What I wore today: 10/07/2013 (People Are Like Onions)

There's enough to love about fall with the apple cider and the PSLs and the changing leaves and the brisk breezes; layering doesn't even need to be a thing. But layering is a thing. It's a glorious thing. And it's one of the many, many things that I love about fall.

If you're a bit hesitant about layering, I feel you. It can definitely be intimidating at first. But, I've found that, the more I experiment, the better I get. Eventually, you just get a sense of what items will layer well together or what piece you can add to any given ensemble to pump it up just a touch more.

As with most things in life, practice makes perfect. It also makes totally rad fall outfits.

Red corduroys - Pilcro and the Letterpress, Anthropologie

Sleeveless chambray shirt - Anthropologie

Lace-embellished military jacket - Anthropologie

"Everly" ankle boots - Jeffrey Campbell, Urban Outfitters

Lace-front sweatshirt - American Apparel

Necklace - J.Crew Factory

Cross-body bag - Phillip Lim for Target

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

What I wore today: 02/13/2013 (Leather Layering)

You've already seen this look featuring the black lace shirt I found on my Prabal Gurung for Target mission. This blouse is my other find. The colors and mirror-image symmetry of this print are really special. I'll be able to show it off to its full potential when it gets warmer out and I don't have to layer a sweater over it.

As for the pants, I've wanted some leather pants for a while (or vegan leather, anyway), and that desire has become much more intense since pinning these Emmanuelle Alt looks and drooling over her effortless Parisian chic. 

I narrowed down my search to these two pairs on Urban Outfitters. I had trouble deciding which I liked better, but Ryan liked the ones with the biker zippers. I'm sure now that it was the best choice. The zippers make them look tougher, more like leather pants and less like wax-coated jeans.

How do you feel about leather pants? Rocker chic? Parisian chic? Not chic at all?

Vegan leather pants - Urban Outfitters 

Quilted-leather boots - Corso Como

Printed blouse - Prabal Gurung for Target

Black V-neck sweater - Target

Necklace - J.Crew Factory

Bracelet - J.Crew

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What I wore today: 01/27/2013 (Heavy Rotation)

For a novelty sweater, this "La Parisienne" intarsia number from J.Crew has been seeing a lot of action since I purchased it in November. I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that it's super warm. I've learned in recent years that cotton sweaters are total bullshit and a complete waste of time. Wool or cashmere fo' life!

This polka-dot blouse is in heavy rotation too. It's so versatile because it's black and brown and can be easily layered under things or over things. 

As for the boots, I've been looking or something like them since I saw these Freebird by Steven ones on Shopbop and Free People. I've kept an eye out for a while for a good pair of leather ankle boots that I could insert pieces of a Mexican blanket into. But, before those turned up, these Target ones did. I've got to say, Target has been so good creating designer inspired shoes lately. Case and point: sneaker wedges.

"La Parisienne" intarsia sweater - J.Crew (still available on eBay)

Skinny jeans - Pilcro and the Letterpress

Sheer polka-dot button down blouse - Forever 21

Blanket ankle cowboy boots - Target

"Winslow satchel" bag - Lauren by Ralph Lauren

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What I wore today: 11/19/2012 (Rosemint)

My new favorite layering trick for fall is to wear a sleeveless dress over a shirt or blouse like it's a jumper. I loved the effect of this simple idea in this outfit, so a created a similar outfit (same boots and tights even) yesterday. For some reason both looks feel a bit mod and '60s to me. I like it.

What's your favorite unexpected way to layer for fall?

 

Quilted black leather boots - Corso Como

Rosebud open-back dress - Urban Outfitters (last seen here)

Mint green sheer bow-tie blouse - Urban Outfitters

Motorcycle jacket - Forever 21(last seen here)

Studded-bottom bag - eBay

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What I wore today: 11/03/2012 (Knit Two)

Layering a skirt over a dress is a great way to change up your look. Suddenly the dress becomes a top and gets twice the mileage it would get. And layering a sweater skirt over a sweater dress has the added bonus of keeping you nice and toasty warm. 

This dress (seen in full here) and skirt are both fine-gauge wool knits of about the same thickness, and since the skirt is a bit longer and much fuller, layering them worked perfectly. I felt many of the same sentiments expressed in this post about the delightful surprise of layering pieces in a way that makes them look totally different than they ever did before. It's fun to surprise yourself sometimes, isn't it?

A note on the necklace: it has green beads on it, so I often wear it backwards to show only the neutral metallics. I love that it can be worn either way! A friend at Anthro who has one too gave me the idea, a brilliant stroke I wish I could claim myself. Thanks, Kendal! (See the necklace worn with the green facing out here).

Sweater dress with ruffled shoulders - thrifted (seen in full here)

"Blue Messa Sweater Skirt" - Anthropologie

Leather belt with gold sequins - Anthropologie

Brown leather boots - Journey's

Gray knee socks - Target

"Sparked Agate Collar" Peter-Pan-collar necklace - Anthrpologie

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What I wore today: 10/27/2012 (Alice)

Ryan and I went to the Cincinnati Ballet on Saturday to see their production of Alice in Wonderland, which was wonderful. The ballet is one of those things that we both really enjoy doing together. I love that Ryan has such appreciation and enthusiasm for something is a passion of mine and was, at one time, a big part of my life. 

I usually dress up quite a bit for the ballet, but I felt like being warm and comfortable, so I landed on this outfit, which seemed to strike the perfect chord for me that night. I especially like the drape of the cropped cashmere sweater over the dress.

Open-back rosebud-print dress - Urban Outfitters (seen in full here)

Cropped paper-thin cashmere sweater - Stylemint

Grayscale color-block over-the-knee socks - Target

Gray suede flatforms - Free People

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