Blog Archives

PercyCute Tees

3/30/2014

Karl & Kim, the founders of PercyCuteClothingCo, are two designers who studied together & got on so well they wanted to continue to work together.

Karl does the illustrations, which are hand drawn, while Kim does the web design & online shop.

Each product is a limited edition.

Percy Cute Clothing Co.

The PercyCuteClothingCo website went live this past November (2013) & they have already generated over 12,000 Twitter followers & 500 Facebook fans.

PercyCute clothing will soon appear in boutiques in England, but Karl & Kim are happy to ship worldwide.

Here are a few of my favorite tees. See the full collection here.

PercyCute Shadows Tee, £20

PercyCute My Buddha Tee, £19

PercyCute White Tee, £17

PercyCute Devil's Party Tee, no longer availalble

PercyCute Swindled & Pimped Tee, £15

PercyCute Ghost Tee in progress, will soon appear in spring collection

PercyCute original typography Pure Type tee, £19

Here's Kyle's favorite tee from the collection...

PercyCute Headspace PT2 Tee, £21

PercyCute Origins Tee, £17

Words to live by...

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Romancing the shopper

3/28/2014

4 Comments

Love at first sight. Lust-worthy. Stalking. The Ex-.

When did the language of love become the language of shopping?

Have you experienced...

Love at first sight?

Love At First Sight Dress
--from Sundance Catalog

It's happened to me many a time. It says "me" all over it, & I must have it.
Like this skirt...

GAP Pintuck Skirt, $34.96

This skirt seems perfect for navigating those tricky in-betweens.
(Thanks to Rachel for referring me to it!)

Infatuation? We see the item, we want it, but what are we willing to put on the line for it? Is it like, not love?

Fear of commitment? We don't like to commit. Nordstrom is on to this with its constant appeal:

"Go for it! We offer free shipping and free returns!" --Nordstrom

The hardest of all to commit to is the Final Sale item. No way to back out now. You'll have to just make do if it doesn't work out. Maybe you'll grow to love each other.

Falling in love?
We fall in love with our clothes. Is this ok?

I'm in love. This little suit made me look ten
pounds lighter." --quote from the Lands' End catalog

"I love it so much I bought it in five colors."
--quote from the Lands' End catalog

--from
Old Navy

"Current leopard loves"
--from The Online Stylist

The Slowdance Dress
--from Madewell

Guy: "I call them shoes."
Eep: "I LOVE them!! Where are my feet?"
--from The Croods

Boyfriend watch
--from Fossil

Is the subtext here that you might not need a boyfriend if you own this watch?
Or just that you might want to steal his style?

--from White House
Black Market

"Another look at my Barbie shoes...just because I love them so much!"
--from The Fashionista Next Door

The honeymoon period? One reason reviews are often not terribly trustworthy is because at first we overlook any flaws in our newly acquired prize. Months later we may realize its shortcomings.

The ex-? Ex-boyfriend jeans, ex-boyfriend shirts...something to remember them by...

Favorite Ex-Boyfriend Jeans
--from Garnet Hill

The Ex-Boyfriend Shirt
--from Madewell

I'm as guilty as anyone of using superlatives & lovelife talk to describe how I feel about clothes, & I'm sure I won't stop. But...

Is shopping like love? like dating? Should we be using the language of love to describe things we wear?

On a somewhat related note...

What to wear
when you've been
dumped

4 Comments

What I packed & what I remember

3/25/2014

2 Comments

Several years ago, I took a trip with my then-fiancé to England. As I packed, I decided upon two color schemes: brown & navy. I figured if I limited myself to two colors, I'd pack less since everything would match.

I think the color scheme principle works well for packing; the only problem is that I just should have picked black.
After all, black is the universal color, the most elegant & the most common in London.

I can't seem to find any photos from the navy scheme, but I have a few from the brown group...

We visited Trafalgar Square to recreate a childhood moment.
Do you like my dress?

I bought this brown fleece pullover just for the trip.

I remember buying a soft merino wool outfit--all one color, brown--for the plane flight over. It didn't wrinkle, & it was warm & comfortable, but I'd never wear that now since it would itch.

I remember I had the most amazing black shoes--microfiber/velvet with a chunky heel--I loved them so much!! I must have worn them into the ground & had to put them out to pasture eventually (I'm sorry I don't have any photos of them).

Here I am with my now-hubby as we visited my aunt & uncle in Chichester...

Sticking within the brown palette-- I wore a lot of oatmeal heather then.

We visited the seaside town of Polperro, a particularly fond memory for us now....

All in brown staring at the ocean over the rocky cliffs...

What do you remember packing or wearing on a trip you took in the past? Did you make the best choices?

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Button up:
How we button our cardigans

All for one:
attempts at wearing
all one color

What to hold on to

2 Comments

A couple pretty tees

3/23/2014

2 Comments

Just a couple pretty tees, one for play & one for work or play...

Free People Jilly Tee

Free People Jilly Tee, available in 9 colors, $68

Loft Pleated Lace Front Cotton Tee

Loft Pleated Lace Front Cotton Tee, available in 6 colors, $12

T-shirt Sunday Tees

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How many ways can you button a cardigan?

3/19/2014

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Boden Cocktail Cardigan, $74

I've been a little bored with cardigans lately, which recently inspired me to try buttoning them down my back. That went ok, not perfect.

So what can we do to mix up the cardigan rut? Well, how do you usually wear your cardigans that have buttons? Do you wear them open most of the time?

I typically button a few buttons in the middle.

But I think it's time I tried buttoning them all the way up & wearing
them as tops.

I'm also drawn to the classic look of buttoning the top button--this one takes a bit of guts, though, because we want to avoid looking like our grandmas.

One more option is to button most of the buttons at the top & leave a couple open at the bottom (my favorite choice at the moment).

Here are some examples of each option...

Buttoning the top button or two
There's something a little retro & nostalgic about buttoning the top button. Is it too conservative?

Anthropologie Danika Cardigan, $128

I've noticed it's mostly British sites that model the cardigan buttoned at the top.

Boden Beaded Stripe Cardigan, $44.40 to $59.20

Boden Broderie Cardigan, $110.40

Boden Fair Isle Cardigan, $39.20 to $49

Buttoned all the way & worn as a top

Anthropologie Lace-ruled Cardigan

Anthropologie Chiffon-Fringe Cardigan, $98

Joe Fresh Crew Neck Cardigan, $17.99

Victoria's Secret The Sexy Cardi, $19.99

Buttoning a couple buttons in the middle
Up until this very moment, I thought buttoning a button or two in the middle looked carefree & light. But looking at these models below now, it seems very conservative to me--maybe even more so than buttoning the top button!

Boden Pretty Piped Cardigan, $68

Land's End Women's Regular Long Sleeve Fine Gauge Supima Lurex Cardigan, $54.99

LOFT Cotton Modal V-neck Cardigan, $49.50

Wrap London Sian Cardi, $59

Mix it up a bit...
I love this option below...

& this light little cropped sweater--

Anthropologie Shirley Midi Cardigan, $128

Boden Favourite Cropped Cardigan, $58

Garnet Hill Cashmere Peplum Cardigan, $68

Boden Crew Neck Cashmere Cardigan, $84

But I still love cardigans buttoned down the back...

Anthropologie Dotlace Pullover, $49.95

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Dressing all in one color
& other ways to mix up
what you already own

Two great deals on long, open cardis:

Love Culture Knit Rib Flyaway Cardigan, $14.95

Target Merona Women's Bellona Open Layering Cardigan, $11.98

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Let's go ride a bike...

3/16/2014

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Uniqlo has a new line of classic Schwinn tees for men--sharp styles! Many more here.

Have you ever owned a Schwinn?

Uniqlo MEN SCHWINN GRAPHIC SHORT SLEEVE T SHIRT, $19.90

T-shirt Sunday Tees

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A rant against transitions & in-betweens

3/14/2014

5 Comments

I can dress for winter, & I can dress for summer, but most challenging in my book is dressing for spring. You're hot & you're cold. You're yes & you're no. You're sun & you're snow. You're freezing in the morning & burning up in the afternoon.

I can dress for work, & I can dress for play, but I'm most challenged dressing for in-between events. You know, the Friday trainings when you don't want to look like you're trying to outdo anyone by being dressed up, but you also don't want to look underdressed for the workplace? Ugh!

Here are my grumpy tweets from last week, & several suggestions to help us through these transitions...

Dressing for spring...

Spring colors...

In March, you are expected to dress warmly yet in #spring colors--I find this a challenge! :-)
— Open Mind Fashion (@OpenMindFashion) March 5, 2014

Monica tried to help me... :-)

@OpenMindFashion Mint green tights! Brilliant orchid scarves! If anyone can do it, you can!
— Monica F (@nlmtys) March 5, 2014

Colorful tights--image from Boden

Boden Printed Scarf, $19.20

The shoes

Another problem with #spring is the shoes. Boots seem too heavy, sandals too light.
— Open Mind Fashion (@OpenMindFashion) March 6, 2014

Nikki tried to help me... :-)

@OpenMindFashion great time for brogues, flats and maybe an ankle boot #iheartspring :)
— Nikki Duckworth (@NikkiOnStyle) March 6, 2014

Boden Wedge Ankle Boot, $84-$142.80

6 p.m.com DV by Dolce Vita Manta, $34.99

Another option is a sandal boot...

Zara Suede Leather Block Heel Ankle Boot, $69.99

Zara Slingback Leather Ankle Sandal Boot with Buckle, $99

Dress in layers?
The problem, of course, is that sometimes the layer underneath doesn't look so good after it's been smashed under a heavier top layer much of the day.

The last two days, in my attempt to dress for spring, I've been cold. I hate being hot, but I also hate being cold. #springtroubles
— Open Mind Fashion (@OpenMindFashion) March 9, 2014

So I was cold last week, so on the weekend I went back to heavier sweaters, & then I was too hot. #springtroubles
— Open Mind Fashion (@OpenMindFashion) March 10, 2014

Dressing for in-between events...

Start with denim...
If you start with a denim base (trouser jeans, dark ankle jeans, a denim skirt), you'll never seem overdressed.

Old Navy Women's The Pixie Skinny Ankle Jeans, $25 minus 15%

Boden Chic Denim Skirt, $68

Other suggestions:

Sometimes it's all in the shoes. Wear casual shoes, & your whole outfit will look more relaxed.
Layer a casual top--maybe something stripey--under a dressier tunic or dress.
Bring along a blazer for an instant upgrade if needed.

Image from Boden

Do you have any other suggestions for how to dress for in-between events?

April may be the cruelest month, but it's March that drives me to madness. Throw in a time change, & I'm a complete mess :-) Many thanks to Monica & Nikki for helping me through!

How do you feel about transitions & in-betweens?

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More booties

How to wear
a blazer

5 Comments

All for one: attempts at wearing all one color

3/10/2014

2 Comments

Dear OMF:
I thought of a fashion problem today that I have.... dressing in the same color but different shades. For example, light grays & dark grays... or white mixed with cream or beige. I just can't figure out how to do this. I could use advice &help!!! --Rach

Dear Rach:
Thank you so much for asking me! Dressing all in one color conveys a special elegance, & many women take advantage of the drama of dressing all in black with little trouble. It gets a bit more tricky, I think, when we immerse ourselves in other colors like navy, white, denim, & burgundy.

I believe the trick in assembling outfits all in one color is to include varied textures, embellishments, or accents.

Here are models & my attempts at creating outfits all in one color...

All in Black
These all-one-color outfits from French Connection work with ease
because of the varied textures: lace, sheer, & leather.

French Connection Russo Lace Sleeveless Top, $138, & Nevada leather skirt, $298

French Connection Nomad Silk Top, $138, & Megan Leather Biker Leggings, $229

All black looks great with gray or with an accent color

Garnet Hill Eileen Fisher Herringbone Jacket., $199

My attempts
I like wearing all black with an accent of gray or white...

Ancient Banana Republic black sheath

Victoria's Secret black pants & sweater

Pinks & shades of wine
I love pairing two shades of pink or rosé. The look is so fresh & springy!

Does she need the necklace & silver flats? The elements of the outfit are fairly plain, so I'd say yes.

Outfit from Talbots

Garnet Hill Horizonal-Cable Cashmere Sweater, $138, & Red Engine Cayenne Skinny Jeans in Amethyst, $99

My attempts

Anthropologie sweater, H&M cords

H&M skirt, Victoria's Secret top, GAP maternity cardigan

I know it looks like I'm wearing a dress above, but it's actually two separates. The studs on the collar & the embossing on the skirt helps break up the color & the long cardigan helps tie it together.

All in navy...
I believe the trick in wearing all navy is in embellishments to break up the stream of color. The outfit from J. Crew on the left below works because of the beaded placket & the zips on the skirt pockets. Her outfit, of course, works much better than mine, but I think the ruffles are what help my attempt.

From J. Crew catalog

Outfit from J. Crew

My attempt

Maternity top from Pea in the Pod & Victoria's Secret navy pants

Whites & winter whites...
I do love all white or white with beige or taupe--it reminds me of a clean, cool outfit for the beach. Seems to me the trick is to add one small element in a different color--like a belt, a necklace, or a scarf. Varied textures & varied shades of white also help, &, of course, you can always pair taupe or sand with white.

Anthropologie Twisted & Pleated Tee

From Boden

J. Crew Outlet outfit including Factory white button-down shirt, $39.50

My attempt

Urban Outfitters BDG jeans, GAP off-white sweater, Garnet Hill girls' scarf

Fifty shades of grey
Now I've never had trouble with greys. I think you can wear any shade of grey with any other, in any combination, without doing anything to break it up. I think because grey is a marled color, it creates its own texture & color variation.

Garnet Hill Classic Ribbed Cashmere Sweater, $68

Garnet Hill Celine Knit Top, $24, & Ibiza Skirt, $34

Garnet Hill Sleeveless Peplum Top, $38, & Lotus Knit Skirt, $58

My attempt

La Redoute henley sweater, Athleta skirt

From Vogue Austrailia

What do you think? Do you like outfits made up of all one color?
Please share your tips on how to make it work.

Try this at home...

Wearing burgundy with blue

Buttoning your sweaters down
your back

Wearing a combination you've nev e r worn every day for a week

2 Comments

Take-a-graphic-tee-to-work Day

3/7/2014

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Typically graphic tees are only for the weekend. But I think these ones are pretty enough to wear to work under a jacket or cardigan.

Banana Republic Palm Tree Graphic Tee, $39.50

J. Crew Linen These Are the Days Tee, $45

J. Crew LINEN THESE ARE THE DAYS TEE, $45

The lovely Julia Cruzan on her blog Glitter and Juls; Her outfit details: Skirt: The Loft factory Shoes: Forever 21 Necklace: Ell & Emm

J. C. Penney Joe Fresh Graphic Tee, $6.99

Super Obvious Tips

Do pick a tee that fits you well.
Don't wear a trashed out tee. You may want to iron your tee.
Make sure your tee isn't too see-through.
Don't wear a now-yellowed white tee or a tee with stains.
Don't wear any offensive language on your tee.

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What would Lily wear?

3/6/2014

4 Comments

Would Lily wear one of these dresses? Would I?

White dresses seem to be appearing everywhere, many with eyelet lace, some named Lily. Lily is lily-white & very sweet. I'm a bit edgier than she is. What do you think? Should I keep or return the dELiA's Lillie dress I ordered?

Lily Dress from Sundance Catalog for $138