Welfare Chic

Lace Skirt Debacle

Ericka — Sat, 18 May 2013 05:15:22 +0000

I don’t know what happens sometimes. I think I have put a pretty good outfit together, but then when I see the pics I can’t believe how awful I look! I had never worn the lace hi-lo skirt I got from Charlotte Russe, and I wanted to wear something tailored with it, to balance the look. I couldn’t make up my mind, and somehow I ended up in the Ralph Lauren blouse.
I have two blouses like this, with ruffles at the chest. I even have a shirtdress like this. I bought them originally because I thought that straight button down shirts did not look good on me. Now, I have learned that the ruffles actually make my breasts look bigger!
My legs don’t look great either. I keep seeing women in the fashion magazines with bare legs, and with booties and short skirts. But my bare legs just look awful! I can’t decide whether to use a fake tan or to wear hose. Is it okay to wear hose now? Or is it better to leave my legs the way they are?
So much of fashion is confusing to me! The first thing I want to learn is how to dress for my body type!!! I see such great outfits in the magazines, and so many examples of cool street style. But when I try those looks out on myself, they just look awful!
So that’s why I called this the Lace Skirt Debacle. Hopefully my next look will be better!
Here are a few more examples of the look:

Feeling a little Bad A– :)

Ericka — Sat, 11 May 2013 22:38:44 +0000

First of all let me say that this was not a good outfit! It was one of those rainy days where I meant to call a cab, but I also wanted to walk. In hopes the rain would stop, I started getting dressed. I couldn’t find anything I liked, and before I knew it I absolutely had to leave to go pick up my son. So I was stuck with what I had on.
I told myself it looked a little 90s grunge, but my son just asked me if I had cut holes in my sweater. But something happened as we walked around. I was wearing my black boots too, and they always boost my mood. but with my outfit, and the 90s grunge idea, I started to feel a little edgy-a little bad a–! That’s not a term I use, so this is a pretty amazing thing. I think I got a little feel of why women like to dress that way sometimes.
No, it’s not really my style. And I guess it doesn’t really suit a 41 yr. old single mom. But I still might dress that way once in a while. I kind of liked it!

Rainy Day Outfit

Ericka — Sat, 11 May 2013 22:08:34 +0000

It was chilly and cold out when I put on this outfit, and I loved how it looked! The only problem was that when I was ready and I had my daughter ready, I opened the door and the sky opened up! Needless to say, we had to cancel our walk that day. But at least the outfit looked good!

Who what wear: how to update your wardrobe with these stylish tips

Ericka — Mon, 06 May 2013 03:05:52 +0000

Who What Wear is a great style authority, and I love their how-to section because they have such great ideas. This article has great tips that use things you already have in your closet. I’m scrambling to get enough money together for our vacation, so I definitely need to make the most of my wardrobe!

Check it out here:

http://www.whowhatwear.com/update-your-wardrobe-with-these-stylish-outfit-ideas

Blurry Baseball Shirt

Ericka — Mon, 06 May 2013 01:06:22 +0000

I’ve been so looking forward to wearing this baseball shirt! It was made specially for my son’s older half brother, who passed it down to my son. I borrowed it while my son is at his dad’s for the weekend! I also love the shirt underneath-it’s a TWLOHA shirt that says “Give me some hope to follow and I will run”. I’m sure the outfit would look so much better on someone young and thin. But I liked it, it was comfortable, and I got to wear my wedge sneakers with it!I love these shoes so much!!! They make my day when I wear them!

I know these pics aren’t great-but with my son away I had to take htem myself! Hope you can still see the outfit!

Much-awaited Maxi

Ericka — Mon, 06 May 2013 00:13:09 +0000

I got this maxi dress at the end of last summer. But I’m 5 ft. tall, so I couldn’t wear it until I hemmed it. Eight months later, I finally hemmed the dress-I think I cut 7 inches off of this one. I So then I had to dig through m tubs of old clothes to find a slip. (Do people even wear them anymore?) I finally found that, and I wore the outfit a few days ago. I had planned it for so long I couldn’t wait to wear it: the orange maxi, my Ralph Lauren boyfriend jacket, a leopard print scarf, and my go-to grey booties. I felt so good because for once I was confident in my outfit!

So much fun to wear an outfit I feel good about!!!

Lace and leatherette

Ericka — Sun, 05 May 2013 16:50:09 +0000

I am finally able to wear this faux leather flirty skirt! It does button above my natural waist, but this was the first time it’s been out of the closet so I was pretty excited!!!
I wore the skirt with a white lace top, my Ralph Lauren boyfriend jacket, Bob’s gold flats, and a fun yellow purse with the British flag on it. I thought that was a nice bit of edge for the outfit.
Here it is:

skinny black dress

Ericka — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 03:44:22 +0000

Three weeks ago I couldn’t wear this dress- I was so excited when I put it on today! I wore it to a meeting at my son’s school and I was even comfortable in it! I styled it with a black floral scarf from target, a pair of leopard flats from DKNY, and a vintage bag.

My Zebra Print Debut

Ericka — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 23:19:19 +0000

I think I have one zebra print top, but it is black on grey, so it is nowhere near as dramatic. On my quest to define my own personal style, I am once again tending toward traditional black. In this case, I really want to put the emphasis on the bag. It is cheap, I confess. But I think that with the right outfit pieces, this look will go from blah to bold in no time!
In my smalltown, fashion often means dressing for church or a date. I am still trying to overcome my shyness, so there are times when I want to crawl into my closet and hide. But I’m pushing myself! So for this spring look, I wore a black tee, my black jeans, and my grey go-too booties. I added a great silver baublebar necklace. But the crowning piece for this outfit was the bag. It’s black and white, and has small straps so I think it would count as a satchel. In this case, the straps and trim are neon pink. So the outfit surpasses my hopes! Conservative with a dash of flair:-that’s my style so far, and I like it!

Black and Yellow Success

Ericka — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 22:17:15 +0000

I love this outfit! I put it together last summer, and it was my first attempt at mixing prints. The pattern on the skirt works so well with the flowers on the sweater. I styled the outfit last summer, but back then I was too big to wear it. So I can’t tell you how great it felt to zip that zipper up and actually feel comfortable in the skirt!