Pink, White and Gold

Pink, white and gold is a pretty darned girlie combination.  And, in spite of my love of dresses, I don't really consider myself a girlie girl.  So, it's sort of a surprise, yes, even to me, that I ended up in this combination today:

But, for what it's worth, I consider this a sort of tough pink, white and gold:

Maybe it's the bits of black in the shoes (Seychelles "Mum" via Ideeli).  Or maybe it's the hot pink pants (Michael Kors) instead of a pale pink.  Or, maybe it's the cut of the blouse (Max & Mia via Nordstrom); I think the mixed media and raglan sleeves keep it from being too sweet.  The shape of the necklace (Nordstrom) is also not too terribly sweet.

Not that I have anything against sweet.  Donuts are sweet.  And I love donuts.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Literary Stylings #1: Auntie Mame

Hello, hello, hello!  Welcome to my first ever Literary Stylings post and Link Party.  Today, I am posting an outfit inspired by the book, Auntie Mame, by Patrick Dennis.

I can't remember how old I was when I first saw the movie, Auntie Mame, but I absolutely adored it, and Mame, from the very beginning.  I actually didn't even know that it was a book until a few weeks ago when I was wandering through my favorite used book store and stumbled upon a copy.  The book turned out to be as much of a delight as the movie was and I fell in love with Mame all over again.

Today's outfit is inspired by a scene early on in the book where the narrator first meets his Auntie Mame.  In the scene, Mame is well into her "Asian influence" period so she's dressed in a full kimono to host a fabulous soiree.  Here is my look:

For this outfit, I layered a kimono-esque thingamajig (I think vintage & I think from the sticky thrift store) over a micro-pleated dress (Goodwill) .  I finished the look with Seychelles "Mum" sandals, some layered necklaces and a vintage rhinestone bracelet:

Mame would, of course, have worn diamonds, but I'm channeling after-the-crash-Mame.

I look skeptical but I was quite excited to be swanning about in this.

I really, really liked this look.  I felt tall and fabulous, but still well within my comfort zone.  Mame was a great believer in authenticity so I think she'd appreciate that my look, while inspired by her, is still very much me.

And now, over to you all.  I can't wait to see what everyone wears!



Not a blogger?  I'd love to see your literature-inspired photos on the Fashion for Giants Facebook Page!

Thank you to everyone who was able to participate; I know it was very short notice.  If you didn't get a chance to join in this time around, you can read more about the Literary Stylings Challenge here and hopefully we'll see you on Tuesday, August 6th!

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

Gracey

Peplumesque

I am wearing a striped top once again today but, more importantly, it's also peplumesque:

Well, it's not really.  But I belted it into a peplumesque shape and I think it kind of works:

I haven't been too keen on the peplum trend because I haven't been able to find one I like.  I realized the other day (while watching Pretty in Pink, no less) that many of today's peplums are just too limp for my tastes.  I prefer a stiffer fabric.  And belting this vintage silk jacket was pert near perfect.  It could stand to be a little longer and even a little more stiff, but it'll do in a pinch.

Because I was adding volume at the waist, I tried to keep the bottom of my outfit sleek with a cinnamon-colored knit skirt (Jones New York via Goodwill).  I finished the look with my neon necklace (Target) and abstract print sandals:

 Seychelles Women's Mum T-Strap Sandal

Image via Amazon.com

What about you, Reader Friends?  Are you fans of the peplum trend?

Happy Wednesday, All!

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.

Harlequin and Hearts

I learned a lot from wearing this outfit today:

 

One, in spite of the neutral color palette, this outfit attracts a lot of attention.  From whispers of “look at those shoes” as I passed by, to concern that I was interviewing for a different job.  

Two, I am apparently considered by my peers to be more fashionable than professional; today’s outfit was described as “professional-fashionable” as opposed to my “usual fashionable-fashionable.”  I’ll take it.

Three, when worn over black tights, these shoes kind of look like the wedge high-top sneakers I’ve been trying to avoid.  Heh.

Four, this skirt is not great for bike riding.  It’s so full that the wind kept catching it and I looked like a giant crow or bat trying to ride a bike.  And, with my black coat, I also felt a little witchy.  My friends are always threatening to drive behind me blasting the Wicked Witch’s theme from The Wizard of Oz.  Today would have been a great day for that.

All that for what’s basically a very simple outfit.  It’s a harlequin sweater vest (vintage J. G. Hook via Goodwill) layered over a black turtleneck (Gap) with a black skirt (Ralph Lauren via Goodwill), black tights (Hue via Nordstrom Rack) and Matiko “Ella” wedges (Ideeli).  I also added a belt (vintage brass), earrings (gifted) and the titular hearts in the form of a heart necklace from ModCloth ( v. old).

And I think I liked it.  I think it’s unusual but I also think it’s kind of cool.  But, honestly, I don’t know; I’m having the hardest time dressing myself lately. 

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Burgundy and Orange

Burgundy and orange are one of those color combinations that look fabulous to my eye even if they don’t exactly make sense on paper:

I am especially fond of the plummy burgundy (which, yes, I call oxblood when I want to seem on-trend) of this turtleneck (Gap) paired with the bright, tangerine orange of this skirt (vintage via Goodwill).  I also wore a cream, cashmere sweater (Forte Cashmere via Ideeli), black tights (Spanx via Nordstrom) and snake platform pumps (Pierre Dumas via Piperlime).

Also, I didn’t realize it until today, but I’m a turkey decal away from being dressed like the Virginia Tech 2012 Russell Athletic Bowl Helmets.

Helmets:

Gracey:

And, in Great-Intent-Shaky-Execution News, I also wore this metal filigree necklace from Old Navy: 

You can’t see it in the other photos because there isn’t enough contrast between it and the turtleneck, and because my hair is in the way, but, I swear that I wore it and that it added pretty much nothing to the outfit. 

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

Gracey

P.S.  You're welcome for all of the football helmets I share.

Shop the Look:

Similar skirt

Similar turtleneck

Similar sweater

Spanx Tight End Tights

Similar Shoes

I couldn't find a similar necklace, but they have these in-store at Old Navy.

** 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.

Oh, Hey There, Boobs

I like this dress, in theory, but I’m not sure it works in reality:

(Similar mixed print dress, Spanx sheer polka dot tights, similar Naughty Monkey boots)

In theory, it’s made of comfortable matte jersey, has great color, a fun pattern and a flattering cut.  In reality, I’m afraid it’s a little “Oh, hey there, Boobs” for my tastes.  I don’t think it’s obscene, but I fear it might be questionable:

Which is too bad, because I otherwise like this outfit.  The dress (Suzy Chin for Maggy Boutique via Ideeli) really is comfortable.  And I love the polka dot tights (Spanx Sheers via Nordstrom) and slouchy boots (Naughty Monkey via Nordstrom) with it.  I just worry about that swath of red fabric across the chest, especially coupled with the lower neckline.

But, oh, well.  Done is done.  And no one has actually said “Oh, hey there, Boobs” to me, so I’m going to say it’s fine.  At least for now.

Happy Thursday, All!

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.

Strange Happenings in the Land of Nosh Opping

I found these pants in my closet the other day.  Found.  Not rediscovered, not finally remembered, found:

Matiko 'Ella' Wedges

I literally have no idea where they came from.  I mean, the tag says “Gap” but I have absolutely no idea how they got from the Gap to the Giants Closet.  I found them in a tiny, blink-and-you’ll-miss it village called Pantslandia.  They were hanging out with the other pants of the village, but while I remember purchasing all of the other pants (including some from 4 years ago!); I don’t remember buying these pants.  (Or receiving them as a gift; which would be weird but would at least explain where they came from).  

After I got over my surprise in finding these in Pantslandia, I decided to wear them.  I paired the pants (Gap) with a black and white striped tee (Old Navy), black belt (Nine West via Ross),  Matiko wedges (via Ideeli) and my apple pendant (Ally Hoot Vintage).  Sure it’s a lot of neutrals but I liked it.  And I like these pants.  However they made their way to Pantslandia, I think that they’ll stay.

Which is great news because I'm pretty sure my blogger friend Tia is writing a musical about pants and I've begged for a part.  Or, failing that, I have it on good authority, from my other blogger friend Kish that “So You Think You Can Pants” is totally a possibility for Fox next summer.  Both excellent reasons to have pants in ones closet, right?

Happy Wednesday, Everyone!

Gracey