Errands Outfit

This is what I wore today to run errands.  Exciting.  I know.

I would recommend these Old Navy shorts.  They stretch out a bit and (obviously) wrinkle, but they are comfortable and perfect for summer.  And, they are now on sale for under 20 dollars.  Win!

Lafayette 148 button down (thrifted), Old Navy shorts, Dolce Vita sandals.

Thrifting Shoes

I never look at the shoes while thrifting.  For some reason used shoes are not my thing, but this week I picked up two pairs.  Granted, one pair had never been worn before, but the other pair has definitely been worn.  Lots.  I need a comfortable wedge for the summer(other than the BR ones on their way); one that can be in  tatters by the end of the season.  I am hard on my shoes.  Really hard.  I walk loudly and forcefully.  I have compared myself to a Clydesdale before.  Needless to say, I am tough on my shoes.  Especially in the summer.  I tend to get stuck on a pair of shoes and wear them several times a week and they tend to wear pretty quickly.  I always take them to the shoe hospital, and am able to squeeze another season out of them, but if I wear a pair all the time, they are unwearable quicker than I would like.  So, I picked up a pair of summer sandals.  I wanted a brand I could trust, and Cole Haan shoes are well made, plus they have the Nike Air in them, so you know they will be comfortable.  So, even though they have some wear on them, I think they have another summer in them.  I won’t be sad when I have to toss them at the end of the summer since they were under 15 dollars.

And these?  Would you say no to these adorable shoes?  I didn’t think so.

Do you ever thrift shoes?

Adventures in Proportion

I like oversized, comfortable clothing.  I love slouchy shirts, drapey dresses, and all things that hide my figure.  The problem with these pieces are that they hide your figure.  A catch 22, isn’t it?  Even though I know these larger pieces are not the most flattering silhouette, I still wear them, but I try to pair them with something fitted so I am not completely lost under my swaths of fabric.  I always advise my clients to pair an oversized top with skinny jeans or a drapey dress with a fitted blazer, that way we get some sense of shape.  Even though I love this look on most, this is going to be hardest for busty women to pull off.  If you are busty and want to wear oversized pieces, I would suggest wearing a fitted cardigan or blazer over your top to give yourself some kind of figure.

Free People sweater, J Brand skinnies, Calvin Klein shoes, scarf from India.

This dress is by no means oversized, but it is drapey and does look best paired with a fitted blazer.

T by Alexander Wang dress, vintage blazer, Bongo oxfords, Spanx tights.

Do you like drapey dresses or oversized tops?

Stripes

I have worn stripes every day for the past four days.  Stripes are easy, classic, and abundant in my closet.  Some of my clients are nervous about wearing horizontal stripes for fear that the stripes will make them look larger.  This can be true sometimes, but there is a stripe for everyone.  A medium stripe, not too large and not pin-thin, will look good on most body types.  Also, the fit of the top is key here.  A t00-tight or oversized top is going to be unflattering any way; add a stripe to an ill-fitting top and you are just drawing attention to the fact that your top doesn’t fit.  If stripes make you nervous, you can always go for an angled striped top.  Those are universally flattering!   I will say if your midsection is something you really want to hide, stripes might not be the best way to go.  But, a classic is a classic for a reason, right?  They look good on many and are eternally in style.

Old Navy sweater, thrifted silk button-up, and J Brand jeans that look too long but really aren’t.

Danijo bracelets that I LOVE, but would recommend because they snag everything, gifted snakeskin bracelet, and TAG watch that was my college graduation gift from my father.

Thrifted Ralph Lauren top, Rachel Leigh necklace, J Crew skirt, Chie Mihara shoes from Anthropologie.

Lilly Pulitzer

One thing (of the many!) I love about thrifting is trying out brands and trends that might not otherwise try.  Many times it introduces me to brands that I would never think were “me”.  Lilly Pulitzer would not be a store I would shop in normally–it seems a bit preppy for my taste.  However, I was super excited when Linda and Indiana discovered this dress on a recent thrifting day in San Antonio.  That day we managed to find silk tops, leather skirts and tons of brand names.  This Lilly Pulitzer dress was one of three we found.  I have said it before, but I will say it again, you should ignore the tag on clothes while thrifiting and go for fit.  This tag indicated that it was two sizes too small for me, but it fit.  The style was meant to fit loosely, but I didn’t mind the more  fitted look I got.  I also like the funky print and brighter colors.  Yesterday was dreary and foggy, but these elements helped to lift my mood.  What brand have you been surprised to find you like?

Thrifted Lilly Pulitzer dress, Spanx tights, Steve Madden boots, random scarf, and sleepy look courtesy of only one cup of coffee and not my normal two.

Pegasus Necklace

I can’t stop wearing this Stella and Dot Pegasus necklace.  I wore it three times last week and two the week before.  I am really in love with this necklace.  Every time I wear it people comment on it and  many want to touch it.  If you don’t like people petting your necklaces,  then this is probably not the necklace for you.  Here are two ways I wore it last week.

Vintage blazer, T by Alexander Wang dress, Payless shoes, Rebecca Minkoff bag, and Pegasus necklace.

Forever 21 sweater, vintage leather skirt, and Target snakeskin heels.

Black Blazer

We had a cold front, ok a cool front , come in yesterday and I finally had the opportunity to wear my wool black blazer.  Ok, I have worn it before yesterday, but I almost passed out from being too hot.  Wool is meant for chilly temps.  This fitted blazer is going to get a lot of wear this fall/winter.  If you don’t have a fitted blazer yet, that should be on your list of pieces to buy.  This one came from Goodwill for under 10 dollars.  Goodwill/thrift stores are a great place to pick up blazers.  I would head to the little boy’s section first to check out what they have.  Little boy blazers tend to be more fitted (duh. They are for little boys) and it great condition.  If not, look in the women’s section for something that is a little cropped, fitted, and gives you a waist.  If the arms are a little short, no big deal.  Just roll up the sleeves so it looks intentional.  They are also great to wear on top of billowy dresses for some added structure.  Do you have a fitted black blazer?

Thrifted blazer, DVF dress, Payless heels, billowy look courtesy of wind from cool front.

Jewel Tones and Black and White

A black and white skirt is a super versatile piece to have in your closet.  It looks great with black and white (obviously), but it also looks wonderful with jewel tones.  Deep purple, teal, sapphire blue, emerald, and ruby red really pop against a black and white background. You can wear whatever style suits your body shape the best.  A-line is universally flattering, a pencil skirt looks great on many, and a fuller skirt looks great on someone with a small waist and larger hips.    I wore this on Monday to volunteer at Dress for Success.  This skirt has been an easy pick for mornings when I am rushing out the door and need to be pulled together quickly.

Jones New York top (via Gucci Goodwill), Anthropologie skirt, Payless heels.

This past weekend our hunt.gather.style shop popped up at Touch of Sass and was a big success.  Thank you to all who came out!  We had a great time!

Vintage top, J Brand jeans.

Quick Change

Yesterday morning I had on this:

But I felt like it was too spring-y.  So I changed my shirt and ended up wearing this.

Vintage skirt, J. Crew top, Rachel Leigh necklace, Payless shoes.

I felt better in the darker color pallet.  While I don’t put away my bright colors in the fall and winter, this week I have been craving darker colors.  I am sure next week I will back to craving colors.

I am looking forward to wearing this watercolor skirt with many different pieces.  I love pieces like this, because while at first they might not seem easy to wear, they are actually really versatile.  This skirt can be worn with navy, black, mustard, grey, colbalt, and stripes.  What would you pair with this skirt?

Midi Length

I am loving the midi length recently; I just can’t get enough of the lady-like sihloutte.  I have probably collected four recently.  That being said, I think it can quickly look dowdy.  To keep this look modern, make sure your top is modern looking and adding a nude heel helps the leg seem longer.  If you don’t want to try a midi length, why not go for a length right below the knee?  A skirt right below the knee can be really flattering on many women and assures you will be comfortable all day.  What skirt length are you loving right now?

Forever 21 sweater, thrifted silk skirt, nude Nine West heels.