube paper beads

Strung with 6mm aqua magnesite round beads


And a colorful faculty office cartoon drawing from an alumni magazine made into bicone beads; bracelet finished with red glass pearls.

Bead/bracelet stats:

Alumni magazine page (heavier than typical magazine)

5.75" long / 0.5" wide tube strips

1/8" paper bead roller

Rolled into 5.5mm tube paper beads

Strung with 6mm red glass pearls


Outfit #2: I went just a bit outside my comfort zone by wearing a monochromatic "twin set" consisting of a dark aqua lace tank + turquoise cardigan that don't match but do coordinate tonally. I'm pushing myself to experiment more with these "tonal" combinations for a couple reasons.

(1) More combinations = more mix-and-match possibilities with a given number of items = less shopping, more sustainability in my wardrobe, and more variety.

(2) Low-to-mid value contrast outfits suit my personal coloring better than high value contrast.

(3) Experimentation is fun and breathes new life into my style.

OOTD 7/8/22

Yes, you've seen this DIY bracelet set before! The teal/peacock/black color combination is one I go back to again and again, so I'm definitely getting good use out of this set.

Mint top + camel skirt + print jacket - plus size summer outfit idea for women over 40

Do you like wearing things made from t-shirt knit fabric in the summer? Do you sometimes wear tonally coordinated outfits in different shades of the same color? Do you prefer high or low value contrast outfits?


Blogs I link up with are listed here.


8 comments

8 Comments


Jess Jannenga
Jess Jannenga
Jul 31, 2022

Pretty bracelets! I love the prints you choose!

thanks for linking! jess xx

www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

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sallyinstpaul
sallyinstpaul
Jul 31, 2022
Replying to

Thanks so much, Jess, and I appreciate you hosting the link-up!

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pandoraandmax
pandoraandmax
Jul 25, 2022

They're very lovely and look great! Aren't you clever? #TheRandom

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sallyinstpaul
sallyinstpaul
Jul 26, 2022
Replying to

Thanks so much! They are fun to make.

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bijoubeadboutique
bijoubeadboutique
Jul 25, 2022

I’m a huge fan of aqua, so totally love these outfits, Sally! And I love your Corona virus beads. Perfect.

Michelle

https://mybijoulifeonline.com

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sallyinstpaul
sallyinstpaul
Jul 26, 2022
Replying to

Haha, the coronavirus beads did make me laugh when I made them. I joked to my husband that it's my version of the Evil Eye jewelry that's popular; maybe if I wear it, it'll protect me from COVID. :D I'm really on an aqua roll right now, not sure why other than it's a perfect summer color!

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jodie filogomo
jodie filogomo
Jul 20, 2022

As for the headband thing. My hair stylist from years ago, said that the shape of our head makes a huge difference too. Supposedly I have a small occipital bone (which was her nice way to say I had a small brain, haha---not really). But I find that 2 bobbie pins can be the easy fix. What an amazing coincidence with those two pieces that almost match exactly. Goes to show you like that color!! XOOX Jodie

www.jtouchofstyle.com

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sallyinstpaul
sallyinstpaul
Jul 21, 2022
Replying to

Jodie, that's really interesting about head shape! The bobby pin solution is a smart one. And yes, I definitely like all shades of aqua/turquoise/teal, and occasionally I do get lucky and the pieces match!

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