What I wore today: 12/02/2014 (Patches)

This may be the last you'll see of my red hair. I've really enjoyed it (and I may come back to it), but I've gotten this notion in my head that I want to try blonde for the first time, and now I'm really excited about it. The trouble with hair color is that (unless you're Nymphadora Tonks) you can't change it absolutely every day to suit your mood. There are still some mornings when I wake up and wish I were brunette again, and I'm sure I'll have blonde mornings when I wish I were redheaded, but, right now, most of my days are filled with a deep, desperate desire to go blonde. 

As for this outfit, it's really a classic winter uniform kind of look for me, bundled up but still keeping some semblance of shape. A few years ago I got really into belting blazers after seeing a lot of French women do it, and I remembered recently how much I love this little accessorizing trick. It's the perfect thing for winter because it keeps cold air out (especially if you knot a scarf around your neck and tuck it in) and adds a bit of interest to a simple outfit. 

If there's one thing that defines my personal style it's classic pieces with interesting details. This outfit is super basic, but I think it's still interesting because of the belt, the boot laces, and the elbow patches on the blazer. Ryan bought this blazer for me at Zara in Soho when we went to New York in October, and I wore it on my first day at my new job last month. I think it's lucky. The patches hide just out of my eyesight so I forget about them, and then, when I catch a glimpse of them, I remember that I'm wearing a lucky blazer.

Boots – Frye

Jeans – Gap

Shirt – Anthropologie

Blazer – Zara

Scarf – Nordstrom Rack

Belt – Forever 21

What I wore today: 03/20/2013 (Hello, Sneaks!)

These are my third pair of sneaker wedges. The first two are bulky with huge tongues and velcro-strap closures. After resisting the urge to buy another pair for a while, I finally decided that I wanted something with laces and a slimmer, more feminine shape.

This pair fit the bill perfectly. I love the colors and their quilted detailing. I don't usually build an outfit starting with a pair of shoes, but that's exactly what I did here. 

I love this casual look that's all about the details, but I can't wait to create a fun, opposites-attract look by wearing these sneaks with a beige pencil skirt when the weather gets warmer. 

Sneaker wedges - BC Footwear, Urban Outfitters

Jeans - Pilcro and the Letterpress, Anthropologie

Striped t-shirt - Anthropologie

Brocade blazer - Anthropologie

Sparkly suede clutch - Anthropologie

Pavé cable bracelet - J.Crew

What I wore today: 01/08/2013 (Catch-up)

Since I dedicated last week to my home tour (living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom, dressing room, bathroom), it's taken me nearly a week to share this outfit from last Tuesday with you. Let's catch up, shall we?

I love this blazer; it's just so easy to wear. All I have to do is add some colored denim and some jewelry, and I look pulled-together with zero effort. That's the kind of piece we all need in our wardrobe for those completely uninspired Tuesdays. 

 

Two-tone blazer - Anthropologie

Plum jeans - AG, Anthropologie

Gray tee with leather sleeves - Zara

Quilted leather boots - Corso Como, Nordstrom

Nameplate necklace - custom

Bauble necklace - eBay

Claw bracelet - Asos

Pavé cable bracelet - J.Crew

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What I wore today: 12/05/2012 (New Loves)

This outfit features two of my newest loves: the same $30-dollar Target sneakers wedges from this post now in black (because when a pair of shoes is only $30 and you find yourself wearing them nearly every day, a second pair isn't a bad idea) and this gorgeous Italian-made wool hat that I'd been coveting for a long time at work. Ryan thinks the hat looks like something Carly Simon would have worn in the '70s. 

Both items are instant wardrobe classics for me, and help to add interest to a simple androgynous outfit of neutrals for a walk to the library and a big bowl of udon soup around the corner from our apartment. I do love december evenings with my Ryan.

 

Sneaker wedges - Target

"Stevie" jeans - AG, Anthropologie

Striped tank - Gap

Blazer - The Limited

"Sweaterknit Rancher" hat - Anthropologie 

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What I wore today: 11/10/2012 (Belted)

I've been pretty into belting blazers since this. I don't know why I keep feeling the need to bring out the turquoise in this "Swayze" but I do. Se also.

By the way, if you don't have a pair of teal or turquoise mocs, you should probably get on that. Just saying.

Brown corduroy leggings - Pilcro and the Letterpress, Anthropologie
Teal moccasins - Urbanog
Rose-printed tee - Forever 21
Fair-isle sweater blazer - Anthropologie
Wide leather belt - Target
Turquoise chevron ring - Atlantic-Pacific for Bauble Bar

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What I wore today: 10/20/2012 ('80s Hipster)

Ryan hit the nail on the head when he said that this outfit looked like something the artsy girl in an '80s movies might wear. He's so right. When I first saw this hat, I thought it was very Madeline, but, with the right shoes, it reads more Molly Ringwald.

Speaking of shoes, can we stop for a moment and talk about these shoes? When I first saw the Isabel Marant sneakers wedges (or, as Ryan calls them, "sneaky wedges," because the wedges is sneakily hidden), I was a bit obsessed. I loved them for how incredibly unnecessary their were. They seamed to me to represent the pennacle of having fun with fashion. 

But, as they were over $600, I resigned myself to the fact they would never be mine. After all, something that silly rarely generates enough demand to create affordable designer-inspired versions. 

And then I saw them . . . at Target . . . for $30. See: I should do commercials for Target because sometimes I just love them so God-damned much.

 

Sneaker wedges - Target

Red corduroys - Pilcro and the Letterpress, Anthropologie

Sweatshirt - Gap

Blazer - Forever 21

Loop scarf - Anthropologie

Wool hat - Topshop

Studded-bottom bag - eBay

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What I wore today: 04/16/2012 (Sweatshirt/blazer)

I know it sounds crazy, but gray is truly one of my favorite colors. I know that, technically speaking, it's not even a color. But, it's just so soft and comforting. I love silver as well.

Gray is like comfort food. There are few things more sartorially comforting than a simple silver ring worn every day of a soft heather gray sweatshirt. Color and pattern are great (anyone who's seen my apartment or read my blog knows I'm a big fan), but sometimes it's nice to strip things down and get back to basics.

As Coco Chanel said, "Luxury must be comfortable. Otherwise, it's not luxury."

In that spirit, I've brought you this short outfit post. The Gap sweatshirt is short sleeved, and I just adore the idea of layering a smart blazer over it to make it less casual. The necklace helps everything look a bit more "put together" as well. What do you think? Are you a gray fan?

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My winter uniform

Want to know a secret? I wear the same thing everyday.

I mean, not the same same thing, but roughly the same thing. I have a winter uniform of sorts.

I'm not ashamed of it. The truth is that every outfit is unique even though they're all made up of the same basic components.

That's why I want to share my uniform formula with you; because, it's such an easy and fun way to create outfits that are uniquely me. And, once you formulate your own formula, you'll find it's easy to create outfits that are uniquely you.

Are you ready for my secret recipe? Here it is . . .

1 part tights (black, patterned, or colored)

1 part dress (preferably patterned or colored, A-line preferred)

2 parts shoes (boots never fail; oxford and flats also great)

1 part cardigan or blazer

My mixing and matching these basic components (and sometimes adding a belt or something for spice), I create the majority of my winter outfits. I mean, really, just look for yourself at some of my recent outfits . . .

If it's a sunny day, I may forgo the cardigan/blazer, but the other components remain . . .

Other times, I trade out the dress for a skirt, but the recipe is still distinctly recognizable . . .

It's not that I'm boring or lazy. It's just that I've figured out that what I really love more than anything else are dresses and tights. I've given up on trying to be one of those sophisticated trouser women. I'm a dress girl and I've embraced it.

As far as I'm concerned, the sooner you figure out what you love, the sooner you can build your wardrobe around those things. You'll still mix and match for endless possibilities, but every look will be distinctly and genuinely you.

I wear a new outfit everyday, but it's always obviously "something Cél èste would wear," and I like the comfort of that.

Do you have a winter uniform? Tell me about it.

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