What I Learned at Blogwarts: Layering

So, it turns out that Blogwarts is totally a real thing and they let me audit a class on layering.  Since many of you indicated on Wednesday’s post that you also have trouble layering dresses and blouses, so I thought I’d share what I learned.

Let’s talk first about the dress.

It should be a heavier-weight fabric.  I, personally, prefer ponte, a tightly-woven and therefore, heavier knit.

It should not be skin tight.  Especially in your curvier areas.  As I mentioned Wednesday, I went with a fit and flare dress because it gave me extra room around the thighs which is where I need it.

It should be structured (but not tight).  A more structured silhouette will help keep the look sleek.  A fit and flare dress, for example, will look sleeker layered over a blouse than a sack dress.

Now for the blouse.

Unlike the dress, the blouse should be lightweight.  Sheer blouses are very good for layering because they add very little bulk, especially under a heavier knit.

Like the dress, the blouse should be fitted.  This is especially important if the blouse is not sheer; a fitted blouse will help keep the bulk down.  Gap has some very cute fitted/shrunken boyfriend button-downs that I think would work.  They are available in Tall as well.

I also love the Caslon shirts from Nordstrom for this concept.  They don’t come in “Tall” but tend to have long-enough sleeves and are well-fitted.

For some suggestions on what to layer how, I created some Polyvore sets, all featuring the Mossimo Fit and Flare Ponte Knit dress from Target which is the same dress I wore in my post Wednesday.

Mossimo dress, Ruche "Giselle" Pleated Necktie blouse &Lulu's d'Orsay flats

Mossimo dress, Modcloth "First Class Cabin" blouse & "Both Feet on the Playground" flats

Mossimo dress, Nordstrom Caslon shirt, Sole Society booties

A couple more tips.

If you can't find a bow blouse you like, you can always add a lady-tie to your look.

Belts are your friends; a wide belt, especially, can help keep the volume down.

And, if you're still not looking as sleek as you like, try this trick from Franziska at Franish; she's a genius.


So, what do you think, Reader Friends?  Would you try any of these looks?


Happy Friday, Everyone!

Gracey


** Disclosure: Actions taken from the hyperlinks in this blog post may yield commission/compensation for the writer. Please see the Disclosure tab for more details.

Black and White and Blush All Over

Oh, and a little bit of oxblood:

 

I have had this thrifted sweater forever, but I never wore it because the length was weird.  It wasn’t duster-length; it was 80s-oversized-cardigan-length.  And that makes sense, because this is an oversized cardigan from the 80s.  Seriously oversized; this bad boy is a medium. 

In spite of the awkward length, I loved how graphic this sweater is, so I held onto it for years.  And then, finally, this fall I had the brilliant idea to shorten it.  I cut about 8 inches off and ran a zigzag stitch across the bottom to (hopefully) keep it from unraveling. It took another couple of months to get cold enough to wear this and for me to decide what to wear it with.  But, today, the stars have aligned and I'm finally wearing the sweater I've named "The Big Lebowski":

For the inaugural wearing, I paired The Big Lebowski* (vintage I.  B. Diffusion for Neiman Marcus via Goodwill) with an oxblood turtleneck (Gap) and a blush chiffon skirt (Pleione via Nordstrom Rack).  I added black tights (Spanx via Nordstrom), black ankle boots (Nine West “Darsy”) and a black cashmere scarf (Nordstrom).

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

P.S. I know The Big Lebowski is from the 90s, not the 80s, but that's the name the sweater whispered to me.

P. P.S. Here is an awesome I.B. Diffusion promotional video from the 80s:

Pumpkin Legs and a Secret

Here are the pumpkin legs (no, really, someone actually referred to them that way):

Luxury Rebel "Yuma" - Image via 6pm.com

And here is the secret: I don’t always dress to flatter my figure.  

Okay, I guess if you’ve followed my blog for longer than a day, you’ve already noticed that figure flattery isn’t high on my list of sartorial priorities.  I would just rather be comfortable and colorful (i.e. happy) than worry about conforming to some physical ideal that I don’t naturally possess.  Magazines are full of tips on how to dress “taller and thinner” but I’m not convinced that’s the best goal to have.  At least not for me.  I am the height I am (which, granted, is pretty tall) but I’m also the build that I am and I don’t always want to have to disguise that.

Which isn’t to say that there aren’t clothes out there that make me look taller and thinner and make me happy.  I’ve found a few pieces that fit the bill.  No, all I’m saying is that if something makes me happy, like pumpkin legs, slouchy sweaters and  colorfully printed skirts, I’m still going to wear them, whether they are flattering or not. 

Unflattering?  Perhaps.  But also happy.

What about you, Reader Friends?  How high is figure flattery on your list?

Gracey

Mocha, Charcoal and Plaid

One of the looks I knew for certain I’d try this fall and winter was black with brown.  And then, the other day, my charcoal sweater ended up next to my brown skirt and I realized that I also needed to try gray with brown.  So, I did:

Specifically what I did was to pair that charcoal sweater (Tulle) with a mocha-colored midi-skirt (vintage, thrifted).  I added gray and black herringbone tights (HUE), black shooties (BC Shoes) and my plaid infinity scarf (DIY’d).

And I’m glad I tried it, because I liked it.  I think the look would have worked just as well with a black sweater, but I think the charcoal with the mocha is a little bit more unexpected.  And I think the plaid scarf was a little unexpected as well.  Well, maybe not on me as I wear this thing constantly, but in general terms of clothing combinations, I’m totally cutting edge.

Happy Wednesday, Everyone!  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Gracey

Just Add Elephants

Absolutely no one, ever, has asked me for advice on how to wear head-to-toe black without it looking too severe or boring.  But, if they had, my answer would have been to just add elephants:

Corso Como "Lexy" - image via Nordstrom.com

Or any cute, graphic print; polka dots, wombats, whatever floats your boat.  This elephant skirt definitely floats my boat and makes this one of my favorite outfits, in spite of its lack of color.  

In addition to the pleated, elephantastic skirt (vintage Campus Casuals via Vintage by the Pound), I also wore a cashmere sweater (Nordstrom) layered over a lace-trim cami (Old Navy).  I finished the look with tights (SPANX Tight-End Tights via Nordstrom), a faux-croc belt (Macy’s) and wedge booties (Corso Como “Lexy” via Nordstrom).

If you’re not a fan of prints (I understand there are some of you out there), another way to liven up a black outfit is to mix textures.  For this look, I paired chiffon with cashmere, faux-croc, leather, lace, and whatever it is tights are made out of (Lycra?  I think Lycra).  Even if the skirt weren’t printed with tiny little elephants of joy, the different textures would still add interest and keep the outfit from looking flat.

But, really, your best bet is to just add elephants; they make everything better.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Shop the Look: 

I could not find an elephant print skirt anywhere on the internet, but I did find this cute, elephant print blouse

black cashmere sweater

Spanx Tight End Tights

Corso Como "Lexy" booties (on sale now at Nordstrom)

similar belt

** Disclosure: Actions taken from the hyperlinks in this blog post may yield commission/compensation for the writer. Please see the Disclosure tab for more details.

Bare Legs and Booties

It has been unseasonably warm here in Oregon over the past few days, giving me the opportunity to wear things I usually can’t in November.  Like yesterday’s suede boots and today’s bare legs and booties:

Seriously, it’s in the 60s today and, so far, no rain, so I figured it was a good day to go without tights and to wear these animal print booties.  They’re calf-hair, so they’re water resistant, but I worry about getting them muddy.  (Now that I have to walk to work like a plebe, I have to think about things like that).  No worries today though; it really is the perfect weather for wearing the booties (80%20 "Tessa" via Piperlime) and my favorite pleated skirt (thrifted) sans tights.  I paired the booties and the skirt with an open-weave sweater (Old Navy), vintage bracelet and a vintage, moss agate necklace (Lil’ Gypsy).

Happy Tuesday, All!  And Happy Election Day, U.S. Reader Friends!

Gracey