Tag Archives: fashion

February 7, 2013 · 9:36 pm

DIY Grommet Blazer Closures

Ooh! I have an easy-peasy DIY project for you! The first time I wore this jacket, I belted it; last time, I wore it open. The reason? It’s too small. But it was a thrifty find and I couldn’t turn it down.

I was tired of not being able to button this baby up, so I went to the craft store and bought grommets. They’re meant for curtains, so I have 5 more sets for other too-small blazers that I might buy. I positioned the grommets over the button and button hole, cut out the hole, snapped in the grommets, and within ten minutes I had a jacket that fits!

The grommet kit came with a template so I could draw the perfect circle for the grommet. They’re plastic, metal-look grommets and snapped together without any tools.

I bought olive-green, grosgrain ribbon to tie together the jacket, but I can easily swap it out with another color or texture: black, brown, yellow, silky cord, even chain!

I got compliments on this look when I wore it to work–and best of all, it’s not a hack job. It looks like it was made this way!

Blazer: Goodwill
T-shirt: Target
Jeans: Jessica Simpson via swapped
Belt: The Vegan Collection
Boots: Novacas

I’ve got to call out my shoes. They’re part of a mini-spree I went on at The Chocolate Shoebox, a vegan shoe and chocolate shop in Seattle. The brick and mortar store is closing and times are tough so I thought I’d support a local, ethical, small business. The boots will cost me 5 points (according to the Wartime Wardrobe Challenge I’m taking part in), but I don’t mind one bit! I got the belt too, but belts aren’t on the list.

These are by Novacas, an all-vegan shoe company that focuses on recycled materials, quality construction, and fair labor. They’re made in Portugal, feel like real suede, are comfy as heck, and don’t make my feet sweaty.

I’ve wanted a pair of Novacas for a while now and I’m thrilled to have these ones. I also bought a pair of tall boots, a pair of shoes, four pair of socks, and two t-shirts. Add to that the cardigan I bought a few weeks ago and I’m down to 42 points to spend before I have to start donating to charity!

15 Comments

Filed under DIY, Ethical, Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as blazer, boots, DIY, fashion, novacas, style, thrifty fashion, vegan, vegan belt, vegan boots

February 5, 2013 · 11:21 pm

Backwards Top for Work

I put together an outfit for work recently and after taking the first shot for this blog I realized I wouldn’t be wearing the top to the office. As much as I like it, this is not a neckline for reaching across desks, grabbing paper off the copier, or picking errant pens off the floor (all of which I seem to do on a daily basis).

Top: H&M
Skirt: Una
Socks: Fred Meyer’s
Shoes: John Fluevog
Necklace: DIY
Cuff: Greenbelts

So I ran inside and flipped the shirt around. Now the neckline is more suited for a place of business. I’ll leave the low-cut tops for date night.

Don’t get me wrong: I’m not a fan of modesty*, and I’m not ashamed of who I am and what I look like. But at work, I like to be professional and focus on my job.

* I don’t like the term modesty because I feel like it blames women for how they look and makes them responsible for how others perceive them. It puts the onus on us to “protect” men from temptation. That said, I like to class it up, not down, and make style more about the way I put clothes together, not how much skin I show. I could go on and on, but that’s a post for another day.

I’ve linked up with Transatlantic Blonde for WIWW. Check out what the others are wearing!

18 Comments

Filed under Dress Up Dress Down, Fashion, Feminism

Tagged as fashion, feminism, knee socks, skirt

February 1, 2013 · 12:25 am

Red Jacket for National Wear Red Day

It’s National Wear Red Day® again. Last year, I wore a red dress, and today I’m representing in a red jacket. This day is meant to raise awareness about the #1 killer of women: Heart disease.

Jacket: Lulu’s
T-shirt: Target
Skirt: Swapped
Tights: Target
Boots: Lanvin via consignment
Clutch: Alchemy Goods

I wore this jacket at Vegan Thanksgiving, a strange coincidence–if you know me, you’ll know I like to promote a healthy, plant-based lifestyle. The American Heart Association, who sponsors National Wear Red Day®, urges women to control risk factors for heart disease. Many factors, like blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity can be eliminated with healthy food choices. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has a lot of information about how to keep a healthy heart, including:

Eating a low-fat, vegetarian diet
Brisk walking for a half-hour per day or an hour three times per week
Not smoking
Managing stress

Back to the outfit! Did you check out the purse? It’s made of recycled bicycle inter tubes–vegan and green! I love supporting local, ethical, sustainable businesses, and Alchemy Goods fits that bill. They’re right here in Seattle. I bought mine at Click! Design That Fits in West Seattle.

And the shoes? No I didn’t blow a mortgage payment on them (although new, that’s what they’d cost). I found them on consignment at Ragamoffyn’s–for a fraction of the cost of what they’d be new. Not only did I save major bucks, but I don’t like to buy new leather. If it’s second-hand, I consider it recycling.

Are you wearing red today? What are your heart-healthy tips?

9 Comments

Filed under Ethical, Events, Fashion, Healthy Living, Thrifty

Tagged as alchemy goods, boots, fashion, Lanvin, national red dress day, skirt, style, thrifty fashion, upcycling, vegan

January 27, 2013 · 1:55 am

Sheer Sweater and Jeans

I forgot about these photos. This is a sweater I bought a couple of months ago. I jumped on the sheer sweater trend because they’re great for layering and aren’t too hot in milder climates or indoors.

Sweater: Target
Tank: Old Navy
Jeans: Citizens of Humanity
Shoes: Crossroads Trading
Purse: Matt & Nat
Bracelets: Gifted (thanks Jon!)

I also liked that the color is a brighter version of coral. Not quite neon and deeper than melon. I’ll showcase these boots better soon. They’re a chocolate-brown faux suede that I picked up at Crossroads trading. Second hand, but never worn. Score! And my thoughtful brother, Jonathan, bought me these bracelets. How nice!

By swapping out what I wear under it, I can really change the look. The only trouble is that is snags really easily. So I use my handy crochet hook to pull errant threads to the inside of the sweater, where they’re less visible.

This piece should take me well into spring too. Oh, the bag is made of recycled water bottles but to look at it, you’d think it was suede. Pretty neat!

I’ve linked up with Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet today. Check out all the other look-at-me women!

5 Comments

Filed under Ethical, Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as fashion, jeans, style, sweater, thrifty fashion, vegan

January 22, 2013 · 10:30 pm

Orange Blazer and Jeans

I’m wearing my thrifted orange blazer again. It’s a favorite piece that I keep going back to. And since Lindsay Living is having a thrifting link-up, I thought I should share how I’m wearing it now.

Blazer: Goodwill (Seattle)
T-shirt: H&M via Goodwill (Pittsburgh)
Jeans: Forever 21 via Goodwill (Bellevue)
Boots: Old Navy

I’ve worn this before with dress pants and here I’m wearing it with green and denim, both of which I got at Goodwill too. In fact, only my shoes are new, and they weren’t pricy. It’s a thrifty outfit.

I’m laughing because I saved so much money.

Do you check out thrift stores when you travel? I like seeing what lands in shops in other areas and was thrilled to get this sneaker-motif T when I was in Steel City a couple of years ago.

I also have a little DIY project planned for this jacket so when you see it next, it will look a little different.

9 Comments

Filed under Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as blazer, boots, fashion, jeans, style, thrifty fashion

January 20, 2013 · 11:54 pm

How to Wear Leopard

If you follow this blog, you’ll know I love animal prints and wear them a lot. Sometimes animal prints can be daunting. So when Pretty Grievances challenged me to share how I style leopard for Jungle January, I jumped on it. Here are a few tips on how to wear leopard–both subtly and boldly.

Shoes are a great way to try animal print. They won’t overpower your outfit and you can choose from a lot of styles.

Ballet flats or loafers are perfect with jeans–skinny, boyfriend, brights–they’re casual and comfortable.

Cardi: Thrifted
Tank: Target
Jeans: Just USA
Bracelets: Claire’s
Shoes: Payless

To take it up a notch, try a heel. They add va-va-voom to a simple look.

Top: Thrifted
Jeans: Earnest Sewn
Shoes: Two Lips
Purse: Crystalyn Kae

If shoes are too much of a commitment, a belt, scarf, or purse is a great way to dip your toes in the animal print pool. I’ve been known to do that, as you can see in the links to my other posts.

Feeling brave? Try a top. Leopard doesn’t have to be in real-life, typical leopard colors. Here, I went for a business look in gray and black. The cami underneath keeps things appropriate for the office.

Shirt: Goodwill
Pants: Express via swapped
Shoes: Payless
Watch: Kenneth Cole
Tote: Victoria’s Secret

Then, I changed the look completely with the same top. But instead of slacks, I wore red skinnies and chunky heels. I’m ready for girls’ night out! On a hot date, I might skip the cami.

Shoes: Cole Haan via thrifted
Watch: Emily the Strange

Go from tabby to tiger by donning a dress. There’s nothing subtle about that, but there are different looks you can create. Here’s a dress that steals the spotlight–especially with hot pink pumps.

Dress: Ross Dress for Less
Blazer: Thrifted
Shoes: BCBG via consignment

But add tights, a scarf, and boots, and the dress goes from date night to shopping with friends. I love adding a denim jacket to a dress. It makes even dressy looks versatile and approachable.

Jacket: Guess via swapped
Scarf: Gifted
Tights: Marshalls
Boots: Khrio

How do you wear leopard? Are there any looks you haven’t tried and want to?

14 Comments

Filed under Dress Up Dress Down, Fashion

Tagged as animal print, fashion, leo, style

January 19, 2013 · 11:49 pm

Zebra Stripes Again

I wore this top on jeanofalltrades a year and a half ago and still can’t decide if it’s tiger or zebra.

Top: Metropark
Tank: Old Navy
Jeans: Banana Republic
Shoes: Seychelles
Cuff: Lauren Harkness
Bag: Crystalyn Kae
Earrings: Premier Designs

No matter what animal print this is, it’s fun, and the color makes it sophisticated.

I like pieces that are versatile and wearing this top with a skirt or jeans fits the bill. Next time, I’ll have to break out of the monochromatic zone and pair this with more colorful bottoms.

What would you wear this with?

5 Comments

Filed under Fashion

Tagged as fashion, jeans, skinny jeans, style

January 16, 2013 · 7:28 pm

And the Shabby Apple Giveaway winner is…

Thanks to everyone who entered my Shabby Apple giveaway. I loved reading your comments and seeing your favorite pieces from the Shabby Apple website.

The contest closed tonight and I went old school. Instead of entering all the names into an online name picker, I copied them from the comments (one for each of your comments–some of you entered two or three times), and cut them into identical sized strips.

Then I put them into a hat…

I stirred the entries…

And pulled out a winner!

Congratulations to reeltravel!

And thanks to everyone who participated. This was a fun contest and I hope to have more in the future.

2 Comments

Filed under Fashion

Tagged as contest, fashion, giveaway, Shabby Apple, style

January 12, 2013 · 5:05 pm

Wartime Wardrobe Challenge

You might have seen the Wartime Wardrobe Challenge badge on the right side of this blog. What is that? Well, it’s an ingenious way to monitor and limit consumption by using the clothes rationing coupon system used in the UK during WWII, when supplies and raw materials were limited. The US also had rations for things like tires, canned food, penicillin, silk, nylon, and footwear. In fact, during WWII in the US, jeans were declared an essential commodity and were sold only to people engaged in defense work.

So, for the next year (or how ever long I can last), I’ll be rationing my consumption by using 66 coupons. Not 66 items. For example, a dress is worth 7 coupons. A pair of socks is worth one. Every time I buy something, I’ll give up a few coupons.

I want to become more aware of what I buy, buy better quality things that last, and buy things in a mindful way. It won’t matter (for this experiment) whether a pair of shoes costs me $20 or $200. I’ll use 5 coupons either way. So this will help me spend wisely.

I found this idea on jesse.anne.o’s blog. The idea is a collaboration between Little House in Town and The Double Life of Mrs. M. You can see the rationing chart for more details. I modified the rules above so the currency was in US dollars. Everything else is the same.

The good news is clothing exchanges and second-hand clothes don’t require coupons–and you know how I love thrift stores! It’s going to be a great way to stick to ethical shopping too. I think I can do this. Care to join me?

Go to Little House in Town’s site to get the badge and join the fun!

11 Comments

Filed under Ethical, Events, Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as clothes rationing, fashion, style, thrifty fashion, Wartime Wardrobe Challenge, WWII rationing

January 10, 2013 · 10:35 pm

Mustard Tights and Stripes

I just adored the color of these tights when I saw them in the store recently. I decided to wear them with earth tones.

Cardigan: Smart set
Top: Swapped
Skirt: Red Light Vintage
Cuff: Lauren Harkness
Tights: Fred Meyer
Shoes: Frye via swapped

The tights stand out because of their high value (i.e.: brightness) but they still go with the orange and browns in the skirt.

Nothing in this outfit is a true match but I think it goes together nicely.

I’ve been lusting after purple tights too (among other colors) but whenever I’m in the store, I forget what I already have so I don’t want to buy more until I do a tights inventory count. Do you wear colorful tights? What are your favorite shades?