Fashionistas and clothes-wearing friends, thank you for popping in for the Ageless Style 08.2021: Back to School. This series is hosted by my friend Carrie from A Simple Lovely Life and 7 of her blogging buddies. Honored to be joining this stylish group of fashion bloggers.
AGELESS STYLE LINK UP
The Ageless Style Link Up is series that goes live on the third Thursday of the month. For each post one of the gals in the group selects a theme then all of us put together a look or looks reflecting it. Last month’s theme was ‘‘summertime sporting event,’ was chosen by Jodie at Jodie’s Touch of Style. You can check out that post, here. I shared my love of RBX activewear. Usually buy mine at Marshall’s but you can also find it online.
Ageless Style 08.2021
This month’s prompt, ‘back to school,’ was chosen by yours truly. Since the new school year is commencing in most communities, I thought it would be fun to style a back to school look to celebrate. I suggested maybe the gals would share a school in their area as the setting for their photos. But that is for *extra credit*!! On our way to church last Sunday, in between rain showers, I asked PC to take the pictures for my post on the University of Texas, El Paso (UTEP) campus. Here’s how they turned out.
Just a reminder: Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After occasionally uses affiliate links. This means that if you click or make a purchase from a link provided I may receive a very small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.
Back to School
When I first began thinking about what to wear for the Ageless Style 08.2021 post, I planned to go with an outfit like I would have worn as high school Leslie. Going back to Bartlett High in Tennessee. Most likely, 16 year-old me would have worn a skirt and top on that first day. Switching gears, I started thinking that instead I would put together a look that elementary school librarian Leslie would have worn. Which would have looked a lot like what high school Leslie wore. Most likely a skirt and blouse with heels. And a cardi to keep me warm if the AC was cranked up.
But…
the outfit that made that final cut was a little different for me. Instead of thinking like and showcasing a high school senior or an elementary librarian’s look, I decided that if I were going back to school it would be as an administrator!! Ha!! Either a principal or the library administrator for the school district. PC suggested that I should think even bigger and go for look that says superintendent!! I liked that. Dream big or go home.
Here’s what I put together.
Comfortably Professional
I wanted to dress professionally for my imaginary new position overseeing the El Paso Independent School, the 12th largest district in the Lone Star State. But I also wanted to be comfortable. And weather-wise. Started building this outfit around Loft Julie (curvy) fit, slim, cropped pants in black. I have several pairs of these pants in different colors and consider them about the most professional trousers I own. They have the right amount of stretch to keep them comfortable while still holding their shape.
Added a short sleeve, mock neck Loft Outlet top in a leopard print. The length of the sleeves, hitting just above the elbow, makes this a seasonless favorite. And leopard is still a popular print.
What says professional – as in ‘I mean business’ – better than a blazer?? Especially this J Crew single breasted blazer in camel. While mine doesn’t get enough love, it’s hard to make a blazer work with yoga pants, tank tops, tennies and the vacuum cleaner as an accessory.
Added nude peep toe heels that are more comfortable than the leopard pumps I really wanted to wear. Pearl studs and a black and gold bead necklace. Picked up my Nine West bag at the First Baptist Church’s Clothes Closet for $1. Bargain!! It has a great leopard lining that makes the purse a little fancier.
UTEP
The University of Texas – El Paso or UTEP is a beautiful campus with an impressive reputation. From the university website:
“The University of Texas at El Paso is one of the largest and most successful Hispanic-serving institutions in the country, with a student body that is over 80% Hispanic. It enrolls nearly 25,000 students in 166 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in 10 colleges and schools. With more than $100 million in total annual research expenditures, UTEP is ranked in the top 5% of research institutions nationally and fifth in Texas for federal research expenditures at public universities.” [source]
Originally named the Texas State School of Mines and Metallurgy, UTEP opened in 1914. It features beautiful Bhutanese architecture on all of its buildings. The UTEP athletic teams are called the Miners and the mascot is Paydirt Pete. For today’s photos, I chose to stand beside a massive iron pick that is one of the symbols of the university. They can be found across campus and around El Paso, as well.
Can you see me under there?? Huge pick, huh?
There I am!! Ready to take on the world…or at least the El Paso ISD in my dreams!!
If you look closely below, I have a death grip on my leopard face mask. In El Paso, we are back to wearing masks in all public indoor spaces. As of Thursday, when this post goes live, the El Paso ISD is requiring all students and adults to wear masks, too.
A couple of weeks ago, I was offered a long term library sub job at a nearby elementary school where I have worked before. Was kind of excited about planning library lessons and being among books and babies again. But the district didn’t approve a substitute in the position. Now the school has begun interviewing for a new librarian so it will soon be filled. I keep hanging onto my blazers and trousers, just in case I get the call to go back to work. In the meantime, I guess I can wear them to church.
YOUR TURN
If you were heading back to school, what would you wear? Did you have a official school uniform you were required to wear back in the day? Or maybe you had a outfit formula you wore so often it became your school ‘uniform’. I never felt comfortable wearing pants all the way through school, even in college. Was more of skirt and heels gal.
Hope you will take a few minutes to visit the Ageless Style 08.2021 back to school posts of my friends. Like you, I am anxious to see what they styled for this month’s prompt.
Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Cammi ~ My Happy Place
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Carrie ~ A Simple Lovely Life
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Daenel ~ Living Outside the Stacks
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |Twitter |
Jamie ~ No Delusions of Grandeur
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest |
Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style
Leslie ~ Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Please use the link up below to share your latest style post with us!!
Enjoyed a quiet day at home. Knocked out ALL of my ironing. Took a walk, finished a book, worked on this post and did a little crafting on my third altered house, check them out, here. Hope you had a good day, too!! Thanks for spending a little time here with me.
Hugs and kisses,
That’s a lovely outfit, it suits you so much. Remember that quote ‘Dress for the job you want, not the job you have’!
Sorry to hear that the sub position didn’t happen in the end, there must be something better in store for you.
Over here, students wear a uniform to school so there was never that ‘what shall I wear?’ dilemma for us!
Thank you, Deb. Not sure I was ‘meant’ to return to work and have enjoyed my week at home. Lauren asked me to help with the girls in the afternoon so have done that a couple of times. All in all, things happen for a reason. XO
You look fabulous! I’m a bit in awe of you standing on the base of that tilted statue in those heels; that’s impressive.
Ha!! Thank you, my friend. Impressive or silly!!
Beautiful neutral outfit! Your camel blazer is such a timeless classic! Love it styled with the black trousers. We’re back to wearing masks again too. I’m sorry your sub position didn’t work out but know something better will come along soon! Thank you for the linkup!
Jill – Doused in Pink
So weary of everything. This pandemic, the masks. All the conflicting information. I just want to crawl back in bed every day.
Thank you, sugar plum, for the kind words. Can’t wait for my white blazer to arrive. Need to get my Frida shirt so I can try your great
look!
Wow, that is a smashing outfit! I actually think I have almost everything to duplicate it…minus the leopard top, of course (because Mr is a weirdo about leopard and I would prefer to avoid that convo a second time, haha). You look smart and fashionable and ready to take on the district! And your sense of balance on those rocks while wearing heels should tell the world you’re ready for any challenge.
By the way, I almost lost my coffee when reading the “vacuum as an accessory.” hahaha! Great post!
Hey doll!! PC doesn’t get leopard either. And if I had to skin a leopard to wear it, I certainly wouldn’t embrace the print either!! But I think it is kind of fun. Really like cow and giraffe, too. Hey I spelled giraffe right!! Wonders never cease. Thanks for the sweet words. XO
good for you for dreaming big! I love this professional looking outfit on you!
Thank you!! It was fun to kick my yoga pants to the curb and feel fancy and put together for a change.
You look great and very professional!
Thank you, sweeet friend. Kind of all dressed up and no place to go. Hey, I got my 365 Days of Creativity. Excited to start. Thank you for sharing that book with us.
I really like the blazer and what a fun photo shoot of you!
Thank you. These gals in this link up are so classy. I told PC I HAD to up my game and he agreed to help me take pics.
That’s a very elegant look Leslie, a bit preppy to, which I like a lot!
Thank you, Nancy. It felt so good to be cleaned up!!
I’m not sure that I am going back to school either. We have no word about masks yet. Our Covid numbers are climbing and unvaccinated children are being infected.
As a girl, I would have chosen a hipster skirt, poorboy sweater and coloured tights. As a T-L and ESL teacher, I probably would have worn a blazer/suit in the early days and a cardigan and casual slacks in the latter days.
I like your blazer.
Thank you, friend. This Covid stuff is making me so weary. It just isn’t a good time for those of us of a certain age to be back in the schools where the virus cases are increasing. Great minds!! I like your back-to-school looks. They all sound very much like things I would wear. Stay well, sweets!!
You look wonderful and boy, that huge pick sure is massive!
I love how your idea evolved like it did Leslie. AND the resulting look is spectacular. Don’t throw out that blazer. It would be wonderful with a graphic tee and jeans too (and maybe the vacuum, haha)
Extra credit not only for heading to the school but climbing those rocks!!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Ha!! Thank you. The climbing up the rocks was easier than the climbing down. Ordered a new graphic tee that I think will be great with this blazer. Stay tuned for a peek at it with my Dyson!!
I love your pictures: what a great spot to take the back to school theme pictures. Love the idea of your imaginary job too! It’s a fun way to interpret the theme and I love that blouse.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
That’s a great look. You really do have a great sense of style. The setting is perfect too.
Thank you. UTEP is a beautiful campus. And for the most part cars park on the perimeter and it is a no car campus. The architecture is exceptionally lovely.
Love this professional look! The camel blazer is the perfect color for every season. The location for your shoot is so cool! Thanks for the link up!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thank you so much for joining us and for leaving such a sweet comment. The UTEP campus is gorgeous!!
Cute post! Loved the angle you took on it with your dream job!
Thank you!! I think being a library administrator would be fun but I would probably have missed being with the kids and the books. Prefer them over working with the adults!!
You look very professional and cute as a button – all at the same time! Definitely ready to take on the world! You go girl!! Your husband did a great job getting shots for your portfolio…just ready for that admin interview!!:) You are so fun!
Thank you so much!! What a sweet message. I had fun posing for this post and PC was a great sport taking pictures.
You model ageless styles very well. Your clothes are gorgeous!
Thank you!! It was fun to feel put together for a change.
You look smashing in the pictures, Leslie!
I work at a school that does not require uniform, either for the students or teachers, and I am happy it is so, because I would hate if they caged my free-spirited soul into a uniform. Of course we have rules as what can/ cannot be worn: it has to be semi-formal and not revealing.
Yes!! Yes!! I hate that my darling granddaughter has to wear a uniform and always has. She doesn’t get to express her sense of style and fashion. Sometimes I buy her patterned socks or pretty hair accessories that let her be HER.
Yes! Going back as an administrator is much more fitting – love your professional look!
xo,
Kellyann
You are always so fashionable, Leslie. If I was just starting my professional life, I’d ask you to design my wardrobe! As for high school, we wore mostly jeans–not very imaginative, huh? The COVID rates are high where I live, and I’m afraid will get worse now that school has started. Our students are not required to wear masks. At my office, we are wearing masks in all common areas. I am voluntarily wearing mine in public indoor spaces, though I am vaccinated. It’s discouraging to be back at this place when it seemed we were nearing the end not so long ago, but we’ll carry on. I am grateful for the scientists and healthcare workers!
Oh, Christie, I hear you. I am so weary of this virus. So weary of worrying about masks, and worrying about going out in public places. It hasn’t stopped us too much this summer but our cases are steadily rising. I worry for how things will look when the weather turns cool.
Leslie, I love your administrator look and lived in that look for the last 15 years of my career. Super easy, super comfy. Now I’ve traded in the heels for walking shoes. Nice post. I love that you posed in many places allowing us to see a bit of “home.”
Tolle Fotos und sehr elegantes Outfit!
Liebe Grüße
Ingrid
Herzlichen Dank! It was fun to get dressed up and ‘model’ for the day!!
You look fabulous! I’m a bit in awe of you standing on the base of that tilted statue in those heels;
Ha!! Thank you so much. It never occurred to me to take tennies to wear until I got over to the statue and then slip into my heels. Silly me!!
I cannot believe you are standing on that sculpture in those heels. You are brave and talented, my friend. I’d barely be able to do it in flats. LOL
The outfit it is so you. I really like it. I’m thinking about adding more blazers to my wardrobe… I think they’ll pair well with my faux leathers bottoms and maxi skirts.
Thank you. Yes to blazers. And you can make them your own with your great accessories.