When Denim Won’t Do

This post is sponsored by Nordstrom and Collective Voice. The product selections are my own, and I only highlight and promote items that I truly love. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Sheaffer Told Me To! 

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Y’all know that I’m a denim girl through and through.

Let’s be honest, I’m wearing jeans or denim shorts most days.

Sure, I throw on a dress or skirt on occasion, and you know I love to wear my must have joggers as much as possible…BUT MOST DAYS ARE DENIM.

Well, as we all know, there are some occasions where denim just won’t do.

For those middle of the road occasions that don’t call for a dress, but denim is just too casual, I’ve got some options for you today!

OUTFIT #1

A beautiful blouse and some paper bag waist shorts make up outfit #1!

floral blouse / paper bag waist shorts / hoop earrings / heart necklace / cuff bracelet / cognac sandals

Let’s start with this floral blouse. First of all, it’s ON SALE for 40% OFF!

It’s billowy (which I love), it has longer sleeves (which I love), and it has a split neck (which I love). I think the colors and patterns are both gorgeous, and it can be easily dressed up or down. It looks great with white denim, but today is about denim alternatives, and these shorts paired perfectly. I will say, the blouse runs quite large. I’m wearing a small here, and it’s still very roomy. For sure size down 1 size, and you might even consider sizing down 2 sizes.

I love this top so much and am definitely keeping it, but I am going to take it to the tailor to have the ties tacked. This is hard to explain, but I’m going to try my best. The ties are functional, although I prefer to not tie them and just let them hang. But when wearing the top, I found that the neckline was getting larger as I wore it, because even though I had pulled the ties to make the neckline more taught, with time the neckline would pull out again. By tacking the ties, it will keep the neckline at the preferred length, and I won’t have to worry about showing too much skin. Hope that makes sense.

floral blouse / paper bag waist shorts / hoop earrings / heart necklace / cuff bracelet / cognac sandals

The shorts are the super popular paper bag style. They are stretchy, comfy, and flattering. The waistband is completely elastic, and they have this cute little tie that I like to knot off to the side. They also have a wider leg for those of you that prefer a bit of room in your thigh region.

I’m wearing the portobello, but they also come in a light olive and a rust. For size reference, I’m wearing a 4.

floral blouse / paper bag waist shorts / hoop earrings / heart necklace / cuff bracelet / cognac sandals

I love this look.

floral blouse / paper bag waist shorts / hoop earrings / heart necklace / cuff bracelet / cognac sandals

floral blouse / paper bag waist shorts / hoop earrings / heart necklace / cuff bracelet

These hoop earrings are what I’m wearing in all of today’s outfits. They are big, but not too big. They are chunky, but not too heavy.

floral blouse / paper bag waist shorts / hoop earrings / heart necklace

Look how cute the waistline is on the shorts!

And this cuff bracelet is from last year, but it’s still available, and I still wear it all the time. It makes quite a statement!

floral blouse / paper bag waist shorts / cuff bracelet / cognac sandals

floral blouse / paper bag waist shorts / hoop earrings / heart necklace / cuff bracelet

Like the bracelet, these cognac sandals are from last year as well. They’re just so good that I continue to wear them. These are the perfect cognac color (officially called “saddle”), they are comfy, and they don’t flip flop when I walk (which drives me crazy). They’ve got lots of fantastic reviews and come in tons of colors. I HIGHLY recommend them. True to size for me.

cognac sandals

I’m loving this no denim option!

floral blouse / paper bag waist shorts / hoop earrings / heart necklace / cuff bracelet / cognac sandals

 

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OUTFIT #2

It seems that steering away from denim completely is incredibly difficult for me. Haha! But for some reason, a denim jacket isn’t as casual to me as denim jeans. So, I often find myself throwing on a denim jacket with an outfit, even if it’s for an event that would be too dressy for jeans.

denim jacket / v-neck tee / patterned pants (plus size HERE) / hoop earrings / heart necklace / cuff bracelet / cognac sandals

So here’s the deal, I’m OBSESSED with these patterned pants (plus size HERE).

I grabbed them last week and knew I needed to fast track them on the blog before they sold out. I took the pics the day after getting them, and even though this post wasn’t supposed to be until later this week, I moved it up to today!

Still, I’m sad to report that many sizes of the pants are already sold out. I’m hoping that they get restocked (they are a Nordstrom brand), and if they do, I can promise you I will let you know immediately.

denim jacket / v-neck tee / patterned pants (plus size HERE) / hoop earrings / heart necklace / cuff bracelet / cognac sandals

They are a FABULOUS alternative to denim.

They have an elastic waist, pockets, a wide leg, and an incredible fit. For size reference, I’m wearing a small.

denim jacket / v-neck tee / patterned pants (plus size HERE) / hoop earrings / heart necklace / cuff bracelet / cognac sandals

denim jacket / v-neck tee / patterned pants (plus size HERE) / cuff bracelet

patterned pants (plus size HERE) / cognac sandals

Now let’s talk about the denim jacket.

denim jacket / v-neck tee / patterned pants (plus size HERE) / hoop earrings / heart necklace / cuff bracelet / cognac sandals

I know I’m constantly styling outfits with denim jackets, but it’s because I’m constantly wearing one in real life. I feel strongly that everybody needs at least one denim jacket that they really love.

I have several in my closet that I absolutely love. They are different washes, different styles, different lengths, different levels of distressing, etc.

This one is a light wash (perfect for spring and summer) with a bit of distressing. It has a bit of stretch to it, so it is comfy to wear. This one isn’t oversized, but it’s not fitted either. It’s got the perfect amount of room and a classic fit. For size reference, I’m wearing a medium.

denim jacket / v-neck tee / patterned pants (plus size HERE) / hoop earrings / heart necklace / cuff bracelet / cognac sandals

denim jacket / v-neck tee / patterned pants (plus size HERE) / hoop earrings / heart necklace / cuff bracelet

Let’s all hope that they restock these pants in all sizes! Be ready to grab them when they do!

denim jacket / v-neck tee / patterned pants (plus size HERE) / hoop earrings / heart necklace / cuff bracelet / cognac sandals

 

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OUTFIT #3

When packing up for this shoot, I hadn’t even planned on this outfit. However, when I headed to my car to change into outfit #4 (photo shoot days are so glamorous! ha!), I realized pairing the white tee and denim jacket with these shorts was a no brainer.

denim jacket / v-neck tee / paper bag waist shorts / hoop earrings / heart necklace / cuff bracelet / braided heeled sandals

And while of course you could wear this outfit with flat sandals, I love how these heeled sandals elevate the look to a date night vibe!

denim jacket / v-neck tee / paper bag waist shorts / hoop earrings / heart necklace / cuff bracelet / braided heeled sandals

denim jacket / v-neck tee / paper bag waist shorts / hoop earrings / heart necklace / cuff bracelet

denim jacket / v-neck tee / paper bag waist shorts / hoop earrings / heart necklace / cuff bracelet / braided heeled sandals

denim jacket / v-neck tee / paper bag waist shorts / hoop earrings / heart necklace / cuff bracelet / braided heeled sandals

denim jacket / v-neck tee / paper bag waist shorts / hoop earrings / heart necklace / cuff bracelet / braided heeled sandals

I felt like my legs looked a mile long! That’s the power of a neutral shoe (I’m wearing the cream stella).

The sandals are true to size for me and incredibly comfortable. If you’re on the fence, go read all the reviews! Everybody is singing their praises, and you’ll get to see them styled on several different reviewers. They are a MUST HAVE, and they are ON SALE! What are you waiting for?

denim jacket / v-neck tee / paper bag waist shorts / hoop earrings / heart necklace / cuff bracelet / braided heeled sandals

 

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OUTFIT #4

Even though I’m not wearing denim at all, this outfit is definitely the most casual of the bunch today.

ruffle gauze top /drawstring shorts / hoop earrings / heart necklace / cuff bracelet / cognac sandals

This ruffle gauze top is easy, breezy, and perfect for summer. I love the stripes, the v-neck, and the ruffle sleeves. It does run a bit big. For size reference, I’m wearing a small. It also comes in solid colors HERE. Or if you like the colors and pattern but not the design of the shirt, there’s a square neck version HERE.

ruffle gauze top / drawstring shorts / hoop earrings / heart necklace / cuff bracelet

ruffle gauze top /drawstring shorts / hoop earrings / heart necklace / cuff bracelet

The drawstring shorts also come in black and white, but I was drawn to the olive. This striped top paired perfectly with them, but I think pairing them with a plain white tee and lots of gold jewelry would also be a great look. They would also be cute with a black v-neck tee and Converse. I think you’ll find that you can style them lots of different ways. For size reference, I’m wearing a small.

ruffle gauze top /drawstring shorts / hoop earrings / heart necklace / cuff bracelet

ruffle gauze top /drawstring shorts / hoop earrings / heart necklace / cuff bracelet / cognac sandals

ruffle gauze top /drawstring shorts / hoop earrings / heart necklace / cuff bracelet / cognac sandals

I love all of today’s outfits, and I hope they’ve inspired you to reach for some denim alternatives as well!

Which outfit was your favorite?

A huge THANK YOU to Nordstrom and Collective Voice for sponsoring this post.

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