Freshen Up

It’s March! Spring is on the way but this time of year can be hard to dress for due to Mother Nature’s changing moods, one day cold and windy the next warm and sunny. These spring essentials (many of which you probably already have) will help get you thru the roller coaster weather while still looking fresh and stylish.

Invest in a great denim jacket, if you don’t already have one. They add an extra layer of warmth without looking as wintry as your wool peacoat. Pair with a brightly colored button down shirt (roll up the sleeves of the jacket to reveal a little color) or wear over a gauzy floral top.

Add a long sleeve stripe tee to your rotation of tops. It looks brighter and more spring-like than your basic black tee but still seems fitting when paired with denim jacket or sweater on a chilly day. Both tops from JCrew.com.

Replace your dark, thick sweaters with an open weave cotton sweater worn over a striped tee or brightly colored top and paired with cropped pants or rolled boyfriend jeans. I love these sweaters by Joie and RD Style.

Add rolled boyfriend jeans and colored denim back into your regular rotation. They will lighten up heavier sweaters and jackets especially when paired with a cute pair of printed ballet flats.

Some great transition outfits from Boden: They perfectly balance spring trends with warmer items for chilly days.

Courtly Check

I love all things “courtly checked” by Mackenzie-Childs. My entire kitchen is full of their black and white checks and you can imagine my excitement when they paired up with Hunter to add their iconic design to rubber wellies. So cute and cheerful for rainy days tromping thru the mud. Available online at Mackenize-Childs.com.

Shoesday Tuesday – Green With Envy

My Shoesday Tuesday features shoes for you and your horse. Neon colors such as hot pink, lime green and highlighter yellow are huge for spring. Get into the trend with these architectural wedges from Diane von Furstenberg and these Legacy System Plaid Boots for your horse.

A triple threat! Knock out three trends with one pair of shoes: neon, neon paired with nude and ankle strap wedges. The nude ankle strap keeps you on trend but doesn’t visually shorten your leg like a colored ankle strap can. Available online at net-a-porter.com.

Protect your horses legs with these perforated neoprene boots in a preppy green and black plaid that allow the leg to breathe and heat to escape so your horses legs stay cooler while also giving maximum protection to the splint bone, tendons, and other soft tissues. Your horse can be protected and stylish! Available at HorseCityStore.com.

Color Yourself Pretty

Kick the winter doldrums by adding a pops of color to your winter wardrobe. Bright, cheery colors contrast nicely with the grey, dreary landscape and can’t help but put a smile on your face.

Chase away the chill in a canary yellow pea coat. This sunshine color will brighten up your black and gray winter uniform as well as spread cheer to whoever passes your way. Available on sale at jcrew.com.

Why trudge through the day when you can skip light as air in colorful leather ballet flats? They will pair easily with cords or jeans as well as pop against black or gray tights. Available from jcrew.com.

Or go preppy and colorful with Kate Spade’s green and navy striped flats. Available at katespade.com.

Colored jeans will continue to remain hot well into spring and these skinny Joe’s Jeans come in 55 different colors. Find your fave color to wear now and later when the warmer weather comes calling. And as an added bonus they are a flattering mid-rise style (8 1/2 inch rise) that you can wear tucked into jeans, rolled with flats or stacked with heels. Available at joesjeans.com.

Trade in your dark leather tote for this cheery striped canvas bag from Rebecca Minkoff. It will carry all your essentials as well as remind you of warmer days. Available at rebeccaminkoff.com.

Last but not least, brighten up your cheeks and lips with Josie Maran’s Argan Color Stick. It imparts a rosy glow that brightens up your whole face making you look fresh, young and well-rested. Available from sephora.com.

Brighten up the barn with a cheerfully colored and patterned halter from Red Haute Horse. Your horse might not care but it will at least, make you smile. I particularly like this green and pink style with mini skull and cross bones pattern. Available at redhautehorse.com.

Do Yourself A Favor

Do yourself a favor today and treat yourself to a pair of Bogs boots, especially if you spend a lot of time in the barn or outside during these cold winter months. I bought my mom a pair last year for Christmas and she absolutely loves them. So, this year I asked for a pair from my mother-in-law, which she so kindly obliged and gave them to me over the weekend when we had our Christmas party. I wore them all day yesterday in the barn (it was a cold, rainy day) and was so unbelievably impressed with them.

They are 100% waterproof, insulated, super lightweight and comfortable. It felt like I was wearing comfy, squashy tennis shoes that kept my feet dry and toasty. They have a true non-slip outsole which I tested out on wet concrete and in the wash rack. They also did amazing splashing in thick mud puddles. A true all-around winter barn boot that you will cherish! Available online at Zappos.com.

Available in a few colors and patterns as well as a high-top and mid-top version.

An Extra Inch – Stylish Boots For Wider Calves

“Dear Clotheshorse, I am loving all the fall knee-high boots this season but have a hard time finding a pair that will fit my calves. Are there any stylish boots out there for gals like me with wider calves?”

The above question was recently posed to me and I can sympathize since years of riding have left me with muscular calves that don’t always fit in tight, zip up, knee-high boots. After doing some extensive research I was able to find a treasure trove of stylish boots that come in wider calf widths, whether you need a little extra room or a lot there are great options out there.

Your first stop should be WideWidths.com, where every boot on their site comes in wide calf sizes. Ask and you shall receive via the internet, it truly has it all. WideWidths.com has a great selection of flat, high-heel, knee-high, over the knee, dressy and casual boots. A one stop shop! Many of the boots come in a variety of calf widths so take a soft tape measure and measure the widest part of your calf on both legs in order to determine which size will work best for you.

Ross Hommerson Over The Knee Boots:

Ross Hommerson Faith Flat Boots:

Naturalizer also has a great selection of boots that come in wider widths. Known for their extreme comfort these boots blend great fit, comfort and style seamlessly. Many styles are also on sale on their website Naturalizer.com.

Love these mid-heel boots with cute lace up detail. Wear dressy with tights and dresses or wear over skinny jeans with a silk camp shirt.

A tough motorcycle inspired flat boot that will work well with leggings, skinny jeans and a cozy cashmere sweater. Plus, they look just like a pair from Cole Haan but available in a wider calf width.

How adorable are these gray suede boots with sweater knit detail? I am so buying these.

You can’t do a footwear post without mentioning Zappos and they also have a nice selection of boots with wider calves. Click this link to see their selection or go to Zappos.com and search for wide calf boots.

Pyramid studs make these brown boots anything but basic.

A simple, elegant suede high-heel boot is a must-have for any winter wardrobe.

Wider calf riding boots can also be a challenge to find but SmartPak carries Fuller Fillies boots that come in a broader range of calf widths. Great for riding, showing or wearing out to dinner.

Five For Five – Fossil

My mailbox is filling up fast and furious with holiday catalogs and I have a duty to flip through each one. It reminds me of when I was a kid and my brother and I would fight over the huge Sears toy catalog and return it to my mom with dozens of dog-eared pages in hopes she would pass the hint on to Santa. Now, I still dog-ear pages but instead pass them on to my husband in hopes of helping him with his holiday shopping. One such catalog that is is now worse for the wear is the current Fossil catalog. It is full of casual, cozy, rustic-chic pieces that will pair easily with jeans and tees. Great everyday wear that will guide you through the day in laid-back style. Here is the link to the online version of the catalog and each piece is available for purchase online at Fossil.com.

My five favorite pieces:

Better start with the shoes, my achilles heel. Seriously love these rustic boots, can’t you just see them worn with skinny dark jeans and a cozy, chunky marshmallow-colored sweater curled up by a roaring fire sipping hot chocolate.

This charcoal flannel bootie will dress up jeans and tees while running errands as well as look great paired with dark tights and a sweater dress. I love the vintage silhouette, turned up toes and stacked wooden heel.

Ahh The Mackenzie… the perfect cozy, grandpa-inspired chunky cable knit cardy. What else is there to say? A true must-have that you will reach for time and time again. Go ahead buy it in all colors, you will thank yourself later.

The Cameron Jacket is an absolute must-have barn piece, a puffer vest/jacket hybrid that comes off looking feminine and fashionable (two words not usually associated with a puffer vest). Layer over a long turtleneck or striped tee with jeans and boots. It will help keep you warm during changing fall weather.

The piece de resistance! Channel Amelia Earhart with this leather and shearling aviation inspired jacket in crisp, snow white. Rich leather and warm shearling is the perfect combination to combat a chilly day.

Get Your Color On – How To Wear Colored Jeans and Pants

Brightly colored pants, cords and jeans are adding a dash of color to fall. Colored bottoms can make a strong, fashion forward statement and brighten up your wardrobe. They are super easy to wear because they serve as the focal point of your outfit and the key is to keep everything else simple.

This is one trend where less is more. Pair with tops and shoes in solid colors and simple silhouettes (think turtleneck, v-neck long sleeve sweater , structured blazer or crisp white button down and ballet flats, suede booties, round toe pumps or flat knee-high boots). Keep your jewelry super simple, diamond stud earrings and a great masculine looking watch.

As far as color goes, keep your tops to shades of black, gray, white or brown to avoid looking like a crayola and allow the colored bottoms to stand out. I also don’t recommend wearing any prints with bright bottoms, it looks too juvenile for me. Think minimalist.

Bright bottoms can draw attention to problem areas (ie hips and tush) so make sure the pants and jeans fit and flatter. Examine from all angles and if you are a bit hippy pair them with a longer tunic top. If you have bigger thighs steer clear of brightly colored skinny jeans or cords and instead opt for bootcut or wide-leg styles to add balance.

J Crew has a great selection of brightly colored cords:

Channel a modern Audrey Hepburn with these colored ankle cords from AG Jeans worn with ballet flats and a fitted black turtleneck. The electric blue is a good color to try if you are leery of bright colors.

The perfect outfit:

Go colorful in the barn too with Tattini colorful breeches. Your horse may snort as you approach but he will get used to them!

The Kate Effect

There has been a lot of talk in the fashion world recently about the “Kate Effect” on fashion, is Kate Middleton a style icon and just how much will she influence the fashion world. Some say yes and others say no, it’s just a matter of opinion. Although the more demure styles that took over the runway this spring lead one to suspect designers were listening when women were swooning over Kate’s more conservative way of dress.

As far as I am concerned, I find it refreshing to see a style icon like Kate Middleton. So often, fashion worships strung-out, drug-addicted models (who I think often look like they need a shower, gross and sleazy looking) or over-tanned, over-done fake looking celebrities and reality show stars or overtly trendy bloggers who take fashion risks but just end up looking stupid (ie The Man Repeller). Kate represents class, style and elegance, something often in short supply in Hollywood and in the pages of fashion magazines. Fashion should be about making one look and feel beautiful while also being functional.

Anyway, time to hop off the soap box! As you can see I am huge fan of Kate Middleton’s style and will continue to happily allow her outfit choices to inspire mine! My recent purchases were inspired by two of her outfits.

I loved the Sebago Bala boat shoes she wore in Canada and promptly ordered a pair. The tan and white color Kate wore is currently sold out but will be available in January, so I ordered the gray and black suede pair. They are super comfortable and look preppy worn with skinny cropped jeans. Available online at Sebago.com.

Wear your Sebago boat shoes with another favorite of Kate’s, Paige’s Skyline Ankle Peg jeans. Paige is my favorite jean maker and these are sure to be my go-to jeans until the weather gets chilly. Available at Paigeusa.com.

If you are a fan of Kate Middleton’s style you can keep up with all her outfit choices at WhatKateWore.com and NyMag.com.

Unlikely Places

Great fashion items can come from unlikely places. Case in point: On a recent trip to Talbots with my mom, who was on the hunt for something to wear to my brother’s wedding, I took a surprisingly large number of garments into the dressing room to try myself. I was shocked to have found some serious gems to add to my early fall wardrobe.

Talbots has recently stepped up their fashion game, adding more fashion forward yet still classic pieces to their offerings. The quality is superb and the pants can be a bit more forgiving (if you have hips or thighs) than other contemporary brands like J Crew. Just ignore the more mature looking styles and hone in on the fashiony pieces and remember it’s all in how you wear them!

The pieces I bought: (all available at Talbots.com)

This silk diamante top’s slouchy yet sexy silhouette is right on trend to wear with dark skinny jeans and high heel booties or straight black pants and strappy platform heels.

Button-down silk utility shirts are popping up everywhere for fall and look amazing paired with cropped skinny pants and flats or tucked into a glamorous pencil skirt with high-heeled loafers. The open neck is perfect for displaying a chunky statement necklace. If you are busty, this shirt also fits and buttons better over “the girls” than other brands.

I love long cardigans and this is the longest one I have ever seen and it’s amazing on! The perfect go-to piece to throw on over a silky tank and cropped pants.

This lightweight merino wool batwing sweater is super versatile, wear now by itself and later layered over a striped long sleeve tee with jeans for a comfy, casual weekend look.

If you are a fan of the “Minnie” pant from J Crew, then you will love these because they actually fit and wear better. The perfect elegant black ankle pant, so Audrey Hepburn.

A super cute and simple suede high heel booty that will look great with patterned tights and skirts or slouchy rolled boyfriend jeans.