WIW: 2 skirt outfits

I've often mentioned here that I have trouble wearing skirts. It has been harder for me to get the proportions the way I like them in a skirt outfit than in a pants outfit. Yesterday and today, I wore skirt outfits that I quite like. Maybe I'm getting the hang of it.

I've also been trying to channel style icons that you all have suggested for me. My top pick is Linda Rodin--I find her looks very inspiring. When it comes down to finding a look I want to sort of copy or work from, I've been challenged by circumstances such as not being able to wear jeans (work days) or not having quite the right pieces for summer weather. Still, I kind of thought about Linda Rodin's style when I put these outfits together. Both of them incorporate mesh knit (LR wears a lot of mesh tops and lace layers), both have a central feminine streak (a key component of LR's looks), and both incorporate flat shoes (which LR favors). I didn't try putting my hair up, which I think would go a long way toward capturing her regal air. I love that she still also has a very relaxed, casual feel to her looks. I think of her style or look as everyday royal, or maybe Royal Quotidienne?

1-2 (worn to work): navy and white mesh knit giraffe print skirt (made by me), navy drape-front top (Halogen), blue jeans jacket (AG), navy sneakers (Paul Green), gray backpack (Rebecca Minkoff).

3-5 (worn to work): sand linen skirt (made by me); ivory layering tee (Tees by Tina); tan, pink, and burgundy print mesh knit shrug (made by me); pewter flats (Walk); nude tote.
 
6 (tried out but didn't wear): same as 3-5, but with nude pumps (AGL) and clutch (J.Crew).

Finds to come later. I'll also post some Linda Rodin inspiration photos later (done--I've added a couple photos of her in skirt outfits).

Thanks for looking! Thoughts and suggestions welcome, as always.

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WIW: my take on kimono and denim

Since Angie posted this "Statement Kimono & Denim" ensemble, I've wanted to wear it. My kimono is cropped. I've had trouble wearing it, for lack of under-layers that look good with it. This season I found a tank that is the right shade of taupe to layer with it, so I'm set. I can now pair it with jeans, as Angie suggested, or with pants for work. Today I did both.

The outfits:
1-2: white, gray, taupe, and espresso blurry plaid silk cropped kimono (made by me); taupe tank (A'Nue Ligne); dark cropped flare jeans (Mother, Insider crop); light pewter d'Orsay flats (Walk).
3-4: same tops with stone tencel harem pants (Stella Carakasi); dark pewter lace-up Mary Janes (Trippen); gray backpack (Rebecca Minkoff, quilted Julian).

Thanks for looking! I welcome suggestions and other thoughts.

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WIW: another blue dress

I've made a third denim-y blue dress. This one is sleeveless, so again, I must be creative to find ways to wear the dress in environments where I need more arm coverage, since I get cold easily. (I love dresses, but I often find them hard to wear for this reason--I need a layer or a second layer on my arms to stay warm.)

I finished the dress in the midst of a heat wave yesterday, and today it's cool enough that I am wearing it with a long-sleeved t-shirt underneath. Not optimal (it looks better sleeveless), but a compromise so I can wear it!
The jacket is for outdoors, or if A/C is freezing.

The outfit (worn to work):
Light denim sleeveless shirtdress with 3/4 gathered skirt, shirt-tail hem (longer in the back) (made by me); ivory long sleeved tee (Caslon); navy sneakers (Paul Green); stone denim jacket (French Dressing Jeans); ivory and taupe bag (Fossil).

Thanks for looking! I appreciate your thoughts and suggestions!

 

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the dog-print t-shirt

I asked for opinions here a while back on a dog-portrait knit fabric I was considering buying. It got mixed reviews; I went ahead and bought it. Here are the results, so far. I made a t-shirt, in which I combined the dog-print with a cream knit. I still have quite a bit of the dog-print fabric left, and will probably come up with another project or two where I can use it in small doses.

1-2 (worn to work): dog-print tee; cream cotton full-legged pants with narrow button cuffs (Kleen); stone denim jacket (French Dressing Jeans); black Birkenstocks; gray backpack (Rebecca Minkoff). (I wore black and white snake-print sneakers to work instead of the Birks.)
3-4 (worn after work): dog-print tee; khaki jeans shorts (Kut from the Kloth, Natalie); white and taupe lace-up sandals (P.Monjo) and black and tan platform sandals (Naot).

I welcome your thoughts and suggestions! 

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summer dress with Birkenstocks

I haven't worn this outfit yet, but was trying it on to see how I liked it, as I just finished the dress.
The dress is voluminous, made out of light-weight linen, perfect for a summer day. I'm not sure how it will be in air conditioning, though I did find one white cardigan in my wardrobe that I like with it (not pictured).
Angie's post today inspired me to try it with sneakers, too--again, not pictured here.

I tried the dress belted and unbelted. Which do you prefer?

Ivory, soft lime, soft blue, and washed-out navy linen lantern-shaped sleeveless shirt dress with side pockets, worn with black cross-strap Birkenstocks and a dark silvery skinny belt. Last photo, shown with pewter flats.

Thanks for looking!

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dark red culottes

A while back, I bought some dark red culottes from Madewell, tried them on with different items in my closet, and showed you the pictures. I liked them, but I decided not to keep them, because they were a bit expensive for a limited-wear item. I decided I could make a pair, if I came across a fabric that I liked.
I did find a dark red linen, and made a pair of culottes. My linen isn't as drapey as the rayon used by Madewell, but I like my color better, and  I like how they turned out. Here they are, in a couple of outfits.

1-2: Raspberry linen culottes and blue and red rug-print rayon high-low tank (made by me); blue jeans jacket (AG, Robyn); metallic lace-up Mary Janes (Trippen, Foxy).
3-4: Raspeberry linen culottes, light blue-gray linen long sleeved tee with layered hem, and black linen cowl-neck layered-front vest with gray, blue, and red appliques (made by me); black peep-toe sling back platform sandals (Munro).

Thanks for looking! I welcome your thoughts and suggestions.

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