Skirt Issue

Dear Readers – I need your advice! Is this skirt a keeper?


Cardigan, Moda International. Shirt, New York and Company. Skirt, Harve Benard (thrifted). Tights, Target. Shoes, Wild Diva. Bag, Nicole Lee. Hat, Epcot Germany. Necklace, Serket Jewelry. Cuff, Urban Outfitters.


Skirt pros: pocket on the right side, (functional!) buttons down the left, black and white print, lined.

Skirt cons: a little long, straight cut, a bit big.

Is it flattering?

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I recommend you...

keep the skirt get rid of it

Photos by Beefy Muchacho

Stay or Go?

I haven’t put any clothing on trial since January. I get rid of plenty of items on my own, but every once in awhile I can’t decide if a piece of clothing works for me or not. That’s when I ask you all for help.


Jacket, Merona or Mossimo. Dress, handmade via swap. Shoes, Gianni Bini. Ring, Target.

I’ve had this jacket for a little over three years. I used to really like it…but lately I’m kind of “meh” about it.




What do you think? Should it stay in my rotation or not? Here’s how I’ve worn it:

That jacket...
	rocks! Keep it.
	stinks! Give it away.
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The Velvet Dress

This dress has been in my swap pile since August. No one seems to want it. I put it there because I was told it was unflattering on me. And yet, I’ve pulled it back out of the pile twice this fall/winter to wear again. Maybe I’m not ready to let it go.

Waistcoat, Forever 21. Lace cardigan, Rodarte for Target. The velvet dress that no one likes, NY & Co (shortened). Slip (visible at neckline), thrifted. Tights, Target. Shoes, Isaac Mizrahi for Target. Earrings, Jana’s Designs.


This page from the December 2009 issue of InStyle inspired me to try this dress again. (It’s hard to tell from the scan, but the InStyle dress is a dark burgundy, like my own.) I took elements from all three looks: the sheer lace cardigan from Party, the tights and shoes from Work, and the military topper (a waistcoat, though, instead of an anorak) from Weekend.

Should I return this dress back to the swap pile? You be the judge. Here is the evidence:

The verdict is...
	Keep it
	Swap it (if someone will take it!)
	Give it to charity
	Other - I'll tell you in the comments
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On Trial: Ugly Pants

Denim jacket, Dalia Collection. Cami, Deep Los Angeles. Ugly pants, Express. Brown booties, Style & Co. Wooden bangle, swap. Brass bangle, World Market. Earrings, Xhilaration.


Detail of the trousers’ print
These are ugly, even fugly, pants. I’ve always know that, but I thought they were ugly in a good grandpa chic way. Here’s how I’ve worn them since starting this blog:


Today is the first time I’ve worn the pants in just over a year. I don’t think they are working for me. Time to go on trial! (I haven’t convened fashion court since last October!)

What should I do with the pants?
	Keep them
	Swap them
	Alter them
	Give them to charity
	Other - I'll tell you in te comments
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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
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And yes…I’ve heard your requests for more information on swapping clothing. Expect something in the next couple weeks!

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:

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
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