Fashion Find: Elizabeth McKay Blouse, And Why It Is Good To Stay Friends with Ex-Boyfriends

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For the most part, I remain friendly with my ex-boyfriends. Especially with people you date for years, it only makes sense, right? I mean, how can you go from being so close with someone to pretending they don't exist, or worse yet, are the devil incarnate? Not really my style. Which has turned out to be a good thing, especially because my ex from college ended up marrying a girl who has a great fashion line that, as a result, I was introduced to- Elizabeth McKay.

Elizabeth McKay designs have a very classic American sportswear feel to them, but the fits are modern. Timeless but also timely, if you will. What I have come to realize is that there are items that can fit seamlessly into many closets- even if your style aesthetic isn't necessarily classic or preppy. Personally, one of my favorite things to do is take items from brands that seem very much made for one type of girl and mix them up in a completely different way.

My ex (okay, I will use his name since the term ex is getting overused here and starting to sound nasty), Ted, sent me the Elizabeth Ruffled Blouse as  a thank you for referring my makeup artist to them for a recent shoot (I know, you don't need all the background but I have never been terribly concise) and it is becoming a fast favorite.

I have worn it with distressed denim and pointy-toe heels to toughen it up, and most recently paired it with a bright blue pants from ASOS (which I will write about at another time because I just ordered 3 more pairs in new colors, they are the best) and a major red lip (more to come on that in the near future as well- great new lipstick find to tell you about.) And of course, my go-to J. Crew skinny metallic belt.

Even my husband, who tends to get a little cranky when my mom waxes poetic about the Ted years (even though she ADORES Brian, to be honest sometimes I think she loves Brian more than me, which would make sense since he is a much nicer person), can't deny that this is a very needed addition to my wardrobe. It fills the "classic white button down" closet quota without being, well, a classic white button down.

So, lesson learned here, ladies? Stay friends with your exes, and don't judge a fashion brand by its, well, branding. Because in both cases, you just never know.