Stiff Weirdness

You see this sweater?

I love this sweater like no one’s business.  But, I’ll be damned if I can figure out how to wear it.  It’s just sort of stiff and a weird length and possibly too big.  But, it’s also multi-textured hearts and that makes me love it in spite of it’s stiff weirdness.  Sadly, love doesn’t turn one into a styling genius, so this happened:

I mean, I guess it’s not terrible.  But, it’s not right either.  I think the proportions are just too off.  Not off in that cool way that jostles the eye but still allows it to continue it’s journey along the lines of the outfit.  No, off in the bad way where your eye basically gets slapped in the face and you have to look away to prevent further damage.

Bam!  Like a slap to your eye face.

So, obviously, I need some help.  How would you style this sweater, Dearest Reader Friends? 

Thank you in advance.  And Happy Tuesday!

Gracey

Spring Suede

For the past year or so, fashion magazines have been trying to convince me that summer leather is not only a thing, but that it’s a good thing.  And perhaps, for others, it is.  But, not for me.  I am a heavy glistener, by which I mean I sweat a lot.  Add to that the fact that I sweat even more because I ride my bike to work and I can imagine only a few things more uncomfortable than wearing leather in the summer.  But, even though I unequivocally refuse to attempt summer leather, I’m willing to compromise with spring suede:

Because I’m all about compromise.  Okay, not really.  But, I like to try everything once.  And, I’m glad I did; because I think it worked in my favor here:

The suede skirt (Valerie Stevens via Goodwill) paired with the denim top (Caslon via Nordstrom) were perfect for today’s in-between weather. I also added a bib necklace (Nordstrom), my vintage ram-buckle belt and my new spring boots (Corso Como “Seminole” via Piperlime).

Image via Piperlime

 

So, yes, spring suede I’ll do, but summer leather is still a “no” for me.  What about you, Reader Friends?  Are you summer leather wearers?

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

Gracey

Shop the Look:

Similar suede skirt (eBay has lots of options)

Similar chambray shirt (tall available)

Corso Como “Seminole” boots

Vintage ram belt buckle

Similar bib necklace

 

Birdie Awesomeness

As an Oregonian, I am, of course, unable to resist anything that has a bird on it.  So this shirt?

Yeah, this shirt was destined to be mine.  Not only does it have birds on it, but it fits my long arms even though it’s not offered in “Tall”.  Those two qualities alone are reason enough to love this shirt.  But then you add the fact that it looks adorable layered under my apricot sweater and it is birdie awesomeness at its best.

In addition to the awesome bird button-down (Caslon via Nordstrom) and the apricot sweater (Worthington via Goodwill), I also wore flared jeans (Gap), camel wedges (Corso Como via Piperlime) and neon studs (Kate Spade NY via Nordstrom).  

 

Friend Ferge thinks the neon studs don’t make sense with this look.  She is wrong.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Shop the look:

Exact Caslon button-down (other prints also available)

Similar neon studs (save, spend)

Similar Gap flares (Tall available)

Similar apricot sweater (here, here and here)

Similar camel wedges

** Disclosure: Actions taken from the hyperlinks in this blog post may yield commission/compensation for the writer. Please see the Disclosure tab for more details.

A Faux-Mono & A Sartorial Superhero

I love turtlenecks.  They are one of my favorite layering pieces because they can be layered under almost anything, including bird-print faux-mono (faux kimono) blouses:

In fact, this faux-mono blouse was on the chopping block until I realized I could wear it (like most things) over a turtleneck.  And it’s a good thing, too.  This top is otherwise just so sheer and flow-y, I had no idea what to do with it.  But, today, I layered the top (Nordstrom) over a black turtleneck (Gap) and tied the flow-y bits behind me:

I also added a pleated skirt (vintage via Goodwill), black tights (SPANX Tight End Tights via Nordstrom) and black, wedge booties (Corso Como “Lexy” via Nordstrom).  And, et voila, another blouse saved from disuse, thanks to the intervention of a turtleneck.

Turtlenecks.  They’re totally the superheroes of the sartorial world.

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

 

Shop The Look

Similar skirt

SPANX Tight End tights

Corso Como "Lexy" booties

Similar blouse

Gap turtleneck

 

** Disclosure: Actions taken from the hyperlinks in this blog post may yield commission/compensation for the writer. Please see the Disclosure tab for more details.

Just Add Elephants

Absolutely no one, ever, has asked me for advice on how to wear head-to-toe black without it looking too severe or boring.  But, if they had, my answer would have been to just add elephants:

Corso Como "Lexy" - image via Nordstrom.com

Or any cute, graphic print; polka dots, wombats, whatever floats your boat.  This elephant skirt definitely floats my boat and makes this one of my favorite outfits, in spite of its lack of color.  

In addition to the pleated, elephantastic skirt (vintage Campus Casuals via Vintage by the Pound), I also wore a cashmere sweater (Nordstrom) layered over a lace-trim cami (Old Navy).  I finished the look with tights (SPANX Tight-End Tights via Nordstrom), a faux-croc belt (Macy’s) and wedge booties (Corso Como “Lexy” via Nordstrom).

If you’re not a fan of prints (I understand there are some of you out there), another way to liven up a black outfit is to mix textures.  For this look, I paired chiffon with cashmere, faux-croc, leather, lace, and whatever it is tights are made out of (Lycra?  I think Lycra).  Even if the skirt weren’t printed with tiny little elephants of joy, the different textures would still add interest and keep the outfit from looking flat.

But, really, your best bet is to just add elephants; they make everything better.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Shop the Look: 

I could not find an elephant print skirt anywhere on the internet, but I did find this cute, elephant print blouse

black cashmere sweater

Spanx Tight End Tights

Corso Como "Lexy" booties (on sale now at Nordstrom)

similar belt

** Disclosure: Actions taken from the hyperlinks in this blog post may yield commission/compensation for the writer. Please see the Disclosure tab for more details.

Saving the Best for Last

I’m not sure this is absolutely the best vintage dress I have in my closet, but it’s definitely top three:

Unlike Tuesday’s dress that I tried to love, but just couldn’t, I have no problems loving this dress.  In fact, I think it may be pert near perfect.  I love the strange little print (no idea what it is), the colors, the jaunty little lady tie and the length.  Most of all though, I love the fit.  I don’t think this dress could be any more flattering even if it whispered “hey baby, lookin’ good” every three steps.

Seriously, it’s even good from the side:

I paired the dress (vintage Anthony Richards, thrifted) with a braided, cognac belt (thrifted) and cognac espadrille wedges (Corso Como via Piperlime).  I had originally thought to pair this dress with red accessories but then I ousted my red wedges and got a little stumped.  But, I think like it just as well, if not better, with the cognac accessories; the red might have been a little too matchy-matchy.

Whether or not this is the best vintage dress in my closet may be up for debate, but it is definitely the last that I needed to wear before Maurice and I would be allowed to board the ship home from Nosh Opping.  This weekend, I’ll post a wrap up of what got ousted during the expedition; I actually got rid of a surprising amount of clothes.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

A Passel of Printed Pants

One of the spring/summer trends I was most excited for this year was printed pants.  Apparently I was so excited that I ran out and purchased a whole passel of them.  Seriously, the Printed Plains in Nosh Opping is filled with printed pants.  Like this pair here:

I can’t help it; I really do love a printed pant.  I especially love the teal color and the irregular black dots on this pair.   I think the irregularity of the dots lend the pants a sort of leopard look from far away, and that’s always fun.  I paired today's printed pants (LOFT) with a tangerine top (Old Navy), espadrille wedges (Corso Como via Piperlime) and a few bracelets.

This is my fourth, and last, I think, pair of printed pants in The Giants Closet.  The other pairs include a pastel floral pair:

Vintage Ralph Lauren

A palm-printed pair:

Thrifted silk

And a checked pair:

Vintage men's golf pants

I don’t know why I have so many, but seeing them all in one place, I’m glad I found them.  They are all, except for this LOFT pair, thrifted, and this pair was less than $10.00, so it’s a trend that I was able to find for not a lot of money.  However, I still recognize that I have enough pairs of printed pants to last me so while I’m not getting rid of any, I also won’t be buying any more once my expedition is over. 

How about you, Reader Friends?  Are you fans of the printed pants trend?

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey