Success is the Sum of The Details
This past weekend a friend and I went out east to Greenport, NY to do fun things for her birthday. Greenport is a charming, historic, waterfront village on the south side of the north fork of Long island’s east end.
It was a perfect fall day – cool and blue-skied. I like temps a little on the cool side so I don’t sweat the second I move (ugh). So dressing was easy for me as I didn’t have to try to keep from getting overheated.
I repeated my recently-discovered favorite formula: button-down under boxy-ish pullover, shirttails peeking out, comfy jeans, comfy sneakers. I had my lightweight copper jacket with me but never even needed it.
It would work with a tee shirt as well, but I don’t currently have any that are the right length (they’re mostly too long) or just the right collar. I like when you can JUST see the rim of the tee-shirt collar underneath the pullover collar. Oh, I’m a particular one! But I DO think it makes a big difference. Like this:
The details are not the details, they make the design ~ Charles Eames
Carson Kressley, fashion guru from the original cast of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, frequently referenced “zhuzh” – making slight improvements or accents to a wardrobe or look to make it more interesting or attractive by changing it slightly or adding something to it, like adding a pocket square, teasing one’s hair, or popping a shirt collar.
Having a thin line of tee shirt lining a sweater collar, a tiny sliver of cuff peeking out under a sleeve, or pushing your sleeves up slightly for a more casual, less “intentionally perfect” look are all perfect examples of zhuzh…or just those little details that up-level an outfit just that tiny bit to make it seem more…more…more something. Ha. I can’t think of the word but…elevated?
Bringing it back full circle to the formula I’ve got here..if this was just a sweater over jeans…it would be fine. But I think the layering and the little details of shirt peeking out at collar, cuffs, and bottom add a little sumthn sumthn.
The true secret of happiness lies in taking a general interest in all the details of daily life ~ William Morris
You can take this concept beyond just fashion and into home decor, art, table setting, gift wrapping, even photography…even relationships. Really anything. Pay attention to the details. Look for them. Add them yourself. It’s not so hard to make anything just a little more special by adding a unique, clever, or lovely detail.
WHAT I’M WEARING
- Old Navy Striped No-Peek Buttondown, size 3x
- Catherine Malandrino Cashmere Crewneck, size 3x (still available in black and heathery cream)
- Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda Jeans, size 22 short
- Black Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Slip-On sneaker
This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may receive a small commission if you buy something as a result of clicking that link, at no extra cost to you. I appreciate you shopping through my links.
Deborah Stinedurf
I agree with the zhuzh factor a billion percent…both in fashion & in life! Just the smallest of tweaks can make all the difference, whether it be a bit of tee shirt collar peeking out (which I also totally agree with you on), a nonchalant stack of books on a coffee table, or having your evening coffee in a special little nook…all of it matters & all of it makes a difference. xo
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
bettyewp
Oh, all my love for the nonchalant stacks of books đ Mine are not being so nonchalant lately. Mine are looking at me with contempt: “You’re doing WHAT instead of reading?? You’re listening to kpop and watching kdramas?? Pheh!” Ha. I need to move them out of sight đ
All of it matters đ
xoxo
julia
Gosh, yes. Details can add or detract and because they’re not the main event, people can’t often describe why something looks good or bad. I like the peeking out collar and shirt tails of t-shirts sticking out too, as long as they’re not to swishy or too clingy. And beautiful photos by the way. I still haven’t gotten my new camera — too much other things going on to concentrate on that purchase — but I always am envious of your moody pics!
bettyewp
I do love a moody pic đ I’m especially fond of dark and out of focus. Sort of like the rest of my life.
Glad to hear you got a lot going on!
xoxo
Beverly the Inspired
No. No! NO your photos are âthoughtfully diffusedâ to represent your current Season of Life đ.
âcomment brought to you by The Eternal Optimist
Adding that little something-something makes each outfit unique. It can be the most well-loved & worn-in pieces put together; theyâll take on new perspective, new life in the details.
Iâve recently found sports bra straps add a fun, unexpected pop of colour. Racer-back styles look kindalikesorta purposeful peeking out of a bateau neckline. No one need know the secret, either đ€«.
Also like adding a small silky scarf under a turtleneck. Just enough colour & pattern to add that little something-something.
What a fun post to spark creative idea đ€.
bettyewp
Thoughtfully diffused. I like that.
Ooh, sports bra straps as a color detail. Interesting. I know I see “the young girls” (ha ha) showing their bra straps…I’m always trying to hide mine! A couple years ago I was at a posh fundraiser and there was a young woman at the neighboring table who was wearing a strappy sundress with her bra straps showing – and the straps had been embellished w tiny embroidered daisy flowers, it was so charming!
Thanks for reading!
Beverly the Inspired
Well… Iâm definitely a couple two or three decades older than âyoung girlsâ, TeeHee! The Yvette brand sports bras have fun colours & interesting details/designs.
T-back/racer back are harder to keep covered in âconventionalâ tops. So! I decided to let them peek out, adding a bit of quirkiness. Also let the lacy bits on colourful high-neck bras peek out. As long as âthe twinsâ arenât popping out to say, âHi!â itâs all good *grin*.
bettyewp
Hmm…will def look into this. I’ve been meaning to look for a sports bra anyway with all this bouncing around I’m doing in the living room.