jeanofalltrades

September 13, 2011 · 5:43 am

Color-blocking my Colorful Pants

When Everybody, Everywhere announced that the next group challenge would be colored pants, I was stoked. I love colorful pants, especially denim. In fact, the hardest part about this challenge was deciding whether to go with my yellow, purple, orange, or pink jeans.

Pink won. Mainly because these are the only pair I hadn’t showcased yet on my blog. I picked these up at JC Penneys for a mere $11 last summer. At the time, I wasn’t sure how I was going to style them, but I didn’t have a lot to lose.

Top: Nordstrom
Jeans: JC Penneys
Shoes: Dr. Scholl’s
Necklace: Vendor in Santa Fe
Bracelets: Claire’s

I love the snap detailing at the ankle. I get complimented on these pants a lot. Often, people just say, “wow, those sure are bright!” They’re bright, sure, but they go with a lot. I’ve worn this with white, black, gray, and even stripes of different kinds. Today, I tried a color-blocked look with a solid violet-blue top and marigold ballet flats.

Check out all the other ways people rocked colorful pants over at Everybody, Everywhere.

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Filed under Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as colored denim, Everybody Everywear, fashion, fushia, pink pants, style

September 12, 2011 · 12:05 am

Rust and Gray and a Custom Necklace

When I went to Santa Fe, NM this past spring, I went a bit crazy with my jewelry-buying. There were so many cool artisans in New Mexico and so many unique materials and designs.

Two stone miners/jewelry designers working at a table at an outdoor art market made this for me on the spot. They had hundreds of stones to choose from and, after choosing one, they’d wrap it in silver “while-u-wait.” I wish I could remember the name of the stone. The guys, if you’re ever in Santa Fe, work at the tables next to the Inn at Loretto.

As a side note, Loretto is a chapel in the old part of Santa Fe. It houses a beautiful spiral staircase, to which a few miracles have been attributed. I hate to break it to you, but it looks like a case of fine carpentry and sound engineering. The only miracle I can think of is that no one fell off the staircase. It was built without a railing and one wasn’t added until ten years later.

Anyway, skeptisism aside, after I got home, I realized the stone pendant would go nicely with my rust and gray tunic. So I wore them together with skinny jeans and ballet flats.

Top: JC Penneys
Jeans: JC Penneys
Pendant: Santa Fe street vendor
Cuff: Greenbelts
Shoes: Urban Outfitters
Bag: Nine West via thrifted

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Filed under Architecture, Art, Crafts, Fashion

Tagged as ballet flats, fashion, Loretto Chapel, necklace, Santa Fe, skinny jeans, style

September 11, 2011 · 5:11 am

Fashion’s Night Out at Bravern

This past Thursday was Fashion’s Night Out. There were events held all over the country (and world). Over 250 cities in the USA participated in this after-hours shopping extravaganza. Downtown Seattle had an event. So did Nordstrom in Bellevue. Mr. Jean of all Trades and I, however, chose to attend the party at The Bravern, an upscale collection of shops and restaurants.

The Bravern had a wine garden complete with live band in their outdoor courtyard. Wandering between stores like Hermès and Jimmy Choo, we found live mannequins.

Stylish people perused the breezeways, looking at the latest fashions. It’s was a perfect night for an outdoor event.

Neiman Marcus had a fashion show on ther upper level. I love how the translucent butterflies adorning the mezzanine made it look like it was snowing. It was a gentle reminder that these 80 degree days won’t last much longer. If that didn’t get people in the mood for fall shopping, nothing would.

My husband had his eye on a few models as well. Models of a different kind. As you can see, the well-heeled attended this event. (I wonder if they would have valet-parked my Honda.)

He snapped a few pictures and texted them to his friends.

I read that houndstooth was big for fall. Salvatore Ferragamo is betting on it. You too can wear houndstooth all the way to the soles of your shoes (Don’t worry, I think they take AmEx).

I arrived in silk shorts and a ruched top from H&M (Don’t tell anyone my entire outfit—not counting the clutch—was under $100). I wanted to see if I could make shorts dressy. The key was the fabric (silk) and the shoes (high).

I was also playing around with color and wanted to see how to mix pink and red in the same outfit. The trick, I found out, is to go for a soft blush pink and a wine red. A bright pink and tomato red would work too but the effect would be bolder.

Top: H&M
Shorts: H&M
Shoes: Nine West
Earrings: Premier
Cuff: Greenbelts
Clutch: Vamp Bags

As much as I like fashion, I also like a bargain. I want to look like a million without spending a fortune. The Bravern is a great place to people-watch and get ideas. In all fairness, there’s an Anthropologie and a few pieces in the junior’s department in Neiman Marcus are not out of my usual price range. But many of the stores are filled with the stuff of dreams.

A girl can dream, right?

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Tagged as Bellevue, Bravern, dressy shorts, fashion, Fashion's Night Out, shorts, style

September 10, 2011 · 7:34 am

Great Day for Dog Walking

I walk my dog every day (twice, actually). But not every day is perfect dog-walking weather. Nevertheless, Frankie insists on it. Who am I to argue? Today, however, was a perfect day for a walk.

I have a dog-walking wardrobe. Castoffs and old clothes not fit for my regular wardrobe. Most of my outfits are nothing to write home about. Comfy shoes, jeans that I don’t worry about when I get jumped on by crazy dogs at the park, and a weather-appropriate top (usually, that means a rain slicker; it could be a fleece sweater, or even a t-shirt, depending on the day).

The sun seemed a bit intense today. I slathered on the SPF, and wore a hat and shades. I bought this hat at Foodland, a grocery store in Hawaii. It was $4 and saved my scalp from getting burned while I was on vacation. It originally had a turned-up brim, like Blossom’s hats, but I folded it down to look more Holly Golightly.

Top: Billabong via swapped
Capris: Boutique in Toronto
Hat: Foodland
Sunglasses: Target
Shoes: Aerosoles
Frankie: Petfinder

I’ve finally relegated these wedge sandals to my dog-walking wardrobe. They’re almost falling apart so I don’t mind if they get dirty. I wish Aerosoles would bring back this style I bought them several years ago as casual summer shoes and then I learned I could walk for miles in them. They are so comfortable! I’ve trekked all over Seattle, Toronto, Pittsburgh, Portland, New York and Vancouver in these shoes. I’d buy a pair in every color if I had the chance.

Do you have a favorite go-to item in your wardrobe (shoes or otherwise)?

Thrifty Thursday: Girly Cargo Pants

I dolled up my olive drab cargo pants today so I wouldn’t look like I walked straight off a military base (not that there’s anything wrong with that). I found these sans tag in the Macy’s junior department. They fit well and came with a belt. What more could I ask for (other than a great price)? I was worried the sales clerk wouldn’t be able to sell them to me without a tag, but she recognized the pants, told me they were on sale, and rung them up for $11. Sold!

Top: Macy’s ($22)
Cargos: Macy’s ($11)
Shoes: Payless ($3)
Bangles: Claire’s ($9)
Earrings: Charlotte Ruche ($5)

During that same shopping trip, I bought this bright, gauzy top. I’ve worn the top with white pants but like how it contrasts the toughness of the cargos.

The deal of the century, though, was these shoes from Payless. They were originally $24 but were marked down to $7. And they the clerk gave me a $4 off coupon. All I needed to do then was pile on a bunch of stretchy, beaded bracelets in colors that match the top. Lately, I’ve felt rather naked without arm candy.

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Tagged as fashion, pants, style, thrifty fashion

September 7, 2011 · 5:42 am

Getting Dressed with a Little Help from my Friends

They don’t know it (yet) but this outfit came together with some help from The Boston Fashionista (AKA Kristen) and Bright Tights, Cloudy City (AKA Emily). You see, they’d both commented about these pieces in previous posts.

belted dress

Dress: Wish, Seattle
Belt: Part of another dress
Tank: Wet Seal
Bag: Shiraleah
Shoes: Flexx

Kristen saw this dress when I styled it for three seasons. She said it would also look good belted. How right she was! I grabbed this faux suede tie-belt from my chartreuse dress. When belts are included with an outfit I usually break them apart and wear them separately.

Emily saw my Flexx shoes in another post. She said she’d never heard of the company and was going to search for them online. Curiosity got the best of me and I searched online to see what Emily would find. Well, I found my Flexx shoes at Endless.com—on sale! Originally, I saw the shoes in three colors in a shoe store Santa Fe. I loved the periwinkle best but thought black was safe. Plus, they weren’t cheap so I could choose only one pair.

Flexx shoes and Shiraleah bag

The sale at Endless was too good to turn down so I picked up this neutral pair—and the periwinkle! I’m so glad I did. I’d been looking for a replacement pair of comfortable wedges (I’d walked so many miles in my old Aerosoles that they were literally falling apart). Now that I’ve had the summer to test drive this style, I could safely buy the others, knowing they’d get a lot of wear.

Thanks to both of you for the styling tips! I promise to show off the other shoes very soon.

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Tagged as dress, fashion, Flexx, shiraleah, shoes, style

September 6, 2011 · 6:10 am

Golden Mermaid Skirt

I’m wearing my shimmery maxi skirt again. I can’t believe I had buyer’s remorse when I first got this and shoved it my closet for two years. Then I added it to my 30 for 30 challenge and never looked back. When I wear it people comment on how it shimmers. And because of the ruffle at the edge, someone pointed out that it looks like a mermaid tail. So even thought this isn’t a true mermaid style skirt (which would be very fitted to the knee and then very flared to the ankle), I’m calling it that.

Skirt: Boutique in Portland
T-shirt: Victoria’s Secret
Necklace: Imani
Shoes: Dr. Scholl’s

I’m also happy that my Imani necklace matches this outfit. I love wearing the handmade, recycled beads, and I’m happy to support such a worthy cause.

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Tagged as fashion, Imani, maxi skirt, skirt, style

September 4, 2011 · 4:06 pm

Cool Raspberry Dress on a Hot Day

I wore this dress with tights in spring and felt a bit more covered up than I did today. It’s a short dress, but oh-so-cool. I love that the lack of waistband keeps things breezy. I can get away with the short length because of the loose silhouette. I layered a tank under the dress because it’s a bit low-cut.

detail of dress

Dress: Nordstrom
Tank: Wet Seal
Shoes: Aerosoles
Bracelets: Sears
Purse: Thrifted

I love the little bag I’m carrying. It’s made of recycled tires. It’s perfect for money, keys and lipstick. I can barely squeeze my phone in though. Despite everything else getting smaller, phones are expanding again. In three or four years I’ll probably be carrying a putty-colored brick-sized phone like they did in the ’80s. Let’s hope it’s not analog.

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Tagged as dress, fashion, metallic sandals, raspberry, style

September 2, 2011 · 10:11 am

Aubergine Skirt

This is my new skirt by Una. I picked it up at a trunk show at Velouria. I love the color and shape. What’s hard to see in these photos is the contrasting marigold stitching. Also, it’s bamboo and hemp. A great environmentally friendly fabric blend. The skirt is thicker and softer than a simple cotton jersey fabric. It’s rich and luxurious had has a smidgen of lycra to hold its shape.

Top and tank: Old Navy
Skirt: Una
Necklace: Gifted
Bracelets: Lucca
Bag: Nine West via thrifted
Shoes: Aerosoles

I can’t wait to remix this skirt. I want to pair it with white or chartreuse. For fall, I’m going to add tights and boots. You’ll be seeing more of this one.

Let the Sun Shine: Styling a maxi dress

Here I am on the way to happy hour with my friend, Dianne. I just loved how the sun came out at the perfect moment. I had to soak up a few rays before I left my place. I’m not a sun lover, but a minute of warmth does feel nice.

Maxi: Forever 21
Scarf: Walgreens
Sandals: Payless
Bracelet: Street vendor in Santa Fe

I wore this maxi dress in the spring with a blazer and boots. Now, I’m wearing it in summer with sandals and a pashmina-type scarf (it gets cool after sunset in Seattle; I can easily wear this as a wrap if I need to). Best of all, the entire outfit was less than $65 (including the jewelry)

Maxi dresses and skirts look so elegant, and they are also comfortable. I highly recommend adding a maxi dress or skirt to your wardrobe. Do you have one in rotation? How do you style it?