Remixed: vintage Donna Ricco dress

This simple floral Donna Ricco dress has gotten so much wear that I named it one of my Closet MVPs this fall. Its blue color has made it an easy neutral piece to dress up or down. I seem to pair it with a lot of red and white accessories and I hope to branch out a little more with my combinations in the coming months. For whatever reason, this dress seems to inspire more creative photoshoots, because judging by this set, this frock is a well-traveled item...

Perfect 10s

Dress: Donna Ricco, vintage, thrifted;

Top (as collar): gift from Marilou;

Belt: gift from Marilou;

Boots, tights: Target;

Pink ring: Medieval Times, from Jeremiah.

You guys. Thanks so much for your feedback/support/awesomeness about the blog name change. I'll be working on changing account stuff this weekend, so sit tight. I guess it's a little like changing from a maiden to a married name (though not that I would really be an expert on such things because I kept my given name). Anyways, things will still be the same around here for the most part. Same kind of style, same landscape-y kinds of photography, same me. 

Speaking of which, I really loved my outfit 10 in the 30 for 30 Remix Challenge. You've seen me wear this dress before, and I even featured in my closet MVPs because I wear it so much. I decided to dress it up a little a bit with the ruffly collar, which ended up matching the flower detailing on the dress. Perfect! The whole look made me feel a smidge Victorian, or like a modern jester or something.

And as a sidenote, I've been blown away by the entries so far for my Reader Showcase. Everyone's got a favorite photo of themselves, but the reasonings behind them are just so fascinating. It's wonderful and humbling to see others celebrate themselves, and all the triumphs and quirks that come along with it. There's still time to enter -- I'm taking entries until Monday!

Hope you have a great weekend!

My closet's benchwarmers

Last week I talked about the items in my wardrobe that I considered my most used and most reliable pieces, my MVPs. In doing so, it made me evaluate some of the pieces that never get used. Since I like to make the most of what I already have, I don't see getting rid of them as an option yet, but I am open to getting things tweaked or altered to get them to work more. Here are my closet benchwarmers, why I think they don't get used, and how I can get out of this functional fixedness mentality (i.e., think more creatively about their uses). Maybe it'll be of inspiration to you as well?

Banana Republic blue silk top

Purchased in 2008. Worn only a couple times since start of blog. I used to wear this top all the time when I first purchased it, and used it as a closet staple during my internship last year. Now, not so much. I think this is probably because I can't see past it being paired with wool trousers and a sweater, which was my go-to uniform back in my conservatively-dressed office days (I know, I've done a 180 since then!). The ruffle detailing is too sweet to just idle by in my closet. Could this be paired with a skirt? As a vest to a dress? Underneath a sweater with the ruffle sticking out?

Giorgio Kauten mint green floral dress

Purchased this summer, and only worn once. I don't seem to have any problems with wearing dresses all the time, except this one always eludes me. I think part of the problem is that I don't think the drawstring empire waist design is very flattering on me. I may have to resort to "eye trickery" by wearing a sweater over it and belting it at where my natural waist is. Perhaps it would look good with colored tights and boots as well?

Liz Claiborne red shift dress

Back when I did The Dress Project, this was one of the dresses I held off from wearing until the very end, because I wasn't sure of how to wear it. I'm not sure I like the length of it -- perhaps a snip-snip to the hemline will do the trick? It might also look good with a patterned sweater...

How do you make your closet benchwarmers work for you?

My closet MVPs

I always talk about remixing more clothing pieces in my closet, but there are certain items that always seem to do the heavy lifting by acting as the foundation or supporting player in an outfit. Here are my most used items, and why I consider them important:

Dresses:

 Thrifted Donna Ricco dress

 This category was hard to compile, because of my much-documented dress obsession. But since I found this dress this summer, it's worked for many different occasions, including birthday parties and trivia dinners. I love the muted color palette and print and how it can transition with the seasons.

Ann Taylor Loft purple printed dress

 Another well-worn favorite, for the same reasons as the dress above. I scored it for about $10 on final sale. The purple has worked really well with the other items in my closet.

Thrifted Arpeja dress

When I bought this dress in February, I knew I had to have it (it was $3 at the Salvation Army), but I struggled at first with styling it and not knowing how to temper its loud print. Somehow, I've managed to wear it many different ways during the seasons, and have layered it with sweaters and a skirt. Some of my favorite outfits have included this dress, and I've decided to just let its ruffles be.

Sweaters:

 Ruffled sweater from Ann Taylor Loft

 This was a Christmas gift. I spent so much time wearing it during winter and spring, and I don't expect that to change this fall. The detailing is romantic enough to wear with some of my floaty dresses, and it adds a sweet touch to some of the more neutral ones. I also love that it looks cute with a belt!

Brown sweater from Target

 Another cold weather staple. This wool sweater (from the Merona Collection, around $30) really has helped make some of my summer dresses wearable during the fall and winter. I usually do not have that much luck at bargain stores like Target, but I've been really happy that this has held up.

Shoes:

Target Kady cognac boots

These were a purchase from last fall, and it's surprising how long these $30 boots have held up. Despite being a bargain deal, their neutral brown color has gone with everything, and have helped transition some of my floatier dresses to fall.

Shoes, gift from the Philippines

These were a souvenir from my mom and sister's trip earlier this summer. I have worn them almost nonstop since receiving them. I love the neutral color and the fact that they are slim enough to fit my narrow feet (most flats are too wide for me). In fact, I've held off wearing these recently because I need to get them resoled!

Accessories:

LOFT red belt

I think I resort to this belt the most because it's the only one I have that fits at my waist the best. It doesn't have notches in it like a normal belt, but it cinches as tight as I want it to. Plus, it adds a pop of color around my waist, which is especially helpful in an otherwise neutral outfit.


In compiling this list, I've found that Ann Taylor Loft and Target were my most used brands. I don't always shop there, but it seems like I can find reliable staples from those stores.

What are your closet MVPs?