Rainy Weather Style - Gals and Guys

The rainy season has finally started in Jamaica and if you're not lucky enough to be on vacation and cuddled up in socks on the couch then you're gonna have to keep on trudging out every morning despite the gloomy skies. 

You may get a bit more excited if you know how to spin your wardrobe into stylish layers so despite the drop in temperature you can still look snazzy dahlin. 

Here are my tips for the Ladies and Gents

1. Layer like a Pro

Layering only really works when you pair complimentary colours and complimentary textures. I promise I won't school you too much on this but I will say this its always a good idea to start with a neutral and then either go for jewel tones OR pastels OR bright colours. Mixing items from different groups can have disastrous results. 

For the Ladies, a sweater over a chambray shirt is chic:
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And for the men, this is a nice option:
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2. Cover up those feet

It is generally always a good idea to wear closed shoes during this weather, and something that can be easily cleaned. 

For the ladies, flats are a good option, but so are well-heeled pumps in patent leather. Patent leather is not as porous as other materials and can be quickly wiped off. (Now, heels and wet weather? Take this with a grain of salt. If your shoe soles are smooth this is not a good idea, so be careful.)
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For the men - those loafers with stiffer leather (or faux leather) and gradated soles are a good idea. The same goes for you - avoid smooth-soled shoes during this weather. Selections I like include:
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3. Jack-et it Up

I love love love jackets - of any kind. And this is the time when I get to bust em out without breaking into sweat. 
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4. Borrow from the Yankees

Take a page out of the book of those who do live in cold climates and translate it to suit our climate. I am excited to incorporate - beanies,  patterned tights/stockings (I love these), wedge booties, parkas.
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What are you excited to pull out of your closet now that the weather has cooled down?
Leave me a comment and let me know.

Till later,
Jane 

PS - I will be attempting Vlogmas this year. We'll see how that goes....

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The Jean Jacket - How I Wear It

The Jean Jacket - a nod to the 90s grunge/western era. When I heard that 90s grunge was coming back 'in' for this fall season I literally groaned. The baggy jeans, the large jackets the thicker heavier fabrics and the bare midriffs and cutoffs were nothing to look forward to for me. Quite frankly, I would be happy only seeing that style in reruns of Saved By the Bell. 

Nevertheless, I have a problem, I admit it. I love jackets of every kind and I almost always try to find a way to wear one. It helps that this was not an item I had to spend money on. This jean jacket found itself in my closet by accident. During the storm of Emancipation weekend I was being a super hero and rescuing kids from a collapsed bounce-a-bout and  and got soaked (didn't you know I'm Wonder Woman?). I had to change to remain modest and one of the pieces I located in my mother's stash was a jeans jacket. Several weeks later, I found it in my closet and began imagining ways to style it that gave a nod to the grunge era but in a classier, modern way. Did I just put grunge and classy in the same sentence? 
These are what I came up with:

Sequins

If you've shopped with me you know I'm pretty much a golden girl granny at heart. I am drawn to anything that is sequinned and has shoulder pads. (as long as it fits correctly and isn't tacky of course). So when I saw this dress I knew I had to have it. It can come off a little strong for less dressy events though. The perfect way to dress it down is to add a jacket. Roll up the sleeves, add very delicate jewellery, maybe a low wispy loose chignon and strappy sexy black sandals like the ones seen here or pumps like the ones seen here

Feminine with an Edge

This dress is feminine in all its details - silky, floral with ruffles around the neck. Adding the jean jacket adds an edge and makes it more interesting. Nude pumps and a neutral clutch with mixed metal jewellery and maybe some chunky beading also adds interest to the outfit. (You can get these pumps at Payless Jamaica ) Bridget Sandals in a bronze colour would make this lovely for day-time wear as well.

Preppy

 Pop your collar and add a striped collared shirt, some cuffed shorts and a loafer like the one here or here (I don't have loafers because I haven't seen a pair that I like enough out here yet so I added a gladiator sandal with some gems.)

Classic

This is the first idea that came to me. A colourful skirt and a white shirt with a chunky necklace and heels - which is the same way I would wear a regular blazer. (Yes I used this opportunity to inject more sequins into this post- *snaps for me*)

Casual

What's a jean jacket if you can't wear it casually? I added a grey striped shirt from Old Navy that i picked up for all of $6.00 rolled up the sleeves, added my most worn pair of dark jeans. a cross pendant ( for a rocker flair maybe?) and for some interest zebra striped ballet flats. Of course this is an opportunity to add a silver men's watch and some arm candy.

The most important thing when you're trying something new is the fit. I like this jacket because the fit is somewhere between a blazer- with its flattering darts to still remind people I'm a girl, and an anorak- with the longer fit to my hip, and the swing it provides by not being too fitted. The colour/wash is important as well. If it is too bleached, it can be a bit too eighties and too dark would make it too western. I can always distress this later when I'm a little more comfortable styling it but for now I like the mid-tone wash it is. Rolling your sleeves up to your elbows helps to make it a little more modern as well. If you are a diy-er you can always add studs to the shoulders or across the back to make it a bit more interesting.

How would you wear a jean jacket today? Let me know! *Comments give me a happy*

 Till next time,
Jane

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