Sartorially Inspired

Sometimes I see photos of street fashion and think I can never come up with such crazy outfit combinations.

And then I see photos like this, and think, yes, that I can do, and that I love.

via The Sartorialis

I noticed style surrounding New York Fashion Week can be so outlandish, but I love the more refined, minimalist sensibilities of these European fashionistas. They look so cool and understated and not like they spent hours dressing to catch a photographer's eye.

Anyways, here's my interpretation.

[Sweater: Thrifted; Jeans: Old Navy; Pumps: Zara; Coat; Gap (thrifted!!); Necklace; BaubleBar; Ring: Forever 21; Watch: Nixon; Nails: Essie 'Sew Psyched']

You can't really get more basic than jeans, a sweater, and a good wool coat, but that photo from The Sartorialist was a reminder of just how chic that combination can be.

I took some liberties with the jewelry (and posing), though.  

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Fall Frock

[Dress: Forever 21(appears to be sold out but here's a similar one); Flats: Zara; Cardigan: Splendid via Buffalo Exchange; Earrings: BaubleBar; Ring: Old Navt; Nails: Essie 'Merino Cool']

I thought my love of cutesy dresses would retire come the colder weather. Nope. And I've been avoiding peter pan collars due to PTSD from my one year of Catholic school in third grade (the uniform was a burgundy plaid jumper over a white peter pan-collared blouse). But this pretty stripes-and-dots combo won me over. Navy and nude is a favorite classic color combination of mine. And I've quickly lost the little summer tan I had, so the nude shade seems to be matching my skin tone lately. Not that that's a good thing...

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Balancing Act

[Top: J.Crew via Buffalo Exchange; Jeans: Gap; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban; Necklace: J.Crew factory (old);  Earrings: BaubleBar; Sneakers: Forever21 (similar): Nails; Essie Lilacism]

This outfit is all about the opposites attract concept. I paired a fall-y jewel-toned top with summer's quintessential pant: white jeans (which I still have plenty more outfits planned for).  And mixed casual grey Ked-style sneakers with a frilly, ruffly top. I call it balance.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Menswear Moment

[Blouse: J.Crew factory; Pants: Gap (old); Necklace: J.Crew factory; Shoes: Sperry; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban; Earrings: BaubleBar; Nails: Essie Lilacism; Ring: Old Navy]

I wouldn't say my style is man-repelling, but more man-admiring. Meaning, I love taking a menswear approach to how I dress. Flat shoes? Yes please. Button downs? Yup. Straight, tailored pants? Uh-huh. Before you call me crazy, taket at look at this, this, or this and tell me how chic it looks.  So, you can imagine how happy I was when the #StyleMeAugust prompt a couple weeks ago was Menswear Moment. 

I'm also trying to get some serious wear out of my Sperrys before Labor Day hits. Boat shoes don't exactly scream fall and winter, do they? Unless they're made of fur or flannel, which I haven't seen yet. Sperry, are you listening? Get on that. 

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Day Off Adventure

[Striped Tank: Forever 21 (last year, similar shape here); Blazer: Forever 21 (last seen here, similar shade here); Shorts: Forever 21 (similar); Earrings: BaubleBar; Shoes: Sperry; Necklace: H&M (old); Bracelet: J.Crew]

The return of Morning Erin.  (Cue grumpy demeanor, tired face) She quickly cheered up, though, given she had the day off and spent it on the beach. OK, enough with the third person. Mikhail and I stayed in the Cape the rest of that weekend with some wonderfully generous friends, eating awesome food and sunning ourselves. This stripes/shorts/blazer combo might have just been on repeat. (Makes for light packing.)

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Monochromatic Blue

[Dress: H&M, last seen here; Shoes: Thrifted at Goodwill (these are a pretty cool option); Earrings: BaubleBar; Ring: Forever 21; Nails: Essie 'Tart Deco']

I think it's a requirement that I make silly faces and pose like a fool every time I shoot in front of this white backdrop. It's also a requirement that I work as much of this Tiffany Blue color into my life as I can. My old bedroom is painted in it (sorry roommate successors), my new place is accented with it (in every room, one recent visitor remarked), and my closet is dominated by it. So is this outfit. I don't know what's too over the top: the blue everywhere or the snazzy neck of this dress, which had my coworkers thinking I had bedazzled myself with plastic that morning.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Sheer & White

[Top: Forever 21; Pants: Banana Republic outlet (old); Shoes: Ruche; Earrings: BaubleBar; Ring: Old Navy]

Long, muggy days called for  a couple of last week's outfits to be shot indoors. (Don't believe me? Look at that big hair of mine). This particular look features one of my classic, go-to summer pairs of paints. I bought them when I first needed a work wardrobe out of college. Paired with a sheer blouse, they created that covered-up office look that didn't make me melt in this summer heat. Don't get me wrong, though; I'd take this over February weather any day.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Black & Blue

[Dress: Forever 21 (appears to be sold out, but another cool colorblock option here); Shoes: Ruche; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Boyfriend; Earrings: BaubleBar; Bracelets: J.Crew and Flea Market; Nails: Essie: Muchi Muchi] 

I promise you'll see my eyes again soon; it's just been really sunny out lately, so the glasses are a must. And yes, I'm posing in parking lot. 

On a completely different note, I am going to do something unusual for me and wax poetic about Forever 21 (sense the sarcasm?). No, but really. A lot of friends remark that the store is overwhelming and intimidating when they try to shop there, and I would agree if I hadn't spent the last 10 years fine-tuning the art of navigating it. If you're looking to get your toes wet, check out the store's Love 21 division, which is described as "contemporary." By that, I see nicer fabrics, more refined styles, flattering (i.e. not soooooo tight) fits, and an overall modern, chic look. Now, I think all corners of the store have gems if you look hard enough, but Love 21 has already sort of sifted through all the clutter for you.

I say all this to point you to my dress, which comes from the Love 21 line and called my name when I saw it in the store. The classic ladylike shape, cute bow, and skirt in my favorite color had me at hello. I styled with minimal jewelry and t-strap, kitten heel sandals that also play to the girlish vibe.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets 

Neon Head to Toe

[Dress: Old Navy (old); Cardigan: Zara; Sandals: DSW; Necklace: Christmas gift from Nana years back; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban; Earrings: Rocks Paper Metal for BaubleBar]

For a long time now I had been planning to write about certain trends I am wary of buying lots of, and neon was definitely on the list. My value shopper self loves to have clothes around for seasons on end, even if they cost $20. So I've hesitated to buy any neon apparel for fear that it would be long gone next year. Until I remembered I had this Old Navy maxi dress from 2010, which is 1/3 neon yellow. Whoops.

But neon accessories are a different story. I can confidently say I love using them to explore the color trend. Like with these cap-toe flats (also from Old Navy), this scarf, and now these earrings. BaubleBar is one of my favorite new discoveries this year. Their jewelry costs slightly more than what I was used to spending at my go-to Forever 21, but it's so unique and interesting that it's worth the bit of extra dough. I often find store e-mails annoying, but BaubleBar is certainly an exception on this front. I'm always lured into checking out their inventory, and recently took the leap on this pair of earrings from their newest designer collection.

I was even inspired to submit a photo to a neon styling contest on their Facebook page. If you feel inclined, it'd be great if you toss a vote my way. I'm kind of a newb when it comes to contests like this and haven't really done any self promotion, so don't judge my low tally of votes.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Cobalt & Coral

[Dress: Forever 21: Scarf: Target; Earrings: BaubleBar; Sandals: DSW] 

Ten dollars, eighty cents. That's how much this dress cost. It's a cool midi length (or maxi, for the petite crowd), actually stays up on top, and comes in one of my current favorite colors. It's a bit on the thinner side, but all things considered, you really can't go wrong. I'm looking forward to wearing with boots and a chunky sweater come fall.

I styled with some favorite statement chandelier earrings from BaubleBar in a similar shade, and a contrasting coral scarf. Colorful but casual enough for the BBQ I attended later that night. 

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Shorts Suit

[Blouse: J.Crew factory (old); Cardigan: J.Crew (old); Shorts: Banana Republic outlet (old); Wedges: Goodwill; Bracelet: flea market;  Ring: Old Navy; Earrings: BaubleBar; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban]

Holiday Mondays are the best Mondays. It felt awesome to sleep in, get in the car with no exact destination in mind, and end up in the adorable town of Rockport. We found Granite Pier, and sat on the rocks and stared at the water. Peaceful and awesome.

There's some slight print mixing happening here, as the shorts are a very light tan seersucker. I played with this sweater in another print mixing endeavor here. I thought the neutral, monochromatic look with a few bright details was nice and summery.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Geometric and jeans

[Sweater: Thrifted at Salvation Army; Black V-neck: J.Crew factory; Jeans: Gap; Sandals: DSW; Necklace: Forever 21 (looks to be sold out, but there's plenty of other awesomeness there now); Earrings: BaubleBar]

Salvation Army, how I love thee. This sweater was hanging on the racks there and first caught my eyes with its weirdness, but then upon closer examination I realized it was kind of awesome. Especially because it displays all my current favorite colors at once (the $2 price tag didn't hurt, either). It's big and cozy and something I would typically wait until fall to wear. Pairing it with crisp white jeans and flat, slightly sporty, strappy sandals felt like the perfect way to spring it up.

I'm currently in Miami, so the next outfit you'll see here will be a lot more hot-and-humid-weather appropriate.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets