ohsofancy – Oh So Fancy Francie

Five Cute Swimwear Looks

If you are like me, it’s been two years or more since hitting the refresh button on swimsuits and coverups. There are great colors and styles to choose from that will step up our game. As an empty-nester, there’s no more choosing a suit for function, but fashion. YAY! But act fast! Tons of people are taking beach vacays and snatching up EVERYTHING!

Fashion Alert: I subbed in close-to styles for the sold out items pictured here.

For a more upscale look, I had good luck with Everything But Water and I have to say, their online survey, helped me easily select suits that were flattering and affordable. I stuck to slightly sexy one-piece styles, as that is my most comfortable look. I chose a cover up to match my color picks.

I’ve gotten braver with the two-piece scene. Target had a great selection in current colors at great price-points, but the one I picked is sold out! GRR. So, I found a better quality version at Everything But Water, and based on the one-piece experience, I’m certain it’s a winner. I found a cute cover-up at TJMaxx, which is sold out now, but I did my best to find a link to a similar look. The cover up was my inspo for choosing a bikini in hot pink.

To shop this post, click on items below. I do make a small commission at no cost to you. It helps support my efforts.

Affordable Holiday Tops From Amazon

Holiday tops can be hard to find and pricey. I found two, super cute tops on Amazon for around $25 each and delivery is fast! I actually ordered five options. Two made the cut and a third, hasn’t arrived, still!

*The links to products will result in a small commission for me at no extra cost to you.

I LOVE this top! The sleeves are pretty and cool! The style is timeless and can be worn almost year-round. (Not sure I’d wear it in the hot, hot summer.) I paired it here with AG velvet skinnies from two years ago and added a belt with pearl accents. You can shop the look in two places. The exact top on the blog (link below) and the pants at LTK here.

Runs true to size. I ordered medium and wear small at BR and Antrho.

Lace chiffon top

Pearls and black are trending right now. I love the subtle placement on the mesh sleeve. I paired the top with coated denim to break up the black and texture. I tried it with shiny faux leather and velvet, neither worked. Denim would work too, but I wanted a more holiday-focused look. To shop, the exact top is here on the blog and the pants at LTK, here.

Top runs true to size. I ordered medium but usually wear small at BR and Anthro.

Black Pearl Sleeve Top

Holiday Looks with Anthropologie

One of my favorite places to shop for unique holiday looks is Anthropologie. I have a few things that have survived the test of time that I can pull out to this day, even years later. I’m kicking off the holiday season with several looks, new and old.

If you happen to catch this post before the end of the day Sunday, 11/28, Anthro is running a sale. If not, their items are soooo cute, they are worth even full price.

I recently was accepted to a shopping platform called Like To Know It, or LTK. It’s kind of a big deal as you have to post for three months to show your commitment to fashion with snazzy photographs and I finally did it. This is great for both of us because it makes it easier to shop an entire look and I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Win-Win!

I found two Anthropologie sweaters I LOVE! I honestly haven’t decided which one to keep. It might be both. (Don’t tell Hubby!)

Shout-out to Haven, a home decor shop in Laguna Beach! Mara, the owner is just like me, just starting out and using what she knows to make people happy and the world a more beautiful place. Haven ships nationwide. Follow on Instagram, @havenlaguna. She could not have been nicer to me while photographing, offering tons of help.

Also, my dear friend shot most of my holiday photos in Laguna Beach. She is a professional photographer and has a huge following on Instagram. @jaymemaxwell.

!The raspberry, nobby sweater is soooo soft and can be dressed up or down. I paired it with the soft ruffle top by Vince Camuto and AG Alexxis vintage high-rise denim and heels. A link to the entire look here.

ohsofancyfrancie anthropologie red sweater — Timeless!

My other Anthropologie fave, this cream studded cardi with pearls and teal faux gems. While I was photographing in Laguna, I kept running into this lady staying at the same hotel. She literally wanted to take this sweater off my back! Just sayin’.

Paired the same way, AG vintage denim and Vince Camuto top with the killer boots from SilentD. I picture this outfit at a cookie exchange, but the pearls can dress up any look. Link here.

ohsofancyfrancie anthropolgie gem closeup — Royal Gems!

My third look from Anthro is a velvet top I purchased last year, when we went almost nowhere because of Covid. The blue-green version is not available, but I posted a couple of options. This look I think is worthy of drinks at the bar with friends, cool Christmas! Link here.

ohsofancyfrancie anthropologie velvet top — Cheers! (I drank mine before the photo, ooops.

Let the holiday fashion begin!

Three Thanksgiving Outfits: Part 1

Over the last few months, I’ve been adding fun things to my closet to mix and match for lots of occasions. Hopefully, you have too if you’ve been inspired to invite the same stylish items into your fashion lineup. I’ll show you several Thanksgiving outfits you can pull from the collection. Two items are new because, well, I couldn’t resist.

One of the new pieces is the incredible vegan leather pants from Aritzia. I first spotted the cool pants while shopping and she told me where to find them. They first made their debut last year and were such a hit Aritzia brought out more colors this year. Black is fine for me. The pants are straight leg, long or cropped. Personally, I think cropped is more stylish.

I like these pants for Thanksgiving because they give and are dark enough to hide the extra side of stuffing I might not resist. I paired them with my favorite turtleneck and styled them two ways depending on your mood.

ohsofancyfrancie vegan leather pants booties — Dressed up with booties and a belt.

ohsofancyfrnacie vegan pants and sparkle sneeks — Let’s get this party started with a sparkle in the glass and on the sneaks.

If you want to dress it up a bit, grab the slip skirt and a cream sweater by Vince from Nordstrom, the second new item this week. The boiled cashmere is so, so soft and the mock turtleneck gives it a hip vibe. The killer booties work just fine here and are comfy enough for standing or serving.

ohsofancyfrancie slip skirt cream vince sweater — Oversized sweater hides the oversized dinner portions.;-)

A quick, already-in-my-closet look, the burgundy puff sleeve sweater with @motherdenium flares can be dressed up with boots and cool earrings. The top is sold out from the Nordstrom Anniversary sale. The gray flannel jacket and earrings are from three years ago. Love it when a look comes together with items I’ve never paired together before.

ohsofancyfrancie burgandy top standing — Thanksgiving-ready!

ohsofancyfrancie gray jacket — Complete the look. Cute if outdoors for a bit.

Four Staples For Fall

As I shopped for items I knew I wanted, I stumbled upon four items I had to have–needed. All of them will work into the winter months too.

The slip skirt is everywhere. I wanted one for fall last year and never got around to it. This year, it was a must! I have a summer version, baby blue, and i loved it. The shiny fabric doesn’t mean it’s a dress up piece only. It can be worn with all kinds of boots, sneaks and sandals if you wanted to take it up a notch.

Aritzia slip skirt paired here with studded booties from last year and with combat boots. The slip comes in several colors.

ohsofancyfrancie slip skirt, vince sweater, booties — Feminine and Cozy.

ohsofancyfrancie slip skirt combat boots — Feminine and Cool.

I love a good turtleneck and Anthropologie delivered. The quality is top-notch and the string of buttons at the cuff make it oh-so-fancy. I love it so much I got it black and cream. I paired it here with vintage jeans by AG. High-waisted can be tricky but the Alexxis is soft and oh-so-flattering!

Two staple items you must add to your closet!

ohsofancyfrancie button sleeve — Button embellishment make the top.

ohsofancyfrancie turtleneck vintage jeans — LOVE!!!!

Sherpa is the textile of the season! I went the rounds trying to select just one that was cool and pretty. Banana Republic had the one! It’s over-sized, as is everything right now, so size down. Versatile enough to wear for work, date night, or casual night around the fire pit–your own blanket!

ohsofancyfrancie sherpa coat — One giant bear hug!

All of the above will be on repeat, so expect to see them paired up with multiple looks.

Banana Republic: The Blue Edition

Banana Republic had a bunch to offer when I was researching their comeback. I had one rule, to avoid adding yet another black sweater to my closet. Hence breaking my posts into BR: The Lavender Edition and now BR: The Navy Edition.

I’m a sucker for anything hinting at a sixties silhouettes. I love the wide turtleneck and pronounced cuffs of this oversized merino-cashmere blend sweater. It’s ultra soft and cozy.

And that brings this post to the current trend of oversized sweaters. My preferred pairing for this look is with skinny or slim straight jeans. My rule of thumb, is balance. Flowy on top or on the bottom, not both.

Banana Republic Oversized Merino-Cashmere Sweater, link here. Paired with AG Farrah High-Waisted Skinny and All Saints Docita Combat Boot.

ohsofancyfrancie Banana Repulic Oversized sweater — Urban meets seaman.

Dress it up with booties and a scarf:

ohsofancyfrancie oversized sweater & scarf — Cool meets glam.

The last of my BR haul is the statement sleeve top, available in blue, black and ivory. Link here.

I paired this top with black, kick-boot flare denim by AG and Ron White bootie:

ohsofancyfrancie Banana Republic Statement Sleeve — Feeling oh-so-fancy.

And paired here with Mother denim’s The Weekender Flare and the killer booties by Silent D.

ohsofancyfrancie banana repubic statement sleeve blue denim — Oh-so-blue.

Affordable Every-Day Outfit: Lavender Sweater & Taupe Booties

If you are like me, it took a bit to figure out what I needed for fall since we didn’t go anywhere last year. I felt a little out of practice. Since starting this fashion blog, the pressure was on to find cute things that are accessible, i.e. affordable and available. I found the perfect combo!

My absolute favorite boot of the season is by Silent D, available at Nordstroms, link here.. The acrylic block heel makes the shoe in my opinion. They are comfy and true to size. The microsuede fabric is stretchy and hugs like a sock, lots of give. Slightly narrow toe which is ok for narrow feet like mine, extra wide not so much.

One of my favorite sweaters is from Target! The color is on trend, lavender, but more subtle. Pair it with a straight leg denim and the killer taupe booties and that’s an easy, cute outfit.

ohsofancyfrancie target lavender sweater standing — Coffee Date Ready!

*Links are for the follower’s convenience and plain fun for me.

Makeover With Annie At Target

Meet my friend Annie. She’s my Masters Swim buddy and we’ve been sharing Lane Two for years and years. We recently had lunch together and it was hot out. Annie wasn’t buried under a heavy sweatshirt or parka, just a t-shirt and running tights.

“You look GREAT!” I told Annie.

“Thanks! My husband gave me this t-shirt. But I think I need to update.”

Music to my ears.

“Let’s go shopping!”

“Really?!?”

And from there we talked about where and when and if I could include her in a blog post to show others how easy it is to update a look.

Annie is a retired high school teacher and on a budget. We pre-shopped her straight-leg jeans, from @Gap as she was in my Abbey Road TikTok video. (Be careful, once you are discovered by Oh-S0-Fancy Francie, you will enter social media places you never dreamed of going.)

I’m sure Annie won’t mind me saying, she is 67 years old and all the outfits we picked, I would wear too. This is how you can look current but not like you are trying too hard.

We met at Target and were tailed by another talent discovered by Oh-S0-Fancy Francie, Laura, our photographer and Abbey Road buddy.

ohsofancyfrancie hello Annie — Annie works out a zillion times a day.

Simple balloon sleeve top with a half-tuck paired with low heeled black booties, both from @Target!

ohsofancyfrancie Annie Blouse — She’s so happy! (Knox Rose Label)

Burgundy Cardigan, aka grandpa sweater, paired with striped, long-sleeved tee.:

ohsofancyfrancie cardi and striped tee — Cool, effortlessly. (A New Day Label)

Mock turtleneck sweater in teal, we both swooned!

Thanks Annie for showing us so many ways to look stylish.

Three Comfy Shoes for Fall 2021

Shoes are one of my very favorite elements of fashion. You can change up an entire outfit or make a statement with just your feet. I gravitate toward flats or low heels as I’ve always walked with purpose, in a hurry really, and you can’t do that in five-inch heels; I can’t. I’ve always loved pointy-toe flats because it was a way to look “mod” in the eighties and to me, it’s the ultimate in femininity.

Imagine my horror when I realized my right foot was morphing into a little-old lady shape, slightly crumpled and misshaped. Some people call it a “thing” or refuse to name it at all. Strange nobody wants to admit they have one or it requires a delicate name because of its delicate condition. It is what it is, a bunion.

My delicate condition got worse. I was having trouble walking. The top of my foot hurt and my ankles were a bit wobbly. I walked straight into a walking-shoe store, a place I never went for fashion. I was desperate.

Success! I walked out with three new pairs of shoes, because I couldn’t make up my mind and I still love shoes even if they are only kind of cute. I got two house-shoes: Boiled wool clogs and Birks, and, a new pair of sneaks, Hokas. The sneaks are probably the ugliest sneakers I’ve ever owned but when your feet hurt and the shoes make everything better, you surrender!

Since then, anytime I see someone in Hokas, I know their feet look like mine. I can have a lengthy conversation in the middle of the grocery store or shoe department with a complete stranger over our delicate condition.

“What happened? I used to have pretty feet?”

“I can’t find cute shoes with support!”

Six months after succumbing to wearing pretty much Birkenstocks, Hokas and fashion sneaks, I wanted to see if I could get away with other shoes like boots. At the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, I found a couple of pairs that I wanted so badly but narrow feet narrow my options. I walked into a shoe repair guy to see if he could help modify the insoles to give me support.

This was the second, best decision I made regarding my feet.

The repair guy really knows shoes, as he should. I had my boots with me and he swooned over my All Saints combat boots because they are quality and cute! He knew! In a matter of minutes, he found two different types of insoles to make me a happy, comfy, fashionista again.

OMG! I feel so liberated.

I highly, highly recommend visiting your shoe repair guy or cobbler to make your shoes fit like a glove. Save your feet before it’s too late or even if it is too late. You don’t have to give up fashion for the sake of support.

Here’s a close-up of the fun shoes I found at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. You can still get the boots, just not on sale. The P448 sneaks are out there in oodles of styles, high and low.

P448 Sneaker Styled with skinnies, flares and dress:

Vionic Wilma Lug Sole Boots

All Saints Donita Combat Boots

Two Denim Styles for Fall 2021

The old stand-by skinny is not the only denim in town now. Wider options are working their way in from the just past skinny, straight, to the dramatic, wide. Two styles are featured in the post: flares and wide.

I was a little apprehensive with the flares at first. When you go from a five-inch pant-width to ten-inch, that seems like jumping off a cliff. I like how the leg narrows at the thigh, forming a mermaid shape if a mermaid had legs. Oh-so-feminine!

Shoe pairing is easy. A pointed toe is ideal in order to elongate the leg. Sadly, my pointed-toe days are over–the “rewards” of “growing up.” Pretty much anything goes as shown here with a peep-toe bootie and sneak.

The wide-leg style felt like I was really stepping out of my comfort zone, by a mile, but it was only six inches from my skinny-jean days and one inch from my flare dare. I really feel cool in these jeans no matter how I’m dressed, sneaks or heels. Which is your favorite?

Check out my progression below:

Flares: JustBlackDenim

With RomiBasha Khaki Cargo jacket and P448 Johnny Dama

ohsofancyfrancie justblackdenim — Casual cool flares.

Generation Love floral top with Monroe peep-toe bootie.

ohsofancyfrancie justblackdenium — Dressed-up.

Wide-Leg: MotherDenim

ElieTahari Long-sleeve in navy and Golden Goose sneaks.

ohsofancyfrancie motherdenim — Even sneakers look posh.

GenerationLove lace top and Monroe peep-toe heels.