Stylin' No. 2

I tend to fall into a red, white and blue palette around Fourth of July; it just seems like the right way to pay tribute to the holiday. I had a plan to wear my new navy cotton skirt, but when I put it on, i hated the way the waist fit.  So, basically, it fit fine when I first tried it on and it doesn't now. I'm convinced my body sometimes switches out parts in the night for a joke. Switching smoothly into plan number two (and skipping over the amazement  that it even exists considering the desperate state of my current laundry pile), I reach for an 80's pleated denim skirt with a dropped waist, stolen from my Mom some years ago (sorry, Mom :)). Fabulous…with a few issues (naturally). I need to wear a longer top with it because 1: otherwise, the drop-waist gives it an odd bell shape and 2) I have to camouflage the fact that I leave the top button un-done because the waist is a pinch too small for me (waist issues seem to be the order of the day - *cue goofy waist/waste pun, like 'I'll be joining the Campaign To End Waist shortly'*).  Happily the one *clean*, slim, blue cotton tee I have left in my life is of the longer variety. Unhappily, when paired with this skirt, it gives me a look that is a significantly less stylish version of this Audrey Hepburn's cleaning-lady vibe in How To Steal A Million. Of course, she was intended to look nondescript in that scene and my intention was to …not. Cue screeching halt. Basically, I need to tuck the tee in to define the waist but also leave it out for the reasons described above. After a few muffled curses, a glance at my phone to check the time, followed by eye-roll, a frantic/panicked closet search begins, guided by the crucial need for a higher visual waist. The answer? A belt  over the tee, which creates a slight blouson/peplum effect. Totally game changing. I go from "WHAT am I wearing?" to "I like my outfit" (*heart eyes*).  It's amazing what one right accessory can do! Add coordinating strappy heels and I'm off to hone my skills of Slightly Manic Traffic Navigation For the Excessively Late.