Befuddled

Draft:

Earlier Draft:
I wore almost the same look (with tights) in the first outfit post on our blog!

Composition:
navy and white printed dress (Target)
gray woven stretch belt (Charlotte Russe)
gray slouch boots (Steve Madden)

Usage:
As I mentioned when I posted this look the first time, I think it makes me look wide.  I don't really care, because I like wearing a low slung belt once in a while, and I'm actually kind of disappointed in myself that I haven't found more ways to wear this belt since I got it.  I like the gray and navy color combination, and this dress feels like the right length to wear with these boots, so I enjoy wearing this outfit.  There are a few things that drive me crazy about it, though.  The fit and length of the sleeves is not good.  I wish they were an inch or two shorter and not so gapey.  I love the print on this dress, but the mis-matchedness of it drives me a little crazy.  The print does not line up on the sides, on the two pockets that are on the chest, or where the fabric changes around the neck opening.  (If I had ever studied clothes for real, I'd know what that is called, but I have no idea.) 

Yet, this outfit gets the most compliments, hands down, of anything I ever wear.  People I don't know compliment it.  People that have never said a word about anything else I've ever worn compliment it.  People who usually think I "try too hard" have complimented it.  One male classmate whom I adore, but who must be one of the least fashion conscious people in the entire world complimented it.  (He liked what he considered its celtic looking pattern.)  Sometimes the compliments are decisive, like when two of my officemates were chatting and one of them stopped mid-sentence to say "You look so cute today, it's ridiculous!"   On this most recent wearing, I also got "what a fun print," "this is my favorite outfit that you wear," "I think those boots look great with skirts," and "great belt!"  Usually it is women who compliment my style choices, but this outfit gets compliments from men and women alike.  Sometimes it's like people don't even know why they like it, and they issue a statement that might be punctuated like "Liz, I really like that outfit?"

I don't know why they like it so much, either.  I mean, I like it, or I wouldn't wear it.  It's fun to have an ensemble stored away that you know will elicit at least five compliments anytime you leave the house in it.  (I counted twelve on one of the days I wore it in the Spring.)  I just wish I understood why this outfit is so appealing to everyone, especially since I don't think it is stereotypically "flattering" to my body, and the top half feels like mismatched print mania.

Prompts:

• Can you help me?  What's so great about this outfit?  If I have "nailed it" here, I wish I knew why, so I could figure out how to apply these strategies to other outfits.
• Might there be other reasons for why the outfit gets so much attention?  Does it seem radically different than other things people are used to seeing me in? 

Boot Up!

Draft:

Previous Drafts:
I declared these boots the more stylish cousin to the ubiquitous Uggs, and I over-accessorized with this belt back when I bought it in the Spring.

Composition:
eyeglasses (Kate Spade)
black cami (Kohl's)
blue oxford shirtdress (H&M via sister's closet)
black leggings (Target)
gray leather slouch boots (Steve Madden)

Usage:
I have so many random things to say about this ensemble that I'm not sure where to begin... but I'll just jump right in.

Do you guys watch How I Met Your Mother?  I still DVR it even though I think it peaked a few seasons back.  When I prepared to put these boots on last week, I thought to myself "Time to boot up!" as a riff on Barney's "Suit up!" catchphrase.  This personal joke I had with myself seemed even funnier when I realized that one of the reason I liked this shirt dress the first time I saw it on my sister was because it looked like she was wearing a men's oxford shirt, which made me think of some of my favorite 80s movies.  Why are the women in those movies always sleeping in a man's oxford shirt? Wouldn't that be uncomfortable?  Or did my 8 year old self assume they were sleeping in those shirts, when actually they put them on after getting up from sleeping in nothing?

This was also my first attempt at wearing leggings, which I picked up for $5 at Target last week as an inexpensive way to try to develop my casual styling skills.  I found myself nodding my head when Sally suggested that black bottoms and colored tops don't always bring out the best in one another, so I worked to try to incorporate the black leggings into this look.  I left the top button undone to let my black cami peek out, and I grabbed my snake print belt to try to incorporate the gray of my boots and the black of the leggings into the overall look. 

I wore this look to a mostly social event for my department.  Our program's new director wanted to give each of the professors a chance to introduce their work to the grad students, which would also give us a chance to speak with them informally.  I thought it was a great idea!  Even though I know most of our professors from my years in the office, and I know their field specialties, it was still fun to hear them paraphrase their current research projects in their own words.  I also enjoyed looking around the room and thinking, "Look at all this great style in one room!"  I wish I had photos to share.

Chatting with the professors afterward also felt a lot less intimidating than trying to schedule an appointment to meet with someone because you admire her/his work.  I was able to arrange a meeting with the professor I've been trying to track down since she returned from leave, so my attendance was a success.  The friendly vibe of the event was underscored when our program's director came up to me during the socializing portion and said "Liz, I want to talk about this outfit."  Her opinion?  She felt like the dress was bright and thus read as "Spring" attire while the boots and leggings read as "Winter" attire, and she didn't "get" the inclusion of the belt.  LOL!  I tried to explain that I don't really dress for seasons as much as for temperature, and I admitted that it was probably still a little warm for leggings+boots, but that I was ready to try something new.  Her final verdict was that she liked the dress, and she liked the boots, but she thought I "had a lot going on here."  This made me appreciate my decision not to wear my clear acrylic beaded necklace, which I had considered before deciding that would be too much.   Then we discussed the advantages and disadvantages of pantyhose, tights, and leggings.  In case you were wondering, she's a fan of Hue.  : )

Prompts:

• Have you made the leap to boots yet?  After I wore them three days in a row during last week's cooler temps, my sister asked me, "Is this boots week on SSG?"
• Are the black leggings providing too stark a contrast here?  Might I have looked less seasonally confused if I'd worn charcoal or navy leggings instead?
• Have you ever worn a man's oxford shirt for sleepwear or loungewear?  Is this actually comfortable?

Back to School Not Shopping

Drafts:

Composition:
Back to School Purchases:
black shift dress with skinny faux patent belt (H&M)
mustard toned buckled slice wedges (Nine West Outlet)
You've Seen Them (almost) All Befores:
purple cardi (NY&Co)
black faux patent belt (H&M)
punchy beaded necklace (Old Navy)
sand colored swing jacket (H&M)
gray short sleeved turtleneck (via sister's closet)
silver toned ring necklace (JC Penney?)
gray cardi (NY&Co)
clear lucite bead necklace (Kohl's)
faux snake print belt (Kohl's)
white and cream circle print top (H&M)
stone colored belt (NY&Co)

Usage:
I am taking a 30 day hiatus from shopping.  I have not yet found all of the items on my "back to school shopping" list, but I've decided to stop here-- with this black shift and these mustard slice wedges.  After reading Tania's description of how liberated she felt after her 30 days without shopping, I realized that is just the sort of liberation I need.  I don't buy very much, but I engage on thoroughly exhaustive hunts for the items I've decided I need.  When shopstyle shows up as one of the "top sites" in your web browser, you have a problem.  Since my semester starts soon, I think it makes perfect sense to set aside this annoying habit of mine for a while to focus on more important tasks.

To get myself excited about this undertaking, I thought I'd see how many different ways I could style this perfect! simple shift dress.  I only stopped here because I ran out of time, not because I ran out of ideas.  The course I'm teaching this semester meets fewer than 30 times, and I am 100% sure I could style this one dress in a different way for every single session.  And these shoes?! 

Two of the items on my back-to-school list were "colored wedge" and "nude closed-toe shoe," and I actually think this pair ticks both boxes.  I wore them with all of the outfits above mostly for convenience, but the experiment also confirms my suspicion that depending on the ensemble, they can function both as a neutral and as a pop of color.

I'm also pleased that this shift fits right into the conversation Anne-Marie started yesterday about 50s and 60s style trends.  What I'll add to her post is this: I think I feel different in my shift than the real life Joans and Bettys of the past felt in theirs.  Clothing technology has made some remarkable strides in the past 50 years.  I can purchase similar silhouettes, but my options are constructed from breathable, washable fabrics that move with me.  My version of femininity might look similar, but it doesn't require me to wear undergarments that dig into my body, either.  Anne-Marie's own experience with her belt in the heat speaks to how uncomfortable our clothes can make us in certain circumstances, and it gives me sympathy for all the ladies back in the day who had to learn to walk in skirts that minimized their strides.

So while some may say that its anti-feminist to return to styles that were popular when women's bodies were inhibited in these ways, I say to them: I can do a cartwheel in this dress and these shoes.  Thank goodness for stretch fabrics!  Since new technology has allowed the physical liberation of my body in these clothes, I'll argue that I can absolutely wear them without claiming all the old ideological baggage that they carried back in 1962. 

Prompts:

• What's your favorite closet workhorse?  Have you run out of ways to wear it yet?
• Have you ever stopped shopping for a predetermined length of time?  What was your experience with it?
• In your opinion, what's the best innovation in apparel technology from the past 50 years?  Why?

Submission Sunday: Krista

Intro:
Since we're interested in the many different kinds of wardrobe choices women make, we're thrilled to share a post from Liz's lifelong friend (and regular SSG reader), Krista, who was willing to write about her experience with maternity dressing, which none of us here at SSG have experienced ourselves.  Krista studied Political Science in undergrad and has spent several years working in the non-profit sector, and Liz would describe her style as timeless with a modern twist.  Recently, Krista has demonstrated that dressing well is still important during pregnancy, and we're excited to feature some of her tips for maternity dressing.

Draft:

Composition:
black dress with ruffle detail (Liz Lange for Target)
green sandals (BC Footwear via Nordstrom Rack)
necklace (J Crew)
metallic skinny belt (Gap)
(Photo taken at 38 weeks pregnant)

Usage:
I recently gave birth to my second daughter in as many years. That means I’ve spent a good portion of the last few years wearing maternity clothes. It’s not always easy to feel stylish when pregnant, but I’ve learned a few things along the way that I wish I’d known before I began investing in a maternity wardrobe.

Dresses: I practically lived in dresses during both my pregnancies, especially in the warmer months. They’re comfortable, versatile, and you’re unlikely to grow out of a dress. There were plenty of shirts that fit me during only part of my pregnancy, but almost all of my dresses looked great for all nine months. The dress I’m wearing in these photos was one of my favorites.
Invest in basics: It’s worth the money to purchase a few quality basics for your maternity wardrobe. I didn’t do this during my first pregnancy and I spent nine months wearing pants I hated. Never again! I wised up the second time around and bought three pairs of pants I loved and that made me feel good. Other good basics include anything that’s easily layered – tank tops, t-shirts, cardigans, etc.
Accessorize! Accessories can make an otherwise boring outfit stand out. Yes, pregnancy might sometimes make you feel fat and unattractive, but that's all the more reason to spend a little extra time on your appearance. In this outfit I added the belt to help emphasize my belly and the green shoes to add a pop of color. The necklace pulls the outfit together.
Leggings, leggings, leggings: For the pregnant body, leggings are both cute and practical. Even if you wouldn’t wear them when not pregnant (I probably wouldn’t), they make great sense during pregnancy. They’re incredibly comfortable and can be very flattering when paired with the right tunic or dress. On cooler days, I often wore them under the dress pictured here.
Fitted is often better: Some women are tempted to cover up during pregnancy. Don’t! Particularly as your belly bump grows bigger, show it off. A fitted top or dress will make you look smaller than one that’s loose and oversized. Belts under the bust line like I’m wearing here are a great way to show off the belly. Also, maternity shirts with side ruching are particularly flattering.
Size up: Maternity fashions have improved greatly even in the two years between my pregnancies. But it’s still not always possible to find the right outfit for the right occasion. Consider buying non-maternity clothes in a size larger instead of shopping in the maternity department. Or use items in your existing wardrobe that still fit, like jackets, sweaters, and empire waist tops.

Prompts:

• Do you have any other tips for maternity dressing?  Please share them!
• Pregnancy is one obvious life event that requires one to develop new dressing strategies.  What are some other life events that have forced you to find new ways to style yourself?

How to emulate questionable 80s style

Draft:

Earlier Drafts:
I last wore these oxfords in March

Composition:
dress (Lulu's)
button-down shirt (Old Navy, boys' section)
belt (Anthropologie)
oxfords (Steve Madden via South Moon Under)

Usage:
I admit it, I'm feeding you a dud of an outfit.  Actually, it's less of an outfit and more of conversation fodder.  I took it for a test run through the grocery store and Target, and I not only received backward glances and double-takes, but I also got one "You look like that girl from Dirty Dancing" comment.  Apparently frizzy hair and faded button-downs send a strong Jennifer Grey vibe.

Truthfully, the button-down was an afterthought on account of the rain.  The real point of the ensemble?  The shoes.  How exactly does one wear oxfords with dresses in an nonschoolgirl way, I wanted to know.  Answer: not like this.

Maybe you can help me figure this out.  What went wrong with my style choices?  How could I have worn the shoes differently?  I hereby declare this a no-holds-barred session, so critique away.  In fact, I'll speak for today's outfit and all 1980s-inspired fashion gone awry when I echo Pat Benatar: hit me with your best shot.

Prompts:

• What's wrong with this look?  (Not a trick question.  Things really are wrong.)
• Have you come across good examples of the oxfords + dresses/skirts combo?  Please share!  What qualities distinguish these as "good" examples?
• Why do some looks survive post-decade?  How do media associations make a difference to a look's survival?
• Are there some contemporary manifestations of 1980s style which you like?  Why do these seem more stylistically successful to you?

Revising My Uniform for Spring?

Drafts:

Composition:
eyeglasses (Kate Spade)
turquoise beaded necklace (Kohl's)
red and gray beaded necklace (NY&Co)
black and white camis (Old Navy)
black cardigan (H&M)
snake print belt (Kohl's)
black and white print trousers (Express)
black almond toe wedges (Lauren by Ralph Lauren via Zappos)
brown blur (my dachshund, who thinks he belongs in these photos but can't stand still)

Usage:

Katie and Anne-Marie have already addressed the ways in which they transition from cold weather styles to warm weather styles, so I thought I would weigh in on the issue.  I also thought it was about time for me to introduce and acknowledge my standard "uniform."

Especially in the colder months, I'm often wearing an outfit something like this.  I own quite a few cardigans.  Underneath the cardigans I alternate between pairing plain tops with interesting necklaces and wearing more visually interesting tops alone. Oftentimes I belt the cardigan, but sometimes I do not.  On the bottom, I'm always wearing one of my several pairs of Express Editor trousers.  The tags on these pants usually tout them as "the best fitting pant in America," which always makes me laugh.  How could you possibly go about proving the validity of that statement, Express?  I can't deny, though, that these pants fit me better than any other pair I've ever put on.  Everyone to whom I've recommended them loves them, too.  Let me know if you want the secrets to getting them for less than full price!

I also recognize that I'm more attracted to the black/white/gray color palette than most women.  I love the versatility I get from buying pieces within this "color" scheme.  The pieces all go together, I don't have to put a lot of thought into mixing and matching, and black/white/gray always looks very polished to me.  I often try to add pops of color here and there, like the red detail in the necklace I'm wearing above.  I took the photo on the right to serve as the sort of "winter" version of today's look.

I have difficulty translating the black/white/gray look into the warmer months, however.  Red doesn't really feel like a spring color, and black and white often feel too harsh in comparison to everyone else's fun spring wardrobes.  Generally, I try to make this transition by wearing more white and gray and less black, which helps to make my ensembles feel a little less stark.  This year, though, I have been on the hunt for a bold turquoise necklace that would serve as a summery substitute for my red accent pieces.  I finally found one I like!

I'm still not sure this outfit on the left is working as a spring look, though.  I tried a gray cardigan, but since these pants look gray rather than patterned from a few feet away, it looked like a terrible head-to-toe gray mess.  Now that I'm looking at the photos, I think the belt is the problem.  I imagined the necklace as the focal point of the look, but I think the snake print is drawing attention to the belt instead.  Thoughts?

Prompts:

• Any suggestions for transitioning my black/white/gray pieces into the warmer months?
• Do you have a general "uniform" that you revert to when you don't have time or energy to dress creatively?  If so, what is it?
• Do you ever find an item you love and buy it in multiple colors and styles?

Making a (stylish!) seasonal transition?

Composition:

Burgundy Jersey-knit Top (Grace Brand via Overstock.com)
Brown Cardigan (Calvin Klein)
Brown Leather Belt (Mom's closet)
Dark-wash Skinny Jeans (Forever 21)
Brown Leather Oxfords (Steve Madden via South Moon Under)
Yellow Suede Slouch Bag (Ann Taylor Loft)

Usage:
The months of March and April mess with me sartorially.  They devise nasty ways - blustery days, sudden thunder storms, random cold fronts -  to make me traipse up and down my attic steps, packing and unpacking the storage bins stocked with my seasonally appropriate apparel.

Since the closet space in our townhouse is tight, my husband and I divide our wardrobes into warm and cold weather clothing, and we store away the out-of-season garments.  Thus, when unpredictable spring weather hits, we struggle to find an optimal time at which to officially exchange winter's wardrobe for spring's.  Inevitably, just when we think heavy sweaters are unnecessary, March will surprise us with a 40 degree afternoon.

Such was the case with the above outfit.  I wore it last weekend while visiting my parents in southern Virginia.  On this particular mid-50 degree day, Mom and I had dressed to conquer the outdoor, downtown shops.  Originally, I had paired the skinny jeans and burgundy top with brown leather gladiator sandals.  But when rain began to fall and the temperature dropped, I speedily updated my ensemble.  Exchanging sandals for oxfords, and throwing on a cardigan in a neutral shade, I felt more prepared for the rainy chill.  Instead of scrunching my jeans around the leather sandals, I rolled them into a chunky cuff to show off the oxfords.  I also considered trading the yellow bag for a more subdued leather one.  In the end, however, I decided the pop of bright color infused the outfit with pre-season warmth.

These quick wardrobe fixes helped me transition a spring outfit into a late-winter one.  I was especially grateful for the  brown oxfords, and not just because they kept my feet dry.  These shoes will pair as well with skirts and shorts as they do with jeans and sweaters.

Still, I found myself wishing for more reliable transition garments.  In this case, a khaki trench coat would have been ideal, but I hesitate to consistently 'solve' the weather problem by merely throwing on a coat.  Nor do I want to wear jeans until mid-April.  At this time of year, I tend to cope with the weather's unpredictability by layering tops and cardigans and cinching everything with a belt.  But this type of outfit becomes boring quickly, and I'm on the lookout for more creative solutions.

Above all, I'd like to know what exactly distinguishes a "summer/spring" article of clothing from a "winter/fall" one?  Style experts suggest the division is blurring, and that aficionados should learn to mix cross-season garments more adeptly.  But for those of us with limited closet space and more drastically fluctuating climates, do we dress for spring by adopting more color?  By wearing the traditional shorter hemlines and lighter fabrics?  When exactly is it appropriate to make The Seasonal Switch?

Prompts:

• How do you create interest in your outfits during seasonal transitions?
• Which characteristics distinguish a "summer/spring" outfit from a "winter/fall" one?