Outfits Not Just Clothes

tee-Style Mint(similar here via Poshmark ), shorts-Old Navy(more fun options here ), sunnies- DIFF Eyewear , watch-Wenger(similar here ), wedges- Eileen Fisher via Nordstrom This week #funshortsfriday is brought to you by lobsters! 🦞 I love a nautical themed short as seen here , and I also love dressing up like a WASP dude going to brunch seen here and here . So I leaned in and paired these shorts with a striped tee and a summer/waspy classic--wedged espadrilles.   I've had these novelty printed shorts for a LONG time as seen here  and just like in that outfit, for this #OOTD, I have an eclectic mix going. I think when it comes to patterns and prints, you can stick to styling them with other neutrals and basics, or go in a more dynamic direction and pair with bold colors and coordinated prints. However, it can't be all statement-makers, you DO need some grounding pieces, whether it's an accessory or a solid-colored third throw-on piece.  If I WERE going to a wasp...

blazer-J.Crew(similar here ), shirt-Old Navy(more patterned shirts here ), culottes-Uniqlo(similar from Mango here ), belt-Gap(more belts here ), boots-L.L. Bean(similar here )  Can you feel the autumnal-realness just oozing out of these shots? If not, too bad because this is my last official Fall Outfit for the season. It's December now, but I couldn't help but post this OOTD what with the fox-printed button-down, this tweedy houndstooth blazer, and wool culottes, plus the rugged boots! The blazer was last seen here  similarly styled, but leaned in more on the androgyny note with the vintage menswear vest. Both looks are not only fall-realness, but British-countryside-realness, with a nod to the very English tradition of fox hunting with the print of the shirt. Speaking of foxes, while I wasn't able to link to a similar pattern shirt from Old Navy, I did find this piece  from a newly discovered site Rock Flower Paper  ...

shirt/necklace-H&M(maternity version here and similar necklace here ), culottes-Mango(similar here ), flats- Dr. Scholls   You may recall this sequined pineapple top from a few summers ago in this post . Then I paired it with joggers and Vans. For this OOTD I've gone more sophisticated with culottes and leopard print flats. You may not think a novelty-print t-shirt would be very versatile, but since it's rendered in black (as opposed to white ) and the pineapples are fairly delicate in size this shirt feels more like a basic with a twist, rather than a graphic tee and lends itself to both casual and classy outfits. 

blazer-Uniqlo(more blazers here ), shirt-Banana Republic(more button-ups here ), shorts-Old Navy(more shorts here ), necklace-Gift(similar here ), watch-Michael Kors(similar here ),  belt-Gap, loafers-Sole Society(similar here ),  This OOTD features so many elements that speak to my personal outfitting strategy--stripes, a novelty print, mixing prints, rule of three, playfulness, and androgyny. But really it comes down to this outfitting question--What would a privileged white guy wear for a country club brunch? Looking at you knit blazer, anchor shorts, and kiltie loafers!