Part Two: Perham Beauty Bundle finishes a dress outfit

 

You’ve been waiting patiently, and now it’s time for the big reveal: Outfit number two from the shopping trip at 125 Apparel in Perham, MN. That’s where I did something I’d never done before: I built a beauty bundle first (usually, I’m creating it last) and then created two outfits to use with that same beauty bundle.

Like I mentioned in part one, Build a Beauty Bundle and the Fab Jean Outfit Will Come, a beauty bundle is three or more items that go together, but it’s not an authentic beauty bundle until those three or more exact items are used in two or more outfits.

A Beauty Bundle is the thread that ties an outfit together. Most importantly, a Beauty Bundle is a shortcut to getting dressed.

 

 

This Perham beauty bundle focuses on light, soft colors as you can see in the handbag, booties and tassel pendant. The scarf worked its way into the bundle once I got started.

 

 

The first outfit that used this beauty bundle was the jean outfit with shades of ivory. Remember how dreamy and feminine that outfit turned out to be? Do go back and check it out if you’ve forgotten, because we’re definitely changing gears!

 

 

Let’s make an outfit with a dress

So what happens when I create a new outfit and start with a bold plaid multi-colored dress? Do you think the light-colored, soft beauty bundle will work with this bold print? You’re about to find out!

 

 

I took a look at the dress and decided it needed a legging. I’ve been curious about pairing dresses with leggings. I see it from afar and admire the look.

I love all the warm tones in the dress so I chose a chestnut brown legging. I thought briefly about pairing it with a jean, but it’s always tricky to put a knit fabric over a jean. So often the fly front and button closure  adds clutter under the knit and makes it lumpy and bumpy right there. If you were to wear a jean under this dress, I’d choose one that’s got a flat front, or I’d cheat and use a legging with jean details.

 

 

Our dress needs a jacket

I spied this collarless jean jacket.

 

 

Take a look at this sleeve detail! The fiber artist in me loves all the stitching, the rows, and the texture. It’s hard for me to pass up anything that has rows. I think it’s a childhood thing.

Look at how that honey-colored row, outlined in bourbon, pops out. It relates to the colors in the dress. Don’t you just want to touch those pom poms?

 

 

That sleeve detail reminds me of the handiwork in a Chico’s jacket that got restyled this year. If I was wearing this denim jacket, I think I’d keep looking at my wrist, like I was checking my watch. In truth, I’d be admiring the rows of stitching.

 

 

Bring on the Beauty Bundle!

It’s time to finish this outfit, and we’ll do it in record time. Since we already have the beauty bundle, it’ll take less than sixty seconds to finish this outfit.

 

 

I love the light-colored booties with this outfit. They’re a bit unexpected. We’ve been seeing lighter-colored shoes and booties this year; it feels fresh and modern.

And now we add the blush tassel necklace. See how the gold beaded wrapping on the necklace relates to the top-stitching in the jean jacket? Repeated design or color—the color in the top-stitching and the color in part of the necklace—can entertain my eye all day long. I love connections!

 

 

The plaid scarf was such a fun surprise. The colors in the scarf are soft versions of the colors in the dress and denim jacket. Swoon. And now we have double plaids. Double swoon. The soft white shoulder bag just slides right in there. The scale of the plaid in the dress and scarf is another repeat.

The soft white leather handbag relates to the colors in the dress and scarf and brings a lightness to the outfit. A brown-colored bag would have worked, but it would have been the expected choice. I went with the unexpected one.

 

Who is the person wearing this outfit?

Well, let’s just daydream about that, okay? I think of the dress outfit as kicky and sassy. It wants to have fun!

 

 

It feels like an outfit someone would wear who loves spending time with friends. She enjoys being in an action-packed bar or hip restaurant where the music makes everyone want to move. She understands the ingredient list on the specialty cocktail menu and can make a quick decision about what she wants to order. She’s quick on her feet. On a whim, she can rally her friends to go bowling. They’ll all follow her, put on those bowling shoes, throw some gutter balls, laugh, and have a blast.

This is someone I want to be around. I really like her. Everyone needs a friend like this.

 

My Perham shopping experiment comes to a close

 

 

So here we are. Two outfits on the rack and one beauty bundle that connects them. It’s been a fun challenge to build the beauty bundle first and then the outfits. I’m not sure I’ll do it again. It took mental fortitude to do it this way. I suspect that mental activity could be likened to working Friday’s New York Times crossword puzzle. I don’t do them, but I understand the crossword puzzles get harder as the week goes on.

If you’re just getting used to the idea of beauty bundles, I’d start with the easier Monday version where you create an outfit and then finish it. If the pieces you used to finish that outfit could finish another one, you’ve got a beauty bundle!

 

Shopping is easy, finishing takes discipline

I believe shopping for clothes is fairly easy for most people. But finishing outfits can be challenging. Thinking about what completion would look like—even before you leave the store—is a good practice. It’s something that’s always on my mind when I’m shopping with clients: Is there anything we need to purchase right now, today, so you can wear this outfit tomorrow?

What’s your thought process when it comes to completing an outfit? Are you good at completing or do you need more help with it?

I hope I’ve inspired you to think of beauty bundles as your tool for putting your outfits together.

Happy beauty bundling, my friends!

XO

 

PS Have you heard the term Minnesota Nice? It’s so popular, because it’s true. People are so nice there! Here’s an example: Lexy, the manager at 125 Apparel would like to offer you a 15% discount as a special gift for you. If you order online just use the code BRENDA15 at the checkout to get the lower price. Lexy, that’s so nice of you!

PPS The lovely photos are by Kristen McMartin from Perham. Thanks, Kristen!

Kristen McMartin Photography, #kmphoto #kmseniors #kmsports