Knotted

As you know, I love me a striped shirt; I even recommended them in my wardrobe workhorses post.  And this vertically striped shirt is definitely one of my favorites.  So, I was pretty excited to find another way to wear it; knotted at the bottom:

It's pretty over-sized so I usually wear it tucked, but today I undid the last button and tied it up.  I like that it alters the shape of the shirt into something more interesting than a straight-across hem.  ?

In addition to the striped shirt (vintage, thrifted), I am also wearing another of my recommended wardrobe workhorses; dark pants.  In this case, a pair of black twill skinnies (Simply Vera Vera Wang via Kohl's (similar here)).  I added a neutral statement necklace (c/o Maurice's) but colorful shoes (Nine West via TJ Maxx).

And I don't mean to be smug, but I'm pretty sure this outfit totally justifies the inclusion of these items on my list. 

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Monocreamatic

Today was the Everybody, Everywear Monochromatic Challenge.  I decided to go with monochromatic cream (or monocreamatic, if you will):

Monocreamatic

The Necklace

The Shoes

For this look, I paired a pleated skirt (vintage, thrifted) with a silk tank (thrifted).  I added a suede belt, worn backwards (thrifted) and nude platform sandals (Banana Republic) worn the correct way.  I also added a bib necklace (c/o Maurice�s) and a few bangles (Nordstrom and thrifted). 

I know it�s not entirely monochromatic, given the belt and the shoes, but I don�t know that I have it in me to go head-to-toe cream.  Or any other color for that matter.  Maybe black; I�ll have to try that come this fall.

For more monochromatic looks that probably aren�t broken up by off-colored belts, visit Everybody, Everywear.

And Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

Gracey

Oh, I almost forgot � eShakti has provided a special promo code for Reader Friends of Fashion for Giants for 10% off through August 31!  Just use code FA26KEY at check out.

Silk is Totally Professional

I am basically wearing shorts and a tee shirt at work:

But, it�s okay, because the tee is silk and silk is totally professional.  I paired the super professional silk tee (one of the six or so I thrifted) with patterned shorts (Target) and added a polka dot belt (Nordstrom Rack), Seychelles mini-wedges and a bib necklace (c/o Maurice�s).

Why did I wear shorts and a tee to work?  Because it�s getting stupid hot here in Oregon.   Today is supposed to be 91 and it�s supposed to hit 100 this weekend.  I know that is nothing to those of you who�ve been dealing with rolling heat waves all summer, but it doesn�t usually get that hot here.

Luckily, I like the heat so I�ll be spending this afternoon and evening at another 80s concert.  And tomorrow, I will return to my beloved thrift stores to pillage and plunderdo some shopping.  I need to find a dress for a wedding next Friday.  I think it�s in a field?  Or a barn?  Or a barn in a field?  I�m not exactly sure where it is, but I�m pretty sure I need something new to attend.

Have a wonderful weekend, Dearest Reader Friends!

Gracey

Just a Small Town Girl

I�ve been slow getting on the �statement necklace� train because while I like the look on others, I wasn�t sure if I could pull it off.  So, when the lovely people at Maurice�s offered me the choice of an item to review, I figured it was as good an opportunity as any to try a statement necklace.  This statement necklace, in fact:

   

Although I�m not much for neutrals, I like this necklace because it is neutral.  It offers me a nice, subtle way to try this trend and I played to that by pairing the necklace with a terra cotta-colored dress (Target) and adding other neutral accessories.   I do think it will provide a nice pop in an all-black outfit as well.

When Maurice�s contacted me, I was pretty excited being as my mule�s name is Maurice and because we have one of their stores here in Salem.  That second fact makes Maurice�s feel local to me, even though they are a national chain with over 800 stores nationwide.   And I like that feeling.  I also like that they carry cute, on-trend clothes in up to size 26 and shoes up to size 11.

And I like that they provide �fast fashion� for my small town. Now, I know a lot has been written lately about fast fashion and how it rots your soul.  Luckily for my soul, I�m not much of a fan of fast fashion; it�s often too young for my tastes.  But, when I do want to try something out, fast fashion stores like Maurice�s come in handy.

But, if I do shop for these trends, I like to do it in person, because it completely defeats the purpose to buy something inexpensive and then have to pay shipping on it.  Unfortunately, because I do live in a fairly small town we don�t have access to a lot of fashion here, fast or otherwise.   We don�t have a Zara or an H&M or even a Gap (we had one; it went away).  But, we do have a Maurice�s and luckily for me, they carry easy, affordable, on-trend items like this necklace.  

I bet you have a Maurice�s too.  And if you don�t, you can shop them online where the shipping costs are manageable and the selection is large.

Happy Friday, All!

Gracey