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

Bold Floral

It's been so hot lately, I've been essentially living in summer dresses, with a cardigan for work, of course.  Today's summer dress is a bright, bold floral:

Paired with red shoes because, as it turns out, I love red shoes:

And I think they're especially good with a bold floral:

Dress: vintage  Belt: thrifted (similar)  Shoes: Fidji via Shoes.com

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Shop Bold Floral Dresses

Five for Friday: Multi Stripe

Earlier today I posted about one of my favorite Spring trends, the Multi Stripe trend.  I love that this trend is fun and colorful and bold.  And, also surprisingly versatile; multi stripes can be worn in a variety of pieces, all of which pack a definite punch.

Here are some of my favorites:

1. Melody Multi Stripe Midi Dress - I love the mix of colors in these stripes and the length is even long enough for my tall self!  It's a perfect representation of this trend and a perfect piece for summer.

2. LOFT Strappy Cami - Don't let the strappiness of this top put you off. I have a couple of these types of tops from LOFT and they're very wearable and easily layered for work.

3. Topshop Deckchair Midi Skirt - The mix of chevron stripes and vertical stripes adds even more interest to this pretty skirt.  I'd pair it with a simple black silk blouse and chunky sandals.

4. Ralph Lauren Sofia Striped Scarf - This is such a cheery scarf, I absolutely love the color scheme.  It's the perfect piece for an overcast Spring days.

5. J. Crew Underwire Halter One Piece - Like the dress, the mix of colors in this suit is unexpected but perfect.  And the variation of the width of the stripes has a surprising slimming effect.


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Trend to Try: Multi Stripe

One trend I'm super excited about this season is the Multi Stripe trend.  You can also call them Bold Stripes or Rainbow Stripes.  It is, of course, not a new trend:

But, it's a great trend, and I, for one, am super excited that it's coming back around.



I first noticed it with the Valentino 2015 Resort Collection, which brought us pieces like these:

Images from vogue.com

Magic, each and every one.



Of course, Valentino isn't the only line to send brightly striped looks down the runway:

Balmain Spring RTW 2015                             Gucci Resort 2016                      Tommy Hilfiger Spring 2016

The Balmain, Gucci and Hilfiger looks were less candy-colored than Valentino, but still bold and bright.  You can do the multi-stripe trend in pastels or even more muted tones, but I personally prefer them in the brights shown in the 60s, 70s, and today.



Like the trend but not sure how to wear it?  Here's some inspiration:

Top: Fashion for Giants and Who What Wear
Bottom: Atlantic Pacific and The Werk! Place

I paired my brightly striped cardigan from Lands' End with a bright skirt because I figure that two brights make a right.  But, you don't have to go bright; in the look from Who What Wear, a striped vintage skirt is paired with a leather jacket.

Tiffany, from The Werk! Place, mixes bold and neutral stripes in her outfit, finishing it off with neutral accessories.  And Blair Eadie, from Atlantic Pacific, pairs her rainbow striped Gucci sweater with skinny, dark jeans, letting the sweater and her perfect red lip do all the heavy lifting.


So, how about it, Reader Friends?  Are you into bold, bright, multi stripes?


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Printed Dress + Bright Cardigan

I have a feeling that this particular outfit formula of printed dress + bright cardigan will be one I wear quite a bit this fall:

It's easy, it's colorful and the layers are good for those fall days that start off chilly and then get warmer.



And this particular print is a delight:

It's practically upholstery, which is nice because if I outgrow it, I can make it into an awesome throw pillow.  Reduce, reuse, recycle, right?



In the meantime, however, I'll just settle for wearing it as an adorable dress:

Dress: eShakti (see similar below)
Cardigan: Modcloth  Earrings: Handmade (similar)  Flats: Old Navy (similar)

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Shop Tapestry Print Dresses

Loose Layers & Mixed Media

I was recently lucky enough to be offered a piece from the MarketPlace: Handwork of India Fall line and I was thrilled as they are one of my favorite companies to work with.  They are a wonderful company doing wonderful things and their clothes are both unique and well made.

As always, it was a struggle to decide which fabulous piece to choose, but I finally landed on the Indu top:

Indu Top in Charcoal

Why this top?  Well, I love the colors. And I also love the patterns.  But, my main reason was the fact that it's a mixed media top, combining woven panels with cozy tee shirt material and embroidery.  I love combining different textures in an outfit to add interest, but sometimes I'm too lazy to make the effort.

And that's why the Indura top is perfect for me.  I can be lazy and still be interesting.  Yay, me!


This top has a boxy, oversize fit that stymied me a bit at first because boxy on me looks, well, boxy.  But then I had the idea to layer it over another oversize piece and, as un-figure-flattering as that sounds, I really liked it:

Top: c/o MarketPlace: Handwork of India  Shirt: Gap  Jeans: Old Navy  Boots: Born (similar)

Because the top is a little short on my giant self, I think the loose layers actually work better than the Indu top on it's own would.  Or, maybe I just really love layers.  That could be it, but I'd swear this works:

So much so, that I plan on wearing iterations of this layered look throughout the fall.  So, I'm not saying you have to get on board, but the train is certainly leaving the station.

And I'll be wearing this as I drive it:

Happy Friday, All!  And a huge thank you to MarketPlace: Handwork of India!

Gracey