There isn’t a new Outift Post Today

… because I’ve been running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off in 5″ stilettos. All at once everything is moving at 100mph and it’s been all I can do to hold on.

I promise there will be new, juicy content up tomorrow and the day after but today I need a mulligan… and your advice:

Should I buy these?I was just sent a reminder that they were gathering digital dust sitting in my shopping cart and it got me thinking…

Pros: They’re under $35 (including shipping), relatively practical (aka good for at least 2 seasons) and I think they would be prefect with leggings, a big cozy knit and felt fedora (my fall weekend uniform) or paired with these skinnies, classic flannel and a knit beanie.

Cons: Some reviewers called them more of an olive than a brown, this concerns me. For under $35 I’m concerned that the quality will leave much to be desired, especially when they’re put up against Vermont weather conditions. I’m also worried that their slouchy appearance will restrict them to weekend only wear.

What do you think? Is there a way to class these boots up so they’re good for more than weekend errands? Should I pick them up?

Blue Boots and a Trench Coat

Sunglasses: Downtown Threads, Lightweight Trench Coat: Forever 21, Sweater Dress: Old Navy (via Goodwill), Gold Deco Belt: T.J. Maxx, Beaded Bracelets: Gifted, Ring: Gilt, Boots: Florence, Italy It’s Monday… again. I had a great weekend except for the fact that my allergies were off the charts. On Saturday I helped D stripe soccer fields and by the time we’d finished I was feeling pretty miserable and exhausted. Sadly I ended up missing the STRUT fashion show, I was disappointed but sometimes life just gets in the way of your plans, no matter how fabulous they may be.

The weather has been beautiful the past couple of days, sunny with the perfect hint of fall chill in the air. I decided to keep things simple and tossed on this light sweater dress and boots. I found the sweater dress in the children’s section at Goodwill, (with all the tags still on it!) for $3. I’m looking forward to pairing it with tights and booties as the temperature continues to cool off, it should be as easy to dress up as it is to dress down.

These boots were the “must have” item for American girls when I lived abroad. I ended up wearing these boots all over Europe, but since then they’ve spent more time in my closet than on my feet. It wasn’t until I paired them with this outfit that I realized how much I missed wearing them.

How would you style these boots? Do you have favorite item in your closet that you only wear once or twice a year?

A Poncho Cape Wrap Blanket Coat Thingy

Sunnies (last seen here): Gifted, Necklace: Zinnia, Belt: Target,

Tee (not pictured): Target, Poncho/Blanket Coat: Clothes Exchange,

Skirt: Forever 21, Boots: ItalyThe above picture is what happens when you mix a photo timer, lightweight tripod and high winds… Half posing, half lunging for the tipping tripod

If I don’t straighten it my hair naturally morphs into an insanely voluminous afro…I wish I was joking. In a last ditch effort to tame my fro before dashing off to work I created this pile tangle of braids and curls… which has to be one of the worst hair moments of my adult life! I seriously hated how my hair looked and unfortunately I think that shows in these photographs.

I got this striped poncho/blanket coat at the Clothes Exchange last week and I haven’t taken it off since. Is it bulky, yes. Isn’t it too late in the year to be wearing wool, maybe but I can’t help myself. I love the colors and it’s been really fun to style because it can be worn so many different ways.

I wore it as more of a wrap coat above but it can also be buttoned into a coat/cape like shape.  For the wrap coat look I just folded the buttons under, crossed the sides over one another, belted it and then adjusted the draping. Pretty simple and straightforward. Even though the wind was wrecking havoc on my tripod it ended up creating a really beautiful billowing effect with the sleeves. It almost made me forget about how awful my hair looks… almost.

I’m really looking forward to having more time to style and experiment with this piece in fall.  The weather has finally started warming so I think this will be my poncho’s final outing until Autumn. I can’t wait to pair  with ridding boots and skinny jeans/leggings or with dark wash flares, chunky heels and a fun hat.

Would you take outfit photos if you were having an epically bad hair day? Is your wardrobe strictly seasonal or do you blur the lines a little bit like I do?

In the Trenches

what a view

Sunnies: Downtown Threads

Scarf: Forever 21

Trench: Forever 21

Tee (hidden): Charlotte Ruse

Jeans: Charlotte Ruse

Boots: Florence, Italy

how to manage your hair during a wind storm 101

I was visiting Stranded in Chicago the other night and came across Harris’s post about how trenches are a necessity this season and it inspired me to dust off my shorter trench. While my trench doesn’t come close to the drool worthy trenches that Harris featured in her post, I’m still excited to rock this springy shell all season long. I love how adding a smart tailored trench and a bright scarf instantly take jeans and a tee from casual to classic! Nothing looks quite as sharp as a great fitting trench.

I’ve been a fan of trenches since my dad introduced me to Emma Peel from The Avengers. Not only was she a badass British spy but she was a genius whose fashion sense was as deadly and on target as her aim. I mean she had a catsuit named after her, is there anything cooler?

one of my favorite pair of boots!

Who are your style icons? How are you wearing your trench this season?

Stripes and Spurs

Why didn’t you tell me my hair tie was ruining the shot?

So I have something to confess, I feel terribly awkward posing for photos and I’m afraid it’s starting to show! Now that I have almost two weeks of posting under my belt I’ve been able to see what areas of Wore Out need more work and I just want to say thank you for sticking it out with me as I smooth out all the rough edges. I feel like the crappyness of my camera combined with my bush-league posing skills have made my outfit posts resembling facebook candids rather than styled looks.

D promised to help me find a camera this week so upgrades are abound! I’m also excited because Burlington is getting some amazing post Daylight Savings light which means I’ll be able to take more outdoor outfit shots (natural light makes such a difference!)

Can’t decide if the stripes are more “cat in the hat” or “prison-esque”

Locket: Vintage

Cardi: Kmart

Dress: H&M

Belt: (taken from above cardi)

Owl Ring: Forever 21

Tights: The Sox Market

Boots: Steve Madden

just laying around…

my owl ring is much friendlier in person

The first change I plan on making is not smiling (as much) or looking at the camera. (Don’t worry, I have no intention of mean mugging in all future post) I just want to play with more subtle, natural facial expressions.

memo to self: invest in orange/reddish hair ties

When I’m putting together an outfit I find one piece that’s really speaking to me and then build the rest of the look out from there. In this case I had my heart set on wearing my striped tights. Since the focal point of the outfit (my tights) were a bit outside of my comfort zone I decided to stick with more traditional color pallet and accessories.  Rich brown and navy blue really compliment each other (I wear the two together a lot) so when I wanted to add a little height and interest to this look I reached for one of my favorite pairs of well worn boots!

downtown or hoedown, you decide!

I bought these boots right before my sophomore year of college and almost 5 years later they’re still in rotation. These were my first pair of cowboy boots and since then I’ve acquired quite a collection, but these are my favorite. Boots have long been an indulgence of mine, D calls them my gateway drug because my love for fashion and style (which is still very new) grew out of my love for boots.  Fabulous boots need fabulous outfits right?

What got you started on fashion? How to you put together your outfits?