Bits of Style x Madewell: How to Style a Denim Jacket

There are certain phenomena that are unique to fall: leaves changing color, crisp air, nights getting darker earlier, harvesting, and the start of a new school year. Fall is a season full of change. One thing that stays the same whenever autumn rolls around is the need for good, quality outwear that is perfect for layering. A denim jacket is a fall essential. It's just the right piece to throw on as you head out the door and can be styled in infinite ways. 

When it comes to denim, Madewell is the ultimate destination. Their denim collections are designed for effortless dressing that is especially important as a busy college student. Madewell offers a 15% off college student discount year-round in store when you present your school ID. How awesome is that?! Madewell so kindly gifted me the 'jean jacket in pinter wash,' which I never want to take off, and 'bandana' to easily add a vintage vibe to any look. 

I have a few denim jackets and this Madewell one is my favorite of them all. The fit feels custom made and the true-blue wash looks cool with any piece of clothing. It is also incredibly comfortable, made of the softest denim I've ever touched. I like mine with the sleeves pushed up and collar popped for attitude. Perhaps I should start naming my denim jackets since they each have their own personality. Help a girl out and comment what I should name this one!

While you're brainstorming what I should call this spunky jean jacket, I've put together a few looks to show how I style the timeless piece. 

Look #1: I'm With the Bandana

In this first look, I'm playing up the retro, Rock 'n' Roll, rebel heritage of the denim jacket. The double denim pairing is inspired by the hippie movement of the '60s and '70s, nodding to the infamous Woodstock musical festival. A delicate white lace-up blouse tucked into frayed hem high-waisted flare jeans makes the denim jacket pop. I tied the 'bandana' around my neck to frame my face and draw attention to the drama of the popped collar. A black bag, shoes, and accessories break up all the indigo. I'm with the bandana. 

Get the look:

Look #2: Schooled in Denim

A denim jacket is undeniably campus-cool. For this look, I'm paying homage to preppy school spirit, but with an edgy spin. Since plaid has a collegiate vibe, I paired my denim jacket with a flannel that's the perfect mix of prep and punk. Denim skirts also have that schoolyard feel, so I'm wearing this black button front one that's a bit unexpected. Sneakers keep the outfit laid-back, and classic accessories like an understated wristwatch and sunglasses clash with grungy ones like chokers. A leather drawstring backpack holds the essentials for class. I'm being schooled in denim.

Get the look:

Look #3: Mixed Emoticons

My final look shows how a denim jacket is the perfect piece to throw on over a mod mini dress in the fall. It relaxes the look and keeps you cozy, especially if you have bare legs. It's also a simple way to dress down during the daytime and still look put together. I added an emoji pin to the jacket, also from Madewell, for a fun and techy twist. This emoji is the kissy face, my favorite of them all. Decorating a denim jacket with pins has become my latest obsession. It's Pinterest IRL. This look is giving me mixed emoticons.

Get the look:

Thank you again to Madewell for the wonderful gifts. I'm looking forward to styling the denim jacket and bandana in many more ways.

~Bitsy


FTC: This post was sponsored by Madewell. All opinions are authentic and my own.

Daisy

Dress: H&M (sold out, similar here) | Sneakers: Adidas 'Superstar' | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (sold out, similar here) | Watch: Daniel Wellington | Choker: Forever 21

This ditsy daisy print dress is one of my favorites in my wardrobe. It's from the H&M Conscious Collection and made almost entirely from recycled fabric. Unfortunately, the fashion industry is a big polluter. I truly hope more companies make the push towards ethical practices that will keep people and the environment safe and healthy. Aside from being eco-friendly, this dress has an adorable silhouette with a unique cutout detail. I love how the top is more fitted and the bottom has just the right amount of flowy goodness. The simple, girly floral print pops against the navy background. 

To pick up the white of the daisies and keep the look casual, I wore my Adidas 'Superstar' sneakers. A unique silver faux leather choker makes a statement and adds to the minimalist vibe. I carried my blue Rebecca Minkoff backpack for a bright pop of color. There are only so many more days I can wear it before it looks out of place as the leaves turn. As much as I love fall, I'm going to wear this daisy dress as many times as I can before summer's officially over. 

~Bitsy

Silky

Top: Brandy Melville (sold out, similar here) | Skirt: Brandy Melville (sold out, similar here) | Sneakers: Adidas | Bag: MCM (vintage, similar here) | Watch: Daniel Wellington | Choker: Brandy Melville

Who says you can't wear white after Labor Day? Summer's winding down, but I'll wear white whenever I want! I paired this Brandy Melville denim skirt with a Brandy Melville silky black cami for an uber-girly look. A silky cami is a wardrobe basic that can be dressed up or down and worn in many ways. It will look great layered under a denim jacket or chunky knit cardigan as it gets colder. To play with texture, I wore a velvet choker also from, you guessed it, Brandy Melville, around my neck. I think silk and velvet look really cool together. Silk is a thinner fabric while velvet is thicker, yet they both have a luxurious sheen to them. To compete the look, I wore my trusty Adidas 'Superstar' sneakers and vintage MCM tambourine bag. 

~Bitsy

Back to School Muse: Iris Apfel

It's back to school season which means it's time once again to see faces new and old in the hallways, in the classroom, and around campus. You may be wondering how to present yourself to your peers through clothing; pieces of fabric woven into different styles, silhouettes, and sizes. Will you try new trends? Get a whole new wardrobe? Raid your sibling's closet? Pop some tags? Whatever your fashion acquisition method, I bet you want to look "cool." If you're striving for your style to have the "cool factor," look no further than Iris Apfel. Dress like Iris. No, I don't mean this literally, (but if you want to, go right ahead, she's a very stylish lady). What I mean is WEAR WHATEVER THE HECK YOU WANT!!! 

Iris Apfel should be everyone's back to school muse. She's the epitome of personal style through unapologetic self-expression. Iris wears what she likes and makes her feel confident. She doesn't listen to whatever "fashion rules" have been written in invisible ink in some invisible book of fashion dos and don'ts. But don't take my word for it. Here's what Iris has to say about personal style:

"When you don't dress like everyone else, you don't have to think like everyone else" - Iris Apfel.

"If you make a mistake in what you put together, the fashion police are not going to haul you into jail" - Iris Apfel.

"There's no how-to road map to style. It's about self-expression and, above all, attitude" - Iris Apfel.

"I don't dress to be stared at. I dress for myself" - Iris Apfel.

"It's better to be happy than well-dressed" - Iris Apfel.

Iris clearly follows her own clothing compass. Her whimsical outlook on life and style is what makes this fashion icon one of my greatest inspirations. She dares to wear the most eclectic combination of pieces, from oversized jewelry to funky patterns and exaggerated silhouettes. Iris wears what speaks to her and owns the look, which is something we should all do. It doesn't matter what other people think. Being yourself is what's important. Confidence is always chic.

~Bitsy

Dark Side of the Moon

T-shirt: thrifted (similar here) | Jeans: Brandy Melville (sold out, similar here) | Boots: Topshop | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff | Watch: Daniel Wellington | Tattoo choker: H&M (sold out, similar here) | Lace choker: Forever 21 (sold out, similar here)

Pink Floyd is one of my all-time favorite bands. I love their unique, edgy, and poetic sound. When I found this The Dark Side of the Moon T-shirt left behind in one of my school's residence halls during move out this past spring, I snatched it up. Not sure why someone would want to give away a piece this cool, but I'm happy to give it a new home. The previous owner cut out the neckline of the top which adds a super grungy vibe. 

Since Pink Floyd is a one-of-a-kind band, I wanted to style the T-shirt in a fun and funky way. Vintage-inspired jeans from Brandy Melville, Topshop sock boots, and chokers up the eclectic, rocker aesthetic. A Daniel Wellington watch helps me keep "Time" (pun intended), and Rebecca Minkoff mini bag is perfect when I'm "On the Run" (pun also intended). 

~Bitsy

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QOTOOTD (Quote of the Outfit of the Day)

"Breathe, breathe in the air. Don't be afraid to care. Leave, but don't leave me. Look around and choose your own ground" - Pink Floyd, "Breathe," The Dark Side of the Moon.