It Begins With a Snap

So... Hello blogosphere, this is, I suppose, the christening post of Small Wallet, Full Closet. There is so much I could say right now about how I've had an eye for fashion since I was young, blah blah blah... Or how Brianna and I started this blog to feel less depressed about our lack of designer items. There are many reasons but I have decided to begin with a simple lesson I learned a few weeks ago.

Never buy a shirt with button snaps.




No matter how tempting it may seem, for whatever reason, just don't do it. It's completely regrettable.
I'm talking about the snaps that held your clothes on when you were a kid, and I haven't heard of any high-end snaps for adults... When I told Brianna about my snap-closing chambray shirt she literally said, "Button snaps. What are you, four?" Now small disclaimer this shirt was very inexpensive and budget friendly to me at the time! I bought this shirt at Meijer, the local super-store, with the rationalization that it didn't matter if the shirt was cheap, chambray would be in and out of style before the shirt could fail! Wrong.

I can never wear this shirt by itself because the snaps do not hold! Perhaps my bosom is just too large for this shirt... BUT nonetheless I would never recommend button snaps to anyone, although I doubt anyone would ask... Furthermore!
Looking now at the chambray trend itself:
If you wear jeans with your chambray shirt they MUST be of a different wash/color; darker, lighter, colored, etc... While retro is cool, two-piece blue jean sets are not. I don't care if you have an accent belt.
This trend is very versatile and can be dressed up or down, used to create a boho-chic look or can even be paired with a sweater to create a preppy but laid-back style as depicted in these photos!

ME!

Not me.

 Okay! So you can't see my full outfit but it basically looks like the picture on the left, but less cute and expensive-looking...
But the concept is good!
Obviously my sweater is a button up which doesn't work as well as the flat front, however, I believe that sometimes it is the effort that counts! As long as your effort is worth while!
Pairing your chambray-sweater combo with a statement necklace can help break up the flat front (or pattern in my case) of the sweater and adds a little interest to your every day preppy look. In my opinion (which is what you're here for right?) having the chambray stick out of your sweater at the collar, sleeve and bottom is extremely important. Without those pieces poking out it unbalances the outfit and technically defeats the purpose of wearing the chambray shirt or any button-up for that matter.

Okay, so what did we learn here?
Button snaps: BAD
Inexpensive chambray shirts that can ride out the trend: GOOD! Just make sure it has actual buttons!
Using statement necklaces to break up your solid sweaters is an awesome thing!
Lastly, make sure all your chambray is sticking out in all the right places!
If you own boat shoes, I'd say they are a must with this outfit and no I don't think it's overkill, go big or go home, you wuss. (I can't say flats are out because the entire commercial fashion world would kill me.)

Alright, that about does it.. Now I need a catchphrase... I got nothing.
I got nothi... I have but a small wallet, but I have high hopes for a full closet!
Regards, Kelly