Red October

I have been so terrible about updating daily recently, I thought I'd catch up by sharing two recent outfits featuring one of my closet MVPs, my red sweater:

 Dress: In Roads, Agora; Sweater: Faded Glory; Sandals: Miss Trish of Capri.

These photos by Jeremiah.

I wore this recently to a football game tailgate on campus, and Jeremiah took some photos right outside my old dorm (which was previously featured here). I'm a huge fan of wearing this dress to football games -- it's pretty airy for when it gets way too humid outside. I feel like I look a little awkward in these photos because I was facing a field of thousands of people tailgating, barbequing, and playing frisbee. I'm so used to my quiet dock and forests, so anytime I'm near large groups of people for photos, I get a little frazzled. 

Dress: French Connection; Sweater: Faded Glory; 

Shoes: Zigi Soho; Necklace: from a tiny shop in Gatlinburg, Tenn.

You've seen this outfit before because variations of it have worked into my blog posts every season -- see here. I usually like remixing items so that I don't repeat outfits, but lately I've been reverting to old favorites because I know they will work for my office and school environments.

I made a sartorial resolution at the beginning of the school year that I would never, ever wear sweatpants, t-shirts or any sort of casual wear to class like I did during my undergraduate years, and two months in, I haven't broken my promise. I feel like in academia it seems a little vapid to worry about these appearance details, but I really believe that dressing up can have a huge effect on personal preparedness. Plus, in graduate school, it's always possible opportunities will arise right after class, so not having to worry about being appropriately dressed for a meeting, luncheon or seminar is an ideal situation.

Anyways, I've rambled too much about that. Do you ever give yourself a sartorial off day when you're at work or school, or do you always err on the side of dressing well for your situation?

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!

Early bird special

Sweater: Faded Glory; Dress: Marvin Richards/Calvin Klein; 

Shoes: Zigi Soho; Tiger pin: vintage, thrifted. 

Anytime I complain about waking up early this summer, I should look at these photos more often. I really should make more of an effort to take photos in the mornings, because those few moments after sunrise are pretty awesome for lighting. I spent at least 20 minutes just on the dock because the water reflections were neat to capture. I wasn't the only early bird -- several birdwatchers were up and about when I got to the park. I talked to one of the walkers (a researcher at the university museum) and he said the area was pretty well-known among ornithologists because it's a refuge for lots of bird species. I've seen lots of egrets at the park, but one day maybe I'll come with binoculars and try to take photos of more wildlife. 

Here is my blue polka dot dress again. It's so funny that it's going to be a bridesmaid dress this summer, because I've already worn it in some casual looks, which is usually the reverse of what happens with special occasion dresses. At least I know it's remix-worthy and I love it :)

She danced in Technicolor

Dress: Talbots, thrifted; Sweater: Faded Glory;

Frog belt: Highland & Ponce, Calivintage giveaway;

Bracelet: Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI;

Sandals: Jeffrey Campbell, Elisharon giveaway.

At some point a couple weeks ago, the winds changed course and the weather has been so glorious, I think I may have to pack up my boots and tights for the rest of the season. It seems fitting to celebrate the early spring in bright, saturated colors, gingham and the new Jeffrey Campbell sandals I received from the lovely Sharon of Elisharon (thank you, miss!).

On another note, my shorter hair may be changing my style a little bit, or at least how I perceive my clothes. I've been going for more classic, streamlined feminine looks lately (less ruffles, but more lines and color). I feel a little like Leslie Caron (in "An American in Paris") and Audrey Hepburn (in "Roman Holiday")  in this outfit. I suppose all those late nights watching Turner Classic Movies is having an effect on me...

Have you ever changed up your style after changing your appearance (i.e., a new hairstyle, weight change, makeup routine)?

Prep school prima donna

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

Blouse: NY and Co; Sweater: Faded Glory; Tights: Simply Vera;

Belt: Loft; Moccasins: Minnetonka.

This outfit and shoot didn't go the way I wanted them to. For whatever reason, I just couldn't figure out what combination I wanted to showcase more of the dress, and ended up styling it as a skirt again. And then when I got to the park later in the day, I became frustrated because I couldn't seem to capture the photos I kept envisioning. Like the lighting and composition would just be a tad off. Oh well, not every day is perfect photo day.

I do like the reds and whites in this outfit, and of course, I'm in love with the pretty uniform pleating of the dress's skirt. I really enjoy wearing items in different functions -- dresses as skirts and blouses, etc.

What are some unusual outfit combinations you've done lately/are proud of?

Remixed: Faded Glory sweater

It seemed appropriate during the month of Cupid and Oscar red carpet festivities to highlight February's trademark hue. This oversized sweater has become quite a wardrobe staple in the last year -- I purchased it right before my Dress Project to help add some color during my shopping ban. I've mainly worn it belted and with patterned dresses, but I'd like to perhaps try wearing it with more menswear-inspired pieces in the coming months ...