Outfits Not Just Clothes

 There's nothing too fashion forward with this OOTW, nor is it pushing any major style boundaries. However it does feature two statement-making accessories with a simple base of a sweater and jeans...  coat-H&M(similar  here ), sweater- Quince , jeans- Levi's , sunnies-Ralph Lauren(more options  here ), earrings- Amazon , necklace-Benevolence LA(similar  here ), boots- DSW , tote--Stevie Nicks(similar  here ) Yes, I'm carrying a Stevie Nicks tote bag that I picked up at her concert back in September of 2023!!!! It's quite roomy, has an interior pocket, and a zip closure so not your standard tote by any means. The second statement piece of this look are these western boots! Even thought I grew up in a rural setting I haven't ever really explored a Cowboy boot, or much of a Western aesthetic. I'm branching out with these neutral toned boots and wearing them with a more preppy/minimalist outfit. Dipping a toe in, so to speak. We shall see as the season pro...

 I've been utilizing Rent the Runway for over a decade to attend various events or celebrate milestones. as seen in this post  from spring last year. Last month I rented a dress for a big work event that I was helping to facilitate. And even though this dress is subtle it definitely stood out.  coat--Nordstrom(similar here ), dress Derek Lam via Rent the Runway , sunnies-Versace(similar here ) , belt- Amazon , pin- Ceremonial , boots--Steve Madden via Nordstrom(similar  here ) This outfit was sourced from all kinds of retailers. From the high end designer, mid-brand department store, designer rentals, fast fashion online shopping, and a local boutique. There area a lot of pieces and while again nothing overwhelms or comes across as loud, the overall look has impact.  The dress was meant to come with a sash belt, but didn't in the size I ended up wearing, so I slapped on this wide bucket and layered with a long-sleeved top against the October chill. 

October is quite a stylish month if I do say so myself. Not only do we finally get the fall chill (at least here in the Mid-Atlantic region) that allows for layers, textures, prints, etc. It's also tinged (or fully dunked depending on your Spooky Season sensibilities) with macabre vibes that make for intriguing outfits. Here I've leaned into a witchy color palette of purples and blacks.  blazer-DVF(available here and here via Poshmark ), shirt- Wildfang , pants-Everyone & Everybody(other options here via ThredUp ), sunnies-Versace(more options here and here ), bag-Zac Posen, shoes-Nordstrom (more options here ) While the color combos feel witchy (usually associated with a feminine aesthetic) the pieces themselves (blazer, button-down, trousers, and oxfords) are more masculine, or to get off the binary, androgynous in tone to create an interesting contrast.

 I recently discovered a new outfitting technique called Sandwiching where you match a top to a bottom as "slices of bread" with a contrasting middle "meat" piece. I've interpreted it here as a call back to the old timey practice of a lady matching her handbag to her shoes with this dress as the "meat & cheese".  dress-Gap(similar here ), sunnies- DIFF Eyewear , boots- Vince Camuto via Nordstrom(similar here ), necklace -Panacea via Nordstrom bag- Melie Bianco The boots and bag combo give this semi-romantic dress a bit of an unexpected edge. That's the power of accessories, they can breath a new 'tude into a simple dress. The pearl jewelry also creates a subtle contrast. You can read more about the sandwich technique in my write-up here .