Dress the Part

Hi there. I've recently had quite the shakeup, relocating from my old home in San Francisco to a new one in Dubai. I know I want to do something to capture, preserve and otherwise process this experience and this space came to mind, although I'm not sure it'll end up staying here. 
When I mention the move people have a lot of questions about Dubai and I feel like I have more questions than answers at this point. As of today I'm about a week + a handful of days into this new transition and I want to zoom in and just talk about something I do know something about: my outfits. 

Clothes always help ground me to a situation, whether I want to be confident in a meeting, joyful at a wedding, or whimsical on a weekend. You can't go outside naked, so "what do I wear" is a question that at least flits through all of our brains on a day-to-day basis. One way I've been documenting and processing the move is taking an outfit selfie everyday. The clothing experience here is particularly different from what I was used to in California for two main reasons. 

• The first is the culture. There is a different standard of acceptable dress here and I'd like to be respectful. I've received some conflicting reports on what that means for me as an expat and as a woman. I can seemingly wear most of my wardrobe as is, though, and my plan is to do a lot of people watching (which I love anyway) and get a sense of it for myself. As a result, for the first month or so I plan to lean conservative with my clothing choices. 
• The second is the weather. I cannot express to you how hot it is here. During the dead of night it is minimum 90 degrees Fahrenheit/32 degrees Celsius.  During the day it climbs to 109/42 degrees F/C. However, not only that, but it is also humid (right?!) and so my phone will report that with the humidity it often "feels like" closer to 121/49 degrees F/C. Currently, I'm only going outside when absolutely necessary, mostly during the small moments when transferring from the air conditioned hotel to the air conditioned Uber to the air conditioned destination (like the mall, more on that later). It also means I always have sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and water. 

Combine those two elements and I'm targeting natural breathable fabrics, light colors, flowy garments and decolletage, shoulders and legs mostly covered. So, here's what we've got so far:

New Heights

Outfits clockwise from top left:

1. Top: Banana Republic | Skirt: Uniqlo x Lemaire | Shoes: Coclico

2. Blazer: J. Crew | Top: Champion | Jeans: AG | Shoes: Asics 

3. Top: Lanston | Skirt: Kate Spade 

4. Top: 360 Cashmere | Pants: Rag and Bone | Belt: Talbots

   

     Week #2 of my pre-planned outfit experiment was a sartorial journey through a warming climate. #4 is basically just a cashmere tank-top, which is a totally unnecessary but awesome garment that I'm glad someone decided to make. Monday was the coldest, and will also be the focus outfit of the week, although you'll have to excuse the fact that my skin appears to be jaundice in these photos. As far as I can tell it was a weird side effect of the background wall color, and frankly I don't have the photoshop skills to fix it. 

Sun's Out

     We have had an uncharacteristically warm week here in the Bay Area, and I've had a little time off, so I decided to capitalize and break out my warm weather-can't wear to work-but really like them, pieces. 

Top | JOA
Pants | Rag & Bone
Shoes | Asics Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66

     First up is this JOA One Shoulder Stripe Top, which I thought I'd featured on the blog before, but a quick search shows I have not. This was a total impulse purchase last summer, at what felt like the height of the deconstructed off-the-shoulder top trend and I pictured myself wearing it on my then upcoming trip to Hawaii. I totally love this top, even though it is a bit impractical, and is a liar (although I think that last part is why it was marked down so much - for example, still available here in pink, for ~$15 (affiliate link)). It was billed as a one-shoulder top, and also shown that way in the stock photo (below). The part around the arm should be able to be worn down (the way I have it) or up on your shoulder. 

Happy Fourth of July!

Top | James Perse
Pants | AG Jeans (Made in USA)
Shoes | Asics Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66
Jacket | Rag & Bone (Made in USA)

In honor of the holiday and the time off of work, I wore blue and white and decided to pose moodily on a stoop - just as our forefathers anticipated, I'm sure. 

     Half of this outfit is secondhand (the jacket and the jeans) and the top and shoes were purchased new. The top is actually the same as the James Perse top I sung the praises of here. I rarely buy multiples of anything, but in this case, I loved that black top so much I hunted it down. It wasn't super easy, but I eventually found it online. I bought it in blue and also bought a backup black top as well. Basically, if you see me around in the next few months, there is a good chance I'll be wearing one of those shirts.

    Speaking of which, I luckily avoided a situation where I needed multiple varsity jackets. I was doing laundry too quickly and dumped this one in the washing machine (it is a wool blend and dry clean only). I caught it before it was transferred to the dryer, but even just the short trip in the washing machine caused it to shrink quite a bit. Luckily, it was a medium and oversized before, so the sleeve length is almost perfect now, but I got quite lucky. I wear this jacket all the time too, so it would have been a real blow. It is the only jacket I have that I can drape over my shoulders, like you see in fashion magazines, and doesn't just look (totally) ridiculous. 

Happy holiday, if you are in the US, and 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!

Train Conductor Chic

Sweater | Everlane Men's Cotton/Cashmere Hoodie
Pants | Frame Le Garcon Jeans
Shoes | Asics Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 

When I saw these pants at Crossroads Trading Co., my first two thoughts were: (i) I've heard so much about Frame denim, I'm curious to try these on, and (ii) "oooh, how conductor chic". Have you ever seen those train conductor overalls for children? They are always that blue and white striped color. 

      Inspired by the idea of a train conductor, I naturally wore one of my ring watches (gotta keep the train running on time). I have an affinity for ring watches (I own two of them) and I've stopped myself multiple times from buying more. This one actually belonged to my grandma, and holds a special place in my heart. 

I was surprised how wrinkly my fingers looked, so I messed w/ the brightness levels until they looked better, haha.

     These jeans are a size 25, which is usually what I wear, and I assumed they were supposed to be sort of a slouchy, boyfriend look. That being said, I could have easily sized down, and I'm not sure if that would be true w/ all Frame denim, or just this cut. I really leaned into the slouchy, masculine aesthetic and paired them with a men's hoodie (from Everlane, in xs), and sneakers. I really like the look of slouchy jeans, and I was pleased with the way these fit - basically barely staying on my hips. I was also pleased with the construction, and the fact that these jeans are Made in USA. I don't think I'd ever pay the $200+ retail price, but with a gift card, they were an $8 experiment that I was happy to make.

  
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?

Back in Black

It's been cold and overcast, and I've retreated to a sleek, black look. I'm excited for this year to be over, and I'm looking forward to putting together a look at my best (and, more interesting) my worst purchases from 2016. 
Something that definitely will not be on the worst list (aside from the fact that I got it in 2014), is this jacket. I bought it as a gift for myself at the start of a big life achievement, and then was too scared to wear it for another 6 months because I didn't want anything to happen to it and I can be overly precious with my clothes sometimes. Clearly I got over that fear, which is good, because I needed this jacket to add some edge to an otherwise very feminine wrap dress (last seen when I was channeling Lorelai Gilmore). I added a beanie, gloves, and my walking-to-work shoes, and I was ready for the gloom.  

Jacket | Veda Max Classic in P
Dress | BCBGeneration
Shoes | Asics Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66
Bag | Cuyana

Seen here with my commuting shoes.

It looks good unzipped or with the collar popped.

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

Commuter Clothes

I (attempt) to walk to work most days, so I try to create outfits that I like, and that I can walk a mile in (in the snow, uphill, both ways!). I keep a few blazers and my "work shoes" at work, which is great, so I don't have to lug those things with me on my daily grind. 
Needless to say, I usually look pretty casual on my way into the office, and I sometimes run into people in the elevator and am convinced they are judging me, and that I should assure them I will be dressing up. In reality, no one probably cares.

A typical example is below: I am wearing the same silk top and jeans in both, but walking to work I paired these items with a zip-up sweater and sneakers, whereas once I'm in the office, I slip on loafers and a blazer. 

A close-up of the office look:

                     Blazer | J. Crew  ||   Zip-Up | Alternative Apparel
                          Top | Theory (secondhand)
Jeans | DL191
                                              Shoes | Cole Haan  ||  Sneakers | Asics Onituska Tiger Mexico 66 ( last seen here)

I must admit that the commute sometimes keeps me from wearing my more delicate items, or anything I feel like will make me break a real sweat, and I save those for days when I know I won't be walking. 
What do you wear when you commute and how does it influence your sartorial choices?

Nice Kicks

Weekend uniform: When I get dressed on Saturday morning, I want my outfit to be stylish, comfortable, and versatile.

Good morning.

Pants: Made in USA of imported materials Top: Made in USA

How I built my outfit, from the ground up:

• Sneakers: The Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 - I love these sneakers, they are comfortable, cute and sporty.  However, it is always so hard to find them in women’s sizes in cool colors so I usually have to scour Amazon. The Onitsuka website is the best place to find a solid selection.
• Pants: I still beat the drum for the classic skinny jean - you can keep your wide leg, your mom jean, your high rise,  your capri. I think petite women can rock any of these cuts, but I personally like the lack of excess fabric around my legs and ankles.  
• Top: This is from Everlane, it is a men’s small in navy. Everlane also sells a t-shirt in a women’s cut, but there is something perfectly slouchy about the men’s. These shirts are made in California, and are $15 each.
• Jacket: Since the rest of this look is pretty neutral, I top it off with a statement jacket to punch up the look. This one is Rebecca Taylor but purchased at Nordstrom Rack, so presumably it is a few seasons old. It is a classic moto jacket with a lace print (detail below), which is a nice combo of tough and sweet (similar). Here are RT jackets currently on sale at Nordstrom Rack.

To transition to nighttime, just add heels and some sparkle.

Closeup of jacket detail and the bag.

The heels are Coclico, a brand I first stumbled upon in New York. Per their website, the shoes are made at a family run factory in Spain, which aims to use sustainable or locally sourced materials. I was pleased when I found these because if given the choice I will often try to do some research into the background of the clothing and shoes that I buy. I wore these for the first time to a wedding and cursed myself when I realized I forgot to put bandaids in my purse. I was thrilled when after dancing all night these did not rub my feet or cause any blisters. It looks like this style isn't available on the website anymore and only in limited sizes on Amazon, (these are also cute). Coclico has European sizing, and I found these run about a half size large.