So you all know red has been my fav color for years now. I still very much love red, but actually see it as more of a “neutral” in my wardrobe and have been wanting to have another accent color to play with. 

Enter bright yellow! 

There’s something undeniably happy about this sunshine hue and I love how it looks with not only red, but black, white, and my other main colors: camel & light denim.

So far I have some yellow accessories and I finally found a bright gel polish after YEARS of searching. 

Here’s how I’m adding yellow into my fall wardrobe.

Summer is probably my least favorite season in terms of style whereas Fall is my forever champion. When it’s very hot, I wear as little as I possibly can at home. If in a work setting, I focus on loose silhouettes and lightweight fabrics. Once it cools down, I am ecstatic to start layering again.

September is still quite warm now (thanks climate emergency) but I am able to add in more Fall elements as the season progresses. Here are some ways I transition from minimal looks to maximalist creations.  

JEWELRY

As I mentioned earlier, I wear as little as possible when it’s hot. Though I have been rocking minimal silver studs and my Africa pendant, those are it. Recently picked up this chunkier chain which I think will look great with button ups and turtlenecks later in the season.

Watches have actually been one of my favorite accessories for years (and useful too) so now is a great time I like to start wearing them again.

SOCKS

One of my favorite style elements of a look is to see an unexpected pop of color or pattern from socks. They’re not only functional to help stave off the chill, they’re fun too. I think they’re cute with derbys and mary janes in Spring, but in Fall I go for more practical sneakers or boots.

DUSTERS

Love when a piece is versatile and can be worn multiple ways. I like to keep on wearing lightweight summer dresses open as dusters once things cool down.

Now that Summer has arrived I’m excited to spend a lot more time out in the sunshine! Though I’d place myself more in the “overdressed” category, I knew it’d be useful to have more casual items that could handle the dirt and wet of Summer. Whether going for a long walk, bike ride, or up north, I think these items will serve me well for many years to come.

For daytime clothes, I’m sticking to a simple tank + shorts formula. The muscle tank silhouette protects my décolletage and upper back from the sun while the open arms allow for airflow.

For nightime and cooler weather (and to protect against bugs,) I’ve included tennis shoes, long pants, and a thin topper.

Next I have accessories I’ll need like walking sandals, sunglasses, a sunhat, and fanny pack.

A bathing suit for water time.

Then I have essential toiletries. Lip balm, tinted sunscreen for my face, regular mineral sunscreen for my body, hand sanitizer, and natural bug spray.

Last but not least is nutrition. Water, snacks, and my vitamins in a portable case which all fit in the fanny pack.

Though the majority of the time I prefer pants, and shorts when it’s really hot, I’ve grown to enjoy the versatility of dresses. I focus on these specifics: 

-Midi length

-Boxy, flowy cut

-Made of natural materials

This combination has become integral to my warm weather style. With the addition of leggings and long sleeves, I can make them work for winter as well. I can see midi dresses being a part of my signature style for years to come. 

Until next time, stay Sheek!

-Shekinah

Every now and again, I find myself in a style rut. It seems surprising that one of my favorite activities (personal style) would be subject to boredom. But it happens, especially when I’m getting sick of the current season (typically due to the long winters, but right now it’d definitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.) Thankfully, I’ve found ways to find inspiration during down times like this.

Reorganize your favorite pieces

Sometimes you can just remember what you love to wear, other times tracking the exact wear count of items helps. Whichever method, decide what your favorite items for the current season are and lay them out.

Seek out looks that feature those items

My favorite source of inspiration is Pinterest but you could look on Instagram as well. The point of looking for outside inspiration is to challenge your creativity with the pieces you already have. You could make boards for certain seasons or categories. I used to have just one main style board that I always went back to when I felt uninspired, but I recently made one specifically for Spring.

Browse through stylish people’s posts

Take some time to look through your favorite people’s outfits. Even if they live in a different climate or have a different lifestyle, chances are you’ll like a way they put something together and can translate it to your own wardrobe.

Play & Plan

With those favorite items for the current season, try on different combinations and take note of which looks make you feel good. Once you find a few, that may help you get through the slump without necessarily feeling the need to shop for more.

Look ahead

If you’re in the transitional time between seasons, now would be a good time to think about what’s coming up. Take an inventory of your closet to see if anything needs to be mended or purged if they no longer fit comfortably. Follow the above 3 steps, but this time I’d suggest you make a moodboard for the next season as well. This can help you create an overall feel for what you’d like to wear soon.

If you find that you’re missing a few items or need to replace some of those purged items, make a wishlist. You don’t have to have specific brands in mind, but I do suggest being as specific as possible on details of the item so that when you do go shopping you won’t settle. Try to compare items from different places before buying. Read reviews and look for recommendations in the community. This may save you time & money down the road by avoiding lower quality or ill-fitting items you won’t enjoy wearing.

Until next time, stay Sheek!

-Shekinah