Outfit details:
Handmade fascinator by Shoe
Vintage whistle necklace (from Pangaea boutique in Nashville)
Anthro Stratus Clouds top (similar styles: here and here)
Anthro Maiden's Braid cardigan (similar here and here)
J. Crew denim Minnie pant (now on sale, and I've seen them at the outlet too!)
Gap leather ballet flats (similar here and here)
Orla Kiely handbag (this season's style: here)
Vintage whistle necklace (from Pangaea boutique in Nashville)
Anthro Stratus Clouds top (similar styles: here and here)
Anthro Maiden's Braid cardigan (similar here and here)
J. Crew denim Minnie pant (now on sale, and I've seen them at the outlet too!)
Gap leather ballet flats (similar here and here)
Orla Kiely handbag (this season's style: here)
I feel like I always have a new and different story for why I don't wear specific items of clothing. On the heels of the recent garage sale purge, and the still ongoing struggle to consolidate my wardrobe into a smaller space, it's more important to me than ever to figure out what really is and isn't useful for me to hold onto.
This little cardigan fell into the "maybe I need it" black hole for the past year while I decided where it really belonged. Much of my dress and top collection is comprised of prints, and for some reason I felt that this topper really called for a solid, and a white one at that. So really, it was just another thing that highlighted the lack of separates in my closet.
Separates are hard for me. Dresses, on the other hand, are a complete outfit. No extra thought or matching top and bottoms required.
But after taking inventory of what I already have, I've decided I can't necessarily wear one-off quirky print dresses everyday forever. And especially not to job interviews or huge presentations. So in line with this new plan, the cardigan stays and a new strategy for building a proper separates wardrobe is now in place.
For my first outfit embracing this new sartorial goal, I took it easy. White top (which really is what the cardi needed), dark jeans, and kicky red flats.
And because it was so special, let's talk about where I wore this. My extremely generous domestic goddess friend Tracy held a cool weather kickoff party featuring her homemade cheesy potato soup. The soup was loved by all, and the mood was captured by Erich's awesome photobooth installation:
This little cardigan fell into the "maybe I need it" black hole for the past year while I decided where it really belonged. Much of my dress and top collection is comprised of prints, and for some reason I felt that this topper really called for a solid, and a white one at that. So really, it was just another thing that highlighted the lack of separates in my closet.
Separates are hard for me. Dresses, on the other hand, are a complete outfit. No extra thought or matching top and bottoms required.
But after taking inventory of what I already have, I've decided I can't necessarily wear one-off quirky print dresses everyday forever. And especially not to job interviews or huge presentations. So in line with this new plan, the cardigan stays and a new strategy for building a proper separates wardrobe is now in place.
For my first outfit embracing this new sartorial goal, I took it easy. White top (which really is what the cardi needed), dark jeans, and kicky red flats.
And because it was so special, let's talk about where I wore this. My extremely generous domestic goddess friend Tracy held a cool weather kickoff party featuring her homemade cheesy potato soup. The soup was loved by all, and the mood was captured by Erich's awesome photobooth installation:
Mmmm warm gooey goodness.
I'm tickled by the temperature drop and all of the hot chocolate, chili, and stews I will be able to consume. Do you have any traditions to kick off the fall season? This soup dinner party has been my favorite to date.
I loooove that cardi, the little rope details on the front are so cute! And I'm ridiculously excited for fall! I had my first seasonal cup of hot cocoa last night and I was so happy! :D
ReplyDeleteYou look great! And so does that soup :)
ReplyDeleteI am with you on the separates. I feel like I have black pants, a black skirt, and a professional tops. Dresses I can do, and casual jeans w/ prints, I can do. Best of luck with the wardrobing!
Happy Fall!!
MissKellie--I pulled out my hot cocoa this week too! Mmm...
ReplyDeleteAsh--I don't even have black pants/trousers or skirts! I gave away most of my business wardrobe when I was working between undergrad and grad school and now have nothing to wear for presentations and interviews. Sigh.
I have the OPPOSITE problem!! All I have are separates and not enough dresses...
ReplyDeleteSoup sounds delicious right now! You both look so cute together :)
CLOTHED MUCH, a modest fashion blog
Yay for fall, I can't wait for trips to the mountains, bonfires, hot chocolate, and building our first fire in the fireplace of the year. We are also making chicken tortilla soup this week because its totally a fall dinner. Now that I've raved on about fall... good call on keeping the cardigan! When I looked at the first picture before I read your post it was my favorite part of the outfit :) And your effort towards separates turned out great!
ReplyDeleteCute outfit! I love that Orla Kiely bag. :-)
ReplyDeleteI saw on Effortless Anthropologie that you're looking for the Purebred Tote. I just wanted to let you know that I saw 3 left this morning at the Jacksonville, FL store. I hope you get one! :-)
This is my favorite time of the year, except that it was 87 degrees in DC today but it's OK, the weekend was wonderful.
ReplyDelete