Activity: Acupuncture appointment, errands
OUTFIT DETAILS:
Coat: Zara, thrifted (similar)
Top: Merona (similar)
Jeans: LOFT (similar)
Sunglasses: Surf shop in SF (similar)
Earrings: Robin Indira boutique (similar)
Bag: thrifted (similar)
Shoes: Cole Haan via ebay (similar - on sale)
A casual look! I do wear these regularly, I just don't photograph them that much... The focal point of this outfit was this awesome woven backpack I recently thrifted. I had it in mind for a music festival we'll be attending in late May, but thought I'd see how it works as a hands-free bag on a regular city day. It seemed too delicate to be useful, but in reality, it worked great! Some options you can purchase are below.
I kept the rest of the outfit classic and neutral, making the outfit timeless - and versatile! Change it for a black heel and black top handle bag, you're ready for evening.
Here are some similar lightweight statement-making backpacks for you:
OUTFIT DETAILS:
Sweater: LOFT, thrifted (similar)
Top: Who What Wear (similar)
Skirt: Forever 21, thrifted (similar color and length, similar with buttons, though shorter -$8!)
Shoes: Pour la Victoire via DSW (similar)
Bag: thrifted (similar)
Earrings: Chicago Renegade craft fair (similar)
Necklace: LOFT (similar)
Watch: Apple, gift (current model)
Nail polish: Essie Gel Couture nail polish (no light needed) "Style In Excess" (exact)
Lip: Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker lipstick in "Wine Not" (exact)
Is this springy (spring-like?)? It felt like it, whether it appears like it on film - or in person. That's good enough for me! What's your criteria for a spring outfit? I'm all about how it feels. And sandals help, right?
This was another look that came together at the last minute, mostly thanks to this awesome peplum top which I would rebuy again and again if I could - it gives every look a little extra something (perhaps even more in person). The driving force was this skirt, a faux suede, faux snap front pencil skirt - this type of skirt has always been on my bucket list, but this one was even better than I thought - faux snaps are the answer, people! No gapping when you're walking or sitting, or worrying your skirt will pop open. Sadly, I couldn't find any close dupes right now (other than a couple of really expensive designer options), but I feel like this type of skirt is a classic that pops up every so often. If you see it, grab it!
TOP:
CARDIGAN:
SKIRT:
SHOES:
BAGS:
OUTFIT DETAILS:
Activity: Volunteer ministry, errands, school pickup and droopy
Coat: Forever 21, super old (similar, Everlane makes a nice basic one, as well)
Top: Lucky, thrifted (similar)
Skirt: Old Navy, old (similar)
Shoes: Born, via ebay (similar)
Hat: Parkhurst, via ebay (similar)
Earrings: ebay (similar)
Bag: Ashley Brooke via DSW, old (similar)
Full disclosure, the hat came in the mail today, so I didn't actually get to wear it all day. But this morning I really did wish that it had already come, since I planned this outfit based on adding this little cotton beret. I've always loved berets, and have been seeing some really cute looks around San Francisco recently that I wanted to recreate (my favorite was a college student wearing a maroon beret with maroon boots with an otherwise casual neutral outfit), plus I saw this article mentioning berets were about to get some fashion love again for 2018. I used to have a black wool beret, which I liked, but the wool would make my forehead get a rash (I'm slightly allergic to wool but refuse to remove wool completely from my wardrobe). So I had been itching to find (haha, sorry) a cotton beret. I really debated between gray and red, but since I had recently found these shoes, and saw somewhere that cherry red was a hot color for spring this year (couldn't find the article to link, sadly) - AND, most importantly I really like red - I took the plunge and went for the bright instead of the neutral.
Am I the only one who struggles with buying the practical neutral color versus the fun bright color? It seems to be a constant decision making process for me, surely I can't be the only one.
I think this outfit is a great example of taking basics many may already have in their closets (trench coat, black top, striped pencil skirt) and making it completely fresh by adding a couple of new accessories like a hat and shoes in a fun color. I can't wait to find other outfits to which I can add a pop of red...
Here are some options if you're in the market!
Hat (I couldn't find a red cotton beret from the site I use for these widgets, although these below are super cute, but the link above in my outfit list is almost identical from Amazon):
Shoes (I actually think loafers would be much cuter, but I only need one pair of red flats):
Athleta Heathered Sunlover UPF tulip back top (above):
NOTE: I tried this item on in medium and large in regular sizing, and ended up buying a large in petite sizing. I'll include my comments on all the versions I tried. I usually wear a medium in Athleta tops (other than bra-top type tops, which I don't usually buy or try on).
Size: True to size, perhaps even a tiny bit roomy as I find most Athleta items to be. Semi-fitted, as the sizing states - skims the body in your size. I wanted a more relaxed fit at the hips to wear over leggings in non-gym activities like hiking or playing outside with the family, so I sized up from my usual Athleta size, though I bought the petite version of that size.
Fit: Somewhat wide in the shoulder, even in petite sizing, especially in regular sizing (probably because my shoulders are on the small side) but overall a regular, perhaps slightly relaxed fit to the collar and shoulders, flaring down to a wider, quite relaxed hip hem.
Fabric: Smooth, soft performance fabric that feels like it won't pill (I'll update that later to see if it's true when I wear it more and have washed it). And, it's got sun protection for UPF 50+ - perfect if you're lazy about applying sunscreen like I am.
Length: The front is longer than the back. The regular sizing was a tiny bit longer than I wanted (I'm 5'2"), which was why I ordered the petite. The top is still a low hip length in the front, even in petite sizing, which was what I wanted since I plan to wear it primarily with leggings. (According to Athleta's website, the regular sizing is 26.5 inches in front, 20.5 inches in back, petite is 24.5" in front, 18.5" in back and tall is 28" in front and 22" in back. Petite sizes are pretty much only available online, FYI if you're hoping to try both in store.)
Sleeve length: The regular sized sleeve was ridiculously long on me, both in medium and large, the petite sleeve fits the way it should, with the thumbhole hitting my thumb at just the right place. I'm not sure I even need the thumbhole, but it's a nice detail, and I could always alter that if I decide I don't want it.
Quality: Feels very nice, as expected from Athleta. Well-sewn seams, high quality finishes and fabric.
Value: I do not usually spend $59 on a top, especially as a die-hard thrifter. However, I have looked at lower-priced brands for a a "swing" style workout top with a regular fit on top and relaxed fit at the hips, and it is nowhere to be found new, so I certainly wasn't magically going to be able to thrift it. So, when I discovered this top, and it came in petite sizing, AND it came in my favorite but elusive gray color, I knew it was time to pull the trigger (I did use a small Athleta/Gap/OldNavy/Banana Republic credit card reward coupon to ease the pain a tiny bit). Based on my previous experiences with Athleta, I feel like I'll wear and love this item for a long time, so based on cost-per-wear pricing, it should end up being a good value.
Color: I'm in love with this heathered gray color - it's dark enough to hide stains (yup, I'm a messy monkey) and it goes with everything just like black does, BUT it doesn't make you look goth when paired with black leggings like a black top/black bottom combination can. COLOR NOTE: Be aware that this same top DOES come in other colors - currently navy, black, white, light pink, fuchsia, cobalt blue, orange, dark green and mint green - but this "heathered Sunlover UPF tulip back top" in heather gray only is a separate catalog/website entry from the regular "Sunlover UPF tulip back top", which includes all those other colors. Just be sure you check both website entries so you see all the beautiful color choices. The same is true for the other sleeve options - the heather gray color option is a separate entry from the regular colors.
Back tulip detail: I've tried these types of tops before, and didn't like how they would easily open and expose your back (since I wanted to wear it also in regular life, not just a class at the gym). What I like about this top is that it is designed to stay layered over itself completely, so that the most that comes open when you bend down is a bit of your lower back, just above your waist, no higher (at least on me, again, I'm short, especially in the torso - it could hit a bit higher if you're taller and long in the torso).
Overall: This is another item with the perfect mix of performance fabric and real-life style. I've been searching forever for a top that was fitted at the shoulder but relaxed at the hips - something that would be comfortable and flattering with leggings of any length. This is the first I've found after much searching, and the back detail makes it even better. I LOVE that it comes in gray - to me the perfect neutral to go with all my black leggings (yes, I'm boring and wear mostly classic black when it comes to leggings), but can also combine well with other color bottoms I might want to wear. For a casual basketball shooting session with my son, I paired it with stretchy black denim frayed-hem jeans, slip on sneakers and a red puffer vest. I felt ready for action, but also cute enough to have run errands without embarrassment if I had needed to. Just what my mom-life wardrobe needs!
I told myself I only needed one of these tops, but after wearing it once, I'm so tempted to order another long-sleeve version (in navy? ballerina gown/pink? on fire/orange?) and perhaps a short-sleeve version (and is it greedy to want the sleeveless version too?).
Here are some links to the various versions of this top. The only one I couldn't find is the heathered short sleeve version, but it is on the Athleta website.
OUTFIT DETAILS:
Activity: Volunteer ministry
Top: Uniqlo (exact currently on sale for $10.
MINI REVIEW: Nice lightweight cotton fabric. Runs large, especially for smaller busted ladies. I'm wearing a medium. I also ordered the yellow color, which is much more brown in person. Just be aware. It's a nice color, but not mustard yellow, more like mustard brown. Nice feature - no pin or snap at the bustline needed! Another nice feature is that it can be worn with the wrap in back and the neckline as a high boat/crewneck, although I didn't find it particularly flattering on me that way. I wanted it in white also, but reviews said it was sheer, so I didn't get it.)
Skirt: thrifted (similar)
Shoes: Zara, thrifted (similar)
Bag: Ann Taylor, thrifted (quite similar - from Target!)
Earrings: LOFT (similar)
This top was a bit of an impulse buy - to be honest I'm not even sure why I was looking at Uniqlo's website. Cleaning out my email and actually clicked to see the new spring line? I can't even remember. But, when I spotted this top at $10, I took the plunge. Here's my dirty little secret: while I do like the wrap style of the top, as well as this classic blue color, I also find that I really like wearing lightweight long-sleeve tops so I don't constantly have to apply sunscreen to my arms.... The older I get, the more I notice the much stronger California sun, so, while I try to keep up with the sunscreen application, having fabric-covered arms makes life that much simpler. Lazy, but effective!
If you're in the market for some similar wardrobe items, here you go:
SHIRTS:
EARRINGS:
SHOES:
BAGS:
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