Summer dress weather is almost here and I’ve got an EASY summer dress outfit formula for you. Oh and hey, guess what? This red dress has POCKETS!
But first let’s talk for a minute about the softest white denim jacket I’ve ever encountered. The white denim jacket I’m wearing is the Time and Tru brand from Walmart. I haven’t had a white denim jacket in years so figured it was about time I added this to my closet staples. I took a chance and ordered it online. When I pulled it out of the box, I could hardly believe how soft and comfy it was. It’s not really a denim material but not quite a sweatshirt material either, it’s something in between and I LOVE it!
Hi Pretties! Today we’re going to be talking about pandemic pounds. Whether it’s the quaran-ten, which is what I’m calling mine because I’ve gained 10 pounds in six weeks or the quarantine fifteen, which you’ve probably seen tons of memes floating around, it’s something that a lot of us are dealing with right now. Before we start, I want to be super clear about this. I’m all about body positivity, and I don’t think a number on a scale should define any portion of our self worth whatsoever! This is not about weight loss, it’s about health, it’s about feeling good. Again, I just want to throw out the disclaimer. This is not a place of shame. We have been through a lot these past six to eight weeks, and I want us all to all give ourselves some grace. If you are struggling, if you have gained weight, just know that we’re all there. A lot of us are emotionally eating right now. That’s exactly why I’ve gained 10 pounds. I’m eating for a couple of reasons. I go to the kitchen because I’m bored and I open the refrigerator just to give myself entertainment. I’m not hungry. I’m just going there to get snacks because it’s entertainment for me. I’m also eating for comfort. Honestly, I’ve been doing a lot of comfort food eating. I have been baking. I have been cooking. We’ve been eating way more sweets than we ever eat. I don’t even crave sweets. I’m a salty, fried foods kind of person, but I’ve really been craving sugar lately. I know that this comfort food thing is coming from a deeper reason. If you’re in this position, if you’re feeling this way, give yourself some grace and cut yourself some slack.
Even more so lately I have been feeling sluggish and definitely not myself. With summer around the corner, I tried on my shorts last week and with my pear shape body, those 10 pounds went south of the border for me and I couldn’t get my shorts to button. I don’t feel like buying new shorts so I decided it’s time for me to hit the reset button. And it’s not just about the shorts, I just haven’t been feeling that great lately and for me, it’s time. I’m just being totally honest with you about this topic and I want to handle it with sensitivity too. I want you to know that if you’re not ready to hit the reset button yet, that’s okay! You don’t have to right now but know that when you’re ready you’ll have this resource at your disposal and a fantastic support system over on the Pretties Facebook page. Click below to see the full Coffee Chat video.
Now it’s time to talk about my five baby steps to getting back on track. If you’ve been around GYPO for a while, you’ve probably heard me talk about these before. It’s a great way to reset after possibly a vacation, the holidays, in this case, a pandemic or anytime you feel that you’ve gone off course and want to make small steps to get back on track. When I feel derailed I use these steps and it helps me to gradually ease back in. These are steps that you can layer in one at a time. You can do it a day at a time, a week at a time, or even a month at a time. It doesn’t matter as long as you’re doing it and making new habits and holding yourself accountable. To help with accountability, I highly encourage you to join the Pretties Facebook group and I also have this handy dandy Healthy Habits Tracker that you can download free. Let’s get started!
Five Baby Steps for Getting Back on Track
1. Drink More Water
This is not going to come as a surprise to you, but it’s drink more water. Drinking water is a problem area for me because I want to drink coffee. I love coffee, I love tea, I love the caffeine and I love the way it tastes. I reach for my coffee the second I get out of bed so this is a problem area for me. I know that I have to get a lot of water in and I want to get started on it as soon as possible. I have my three-ish cups of coffee in the morning and then I try to switch over to water. You can layer this step in overtime. I try to aim for 64 ounces a day and upping my water instantly makes me feel healthier. I don’t know what it is about it, but if I up my water intake for three days straight, I feel like I have more energy, my focus is better and overall, I just don’t feel as sluggish when I’m drinking enough water.
2. Evaluate Your Food Intake
I start small and by starting small, I try to cut out my snacks or replace my snacks with healthier snacks. For instance, I was snacking on potato chips. I love kettle chips! I decided that I was gonna cut out my snacking on potato chips before I went to bed and replace it with something healthier. I got 100 calorie packs of almonds and I also have yogurts that I snack on. I have replaced my unhealthy snacks with healthier snacks and I’m trying to cut back on snacking between meals. I’ve also tried to curb my sugar cravings with something like blueberries or other types of fruit.
As I said, I start out small by cutting out the junk food and replacing my snacks for better ones, then I start to layer in more whole foods. If you’re out shopping, think about shopping the perimeter of the grocery store because that’s where your whole foods are going to be. They’re not going to be in the boxes of processed foods in the center sections of the store. Try to stick to your produce, your dairy and your meat section if you’re a meat-eater.
3. Get Moving
Aim for moving your body at least 20 minutes a day doing something that you love. Maybe that’s just taking a walk, playing outside with your kids, even dancing, whatever it may be, just get moving. If you’ve never loved exercise in your life, just find something you love, there’s something out there for everyone.
4. Get Your Sleep
Raise your hand if your sleep has been disturbed since all this has been going on. I’m going to raise both hands. I have trouble sleeping as it is and this has not helped. I’ve been having crazy, wild dreams. I’ve heard a lot of people are having the same issue. I’ve been waking up tons of times at night and it’s been hard for me to stay on the same sleep schedule. When you get your sleep set schedule screwed up, you screw up your circadian rhythms and it’s really hard to get a good night’s sleep. Try to aim for the same bedtime every night and the same awake time every day. I know that this is thrown off for a lot of us, especially if you don’t have to get ready to go into work or be up by a certain time to get the kids off to school. There are so many factors that are just throwing our sleep schedules way off. Try to get back into a good rhythm with your sleeping. Aim for eight hours of sleep a night. Not a whole lot more. Not a whole lot less and you’re going to feel a whole lot better.
5. Meditation
Although I labeled this step meditation, it really encompasses anything that fills your soul. You can make this time your prayer time, you’re journaling time, your reading time or time that you sit on your front porch and chill out in the sun for a few minutes. I think it’s super important for us to carve out this time each day. Many of us have more time now that we can focus on this and we need to take advantage of that. I start every single morning the same way, with my cup of coffee, reading my daily devotionals and typing in my prayer journal. I’ve been keeping a journal for at least 10 years, a word document that I keep on my laptop. I’m able to easily reflect back and that has been amazing for me. But it doesn’t have to be journaling, maybe it’s painting, whatever it is, do something that’s going to help you clear your mind and be at peace.
I promise you, if you just hit the reset button and layer in these baby steps over time, that you’re going to feel a lot better. Remember, you don’t have to make all the changes at once because the best way to eat the elephant is one bite at a time. These changes are things that you can do slowly and progressively. Maybe you up your water intake for a week, then the next week you work on cutting out the junk food and you continue to add the steps each week. The tracker is designed so that you can do it however you want to, whatever works for you. So be sure to download it then join us in our Pretties Facebook group and we can support each other through the reset.
Your turn! What do you do when you feel off track?
Finding the perfect white tee can feel like you’re hunting a mythical unicorn. You’d like to think it exists, but you haven’t found it yet. I know this because it’s taken me some time to find the perfect white tee and so many of you are still searching. It’s one of the top questions asked because it’s such a great closet staple. It goes with anything and it works for all seasons. But why is finding the perfect white tee so hard? It’s because we expect a lot of out this closet workhorse. We want one that isn’t see-through, but it can’t be too thick either especially since it will get most of its use during the spring and summer months.
So where is this elusive white tee? I went straight to the source on this one too and asked the fabulous Pretties! They haven’t steered me wrong in their wonderful recommendations. If you’re not on the Pretties Facebook page I hate to say you’re missing out, but you really are. The ladies are amazing and their willingness to help, give advice and of course, make fantastic recommendations is first-rate! Below I’ve listed the top-recommended white tees, but what I love most about this list is that it includes shirts for all budgets and all sizes. There’s something for everyone and that’s what I feel GYPO is all about.
The number one choice of the Pretties was the Relaxed Supima White Tees from Land’s End! Not only did they state that the white tee was the perfect thickness but it comes in an array of colors and sizes. Sizing options include petite, tall, plus, and petite plus meaning everyone is sure to find their perfect fit. The tee is available in both crewneck and v-neck options and they often go on sale and offer free shipping.
Target’s A New Day brand received high marks for their Scoop Neck White Tee, their Slim Fit White Tee, and their Slim Fit V-neck. The Pretties said they are the perfect thickness, long enough (hip length), and totally budget-friendly. Plus they can easily get them online or in-store. Also, they have a great selection of other colors if you’re looking for just a great overall tee to add to your closet staples.
I have heard this brand mentioned a few times here and there but I had no idea how truly loved and popular the Amazon Essentials white tees were amongst the Pretties! They come in an array of colors and in packs of two. They are also available in a crewneck or a V-neck. Pretties stated they are a great thickness, wash up well, and have some stretch to them which offer a great fit.
Eddie Bauer’s Favorite White Tee also came in with great reviews. They come in a crewneck and v-neck style as well as long sleeve options if you’re looking for something for the colder months. They also come in a bunch of different colors and sizes including petite, plus, and tall. These tees regularly go on sale too.
Last but not least among the top favorites of the Pretties and myself included are the white tees from J.Crew Factory. I personally love the Fine-Rib Crewneck Tee but I know others in the group loved the Girlfriend Crewneck Tee and the Vintage Cotton V-Neck Tee. Both the Fine-Rib and the Girlfriend tees come in a variety of colors but the Classic Cotton is only available in three colors and right now only a few sizes are left. The Fine-Rib and the Girlfriend, however, are available in sizes that range from XXS – 3X.
Although they weren’t mentioned as much as the above white tees, they still got some love from our Pretties so I wanted to include them. Nothing wrong with more recommendations right?
If you find that you’re still having trouble finding your perfect tee here are a few other tips that may help. First, opt for a nude bra or one that is close to your skin color when wearing your white tee. Unlike a white bra that is more likely to stand out, a nude bra will blend better and be way less noticeable. Also, make sure you’re choosing a white tee that has a great fit. If it’s way too tight it will show everything no matter how thick the fabric is. If that’s not what you’re looking for it may be best to size up a bit. Lastly, you can try layering a nude cami under your white tee. This will keep everything looking uniform under your white tee and not see-through.
Your turn! Did your favorite white tee make the list? If not, comment below and let us know what it is!
Closet shame…it’s real ya’ll and doing a closet clean out is one of the biggest reasons women tell me prevents them from feeling good about their wardrobes.
Want to know a secret? I used to suffer from a serious case of closet shame! A few years back one of the biggest GYPO reader requests was for me to do a closet tour. Problem was I didn’t want anyone to see inside my closet. It was a wreck from top to bottom and had become a repository for all sorts of things that didn’t belong there. Add to that the fact that I still had my old wardrobe from my corporate past life, literally collecting dust. I knew it was time for a drastic change but I wasn’t sure where to start. The prospect was all just a tad bit overwhelming. Are you feelin’ me?
I decided there was only one way to eat this elephant and that was one bite at a time. So I developed this closet clean out process that works like a charm every time. I’ve even taught classes on it and use it every single season to keep my closet in tip-top shape. The best part? After you go through the process once, it’s a cinch to keep up with it!
Alright, let’s get right to it!
GYPO Three Step Closet Clean Out Process
Step One
Find three medium to large boxes and label them CASH, STASH, and TRASH. If you don’t have boxes on hand, trash bags will do.
In each box, you will categorize the following:
CASH: These are items that can be sold or donated. They are in good condition, but you haven’t worn them in a year or more and will probably never wear them again.
TRASH: Anything stained, worn out, or damaged beyond repair.
STASH:This is clothing purgatory. Put anything in here that you haven’t worn in two seasons but don’t want to part with. This will go into storage, at least for now. Let’s call this the “maybe” box.
Step Two
Pull every item out of your closet one by one, including shoes, handbags and scarves or other accessories. Find a category for each item and place it in its respective box. All items that you decide to keep can be put in a pile on your bed for now.
BUT HOW DO I KNOW WHAT TO KEEP?
That’s the million-dollar question, right? Use the following as a litmus test:
Have I worn it in the past year?
Is it a classic piece that will stay in style?
Is it still in good condition?
Can I pair it up in more than one way?
Do I feel good when I wear this?
Does it fit?
Would I buy this again?
If you answered “no” to one or more of the questions above, it’s probably not a keeper. Remember it’s not a HECK YES, it’s a NO. You can always put it in the STASH box and store it for now. If you’re still thinking about it within the next six months, pull it out of the box and use it. If not, tape up the box and donate it.
Step Three
Once you’re done categorizing what you have, it’s time to organize what’s left in your KEEP pile.
Most people have a preferred method of organizing their clothing. Mine is hanging it in groups of like items (short-sleeved shirts, cardigans, blouses, denim, dress pants, skirts, dresses, etc.) Others prefer to sort by color. It really doesn’t matter as long as it makes sense to you and you know where to find everything.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have velvet covered hangers yet, run, don’t walk to replace and upgrade your hangers TODAY! I recommend and use this affordable set.
Once you’ve completed the above steps, you’ll be in a GREAT position to rebuild your wardrobe. Pay attention to items that you need to replace or upgrade and also any gaps in your wardrobe. These are the items you will want to have on your shopping list.
I’m sure you’ve heard the terms before, hourglass, pear or apple in reference to body shape but what does it all really mean? Knowledge is power and the premise behind knowing your body shape is that it will help you discover how to put your best foot forward, highlight what you love about your body and unlock the secrets to what fits and flatters your body shape the best. That’s why I’m so excited to share with you my brand new Outfit Formulas™ Body Shape Capsule Wardrobe and the free Body Shape download! Click on my Coffee Chat below for more details.
Over the years of doing capsule wardrobes, I’ve been asked a lot about body shape and what looks flattering on what shapes. I think that you can be on-trend as much as you want to be or have a closet full of clothes, but if you don’t really understand the concepts of how to dress your unique body shape, then those pieces are not going to fit and flatter you to the extent that they possibly could.
One of the things that I really wanted to base Get Your Pretty On and Outfit Formulas around was that there are so many different shapes and sizes. I wanted to celebrate and be really inclusive of every woman with every capsule wardrobe. Our community is such a beautiful representation of every single body shape and size. We have all different ages, heights, shapes, sizes, you name it. If you look on my Instagram and you see that a lot of the pictures are me in the outfits, I want you to know that in our private communities we’re seeing so much diversity and so much beauty. That’s really at the heart of what GYPO is about, that it’s such a beautiful representation of everybody. Every age, every background, every budget, no exceptions. Fashion and feeling good in your clothes is for every woman! I really want every woman to celebrate the body that she has and the beautiful and unique shape that she has. There are truly pieces out there that fit and flatter every shape and that’s what we’re gonna get to today!
Measure First
To determine your body shape you have to measure first. I’m going to give you the broad strokes here for determining your body shape but there are more detailed directions (and maybe some math but don’t worry) in my free Body Shape download so be sure to check that out! You’re going to need a measuring tape, pencil and paper. In order to take accurate measurements, you must be either naked or wearing tight-fitting clothes such as leggings and a cami. It’s also recommended that you don’t wear a bra when taking measurements so you can get them as accurate as possible. You’re going to measure three areas. 1. Shoulders 2. Bust 3. Waist 4. Hips.
There are four main body shapes. You may have heard them referred to as fruits and veggies like apples, pears and carrots or as shapes such as triangles, rectangles, and squares. The names are interchangeable, just remember that triangles are pears, inverted triangles are apples, rectangles are athletic and the hourglass is curvy. Again I go over in greater detail about the different shapes in the free Body Shape download and what silhouettes you want to include in your closet and what ones to avoid. Then for the free download, I’ve included a shopping list and four days of outfits! Below I’m going to show you the Day 1 outfit formula and how it translates into the four different body shapes. Let’s get started!
If your hips are wider than your shoulders, then you’re a Triangle or Pear shape which is the category I fall into. It’s all about proportions, and you’ll hear this a lot from me. You want to draw the eye to your top and waist which is why I went for a waist-length jacket and tank. I also chose these boot cut jeans because Triangle’s look great in any jean style and finished it off with some heels to elongate the legs.
Are your shoulders or bust wider than your hips? Then you’re an Inverted Triangle or Apple shape. For this body type you’re trying to create balance by drawing the eye to the waist by creating interest around your hips. For this look, I picked a moto jacket that hits below the waist with bootcut jeans and a flowing tank that also hits below the waist. If you have a bigger bust, which many inverted triangles do, be sure to opt for a jacket with some stretch to it or you can even opt for a black cardigan to complete this look, just make sure it hits you around the hips.
If all measurements are the same or very similar with no defined waistline, you’re a Rectangle or Athletic shape. Your shape is well balanced and you look great in just about anything. The main goal of a rectangle is to add some curve by creating a waist. I did this by adding a structured jacket on top and then tucking in a simple tank to show off the waistline and finally pairing it all with a wider leg jean style which will enhance the waist as well.
If your shoulders and hips are about the same size with a defined waist you are an Hourglass or Curvy. You’ve got curves and you need to embrace them and show them off! This body shape is all about balance which it already has, you just need to keep it. To keep proportions balanced I picked a structured jacket and a sleeveless blouse that gathers in at the waist then finished it off with a pair of skinny jeans.
Things to Remember
You are Unique
Even though there are four different body types we are all unique and therefore may not fit neatly into one particular category. There is a chance that you may have a sub-body type and that’s okay. This is simply a guide to help you find clothes that will flatter you the best but that doesn’t mean that if you find something you love and that you feel great in that you should abandon it because it doesn’t “fit” into your body shape guidelines. If you’re struggling to find your body type, another method is to disregard your shoulder measurements completely and just use your bust, waist and hips.
Highlight What You Love
Learning how to dress with your body shape is all about learning to highlight what you love about your body! If you love your legs, learn how to rock them, if you love your curves, learn how to flaunt them and if you love your shoulders, learn the tops that flatter them. It’s all about using clothing silhouettes to draw the eye where were want and maybe away from what you don’t want front and center. So find what you love about yourself you can even go beyond naming your body parts. What are all the things you love about yourself? Go ahead, make a list….I’ll wait.
Don’t Get Discouraged
There are many other factors that may determine what your body shape is. For instance, height, where you carry your weight, where you lose and gain weight first. This isn’t to make you feel bad about yourself, especially if you don’t fit all nice and neat into one shape. Like I said before, you may have a sub-shape category and that’s totally, 100% okay. It’s easy to maybe wish you were another body type, I know I did. I am a pear and I spent my early years wishing I was a rectangle. People with curly hair wish theirs was straight and vice versa. There’s always going to be something, but the best thing you can do for yourself is to embrace it! Embrace yourself and accept that you are fabulous just the way you are! Once you’ve done that, then you wear what makes you happy and gives you confidence!
Do you struggle to put outfits together? Are you stuck in a yoga pants rut? Not sure if you can make the latest trends work for you? You’re in the right place!
I’m Alison, a mom of three and recovering yoga pants addict on a mission to make getting dressed and feeling pretty the easiest thing you do all day! Learn more about my story HERE.
I am so glad I was part of the Fall 2019 Style Challenge. It gave me confidence and so many great outfitt ideas. The ladies in the group were very supportive and I will defintetly be doing another challenge in the future.
Betty Weyandt December 20, 2019
I’ve been participating in the GYPO Style Challenges for three years now and I’ve loved it. I’ve always loved clothes, but I didn’t know how to put outfits together. My closet is now full of mix-and-match outfits, I have learned how to dress myself, and there is no more stress in figuring out to wear. The private FB group is full of wonderful ladies that build each other up. It’s so fun and is seriously the best group on FB.
Kirstin Rasmussen November 20, 2019
Get Your Pretty On has changed my life, seriously. I have always chased what is trendy but found from season to season, that things go out of style and I was wasting money on items that I would only end up wearing a few times. GYPO has enabled me to simplify my closet, helps me make smarter purchasing decisions, and I feel so put together and confident using the outfit formulas that are provided. This program is a GAME CHANGER. I've been following GYPO for a few years now and my only regret is not jumping on board sooner.
Michelle Kline November 20, 2019
Great community of ladies, helping each other look stylish, without breaking the bank, and using much of what you already own.
Chosen Faith November 19, 2019
GYPO challenges have been one of the best things I have done! It had taught me so much more than just creating a closet of clothes that I love but also to have confidence in myself, how to pick and choose colors that work for me instead of against, and had given a wonderful community of Pretties who are so special.
Maraline Freeman October 16, 2019
I love GYPO!!! I finally feel put together and stylish! The shopping lists and outfit combinations make shopping and getting dressed effortless.
Krista Probst October 16, 2019
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