pants for summer

Sorry it has been so long since my last post.  I was shocked to see my previous post had a leather jacket.  It's been a long time since I wore that!  We are in pure summer mode now.  I've been trying to wear more non-shorts outfits for summer this year.  Dresses definitely are best for hot summer, but today the weather was cooler and allowed for a pants outfit.  I'm finding more and more that I prefer simple outfits and a simple palette of white, black, khaki, navy and blush overall.  Hopefully I'm honing in on my true style!  I'd love to post here more as I explore this.  I'm endlessly fascinated by the topic.

Outfit details:
pants:  Emmerson Fry Mick 3 pant
sweatery top:  Athleta
sandals:  Clarks
bracelet:  purchased in Brooklyn at a little "open studio" event with craftspeople and artists--unfortunately I didn't think to pick up her card, but I love this piece.
bag--purchased at the same event in Brooklyn.  The inner loop is stamped "Handmade by Cold Picnic"

I hope your summer is going well!  I'm off to Pasadena tomorrow with my BFF.

flared!

These pants are 4 years old and maybe it's about time to retire them, but I do love a high waisted flare jean from time to time. I might just have to update them. (with these maybe?)  Do you wear high waisted?  Flares?

Outfit details:
high waisted jeans:  J. Brand (old)
top:  Loft
leather jacket:  LL Bean Signature
shoes:  Clarks (very very old)

highs in the 60's

It's always super exciting when we have a stretch of cool days--so many more wardrobe options and the opportunity for jackets (and, let's be real here--sleeves!).    I love this outfit for its shoes, its patterned belt, its dark wash skinnies, its classic white button-up, and of course for its chic trench.  Well, I guess that's all of it!  No wonder I'm such a fan.

In other news, I've lost a few pounds and already my pants are fitting better and I'm feeling better.

Outfit details:
jeans:  Gap Always Skinny
belt:  J. Crew
shirt:  Everlane
trench:  Forever 21
shoes:  Gentle Souls via Garnet Hill
thin bracelets:  Moulton (and rings, not pictured)

stripes and pants

Just a quick post tonight to show you my new work pants!  I had become distressed at the number of times per week I was wearing jeans to work, and I wanted to dress things up a bit.  So I picked these up at the Gap on my trip.  However, now that I look at these photos the pants look suspiciously like these old Talbot's pants!  (I don't have them any more.  I was hoping these were a little slimmer in the cut, but I see now that they are not really.  Oh well!  It's nice to mix things up a bit.)

Outfit details:
pants:  Gap "perfect trousers"
striped top:  Forever 21
leather jacket:  LL Bean Signature
shoes:  Clarks

happy friday

I was feeling very "Pinterest inspired" in this outfit today. Inspired by my various pins, I'd been looking for a jacket like this for awhile.  I found it at Loft in the final hours of my trip to Kansas last week.  Ripped the tags off and wore it on the plane home.  Yay!

Outfit details:
jacket:  Loft
top:  Emmerson Fry
necklace:  Madewell
pants:  Jen 7 jeans via Nordstrom
shoes:  Clarks (old)

wrapped!

I got so excited when I found this wrap dress on the Banana Republic website that I bought it in two colors.  It was Black Friday weekend and we were looking for a skirt for Faith online.  I ended up buying this dress for myself, and even though it is a true wrap, which I love, it did not live up to my expectations (see this dress and this one --both wrap dresses that I love).  The Banana Republic dress is about two inches shorter than I'd like and the wrap is definitely not as generous as I'd like (although I do love the sleeves and the neckline).  So I'm basically pretty "meh" about it.  Dresses are super hard to find, so the search goes on!

Outfit details:
dress:  Banana Republic
leather jacket:  LL Bean Signature
boots:  very very old from J. Crew
watch:  Michael Kors

chambray + grey

The rain is over, but we are having a lovely bout of spring weather with highs in the 60's. I love it!  The weather bounces all over the place, constantly, but both this outfit and yesterday's are mostly made up of pieces from my "winter" capsule.  I haven't put it away yet as the weather has taken this dip and I love getting a bit more wear from these pieces before I store them.

I'm in love with this chambray top from J. Crew.  It was new this fall as part of my "Winter 14/15 Capsule."  I love it because it is a true chambray fabric, not a denim shirt, which I find to be harder to wear.  This fabric is soft and lightweight and even has some drape to it.

The grey jeans are the only item I kept from my one and only Stitch Fix box (last fall).  They are Level 99 jeans and they are pretty good but I constantly have to pull them up.  I need a jean that is more cinched in at the waist.  (BTW the reason I didn't continue with Stitch Fix is because I didn't feel like they really read my profile or responded to my requests.  And the timing was not right for me since I was just about to get into capsule wardrobes.)  I'd love to hear about your experience with Stitch Fix if you've tried it.

Outfit details:
chambray shirt:  J. Crew
grey jeans:  Level 99 via Stitch Fix
shoes:  Clarks
watch:  Michael Kors

so cal rainy day

We had a So Cal "rainy day" today, and by that I mean it rained for an hour and then stopped. Oh, but what a glorious hour it was!

This outfit is a perfect demonstration of a "high-low" mix, which I love.  The trench coat and striped top are from Forever 21 and they are just perfect for me.  The wooly sweater is from Peruvian Connection (I think it is actually alpaca, so soft and light and non-itchy).  It was definitely on the expensive side but I wear it constantly and I love it.  It's my go-to at every opportunity in winter.  The more I try to figure out shopping the more I realize the value in just going with what works for you.  These pieces are all very "me" and I'm super comfortable in them.  What is your current favorite go-to piece?

trench:  Forever 21
striped top:  Forever 21
alpaca pullover:  Peruvian Connection
grey corduroy pants:  Kut from the Kloth (via Nordstrom)
boots:  Clarks

throwback navy skirt

Here is a throwback look to a skirt I've had since 2012. I love this skirt but sadly it shrank in the wash recently and now the over layer is shorter than the lining.  I'm not digging it.  It looks like this skirt will be retired soon.  I'm pretty bereft about it.

I'm pretty sure I've worn this skirt on the blog before, and also here.  By the way, this little leather jacket is proving so fun to layer over skirts and dresses.  Im liking it much more than a jeans jacket!

skirt:  J. Crew (old)
top:  J. Crew (last year)
sandals:  Clarks (old)
jacket:  LL Bean Signature

monday, monday

This dress is old, but I don't think I've shared it on this blog before.  I thrifted this dress in 2011, and I still love it.  Crazy, right?  But I love it because it

• has a true wrap
• is school colors for my current school
• has a flattering fit
• is wash and wear--seriously, just throw it in the wash
• comes down to my knee (a length that is surprisingly hard to find lately)
• reminds me of the 70's

What is  your favorite dress fit and length? 

dress:  thrifted

shoes:  Steve Madden