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.   

     

Pack of Peplums

I love a good peplum, and think that a peplum top is a nice way to add a little visual interest to a work wardrobe. They are a bit unusual and fun - I mean they are basically a kooky little skirt for your top, but I don't think that means they can't also be office appropriate. Here are two examples of how I recently wore a peplum to work.

Top | Rebecca Taylor
Cardigan | Abound
Pants | DvF
Shoes | Coclico 

Fall Redux

Sweater | Uniqlo x Lemaire
Top | No brand tag
Jeans | DL1961
Shoes | Cole Haan

     The weather around here has been a little chilly lately, which is bit of a bummer. It means a windy walk to work and then an even colder office (why can't we tone-down the office A/C, why?!), so I've had to dig some of my sweater and jackets out of the back of the closet. What is an even bigger bummer is a recent crush of work, and thus the more infrequent posts. 

Trust Me, I'm Wearing a Pencil Skirt

Top | Equipment
Skirt | Theory
Shoes | J. Crew

...and we are back to our regularly scheduled programming. I've been working quite a bit lately and when I come home, I instantly change my clothes and get back to work, so there hasn't been much outfit documentation, or creative energy to showcase my outfit documentation, but hopefully I'll get a chance to recharge a bit this weekend. 

     One day last week I did manage to snap some photos because I went to a work event. My goal for this outfit was to look more polished, so I went with the trusty old pencil skirt (this pencil skirt was actually part of my very first "adult" suit, which I bought from a Theory outlet store back in 2014). However, I did a half-tuck on my menswear-inspired shirt because, number one I love a half-tuck, and number two because I think it feels a little younger. It could be that it just looks a little sloppier, but I paired this with a black leather jacket (which I did not get any photos of) and hoop earrings, and I thought it looked pretty cool...but also trustworthy.

Business, business, business

Then boom!

     Also, since it is the end of the week I thought I'd throw in some random bonus photos that I don't think I can build entire posts around. 

Think of these like the prize in the bottom of a Blog-Cracker-Jack-Box.

In no particular order, we have:

1. A work look featuring the jacket I promised to bore you with by wearing it so often, and a sick bag that I got in Italy. It is a tote bag with a top flap (it drives me nuts when tote bags are open on top) which is wide enough to fit my laptop and a lunch Tupperware, and comes with a cross body strap!

Jacket | Rebecca Taylor
Jeans | DL1961
Shoes | J.Crew 

2. A weekend look featuring a sweater I've had a few years but should probably wear more. It has a cozy fleece lining and the print can frankly best be described as an interior-designer-fever-dream. It is sort of hard to tell from this photo but features alternating house blueprints and doll-house furniture.

Sweater | Clover Canyon
Jeans | Citizens of Humanity

 3. One more look at my new Eileen Fisher dress, but paired with a leather jacket. A leather jacket frankly goes with everything.

Jacket | Veda
Dress | Eileen Fisher

4. And lastly, a pretty casual weekend look, with one of my favorite tops, whereby I am holding, but at least not wearing, the jacket in #1.

Jacket | Rebecca Taylor
Jeans | DL1961
Top | Calvin Klein
Shoes | Paul Green
Bag | Mansur Gavriel 

 Thanks for stopping by!

Pop of Color

Blazer | Theory
Top | Victoria Beckham x Target
Jeans | DL1961
Shoes | Paul Green

       A co-worker today said, "I like your pop of color", and that is exactly what this is. This pink Victoria Beckham x Target top looks so cute with jeans and feels utterly appropriate on a sunny day in the Bay Area. The last three days have been so nice - it feels like summer! The pink is quite florescent, which could look a little twee, but when paired with a blazer appears much more polished. Also, I didn't wear open-toe shoes to work, just FYI.
     Related, isn't it nice when you can talk about fashion with your co-workers? I don't work in fashion, but I spend a lot of time with my co-workers, so for me it helps bridge the gap a little bit between my 'corporate self', and my 'creative-expression-through-fashion self'. For the record, I don't think that those two selves necessarily need to be separate, and I think they can happily co-exist, but I have struggled with it a little bit, because, at least for me, being more junior and in a more traditional field, it feels like my interest in fashion (something seen as traditionally more feminine and non-utilitarian) could undermine my professionalism. I've never totally understood this because, unless your workplace has a nudity policy, every single person has to deal with clothing every single day, and yet caring about it definitely has a certain amount of frivolity attached to it. 

At the end of the day though, I am who I am and I like what I like. 

Separately, the next photo is something I like to call, blow-dry-by-nature. 

Thanks for stopping by!

The Buzz + Weekend Reading

Call me a bee-keeper 'cause I kept the bee shirt. (Try not to hurt yourself when you do an eye roll there). It ended up being strangely appropriate for this past week, because I was quite the worker bee, due to a more hectic than usual work schedule. Until it normalizes, I just have to keep floating, like a butterfly (ok I'll stop, I'll stop).

My initial instincts were correct in that it needs to be tucked to be worn to work, and that the dramatic sleeves are the best part. I'll be washing/drying this weekend, so we'll see what happens to the sizing.

Top | Victoria Beckham x Target
Jeans | DL1961
Shoes | Cole Haan

 Regardless, you and I have made it to the weekend, so here are some sites for your perusal:

1. A (sadly) word-only peak inside the closet of NYT fashion critic, Vanessa Friedman (New York Times)

2. A snapshot into the life of Elle fashion director, Samira Nasr (The Cut)

3. The people at People try to do like Kate Middleton and only carry a small clutch.

4. I have a white button down, but if only I had the rest of the accessories featured in How to Style A White Shirt For a Week (Man Repeller); and

5. Have you heard - WalMart might be acquiring men's fashion company, Bonobos, much to their fan's dismay (Glossy).

Thanks for stopping by!

Vest-igan

Top | Carrie Perry (made in NY)
Pants | DL1961
Vest | Halogen
Earrings | Michael Kors

     I have been trying to stave off a cold, and this is sort of a sartorial salute to the blanket. I tried to take several photos of me spinning, to capture the swish of this long car-est (cardigan/vest), but they were all quite blurry, so I finally just held still, and got the photo above, which I think captures the general idea. I love this vest-igan (from Nordstrom Rack, and purchased for $11). It is so incredibly soft, and I love the movement of it. The sleeves of this silk blouse are also sort of see-through, and I can highlight that with this vest. If I threw a blazer over this top, the sleeves would be lost completely. 
     I buttoned this blouse all the way to the top to play up the more masculine sensabilities of a button down shirt, and the paired it with hoop earrings, to add a little femininity back into the outfit. 

The hoops are rose gold, from Michael Kors, that I bought a few year ago, and are probably down to a cost-per wear below a dollar. They are pretty large, but also very thin, which I like, both aesthetically and because they are not at all heavy, and the rose gold color is subtle and goes with a lot of things. Since they are a few seasons old I don't see these exact ones online, but these are pretty similar.

What do you turn to when you aren't feeling well?

A Cost Breakdown

I was very pleased with this outfit because I think it is a nice example of items I have found that fit my personal style, but that aren't necessarily new, trendy or expensive. Also, it isn't like I purchased each of these thinking about a future outfit, each was just something I was drawn to, is versatile, and is a good team player in many outfits. 

• Jeans: These jeans are from a DL1961 Sample Sale that I went to back when I lived in NY. I went to a lot of sample sales while I lived there and it was one experience that really helped me learn a lot about style, fit, and what I liked. You got a discount if you bought two pairs of jeans (which looking back I should have done) but instead, I brought cash (the number one rule of sample sales....actually, the number one rule is wear underwear) and combined purchases with another woman who was only buying one thing, so we both got the extra discount and then I just paid her in cash. They are a dark wash, boot cut jean and have continued to be featured in heavy rotation in my wardrobe since. 
• Belt: This is the Novelty Buckle Reversible Belt from Talbots in the"Black/Kendall Grey" combo. I actually first saw it on Jean of Extra Petite, (link to her review here) and was intrigued by the versatility and simple design. I had never purchased anything from Talbots before, but I'm pleased with the quality. It retails for $50, but I just waited until they were offering a 30% off coupon around the holidays, and jumped on it. 

• Sweater: This sweater is J. Crew (by way of Goodwill), purchased during an after-Christmas mark-down. I wear it all the time (proof and more proof). It is the perfect length to wear with skirts or jeans and very soft. 
• Cardigan: Last but not least, is this cardigan, which I scored at a recent clothing swap. I love the color, and even though the original owner didn't want it anymore, I was more than happy to take it off her hands. 

Add it all together, and it equals one very affordable work outfit. 

Where do you look for bargains, or is that not a main driver of your shopping? 

Weekend Reading + Viewing

1. I found myself re-watching this video last night, it is Chimamanda Ngozi's Ted talk, entitled "We Should All Be Feminists". I've included the video below, if you've never heard it, or even if you have. 

In other, more regularly scheduled programming, I'm just clearing out some lobby photos from the past week or so, and have a few other more lighthearted links. 

 2. BCBG Is Closing Stores! I don't shop there now, but I have such strong memories of their stores in the mall when I was in high school (Racked).

3. Do you have Allbirds sneakers? I swear they just popped up on everyone's feet recently, male and female, from my under-30 friends to my over-fifty (probably...I'm terrible at telling age) co-workers. (Racked)

4. From the NYT: Maybe Louis Vuitton Should Have Stayed Enemies with Supreme

5. And lastly...the always great coverage by Go Fug Yourself of the covers of various international Vogues (GoFugYourself)

I just have two quick sets of photos today, the first of which is a coat that I know will end up in about 100 of my photos, so I hope you don't get sick of seeing it. It is Rebecca Taylor, and I got it on the RealReal. It was really love at first sight, and the leather sleeves are what sold me. They are also, as you can sort of make out in the photo below, removable, and zip off, so you can wear just the wool part of the jacket as a winter vest. It also has very functional double pockets, so you can unzip the zippers right above the flaps for a secured pocket, but there are also side pockets (below the flaps and which run vertically) which are more practical for putting your hands in when it is cold. If only it had interior pockets, it really would be perfect. I also used it to dress up two casual Friday work outfits. 

Coat | Rebecca Taylor
Jeans | Citizens of Humanity
Bag | Cuyana
Shoes | Asics Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 

Same as above, except:
Jean | DL1961
Shoes | Gentle Souls by Kenneth Cole

This is actual the outfit under the jacket in the first photo above. This blazer doesn't have a button, and is a little big, so I rarely wear it. I ended up using a brooch as a button instead, and I think it worked out just fine. 

Sweater | J. Crew
Blazer | Thrift Store (no tag)
Ring | Gabriela Artigas
Brooch | Vintage
Jeans | Citizens of Humanity
Shoes | Cole Haan Sabrina Loafer 

Apologies for the bathroom selfie.

Thanks for stopping by!

Lost & Found

Sweater | Target
Jeans | DL1961
Boots | Coclico Arya
Bracelet | Miansai Screw Cuff in Rose Gold

I'm in the middle of cleaning my apartment as part of a new year organization and cleaning spree, and under the bed I found a bin that I did not remember that we had put there. In it, were several items of clothing that, at one point over the last year and a half I had been like, "whatever happened to my __". Turns out they were all in this bin that was under the middle of the bed and which I had totally forgotten about. Most of the clothes went immediately into the Goodwill pile, since if I hadn't noticed they were gone, it was a good indicator that I didn't really need them. Some of the items, however, were like this black sweater, which was in there and which I missed so much - I'll never lose you again sweater!
It is a pretty basic sweater - from Target, but it is so soft and I love the way it fits. It is also the perfect length to wear tucked into jeans, or, as a mini dress with over-the-knee boots (that one, obviously not worn to work). 

I usually get dressed shoes last (metaphorically - although also literally) as I know some people start with shoes and work upward when planning an outfit. I took a chance that these tan booties would go with this look, and was pleasantly surprised. I also then put on some rose gold jewelry, to help bring other warm pink/yellows into the outfit. The shoes are Coclico, a brand I've talked about a few times (here and here), and were my first purchase from the brand, which I stumbled upon on Amazon back in 2014 (they are currently on sale, in suede, on the Coclico website - I am a size 7 and usually wear their 37, but these, per their website, run a half size small so I sized up).  They are an ankle boot (I neglected to take a photo showing just the shoe) and have a cool cut out look on the shaft. 

Hello shoes.

Do you ever feel like you just cannot find that one piece of clothing that you know is somewhere in your closet?

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!

Think Pink

Sweater | J. Crew (old)
Blazer | Theory
Jeans | DL1961
Shoes | J. Crew Cece Flat (certain colors on sale)

I wear what is essentially the same outfit to work quite a bit: jeans or tailored trousers, a sweater, and a blazer. (I'm not sure if that is disappointing to hear from what is supposed to be a style blog, but it's the truth! Also, I'll resist the urge to go all, A Few Good Men, on you...) 

As such, I look for special pieces that make that "uniform" a little more interesting and fun. I like this sweater because it has a small surprise: the back is different than the front, so it feels like a totally different piece when layered under a jacket, as opposed to when worn solo.

Boom!

I really embraced the girlish colors and paired the sweater with my trusty pink flats, making for a lighthearted and easy-to-wear work outfit. 

What is your work uniform and how do you keep it interesting?