Outfits of the throwaway

I have mostly resolved to venture outside of my office walls and take some better lit (or at least non-fluorescent-lit) outfit photos. But I still have a cache of office outfits that document what I've worn to campus spanning the last few months of time. I didn't post them because most were repeats already blogged in semesters previous and the quality of photos was too poor. Still I wanted to put them together in a post for my own semester-to-semester archival purposes. 

Row one, left to right:
See by Chloé dress, MBMJ captoe pumps
Anthropologie dress and cardigan, Chloé flats
Marc by Marc Jacobs dress, J. Crew cardigan, Jimmy Choo flats

Row two, left to right:
Callixta dress, Missoni Target tights, Aquatalia boots
Marc by Marc Jacobs dress, Old Navy ls tee layered underneath, Chloé flats
J. Crew factory cardigan and cami, Anthro skirt and belt, Miu Miu flats

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An unrelated aside: I was so saddened by the death of Adrienne Rich this week. What an amazing, revolutionary mind! I still assign "Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence" when it suits the curriculum. I was feeling especially weepy and inspired after reading her obit in the Times which included an incredible quote she made upon turning down the National Medal of Arts:

"Art means nothing if it simply decorates the dinner table of the power which holds it hostage."

I keep thinking of it. So I want to share that food for thought and thank her for her legacy. May she rest in peace and may the rest of us do what we can to enable a more equitable and less hateful world.

Hodge Podge

top from buffalo exchange

skirt by Lauren Moffatt

twg cardigan

Wolford tights

Jimmy Choo Morse flats

I wore this to teach a few weeks ago now and it was yet another early morning influenced look. Although I am not crazy about the proportions but I really liked the combo of colors. I was experimenting so that I could winterize this Lauren Moffatt Skirt. Nothing gives me sartorial courage like sleep deprivation! But tucking this top into a high waisted skirt did my bosom no favors. Notice the boob triangle of fabric hanging out below the pleating. haha Lesson learned!

Anthro-less OOTD

When I look at my outfit posts over the last year, I see how heavily I came to rely on my Anthropologie pieces. Last November, I bought a bunch of dresses on sale right before my trip to Chicago. So that began the shift. Still, when I evaluate my cold weather wardrobe, I have more options from other stores/brands than I do from Anthropologie. Around this time last year, I came to really participate in the community Roxy created through her blog. There I learned all the tips and tricks for tracking down beloved pieces on sale. And I also came to probably grow influenced by the lovely outfits so many Anthropologie community bloggers published. The other factor was that my nearest Anthropologie store was not so near to me in the South Hills.

Now that there is a store in the city of Pittsburgh, I can stop in while I run errands, instead of making a specific destination voyage to the Galleria in Mt. Lebanon. I also find myself going less frequently to Saks Fifth Avenue. This might be because I still long for the caliber of discounts that decorated fall of 2008. It is hard to accept a mere 30% sale when 65% was a weekend norm in the local store, this time two Novembers ago.

When I evaluate my wardrobe for the upcoming seasons, I feel pretty satisfied. I don't have a lengthy fall wishlist at all. And when I look at outfit pictures, I am reminded about why. All of these specific pieces were purchases made during previous fall seasons. The ruffled Tibi coat was from last November. The Marc by Marc Jacobs paisley wool dress was from December 2009. The tights were from the Nordstrom half yearly sale. The Jimmy Choo flats were 70% off in fall 2008. My closet is stocked with things I still enjoy. And department store sales so far haven't enticed me. Since my material memories are so pronounced, I wonder if there will be any pieces I come to associate with fall 2010? Could it be that I will only remember those that I wore for wedding related activities? I guess that is possible. But only time will tell if sale goggles end up provoking me.

Forever 21 Find and Pittsburgh Tailor Tip

I bought this dress yesterday from Forever 21 while out and about with my mom and sister. We were shopping for an outfit for my mom to wear to the wedding and made a pit stop in Forever 21 where my sis wanted to hopefully find something for the shower. Although she didn't have any shower luck, she found some wedding shoes at Marshalls. I grabbed this cheap little number from F21 because I loved the touches of color (mustard yellow, steel gray, seafoam, and muted teal) and the simple shape.
Dress from Forever 21
Hanky Panky slip underneath
Jimmy Choo Morse flats in purple
Balenciaga City
Vintage necklace

I wore it today to visit my tailor Geno in Oakland. He's excellent and I am having a few frocks taken in or shortened. He altered Chris's wedding suit and countless other pieces of his and his mom's (who told me to go there). He's a consummate pro and very personable! I hope to have some of my dresses back before he leaves to visit his brother in Italy. We'll see. But if any of you Pittsburghers are in need of a great tailor, The New Oakland Tailor on Meyran is the tops.

Dog walks, dinner, and errands: OOTD

It was bright and warm today in the sun, but windy and brisk in the shade. I managed this confusing but springlike mix with comfortable layers. I purposely misbuttoned the jacket to give it some asymmetry.

Military button jacket from the juniors section at Burlington Coat Factory (similar here and here)
Boyfriend cardigan from Forever 21 layered underneath (similar here)
T-shirt from Old Navy  
Ann Taylor Loft Cords (similar here)
Chloe zipper flats (similar and reasonably priced here, here, and here) 
MBMJ Dinosaur tote bag (similar but fancy with cool Trompe L'oeil details here; similar but reasonable with cool Trompe L'oeil details here)

Wore this to dinner the other night. Now that I am seeing the photograph, I feel a lot less confident in the execution.

Black Marc by Marc Jacobs cardigan (similar here)
Old Navy long sleeve tshirt in purple underneath
Printed Target Ruffle Skirt (in purple here but it also comes in black, pink, and printed)
Jimmy Choo Morse flats in purple (here)
Vintage Coach satchel

And I realized after purchasing the tiered ruffle skirt from target that it is vaguely reminiscent of this cool DVF piece I didn't buy.

I guess they aren't that similar but I am sure my love for this skirt was what subconsciously influenced me to buy the Target one.