Spot the Dots

wait… I thought it was spring?Hat: Downtown Threads, Scarf & Old Navy Ankle Boots: Plato’s Closet, Vintage Knit Jacket: The Clothes Line, Sheer Blouse & Tank: Target, Levi’s Boyfriend Jeans Vintage Edwardian Cross pendent from my grandmother 

The girl who started off the week touting the approach of spring is once again swaddled in knits. Clearly I’ve retreated to my cold weather color palette of cream, gray, and plenty of black. This handmade vintage cardigan is lined with beautiful cream silk, making it feel a bit more refined than other knits, and is the perfect compliment to my relaxed boyfriend jeans. Add ankle boots that show off just the right amount of my spotted socks and I’m ready to hunk down and wait out the rest of the winter weather.

what colors, textures, and styles helped you get through the winter?

Signs of Spring

Floppy Hat w/ vintage brooch: Charlotte Russe, Sunnies: Downtown Threads, Faux Fur Snood: Gifted, Lux Jacket: Classy Closet, Dress: H&M, Vintage Sweater: Thrifted, Tights: Target, Frye Boots: Originally Mom’s Call me an optimist but I’m starting to feel/see signs of spring everywhere, despite the 30 degree temps. D and I took advantage of the beautiful weather this weekend with a nice long walk along the Burlington Bike Path. The bike path is one of my favorite spots in Burlington, there isn’t a bad view to be had and it winds along some of the most beautiful parks in Burlington.

This look is the perfect mix of the winter staples that have seen me through the cold and the spring pieces I’m itching to wear. A newly acquired vintage sweater, almost long enough to be a dress, I mean a Kardashian would wear it as a dress, was the perfect base for a floral trapeze dress and my faux fur snood. Mom’s old Frye boots and a big ole floppy hat (perfect for showcasing old brooches) brought everything together.

What signs of spring and/or spring fashion are you most excited for?

Bazaar Rodeo

Dollar Store Sunnies, Ann Taylor Jacket: Clothes Exchange, Knit: The Clothes Line, Necklace: Zinnia, Belt: From Mom, Sheer Skirt: American Apparel, Tights & Knee Socks : TJ Maxx, Vintage Rodeo Boots: Old Gold, Steve Madden Bag: Macy’s For some reason knotted skirts like this always remind me of Aladdin meets A Midsummer Night’s Eve in the grand Bazaar. Utterly casual but still feminine. In this case the knotted hem shows off my vintage Rodeo boots and mirrors the twisted, gathered look of the multicolored waist belt I inherited from my mom.

It seems counter-intuitive but in the winter wearing skirts is sometimes warmer than pants. I can layer fleece lined tights and knit leggings under a sheer American Apparel skirt like this one and be comfortable and warm all day long. Layering under pants/jeans is much harder and never comfortable. If I’d planned on being outside for much long I would have added a scarf or second layer of outwear but for running errands this was perfect.

what outfits make layering easy for you?

January Spring

Vintage Trench Coat: D’s Mom, Knit: Shalaom Shuk, Top: Forever 21, Tiger Eye Necklace: Zinnia, Vintage Wool Skirt: Downtown Threads, Tights: Target, Steve Madden Cowboy Boots (similar)

Yesterday’s spring like temps were the perfect excuse to break out this classic trench . It was made by D’s grandmother for D’s mother over 20 years ago and couldn’t be more beautiful. I love that it’s as on trend today as it was when it was originally made and I already know I’ll be wearing it for years to come.

Luckily I like how it looks with these boots because fingers crossed I’ll have these boots forever. I bought them right before I headed off to college and after years of near constant wear I finally had them resoled last winter. The cobbler was appalled at the condition they were in when I dropped them off, he literally chided me; but in the end he was able to work his shoe magic and after a complete resoling and new heels they’re better than new.

what pieces do you hope to be wearing for years to come?

 

Whole Lotta Layers

Hat: UO, Sunnies: Downtown Threads, Faux Fur Snood: Gifted, Moto Jacket: Forever 21, Knit and Button Up: Goodwill, Hurley Jeans: Plato’s Closet, Blowfish Boots: Macy’s, Vintage Bag: Gifted Hello from the tundra where layering is key to survival and two pairs of socks are always batter than one. This Forever 21 moto jacket (similar here) is made of a faux suede material that is surprisingly warm and wind repellent, especially with a thick knit cardigan and thermal button up layered underneath. Add my warmest piece of neckwear (seen here, here, and here) and Blowfish Boots (similar pair here) that are roomy enough for legwarmers and fleece socks and suddenly 12 degrees isn’t so daunting.

what are that warmest layers in your closet?

Russia Coat

Dollar Store Sunnies, London Fog Fuax Fur Lined Trench & Land’s End Sweater: Goodwill, Belt: Forever 21, Dress (worn as skirt): Downtown Threads, Tights (both pairs): Target, ELLE Ankle Boots: Kohl’s

When the temperature finally climbed above zero I scooted outside and snapped these photos, and while I wasn’t warm I wasn’t cold either. This 1980’s faux fur lined trench coat, my ‘Russia Coat’ as D dubed it, is incredibly warm. I’m talking this coat kept me comfortable on my walk home in -17 degrees and below. I thrifted it at Goodwill for something like $19 this past August and even though it cost me more than triple to have it cleaned I consider it money well spent.

what great finds have you had while thrifting?

museum muse

Dollar Store Sunnies, ALDO Bag, Lux Coat: Classy Closet, Gifted Scarf & Faux Fur Vest, Talbot’s Blouse: Goodwill, Stag Necklace: Downtown Threads, Jeans: H&M, Felmini Boots Growing up I visited a lot of museums with my parents and while I wasn’t always enthusiastic about these educational outings, I begrudgingly grew to love them. So when my parents told me that  Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones exhibit was going to be at the Peabody Essex Museum  in Salem, Massachusetts through the holidays D and I made it a point to visit and we were not disappointed. All of the exhibits were beautiful and I left feeling relaxed and inspired.

If you ever find yourself in the are I highly suggest you spend and afternoon exploring all the museum has to offer, especially the Yin Yu Tang House.

What outing have inspired you lately?

Bright and Light

Hat & BB Dakota Jacket: Urban Outfitters, Necklace: Downtown Threads, Leopard Ring: Charlotte Russe, Bag: ALDO, Sweater & Dress: Goodwill, Tights: The Sox Market, Frye Boots: originally my mom’s

There’s something about wearing winter white that makes everything feel lighter. As someone who is used to spending the winter months swathed in black and grey I was surprised how much I felt the difference. I’m not ready to give up my black basics yet but I’ll be working more winter whites and brights into my cold weather wardrobe. Anything to make all of these layers feel lighter.

How do you keep your winter wardrobe fresh and bright?

Same Game

Ann Taylor Jacket: The Clothes Exchange, Gifted Faux Fur Vest, Sweater: Zara, Necklace: Battery Street Jeans, Hurley Jeans, Booties & Ring: Kohl’s

Messy winter weather combined with a hectic, pre-holiday schedule has me embracing my go-to look, jeans and a tee. I always come back to this classic American look because I know it works and it’s easy to copy. I’ve been layering this faux fur vest under everything lately, not only is it a great way to add warmth to lightweight jackets but I love the way it looks over the lapels of my blazers and jackets.

How are you staying warm and well dressed?

Get to the Gate

Dollar Store Sunnies, Hat & Skirt: Downtown Threads, Gifted Scarf and Faux Fur Vest (worn under blazer), Blazer: Saver’s, Sweater: Zara Tights: The Sox Market, Frye Boots (passed down from my mom)

At this point I’m just letting my hair do its own thing. There’s no combating the friz and frumple that comes with a winter hat season that is almost three months long. Luckily I have a great collection of toppers to hide my static charged do all winter long. That’s right I’m finally declaring it winter. The colder weather has started to settle in and there’s no more denying that frigid temperatures are on the way. All you can do is bundle up, the more layers the better.

What style concessions do you make during the winter months?