Go-to Tuesday: Denim Shorts at American Eagle

Speaking of vacation/summer uniform, shorts can be a terrifying affair. There was a loooong period in my teens and 20s when I refused to even wear shorts: I felt they were cheesy and definitely not elegant. But eventually, I learned to embrace the short by taking an ironic approach to them. I started by wearing destroyed, self-made cutoffs with heels and sparkling jewelry. Now I keep it a little less extreme, and have found that American Eagle Midi Shorts are the perfect amount of "oh these old things?" worn-in and have a modest length (aka no butt cheeks hanging out).

Easy Caribbean Uniform: Simple Clothes and Bright Accessories

I had planned on taking a ton of outfit pics during my trip to San Juan, but this was pretty much my uniform the entire trip: tattered denim shorts, plain tank top, comfy sandals, and a bunch of bright accessories. A square scarf is the ultimate travel accessory because it folds up tiny in your bag, but can be used for warmth, protection against the sun, emergency hair help, something to sit on, and even as a pool cover up.

earrings and scarf: Forever 21 // tank: Mossimo // shorts: American Eagle // 

shoes: FitFlop // sunglasses: LOFT // purse: Rachel Roy // 

bracelets: ebay, Forever 21, Kate Spade

Denim Shorts and Over the Knee Leopard Boots at StyleChicago

Note: this is arguably the worst picture I've ever seen of Vered. Unfortunately, it's also the only picture I have of this outfit. Sorry, boo!

StyleChicago events are always early on Friday evenings, so it's usually a mad dash to get home, changed, and downtown in time for VIP cocktail hour! As usual, I had NO IDEA what I was going to wear: it was freezing, snowing, and still slushy from previous snow. I figured these boots ought to do the trick (with, no joke, two pairs of socks) but was at a loss for what else to wear. I try to let my crazy flag fly during these fashion events because they are certainly the best format. Somehow, the idea of these shorts with tights came to me and I made my poor husband dig them out of storage! I am very pleased with how the look came out, although I with the blazer was made of a heavier, more textured fabric. A black velvet blazer is on my wishlist!

MIXED MESSAGES: DAY 2

BONUS POST! I totally spaced on starting the week off right on Monday, so two posts today.

Here is another simple way to mix prints: use the same print in different colors. I loved Sarah's leopard sweater, and used my own pieces to come up with an inspired concoction. A long skinny necklace breaks up the print and adds interest.



 

• Sweater Forever 21 (similar)


• Blouse J. Crew (similar)


• Necklace old Forever 21 (similar)


• Jeans American Eagle (buy)


• Boots Wanted via Barefeet Shoes (similar)

SOLID INVESTMENT

This look started as a copycat: one of the other teachers wore a denim shirt with black jeans and a grey cardigan and it was super cute. I started with this denim shirt and my black "magic" pants, but then went rogue and added the fur vest and boots. The neon bracelet adds a pop of color.

• Vest Forever 21 (similar)


• Shirt American Eagle (similar)


• Bracelets Zara (buy), Ebay (buy)


• Pants Express (buy)


• Boots Kenneth Cole Reaction (similar)

BABY ONE MORE TIME

This skirt was probably too short for school, but that's the beauty of the opaque tight. ALL of my skin is totally covered up, so it's not nearly as scandalous as it could have been. Our school librarian gave this look a hilarious title - and told me to feel free to use it on my blog - but now I can't remember! Something about a school girl gone bad, but way better than that. Let's just pretend I remembered and it was awesome.



 

• Blazer Merona via Target (buy)


• Shirt J.Crew Factory (buy)


• Pearls Brooks Brothers, Express, mom's


• Pin thrifted (similar)


• Skirt Ebay (buy)


• Tights American Eagle


• Shoes Zara (similar)
  

GRANDE CHARTREUSE

Grande Chartreuse: monks who sell booze who you can't visit. Now you know.

Nothing super exciting about this outfit, other than the fun color combo. Chartreuse and coral red: you know you bought something in this color 5 years ago from J. Crew!

• Necklace ooold?? (similar)


• Sweater old J. Crew (similar)


• Tee Nikibiki (buy in Suntan)


• Jeans American Eagle (buy)


• Shoes Zara (similar)

LIFE'S A BLEACH

This is my favorite kid of outfit: generally classic with a serious bite. The blouse/sweater vest/pencil skirt/loafer combo is nothing new; but add in mixed prints, bleach stains, and studs and you've got yourself something to look twice at.



Yes, that's pony hair AND studs.

• Blouse old Dollhouse (similar)


• Vest old Gap (similar)


• Necklace Lia Sophia (similar)


• Earrings “borrowed” from Mom (similar)


• Skirt old H&M (similar)


• Tights American Eagle (similar)


• Shoes Zara (similar)

THEY JUST KEEP MOVING THE LINE

Katherine McPhee's character on Smash was my hair inspiration for this 'do. Well, my second inspiration... The first was a salesgirl at Gap who has this killer messy bouffant thing going on, but after three failed attempts, I decided it was time for Plan B. All I did was braid tight pigtails starting pretty close to the back of my head and pin them up. I put a Mini Spin Pin near the middle of each braid to help distribute the weight. The pins are not ideally placed (by then i was in a rush), but it still came out pretty cute if you don't look too closely.

  

Tiny sequins on the booty.

• Sweater Forever 21 (similar)


• Shirt J. Crew (similar)


• Jeans American Eagle (buy)


• Shoes Dr. Scholl's via TJ Maxx (similar)


• Earrings Forever 21 (buy)

Watch Ivy kill it in "They Just Keep Moving The Line" here.

Just Gonna Stand There And Watch Me Burn(out)

I was warned that the other couple we had dinner plans with were coming "very casual".  That was fine with me, since I spent the first half of this Saturday barfing up the Old Fashioneds I had the night before (NEVER AGAIN.).

I tossed these jeans back on, and immediately grabbed for this favorite burnout sweatshirt that hasn't gotten much play recently. I threw a bunch of sparkly jewelry on - including this ooold Gap necklace with flannel plaid that ties into a bow in the back. The red boots added a pop of color, and kept the jeans from dragging on the soggy ground outside.

I later added this plaid blazer over for additional warmth, which came in very handy in the chilly Blue Line Lounge.



I ordered new laces since the ones that came with were way too long and way too bright. I found these on Amazon.

• Necklace old Gap (similarish)


• Sweatshirt old Forever 21 (similar)


• Tee Nikibiki (buy in Suntan)


• Rhinestone bangle favor from Indian wedding (similar)


• Gold Bangle ?? (similar)


• Watch Fossil (buy)


• Jeans American Eagle (buy)


• Shoes Nature Breeze via Barefeet Shoes (buy half size up, last worn)


• Lips CoverGirl Natureluxe Gloss Balm in Peony (buy)

Hell Bent For Leather

Hooray, jeans to work! Thank goodness I only had to wear real work clothes for one day this week - I need a little time to get back into the mood. I've been hanging onto this shirt for over a month, and finally wore it out. It's a bit sheer, so I layered a nude cami under it . I don't  mind a hint of bra when I'm out at night, but I don't need to share my undergarments with 14-year-olds. (It was so cold in my room, I ended up wearing the vest 90% of the day anyway.)

It took me a while to finally bust these American Eagle jeans out, too. These are the same as the black ones I bought in store. I liked those so much that I ordered these in blue online. I tried to wear these to the Bulls game with my tee and Converse, but I looked like I could easily fit in with the 8th Grade.

• Vest Forever 21 (buy, last worn)


• Shirt Zara (similar, similar)


• Cami old Club Monaco (similar)


• Earrings “borrowed” from Mom (similar)
  


• Necklace Stephan & Co. via Nordstrom (buy, last worn)


• Gold bangle ?? (similar)


• Rhinestone bangle favor from Indian wedding (similar)


• Jeans American Eagle (buy)


• Shoes ooold Old Navy (similar)


• Nails Sinful Colors in Beau Khaki via Walgreens

Guess That's Why They Call It "Window Pain"

FINALLY FOUND: super comfy black wedges!!! I have been searching for the perfect pair forever, and I can finally check these off the list. Not only are they the perfect wedge height for me, these Cole Haan's have Nike Air technology inside. You would never know by just looking at them, but I can really feel they little air pockets inside the wedge when I lean back on my heels, or am stomping quickly down the hallway. SWOON.

AND they are even more on sale now than when I bought them a few weeks ago. I'm seriously considering buying several more colors/textures.

*Side note: I've had this little windowpane jumper dress since high school.

• Shirt J.Crew Factory (buy, last worn)


• Necklace Forever 21 (similar)


• Dress ooold Old Navy (similar)


• Tights American Eagle (similar)


• Shoes Cole Haan (buy half size up)


• Stud Bracelet Forever 21 (similar)


• Charm Bracelet Tiffany & Co (buy)