Sometimes life gets in the way of hobbies and creative outlets–books sit around, unfinished; furniture makeover projects get delayed; dinners become the essence of simple.
Sometimes you don’t have time to ponder on style; you just have to live it.
To make things a tad easier on myself, I’ve relocated to A Leopard’s Spots on Blogger. I don’t thrive on busyness, and this bit of streamlining should better enable me to participate in the blogging community.
I hope you’ll join me!
via vanity fair
Whether a chunky men’s watch or a feminine piece crafted in rose gold–or anything in between–a great wristwatch can anchor a look. There is a watch for every personality and style, from simple classics to neoprene scuba watches in neon colors. A watch can be that piece in which you invest, or a fun and inexpensive way to bring variety to your outfits. And even though the ubiquity of the cell phone has nearly rendered this accessory obsolete, the watch never quite dies. It–forgive me–keeps on ticking.
via coolspotters
Unfortunately, I am unable to wear a watch without breaking it. There is something about my body that quite literally kills a watch; the timepiece will stop ticking completely within a few months (my aunt suffers from this same weird affliction). As a teen, I cycled through many watches and replaced many batteries before I simply gave up on the idea of wearing one, and my wrist has always felt a bit naked. Enter: the watch alternative.
lisa stewart initial bracelet
While I’ve always been a bit anti-monogram, this wrap bracelet spoke to me immediately. The size of the bracelet is perfect as a watch replacement, and its simple design means it will coordinate with just about anything in my wardrobe. This bracelet feels very personal, an easy piece that has the potential to become like second skin. To me, that’s about as close as one can get to replacing the feel of a watch as an accessory.
Do you wear a watch, or do you have some other piece that is an anchor to your personal look?
jcrew shirt, theory leather pants*, stella mccartney heels*, jcrew belt*, Prada sunglasses, lisa stewart bracelet
Here I am, playing the repeat offender. I am trying to break in this shirt a bit, wearing and washing to imbue the fabric with a bit more softness. I suppose I could throw it in the dryer, but I am worried the colors would fade along with the stiffness. Sometimes breaking in an item of clothing must be a delicate enterprise; often, the clothes can become worn out before they’re properly worn in.
Buying distressed clothing is often seen as a downright silly endeavor–why pay money for something imperfect and already worn in?–but the downward spiraling quality of clothing today means many items don’t exactly wear beautifully. Colors may fade quickly, tees can sport unsightly holes after only a couple of wears, and jeans might rip in all the wrong places. Purchasing a factory-distressed garment may sometimes save money and closet-ache in the long run, though the words of my father will always ring in my head: “Did you get that on sale because it was ripped?”
Fair point made.
As the mother of a very, very rambunctious toddler, I’ve had to learn quite a bit about dressing quickly and efficiently. And while throwing on yoga pants and a tee was acceptable for speedy dressing as a college student, it can be a bit immature for an everyday look as a fully-fledged adult. I do place emphasis on everyday because we all have crazy days when it’s an achievement that we don’t run out of the house stark naked, right?
10 crosby derek lam sweater*, james jeans, loeffler randall flats, danielle nichole bag, ring from myhabit, ray-bans*
Thus, the essentials of my “mom uniform” that can be utilized for anyone on-the-go…
1. Chic, comfortable flats: While I’ll never completely give up my heels, flats are simply much more practical for chasing a toddler all day. If you are a die-hard lover of height and find it difficult to get excited about flats, a little variety might be the spice for your life. I like a mix of both pointed and round toe flats; pointed toe flats tend to up the “dressy” quotient of an outfit and help me feel a bit more sophisticated (especially important if you are covered in spit-up and spaghetti sauce), while round toe flats come in every incarnation from studded to sporty.
2. Crew necks: Whether a tee or a sweater, a crew neck can alleviate a lot of fuss when dressing. Grabby hands can easily dislodge v-neck and scoopneck tops; a higher neckline helps safeguard against the flashing of assets. And if you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to consider camisoles or slips, donning a crew neck can often eliminate the need for layering.
3. A hardworking handbag: Unless I’m going out on my own, I am in a phase of my life where I can no longer carry small bags. Not only do I need to tote my own essentials, I have diapers, a cup and snack, and usually at least one toy thrown in my bag (and for babies, you can add burp cloths and an extra outfit to that mix!). A medium to large bag crafted in a resilient material is a necessity, and bonus points if it can be worn crossbody so my hands can be left free.
4. Thoughtful pieces: My wardrobe essentials need to be easy to mix and match and allow a great amount of freedom and movement. This usually means workhorse pieces in simple silhouettes and colors, so accessories can be important in pulling together the look I’m after. Loads of dangling jewelry and gorgeous skyscraper heels don’t work for my everyday life, so intentional pieces like one statement cuff, a richly hued belt, or OTK boots are the kinds of pieces that make tossed-together clothing feel like an outfit.
5. Oversize sunglasses: Because I’m about three years behind on sleep.
via nytimes.com
Quite some time ago, Justyna wrote a compelling article about identifying brand names in her outfit posts. Listing the brands and pieces that one is wearing in outfits is standard in the blogging realm, but Justyna decided to break from the norm and do away with that practice on her blog. Though her site has evolved over the years and I can no longer find the original post, it made a lasting impression on me. She felt that identifying the name brands in her outfits placed a greater emphasis on said brands than style, that listing brands shifted the focus of dressing from creativity to formula based on who’s wearing what. Rather than fostering a sense of beauty and adventure, outfit posts were becoming a race to the consumerist pinnacle.
I’ve always agreed with the core of this thought–that it’s almost a little too easy to get caught up in the brands of the items being worn while the styling is lost in the shuffle. But I still appreciate when bloggers list the brands they are wearing, and I’ll continue to do the same. When I see an item of clothing or an accessory that matches my sartorial leanings, I may not feel the need to run out and purchase that exact item, but I do like to know the brand or shop so I can keep an eye on their offerings. Even if an item is identified as vintage, I might be introduced to a shape or design that is new (and desirable) to my eyes and be able to seek out something similar through secondhand sources.
As long as the identification of brands remains a sharing of knowledge and an appreciation of beautifully crafted pieces instead of an exercise in boasting, it’s a standard practice I’ll continue to appreciate and utilize.
Spring may have arrived on the calender, but its effects sure haven’t been felt in the weather. Like so many others, I am lamenting spring’s delayed arrival; I’m more than ready to put away the gloves and heavy sweaters and celebrate warmth and sun. Perhaps while wearing something sleeveless and chic…
via style.com
Until then, I’ll have to settle with just a touch of spring in my winter ensembles.
bcbg sweater*, james jeans*, target heels, stately steel ring
These patent pumps feel light and airy after a winter spent in heavy boots.
I love the detailing on this sweater, but I am ready to put it away for the season!
Is it still cold where you live? Is anyone already transitioning into a spring wardrobe?
While I don’t find classic retail shopping in general to be fairly straightforward (so many options!), there is an easier way to acquire beautiful, unique pieces than thrifting or trolling ebay: accepting gifts. While every gift or hand-me-down given might not be to one’s taste, I have been blessed with some lovely and hardworking items over the years. Here are some of my favorites…
A vintage clutch from my mom and an eelskin handbag from my grandmother–both classic styles that have carried me through a variety of occasions.
Swarovski hoops: hand-me-downs from my mother-in-law that imbue a bit of luster to any outfit.
Ray-Bans found by my MIL in a parking lot; the owner appeared to be long gone, so she promptly handed them over to me. I told her it might’ve been a good day to buy a lottery ticket!
Style isn’t always about money or shopping; it’s about expressing oneself through personal treasures, even if they are acquired through more unusual means.
jcrew shirt, james jeans*, jcrew belt, theyskens theory flats, ray ban sunglasses*, ring from myhabit (cannot remember who made it!)
When I was quite young, I was often mistaken for a boy from behind. I’ve worn my hair very short off and on throughout my life, and I spent quite a bit of time wearing a baseball cap as a kid. I was never bothered when it happened; I always thought it was funny when someone would be surprised when I turned around and turned out to be a little girl.
Though I’ll always want a bit of masculinity in my wardrobe, these days I don’t exactly want to be mistaken for a dude. The pointy toe of my beloved Theyskens Theory flats injects just enough femininity to make me feel like a tomboy, not a boy (big thanks to miss sophie for helping me with sizing many moons ago).
I wouldn’t mind a new baseball cap though.
via thegloss
Well, that was fast.
Recently I decided my wardrobe needed the addition of a versatile little black dress. The two I had in my closet–one leather, one with a voluminous cut–aren’t the most versatile of LBDs. This item is not something I have a great need for at this time in my life, but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to window shop, check out different styles and cuts, and keep an eye out for a workable little number.
My favorite of the little black dresses I’ve owned throughout the years was a beautiful strapless number in matte satin; the waistline featured incredibly flattering ruching on one side and a bit of a flared skirt that ended just below the knee. I bought it at a little boutique in my hometown on major sale for $69, and I still remember it felt like such a splurge for a student on a tight budget. The dress was incredibly easy to accessorize, and I wore it constantly–to my favorite jazz club, out to dinners with friends, even as the maid of honor in my cousin’s wedding. Eventually I simply wore the thing out.
I’ll always be on the hunt for a dress that will replicate that feeling of ease, but sometimes I wonder if perfect pieces merely reflect a moment in time. I might not ever again find a little black dress as flattering or as comfortable, but I’ll make do in the meantime. Here are a couple I’ve stumbled upon recently…
I picked up this dress at the thrift store for $6.99; it’s in perfect condition (save for that thread I forgot to cut off the label!), and the material is comfortable and forgiving. Once again, three cheers for flattering ruching.
Then I was flipping through my inspiration folder the other day when I found this look and immediately knew what I wanted to pair with this dress: a white tux jacket.
I recently saw the one below in a store and really liked it, but the linen makes the jacket a little too casual for the look. Still, it would be great to pair with shorts and simple sandals this spring.
via macy’s
The second little black dress I found on ebay was a bit of a departure for me; it’s not a look I’ve ever been drawn to for myself, though I love 60s detailing on others. Call it Mad Men fever, but this little dress had me at hello.
A simple black jersey dress that can be easily layered. With just a bit of a surprise.
I find the split sleeves with a hint of bell shape incredibly chic.
These two purchases fall under the heading of planned spontaneity; I had already researched some looks, knew what I needed in a little black dress, and kept my eyes open for whatever might come my way. They just appeared a little sooner than I expected!
(sorry about the gloomy lighting!)
Most consumers fall on one or the other side of the secondhand divide: they either do it or they don’t. Whether one’s choice stems from childhood memories, associations with un/pleasant memories, a desire or need to purchase clothes for a (lot) less, or some other factor, there doesn’t seem to be much of a wishy-washy position on the subject.
I’ve always been an avid thrifter. As a child, it was simply a necessity to make the family budget work. As a teen, I was able to stretch a retail salary quite a bit by mainly shopping thrift stores instead of the mall; a zebra pencil skirt and a plethora of vintage leather belts were some of my favorite finds as a teen. Now, as an adult, shopping secondhand allows me to reduce waste and my impact on the environment while finding pieces that every other woman in town won’t be donning. And the price tags don’t hurt either.
Here’s a round-up of some of my favorite finds, straight from the thrift store…
Silk blouse from Jcrew: This simple black blouse must be from an older collection, because the silk is thick and luxurious, quite unlike the thin, transparent silk of Jcrew’s current tops. Not only did I find this blouse fro $3.99 at a thrift store, I have worn it countless times…and it’s still going strong. That’s quite a contrast with today’s pieces from Jcrew: buttonholes that aren’t cleanly stitched, material that is so thin it sports holes after one wash. I haven’t seen this sort of thick, velvety silk at Jcrew in quite some time.
Sweater from Vince: Another $3.99 find, this grey Vince sweater was simply missing its belt. No problem! It’s extremely cozy and should keep me warm for quite a few winters to come.
Silk skirt from Wyeth by Todd Magill: Wyeth by Todd Magill is a defunct line that produced beautiful, wearable pieces. I keep a sharp eye for Wyeth pieces to scoop up, but so far this has been my only score. The heavyweight satin is luxurious and perfectly cut; the drape and movement are simply perfect. This classic skirt was a mere $6 , and I plan on keeping it forever.
Heels from Nine West: I don’t really discriminate when it comes to shoe shapes, but the pointy toe–whether “in” or “out”–will always be my favorite, especially when I find a comfortable, never-worn heel for $7.99. And is anyone else annoyed that regular heels are now being referred to as “single soled”? This sort of reference turns a basic, timeless shape into a trend and pushes fashion ever more into a fad-driven machine where even a classic shape is viewed as such.
Whether a shopper is looking for timeless pieces or a way to emulate trends without hitting the mall, the secondhand market is a great way to stock a wardrobe with quality pieces for less.