Posing Needs Work

Cardigan - 8telier
Dress - Theory Nutria Crepe Blouse
Shoes - Cole Haan 

I know this pose is a little strange, but I was trying to show the color-contrast of the lining of this cardigan/jacket. Instead, it looks like I should have a bunch of watches hanging from the inside that I am going to try to sell to you.

Photo from Lyst

True story: this dress is actually a tunic top that I had tailored. 
It is a few sizes too large and looked like a dress on me, since, as you can see, it sort of was more mini-dress than tunic-top on the model. (As an aside, the tunic/formal-board-shorts pairing in the stock photo seems like it has a very high degree of difficultly to pull off.) Normally, I wouldn't bother buying something like this that needs immediate tailoring, but it swayed me for a few reasons. I loved the neckline, and as it was heavily discounted and had a pretty simple construction (i.e, just side seams), I took a chance and took it to a tailor. She was able to bring it in on the sides pretty easily, and the end result - a lovely work dress.

The ribbons can be draped, like so, or tied in a bow.

Do you ever take a chance on tailoring? Does it ever work out, or usually end in heartbreak? 

Fog Schmog

Happy MLK Day - everyone knows the powerful, 'I Have a Dream' speech, delivered from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, but I wanted to start with a link to some of his other great speeches, for your reading/listening pleasure: Washington Post. 
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Hoodie | American Giant
Jeans | Citizens of Humanity
Bag | Sophie Hulme

It was surprisingly foggy the day I took these photos. Normally the fog layer burns off in the morning, but this weekend, it just lingered and lingered. 

I went out in my new American Giant hoodie and a chunky-knit beanie. Speaking of American Giant, I ordered some items from them for the first time recently and plan on doing a larger review a little later. 

Look at those awesome elbow patches.

It sometimes feels cliche to me to live in the Bay Area and walk around in a hoodie and jeans, which is the typical tech-worker/SF-bro uniform, but I also find the outfit to be incredibly practical and comfortable. This also doesn't have (i) any stains or holes or (ii) the name of an employer. If that isn't enough, I am also carrying a bag with a green suede interior - so you know, that feels like it should count for something. The bag, by the way is sort of an oversized envelope clutch, but with a strap. I really like the color and construction, but find that it is a little awkward if you are trying to carry anything that isn't flat (like the DSLR I took those fog photos with).

Purchased on The Real Real.

Thanks for stopping by!

Lemaire + la pluie

Jacket | BlankNYC Suede Moto
Sweater | Uniqlo Lemaire
Skirt | Caslon
Shoes | Coclico

The rain continues, so I continue to layer. One morning it was only overcast, so I got a little cocky and went bare ankles, which I ended up regretting. I paired this cool, midi-length pencil skirt with a sweater from Uniqlo's collaboration in 2015 with Lemaire. Lemaire is the eponymous label of designer Christophe Lemaire, who left Hermes to open his own line, and then later accepted a job as the artistic director of Uniqlo. Maybe the collab was a trial-run? The internet seems to suggest he is still in that position, although it is a little unclear.
I focused on textures when pairing these pieces (the woven printed skirt, the chunky knit top, and the soft suede jacket), and the cold weather made me gravitate toward richer, deeper and more brooding colors. This sweater is amazingly soft, and I like the swingy silhouette - it makes me feel like I should tie a scarf around my neck and swing my arms around in a dramatic fashion. I do wish the sleeves were either full length, or shorter, but it is possible that on a taller model they were closer to 3/4 sleeves.  The way it is now, my wrists are just a little colder than I'd like them to be. I guess my real take-away from this post is that someone needs to bring back ankle warmers and make wrist warmers a thing as well. Is that too much to ask blogasphere? 

Wrangling the length.

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?

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!

The Onion

Jacket | J. Crew
Dress | Tibi
Collared Shirt | J. Crew

 Ogres (and bloggers sometimes) are like onions: they have layers. Never more so than when winter weather rears its head. It is going to be dark and rainy all week, so I might as well hunker down and get ready for some layering. 

 My outer layer is this great J. Crew coat that I bought at a Crossroads Trading Co. for $25, back when I lived in New York. I had been wearing the same uninspired sleeping-bag coat with a fake fur hood for months and months in the rain, the wind, and the snow and I finally snapped. I walked to Crossroads and bought two new jackets, both of which I brought with me to a warmer climate and which still serve me well.  

 Peel back the coat, and I have my oft-featured cardigan - which ended up being a necessary layer, along with the tights. Take that away, and I started with a crisp button down, layered under my dress to make it more corporate. In looking at these photos, I could use a colorful silk scarf, or some statement earrings to break up the otherwise black and white look. 

How do you layer when it gets cold?