It’s spring, but in the Pacific Northwest, it’s up and down, weather-wise. We had warm days in February and we’ll have cool days in June. Layering is key.
Blazer: Forever 21
T-shirt: Old Navy
Pants: Dickies
Cuff: Lauren Harkness
Shoes: John Fluevog
No matter what time of year it is, I’m drawn to secondary colors, especially orange and green. I wore this color combo a few weeks ago, a few weeks before that, and last fall. I never tire of it.
Filed under Fashion
A few weeks ago I wrote about how I got to be a guest blogger at the Be In Style section of Pocket Change. I was asked back and I have a new post to share with you. Check out the post on Pocket Change and read about how to stretch your fashion dollar.
Do you have tips for making your fashion budget go farther? Let me know or share your ideas on Pocket Change.
Have you ever noticed that no matter what color combinations animals are, they always look good? The yellow and gold macaw stands out in complementary colors. The black and orange tiger looks elegant in those hues. The little clown fish is delightful in its Nemo-esque way.
Tank: Wet Seal
Dress: Damselfly
Belt: Swapped
Shoes: Flexx
Sunglasses: Street Vendor in Florida
Make-up bag as clutch: DVF
I wore an odd color combination too, as an homage to the wild kingdom. And as luck would have it, on this very day, I met a man with several snakes. When you go to Pike Place Market, be prepared for anything! He let me hold one of them, and as hubby snapped shots, I noticed that the colors of the snake were similar to my outfit. She was beautiful, with her greens, yellows, and grays.
The only time you’ll see me wearing real snakeskin is when it’s attached to a living, breathing snake! “Do you like my boa?” takes on a whole new meaning now. (This wasn’t a boa, though. Possibly a python. Any ideas?)
I’m going to take my cues from nature and color block like they do in the animal kingdom. What animals do you think have the best colors to imitate?
All week I’ve showcased red and black outfits as part of Red and Black Week. A big thanks goes to Victorian Kitty for organizing the event and creating a great community of like-minded bloggers.
You’ve seen six different red and black looks from me this week so today I thought I’d show you the other times this past year when I wore red and black. Not because of a challenge–just because it’s a cool color combo.
And since I mentioned Grave Danger earlier this week, here’s me back in the day, in red and black, and kicking ass.
Filed under Fashion
For today’s Red and Black look (part of Red and Black Week at Sophistiqué Noir) I’m dressing to the nines. I actually haven’t worn this out yet, but I will. I think it would be suitable for a romantic restaurant with Mr. Jean of all Trades, a burlesque show, or even a vintage car show. It has a bit or a retro, pin-up feel.
Top: Express
Skirt: Teddy Rinascimento
Belt: Long Beach shop
Necklace: Claire’s
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik via consignment
Hair flower: Handmade by Sake Bomb
When I was on Grave Danger, a roller derby team here in Seattle, one of my team mates made these amazing black flower hair clips, complete with skull center. I had fun on that team. Not only did my team mates rock, our team colors were red and black.
Filed under Fashion
In photos, this dress looks red, but in real life, you can see small black squares all over it. The squares have rounded corners, making it seem slightly retro.
Dress: Ross Dress for Less
Necklace: Gifted
Clutch: Swapped
Shoes: Nine West via thrifted
It’s a faux wrap–doesn’t actually wrap–so I slip it on over my head. It’s great for work too and the poly jersey blend means it never wrinkles. When I wear this to work, I wear a cami underneath. For dinner or dancing, a plunging neckline seems appropriate.
It’s a thrifty outfit too. Between the gift, the clothing exchange, and the thrift store, I did well. I think the whole thing came in at under $30.
Of course, this outfit is part of Red and Black Week over at Sophistiqué Noir. Check out the other challenge posts on her site.
Filed under Fashion
Here’s another challenge for Red and Black week at Sophistiqué Noir.
I saw this sweater at a flea market in Florida this past winter. Nothing had price tags but the clerk said it was $50. I was on the fence about it. Loved it, but $50? I talked myself into it and went back the next day. A different clerk said it was $120. What? I skipped it.
Then, last month in Vancouver, I found it at Plum, a little boutique on Granville. It was $30. Yay! I didn’t think twice.
Sweater: Plum
Tank top: Old Navy
Jeans: Banana Republic
Shoes: Mea Shadow
Recycled bicycle tire bracelet: PRFM
Ring: Handmade from buttons by my friend Misha
Earrings: DIY
I used to name my clothes when I was a kid. In the spirit of youthful creativity, I’m calling this my Love Will Tear Us Apart sweater. One day, when I have an extra $160 lying around, I might get this Ian Curtis dress. Until then, this top will do.
Filed under Fashion
A few months ago I blogged about a similar outfit. I have this skirt in black and this blazer in purple. I vowed to show off the red and black version and this week seems fitting.
As you probably know, it’s Red and Black week, courtesy of Victoria Kitty at Sophistiqué Noir.
My silly cat, Alice, kept photo bombing my pictures. She’s blind, and was drawn to the sound of my footsteps. Every time I set the camera, she’d walk over to it. Then I walked to my spot, and she followed me into the shot.
I can’t get mad at such a sweet cat, so I made her my accessory. She’s a real heartbreaker. She’s four years old and weighs almost five pounds. She’s been blind from birth and it doesn’t seem to bother her. Thanks to Alice, I tidy up more. A purse on the floor or pair of shoes where they don’t belong is a real tripping hazard. She has the furniture layout memorized at least.
Blazer: Doki-Geki
Tank: Express
Skirt: Broadway Boutique
Boots: Mia
Necklace: DIY
Filed under Fashion
It’s Red and Black Week over at Sophistique Noir. Last year, I missed out on Victorian Kitty’s event because I was doing other things (a 30 for 30 challenge if a recall). I promised myself I’d join in the fun next time. I can’t believe a year has gone by.
I don’t run a goth blog, but I do appreciate the goth aesthetic and I look for opportunities to stretch my dark wings now and then. I love that in the month of June, when so many people are donning pastels and getting tans, I have an excuse to stay pale and wear dark clothes.
Cowl-neck tank: Swapped
Cardigan: Thrifted
Skirt: Goodwill
Boots: John Fluevog
I’m starting off with a vintage maxi skirt I found at Goodwill. I was looking for something to use for a DIY project. I wanted to ruche and drape until I created a fitted, more structured skirt.
If you try this, make sure you start with a skirt much wider and longer than you need. Each time you pinch and gather, you’ll be “losing” fabric. I tried this on, picked up a piece of fabric in my fingers, placed it to where I wanted it to be, and hand-stitched it in place. I did it on the front only, to create an asymmetrical, fishtail effect. I topped it off with one red button.
This was one of the looks I featured in my guest post for Be in Style (check it out if you haven’t before). I didn’t feature this outfit in a post of its own though, so even though I took the picture a few weeks ago, I’ll write about it now.
Jacket: Thrifted via Labels
Top: Thrifted
Skirt: Thrifted via Crossroads
Tights: Kushy Foot
Shoes: Mea Shadow
Purse: Crystalyn Kae
Watch: Airport vendor
Earrings: Designated Dryden
You’ve probably seen this coat before. I wear it a lot. It was a thrifted fund from Labels consignment shop in Seattle. I got the skirt at Crossroads Trading on the Seattle Style Bloggers spring meet and shopping outing. It’s fun with tights and isn’t too short to wear bare-legged this summer.
Overall, this is a thrifty outfit. And I’ll improve the cost per wear the more I remix these pieces. The skirt has a cute teal, pink, and yellow pattern so I have lots of choices when it comes to choosing a top.
jeanofalltrades 