Category:

The animals in my closet

9/3/2014

Animal prints are classic & seem to me to convey a little old Hollywood grace & glamour.

Here are the animals in my closet...

I began in 2010 by ordering just a zebra-print belt from Boden >>

I also bought a couple other leopard-print belts at Forever 21 for next to nothing & an animal-print microfiber purse from Amazon.

Boden still carries a similar belt:

Boden Waldour Waist Belt, $38

J. Crew dress, Boden belt

Last year, I found this leopard-print dress at Land's End for under $30. Very easy to wear.

Land's End dress, GAP maternity cardigan

Land's End Women's Petite Sleeveless Pattern Ponté Welt Pocket Dress, $29.99

My youngest son's very favorite item of mine is this leopard-print cardigan because it's so soft. I got at H&M for $5;
I noticed over the weekend they still carry them in store for $14.95.

F21 fake leather skirt, GAP top, H&M cardigan, Boden boots

Over the summer, I came across this animal-print skirt from Banana Republic that I managed to snag for the "kill price" of $9.50.

Photobombed by my son! :-)

J. Crew Factory crewneck sweater, Banana Republic skirt, Madewell necklace, Denver Museum of Nature & Science cuff, Piperlime sandals

Banana Republic Heritage Animal Print Jacquard Cargo Mini, $39.99. (I called the flagship store in S.F. to get the kill price!)

I'd always wanted animal-print shoes with mid-heels, & I finally got some from Sole Society.

Sole Society Isabelle pumps

Sole Society Isabelle, $69.95

These subtly-printed crops go with everything gray does & helped update my pant selection.

Anthropologie sweater, Boden crops

Boden Bistro Crop Trousers, $26.40

My latest acquisition is this leopard-print sweatshirt from H&M.

H&M sweatshirt, GAP shirt, Urban Outfitters jeans

H&M sweatshirt, $9.95

H&M Sweatshirt, $12.95

So what about you? Do you own many animal-print pieces? Did you buy them recently or in the past?

You may also like...

A leopard-print vest I'm eyeing for fall...

Uniqlo Women's Ultra Light Down Printed Vest, $39.90

More animal prints...

& yet more animal prints...

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Serious fun: what to wear the first day of school

8/15/2014

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A balance between serious & fun is the goal as we prepare for the first day of school. Whether a student or a teacher, you want to look like you mean serious academic business but also that you're planning on having a good time!

It's actually pretty simple to create this impression: just mix one playful element with one serious element.

Here are 3 examples...

1. All black (serious) paired with a fun accessory like a patterned scarf, big earrings, or heels (fun):

Zara Palm Tree Scarf, $2.99

Victoria's Secret The Kate Flare Pant in Stretch Cotton, $29.50

2. A collared shirt (serious) paired with a playful patterned skirt (fun):

Garnet Hill Favorite Casual Cotton Shirt, $68

J. Crew Factory Printed Pencil Skirt, $34.99

J. Crew Factory is offering an extra 25% off to teachers in store through Sunday!

3. Black pants (serious) paired with a printed top (fun):

I hope to wear these pants >>
with the top once they arrive,
as long as they're not too much fun! :-)

Zara Printed Top, $19.99

Boden Bistro Crop Trouser, $26.40

So which outfit do you think I should wear?
What will you be wearing for the first day of school??
Have a great first week back!

More schooly posts...

What I've worn for the first day of school in the past

Back2school tees

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The animals are coming out now

8/11/2014

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A week or so ago, I posted a gallery of animal-print pieces with some off-season buys. Now that fall lines have been released, the animals are out en masse. Here are a few favorites...

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New Year's Eve in July

7/13/2014

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I spent a lot of time around New Year's Eve looking for a sequin skirt. Who knew we could buy one now for next to nothing, probably to save for the Big Event but possibly to wear for a fun night out?

Banana Republic Sequin Mini, $29.99 minus 50%

J. C. Penney Joe Fresh Sequin Graphic Skirt, $19.99 minus 15%

Forever 21 Ditsy Sequined Skirt, bronze or mint, $11.99

Zara Seqinned Skirt, $19.99

H&M Skirt with Sequined Embroidery, $20

Styling suggestion for now...

Garnet Hill Modern Sequin Knit Skirt, $49

And later...

Sole Society image, accessories, & shoes

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Oh peplum, my peplum

5/27/2014

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I had to wait a long time for my peplum to come in. I learned that it's best if peplum fits well, depending how structured the top is.

The peplum problem: seems to me, most peplum must be fitted to look right. When this peplum top from GAP first arrived, it was obvious that it wasn't going to work because it was too big for me. I returned it & had to wait another week or so before a smaller size was available. I still think it's too big, & I'll probably return it.

GAP Eyelet Peplum Top on me

GAP Eyelet Peplum Top, also in navy, $34.99

GAP Eyelet Peplum Top on me

This Garnet Hill peplum top is also too big for me, but since it's not so structured, I can belt it. I love the color with my gray skirt, so I'm hoping it looks ok since it's not available in the next size down. I have a weakness for all-one-color outfits (as you know). I'm hoping to wear this outfit to my son's continuation ceremony.

My top is Garnet Hill sleeveless peplum top in a medium, $38

My skirt is a GAP girls' in size 16 plus, $18.99

How has your peplum worked out? Have you had similar troubles?

More peplum

Attempts at wearing
all one color

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Pretty as a flower

5/19/2014

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A slideshow of 8 wearable floral-print dresses, $24.95 & up. Do you like one of them? 

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The peplum question

5/12/2014

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I didn't buy peplum when it first came out, did you? One, I couldn't find anything I liked that wasn't too expensive. Two, there was some question--especially for shorter women--if it might (gasp, sigh) make us look fat.

But peplum is popping up again this season, & it seems to have softened its lines & become more wearable, less
airplane-wings-like.

I've ordered a couple of these tops. I'll be reporting back to let you know if they work out!

Fossil Camille Peplum Top, $49.99

GAP Eyelet Peplum Top, $34.99

back view GAP Eyelet Peplum Top, $34.99

Banana Republic Black Peplum Top, $29.99 minus 40%

Banana Republic Denim Peplum Top, $69.50 minus 40%

Love Culture Plus Size Strappy Peplum (also in orange), $27.95

Dillard's Sanctuary Clothing Ponte Peplum Top, $59.40

J. Crew Factory Ponte Peplum Top, $54.50 minus 30%

Nordstrom Lauren Ralph Lauren Peplum Top (Plus Size), $85

Piperlime Wells Grace Ellery Vegan Leather Peplum, $27.97

H&M Off-the-shoulder Top (also in black), $29.95

Fossil top, no longer available dang it!

Garnet Hill Sleeveless Peplum Top, 3 colors, limited sizes, $38

Do you own any peplum? Has it worked out well for you?

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Who's wearing the pants?

4/4/2014

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...the printed pants, that is.

A year or so ago, printed pants--in everything from polka dot to brocade--hit the scene hard. Now I find they're on sale!

Is it because they aren't as popular as they used to be? Or are you wearing them regularly & ready to bring back out your cropped ones for spring?

Printed pants can take you to work, out for lunch, to an afternoon gathering, or out for the night because of their playful styles & dressy fabrics. They're easy to match with (black, white, cream). The only tricky part, I think, can be the shoes.

Are you the one wearing the pants?

In jacquard, brocade, sateen, & medallion prints

H&M Jacquard-weave Pants, $49.95

J. Crew Campbell Capri in Lattice Medallion, $69.99 minus 30%

Talbots Signature Dot Jacquard Ankle Pants, $29.99

Boden Bistro Pant, $52.80-$74.80

J. Crew Factory Skimmer Pant in Metallic Brocade, $64.50

Boden Bistro Crop Trousers, $27.60

Boden Wow Bistro Crop, $27.60

In blues

New York & Co 7th Avenue Pant Cuffed Crop Sateen Print, $25

J. Crew Factory Skimmer Pant, $39.50

Boden Bistro Crop, $17.60

Boden Bistro Pant, $70.40

J. Crew Minnie Pant in Foulard, $79.50

J. Crew Campbell Capri in Abstract Wave, $69.99

In animal print

Zara Printed Trousers, $59.90

Talbots Signature Animal-Print Ankle Pants, $23.99

Ann Taylor Maven Leopard Ankle Pants, $89.99 minus 40%

H&M Pants Loose fit, $17.95

In black & white

Garnet Hill Jacquard Capri Pants, $68

New York & Co. Crosby Street Slim Leg Pant, $21.18

H&M Slacks, $20

Ann Taylor Windowpane Slim Ankle Pants, $79.99 minus 40%

LOFT Floral Print Stretch Cotton Pants in Marisa Fit, $49.50

Banana Republic Hampton-Fit Geo Print Crop, $69.99 minus 40% with code BRSPRING40

In florals & nature patterns

Garnet Hill Santeen Capri Pants, $78

Boden Bistro Crop Trousers, $17.60

Zara Floral Printed Trousers, $59.90

Zara 5 Pocket Printed Trousers, $49.90

Zara Floral Printed Trousers, $59.90

Zara Printed Trousers, $59.90

In artistic designs

Zara Printed Trousers with Side Zip, $79.90

Zara Cut Work Trousers, $99.90

New York & Co. 7th Avenue Ankle Pant, $24.97

Boden Bistro Crop Trousers, $117.30

Boden Bistro Crop, $17.60

J. Crew Collection Cafe Capri in Iced Lilac Paisley, $129.99 minus 30%

Zara Palm Tree Print Sarong Trousers, $59.90

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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

You may also like...

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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What would Lily wear?

3/6/2014

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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