Anatomy of An Outfit: #24HrsInDetroit

 

It's safe to say that one week ago, my life changed.  I experienced two musical legends {who aren't done yet!} performing their hearts out to an amazing Detroit crowd, while sitting with a few of my best friends.  I spent an incredible 24 hours in Detroit with the Legends Of The Summer, and it was 100% worth it.  Now... to the outfit.  

The denim vest is the single most important piece of my summer wardrobe, I layered it over this basic black Gap tee, tied at the waist with rolled up sleeves.  The outfit was completed with this voluminous navy skirt from H&M {old}, it's very girly, but when paired a couple of pieces that are a bit tougher, it's perfect.

The full look was pulled together by a few of my favorite pieces of jewelry, a vintage cross from Atlantis Dry Goods, Kelci nameplate, various rings, and my new Madewell heels, super comfortable for a night full of dancing. 

The final look, so ready to dance all night.

Crochet & Medallions

When we experienced 80º weather this week in New York, I couldn't help but get excited for the upcoming summery-ish weather and that's saying a lot because super hot summer days and nights usually make me angry.  While the world isn't remotely ready to see my glow in the dark legs quite yet, I had to put together this cute look with my new J.Crew skirt.  

The medallion pattern reminds me of an old scarf that my mom used to wear or an old tie that my dad would have owned. The top is from TJ Maxx, the necklace is from Madewell and the jacket is Gap {borrowed from my roommate}. 

What are you ready to wear this spring & summer?

My Look: Feels Like Spring

Last week ushered in the first real taste of spring.  This time of year always seems to puzzle me, what is appropriate?  Surely nobody wants to see my SUPER pale tights-less legs quite yet, but how do I find that middle ground?

 Last Thursday the above ensem' was my answer.  The deep mustard skirt is from Madewell which I paired with my J.Crew chambray shirt, belted and topped with a few gold accessories.  Last but not least, my leather jacket had to make an appearance,  I definitely plan on bringing this look out again soon.

 On Sunday afternoon I started playing around with a few things in my closet, and this is what came out of the try on session.  The dress is from Anthropologie, I layered it with one of my all time favorite sweaters, and my jean jacket.  I can't wait to find the right times and places to wear this...over and over again.

It will be fun to dress it down with my sweet new kicks from Gap or dress it up with my Zara heels.  The whole outfit is also ridiculously comfortable...which is pretty much my goal most days while getting dressed.

First Week Wardrobe

So if you haven't caught on quite yet, I moved to New York this week.  I currently reside in Brooklyn and thus far the experience has proven to be wonderful.  Today I'll give you a look at my two favorite outfits from my first week of work.

Day 1: I wanted to make sure that I was dressed up enough, but also somewhat casual.  Not all of my clothes or shoes had quite made it to NY yet...so I needed to make due with what I had.  Piece 1) Madewell skirt - Christmas present and Piece[s] 2) J. Crew Miller Motorcycle Boots, I haven't yet determined how best to wear a midi-skirt in the winter with tights without making it all look too heavy so I opted for the skirt-over-boot option.  From there I added a black Gap t-and J.Crew wool band jacket.  Necklaces are from Stella + Dot and J.Crew.

Day 4: Last Thursday I was feeling the urge to go 90's...  American Apparel skirt, J.Crew chambray shirt, H&M sweater and a Stella & Dot necklace.  I finished the look off with my faux Frye's from Target (not photographed).  Not sure if it was the time of day, or the fact that I don't have as nice of a backdrop here or what...but I NEED a new camera...  I totally used effects to disguise the poor quality of the images...

What I Wore & What I'll Wear

So I had an outfit issue on Sunday while getting ready for our family Christmas party when the perfect outfit I had envisioned in my head, but hadn't tried on until 10 minutes before we needed to leave, was a gigantic failure.  This is what I came up with just in the nick of time...monochromatic, not too Holiday but the green is the right idea, and of course some sparkle.  I guess I could have taken my own advice and worn this outfit...

gap sweater, jcrew skirt, jcrew necklaces

I've vowed to do it differently on Christmas Eve.  It's perfect for this unusually warm December that we're having, and I think I'll add some color to make it a bit more festive.  Our church is typically very casual, but for Christmas Eve I always try to get dressed up.

celebrity pink denim jacket, cynthia rowley dress, stella & dot necklace & vintage fur collar

I've been waiting to wear this dress since I scored it for $20 when the Cynthia Rowley sample sale rolled into Chicago.  Though I didn't get to try it on until about a month ago, because of the silk fabric the neck opening had no give and was way too tight to even try getting around my head (which is abnormally large mind you).  So I enlisted my mom to cut open one side and add the hooks and eyes, making it not only wearable but even more unique than it was in the first place.  The fur collar is a gift from my wonderful Grandma, and I can't wait to wear it!

More important than clothes though during this season is family!  My family and I are holing up for the rest of the Holiday season watching movie after movie, and throwing in a few games of Skip-Bo.  Last night we watched The Debt with Helen Mirren, it was phenomenal and I highly recommend it!

Basics Binge

I found myself struggling this fall to find any good basics in my closet that A) fit my post freshman year of college style...i.e. not skin tight/short, and B) I hadn't already worn a million times...i.e. holes and deodorant induced pit-issues. During the course of a couple of shopping trips this fall I think I've finally put together a good collection of versatile basics.

 The tees pictured above and below are from my Old Navy trip.  Both are dolman sleeved and slouchy, they're great dressed up or down. 

I found this grey tea-length dress at Topshop this weekend and couldn't resist pairing it with my denim vest for a summer vibe, and the red jacket for wearing now.

These sweaters are from Gap, perfectly drapey and insanely comfortable!  

Lastly this black tee is also from Gap, the neckline is lined in chiffon making it just different enough.  And II found this bag at J.Crew this weekend.  I couldn't turn down the quilted side panels and the black on black hardware!!

I often have a hard time committing to basics because they're so simple, but without the basics you can't wear all of your fun pieces.

Thoughts on Fabric

Is there a men's equivalent to polyester?  In the last few months I've paid a bit more attention to the goings on of men's fashion and it has gotten me thinking, is it that much easier to fake quality for women's clothing?  We get rayon, polyester, and acrylic blends all of the time, and maybe it's just me (because I'm a girl) but it seems like men get a WHOLE lot more by way of natural fibers...all the cotton, wool and real silk (ties only please) they would like.  My apologies in advance if this bores you.

Take for example Gap.  It's an easy place to compare the differences between men & women easily and on a middle ground (not uber-cheap but not really high quality either).  I went to the "shirts + blouses" section for women and the "shirts" section for men.  And I came up with some examples...

Here is a women's blouse and a men's shirt.  Both are things that you could wear to somewhat dressed up occasions (the top with a skirt/trousers/nice jeans, the shirt with chinos/dark jeans).  What I found in the women's category however was the large majority (if not all blouses) were either polyester, rayon, or a blend of the two.  Whereas in the men's section it was 100% cotton for all but 1 shirt (one that included lycra that I suggest no male ever wear).  Onto denim...

Extra crazy.  Literally every pair of men's denim was 100% cotton (and I wouldn't want it any other way...stretch would be WEIRD).  Conversely every pair of women's denim...if you could even call it that, had a combo of three fabrics, some cotton, a percentage of lycra and a percentage of polyester or rayon.  Can't a girl just get some real denim, and maybe for a pair of skinnie's 1% of lycra or spandex for the purpose of being able to move.

I find it interesting that women can be such shoppers, yet we're getting duped without realizing it.  Yes sometimes we can't all afford silk everything, but I know (based on years of buying at J.Crew factory stores) that you can get silk for cheap.  The problem that Gap and other stores might see with that is a smaller profit.  This is me ranting, but I think it's a fascinating topic.

Thanks to a few men for getting me thinking about this with all of their selvedge denim, cotton shirts and wonderful shoes... the men of The Midwestyle and Indigo & Cotton in Charleston.

photos via Gap.com