The denim-on-denim look was one I was tentative to embrace, but I plucked this chambray shirt and these ultra dark wash jeans off sales racks at the beginning of summer and I just love them together. I felt unfussy and all-American (though my brother told me a denim shirt and jeans is called a “Canadian tuxedo,” which sounds silly I think).
Chambray shirt and belt, Gap; jeans, Levi’s; platform wedges, Steve Madden.
Here’s an outfit I wore to work last week:
It’s not my favorite outfit in the world, but on a really, really hot and really, really sunny day, I needed lightweight cotton and a sunhat. I like the idea of mixing patterns that seem like they would normally clash, though I’m not as daring with pattern mixology as many of my fashion blogging idols. Anyway, consider my pairing of pink-and-white and blue-and-white stripes to be a study in patterns that I felt was necessary for the sake of pushing the envelope a bit, even if it looked borderline silly.
“Dapper” is definitely the first word I think of when I look at these pictures, mostly because I tucked the shirt in, which I’ve been liking more and more lately. (Influence of job interviews? Perhaps.) Anyway, I don’t know if it was the pale colors, the kind of dandy/dapper look or my mama’s floppy hat that made a certain celebrity comedian who lives in my town to say to me, as I walked past him that morning, “Happy Easter! Naw, just kidding.” I tried to laugh it off but ended up feeling very silly for the rest of the day. In his defense, he definitely wasn’t trying to make fun of my outfit and we see each other enough around town (his kids go to school with Kai and Amélie) to make such a comment seem lighthearted and friendly. And, in my defense, I think I would have felt just as silly if some other non-famous-and-successful-star-of-television-and-film had made the same comment. So. I probably won’t be wearing this outfit again soon, though I have to say my tactic worked perfectly and I was feeling nice and cool and protected from the sun all day long.
Shirt, Gap; shorts, Forever 21 via Gabriel Brothers; hat, borrowed from Mama’s closet; sunglasses, Franco Sarto via TJ Maxx.
I’m gaga for dresses ever since the temperature has assumed its position above the 80 degree mark. Not only do I absolutely refuse to wear constraining clothes when it’s this hot, but dresses are one-piece outfits that require little thought or consideration for coordination (and who has energy to think about such things when it’s this hot outside?). I decided to walk to the park to read yesterday afternoon, and though I almost felt overdressed since most women there wore nothing more than bikinis (something I can’t really understand), I was ultimately happy with my choice.
What I love most about this little blue cotton canvas number is that it has pockets and a double v-neck; what more could a girl want?
Dress, Kimchi & Blue; espadrilles, André; flower hair stick, little Japanese boutique in Bordeaux whose name I can’t remember.
Last night I went out to dinner with with my very first and longest standing best friend, Anna. We met on the playground when we were two years old, and even though we haven’t seen or heard from each other much since high school, it’s still remarkable to me that we’ve been friends for two decades… Eek! (Frequent topic of conversation? We’re getting old.) She drove into Columbus from the suburbs and we walked from my apartment over to High Street and grabbed Reubens at a tavern where they dole out potato products like they expect the famine any day now. Naturally we had to stop for ice cream afterward because it’s so warm outside, and we walked with our cones over to the park. I felt so comfortable in this little dress. (What a waste that I shoved a cardigan into my tiny purse before we left because I was positively glistening!*) I admit that I changed from heels to flip-flops when we decided to walk, but this dress transitions amazingly from casual to a bit dressier (or tonight, the opposite). And since the skirt is so billowy, I stayed nice and cool!
*Women don’t sweat. We glisten.
Dress, Silence & Noise; shoes, BCBG Paris; bracelet, gift.
The end of finals week is always a good incentive for me to pull myself together by putting a little bit of thought into my outfit. It seems silly, but it really is amazing what good clothes and a bit of lipstick can do for my motivation and confidence level, which are usually rock-bottom by this time each semester. Also, somehow I’m finding time to write this post between studying. Staying on top of my blog gives me a sense that I’ve not completely lost my marbles.
There was a really penetrating cold in my bedroom last night, and when I woke up this morning I was in the mood for bright colors and florals to chase away the winter chill. I also bought some velvet leggings recently, which are too fun and add a sort of specialness to the quotidian.
I got my hair cut this morning! What do you think? It always looks funny right after it’s been cut, and it’s styled super straight today, which isn’t usually something I love. Still, I hardly lost any length but got some really amazing layers, which stop me feeling like a fourth grader. And just in case my new layers don’t make me feel grown-up enough, my stylist agreed that I have more gray hairs than I did eight weeks ago!
Top and leggings, Forever 21; skirt, The Limited; gold bangle, Kismet; boots, handed down.
Photo credit: Hannah Brown
I’m wearing leggings as pants again because I can’t be bothered, and also because I figure that if I’m going to take my exams from the comfort of my bedroom, I may as well take full advantage and dress as much like I’m in my pajamas as possible.
Yet today’s outfit should serve as a lesson that even though I’m all grown-up now, wearing something ridiculously fancy is still the ultimate form of self-indulgence, and the best way to cheer myself up on a gray and lonely day during finals week. The only difference is that, while as a little girl I opted for my sparkly white leotard-and-tu-tu-in-one, now I choose this vintage mink-collared coat, which is almost just as good. I mean, I dare you to find any coat that can make a plaid button-down and a ponytail feel this glamorous.
Coat, ebay; shirt, thrifted; leggings, American Apparel; boots, secondhand.
This little watch necklace is obsession-worthy.
Necklace, ebay; chambray shirt, borrowed from brother; leggings*, American Apparel; boots, secondhand.
*I take full responsibility for wearing leggings as pants and maintain that it’s acceptable.
The more I grow up, the more my style starts to resemble my mama’s, I mean that in the most complimentary way!
When I was trying to decide what to wear to Kentucky for Thanksgiving dinner with her side of the family, I stumbled upon this beautiful strapless lace dress that I’ve only worn twice: to a homecoming dance freshman year of college, and to a wedding the following summer. How sad that it’s rotting in my closet and never gets worn, mostly because I rarely have an occasion to get really dressed up. I’m a huge believer in the possibility of repurposing formal pieces to make them more wearable for everyday. Today, a chunky belt gave the illusion that my dress was a skirt, and a boxy sweater and cowboy boots kept it casual. There’s still a little girl in me who loves a full skirt and lots of lace, and I felt simply pretty. Just the ticket on a cold and blustery Thanksgiving day in the countryside!
Dress, Marshall’s; belt, Forever 21; sweater, borrowed from Mama; boots, secondhand.
Photo credit: Hannah Brown
I’ve been itching for some DIY lately, and cleaning my bedroom today was just the motivation I needed. There’s nothing like a clean room to put me in the mood for being clever with clothes.
A long time ago I read Kelly Framel’s guest blog for Lucky Magazine, where she copied one of the looks from Phillip Lim’s Spring 2010 line. Ever since, MG and I have been lusting after this sweet and girly take on the boyfriend cardigan, and dreaming of making our own. In the spirit of her arrival in Yellow Springs for the holidays today, I decided it was high time.
A Gap cardigan, a bit of black thread and ribbon, and POOF! Or, something like that.
Today is going to be an extra long day with the kids because I’m working late tonight. I happen to be in a foul mood: I feel like a zombie and just want to be comfy and invisible.
Lately I’ve been silently singing the praises of French girls and everything they taught me about wearing shorts over tights. It’s such a perfect standby on a day when the prospect of squeezing into jeans is downright depressing.
I don’t feel very grown-up. It’s one of those days when all I really want is to curl up on the couch with my Mama and watch movies. I’m giving myself courage by wearing her scarf, which makes me feel like I can make it through the day.
I’m counting on Kai and Amélie to raise my spirits today.
Chunky sweater, Gap; plaid shirt, American Eagle Outfitters; cut-off shorts, Zara; opaque tights, Express via Gabriel Brothers; cowboy boots, hand-me-down from Mama, infinity scarf, borrowed from Mama.
