Textural Interest

One of the more difficult things for me is working different textures into an outfit.  As with most things, the textures that appeal most to me are not subtle.  I don�t just want texture, I want TEXTURE.  I want big, chunky sweaters and fur and the odd feather or seven.

Unfortunately, when you get into the bolder textures, they can add bulk to an outfit.  This can be problematic for everyone, but we larger women, especially, are told to stick to sleek knits for their slimming effect.  God forbid we look bigger than we are, or even our actual size; the oft preached goal is to appear smaller. 

Well, as I often do, I�ve thrown that rule aside.  This time in favor of some texture:

But, I�m not a complete fashion heathen, so I�ve tried to compromise.  My delightfully fuzzy vest (Design History) has a fairly slim cut and so adds texture without adding too much bulk.  The sheer blouse (Liberty Loves via Nordstrom Rack) under the vest and the slim cut of the skirt (vintage via Goodwill) also add texture without bulk.  I added a bit of leather with the boots (Born Crown �Sosie� via Nordstrom) and metal with the cuff (thrifted via Goodwill), all of which combine to create textural interest. 

 

At least that�s what I�m going with.

Happy Thursday, Everyone!  And Happy Valentine�s Day!

Gracey

Arbitrary Neon

Arbitrary Neon is going to be the name of the band I start after Neon Peach goes up in flames because the bass guitarist thinks she should be a solo artist.  It also describes my accessories today:

Although you can�t see it very well, I am wearing a neon necklace.  This neon necklace: 

Long Epoxy Link Necklace -image via Target.com

Why?  Because it made sense this morning and who am I to ignore morning inspiration.  (Also, Morning Inspiration is going to be the name of my 70s soft rock cover band).  In addition to the arbitrary neon necklace (Target), I also wore dark leopard skinnies (Old Navy Rock Star), a sheer, printed blouse (Liberty Love via Nordstrom Rack), an oversized blazer (gifted J. Crew; thanks Alex!) & boots (MIA �Roam� via Piperlime). 

Full disclosure, I love this outfit.  I love the weird color combination (tobacco, blue & fuchsia?), the pattern mixing (of course) and the arbitrary neon necklace.  It�s randomly cohesive, which is totally my thing.  As of right now.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Shop the Look:

Neon Target necklace

Similar blouse

Old Navy RockStar Skinnies

MIA �Roam� boots

I couldn't find a similar blazer, but I'd suggest thrifting something; thrift stores are full of oversized blazers.

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Black and White and Blush All Over

Oh, and a little bit of oxblood:

 

I have had this thrifted sweater forever, but I never wore it because the length was weird.  It wasn�t duster-length; it was 80s-oversized-cardigan-length.  And that makes sense, because this is an oversized cardigan from the 80s.  Seriously oversized; this bad boy is a medium. 

In spite of the awkward length, I loved how graphic this sweater is, so I held onto it for years.  And then, finally, this fall I had the brilliant idea to shorten it.  I cut about 8 inches off and ran a zigzag stitch across the bottom to (hopefully) keep it from unraveling. It took another couple of months to get cold enough to wear this and for me to decide what to wear it with.  But, today, the stars have aligned and I'm finally wearing the sweater I've named "The Big Lebowski":

For the inaugural wearing, I paired The Big Lebowski* (vintage I.  B. Diffusion for Neiman Marcus via Goodwill) with an oxblood turtleneck (Gap) and a blush chiffon skirt (Pleione via Nordstrom Rack).  I added black tights (Spanx via Nordstrom), black ankle boots (Nine West �Darsy�) and a black cashmere scarf (Nordstrom).

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

P.S. I know The Big Lebowski is from the 90s, not the 80s, but that's the name the sweater whispered to me.

P. P.S. Here is an awesome I.B. Diffusion promotional video from the 80s:

A Faux-Mono & A Sartorial Superhero

I love turtlenecks.  They are one of my favorite layering pieces because they can be layered under almost anything, including bird-print faux-mono (faux kimono) blouses:

In fact, this faux-mono blouse was on the chopping block until I realized I could wear it (like most things) over a turtleneck.  And it�s a good thing, too.  This top is otherwise just so sheer and flow-y, I had no idea what to do with it.  But, today, I layered the top (Nordstrom) over a black turtleneck (Gap) and tied the flow-y bits behind me:

I also added a pleated skirt (vintage via Goodwill), black tights (SPANX Tight End Tights via Nordstrom) and black, wedge booties (Corso Como �Lexy� via Nordstrom).  And, et voila, another blouse saved from disuse, thanks to the intervention of a turtleneck.

Turtlenecks.  They�re totally the superheroes of the sartorial world.

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

 

Shop The Look

Similar skirt

SPANX Tight End tights

Corso Como "Lexy" booties

Similar blouse

Gap turtleneck

 

** Disclosure: Actions taken from the hyperlinks in this blog post may yield commission/compensation for the writer. Please see the Disclosure tab for more details.

Oh, Hey There, Boobs

I like this dress, in theory, but I�m not sure it works in reality:

(Similar mixed print dress, Spanx sheer polka dot tights, similar Naughty Monkey boots)

In theory, it�s made of comfortable matte jersey, has great color, a fun pattern and a flattering cut.  In reality, I�m afraid it�s a little �Oh, hey there, Boobs� for my tastes.  I don�t think it�s obscene, but I fear it might be questionable:

Which is too bad, because I otherwise like this outfit.  The dress (Suzy Chin for Maggy Boutique via Ideeli) really is comfortable.  And I love the polka dot tights (Spanx Sheers via Nordstrom) and slouchy boots (Naughty Monkey via Nordstrom) with it.  I just worry about that swath of red fabric across the chest, especially coupled with the lower neckline.

But, oh, well.  Done is done.  And no one has actually said �Oh, hey there, Boobs� to me, so I�m going to say it�s fine.  At least for now.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

** Disclosure: Actions taken from the hyperlinks in this blog post may yield commission/compensation for the writer. Please see the Disclosure tab for more details.