Spinning Lace for Day: Trial and Error

Tracy Reese dress

Anthro cardigan

Forever 21 belt

Miu Miu flats

I was so in love with the intricate beauty of the Spinning Lace dress when I first tried it on last October. And I managed to get a really good deal on it during the additional % off sale. But without the ability to wear it to weddings,* and with a lifestyle that only involves occasional evenings at the symphony, I am struggling to bring down this garment's cost per wear.

Styling it for night isn't an issue. But the only real way to bring down cost per wear is to make this work-able for daytime. Pairing with flats was the first step, since they help me feel more casual in general. I figured I would also try it with the Cartography Cardigan since that seems to be my go-to, match-everything garment for pairing with Anthro dresses for daytime. I think it would have worked better if the cardi was a bit more cropped. The point where this cardigan hits the skirt makes the lower half look even more voluminous and me look even wider. Not sure I am crazy about that combo. Finally, I swapped the grosgrain sash for a casual belt. I should try it belt-less and see if that helps.

What do you think? And I haven't really seen this one worked for daytime in the blogosphere. If anyone can comment with links to sites that have styled this dress for day, please share! I would love some inspiration.

*Although I would have been fine seeing a sea of ivory among the guests for my own nuptials, I realize that a lot of people (not just the couple of honor) feel weird about this issue. So unless an invite encourages everyone to wear white, I personally avoid it at weddings.

On the Discourse of "Flattering"

This 3.1 Phillip Lim dress was an ebay bargain and also a gamble. I had no idea what size I'd be in this style since I'd never tried it on before. In my experience, 3.1 usually runs very big but one or two dresses I've tried have been very narrow in the hips.
3.1 Phillip Lim bib dress (similar here, here, and here)
Balenciaga flap bag (similar here, here, and here)
Chie Mihara green pumps (similar here, here, here (with closed toe), and here)
Bracelet gift from my mom (I think from Macys)

This dress was not cut narrowly in the hips (this is a 10 but I could have taken an 8). The square cut sleeves and bib style are examples of things I like enough to ignore how "unflattering" they are on me.

It's interesting how the word "flattering" at least when applied to clothing, almost always presumes the word "figure" in front of it. Flattering so often refers to something that makes a woman (at least in my size range) look thinner or smaller or something else deemed conventionally valuable.  I've been thinking about this a lot lately thanks to some of the discussion on a messageboard I frequent (BCO). On a discussion about fashion and feminism a poster named Maitland brought up the curious and often limiting/normative language of "flattering" and I thought it was so astute and something I hadn't previously thought much about.

Although I fall into that language trap often when I think about clothing and style, I don't subscribe to wearing clothing that always tries to "flatter" my figure in the "make it look thin" sense.  I am not lithe and since middle school my body has been hour-glassy and on the "ample" or curvy side of average, so I wear things that I find aesthetically and stylistically pleasing, even if that means wearing what Stacy London or Clinton Kelly would deem "unflattering" to my figure.

What about you? Do you always go for clothing that hits the narrowest part of your body or hugs in places that make you look smaller?

Forwards and Backwards: Fragrant Valley Dress by Corey Lynn Calter

Other than the print, the thing I loved most about the Fragrant Valley dress from Anthropologie was its back detail. Specifically, the dramatic deep v and the fabric ties. But from where I stood, this also created a minor limitation.

I tend to only buy something if it has the potential to be seasonless. And I immediately worried that the deep v back neckline and the ties would appear bulky after layering a cardigan or jacket over top. That gave me the idea to try wearing it backwards. And it sort of works, but maybe you can give me some feedback.

The great thing about the ties is that they give the backwards worn dress a sailor look.  Here it is with a cardigan:

It is clear in my size 10 that the dress was cut to accommodate a bustline. This is a good thing because I need that accommodation. But, when I move it to the back, the darted bust has nothing filling it (and so the fabric ripples a bit). Does it look too silly or obvious?

Even if it does, I don't think it is a big deal since I will mostly wear it backwards when I want to layer over top. I also will not likely wear these particular patterned tights with it. But they were part of my OOTD so I left them on for ease of going back out in a bit.

Figuring out how to wear a slightly too long dress

I really like my new By Malene Birger Liane dress that I posted about a few weeks back but I haven't yet figured out how to wear it. It is slightly too long and I am loath to hem it because I fear it would be too complicated a fix.

The fabric seems so delicate. And the interior hem in reinforced and lined with a different fabric. It would be labor intensive to replicate how it is done currently.

I need to decide if I should just deal with the length (and the stumpiness it produces on my 5'3 silhouette) or if I can find a creative, and sartorially acceptable solution.

I started playing dress up with it today and the results are mixed.

My first thought was: add a cardigan. For example, when I added a cardigan to my outfit of the day, it made a slightly tented dress shorter by making it hug the body tighter.

Despite the blurriness of the photo, it gathered the empire waistline in to hug my entire mid section.

There is SO MUCH fabric in the pleated skirt of this dress, that I thought perhaps it would be less overwhelming to gather it.

That gave it the effect of a bubble hem. But I definitely like it more from the front than the side.

I wanted to try a pencil shape and had enough fabric to tie the two sides together in the back.

Again the front view is a lot more palatable than the back. The back looks like a big puffy mess. I guess the best way of wearing it will be with the cardigan and a pair of higher heels so the length is less noticeable. What do you think? Are there any other options I could try?

Giving Fall the Slip

I wrote a while back about the emerging exposed slip trend and for fall it appears to continue to be relevant. I've seen exposed slips all over! This Dior number is especially lovely.

Thanks to Cc exfrench from BCO's fashion auxilliary for posting the pictures! I especially love the photo on the left because you can see the slip's side slits. It oozes feminine vintage sensibilities and wouldn't be at all difficult to recreate with much less expensive pieces. Just a simple shift paired with any old lace-trimmed slip, layered underneath would offer a similar aesthetic. I love when a trend is democratic and accessible for the simple reason of wearability. Wearable trends that won't break the bank are easier on the closet than flights of fashion fancy (such as harem pants, drop crotch, or other less wearable, short lived silhouettes that ultimately translate in real life as costume, at best and fashion victim, at worst).

I've been wearing a lot of outfits with my growing collection of pretty slips layered underneath.

This salmon pink slip from Anthropologie's sale rack has a pleated ruffle hem, adding femininity to the most simply of old navy cotton dresses. Slips are also practical for reasons of adding length when you might feel too bare.

A steel gray, straight-hemmed slip by Hanky Panky adds a touch more length to my silver lamé Marc by Marc Jacobs Kaleigh dress. I wore it to dinner but found the dress alone to be slightly too short to wear sans hosiery.

What will you pair with your slips and petticoats this fall?

Monogamous Dressing

Although I have all these great new items from bday gifts and recent sales, I've spent the last few days wearing the same Marc by Marc Jacobs Claudette dress, modifying the details of the outfit with hosiery, footwear, jewelry, and bag pairings. Repeating pieces in quick succession is something I do with regularity. It isn't that I get lazy or fall into a clothing rut. It isn't for lack of fantastic options. Instead it is for the love of a new or rediscovered garment. I become fiercely loyal. I become a monogamous dresser.

You can see that the outfit I've worn the last three days is essentially the same. And if I realized in advance that I was going to blog this subject so soon after repeating this dress, I would have probably put forth more effort into mixing new colors and shapes in the cardigan, in the hosiery, even in the shoes. But even with the minor changes, the outfit felt fresh enough to pull off reruns.

Are you a monogamous dresser? What are your criteria for pulling off repeats in quick succession?

When I know I'll be encountering a range of different audiences, I behave as a secret dirtbag. I really enjoy repeating outfits, and do so often, but I try to do so strategically, based on what I know about my own social routines. This way I ensure that my clothes and accessories get the mileage that make them worth having, while maintaining the illusion of not being a dirt bag who wears the same dress for a week. Sure, there are the occasional situations where social spheres inadvertently overlap, and people see you wearing the same thing two days in a row, but usually it isn't a problem, even in a small city like Pittsburgh.

Tips for Monogamous Dressing:
*Wear a slip and/or an undershirt underneath the piece you are going to repeat (saves you some laundering time and $).
*Mix new layers over and/or under the garment to add dimension, while changing the overall silhouette of your outfit.
*Don't just switch up pieces for pairings. Switch up color palettes.
*Rotate the shoes, bags, jewelry, and other accessories you pair with the outfit to prevent boredom (for yourself and those who see you regularly).
*Plan to do this strategically. Know your contextual audiences well enough to make predictions about who will see you in various settings.
*Air out your garment in between quick, subsequent repeats when you don't have time or the desire to dry clean or launder. Don't tuck the repeat clothing into your closet. Hang them in the open and go easy on perfumes/fragrances.
*Avoid this dressing tactic if you will be in smoky situations or places with strong food smells for extended periods of time.
*Lastly, be ready to defend the fact that you DO repeat and that "this old dress" is indeed one your forgetful loved one has seen before. I swear, not a repeat day passes without Chris remarking about my "new" clothes.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Serena Shauntung top: Pitt Pride OOTD

Ok, I realize this is a little stupid looking. I don't care. I have to teach a class today and don't feel like I can wear an Oakland ZOO tshirt and be taken somewhat seriously by my undergraduates.

Though this might not be any better.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Serena Top with Lauren Moffatt skirt

I hope my outfit AT LEAST ends up being lucky! GO PITT!

Recent Outfits: Dressing For SPORTS

It can be a challenge to stylishly represent one's fandom for their favorite sports team. Every year I encounter this issue during Steeler season and more recently, I've encountered it as my love for Pitt Basketball has grown. As a lifelong Pittsburgher, I am generally at home dressing like a yinzer on Steeler game days. But style self-consciousness takes over when I am faced with the decision to sport Pitt gear in public, (non-grocery store or dog walk) contexts. But as a doctoral student at the University of Pittsburgh, with a Pitt alumni family legacy I feel compelled to show pride for my school.

Honoring our status as a number 1 seed in men's bball and a number 4 seed in women's, I found a way to still feel like myself. I've maneuvered around this dilemma by turning to my well stocked closet for items that are in the color families of blue and gold. These are what I've come up with, so far:

Marc by Marc Jacobs Dresses (Alessandra Pussy Bow, Pleated Ruffle, and Kaleigh, respectively)
Marc by Marc Jacobs Bags (Owl convertible clutch and Quinn)
Chie Mihara tstraps and Very Volatile pumps
Wolford tights

Although these outfits happen to be fall appropriate, they allow me to support my team while looking like myself at work. Besides, I tend to dress for cold even when the weather is in transition.

To that end, I bought this navy Marc by Marc Jacobs Serena Shauntung ruffle bib top that should arrive tomorrow, in time for the games this week!

Now I just need something gold to pair with it!

Fussy Details: Consumed by Superfluous Bows

A while ago, when I first made my style diary I was faced with a question about "Style Type." it was so vague and yet so broad that the only thing I could think to include was my love for fussy details. In a way, a superfluous bow is the quintessential fussy detail. And you will find them all over the items I covet, some of which end up in my wardrobe.

When this purple Marc by Marc Jacobs bow watch popped up in the Ruelala sale a few weeks ago, I jumped at the chance to use my account credit to fund it.

When I was faced with the opportunity to buy the Alessandra Pussy Bow dress in an additional colorway, the unique superfluous bow proved to be decisive in my justification.

Here are some items with bows that have consumed me even though they are many seasons old!
Erotokritos and Mayle dresses:

And in my opinion, the PERFECT bow pump for a special occasion:
Christian Louboutin Very Noued

One of my favorite qualities about bows are their timelessness. I remember one of my first adult encounters with the most superfluous, fussy, unnecessary bow, adorning a vintage tie-neck blouse. It was a dollar and it was made of the thickest, most oppressive polyester fabric I've ever encountered but I wore it to death in the dead of that summer because it had short sleeves and a bow. I got a thousand compliments on it and would probably wear it today if I didn't become so fussy about fabrics. I am sure if I could write a book length entry on my fashion love affair with the bows I've worn, but I will spare you.

All of this is to say that bows are fancy without pretense. They are whimsical without automatically being infantalistic. Although some of the bow dresses I posted are girlish, bows adorn with sophistication just as often as they adorn with twee. If you haven't already, why not give bows a chance?

I am equally enamored of ruffles, which are essentially the bow's messier cousin. In an upcoming post I will examine the ways in which ruffles have consumed me. My friend over at Style Tribe already talked about these important subjects. Check it out!

Shopping My Closet and Saving My Budget

Since it is a new year, I heartily enjoyed the epic sales of Fall 2008, I have taken it easy since mid-December when I wrapped up my xmas gift shopping. I've only bought 2 plane tickets to NYC (for a mid-February conference my fiancé, Chris is attending), food, and materials for my bathroom which Chris is remodeling himself.

He's further along than this now but it was already taking shape here.

I'm not feeling especially consumed by anything specific, online or in stores. My estalking habits have decreased for the moment. And my desire in general to shop is low.

This usually happens after the holidays, but the feeling is significantly more pronounced this year. After all, the overindulgences typical of the holiday season must be tempered by a staid January. My typical post-holiday consumption dry spell was reinforced by the news coverage of the recession, layoffs, etc., and my enormous winter weather gas bill. After tallying the costs of the renovations I was offered more than sufficient reasons to shop my closet and be thankful.

Some recent outfits comprised mostly of 2008 finds.

That said, I am anticipating anxiously the launch of Net-a-Porter's outlet site, called Outnet. I don't know when it will occur but I am interested in seeing if a few items from their notoriously lame sales end up dropping further in the outlet context. In the meanwhile, I'll continue to shop my closet.

Outfits of the last two days

In an effort to better implement this whole "separates" business, I am posting some outfits of the last two days. Because I am currently remodeling my bathroom, you see quite a mess around me. I promise this is not usually the case.

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