Hectic Hump Day

Dollar Store Sunnies, Blazer: Saver’s, Leaf Necklace: Dirt Chic, Gifted Scarf, Knit Top: Downtown Threads, Tank: Charlotte Russe, Jeans: Battery Street Jeans, Frye Boots

Dark wash skinnies, a crisp navy blazer, and classic Frye boots make for a simple, no fuss look for a hectic hump day.

What do you wear when you’re on the go all day?

Plum Tights and Lace

(left):commuting shoes – (right): office shoesBlouse: Goodwill, Dress & Tights: Target, Gold Belt: Battery Street Jeans, Heels: Michael Antonio (via Endless), Coat: Thrifted, Black Boots: Old NavyI was really surprised by how much I loved this look. It’s a bit outside my usual comfort zone but not so much that I felt like I was wearing someone else’s clothes.

The blouse I’m wearing is one of my favorite thrifting finds. I found it abandon in the housewares department at Goodwill for $3 and I haven’t stopped loving it since. The lace collar and detailing on the shoulders harken back to one of my favorite periods in time and fashion, the Victorian Era.

In the late 1800’s fashion was ruled by cultural and social restrictions; how you dressed communicated your social station. Looser garments were reserved for the working class while propriety dictated that members of the upper class wear numerous layers and restrictive garments. Women in the upper class wore  layers of under garments (in the hopes that undressing would be so taxing it would be avoided) and laced into corsets and rigid garments that made even the smallest tasks arduous, further instilling the belief that women were the weaker sex.

While I’m glad my mornings aren’t spent wrestling with corsets and crinoline I can’t help but love the fashions that came out of this era.

What era in fashion speaks to you? Do you find Victorian inspired looks restrictive and rigid or delicate and feminine?

For more Victorian inspired fashions follow Wore Out on Pinterest!

Paint it Black

Knit Hat: Downtown Threads, Velvet Blazer: Zara, Tank: Charlotte Ruse, Necklace: Dub’s Duds, Ring: Downtown Threads, Boyfriend Jeans: Levi’s, Boots: Old NavyBelieve it or not this outfit took me outside my comfort zone. I’ve been lusting after a pair of combat boots for almost a year now and a few weekends ago when Old Navy was having their killer sale I nabbed these boots for around $15. They’re velvet which gives them a softer look than traditional combat boots which I’m hoping will make them easier to work into my existing wardrobe.

I wasn’t exactly sure how to style my new boots so I opted for a monochromatic look (when in doubt wear black). Next time I’d style them with skinnier jeans or my skinny cargo pants. I think the rolled cuff and slightly baggy cut of the boyfriend jeans made me look a bit stout when paired with the boots.

We’re in the middle of an unseasonably warm spell (high 50’s, low 60’s) so I’ve been wearing lots of layers. Lately my go to outerwear piece has been my velvet blazer from Zara. It’s light enough to be worn under my peacoat but thick/warm enough to wear on its own. Under my blazer I have a long sleeve cardigan and a tank, which have been perfect for keeping me cool during hectic days and warm on my walk home from work.

How would you style these boots? What layering pieces do you rely on to get you through in-between weather?

About these pants…

Sunnies: Downtown Threads, Blazer: Saver’s, Tank & Necklace Target,  Blouse: From my mom, Jeans: H&M, Heels: Steve Madden (via T.J Maxx)I spent months searching for the perfect pair of dark wash, high-waisted flares and while D and I were in Montreal I found these at H&M. I thought they were the perfect pair of flares for me… but now that I have them I’m not so sure. They’re trickier to style than I thought and I’m not quite sure they’re flattering.

While I’m undecided about the silhouette the pants are cutting, I’m a big fan of the layers on top. I’ve been playing around with layering shirts and blazers with different lengths a lot since the temps started cooling off.  I liked how the teal blouse from my mom looked cuffed over the little boy’s blazer I scored for a dollar at Saver’s.

What layers and silhouettes are you playing around with this fall? 

Fall Fabrics

Suglasses: Zinnia, Camel Blazer: Vintage (from mom), Sweater: Gifted, Belt: Goodwill, Skirt: Downtown Threads, Boots: Florence, Italy I did a triple take of the temperature this morning when I woke up… a whole 42 degrees. Fall is here folks and I couldn’t be happier. I excitedly tore apart the house unpacked my fall clothes and did a happy dance when I came across this plaid wool maxi skirt. I bought it last year when Downtown Threads was having an end of winter sale and packed it away before I got a chance to wear it.

I live in maxi skirts and dresses all summer and I’m excited to have one that I can transition into cooler weather. Even though it was in the 40s when I woke up I knew it was eventually suppose to reach the mid 60’s so I layered a tee under my sweater and finished the look with the camel blazer my mom passed down to me.

I like that this look is a little bit English countryside and a lot bit 70’s, all I’m missing is an off white beret and flipped out ends. This look is entirely practical and over the top comfortable, exactly the mix I’m looking for this time of year.

Have you switched from summer staples to fall fashions yet? What pieces do you rely on during this seasonal transition?

New Staples

Button Up: Wal-Mart, Tee: Consignment Shop in Florence

Belt: Possibility Shop, Skirt: Downtown Threads

Wedges: Vintage (via my mom)

So you may be asking yourself, “why are these photos taken from so far away?” Well my allergies flared up, leaving my nose redder than my hair and my eyes as glazed as a Krispy Kreme doughnut. I am miserable. Luckily my allergies will wind down as the cooler fall temperatures roll in. If you have cope with allergies year round, I salute you. I don’t know how you do it.

When I am feeling this yucky comfort is paramount and this look fits the bill. This outfit is made up of two of my wardrobe staples: a distressed denim button up and vintage pleated skirt. If you’ve followed my blog for a while (thank you!) you probably recognize this skirt… since I wore it all summer, (here, here & here).  I never thought I’d say this but this button up, from Wal-Mart, has become a staple in my wardrobe (see here, here, & here).

What pieces do you consider wardrobe staples? What do you wear when you’re feeling under the weather? 

Surviving the Rapture

I told you we’d survive!Sunglasses: Chinatown, Headband: Charlotte Ruse,

Scarf: Downtown Threads, Sweater: Vintage LL Bean (via my dad),

Long Sleeve Tee (not pictured): Target, DIY Cutoffs: Aeropostale,

Wellies: Dick’s, Bangles: Vintage, Thrifted & Gifted, Bag: Gifted,

Ax: Borrowed from Woodsman Brian Always take time to smell the flowers, even during threats of rapture

I wanted to make sure the “rapture” was well behind us before I posted these pictures. I didn’t want to be the one trying to save face if the rapture in fact turned out to be real. My roommate Brian snapped these pictures a bit after 6pm on Saturday (supposedly the moment the rapture was suppose to commence).

I planned this look with the goal of surviving the rapture in mind:

Wellies: Rubber soles to safeguard me from lightning strikes and to keep my tootsies dry in the event of epic flooding

Cutoffs: How could I face the rapture if I couldn’t face how I looked in shorts? It was time to get over my embarrassment of my big ole’ white thighs and get on with my life.

Wool Sweater: Not only does this sweater carry special meaning becuase it was my dad’s but it’s practical, warm, perfectly broken in and from LL Bean; (do you think their lifetime guarantee covers the rapture?).

Layers: Who knows what type of climate the rapture will cause, layers allow you to be prepared for all situations.

Scarf: A scarf is one of the most versatile accessories you have. This square scarf is ideal because it can easily be folded or tied into a shirt, hat, coverup or Shemagh as my friend Dan pointed out (in case of sandstorms or just wanting to look like a badass.)

Even though I originally created this look for surviving the rapture I will definitely be wearing it (or a variation of it) again soon. It was so comfortable and now that I know I wont die of embarrassment if my thighs are showing my fashion options just increased ten fold. Summer here I come!

Did you plan a rapture survival outfit? Would you have gone the practical route like me or plan a more glamorous over the top look? What new summer clothes are you looking forward to trying this summer?

Who Needs a Pedestal when You’ve got a Stump?

Sunnies: Downtown Threads, Necklaces: Dub’s Duds’

Leather Jacket: Vintage Jeffrey Allen (via Downtown Threads),

Shirt: Old Navy (via Goodwill), Tank: Charlotte Ruse, Leggings: Forever 21

Not Posing Pose #26 “The Not Really Balancing Act”“Done in Deco” by O.P.I

I must say, this is one of my favorite outfit so far, it’s the perfect mix of form and function. It’s as comfortable as pajamas without making me look like I just rolled out of bed 15 minutes after I was suppose to be at work… not that that’s ever happened to me or anything.

I live in leggings year round and I was overjoyed that the weather this weekend was warm enough for  me to bust out my capris and go barefoot. D snapped these pictures in my parent’s backyard. When I was a kid the stump I’m standing on was a massive apple tree that we used to use as the home run line during epic summer whiffle ball games. Sadly it had to be cut down after one too many nor’easters left it’s limbs dead.

It’s no secret that I love to layer and I think this outfit is the perfect representation of some of my favorite layers. Extra long tank tops and tees are my go-to when it come to base layers. My (men’s) button up is from Goodwill and with an amazing price tag of only $2 it has become a staple in my wardrobe.

D bought me this vintage Jeffrey Allen cropped leather jacket for my birthday and I couldn’t be more in love (with both  D and the jacket)! The cropped cut of the jacket hits the smallest part of my waist perfectly helping to create shape and definition even with all my slouchy layers. Not only is this jacket a beautiful vintage piece but it’s slimming too!

Since I was working with all solid colors I decided to add interest to this look by layering two long necklaces together to create one statement necklace. I love how the gray from the leather jacket works with the silver and blue of the necklaces. Both of them were hand-me-downs from my amazing friend Jenna, she’s Dubs (from Dub’s Duds’). I’ve been envious of her accessories collection since we were in middle school so when she offered to let me pick though her jewelry box before her yard sale I couldn’t pass it up!

What are your favorite layering pieces? Who’s jewelry box would you love to raid?