Tag: fashion blog

Travel: Walking, Wind, and Waves!

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Oliver and I recently went on yet another international vacation – this time to Greece. We decided to change up our usual modus operandi and try out a cruise ship. I have a lot of thoughts on that (let me know if you guys want a blog post just about this?) but this post is about what I wore and why I brought it.

Now if you’ve read my post about Tahiti, I definitely decided that next time we were planning to travel to somewhere warm (and believe me – Greece was HOT the entire time we were there) that I was going to bring copious amounts of sundresses. And so I did, to the detriment of my backpack.

My collection of proposed packing items (almost exactly what I ended up bringing minus a few last minute cuts, and the “geriatric nurse” outfit that I wore for the plane. Supremely comfortable, and perfectly warm if not my most stylish travel ‘fit.

I want to stress that trip packing is not a one-and-done deal, but that there are always new lessons to be learned and new tweaks to try. We took some of the lessons from Tahiti and applied them to great impact on this trip:

  • We made more room for sunscreen by bringing shampoo/conditioner bars and reducing other liquids.
  • We brought straight up /better/ sunscreen and were more religious about applying it
  • I packed more with the idea of comfortable in mind than I did when we went to Tahiti – for example I brought looser clothing (sundresses) and remembered bike shorts for my poor thighs

The red sundress I wore in Crete and the sunflower dress I wore in Rhodes.

I learned some new lessons on this trip, however, when it comes to clothing.

  • The benefit of not sundresses is layering – of course this comes into play with style, to keep outfits feeling fresh, but this also comes into play with smell. Dresses get smelly, and when one is too smelly it takes a whole outfit out of play instead of just one piece. I did hack this a bit by hanging my dresses inside out in the closet while on the cruise ship, which allowed them to air out some.
  • The type of shorts I bring are very important, and bike shorts are my real heroes: they keep my thighs from rubbing together and don’t move, they are comfortable, they are thin enough to work under a dress but thick enough to work as bottoms on their own, they pack small. For real, if you’re mid-size or bigger, try bike shorts on your next vacation.
  • Long sleeves didn’t necessarily equate to hotter, and it was sometimes nice to have a loose fitting long sleeve shirt to wear to save myself some sunscreen effort.
  • I need to prepare for not being able to wear my dresses some days, or that I’ll want to change up my look, and bring more layering pieces in the future.

The striped shirt and bike shorts I wore in Mykonos, and the t-shirt and bike shorts I wore in Olympia.

Now, let’s get into the nitty gritty of what I brought, what worked, and what didn’t.

** Skincare/Hair Care **

I have been working on clearing up some pretty rough acne and I know that sunscreen and dirt and sweat can make this worse, but I also wanted to cut down on liquids so here’s what I ended up with.

What I Did: At the time I was using Curology (I’ve since stopped using their products, but they did a decent job on this trip) so I brought their cleanser and moisturizer. Greece has a limit on how many prescription products you can bring, so I did not bring my medicated cream. In addition, I brought these face wipes from BusyCo which are really awesome, work well, smell great, and are compostable! They also pack super small which is convenient. For hair care, I brought this set of shampoo and conditioner bars which I got from Grove Collaborative (but you might be able to find elsewhere).

What Worked: In contrast to Tahiti, I wasn’t having to bug spray at night, so I actually did my most intense washing in the afternoon when we stopped by our room to shower off the day’s sweat and rest. This worked very well for me, and I think would be easy to replicate with any skin care regimen. My skin was pretty rough before we left, but actually cleared up a bit while on the trip. The shampoo/conditioner bars were honestly better than I expected though it did take a bit of effort to figure out how, exactly, they worked. If you can put up with a bit more work in the shower, I say look into some bars because they save on liquid space. I put ours in soap savers I got for like $6 from Ross, so they also dried out well between uses and packed without leaving grim on anything.

What I Would Change: Honestly, not much. I think I really hacked what worked well for me this time.

The floral dress I wore in Corfu, and the red dress worn again under one of my layering tops for Santorini.

// Hair Sidebar – Accessories //

Since I knew we wouldn’t really be swimming on this trip, I brought a few more accessories.

What I Did: I brought a whole host of cute bobby pins, a couple of clips, and two big scrunchies, and two small scrunchies.

What Worked: This setup was a quick and easy grab, especially since I have short hair right now. These were all tested items that I use every day at home, so I knew they would do roughly what I wanted them to.

What I Would Change: THERE WAS SO MUCH WIND IN GREECE. Legit, I almost made Oliver learn to French braid while we were on the cruise ship. If you were wondering why my hair is such a mess in all these photos – for real, the wind was a problem for my short curls.

** Shoes **

What I Did: I brought my Vionic leather sneakers and this pair of Tiva sandals.

What Worked: After our very first international trip to Paris, and again tested in Tahiti, I have really figured out what shoe combination works well. The sneakers were better for our city roaming days, and the sandals were better for scrabbling about the dusty ruins. I am a firm believer in bringing two pairs of shoes – even better if they are pretty different from each other – so that when things start to rub or blister, you can change it up and give your feet a break. I saw this in full force on this trip. Also, it should be noted that my Vionic sneakers held up much better than my Aerosoles I previously used as my travel shoes, and they had better support than either the Aerosoles or the Soludos. If you’re looking for a solid pair of well made travel shoes, I highly recommend checking out Vionic.

What I Would Change: My main concern was that neither pair of shoes had a really good grip for the loads of marble or the dry, dusty climate. I wasn’t anticipating that Greece would be so dry in general, and I might hunt better grip shoes for our next foray into arid lands, but overall both pairs of shoes did exactly what I needed them to.

Athens days one and two. The striped shirt and shorts was by far my least successful outfit – in future trips I probably won’t bring these shorts again. The dress was fine, but I felt a little weird about how see through it was.

** Clothing **

What I Did: I brought on this trip four sundresses, three t-shirts, one long sleeve shirt, one sweater, one pair of sweat pants, three pairs of bike shorts, one pair of looser athletic shorts, two long tanks, one crop tank (tight fit), light rain jacket, one swimsuit.

What Worked: As I mentioned above, the bike shorts were the real heroes – even though the sundresses were a lot flashier. I’m very glad I brought two long/loose tank tops, as these did all the real sweat mopping work under my cute dresses. The tight top wasn’t super practical – I’m not positive I would bring this one again.

I purchased another sundress from the locals and once again, this was the perfect thing for this climate. It’s almost as if the people who live there know how to dress for it! Also, as I mentioned a bit in the caption above, I frequently had some concern about how see through some of my dresses were. Fun fact: the Greek people do not care ONE BIT about you seeing their underwear through their cute sundresses so this was entirely my own self-conscious issue. Once I got over this, I was a lot more comfortable in the heat.

What I Would Change: Definitely some of the items I brought were just too heavy. Specifically the turquoise t-shirt; while it’s a very cute layer and did do that job well, it was a bit thick for the heat. So when I was layering it over things, I was often just too hot. I also probably needed to bring one more pair of regular shorts (maybe the denim ones I cut from the first picture in this post) and maybe one more t-shirt. I forget that my travel outfit is usually completely wasted by the time we arrive (I get so smelly on planes)! Also, I didn’t need to bring the raincoat at all — the only day it rained, we didn’t have our coats and my sundress dried out just fine. Plus the wet was a welcome reprieve from the hot sun and dry wind.

The sundress I bought in Greece, my go-to cruise ship outfit, and Oliver in his favourite outfit – linen pants and floral button down shirt, paired with his dad hat and sandals (of course).

** Final Thoughts **

I really love travel, and while I complain endlessly about it, I also love the challenge of travelling out of a backpack as a fashionista. It feels like such an accomplishment when I implement new lessons each time, and learning and growing always feels so natural when it comes to trip fashion. At the end of the day, I love to look good and I love to see new things, and the combination of the two is *chef’s kiss.*

I feel like each time we go on a new international vacation, I also start to hone in on what is important to me while travelling, and it’s comfort – hands down. I really need to be able to move well and look cute while doing it. In this sense, the sundresses do a lot of work. But I also need to bring items that pack efficiently, and use what little space I have to the best of my ability. The sunflower dress was so dang cute and pretty comfortable to wear, but took up about half of my space. If I had swapped that for some smaller items, I could likely have fit at least two other full outfits – dresses or tops & bottoms – and this would have been to my advantage.

Finally, I want to talk a bit about colour palette: I’ve proven, handily, that you can bring a whole host of colourful patterned items that all work together. To all the people out there who want to try a capsule wardrobe or want to travel out of a backpack but aren’t really into plain-jane clothing and neutrals – it can be done. I never once felt like I was trying to make colours or patterns go together that just didn’t work. The whole palette made sense. My best helpful hint for how to do this is to lay all the items out that you intend to pack (like I did in the first photo of this post) so you get a quick visual on things that just don’t work together. In the future, thought, I might not put the strict ban on black clothing like I did this time. I have some really fun sundresses and shirts that were quickly ruled out as packing options which might have worked better than some of the items I brought.

I hope all of you get to travel soon, and that these fashion debriefs are helpful in your own packing adventures.

What are your go-to items for vacations? Do you bring multiple suitcases or just backpack it like we do? Planning a trip and don’t know what to pack? Let me know in the comments below.

The Struggle: SUMMER FASHION

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It was basically 80 degrees today in Seattle, which means yet another summer approaches. I scrolled through my fashion Instagram earlier because I often use my own previous outfits as #outfitinspo, and I only found two really hot summer outfits from last year. The most exciting my hot weather wardrobe got was in Tahiti, where I mostly wore the same three pairs of shorts & shirts because they were comfortable and I was sunburnt.

Those striped shorts from the first picture featured heavily in my few hot summer outfits. I guess they are the most interesting?

My brother has been really digging into his personal style as of late, and continually texts me: “Does this look stylish?” He says, sending me a picture of yet another shirt and shorts look. To clarify, our styles are basically opposite. While Brent loves minimal looks with a bit of pizzazz, my looks are maximalist pattern mixed chaos. Yet we both have the same struggle – summer fashion is, to us, boring.

It’s boring. There I said it. BORING. Yes, there are super cute sundresses but a lot of a wardrobe is built in separates. I am not going to have ten or fifteen different sundresses, and for Brent who prefers more masculine looks, this isn’t even an option. And yes, I’ll admit that you can play around with silhouettes and lengths but unless you’re wearing a dress or romper, most of summer fashion boils down to: shorts/skirt & shirt. That’s it! There are no more layers or fun things to add because it is just too hot. Even today, I had Oliver take some photos of my outfit. When I asked him, he initially seemed surprised.

“This outfit?” He asked, as I handed over my phone.

“Yes!” I responded. I asked why he was so hesitant.

“Well, it’s not really that interesting,” he replied.

“Yes! That’s exactly the point I want to make!”

– Oliver and I, earlier today
The not-very-interesting outfit I had Oliver take pictures of today.

I’ve recently been on a bit of a journey to try and accept more minimalism in my fashion life. I scroll through so many cute accounts and blog posts and videos of people that are just in jean shorts and a white button down and they look so fresh and clean! Then I put the same outfit on myself and I feel like I am missing something critical – think those dreams where you are in class and realize you aren’t wearing any pants, that’s the feeling. I just want to add more: another pattern, another layer, something interesting. While I struggle with this year round to be honest (a couple of my recent forays into trying this out in cooler weather are pictured below) it’s easy enough to quell the something-missing feeling with another layer. “Oh, I’ll just toss on this jacket” I’ll say, or “I can add a collared shirt underneath.” With summer clothing, this becomes cumbersome and sweaty.

Some of my latest versions of simple outfits. In each case, I struggled to post them because they didn’t feel like enough, but the graphic sweaters helped convince me.

What really struck me about this infinite struggle in my life, is that Brent is having the same problem. Is it that less fabric = less interesting? Is it harder for us to somehow make a #look now that we have just less yardage to work with? In Brent’s minimalist style, the outfits above are honestly entirely too much, and in mine they are too little. Yet in summer wear, we feel the same. Does anyone else struggle with this as much as we do?

I decided to go back in time – I’ve traveled before to Del Rio for 4th of July where it is quantifiably hot. I thought perhaps that my Pacific Northwest locale had ruined my own inclinations toward cute summer clothing. So I went back in time… and found that I had very few outfit pictures from our Del Rio trips. You might be tempted to say it’s just because I was too busy enjoying my time with family, and to some degree you might be correct. However, I know that my need to prove that I was cute one day usually outweighs this (and Del Rio is accompanied with plenty of downtime for narcissistic photo shoots). I went back even further to our first trip to Seattle, which was warmer than we thought it would be, and still found no inspiration.

This is the best I could find from ALL 4 trips (three Del Rio, one Seattle). It’s really not a lot.

When I look at all of these pictures, the outfits are cute, sure, but none of them really feel like anything to write home about. I can tell that I’ve tried to spice a few of them up – I added a cardigan, or I included some fun contrasting socks – but for the most part they are just shorts and a t-shirt (or a sundress). They feel lackluster, and are definitely not inspiring. I don’t find myself wanting to repeat or recreate them.

I usually try to end these posts with an upside or lesson – something that we’ve discovered together – but in this case I really don’t know what the answer is. Perhaps I just need to keep wearing what is comfortable and find joy in the simplicity of summer clothing. Perhaps I will always feel like summer fashion is missing something and just wear clothes cause I have to. Perhaps I will find the thing that really cracks summer fashion (though more likely, I’ll realize that the thing is all in my mind).

Perhaps I will just soak up the sunshine while I wait for fall fashion to bring me life in layered patterns again.

Do you have the same struggles? If summer’s your jam, any tips you want to share? Do you have a season that you struggle to dress for? Share in the comments below!

Deep Dive: Taylor Swift

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Say what you will about her music, her career choices, or her love life, Taylor Swift has been iconic in each of her fashion eras. Each new album brings about a new style and fans and fashionistas alike enjoy looking forward to what will be next. In fact, if we think about it, Taylor Swift has shown us exactly what a style evolution can be like and how different our style can be throughout the years. Maybe your style eras are not as defined but if you look back you will see the slow evolution into your current style today.

I have — put nicely — a lot of clothes. Some of them are costume elements for our amazing Halloween parties but at the end of the day, I just have a large wardrobe of items. I also know that I have a lot of items hiding, barely used, at the depths of drawers. As I scrolled through yet another iteration of Taylor fashion, I wondered if I could recreate a look of hers from each era using only the clothes that I owned.

This post takes you through a deep dive into Taylor Swifts style, starting with her Red album (as I feel that’s really when she started to come into her own) all the way through the most recent evolution of folklore. I will showcase a look from my own closet (no new for this pieces) that encompasses the concept of each era, as well as providing some guidelines for recreating these styles at home.

— RED ERA —

Red was Taylor’s album that really started to bridge the gap between country and pop, and holds some of the classics that fans of “old” and “new” Taylor love. Her fashion made this leap with her – losing the “girly dresses and cowboy boots” look of her previous few albums and moving into what I’ve dubbed pretty but approachable hipster. Her basics focused around comfortable classics such as the white t-shirts or button down blouses and cigarette style pants. It was this base layer that made her showy pieces stand out. Think of those red glitter oxfords? The top hats? Those band jackets?

Her look is definitely one that’s easy to filter into everyday wear: if you take out the clearly-meant-for-the-stage pieces that bring it out of classic office wear and into costume, it’s a really clean office look done with flair.

When she stepped out of her white top/black pant uniform that showed up several times, she was wearing clean retro looks that hearkened to a modern 50’s style. Think fit and flare dresses or simple graphic prints filled with Peter Pan collars. And we would be remiss to ignore the bold red lip paired with natural looking makeup that dominated her style.

Red Era Taylor was all about being clean and manicured from top to bottom, while playing with familiar silhouettes.

Image Links: red dress ; Red album art ; band jacket look ; white top/black pants

For my version of Red era Swift, I played with her basic uniform – black on bottom, white on top, showy elements. I was thinking of the character that would move seamlessly between the songs “22,” “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” and “I Knew You Were Trouble” during her perfect night out with friends.

My top hat and band jacket are not something I usually combine as it feels a bit costumey, but I had this in mind as a stage look for Taylor, and thus the more the better. However, the rest of the outfit (sans hat, if you will) is just a nice classic look. I honestly could wear this to the office.

I chose a simple white t-shirt and these skinny pants with the leather accents, because they felt luxurious, and Taylor’s style always has these smart little details that elevate the look. Finished with my black and white leather sneakers for the completed concept of pretty but approachable hipster.

TAKE HOME TAKE AWAY: If you really love Red era Taylor, then here are a few things that will help you achieve this look in your own style.

  • Look for classic, timeless pieces (a white t-shirt and black pants will work in almost any era; the fit and flare shaped dresses are the same)
  • Keep prints simple (polka dots, stripes, etc.) If you do want a busy print, make it a small and delicate.
  • Find a really solid color story and roll with it (red, white, and black). This is also a great way to make sure that everything in your closet has a lot of re-wearability. If you can pair every item with something else you own, the combinations are endless and you get more mileage out of less clothing.
  • Focus on small details (cute buttons on a blouse; leather edges on pants; unique necklines/collars) and let the rest of the clothing stay clean.
  • Find one showpiece and let it shine (a hat, a jacket, a cute scarf, etc.)

— 1989 ERA —

1989 was a huge year for Taylor as she fully transitioned into an 80’s synth fueled pop sound. Many original fans lamented the death of “old” Taylor, while she gained other fans anew. With the transition of her sound, her fashion transitioned as well. I’ve dubbed 1989 Swift as colorful, shiny, 80s. We really start to see less safe choices from Taylor here, as far as fashion goes. She was stepping out of the box with both her music, and her style. Honestly, I think this era of fashion is where Taylor is having the most fun. Her looks all read as though she picked them from a cart while doing a mad dash shopping trip with friends.

There are a LOT of sequins and shimmering fabrics in this era, enough that I honestly had a hard time creating a look that was shiny enough. This was also the first era where Taylor settled on what still remains her silhouette of choice: high-waisted bottoms and crop top. If you think I’m kidding, there’s a whole pile of these pieces in her 1989 tour looks here. She played a lot with color, and pattern, and matchy-matchy styles in opposition to the stark contrasts of all her pieces throughout Red.

1989 is a lot less exaggerated office classics and a lot more party clothes. To sum it all up: the 1989 era was bold and confident.

Image Links: blue shorts ; turquoise bomber jacket ; sunglasses and multicolored jacket ; street style

My take on 1989 played off of the character that would be taking the train to her New York job (maybe at a fashion magazine?) later to head out with friends a la “Welcome to New York” and “New Romantics.” It’s definitely bold and colorful, and while I don’t have a closet filled with skater skirts, I kept to the heart of the silhouette with high-waisted on bottom and cropped on top. To get the shine factor up, I added my silver oxfords and one of my few pieces of actual jewelry – this Swarovski crystal music note necklace.

This outfit is far and away outside of my comfort zone, so bold is definitely an understatement, but I will say it was the most fun outfit I crafted for this post. I really enjoyed pulling together elements that I normally wouldn’t pair, and playing with a flirty concept like this bralet/blazer combination.

TAKE HOME TAKE AWAY: If you really love 1989 era Taylor, then here are a few things that will help you achieve this look in your own style.

  • Play with color, but keep it relatively monochromatic and matching. This lets you really mess around with brighter colors without risking clash, as well as fun patterns and textures.
  • Add sparkle and shine – a little bit in each piece will do the trick.
  • Find a silhouette you like and stick with it. Similar to the color scheme rule above, this will help make it so all your crazy colors, patterns, and textures will be easier to pair.
  • Be bold in your outfits – 1989 era looks are all about confidence and standing out.

— REPUTATION ERA —

The lyrics from “Call it What You Want” really sum up Reputation era Swift:

My castle crumbled over night

I brought a gun to a knife fight

They took the crown but it’s alright

– Call it What you Want, Taylor Swift

Due to scandals and the chaos that is super stardom, Taylor really went through an evolution as a person, and her fashion rightly reflected that. Do you remember that year where you got over your worst break up ever? Imagine a whole era defined by that. It’s the year Taylor really gave up on her good girl image diving deep into what she felt like a bad girl would be. While 1989 was definitely Taylor dressing to have fun, every outfit in Reputation is making a statement. Succinctly, Reputation fashion is edgy with oversized comfort.

It’s our first real look at Taylor in sweats, though rarely an entire sweat suit at once. Her clothing pieces are a lot of plays on hard vs. soft – think a latex jacket paired with sweatpants. She didn’t lose her love for the high-waisted/crop top combination but was not as sold on the concept as she had been through 1989. Here we see new takes on leisure and sport pieces combined with high end fabrics and colors. It’s our first glimpse of what Taylor would dress like as a rap star too. All in all, she just went more street with everything.

I find it most interesting that while some of the strides from 1989 still show up (playing with more bold combinations and interesting patterns) we have a return the the comfortable color scheme from Red. It feels very much like all of the glamour with none of the fun. And the SNAKES. Man when she picks a theme, she goes hard.

Image Links: bejeweled hoodie ; snake skin top ; street style ; yet another hoodie

For my Reputation era look, I decided to roll with the oversized hoodie and knee high boot concept that really sums up Taylor’s feelings during this time. I felt very much like I was dealing with high school stress again, and lashing out at my e m o t i o n s. Plus this Sunless Sea hoodie had the right message.

It’s always a good look when I pull out these boots that Oliver has to lace up for me – isn’t that just so fashionable? (He doesn’t mind btw, but I feel bad, so I rarely wear them). This look was again, quite out there for me. I really wanted to put on tights, or just something? else on my legs? But oversized hoodies are my jam. I think that precise combination of comfort vs. uncomfortable is a real crux of Taylor’s fashion in this time period. She was hurting, and it’s so obviously translated into her fashion.

TAKE HOME TAKE AWAY: If you really love Reputation era Taylor, then here are a few things that will help you achieve this look in your own style.

  • Play with shape, but keep it balanced. If you have an oversized jacket, for example, wear a fitted top. If you have short shorts, wear them with thigh high boots.
  • Play with edgy details (in place of the pretty ones from earlier looks) like studs, laces, and leather. These looks are very classic rockstar – think studded leather boots and ripped denim.
  • Don’t be afraid to combine sporty pieces with high fashion items to create a #lewk.
  • Find a color scheme and roll with it – this makes it easier to play around with the crazier points of fashion without looking like a walking Hot Topic store.

— LOVER ERA —

Ah, the return to manic pixie dream girl Taylor. With the release of the Lover album, Taylor left several dark caves behind. She is healed from the hurt of Reputation scandals, she has left behind the good girl aesthetic from the Red era, and she has started speaking up about issues that are important to her. Lover saw a Taylor that spoke out on politics and came out in support of the LGBTQ community. Lover era Taylor wanted everyone to both have and give love. She talks a lot about loving yourself (“Me!”), accepting the love that others have (“You Need to Calm Down”), and recognizing a good romantic love when you have it (“Lover”). Lover era Taylor is ethereal; she’s unapologetically lost in the clouds and never coming back down.

This made the Lover era fashion really hard to pin down. There’s color – for sure – and shine, two leftover pieces from 1989 that are now written on the hard drive of Taylor fashion. But the colors are softer pastels, and the patterns are interesting. The whole look is very Coachella: girly, smart, and wistful. There are a lot of feather and butterfly motifs at play and a lot of tye-dye. Each outfit reads as it’s own breathy gasp; at once a statement and immediately dissipating.

Lover also brought the first foray into colored hair on Taylor (albeit just extensions, but I’ll take what I can get) and I am very much a fan. It’s doubtful, but perhaps in the future we’ll see Taylor’s hair fully dyed some other color.

Image Links: pink and black look ; rainbow fringe ; casual crop top ; butterfly mural

Alright so anyone who knows me knows that pink does not play heavily into my wardrobe, and I will openly admit that Lover era fashion was a real struggle for me. I tried a lot of combinations of florals and pastels, but none of them were really airy enough. I finally settled on a look using some favorites of mine, as well as including these awesome rainbow fishnet tights because if there was ANY time to wear them, it’s for this outfit.

There are so many elements in this outfit to talk about. Those rainbow butterfly earrings might has well have been Lover era merch. I added my shiny star sneakers because any person at a music festival will be walking around a bunch, right? I added the Peter Pan collar of my pink lace tank, under this perfect gold velvet t-shirt dress. Maybe the look is still a little grounded for the era but I feel like I landed some of the basic concepts. It’s shiny; it’s girly; it’s colorful.

TAKE HOME TAKE AWAY: If you really love Lover era Taylor, then here are a few things that will help you achieve this look in your own style.

  • Pastels are key. You don’t necessarily have to roll as hard into Eastery feeling pink and yellow like Taylor does, but pick three major players of pastel colors and find new interesting ways to combine them. You could pull off the same concept with cream, turqouise, and violet.
  • More is more. Don’t be afraid of fringe or fishnets or rosettes on gauzy fabrics. Add tulle and leather. As long as they are all telling the same story, keep adding.
  • Play with gauzy princess fabrics like tulle, organza, and chiffon. Play with cloud motifs. You want to give the impression of being otherworldly a bit, and fabric choice is a great start.
  • This style is all about your inner unicorn – find something shiny, find something colorful, and keep it comfortable.
  • Statement sleeves are in – look for princess bell sleeves, elastic rouching in layers, or fringe. If you’re going a lot of top, keep it simpler on bottom with lighter denim.

— FOLKLORE ERA —

Yes, yes. I know that this album just came out (a surprise to pretty much everyone) and I know it’s been a global pandemic with stay at home orders, so there are no tour looks to pull from and few street style looks. However, Taylor did give us a pile of saucy pictures and some fun filtered video snippets for Spotify and I’m going to to roll with it because I have to!

folklore (all lower case for #reasons) was a complete 180 from the heady high of Lover. This album was a return to nature, a return to the tall tales that we keep telling, and a real storybook adventure. Far from the fairytales being told in her earlier albums (looking at you Speak Now and Fearless) it’s a more earthy and real concept of being lost in the woods but enjoying it. The album is very much stripped back and the opposite of ostentatious. Lots of feelings of cozy sweaters, and cabin books. This new sound (or lack thereof) allows the real high point of Taylor’s music to shine: lyrics.

Her fashion for this album was very much down-to-earth, and very me. Moody florals, and plaids, and dresses just meant for running through meadows. There are some schoolgirl elements here, but played off in more collegiate age. If Reputation was a contrast between hard vs. soft, then folklore is all about mature vs. young. ALSO CAN WE TALK ABOUT THAT CARDIGAN? I don’t think I’ve ever wanted a piece of merch from a band as much as I wanted this. I would sum up this era as cozy, indie, and collegiate. The “You Belong to Me” Taylor finally went to college. She has finals soon. Her parents have property nearby. She probably has a working record player, and a lake house.

Image Links: striped shirt and tweed trousers ; plaid coat ; cardigan ; flower dress

Fully inspired, I landed on a floral skirt and oversized cozy sweater. I even got a good frolicking picture because folklore outfits are meant to be frolicked in. I imagined a version of me that lived in a little cabin, off the coast of Ireland, drinking tea. This is what the folklore storybook character of me would wear.

The sweater – cozy. It’s a beautiful waffle sweater that feels very ivy league.

The boots – leather.

The skirt – floral.

What more can I say?

TAKE HOME TAKE AWAY: If you really love folklore era Taylor, then here are a few things that will help you achieve this look in your own style.

  • Oversized is back – but more understated. Instead of baggy, it’s more fitted.
  • Collegiate style is easier to narrow down than you think. Leather shoes are a good start; smart looking sweaters; well placed stripes.
  • Keep the colors muted and earthy for this look. Notice that Taylor plays with creams and browns, whereas I stick with moodier burgundy and black.
  • Pattern mixing is encouraged. Once you’ve identified your color story, play a lot with pattern and texture to get the right vibe. Plaid, stripes, dainty flowers, and lace are all good places to start.
  • Not too shiny! For the first time, you really don’t want to introduce too many shiny elements to this one. Keep the fabrics natural, and the jewelry understated.

This is it for my first deep dive into fashion! In this instance, I stuck with one person who had an evolving style, but these posts might take a lot of different forms. Maybe I deep dive into blazers throughout the year, or look at the evolution of punk fashion. Is there an element of fashion you would like to see me take a deep dive into? Let me know in the comments!

The Struggle: Leggings as Pants

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These pants are basically leggings – and that’s why I LOVE them.

I had never been on board the leggings as pants train.  It started pretty young, when leggings first resurfaced.  My mother (who had been around for the first legging adventure) would tut tut about how no one wore shirts that covered their butts, and how you could see their underwear!  In the beginning, this was certainly true.  Leggings were initially made from the same material as tights so they were frequently see through, and not meant for #pantslife. 

But as more women wore them as pants, the industry followed.  Leggings quickly became an athleisure staple – they were stretchy, bendable, and didn’t fall down like classic workout pants.  They were also a lot more flattering than sweats of the past, and made workouts like yoga, pilates, and running easier than other athleisure could.  The problem: athletic leggings looked just that.  Athletic.  They were thicker, sure, to solve the problems that come with a lot of bending, stretching, and wear and tear, but they weren’t necessarily cute.  And cute leggings, like much else that is cute, were still not good enough. 

So I staunchly held out on the “leggings can’t be pants” hill, convinced I would die on it.  For many, many years, I hoped along with articles in fashion magazines and op-ed pieces alike, that the legging trend would die.  Even as I started wearing them more with outfits (always like tights with a skirt or shorts over them) and they grew to be a staple in my own wardrobe, I continued to tut tut those who wore them as pants. 

Another pair of pants that are definitely just leggings!

The realization was a slow one – I’ve always been stubborn about my fashion choices – but it came in drips.  I would read an article here and there, extolling the brilliance of leggings as pants.  I started to recognize the problems with telling women what they can and can’t wear, especially in the face of men being allowed pretty much whatever.  I realized that I honestly envied women who were out at Target or casually walking through the airport in the comfortable stretchy fabrics of leggings alone, without the extra constraints of a skirt or dress. 

The big turn came one busy Saturday filled with social engagements. Our first event was mostly walking around so I’d worn a beautiful skirt that fits perfect when standing, but quickly grows uncomfortable while sitting since it has an unforgiving waistband. When we got home, and prepared for our next activity (board games – sitting only) I realized I didn’t want to fully change clothes. So I wrestled and wrought in my mind, looking in the mirror and bending over and asking my husband “can you see my underwear” and finally laid on the bed extolling my fears to my helpless lover. 

“I can’t just wear them as pants, can I?  I don’t understand why it’s fine if other people do it, but I just can’t!” 

Me, lying on the bed, wallowing

Oliver, being the man that he is, quickly assessed the root of my fears. We discussed how initially they were meant to be tights, but they’ve evolved from that. And if the leggings themselves can evolve, can’t my opinion of them, and my use for them?  So, bravely, for games that evening I wore my leggings as pants for the first time. Admittedly in the comfort of my own home, among friends who I knew wouldn’t care (or likely wouldn’t notice), but you’ve got to start somewhere, right?

Now that you have the background – we can get to the heart of the issue.  Should leggings be worn as pants?  And I have to say, yes.  Not only are the standards in the industry different (now even cheap Amazon or Old Navy leggings call out “full coverage” and “thick, not see through fabric”).  Not to mention the comfort: quality leggings that fit right are second to none on comfort levels.  In bleak winter mornings, I’m much more liable to reach for a pair of cozy leggings than any of my jeans.  Throughout the day I find my whole body is more comfortable wearing the stretch fabric instead of unforgiving denim, plus I’m not nearly as sweaty or smelly or chafed… 
That’s the thing about leggings – they’re just so damn functional.  

They are also extremely accessible: now that they are in the lexicon of style for good, there are plenty of cute, reliable options out there for anyone, on any budget.  I’m even seeing more and more curvy and larger sizes from regular brands, and brands that cater to larger sizing jumping into the market. 

These were actually sold as leggings but here they are being pants!

Leggings are workhorses without being inconvenient.  They are breathable, they are soft, and they are warm.  They allow freedom of movement while creating a cute silhouette that is almost ubiquitously flattering.

Naysayers be naysaying, but I’m going to work on getting over my own fears and hangups because at the end of the day, they make me feel better, and isn’t that what fashion is all about? 

The Struggle: Eowyn’s 10×10 Challenge

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Those of you following this blog probably remember that I started this 10 x 10 Challenge because of a friend who reached out to me. My friend, Eowyn, also did the challenge with me throughout those two weeks.

A quick note about Eowyn: she came to me about a year ago saying that it was impossible for her to find professional clothes she liked and could afford. We went to the thrift store, and found her a whole wardrobe that day. Since then I’ve seen her make many fashion choices that are brave and inspiring. When she reached out to me to do this challenge I was so nervous – but also very excited. I wanted to see what she calls “Closet by Carley” in action. I wanted to see how she wore all the lovely pieces we painstakingly chose together. But mostly I wanted to see her in the clothes that had been making her so happy.

What follows are Eowyn’s thoughts on the challenge, edited only for clarity.

“Generally speaking, I identify as a minimalist. I find that limited items prevents me from getting overwhelmed, keeps my budget generally managed, and also I see minimalism as a way to reduce waste. So when I first stumbled across the 10 x 10 Challenge and the idea of capsule wardrobes, this seemed a natural fit for me.

In the past 10 years, I’ve tended toward mix and match clothing featuring solids and simplicity. This has been a huge advantage when traveling as well, as I usually only need what appears to be an overnight bag even for two to three weeks of travelling – except that one time that customs was suspicious of my limited baggage.

That being said, I wanted to try this challenge for different reasons. I wanted to stretch outside my comfort zone in some big ways:

  • Patterns
  • Modern and more “trendy” fashion
  • Brighter colours
  • Using layering as more than just temperature regulation

With all this in mind, I set to my choices (pictured above):

  • orange jumper (Amazon)
  • lavender tank dress (Amazon)
  • red leather jacket (Thrifted; added week two when I realized the relentless nature of the rain and unlikely use of a sheer mauve top)
  • high-waisted white pants with leopard and cactus print (Thrifted)
  • coral and navy striped tan cardigan (hand me down from Carley)
  • turqoise velvet jeans (Thrifted; added week two when it was apparent that I wasn’t going to wear those cute strappy sandals I just bought)
  • black and white crop top (Thrifted)
  • light blue denim tank (Thrifted)
  • navy blue ruffled tank (Thrifted)
  • black lace-less oxford heels (Thrifted)

Thus my weekly wardrobe choices were significantly simplified to the following:

Week One of the Challenge
Week Two of the Challenge
*red jacket added with black and white top but not pictured*

— What I Learned —

  • Fashion is something I have always thought of as unnecessary and beyond me a little, but I really appreciated dressing intentionally.
  • The last day (bottom left, second picture set) I wore things that layered pretty much for pragmatism only and I found this to be my least favorite outfit. I discovered my go-to fashion is frankly quite boring.
  • Layers! I truly enjoyed layering with the jumper and dress (such as with the jeans) over the articles to shape them into a top or bottom instead of a whole outfit piece, even adding depth to the jumper by layering items beneath the jumper. I will definitely be doing this more.
  • Accessories – you can reach change a #lewk by having a cute hat, belt, or scarf. I do this well in the winter when it’s cold, but I should do it more in other seasons.
  • Sensory issues – I have sensory issues with clothing. The length, the feel, the weight can all be problems. Layering items definitely allowed me to compensate for some of those things in new ways.
  • Minimalism doesn’t have to be boring. When wearing my typical tank/jeans/shawl, I was bored by cozy. Yet I was able to make new outfits every other day that honestly piqued my mood and made me excited.
  • Pattern mixing – this is still hard for me. I really wanted to wear the leopard pants with the black and white top, but I just didn’t have it in me to be so loud. I settled for the panted under the dress to act as leggings and still this was a lot for me. But I would do it again. I found that patterns really spiced up an outfit to create interesting ensembles.

— Some Additional Thoughts Worth Considering —

  • Fashion is a privilege – I think it is worth noting that everything in my wardrobe was thrifted, gifted, or less than $15. A long history of limited funds is a large portion of why I have always felt fashion unattainable and thus not worth exploring. This challenge really highlighted the ways in which income affected my fashion and I suddenly understand how certain brands can deeply alter a person’s sense of self. That being said, I think it’s important to note that it can be done. Knowing how to look for brands in the thrift store (and show a lot of patience) has single-handedly provided me with a professional wardrobe I wouldn’t otherwise have had access to.
  • Minimalism still works for me – I am all about the minimalist wardrobe. I love having a few items that I can blend together into interesting combinations. It’s practical, cheap, and requires a certain problem solving attitude.”

A big thanks to Eowyn for taking the time to write up all these thoughts, and for allowing me to share them here with you.

Have you tried a 10 x 10 challenge yourself? Wanting to try one? Leave a comment below, I would love to hear about it.

Style Spotlight! Cecily

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This week’s style spotlight highlights one of my best friends, and conveniently, my next door neighbor. Aside from being a domestic maven, Cecily consistently inspires me to play with color and pattern. She also inspires me to look a little fancier. She has a way with clothing that feels both very adult and very fun at the same time. She’s by far one of the best shopping buddies, because she has the same joy of looking at pretty things that I do. It’s a good yin yang relationship as well: she pushes me to be a bit thriftier and I push her to just buy the thing she likes.

Cecily’s wardrobe is full of vibrant, flowy clothing that brings life into any room. I really love how each item always has interesting details – a cutout in the back of a plain shirt, a polka dot pattern that’s actually boats, or gold detailing on all the buttons and snaps. She also successfully layers cardigans over button down shirts which I’ve been trying to do forever but never quite get right. It’s a skill of hers that I’ve always envied. Even on days where she hasn’t put much effort in, she still manages to look polished (another enviable trait). Cecily’s style is proof that comfortable doesn’t have to mean bland or casual.

Tell us a bit about yourself: I live in West Seattle with my beloved within sight of the sea and I love it!! Sitting on my deck looking at the ocean with a cold beverage and a book is one of my favorite ways to relax. I love reading mysteries and fantasy stories and I usually average about 9 books a month….  
Cooking and eating are my favorite hobbies – I especially like cooking Chinese & Italian food, and baking bread. I also make a mean cocktail.  Lately I’ve gotten back into sewing, which I hope will help take my style to new heights as I learn to make things that I can’t necessarily find or afford in a store! Me & my sweetheart love to travel, we try to take an international trip and a domestic trip every year. Obviously eating is my favorite thing to do on vacation!! I don’t have grand goals or anything – My aspiration in life is to be happy and live peacefully 🙂 (and of course continue to cultivate my domestic talents!)

Three words that describe your style: structured, loud, comfortable 

Biggest style inspiration: I love summer fashion – I like pretty blouses and skirts, and not needing to cover them up with layers. I really enjoy the silhouettes of the mid-20th century (who doesn’t?). My stylish aunt also inspires me a lot and I’m always thrilled when I get to pick through her cast-offs! 

What are your fashion struggles? Finding pants that fit, look good, and are practical. Bothering to wear fashionable shoes. Being even kind of fashionable in the winter (but I have plans to combat the last one!!)

How did you find your style? When I was in high school I discovered my love for loud colors and tacky stuff, and in college I developed a love affair with very structured mid century style clothes – think wool-like skirts and starched cotton blouses. As I got older I combined these two into a look that I think incorporates the elegance of mid-century clothing – collars, pleats, buttons – with bright colors and comfortable fabrics. 

Any tips for people trying to find their own style? Try things that you aren’t sure about – you might not love it on first sight but it might grow on you. Try shopping at stores you’ve never been into before, you might discover a brand you love. Especially if you like to thrift, you might have a piece from a brand you’ve never shopped directly – but if you like that one thing, you might find a whole bunch of stuff you like there! 

Favorite fashion find: I have a green crepe-like (but actually polyester) skirt that I got for $4 at Kohl’s like 10 years ago [pictured above]. It is one of my favorite items and I’ve never seen anything like it since.  Also my beautiful crinoline that was 100% worth the money I paid for it at a vintage shop: I wear it with every skirt I can get away with using it under. 

One thing you have learned about style or fashion:  If it doesn’t fit, don’t wear it. Get rid of it. Don’t keep it because “you might fit into it eventually.” You won’t. You should only wear clothes that fit you comfortably! (unless it’s something irreplaceable, then you can keep it!! I have a true 50’s vintage dress that I will never get rid of even though it’s a little tight, because it is a treasure.)

What part of your style do you feel you really excel at? I love matching (or power-clashing) colors and patterns!!  

What is one thing you wish you did better? My accessory game is so weak. I used to wear a lot of jewelry but these days I really can’t be bothered… since I wear scrubs at work it looks weird and is deeply unnecessary. It seems like too much work to wear jewelry for travel to and from work, and then I don’t think about it once I get home – but I want to start wearing more jewelry again! At least when I’m at home 🙂 

#ootd: Fall Layers

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FINALLY FALL. Oliver and I have decided that the fall version of me is by far the best version of me, especially when it comes to clothing. Layering in dusty fun colors and interesting patterns is what I’m built to do, and I adore it. This outfit is a prime example.

These pants are amazing – and definitely the foundation of the outfit. With the embroidered flowers down the sides, I really like to showcase them which I did here by color blocking in the same fall color story. This scarf is made of dreams; I literally found it on the side of the road and it’s been a favorite of mine ever since. The sweater I found while thrifting as well as the mustard yellow top. The colors just made sense, and the layers are all warm enough that I was fine going to work in 50 degree weather and coming home in 75 degree weather. Each layer could be easily shed or added to keep me the right temperature without suffering loss of joy or integrity as a whole.

Scarf: A fluffy warm layer, I throw this scarf into just about every fall outfit because it easily adds warmth without becoming a problem. It worked here, despite being patterned, because it’s a neutral black and white.

Sweater: This green acrylic sweater from Mexico (brand unknown) is quickly becoming one of my favorite thrift store finds of all time. It’s warm without being itchy, and the slight balloon in the sleeves makes it an easy layer to throw on top. I chose it here because of the forest green hue and cable texture – perfect for those #fallvibes.

Ribbed T-Shirt: A mustard yellow top from H&M (thrifted) that I think will be a fall fixture. It’s quite thin but still long sleeved which makes it perfect for layering. The cut is slightly cropped, so it doesn’t work in every instance, but I love the color and the texture of the ribbing. I fixed the cropped issue in this case by adding a red tank top underneath. Quick Note: usually I tuck in my tank tops because it’s warmer, and they aren’t really part of the outfit. However, the tucked tank in this situation made the crop top style of the t-shirt look like it didn’t fit. I left the tank untucked to keep it looking intentional instead of unfortunate.

Pants: A Kut from the Kloth classic, these embroidered pants are always the star of any show. When I wear them, I always use them as a base for the outfit, since they will upstage anything else.

Shoes: I kept it simple and casual with my brick red Converse, a classic sneaker that manages to be stylish, casual, and comfortable in one neat package. These make a lot of showings both for fall and at Christmastime where they are particularly festive feeling.

Accessories: Since the rest of the outfit was a lot I kept the accessories simple. My faux wood sunglasses, simple gold stud tree earrings, and (though you can’t see them) green fox socks. I have a small grey scrunchie holding up my hair.

How To: Shop at Thrift Stores

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As tempted as I am to start this post with a quote from Macklemore’s song “Thrift Shop,” I won’t. I will, however, explain that the feeling of the song (and the reason it quickly became popular) is exactly why so many people love shopping at thrift stores. The thrill of the hunt, and the quest for a bargain can be intoxicating. It can also be why so many find it difficult and laborious.

One time, while flipping through the clothes in a local thrift store, my mom stopped and looked at me.

“I will never understand how some people look like they shop at the thrift store. I shop at the thrift store but I don’t look like I do.”

It took me a minute but I realized exactly who she means – the people who pick out the ill fitting denim shorts that look like they are from the eighties and pair them with a t-shirt for a resort they’ve certainly never been to. The people wearing the button down denim coverall dress that goes to their ankles without a hint of irony. It is a look that I think most people dread (though if it’s your thing – rock it!) and I believe is another common reason for hesitation to really enjoy thrift shopping.

Yet thrift shopping can be a beautiful thing for both your closet and your wallet. It’s no secret that thrift stores offer clothes at an extreme discount, since they are all donated. A thrift store can be a great place to upgrade your style if you’re on a tight budget, try out a trend without investing too much money, or fill out basics that you wear a often.

I’m hoping that these tips will help make thrift shopping into something that is easy and enjoyable for anyone willing to try.

thrifted items pictured: purple leather jacket, gold velvet shirt dress, blue velvet dress

—–> Tip One – Have a Broad Goal in Mind

Goals or quests or things you’re hunting (or whatever you call it) make thrift shopping fun and provide structure and purpose to a place that’s built around chaos. Many shoppers suffer from two common thrift goal problems. The first set has no goals at all, and often leaves the store regretting half the things they purchased. The second set has goals that are too specific and leave empty handed and frustrated. I like to have two or three main goals that I keep pretty broad: comfortable dress pants, black sneakers, and chenille sweaters have all been thrift shopping goals of mine in the past. Sometimes I find what I’m looking for, and sometimes I don’t, but making the goals broader gives more room for success. Having multiple goals helps too, because if you realize it’s just the wrong time or place for one item, you still have other things to look for and it won’t feel like such a waste of time. Keep an open mind though – if you’re too laser focused on your goals you might miss something amazing.

—–> Tip Two – Size Is Just A Number

Never has this statement been more true than when you’re at the thrift store. If you struggle with sizes, try starting a thrifting experience with self acceptance – this is who I am right now, and that’s okay – because starting positive will color the experience in a positive light. Also, remember that at the thrift store you’re working with sizing through the ages. A 10 in the seventies won’t be the same as a 10 today. Not to mention that sizing can change drastically from brand to brand. I start with a base range of medium for shirts and 10-14 for pants. If I try on a bunch of pants or shirts in a row that don’t fit, then I expand the range in whatever direction I need. Remember: no one will care what the number says if the clothes fit well.

thrifted items pictured: grey pants, red sweater, green pants

—–> Tip Three – TRY EVERYTHING ON

This is probably what I would call the golden rule of thrift shopping, so I will say it again – try everything on. I don’t care if it’s not your style, or your size, or you don’t think it will work, or whatever… you really do not know for thrifted items until you try them on. So many of the items you pick up and laugh about or scoff at will end up being favorites, and just as many pieces you think you love might not work. If it catches your eye then it’s worth trying on.

—–> Tip Four – The Buddy System

Thrift shopping generally works better if you bring a friend (or a few) for several reasons:

  • having someone to chat with makes sifting through the piles and piles of things less of a chore
  • a friend makes a good editor to help you if you are on the fence about an item. Sometimes even just saying your reasoning for or against an item out loud is enough and this comes off a lot less crazy if you’re with someone.
  • more sets of eyes means higher likelihood that you will find what you are looking for.

thrifted items pictured: teal sweater, purple skirt, flower raincoat

—–> Tip Five: “But It’s Only $3!”

This is by far the greatest thrift store struggle and one that leads to the most post-thrifting regret: buying an item because it is cheap. When an item of clothing is surprisingly cheap, a switch flips in our brain and we start to rationalize why it might be worth it. This is the reasoning behind the impulse shelving at stores – it’s easy to throw a bag of chips or candy bar in at the last minute because it’s only ___ amount of money. This is even more problematic when it comes to clothes, especially if there’s one thing we already like about an item. Here’s an example from my most recent thrift:

Sifting through the sweaters, I find a cardigan in a light peach color made of suede. The garment fit okay, and it was so soft, and it was only $3, and I was so tempted to buy it.

I eventually decided against it because a) I don’t really wear suede, b) it’s not a color that goes with anything else I own, and c) I knew I wouldn’t wear it

When you’re stuck in the impulse, it helps to ask yourself some key questions that weed out things that just won’t fit in your wardrobe. Here are some of the key questions I use:

  • Does this go with things I already own? try to mentally create three outfits
  • Do I actually like this color/style/fabric?
  • Is this an item I usually wear? i.e. if you’re always hot but tempted by a coat, you should probably put it back
  • If I was exhausted, would I pick this item to put on?
  • Where/when would I wear this item?

If the item misses three or more questions in a row, then it’s not worth it.

Any of these tips helped you? Feel like you’ve tried all these and are still stuck? Have any tips of your own? Have a specific question about thrifting? Feel free to comment below!

#ootd: She’s a Pirate!

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When I asked Oliver what I should wear on Monday, he proudly exclaimed, “oh you should dress like a pirate!” It was certainly on theme for the planned Monday activity of building characters for the new pirate roleplaying game that Oliver has been working on. Of course that meant that pirates were on his mind.

Tasked with dress-like-a-pirate-but-for-work-though I turned to a blouse that I picked out from Zara a while back which is so much fun. With the flowy sleeves, excessive ruffles, neck tie, and fish pattern, it was giving me all sorts of pirate vibes. From there I picked my skinny pants with leather accents, and some leather shoes that are 17th century style (minus the buckles). For my chilly office I put my blazer on top, but outside this outfit was perfectly comfortable to survive Seattle’s “last vestige of summer” heatwave.

Also this blouse is amazing, and I should definitely wear it more often.

Blouse: This is from the Zara Basics line, which is such a misnomer for this anything-but-basic blouse. I love the flowy sleeves and the looser fit which played so nicely in the late summer breeze. I adore this necktie too – being attached to the shirt, it doesn’t move around or get lost. It’s long enough and just the right weight of cloth to make the perfect floppy bow. I started here for my pirate outfit, then worked my way out.

Pants: A great thrift store find, these pants from Paige will likely show up in many future outfits. I adore that they are basically thick legging material but made to look like pants – comfort and style! The leather accents are amazing, and add the right kind of edge to almost any outfit. This edge made them a perfect choice for the pirate theme.

Shoes: These are a pair I picked up from Clarks a while ago on sale. Living in Seattle, a lot of my shoe quests now focus around “but are they waterproof” and these certainly fit the bill. They are well constructed leather, and definitely built to last, so they are perfect for dressier events in the rainy season. I picked them here because they have an essence of modern 17th century about them with the short, stocky heel and the pointier toe.

Accessories: This outfit was a lot so I kept my accessories super simple with my diva sunglasses (the little bits of gold, and the flamboyant shape screamed pirate to me) as well as some circular gold dangle earrings that reminded me of coins.

Style Spotlight! Kimberly

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I am so excited for this style spotlight because it highlights where my love of fashion began: my amazing mother. This woman is such an inspiration, not only to me, but to almost everyone whom she encounters. Her style is so very different from mine but shopping with her and planning outfits are some of my fondest memories growing up. It was always a joy when I would come home and find something on my bed that she’d picked out special for me. We spent many a night bonding over simply trolling through thrift store racks.

My mother also taught me extremely valuable lessons about how to find clothes for cheap but make them look nice, or how to mix patterns like a pro. Not to mention she’s been rocking brave fashion choices for as long as I can remember – from knee high combat boots to a leather corset to fishnets. Kimberly definitely lives my fashion motto: anyone can wear anything, and a lot of her lessons have become core parts of who I am and what I believe fashion can be.

Tell us a bit about yourself: I spend my work days helping people look their best by cutting hair. My main focus is men’s grooming. I like to play roller derby when I can and hope to get back on a team in the future.  My most favorite thing to do is dance. At the club, in the kitchen, at the store… I just love to dance.

Three words that describe your style: eclectic, maximalism, rockstar

Biggest style inspiration: One piece of an outfit usually inspired the whole finished look.

What are your fashion struggles? Finding jeans that fit. Wanting to wear heels all the time but also needing to be able to move without pain. Learning that every piece you buy can’t have patterns or textures because you need solids to pair them with.

How did you find your style? Just always observing the world around me. I will see beauty and want to recreate it. 

Any tips for people trying to find their own style? Love what you wear. I don’t care what a person’s style is so much as I want them to love themselves enough to have a style. Don’t settle for easy or comfortable.  Put effort into making you feel the best most powerful self you can be.

Favorite fashion find: Leopard print pants with leather lacing and inserts down the sides

One thing you have learned about style or fashion: Buy what fits.

What part of your style do you feel you really excel at? Putting a look together. Buying cheap clothes but still making them look expensive.

Any final thoughts? Here are some tips:

  • When you think you hate all your clothes look at fashion shots or window displays. Chances are you have pieces to recreate those looks already you just need a fresh look at how to pair items. 
  • Don’t say you can’t wear a look. That’s a thinking problem. Pants are pants… shirts are shirts… we all put them on the same way.
  • If you love it, wear it!
  • Dresses are the easiest thing to wear: they are one item, you don’t have to decide what goes with what, and everyone thinks you’ve made a great effort when actually they are super easy.