WIW: new oxfords!

Yes, I finally bought and kept a pair of oxfords--the Naot Kedma style in a color called "gray shimmer." The shimmer is very subtle, with a slightly gold tint, over a textured medium gray leather, kind of suede-like, but a little harder or rougher feeling. The Paul Green Addly style in truffle (a medium gray-brown, or taupe) was very tempting. But I was drawn to the more casual style of the Naots, and they are, to use one of Angie's terms, "insanely comfortable."

A fun little story about picking up the new oxfords: When I got home from the marathon SSIF day on Saturday, absolutely exhausted, I had a phone message that the shoes were in (I had to special order them in this color). The store was closed by then. And I was working the next day. And heading to the SSIF cocktail shindig after that. But-- the shoe store closed an hour after the store where I work on Sunday, so it was, perhaps, physically possible to get there, though not especially practical. My DH arrived at home mid-day, after being out of town. When I got home from work, I told him I had gotten a call that my shoes were in. I had that look on my face, I know, a kind of lost puppy look, and I was about to explain the predicament of not having enough time to get them till Tuesday! Without a second's hesitation, he said, "Let's go get them!" So we did. He drove, so I could go get the shoes while he parked. Is he a keeper, or what?!

I wore them to work on Monday and for a day off today.

The outfits:
1-3 (for work): marbled print light sweater knit peasant tunic (made by me); charcoal ankle pants (Classiques Entier); gray shimmer oxfords (Naot, Kedma); black travel coat (Cole Haan); black satchel.
4-6 (for day off): gray scroll pattern burnout tee (made by me); gray and cream stripe ribbed cardigan with shawl collar (Eddie Bauer); dark wash skinnies (Lucky, Charlotte Rail); same oxfords, satchel, coat.
7: I tried the jeans rolled. What do you think?

Thoughts and suggestions welcome! Thanks for looking!
And thanks everyone for your comments and ideas and help on previous threads re: the oxford search (most recent previous post is here).

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WIW: from work to YLF cocktails

Yesterday I worked and then went to the SSIF (Seattle Shoptember Inge Fest) cocktail shindig at Dashielle's house. I wanted to wear something that could transition from work to the party. Here's what I came up with.

1-3 (worn to work): black and gold print ruffle knit sleeveless body-con dress (made by me); black and taupe stripe lightweight cardigan (Halogen); black leggings; black flat booties (Munro, Lexi); black travel coat (Cole Haan); black satchel (Elliott Lucca, Olvera); brass-wrapped silver forward-facing hoop earrings (Marjorie Baer).

4-5 (worn to cocktail party): same dress, with black shredded knit coccon shrug (made by me); black d'Orsay pumps (Vince); silver chain-rimmed convertible bag (not shown, Michael Kors); hammered brass disk earrings and hammered brass and silver beaded bracelet (Lucky).

It was so fun seeing everyone dressed up at the party! We'll have to do it again! Ann and her husband Steve were such wonderful hosts, opening their lovely home and offering the yummiest food and drink!

Thanks for looking! Comments and suggestions welcome.

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WIW: plaid shirt & new booties

A plaid shirt my way, that is--a plaid-like print t-shirt. I ordered flat booties during the Nordstrom triple points days, received them yesterday, and wore them today. There are now three pairs of booties/short boots (oh, plus another one or two) that I could have worn with this outfit. You could say I have enough already! Or you could say I have options.

The outfit (worn for a day off, out and about in the morning rain): dark wash straight leg jeans (Kut from the Kloth, Stevie); brown, gray, tan, and black plaid print tee with gray and brown mesh ruffle up the center front (made by me); black belt; black flat booties (Munro, Lexie); brown metal teardrop dangle hoop earrings; black packable travel coat (Cole Haan); black and brown reptile print cross-body bag (Aimee Kestenberg).

I wore the pants down but tried them rolled, too, for photos, to show off the new booties. Which look do you prefer?

Thanks for looking! Comments, thoughts, suggestions?

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WIW: hello, rain

Yesterday and today I found myself in the unusual predicament of dressing for the rain, when I swear I have practically forgotten how to do so. And this is Seattle.

Well, okay, yesterday it kind of took me by surprise. I expected a little drizzle and found myself leaving class at night, crossing a parking lot full of puddles in a steady rain, in wedge sandals!

Yesterday's outfit for teaching was a repeat of a successful outfit, and yet it didn't feel as fab as it did the first time. I changed the shoes and jewelry and perhaps I had a feeling, deep down, that I was wearing the second-string version of the outfit.

Today, I rescued a tunic I hadn't worn in ages. It used to have a little flippy drape on one side of it. I realized that flippy drape was why I never reached for the tunic anymore, so I altered the side to match the other side. Voila--a plain A-line silhouette, which, while not exactly current, seems much more wearable to me now. Seeing it in the photos, I don't find it all that flattering. But I'm thinking might be the kind of flowy piece I'm craving now, perhaps for layering under jackets. What do you think?

Oh, and as I write, the sun is now out again. So much for our return to fall.

The outfits:
1-4 (worn for a day off and to teach sewing class in the evening): stone-colored pieced cotton and linen knit top (made by me); boyfriend jeans (Fidelity)--worn for day; gray linen slouchy pants (made by me)--worn for class; stone and cream leather belt (Annette Goertz); gray wedge sandals; silver hoop earrings with art glass dangles; olive coat (Laundry by Shelli Segal); taupe shoulder bag (Aunts & Uncles).

5-8 (worn for a day off): brown and off white scroll print burnout knit twisted cowl tunic (made by me); dark skinny jeans (Lucky, Charlotte Rail); dark brown moto boots (Miu Miu)--worn for shopping and errands; gray leather sneakers (Josef Seibel, Caspian)--worn out to breakfast early; olive coat and taupe bag (as above); brown teardrop dangle hoop earrings; brown leather and silver and brass bead wrap bracelet (Lucky). I like the outfit much better with the boots, but I wanted to rub some leather conditioner into them before wearing them out in the rain! So I headed out to breakfast in my trusty sneakers.

Thanks for looking! Comments and suggestions welcome.

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WIW: all the cool colors

Today I'm wearing a closet orphan--a blue sheer-yoke knit top that I bought on sale near the beginning of the year and have never worn until now. I thought it would go with a couple of specific things in my closet, and when it didn't, I thought I might wear it anyway. And then I didn't wear it. But I had waited so long, I thought I shouldn't return it. So it languished. I took a look at it again with this skirt and felt like the colors were close enough to work. I'm leaving the house in the outfit and wearing it to work.

Yesterday's outfit also has a lot of color, eggplant and olive--yum! Sounds like an Italian dish, doesn't it?

The outfits:
1-4 (worn to work): blue and wine batik crinkled rayon 6-gored skirt (made by me); blue knit top with sheer yoke (Halogen); beige cotton utility jacket (Caslon); metallic cutout peep-toe booties (Paul Green); twisted silver dangle hoop earrings; taupe shoulder bag (Aunts & Uncles).

5-7 (worn to work, to teach classes): purple and beige micro houndstooth check cotton cowl-neck blouse (made by me); olive skinny boyfriend chinos with brass studs down the sides (Lucky); stone and cream belt (Annette Goertz); brass-wrapped silver front-facing hoops (Marjorie Baer); olive jacket (Laundry by Shelli Segal); taupe shoulder bag (Aunts & Uncles).

Comments and suggestions are welcome! Thanks for looking!

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WIW: updated cardigan

Yesterday while shopping at Nordstrom for skincare (taking advantage of triple points), I browsed through the clothing, keeping an eye out for sweaters or tops that look more current than some I've been wearing. I spotted an extra-long cardigan in charcoal gray to try on. Since I was trying that piece, I figured I might as well give the Vince Camuto tube skirt another go. (I think I had tried one on ages ago and just wasn't on board with the body-con fit across my hips.) This one had ruching, and these skirts have been such a hit here on YLF, I had to try it. I came home with both items!

Today I'm wearing the cardigan. Initially I wanted to mix patterns, and I put on the outfit in 6, with a reptile print cardigan and floral tee. I did not get out of the house in the outfit; I couldn't decide whether it coordinated or clashed. What do you think--yay or nay on the pattern mix?

Then it struck me: wear the new cardigan! I felt great in this outfit (photos 2-5). Wanting to wear my white bootcut jeans prompted me to reach for the floral tee, which is relegated mostly to sample-land: i.e., I use it as a sample to show my students when I'm teaching a t-shirt class or how to sew with knits. The new cardigan also made me feel fab in this near-orphan t-shirt. Who knew?

I even decided once I got home with the new cardi that I could discard the boyfriend cardigan in the same color (photos 7-8), which is several years old. It was a favorite for a couple of years, and lately I've felt it may be past its prime. It's not pilled or worn out, but it just seems a little tired or lackluster. What say you? 

Oh, and I'm wearing some pumps that I love but that don't get much
wear--because I think of them as special-occasion shoes. Some recent post here inspired me to make more of an effort to wear my pumps.

It's amazing how an updated item can breathe fresh life into a look or a wardrobe, isn't it? I know this is what "refresh" means, relating to one's style or wardrobe, but to experience it makes the concept hit home.

The outfit (worn for a day off): white bootcut jeans (Lucky, Lolita); red, pink, yellow, and gray floral print tee (made by me); long charcoal cardigan (Halogen); black, gray, and silver metallic belt; black and burnished gold cap-toe pumps (Anyi Lu); black and brown reptile print cross-body bag (Aimee Kestenberg); silver rope half hoop earrings (Brighton); silver & black scarab design cuff bracelet (gift of DH, from Egypt).

Thanks for looking! I welcome your comments, ideas, and suggestions!

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WIW: the oxfords I have

I'm continuing to audition metallic or taupe oxfords to add to my wardrobe. Meanwhile, I have these tan Born Arlettas (three or four years old) that are easy to wear, especially now that I have a tan belt and a couple of bags that coordinate with them.

The outfits:

1-3 (worn for a day off, and a trip to see the otters--otherwise known as a visit to the aquarium!): white boyfriend jeans (Kut from the Kloth, Catherine); blue, slate gray, taupe and off-white blurry-print knit top (made by me); tan belt (Trafalgar); weathered tan oxfords (Born, Arletta); brown stone and silver necklace (gift); hammered silver half-hoop earrings (Marjorie Baer); olive jacket (Laundry by Shelli Segal); navy and tan satchel (Dooney & Bourke). I rolled the pant legs this time; they looked a little short to wear down, as in the previous day's post.

4-8 (worn for a day off and piano lesson): black and white strip knit tee (Caslon); black, gray, and white snakeskin print cotton cardigan (Foxcroft); tan belt (Trafalgar); dark straight-leg jeans (Kut from the Kloth, Stevie); weathered tan oxfords (Born, Arletta); brushed silver dangle hoops (Marjorie Baer); black packable travel coat (Cole Haan); black and brown snake print cross body bag (Aimee Kestenberg). I showed the back of the coat, as it has a tie that I really like, and the hem dips down in back.

Thanks for looking! Your thoughts and suggestions are welcome!

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WIW: another great mind?

It seems a few of us had the same idea today. I saw Angie's post after I had dressed, and I had to smile. I am wearing the same jeans, a plaid tee shirt (after all, I'm not much into button-down shirts), and loafers that match my belt and bag. Easy formula for a day off!

The outfit: white boyfriend jeans (Kut from the Kloth, Catherine); pieced t-shirt with mixed plaid and polka-dot knits in red, black, white, tan, orange (made by me); black crew-neck cardigan (Banana Republic); black belt; black loafers (Munro, Kimi); black satchel (Elliott Lucca, Olvera); bright coral coat (Eddie Bauer, Christine Trench).

Thanks for looking! Suggestions and comments welcome!

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WIW: a tale of 2 tanks, and inspired by Alana

Yesterday and today, I wore a formula involving a tank, cardi, and bottoms, and bare legs.

The first outfit was a close-fitting tank layered under a cardi, worn with a skirt, and my comfiest, not exactly fashion-forward shoes.

The second outfit was a fluid tank layered under a card, worn with my harem pants and a pair of booties.

Wearing yesterday's close-fitting tank made me want to replace it--and my whole drawer full of similar tanks--with fluid fitting ones. Like the one I wore today! Of course, I come to this realization just as tank season is coming to an end. I have very few such tanks, and most of them are statement-y rather than layering support-act kinds of pieces.

The second outfit, with the booties, is inspired by Alana's post in which she wore a pencil skirt, summer top, and cardi with booties. I thought it was a fresh look for a transitional outfit, so I put on my booties with my summer top (tank), flowy cardigan and harem pants (subbed for the pencil skirt). I might otherwise have worn the shoes I had worn in outfit 1. Or my summer metallic peep-toe booties. I felt like the black booties just added a nice nod to fall for a change. What say you?

The outfits (both worn to work):
1-3: black with red circles knit skirt with black mesh trim (made by me); black tank (Semantiks); wine red 3/4-sleeved cardigan (Halogen); black sling-back Mary Janes (Think! Aida); black satchel (Elliott Lucca, Olvera); piano wire necklace and bracelet; silver disk earrings with raised circlular design.

4-5: black knit harem pants (Eileen Fisher); stone linen knit high-low tank (made by me); black and gray print mesh knit cardigan (made by me); black booties (Munro, Grace); black satchel (Elliott Lucca, Olvera); black leather cuff with silver studs; brushed silver dangle hoops.

Thanks for looking! Comments and suggestions welcome!

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WIW: a fall-back formula for teaching

Today for a sewing class, I fell back on an outfit formula that is pretty easy to put together: a self-made tee, with pants, a topper, and comfortable shoes. I like to wear something I've made, and I have made a lot of fun t-shirts.

Today's version: rayon knit tee in blues and taupes with surplice top and 3/4 sleeves (made by me); blue boyfriend chinos (Eddie Bauer); beige cotton utility jacket (Caslon); pewter leather cutout belt (Fossil); metallic cap-toe ballet flats (AGL); brown and taupe faux-croc leather tote (Brahmin); blue ceramic bead earrings.

Thoughts or suggestions are welcome! Thanks for looking.

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