Manors

Top | Vintage
Pants | Rag & Bone (secondhand)
Shoes | Paul Green
Bag | Mansur Gavriel

     The backdrop here is the Legion of Honor, which is a museum in San Francisco. I never realized, until I looked it up to write this, but the building (per Wikipedia) is a full-scale replica of the French Pavilion at the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition, which was itself a smaller-scale version of the French Palais de la Legion d'Honneur. It was a gift to the city constructed in the 1920's and given by Alma de Bretteville Spreckels (great name), who was a philanthropist and also the wife of a sugar magnate (how sweet).

Light

Top | Modern Citizen
Jeans | DL191
Shoes | Coclico
Purse | Mansur Gavriel

     I am somewhat surprised to say that I avoided all of the clearance sales that start after Christmas and continue into the new year, and that I have not bought any clothes, shoes, accessories or jewelry in the year 2018. Nada. This definitely isn't a value judgement - I like shopping. I think it is, however, a continuation of what I started to express in my year end superlatives post, that I am really happy with my wardrobe at the moment, although it could be better organized to display what I do have, for all those mornings I stand in front of it and feel like nothing I see speaks to me. Also, to be frank, I don't really have a ton of room left in my closet. My hangers are packed in tight and, when I am lazy about folding my sweaters, the overstuffed knitwear drawer is difficult to close. 

     I definitely do intend to buy clothes, shoes, and accessories this year, but for now, I suspect a clean-out and reorg is next on the docket.   

     

Sparkle

Sweater | Rebecca Taylor
Pants | Citizens of Humanity
Shoes | Coclico
Bag | Mansur Gavriel 

     Happy New Year!! This is the last outfit that I wore in 2017, and it felt like a fitting first post for 2018, even though everything seen here was purchased in 2016 or earlier (did you follow that?). I decided to wear a sparkly sweater, in order to fully embrace the New Year's Eve spirit. This sparkly overlay kind of looks like gold leaf up close, and I like that it is spread out unevenly - denser at the neck and then lightening out across the body of the sweater.  You can't really see them in the photos, but the sweater has a zipper on each side. I like to wear it to work layered over a voluminous white button-down, and unzip the zippers half-way, in order to show the shirt underneath. My Main Squeeze, on the other hand, likes to reach over and unzip them throughout the day, to annoy me. I kept the rest of the look very simple, with my favorite 2016 jeans and black accessories. 
    Speaking of sparkly and new, I'm trying to decide if I should make any blogging-specific resolutions this year (and fun fact, my 2016 resolution was to start a blog, which, you guessed it, I did). I think they would generally be the following: 

Peak Plum

Dress | Diane von Furstenberg

     This dress was made for "staring into gorgeous scenery photos", was it not? The open back is basically the reason I bought this dress, which I purchased (not rented) from Rent the Runway. They used to hold an insane sample sale (think long lines and very aggressive attendees) that I would try to visit when I lived in NY, but they have since started selling dresses that they don't rent out anymore, online. The pricing for the items they sell varies, to be honest, but I was pleased with the markdown on this dress, which ended up being a little over 75% off of its retail price. When I found it, the only dress left was a couple sizes too large, but in looking at the reviewer's photos on the RtR website, I didn't think it would make that much of a difference, since the fit is very drapey and loose. Turns out I was right, it looks like most of the size difference is reflected in a change in the length of the dress, and I knew I'd need to get the dress hemmed no matter what. 

Photo.synthesis

Top | Rag & Bone
Pants | AG Jeans
Shoes | Paul Green
Clutch | Mansur Gavriel

We had the most beautiful weekend in SF this past weekend! I love how on a sunny day, everything feels refreshed (this is probably my born/raised California-ness showing through). I got a hair cut, I did some spring cleaning --> sky's the limit. Since it was 70 degrees and sunny, obviously I wanted to start to work on getting a little color (which might take a while). In addition to trying to maximize my Vitamin D intake, I also wanted to express my excitement about spring, and thought neon yellow was an appropriate way to do so. 

This tank is 100% silk, and very thin, making it perfect for the warmer weather, while also ensuring it isn't see-through. I normally don't go for yellow, especially highlighter yellow, but I was really drawn to this print and love the way it looks with dark jeans. I'm also excited to wear this tucked into a pencil skirt for work. I'm not positive what color pencil skirt it will look best with, but I'll get there. 

 Thanks for stopping by!

Review: Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Jacket

Jacket | Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Jacket
Pants | American Giant
Shoes | Asics Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66
Purse | Mansur Gavriel

     In preparation for my upcoming trip, I purchased the Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Jacket. I got it in size XS, in the "Wine" color. I wanted something light but warm, that I could layer underneath a coat, or use as a stand alone jacket. I also like that this jacket can be squashed down to easily fit in a purse or suitcase, or used as a pillow on the plane.

I have been wearing it around San Francisco, as well, and have been very pleased. It is very light and practical - it has both outer, and interior pockets - and when I got caught in the rain, it dried out quickly.  In re. to sizing, the XS fits well, but I cannot layer thick sweaters underneath without it becoming difficult to zip. Here, I have it layered over a tank and my Oiselle hoodie (this one, now on sale), and it fits fine. At $69.90, this jacket is much lower priced than the similar looking Patagonia and North Face down jackets. It could be that those jackets are actually three times nicer than this one, but that would really be quite a jacket. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Review: American Giant

      American Giant is an American-made brand I first heard about a few years ago, when Slate boldly declared that their hoodie was the greatest hoodie ever made. That was back in 2012, before online shopping was quite as ubiquitous as it was today, especially for ethically/sustainable clothing (Everlane, for example, launched in 2011). Flash forward 5 years, and thanks to a well-timed after Christmas sale (I believe the website said it was their first ever sale) I've finally investigated the claims, plus some of their other products, for myself.
The Varsity Jacket - Size XS
     First up, their varsity jacket. I won't spend too much time on this piece, because it isn't available on their website anymore, but will throw in my two cents just in case it ever pops back up. I ordered it because I love the look of a varsity jacket, and because it is Warriors' colors (go Dubs - and as I type this I am watching them just crush the Clippers).
        I absolutely love the construction and quality of this jacket. It feels very sturdy, but yet it isn't stiff. I also get the feeling that it will continue to break-in over time, like a great pair of shoes. I think my biggest takeaway from both this jacket, and their hoodie (review below) is that I am impressed with the fabric. I'm not sure what type of cotton they are using, but it is thick and so substantial feeling. This company clearly prides itself on these items being made in USA, and if this is going to be an example of our workmanship and quality then I am just fine with that. This jacket is way more expensive than the hoodie I got at Target, but I have much higher hopes for it's longevity. 

Bag | Mansur Gavriel Mini-Bucket
Shoes | Asics Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66

I have to say, however, that the yellow turned out to be a little more yellow than I expected. My first thought was that this looks like a Cal Bears or UCLA Bruin's jacket, and I did not attend either of those institutions. I'm currently on the fence about keeping this or sending it back - if it was grey or black I'd never take it off.  

 The Pant - Size 00
Next up, their product that is called "The Pant". Here is a link to an interesting look by Refinery 29 at the various iterations of the product before they settled on the final version.  This, as far as I can tell, is not supposed to be a yoga or an exercise pant. It is basically a more substantial tights-as-pants situation (which is something I have personally rallied against for years and yet here we are). They are not as compressing as exercise pants, and made from a different fabric - sort-of like if ponte and spandex had a love child. I have worn these to wander around on the weekend, and to the driving range (which seemed like an appropriate sporty but not exercise-y place to wear them).

 They have one pocket on the front, and otherwise are pocket-less. I love the fit of the waistband - my biggest complaint about most tights is that the waistband is too tight - but they are a little bit big in the thighs on me, and a little long - you can see bunching on the ankle in the shot below. Ultimately, I like them and am keeping them, but think that with a few minor improvements these could really knock it out of the park. 

Proof of pocket.

 Classic Full Zip Hoodie - Size XS

 Last, but not least, is their hoodie, which I got in the very versatile, forest green, and which I will cut to the chase and say that I really like. It is a cotton hoodie, that has a fleece-lining inside. It is really comfortable but durable, and has small thoughtful design details, such as reinforced elbows (as you can see below) pockets that fit an iPhone (!), AND they put the fleece lining that is inside the jacket in the pockets too! It is, due to the thick cotton and the fleecy-ness, a warmer hoodie, and while it isn't stiff, it is a bit bulky so it might be hard to layer under other jackets or coats. 

 Overall, I'm impressed by American Giant, and appreciate their obsession with just making a few things, and making those things well. Have you ever tried them out? If so, what did you think?

Instagram + Weekend Reading

Well, I've given in and finally joined Instagram. Initially I wasn't interested, and then I liked being a female in their target demographic who was avoiding their product, and now it just seems like not a big deal either way. We'll see if it lasts, but for now, should you have any inclination, you can follow me at @styledtour, where I have posted such gems such as:

1. The outfit I wore to SF MOMA on Near Year's Day. It felt appropriate to start the year off with art, culture, beauty...and elbow patches. True story - I bought this sweater at a sample sale in NY, and it was so cheap that I assumed the patches were not real leather. I didn't realize until after I ran it through the washing machine that they are, in fact, lambskin. My bad. At least I caught it before I ran it through the dryer. 

Sweater | Elizabeth and James
Shirt | Equipment
Pants | Citizens of Humanity
Bag | Mansur Gavriel 

2. A shirt I found the last time I was home, and I brought back with me as a lounging-around top. I really want to go back to the Grand Canyon (I went when I was in elementary school) and this helps fuel that fire. 

3. Lastly, a close up of my new suede jacket, as well as a great Eileen Fisher sweater. I remember thinking that their clothing was so "mature" looking when I was younger, but recently I have been gravitating toward all of their dresses and sweaters whenever I see them. I wonder if that makes Eileen Fisher like the broccoli of clothing, and all I had to do was grow up to appreciate it a little bit more.

Jacket | BlankNYC Suede Moto
Sweater | Eileen Fisher
Tank | Lanston
Sunglasses | Ray-Ban

And now, for your weekend perusal:

1. For anyone who hasn't been following the drama between Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera, let the NYT lay it down for you.

2. Amazon is going to start making their own in-house line of athletic wear - I guess they are banking on us not having reached peak athleasure (Recode) 

3. NYE might be over, but Fashionista has a helpful look at how to clean feathers, sequins and fur; and finally

4. A look back at the Golden Globes fashion of 2007 - some of these have aged well, and some, not so much (GoFugYourself).

Happy weekend!

Last of the Poinsettias

Coat | Rag & Bone
Pants | Citizens of Humanity
Shoes | Rachel Comey Mars
Clutch (below) | Target

I hope you had a relaxing and merry holiday. My picture spot had some poinsettias added around Christmas, making all my photos a little more festive, and these are the last of those photos. 

First up - a holiday-appropriate coat if I ever saw one. This one is XS in Rag & Bone and I got it on extra clearance on the RealReal. The best part is that what looks like black piping is actually zippers - the coat unzips around the waist, and becomes a moto jacket! I think it might be a little big, and the arms are a tad long, but the cocoon coat look is in so I just started wearing it - fit be damned. 

A rare smile in these photos...

 Second, a casual weekend look which features one of my favorite t-shirts. It is a satisfyingly thick cotton and a cool stained glass print. Since the top is various shades of grey, as is my jacket, I used the print in the shirt and quilted texture of the jacket to make the outfit more visually interesting. The jacket is still available at Alternative Apparel, and if you wait, they usually have pretty significant sales, should you have any interest in knowing that information. 

Top | J. Crew Factory
Jacket | Alternative Apparel (still available)
Jeans | Paige
Shoes | Frye Veronica Short
Bag | Mansur Gavriel Mini Bucket (read my review here)

Thanks for stopping by!

The Waiting Game

Jacket | Rebecca Taylor
Dress | Rebecca Taylor
Bag | Mansur Gavriel 

I did not realize until I went to write the caption on the photo above that I was rocking a Rebecca Taylor double feature. I really like her clothes (obviously), which are always fun feminine pieces with interesting details. 

I first encountered this dress at a Nordstrom Rack, and instantly liked the fact that it would be a patterned pocket dress to add to my work collection, but the price was just a little more than I wanted to spend. Pro, it was work appropriate, could pair with a lot of different pieces (blazer, leather jacket, long cardigan) and would look good "winterized" i.e. with tights and boots. Con: it is silk, so dry clean only and I have a lot of dresses. 

I hemmed and hawed and ultimately decided to walk away. Then, almost two months later I found it again at Simply Chic in SF, in my size, and for 30% less than I had initially seen it! I figured it was a sign and purchased right away. 

Close up of the great lace texture on the jacket, and the floral print.

 Do you ever pass in the store and regret it? Have you ever gone back to get something you left behind?

Floral Photo-bomb

Top | Bobeau
Pants | Paige
Clutch | Mansur Gavriel 

 Is it technically a photo bomb if the person has no idea it is happening? The number one question I am asked about this blog is, "who takes your photos". The answer is, I do, through a combination of a camera, an iPhone, a tripod, and flat surfaces that are about the right height to act as a tripod. Since I haven't been doing this long, I still feel awkward and a little self conscious when I'm taking photos, although no one has ever stopped and asked me what I'm doing. Not even this lady:

 I guess that means I should just calm down about my photo shoots, and that people don't really even notice. Does anyone out there who also takes their own photos have any tips or tricks?

Outfits Lately 9.14.2016

More weekend sartorial tales, as told by a hallway mirror. I feel like I rocked a lot of athleisure last month - for which I credit/blame the Olympics =)

- - - - -
This outfit is essentially all the textures - lace, silk, suede, wool - I was really on a roll.

Jacket - Rebecca Taylor | Top - Vince | Pants - See Thru Soul | Shoes - Gentle Souls

- - - - -

This water bottle is from Bkr. I had seen it around and caved because it is really cute, and I found it on sale. I like that it is made of glass but still feels sturdy, and I dropped it shortly after I started using it and the silicone sleeve protected it perfectly.  I dislike that the spout/opening of the bottle is rather small. There are probably other cheaper, just as aesthetically pleasing glass options out there.

Top - T by Alexander Wang | Pants - Paige Jimmy Jimmy Skinny Boyfriend | Shoes - Paul Green | Water bottle - BKR | Sunglasses - Ray Ban

Who is Diane von Furstenberg, and why are her wrap dresses so sick?

Did you know she was a princess?! I decided to start a series where I do a little background research on a designer I'm interested in and whose work I admire. It is sort of fun to dive into the history of fashion lines, and who better to start with than wrap-dress queen and CFDA president, Diane von Furstenberg. 

Dress | DvF (obvi)
Bag | Mansur Gavriel (read a review here)
Sunglasses | Ray-Ban

To get the ball rolling, here is a great 10 minute interview between DvF and Leandra Medine, of Man Repeller, where she doles out such wisdom as "when you doubt your power, you give power to your doubts"

DvF on the cover of Newsweek in 1976

She was born Diane Simone Michelle Halfin, and later married Prince Egon of Furstenberg, a German prince. (Did you know Germany still had a royal family...I'm not going to lie, I did not). Although they later divorced, she started designing clothes when they married, and she kept his name on her brand as it grew.

Far more interesting than her royal past, DvF introduced the jersey wrap dress in 1974, which put her brand on the map, and launched a thousand imitators. Since that time her company has grown into an international business with, per Forbes, estimated sales of $500 million. 

Oh, hello there. 

The wrap dress is pretty universally flattering, nipping in at the waist and then flowing down across the hips. There is something about the cut which is so easy to wear, and yet comes across as very polished. I also appreciate that the prints DvF picks are always fun. This particular dress is from the RealReal, and instead of having a tie at the waist, it just has a wide elastic strap, which sort of acts like a belt, giving you a faux-wrap that can't accidentally come un-tied. 

This particular dress also has pockets, which is always appreciated. 

A print in two colors is twice as good!

No knots needed. 

I've enjoyed reading more about DvF, and might check out her book, The Woman I Wanted to Be. Have you read it and would you recommend it? I hope you enjoyed learning a little bit more about this awesome entrepreneur and business-woman, and in the meantime I will have to think about who I want to learn more about next!

Some DvF options below, priced from low to high:

Mansur Gavriel Mini Bucket Bag Review

As I have now had the Mansur Gavriel Mini Bucket Bag for a little over a year, I can finally give this bag a full review, especially as the handbag market has probably reached peak-bucket-bag saturation. Long story short, this bag has become my daily handbag and I am just as pleased with it today, as I was over a year ago.

Available on Mansur Gavriel's website here, the Real Real, and elsewhere online.

These were just pretty.

I remember first seeing this bag around the streets of New York back in 2014 and was immediately drawn to the contrast, pop-of-color inside of their bucket bag and their tote bag. It took another year before I purchased, and I really should have just bought one back in the beginning, as the price has only continued to climb since then (alas). 


I went back and forth quite a bit about which size to purchase as the bucket comes in three sizes: the bucket bag, the mini bucket bag, and the mini mini bucket bag. I ended up purchasing the middle size (the mini) and think it is appropriately sized for my frame (I am 5'2''). 

There are two things I love most about this bag, first, the weight. There was a while back in the early 2000's where I swear every handbag weighed several pounds, laden with pockets, zippers, and statement hardware, and which would hurt my shoulder after a few hours use. This bag is very thin and light, which isn't to say it is not durable. It is made of "natural vegetable tanned leather", and pretty stiff right out of the box. It was hard to close the first few times, you really have to pull it tight, but it has softened and that is no longer an issue. 

Second, I love the inside, which you can get in several different colors, or a "raw" option. I purchased the "Oro" liner, and I love the contrast with the black. It is the perfect fun accent to the otherwise pretty stark minimalist design.

Bag + things I carry around. The water bottle actually does fit inside, although when it is fully filled up it can make the bag a bit heavy.

I think this bag has held up well, and I use it all the time. It has definitely accumulated some scratches, as is visible above, but generally is in good condition, (the structure hasn't warped, or drooped) and I think if I use a leather conditioner I could lessen the look of some of the dings. The one thing I would change would be to add an interior pocket. Having a metallic interior helps, but otherwise, anything you drop in there just disappears into a bag abyss. However, I could probably address this by using a small zip pouch and separating out the items I need to find quickly. 

All in all, even when the bucket trends fades, I'm excited to wear this bag for years to come. 

Another photo for scale

Do you have any questions about the Mini Bucket?