OUTFIT DETAILS:
Activity: Meeting for worship
Coat: Talbots, thrifted (similar)
Dress: Boden, thrifted (similar)
Earrings: From Brazil (similar)
Bracelet: ebay (similar)
Bag: Kate Spade, gift (similar budget, similar)
Shoes: Franco Sarto via DSW (similar)
Outfit inspiration? Completely these earrings that I had just purchased from a friend who brought jewelry from Brazil to sell. I wasn't sure I'd have the items to match this mod feel, but with a basic shift dress (definitely a wardrobe basic, in my opinion), and this fun bright minimalist coat, the outfit came together.
I'm starting to realize what my closet goals are - versatility. Not necessarily trendy, although I enjoy incorporating a popular trend if it fits my personal aesthetic (especially if I can thrift that item). Within a range of looks I enjoy, I like being able to morph basic pieces into completely different feeling outfits. I've had some hiccups along the way, choosing looks that weren't really my style because they were trendy, but thankfully outfit photographs often have kept me from wearing those items more than once (someday I'll share some of those photos, but ugh... not today).
What are the outfit moods in my range - currently, anyway? Modern minimalist, like this outfit, slightly bohemian minimalist (like this outfit), classic (seen here and here), a bit preppy (here), a bit romantic (here).
What are your favorite outfit moods?
Here are some shopping options, if you're in the market:
JEWELRY:
BAGS:
COAT:
DRESS:
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OUTFIT DETAILS:
Activity: Volunteer ministry
Hat: Parkhurst new on ebay (exact in cotton, similar on sale)
Trench: J. Crew, thrifted via ebay (similar - on sale!)
Tee: H&M (exact - 2 for $10 in store)
Skirt: thrifted (similar)
Shoes: Cole Haan Air, thrifted via ebay (similar - on sale!)
Bag: thrifted (similar)
Sunglasses: surf shop in SF (similar)
Necklaces: various trips (similar black bead, similar chain, similar pendant)
Earrings: vintage shop in SF (similar)
That's a really bad, title. I know. I'm sorry, I just couldn't resist. Anyway, the outfit is still cute, in my humble opinion. It's another outfit that will work just as well in 5 or 10 years, because it is made up of classic wardrobe staples: cropped trench coat, white tee, black pencil skirt, cognac mules, gold jewelry, and the fun addition of the red beret and basket backpack, which are both trendy and classic at the same time. It could also easily be adapted for different seasons by adding a scarf and tights, or a warmer trench coat or a hidden layer underneath this one (like this awesome roll-up coat - now on sale - that is perfect for traveling with when you never know what the weather may turn out to be).
I was also thinking this outfit would be great for traveling with, because adding a different hat and shoes or bag could completely change the look without adding much weight to your suitcase. Think I'll keep this look in rotation for a while!
Here are some buying options, if you're in the market:
OUTFIT DETAILS:
Activity: Volunteer ministry
Jacket: J. Crew schoolboy jacket, thrifted (similar)
Top: LOFT (similar)
Skirt: DKNY (similar up to size 12, similar in more inclusive size range)
Shoes: Madewell (similar - 70% off in sizes 37-41)
Bag: unbranded, thrifted (similar)
Sunglasses: SF surf shop (similar)
Earrings: Renegade craft fair, Chicago (similar)
I love outfits that feel timeless and classic enough to be worn in any decade. I feel like this outfit is a look I'll be able to turn to, even 10 years in the future, and it will still look just as classic. I could choose to add a trendy detail to make it more "of the moment", or leave it as it is, and it will work either way. In this case, I feel like the key is the classic schoolboy blazer. It's been one of those "bucket list" wardrobe items I'm always on the lookout for while thrifting, and when I stumbled across this one, I was thrilled. (So thrilled, apparently that I didn't notice 3 sleeve buttons were missing - I'm usually better at noting the details that that. However, either way, I would have bought this - buttons are easy to fix, as opposed to a fit or stain issue.) I previously had a navy blue version by Gap, but it just wasn't the right color - and a really dark navy just doesn't combine as easily with black as gray does. So, that version went out of the closet and this version came in.
The other components of this outfit are also quite timeless - a light blue chambray shirt, black maxi skirt and cognac oxfords. These are also all items I mix and remix again and again and would never be without in my wardrobe.
What are your wardrobe basics? Do share! (And would you like a wardrobe basics post someday? Let me know!)
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OUTFIT DETAILS:
Top: Harlowe & Graham, thrifted (similar full-length sleeve, similar 3/4 sleeve)
Skirt: thrifted (similar)
Earrings: ebay (similar)
Bag: thrifted (similar)
Bracelet: street seller in SF (similar)
Shoes: Pour la Victoire via DSW (similar)
I have always liked this color. As I mentioned in this post, it combines with almost everything well - all shades of blue, all shades of brown or khaki, and I wear it with black often, as well, though some may feel that's too Halloweeny (Halloweenish?). Although this top was recently thrifted, I've spotted this color often in spring releases - Everlane has several items, including an adorable lightweight full-zip anorak/raincoat in this color (they call it "poppy red", don't be fooled, I've seen it in person), Athleta offers the tulip back top (that I reviewed in this post) in this color ("on fire") in all sleeve lengths, and I saw several things in this color during a recent foray into a LOFT store, like this and this (called lava red and deep red on their website - though I've seen them in person and they are this flame orange/red color, not straight red). So, the good news is, if you're interested in this look, or just this color, you will be able to find it, as opposed to some of my looks. (One of the side effects of blogging while thrifting...)
On a side note, I'm starting to be done with bell sleeves. What about you? Since I loved the color and the price was right, I figured I could always turn this into an elbow length sleeve top by removing the bell sleeves. We'll see. Any recommendations?
Here are few flame orange options for you - all of which I've seen in person and can vouch for the color:
