How to Wear Flares

Remember when skinny jeans became all the rage? We were all wearing bootcut jeans and suddenly skinny jeans were the "it' denim to own. Remember for a crazy minute everyone thought you had to actually be skinny to rock your skinnies?

Well our newest denim challenge is the flare. With a 70s vibe dominating the retail scene right now, flared denim is back with a vengeance. And with the flare trend in full force, I've had an overwhelming number of friends, family, and clients tell me they are too short/too curvy/too whatever to wear them. Just like with our favorite skinny jeans, there's a huge misconception about who can wear this denim style.

So when South Moon Under asked me to team up and style a pair of denim for their Denim Event, I knew I wanted to focus on flares and talk about how versatile and easy they can really be.

Without further ado, here are my tips for wearing flares:

1. To elongate your legs, go for a higher rise and higher shoe. Unless you already have long legs, flare pants just look better with heels (look how tall this 5'0 blogger looks in her flares). 

2. Keep the hem grazing the floor or barely off of it - unless you want to be bold and try out the new cropped flares (so not my jam), in which case, be intentional with it.

3. Keep the "flare" under control. We are not headed to studio 54 in our bell bottoms. Don't let the diameter of the flare overwhelm you and go too far into costume mode. 

4. If you have curves, stick to a more fitted top to show off your shape. If you do decide to go for a looser top, tuck it it to define your waist (like I did in this post). Got hips? A bit of a flare actually helps to balance your proportions (loving the example from this blogger). 

And finally,

5. Be confident and own your look!

Who's loving the trend this season? Tag me (@closetconfessional) in your pics and show me how you're rocking your flares! And if you're hoping to invest in a new pair of flares (or other jeans), check out South Moon Under's Denim Event and get 20% off all full price denim until October 25th!

top: c/o south moon under

denim: c/o south moon under

vest: old (similar)

clutch: pitaya (similar)

necklace: stella and dot

sunglasses: ray-ban

ring: kendra scott

Outfit Post: Packable Pieces

I hate to admit it, but I’m a constant overpacker.

Hi, my name is Dana and I am an overpacker.

I wasn't always this way. I used to plan and pack only what I needed. When I honeymooned in South Africa for 6 weeks, I carried everything I needed in a backpack. I spent a month wandering around Australia with all my belongings in a duffle bag. I traveled through Columbia for a summer with a carry on.

But somewhere along the way, I started planning less and packing more.

I'm not sure when this transitioned happened, but I'm determined to break this habit before it gets out of control and I start looking like this.

It's time to get back to the basics and start packing smarter.

On a recent trip to Florida to visit family, I challenged myself to not overpack. I thought about not just our itinerary for the week and the outfits I would need, but about what types of clothing would travel well and make a statement on their own without requiring a lot of extra fuss. Pieces that could stand alone or switched up with a couple layers.

This dress epitomizes that type of packable piece.

Besides the fact that it is super low maintenance and doesn't wrinkle, it also can be worn several different ways. I've switched out the matching belt for a wide, tan belt. I've added a denim jacket. I've worn it as a tunic over white jeans and wedges.

Pieces like this make getting dressed - and packing - a breeze.

I may have still overpacked (progress, not perfection), but I'm getting better at knowing which pieces will make my life easier and which pieces will just take up space in my suitcase.

dress: peacock room

clutch: stella and dot

necklace: stella and dot

bracelet: salikas'

sandals: old (similar here)

sunglasses: ray-ban

Outfit Post: Classic

There's nothing easier than a blazer, a great pair of fitted jeans, and killer accessories. It's my fail proof outfit when I'm not sure what the formality of an event is and my go-to outfit when I'm in a pinch (or too lazy to figure out what to wear).

It's the kind of outfit that looks appropriate in most settings (bar, brunch, boardroom), but also the kind of outfit that can easily transform into a completely new look with a quick accessory change.

Quick, easy, and versatile.

Every lazy fashion girl's dream.

blazer: h&m

top: pitaya (similar here)

jeans: jbrand

heels: dsw (similar here)

necklace: stella and dot melia necklace

clutch: stella and dot double clutch

sunglasses: ray ban

watch: shinola

Outfit Post: Spring Chill

Spring is here in Detroit, which means it could be 60 degrees and sunny one day and grey and snowy the next.

This was not a 60 degree and sunny kind of day.

This was an infuriatingly blustery kind of day. A fury of flurries kind of day. A makes-you-ache-for-spring-sunshine kind of day. And hopefully the last of it's kind kind of day.

But regardless of whether or not the flurries are gone for good, I absolutely refuse to continue wearing my winter wardrobe. But I also logically know it's too soon to be pulling out my light and airy summertime pieces.

So what's a girl to do? Cozy and warm layers in spring colors. 

This bright yellow coat layered over an all white outfit is the perfect way to welcome spring, even when the temperatures still feel like winter. I'm still covered and (mostly) temperature appropriate, but channeling the brighter days ahead.

They say dress for the job you want. I say dress for the weather you want.

Even if it is a blustery and wintery cold kind of day.

 

coat: zara (old, similar here)

sweater: nordstrom (similar here)

denim: topshop via nordstrom

heels: nordstrom rack (similar here)

bag: gigi new york via rent the runway unlimited

necklace: stella and dot birdie necklace

ring: stella and dot rebel ring

sunglasses: ray-ban