I just can't get into the holiday spirit. No matter how hard I try, year after year, it doesn't happen for me here in LA. The weather will not allow it! Don't get me wrong, it was an absolutely delightful day last Sunday when we took these photos. It just isn't holiday weather though. I'll do my best, but I don't think it'll really hit me until we arrive in the frozen midwest in a couple weeks. The one saving grace is that it cooled down enough to wear tights...at least I have that!
How I'd Wear It: Slouchy 80s Sweater
This one was a bit of a stretch for me at first. I don't really wear big slouchy off the shoulder things and I definitely don't usually wear peach. Honestly, I think this made me change my mind about both! I don't know why I thought I couldn't wear peach. I guess it had something to do with my skin tone or my hair, but seeing these pictures made me realize I was wrong. It's actually a pretty good color. And of course I'm always happy to have another color to wear that looks great with teal.
Anyway, I guess the point of all this is that you shouldn't be afraid of big slouchy 80s sweaters, even if they're in colors you thought you couldn't wear! (Plus this one has fun little pom pom things on the front.)
Vintage Sweater: Fiery Finish Vintage / Shorts & Earrings: Buffalo Exchange / Tights: We Love Colors / Shoes: Payless
Altered State: Mint Floral Dress with Lace Collar
I saw this dress at Goodwill and was instantly drawn to it. I think it was the color. It definitely wasn't the awkward length or weird sleeves. I mean, it kind of looked like Little House on the Prairie meets grandma's favorite summer dress. On top of that, when I tried it on, something about the collar combined with everything else made me feel like I was wearing Ron Weasley's dress robes. Well, maybe it wasn't that extreme, but it definitely didn't feel right! The guy at the register even rang it up as a nightgown. I mean, I'm not complaining. Nightgowns are cheaper than dresses at Goodwill, but it really drove the whole "something about this dress needs to change" idea home for me.
My first thought was to make it shorter, but then I remembered that I'm trying not to immediately make everything I find into a mini. Sometimes it's nice to have a few longer dresses. Then I realized that it was really the sleeves that were throwing off this dress's mojo. They were just baggy and weird, so I chopped them off and hemmed them under. Add some accessories and there you go! No more Laura Ingalls-Ron Weasley-Grandma.
What would you have done to change this dress? Sleeves, length...something else all together? I'd love to hear your ideas in the comments!
How I'd Wear It: 90s Roper Western Shirt
I grew up riding horses, but this vintage Roper western shirt isn't the sort of thing I would normally choose to wear. It just isn't my style...at least at first glance. One thing I've learned over the past few years is that I can find a way to style just about anything to make it feel like something I would wear. I just have to get creative! A leather skirt and combat boots instantly toughen this blouse up, and the pop of yellow from the tights locks in my signature colorful look. Add my favorite hat and I'm ready to go! I successfully took this shirt from 'early 90s Garth Brooks concert' to 'Saturday night in LA'.
What do you think? What would you do to make this shirt fit your style? It's available in the shop if you want to style it for real!
70s Chevron Striped Sundress
Yes, it's still warm enough to wear sandals, but you're probably pretty sick of me complaining about the heat, so let's move on...
I wore this lovely, summery outfit to the Hammer Museum a few weeks ago, but I just didn't feel like taking photos that day. Is it just me, or do other bloggers sometimes recreate an outfit just for a photoshoot days (or even weeks) after you actually wore it? I mean, I wasn't even going anywhere the day I put this on for the photoshoot. I literally put it on, went outside to shoot it, and then promptly changed when I got back inside. I don't know why, but it feels like cheating for some reason!
All 'cheating' aside, this is one of my favorite vintage pieces. Who doesn't love a colorful 70s sundress? The black vest and sandals help to weigh things down a bit and make the whole look a bit more seasonally appropriate. It is October after all! Hopefully I'll be able to sport some actual fall outfits soon.
Vintage Dress: eBay / Vest: Goodwill / Hat: Atlantis Attic / Sunglasses: Rose Bowl Flea / Sandals: H&M / Bracelet: Target