Work to Weekend

I rarely post about weekend wear, it's usually work, work, work around here.  It could be due partly to the fact that I have a bit of a weekend uniform.  It's usually these shorts or these shorts with a striped tee.  Fine for a single post, but it would get repetitive after a while.  I'm going to start a new series called "Work to Weekend" that attempts to incorporate my work items into weekend looks.  First up the champ of work wear:  the button up shirt.

Button Up - J.Crew, Consignment Shop

Skirt - Vintage, Thrifted

Necklace - Great Aunt's

Bracelet - Mom'd

Belt - Thrifted

Flats - Thrifted

Nothing is more professional than a button up shirt.  Crisp, clean, androgynous enough not to freak out contractors.  But this office basic doesn't have to stay in the office.

Button Up - J.Crew, Consignment Shop

Shorts - Vintage, Thrifted

Bracelet -Garage Sale

Belt - TJ Maxx

Flats - Thrifted

Roll up your sleeves (if you haven't already) and you're ready to bring a preppy touch to high-waisted shorts.  I picked these shorts at my local thrift store for a song ($1.50 to be exact).  The red belt adds some much needed color to an otherwise monochromatic look.  Same woven flats as before and you're ready for your dressy casual weekend event.

Catalog to Kara: Madewell

Source: witanddelight.tumblr.com via Kara - Unusual Form on Pinterest

I pinned this outfit from Madewell way back when it wouldn't be climatically appropriate to wear a t-shirt and skirt to work.  Now that summer is in full swing, I decided to give it a whirl.  The best thing about my version is the very un-Madewell prices.  $10 tee.  $0.50 skirt.  $1 belt.  $4  shoes.  The sad thing is that the model is doing the "Kara" pose and this is the one photo I managed not to do it.  Sigh.  Next time.

Tee - Old Navy

Skirt - Thrifted

Flats -Gianni Bini, Thrifted

Necklace - Vintage, Flea Market

Belt - Flea Market

Dots on Dots

Cardigan - The Webster at Target

Tank - J.Crew

Skirt - Limited, Thrifted

Necklace - Vintage, Yard Sale

Belt - Flea Market

Shoes - Dillards

You hear of people being "good on paper", meaning they have the right pedigree, education, job, what have you, to make them attractive in theory, but usually not in reality.  Well, I think this outfit is just the opposite.  It probably sounds ridiculous on paper: two different polka dots, one with a navy background, one with a black background, a multi-toned cardigan, brown belt, black shoes.  Wackadoodle right?  But in real life...it seems to work!  The polka dots have different densities that work in their favor.  The cardigan ties in the navy of the tank and the pink dots on the skirt.  Brown belt and black shoes?  Eeh.  We've debunked the matching belt and shoes myth many times over.  So there you have it...bad on paper, good on person.

Hi There

Hey Y'all! Long time, no blog. I've been busy in real life. Holding a yard sale and whatnot. That stuff is hard work. Definitely glad it's over. Even though I haven't been showing my face around these parts recently, I have discovered the joy of Instagram. If you would like to follow along, my user name is unusual_form.

Tee - Old Navy

Skirt - Vintage, Thrifted

Necklace - Target

Shoes - Vintage Ferragamo, Thrifted

Now on to the matter at hand (or on body)...my outfit.  I'm still up to my thrifty ways.  In fact, this outfit rings in at less than $25.00. I've been loving this gray t-shirt I picked up at Old Navy for $5.00.  It's heathered with sweatshirt-like details that really toughens up otherwise sweet pieces such as the peach vintage knit skirt ($3.00) and vintage Ferragamos.  Yes, I am now the proud owner of vintage Ferragamos thanks to my local thrift store and a $5.00 bill. 

I'm thinking about re-opening my Etsy store with a focus on vintage clothing.  I find so many great things that either aren't my size or aren't my style, but I just hate to leave them behind.  Any thoughts?

 

Another Skirt Redo

Last week I gave a brief description of how to take up an elastic waist skirt. Today, I wanted to do an elaborate tutorial on how to take up a skirt with a flat waistband.  I started out altering the skirt and documenting all the steps with photos.  Then I decided I wanted to wear the skirt to a party that evening, so I had to dispense with the photo taking and get down to the taking in. I will give a quick description of what I did.  No photos though, some other time.

This works best with gathered skirts. Straight skirts such as pencil skirts would take a little more work. With a pencil skirt, you would have to take out fabric for a good fit. With a gathered skirt, you can just make it more gathered and redo the band.  Simply:

Step 1. Remove the waistband.

Step 2. Gather the skirt to fit. If you can find the original thread ends, pull them to increase the gather of the skirt and decrease it's circumference. If you can't find the thread ends, simply sew a new line around the skirt. Use a long stitch with less tension, then use the new thread ends to increase the gather.

Step 3. Reattach waistband and trim any excess.  

Jacket - Mossimo, Thrifted

Tank - BDG, Urban Outfitters

Skirt - Vintage, Thrifted, Altered

Necklace - Vintage, Thrifted

Belt - Thrifted

Sandals - Gianni Bini, Dillard's

eShakti Giveaway Winner

Congratulation to the winner of the eShakti Giveaway, Amanda Robinson.  Thanks to everyone who entered!

Amanda, I'll put you in contact with eShakti so you can get started on your dress.  Take a photo of yourself in your dress when you receive it and I'll feature you on the blog.

Neutrals Week - Day 4

Blouse - J.Crew, Resale Shop

Skirt - Thrifted

Heels - Antonio Melani, Dillard's

Today's outfit features just about the easiest redo you can do. Resizing an elastic waist skirt.  I found this skirt at my local thrift store.  It was hanging in the plus size section, a place I don't usually browse, but with a pattern like this, how could I miss it?  Despite being an XL, it's XS price tag ($2.50) convinced me to bring it home.  I took a pair of scissors to the seam at the back of the waistband, pulled the elastic out until I had a good fit, cut the excess elastic and sewed the ends back together.  I didn't even bother to stitch the seam back up.  I'm tempted to try this skirt with the crinoline I wore for my wedding.  Too Betty Draper?

Before.

I'll announce the winner of the eShakti giveaway later today.

Neutrals Week - Day 3

I feel especially French today, because I'm wearing Christian Dior. Yes! Christian Dior! So, okay, it's thrifted and made of polyester (he could have at least sprung for silk). But it's Christian Dior! I do understand the allure of designer (even if I'm not willing or able to spring for it at full price).

Jacket - Express, Thrifted

Blouse - Christian Dior, Thrifted

Skinnies - BCG, Urban Outfitters

Flats - Dillard's

Necklace - Vintage, Gifted

Today's outfit is a slight variation on this outfit. It's a bit of a blogger taboo to repeat outfits. What's your take on this? I could probably repeat an outfit from a year ago and no one would notice, plus I may have new readers that didn't see my outfits a year ago. The bloggers I read could repeat an outfit and I probably wouldn't notice unless it was within a few days of each other. Personal style bloggers tend to have just that "personal style" and our outfits have similarities, themes, etc.  Throw remixing into the mix and you're bound to have similar outfits from time to time.  All of this is a convoluted way of saying I hope you don't mind if I have almost repeats, I promise I probably won't even notice yours.

Today is the last day to enter my eSkakti giveaway.  I'll announce the winner on Friday.

Neutrals Week - Day 2

Jacket - LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Tee - Old Navy

Skirt - Thrifted

Boots - BCBGeneration - Dillard's

Necklace - Simply Vera, Kohl's

Despite my usual professional appearance, I really am a hippie at heart.  I frequent farmer's markets and natural food stores (and bring my own bags).  I listen to NPR.  I make my own granola.  I bake my own bread.  I use Dr. Bronner's for everything.  I own five pairs of Birkenstocks.  And we have a garden in our backyard as well as a flock of chickens.  Who says you can only be one thing?  I can wear skirts and oversee a construction site.  I can shop at thrift stores and work at a big building downtown.  To be multifaceted is to be interesting.  Or at least I think so.

We may have chickens, but it doesn't mean they can't have a sleek, modern coop that just so happpens to match my outfit.

Neutrals Week - Day 1

I'm going to do something you probably thought that I would never attempt.  Neutrals Week!  I'm setting out to prove that I can be stylish without relying heavily on bright colors and prints.  I know that's generally how I roll, but a girl's got to change it up from time to time.  So this week, neutrals only (or mostly).  Do you think I can do it?

Blouse - Banana Republic, Resale Shop

Skinnies - BDG, Urban Outfitters

Heels - Antonio Melani, Thrifted

Necklace - Thrifted

First up a new shirt, or new to me at least.  It picked it up at a local resale shop. This particular shop has nice merchandise (sorority girls' barely worn cast offs) and it's reasonably priced.  I purchased the above gray silk shirt for $7.50.  A little more than at a thrift store, but definitely still worth the price.  Even though I'm not wearing any color in this outfit (aside from plum heels), the fit and shape of the blouse add interest.  The blousey fit nicely contrasts with my skinny jeans and the little details like metal buttons and peplum hem just add further interest to the outfit.  So did I do it?  Did I manage to be both neutral and interesting?

On a side note be sure to check out my eShakti giveaway if you haven't already.  A winner will be announce on Friday, June 1st.  And check back tomorrow for the second installment of Neutrals Week.