Southern Wardrobe Staples: Crisp White Top

|| Top: J.Crew Factory (sold out, additional colors) || Skirt: J.Crew (sold out) || Shoes: kate spade new york (around three years old) || Earrings: Lisi Lerch in ear candy || Watch: kate spade new york (similar style) || Ring: Tiffany & Co. || Photos: Melanie Foster Photography ||

I am bringing a new series to the blog! A few of my readers have asked about what items I think are a must-have. My goal is to have a summer, fall, winter and spring capsule wardrobe post (broken down into age categories). I am treating this as a big project and giving it the time it deserves. Until then, these ones from posts will have to suffice. Over the years, I have had numerous influences on my personal style from Vogue, J.Crew catalogs, Legally Blonde, Southern Living, to influential women in my life. I am taking the time to comb through my closet and share my southern wardrobe staples with you.

Throughout college, I had the chance to work at an upscale women's clothing store, Elizabeth's. A husband and wife team, Bud and Betty Townsend, own and operate this Knoblock Street shopping destination. If you are familiar with Stillwater, you might remember seeing Elizabeth's impressive window displays, it's right by the original Hideaway Pizza (let's just say I ate a lot of personal ATW pizzas in college). During my time there, I soaked up as much as I could. I took each day as a learning opportunity, taking notes from the mastermind behind Elizabeth's. One thing I remember in particular was her love for a crisp white top. Miss Betty had a way of making such a statement with such a simple piece. I might be over exaggerating, but I think she might have worn a white button down once every two weeks. Now that's getting bang for your buck!

I took a note from Miss Betty and found a great short-sleeved popover from J.Crew Factory this summer. I have worn it with skirts, jeans, and black structured leggings. This particular top is still available in a blue and white stripe and chambray option. Right now, J.Crew Factory has a few other crisp white shirts that are at great price points ( 1 / 2 / 3 ). The only thing I will say that is kind of a bummer is that these tops usually require dry cleaning if you don't have time for (or hate) ironing. With that said, I have three crisp white tops that are in my lineup. They seem to rotate in and out of the dry cleaning bag.

You might be asking yourself, why do I need a white button-down blouse? It’s simple really. It never goes out of style, and you can style it for the season you are in. Heck, you can wear the same top with dark wash jeans and change your lipstick and shoes for the season--and it looks like an entirely different outfit! Not only is a crisp white top a stable, it's also easy-button approved.

The Perfect Date Night Dress

|| Dress: LIKELY in navy [c/o] || Heels: kate spade new york (from summer 2017, similar color and style) || Earrings: kate spade new york (spring 2017) || Ring: Tiffany & Co. || Photos: Melanie Foster Photography ||

For better or worse, I am constantly looking for the next big thing. I love trying new products and discovering new brands. One of the cool things about blogging is that I get to share my findings with my friends in real life and my friends on the web, just like you! Here at Sassy Southern Lindsey, you have my word that my reviews will always be honest (keeping it 100, all the time), even if an item is gifted. Recently, LIKELY reached out with some exciting news. I was handpicked as a LIKELY 100 girl! What does that mean? I had a chance to look at their newest arrivals and pick out my favorite dress from the lineup.

I would like to introduce you to the Driggs Dress! This fitted strapless dress with a dimensional fluttering neckline is the perfect date night dress. It is available online in sizes 00-12 (I found it to be true to size). It is a mostly polyester blend that is dry clean only. If navy is not your color, it comes in numerous other options from bold to pastels. This dress is grown up, sexy and sophisticated! You will be sure to turn heads whenever you wear this number out on the town. Thanks to Pure Barre, my backside was feeling like a peach!

Since this dress has such an interesting neckline, I didn't want to distract from it by adding a necklace. Instead, I opted for a great statement earring with both texture and length, to keep things interesting. Unfortunately, these kate spade new york earrings are out of stock online. I am not sure about in store. Dear ksny, please bring a store to OKC. Believe it or not, I actually scored these for 75% off on Poshmark! If you haven't downloaded that app, you are seriously missing out. I find so many gems on Poshmark.

I recently figured out that one of my favorite Oklahoma stores carries LIKELY. Balliet's in Classen Curve is on another level! This store sells the high-end brands that you cannot find anywhere else in the state. Their shoe department is my weakness. One of the things I love about this place is their staff. They are so helpful and kind. I called to double check, and they do have numerous LIKELY dresses in stock. If you are a local girl and want to check this brand out in person, tell them Lindsey sent you!

I know that not every girl is into dresses. LIKELY also has a fabulous selection of tops and jumpsuits. I have my eyes on this Plaid Talcott Top. It has a cool gingham pattern and flutter sleeves! If you have an upcoming event this fall and are looking for an affordable option, I highly recommend checking out LIKELY’s new arrivals.

Why I Rent Some of My Clothing

|| Dress: kate spade new york in cherry pepper || Wedges: kate spade new york (from summer 2015) || Earrings: Lisi Lerch in ear candy || Belt: J.Crew Factory (from summer of 2014) || Ring: Tiffany & Co. || Photos: Melanie Foster Photography ||

Off-the-shoulder items are back and better than ever. From high-end to low-end, fashion brands are giving the people what they want: exposed shoulders! With any trend, there is no telling how long it will stay relevant. I discovered something earlier this summer to help me try trendy pieces without breaking the bank. This one dress alone was original $298 (p.s. it's on sale for $209 right now). I would love to have this dress in my closet, but I could not justify spending that kind of money without knowing if I would still enjoy it next summer. Today I am going to let you in on a little secret of mine. But first, let me give you the backstory.

I have been a huge fan of Rent the Runway (RTR) for five years strong. It's safe to say that we are in a serious, committed relationship. I first turned to this clothing rental company to help me look best as a wedding guest. I am currently in that season in life where there is a wedding every month it seems. Okay maybe I am a little too dramatic, but you get the idea. I hate wearing the same dress to events (I know that sounds so silly, but it's true). All I can say is bless up to the lady boss who created this genius company! I have also turned to RTR to dress me for galas, parties and other significant life events. They recently launched an unlimited rental service so I started my subscription back in June. Each month I pick out three items and they are shipped to me ready to wear. RTR takes care of dry cleaning and shipping both ways.

This cherry pepper off-the-shoulder dress from kate spade, was in my first round of unlimited. I wore it to a birthday party, brunch, a Garth Brooks concert, date night, and if it wasn't so darn hot—I could have worn it to the office with a jean jacket tossed over it. To me, I found this dress to run large. I was able to wear this dress so many times in one month by accessorizing it with different belts, jewelry and shoes. This might be my favorite combination, no necklace, a great statement earring and funky wedges. When we were shooting this look, Melanie said I looked like the salsa dancer emoji girl, so you know I tried to recreate that!

If you haven't used RTR before and feel inspired to give it a try, I have a treat for you! Click this link and you will save $30 off your first order (please note that this offer is only valid for new customers). If you are not sure what to wear to an upcoming wedding, party or event feel free to shoot me a DM on Instagram. I would be happy to help you find the perfect dress!

My Casual Summer Style Featuring JORD Watches

|| Top: Anthropologie in grey || Jeans: AG in 11 years journey || Shoes: kate spade new york (from four summers ago) ||  Watch: JORD [c/o] in navy || Necklace: Kendra Scott in turquoise || Earrings: Tiffany & Co.|| Ring: Tiffany & Co. || Photos: Melanie Foster Photography ||

Here lately, I have found myself living for the weekends. For me, it's a time to recover from the workweek, spend quality time with Jered, and get my ducks in a row for the upcoming week. My weekend uniform is more on the casual side if I am be-bopping around town. A few weeks ago, I stopped by Anthropologie and found this tunic top. I didn't try it on, I just grabbed a medium as a safe guess. As you can see, it is a little large under the armpits. It comes in four different colors and is less than $40! This week I paired it with skinny black pants and wore it to the office (with a gray tank underneath). You will feel like you are wearing pajamas out in the world--it's that comfortable!

Speaking of comfortable, let's take a moment to talk about jeans. Every woman should own one pair of jeans that fit her in all of the right places. I do my best to keep things budget friendly here at Sassy Southern Living, but these jeans are a splurge. I like to think of them as an investment. My fashion philosophy is quality over quantity and mixing high-end with low-end. These jeans are expensive, I know. Let me show you how I make large purchases like these jeans, suck a little less.

First, think to yourself, how often will I wear this?  Right now, I am wearing these jeans once a week (praise hands for casual Friday) and sometimes more. The jeans are $215, and there are 52 weeks in a year. That brings my cost per wear to $4.13. When you break it down like this, they cost me less than a grande iced caramel macchiato from Starbucks (and yes, I know that number off the top of my head).

There is another piece that is a necessary investment to any wardrobe, a good watch. I purchased my husband a men's watch and gave it to him on our wedding day and he wears one watch every day to work. Over the past year, I have seen these unique watches popping up everywhere on Instagram. What makes them so unique? JORD uses different woods instead of traditional metals. This particular Zebrawood and navy watch caught my eye. If you have been lusting over these beautiful watches, you are in luck! The best part? You can engrave them to make for a perfect gift item. I have partnered with JORD for a $100 giveaway! Every person who enters will be eligible to win a $100 gift code to use on the JORD website. One lucky person will win, but everyone will receive a consolation code worth $25 once the contest ends! Please note that the offer codes will expire on 10/31/2017.