Tag Archives: fashion

December 18, 2013 · 10:49 pm

My New Vaute Couture Coat

Let’s it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

I’m ready! Of course we don’t have snow at the moment, but Seattle had experienced a cold snap lately. I don’t mind though–I get to put my new Vaute Couture coat to the test.

Emily coat: Vaute Couture
Scarf: Fred Meyer’s
Jeans: Just USA
Pleather booties: Diba

I almost didn’t buy this 3/4 length coat because it’s “warm enough for a Chicago winter” and we don’t get weather like that around here often. I’m so glad I got it though. It’s cozy and toasty without being bulky. When the cold stays out, I don’t hunch over to stay warm. So I can walk with my head held high, no matter what the temperature.

I’ve been wearing it zipped half up, moto-style, but I can zip it all the way up to really keep my neck warm. I unzipped the hood already, but I’ll add it back to show you how cute (and toasty) it is.

I love the velvety soft fabric and bright blue color. I’ve tried a couple of different looks so far. I love my bright pink infinity scarf, but I also like the blue stripes. They both go with the other, shorter Vaute jacket I bought the day this arrived in the mail. I loved this so much that I had to get another one.

Best of all, this is wool-free, 100% vegan, and has a quilted, recycled fiber lining. Vaute is a design house based in Brooklyn. It’s great that all of Vaute’s clothing is made in New York, by people who are paid fair wages. I love supporting small businesses–especially ethical ones!

I preordered this in early September at a great price. Buying before the coats are made gives the company funds to make the line.

I am more than thrilled with my coat. It almost makes me appreciate winter.

I’ve joined Style Elixir, The Pleated Poppy, Elizabeth Nygard, and Transatlantic Blonde for blog link-ups today. See what everyone else is wearing!

12 Comments

Filed under Ethical, Fashion

Tagged as coat, ethical, fashion, jacket, style, Vaute Couture, Vaute Couture coat, vegan

December 15, 2013 · 11:05 pm

Wearing over-the-Knee Boots

I like the look of over-the-knee boots but sometimes it’s hard to wear them and not look a little like Pretty Woman. For most of us, that’s not the effect we’re going for. Elly, from one of my street style posts, knows how to work the look. She wore wedge heels, thick tights, and a flowing boho dress.

Another way to wear OTK boots is with jeans. I kept my look casual by wearing flat-heeled tall boots.

Top: Express
Jeans: The Gap
Boots: Cri de Coeur
Cuff: Craft Fair

These boots are versatile because I can fold over the cuff and turn them into regular knee-high boots. I lose the studs that way, but it’s still a nice option. I bought these on sale from a local shop that is unfortunately not open anymore. Luckily, I can still shop online.

With an OTK boot, I think it’s best to keep the rest of the outfit relaxed (like Elly’s loose dress or my simple jeans). I’d probably steer away from a dress so long that it covers the tops of the boots. Part of having tall boots is showing them off! Plus, a bit of leg shape is nice. Notice that I said leg shape. Tights or jeans are still good to wear. If you have a bare leg with a short skirt and tall boots, a flowy dress and shorter heel is the best way to work the right proportions.

Do you ever wear OTK boots?

I’ve joined Visible Monday today. Check out what other bloggers are wearing.

6 Comments

Filed under Fashion

Tagged as boots, fashion, jeans, OTK, over-the-knee boots, style

December 10, 2013 · 11:03 pm

T-shirt Dress with Mustard Tights

Here’s another examples of a summer dress adapted for fall. I’ve done this so much that my winter dresses aren’t getting any use. I’d better start wearing them soon or they’ll start feeling left out!

Cardigan: Thrifted
Dress: Damselfly
Tank top: Old Navy
Belt: Lulu’s
Tights: Target
Boots: MIA

I’ve worn these tights before and liked them so I wanted to wear them again. They’re bright, but I find they go with lots of things. And I’m a fan of adding color to an outfit. Tights are sometimes the easiest way to do that.

I realized that when I last wore this dress (in summer), I was in New York (you can see me wearing it in the last photo, along with my mom). Even though it was warm out, I paired the dress with these exact boots. They were comfortable and we walked a lot that day.

This time, I belted the dress though, to give it (or rather, me) more shape.

I’ve joined The Pleated Poppy and Transatlantic Blonde for blog linkups today. Have a look at what other bloggers are wearing. And since it’s a busy time of year, remember to breathe deeply, make time for yourself, and enjoy the season!

8 Comments

Filed under Fashion, Hot and Cold

Tagged as boots, dress, fashion, style, tights

December 8, 2013 · 3:50 pm

Birthday Post: What’s Your Secret?

I woke up this morning to a nice post in my blog feed: My mom, Carmen of Fashionable Over 50, made me a wonderful video tribute featuring a best of collection of the outfits I featured on my blog this past year.

You can read the whole post here.

I don’t mind turning another year older with surprises like this!

4 Comments

Filed under Fashion

Tagged as birthday, fashion, style, tribute, video, year in review

December 6, 2013 · 9:20 pm

Turquoise Cardigan and Patterned Dress

Here’s another summer dress I’ve worked into my winter wardrobe. I bought this for a summer wedding a few years ago and finally decided to wear it for less formal occasions. Today, I went to work in it. Just like the other summer dress I recently wore, this one has a dark background, making it more wintery.

Dress: Boutique in Seattle
Cardigan: Old Navy
Boots: Borrowed
Belt: Madden Girl
Scarf: Thrifted
Clutch: Shiraleah

Step one: Boots. They always make an outfit fit for fall and winter. I borrowed these from a friend while she borrowed a pair of mine.

Step two: Cardigan. Layering is practical because it keeps you warm, but it covers short sleeves that would otherwise scream “summer.” I belted mine to give this outfit a bit of shape.

Step three: Scarf. I like scarves all year long, but they’re especially nice in cooler weather. They can hide a low neckline and generally add polish to an outfit. I picked a scarf in a small pattern with some of the same colors as the dress. If you’re new to pattern mixing, a scarf is a good place to start.

Do you have any secrets for incorporating summer wear into your winter wardrobe?

I’m joining Passion for Fashion, Fashion Informant and Fab Favorites today. Check out what everyone else is wearing!

10 Comments

Filed under Fashion, Hot and Cold

Tagged as boots, cardigan, dress, fashion, style, thrifty fashion

December 1, 2013 · 5:13 pm

Velvet Biker Jacket

I love the look of a classic biker jacket–you know, like James Dean or Marlon Brando used to wear. I recently went to an exhibit at Experience Music Project about the rock ‘n’ roll aspect of this style of jacket. I was blown away at how versatile this iconic piece is. Everyone from Joan Jett to Michael Jackson has been seen in the “antihero’s anti-sportcoat.”

The motorcycle jacket can be hardcore punk or art piece. What started as protective gear and became associated with outlaws and rebellion is now a fashion statement.

I’ve sworn off leather, and I do have a few faux leather jackets, but I also like the idea of reworking a classic in new ways. So when I saw this velvet version I snapped it up.

Jacket: Forever 21
Tank top: Target
Sweater: Target
Jeans: Just USA
Shoes: Consignment

Black is the classic color, but I really liked the brown. Next up: hot pink! I’d like a biker jacket in a thick cotton knit or even denim! There are so many options. You can wear them with jeans or a dress and they’re always in style.

Do you have a biker jacket?

I’m joining Visible Monday and Monday Bloom today. Check out what everyone else is wearing!

16 Comments

Filed under Ethical, Fashion, Music

Tagged as biker jacket, fashion, jacket, motorcycle jacket, style, vegan, velvet

November 26, 2013 · 10:42 pm

1950s Lucite Purses

One of the nice things about travelling with my parents is that we meet lots of people. I tend to “mind my own business” when I go out; for my parents, everyone’s a friend they haven’t met yet. Even in the Big Apple, they proved amazing people are around every corner. We met cabbies, waiters, artisans, shop keepers, designers, restaurateurs and celebrities.

So it was no surprise that while I popped into a pet supply store in SoHo, my parents were making friends with a shop keeper across the street. We were treated to a history lesson and tour of mid-century American style. Deco Jewels is an antique specialty shop dedicated primarily to vintage Lucite handbags. This tiny store boasts the world’s largest collection. The owner even wrote a book about it!

Lucite, sometimes called acrylic glass, is a modern-era material. It was first used for windshields and submarine turrets in WWII. Designers started working with it because unlike other types of plastic, it doesn’t yellow over time. You might have seen iconic clear Lucite tables and chairs. Lucite can be tinted too and is a great vegan alternative to tortoiseshell and mother of pearl.

Many were embellished with glitter and metal clasps.

These two were made to look like caramel squares.

Holding a Lucite bag made me want to change into a fitted blazer, pencil skirt, and kitten heels.

The boxy nature of the handbags made adding secret compartments an option. This one came with its own lipstick and powder!

From Marilyn Monroe to Jackie Kennedy, high-profile, fashion-minded women in the 50s carried Lucite purses. By the mid-60s, fashions started to change. A proper, ladylike look was replaced with a relaxed, boho vibe. Despite not being a common purse today, people still collect Lucite bags. They’re museum-worthy, but they’d make a great fashion statement.

The handbags range from a few hundred dollars to a couple of thousand. In addition to Lucite, Deco Jewels carries vintage earrings, necklaces, cufflinks and other American goodies from the mid-20th century.

The store is small, but not cluttered. And despite its size, you’ll find yourself enthralled for a long time.

If you’re ever in New York, pop by Deco Jewels at 131 Thomson Street (btwn Houston & Prince).

16 Comments

Filed under Art, Fashion, Technology, Travel

Tagged as American fashion, Deco Jewels, fashion, handbags, Lucite, New York, purses, style, vintage, vintage fashion

November 23, 2013 · 7:35 pm

Bright Pink Skater Dress

When I saw this dress in an Old Navy Store in Brooklyn, I wanted to buy it. But I was saving space in my suitcase for things I couldn’t find in Seattle. So as soon as I came home, I popped by my nearest Old Navy and picked one up. I’m glad I waited: They were having a storewide 20% off sale.

Dress: Old Navy
Cardigan: Swapped
Shoes: Kimchi via Buffalo Exchange
Necklace: Shop in Fort Lauderdale
Earrings: Shop in Savannah
Hairband: Old Navy

This dress reminds me of something I might wear ice skating–if I were an ice skater from the past. It’s got a neat retro feel. If I had a faux fur handwarmer and a pair of skates on, I think I could convince you! Then again, maybe I couldn’t. When my husband saw me in this he asked why I was dressed like the T-Mobile girl!

I layered a cardigan over my sleeveless dress–and I’ll be wearing it with tights soon too. But the nice thing is I’ll be able to wear it in the summer too. I could even layer a shirt or turtleneck under it.

As I often do, I bought this dress in black too. It was such a comfortable, affordable, versatile item, that I couldn’t resist!

I’ve joined Fashion Friday and Fashion Informant for linkups. Check out what all the others are wearing!

5 Comments

Filed under Fashion, Hot and Cold, Thrifty

Tagged as dress, fashion, style, thrifty fashion

November 20, 2013 · 11:05 pm

Timex as Accessory

You might notice that I don’t often wear a watch in my posts. I have occasionally, like I did with my khaki Timex. But I often figure that my phone has a clock, so why bother? Well, Timex reached out to me to see how I could add a watch to my outfits. When I like a style, I often pick several in different colors, and this watch was no exception.

It’s the same as my other Timex (with silver instead of bronze-tone metal). Now that I have two, I can swap bands and wear silver and khaki or black and bronze if I like. I also found straps in other colors on the Timex site. Now I can turn two faces into a bunch of watches! I chose this style the first time because of the large, simple face and because the band is non-leather.

Dress: Swapped (Tucker for Target)
Leggings: JC Penney
Jacket: Swapped
Scarf: DIY
Flats: H&M
Belt: Ross Dress for Less
Bag: Alchemy Goods
Watch: Timex Weekender

Even though I might not always need the time on my wrist, a watch is a great fashion statement. I think you’ll see watches appearing more often in my posts. Do you wear watches?

And to wear with my watch? My fall floral dress of course! A few of you recommended skinny jeans for this dress, and I’ve done just that. They’re actually denim leggings (I hate the word jeggings). They’re perfect under a long tunic or short dress. No zipper or pockets means no lumps or bumps. My dress lies smooth.

I’ve been using this recycled innertube bag a lot lately. It’s deep enough to fit my laptop and the normal things I carry with me.

dress and jeans

I’m joining The Pleated Poppy and Transatlantic Blonde for link-ups today. Check out what everyone else is wearing!

1 Comment

Filed under Ethical, Fashion, Product Reviews

Tagged as dress, fashion, leggings, style, thrifty fashion, Timex, upcycling, vegan, watch

November 17, 2013 · 11:51 pm

Fall Blazer Day

I’m definitely overdosing on fall colors today, but I don’t mind. I like earth tones and I love orange.

Blazer: Thrifted
T-shirt: Victoria’s Secret
Pants: Dickies
Boots: MIA
Scarf: Street vendor

When I first got dressed, I had on a black t-shirt and orange pants. A bit too halloweenish! So I added caramel boots and a light blazer.

My pants are by Dickies. When I first discovered Dickies, I thought I was onto something new–until my dad pointed out his work pants. He’s a painter and interior decorator and wears Dickies to work every day (his are white and splattered in paint). I quickly learned that the company, so well-known for work wear, made the leap to fashion.

Levi’s, Carhartt and Doctor Marten’s are also in this category: work wear as fashion. And since I wore this outfit to work (in an office, but still), I think it’s appropriate.

I’m loving the fall colors and how the rain in Seattle brings out the moss.

I’ve joined Visible Monday and Monday Bloom–check out what all the others are wearing! I also joined Thrifter’s Anonymous, where I’m the Thrifter of the Week! Thanks Shana!