New Year, New Cape

I think it's best to start a new year in something dramatic.  Like a cape:

It lets people know that you're not afraid to bring the drama to the office.  Belting your cape with a seriously studded belt also helps to hammer that point home:

Still not enough drama for you?  Try swanning about in your cape.  Nothing says drama like some swanning.  And trust me, in this Long Tall Sally cape, you can't help but swan:

The fabric drapes so beautifully and flows so nicely when you walk.  It's wind-in-the-cape instead of wind-in-the-hair, but I still feel like Tyra would be proud.


Seriously, Folks.  Capes.  I think they might become a thing:

Cape: c/o LTS  Turtleneck: Gap (similar)
Skirt: thrifted (similar) Belt: MICHAEL Michael Kors (similar)
Boots: Born Crown "Sosie" (similar)

At least I hope so.


Happy Monday, All!  And Happy New Year!

Gracey

Bright Tights

Sometimes I like to wear super-bright tights:

Even if only a sliver of the tights is visible, like in this outfit, it makes me happy to know that I have neon legs.



Because, with hot pink tights like these, a sliver is all you really need:

Just enough to make you happy.



I mean, sure, they also serve the purpose of picking up some pink in my sweater and therefore tying everything together:

 

Sweater: v. old Gap (similar)  Skirt: Land's End (similar)
Tights: HUE (similar)  Boots: Born Crown "Sosie" (similar)

But, I think we all know that I'm really just wearing them because they make me smile.


Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Five for Friday 7/10/15: Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

As I'm sure most, if not all, of you already know, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is coming up soon. Here are five of my favorites from the sale:

BP Tassel Trim Colorblock Poncho - Ponchos remain a big trend for fall and the longer length on this one is great if you're on the taller side.  The length will also allow it to be belted easily, making it super versatile.  Also, tassels!!

Hinge Lace Mix Top - This lace top is so pretty.  It's also perfect for cooler summer days and can be layered through fall.

Kate Spade New York Glitter Stud Earrings - These earrings have been on my list for a long time, but they were sold out.  I'm thrilled they're back and on sale!  Also, glitter!!

Topshop Button-Front Denim Skirt - The 70s are also a big trend for this coming fall, and this skirt is 70s to me in the best possible way.  Perfect with tights, boots and a turtleneck sweater.

Born "Helen" Boots - I purchased my beloved Born boots at a Nordstrom Anniversary Sale in 2007 and they've finally given up the ghost.  I'm purchasing these as a replacement.


Now, the actual sale doesn't start until July 17th, but if you have a Nordstrom credit or debit card, you can shop my picks and all the other great stuff on sale right away!


Happy Shopping, All!

Gracey

Olive and Boots

My skirt and my top are both olive when they're on their own.  But putting them together seems to have lessened their olive appearance.  They look brown and gray together:

 I guess I should have titled this post "Brown and Gray and Boots" then, but I'm still standing by their individual olive-ness.  I'm supportive like that.


I also could have titled this post "Wind in the Hair" because I feel like Tyra would totally approve of this photo:

Well, not totally; I don't think I'm "smizing."  Next time, Tyra.  Next time.


I should also mention that this outfit was worn earlier this month.  I would likely freeze if I wore this today as we've entered the "freezing rain" phase of fall here.  And it's no fun at all.

But, earlier this month it was warm enough to try to pair two olive pieces and have them change color and still be comfortable:

Sweater: JCP a.n.a  Skirt: Nordstrom (exact)  Boots: Born (similar)

 Ah, those were the days.


Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Fall Colors, Fall Boots

Sometimes, during the fall, I like to wear fall clothing in fall colors.  And, sometimes when I wear fall clothing in fall colors, I like to wear fall boots.  This was one of those times:

Boots: Born Crown (similar)  Jeans: Old Navy  Sweater: Gap (similar)  Tee: Gap (similar)

Is it the most creative outfit ever?  Probably not.  I mean, I'm not wearing a single "on-trend" item.  The color combination of olive and burgundy is neither wacktackular or never-before-seen.  And the scarf is not plaid, over-sized, or over-sized plaid.

But, this outfit is comfortable:

The scarf is covered with paisley and tiny little flowers:

Thrifted scarf (similar)

And I will probably never not wear these boots for fall:

Boots: Born Crown (similar)

Fall clothing in fall colors with fall boots; it's not exciting but that's okay.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Boots and Bridges

I’m working with a bit of a skeleton wardrobe for the next month or so and when I was trying to decide what to keep out and what to store I knew I had to keep my Born boots.

I honestly can’t imagine a fall without these boots:

Boots: Born Crown "Sosie" (similar)  Top: LOFT  Skirt: Old Navy  Tights: Spanx

Or a winter.  Or most of spring.

Today I paired my boots with black and blue:

Now, before you cringe and unfollow me over the wearing of black with brown, please allow me to explain.

I know a lot of people are against pairing black with brown, but I am rather for it.  Especially when worn with a “bridging” color, like blue.  What’s a bridging color, you ask?  Well, it’s a term I made up, as one does, to describe a color that helps bridge the gap between two other colors.

Like this sweater is doing with the skirt and the boots:

This is a picture of me explaining why this outfit works; I'm demonstrating the gap I'm bridging with blue.

Just black and brown together looks fine to my eye, but I can admit that if I had worn a black top with this, the brown boots would have looked out of place.  And then you totally could have left in a huff, vowing never to return until I got my act together and stopped mixing neutrals.

But the blue, especially a printed blue, helps tie the brown in.  Because it’s a bridging color.  See?

Hooray for made up terms!  And boots!  Yay, boots!

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Frayed and Striped and Green

Guess what's frayed and striped and green all over?  That's right, this outfit:

Cardigan: thrifted vintage  Tank: LOFT   Skirt: thrifted & DIY   Boots: Born "Mabel"

This outfit is full of a bunch things I don't usually do.  Well, not a bunch.  Two.  This outfit contains two things I don't usually do.


The first thing I don't usually do is denim skirts:

I tend to avoid them because they make me look like a denim box.  Does this skirt make me look like a denim box?  Yes, but not as badly as most skirts do.  This is sort of Cute Denim Box as opposed to Boxy Denim Box from Boxy Hell.


The second thing I don't usually do is green:

I don't have a valid reason for avoiding green like I do for avoiding denim skirts, I just tend to gravitate more towards blue.  But, this is such a pretty, emerald green that I couldn't resist it.  I plan on wearing it a lot.  Or, at least until something blue catches my eye!


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey


P.S. I was going to link to some frayed denim skirts, but it's probably just cheaper (and more fun!) to run to Goodwill, find a skirt that fits your waist and cut it to the length you want.  That's what I did!

A Variation on a Theme

I don't have anything like a capsule closet, but I've been thinking that maybe I should.  Because it seems like the only things I wear are navy blue, stripes, mustard and leopard.  Often all at once.  Today's outfit is just a variation on that theme:

But, I'd like to point out that I added cobalt.  So, that's something:

Okay, not really.  I'll just go ahead and admit that, yes, its an oft-repeated color scheme here at Fashion for Giants, but I just can't help myself.  I love navy and mustard together and I love leopard and stripes together so mustard leopard with navy stripes just makes all the sense in the world to me.

Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Shop the Look

Philip Lim for Target skirt on eBay

Similar striped tee

Old Navy cardigan

SPANX Tight End tights

Born "Mabel" ankle boots

Similar cobalt scarf

Professor of Equestrian Sciences

So, this outfit sort of looks like something a Professor of Equestrian Sciences might wear for the last class before winter break:

In other words, it doesn't look like spring.  But, in my defense, it doesn't feel like spring in Oregon right now either.  It is cold, it is wet and layers are definitely necessary.  Are Christmas-y layers necessary?  Probably not, but they're happening anyway, aren't they?

The answer is yes, yes they are.

Actually, I think it's just the blouse that throws this look into Christmas territory.  At least that's what my sister says; she swears it's covered in snowflakes.  But, it's not; they're little flowers:

Not the most spring-like flowers, but flowers all the same.  So, at least I'm a seasonally appropriate Professor of Equestrian Sciences.

And, I'm also a participant in The Citizen Rosebud's #SECONDHANDFIRST Link Party.  The entire top half of my outfit, the professorial half, if you will, is thrifted.  The jacket, the blouse, the lady-tie and the lion pin, are all from secondhand shops.

To see what thrifted goodies others are wearing, please do stop by Citizen Rosebud.  And if you're a second-hand shopper, make sure you link up too!

And have a happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Tunic, My Heinie

No, really, I'd like to introduce this tunic to my heinie because I'm pretty sure they haven't met:

Seriously, one of the most frustrating things about being tall is that shirts are crop-tops (gross), tunics are shirts and dresses are tunics.  Tunics are (supposedly) great because you can just throw them on with leggings and go.  But, I can't.  Not unless I want to wear leggings as pants (I will never).

No, instead, I have to layer my "tunic" over a "dress" that's actually just a tunic on me.  Happily, I like to layer:

Tunic: Old Navy  Dress: LOFT  Scarf: Gifted  Leggings: HUE  Boots: Born "Mabel"

But still, if I could find a tunic that wanted to spend quality time covering all my bottom and not just grazing the top half, that would be super.


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Shop the Look

Similar  (sort of) tunic

Similar striped tunic/dress

Similar scarf

Exact HUE leggings (my fave)

Born "Mabel" boots

Monday, Shiny Monday

I'm having a very shiny Monday:

Between my "glitter grunge" sweatshirt and my velvet scarf, it's just shiny, shiny, shiny.

Not that I mind.  Being shiny on a Monday definitely cheers me more than being dull and drab.

Shirt: Gap, similar  Scarf: thrifted  Jeans:JCP   Boots: Born Crown, similar

And, I'm not just shiny, I'm pretty visible in this outfit, so I'm linking up with Patti at Not Dead Yet Style for Visible Monday.

How is your Monday, Reader Friends?

xoxo,

Gracey

Sweater Weather

After a few weeks of unseasonably warm weather, sweater weather has finally arrived in Oregon.  So, I dressed accordingly:

Actually, I overdressed, as I do.  This sweater (thrifted) is alpaca and it's ridiculously warm.  Almost too warm actually.  But, I've been waiting for months to wear it and the weather finally dropped below sixty so I decided now was the time.

Also, it's the perfect excuse to wear orange and burgundy together:

Cashmere scarf: Nordstrom, similar  Skirt: thrifted, similar  Tights: Target  Boots: Born "Mabel"

Not that I need an excuse.  But, I do think it makes my friends and family feel better when I can point out that there is both orange and burgundy in the sweater so therefore the scarf and the tights totally make sense. Sometimes people need things to make sense.

Personally, I just like to wear orange.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Mad for Plaid

If you follow me on Pinterest, you know that I've been pinning the heck out of plaid looks for this fall.  I have, so far, resisted the urge to run out and buy/thrift a bunch of plaid but I'm no longer able resist wearing the plaid items I already own.  Like this plaid skirt:

I thrifted this skirt a couple of years ago but, apparently I wasn't that in to plaid a couple of years ago because I rarely wore it.  I'm planning on making amends for that this fall because I am currently absolutely mad for plaid.

Today I wore the skirt (similar) with a chambray shirt (Caslon, similar), my much-loved Born Crown riding boots (similar) and a vintage ram belt.

I finished the look off with a ball-tasseled (basseled?) scarf (LOFT, similar):

What about you, Reader Friends?  Are you mad for plaid?

Happy Friday, All!

Gracey