Firecracker's Blog

I am continuing on ChristinaF's no-jeans challenge through the end of this month. I've been taking photos and saving them for one post at the end. But with today's no-jeans outfit, I tried different toppers and thought I would share the results here.

The backstory is that I'm in a bit of style flux right now, having a hard time putting together outfits. I seem to have a lot of pieces I like, but it's a challenge to make outfits that I really love. Part of it is transitional weather, which others have noted recently; I want to wear spring clothes, but I need closer to winter warmth. But also I've been reexamining color and realizing that much of what I have in my wardrobe is okay but not my best colors. And I've been finding I don't always have the right length of topper to complete an outfit and keep me warm. Finally, I've been questioning what styles actually suit me, and whether my style is evolving in a direction I like or not. This unsettled-ness may be influenced by what feels like a turn in the pandemic, with a gradual un-masking occurring.

These pants fall into that color category. They are a near-miss color-wise, from my previous "work" capsules at OSKA, where I needed to wear articles from lines that were current at the time. They are a super comfy style, like wearing pajamas. I am considering passing them on, because they are too much of an outlier--I have very little to go with them, other than a couple of matching OSKA tops (which were too dark for my spring mood).

The outfits: Plum drapey viscose knit pants with a yoga-pant style waistband (OSKA); mixed-print tee (made by me); white platform low-top sneakers (P448); white enamel and glass earrings with a bit of sparkle, worn with different toppers. . .

1-2) light heather gray sweatshirt jacket (Caslon)

3) short, boxy black denim jacket (made by me)

4) long black and white marled cardigan (Bobeau)

5) short, boxy charcoal lofty wool v-neck cardigan (ISCHIKO)

The sneakers are new, and I just had to wear them. I went with 1-2 for my short trip this morning for coffee and running DH to an eye exam.

I'd be interested to hear your reactions to these outfits and the variations. Anyone else feeling unsettled in their style these days?

You Look Fab strikes again! I couldn't resist trying a boilersuit after all the cute looks posted here. I scoured the possibilities online and decided to try the style by Madewell that Angie got in pink. The green was just the right color for me, though I wasn't sure I wanted to be that green from head to toe! When I tried it on in the store, I was surprised to find that I loved it. (As many have pointed out, fitting a one-piece garment is about as hard as it gets; and I tried to keep my expectations low.)

My other choice is one that I have tried on before at OSKA, but, even at its current sale price, it is quite a bit more expensive than the Madewell one. (And bonus: Madewell was having a sale, too.) The OSKA boilersuit is a softer fabric and a slouchier style, and you can see it here. I liked it a lot, and to be honest, I liked the fit on me better than on the model. I am shorter, so it didn't pull at all in the seat as it seems to do on the model.

I haven't cut the tags on the Madewell boilersuit yet. I'm leaning to keep it, but also still wondering whether I should get the OSKA one instead.

I jumped on the balloon jean bandwagon with this mauve pair from Madewell. These are right up my alley: I love the wider leg, the fabric (all cotton, but so soft), and the color! I got them last week, have already worn and washed them and am wearing them again today.

I am unsure of the fit; perhaps I could have gone a size down, but I didn't try, and it's too late now. These are the smaller of two sizes I usually wear in jeans, and the sales associate told me they do run large. I was able to try them on in store, but in blue, and I ordered these based on that try-on, which was perfect. This color may run a little bit larger than the blue ones. Anyway, they feel great; flattery is another matter.

The outfit: Balloon jeans in vintage petal (Madewell); asymmetric drawstring-hem cowl-neck top in a lightweight sweater knit with a Venice scene print (made by me), black Chelsea boots (Pikolinos).

I thought I would give you all views, even the less flattering back view, just fyi. I welcome any thoughts you may have.

P.S. I don't know why the Find photo doesn't show up. I've tried several times to "collect" the item, and it keeps showing up with no picture, even though there are plenty of them on the website. :(

Today I picked up new glasses that I ordered last week. Between ordering and picking them up, I had doubts. I thought they might be too warm-toned, but I'm happy with them. I will still wear the round ones in my profile pic, and I'm also having a current prescription put into the teal and plum ones I got several years ago with Angie's help. Just a note: I don't think the frames look as wide IRL as they do in the photo; selfies seem to distort the image quite a bit. These are actually children's frames!

Going shorter on the haircut. I had been keeping some length on top, to preserve some of the wave in my hair. On this trim, I decided to go shorter--a bona fide pixie, I think?--and I like it. My inspiration is Jamie Lee Curtis, when her hair is a little bit grown out from her very short, spiky pixie. I think I could go even shorter, and maybe will try it this summer.

Lately I have been focusing on color, trying to get back to the ones that look best on me. Without lipstick (which I avoid because of masks now--although in the pics below I have on tinted lip balm), I find that wearing flattering colors is now more important to me. I bought several new things during recent sales, and this pullover is one of them. Definitely a keeper. I got it yesterday and am wearing it today.

I haven't been here much lately, I know, and can't even bring myself to "review" this awful, personally wrenching year. But I do appreciate the YLF community!

The outfit (worn for a rainy day spent mostly indoors at home, except for a take-out crepe and coffee run!): Blue and white marled pullover (Joie, Kamryn); blue cropped straight-leg Mom jeans (Levis, Wedgie); black moto boots (Blondo, Camila); gray tweed-print puffer (OSKA); black and navy leather and wool baseball cap; hammer silver-tone pendant (Lucky).

Thanks for looking, and thanks for being here!

Finally we have some good summer dress weather! I made a couple of bright summer dresses recently, and now I have the opportunity to wear them. Yesterday I wore the linen dress, and today I am wearing the t-shirt dress.

When I made the linen one, I thought, wow, this is bright! But the brightness is still somewhat muted, so I felt like it suited me. I like it.

The t-shirt dress is a much brighter bright, to me, and I'm not sure yet how I feel about it. Maybe it would be better as a nightgown. Your thoughts?

The outfits:

1) Floral linen short-sleeved shift dress (made by me, from Allie Olson Coram Shirt and Dress pattern); silver platform sandals (Mephisto).

2) Floral knit short-sleeved t-shirt dress (made by me, from Style Arc Mary Dress pattern); silver platform sandals (Mephisto).

Two days ago I had my first haircut since 21 February. I had gotten it cut very short then, so it wasn't looking too bad. I was glad to have some wave back in it. I went for a longer short cut this time, and am thinking I might grow it into a bob this fall.

Photos are inspired by Angie's showing us her latest cut. I think my style is similar, and I wish it looked more like Angie's!

Totally inspired by Angie on today's outfit. Well, I have to say anytime I wear white jeans, I think of Angie.

The outfit: Off-white jeans (Levis, Wedgie Icon); blue and white finely striped pullover blouse (made by me); off-white high top leather sneakers (Paul Green); white watch (Casio); blue and white striped earrings (artisan, gift); bird-print bandana as mask.

I've been omitting lipstick during this physical distancing and mask-wearing time. I've found lipstick and masks (or scarf-masks) don't mix well.

Thanks for looking! I appreciate any thoughts you wish to share.

I've made a few t-shirts during these days at home. This one is from one of my favorite patterns, which enables me to use beloved remnants from past projects. I wore this outfit at home and on a bike ride to the post office and to stop for coffee and a treat to go.

The outfit: Pieced t-shirt in purple plaid-like sweater knit, plus solid purple and gray-and-cream-striped jersey knits (made by me); dark boyfriend jeans (AG), gray metallic lace-up booties (Homers).

Thanks for looking! Any thoughts you wish to share are appreciated.