Mail Bag: Warm Weather Hourglass

Guest blogger Fashion Lady (aka Londyn) of Blog Fashion helps me out with some reader mail:

i just came across your blog yesterday.. i think u have a great sense of dressing and your colour coordination is just fantastic. i'm a uni student and am on a budget when it comes to shopping.. also.. i'm really short (1.5m) and have an hourglass shape... i live in Australia and summer time's coming soon (december).. i was wondering if you have any ideas on how i can dress in the summer because i'm a fan of layering and come summer, i'm going to struggle getting dressed everyday.. i hope you can give me some dressing tips. oh and i'm in my early twenties =) thanks Kasmira.. a make up artist once told me that my skin falls in the "autumn towards winter" colour pallette. do you have any idea what that means? i hope you can answer my questions.. your blog rocks!

-Anonymous

Wow, lots of good questions and good specifics! First point of note – Yes, Kasmira’s blog rocks! I am honored to be her first guest writer, so hopefully, I do her and her fabulous blog justice.

Next, let’s sum up your specifics for everyone:
Short, hourglass figured woman in her 20s with autumn/winter coloring who is looking for fun, colorful, summer wardrobe ideas that incorporate layering and keep her on a budget.

What a fun request! I love summer weather, but also find it a challenge to dress weather-appropriate while still keeping outfits interesting and unique. Let’s tackle your coloring first, and then get down to some outfit options.

1) Coloring: When people refer to you by season, they are referring to a beauty technique that categorizes each person’s skin, hair, and overall coloring into one of the 4 seasons. Once you know what “season” you are, you can figure out what colors are most flattering for you. If you are somewhere between autumn and winter, I am assuming you have naturally honey beige or olive skin with a rich deep warm tones of brown hair. Am I right? The typical color suggestions would be to stick with blue undertones, instead of yellow. The same description I used for your hair would work for your color choices: rich, warm, deep tones. Ideal colors would be: Wine, Reds, Deep or Bright Blues, Olive or Emerald Green, etc. While it is a good idea to work with your most flattering colors, don’t think you have to use this color technique as a strict policy. If pale pink isn’t flattering to your face, but you love it none the less, work in pale pink accessories such as shoes or a purse, or layer a pale pink tank under a emerald green tee so that the pink is still showing, but isn’t so close to your face.

2) Fit & Cut: Congrats on the hourglass figure! Next, is learning how to dress those curves. A-line skirts (skirts that flow away from the body) and wrap dresses would be easy and very flattering options for you. Just remember, for skirts and dresses, keep the cut just above the knee to elongate your leg lines. Anything at knee length or below will shorten your leg line dramatically. Also, cute ballet flats or skinny stilettos will look fab on you. Chunkier heels and wedges are trendy right now, but if you want to keep your look light instead of weighed down, I would keep them from becoming a regular part of your wardrobe. Unless you are seriously endowed, you can play around a little with different shirt cuts. The only things I would stay away from would be anything that is too loose and boxy, anything with a super high neck line (v-necks will be better for you as they will also help to elongate the figure), and anything that falls below your waist. Make sure to find fun cuts and details that enhance your curves such as a nice seamed jacket, empire waists, high belts, and accent rusching.

3) Summer Fun: Keep things interesting throughout summer by using color, mixing patterns, accessorizing, and light layering:
Layering is not only for winter – layer tank tops with different textures, colors, or patterns over each other (or with a tee shirt or dress) for a fun look.
Add bold accessories that make an outfit stand out.
Don’t be afraid of color, textures, or patterns – experiment!
Go out of your comfort zone. If you never wear dresses, buy one! If you haven’t tried the cropped knee length short – it’s time to try!

I have included some pics of outfit pieces that would work well for you. Each of these items would layer really well. Add a colorful cami, some funky jewelry, and some fabulous heels – you are good to go!


4) Budget: FYI Budget Diva – all the dresses are from Target.com, so they are very inexpensive! The other items are from Zappos.com and they are not quite as affordable, but they will at least give you an idea of what things would work well on you.

Browse through the “clearance” sections both at online store sites as well as department and mall stores. Make sure to factor in the shipping expense if you do go the online route as that expense does add up – also, if you need to make a return, you will most likely lose that money for good.

If you are crafty, you may be able to update some clothing you already have – add a lace hemline to an old skirt, dye your washed out jeans black, or sew on some detailing to a plain jean jacket. Another idea is to start thrifting or look into an online wardrobe swap shop. Good deals are all over the place if you are willing to take the time to search them out – red-line items here we come!

I hope all of my tips and tricks were helpful! Happy Shopping!

-Londyn

Dominatrix Schoolgirl

…that’s what my friends told me I looked like when I slipped this dress over my clothes in the aisle of Valley Thrift.

Black sweater, Charlotte Russe. Plaid jumper, All That Jazz (thrifted and altered). Black tights, Danskin. Black maryjanes, silver bird necklace, and silver/black beaded necklace, Xhilaration. Jet bead necklace, thrifted.

I didn’t care what they said. I still thought the dress looked hot – and I’d been wanting to try the jumper trend. I added the lace edging to make the length more work-appropriate and tried to temper the schoolgirl vibe with black layers and multiple necklaces.

Still, it is Halloween, and I’ve had a few people scrutinize me as if they are wondering if I am wearing a costume. But, hell, that happens most days! Maybe I should wear this out trick-or-treating. Would you give me any candy?

Layers of Brown and Orange

Brown velvet jacket, FANG. White blouse, Merona. Orange sweater vest, Cherokee. Brown and white skirt, Andre Oliver (thrifted). Brown tights, Target. Orange slingbacks, Gianni Bini (borrowed from Fashion Lady). Earrings, Express. Orange bag, Target. Headband, Scunci.

All day meeting today, so I tried to dress conservatively (for me!) and in layers. As usual, the temperature in the conference room swung between freezer- and sauna-like. At one point, I actually had to wrap a furry brown scarf around my neck and tuck my hands in my armpits.

I’ve probably said it before, but I love this jacket. It is from the juniors FANG brand, but has surprisingly nice details for an inexpensive ($20) piece. I like the almost riding coat cut, the ruching around the closure, and the attached brooch.

Side view

Yellow!

Gray vest and yellow tee, Charlotte Russe. Black turtleneck, Mossimo. Gray slacks, The Limited. Yellow pumps, Victoria Spenser. Black patent headband, Claire’s. Circular brooch, thrifted.

I kind of love my yellow shoes. I have been keeping my eye open for inexpensive yellow items to add to my wardrobe and wear with the pumps. This tee was on the sale rack, so I didn’t feel too bad about buying it.

I guess I can take “menswear-inspired vest” off of my Fall wish list. I was actually looking for something that nipped in at the waist, but I really liked this cropped version once I tried it on. So, instead of a waistcoat, did I end up with a boobcoat?

LBD

Leather jacket, Wilson’s Leather. Red silk scarf, flea market in California. Blue dress, Frederick’s of Hollywood. Red purse, swapped. Brown leggings, Danskin. Brown boots, Nine West. Earrings, World Market.

You’ve heard of the Little Black Dress, but how about the Little Blue Dress? I ordered a couple of dresses from Frederick’s of Hollywood on a whim. I’ve been happy with clothing from the other company known primarily for lingerie (Victoria’s Secret), so I thought I’d sample FoH’s wares. I’m not overly impressed. The construction is fairly cheap. I’ll stick to VS.

Dress without the jacket:

Clermont Inn Again

Red sweater dress, Forever 21. Plaid ribbon and faux pearl necklace with crown pendant. Black tights, Danskin. Open-weave leggings, Forever 21. Plaid shoes, Charlotte Russe. Silver purse, thrifted.

Fashion Lady and I went to see the one act version of House of Frankenstein at the Clermont Inn. We were overdressed, but I’m accustomed to that.

If you want details on Fashion Lady’s outfit, you’ll have to visit her blog.

Mail Bag: Multiple Looks with One Wrap Dress

I hope you don't mind another question from a fan. I found your blog after seeing you several times on wardrobe remix. You always look fantastic, and I get great ideas for my own outfits from your photos. Let's just say I'm a bit "challenged" when it comes to putting together a creative outfit on my own.

I have a black faux-wrap dress with 3/4 length sleeves. It has an attached, wide piece of fabric (sort of like a belt) that ties on the side. I have a pair of tall, black leather boots with a 3 inch heel that I would love to wear with the dress. Other than a colorful handbag, how can I accessorize to make this look less severe? I want it to look polished, but casual enough to wear to dinner and a movie with my husband.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

-CP

From the questions I’ve received and the keywords used to find my blog, it sounds like many wrap dress fans are looking for ways to create multiple looks with one dress. Here are my suggestions on a few looks you can create with a basic, (faux or not) wrap dress.

Siren. Animal prints and the color red scream “sexy,” so why not wear them both with your basic dress? Try animal-print shoes and a red scarf, or vice versa. Pump up the sex appeal even more with a pair of black fishnets. Va-va-voom!

Pop. As I’ve done with my own navy/white wrap dress, add your favorite accent color. Choose two or three of the following accessories in a matching hue: camisole, shoes, belt (if it doesn’t look strange with the attached, self-belt), headband, scarf, bag. By using different colors and different accessories, you can create many “pop of color” looks.

Wintery. As temperatures drop, try layering a turtleneck under your wrap dress and pulling on your aforementioned boots. A black turtleneck with a black dress is chic, but a colored one will brighten up your outfit at the neck and again at the wrist. If you’re bold, try colored tights for warmth and pizzazz. (I have to admit, now I have some fun ideas for winterizing my own wrap dress)

Business. Again drawing on personal experience, try a short sleeved jacket over the 3/4-sleeved dress. With a pair of pumps, you’re ready for any business casual event.

I hope I’ve given you some good ideas – I know I’m feeling inspired!

On Trial: Blue Bustier

Turtleneck sweater and blue bustier, Charlotte Russe. Denim skirt, Gap (overdyed by me). Black tights, Danskin. Blue peeptoes, Wild Diva. Blue beads, Xhilaration.

Today, this blue, striped bustier from Charlotte Russe is on trial. I’ve found this trial process to be incredibly liberating. More and more often, I’m ready to let go of an item even before I hear from you. Still, I enjoy seeing the poll results and reading your comments.

I bought this last January, after lusting after all the chic bustiers I’d seen in stores during the holiday season. I remember having sizing issues when I tried on a few at Charlotte Russe. I couldn’t fasten the small, but the medium was loose. I figured loose was better, as I planned to wear the bustier over blouses.

I’ve worn it three times, with increasing thickness of the layer beneath. I first wore it over a sheer, lace blouse, then over a thin cotton blouse, and finally over this sweater. It is still too big. I’m also bothered by the fact that the construction isn’t exactly square – the stripes take a jog to one side near the bottom. I’m ready to swap it away, but you have one last chance to save it.

What should I do with the blue bustier?
	Keep it
	Swap it
	Alter it (yeah, right!)
	Give it to charity
	Other - I'll tell you in the comments
pollcode.com free polls

And yes…I’ve heard your requests for more information on swapping clothing. Expect something in the next couple weeks!

This Blouse

Black velvet blazer, Forever 21. Coral blouse, Worthington. Navy skirt with black pinstriping and black lace edging, Moda International. Tights, Danskin. Black patent slingbacks, Audrey Brooke. Brooch, thrifted. Gold watch, Raymond Weil.

How many times have I worn this blouse? Let me count the ways…
April 17th, Green Linen Skirt
May 9th, Cameo
June 27th, Coral and Lime
Sept 24th, Navy and Coral
Oct 9th, Cinnabar
…and again today!

Totally Schoolgirl

Cream, V-neck sweater, American Rag. Green satin blouse, Express. Plaid skirt, Lloyd (thrifted). Cream tights, Jonathan Aston (via Sock Dreams). Red pumps, X Appeal. Red beads, Xhilaration. Red purse, swap.

Perhaps the schoolgirl tights with the schoolgirl skirt are a bit over the top, but life is short; take fashion risks! Black tights would have been so predictable and boring

I placed my first Sock Dreams order last week. I go through a lot of tights and knee high socks during the winter. I wear fairly conservative tights (this pair is pretty “wild” for me), but I love wearing crazy, striped socks with my boots. No one but me knows they are there. I like Sock Dreams' selection, free shipping (because I spent WAY too much money), and super fast order processing.

I’m wearing the Jonathan Aston Modal Mix Tights. Sock Dreams is now out of the ivory color, but black is still available. If you order them, know that they run large. According to the size chart, I should have ordered a “C,” but I got a “B” anyway. Even the “B” is starting to sag and bag, so I should have ordered an “A.”

Volume on Volume

Click for a larger view

Innerwear (center and right): Black and white tweed trapeze jacket, Apostrophe. Orange dress, The Limited. Black tights, Danskin. Black patent maryjanes, Xhilaration. Cinnabar earrings, Into the Fray.
Outerwear (left): Velvet scarf, souvenir from Holland. Black velvet ruched gloves, TJ Maxx. Giant black bag, Wilson’s Leather. Roses umbrella, Skymall.

I wore a voluminous jacket over a voluminous dress, but I didn’t feel lost in fabric. I think the trick was that my ankles, calves, and wrists (my three slimmest features) were clearly visible. It also helps that the dress is swingy and clingy, so that my shape is defined when I move.

This is the giant black bag I take to work with me every day. It’s big enough to hold my gym clothes, lunch (as if I ever take lunch!), and all the other things I can’t live without while away from home. I bought it three years ago from the Wilson’s Leather Outlet. One of the leather handles tore this summer and I had both of them replaced at a luggage repair shop. Now it’s good as new!

Over-Dyeing Denim

Dark denim is trendy and slimming. However, if your denim wardrobe consists of entirely faded or stonewashed denim, you don’t need to buy new jeans. For about $5 a pair, you can overdye them at home.

Based on the recommendation of a Dylon promotional pamphlet, I use one package each of black and indigo Dylon Permanent Fabric Dye to darken my denim. Each packet dyes 1/2 lb (8 oz) dry fabric, so the two packets will usually only dye one pair of adult jeans. This dye can be used on cotton, linen, ramie and rayon.

Materials required:
1 package black Dylon Permanent Fabric Dye
1 package indigo Dylon Permanent Fabric Dye
Warm water
1/2 C salt
Bucket large enough for the fabric to move in freely when filled with water
Empty, clean soda bottle (2 Liter) or milk jug (1/2 gallon or larger)
Rubber gloves
Stirring implement
Timer

Below you’ll find the instructions from the dye packet (italicized), along with photos and my notes.

INSTRUCTIONS. Wear rubber gloves.
Really – wear rubber gloves. Otherwise, you’ll dye your skin and it is difficult to remove.

1. Weigh dry fabric. Wash thoroughly, even if new, to remove stains or sizing which may not be visible to the naked eye. Leave damp.
I don’t have a kitchen scale, but using the crude method of weighing myself with and without the skirt on a bathroom scale, I figured that the skirt weighed approximately 12 ounces, dry.

2. Dissolve contents of this pack in 4 cups of warm water, stirring thoroughly.
I empty the 2 packets into the soda bottle or milk jug and add the 8 cups of warm water. Then, I cap the container and shake to thoroughly mix the dye.

3. Fill a flat-bottomed bowl or stainless steel sink with enough warm water for fabric to move freely.
As you’ll be able to tell from the photos, I use an empty, clean kitty litter bucket for dyeing. We have plenty of these stored in the basement and I’ve found that the dye doesn’t stain or even stick to the plastic, so I can use the bucket for other (non-food) purposes later.

4. Add 4 Tbsp salt to bowl. Stir to dissolve.
As I’ve doubled the “recipe,” I added 8 Tbsp (1/2 C) salt to the bucket of warm water. I use a paint stick to stir.

5. Add the dissolved dye, stirring well.
Not only is it easy to dissolve the dye in a capped container, but it is easy to pour too! I use my handy-dandy paint stick, again, to stir.







6. Place damp, unfolded fabric into bowl.
The fabric looks dark here because it is wet. I promise that I didn’t pull a switcheroo on you.







7. Dye for one hour. Agitate constantly for first 15 minutes. Stir regularly for another 45 minutes, keeping the fabric submerged.
I like to use gloved hands to agitate the garment. Using a kneading motion, I ensure that the dye is thoroughly worked into the fabric. After the first 15 minute period (constant agitation), I set the timer again (for 15 minutes) and poke at/stir the fabric with the paint stick when the timer goes off. I then repeat twice more. I wouldn’t call this “regular” stirring, but it seems to work well enough.

8. Rinse fabric in cold water until water runs clear. Wash separately in hot water with usual washing detergent. For wool and silk, rinse and wash in lukewarm water.
The rinsing step is a real bitch. I’ve haven’t kept track of the number of rinsing required, but I’d guess that it is somewhere around thirty.

9. Dry away from direct heat and sunlight.
We have a clothesline in our basement, so I have an ideal place to dry the finished product.

10. Wash garment separately for first few washes to remove any excess dye.
I add the dyed jeans to my black wash loads. I figure that any excess dye won't negatively affect black clothing. To maintain the dark color for as long as possible, I wash the denim inside out and hang to dry.

As you can see, the result is a dark, inky blue. Admittedly, it is a bit of a flatter finish than you’d find on purchased dark jeans. In my experience (with dyeing four different denim items), the stitching does not absorb the dye. I believe that is because the thread is usually a polyester blend. The labels sometimes absorb the dye and sometimes do not. Again, it depends on the fiber content.

I’ll be wearing my “new” skirt on Friday!

Flight Attendant

Plum shirt, New York & Co. Green Pucci-esque scarf, Gap(?) Gray skirt, Moda International. Lime green pumps, Colin Stuart. Circular gold-tone brooch, thrifted. Gold watch Raymond Weil.

I feel a little like a flight attendant today. Actually, I get that vibe anytime I tie a short kerchief around my neck. I wouldn’t make it as a stewardess on even the shortest flight in these heels, though!

The purple and green combination was inspired by Fashion Lady’s ensemble last week. She isn’t wearing a green scarf, but the lampshade behind her (at chest height) gave me the scarf inspiration

Close up of the Pucci-esque scarf:

Almost on Trial: Denim Dress

Denim Dress, London Jean. Black wrap sweater, Bloch. Silver bird necklace, Xhilaration. Black slip, thrifted. Yellow pumps, Victoria Spenser.

I’ve had this dress since 2002 and this is the third time I’ve worn it. I wore it to our HoF cast party because I wanted to put in on trial, but eight hours in this dress reminded me of why I don’t like it; it’s stiff, tight, and uncomfortable. Some might even call it “armor-like.” I’m putting it up for swap. Just in case you’re interested in seeing the dress without the layering, here are front and side shots:

Long Time, No Jacket

Multicolored tweed jacket, The Limited. White blouse, Worthington. Dark denim, Express (overdyed by me). Yellow shoes, Victoria Spenser. Opal and silver earrings, Three Rivers Mall. Pink and orange purse, Preston & York.

I haven’t worn this jacket since January. I wore it so much the first two years I had it (purchased in 2004), that I was burned out on this piece. Maybe I’m ready to give it regular rotation through my work wear again.

I plan on over-dyeing one of my denim skirts this weekend. I will photo-document the process and share it with you next week!

Transitional Velvet

Cream lace blouse, H&M (via swap). Burgundy velvet dress, New York & Co. Black belt, Steve Madden. Black, patent slingbacks, Audrey Brooke. Metal and enamel earrings, World Market. Gold watch, Raymond Weil.

It’s raining and cool enough that I can finally wear some of my transitional pieces, like this velvet dress.

I received a “last chance” magazine from Chadwick’s. I’ve never ordered anything from this company, but I am tempted by the 40% off coupon and the below dress. I can’t decide if I love it or hate it. The collar reminds me overly much of some kind of weird coat-dress, but I love the sleeves, empire waist, and the green color it is available in. It’s about $24 with my discount.

Should I order the Chadwick's dress?
	Yes
	No
	Other - I'll tell you in the comments
pollcode.com free polls

Board Meeting

Navy swing cardigan, Mossimo. Green, long-sleeved tee, Forever 21. Rust corduroy pants, J Crew. Boots, Playhouse. Leaf filigree earrings, Claire’s Boutique.

We had a board meeting for The Wyoming Players this evening. I’m the secretary. We have plans for a really exciting fundraiser - $50 headshots! Details to be posted soon on The Wyoming Players website.

Hump Day

Black, short-sleeved, velvet blazer, Forever 21. Leopard-print cami, Express. Green skirt, USMC Service uniform (with lace added by me). Black pumps, Michelle D. Amber beads, Body Central. Gold watch, Raymond Weil. Purse, Apt 9.

Hurrah! It’s hump day and we’re halfway through the week. Friday cannot get here soon enough.

Neopolitin

Cream sweater, American Rag. Pink tank (barely visible), New York and Co. Brown pants, Moda International. Brown pumps, Mossimo. Brown beads, Kohl’s. Pink, heart-shaped pendant, Girlshop. Brown bag, Kenneth Cole. Pink scarf, from swap.

The colors don’t show up well here, and the pink accents are negligible, but I was inspired by the Neopolitin ice cream mix of strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla.

I went to lunch with my friend Dee today and she referred to me having a 1920’s look. I asked her about the comment and she said that I have a style of an earlier time. The closest she could describe it as was “flapper-like.” I had never considered myself as having an era before.

Mail Bag: Purple Shoes

Reader mail, reader mail, ding, ding, ding!

Hi my name is April. I fell in love with your blog a few months ago and have duplicated a few of your outfits. I like to step outside of the box a little so I bought some Nine West purple faux croc pumps this weekend. I fell in love with them and I usually build my outfits around my shoes but, I don't wear much purple at all and I absolutely had to have them. Any ideas on how to put an outfit together without being too matchy matchy and have my shoes be the focal point?

Thanks for your help.

Hi April. Thanks for loving my blog. It loves you too! And I cannot tell you how incredibly flattered I am that you have copied my outfits.

Even though I’m not a purple fan, your shoes sound really cute. Your question is a little difficult because, the way I see it, your shoes will either match your outfit (“matchy matchy”) or not (and become “the focal point”). However, I do think you can tone down the degree to which people will stare at your non-matching* pumps by carefully choosing the colors you pair them with.

Neutrals. Pairing purple with gray is both current and mellow. A simple gray skirt, white blouse, and purple shoes looks eclectic, but still classic. Depending on the shade of purple, you may want to try finishing off an all-black outfit with the purple shoes. If it is a deep shade, it will take a second glance before someone discerns the color difference. Even brown can look great with purple – consider chocolate and grape or khaki and lavender. I’d avoid pairing the purple with mostly white outfits, if you don’t want to draw attention to your feet.

Colors. Leaf green and mustard yellow look incredible with purple accents. If I didn’t look terrible in both mustard yellow and purple, you would see me dressing in that combination on a regular basis (with a shot of gray!) Currently, purple paired with fuchsia is hot, but, honestly, it reminds me of something I would have worn in 5th grade. To avoid a clown-like look, I’d stay away from pairing orange, bright yellow, or red with your shoes. Finally, blue and purple are a little too close on the color wheel to wear together.

Patterns. Do you have any patterned items in your closet with just a hint of purple? Your shoes can be a fun way to pick out the colors in the pattern without being overly matchy. Sort through your patterned scarves, blouses, and even jewelry to see if you’ve overlooked something. (If you responded to the purple shoes, chances are you’ve picked up an item with purple in it before.)

Metallics. The sort of metal you pair with your purples can really change the mood of your outfit. With gold accents, purple aquires a regal air. With silver, it comes off as cooler, and maybe a bit punk. Consider the image you want to present when you choose your accessories.

Happy accessorizing! I’d love to see a photo of your purple-shoes-accented outfit!

*but they should match each other!

81 Degrees in Oct

Black sweater, Ann Taylor Loft. Plaid skirt, Tulle. Black patent maryjanes, Xhilaration. Faux bead necklace with medallion, Newport News.

The incredible heat continues. It is supposed to cool down later this week.

Isabelle Channing

Green gown, Morgan and Co. Earrings from my wedding.

This is my second act gown for House of Frankenstein. Our costumer found it on Ebay and the color looks fabulous on stage. I like it so much that I bought it from her. I figure I’ll wear it in another show or to a future ACT banquet.

Some less awkward poses, also featuring my castmates, below.













Isabelle Channing and The Phantom of the Opera

Isabelle Channing, Countess Ilona Bathory, and Baroness Frankenstein
We have three performances remaining. Come see us!

Tweedy Trapeze

Cropped, black and white tweed jacket, Apostrophe. Red sweater, thrifted. Dark denim, Express (overdyed by me). Ugly black booties, Life Stride. Earrings, Liz Claiborne.

I bought this jacket in early September and the wait to wear it has been KILLING ME. It’s from Sears, which I think has great deals on work wear. I like their Apostrophe line. I bought another Apostrophe jacket last winter and I’ve been pleased with it as well.

You Look Fab has a nice article on wearing trapeze jackets like this. All the styling tips I’ve read have advised a long, lean layer beneath the jacket to balance out the volume and short length. In my opinion, bottoms should also be slim, but I’ve seen boxy jackets styled with full skirts in Lucky (October or November issue). I suspect that only looks good on very thin bodies. If you wear the jacket as outerwear and add gloves, they should reach the sleeves. I thought I’d have a problem adding a neck scarf over the sweater and jacket collars, but a loose wrap was just right.



Woven red scarf, World Market. Black velvet ruched gloves, TJ Maxx.

Fallerized

Brown, cowl neck sweater vest, Worthington. Orange tee, Merona. Curtain skirt, George. Brown boots, Nine West. Watch, Mudd. Orange resin earrings, World Market.

I’ve always thought of this skirt as a summer item, but its heavy weight makes it suitable for fall as well. Playing up the orange tones and introducing chocolate brown makes the summery pattern seem more autumnal.

Speaking of fall, my November issue of Lucky arrived this week. I think it may be my favorite issue ever. Not only is there a page on different ways to wear menswear vests, but there is also a whole “month of outfits” created from one wardrobe. I have a feeling I’ll be cutting that section out to keep before retiring the issue to the gym next month.

Parisienne

Green corduroy jacket, Tommy Hilfiger (thrifted). Chenille beret, vintage. Black scarf, costume piece from Fiddler on the Roof. Black, long-sleeved tee, striped tank, and denim, Mossimo. Pleather cowboy boots, Playhouse. Black bag, George.

I didn’t need another corduroy jacket (I already had three) nor another in green (one is enough), but I couldn’t resist this jacket when I found it at Valley Thrift. It’s a little loose, but that just allows for more layering possibilities this fall. I’m afraid you’ll be seeing a lot of it, and this beret.

On Trial: Collared Pink Shirt

Navy tank, Merona (I wear this almost once a week! I *heart* navy.) Pink striped shirt, Waterback. Gray skirt, Eddie Bauer. Silver belt, Luxury Divas (via Amazon.com). Silver peeptoes, BCBG Girls. Pink rhinestone brooch, some department store. Silver-tone watch, Gucci.

I haven’t worn this oxford shirt (pink with raised, white pinstripes) in over a year. I bought it when I lived Okinawa. I think it is the largest size the shop carried, but the shirt barely fits my massive frame. Seriously, if I flex my bicep, the fabric strains. (I always felt like a giant when I lived there.) Why do I keep it? I guess because it’s pink, and I like pink. But I do have two other collared, pink shirts – one with short sleeves and the other is a long-sleeved bodysuit. Is this cute enough to keep with my pink shirt collection? Is it obscenely tight?

What should I do with the pink shirt?
	Keep it
	Swap it
	Alter it
	Give it to charity
	Other - I'll tell you in the comments
pollcode.com free polls

Cinnabar

Navy and white wrap dress, Merona. Coral blouse, Worthington. Brown linen blazer, Forever 21. Brown peeptoe pumps, Antonio Melani. Cinnabar earrings, Into the Fray. Gold watch, Raymond Weil.

I have been obsessed with navy, brown, and coral lately. In fact, I wore this same color combo a few weeks ago.

I purchased these earrings from Ambika’s Etsy shop (along with my corny bracelet). Perhaps it’s an offshoot of my current love of reddish orange, but I find myself hopelessly attracted to cinnabar jewelry.

Most Worn

Flipping through my Year One photoset, you’ll notice a lot of color. Upon closer look, though, you’ll see that I tend to anchor my outfits with the same basic neutrals, again and again. I looked through all of my workday outfits for the first year and counted the pants, skirt, dress(es), and blazers I wore the most.

Pants. No big surprise here. The pants I wore the most are a simple black pair from Kohl’s. They are the house brand (Apt 9) and cost maybe $20. They are an ideal anchor for my more creative ensembles. I actually wore dark brown pants twice more during the year than the black (12 vs 10), but the dark brown pants are two different pair (both from Victoria’s Secret). I had to replace my old pair last spring.

Skirt. I haven’t worn my bootie skirt in a while, as it is more of a fall/winter piece, but I’m ready to bring it back! While the cut and details are unusual, the colors are basic black and white. It is being sold again this year in the Victoria’s Secret catalog. The runners up are two ridiculously expensive skirts from Talbot’s (the green tweed skirt I wore yesterday and a rose-print linen skirt, both around $100), a khaki maxi skirt from the Casual Corner clearance rack, a brown tweedy skirt from Newport News ($15), my “curtain” skirtfrom Walmart ($15-ish), and a brown suede skirt from Target ($25). The suede skirt was a great deal, but I’ve never had it cleaned because it costs more to clean it than I paid for it! I just brush away surface stains and remove any grease with baby powder. With the exception of the green tweed skirt and the “curtain” skirt, my oft worn skirts are black, black and white, or shades of brown. (It was hard to calculate a “most worn” skirt because I have SO many that even the winner was only worn six times.)

Dress. I wore this strapless brown dress from Newport News at least eight times over the past twelve months. That’s a great cost-per-wear for a $15 dress. It looks terrible on its own, but it is a super layering piece. (I’m afraid I don’t have any photos of it without something layered on top.) My navy and white Merona wrap dress from Target is a very close second.

Blazer. I wear fewer blazers in the summer, but they are an absolute staple during the cooler months. My favorite blazer is a black, short-sleeved velvet version from Forever 21. In fact, all my well-worn blazers were inexpensive. I paid the most for a multi-colored tweed blazer from The Limited (around $100) and only wore it four times last year (but I wore it to death the year prior).

I ran out of energy to count wearings of camis, sweaters, shoes, etc, but you are free to do so yourself by viewing my What I Wore Today – Year One set on Flickr. You’ll see that while I have a few (okay, many) colorful, funky pieces, the basics are just as ordinary as anyone else’s.