Mostly pantsless 2011: the best shot to come out of my attempted "pin-up girl photoshot"

One day, I'll do a photo shoot for real. In the meantime, this is what my hair looks like right after being dyed, and this is the outfit to go with it:

Going for the music challenge again...

I'll just be sticking with the general playlist I've been hooked on this year.
Besides, September is the best month to do it in... it's the perfect weather for layering but still getting to wear some summery clothes, so I feel like there's a much better opportunity for creativity.

Will be starting tomorrow with an outfit inspired by:

Evidence, by Jimmy Eat World

I also have a couple of pictures from last week that I took for fun... just my usual blue and white dress, but I did re-do my hair (and it's the best dye job yet), and attempted (and probably failed miserably) at posing accordingly. I'll try to get around to putting those up tomorrow.

Mostly pantsless 2011: the art of layering

I tried something new the other day... used my sweater to create the silhouette of the outfit, belted on the outside of the sweater to create an interesting touch. I also added my new charming moss green tights to the mix, since I'm in such a fall mood.
I'm really proud of how the outfit turned out.

Mostly pantsless 2011: transitioning into fall

The majority of my clothes are shared across seasons... my huge collection of scarves and cardigans, and my love of tights and leggings to make any skirt or dress on the planet fall and winter friendly makes this possible. Obviously, I own a few things that don't really transition that well: I don't do the shorts and tights things, so the few pairs I do own only see the light of day when it's hot out. I have a couple pairs of sandals that look ridiculous with tights, and get saved for those days when it's warm enough to go barefoot. And my one and only pair of flats are a trashed up pair reserved for the beach (since I don't have any flip-flops in the shoe collection... any and all sandals are heels and classy looking). Of course, the same goes for my winter wardrobe... a few of my scarves are just too warm to be used to accessorize in the summer, my wool pea coat is impractical for anything over 40 degrees, and I keep long sleeved shirts as pretty much a cold weather only staple. The rest of my wardrobe is totally layer friendly and pretty much a year round thing. But as stated last year, I LOVE fall looks. Today is warm-ish, but just cool enough to make thinking about fall clothing slightly practical.
So, took a short, short-sleeved LBD, and made a fall friendly outfit that still works for summer:




The button down is really, really thin, lightweight fabric (and is Converse for Target, around $25), so it doesn't add much extra warmth for a day like today, but it keeps the outfit looking great for fall.
I love the look of the zipper on the leggings and the buckle on the shoes right to each other... not only does it balance out the belt, it also keeps the outfit looking very "rock", which I do tend to strive for.

A side note about these shoes:
They are Madden Girl, which I'd never bought before, and was surprised to find that they were unbearably uncomfortable at first. It took a few times wearing them, but they broke in excellently, and now are probably the most comfortable pumps I own. I normally wear a 6 or 6.5 W, these are a 6.5 M and fit absolutely perfectly.

Mostly pantsless 2011: my favorite look this summer

Just a basic dress look for me... loving how relaxed and easy it is to wear, yet still so stylish and put together...

Mostly pantsless 2011: way too stylish for the 4th, and a break from being pantsless to show off a wonderful DIY

I've never been much of one for dressing up in a 4th of July theme, but this year, with the navy and white dress and the red belt, I couldn't resist.
Naturally, I used black accessories to give it a less "hey, I look like the flag" and more a "quaint, edgy, and feminine" feel.

I'm not sure if I've featured the shoes yet... I picked these up at the Edinburgh branch of a UK chain called New Look (yes, I do like to name drop all the cities I've been fortunate enough to go shopping in), for what I'm guessing would be equivalent toooo... just under $30? But they fit like they were made for my feet (they even came in a wide! In MY tiny size, in a cheap store in another country! I LOVE YOU, UNITED KINGDOM!), are beyond comfortable for how high and strappy they are, and for that price, I can't resist a pair this cute.


So, this is how to do "patriotic and summery" without looking like a cheesy, over the top idiot. Unless, of course, my strange tendency to flock towards lace, flowers, and other ridiculously adorable things counts as "over the top" (still, I was referring to over the top with holiday themed outfits. I'd wear this one any day of the year. I just might add layers in the winter)

Also, awesome DIY project, and a horrible picture of me... my apologies.
I'd had this brown cardigan for a couple years, and I thought it was a bit dull. It didn't need much, just a tiny little accent to make it stand out. Turned out to be the easiest thing ever. The edging, which goes all the way around the cardigan, is over an inch wide. I tacked it down at the back of the neck to make a fake color, and also to make that edging roll in easier on the sides. Then, I took a ribbon, cut it into 4 pieces, and on each side, sewed one piece on the outside, one in a matching spot on the inside. Voila, instant bow tying ability. Scrunches the edging nicely, is a good color for the sweater, and makes it feel more fun and Kathryn-esque almost instantly (I just can't do plain and simple... I'm sorry... it's not me)

Mostly pantsless 2011: the fantastic red belt

A few weeks ago, I purchased a slim, shiny, red belt... the perfect complement to the edgy vintage look I've been aiming for as of late. And in the past week, I've come up with three lovely pantsless outfits to rock it with, and completely forgotten to take pictures every time.

First, my "going to the zoo" outfit from last Monday:


Followed by my "let's go to the pub" outfit from Monday night:



And finally, today's "I feel like being adorable" outfit, that was briefly tested yesterday:


This belt makes a great addition to so many pantsless outfits.

Mostly pantless 2011: I love this dress

So, with a little trickery, I managed to create what I consider a very old school look, and... well... why lie... it's a little on the sexy side. I had fun wearing this outfit out one day... I definitely turned a few heads.
The overcoat thingy is actually long and flowy and quite loose. Turns out all it took was tying it up in just the right spot and adjusting to get this awesome look:

Mostly pantsless 2011: same old clothes, mixing it up a little

I'm liking today's look. Nothing particularly noteworthy to describe, except perhaps the hoodie.
It's Tripp... purchased used from Buffalo Exchange for about $15 3 years ago. I love it. What with the basic design but all the quaint lacy details, it could not be more me. Check out the complete look!

Wow, it's been a while

I swear, I've been keeping up on Mostly Pantsless 2011, I just haven't had the motivation to take pictures OR post. But, I've got a great new dress to show off today.

As most of my close friends know, I have been on a mission to find the perfect dress for a few years now. And I am picky... oh so picky. I have all these demands... perfect shape (fitted bodice, please!), perfect colors (I'm sorry, I don't do certain colors no matter what), right pattern (why are all the good dress shapes floral... WHY?????), and a look that could simultaneously pass for quaint and old fashioned as well as punk rock.
When I was in London, I went into a Topshop and saw it... THE dress. It was a halter type, it was fitted, it had a perfectly flared out skirt, it was navy with white polka dots. It was like something out of another decade, and yet had that edge to it that would perfectly complement my punk rock side. Problem: there was only one in the whole store. In a UK size S (about a US XS, unfortunately)... ordinarily, I would've tried it, but this one was so specific with the proportions, down to the underbust seam, that it was a lost cause as soon as I held it up to me... the bust would never have contained my generously sized chest. Disappointed, I made it my mission to find the perfect dress.
And last week at Target, I did. But only in a XL and a XXL. WHAT???? So, I waited a couple days, went back to see if they'd gotten any more in. Now they were just down to the XXL. I asked an employee if they could find any somewhere else, hopefully in an M. There was ONE STORE that did... and they'd just sold their last two. Apparently, my quest for the perfect dress had gotten this lady really frustrated that she couldn't help me more, and somehow, she unearthed the least likely thing to ever fit me from the back room... the same dress in an XS. I figured... hell, I've got nothing to lose by trying it. Aaaand, thanks the large elastic panel on the back, the XS fit PERFECTLY. Miraculously, even. The fitted shape was created by corset wiring, so no awkward seams to maneuver around my boobs, just some rebending of the wires to get everything in place.
I've never been so pleased with one dress.
And here it is...



For those who like the shape and aren't nearly as pattern picky as I am, this same dress is still available in a variety of florals at Target for $25.
I also found another adorable dress at Nordstrom the very next day, which will be featured just as soon as I find the perfect time to wear it. While it was not quite as much of THE DRESS I'VE BEEN DYING FOR, it is also pretty freaking perfect, and it has its share of vintage style.