As you know, I always try to keep things very simple with my attire. And if you're not aware of this personal style mantra of mine, all the evidence is right here on this blog. I just have a disdain for fussing. But that doesn't mean I don't want to put some effort into how I look or dress, because, after all, this is a style blog and at the end of the day, I care very much.
That said, one way to make sure that you're always at the top of your game, no matter how casual or how dolled up you've gotten yourself, one thing should remain consistent: your accessories. And that goes for whether you're trying to keep it minimal or going all swaggy. As a person of a certain age (gulp), I'm quite done with experimenting with trends, as I feel as though I've come into my own when it comes to personal style. I know what I like, what I don't, and more importantly, what I feel like myself in. In short, I've nailed down my sartorial affinities and I'm sticking to them.
I'm not huge on over-accessorizing, but I do believe in getting it just right. That usually means one to three chain necklaces, stud earrings and a killer pair of sunglasses. However, lately I've become quite enamored with an item that has turned into a huge staple in my ornament game: the wrist watch. My heart has been stolen by Shore Projects, this amazing company that embodies their seaside-inspired brand.
One of the reasons for why I fell for Shore Projects is because you don't have to settle for one style, nor do you have to double down or buy a whole bunch of different models for versatility because, drum roll please, they have interchangeable wrist bands. Basically you just have to choose a face you love and then just get all sorts of different bands to be able to serve each one of your outfits.
In these shots I'm wearing the all black version, but I also have a gold chain metal band and a tan one, so I'm never without it since all of these iterations cater to any ensemble I put together. In fact, the box set makes a great Christmas gift, if you're still looking.
Have you ever had an item on your ultimate wish list that you were never able to actually find in real life but you continued to dream away, hoping that one day, its perfect iteration would magically show up in your life? People, I hereby present you that special piece on my list: the tan fringe suede jacket.
It spent years lingering on my fall must-by lists, jumping from one year to another without me ever having been able to scratch it off. Fortunately for me, I live in a neighborhood that is ripe with all kinds of vintage goodness and I stumbled upon this little treasure after aimlessly wandering on a Saturday afternoon with some friends. Catching my eye right away, I slipped it on and it fit like a glove. It was basically fate.
Its vintage character makes it even better than any piece I could have gotten brand new. It was love at first sight and I think we're in it for the long haul.
My existence can predominantly be summed up by me categorizing things in a Like and a Dislike column. Just kidding, but I do find myself doing that quite a bit. And, in occasional fun twists of fate, I pleasantly surprise myself by having to remove things from the Dislikes and placing them into the Likes. I know, deep stuff.
My comrades, you are luckily witnessing one of those instances. Allow me to elaborate: as you're aware, I tend to stick to the usual tones of black, white, grey, denim, chambray, along with the occasional pop of either metallic (festive!) or red (premier lipstick choice!). Therefore, I did not instantly allow my mind to think that I would be able to pull off such a rich shade of burgundy upon the acquisition of this coat.
The grandpa nature - aka coziness - of the coat was an instant pro, however. While I initially recognized that it was long enough to keep my bottom warm and woolly enough to stave off a big chill, I remained weary of that hue. Was it aubergine? dark cherry? raspberry? And then it hit me like a ton of bricks: it was none of those colors! It was Burgundy! Merlot! Cabernet! Bordeaux! Rhone! I could basically channel all of my favorite red wines while donning what has become the star of this blog post.
That was enough to win me over and now it's one of may favorites to wear. Straight from Dislike to Like, go figure.
One of my favorite combos to wear is denim and leather. They both have a similar vibe but they somehow balance each other out. This kind of ensemble would work with pretty much any type of footwear, but my tomboyish instincts (and my very casual lifestyle) lead me to pick my trusty Vans.
I've discussed before how living in Brooklyn just makes you want to step up your laid-back game, which is precisely why dressed-up moments are pretty rare the way I'm set up. But my relaxed style is never sloppy, and that is why I can get away with wearing sk8er gurl sneakers on the daily.
In fact, I can't even remember the last time I put on a real pair of high heels. For real. I know, who am I?!
Totally realize that the quality of these shots is on the very poor side, but I've always said that this blog is about showcasing my real style and not so much planned outfits with overproduced photography.
And this scenario is one of those times where life was happening and I was wearing a cool ensemble that I wanted to capture cause I deemed worthy of sharing with you here on the blog. My hopes are always to inspire your own styles by proving how easy and fun fashion can be, and that requires for me to demonstrate actual genuine style scenes.
Ok so now that I am done justifying the poor quality of these photos, I'm going to give them context: I wore this to go to the ballet a few weeks ago. I felt like dressing up but obviously never the way that is expected. Simple as layering an oversized blazer (preferably vintage) on top of an on-trend 70s dress (again, preferably vintage).
Literally two easy pieces that make for a look that doesn't telegraph plain, but that feels uncomplicated and appropriate. Because that's how one should feel when seeing Swan Lake at Lincoln Center.
The weather in New York has been uncharacteristically warm for this time of year and while I know that it's probably the consequence of something bigger like, cough global warming cough, I'm kind of (reluctantly) embracing it with open arms.
You see, I despise being cold. I would rather, one thousand percent, be sweating my balls off than be shivering to my bones. I fully understand the appeal of year-round warm weather. And while I do find that there is true magic in the season change, the luster never lasts very long.
In the meantime, I'll just keep wearing my t-shirts outdoors for as long as Mother Nature will permit. But first sign of winter and I'll be bundled up from my head to my toes.
There's something about living in Brooklyn that makes you averse to dressing fancy, but ignites in you the desire to step up your casual game. Seriously, though, what's the use in getting all gussied up and uncomfortable when you can just feel relaxed in cozy standout pieces.
Which is essentially perfect for me because deep down, to my corest of cores, I am truly, genuinely, unequivocally a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl. These days, that means stripes (always), vintage 501s (the most comfy), Stan Smiths (classic) and, last but ever so not least, the pièce de résistance, a staple leather moto jacket.
On any given day, you can spot me gallivanting about the streets of the best of all boroughs in some kind of iteration of this getup.
Details:
Levi's jeans
Old Zara striped shirt
ASOS leather jacket
Adidas sneakers
Whipping Post leather tote
