The Good Girl

Ever since I started the 5-Piece French Wardrobe, I've been a very good girl. I've only purchased the new pieces that I have mentioned. I've also tried to be very cautious in my second-hand purchases. However, since I'm moving to a different state in the next few weeks, I wanted to hit up all my favorite second-hand haunts one last time. Yesterday, I made a trip to the local "upscale resale" shop and hit the Anthro jackpot, three pieces for less than the cost of any one of them new.

All my new pieces have a bit of a nautical feel. I broke out the navy tank today for a casual day of running errands. I paired it with my poppy orange cardigan (5-Piece French Wardrobe item #3) and a pair of white shorts that I recently shortened.

Cardigan - Gap
Tank - Odille (via consignment)
Shorts - Gap
Belt - Gap
Flats - Naturalizer

Future Vintage

I'm doing full-on 70s today, even my students recognized my nod to the decade du jour. What's funny is that my 70s inspired outfit is comprised of all modern pieces (besides my jewelry). These jeans were my first purchase for my Spring 5 Piece French Wardrobe. Like the jacket from yesterday, I believe that these jeans were also a good investment. Although they have only been feature once before on my blog, I've worn them several times and always feel long, lean, and groovy when I do.

One of the comments from yesterday got me thinking about tomorrow's vintage, you know those pieces that your daughter will find in the back of your closet one day. In junior high, I loved to wear my mom's left over clothes from the 70s. With my current wardrobe, I have a tendency to filter things out pretty quickly once they no longer fit my style (or fit in general) but I have recently thought of purposely keeping some things as "future vintage". What are your thoughts on this? Is it silly to keep things back? For a daughter you may not even have?

Blouse - Banana Republic (via consignment)
Jeans - Gap
Heels - Gianni Bini
Belt - Coldwater Creek
Jewelry - Vintage

Weekend Update

Just no Chevy Chase. Does that show my age (or my parents' age)? He's the first person I thought of as doing the Weekend Update on SNL.

Okay, well this post doesn't have anything to do with SNL, but it does have everything to do with what I wore this weekend. I had a nice Easter weekend with the fam, aside from all the tornado scares. In fact, the tornado sirens are going off as I write this post.

The first outfit is from Saturday night. This, ladies and gentlemen, is what you wear for a night out on the (small) town in Arkansas. Observant readers may note that I am wearing the jacket which was my third purchase for my Spring 5-Piece French Wardrobe. I'm really glad that I made the plunge on this one. I'm going to get a lot of wear out of it, because it goes with everything.

Jacket - Ecote (Urban Outfiters)
Tank - Odille (Anthropologie)
Jeans - Gap
Heels - Gianni Bini (Dillards)
Jewelry - Vintage


The outfit below is from Easter Sunday. As a hold-over from childhood traditions, I like to have a new dress to wear to church on Easter Sunday. This dress, while not newly purchased, had not yet been worn. I thought the subdued pattern and lady-like shape would work nicely. I threw on a cardigan for modesty and to ward off those wicked air condition induced chills and then topped off my ensemble with a flower brooch for a touch of color.

Cardigan - J.Crew via eBay
Dress - Odille (Anthropologie)
Flower Brooch - Anthropologie
Heels - Antonio Melani (Dillards)
Glasses - Kate Spade

I hope everyone had a nice weekend, no matter how you celebrated.

Rule Breaker

Yes. I am wearing the same necklace two days in a row. I'm pretty sure that it's against the blogger code of conduct, but we've already established that I'm a bit of a fashion rebel. As long as I don't start wearing entire outfits two days in a row, I think I'll be okay.

As you've probably gathered by now, I'm a big proponent of second hand shopping. It's better for the environment, it's better for your wallet, and you can still dress well to boot (or even find boots). This skirt is second hand and I feel that is very on trend. It's hard to see from the photos, but it's sheer and pleated. Pleats are really big for Spring and I've seen similar skirts from Urban Outfitters and H&M. With enough patience I really think that you can find some version of every new trend second hand. It's actually a pretty good way to go. Trends come and go (the very definition of a trend) so why spend serious money on something that might not be in style next year? Thrift it!

Tee - Gap
Skirt - Liz Claiborne, via Consignment
Boots - BCBGeneration
Necklace - Consignment
Belt - Flea Market
Bracelet - Mom'd

Did I mention that this skirt is really pretty and flowy in the wind? It makes me feel very elegant, like a lady.

Still Looking

Thanks everyone for all the positive feedback yesterday. I guess it is easier for others to see a consistency in what I wear that it is for me to see it in myself. You're your own biggest critic, etc, etc.

In true Unusual Form style, I've switched up my look yet again. This is my "Searching for Style" outfit. Get it? Because it's safari/travel inspired. In this outfit, I feel like I could tag along with Emily on her travels.

Jacket - Urban Outfitters
Tee - Gap
Jeans - Urban Outfitters
Sandals - Birkenstock
Necklace - Consignment Store
Belt - Thrifted

In other news, I have finally joined Twitter. You can follow me, if you like. My user name is @unusualform.

Finding My Way

Sorry for the blog silence. I have been feeling sartorially challenged lately(among other things). Actually, I've been having a style identity crisis. I'm making a lot of decisions and big changes in my life, so maybe life uncertainty leads to style uncertainty.

I feel that some bloggers have a very distinctive personal style which gives their blog cohesion. I, on the other hand, sort of bounce all over the place. I've always chalked this up to "experimentation" and having fun with fashion, but maybe it's really just because I have no idea who I am stylistically. What do my bloggy friends think? Do you think my style is spastic or do you enjoy reading my blog to see what the heck I'm going to wear each day?

I would like to have a slightly more defined personal style. It would serve as a great filtering mechanism for what comes into my wardrobe. Even if it's cute and even if it fits, it doesn't have to come in unless it reinforces the stylistic image I'm trying to cultivate.

I know personal style is not something that can be determined in one day. And a style blog is actually the perfect place to work out exactly what my style is. I hope you join me in this journey. It could be a long one.

Blouse - Banana Republic
Necklace - Gift from Sis
Skirt - Thrifted
Belt - Abercrombie and Fitch (the only thing I have left from high school)
Shoes - Kenneth Cole Reaction via T.J. Maxx

Speaking of personal style. I totally ripped off someone else's style for this outfit.

Source: lucylaucht.com via Kara - Unusual Form on Pinterest

Prep

I feel like I should be stepping on a yacht in this outfit. What? There are no yachts anywhere in the Mid-South? Only in the ocean? Bummer. I guess my yachting dreams will have to wait. In the meantime, I might as well go teach a class on Modern architecture.

Blazer - Gap
Sweater - Talbots, Thrifted
Skirt - Theory via T.J. Maxx
Flats - Gap
Necklace - Yard Sale
Bracelet - Mom'd

To The Maxi

Today, I'm dressing the current decade. I think. I may even be on trend. I'm sporting a maxi skirt as part of EBEW. I have a lot of maxi ideas for Spring. I can't wait to see what everyone else comes up with.

This outfit is a bit of a miracle. It cost around $30 including $20 for the shoes. That's right. This is one of my $2 silk shirts, a $3 thrifted skirt, and clearance/thrifted jewelry and belt.

Shirt - Ann Taylor, Thrifted
Skirt - Hand-Made, Thrifted
Shoes - BCBGeneration
Necklace - Simply Vera Vera Wang (Kohl's)
Cuff - Thrifted
Belt - Flea Market

Lucky magazine says that front slits are in for Spring. Who am I to disagree? I do think that it makes a possibly frumpy outfit a little sexier.

Swinging

70s, 50s, 40s, 60s. No this is not a record of the temperature swing in the Mid-South this time of year. It's a record of the decades I've been visiting lately via my clothing. Today I'm channeling the 60s with my new high-waisted wide leg jeans. Peace, love, and whatever.

Tank - Anthropologie
Jeans - Gap
Heels - Gianni Bini
Bracelet - Urban Outfitters
Belt - Abercrombie and Fitch
Jacket (Pictured Below) - Gap

The utility jacket definitely takes it out of hippy territory, but is entirely necessary because people have already began to crank the A/C. I freeze.

Time Traveling (Not Yet A) Wife

I was in the 1950s last week, now I've moved back a decade. I call this one 1940s war bride that was left behind on the ranch. I have reason to believe that this vintage dress really is from the 40s. It was one of several dresses I purchased from a man liquidating his vintage collection. I think this is the second (of seven) to make an appearance.

Certain vintage dresses call for a special occasion. Psychedelic maxi dresses from the 60s scream out for a warm summer day, maybe a garden party. One of the dresses is a perfect 1940s "I'm leaving on my honeymoon dress". It's absolutely meant for that occasion, which I have not yet encountered. A Oscar de la Renta day dress needs a summer wedding. I guess I really need to start making occasions to wear these dresses, instead of letting them languish in my closet.

Dress - Vintage
Shoes - Gianni Bini
Necklace - Coldwater Creek
Belt - Thrifted
Lipstick - Revlon Fire and Ice


Please excuse the in-the-carport pics. It was terribly windy today.

5 Piece French Wardrobe - #3

So, the 5 Piece French Wardrobe takes strategy. Do you buy all the pieces early in the season to get the most wear out of them? Do you spread your purchases out to get the most purchasing pleasure? Keep a few spots open for those surprise finds? I'm going with the last one (I think).

Even though I've already purchased 3 of my 5 items (see poppy colored cardigan below), I'm going to hold off on the last two for unexpected purchases. Limiting the number of new items I can buy forces me to prioritize. I've had that classic trench on the list since day one and I do want a classic trench, but when I consider making a trench one of my five choices, it gives me pause. You know, that not-so-classic trench in my closet looks pretty good. It might just do. Priorities, it's all about priorities.

Source: gap.com via Kara - Unusual Form on Pinterest

Not quite UO, but...

You know those times when you see an item, be it clothing, jewelry, or home decor and say, "I can make that." Well, this skirt was one of those times. I've been eying this skirt at Urban Outfitters and though the price isn't totally outrageous, I thought that my sewing skills were probably up to the challenge. I have made two similar skirts previously using this tutorial.

Source: urbanoutfitters.com via Kara - Unusual Form on Pinterest

One trip to Hancock fabric and less than an hour of quality time with my sewing machine and voila! All I'm missing is the matching tie. It's coming, I just haven't got around to it. I couldn't get fabric in the exact rusty shade that I wanted so melon will have to suffice for now.

Jacket - Anthropologie
Tank - J.Crew
Skirt - Self-Made
Sandals - Lucky
Belt - Gap

I Can't Quit You....

Goodwill Half-Price Center. You, with your $2.00 skirts and sweaters. I had my doubts when you switch over. Would you only be the stained, torn rejects from other stores? We even had a few rough days together, but oh how you have redeemed yourself. A psychedelic maxi dress from the 60s? For $2.50? Why, I don't mind if I do. Wool skirts from Talbots, Ann Klein, and random vintage companies? For $2.00? I'll take those as well. J.Crew button-ups? Sure, why not? Creamy cotton sweaters? You spoil me. All this for less than $15? You ruin my resolve, but not my budget. Thank you, GHPC.

Tank - J.Crew
Skirt - Vintage, Thrifted (Goodwill HPC)
Flats - Banana Republic
Jewelry - Vintage
Belt - Flea Market

Gentlemen, Start Your Engines

I feel like I should be waving my scarf to start some drag race in the 1950s. I've always thought that I was born on the wrong decade.

Cardigan - Banana Republic
Blouse - Lilly Pulitzer, via T.J. Maxx (1st time out)
Jeans - BDG, Urban Outfitters (1st time out)
Heels - Kenneth Cole, via T.J. Maxx
Belt - Gap

Over the Weekend

I had a nice little out-of-town weekend. Avett Brother's concert Saturday night and then a day at my Great Aunt's river house. This is my 70s inspired vacation outfit and the only photo my boyfriend managed to snap before my camera battery died.

Blouse - Gap
Skirt - Vintage, Thrifted (1st time out)
Flats - Banana Republic
Necklace and Belt - Vintage

Maintenance Men Approved

This is the outfit from this past Thursday. It must be a good one, because both of my apartment's maintenance men, plus a random girl on the street commented on how nice I looked.

Dress (Worn as Shirt) - Tucker for Target
Skirt - Banana Republic
Heels - Gianni Bini
Jewelry - Vintage
Tights - Target

This outfit was one that was suggested to my by Dana during the Paper Doll Project. I told you I'd eventually get to all those outfits.

Hello Old Friends

This is my outfit from last Tuesday. The weather was nasty and I was felling very uninspired. I tried on at least 10 different outfits, before I landed on it this one. It was loosely based on this outfit I saw on Lucy Laucht's blog.




Blazer - Vintage, Thrifted
Chambray - Old Navy
Stripes - Rodarte (Target)
Jeans - James
Boots - Frye
Glasses - Kate Spade
Hippo - Grandma's
Belt - J.Crew, Thrifted


I didn't wear any unworn this day. Sometimes when you're feeling blah, you just want the company of old friends.

Blogger Vacay

Can you believe that it's been over a week since I've done an outfit post? It's good to be back.

Chambray Shirt - Old Navy
Skirt - Thrifted
Boots - Vintage, Frye (1st time out)
Necklace - Vintage, Great Aunt's
Belt - Thrifted

My skirt was only $2. You could probably go into Urban Outfitters right now and find something similar. What goes around comes around.

5 Piece French Wardrobe - #2

At this rate, I'm going to buy my 5 allotted pieces before the end of the month, and then I will have to wait until August to buy the next 5. Today, I purchased the second piece in my 5 Piece French Wardrobe for Spring. In my defense (man, I sure seem to defend myself a lot), it's a jacket that will be useful for cool spring evenings and icy air-conditioned offices. Behold the Ecote Oxford Jacket from Urban Outfitters. It's just the right light-weight, short sleeved jacket to transition into Spring. I don't believe they have it online. I got this in store.

I was finally able to get my computer cord. I'll stretch the backlog of outfits out over the weekend, so I won't overwhelm you...with awesomeness!