J.Crew merino wool sweater / Talbots knee length pencil skirt / J.Crew patent leather pumps / J.Crew south sea pearl necklace / Majorica tear drop earrings / J.Crew patent leather belt / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics lip makeup
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Cats & French Hens, Part Deux
J.Crew knit sweater / J.Crew fitted shirt / J.Crew leopard pants / J.Crew ballerina shoes / J.Crew gold bangle / Wallis bronze jewelry
Where Cats & Hens Co-exist Peacefully
J.Crew long sleeve knit top / J.Crew long sleeve button down shirt / J.Crew summer pants / J.Crew ballet flat shoes / David Yurman sterling silver hoop earrings
Friday, August 17, 2012
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
OOTD 8-15-12: Safari Cat Capris, Trouser-Style
J.Crew cuffed pants / J crew / J.Crew blue flat / Silver clutch / J.Crew resin necklace / J.Crew set of bangle / R.J. Graziano tear drop earrings / J Crew belt / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics lip makeup / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics lip makeup
Forever thanks to my PS at the local B&M for the best idea for wearing J. Crew's Safari Cat linen café capris.
These pants are heavy linen, which makes them bulky (and hot on a warm day. whew), and they're cuffed. Perfect, in other words, for wearing NOT as a capri but instead as a cuffed narrow-legged trouser. To wear them this way, my PS suggested that I order them in the Tall, which has a 30" inseam. What a fantastic suggestion! The front of the cuff breaks gently right on the top of my foot.
For reference, I'm 5'4", so this nifty idea won't do much for you tall cool drink o' water gals, sorry. :-) If you're shorter, follow the link above and you'll find these still widely available at a great sale price in the Tall version.
For tomorrow's women's group board meeting (translation: business-y casual) and a busy day of errands afterwards, this is going to be my OOTD. IRL, these trusty old flats look soooooo good with this spring's Keeper Chambray Shirt!
Forever thanks to my PS at the local B&M for the best idea for wearing J. Crew's Safari Cat linen café capris.
These pants are heavy linen, which makes them bulky (and hot on a warm day. whew), and they're cuffed. Perfect, in other words, for wearing NOT as a capri but instead as a cuffed narrow-legged trouser. To wear them this way, my PS suggested that I order them in the Tall, which has a 30" inseam. What a fantastic suggestion! The front of the cuff breaks gently right on the top of my foot.
For reference, I'm 5'4", so this nifty idea won't do much for you tall cool drink o' water gals, sorry. :-) If you're shorter, follow the link above and you'll find these still widely available at a great sale price in the Tall version.
For tomorrow's women's group board meeting (translation: business-y casual) and a busy day of errands afterwards, this is going to be my OOTD. IRL, these trusty old flats look soooooo good with this spring's Keeper Chambray Shirt!
Cutie Pie Tie: Borrowing from the Boys
J.Crew tailored shirt / J.Crew high waisted skinny jeans / Cole Haan arch support shoes / Ebel white watch, $5,485 / David Yurman gold earrings / Antique gold jewelry / Nautical jewelry / Boys' neon sailboat chambray tie
I spotted this Crewcuts tie for next to $0 on FS -- nice chambray linen with neon sailboats. Adorable!
Wearing today with a white shirt (mine's a summerweight J. Crew Perfect Shirt) and the new Midrise Toothpick Jeans in Carbon (LOVE them, fit is TTS to slightly small for your J. Crew toothpick size).
Also wearing (socklessly preppy of course) my Cole Haan Air Penny suede driver loafers in 'India Ink', quite possibly the most comfortable shoe I have ever put on my foot. This is a color from 2011, but if you see it somewhere on clearance grab it. The color isn't navy; it's more like a cross between navy and cobalt and it's fantastic!
My young-adult son tells me that going sockless with loafers or driving mocs is a hot new craze for Fall 2012 for guys his age, and that this is called the "mankles" fad. Too funny!
I spotted this Crewcuts tie for next to $0 on FS -- nice chambray linen with neon sailboats. Adorable!
Wearing today with a white shirt (mine's a summerweight J. Crew Perfect Shirt) and the new Midrise Toothpick Jeans in Carbon (LOVE them, fit is TTS to slightly small for your J. Crew toothpick size).
Also wearing (socklessly preppy of course) my Cole Haan Air Penny suede driver loafers in 'India Ink', quite possibly the most comfortable shoe I have ever put on my foot. This is a color from 2011, but if you see it somewhere on clearance grab it. The color isn't navy; it's more like a cross between navy and cobalt and it's fantastic!
My young-adult son tells me that going sockless with loafers or driving mocs is a hot new craze for Fall 2012 for guys his age, and that this is called the "mankles" fad. Too funny!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Age-Appropriate Dressing for the London Olympics Closing Ceremonies! (Daisy Duck version)
London Olympics Closing Ceremonies! (Daisy Duck version) by tarheelmom featuring wedge shoes
J.Crew knit top / Old Navy graphic tee / AG Adriano Goldschmied skinny jeans / J.Crew wedge shoes / Converse shoes / Converse shoes / Leaf ring
J.Crew knit top / Old Navy graphic tee / AG Adriano Goldschmied skinny jeans / J.Crew wedge shoes / Converse shoes / Converse shoes / Leaf ring
Wearing for tonight's night's broadcast of the
London Olympics closing ceremonies -- a casual dinner with friends on an unseasonably
cool evening will give me the opportunity to unveil my Tippi and my AG
Polka-Dot Stevies. I posted this set on Polyvore last night, but
edited it this morning to add the ballet flats as a backup shoe -- just
in case the Chuck Taylors and skinny jeans (on my skinny calves) combine
to make me look like Daisy Duck. Laying out the clothes this morning, I
saw this as a distinct possibility. Yikes.
Props to Slastena (wearing them gorgeously here) for nudging me to buy the Stevies --
they are ridiculously comfortable and flattering. On her advice I ordered these in the size I take in J. Crew's toothpicks (usually 28) and also one size smaller, since she said they do stretch a lot as you wear them. I wore each pair around the house for several hours (tags still on, me freshly showered). Slastena was exactly right in her advice. But I ended up keeping the 28s after a lot of debate with myself in front of a full-length mirror for one reason: my age.
This might surprise y'all, because many of you have seen me comment around the JCA Community about my "take" on dressing age-appropriately, and you know that my general philosophy is that, regardless of the fact that you're past 40 -- or even, as in my case, past 50 -- you can and should wear most anything you like if you're fit, healthy, pay attention to what flatters your body type and size yourself correctly.
For me, the key words that apply to these AG Stevies are "most anything you like" and "size yourself correctly." I do believe that wearing skinny jeans at their absolute tightest and skinniest is a prerogative of younger women (like Slastena, who's 20 years younger than me). Skinny jeans or pants are fine for us vintage gals, I think, so long as (here's the CAUTION FLAG!) they suit our body type and so long as we wear them gently, with a bit of strategic fabric 'ease' here and there. We're not talking saggy and baggy, we're just talking a little graceful air space, know what I mean?
The 28s in the Stevies allow that graceful air space for me, but are still slim and look nice. IRL pix coming soon.
What's your take on this issue, ladies? Do you agree with my "skinny jeans rules" or not? I'd love to hear from you!
Saturday, August 11, 2012
The Feather Paisley Skirt Meets My Closet, Part 3
J Crew top / J.Crew feather skirt / J.Crew flat shoes, $155 / J.Crew ankle strap shoes / Coach crossbody handbag / J.Crew vintage earrings / J.Crew resin jewelry
All items are mine except for the Coach bag. Which, Santa Claus or the Labor Day Fairy willing, will soon be. :-) The back side of the bag is the color of the tassel, a very rich dark orange that will work well with many items in my fall/winter wardrobe. So cute!
All items are mine except for the Coach bag. Which, Santa Claus or the Labor Day Fairy willing, will soon be. :-) The back side of the bag is the color of the tassel, a very rich dark orange that will work well with many items in my fall/winter wardrobe. So cute!
The Feather Paisley Skirt Meets My Closet, Part 2
J Crew top / J.Crew graphic tee / J.Crew feather skirt / Tory Burch ballet flat / Tory Burch clutch / J.Crew crystal jewelry / J Crew belt / Laura Mercier beauty product
Working it. :-)
Working it. :-)
The Feather Paisley Skirt Meets My Closet
J.Crew leopard print cardigan / J.Crew graphic t shirt / J.Crew long skirt / J.Crew patent heels / Kate Spade clutch handbag / Coach jewelry / J.Crew genuine leather belt / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics makeup brush / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics lip gloss / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics cream eye shadow, $28
All season long I eyed the Feather Paisley skirt and then poof, it was gone in my size. This happens to me a lot and you think I'd learn. And to add insult to injury, lemme just admit it here, y'all: I overpaid for the this skirt on eBay in order to get a Petite size. To be clear, I could have gotten my "Regular" J. Crew skirt size on eBay at the same time for about half as much, but then I'd have had to schlep it to the tailor and pay (and wait) to get it hemmed. Pathetically, I preferred to pay a premium so I could get it fast and wear it immediately. I rationalized this by (I'm sure) overestimating the hemming charges. :-)
So here I am with a premium-priced skirt, but happily I think it's going to justify its existence easily. I posted a Polyvore set with this skirt recently; here's take #2, all using items from my closet.
All season long I eyed the Feather Paisley skirt and then poof, it was gone in my size. This happens to me a lot and you think I'd learn. And to add insult to injury, lemme just admit it here, y'all: I overpaid for the this skirt on eBay in order to get a Petite size. To be clear, I could have gotten my "Regular" J. Crew skirt size on eBay at the same time for about half as much, but then I'd have had to schlep it to the tailor and pay (and wait) to get it hemmed. Pathetically, I preferred to pay a premium so I could get it fast and wear it immediately. I rationalized this by (I'm sure) overestimating the hemming charges. :-)
So here I am with a premium-priced skirt, but happily I think it's going to justify its existence easily. I posted a Polyvore set with this skirt recently; here's take #2, all using items from my closet.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Hot Summer Sale -- J. Crew from My Closet!
Crewsing Thru My Closet: Images for Polyvore / Summer Sale! | World of Gifts Christian & Country T-Shirt Store & More
Monster closet cleanout underway, leading to FABULOUS DEALS FOR YOU AT PRE-eBAY PRICES on J. Crew stuff in pristine condition. All in sizes Small, 4 or 6.
For lots of pictures and detailed descriptions, please visit all four August 6 posts over on my sale blog at:
http://crewsingthrumycloset.blogspot.com
Questions? E-mail me at:
jcauncmom@gmail.com
Monster closet cleanout underway, leading to FABULOUS DEALS FOR YOU AT PRE-eBAY PRICES on J. Crew stuff in pristine condition. All in sizes Small, 4 or 6.
For lots of pictures and detailed descriptions, please visit all four August 6 posts over on my sale blog at:
http://crewsingthrumycloset.blogspot.com
Questions? E-mail me at:
jcauncmom@gmail.com
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Wardrobing 101: Great accessories...
J.Crew striped shirt / J.Crew paisley skirt / L.K.Bennett patent leather shoes, $170 / David Yurman gold jewelry / Konstantino long strand necklace / David Yurman sterling silver necklace / David Yurman gold bangle / Belt, $93 / Dahlia matte lipstick / NARS Cosmetics sheer lipstick, $27 / Hexden Bag, $535
Back in the day when I was a rag trader myself (in the expensive ready-to-wear price point), I told my clients this was my #1 rule of wardrobing: Invest in a couple of super-great basic jackets and skirts (this one doesn't quite hit that mark, but it's very cute and on trend) -- and spend most of your wardrobe money on great accessories. If you wear really well-made shoes, carry a good bag, and wear simple fine-quality jewelry, you can add a $10 Hanes Beefy Tee (ironed, mind you) and what people will see -- and remember -- is that you were elegantly and expensively dressed. Great accessories elevate everything!
So here we have a new skirt, the adorable Feather Paisley No. 2 Pencil Skirt (now sold out but popping back), my ancient and favorite and nearly worn-out Vintage Bateau Top (it has even developed the patented J. Crew Tee Shirt Hole, fortunately below waistband-level if I tuck it in), and a perfect example of my #1 rule.
Jewelry is mine; David Yurman is real, Konstantino is a killer knockoff that, when combined with the Yurman, sure looks real. I have similar and pretty decent navy patent accessories, but boy, am I jonesing for these spectacular LK Bennett classics!
Back in the day when I was a rag trader myself (in the expensive ready-to-wear price point), I told my clients this was my #1 rule of wardrobing: Invest in a couple of super-great basic jackets and skirts (this one doesn't quite hit that mark, but it's very cute and on trend) -- and spend most of your wardrobe money on great accessories. If you wear really well-made shoes, carry a good bag, and wear simple fine-quality jewelry, you can add a $10 Hanes Beefy Tee (ironed, mind you) and what people will see -- and remember -- is that you were elegantly and expensively dressed. Great accessories elevate everything!
So here we have a new skirt, the adorable Feather Paisley No. 2 Pencil Skirt (now sold out but popping back), my ancient and favorite and nearly worn-out Vintage Bateau Top (it has even developed the patented J. Crew Tee Shirt Hole, fortunately below waistband-level if I tuck it in), and a perfect example of my #1 rule.
Jewelry is mine; David Yurman is real, Konstantino is a killer knockoff that, when combined with the Yurman, sure looks real. I have similar and pretty decent navy patent accessories, but boy, am I jonesing for these spectacular LK Bennett classics!
Classic White Cheers a Rainy Saturday
J.Crew fitted shirt / J.Crew straight leg jeans / J.Crew patent shoes / Coach crossbody handbag / Madewell twist jewelry / Madewell scarve
Dreary day yesterday! There's nothing like a classic white shirt, I think, to lift your mood. Shirt left untucked, scarf hung long and lean, sort of artfully tangled around necklace. Super comfy, super cheerful. :-)
Dreary day yesterday! There's nothing like a classic white shirt, I think, to lift your mood. Shirt left untucked, scarf hung long and lean, sort of artfully tangled around necklace. Super comfy, super cheerful. :-)
Friday, August 3, 2012
Inspired (Again) By Slastena!
J.Crew color block sweater / J.Crew flat shoes / Cole Haan cross body shoulder bag / Studded jewelry