A Change Will Do You Good

This post has been a long time coming. I've thought about going back to pants for well over a year, but decided to use my shopping ban as time for reflection, and make the choice with proper thought. I have to admit, I am slightly nervous about posting these pictures: a small community  has grown on this little blog of women who struggle with modest dressing, many of whom have told me how much they appreciate my dedication to both tradition and style. That said, if you're a regular reader, you've most likely noticed my ambivalent feelings about "modesty"-- I struggle with a desire, on the one hand, to follow Jewish law, but a sense of feeling particularly bound by the ways in which womens' bodies are presented --or rather, covered-- by that body of law. Does my clothing remind me of my obligations to God and my fellow man? Or does it serve to silence radical thought and engender uniformity? I value both tradition and free expression, and find that they come into conflict often.

On a practical note: I felt incredibly free wearing this to work, to visit friends and out to dinner yesterday. The question of the permissibility of pants within the framework of halakha, or Jewish law, is an interesting one, but there are those who permit loose pants (like what you see below.) I won't get into the legal mumbo-jumbo (but if you're interested, see here, here, here, and for a taste of the discussion about Orthodox women who wear pants, here.) For now, I'll stick with boyfriend and harem-type shapes. I'm not really sure what the future holds: a return to skirts? Short shorts? (Kidding. I have no desire to go there.)

Well, here goes.

The list:

-white button down, Banana Republic

-boyfriend jeans, Zara

-leopard t-strap flats, Richard Taylor

-metallic braided belt, Gap

-patterned scarf, vintage

Ta-da! I have to say, never having worn pants as an adult, I'm rather looking forward to learning how (I stopped after spending a year in Jerusalem between high school and college.) And any shopping suggestions for finding baggy, haremy trousers? I'm thinking vintage may be the way to go for some nice roomy legs and a higher waist, which I love on skirts. 

Fancy Style File

Yesterday, hubs and I attended the wedding of a close friend, my roommate from my first year of college. it was an absolutely beautiful day full of dancing, singing and love. Mazel tov, Shari and Sam! I was so happy to be able to make this wedding, my first in a year.

The list:

--peach silk dress, Tahari

- off-white cardigan, Spring + Mercer

-nude unicorn heels, Jeffrey Campbell

-belt, came with dress

-peal necklace, bought at a Tel Aviv flea market

-gold flower drop earrings, gifted from grandma, originally were her mother's

Things that are hilarious: showing up to a wedding wearing the same exact dress as one of your best friends. If it had been someone I didn't know, I'd most likely have spent the day shooting daggers at the offender with my eyes. Instead, it was just really funny. As you can see, we styled the dress a bit differently-- I opted for more coverage with the cardigan, and added some pearl and gold accessories. We weren't the only ones who went for an orange and gold color scheme:

What can I say? Close friends coordinate well, apparently

My shoes on the left. I love how the ruffly-but-punky shoes helped to roughen up my outfit a bit.

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A Wandering Aramean

Do you ever hang onto items that you thought would be the perfect basics but disappointed you? This dress seemed to fit the basic bill: jersey, cute touches, navy, but for some reason or another, never really made it into the rotation. Yesterday I had the idea of sticking my favorite filmy summer button-down underneath, since my plain white undershirts looked pretty dull. And it was reborn. In fact, I think I may even wear the combo to dinner tonight (laundry was done today, no worries.)

The list:

-white button down, Old Navy

-blue dress, C+C

-gladiator sandals, Target

-beads necklace, H&M

-parrot fedora, Eugenia Kim for Target

Today marks the first yahrzeit, the Jewish calendar anniversary of my father's death. As of tonight, my shopping ban officially ends. I can hang out with large groups of friends, go to weddings and visit movie theaters. I am looking forward to the return to normal life, but slightly hesitant to re-enter the world. I'm still not sure how I feel about Jewish mourning rituals, or whether they've helped me heal, but I do know that this has been a year distinct from any by which it was preceded. 

Matching

Usually the kitchen is the location of last resort, after the natural light has faded and another day ended without being able to sneak away and snap a few photos. But when I wore this outfit, I inadvertently matched my surroundings rather perfectly, and decided to take photos before I left for work. What better than some brights on a rainy day?

The list:

-green dress, Old Navy

-blue cardigan, H&M

-navy flats, Steve Madden

-flowered belt, UO

-heart locket necklace, UO

-blue beret, Parkhurst

I love the loud color of this dress, but wear it less than infrequently. The reason? A quite annoying keyhole cutout at the neckline, which means I need to layer a tank underneath. Pretty much kills the convenience of the light jersey dress for million-degree days. 

Wait, a keyhole? Where? 

Enter my favorite dress trick: wearing low-cut or cutout dresses backwards. I don't know why I never thought of it with this dress before, but I am certain I will be getting more use out of it now that I can walk around without giving the whole world an eyeful. I think this trick is easily adapted to a number of wardrobe conundrums: when in doubt, turn it around. You may just fall in love.

Oh- by rainy, what I actually meant was torrential, Biblical-flood-like rain. See below for proof:

Graphic Girl

Thank you, weather, for bringing me high '60s and clouds. For the first time in months, I was able to design my outfit around more than trying not to sweat. Cheers! I thought it would be months until these tights came out to play, but I was comfortable-- even a bit chilly in the evening after dinner with my college roommate. My coworkers teased me a bit, but I actually prefer fall/winter dressing, when wearing more clothing is normal. 

The list:

-graphic girl tee, Zara

-creme cardigan, Lux

-brown pencil skirt, Banana Republic

-leopard tights, Hue

-metallic oxfords, Boutique 9

-skinny studded belt, ebay

-creme hat, Parkhurst

I'd like to welcome these metallic oxfords to my life. I think we will be good friends. Today was their first wear, and I think I've nearly broken them in. As opposed to the vast majority of my shoes, these have a nice sturdy sole, so perhaps they will alleviate them pain I often feel from too much walking in what are essentially glorified slippers.

What are your favorite new purchases?

Today's best practice comes from Ally of Modestly Fashioned:

One of my best practices is the motto "accessories can make the outfit". I am a huge fan of accessories and I believe that they can transform any outfit. A well placed belt, scarf, necklace, hat etc. can take an ordinary 'nice' outfit and give it that extra oomph to an extraordinary eye-catching ensemble. Don't be afraid to wear multiple accessories at the same time; just make sure that they are in the same color scheme. Take the plunge - tie that ordinary silk scarf as a tie or wrap it pirate-style around your head, wear two necklaces or two belts together, match colorful shoes with a colorful belt. Be confident and others will admire your bold accessories and the way you make them work!

Be sure to check out Chandra's reflections on her best practices.

Pattern Mixing

I'm pleased to share a post from one of my favorite bloggers, Kimberly of Fab Finds Under Fifty. Fab Finds was one of the first blogs I followed, and Kimberly's infectious pattern-mixing skills, amazing accessorizing and overall good charm drew me in. Since I consider her the pattern-mixing goddess, I've asked Kimberly to share her tips and tricks with us today:

Pattern Mixing has hit the fashion scene hot and heavy over the past few seasons with all sorts of variations of it being seen in runway collections and at your local discount store. I remember when I first dipped my toe into the pattern mixing waters it was a bit daunting. However, here are some easy tips and tricks to keep in mind that will keep you look sleek and sophisticated versus looking like a gal that got dressed in the dark!

First up, I grabbed two things that a lot of you probably already have in your closet - a patterned cardigan and something striped. Stripes are probably the #1 one easiest pattern to mix in with another. Here I took a cardigan that has a large, multi-color print and show it mixed into two outfits that have stripes.

Bold Print Pattern Mixing by dddgirl79 featuring Old Navy

On the left, I show the patterned cardigan over a striped tee with a pair of solid color trousers and belt. To up the ante just a bit I added in the natural pattern of snakeskin with the shoes.

On the right, I used the same cardigan over a solid tee, but finished off the look with a pair of pinstriped cropped pants, fun necklace and peep toe heels.

Next up, I used a maxi dress covered with a small floral print to show it mixed in with other patterns. It is a good rule of thumb to tie your patterns together by them having at least two of the same colors in both of the patterns.

Small Print Pattern Mixing by dddgirl79 featuring GAP dress



On the left, I kept the outfit very simple and easy by just adding a bold floral print scarf that has the same red and white in it as the dress. Finish off the look with some fun earrings and neutral wedges.

On the right, again I grabbed stripes to top off this floral print. Even though the cardigan doesn't have the red in it like the dress the overal neutral color palette keeps things from being "too crazy". A simple locket necklace, cream and brown belt and brown sandals complete the look.
Lastly, black and white patterns are a great way to go when you want to try something a bit bolder without going overboard.

Black/White Pattern Mixing by dddgirl79 on Polyvore.com 
A small pattern (like polka dots or a small symmetrical floral) is a great mix with large abstract prints. Here the same top could be used with all of these graphic print skirts. the belt can be added to divide up the patterns a bit. To finish off the look a bright bangle or shoes could be added.

To see some more ideas on how you can add some pattern mixing to your wardrobe, click here, or to see how I have implemented pattern mixing in my wardrobe and other ideas, click here.

Prim and Proper

Not sure what is happening here, other than hubs made me do it. This is the price I had to pay to have a person, rather than self-timer, photograph me. Its a good thing he's cute.

The list:

-floral tee, Bulldog (UO)

-polka-dotted skirt, Zoe D

-oxfords, C G

-metallic braided belt, Gap

-locket necklace, Ann Taylor

-parrot fedora, Eugenia Kim for Target

I love this '40s inspired skirt. One of the things I've noticed over the past near-year of documenting my daily style is how high-waisted skirts nearly always make me love an outfit, and this just may be my favorite of them all. On Thursday, I decided to play with the primness of the skirt, which hits well below my knee, by adding something natural-- my black oxford flats-- and something a bit less expected-- the patterned floral top. I was rather pleased with the outcome.

no, I wasn't wearing leggings. Forgive me my old detail shot.

As the end of August nears, I find myself wishing for tights and sweaters again. I am ready for summer  (and the unbearable heat it has wrought) to be through.

Today's best practice comes from Kelly  of Blackdog Finds:
I think I choose and wear colorful prints well.  I usually pick one piece- a skirt, a dress, or a scarf- and let it be the focal point.  I'm not a big accessorizer so I don't feel the need to add anything that might detract from the print.  I've got lots of solids and lots of prints in my closet that work really well together.  I avoided prints for a long time but when I finally just went for it all kinds of style discoveries were made.

It isn't too late to jump on the bandwagon and contribute your best practice. I'd love to know what you do well!

Links à la Mode

Edited by: Marie Denee of "The Curvy Fashionista by Marie Denee" The Curvy Fashionista.

Last week, Links à la Mode fashioned a roundup of the latest fashion perspectives and trends for the anticipation of another highly anticipated Fall. With the "September" editions landing on our doorsteps and Mercedes Benz Fashion Week right around the corner, we brace our pocketbooks for the damage it is about to endure. Whether the latest developments in plus size fashion, a Brazilian blowout, or style inspirations, this week's links act as a guide of both inspiration and aspirations to Fall fashion. Before we delve into snatching up the latest "it" items from our secret wish (lust) list, below are a few must reads from the intuitive fashion bloggers who share their insights of what to expect from fashion, head to toe.

Links à la Mode: August 19th

• All Tumble Down- Focusing on style "best practices"; what we do well instead of what we don't
• Amanda Lee- 6 Great Ways to Repurpose Your Clothing
• Beyond Fabric- Tips on size and fit for menswear
• Chic Steals- Street Style the New Determinate of Cool? The Evolution of the Girl Next Door as Style Icon
• Dramatis Personae- Style on the Run Guest Post: Fall Lust List
• Fashion Cents- wants to make sure you don't break any vows. Get 3 tips on what to wear to a wedding this season
• Fashion Pulse Daily- Dana Lorenz, designer of Fenton Fallon Jewelry, oversees a blogger DIY jewelry session in her Lower East Side Boutique
• Fete a Fete- Review of Givenchy's new Blooming Fall 2010 makeup collection
• Independent Fashion Bloggers: How Does the Coach Poppy Project Benefit Bloggers?
• Just B- B Deceived: Handbags in disguise
• Lovely and Lavish- Fall 2010 RTW: the Worst Accessories!
• Manda Bear- Sally Hansen Limited Edition Xtreme Wear Nail Polishes - Reviews, Swatches and a Giveaway
• Mrs. Bossa Does the Do- Autumn's a-comin', and brings with it our perennial love of heritage chic - dig out your sequins and tweed, ladies...
• RetroChick- 5 ways to update your wardrobe for next to nothing
• Return to Sender- A fabulous interview with fat acceptance advocate, and author of FAT!So?, Marilyn Wann and her view on "fashion."
• Shoe Day Dreams- Skin Secrets - maintenance is key over the long-haul.
• Style Eyes Fashion- Fashion bloggers and consumerism - how fashion bloggers are discouraging consumerism and encouraging sustainable style
• Style Wax Poetic- 10 to die for shoes All Under $100.
• The Curvy Fashionista- Plus size indie label, Jibri gives the Curvy.Confident.Chic Fashionistas a tease with her Fall 2010 collection
• The Coveted- Blown away by the Brazilian Blowout
• Watch this Place- Dark, but don't let it be dreary... how to wear Autumn's dark colors without looking drab.

DIY Dress

I felt pretty adventurous in this outfit, I'll admit. Throwing together patterns has become a favorite pastime, but even I balked slightly at this mishmash of stripes, flowers and strange diamond-like shapes. But I went with it, and it felt bright and summery all day.

The list:

-striped tank, H&M

-patterned skirt, Cynthia Steffe

-gladiator sandals, Target

-flowered skinny belt, UO

-knit mint hat, Grace Hats

-gem earrings, F21

I really love the mixed-pattern dresses that have cropped up everywhere from Anthropologie to Target, but each time I try one on I am disappointed by the short length. I can't be the only person out there in America looking for something that comes close to my knees! Here, I approximated the look with items I already own. Look out, world, the faux-dress has arrived. 

And yesterday, the hubs turned 25! Happy birthday, you.

Kristin from Bird on Your Shirt shared her best practices with me:
The thing that I’m sure to do every time I dress is to make sure that there’s something what I’ve got on that makes me smile.  True, having items that fit well and are comfortable might be smile-inducing, but I focus more on incorporating items into each outfit that have personality.  I have many items that have prints or patterns on them that are cute, remind me of favorite movies and TV shows, or have unexpected wit about them.  If I wear something that makes me think of happy times or an inside joke, then I’m going to smile more and feel comfortable in my own skin all day.  I’m also huge fan of accessories since they’re such fun to play with!  Put that hat on at a different angle, pin that brooch on the pocket of your jeans, tie three or four scarves together and then loop them around your neck … playtime is all about amusement and imagination, and what could be better to bring to each outfit than that? 


As did Kjrsten from {have a cute day}:
... I always feel the most comfortable in my own skin when I am paying homage to my femininity. I am a modern version of our great-grandmothers, who wore dresses daily. Of course I don't spend every waking moment in a dress or a skirt, but the days that I do, are always my best days. I am a woman, and a wife, and a mother, before I am anything else. I am good at being those feminine things, and wearing clothing that accentuates something that I care deeply about is a perfect fit for me and my lifestyle.

Polka Party

Last night we had a little impromtpu party to celebrate my cousin's engagement, and this is what I wore. Nothing like an outfit thrown together in 3 minutes after a full day's work.

The list:

-black poet blouse, Banana Republic

-polka-dotted skirt, Kenneth Cole

-gladiator sandals, Target

-studded belt, ebay

-chandelier earrings, gift from coworker

As you can see, these pictures were taken pretty late: 12:25, to be exact. After the shindig was done, we were both in the mood for food (though I'll be honest, I am always in that mood) and I cheated on my GERD diet and had pizza right before bed. Bad Nina.(And yes, I am a 24 year-old trapped in the esophagus of a 78 year-old male named Norman Greenberg.)

I love the combination of anything billowy + high waisted+ belt, so this was an easy go-to outfit. I did snazz it up a bit with the loopy belt, sparkly earrings and the first wig wear in the past 3 or so months. As much as I love how I look with bangs, I enjoy being able to take them off at the end of the night and not have to deal with maintenance or upkeep.

Today's best practice is courtesy of La Historiadora de Moda from Fashionable Academics:

The lovely Nina asked me to write a few words about my best style practices, so here they are.  First and foremost I tend to view the words “fashion” and “style” as verbs even more than I do nouns.  When I get dressed, I am crafting a look, a message.  What that message is depends a lot on context.  But I tend to self-fashion my looks according to whether or not I am asserting authority in the classroom, announcing my political and social beliefs, and/or feeling particularly confident or vulnerable.  In other words, think of the situation you are dressing for and how your personality will interact with others in that setting.  Can you express yourself nonverbally through your sartorial choices?

Secondly, don’t be afraid to experiment.  Trends come and go, and some of them are worth pursuing and others aren’t.  If you have a firmly developed sense of style, you will be able to tell the difference most of the time.  Those trendy items don’t need to cost you an arm and a leg.  Many can be recreated with items that you already have.  Other times, you can find trendy items on the cheap at local thrift stores.  Rules are made to be broken – and broken beautifully – as the style blogosphere constantly shoes.

Finally, wear things that make you feel comfortable.  I feel exposed if I show too much skin or cleavage in the classroom, so I don’t wear revealing things there.  I’m a runner, so I won’t risk getting blisters just to wear certain heels.  If you feel constrained and uncomfortable in pencil skirts or unable to walk in pointy-toed shoes, that will translate, in many cases, far more clearly than the aesthetic value attached to the look.

Best Practices

101 Hairstyles to Make You Look Your Best! 347 Pieces Every Woman Should Have in Her Wardrobe! 28 Swimsuits that Trim Ten Pounds! Look Like Her (By Buying This!)

Confession: I love fashion magazines. For my birthday, my coworkers gifted me subscriptions to Lucky and Vogue, and I read them voraciously as soon as they arrive on my doorstep. I fold over the pages of looks I can emulate, and I dream about the luxurious pieces I will never be able to afford. A few weeks ago, as I sat on my couch reading the latest issues, it suddenly dawned on me that nearly every article was encouraging me to change my look. Dress better, the pages urged, by purchasing the following items. 

I started thinking about what fashion and style magazines might be like if they were more similar to blogs. Along with the helpful critiques-- "I think that skirt would work better with a slightly fuller shirt" etc.-- my favorite thing about blogging has been the positive affirmation I've received from the community about what I do well. I've learned a great deal about myself, and the most amazing discovery has been that (despite my self-conciousness at saying this) I have best practices. Things that I do really well. Looks that I know will work just right. And so do my favorite bloggers. If Lucky modeled itself on the blogs I follow, it might have more than just a token article focused on what women with real budgets, real shapes and real lives do well with clothing. So Lucky, if you're curious, here is what I would write: an article with no product-placement or suggestions on improvement. Here are my best clothing practices.

Best Practice #1:Brights!

I am not afraid of color. Though I live in a city where black is an eternal favorite, I delight in cloaking myself in some of the brightest shades know to man. Bright, loud pieces bring a smile to my face, and on the best days, a smile to the faces of others.

Best Practice #2:I Refuse to Be Boxed In

I embrace looks from a wide range of genres, focusing on what makes me feel great rather than what fits into a predetermined "style." While my body looks best in '50s-inspired pencil skirts and cropped sweaters, I can just as easily be found wearing a breezy '70s maxi skirt or an '80s puffy-shouldered sweater. I love mixing trends with classics, and can find a place for just about any piece I love in my wardrobe.

Best Practice #3: I Like to Have Fun

When I look in the mirror in the morning before leaving to work, I am happiest when my outfit reflects the fun, whimsical side of my personality. Lately, this has been exhibited through pattern mixing, funky hats, and a plethora of accessories from vintage scarves to my eyeglass necklace. There is a fine balance between quirky and bizarre, and a good portion of my outfits sit smack on the center. That is one of my favorite things about my style.

Since blogging is all about community, I've asked a few of my favorite daily reads to consider their best practices and write a little something for this post. Here are a few of their answers:

Sara, Orchids in Buttonholes:

One of my best style practices is trying to see beyond closet categories, like "casual" or "dressy" or "weekend-wear" or "evening attire," which can limit an item's wearability. I enjoy wearing all of what I own and finding cohesion throughout my closet, especially between the things that would not be worn together if they were limited to those categories. When I create a new combination, it's as if those pieces are brand new again. Finding newness in older things - getting that new-item-joy without spending a dime - is very exciting to me.

Kara, Destined For Now:

The best thing that I do is to dress for myself. Sometimes I try trends just to experiment, but most of the time I don’t bother with something unless I truly like or am excited by the style. I have found that I am much happier with my outfits this way and I tend to dress in a way that is flattering for my body type. I love skirts and dresses and they work really well for my body; I have a larger bottom half and a smaller top half so belting a skirt at my natural waist or wearing a dress that flows over my hips looks best on me. When I like what I am wearing and I know it looks good on me then I feel good and confidence is half the battle when it comes to style.

JoAnn, Sidewalk Chalk:

It took me awhile, but I realized that wearing dresses often worked well for my silhouette, and I loved the simplicity of only wearing one item of clothing. With all the various styles and designs, dresses spark my creativity, and allow me to better express myself in my sartorial choices. So whether it's dresses, skinny jeans, tunics or whatever appeals best to you -- don't feel bad about wearing what you love all the time. Make it your uniform, and wear it proudly.

What are your best practices? You may not think about it often, but I promise you, you do something--or a few things-- really well. And I want to know what they are!

Stay tuned this week for more bloggers' thoughts  on what they love about their looks.