Aida ~

I've been sporting variations of denim-on-denim a good long while now, usually opting for a "lite" version where there's color contrast in some way between the denim items. Less "lite" feels fresh so when I recently bought this Tencel-blend denim swing blouse, I knew that I would most enjoy pairing it with more blue denim. Happily it works with ALL of my blue denim, and I quite like the more retro pairings with my ultra faded cropped straights and faded blue flares; have yet to try with kick crops (still need to get those hemmed) but I'm sure that'll be fun too.

For today, though, I went with a contrasting style in a very similar wash and paired with shredded BF jeans and "shifted up" proportions -- BIG roll, peek of skin, low contrast gray booties (still looking for higher-shaft ankle boots). Silver holo clutch to keep with the low contrast and add some sparkle, rusty orange lipstick for a shot of autumnal color, and dainty silver jewelry for a touch of extra refinement. Very fond of the echoing vertical lines from the back view, with the blouse buttons and boot zippers ^^

  Newer: blouse, rings, earrings
  Older: jeans, boots, rings, clutch, sunnies
  Nails: Essie 'Sew Psyched', a grayed olive

Comments, critiques, thoughts and questions welcome!

After work tonight my husband and I are headed to the annual Can Can Cabaret Halloween production at the Triple Door in Seattle. There is a huge range of dressiness, from casual to dressy to costumed. Hubby is planning to dress a step below smart-casual (fitted button-down tucked into belted dark blue jeans with nice boots), so I'm going smart-casual (new soft blouse tucked into waxed black jeans with pumps (#1); I feel like I have to dress a step up from him to have the same effective dressiness because whenever I match his dressiness level I always feel under dressed). For work I'm debombshelling a bit by untucking the blouse and swapping the plum evening lip gloss for a peachy-nude (#2).

I've discovered through my time here at YLF that I have a totally different style persona for event dressing: still urban but more bombshell, dialing up the glam even more, and more conventionally flattering and pretty (this is what my husband likes). Since I don't actually have much actual need for "event dress", I keep a small list of items from my wardrobe that fit those desires (as well as holes that need filling) and pull together outfits from there. For a while I struggled with not feeling "special" in event outfits that were composed of my "normal" clothes. But then I realized that in normal work or weekend wear, these pieces often won't get paired together or styled in the event way and THAT'S what should make these event outfits feel special. I'm not 100% there yet but certainly getting closer. This outfit, when tucked, totally hits the mark for me!

Anyone else do something similar for event wear? How do you deal with the idea of feeling special in these outfits that aren't composed of dedicated "event" pieces?

  Newer: blouse, jeans (gift from Una), earrings
  Older: pumps, clutch, sunnies
  Nails: Essie 'Sew Psyched', a grayed olive

Comments, critiques, thoughts and questions welcome!

I really enjoyed the visuals in Angie's post on mid-calf boots this morning. In addition to these new cognac boots I have one other black mid-calf boot (also slouchy), in previous seasons worn with skinnies or with shorter skirts. Today I went a totally different direction, both from the post and how I'd previously worn mid-calf boots, and tried pairing with slouchy pants. I think it turned out fun, and am pleased to have an option which tones down the "flower pot" effect of these boots for whenever the mood hits.

Didn't want a fully slouchy look, though it did rather end up that way, so I chose my sleeveless turtleneck (which I've now worn every week since purchasing!) and popped a tonal jacket overtop. Pink lipstick and earrings for a little girlish touch, and black clutch because I liked having that little extra black element both with (cami) and without (clutch) the topper. I do prefer the look sans topper because it's got more structure that way. Luckily it's one of those in-between temperature sort of days so I've really only needed the jacket while out walking and in the evening.

  Newer: sweater, pants, boots, earrings, sunnies
  Older: clutch, jacket

Comments, critiques, thoughts and questions welcome!

I was very taken with the olive+orange+white ensemble that Angie posted in late August, especially since orange and white are my favorite colors to wear. Having been off olive for several years now it was not something I could sport. Until now! This fall I have, cautiously, added two olive pieces: these tencel joggers and a semi-sheer woven tunic. Both are on the very green end of the spectrum (my photos incorrectly show the olive as quite dull, the stock photo is better) and neither are at all military inspired. So I am hopeful that's enough to keep them from being orphaned.

Today I am taking advantage of the soon-to-be-gone 70F weather and wearing a new sleeveless sweater the way I like it best: sleeveless! It doesn't really show in the photos, but it's actually cream in the body with white faux leather panels on the sides which give it a swingy shape. Pink lipstick for a little added girlishness, gray fringe bag and rose aviators directly inspired by the ensemble post, and gold leaf/arrow earrings to add to the boho-sporty vibe.

  Newer: sweater, pants, clutch, earrings, sunnies (whew!)
  Older: booties

It did end up feeling a lot cooler than 70F was feeling even just a few weeks ago, so while I liked the cheekier styling with the joggers pulled up (#1) I ended up actually wearing them left down at full length (#2).

Comments, critiques, thoughts and questions welcome!

We have some lingering nice weather, with a few rainy days mixed in, so I figured I'd better squeeze a few wears out of my favorite summery and transitional pieces while I can! I don't really change my colors up seasonally, but have definitely been in a particularly orange mood the past couple weeks.

10.05 (#2/3) - The tee and pants were a favorite combo in late summer. When it was hot I was pairing with gray ankle strap pumps and hair up for a sporty feel; fallified the outfit by swapping out the pumps for cognac boots and popping a rusty orange jacket overtop for the cooler morning/evening. Finished with sparkly blush earrings, plum lip gloss, and leo clutch.
  Newer: tee, pants, boots, sunnies
  Older: jacket, clutch

10.06 (#4/5) - Last week I wore this new sweater with white and light gray, today I went opposite and paired with black. I still need to spend some time experimenting to find which jackets and tops work with this sweater, but for now I will enjoy it on its own which is how I prefer it most. Finished with pearls and plum lip gloss -- then went for maximum orange with the peachy sunnies and tan/neon clutch.
  Newer: sweater
  Older: pants, shoes, clutch, sunnies

Comments, critiques, thoughts and questions welcome!

Haven't seen any of these in person. The first two are petite (I think both also come in regular too). The third is regular but could be hemmed if you're not super petite, and look interesting because they're trousers and not denim.

Ok try not to be too alarmed buuuuut one of my wildcard style goals for this fall/winter is to, very cautiously, play with wearing more black again after years of actively focusing to minimize it (!). This outfit has plenty of texture, shade variation, and lightness in it to keep me feeling happy -- not sure how well it'll work once I have to cover up more skin though, we'll see. I bought the jacket and jeans (both NAS) specifically to pair together (but of course will wear with other stuff too), and particularly as a weekend fallback outfit. I expect to wear it many times, just changing out footwear as the weather deems necessary.

Another goal is to go back to a more tailored look, which will take a few seasons. I don't plan to remove all slouchiness as I still really enjoy it, I just want to streamline and add more structure. In the interim the plan is to bring fitted/tailored pieces to my wardrobe a little at a time, and slowly transition away from wearing All Slouch All The Time (started a wee bit this past spring/summer). I have to say that this outfit feels soooo different to wear after years of slouch! It's taking some getting used to (I feel a little "exposed" even though objectively I know it's not), but it is refreshing to change things up.

  Newer: jacket, jeans, clutch, sunnies
  Older: lacy camisole, shoes, jewelry

Comments, critiques, thoughts and questions welcome!

I've had a sleeveless turtleneck sweater on my fall list for a couple years now, and was happy to see some great options on Angie's recent post on tunic sweater vests. Particularly this orange one from Banana Republic which I snapped up this past weekend during the Seattle meetup. I was instantly smitten with the saturated-yet-still-rusty shade of orange along with the ridiculously dramatic cowl and hem. I'd like to wear it with with my flares but I still need to get them rehemmed, and I will also layer when it cools. For today I paired with white (skinnies, earrings) and gray (boots, bag, camisole, sunnies); and a swipe of pinky lip gloss. Light, bright, and orange = super happy me!

  Newer: sweater, clutch
  Older: lacy camisole, jeans, boots, sunnies, jewelry

Comments, critiques, thoughts and questions welcome.

UPDATE: My husband scored some last minute tickets to the circus! Had only a few minutes after work so I grabbed my rusty jacket and was tickled at how close of a match it was to the new sweater. Will definitely pair again. It was a fun time ^^ Also, this illustrates nicely why I like taking my photos outdoors ;)

This is what I was originally going to wear yesterday before changing to the Anthro inspired outfit (I actually feel a bit happier in this version, more patterns!). I almost never wear the same shoes two days in a row, let alone an entire bottom half. But I love the outfit too much to pass up the opportunity to wear while the weather is cooperating -- it's entirely likely that the chance won't come again and I know I'll be sad to have missed it otherwise. No one even batted an eye, of course ;)

Sweater is from NAS, finally getting a chance to wear it. I bought it planning to pair with white and light gray (the stripes' colors) along with the occasional black. However for now, before the truly gloomy weather arrives, I'll be wearing with taupe, rust, and cognac. Finished with blush sparkly earrings to add a touch of glam and cherry-pink lip gloss for some color depth.

  Newer: boots, sweater, earrings
  Older: shorts, clutch, sunnies

Comments, critiques, thoughts and questions welcome.

This morning Angie posted a lovely outfit from Anthroplogie that pairs blush, teal, and cognac. Couldn't wait to give it a go, even though this is a little bit warm for today with the jacket on -- but I finally picked up a pair of cognac booties this past Saturday during the Seattle meetup and am pumped! I know the exaggerated flower-pot effect won't be for everyone.

My version turned out much simpler since it's composed of solid colored pieces which causes it to lose a bit of the graphic integrity of inspiration. That bums me out a little, but it still turned out nice and I'm happy wearing it today because of the pretty colors. Plus since I'm still super into wearing patterned stuff being in all solid shades feels weird. So of course I just had to add the patterned clutch in. Thanks for the inspiration Angie, and a toothy grin for you ^^

   Newer: boots, sunnies
   Older: sweater, shorts, jacket, clutch

Comments, critiques, thoughts and questions welcome.