A Different Dark Floral

Usually when I think of "dark floral," I think of a rich floral print on a black or dark back ground.  But, today, I'm wearing a different dark floral:

In the case of this blouse, the floral print itself is actually dark and the background is white.


And, I gotta tell ya, Folks, I rather like it:

And I think it'll be pretty versatile for layering in a variety of winter outfits.


For today though, I just paired it with one of my vintage midi skirts.  I thought it was a good opportunity to show off both the blouse and the skirt:

Blouse: LOFT  Skirt: thrifted vintage
Tights: c/o No Nonsense  Boots: Franco Sarto "Eminent"

Also, it was easy.  Sometimes I like easy.


Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Like A Pro

I've always wondered how other bloggers were able to layer button-up blouses under their dresses without looking lumpy.  Was  it a trick of the light?  Did they have the assistance of birds & mice to make it work?  Was there some sort of Hogwarts for Bloggers, a Blogwarts if you will, that taught them how to perform this bit of magic?

Turns out the answer to all of those is no (well, Blogwarts is a maybe).  Turns out that all you have to do is find the right dress and the right blouse and, et voila, you've layered like a Blogwarts-trained pro.  This weekend, I found the right dress:

Target dress, Gap blouse, Born boots & vintage brooch

And I layered it over the right blouse:

I also added my vintage lion pin because, as I told you, I'm into big cats right now:

So, what makes this the right dress (for me)?  Well, it's a ponte knit, which means it's a heavier knit, which makes for smoother layering than a thin knit.  It's also a looser fit, which means there is room under it to add a blouse.  And, it has a flared skirt which gives extra room around my hips, which is where I need it most. 

And the blouse?  What makes it so great?  Well, it's very lightweight, practically sheer, which allows it to fit smoothly under the dress.  Also, it's mustard (hooray) and has a bow (double hooray). 

Happy Wednesday, Everyone!

Gracey

Shop the Look:
Exact Mossimo Fit & Flare Dress (Plus also available)
Similar bow blouse
Similar Born riding boots
Exact vintage lion pin

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Wow, That Is A Lot of Yellow

It is.  Except that it’s not yellow.  It’s mustard, or goldenrod, if you will.  But, really, whatever color you call it, yes, it’s a lot:

I don’t know what possessed me to go so boldly, monochromatically mustard today.  I think it’s just because I could.  I had all of the pieces and figured “why not”?  The pieces of which I speak are a sweater skirt (vintage via Value Village), a bow blouse (Gap), a cashmere sweater (via Goodwill) and tights (Target).  I also added a studded belt (Michael Michael Kors via Nordstrom) and riding boots (Born Crown “Sosie” via Nordstrom). 

This is not something I would usually wear and I doubt I’ll wear all of these pieces together again.  I like mustard and I like monochromatic looks, but the two combined in one outfit is just a lot of look, even for me.  It was a fun experiment though and well worth the confusion on my co-workers faces.

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Black and Blue and a Lynne Pin

Some time back, awesome, fabulous, gorgeous blogger friend Lynne sent me an awesome, fabulous, gorgeous vintage pin:

I wore it with black and blue: 

In what was, apparently, the most confusing outfit I’ve ever worn.  As I was leaving the house, my sister said “That’s a cute… thing.”  I asked her what thing she was talking about and she said my outfit.  She said she didn’t know what it was, but she liked it.  And, later in the day, I was trying to talk to my manager and he just kept staring at me until I asked him what the problem was.  He said he just didn’t understand what he was looking at.  I explained that it was three different pieces all layered together.

Specifically, I layered a turtleneck (Gap) under a cap-sleeve bow blouse (via Vintage by the Pound) and topped them both with a sleeveless wool dress (vintage Liberty House via Goodwill):

I also added leggings (Macys), a studded belt (JC Penney) and cuffed boots (Gap).  Oh, and neon pink stud earrings (Kate Spade New York via Nordstrom): 

image via Nordstrom.com

Confusing or not, this was one of my all-time favorite outfits.  I’ll be the first to admit that my attempts at layering don’t always work, but I think I frickin’ nailed this one. 

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

My Skirt is Not Neon

It just looks like it is.  Because nothing is EVER the same color on my blog as it is in my house.  At home, this skirt is a lovely, bright kelly.  In pictures, it really is practically neon:

 

I paired my non-neon skirt (vintage, via Vintage by the Pound) with a blue-and-white striped bow blouse (also vintage, also via Vintage by the Pound).  I added a leopard belt (???), yellow platform sandals (Franco Sarto via Nordstrom Rack), a vintage Monet cuff (Red Fox Vintage) and a single earring (no idea).

I feel very 80s in this outfit.  Which, for me, is a good thing.  I adore the 80s but admit that it sometimes colors my judgment.  Surely only someone enamored of the 80s would think pairing this practically-neon skirt with this blouse and adding random animal print, side-swept hair and a single earring makes sense.  Does it really make sense?  I have no idea; I’m probably the last person you should ask.

I do like it though and am happy to link this outfit to Jill and Adrienne’s How I Wear My: Secondhand Treasures Link Party.  To see more secondhand treasures, please pop on over to Adrienne’s blog, The Rich Life (on a budget) for a visit. 

And have a happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Pleats and Stripes and Silly Concerns

I don’t think this outfit photographed very well, but I loved it:

I swear it’s more flattering in person, but, I could be delusional so maybe “swear” isn’t the right word.  Really though, I felt great in this today.  After all, I found another way to style this pleated skirt (thrifted).  I’m wearing yet another bow blouse (vintage LeeMar via Vintage by The Pound).  And I got to wear my Hive and Honey flats (Piperlime) again.  Basically it’s an outfit full of things I love: pleats, stripes, bows blouses and ankle strap flats.  

Also, I know it’s supposed to be some sort of fashion taboo to wear ankle straps with long skirts, but I think it worked.  Even if it hadn’t, I’m glad I tried it.  These poor flats languished in my closet for a long time because I was afraid the ankle strap would make me look stumpy.  I know that sounds like a silly concern for a giant, but I like being tall; I don’t want to look shorter.   Once I figured out that they don’t chop me off at the leg though (probably because, as Mia pointed out, the strap is essentially the same color as my leg) it was on.  They are super comfortable and while I know they’ll work with above the knee dresses and skirts, I wanted to experiment with other items too.  

Remember, it’s okay to experiment, even if it doesn’t always go well.

Gracey

Layers and Lace

In spite of my protestations against the whole crop top trend, there are just some crop tops I can’t resist.  Like this coral piece:

I mean, it’s coral (!) and lace (!); how could I resist?  Especially when it was less than $6.00 at Nordstrom Rack.   And I’m fresh off two months of no shopping?  Honestly, I’m not Wonder Woman, people.  Although I did do my best Wonder Woman pose today:

So, yeah, there was no way I was passing up this shirt.  Of course, it’s basically see-through because it’s lace, and that caused some consternation early on this morning.  At least until I had the idea to layer the cropped top over a similarly-hued bow blouse that I bought this weekend (Old Navy, thrifted).  I added black cropped pants (Banana Republic) and my black ankle-strap flats (Hive & Honey via Piperlime).  And then I completely forgot jewelry.  As I do.

I did remember a close up of the combination of the lace and bow though:

So, points for that then, maybe?  Yes?  Fabulous.

Happy Wednesday, Everyone!

Gracey

Boy’s Club

Alternately Titled: Gracey Wears Khakis

These are the only khakis I own.  I have had them for years and if I’ve ever worn them, I don’t recall.  They just aren’t really my style.  I know a lot of women wear khakis, and with great success, on a daily basis, but to me, they feel like menswear, which I do NOT know how to style so I usually avoid borrowing from the boys.   Today, though, I thought I’d give it a shot:

Is it truly androgynous?  Probably not.  But, it’s a level of androgyny I feel comfortable with.  And I really do feel like the looser fit of the pants, the neutral color palette and even the tie-neck blouse are a nod to menswear.  I paired the pants (Gap) with a semi-sheer black sweater (Target) layered over a cream bow blouse (Old Navy).  I also added black suede heels (Me Too via Nordstrom Rack).  I could have gone with flats, which may have been more authentic, but that would have put this outfit way outside my comfort zone and I am not that adventurous.

This outfit is actually a result of my heading back into the Valley of the Duplicates in The Giants Closet.  I have these same pants in grey also and have this same sweater in beige.  I’ve worn the grey pants at least once before, but am not sure I wear either pair enough to warrant having/keeping two pairs.  As for the sweater, I wear the black version fairly frequently, but don’t know that I’ve ever worn the beige version.  Because it’s beige.  I’m just sayin’.  But, I’ll try to wear both of the other pieces this week and decide if I really need all four pieces or just one pair of the pants and one of the sweaters.   Or any of the pants and sweaters.  So many decisions…

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

Gracey