FBFF for May 25th

Today's FBFF Questions are all about summer trends.  Katy Rose of Modly Chic has asked us what we are loving for the upcoming season.

I’m actually loving pretty much the same trends for summer as I was for spring.  Weather-wise there isn’t a huge difference between spring and summer weather in my part of Oregon so my summer wardrobe is essentially my spring wardrobe but with more sandals.

Here are some things I can’t wait to wear this summer with sandals.

Tropical Prints

I’m amused as all heck that tropical prints are back.  I like them because they’re kitschy and I love the kitsch, but I also like them because they’re so easy to thrift.  In fact, I’ve already worn a thrifted, tropical print piece this year:

Printed Pants

I’m sort of obsessed with this trend.  As I mentioned before, I know I probably shouldn’t wear printed pants given the size and militancy of my thighs, but darned if I don’t love them.  I’ve thrifted a couple of pairs, including these that I’ve already worn this spring:

Oh, look, more tropical print.  Well, I warned you...

Tangerine

It’s the Pantone Color of the Year and, in my opinion, for good reason.  It’s just so frickin’ vibrant.  See?:

Coral Belts

Okay, this isn’t a trend, except in my wardrobe, but I love my skinny coral belt.  I’ve worn it multiple times and will definitely be wearing it all summer long:

Neon

It took me a little while to get on board with neon last year, but I’m glad it stuck around for another year.  I have a few pieces in my closet, mostly neon pink, mostly thrifted, and I can’t wait to wear them.  I’d also love a pair of neon shoes, like one of the pairs below.

Heart and Soul “Pasquale”:

Image via Piperlime

Or even a pair with just a little bit of neon, like these:

Lucky Ballerina Flat at Alloy (image via Alloy)

How about you, Reader Friends?  What are you looking forward to wearing this summer?  Maybe something from eShakti?  If so, don't forget to enter my giveaway.  And, Schoolmarm Style is hosting an eShakti giveaway, too, so visit Kathryn for even more chances to win!

Happy Friday, All!  Have a wonderful weekend!!

Gracey

FBFF for April 27th – Outfit Planning (and Outfit Wearing)

Today’s FBFF Questions are all about outfit planning.   Or, as I like to think of it; why I wear what I wear when I wear it.  And given yesterday’s conversation about psychotic weather and today’s outfit, these questions are actually pretty timely for me.  Please to let me explain below.

First, this is what I wore today:

Black leggings (Target) layered under a navy and blue skirt (also Target) with a black micro-ribbed tank (yes, more Target) layered under a coral waterfall cardigan (Nordstrom).  I added cuffed boots (Chinese Laundry), a tassel pendant (Old Navy), vintage bracelet (Lil’ Gypsy) and earrings (Nikki Jacoby Jewelry via 2011 Crafty Wonderland).  Sure that’s a lot of Target for one outfit, but it was comfortable.  And colorful.  That’s a win-win in my opinion.

Now to the questions:

1.      How do you go about picking your outfit for the day? (Do you lay stuff out the night before? Do you plan a whole week's worth of looks Sunday night? Do you wing it every morning?)

It depends.  My outfits are generally a combination of planning and winging it.  In fact, today’s outfit is just one such example of a combination of planning and winging it. The winging it portion comes from the fact that this outfit is a direct result of my not having put my laundry away.  As it turns out, the skirt and cardigan ended up next to each other on my desk chair, I liked the look of them together and went from there.

The planning portion comes from the fact that I ride my bike to work and therefore weather considerations force me to be a least somewhat thoughtful in what I wear. 

Terri asked me yesterday how I stay dry riding to work.  I don’t.  And I don’t even try.  I’m lucky that my ride is only about 10-12 minutes each way.  Yes, if it’s pouring I get soaked, but I’m usually able to get away with only getting a little damp.  And a little dampness is manageable because I make sure I wear clothes that dry quickly.  I am in skirts and tights most of the winter in part because they dry more quickly than jeans.  Leggings also dry fairly quickly – which is another reason for today’s outfit.  It’s supposed to rain off and on and just in case it’s on while I’m on my bike, I chose leggings and a skirt instead of jeans.

I will say though, that I’m trying to be better about planning outfits.  At least to the point of having something in mind if not laid out.  To that end, I keep a list of outfits I’d like to try.  These may be outfit ideas that I get from a blog or in a magazine, or just those that I come up with while staring into my closet.  Of course, many of the outfits on the list are often better in theory and often don’t make it out of the house. 

I have never, ever planned a whole week’s worth of looks on a Sunday.  I can’t even plan a week’s worth of looks to go on vacation.  I just throw a bunch of stuff in a bag and pray I have enough underwear.

2.      Do you try stuff on and then take pics to see how it looks, like Cher in Clueless?

Anybody who has read my blog knows I don’t do this.  No, instead, I like to be surprised by how terrible an outfit photographs right before I post the pictures.  It’s more fun that way.

3.      And are you consistent in your planning or lack thereof, or is your planning limited to special events?

Planning?  What planning?  Seriously, I don’t even always plan for special events.  This outfit, for a girls’ night out and friend’s birthday party?:

Yeah, I came up with that half an hour before I was supposed to be at the bar (which is an hour away).

I did a little better with this one:

But, even for this event, I think I only figured out what I was going to wear the week of the event.  And I was still not that confident in my decision.  At least not until I saw the pictures, so that was a nice change.

4.      Do you have a way of keeping track of which outfits you wore when?

Yes.  I have a blog.  It’s called Fashion for Giants and word on the street is that it’s hugely popular among tall people and/or people who appreciate the sublimely ridiculous.

All kidding aside, I don’t worry too much about when I wore an outfit.  I’m more conscious of when I wore a particular piece, especially if it’s something noticeable.  For example, I am going to try not to wear my hot pink pints every week.  I’m going to limit them to every other week. 

5.      How do you come up with new clothing combinations? (An app? Computer program? Trial and error?)

Wait?  What?  They have an app for that?  Huh.  Technology, it’s amazing.  But, I don’t use it.  The list I mention above is a hand-written list, which I keep in my handbag, of ideas for new clothing combinations. 

Sure, it’s old-fashioned, but when the zombie apocalypse happens, I’ll still have that list of ways to look fashionable while fleeing the living dead and everyone else will just have to wear whatever comes to mind because they lost their fancy app/program.

Want ideas for actually planning outfits?  Visit Katy Rose at Modly Chic for a list of this week’s FBFF participants.  There is bound to be someone who actually plans their outfits.

And have a wonderful weekend, Everyone!

Gracey

FBFF for March 30th: One Time and One Time Only

Today’s FBFF questions deal with the ‘the one-time use phenomenon.”  Apparently, there have been quite a few posts around the blogosphere lately about only wearing something once and how a lot of bloggers are accused of this.  I had no idea this was even a thing, but do find both the phenomenon and the accusations interesting, so I’m pretty excited Katy Rose chose this as our top of discussion this week.  As always, my answers to the questions are below.

Are you a one-time wearer?

The short answer to this question is, sometimes, but never on purpose. 

The long answer is that because I thrift a lot of my clothes, I have a tendency to take chances with items of clothing that I wouldn’t buy if they were more than $5.00.  I try to wear everything I thrift at least once, but there are items I just can’t quite get to work for me that, after wearing once, get recycled to the thrift store or to friends.

Non-thrifted items are expected to work a lot harder in my closet given the fact that I (generally) spend more on them than thrifted items.  That’s not to say that I don’t have some pieces that work more than others.  For example, I wear my riding boots with greater regularity than my animal print wedge booties, but I’ve still worn the booties more than once.

Born Crown "Sosie" Boots

80%20 Animal Print Wedge Booties

Do you feel the need to purchase something new for an evening out or a special event?

Not to sound like a broken record, but the short answer to this question is also sometimes.

I have quite a few party dresses, many of them vintage, but I don’t always feel they’re right for an occasion.  I’d rather not buy something new for special events because those items often end up being ones that are only worn once, but, I like to be comfortable in what I’m wearing.  If I don’t feel like my outfit fits the occasion and the way I want to look that day, then I will look for something new.  I’m usually able to work with what I have though.

Re-mixing is something a lot of bloggers are proud of being able to accomplish - are you a re-mixing pro or do you shy away from posting items frequently? Why?

I’d say I’m semi-pro in terms of remixing.  I’m in the farm leagues, just waiting for the Yankees to take notice of my mad skills.  Really though, I do remix a lot of my clothes but don’t consider myself a pro because all of the outfits I create with an item often have a similar feel.  They’re different outfits, but they are often the same style; which I just realized isn’t necessarily bad because they’re all my style.

I, however, do shy away from wearing, and posting, items re-mixed too close together.  I usually try not to wear the same skirt, or blazer, or blouse in back-to-back weeks, but that doesn't always work out.  For example, I wore this mauve skirt last Wednesday and this Wednesday:

Last Wednesday with butterscotch

This Wednesday with more mauve

Shoes I couldn’t care less about; I’ll wear the same pair of shoes three times a week without any qualms (see Born Crown riding boots above). 

I also try not to wear the exact same outfit as I’ve worn before; I mean with every piece exactly the same.  At least that was true for my first year of blogging.  This year I think I might re-wear some of my favorite outfits, especially those from last year, because I hate to deprive myself of being happy and comfortable in my clothes just because I’ve already worn something once.  Also, sometimes I wake up late and it’d just be easier to recycle an outfit instead of racking my poor, tired brain to come up with something new.

Do you have a clothing budget or are you an impulse buyer?

A little of both.  I don’t have a clothing budget, per se, but I do plan what I’d like to buy for a season.  For every spring/summer and fall/winter, I write a list of what I perceive as holes in my closet.  The list contains anything from trends I’d like to try, like color-blocked pumps, to classics that I just don’t have, like a white dress.  These are items that I surf the web for periodically and specifically look for in brick-and-mortar stores.

That being said, I am also an impulse shopper, especially at thrift stores.  Most of the items that I thrift are not on my lists, but are just items that I think I might be able to do something with.  Or that it might be fun to try doing something with. 

Do you find yourself bored when reading a blog in which clothing items are often remixed and appear frequently?

No, not at all.  But, then again, I’m not sure I’d notice.  I don’t track what anyone else wears that closely.  If I do notice, it’s probably because it’s a piece I love on them and I’m happy to see it again.  At the very least, it’s probably a piece they love on themselves and who wouldn’t be happy to see someone wear what they love?

Want to read more on this topic?  Visit Katy Rose at Modly Chic for links to all the participants.

And have a wonderful weekend!

Gracey

FBFF for February 24

As Katy Rose of Modly Chic followed along with all the NYFW posts and tweets it got her thinking... so much of what we bloggers do is all about the tools that we use. Technology certainly makes what we do easier, even if it is sometimes a major pain.

To that end, this week’s FBFF questions are regarding technology.  Which is interesting to me solely because it’s not at all interesting to me.  I’m not technologically savvy and I don’t really care to be.  I know it might help my blog grow if I used Twitter or Pinterest or Chictopia, but it’s just not me.  If I were to use those tools it wouldn’t be because I have an honest interest in them, and I try not to associate my blog with anything unless I have an honest interest in it.  Should I fake it to make?  Maybe.  Could I?  I don’t think so.

That being said, obviously I understand that technology can be useful, especially to bloggers.  I wouldn’t have a blog without the Internets and computers.  Below are my responses about the technology I do use.

1. What are the tools you use to blog?

A computer and a camera.  The computer is just a regular old desktop.  The camera is a Nikon Coolpix L110.  I also have a tripod but luckily am not often forced to take my own photos.  I’m not even sure a tripod is considered technology nowadays, but it was cutting edge back when cavewomen were cooking stuff over an open fire.

Which is actually one of the things I don’t like about technology; I hate how quickly things become obsolete.  It drives me absolutely crazy.

2. What technology item is on your wish-list?

I should probably get a laptop.  In case I ever want to post while on vacation and stuff.

3. Through the barrage of posts, tweets, pics, poses, messages, etc... how do you avoid becoming a slave to the constant infiltration of information?

Easy, I don’t subscribe to Facebook or Twitter so I’m not constantly receiving tweets, updates, etc.  I’ve opted out of receiving emails when some one comments on my blog.  Really, as is evidenced in my answer to question # 1, I only use the bare minimum of technology that allows me to blog and interact with readers/other bloggers.

For more posts on blogging and technology, head on over to Modly Chic.  And if you want even more, I’d suggest this post at Destrehan’s Daughter; I found it very interesting.

Gracey

FBFF for January 27th – New Trends

With Fashion Week just around the corner, most bloggers are beginning to focus on the upcoming trends for fall.  Luckily for me, Katy at Modly Chic catered to non-Fashion Week attendees this week and asked us about our feelings on current trends.  My fully thought out and not-at-all-slapdash answers to the questions are below.

1. For trends hitting the stores now, what are you coveting?

Tangerine, of course:

Pantone announced Tangerine Tango as the color of the year and I couldn’t be more excited.  It’s been well-documented on here how much I love orange and I think Tangerine Tango is an especially gorgeous shade.  I already have several pieces and have even already started wearing them:

Oddly enough, I'm also excited about printed pants:

From left: Robert Rodriguez, MARC by Marc Jacobs and Elizabeth and James

I say oddly enough because I’m aware that fashion gurus (and maybe even common sense) dictate that people with sizeable thighs shouldn’t draw attention to the size of their thighs with printed pants.  But, here’s the deal; one, I like a challenge and this will be my fashion challenge for this spring and summer.  And two, my thighs like attention; they figure if they can get public sympathy on their side, the UN is more likely to recognize them as an independent nation.

2.   How do your incorporate new trends into your wardrobe?

With as much panache and as little trouble as I can manage.  I’m usually light on the panache part, but I’m also light on the trouble part, so no complaints.  Mostly though, I’m just really careful about what pieces I choose to incorporate a new trend.  For example, with the printed pants, I’m not going to be looking for long, palazzo-style printed pants like the ones shown above.  I don’t think they’d work for my style and I’m not sure what shoes I’d pair with them.  No, I’ll be looking for cropped, printed pants that are still soft and flowy.  Soft dressing is another challenge that I’m looking to master this year so I’m trying to kill two birds with one stone.

3.  What trend are you seeing and not loving?

Mint green:

From left: Vera Wang, Jenny Packham, Vera Wang and Jenny Packham

Mint green just isn’t pretty to me.  I mean the clothes above are very, very pretty but the color itself is not pretty.  I associate it with hospitals and soapy-tasting mint-chocolate chip ice cream.  I don’t know.  Don’t ask.  And even though the models above appear to the average layperson to demonstrate that mint green looks good on everyone, I am convinced that it won’t look good on me.  Convinced, people! 

3.   Do you feel the pressure to constantly update your closet with the latest trends?

Goodness, no.  Which is probably the wrong answer for a blogger to give, but the latest trends don’t always appeal to me.  Or, if they appeal to me, they don’t always work for me.  Or, both.  Like mint green.  Mint green does not appeal to or work for me.

4.  Where do you find inspiration that takes the trend and makes it accessible to you and your personal taste?

My fellow style bloggers are a huge inspiration to me.  Especially those who take new trends and provide practical examples of how to wear them.  One limitation for me regarding new trends is that I can’t always wrap my mind around them.  Like, how would that look on someone who is not model thin and/or doesn’t have a Balenciaga budget?  I often get stuck in a rut of what I can wear or what looks good on me and can’t always see the potential in a new trend – seeing other bloggers wear something can help me see it in a new light.  Except mint green.  I’m not interested in seeing mint green in a new light.

I’m sure you all found this post very enlightening, or at the very least you learned to never, ever give me anything mint green for my birthday.  To see more enlightening posts/gift ideas, visit Modly Chic for a list of this week’s FBFF participants.

And have a wonderful weekend!

Gracey