TBMD

I hope you're not sick of my favorite outfit of 2019 yet because I sure am planning on wearing it until its last loose thread. The first variation was decidedly a winter outfit. The second was quite spring-like. Today's is somewhere in-between, perfect for all the fickle transitional weather we've been having.

If I'm not going to be dressed in costume, then the next best celebratory outfit would be to wear orange and black on Halloween. Hope you have a good one!

Last summer, I wore my striped maxi dress practically once a week (sorry for mentioning this for the nth time yet again.) This summer's equivalent is the tweed dress... except I'm already running out of styling bag-and-shoe pairing ideas, so the most versatile clothing piece award will safely remain with the maxi dress.

I'm wearing and using two of my favorite recent purchases today. Quick reviews for each:

1) The AT top has a hint of leather detailing with wonderful draping throughout. I also like the longer length in front. I'm wearing the top in XXS, my usual AT size. It's on the looser side, so size down if in-between sizes. Unfortunately, not many sizes remain online, so definitely check store availability if you're interested.

2) I've been looking for an orange accessory (belt or clutch) for awhile now and love the Claremont perforated clutch from J.Crew. The leather is saffiano-like (so low maintenance), the interior is lined in greige-colored suede (so luxe!), the front clasp is magnetic but sturdy so I haven't had any problems with it opening by itself randomly. I can fit a coin purse, card holder, iPod, dumb phone, lipstick, keys, and my work badge inside. I've actually reached for this clutch every day this week, so expect plenty of outfit posts to follow featuring this summer-y colored clutch.
The perforated rounded plus-sign design bugged me for a long time because it looked so familiar but I couldn't place it. Then it hit me -- it looks a lot like LV's design! (Is there a name for that? I'm not hip to anything LV at all.)

Simple and extravagant outfits alike, I find inspiration from all over. Today's comes from Pinterest (yet again). The first outfit below is pretty much a dupe of the model's, while the second is a casual variation of the first. I'd say the second is more "me," but the first doesn't lag too far behind.

Same outfit, different days, swapped accessories. If there is one thing I'm consistent with, it's my gazing-with-fascination-at-the-ground pose... which apparently I overuse without thinking twice about. Time to pick up a new "acting natural" pose?

Shout outs for today's outfit inspirations go to... 1) Kelly's recent look of gingham shirt + olive pants, and 2) an Everlane menswear ad featuring an olive blazer + gray sweater + gingham shirt combo. The resulting outfit is a little bit tomboy, somewhat preppy, but most of all, comfortable to boot.

Today's outfit is from a few days ago, where conditions outside were much dryer. I woke up this morning to about 6-8" 4-6" of snow outside. DC is kind of a wuss when it comes to snow... half an inch on the ground and the federal government is delayed by 2 hours. I blame it on all the transplants who don't know how to drive in winter weather ;) I'm just happy that the government announced office closures at a reasonable hour last night so I could sleep in this morning. As for my plans for today? Watch more Olympics perhaps? "Help" my husband shovel the sidewalk? Stay safe and warm, east coasters!

I wanted to wear a dark colored coat with black faux leather pants, but my closet options were limited to a navy peacoat. Navy and black, two colors I love wearing but could be mistaken for the other in certain lighting conditions. To remove all doubt that I didn't get dressed in the dark, I kept the rest of the outfit in the same color scheme by swapping out the original burgundy sweater over a gray top for a black sweater with a printed navy blouse.

A quick post on this holiday Monday (for some). Have a good one!

Sale alert: Fall/winter sale at Zara has begun! I'm not sure why they pushed it back by a few weeks this year, as in the past it's always occurred on Black Friday. Prices will be further discounted with time, but styles/sizes will be limited.

My purchases from the past few months + an old favorite:
- Straight combination dress - $39.99 (I'm wearing sz S with sides slimmed just a tad / outfits: here, here, here)
- Checked blazer with elbow patches - $59.99 - check for popbacks (went up a size for shoulders - I'm wearing sz S / outfits: here, here, here)
- Silk satin high heel court shoe - $69.99 - check for popbacks (went up half size - I'm wearing sz 6.5 / outfits: here, here, here)
- Girl fur vest with belt - $29.99 (I'm wearing sz L from ~2 years ago / outfits: here, here, here)

Other picks: high heel high-cut leather boot ($139.99 - purchased, hope it works out!); suede leather court shoe with mid heel ($59.99 - love the electric blue color - wear my Sole Society pumps often); moccasin with decorative band ($19.99 - love my Gap moccasins)

There's something about leather pants with a silky blouse that seems minimalist chic to me. I'll definitely be wearing this combination again over the weekend as the weather warms up even more. Have a great weekend, everyone!