How To: Mix & Match
To Start: The Classics
Week One: White Button Down Shirt
Are you ready to maximize your wardrobe? Over the next 8 weeks, I will be covering 8 essential classic items needed to start your mix & matching adventures! There are more than 8 classic wardrobe pieces, but I will just be focusing on the ones that I have good examples of since this is about maximizing what you already own. It is only occasionally necessary to splurge, but if you are going to, these are the items to do it on! However, for most of these, you can easily find high quality pieces on sale. I know that I rarely buy something that is not on sale, and I have bought some very high quality stuff for low, low prices!
Just as trends and fads come & go, so do colors! So it is important to make sure your classic staples are neutrals. We are starting off our journey through the world of wardrobe with the most simple piece possible—the basic white shirt. Get excited! You will be amazed how far this one small piece can take you! 
These are all the items I will be using to create 4 outfits.
One: Simple & Classy
I love this look because it is timeless! This look works for everything from lunch with a friend to casual Fridays for work. It's also fun with the leopard peep toe heels. Shirt: Arrow, Jeans: Rerock for Express, Shoes: Michael Antonio.
Two: Trendy
This look with shorts & a long cardigan was really popular this summer. I love the bright blue-green cardigan & the leather fringe flats. The cardigan pops & makes the white look brighter. Shirt, Shorts & Belt: American Eagle, Cardigan & Shoes: Express, Jewelry: Forever XXI
Three: Belted
I try to cinch my waist whenever possible! It is the smallest area of my body & I want the focus to be there as opposed to my hips & thighs. This look does just that. I have a bright red cardigan with a bold black belt & dark neutral shorts. All the attention is on my face & waist. I also added the leopard heels for some extra fun! Cardigan: Target, Shorts: American Eagle, Belt: Wet Seal.
Four: Work
I love this both with & without the jacket. While the jacket adds interest, I love the pure simplicity of the white on khaki with a fabulous shoe! This outfit could easily be worn 5-10 years from now & still be stylish. Oh the beauty of the classics! Jacket: Forever XXI, Skirt: ANA from JcPenny, Shoes: BCBGirls.
See how easy it was to create 4 completely different looks all centered around one simple piece? I have had these white button shirts for at least 5 years each & I am still wearing them. In fact, all of the outfits featured on this week's post are completely new combinations that I have never worn together before! So not only have I made myself 4 new fabulous outfits, but I hope I have inspired you to dust off that white button-down & start incorporating it back into your wardrobe!
If you would like your outfit featuring a white button down shirt featured on next week's post, please send me a picture to spenning@uark.edu. I would love to see how creative you can be!
