So you’re rummaging through the thrift store and you come across a 1980’s style tennis skirt, complete with wild patterns and colors. You love it, but can you pull it off? Of course, you can! Or maybe you want to flash a good bit of leg, but you’d like to keep it on the classy side of things. Can you do that? Yes, you can!
Styling anything that walks on the wild side is all about finding balance and having fun. Wild colors, lengths and patterns are your friends, but here’s how to make them play nice.
Balance something wild with something tame. It’s like a traveler who hates planning joining up with a travel buddy who loves planning. One helps the other to not be a hot mess, and one helps the other to not be too uptight. It’s a win-win partnership.
Both the skirt and the jacket in this look cost very little money. The skirt is a thrift store find and the blazer is something I borrowed from my son and kind of never returned. He had already outgrown it by the time I remembered it was supposed to be his. Okay, I actually have two of his jackets, one black and one navy blue. My friends used to laugh at me for wearing my son’s clothes, but I think I’ve had the last laugh, don’t you?
Here’s a tip: Being a woman doesn’t forbid us from stepping over into the men’s and boy’s sections to search for treasures. Especially if you’re on the petite side, the kids section can offer more variety to choose from and often lower prices as well.
Balance something short with something long. This isn’t a rigid rule. Nothing ever is with fashion. I’ve been known to sexpot it up in my day; however, if you’re looking to tame the sexy beast or present her more subtly, a good idea is to consider the reveal something-cover something method.
Show some leg, cover some shoulder. Yeah, I said shoulder. My shoulders drive the men wild, honey. My shoulders bring all the boys to the yard.

I love the addition of these eye-catching shoes because it mimics the boldness of the skirt, tying everything together; and it also allows for the viewer’s eye to keep moving along a line by offering multiple points of interest. Again, this isn’t necessary, just one option. I could’ve also done a red or black shoe, maybe even a very skinny strapped white shoe.
Here’s the outfit in my hometown of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, specifically FAT Village, a hub for artists and creators, and a place I love to hang out. I’ll have to give you a video tour one of these days.
If you haven’t subscribed to my YouTube Channel yet, just know that your support would mean a lot to me. Also, loads of great content will be coming your way. Thanks to @quetsyphoto for the beautiful photos and filming these clips while I twirled around.
Style Remix Playlist
Mix revealing clothes with concealing clothes.
Mix feminine styles with menswear.
Mix thrifted bargains with designer splurges.
Mix bold patterns and colors with muted or solid color.
Shoes: Celine HH Pilgram Domino
Blazer: a place nobody cares about
Skirt: a thrift store
If you’re an 80s kid yourself, here’s a Buzz down memory lane, also known as a history lesson for some of you younger folk.
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My name is Lyz-Stephanie and I want to inspire you to be more connected to yourself and the world, to find beauty in simple pleasures, and to have more adventures. Every day we can do something to make our lives happier and richer, make our minds more active and engaged. I’m on the journey. Will you join me?
I love this look! I would never have guessed that the blazer was once your son’s. The shoes are really cool as well 🙂
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Thanks, Laura Jane! All the blazer needed was to roll up the sleeves a tad, and voila 🙂 I definitely fell in love with the shoes!
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Lyz, you look amazing. The something short with something long looks amazing on you.
I tried that look on my petite body that stands 5 feet 2 inches tall and I looked weird. I have a short torso and really long legs so this combination made my torso look smaller and my legs look longer (long legs isn’t necessarily a bad thing). But you pulled it off a lot better than me.
I’ll have to keep the wild with sophisticated style in mind. Love your idea about the travel buddy with no planning abilities. That’s me and my favorite travel buddy. I’m the one with the plan; she’s the one with the spice.
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Girl, I’m just 5 foot even! I guess it makes my legs look longer since I’m a shorty. 🙂 Remember that you don’t have to wear a high-waisted skirt. This one is pretty high, so go for something that will show more torso. I’m definitely the travel buddy who hates planning. I’m in the process of that now and it’s like pulling teeth.
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Really??! You look so much taller in your photo. Now that I think about it. My skirt definitely had a high waist. I’ll use a medium waist skirt or low-waist. Thanks!!😀
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This is the third time this month someone’s thought I was tall, lol. I’m the shortest in the clan!
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Oh girl you look incredible – can we say leg goals?!?! Love this outfit! xxx
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Aww, thanks sugar pie! (insert blush emoji) 🙂
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Your shoulders bring all the boys to the yard!😂 You’ve put together this look so nicely! I love how it turned out and it’s really cool that the blazer was actually your sons. And the photo shoot also turned out nice! Looking good girl❤️❤️
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Thanks so much, Lee 🙂 Yeah, these shoulders ain’t no joke, lol. My friend Quetsy, the photographer, took these pics for me. She’s super talented, and it’s nice to not have to run back and forth between the self-timer!
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WOW! I think I just fell in love with your shoes. They are 🔥🔥🔥
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Thanks girl. I damn near made out with them when I first saw them!
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you’re a hot mama!
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You are absolutely killing in this outfit! Love love love the pattern on that skirt 😻
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Aw shucks, I appreciate that. Such a cool pattern, right? I have another one in a different color and pattern that I’m saving for a later date. Shhhhh 🙂
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Loved your outfit! I always like looking in the men’s section for things they have some good stuff lol
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Ah, you’re in on the secret as well, haha. Come Easter time there may be no jackets left for the little boys this year!
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That skirt is the real star of this post! (aside from your legs, damn girl)
I love colored patterns with black and white elements – makes it much easier to pair the item with other pieces.
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Thanks Knurly! I definitely fell in love with it. Back when I was younger I probably wear an entire dress in this pattern 😀. And you’re so right, the black and white elements make it almost super easy to pair it. I kind of wish I could pass the skirt around to all you ladies and see how we all style it differently.
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I would probably style it almost the same…with other black pieces. Haha
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Incredible style, flavor, and elegance! This is fantastic!
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Thanks so much, Mr. VintageRetro. ☺
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No worries! Keep up the great work!
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So beautiful dear 😌😌 Love this style so much. Cute outfit x x
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I’m glad you like it 🙂 Thanks girlie.
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Your welcome 😊😊 x x
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Love the shoes!
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Thanks! I’m quite in love myself We can split weekends, lol.
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Reblogged this on Ellustar Fashion.
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Very cute outfit! http://viennafashionwaltz.com
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Thanks, girlie. I’m pretty fond of it. 🙂
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