Skirtember #2

I'm back, with two more skirt/dress posts for everyone!  (And there was much rejoicing.)  This week in Wisconsin, temperatures plummeted for a few days.  High 40's, windy, cloudy, bleeecchh.  Luckily, it popped back up into the 60's over the weekend.  Not only did it make playing outside enjoyable, it made it much easier to consider wearing skirts!

On Saturday, I went geocaching with a friend.  It was tempting to wear jeans, considering the amount of outdoor exploring we'd be doing, but it stuck to my guns and tried to pick functional dress wear.

Dress & tights:  hand-me-downs

Jacket:  Forever 21

Boots:  Merrell from REI

Even though the dress and tights look fancy-ish, I didn't mind if they got mucked up, since they're hand-me-downs.

There were parts of this outfit I ended up liking more than I thought - the jacket with the dress, for instance.  It also looked cool if the jacket was buttoned up, which I've never tried before.  I didn't really like the boots and tights with the dress though.  I don't know if it's because I'm not a huge fan of black tights - they often look dowdy or formal - or if the dress hit my legs in a spot where it would look better with flats.  Anyway, this outfit got the job done - we found four geocaches!  Whee!

On Sunday, I went to a Packers party.  Jordan and I don't like watching football, but I thought I could dress in one of the team's colors as support anyway.

Sweater & scarf:  hand-me-downs

Dress:  Goodwill

Leggings:  Forever 21

Shoes:  Target

Does anyone else prefer leggings over tights?  I don't know why I find them much more comfortable.  Maybe it's the thicker fabric?  Anyway, I love these long leggings from Forever 21.  My other pairs are mid-calf and thin, which isn't ideal for most outfits.

Two down, two to go!

Heart-Stopping

Though done with "real" school, there are still some things we need to learn before they turn us loose in the local hospitals.  As a result, I've spent the last couple of days in a workshop certifying in BLS/ACLS (which is short for What To Do When Someone Stops Breathing and Maybe Doesn't Have a Pulse -- and No, "Calling 911" Is Not a Sufficient Answer).  Ideally, we'd be doing the opposite of stopping hearts, but "Heart Re-Starting" just didn't have the same ring...

Dress: Express, thrifted | Tee: Target | Leggings: Target | Belt: thrifted | Shoes: Teva Fuse-ion via Sierra Trading Post

This...tunic? mini-dress? makes me feel like a sci-fi heroine.  A dropped waist is not a silhouette I often wear (I don't like how it looks on my curves, so I normally go for natural- or high-waisted), but the way this one slings on my hips make me feel like I should be packing a bandolier of bullets and strutting around in boots and leather.  A recent acquisition, I can't wear to bust it out with my adventure boots come fall.  Not a bad look, for learning to be a superhero...

Let me show you something that is actually heart-stopping (and allow me to brag shamelessly):

My little sister, prom 2011 / 2012 / 2013

First, the brag: I made the black & white dress!  (Technically, I made a maxi skirt, which she's wearing over a strapless sundress).  Second, I'm impressed: girl knows what she likes -- flowy strapless column dresses (without heels -- she really is that tall!), and the over-the-right shoulder hair -- and she knows how to work it!  And dang, is she thrifty.  I don't think she spent more than $100 total on three years of prom -- first was a refashion of a 1980s bridesmaid dress from mum's closet, second was thrifted, and third was DIY/use-what-you've-got.  Also, I can't get over how grown-up she looks!  Wasn't *our* prom not that long ago?  (Never mind, it's been nearly a decade since then.  When did that happen?!?)

How has your clothing made you feel lately?  Any fashion-induced reminiscings?  Do share!

Spring Fashion Week - Friday

Aw shuck, gals, it's been another lovely fashion week.  Not going to lie, I'm already looking forward to the next one...

Dress: Shabby Apple | Plaid shirt: thrifted | Shoes: Target

I missed yesterday and scrambled for today because of final exams -- but now, done!  My didactic education is over!  There's the board exam, and then I'm out on the wards for clinical rotations -- I'm halfway through medical school!

Yeah...wish I actually felt that exuberant.  Leaving my last exam, a professor asked if I had anything fun planned, quickly followed with "Do you even remember what fun is?"  My gut response was "Well, I know what sleep is, and these days they're about the same..."

Thanks again to Deanna at Delirious Rhapsody for hosting this fashion week!  You gals are the best.

Pattern Mixing x Three

I have worn this outfit three times in the past six days.  This was a week of exams, leaving very little brain power for anything else -- when you find something that works, you run with it.

Occasions: 1) studying at home  2) exams & studying at school  3) churching

This is also a [kind-of] three-way pattern mixing, too -- I was drawn to the bright poppy colors and large-scale floral print (#1) of this dress, and especially how the impressionistic rendering is very much ikat (#2) in style.  Then, top it off (bottom it off?) with the argyle tights (#3).  The brown oxfords are a recent thrift score, and I was quite pleased to find that they color-match well with the tights, which I've had for ages.

Dress: thrifted | Jacket: thrifted | Tights: Kohl's | Shoes: thrifted

To be completely honest, it wasn't exactly the same outfit each time -- the second day I was cold, so I had a green sweater over the dress & under the jacket, and today was gloriously springy, so the dark tights & oxfords were swapped for cropped leggings and crochet skimmers.  Still, variations on a theme, which is now one of my favorite outfits.

We've talked about repeating outfits before, but what about tweaks?  What do you do with your favorite ensembles -- wear 'em strictly the same each time, or change things up a little?

A Month of Sundays, #4

Shirt:  Old Navy

Skirt/dress:  Goodwill

Tights:  JC Penney

Boots:  Merrell, from REI

Despite the title of this post, I actually wore this outfit on a Saturday, for dinner with friends.  I wanted to experiment with the shirt-over-a-dress style.  When I usually try this out, it looks awkward.  Either my shirt is too long, or too short, or the dress underneath looks lumpy.  But I liked how this turned out! I think this dress could work with a shorter shirt as well, so I'm going to keep trying.  Call me inspired.

Have you tried any new-to-you styles recently?

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy

Winter fashion statements

Due to it being a mind-meltingly difficult week last week, I missed katie's winter challenge.
But better late than never!

Wisconsin is known for its long, hard winters.  Scarves, hats, mittens and thick coats are necessities; sometimes, you can be bundled up well into April.

Since you spend so much time in this thick layers, why not use them to make a statement?
Step away from the basic black coat!
Dig out those Nordic patterns!
Accessorize with a brightly colored scarf!

Winter is dull enough as it is.  No need to make it worse by pulling on something ho-hum.  If you need to be battling the elements, best put your best foot forward.

I fully embraced this philosophy in 2010, when I bought this yellow coat on eBay.  It doesn't fail to make me smile, and feel sunshiny on the bleakest days.

Coat:  eBay

Scarf:  H&M, in Germany

Mittens:  Ragstock

Do you have winter accessories that brighten your day?

stand out.

hey guys. today i felt like standing out.

sweater: rue 21

dress: hand-me-down

tights: target

i paired this bright yellow dress with a sweater to keep warm. my lacey tights matched my lacey sweater in a way i didn't realize until after leaving for school. oh well. i also wore purple sneaker-type shoes. 

this out fit was colorful enough for my love of color but not obnoxious. i like clothes that can help me make a statement without looking silly or totally weird. matching contrasting colors is one way i do this as well as certain patterns that can still go with each other. 

i'm going to adopt charlotte's method and ask a question at the end of my post:

which outfits that you have help you stand out?

what's your favorite way to be original?

how to work stripes part 2

more stripes and skirts!
i guess that's my thing?
i don't really know.
well anyways, here's my outfit.

tank top: target

sweater: H&M

skirt: target

i love the little bow deatil on the pockets of this sweater. i don't wear it frequently cause i like big and comfy sweaters more but this outfit needed it. i would have been too cold just wearing that tank top or even just a shirt with my skirt.

this skirt is my new favorite piece of clothing. it's super comfy but still girly and also easy to wear. love it!

matched with the hat below, i would say this outfit will be worn again.

hat: hand-me-down, originally from Forever 21

Exercising Opposites

I am not entirely sure about this outfit.  I really the combination of opposite colors -- that deep, grape-y violet and mustard yellow -- and I like the silhouette, but I don't think it wore as well as it looked.

 

Occasion: a Friday (ie. short day) of lectures

The dress is a slight a-line and would be fine on its own, except that it hits me about two inches higher on the leg than I feel comfortable with for school or professionally.  I've worn a black skirt under it as an extender before, but I wanted more color this time.  This yellow skirt, though...it's so full.  I know petticoats worked that way, but all that fairly stiff material (almost like denim) under a much lighter-weight, narrower dress was just awkward.

Such a cheeseball face, but it shows off that lovely necklace a bit better, and the interesting texture that the tone-on-tone stripes add.  I really do like these colors together, so I'm sure I'll give this pairing another shot at some point.

Now, while we're on the subject of cheeseball...

Dress: H&M | Skirt: thrifted | Shoes: Target | Necklace: a gift from the mister

Cheers,

katie