Neutral Territory

Yes, it's springtime, dear readers, so bust out those grass greens, lemon yellows, peachy oranges and blushing pinks. But don't forget about adding some great neutrals to your wardrobe for warmer weather. Khaki's a staple, of course, and comes in a variety of shades. One great way to keep it lively is to mix and match prints and patterns in the same color family, as this week's Goodwill Good Buy of the Week illustrates.

As you can tell, the outfit's stripes were driving my li'l camera crazy. In the close-up pic below, though, you can see how well the striped and flowered H&M top in ivory pairs with the Old Striped trousers in ivory and dark khaki. Unexpected, yes, but a fresh alternative to the old white-shirt/solid-colored pants variation.

The top is an H&M size 10, which means it will best fit a US size 6, or even 4 in this case, because it's a "shrunken" fit. It has a button-front placket and 3/4-length sleeves - perfect for showing off spring's bangles and bracelets.

The pants are size 8 regular and run true to size. They have just a touch of stretch to keep their shape and sit low on the waist. Front slash pockets are just the right size for holding some cash and an ID, for those days when you just don't want to mess with a handbag! Both items show virtually no signs of wear...they might even be new. In either case, wearing them alone or together will instantly freshen up a wardrobe. Liven up your look with brightly colored skimmers (may I suggest yellow?) or keep it monochromatic with brown leather sandals.

The second item this week is a classic cotton dress with a touch of ramie and linen to give the fabric a nice texture and a slightly rumpled appearance that still looks polished enough for the office. The dress is from Banana Republic and is a size 8. The black satin sash around the middle can be tied in the back to cinch the waist as shown, or - my preference - tied in front in a bow.

The dress has a great square neckline that allows the wearer to layer over or under, depending on her preference. Or just wear it alone with some great black flats for a casual, comfy warm weather look. Onyx earrings will pull together the look in an instant. The dress is cotton, ramie, and linen with just a bit of stretch and is fully lined. I love the thought of wearing this on a boat or even to a gathering near the beach. So chic!

Gotta have 'em? You know where to find 'em. Visit the DC Goodwill eBay store later this afternoon to start bidding. And this week's items will feature super-low starting prices. Consider it the DCGF's springtime gift to you!



Pssst...Who would you rather dress: Michelle Obama or Hillary Clinton? Find out my answer to this questions and others on YouTube right now!


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