Mixology 101: Mixing Prints

I am by NO means a bold risk-taker when it comes to outfit choices. I stay conservative with what I choose to wear and I stick with what I know. Occasionally I'll try (and like!) trends and some times they don't work out as well for me!

Recently for church, I wore one of my staple outfits, a black turtleneck, a colored skirt, black tights and boots. It's a notorious Katie outfit. I change up the skirts and shoes, but this outfit gets mileage. As I was getting dressed, I decided to toss on a Murfee scarf that shared colors (pink and orange) with the skirt I was wearing. 

Let me back-track a little, and add that my boss at work is a PRO at mixing prints. She always does it well and I admire how breezy and easy it is for her. As I was getting dressed, I was channeling her--especially because she loves that print of my scarf!

Anyway, the idea grew on me a TON through the rest of the day. I do have a few tips for mixing prints though:

1. Pick coordinating colors: choose items that have close colors. This keeps the look unified and clean without getting confusing.

2. Keep everything else basic: I feel like this speaks for itself; if you're going to mix prints or motifs, keep everything else subdued. My boss with often add a plain vest when she's mixing prints.

3. Be confident: know your look is GREAT and rock it!

Is this untraditional look something you've tried? How did you mix?

xxKatie

An Ode to My Favorite Boots

Now that football has ended and we're slowly creeping toward colder temperatures, it's about time I finally said thank you to my favorite boots.

I have had my Frye Billy Pull-On boots for about two years and they still look brand new. Finally having broken them in, I wear them all the time!

If you're looking for an awesome Christmas gift for someone, or if you need another great item to add to your own list, I highly suggest these boots! They are a little pricey, but I know that they are going to last me way longer than most of my other shoes and you are absolutely getting what you pay for. 

They are great for Gameday, but I often wear them with jeans, especially as it gets colder. I don't have very many shoes that manage to look cute with black dresses and still keep me warm when I need them to. Am I right?!

Recently Frye added a new color, Charcoal, that I am OBSESSED with:

I love the more distressed look of the charcoal color and it's different than most boot color options that you see out there!

What are you favorite boots? Are you asking for some for Christmas? (If not, snag a pair ASAP or add these to your list!!)

xxKatie

OOTD: Boots & Bootcut

When I see people wearing cowboy boots, they usually pair them with a dress or skinny jeans here on campus. I definitely rock my cowboy boots with skinny jeans, but I also love the look of cowboy boots UNDER bootcut jeans. It's absolutely one of my favorite fall looks! Your cowboy boots can just peek out under your jeans!

The jeans I'm wearing here are a great cut that I found at Nordstrom Rack. They're Seven for All Mankind's Skinny Bootcut--kind of the best of both worlds! I haven't seen any other brand come out with a design similar to these skinny bootcut jeans!

If you have a Nordstrom Rack by you definitely check the racks to see if they have your size. I snagged my pair for WAY under retail! Actually they were almost 90% off believe it or not!

This pair comes pretty close to mine! I am a huge fan especially for the amount of stretch in the denim material also. There is a massive amount of stretch and I feel great when I wear them. 

I paired my fab bootcut jeans with this flannel shirt that I recently found at Old Navy. I've never been big into flannel and I decided to take the plunge with this shirt. I loved the sherbet-y colors of it and knew that I had pink and orange stuff to match it. The base color is neutral and would work with a ton of different accessories and bottoms. 

My boots are my tried-and-true Frye Billy Pull On boots that I SWEAR by! Y'all know how much I wear these boots and I know I will have them for the next GOOD chunk of my life. I have broken them in and find them to be extreeeeeemly comfortable. The color I have is the basic brown and it really matches basically everything I own.

This has definitely been one of my favorite fall outfits that I've put together. It's rare that it's cold enough for flannel and a scarf, but I made it work! Do you wear a lot of flannel? What's your favorite denim cut?

xxKatie

I'm Goin' Out With My Boots On

Ladies and Gents, it's their first Gameday out!

Today, our biggest Gameday of the year (and my college career so far...) and I'm finally breakin' out the boots.

We're filling up the Horseshoe, donning our sassiest LBD's, puttin' on the face tattoos, and going out with our best Gamecock attitudes because today is COLLEGE GAMEDAY AT YOUR UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA!

I couldn't be more proud or excited to be a part of such a time-honored sports tradition! It's going to be a big day y'all, and I couldn't imagine it any other way!

See you in the student section--excuse us while we Sandstorm!

xxKatie

Tailgate City, USA: The Shoes

Your shoes are another decision that is tough and very dependent on the time of the year!

Clockwise from top left:

Gameday Jack Rogers: these were my choice of footwear! I practically live in Jacks, so I HAD to add Gameday Jacks to my rotation! I've worn them for two games and they've been great!

Basic Strappy Sandals: you can find these sandals everywhere! They match anything and no matter what you want to wear, these simple strappy flats will look perfect!

Cowboy Boots: boots are great pretty much any time of the year--you can wear them when it's hot or once it gets cold! I'd say almost every Gamecock girl has her favorite pair of Gameday boots. The key to boots--BREAK THOSE BABIES IN!

Floral Flats: break out these fun flats when you want to add a little oomph to your outfit! They're sassy and add a little pop to your piggies!

Do you have a favorite pair of go-to Gameday shoes? I like all these different options!

xxKatie

Tailgate City, USA: The Dress

Your choice of outfit is among the most important choices that you'll make for Gameday! PS: How cute are all my models with their Swoozie's gear?

It's not an easy feat, but we have four FAAAABulous models all with different Gameday looks!

Jami

Jami's look is Traditional Carolina Gameday: black dress, pearls, cowboy boots and a sorority button! And she looks awesome!

Hannah

Hannah's look is Classy Carolina Gameday: patterned ruffle shift, garnet sash, black Jacks, Ray Ban Wayfarers and a sock bun! Isn't she our little Carolina Audrey Hepburn?

Jordy

Jordy's look is Cool Carolina Gameday: eyelet dress, strappy sandals, aviator sunglasses and a great garnet belt! Her look is perfect for games like the ones we've had so far when it is SO hot out!

Colleen

Colleen's look is Sassy Carolina Gameday: ruched sweetheart dress, bow belt, garnet crossbody bag, and flowery flats! Colleen's look is great when you're looking to get an awesome tan during those day games and tailgates!

What's the dress code for games at your school? Do you wear dresses or is it more of a t-shirt and jersey campus?

A quote from ESPN College GameDay sums it up perfectly:

"If South Carolina isn't the essence of Southern hospitality, I don't know what is. Those women sure know how to dress. Of course, in the South, a college football game is practically a formal event. Everyone – especially the ladies – gets all dolled up. But USC takes it to a whole new level. That football crowd is like something you would see in Vogue magazine."

xxKatie

SouthernLeague Magazine: The Gameday Bible

With Gameday RIGHT around the corner, literally, it's ALMOST the weekend, what should you consult for some pregame notes? Need inspiration for a Gameday outfit? What about songs for your Gameday playlist?

There are so many different stories that are perfect for football-loving, cowboy boot wearing, bow-tie tying, college kids! 

 I have prepped a few more super fun pieces for the magazine, and can I tell you, if the first copy is any indication of how good the rest will be, you'll LOVE what's coming up soon!

Here are a few of my favorite pieces:

A Well-Worn Southern Tradition

Times Have Changed, So Have the Rules

Tailgate Tunes

There are so many fun things to choose from especially since we're getting so close to everyone's favorite season: FOOTBALL SEASON! (Formerly known as fall...)

xxKatie

Outfit of the Day: Shirtdress Time!

October 9 by letsbepreppy featuring filigree jewelry

On Sunday I was able to break out one of my FAVORITE dresses for fall: the shirtdress! How do y'all feel about shirtdresses? Mine has ruffles all along the top and slight stripes in the bodice. I LOVE it! My mom snagged it for me not last year, but my freshman year believe it or not! It's from Ann Taylor Loft and I love it! I paired it with my cowboy boots and thought it was a good combo. I had previously been unsure what shoes to wear with it, and typically paired it with Miss Trish flats from Target.

Are y'all into shirtdresses for this fall? Do you have any places that I can snag more from?? Let me know!!

xxKatie

Outfit of the Day: Collegiate Stripes

October 4 by letsbepreppy featuring hair bow accessories

I have an old school Ralph Lauren rugby that I got a few years ago that I love! It's perfect for transitional days when it's chilly in the morning and warms up by the end of the day. And the weather here has been EXACTLY that, 40-46 in the morning and upper 70's in the evenings. I'm not quite sure how to deal with the weather and I'm looking forward to everything cooling off.

I also donned my Seven for All Mankind "Skinny Bootcut Jeans". Who's ever heard of that? They're kinda of like fusion jeggings, with a bootcut and very long inseam. I snagged them from Nordy's Rack for $39. I RARELY wear tight jeans and these were tight as far as my clothing choice goes and my friend Aly even noticed how out of the blue it was.

Also ideal for transitional weather, I picked my fabulous cowboy boots too. They're still great for fall and look good with any kind of jeans. I haven't tried wearing them under jeans yet, and have to find the perfect pair to rock that look with. I'm so excited to see what weather the fall brings us and I hope that the rain is in the rearview mirror!!

xxKatie

Giveaway: Stadium Stompers: WINNER!

I am proud to announce the winner of the Stadium Stompers giveaway is Emily from Live, Laugh, and Shop!

I can't wait to see which pair you pick!!

Shoot me an email at: letsbepreppy (at) gmail (dot) com!!

Thanks to everyone who entered, there were over 90 entries once everything was calculated y'all!!

xxKatie

Giveaway: Stadium Stompers!

For any of y'all that follow college football, you'll know we started LAST weekend for most of our schools! For all my Carolina Gamecocks, we are just itchin' to get a real home game in Williams Brice like nobody's business! This week the Gamecocks take on the Georgia Dawgs between the hedges down in Athens. I have a lot of friends going and they are going to have a blast!

Knowing typically Southern weather it's going to be crazy hot and insanely humid. The worst though, are games when it rains. There's nothing worse than looking fabu in your Gameday dress and having to tote a yucky raincoat around just in case. Well, that is until now:

Want to win a pair?

My personal favorite--South Carolina!

They literally make pairs for all of the following schools:

Tennessee, UVA, Ole Miss, Auburn, West Virginia, UNC, LSU, Richmond, Alabama, (dare I say it) Clemson, UGA, Texas A&M, USC (the real one AND the other one), and MANY more! There are so many combinations and you can shop by color or product!

Here are ALL the ways you can win:

1. For 1 entry become a fan of Stadium Stompers on facebook  

2. For 1 additional entry (2 total) become a fan of Let's Be Preppy on facebook

3. For 1 more additional entry (3 total) follow Stadium Stompers on Twitter

4. For 1 more additional entry (4 total) tweet about this giveaway!

5. For 1 more additional entry (5 total) post about this giveaway on your blog!

6. Leave all entries in ONE comment on this post!

Enter by 11:59 by NEXT Friday! Can't wait to see which girl from which school wins! Go Gamecocks! Go SEC!

Good luck y'all!

xxKatie

Outfit of the Day: Boots ON

August 15 by letsbepreppy featuring frye boots

I wore this outfit to my friend Jill's birthday on Monday night! It was the first night out of my junior year AND my boots' debut in the South! I loved pairing them with a fun skirt and they were super comfy to wear out and walk around in! 


Everyone was pretty casual so the boots were perfect! It was great to see everyone finally back and relaxed before school starts tomorrow!! As fun as this summer has been, I can't wait to be back at school and in classes so that I finally have a real schedule! I just worked on updating my planner/agenda and calendar so that I can stay organized for the semester! The big calendar I have sits on the wall RIGHT next to my door so that if I forget anything, I can check it as I run out the door!


What do y'all wear to parties or birthdays? Do people dress more casually or dressier at your schools?


xxKatie