I aimed for something simple and classic today. If it hadn’t been such a scorcher, I would’ve paired a granny sweater with the ensemble, too. Everything I wore today, you will note, is second-hand:
*Plain blue dress that my mother wore in the ‘80s
*Blue and silver hoop earrings that I wore this past Tuesday
*The same skull and fairy rings from yesterday
*My staple Selby heels, which I think match this shade of blue perfectly
I’ve decided that because this is a creative project, my sister and I should focus on producing more artistic photographs to document what I wear everyday. They’ll be more visually appealing and therefore professional than the cheesy posed shots we’ve stage before. You may have noticed that yesterday’s photo differed from previous ones in that it appeared more natural and closer to something you might spot in a fashion glossy. Of course it wasn’t Vogue quality but it could have passed for an Urban Outfitter’s catalogue picture.
*Energie burgundy top with sweetheart neckline; I layered it over a black camisole (which isn’t visible in this photo) because the top tends to ride up. The office is no place for navels! I can’t remember where I bought this, only that I got it secondhand.
*Embroidered Forever 21 skirt in fine black corduroy. The details range from pink to white to silver. The cut strikes me as Latin American. I bought this in California when I went to visit my cousins two summers ago.
*Fairy ring; I like wearing multiple rings. It was something I used to do more often. I bought it for $1 a couple of years ago at a flea market in Mclean, Virginia. Imagine how much it would have been at Claire’s or Icing! Certainly not $1.
*Skull ring that I’ve mentioned before. I like how both rings are tarnished because they match each other’s apparent age.
*Silver slippers that I bought for $1 at a hospital-run thrift shop in Falls Church, VA. They are quite comfortable although I’m concerned that they don’t provide enough arch support. That’s one of the reasons why I gravitate towards heels: because I have rather prominent arches, I need shoes that will probably cradle my feet. Obviously very steep stilettos aren’t very therapeutic but moderately arched 1-3 inch heels are.
*New York and Company sweater in abergine (a frou-frou French word for “eggplant,” my very favorite shade of purple); if I had to describe my ideal sweater, this would probably be it. When I discovered it at the Grinnell Goodwill, new with the original tag still attached, for under $7, I was thrilled. Knits just in general appeal to me but the combination of the color and cut made it even better. The velvet tie front is the absolute best finishing touch.
*Peasant dress that I have been wearing for years because it’s actually a little girl’s frock. The pattern (pseudo liberty-print floral) is quite folksy, which I realize is a deal-breaker for many women. Delicate patterns suit me because I have a somewhat pixieish frame.
* Ansonia metallic slip-ons, which may not have been the perfect choice with the dress; I also wore these on day ten. Reflecting back on it, I probably should have chosen a more “grown-up” pair for today to counter the child-like dress.
*Skull ring from Party City that I wore two days ago
Back to my signature style, which may not impress Fifth Avenue shopaholics with its lack of designer labels but at least it has visual appeal. I feel like I stepped out of a Dickens novel, mainly because of the prim skirt and the granny sweater. Obviously I’m not sporting petticoats but there are Victorian details here and there. Thankfully I’m not slaving away in a 19th-century factory, though!
*Sweater from the Episcopalian thrift shop on Columbia Pike. I bought this in March for $0.50 when I came home for spring break. It definitely has a hobo chic quality that Mary-Kate Olsen would appreciate (love her style, by the way; I recommend reading Elle magazine’s interview with her in their July 2008 issue. I was surprised by how insightful a few of Olsen’s comments were, if it’s not too judgmental to admit that). Sometimes I wish that it weren’t so cold in my office but at least it gives me wider flexibility with my summer wardrobe.
*Xhiliaration purple top from Target, one of my favorite places to scout out new clothes. Always check out their sales first!
*Clio denim skirt with lace trim that I bought on clearance a few years ago for $1.99 at Belk (who could forget a price like that?!?)
*Black boots from Wal-Mart that are several years old, if you’re wondering why they’re so beaten up. You’ll notice soon, however, if you haven’t already, that I like adding worn elements to my outfits. Ultra-polished get-ups strike me as too predictable and therefore boring. If you’re heading to a swanky black-tie event and have on a straight-off-the-rack evening gown that’s so new you can even smell its newness, consider throwing on slightly tarnished jewelry or covering up with a lightly faded shrug. Aged clothes has a certain quaintness and mysterious history to them that I find really charming.
*Blue beaded hoop earrings that I believe one of my sisters gave to me. Hoops and chandeliers are my favorite types of earrings because their size and movement make them eye-catching.
Laid back for Monday but, again, given how casual my office’s dress code is, I can get away with it. It’s much more relaxed and dare I say normal (translation: boring) than what I generally sport. My favorite part about the outfit is definitely the ring. My sister should start taking detail shots!
*George Victorian-style blouse in ivory; I bought it from the girls’ department in the Grinnell Goodwill for $1.97. I rolled the sleeves up because they’re slightly too short.
*Purple tube-top; it doesn’t have a tag but I’m pretty sure that it contains Spandex because it stretches just right. I’m generally not a fan of tube tops worn plain; they more often than not look trashy rather than classy. But even if you have the physique to pull one off, never wear tube tops to the office. You should have on a tank top with “thickish” straps at the very least. Don’t get fired because you made a poor wardrobe choice!
*Express jeans that nearly cover my shoes (a plus, according to Fashionista Files—whose advice I don’t always agree with, by the way). Yes, you’ve seen these babies before.
*Bruno Magli purple peep-toe shoes that belong to my sister Helen
*Party City skull ring given to me by Helen; it has a tarnished look that I like and it’s just the right size. Too many skull rings are ostentatiously giant. This one, however, is subtle.
