fashion

Sartorial Saturday–90s Flashback

“Mom, what were you like in the 90s?”

Last month’s viral trend really amused me, especially when I realized I could demonstrate exactly what I was like in the 90s without digging for an old photo…I just had to find the right items in my current wardrobe, and it wasn’t even hard!

This was a common look for me in the 90s…an oversized flannel over a fitted top, wide-leg jeans, and Dr. Martens Mary-Janes.

For accessories, I used tiny butterfly clips to pull my hair back and added a choker and big hoops. Even my lip color, a plummy brown Colourpop lip stain called “90s Babe,” fits the theme!

And I even have the perfect Loungefly, inspired by one of my very favorite 90s movies, Clueless:

It was really fun to pull together a (dare I say) retro look from youth with pieces from my current closet…I guess some things never change!

Sartorial Saturday…On a Sunday–Easter Pastels and a New Fascinator

Over a year ago, when I first saw the Nalini-Pia dress in the Miss Candyfloss Chérie Bardot lookbook, I knew it would be the perfect Easter dress. Unfortunately, it wasn’t released in time for me to wear it last Easter, but I was finally able to today!

It was a bit chilly this morning, and I really didn’t want to wear a sweater over the dress, so I ended up wearing a lace dirndl blouse under it. I’m not totally thrilled with how that turned out, because I think it detracts a bit from the beautiful pastel colors on the bodice of the dress, but sometimes it’s function over form.

I went all-in on those pastel shades with my stack of Splendette Duchess Bangles, plus an Erstwilder Easter egg brooch, a pair of RockLove Jewelry necklaces from their retiring Disney “Tell Your Tale” collection, and a new, brightly-colored, lime green fascinator:

Here’s a closer look at the pair of necklaces…they’re the same, just different lengths, and one has a Tiana charm from the same collection attached to it:

And the true star of the outfit…the fascinator! I knew I wanted a lime green headpiece for Easter, and I was starting to despair of ever finding what I had in my mind, but Dillard’s had the perfect thing!

Dirndl blouse aside, I really like how this look came together…the fascinator really brings out the green section of the dress!

I felt very much like a decorated Easter egg, which was kind of the plan!

This was such a cheerful look for Easter!

Sartorial Saturday–Another Color Styling Inspired by Mary Blair

Before Mary Blair March wraps up, I have one more outfit inspired by her color styling!

For this look, which kind of resembles a can of lemon-lime soda, I combined two of my favorite Mary Blair-esque shades…bright yellow and chartreuse, with the Miss Candyfloss Harriet-Naia dress and my favorite shrug.

I accessorized with a Splendette necklace and Duchess Bangles, and an Erstwilder brooch:

I really love the way the bangle stack turned out!

This is such a cheerful color pairing!

I’ve really enjoyed thinking outside of the box when planning outfits this month!

Sartorial Saturday–Another Dress Deconstructed

Last fall, I transformed a dress that had a skirt with a bold print that I love, but a bodice that I really didn’t, into a skirt that I can pair with different tops. Today I’m back with another such transformation, this time with a Mary Blair clown print!

The original bodice of the dress was a basic (boring) black that was also a style I really don’t like, but after removing it, I can now pair a bold color with the whimsical print of the skirt…this time, I went with an-almost red Vacation blouse from Vixen by Micheline Pitt.

I went with bright accessories, too, including a statement necklace, an Erstwilder brooch, and a stack of Splendette Duchess Bangles:

This wasn’t as smooth a transformation as the one I did last fall…the waistline of this skirt is much larger, and will need a better permanent solution to make it wearable in the future, but for this outing, a second (hidden) belt held the look together, and I really like how the whole thing turned out!

I’m really happy I have found the confidence to make my wardrobe work for me instead of the other way around!

Sartorial Saturday–A Colorful Suit Look Inspired by Mary Blair

Today I’m taking a look at an outfit with color styling inspired by the work of Mary Blair!

Every year, when Mary Blair March rolls around, I try to find new ways to combine pieces from my wardrobe based on the color combinations Mary Blair used in her book and movie illustrations. When I was going through my closet, I realized that the pink Terentia-Paz vest and Lucile-Paz trumpet skirt from Miss Candyfloss would make a bold and whimsical pairing with the orange Martane-Brandy blouse.

I accessorized with a boater hat from Vixen by Micheline Pitt, a RockLove Jewelry Alice in Wonderland spinner necklace based on Mary Blair’s illustrations from the animated Disney classic, a vintage brooch, and a stack of Splendette Duchess Bangles.

It’s so much fun to wear such bold colors together!

I love getting outfit inspiration from unexpected places!

Stay tuned for a few more Mary Blair March themed looks!

Sartorial Saturday–A Fresh Color Styling of a Custom Dirndl for Mary Blair March

Last year, I debuted my custom dirndl from Rare Dirndl just in time for Mary Blair March. This year, I’m wearing it with a lovely blue Vixen by Micheline Pitt Vacation Blouse, inspired by the bold color styling of Mary Blair herself! The dirndl was already bright and cheerful, but this extra pop of color makes it’s especially vibrant!!!

I accessorized with a an Erstwilder brooch worn as a necklace and a glittery stack of Splendette Duchess Bangles, plus butterfly earrings that are perfect with the butterfly print on the skirt of the dress:

I can’t think of a better Mary Blair March look!

I have another idea for a different styling of this dirndl that I’m hoping to wear before the month is over!

Sartorial Saturday–A Shrug Story

One of the oldest and most-worn items in my wardrobe is a shrug I didn’t even buy on its own!

This bright green shrug came with a dress I bought probably 15 years ago. I don’t even have the dress anymore, but I kept the shrug, and I wear it all the time. It’s an especially useful piece during Mary Blair March (which begins tomorrow!), because the shade is perfect for pairing in unexpected ways much like the color styling Mary Blair was famous for. I especially love wearing it with yellow, pink, and other shades of green, but it goes with so many dresses and skirts…I have worn it with just about everything it could feasibly go with, but I’m always on the lookout for new ways to wear it!

Sartorial Saturday–Stripes and Dots

Today I’m taking a look at my first-ever pair of Miss Candyfloss capri pants!

The Jacinna-Lee capri pants are a lovely shade of blue and covered in polka dots. I paired them with the Kacey-Wisteria striped top for a bit of contrast in pattern and color, and added a white, pearl-accented cardigan to complete the look.

I accessorized with an Erstwilder brooch that goes really well with the top, and a stack of Splendette Duchess Bangles.

Here’s the only problem with the pants…when they say “soft and comfortable,” they really mean soft and comfortable! They’re extremely stretchy, to the point where I wish I had sized down. They’re quite a big baggier than I prefer, but there is no doubt that they’re comfy!

I love how casual but still put-together this outfit is!

I don’t wear pants super often, but it’s nice to have some options when I do!

Sartorial Saturday–Vintage Heritage

My top two favorite clothing styles are vintage and German national dress…today I’m taking a look at how I combine them!

For this look, I paired the dramatic green Clarisse-Gia blouse from Miss Candyfloss with my favorite Rare Dirndl dress and a lace apron. I’ve worn this blouse with another dirndl, as well…I didn’t intend to style it like this when I ordered it, but the first time I tried it on, I knew it would be a perfect companion to dirndls!

I accessorized with an edelweiss clip worn as a brooch and a Rare Dirndl necklace and bracelet as well:

I really enjoy pairing Dr. Martens Mary Janes with dirndl socks:

I love everything about this outfit!

I have a lot of fun figuring out different ways to wear unexpected pieces of my wardrobe together!

Sartorial Saturday–MAXImizing My Wardrobe

Everyone once in a while, I add a “modern” piece of fashion to my wardrobe…but really, this denim maxi skirt from Lane Bryant reminds me of the 90s!

What I really like about this skirt is the tulip hem, which I think gives it some good movement and visual interest.

I paired it with a sweater (also from Lane Bryant) with a fun neckline that has been in my wardrobe for YEARS. I added an Erstwilder scarf as a belt, and Dr. Martens Mary Janes, in keeping with the 90s theme:

I accessorized with a Spiffy the Sausage Dog brooch from Erstwilder to match the scarf, plus a RockLove Jewelry necklace, and earrings and a bracelet from Lane Bryant:

This is a fun modern, and yet familiar, look for me!

I’ve already found many other ways to style this skirt…denim is very versatile!