What I wore today: 07/23/2014 (Waistland)

I'm excited to share an outfit post for the first time in a while. With things so hectic in my life lately, I've been drawn to simple basics and classic outfits.

Though I love a good Canadian tuxedo, I think black denim might be the classiest way there is to wear chambray. It makes it less casual but still easy.

I'm obsessed with these shoes. I think they look like hooves. I've wanted something this style forever, and for some reason it didn't occur to me to look at Target until just recently. Target always has the best 20-dollar, design-inspired shoes.

I've worn my favorite vintage Moschino belt many times over many dresses, but this is actually the first time I've worn it with jeans. The benefits of high-waisted styles!

Bonus tip: if you're uncomfortable with the way high-waisted jeans make your butt look (flat, mommish, too 1996), try tucking in just the front of your top. It still gives you that retro-sexy silhouette, but without the dreaded mom butt.

Chambray tank - Cloth and Stone, Anthropologie

Sweater - Anthropologie

Black high-waisted skinny jeans - Paige Denim

Belt - vintage Moschino, eBay

"Kacie Peep Toe Booties" - Taget

What I wore today: 06/12/2013 (Morning Glory)

Yesterday I woke up before sunrise to do inventory at work. We finished around 10 a.m., and I can't tell you how satisfying it is to finish work and have a whole day ahead of you (even if you are pretty tired already).

Shooting outfit photos in public is always a little awkward, especially when people ask you what you're doing. Today, I deciding to shoot in front of my neighbor's morning glories, and when she stuck her head out the window and asked if I was taking pictures of her house, I sheepishly said, "No, I'm just taking pictures of your flowers." 

It worked out well though because she asked if I could email her some photos of the flowers, told me about the costume shop she runs out of her house, and invited me to be a part of her float in our neighborhood's Fourth of July Parade. I can be shy about meeting new neighbors (especially if they're first impression of me is who's that weird girl taking photos of herself?), but I'm always thankful to meet a new and friendly person. 

By the way, the last time you saw these AG polkadot jeans was also in front of pretty white flowers, but they fit me much better now. I gained a lot of weight over the last few years because I have Hypothyroidism and wasn't taking the right dosage of medication. But now, with the proper prescription, lots of exercise, and some calorie restriction, I'm finally shedding those unwelcome pounds. I still have a way to go, but it feels great!

Polkadot "Stevie Ankle" Jeans - AG, Anthropologie
Sleveless button-down "Pindot Chambray Shirt" - Cloth + Stone, Anthropologie
Black low-top sneakers - Converse
Cropped gray sweatshirt - Stylemint

How to Cultivate Eclectic Personal Style (a Cheat Sheet)

I was flipping through this book recently, and was struck by the way the author described "eclectic" style. She broke the book down into chapters, each featuring a different style: "Bohemian," "classic," etc. But, when she got to eclectic, she described it as being a combination of different styles.

Basically, you go through life, experimenting, changing your style every few years. Maybe you're a bit punk in high school, but by college you are more Bohemian, and after that you start to get into minimalism. Eventually, you have your own, unique, "eclectic" style comprised of all the best parts of each genre. You kept the leather jacket from your punk phase, and your favorite maxi skirt from your bohemian phase, and now you wear them both with a breton top from your minimalism phase. That's eclectic style!

Wow, I thought, that's such a good description of how personal style can evolve!

I have so many reference points for my own style, from designers to movies to characters in books! Sometimes I full-on embrace the character I'm feeling that day and dress 100% nautical or 100% grunge. But, more often than not, I combine a few seemingly contradictory references into one outfit.

Here are some of my favorite examples from past outfit posts.

Farmer meets Rockabilly

The rockabilly elements of this outfit (leather, nipped-in waist, saddle oxfords) are grounded by the country sensibility of a gingham button-down.

Heidi meets Western

The heidi braids are a nice contrast to the denim-on-denim look of this "Texas tuxedo."

Punk meets Romantic

This is a combination I wear a lot. I love to tone down a tiered dress with a leather jacket or dress up a band tee with a floral skirt. As opposites, these two styles work together in perfect, balanced harmony.

Military meets Garden Party

A casual, olive-green jacket makes a silky floral dress more appropriate for daytime. Add tights, and you've got a way to wear a summer dress in the colder months. 

Casual meets Glamorous

Another great example of how contrasting elements can make an evening piece daytime appropriate: a white t-shirt is the perfect counterpoint to a sequin skirt. 

Sporty meets High Fashion

What can I say? Sometimes, you get the urge to wear Versace to the tennis court. Versace for H&M, but still. 

'20s meets '50s 

Era mixing is a great way to keep vintage clothing from looking like a costume. Here, a '50s cardi gives shape to a fringed flapper dress. 

What I wore today: 01/22/2013 (Texas Tux)

As I mentioned here, layering this necklace over a collar buttoned up all the way has become one of my favorite little details to spice up a simple outfit. And you can't get much more simple than denim on denim. (See some of my other Canadian/Texas Tuxedos here & here)

As for the braids, I periodically get obsessed with maiden braids and I've been on a major kick recently. In fact, I learned the other day that my hair is actually long enough to do a whole wreath (not just over the top as I'm wearing here). I've been waiting for this moment since I was 8 years old and saw Leia's braided wreath in The Empire Strikes Back for the first time. I must say, I feel like I've accomplished something big.

I think I'll try to shoot a tutorial soon. 

Ombré chambray shirt - Target

Skinny jeans - Pilcro and the Letterpress

Necklace - J.Crew Factory

Brown Leather Boots - Journey's

"Winslow Satchel" bag - Lauren by Ralph Lauren

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What I wore today: 10/12/2012 (Ombré Chambray)

 

Sometimes, you just need another chambray shirt. Never mind that you already have the gray-blue with the metal-tipped collar that you DIYed, and the soft one with the ruffled collar, and the light blue one with the slit in the back that makes you feel like you're wearing a tux and tails version of the Texas tuxedo . . .  this one is ombré! And it's $22.99. (Thank you, Target!)

Sometimes you need to pair that shirt with a Missoni for Target sweater dress and a pair of Target ankle boots that you like even more than the Dolce Vita ones you almost bought because these have a short enough heal that you can stand in them all day.

Sometimes you feel like you could do commercials for Target.

Ombré chambray shirt - Target

Chevron sweater dress - Missoni for Target

Yellow belt - Anthropologie

Ankle boots - Target

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What I wore today: 08/15/2012 (Pop of neon)

I wore this outfit for a casual dinner-and-a-movie date with my (wait for it...) fiancé last night. At first, I wanted to get dressed up a bit more, but I eventually realized that what I really wanted was to be comfortable. So I started with a simple palette of gray jeans and a chambray shirt (tucked in at the front to add a little visual interest), and added some pops of neon to keep from looking drab.

 

 

Gray jeans - AG "Stevies," Anthropologie

Chambray shirt - Anthropologie

Snakeskin shoes - Target

Pavé cable link bracelet - J.Crew

Neon bangle - Forever 21

Pretty hair elastic - Anthropologie

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What I wore today: 07/22/2012 (Neon Loves Chambray)

How to wear multiple neon items at once: temper them with chambray. The grounded semi-neutral gives your eye somewhere to rest between all those shots of eye-popping color. 

Yesterday was lovely. After a nice afternoon at work, I came home to find Rye busy in the kitchen making pizza to take upstairs for our neighbor's rooftop party. I fell asleep truly exhausted and didn't even wakeup to the incredibly loud noise of roadwork outside my window until well after 9 a.m.

This necklace is the neon version of the DIY I did here. Expect a post devoted to its creation on Friday.

 








Gold and pink sandals - Dolce Vita, Urban Outfitters (last seen here and here)
Neon lace skirt - Anthropologie (also seen here)
Washed chambray buttondown - Anthropologie (also seen here)
Neon satchel - Target (here and here)
Claw bracelet - Asos
Pavé cable bracelet J.Crew (gift from my mother)
YSL-inspired ring - some online boutique
Embroidery floss and rhinestone bracelet - J.Crew outlet
Neon necklace - DIY (tutorial coming to the blog on Friday)
Nail polish - "Lilacism" and "Pure Pearlessence" by Essie
Lipstick - "Vegas Volt" by MAC


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