A Little Out of Place
Worn: October 26, 2012
I wasn't able to get over to Oakland this time, so I made do at a more conventional public park.
I didn't start wearing the red top until five years after I bought it. I liked the basic idea, with the collar and the laces, but it didn't quite work for me. I went through a bunch of old clothing this summer to see if there were any pieces I should keep and found that quite a few of my older tops could be improved by the addition of my new white shrug.
My black beret has a smaller diameter than most berets on the market, closer to that of a military beret. When I started buying more, I was put off by the greater size. But since berets are generally made of wool, I ran them through the washing machine on hot, which reduced their diameter a couple of inches. The shrinkage isn't necessarily even, but wet wool is easily shapeable by hand.
DKNY Jeans red top from Macy's, 2007
Sweater Project white shrug from Macy's, 2012
Levi's "Bold Curve" blue jeans from Macy's, 2012
SAS "Freetime" white tennie shoes, 2011
Red earrings made from Michael's components, 2012
Red beret from eBay, 2011
Polo Ralph Lauren PH1007 eyeglasses from Lenscrafters, 2007
Black Banded
Worn: October 21, 2012
A common feature of Juniors dresses at Macy's that I've rarely noticed at other stores is black banding along the neckline and at the waist. This dress is one of five such that I've gotten at Macy's over the years, and while I am fond of some of them, especially this one, they are difficult to coordinate with anything that isn't black. I'm inclined to avoid buying any more with black trim in the future.
This dress originally tied in the back; the black waistband was only part of the dress in front and separated from it in back. I find tying bows behind my back rather awkward and the resulting knot uncomfortable if I'm sitting against the back of a chair. So I cut off most of the length of the ties and sewed the remainder together.
BCX purple printed dress from Macy's, 2011
Eyeshadow black wrap from Macy's, 2010
We Love Colors black tights, 2011
Walking Cradles "Premiere" black flats from Zappos, 2007
Purple & gold butterfly pendant from Michael's, 2011
Purple earrings made from Michael's components, 2012
August "Blossom Story" black beret from Macy's, 2008
Roxy Atomic RX5111 sunglasses from Zappos.com, 2008
As I Was
Worn: October 20, 2012
This outfit typifies how I dressed before I started reading personal style blogs a couple of years ago. Most of the items are among the oldest I still wear, but I also accidently packed an old pair of jeans I don't normally wear anymore when I went to stay with Lynn for the weekend.
This pendant is the only piece I have that garners cries of recognition when I wear it. Lynn used to have one with a pink stone while Becca had an earring version. I guess Walmart sold a lot of pieces of this shape. I didn't even buy the necklace for the pendant. My friend Becca had bought me a very nice silver pendant and I wanted a shorter chain for it. Buying a chain with this pendant was cheaper than buying a chain by itself. I rarely wore it until I discovered that it goes well with this tanktop.
International Concepts blue tanktop from Macy's, 2003
Ralph Lauren Polo offwhite cardigan from Macy's, 2003
Style & Co. black jeans from Macy's, 2009
SAS "Freetime" white tennie shoes, 2009
Silver & blue pendant from Walmart, 2007
August "Blossom Story" black beret from Macy's, 2008
Earrings made from jumprings, 2009
An Unexpected Pairing
Worn: October 19, 2012
This skirt was originally a dress, attached at the waist to a plain black top of no particular appeal. I bought it anyway, on clearance, figuring I could take the risk on a modification working out.
I bought this tanktop because I wanted a comfortable green tanktop and it was the best I could find at the time. But the unappealing shade kept me from wearing it for two years. I probably would have gotten rid of it by now, but when going through all my clothing looking for matches to the colors in the skirt, I found that it was the only piece I had that matched the leaves. I've almost always used it with this skirt ever since.
I bought two identical pink flower necklaces from Macys, keeping one to use in its original condition. I made a simpler necklace and two pairs of earrings from the other. The simple disk earrings I'm wearing today are by far the greatest benefit I've gotten out of the two necklaces.
Liz Claiborne green tanktop from Macy's, 2008
Ambiance Apparel black wrap from Silvina, 2012
Belle du Jour skirt (originally dress) from Macy's, 2010
BCX black belt (came with top) from Macy's, 2010
We Love Colors black tights, 2011
Octopus Parlour "Fuschia & Black #2" necklace from Shanalogic.com, 2011
M Style Lab earrings (originally part of necklace) from Macy's, 2010
Croft & Barrow "Helena" boots from thrift store, 2011, originally from Kohl's
Goody claw clip, 2010
Polo Ralph Lauren PH1007 eyeglasses from Lenscrafters, 2007
