Outfits Not Just Clothes

 The volume for this year's Halloween was turned up all the way! And now it seems we're ramping right up for Xmas. But there's still some fall to be had and while this look might not immediately bring you autumnal vibes, it does have a bit of a dark romance that fits with the darker days of daylight savings.  blazer-Ines de la Fressange X Uniqlo(similar here ), shirt-Anthropologie(similar here and here ), trousers-Banana Republic(similar here and here ), sunnies-Versace(similar here ), necklace/bracelet- Slide Jewelry   I first featured these pants in this post  styled similarly with a patterned blouse and tailored outerwear. Here, I feel this is a more romantic take, which how can it not be with this velvet blazer. Sadly, Uniqlo is no longer making collections with Ines de la Fressange. But wonderfully Banana Republic Factory is having a HUGE sale check out suiting here .  Also, I'm wearing another necklace and bracelet set from Slide Jewelry. If you would li...

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.

blazer-DVF(similarish here ), shirt- Uniqlo , leggings- Gap , scarf-Valentino(more scarves here ), loafers-Zara(similar here )  Sporting a high-low mix of designer pieces and fast fashion in this OOTD. As seen in a post last  week , I've taken one of my standard style uniforms (blazer, button-down, leggings) and given it a maternity twist. Or more specifically a maternity-leggings twist. I don't have many maternity pieces, just a few tops, and half-a-dozen bottoms and have been relying on knitwear, shift dresses, and oversized/loose shirts to see me through. The blazer and scarf really amp up the style factor, as does the mix of purple tones, which play into the Pantone Color of the Year-- Ultra Violet . Not that I pay too much attention to color-trends, but when I already have pieces that fit into the current color story, why not take advantage, right? 

blazer-Gap(similar here ), shirt/ pants - Uniqlo (similar tee here ), necklace-J.Crew Factory(similar here ), flats-Dr. Scholls(similar here ) I've had a complicated relationship with the color purple(not talking about the book, or movie, both of which just wreck me). In my younger and more vulnerable years, purple was my go-to hue. It was feminine, and darkly romantic/emotional, but not has heavy as black. It brought out my eye color, and complimented my skin tone. I even had a shade of eggplant as one of my wedding colors, however, as I grew older purple felt somewhat juvenile, not as sophisticated. Nowadays I keep my purples to my eye-shadow palette, but for the rare cases when this lavender blazer makes an appearance. This is the PRIME time of year to wear all shades of purple--lavender, lilac, aubergine--dark or pastel, purple is (in my opinion) the essence of spring hues. Sure, there's green and yellow, but come on, how boring.  For this o...