Prep schooled

Growing up, I had to wear a uniform for middle and high school chorus performances. Though a lot of my classmates hated the tucked-in shirts with peter pan collars, cross-ties and pleated skirts, I secretly loved it all (perhaps it was a nod to my newfound love for Britney Spears?). Either way, this is my adult version of that long-gone uniform. I've worn the bowtie as a brooch before, and I like it with the argyle print here.

credits - dress (as skirt): elie tahari, handmedown | argyle vest: arizona jeans co, thrifted | bowtie: vintage, from minx | shoes: born crown.

This pleated Elie Tahari dress was a secondhand item from Jeremiah's aunt. Here are some ways I've worn it before: 

Sunny day

Dress: Elie Tahari, hand-me-down from Aunt P.; 

Sweater: Banana Republic; Shirt: American Eagle, Boots, tights: Target;

Pocketwatch necklace: Waltham, vintage. 

Looks like morning in your eyes

Dress: Elie Tahari, hand-me-down from Aunt P.; 

Sweater: Loft; Necklace: F21;  Boots: Target; Tights: Kohls. 

This is one of those outfits that I've been itching to photograph lately because I haven't tried a white/creme combination in awhile, and the pleats and ruffles seem to recall my old romantic looks back in the early days of my blog. I later wore a different sweater with this dress during the day, but I'm glad I photographed this combination. It rained a lot before I took these photos, and I was so afraid I'd step into soft ground and splash mud all over this dress, which remains a favorite piece from Jeremiah's aunt's collection. Word to the wise: no matter how pretty it is, don't wear prized possessions to the park. 

I had major plans to take reflection photos on the long bridge, but the early morning mist prevented that. Another time, perhaps? 

Here are some other ways I've worn this dress. 

The morning foxtrot

Dress (as skirt): Elie Tahari, salvaged from Aunt P.; 

Blouse: NY&Co; Belt: Loft; Sandals: Miss Trish of Capri, Target; Ring: Target. 

I've been waiting to wear this outfit for a couple months now, even though I've worn warmer-weather variations of it before. It seems like the perfect summer outfit with red detailing and pleats, and I suppose I wanted to do it justice before fall started with the right morning photography session. 

It ended up being a memorable day -- for the first time I've ever gone to this particular park, I saw a pair of foxes. Usually I see lots of exotic birds -- egrets, owls, etc. -- but it's the first time I've seen any kind of predator. I wasn't in any real danger, since they were on the other side of the lake, but my beloved ducks were -- there were a few moments where their lakeside wading would have led them straight to hungry claws.   They narrowly missed, and there was a standoff before the foxes retreated and just gave up. All of this was enough reason to convince me that a new camera may be in my future -- standing on the other shoreline watching all of this go down without any photographic evidence was too much.

Anyways, here are some ways I've worn this dress before: 

Remixed: Elie Tahari pleated dress

 I received this dress as part of a hand-me-down collection from a very stylish aunt and it's one of the most designer items I own. As skirt pleats are one of my favorite sartorial details, this dress has been a year-round fixture. The drop-waist sporty design reminds me of 1920s decadence, like something right up Daisy Buchanan's alley. Though I'm not one for tearing up the dance floor with some Charleston steps, I do like playing up this frock's vintage aesthetics with scarves and schoolgirl sweaters.

It feels like morning in your eyes

 Dress: Elie Tahari, salvaged from Aunt P.'s closet; Scarf: gift, from Italy; 

Shoes: Zigi Soho; Sweater: Faded Glory; Sunglasses: vintage, thrifted. 

I've worn this dress before several times, but never just by itself, so the warm weather has afforded the opportunity. This Elie Tahari dress is one of the few designer pieces I have in my closet, and I salvaged it from  Jeremiah's very stylish and wonderful Aunt P., she of the awesome hand-me-downs. I really love the construction of it and I always feel like a super-sophisticated version of myself whenever I wear it. It feels reminiscent of  the sporty/preppy looks of Betty Draper (especially in her Main Line getups) or Daisy Buchanan. 

I am really happy with how these photos turned out. I usually take my morning photos during the weekends when I have a lot more time, but yesterday I went really early before work and witnessed a blood-red sunrise. I don't consider myself religious, but there's definitely something spiritual, almost otherworldly when you're privy to the secret machinations of a park just as the sun is coming up. I've gotten to the point where I feel disappointed when I oversleep some days and miss these few precious moments.

The scarf I'm wearing has some special significance to this weekend. My friends Val and Sam gave it to me as one of the souvenirs from their trip to Italy last summer, where they got engaged. I'm going to see them get married Saturday!

Black and white and red all over

Dress (as skirt): Elie Tahari, salvaged from Aunt P.;

Gingham wool blouse: vintage, thrifted; Belt: Loft;

Cougar bracelet: vintage, thrifted, Finders Keepers;

Shoes: Clarks; Ostrich purse: vintage, from Agora (Athens, Ga.).

I've been on the hunt for more pleated skirts recently -- I love that they're coming back into style. I'm not sure  that I'm totally in love with this particular look -- something about where the blouse hits on my frame makes it look boxy with the skirt. Oh, well -- this is all about experimentation, right? Since getting this dress from Aunt P., it's mostly worked as a layering piece with other parts of my wardrobe. I plan on showcasing it all alone this summer when the weather is warmer -- it's really a  beautiful piece on its own. 

My allergies have been really bothersome this season, and it's made it difficult to want to go out into the forest and take photos. They weren't as bad last year, but since moving back to Athens, where there are more forests/greenery, has made me feel like a walking sneeze.  Do any of you have allergies, and how are you dealing?