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

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

Embroidery, Tassels, and a Ram

This outfit has everything:

Embroidery.

Tassels.

And a ram:

All of which make it, possibly, the perfect fall outfit:

Dress: LOFT (similar) Ram belt: secondhand vintage  
Scarf: Nordstrom Rack (similar here and here)
Boots: Bettye Bettye Muller (save, splurge, bigger splurge)

Or at least perfect for what's supposed to be a rainy, not-too-cold fall day.



Happy Monday, 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

No Nonsense Denim Leggings

I'm wearing white today:

And yes, it's after Labor Day.


The thing is, I received these white denim leggings from No Nonsense, and I like them too much to relegate them to summer wear only.  They are extremely comfortable, and are a surprisingly good length, even after washing.  I got them in XL and they fit snugly, without being too tight.  I will say though, that they are probably better suited for an "apple" shape than someone with a "curvier" shape; there is a bit of a gap in the waist for me.



So, yes, I'm wearing white after Labor Day:

Leggings: c/o No Nonsense  Tunic: Nordstrom Rack (similar)
Pendant: v. old Old Navy (similar)  Vest: Nordstrom (similar)  Shoes: Via Spiga (similar)

Thank goodness there are no rules against that sort of thing, right?



Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Five For Friday: Cardians

Although it's pretty warm here today, it's been much cooler this week.  So cool, in fact, that it's got me thinking about Fall.  Or, as I like to call it, Cardigan Season.

To celebrate the fact that Cardigan Season is nearly upon us, I've picked five cardigans I'd love to wear this season:

1. Nordstrom Blue Star Geo Print Cardigan - This cardigan is perfect for now, and for regions with milder Cardigan Seasons.  Also, the print is amazing and it's on sale.  Yay!

2. LOFT V-Neck Cardigan - In spite of the fact that LOFT stubbornly refuses to make these cardigans in Tall sizes (Why, LOFT?  Why?), I still like them.  Especially when they come in pretty colors like this orange-y nutmeg shade.

3. Target "Tribal" Print Cardigan - I'm showing the back of this cardigan so you can get the full effect of the awesome mix of colors and prints.  The front is similar, but with buttons.  Available in plus sizes too.

4. Gap Merino Wool Cardigan - The beautiful berry color of this cardigan is everything to me.

5. Modcloth "You Heard That Bright" Cardigan - For some reason I already own several navy blue cardigans.  And yet I still feel like I need *this* navy blue cardigan.  I mean, who doesn't need a navy blue cardigan with multi-colored zigzags??


How about you, Reader Friends?  Are you excited for Cardigan Season?


Gracey

No Nonsense, Well, Maybe Just a Little

But, not with the tights.  No, these tights were given to me by No Nonsense, and they are living up to their name:

The skirt, on the other hand, is straight up full of nonsense.  The darn thing insists on spinning around on my waist like it's being paid to do so.  Seriously, that front pocket seems to think it's a side pocket and is trying it's darnedest to get back home.

But, enough of the silly skirt.  Let's talk about these tights:

I'm not kidding folks, they are fantastic.

Now, this particular pair, while fabulously patterned, isn't especially thick, but for Fall, or mild winters, these are perfect.  Also perfect?  The fit.  I'd never tried No Nonsense tights because I tend to shy away from tights that have combined sizes, like L/XL, because I've found they're more on the "L" side than on the "XL" side and I am the opposite.  But, these tights fit beautifully.  They're long enough for my legs and didn't sag at all during the day.  They also didn't pinch my thighs, which is good because my thighs hate being pinched.

If your thighs also hate being pinched, I highly recommend No Nonsense tights.  Because, having No Nonsense on your legs gives you more time to deal with the nonsense of your skirt:

Nonsense Skirt: LOFT  Sweater: Woolovers (get 10% off with that link)
Tights: No Nonsense  Boots: Franco Sarto "Eminent"

And that takes a lot of energy.

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Form Over Function

The cut on this cardigan is definitely one of form over function:

As I said before about it, the buttons are essentially superfluous, forcing me to wear it open.  Therefore I can't wear it on really cold days because my entire front will freeze.


Happily, it hasn't bothered to be really cold here in Pennsylvania for this entire week.  In fact, it's been gorgeous and I won't even need the cardigan by this afternoon.  In the meantime though, it's perfect:

And the chevron pattern on the cardigan pairs perfectly with my layered chevron necklace:

So even though the cut is mostly impractical and the buttons are nonsensical at best, I have to say that this cardigan looks pretty cool:

Cardigan: A&Ro (similar)  Blouse: Old Navy
Necklace: Piperlime (similar)  Jeans: Gap  Boots: v. old Gap (similar)

And with that, Dear Readers, I'm happy to say I've discovered the secret of form over function: it looks cool but your belly gets cold.


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Fall Floral

I love a dark floral for fall, and this floral sweater from LOFT is perfect:

I love the large scale print and the colors are gorgeous:

Although the weekend was freezing (no, really, it dropped to 28 last night), it's warming up again so a three-quarter sleeve sweater, velvet scarf and culottes are just warm enough:

I'm trying to wear my culottes and cropped pants for as long as I can this fall because, tights or not, I don't see them working for winter.


Which is too bad, because I do love me some culottes:

Sweater: LOFT  Scarf: thrifted
Culottes: thrifted (similar)  Shoes: Bettye Muller Bettye (similar)

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Color Confusion

Modcloth says the color of this cardigan is "rust":

But, I don't think it is.  To my mind, rust has a little more orange to it.


In fact, I thought it was brick... right up until the point when I wore it next to some bricks:

Turns out it's neither rust, nor brick.  I think it might be burgundy.  Which is good because I was hoping to find a burgundy cardigan for fall.  Of course, I was also hoping to find a rust cardigan for fall, so that search continues.


But, whatever color it is, it's perfect for fall.  And perfect mixed with a wool skirt and chambray shirt:

So, I'm not complaining about the color.  I'm just confused:

Cardi: Modcloth   Top: LOFT (similar)
Tights: SPANX  Skirt: thrifted vintage (similar)  Boots: Born Crown (similar)

But, that's okay.  I'm used to it.


Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

A Matchy-Matchy Fall

That'd be the title of a Hallmark movie about my outfits so far this fall.  I don't mean to be matchy-matchy, but it's definitely happening:

Seriously, between this outfit last week and today's outfit, I've matched more in the last week than probably the last six.


I mean, even my nail polish matches:

Yes, accidentally, but it still matches.


But, that's okay.  Because if being matchy-matchy is what it takes to be able to wear these beautiful shoes again before it gets too cold, I'll take it:

Shirt: Gap (similar)
Ombre Skirt: thrifted vintage (similar sequin version)  Shoes: Franco Sarto

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey