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.

Mostly pantsless 2011: there is always room for a second LBD

And this one has a considerably lower price tag than my usual LBD.

Last night's going out for drinks outfit was casual (well, MY casual anyway. Mostly, people were asking why I was so dressed up, while I was fighting off the urge to say "but this dress is practically t-shirt material!"), spiffed up with color, and totally comfortable and wearable. Check it out:






I wasn't really a fan of the original belt that came with the dress, so I swapped it for a big lacy ribbon from my own collection.
Also, my new Converse coat, proudly displayed for all. Isn't it beautiful?

Since I am for once wearing relatively new items, I thought I'd provide some links to these items at Target. As you can see, the dress on its own is totally wearable, anything goes type of style, and I don't think I'll be running out of things to do with it for QUITE a while. And the coat is just pretty, and I had to spend the money on it.
Dress
Coat

Yes, I'm still pantsless

I've been doing a good job of keeping it pantsless, but a HORRIBLE job of updating my blog. The outfits have been slightly boring, and I haven't had as much time to get pictures, but today's outfit will DEFINITELY be featured (so I can show off my brand new LBD from Target... definitely about to become one of my wardrobe staples)
And I'm not sure when, but I'd like to try yet another song a day challenge, but stick to one specific artist. I'm thinking Mika. I'll update when/if I decide to do this. Will be back with pictures later!

Mostly pantsless 2011: aiming for badass

I had a fun photoshoot on Monday, followed by my minor sore threat suddenly turning into a flu that had me out of commission from Monday night through Tuesday night, thus the late update.
I am pantsless today as well, but it's a rather unremarkable outfit, and I don't feel like plastering my ill looking self all over the internet.

So, Monday's outfit was aiming for a vibe that would be loved by high school me... tight mini skirt, black and red, a Tripp blazer, and layers of edgy necklaces.






Soo, the breakdown
Blazer is from Hot Topic
Skirt was a present from my sister
Tights are from Nordstrom Rack
Boots are from Nordstrom rack
T-shirt is from Target
Rose necklace is from Hot Topic
Charm necklace was a present from a friend
Earrings are from Fuego, a present from my wonderful boyfriend

So simple, so fun, a look I'm slowly trying to reincorporate into my wardrobe.

Continuing the my year of mostly pantsless living... in Turkey

I'm not really one for owning "appropriate" clothing (at least not by the definition of the super modest portion of the world... DEFINITELY appropriate and then some by local standards)... but chances are, I will be spending a good chunk of time in Turkey in about 3 months
So to perpetuate my year of mostly pantsless living, I have a shopping mission: cute, non shortening, almost knee length skirts and dresses. I have that awesome black skirt from Target which I think will be totally ok to wear in Turkey, but I'd like more than just the one to genuinely be MOSTLY pantsless. We shall see if I succeed!

Mostly pantsless 2011: the girlier, softer version of Tuesday's outfit

There is a reason everyone tells you to own a LBD. You can do SO MUCH with one, from casual to fancy to everything in between.

Today's outfit took the basic premise from Tuesday's outfit, but I swapped out black tights for purple, red cami for a purple cami, and gray fitted cardigan for a loose blue-ish one (and though not pictured, I used my other pair of black pumps just to switch things up), and voila, using the exact same sort of pieces, I got a totally different outfit with a much more feminine vibe to it.
Also, I think this would make a great Valentine's Day outfit (or any sort of dinner date, really)
I also swapped out my bolder, darker jewelry for softer colored, flashier, girlier pieces. Check it out!

Mostly pantsless 2011: I feel like me again

Today, an outfit was born that is so perfectly "Kathryn", that it made it easier than ever to keep the pantsless thing going (3 days in a row!!!! If anyone cares, that makes 7 out of 11 days in 2011)

My ability to feel cute plummeted drastically after my brother's cat decided it was "maul Kathryn's feet" day, but on the bright side, black tights are a great way to go pantsless and still cover up numerous cat scratches (trust me... there are a lot... 10 hours later, I'm still in pain)
Nonetheless, I did a photo shoot at Lara's house, and this was the result:




Dress is Kensie, about $90 from Nordstrom
Cardigan is either Mossimo or Xhileration (I stick to the juniors section at Target, if anyone hasn't noticed... the regular women's section looks like it should all be worn to an office), can't be bothered to check which, about $17
Red cami is Vol. 1, as usual
Tights are HUE from Nordstrom Rack, about $4
Shoes are Madden Girl by Steve Madden, $50 at Famous Footwear
Belt is ancient and from Target and I have no clue how much it costs
Necklace is from Hot Topic, about $12 (I think that's about standard for their chokers, which even if you're not into Hot Topic style, they have some downright lovely, extremely feminine chokers there... check it out)
Headband is target

I love this look! It's very, VERY me