wardrobe

Spring/Summer 2015 Theme: A Midsummer Night’s Dream – blackberries, elderflowers, Titania and Puck

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I love it when the New York Times Fashion section, echoes my own choices for a season.

 As I’ve shared before, each season I pick a “theme” which becomes a running thread through my choices for any shoe, accessory, or clothing purchase for the season.  Fall/Winter 2014 was “Predatory. Provocative. Dark Glamour.” and there was a lot of black, sheer fabrics, sensual shapes and flirty details. It was a season of seductive thoughts meant to be edgy and even a bit scary.

With Spring, I feel lighter but not necessarily brighter.  I am feeling muted, languid, capricious and moving from being seductive this past Fall/Winter to enchanting. Titania from Midsummer Night’s Dream was the inspiration – all fairy magic, elderflowers and sweet, yet possibly dangerous, berries – to tempt, to entice, to bewitch.

Funny enough, New York Times sees this season in a similar light.  Their collage below showcases their take on the “Bohemian Rhapsody” influences, filled with “a dreamlike state… referencing a romantic love affair with the spirit of Mother Nature.”

I’m feeling the need for dreamy fabrics and frothy tulle. The shimmer of iridescence and the reflected glow of dew drops on petals and coating spider webs. Embroidery, eyelet, floral appliqués and dusky prints.

Some items I’ve already acquired are Sophia Webster’s magical, winged Evangeline sandals…

Ann Taylor has some magical items as well. Like this sheer, flower-bedecked top.

… and this eyelet pencil skirt…

My other shoe addition were the Valentino rainbow Rockstud heels. What could be more appropriate for Spring and Summer?

As the season progresses, more will be added to the board.  I love going back to see how the inspiration moves and comes together.

Spring/Summer 2014 Themes – Pom-Poms and Loving Cups

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I’m well into stocking myself up for my Spring/Summer 2014 “theme” which this season is “Pom-Poms & Loving Cups”.

What’s inspiring me are playfulness, soft gelato colors, picnics surrounded by dusky blue hydrangeas, old books and old silver, weeping willows, and watery colored gemstones.

My Pinterest board is already filled with white button downs, a classic trench and Manolos in soft shades perfect for a drowsy bumble-bee filled Spring and Summer.  I’m also loving tailored short suits, white jeans and and shiny shiny skirts.

After this horrid Winter, I want mild temperatures and scented blossoms and warm sunshine.

I need a good nap in the hammock too.

To see past Themes (and their boards), check out:

Clean Collage Prep and Chromatic French (Fall/Winter 2011)
Pastel Ice Cream Sundae and Vintage Garden Party (Spring/Summer 2012)
Chic School Girl and Deep Woods Floral (Fall/Winter 2012)
Cotton Candy Carnival and English Summer Picnic (Spring/Summer 2013)
Fallen Leaves and Pumpkins (Fall/Winter 2013)

Fall/Winter 2013 Themes – Fallen Leaves and Pumpkins

Posted on by Shoe Daydreams

It’s time for the turn of the seasons.  It’s time for my favorite part of the year – Autumn.

As in the past, I have a theme for my wardrobe as we travel into the cooler months.  In the past I’ve had:

Clean Collage Prep and Chromatic French
Pastel Ice Cream Sundae and Vintage Garden Party
Chic School Girl and Deep Woods Floral
Cotton Candy Carnival and English Summer Picnic

This Fall it’s – Fallen Leaves and Pumpkins.

For each I typically do a Pinterest board of inspiration and things to buy/purchased.  It’s great to see how I can build on each season – taking some items out and adding some in.

Before I begin, I think about the textures, patterns and colors I want to focus on, as well as what items I have that would be perfect or what I need.

For example some theme items are: leopard print, red, black, brown, aubergine, orange, oxblood, taupe, emerald, stripes, metallics and thick lace.

I’m ready to get cozy in tall boots and slim jeans, Breton strips, and faire isle sweaters paired with whimsical skirts.

It’s time for crunchy golden leaves!

Sorta Sketchy

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I’m pretty limited in the talent department when it comes to artistic ability (I’m much better at baking) but I’m having some fun with my basic sketches of outfits for Spring/Summer 2012.  If you look closely you can see a preview of recently purchased item.  I’ll share the actual pics and links soon.

If you are good at drawing or art, I’d love to see your work too.

Spring ’12 Theme 1 – Pastel Ice Cream Sundae

Posted on by Shoe Daydreams

Sure it’s February but that makes it the perfect time to be planning for Spring and Summer.  Not that I haven’t been already.  I mean, I’ve bought more than a few dresses, shoes and bags to get me ready for the season.  February is always my least favorite month but all the Spring goodies coming in stock have me excited.

I’m going to do a recap of my Fall Themes (Clean Collage Prep & Chromatic French) and what I bought, since I made sub-categories for Investment, Seasonal and Whimsical purchases.  But I am excited to share my two themes Spring.

What I first determined a few weeks ago is “Pastel Ice Cream Sundae” and, amazingly, yesterday found  this Louis Vuitton SS ’12 ad campaign making of video.  It epitomizes my inspiration!

One of my first purchases for this “theme” were my new ASOS patent mint loafers.

This theme is going to have color-blocking in candy-colored shades, soft fabrics and a bit of a retro style.  

I’ll be sharing more of my finds soon too, but you can get a glimpse (as well as some of Theme #2) via my SS ’12 inspiration board on Pinterest.

Breaking Boundries

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As you may know from my Instagrams and Tweets, I’ve just started a new job.  Among all the moving office stuff and learning who everyone is and what they do, I’m also contending with a big shift in workplace style.

It’s funny how different each new company is.  They each have a unique personality, character and (not withstanding a few outliers) style.

I’ve worked at many different extremes along the “professional dress” scale.  At Disney, we had a full Look Book of rules and regulations that applied to office staff as well as those “On Stage”. While our creative team had a dispensation and could dress however, the rest of the department was required to at least adhere to the spirit of the law, if not the letter.  Some groups were really picky and some less so, but over all, it was pretty toned down and conservative. On a personal note, I didn’t break any rules (I actually kept a copy with me all then time) but I did raise some eyebrows at times.

My now former company was towards the other end.  We did dress up for presentations but on the day to day it was pretty casual.  Let’s say that flip-flops, shorts and tees were common year round.  I can’t say that I fell fully into this camp either.  I tended to be a bit dressier but I also felt comfortable being a bit experimental too.  One day would be a conservative look but another would be a sequin skeleton dress with laced-up boots, a vintage band jacket or a big pink gingham poofy skirt. 

I can’t peg myself as casual or conservative… I’m…. hmmm… whimsical, I guess would capture it best.

But my new place is leaning more towards the conservative side.  We don’t have to wear hose as a mandatory, like at Disney but I’m not sure how a crazy glitter sneakers are going to go down.  So I’m starting out with some of my favorite interesting-yet-fun outfits.  A grey belted shirt dress with bright green accents at the collar and cuffs, a lace print shift and a bow sweater top and great patterned tights.

I was really keen to see how others have showcased their style as well.  One lady was wearing the most striking mangenta-y purple nail polish.  Another has great style with perfect tailoring and some of the guys dress quite snazzy with a real eye for pattern, color and detail.  The spirit seems to be all about playing with the parameters not worrying about any boundries.

So I’m doing the same.  Great polish. Great accessories. Great shoes, of course. 

Going forward I’ll probably be weeding out some pieces that I liked and hung on to, despite the fact that I only wore them once or twice. I know I’ll be making a few purchases that support those I already have.  I’ve found a great red pencil skirt.  I want cardigan in a good black and white pattern.  And I really have been on the perfect pointed black pump to wear with skirts and jeans and at a height to wear all day.  Jimm Choo has two options but I’m still considering options.
I have a new office to decorate and a new me to decorate too.  I better start shopping my closet with a new eye!

Falling for Fair Isle

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The other day I mentioned I had been searching for the perfect Fair Isle items to add to my holiday wardrobe.  Well, I’ve actually been thinking about this since October when I saw the Sally Hansen Nail Effects patterns for the 2011 Holiday collection.

I may have found my perfect items in this tunic and sweater coat from Macy’s.

I love Fair Isle in red and white, so that was my first criteria.  When paired with black (and on major sale), this sweater tunic will be great with leggings and boots.

And I’m going to wear it with the Plaid About You decals, plus some saucy red gloves.

And while I wasn’t looking for a new cozy cardigan, this Tommy Hilfiger piece was so perfect in pattern and shape, that I couldn’t resist.   I mean, what is more holiday-ish than these snowflakes?

And yes, the matchy-matcherson in me is probably going to wear the Snow Bunny decals with it.  Or maybe Peppermint Twist (the candy cane stripe design).

While I have a soft spot for these patterns and pieces on their own, even better is that they combine my two themes for the season.  They fit into the “Clean College Prep” style while using the “Chromatic French” color scheme.
Perfect!

Fall-Winter 2011 – Daydream Themes

Posted on by Shoe Daydreams

I’m not sure if anyone else does, but I tend to think of my seasonal wardrobe in themes.  I don’t always stick to it very strongly but it does give me outfit ideas and inspiration for the next six months. 

Past themes have been “Modern Princess, Lawn Party and Sparkling1950s” for this past spring/summer. Purchases that season included a vintage Swirl dress from Shrimpton Couture, a sequin cocktail dress from JCrew and a rose-bedecked dress from Talbots.  Last winter was “Dark Woods, Fairy Tales and Uniforms”.  I added a faux fur capelet, the Where the Wild Things Are/Opening Ceremony faux fur skirt and a pencil skirt with a pheasant applique from Anthropologie.

This year I’m considering “Clean College Prep and Chromatic French”.  “College Prep” getting me excited for knee-high boots, cozy sweaters, tonal layering and plaid while “Chromatic French” will be whimsical, classic and built around red, black and creme. 

Here are a few of my inspirational images thus far:

I’m pulling back on spending lately, so I’ll be doing a lot of creative closet shopping.  I have a full plan to do a closet clean out and hopefully switch to the “Five Piece French Wardrobe” shopping method.  I need to flush this out first and then I’ll post on it, but I’m going to be good about buying only long term items.  For someone who gets bored of their clothes, this will be a challenge. 

But maybe I get bored with my clothes because they are generic.  Hmmm…

Anyway, I’ve got my eye on some glittery sneakers, a super bright tote, a clear clutch, a new blazer and maybe some velvet.  We’ll have to see what materializes and how the fashion kismet will work with me.

We still have a few weeks left of warm weather, especially here in NC, but I’m excited for Fall!