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

Uniform

[Sweater: thrifted; Top: Old Navy; Jeans; Citizens of Humanity (similar); Loafers: Cole Haan; Watch: Nixon]

A cozy cardigan paired with a bright top is a uniform of sorts for me. This particular tank was winterized with this thick knit sweater. You can see the fall version of this look here.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Merry Christmas Eve

[Sweater: thrifted; Black shirt: Old Navy; Jeans: Forever 21; Shoes: Cole Haan; Ring: Aloha Sunday]

I wore this outfit  a couple weeks ago for the first-ever Christmas party my husband and I hosted at our home (the shoes were one of my very thoughtful Black Friday purchases). So I thought I'd reprise it on the blog tonight to say Merry Christmas Eve! Oh, and to announce the winners of the Joyo giveaway: congratulations Lauren & Alexandra!!

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Red, White, & Layers

[Dress: Forever 21; Sweater (old) and Tights: J.Crew Factory; Boots: J.Crew (old and hand me downs; similar); Snood: Asos; Bracelet: SoWa Vintage; Earrings: Old Navy; Nails: OPI 'Dating a Royal']

I've developed a recipe for creating summer in winter.  Take summer dress, put it over tights and boots, top it off with a thick sweater and scarf, and boom! Winterized.

And I'm prepared to repeat it.

Happy Friday all!

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Like A Boy

[Striped top: Forever 21 (similar); Denim shirt: Mikhail's Closet; Jeans: Old Navy; Trench: Forever 21 (similar); Scarf: Forever 21 (old); Cuff: Joyo]

I usually protest when my husband tells me I've dressed like a boy (that happens about three times a week). Oxford shirts and baggy sweaters, are chic, not manly Mikhail. DUH.

Welp, this time I had nothing to stand on. The denim shirt actually came from his closet. I have a reason for that, though. Blair wowed me with this look on the left (shocker, right? I've never said I like her style before or anything. Ever.) and I was determined to recreate it. I had a red trench, plenty of stripes, new Old Navy black skinny jeans, but no denim shirt/jacket. But I knew Mikhail did... Stolen!

And even though he questions my man-emulating fashion sense, I sure do love him. Yep.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Fall Prep

[Top: Old Navy; Cardigan: Old Navy; Jeans: Joe's (similar); Shoes: Sperry; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban; Necklace: Forever 21 (old); Ring: Forever 21 (similar)]

I intend on making this sweater work for every season (so far I've done spring, summer, and the tail end of winter). I loved how the white looked against the kelly green, and of course was psyched to give my Sperrys some more wear before winter hits. Slightly ripped jeans and some glitzier jewelry took the completely preppy vibe down a notch.

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 

Airline Chic

[Blazer: Forever 21; Top: J.Crew factory (old; last seen here); Shorts: DIY cutoffs from old J.Crew toothpick jeans; Flats: Old Navy; Necklace: Forever 21]

Gotta love some good ol' Pinterest inspiration. (I refuse to call it Pinspiration—it looks/sounds like perspiration.)

I always thought loose-fitting navy blazers were just a one neck tie shy of an airline counter attendant uniform. Then I saw this amazing shot of Style.com market director Marina Larroudè on Pinterest. Weeks later I somehow ended up in Forever 21 (shocking, I'm never there), saw this baby on the rack, and threw it on over my floral top and cutoff shorts.  A fabulous street style look replicated for fast-fashion and DIY prices. You can call it an impulse buy; I call it a classic piece on the cheap. And the perfect transition item: great with shorts and white jeans in the summer, and can totally work over long-sleeve tops, print blouses, and knit dresses in the fall and (no, please not yet) winter.

My most recent outfit was a transition from my stripes kick (or obsession), to a floral one. I think this one will be a bit more short lived than the last, though.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets 

Simple

[Dress: Cynthia Rowley via T.J. Maxx; Shoes: Old Navy; Necklace: J.Crew factory (recent); Sunglasses: Ray-Ban]

Navy just might be my favorite color to pair neon with. (Evidence here, here, and here).

I giggled when I saw "Bond Girl Confidence" as the #StyleMeAugust prompt this week.  I figured a slightly stretchy, form-fitting dress was the best chance I got.  And Bond girls totally wear neon, right? Minimal accessories, too. Either way, I felt cool, comfy, and chic despite the sweltering heat and humidity this week. Still not ready for it to end, though.

[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.

Dots & Stripes

[Shirt: Forever 21; Polka dot dress worn as skirt: J.Crew factory (old); Shoes: Sperry from Journey's (last seen here); Snood: Asos; Ring: Old Navy; Earrings: Buffalo Exchange; Bracelets: SoWa Vintage market (go check it out on a Sunday)]

I threw a t-shirt over a favorite halter, 50's-esque dress from J.Crew that's just a bit too revealing for Sundays. In the last photo you can see my favorite find from the day: a set of bangles from the SoWa Vintage market that cost a grand total of $7 (I got many more than what's on my arm). I love the leopard one; just a perfect touch of the pattern, if you ask me. Hope everyone had a great 4th!

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Ivory & White

[White blouse: Forever 21 (old); Cardigan: Old Navy (earlier this year); Shorts: Forever 21; Shoes: Sperry Topsider in Ice; Earrings: Old Navy; Necklace: J.Crew factory (old) ; Rings: Old Navy & Forever 21]

Morning Erin returns. This outfit made it all the way from the backyard to Martha's Vineyard, but the camera didn't. We took the (early morning!) ferry in with my best friend and her boy, and spent the day riding mopeds, swimming, soaking up the sun, and eating seafood. Our moped broke down about 20 miles from where the boat left and two hours before the last one back to mainland, but after several pleading phone calls, the rental place sent a pickup truck to rescue us. We ran to the boat as it was almost pulling away, boarding on the bottom deck where they transport cars.  Drama and adventure. The best way to end any day away, if you ask me.

About the outfit: I hate wearing anything tucked in our high-waisted because of my short torso, but shorts seem to be an exception because the legs balance out the proportions. What do you think? Oh, and it was 90 degrees that day so the cardigan never even made it out of the car. I was regretting that move when it got chilly at night, though.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets