Boxy Silhouette

If you follow me on Instagram, you may already be familiar with some of these outfit drawings as well as drawings from blogs that I have yet to post. In an effort to get myself back into the swing of things, I made it a point to post something every day during the month of December and label it with the hashtag #31daysofstyle. So far I've managed to keep it up and I don't feel overwhelmed about it. This is a good thing and hopefully this exercise will be the thing that will change my habits and make blogging a more regular activity.

I've been highlighting a few silhouettes that I wear on the regular. This is what I call the boxy/mini or the boxy/slim. It's usually a boxy high collared top paired with a very short or slim fitting skirt. I like the juxtaposition between the legginess and volume that this silhouette creates.

My Sister's Closet

This look was a good idea in theory, but it just didn't turn out quite right. The material of the top and the skirt are rather heavy and kind of bulky and they did not play well together. While the colors looked stunning together, I was constantly adjusting my clothes because of the friction that these two fabrics created. I think that this top would work better with a lightweight pleated tennis skirt, but I don't have anything like that.

Poppy

I'm playing with a lot of layers here to achieve this casual and studious look. I feel like I should have drawn in a stack of books under one of my arms. Maybe it's the color scheme of bright red, mustard yellow and light denim that reminds me of school. Whatever it is, it make me want to go to the library.

Handmade by Kristina

This bodycon dress from LulaRoe is so much fun and pretty versatile. I can easily dress it up or down. I can wear it by itself, layer it with jackets or vests or wear it as a skirt like I'm doing here. I'm really happy that it matches this sweater that I wear all the time.

I Like You

Here's that sweater again. I wish I had more of them in different colors like black or white, but I'm glad that the one I have is yellow. Yellow goes with everything and I've worn this sweater in innumerable outfit combinations since I got it at a very good clothing exchange

I love this sweater just as much as the yellow one, but I don't wear it as often. This is an around the house or weekend low key hang sweater. It's incredibly warm and kind of delicate so I never wear it to work where I do a lot of physical activity and regularly catch myself on merchandising hooks or protruding corners. I would ruin this sweater in an instant at work. A lot of people don't see me wearing this sweater on the regular, but during the colder months, I'm almost always wearing it when I'm at home. I had a mostly event free weekend and I wore this sweater everyday on top of boxy mini dresses with tall wool socks or leg warmers and I knew the meaning of hygge.

Ode to Pattern Mixing

I love clothing with fun patterns. I also love to mix patterns when building outfits. Not everyone knows how to do this successfully. I'm not even sure if I know how to do this successfully, but I do know how to dress fearlessly and through trial and error I am able to achieve some bold and successful combinations.

My Sister's Closet

This outfit might be slightly ridiculous, but I love it. This was when I was unapologetically wearing scarves in my hair a la Little Edie. If your hair can't make you feel glamorous, cover it up with something that does. This is why I love hats and scarves. I haven't gotten into wigs, but If I had the funds to buy natural looking wigs, I would be all over it.

Urban Archaeology

Here's a fun dress from the 80s that has been altered to fit like a babydoll dress. I love the print. It's like hounds tooth meets Three Men and a Baby. Seriously, wasn't their apartment like an 80s bachelor's wet dream? I'm not an 80s bachelor, but I'm into it.

Go Vintage

7 months later and I still can't decide if this print mix works or not. The dress and sweater are the same colors, one of my favorite combos, kelly green and navy blue. The two different prints are variations of each other. In theory, I think this looks good, but in reality it kind of gives me a headache, which is a bummer because I have yet to find a successful outfit for this cropped vintage sweater that I love so much.

Lula Vintage

I Like You

This dress is so unique and classic at the same time. I bought it this fall and have been having fun pairing it with different shirts underneath. This was my first attempt at styling the dress after I bought it. I played up the western vibe that the piping on the chest suggests. I think this dress will be really versatile because it also has an East Asian vibe that is hidden under my shirt collar and the dress is overall kind of nautical. You'll be seeing more fun combos with this dress in the future.

I love that it was still warm enough in October to wear this incredible linen dress that I bought at a vintage clothing store in Portland. Obviously, I have mixed emotions about global warming.

Who Knew I Liked Blue?

I've never been fond of the color blue. I've always considered it to be the most boring of colors, besides South Dakota beige, of course. However, I've noticed that blue has been creeping into my daily wear more and more lately. This is partly because I've been wearing a lot more denim and chambray, and also because I've discovered that blue looks great with my hair, which is currently dyed bright red/orange.

Giant penny earrings from I Like You

I think it's in my DNA to love the look of denim on denim, or the Canadian tuxedo, if you will.

Some people think it's tacky, but it reminds me of my dad and makes me feel strong. I'm gonna keep wearing it, fashion faux pas be damned.

Earrings made by Kristina

Navy and sea glass. This is a beautiful color combination.

Earrings from Poppy

The first day that I wore these chambray overalls, the side zipper split open in the middle. The only way I could get out of my pants, was to cut them off of myself. This experience really enhanced my fear of getting trapped in a jumpsuit when I really have to pee. Thanks a lot fashion.

Earrings made by Liz

Batik skirt from Aviena

Teal is a shade of blue that has never been far from my heart. I've always considered teal to be closer to green than blue so I've been wearing head to toe teal ensembles for awhile now. Nothing new here. 

A Familiar Silhouette

Ever since midi skirts came back into favour, this has been a go to silhouette for me. I love a midi skirt, in any cut, but I especially love a midi-length pencil skirt. There's something so sleek about it. It's sexy and modest at the same time. I know not everyone is comfortable wearing this look, but if you have long legs, I recommend you give it a try.

Dottir

LaLunette

Here's a blast from the past. Can you believe I haven't posted anything since May? Time flies when you're having fun or whatever. 

This vintage jumper has seen better days. It buttons all the way up the front and most of the button holes are wrecked or the fabric where the buttons are secured is wrecked. Either way it's kinda wrecked and held together with safety pins. In fact most of my clothes are held together in some fashion by safety pins. 

Since the election, there is a new movement of wearing a safety pin to show support for the vulnerable. I've worn one on my lapel, like the masses do, but mostly what I'm thinking is, this is going to come in handy when my skirt inevitably rips up the back seam. All I'm saying is, I've always worn safety pins, not as a political statement or as an accessory, but as a useful tool. So, if you're ever in need of a safety pin or an ally, I'm your girl.

UP6 Vintage

Poppy

Here's a vest that I thought I'd wear more often than I do. I'll have to work on getting that back into rotation now that it's layering season again.

So, I bought this dress from UP6 when they were having their moving sale. I also bought a crazy Saved By the Bell era yellow and black stripey cropped jacket that I have yet to make work. This was during my black and yellow phase that I'm still really into. Anyway, the day that I wore this dress, I went over to a friend's house to hang out and when I walked in the door, everyone pointed at me with mouths agape. This was not the greeting that I was expecting. Apparently, my friend Jeanette had gone to the sale that same day, tried on this dress and seriously contemplated buying it. This is my friend who I have never seen wearing anything other than jeans and a hoodie. When I heard this story, all I wanted to do was take the dress off and offer it to her because in my opinion, there's nothing better than a super cute dress that makes you feel like you're wearing jeans and a hoodie. Actually, it's even better because it's basically a calf length t-shirt and you don't have to wear pants...and isn't that the American dream?

I Like You

New favorite outfit for sure. Serioulsy, if this whowhatwear line from Target keeps pumping out midi-length pencil skirts with my name all over them, I'm going to have to stop going to Target. Maybe that's a good idea anyway.

Vintage Dresses

Earrings - Dottir

This dress came from a garage sale that I recently attended where everything was free. Free I tell you! I'm really proud of myself for not pulling my van up to the door and filling it completely because believe me there was enough beautiful stuff at this sale to do so. It was hard because the "sale" was put on by a woman around my age with almost the exact same style as me. Same color pallet and a knack for vintage flair. She was however, a different size (petite 6, whereas I'm a tall 10), making it easier for me to take a reasonable amount of clothing. I contemplated each piece one at a time and determined if it would fit and how it would work with my current wardrobe. Once I got home and tried everything on, there were a couple of  duds, but mostly I feel like I made out like a bandit. 

Is this dress me or what? I didn't get it at the free garage sale, but I was wearing the above outfit when I bought this dress at My Sister's Closet. I don't know why that matters, but it gives me pleasure to make connections.

Winona Style

Back in October, I was in a play in Winona, MN.  It was a prohibition play set in 1922 and I played the singer in the speakeasy.  No lines, thank god.  It was a great experience and my costume was fabulous.

I spent the week at my in-law's house and while I was there I took the time to draw my outfits.  After the play, I was too busy with whatever it was that I was busy with and never got around to posting these drawings.  So, here they are now.

Wednesday

This sweater dress is too small for me, but it does not stop me from wearing it because despite being too small, it's absolutely perfect.  I wear it as a tunic and usually pair it with a jacket so you can't tell how short the sleeves are.

Thursday

Love this tank top.  I enjoy buying t-shirts at rock concerts, but it's rare that they become a staple in my wardrobe.  This one is in very heavy rotation.

That sweater has seen better days.  It's a vintage letter sweater that belonged to my best friend in high school.  She ended up giving it to me and since then I've replaced all of the buttons (mis-matched, of course) and sewn up the armpits several times.  If I want it to be around much longer, I've got to learn how to patch pits.

Friday

Opening night of my play.

Saturday

The colors in this dress are, in reality, a lot more subdued than they are in this drawing.  Even though I pointed that out, I still think that this outfit is a bit much.

The Bootleg Blues

Here is my costume for the play, The Bootleg Blues.  Instead of utilizing the costume designer for the play, I found this dress by utilizing a costume designer here in the cities.  It's a sheer dress covered in black and gold beading that you wear over a white slip.  While the dress is drool-worthy, it's completely annoying to wear.  It hung too low and the straps kept falling off my shoulders.  I fixed this by wearing this shawl and a gigantic and uber-heavy beaded necklace.  I was also constantly afraid of snagging it on something and covering the floor with beads.  I love the look of 1920s fashion, but find it too fussy in practice.

And here, for the first time on this blog, an actual picture of myself...on the set of The Bootleg Blues.

Road Trip Capsule Wardrobe

Monday

Similar dress - Up 6

Similar cardigan

Similar boots

Similar belt

Similar earrings - My Sister's Closet
Similar coat - Savers

I found this amazing dress at Up 6 when shopping for my Halloween costume.  It's a summer dress, but I really wanted to wear it, so I styled it as best I could for Fall.  I think it's pretty successful.  I might do more outfits like this with my other summer maxi dresses.

Tuesday

Similar sweater

Different color skirt - My Sister's Closet
Boots
Similar tights - Urban Outfitters
Similar earrings
Similar hat - Urban Outfitters
Coat - Delia's

Usually, a gray day makes me want to wear as much color as possible, but for some reason, today, I just wore a shit ton of gray.  It did not help improve my mood.

Wednesday

Similar sweater
Shirt
Similar pants - Forever 21
Boots
Similar earrings - Everyday People
Coat - Delia's

I'm still trying to find good ways to style these pants.  This is a little weird.

Thursday

Similar dress - Up 6
Similar tights - Tights
Shoes - Schuler Shoes
Similar coat - My Sister's Closet

I was Veruca Salt for Halloween, but everyone thought I was Little Orphan Annie.

Friday - Sunday

Striped dress

Similar black dress
Houndstooth dress
Similar cardigan
Similar sweater - Savers
Similar striped sweater - Avienna
Similar skirt
Cords - Anthropologie
Leggings
Similar tights in black, blue and plum - Target
Socks
Black boots
Brown boots - Delia's
Similar earrings - Urban Outfitters
Similar penny earrings - I Like You
Similar necklace
Similar hat - Urban Outfitters

I went on tour with my husband's band this weekend to Chicago, Madison and Milwaukee.  I am a notorious over packer, so since I was a non-essential passenger on this trip, I did my best to pack as light as possible and I think I did a pretty good job of coming up with this capsule wardrobe.  I wore 6 different outfits, but could have combined what I brought to make at least 6 more.  When I pack, I like to start by choosing a color pallet.  This time it was black, camel, white and orange.  I started with my tan leather skirt and trusty orange cords.  From there I chose a few tops that I could wear with either of those two items as well as sweaters for layering.  I threw in a little black dress that could be worn with tights, leggings or pants.  Everything else was accessories: a few earrings and necklaces, a hat, a gray scarf, a black jacket, different colored tights, fun socks, black and brown boots.  It worked out splendidly.  I felt like I had options each day.  I could be dressy or casual and every choice was comfortable.
I did have a few flaws in my packing job.  I didn't need two long gray sweaters, I brought two shirts that I did not wear and I didn't pack enough underwear.

Three Days of Jade

Monday

Similar sweater - Savers

Cords

Boots - Delia's

Every time I wear this sweater, the teller at my bank wears the same sweater, but in black.  There's something about it that whispers "curl up by a fire and drink cocoa", which is why it's usually my first choice on cold, rainy Mondays.  I guess the teller at my bank feels the same way.

Tuesday

Shirt
Similar skirt
Stockings - Urban Outfitters
Boots
Earrings

This skirt used to be a dress.  The top was sort of like a ratty gray sweater vest - very gross.  I cut it off and now it's a super cute mini skirt.  The waist band and pockets are black leather and the skirt is black & white herringbone tweed with little colored specks in it. 

Wednesday

Similar pants - Dale's

Similar sweater - Target
Shoes - My Sister's Closet
Similar necklace - Savers
Similar earrings

I find the necklace I'm wearing to be pretty interesting.  My drawing doesn't do it much justice and the closest thing I could find to it on the internet is a beaded tie.  To describe it, it's a long pearl beaded crochet necklace that comes together to form a 2x4 inch panel, ending with beaded tassels.  It's flapperesque, but it also reminds me of Native American jewelry.  I tend to wear it with outfits that include menswear, so it actually is kind of like a beaded tie.

Thursday

Similar dress - Savers
Tights
Similar boots
Similar necklace
Similar earrings

This is one of those sweet Savers finds.  Beautiful color, beautiful condition, beautiful style, beautiful dress.

Friday

Different color cords
Similar blouse
Similar sweater - Savers
Similar necklace
Similar earrings
Boots - Delia's

Introducing coats

I have a big coat collection.  I figure, living in a state where I wear a coat 75% of the time, I should have some options.  I consider my coat to be a part of my outfit, but instead of drawing it here, I'll post a link to they type of coat that I wore.

Monday 

Similar blouse - Dale's
Cords - Anthropologie

Similar cami - Savers

Boots

Similar earrings - My Sister's Closet
Similar blazer

Orange pants, glorious shirt from Dale's, blah blah blah.

Tuesday

Dress - Aviena
Similar blazer
Similar tights - Target
Boots

Similar earrings - Liz
Coat - Delia's

This dress came from my new favorite store in Sioux Falls, SD.  It's called Aviena and it's rad.

Wednesday

Pants
Shirt - My Sister's Closet
Similar earrings - Claire's
Similar scarf - Savers
Boots
Coat - Delia's

3rd day in a row wearing these shoes.  You may have noticed that my shoes don't vary.  I love shoes and own quite a few, but tend to only wear a select few pairs consistently.  Because of this, I feel that my shoe purchases have become more successful.  I'm pretty fond of these Diba booties from DSW.  They were $50 with a rewards coupon.  They look good with pants and skirts, black and brown.  They're really comfortable and have a big sturdy heel and I enjoy a big sturdy heel.

Thursday

Skirt/Dress
Similar blouse - Vanity
Similar boots
Similar earrings - I Like You
Belt - Savers
Similar coat - Savers

I don't know about this skirt.  It's convertible, in that it can be worn as a dress or a skirt.  It's also one size fits all, which does not exist.  The top part is super stretchy.  When it's not stretched out, the fabric bunches up and doesn't lie flat against my body.  It's also really itchy.  That's it! It's going in the donate pile.

Friday

Similar blouse
Similar dress - Savers
Different color tights
Similar boots
Similar belt
Similar belt buckle
Similar earrings
Ring
Similar coat - Savers

I love this belt buckle.  It was my father's. The imprint on the back reads "Bergamot Brass Works 1973". It has an art nouveau illustration of summer on it, not the Mucha one that I'm familiar with, but an image of a fairy in a garden.  The problem with this buckle, is that this image is not visible to anyone who isn't within 4 inches of my abdomen, which is awkward.  The image is very faint.  I tried to do a rubbing of it, but that didn't even work, so I incorporated a quick sketch.  Even though no one else can see it, I still like to wear this buckle just for me.  It's like my little secret.

Saturday

Similar dress - Lula
Leggings
Boots
Similar earrings - Urban Outfitters
Similar coat

The last time I posted an outfit with pleather leggings, I was wearing a pair from Forever 21.  They're a little too short and cut into my middle in an awkward way.  I found these Kardashian leggings online and bought them with high hopes, thinking that since they are backed by a curvy woman, they would be longer.  They are not, but they do have a slightly high waist, which is more flattering on my figure.

Sunday

Dress - Opitz
Similar tights - Target
Shoes - DSW
Similar earrings
Similar coat

I stand by this dress.  I spent all day in my pajamas but had dinner plans with some friends.  I threw this on and instantly looked put together, but still felt cozy.

Orange Pants Saga

Monday

Similar pants

Tank top - Old Navy

Similar shirt

Boots - Delia's

Similar earrings - BNOX

Similar bracelet - My Sister's Closet

I got this top at a clothing exchange and I wear it backwards.  It's supposed to be a cardigan that ties under the bust.  It looks awkward when I wear it that way and I can't find anything in my wardrobe that looks good with it.  When I turn it around it becomes a sheer blouse with a sexy open back and it looks much better.  I have to wear it with pants or a skirt with a high rise, but that's not really a problem for me.

Tuesday

Similar tunic
Tank top - Old Navy

Same pants, but for kids

Similar shoes - Target

Similar earrings - Urban Outfitters

I know what you're thinking, "How many pairs of orange pants can one person own?"  The answer to that question is a bajillion.  "How many pairs of orange pants SHOULD one person own?  Maybe one.  Here's what happened.  About 6 years ago, I happened upon a sale at the Gap where I purchased these amazing pants (only in an adult size).  At the time, I was looking for a pair of red pants and thought that these would do.  They fit really well (good length, good rise) and they were inexpensive (~$20).  Believe me, people, these pants were incredible.  I wore them at least once a week because they worked beautifully with my existing wardrobe and they only got better with age...until they didn't.  I started to notice how thin they had become in certain areas and then all of the sudden they seemed too short.  My grieving process started with trying to replace them, but I couldn't.  I still can't find them.  Luckily, around this time, orange and coral became all the rage.  There were orange pants everywhere.  I found some rust colored cords at Old Navy, but they weren't quite right and were soon sold at a garage sale.  Then I found these at PacSun.  They're ok, but they're not cords and they get saggy right away.  I definitely can't wear them twice without washing in between.  And then one day Anthropologie opened up on Grand Avenue.  This was the first day of the rest of my life.  I got the catalog in the mail and inside were what appeared to be exact replicas of my Gap cords, only they cost $169!  What's wrong with you Anthropologie?  How can you sleep at night?!?  The next thing I knew, I found myself in the store trying them on and you know what? They were perfect.  Even better than my stupid old Gap pants.  They're softer and longer.  I bought them because they were on sale, but still for a higher price than I would normally spend on pants.  I justified this because I knew that I would wear them all the time and get my money's worth.  And I do, but I still wear the old Gap one's once in awhile.  That was a long rant about orange pants. Here's to hoping that they don't soon become passé.

Wednesday

Similar skirt - Saver's
Similar jacket - Lula
Similar shirt - Old Navy
Similar socks - Target
Similar belt - Savers
Similar boots
Similar brooch
Similar earrings - Up Six

I bought this skirt many years ago and altered it to make it a pencil skirt.  I always liked it but didn't wear it that often.  I bought this jacket at Lula last winter and it matches the skirt perfectly.  Same color, fabric and style.  It's like they were meant to be together.  This is why I hold onto clothes for so long.  Sometimes, I'll love a single item, but I can't figure out what to wear with it or how to style it.  Then something comes along, making it fit perfectly in my wardrobe.  This actually happens a lot and it makes it worth it to hold onto my closet orphans

Thursday

Dress
Similar skirt
Boots
Stockings - Urban Outfitters
Earrings
Similar cuff

I overslept, but luckily, I dreamed about this outfit.  Not bad.

Saturday

Similar blazer
Shirt
Similar skirt
Boots
Similar tights - Target
Similar earrings - BNOX

Hmm, I kind of look like Eddie Izzard in this drawing.