BYOB (Bring Your Own Beret)

To fit in with the French, you must wear a beret. I’ve only been to France once, and it was summer so this assumption is based on what Mary Kate and Ashley wore in Passport to Paris. I recently invited myself along on a trip to Paris, and my only plans are to eat baguettes, laugh, and wear this hat with every outfit.

I’ve spent weeks daydreaming about what Madeleine and Miss Clavel would wear to wander the Musee d’Orsay and packed my bag accordingly. Close minded, sure, but it made it much easier to focus. And to leave my pleather pants behind.

Special thanks to my friend Elle for the pics!

Beret, old but similar here; Linen blazer, vintage; Ripped (almost disintegrated, actually) jeans, old but similar here; Suede boots, Kenneth Cole; Leather bag, Falorni

Multi-climate Outerwear

First things first, how wonderful and practical are all of these coats? Rather than hiding an outfit underneath layers of microfleece and windproof nylon, these stylish coats are part of the outfit itself. In fact, they are the highlight of these outfits (although the sequin shorts in #3 are giving its furry counterpart a run for its money). In my mind, these are all examples of winter coats done right – and I know it’s not easy.

My flight to Chicago is in 3 hours and I still can’t commit to one coat. The worst thing about packing for a looooong trip is planning for multiple climates. You can’t bring a down puffer for obvious reasons (not only for the fashion faux pas but also because it takes up 75% of your suitcase space). There’s nothing worse than being stuck for hours in an airport dragging around a floor length down jacket. On the other hand, while I’d like to bring just my fur vest, it’s not going to cut it in 22 degrees. My solution: A 3-in-1 jacket of my own creation – my favorite long wool blazer, topped with my overloved (and kind of tattered, to be honest) fur vest, topped with an oversize military parka. About to take this on a three week spin, I’ll let you know how it goes.

Photos via Fashionologie, WWD

Aztec Sweatercoat

Meet Malika – I stopped her on the street because of that amazing sweater and loved that she kept it the focus of her outfit, tossed on over a simple blouse, leggings, and boots. She made her necklace and earrings by hand, and I wanted to buy them off of her. Luckily for me, she designs and sells them on the side and I’ll be the first customer of her not-yet-launched Web site.

Anyway, back to her outfit and how to copy it – I’m sure you have leggings, boots, and a simple button down, so we’ll focus on that amazing sweater. After some intense Googling, I found the perfect replica! I’d wear this exactly how Malika did, or with jeans, a graphic tee, and bright red heels, or with my pajamas.

Aztec sweater, $55 at Chicwish

How to wear a leopard pencil skirt

I just recently learned that pencil skirts are named for the straight shape and not because of the contraption you may use while wearing one to work. Anyway, I’ve been trying to get more miles out of my work wardrobe and love the idea of wearing those boring old pencils in new ways and to new places beyond the cubicle. I love the leopard skirt paired with a slouchy gray sweater and lace-up ankle boots – and that I have all of these in my closet, but never thought to pair them all together. Thank you Mikkat Market for the above inspiring image. I wanted to wear this outfit tonight but bare legs below 70 scare me and black tights would ruin it!

 

Instead, I’ll save it for spring – in the meantime, brainstormed a few new ways to wear a leopard pencil skirt and thought I’d illustrate these thoughts for your viewing pleasure:



Black chiffon shirt, $75, Romwe; Leopard skirt, $19, Target; Ankle boots, $273, Madison Harding; Document case, $99, Allsaints; Black tights, $16, Monki

Tee, $23, Chicnova; Leopard skirt, $775, Marissa Collections; Ankle strap flats, $308, Chloe; Leather tote, $123, Asos

Leopard pencil skirt, $32, River Island; Ankle strap heel, $120, Matiko; Gray sweater, $10, Sammydress

Liquid Leggings, a Do

After much careful consideration about which type of liquid leggings to purchase (really, there is so much to think about: How much shine is too much? Are they stretchy enough? Will they make me look like Ke$ha?) I settled on these semi-shiny liqui-legs that I found on eBay for $5. They just recently arrived on my doorstep after much anticipation on my part and a long journey from China on theirs. These pictures don’t really do the shine any justice so you’ll just have to trust me that they look like a wet Speedo (as all liquid leggings should).

Shiny, tight pants are risky: During my sophomore year of college, I impulse-bought a pair of shiny black waxed jeans two sizes too small (um, they were on super sale) that not only squeezed my buns up to my torso but also illuminated the damage. I don’t think it was that bad, but my friends have yet to let me forget it.

Given my previous misjudgements about reflective fabrics, I never thought I’d go for this trend but recently changed my mind after seeing them paired with simple separates instead of the Lady Gaga-esque outfits that I previously associated with second-skin clothing.

You still may think liqui-leggings are a don’t, but I think they work well with neutrals – they add some personality to a stretched-out old gray tee, khaki fisherman’s vest, and basic black heels. And a plus: They are fleece lined and extra warm! All in all, I’d say it’s the best $5 I’ve spent this fall.

Liquid leggings, $5, eBay; Rosette heels, $40, Ann Marino; Khaki utility vest, old-school Banana Republic (but similar here); Cashmere wrap, Nordstrom (old but similar here); Donald J. Pliner messenger bag (old, but similar here).

Pictures by my cool blogger friend Elle Peters (who I illustrated and ripped off below).

Critters N’ Sequins

OK, told you I’d share Elle’s outfit – I am obsessed with it! Love how she dressed down a sequin skirt with a quirky cotton sweater covered in baby animals (which she picked up at Old Navy) and of course her Eskimo clogs. Critter sweaters are all over the place, and look great paired with surprising fabrics and textures (sequins, suede, leather, fur). Below are a few ideas to shop Elle’s look since EVERYTHING she is wearing is out-of-stock. Meanwhile, I’ll be trolling eBay for that skirt (and those shoes).

Tiger sweater, $43, InDressMe; Sequin skirt, $275, AllSaints; Clog booties, $154, Jeffrey Campbell; Patent leather bag, $148, Guess; Bracelets, ASOS; Silk stud earrings, $29, Doris Mohr at Bottica

Eskimo cool

 

Meet the stylish feet of Elle Peters. More to come on her outfit but I am seriously loving these Eskimo booties from a few seasons back. I tried to buy them off of her, but she didn’t go for it. 

 

Belle by Sigerson Morrison heels, ASOS sequined pencil skirt. 

 

Can I wear this?

 

Very Dostoevsky cool, dontcha think? Picked up this lil’ gem at the Zara end-of-season sale last year for $9 and have yet to wear it partly because it hasn’t been cold enough but mostly because it’s a bonefide hairdo-ruiner (as in, finger-in-socket).

 

My hair was dirty anyway, and this hat was the perfect texture-complement to my new (ok, used) long boucle wool blazer.

 

 I found this blazer at my favorite consignment shop and I’ve had trouble wearing anything else. It has a way of grandma-fying everything in the most perfectly French way. On a related side note, it occurred to me that I might be buying the castoff wardrobe from one classy old grandma who happens to be my exact size and loves all things French. Who also probably lives in my neighborhood and sees me wandering the streets wearing all her old clothes. Weird? Yes. Do I want to meet her? Obviously.

So anyway, I added the Russian fur hat and some spicy heels to give my new favorite wardrobe staple a little je ne sais quois.

A special thank you to my friend Peggy for informing me I should never allow my toes to be photographed and put on the internet.

Fur hat, Zara (similar here); Wool blazer, Transit Par Such; Cotton blouse, J.Crew; Jeans, J.Brand; Suede wedges, Matiko; Messenger bag, Donald J. Pliner (similar here); Men’s dress watch, Seiko

Images credit: Andrew Sheppard

Countryside Chic

Band of Outsiders knit sweater / Blue jeans / Old Navy shoes / nette leather shoulder bag / J.Crew leather glove / Coach scarve / Woolrich Men’s 44903 Elite Vest

 

This past week I was doing some research on the best Bed & Breakfasts in the DMV for a Refinery29 story (read it here) and found so much inspiration not only for how to redecorate my bedroom (um, hello golden bamboo canopy bed with cream linens) and how to spend a winter weekend getaway (by taking sunrise horseback rides and then spending the rest of the day sipping Bailey’s and coffee while watching the snow fall on the Blue Ridge mountains, touring Loudon County wineries, or both) but also naturally thought about how I would pack for said weekend. Above, find the perfect countryside outfit that is comfy but so not country: Cable knit, high heeled hiking boots, distressed denim, a men’s utility vest, and the most perfect fur stole (I seriously may order these jeans tonight – they are the perfect mix of ‘I just got attacked by a rabid animal’ and ‘Aren’t my heels cool? Isn’t it convenient that my pants don’t cover them up?’)

Oh, and of course, leather and shearling mittens, my Minnesota cousins taught me that you cannot, nay, should not, spend a winter without leather hand protectors to shield you from the elements.

Below, find my dream bed that I found at Inn at 202 Dover:

Long blazer

Just got one of these long wool blazers in black and have been Googling ways to wear it – the looks I love the most mix the long wool blazer with lots of different textures (silk, suede, leather, angora, sheer tights etc.) Can’t wait to copy that all black outfit, but I’d add a fur hat and a pop of red – maybe a leather wrap bracelet or small clutch.

Photos via WWD, WWD, and Fashionologie.