Trouser Tryst

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m having a love affair with menswear right now; masculine shapes with feminine detailing, so classic. BR Wide-leg cuffed plaid trousers  held up by H&M suspenders over my H&M bird blouse  with cobalt lace cami underneath.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Though not intentional, My family is well represented in my accessories today; the photo pendant of my sister and I; mini gold hoop earrings my dad brought back from Greece; and my Mom’s class ring.  A few tortoiseshell bracelets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The boxy shape of the blouse compliments the curves of the trousers that have a nice flat front -no pockets. ( AT BR I always buy a “martin” fit pant because it fits curvy hips well)

 

 

 

Hemming several pairs of pants is definitely on my to-do list, but until then; extra heel height works well.  (white leather peep toe booties from Ross $39.99)

Flash

With a flash of neon orange; this ensemble is anything but boring; try it with a grey pencil for formality

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

wasn’t quite sure on the shoes; but believe it or not I do have a limited selection….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love the vibrant coral top with this cool ocean blue

 

Say less to the dress

Unlike most attendants who get stuck in whatever the Bride deems tasteful, I was free to choose what I wanted to wear my big sister’s wedding. Much to everyone’s surprise, I went solid, tamed on the print or any embellishments, just a simple cotton empire cut  sleeveless dress with a sweetheart neckline.  It actually came from David’s Bridal, though I found this one for a significantly lower price than any bridal boutique; 50% off of $6.90 at the thrift; a whopping $3.45.

Shoes are a great place to add a print, much less noticeable, but still fun and interesting; these cherry print open-toed  cork wedges were also a steal at only $24.99 from H&M. And wedges are a nice outdoors alternative to heels; befitting our wedding location.

Digging around in Mom’s old jewelry box, I made two great finds: First this pair of vintage clip-on rose earrings and Second; this pendant of my sister and I as babies (the strands of freshwater pearls were mine from Hawai’i)

TThe mother of the bride custom ordered this coral floral print sundress from E-Shakti and the trio looks amazing together

And after catching the bouquet, the bride’s hand made pink satin garter coincidentally matched my dress too 😉

Art Deco-rated

This teal silk blouse by the Limited with inverted lace triangles , mini-pleats and delicate beading always reminded me of the top of the Chrysler building, maybe because its so shiny too. I bought it at the Village thrift a couple years ago

Here’s the sequinned beading close-up:

For a work look I paired it with a polkadot cardigan from J.Crew and AT LOFT trousers with teal and tan houndstooth print.

You can’t be afraid to mix prints, but these colors are small patterns are conservative enough to be glossed over, yet still catch the eye.

Accessories: brown crocodile peeptoe pumps by Nine West, gold lace covered chain evening clutch by Banana Republic and tigerseye cross earrings

I prefer the blouse without any cover over the delicate design, but I like the polka dots, they bring out a youthful quality, but still remains classic

light in linen

Linen is renown for being a summer textile; lightweight, casual; the only drawback is its wrinklabililty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banana Republic skirt (5.90 from thrift) BR blue cotton blouse (12.97), red leather slip-on cork wedges Nine West ($19.99)

This cool and calming color palette says summer storms all over; with muted pops of brick red and coral

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A thin grandpa cardigan ($LOFT 4.88)  adds a hint of J.Crew at the boardwalk on a cloudy day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finish the look with vintage, metal clip on white blossoming earrings

 

It’s still rock and roll to me

Since I bought the tickets 2 months ago, I’d been awaiting with eager anticipation the REO Speed wagon/Styxx concert tour and it was as epic as I’d hoped. Those boys can still rock your socks off. Consequently, I wasn’t wearing any socks, I wanted to wear my new gladiator style wedges from Banana Republic.

But these long feather earrings had classic rock show written all over them a la Stevie Nicks; 50% off at Target; $3.98. I like that they blend into my hair so it almost looks like they’re clipped into my locks.

To match the bird motif; I wore my sleeveless “partridge” blouse from Banana Republic, guess it was “Time for me to Fly.”

A little pre-game tailgating….. These are my summer concert shorts; something about these lace daisydukes (~$16 at Marshalls) makes me think of Coachella Fest, too bad I bought them after I had gone, but they make for a fun road trip outfit too….

Anyways back to the concert….

No rock and roll look is complete without sweet shades; still rockin the Avi’s I stole from my dad.

 

Toes Out

These gold and black sandals are sleek, but bold, exposing all my perfectly pedicured toes and look great under patterned skinny jeans; like these snakeskin ones from forever 21.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add a brilliant orange sweater  top for a pop of color; like this square neck one from Banana Republic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love this two-toned necklace by Betsey Johnson with a key pendant and little bows that match my earrings; but the best part is that I found it at the village thrift for  half off  of $4.90!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer feet are happy feet

A little inspiration….

I love Jayma Mays’ button down knotted at the waist; I used to wear tops like that in highschool and I was afraid the look was too dated, but she’s making it glamorous enough to hostess parties in, according to the article.

Sadly you can’t have everything you see in the magazines, nor would I ever risk being misconstrued as a copycat. I wish I had a fiery orange silk blouse, and a floor length skirt, but the pieces I found will have to do and they are spring time cheery in their own way.

Blue gingham oxford by GAP ($8.90) silk floral skirt, unlabeled ($4.90 at thrift)

Although Jayma kept her accessories minimal, as well you should with bold colors and dramatic lengths; I couldn’t resist this vintage pin, the sweet yellow flower duet broke up a sea of tiny aqua checkers.

Other accessories: dogwood pearldrop earrings, heirloom opal ring, pearl necklace and cat’seye sunnies.

Gold strap wedges by banana republic and gold leather handbag by Kate Spade. The mid-calf skirt is not one I would recommend for petite gals like me,but the wedges help add back the length that was curtailed by the extended hemline.

Swinging away

Rompers are actually fit to do just that….”Romping”  A one-piece, all inclusive, go anywhere and do anything clothing item, perfect for warm weather weekend ventures ; such as popping into quaint antique shops or sipping on some wonderful Virginia Vino or hopping onto a swing and wasting away the afternoon.

Usually I’m a sucker for a cute calico, but this solid violet, one with a few great accessories(watercolor floral scarf and  gemstone cocktail ring), can be more sophisticated than juvenile

scarf Ann Taylor  Loft$4.88;  rose quartz ring $8.98 Target, gold bow earrings Charlotte Russe

 

The best part is the price: bought in the off season at Target for only $5.48 (originally 21.99)!

Paired with my new studded leather sandals by Calvin Klein

Toes out

I love my new summer sandals by Calvin Klein; $19.90, 80% off at Nordstrom!

metallic studded white leather; tough and pretty…just like my angel

Strapless dress by American Eagle; 5.90 from Village Thrift, also found an olive crocheted shrug $3.45 to cover up for work

but sandals aside; another neat accessory was my Dad’s class ring… from Overton Highschool Memphis, TN

And my crossbody bag from Banana Republic