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

The Ultimate Hand Me Down

[Fur jacket: My grandmother's; Silver jacket; H&M; White Blouse: Gap; Jeans; Citizens of Humanity; Boots; vintage Ferragamo; Necklace: J.Crew factory; Watch: Nixon; Ring: Aloha Sunday]

This jacket comes from my grandmother, who passed away four years ago. It's been in my closet in Connecticut since then, because I was a waitress and a college student and there was no place for fur in my life at the time. When I started seeing more fur and faux fur pieces on bloggers and in my Pinterest feed, I knew it was time to dust this off. Maybe it's cheesy that I needed to see others wearing similar things in order to get the confidence to pull this out, but, hey, that's what happened. I'm just thankful that I can remember my grandmother by physically wearing something of hers, and dreaming up what events she must have worn this to back in the day.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Rainy Day Blues

[Shirt: Gap; Vest: H&M (old); Pants: Forever 21 (similar); Boots; Hunter; Earrings: BaubleBar]

This vest is a case of fortune telling on my part. I bought it four years ago, long before I knew I would be obsessed with this color this year.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Geometro

[Skirt: Forever 21; Shirt: Gap: Sandals: Madewell; Cuff and Necklace; Joyo; Ring: Aloha Sunday]

I know I know I know. No post in two weeks. Terribly sorry! I was a bridesmaid in a fabulous wedding, spent a week in California after that, and started a new job the day after I got back. Tough break, I know. But all that plus the whole super-busy-photographer-husband thing has led to not much time for outfit photos. 

Luckily, all the chaos has brought plenty of blogging inspiration. I have so many thoughts to share on my new job, what it looks like to express your personal style with new co-workers, and cool things like that. But in the meantime, here's some warm weather nostalgia, from our trip to San Diego and LA. My bare legs won't be showing up on the blog again anytime this calendar year! 

This fabulous geometric mini skirt first caught my eye when blogger Closet Confections showed off the blazer in the same set. I convinced myself it was a sign when I saw the skirt on the racks at Forever 21 when I was doing some last minute vacation shopping! Turns out, the retro vibe perfectly complemented our mid-century-modern-inspired hotel in San Diego, The Pearl Hotel. So many awesome nooks and crannies to photograph there.  

Bye bye sunshine. Time to brace for Hurricane Sandy

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Black & White

[Top: Old Navy; Jeans: Gap (similar); Shoes: Old Navy (sold out, I love these flats for fall); Necklace: J.Crew factory; Bracelet: flea market] 

I loved seeing black and white graphic prints all over the spring 2013 runways. It's such a modern and fresh combination and can go so many different ways (duh Erin, they're like the two most basic neutral colors ever). In this case, black top and white jeans. I added a pop of blue in the shoes to punch up the otherwise minimalist look.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets 

Summer Neutrals

[Top: Forever 21 (old); Jeanns: Gap; Scarf: H&M (years old); Sandals: Madewell, Bangles: SoWa Vintage]

Today is match-your-outfit-to-your-home-decor day. Just kidding. That's only a coincidence. The real inspiration for this outfit came from my friend Lauren, who posted about the mix of neutrals and whites she wanted to wear when leaving for her honeymoon earlier this summer. I loved the carefree summer vibe, and am already mourning it.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Plum, Navy, & Cobalt Inspiration

OK, so I've had a change of heart lately on a couple of the trends I've been avoiding. As seen with my hi-lo dress purchase. And I recently, finally, caved on the colored jeans thing. (I get to wear jeans to work, so avoiding any sort of jeans trend is just plain stubborn and silly.)

What won me over? This top. I'll explain.

Well, we already know I love navy. And I am growing ever enthusiastic on cobalt blue. The combination of those two colors plus a pretty purple (it looks more violet than the fuschia pictured here) is absolutely darling.

So back to the jeans. Through my almost daily browsing of Forever 21's site, I came across a couple awesome pairs of plum jeans, one of which made its way into my shopping cart (a birthday gift to myself). The great color combo in the top made me realized just how versatile the plum pants could be, so I'm already lining up plenty of outfits that work with them.

First: pairing them with the navy blazer seen here, a laid-back T-shirt like my Brooklyn one, and simple navy flats. A fun fringy necklace like this would be the perfect accessory.

I'm also thinking about wearing the jeans with my navy polka dot shirt from the J.Crew factory, or my classic Gap boyfriend shirt in navy (scored with a great Gap online discount), plus a navy/cream striped scarf I picked up in the H&M men's section.

To bring in the cobalt blue, I could always do this blouse I bought in the pretty blue shade, or my favorite blazer from spring with a simple white v-neck T (I love Target's).

A chunky white sweater I thrifted and black booties will make a great mod look when paired with the jeans, too. And the ideas just keep on coming.

What about you? Have you come around on any trends? What fall piece has been inspiring you lately?

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

Almost Peplum

[Top: Forever 21 (last year); Jeans: Gap; Necklace: Banana Republic outlet (old); Wedges: Thrifted at Goodwill; Ring: Old Navy; Bangles: SoWaVintage; Nails: Essie Turquoise & Caicos]

This is the closest to peplum you'll ever see me wearing. I've resisted buying a top in the ultra-trendy shape for fear that it would cut my already-too-short torso in half. But this bubble shirt was a buy for vacation last year and was perfect for pool and beachside covering up. I paired it with jeans and wedges to work for daytime. It mimics the peplum fit-and-flair shape while giving my torso the length it needs. Dress for your body top, people. Your awkward proportions will thank you for it.

On another note, Mikhail and I discovered this awesome historic house just a street over from ours. It's pretty as a photo backdrop, and pretty secluded from onlookers. My perfect picture setting! Happy August! 

All photos by Mikhail Glabets 

Snapshot of #StyleMeJuly

Hellooooo. I thought I'd give you a quick preview of what I've been up to with #StyleMeJuly (this month's rendition of the awesome style photo prompts put on by Hilary Rushford; more info here). Some of these outfits make it over to the blog, but others live inside Instagram. Here are some of the ones I had the most fun with this month.

Day 6 "Channeling Audrey"

[Top: Crossroads Trading Co. (last seen here)]

Oh how I would love to wear Audrey's signature black Givenchy dress, or the more casual pearls-polo-scarf-skirt seen here. I had to make do with what was in my closet, so I pulled out a 60's-era vintage blouse with the neck scarf already built in (talk about efficiency!).

Day 10 "Retro Moment"

[Shorts: Banana Republic outlet (last seen here); Pink Oxford: Gap, swapped; Sweater: Forever 21; Shoes: Sperry]

Retro might call to mind bell bottoms and a giant afro, or a super short, geometric print mod dress, but I went a different route with this one. I had recently seen pictures of Jackie O on a boat looking oh so preppy, and I wanted to channel that. The loose seersucker Bermuda shorts, striped sweater layered over Oxford shirt, and boat shoes did the trick for me.

Day 11 "Dots and Circles"

[Scarf: H&M; Shirt: Old Navy]

Why stop at one polka dot pattern? I know I just confessed being fed up with crazy pattern and color mixing, but dots get a special dispensation. I love the vibrant blue of the scarf, and the fact that the shirt is so comfortable and soft it feels like I'm wearing pajamas.

Hope you join in on the fun for the rest of this month! Spamming your friends' Instagram feeds with wardrobe pictures feels less and less awkward over time, I swear.

Polo & Polka Dot

[Polo: Le Tigre (I think?) handmedown from hubby; Jeans: Gap; Scarf: H&M (earlier this season); Flats: Old Navy; Earrings: Gifted; Ring: Old Navy; Nails: Essie Lilacism Sass: Me]

A busy day and rain showers pushed this shoot inside. So here's your dose of primary colors, menswear, and my funny faces. Oh, and I just read this cool story on the history of the polo shirt (actually called the tennis shirt). Happy Thursday.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Ray of Light

[Striped top: Forever 21; Jeans: Gap; Necklace: Banana Republic outlet (old); Shoes: Old Navy (sold out)]

I'm fighting this dreary weather with an all-white outfit and a finishing touch of neon.

And celebrating the fact that I didn't get this dirty even though I ate ribs for dinner right after these pictures were taken. 

Happy Wednesday (some call it hump day). 

All photos by Mikhail Glabets