Flow-y, But With Pants

A combination that I really, really love, but don't wear nearly enough, is the combination of a dress over pants:

It can just be such a hard look to get right.  The proportions can go wacky, and stumpifying, very quickly. (And, trust me, no one wants to look both wacky *and* stumpified.  One or the other, sure, why not?  But not both).  Still, as I said, it's a look I love and one I'll keep trying.


That being said, I rather like this iteration:

Turtleneck: Gap (similar)  Dress: thrifted vintage
Pants: Gap (similar)  Belt: thrifted vintage  Boots: Franco Sarto "Eminent"

I think wearing the dress partially open over the pants helps minimize any damage I'm doing with these proportions.  And even if it's not, I still like this version because it is great for swanning about without freezing my nethers. It's flow-y, but with pants.  So, you know, win-win.


Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

A Monday Aesthetic

I'm wondering if this outfit actually fits:

Because, looking at these pictures, everything seems to me to be slightly too big.  Except the boots, of course, they're perfect.


Maybe it's just the cardigan that's throwing me off; it's extremely rare that I have to cuff my sleeves because they're too long:

Or, maybe it's just the proportions.  Maybe the cardigan would look better with a more fitted skirt:

Cardigan: Target  Blouse: LOFT (similar)
Skirt: thrifted vintage (similar cord, similar wool)  Boots: Enzo Angiolini "Colston"

No. You know what?  Now that I think about it, slightly-too-big actually seems like the right aesthetic for a Monday.



Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Because I Want To

I wore this scarf today because I wanted to, not because I had to:

Because it was warm here today.  Not just not-cold, warm.  I think it got up to 78 or so.  In November.  In Western Pennsylvania.  So, did I need this scarf?  No, I did not.



And the same could be said for the boots:

Dress: Target  Cardi: LOFT (similar)
Scarf: c/o of FRAAS (similar)  Boots: v. old Steve Madden (similar)

I'm wearing them not because it's cold and I have to.  No, I'm wearing the boots because it's November, damnit, and I want to wear boots.



Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

A Whole Lotta Denim

My initial thought when I first got this dress was, "Whoa, that's a whole lotta denim":

My second thought was, "Ooh, snaps.  I love snaps."  My third was, "Crap, I hope my thighs don't take those snaps as a sign to make a run for it."


And my fourth thought was, "That'll be so cute paired with cognac boots."  And it was:

It was also cute with a floral-print wool scarf:

Was it still a whole lotta denim?

Dress: Gap  Scarf: thrifted vintage
Belt: thrifted vintage  Boots: v. old Steve Madden (similar save, splurge)

Yes, but that's okay, because the snaps stayed snapped, my thighs stayed put, and the dress looks cute with cognac boots and a colorful scarf.



Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Product Review: Berkshire Tights

I wear a lot of tights.  I mean, a lot.  They are basically my go-to for winter, stemming in part from when I used to ride my bike to work.  Tights just dry so much faster when rained on than jeans do.  And although I'm not close enough to my current job to ride to work (also, why no bike lanes, people?) I still love wearing tights.

But, I have to say that while I love wearing tights, I don't always love how it feels to wear tights.  A lot can go wrong with wearing tights.  If they're too short in the leg, they will inch down into Hammer pants by the end of the day.  If they're too tight in the waist, they will give you what Sal over Already Pretty calls "segmented worm syndrome" which is both uncomfortable and unsightly.  And, if they're too tight in the thighs, your thighs bitch and moan and call you names all day.  (No?  Is that just me?  Damn thighs).

If any, or heaven forbid, all of those things happen to you when wearing tights, then I have one word for you: Berkshire.  As in Berskshire Hosiery, as in makers of the most comfortable tights I've ever worn:

These are the Easy On! Tights and not only were they easy to get on, they were comfortable.  All day long.  I mean: All. Day. Long.  I couldn't believe it.  No pinching, no binding, no rolling, and no mutinous mutterings from my thighs.


I paired the tights with a pleated skirt and geometric print cardigan, because if you can't be paired with a pleated skirt and/or a cardigan, you probably don't belong in my wardrobe:

Cardigan: Target (similar)  Skirt: thrifted vintage (similar)
Tights: c/o Berkshire Hosiery  Shoes: Shoes of Prey (similar)

I'm happy to say these tights worked very well with my pleats and cardigan.  Basically, Berkshire tights are amazing and I can't say enough good about them.

Well, I guess I can say a few more things.  One, they're made in the USA, which is fantastic.  Two, they have an amazing selection of styles and a great size range; petite, regular, plus and even maternity.  And definitely long enough for us tall gals; again, I'm wearing the Easy On! Tights in size 1X/2X and they are more than long enough. And it's not just the basic black tights that are long enough; this particular tights is available in six different colors.  Even fun tights are available for giants; I also tried out the Berkshire Trend tights in Fishnet, and those also fit fabulously.

If you want to know more about Berkshire, or want to try them for yourself (you should, they're great!) visit their site at eberkshire.com and, you can get 15% off of your order with the code blogger15, now through December 16th, 2016.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Worth the Cold Toes

So, I apologize for my extended absence for the last week or so.  I went back to Oregon, and while the trip wasn't especially sudden, I also didn't bother to plan anything for the blog while I was gone, so, yeah.  Sorry about that.


But, I'm back now, and I'm wearing cute pants:

I'm also wearing sandals so my toes were cold most of the morning.  But, the weather got into the 70s this afternoon so my tootsies were just fine.


And thank goodness too because I love these sandals with these pants:

Sweater: LOFT (similar)  Blouse: LOFT (similar)
Pants: LOFT  Sandals: Steve Madden (similar)

This outfit is totally worth the cold toes.


Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Mostly Impractical

This dress is one of those pieces that I feel has a limited window of wear:

It's a thicker knit so it doesn't really work for warm weather.  But, it's short-sleeved so it doesn't really work for cold weather either.



But, on a day like today that starts out cool, but not cold, and gets warmer, but not warm, it was perfect:

And perfect with this scarf:

Still though, if I'm honest, this dress really is mostly impractical:

Dress: Lands' End (similarly impractical)
Scarf: thrifted (similar) Belt: thrifted  Boots: Gifted (similar)

For much of the year anyway.



Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Another Use for Teal

Today's outfit pairs teal and olive:

Well, two teals, and two olives, I guess.



And yes, I know I also wore teal on Friday; but on Friday, I wore it with flame.  And today I'm wearing it with olive:

Blouse: v. old Old Navy (similar)  Cardigan: LOFT
Belt: J. Crew (similar)   Velvet Flats: v. old Old Navy (similar)
Pants: Ann Taylor (exact in different color, similar color but different pant)

So, really, while it might seem like I've suddenly gone teal-crazy, I'm actually doing it for you, Dearest Reader Friends.  I'm doing it to give you another use for teal.  You're welcome.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Fall Flame and Teal

Oddly enough, one of my favorite color combinations for fall is flame and teal:

I think this color is actually being called "Fiesta" this season, but I will always think of it as "Flame" in honor of my favorite corduroy pants ever.


And I will always want to wear it with bright blue:

Especially in the fall.


To me, this is a very "fall" color combination.  It makes me think of bright autumn skies and bright autumn leaves and pumpkins.  Basically, it's perfect for fall.


At least I think so:

Cardigan: LOFT (similar)  Tee: Banana Republic
Skirt: Ann Taylor (similar)  Belt: Target (similar)  Sandals: Camper (similar)

Happy Friday, All!

Gracey