Resolutions

Ah, the new year. By now, everyone jokes about how we've all given up on resolutions already (although there's always a sad, nervous little twinge at the end of every 'screwed-it-up-already' joke). Every other commercial is for online dating, a weight loss program, class action lawsuits, or (my personal favorite) get out of debt/tax liabilities free! Of course this is probably because I'm out of work and watching Bravo reruns all day, not because it's a new year. Anyway, I thought I'd share my three style resolutions & inspiration for 2012.

1. Inject more color into my wardrobe. 

Milly Spring '12 RTW, 
Style.com

Courtesy of J.Crew, 
"Looks We Love"

Skirt, J.Crew, $158

As I've written about before {here},  I'm a big fan of black. I also have way too many white, gray, and navy pieces, but I can't seem to shake off my neutral security blanket. This year, though, I'm going to make a conscious effort to add more bright colors to my wardrobe. I've already started a little bit, with the orange Minnie pants & magenta wool Cafe Capris (both J.Crew), but the confidence I get when I wear those colors has inspired me to look for more bright hues in the future.

Last week I also paired my fuchsia Cafe Capris with a teal cashmere crewneck sweater, and I loved how it looked! So I'm also going to make an effort to wear brights with brights, not just with neutrals all the time.


2. Collect more printed pieces, especially polka dot, geometric, and colorblocked patterns. 

Milly Spring '12 RTW,  
Style.com

Diane von Furstenberg 
PF '12, Fashionologie

As a college student, it's super easy to get into the plain T-shirt/jeans/flats/optional sweater or jacket routine. But the style rut thing doesn't end after college - when I worked part time at a bank while going to community college, I found myself stuck in the boring 9-5 uniform rut: cardigan/dress skirt or pants/blouse/low heels. Anyway, my comfort zone is solids, so this year I'm trying to inject some fun into my wardrobe. I do have a good deal of stripes in my closet, both the nautical & preppy varieties, so I'm looking to add pieces with geometric, polka dot, and colorblocked patterns. 


3. Go for a more glamorous, modern look with a mix of chic and edgy accessories.

Necklace, Bauble Bar

Necklace, J.Crew, $158

Dior, photo c/o Fashionologie

I come from a pretty traditional Southern family, and the women I grew up around dressed pretty conservatively - think twinset sweaters, pearls, shapeless Ann Taylor sheaths, low heels from the 80s, the same dated leather purse they've had for 30 years. It's hard to have much of an individual style when that's what you grew up assuming that's how you'd one day be expected to dress. But as I've gotten older, I've started to break out of my comfort zone in terms of accessories - and this year, I'd like to keep it up. Lately I've started collecting bold, edgy statement necklaces, and I'm always floored by how a single piece can totally make the outfit. In 2012, I'll be scooping up pieces that mashup classic and edgy, tough and traditional. I'm loving modern, interesting takes on classic pieces, like the Dior bag above (obviously not in my budget, but I can dream!).


What are your style resolutions this year? Are you looking to add more color, prints, or edgy accessories to your wardrobe?

Minnie's Missing Something

Minnie Pant in Bi-Stretch Wool - Black, $98 [J.Crew]

So my J.Crew Factory Warehouse trip wasn't such a smashing success after all.

The fuchsia wool Cafe Capris I snagged were, well, snagged - there's a dime-sized hole near my left ankle in the back of the pant :( Unfortunately, it's a minimum of $60 to have my tailor reweave the fabric. Fortunately, it's right above the cuff in the back of the pant, so it isn't really in an obvious place. I think I'll just buy some thread in a matching color & patch it up a bit.

As I was trying on my black wool Minnie pants the other morning, I was disappointed to find one of the side seams had come apart (not sure how I didn't notice this at the sale or when I tried them on at home after the sale).

J.Crew isn't lying about the bi-stretch thing - it's super flattering. This is one of those rare instances where your butt will actually look as great as the J.Crew model's in these pants. But for $98 retail (or even for $15), I really would have liked to see some lining! Maybe a silk or poly lining would have chunk-ified my ass or something, but let's be honest here - wool doesn't feel that great against bare skin. Overall the fit is beautiful, but they're kind of itchy :/

Zara?!

Zara, $70

There isn't a Zara store where I (or most American ladies) live. I think the closest one is in DC. I've never even been to a brick-and-mortar Zara store, because I've heard it's essentially a more-expensive-because-it's-Spanish Forever 21. More expensive? Yes. Forever 21? Hardly.

I was browsing some less-expensive websites looking for cozy sweaters, when I discovered exactly how cool Zara is. I found leopard print pointed-toe flats! I'm snapping those babies up as soon as I deposit my next paycheck (which seems like 10 million lightyears away when you're drooling over something, let's be honest).




Some other envy-worthy finds:

Tweed Blazer, Zara, $90

Sequin Jacket, Zara, $129

Zara, $159

Zara, $100

Zara, $60

Blazer, Zara, $80

Blazer, Zara, $80

Top, Zara, $40

Studs, Spikes, and My Actual Life

In my pretend life, I'm a young Rachel Zoe, jetting off to fabulous events and going to the most exclusive fashion shows. Essentially, places where I can wear these babies and not look like an idiot:

Sam Edelman, $176 [All 3 images, Zappos]

Sam Edelman, $200

Sam Edelman, $158

And yeah, I am kind of obsessed with all things Sam Edelman right now. Again, not that I can do much about it :) The ladylike-meets-downtown-cool thing is so addictive!

But in my actual life, I live about half a mile from where my classes are, and there are hills sprinkled all over campus. I don't care how gorgeous those shoes are, there is no way I'm walking two miles a day in 4" stilettos.

So, I'm left with 3 options: wedges, flats, and sandals. For summer, I live in metallic gladiator flats. I probably need some new ones, to be honest. But as you're probably aware, it's not summer anymore. Virginia weather likes to pretend it's still summer (and that it's a tropical rainforest), but it's basically fall.

This fall, I'm looking for some wedges & maybe a pair of pointy-toe or printed flats to spice things up (#5 and 6 on this list). Below are a couple pairs under $70 that I'm currently eying :)

Target, $30

Report, $35 [Nordstrom]

Cooperative, $59 [Urban Outfitters]

BDG, $34 [U.O.]

Forever 21, $30

Ciao Bella, $59 [Shoes.com]

Target, $25

Michael Antonio, $40 [Piperlime]

BDG, $39 [U.O.]

Big Buddha, $70 [Zappos]

Tinley Road, $49 [Piperlime]

Also:
- Patent Bow Flats, $45 [DSW]