So Wrong

[Top: thrifted; Pants; Francesca's; Loafers: Cole Haan; Necklaces: Joyo; Watch: Nixon; Ring: Aloha Sunday] 

Conventional wisdom indicates that a top with puffy sleeves and shoulder pads is just wrong. But my newfound love for thrifting and of elements of 80's and 90's fashion throws that idea out the window. I mixed this top with the more current baroque-style pants and my favorite geometric jewelry to give it a more modern edge. But as Heidi Klum told us in last weeks' Project Runway, going all the way 80's is just wrong. (Seriously, two of my favorite designers there created a strapless gold prom dress with the bottom 18 inches covered in ruffles. Shudder.)

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

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

Icy Blue

[Dress: thrifted via Crossroads Trading Co: Sweater: J.Crew via Buffalo Exchange; Pumps: H&M (similar); Earrings: Francesca's; Ring: Forever 21; Nails: OPI 'Skyfall']

After a week of wearing pajamas all day or sweaters that feel like blankets (it's cold up in Boston), it's nice to think back to this festive holiday outfit. You may recognize it from my bloopers post.

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

Detective

[Sweater: Thrifted; Jeans: Citizens of Humanity (similar); Booties: Report; Coat: Verrryyy old (similar); Hat: Forever 21]

I didn't realize it until reviewing these photos, but this outfit is one pair of baggy khakis away from making me look like a detective.

I was too distracted by the mustard yellow sweater with epic shoulder pads to notice. Oh, the treasures of thrifting. 

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Woolly

[Sweater: thrifted; Pants: J.Crew (similar factory version); Flats: Lacoste (old, similar); Beanie: Asos; Cuff: Joyo; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban; Coat: White House Black Market]

This outfit felt about one step away from pajamas. Cozy, slouchy, warm wool. A beanie to mask my whacky, dry, no-longer-beachy-wavy winter hair. The perfect recipe for cold weather dressing, even though that day was actually pretty warm in retrospect.

Also, pairing a $4 thrifted real wool sweater with J.Crew (retail, not factory) pants I paid $21 for just feels like a huge bargain score.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Cozy Fall

[Sweater: thrifted from Salvation Army (similar); White Blouse: Forever 21 (similar); Pants; Forever 21 (similar); Boots: old hand-me-down J.Crew (similar); Necklace; J.Crew factory; Bracelet: SoWa Vintage; Nails: Essie 'Merino Cool']

This is the latest installment in my series of thrifted big, cozy sweaters. When buying these sweaters, I either go for classic neutrals or crazy patterns. I tried to jazz up this beige one with the chunky mint necklace and my new favorite purple jeans.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Plummy

[Jeans: Forever 21 (sold out now, similar color here); Sweater: J.Crew thrifted from Salvation Army; Shoes; Restricted via DSW; Scarf: H&M men's section; Ring: Forever 21 (similar); Cuff: Joyo; Leopard Bangle: SoWa Vintage]

So glad I ended my colored jeans protest. And discovered my obsession with thrifting oversized sweaters.In this outfit, I'm also introducing you to some of the colors I used in my wedding. Because—drumroll, please—I'm nearing my one-year anniversary, and am on celebratory trip currently and plan to entertain you with a few wedding style posts toward the end of this week. Yes, entertain. It will be fun. Promise.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Power Blouse

[Top: Crossroads Trading Co.; Shorts: Forever 21; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban; Shoes: Thrifted from Goodwill; Bracelets: SoWa Vintage]

I get that the Olympics are over, but red, white, and blue outfits should never be. I wore this getup to lunch with my family, and my mom, never one to miss an opportunity for a fashion history lesson, informed me that the blouse with the built-in neck tie was the ultimate top to go under an 80's power suit. Bring on the big shoulder pads.

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

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

Closet Remix: Neutrals and Leather

[Brown Top: Barney's New York Outlet; Black Tank Dress: H&M; Leggings: Target; Jacket: Cole Haan (old); Boots: J.Crew (old), Purse: Bag: Vintage Coach, thrifted; Scarf: H&M (old); Earrings: BaubleBar, Necklace: Forever 21 (old)]

Black, brown, and leather. This outfit looks more fall than spring. But it's been chilly here, and this look is comfy but still different. The jacket was a recent re-discovery from my closet. My mom had bought it on sale for me years ago and I thought it was odd at first (mustard yellow leather?), but I've come around to realize it's pretty interesting and just enough to spunk up an outfit. I had forgotten about it for most of this year, but was very happy when I realized it was just cool but just warm enough out to wear right about now. Some simple jewelry added another color pop to the very neutral outfit.

Hope everyone had a great weekend.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets