Saturday (sweatpants) style

 

I’ve been wanting to try the tapered-sweatpants-for-day thing but have yet to find someone who has done it well. I originally stopped this girl in Eastern Market because she was holding a red leather doctor bag I’ve been deliberating about for months (from Madewell) but really loved her whole outfit from the sweatpants and mens canvas jacket to her cool camel leather brogues. I can’t wait to copy this, just need to hunt down a cool pair of heather gray sweatpants first. var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push([‘_setAccount’, ‘UA-46889504-1’]); _gaq.push([‘_setDomainName’, ‘thestyleheist.blogspot.com’]); _gaq.push([‘_trackPageview’]); (function() { var ga = document.createElement(‘script’); ga.type = ‘text/javascript’; ga.async = true; ga.src = (‘https:’ == document.location.protocol ? ‘https://ssl’ : ‘http://www’) + ‘.google-analytics.com/ga.js’; var s = document.getElementsByTagName(‘script’)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();

For the birds

 

Meet Grace from Chicago – we spotted her at Eastern Market back in December and she was nice enough to pose for a picture. I loved her classic camel coat dressed down with leggings and a messenger bag, and her cool combination of neutrals (and that her bird print matches her outfit perfectly).

This inspired me to dress down my own dress coat. I have a camel wool wrap coat sitting in the back of my closet that I reserve for wearing with dresses to fancy places. I pulled it out to replace my day-to-day coat, an ugly puffy number that I’d been wearing all winter. It was a much-needed upgrade. var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push([‘_setAccount’, ‘UA-46889504-1’]); _gaq.push([‘_setDomainName’, ‘thestyleheist.blogspot.com’]); _gaq.push([‘_trackPageview’]); (function() { var ga = document.createElement(‘script’); ga.type = ‘text/javascript’; ga.async = true; ga.src = (‘https:’ == document.location.protocol ? ‘https://ssl’ : ‘http://www’) + ‘.google-analytics.com/ga.js’; var s = document.getElementsByTagName(‘script’)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();

Wanted: Chelsea boots

Flew into Chicago last night just in time for a blizzard and several inches of snow. Of course, I did not pack boots (instead, I brought wooden clogs and leopard heels). My perpetual underpreparedness for the weather when it comes to footwear stems from my distaste for practical boots. It’s hard to find a versatile pair that you can wear to work, trudge through snow, and wear with a dress.

Then I saw these boots (Alexander Wang Anouck Chelsea leather boots, worn by my stylish friend Elle) and I’ve been hunting them down ever since.

I found some similar ones on Asos and am kicking myself for not ordering them a month ago because I need them in 15 minutes to fight the sludge… var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push([‘_setAccount’, ‘UA-46889504-1’]); _gaq.push([‘_setDomainName’, ‘thestyleheist.blogspot.com’]); _gaq.push([‘_trackPageview’]); (function() { var ga = document.createElement(‘script’); ga.type = ‘text/javascript’; ga.async = true; ga.src = (‘https:’ == document.location.protocol ? ‘https://ssl’ : ‘http://www’) + ‘.google-analytics.com/ga.js’; var s = document.getElementsByTagName(‘script’)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();

Parka and combat boots

I am writing this from Florida and heading to Chicago on Thursday. It will be 19 degrees and I left my down jacket hanging next to my door on the way to the airport Monday morning. So, I’ve been thinking a lot about coats.

Making a puffy coat look cool is a skill of the truly stylish, one that I have yet to master. And its particularly rough in the winter when your coat is the main entree of your outfit. It’s even harder when it’s too cold to think: When I moved to Minneapolis, I almost immediately lost all interest in personal style and purchased a floor-length North Face. I sold it on eBay the moment I moved to D.C., but three years later I’m still hunting for a more-stylish-but-equally warm replacement and constantly on the lookout for ideas.

I found some winter gear inspiration when I spotted Yuka at Eastern Market back in December. Her outfit was perfect for a cold day – comfy, warm, and a little unexpected. I love the big parka balanced by skinny jeans tucked into leather hiking boots. She’s inspired me to hunt for a fur stole to wrap around my messenger bag for some extra flair (and warmth).

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Sartorialist book signing

 

 

This post is past due, but I wanted to share some (stolen) pictures of the stylish crowd that turned out for The Sartorialist book signing in D.C. last month. I left with new picture book complete with Scott Schuman’s signature plus lots of inspiration from the crowd of fans who also like to take pics, write blogs, and dress up. Below are some pictures (all taken by the staff at Politics and Prose) of the fans who inspired me and validated my appreciation of fur hats, sequins, jean jackets, and unkempt hair. My favorite is the girl above – I love the beaded yellow silk with camo and bright lipstick!

 

 

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Portland Posh

Meet Claire and steal her style: She brought her Portland vibe to the streets of Capitol Hill back in December, and was nice enough to pose for a picture! I loved her printed leggings, studded bag, and serious cowboy boots topped with a simple sweater. It’s a cooler take on the go-to weekend outfit of leggings and boots. I forgot to ask her where she found the leggings, but spotted some look-alike jeans at J.Crew (toothpick jeans in polka dot) that I’ll snap up as soon as they go on sale (and buy a size too small so I can tuck them into my cowboy boots).

Long skirt and a short jacket

Meet Fu, an American University student with courageous outerwear style – I love the denim jacket and graphic scarf paired with a long, warm skirt – it’s unexpected and very cool! My jean jacket has been sitting in the back of my closet for years – I bought it in high school and have been meaning to reincarnate it but haven’t found inspiration until now. I’ll pair it with a maxi dress, boots, and an oversize scarf for winter to copy Fu!

Colorblocking done right

One of my resolutions this year is to incorporate more color into my wardrobe. It’s intimidating to a girl with a closet stuffed with neutrals. Colors are risky – too much confidence and too little thought can leave you looking like a Muppet.

Anyway, I found some great colorblocking inspiration on the street in Capitol Hill and wanted to share it! Aviancia’s outfit looks effortless and it works because she stuck with simple, classic silhouettes (skinny jeans, cable knit sweater, pumps) in solid colors, and added a vibrant tweed coat. An otherwise simple outfit becomes unusual and interesting because of how she plays with color.

Even though this outfit looks like she just tossed it on and it worked, I noticed that she put some thought into matching her outfit to tones in her coat – jade, cobalt, and lime – then added just one contrasting color (the coral sweater). It’s what makes this look so cohesive and a genius guide for colorblocking: Start with one multicolor or multitone piece, select solid separates that match, and add one piece that’s an opposite on the color wheel. Can’t wait to try this!

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

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