Zig Zag Pleats and High Maintenance Hair

Sunglasses: Dollar Store, Belt worn as Ribbon: taken from H&M tunic, Tank: Charlotte Russe, Skirt: TJ Maxx, Ring: Michael’s, Sandals: Payless Bracelet: GiftedI can’t believe I’m saying this but Burlington is in the middle of a record breaking heatwave… in MARCH. While the New Englander in me is weary of what a record high spring temperatures mean for seasons to come I’ve been taking full advantage of the weather. I pulled my warm weather boxes out of the crawl space storage and this pleated black and white maxi skirt was begging to be worn. It’s simple but loud, which is exactly what I was going for.

Recently I’ve started using scarves and in this case belts to tie up my hair instead of elastics in an attempt to offset the awkward growing out stage my hair is in. I’ve been growing my hair out since I had a quarter life crisis on my 21st birthday (while living in Italy) and on a whim decided to get a bob. It looked amazing when the stylist did it but in real life it was a maintenance nightmare.*

How often do you change up your hairstyle? What pieces in your closet require the maintenance?

*Speaking of maintenance nightmares… a day of running around at the office left my pleats looking rather wilted. So if anyone out there has a trick to keeping dry clean only pieces with pleats fresh in between trips to the cleaners I would be forever grateful!

Get Your Layer On

Sunnies, Skull Ring & Skirt: Downtown Threads, Scarf: Gift Shop, Blazer: Goodwill, Denim Button-up: Walmart, Boots: Gifted“Feels like negative 4 out there!” How can forecasters be so peppy about air cold enough to make your eyes water and nose hairs freeze?

I know I talk a lot about layering but as the temperatures continue to drop staying warm and cozy while looking somewhat pulled together becomes more of a challenge. Bundling up doesn’t have to mean bulking up! Here are a few tips for making layering work for you:

• wear your thinnest garment closest to your skin;  this will help you avoid looking bulky or lumpy. Above I used a tank top as my base layer, added a denim button up and finally a black blazer.
• three strikes, you’re out; three layers or less (under your outerwear) is usually best for showing off your silhouette while avoiding looking like a bag lady
• the long and short of it; show off each layer and your figure by layering your longest piece first i.e., a long maxi dress topped with a classic cut jean jacket and a cropped faux fur vest. The
• mix it up; have fun with your layers and try mixing different patterns, textures and styles together. Add a pop of color to an otherwise neutral look with a bold colored scarf or sequin cardigan or mix unexpected fabrics like lace, denim and wool.

What layering tips do you have?

A Windy Moment

Sunglasses: Chinatown,Velvet Blazer: Zara, Sweater: H&M, Belt: Gap, Skirt: Downtown Threads, Booties: Nine West

Please excuse the messy hair and limited range of facial expressions. The wind coming off the lake was freezing this morning making it hard to stand still and play nice in front of the the camera. Burlington managed to get off snow free this weekend while some towns in Vermont and New England got a foot of snow or more!

The last time I wore this vintage wool maxi skirt (here) was with a similar outfit. When I find an outfit that I like/works for me I try to re-imagine it using different colors, fabrics and/or textures. It helps me see pieces in my closet differently and give me more options.

With my legs fully covered and my top half all bundled up I was plenty warm even with the cold air whipping off the lake. Not to mention that the shearling lined booties kept my toes, usually the coldest part of my body, warm and toasty. I love how the booties can be worn cuffed to show off the shearling or laced up for a more Victorian feel. Nothing’s better than an outfit or accessory that can pull double duty.

Did you get any snow this weekend? Do you recycle your outfit ideas?

PS: Wore Out is finally on Facebook! Take a moment to tour the page and let me know what you think!

Gold and Blue

Sunnies: Greece, Sweater: Loft (via Clothes Exchange), Belt: Forever 21, Maxi Dress (worn as a skirt): Forever 21, Flats: TargetI bought these leopard flats at Target almost two years ago and they have finally started to fall apart. I paid less than $10 for them so I wasn’t expecting them to last forever but I can’t help but be a little heartbroken. I just wish I’d had the foresight to buy a second pair of these when I had the chance.

My friend Erin was gracious enough to snap these pictures for me last Friday during a lunchtime stroll along the Burlington Waterfront (you can always tell when friends take my pictures because of my big cheesy smile). Weather wise it’s been an absurdly beautiful fall but the chill in the air has started to linger and we’re expecting the first snow of the year later this week.

memo to self: find winter clothes asap

Have you unpacked your winter clothes yet? Are there pieces you wished you’d bought in multiples?

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?

A New Staple

Sunnies: Tom Ford (gifted), Tank: Charlotte Ruse, Jean Jacket: T.J Maxx, Skirt: Downtown Threads, Bangles: Gifted, Sandals: Payless

Last week while I was at Downtown Threads for Fashion’s Night Out  I fell head over heels for this skirt’s pattern when I saw it hanging on the rack. The skirt itself is a medium weight knit making it crazy hot today perfect for cooler fall days and even into winter when layered with tights. There’s about a million ways I want to style this skirt and honestly it’s quite frustrating that I can’t wear it everyday.

Originally I wanted to wear my black wedges (seen here) but the skirt isn’t quite long enough and too much of the heels were visible. I’ve always thought the perfect length is when your shoe is fully covered and the hem of your skirt/dress/pants is just barely brushing the ground but now that I have so many fun heels I want to show them off. Most of my heels are at least three inches so unless I purposely buy “tall” pants/skirts there’s no way I’ll be able to cover them up come cooler weather. I guess I’m still trying to find the sweet spot as far as length goes.

How much shoe is it acceptable to show?

Lookin Out

Necklace: Gifted, Button Up: Walmart, Tank: Charlotte Ruse,

Slip (not pictured): Vintage (via Etsy),

Belt (not pictured above): Taken off Gifted Dress,  Skirt: H&M,

Sandals: Payless, Bracelets: Vintage & Gifted, Bag: Vintage Talbots

Bet you didn’t know I had an afro!

I’ve got good news and I’ve got bad news but since I have more good news than bad news you’re getting the bad first…

I broke my camera. D and I climbed Mt. Mansfield this past weekend and within the first 10 minutes of our grand hiking adventure I dropped my camera and it died.

Now the good news…

I’m finally going to buy the brand spanking new camera that I’ve been lusting after for months! While I’m sad that my 5 year old point and shoot camera is dead I now have a legitimate excuse to buy myself a nice new camera! And…

Downtown Threads is expanding! I stopped in to check out their new space and James, the owner, graciously offered to snap these pictures of me. While I was there I got to explore their new space and peruse the ah-mazing pieces they’ve been able to put out now that they have more space. They’ve seriously stocked up on accessories; like the vintage yellow Talbots bag that James let me pose with above… I’m a little bit in love with it.

What summer accessories have you fallen in love with lately?

A Prairie Home

Sunnies: Greece, Top: Gifted, Belt: Vintage via my Mom, Skirt: H&M,

Slip (not seen): Vintage (via Etsy), Jean Jacket: T.J Maxx, Tote: Gifted

Cape Cod Bracelet: Gifted, Ring: Gifted, Mocs: Lands’ End

I took these photos over the weekend while it was still sunny and spring like in Burlington. Now we’re facing over a week of rain with a chance of “some sun” on Monday! Burlington like many other Vermont communities affected by the record high flooding this spring are bracing for the worst as Lake Champlain and Vermont’s rivers begin to swell again while the rain continues to fall.

While D and I were on vacation I dragged him into H&M in Philly and proceeded to spend an hour (my given time limit) frantically trying outfits on as fast as I could. I’d been searching for the perfect white maxi prairie/hippy skirt for a while so when I spotted this gem I didn’t hesitate. It was exactly what I’d been looking for and while it is a bit sheer the vintage slips that I picked up from Etsy (a million years ago) worked like a charm.

I wore this outfit over the weekend when D and I ran errands downtown and went out for a quick dinner. Since we were walking I wanted to wear flats but I was worried about the skirt dragging so I decided to try and wear it high-waisted and ended up loving the result. I’m looking forward to trying it with other skirts in my closet. By adding a thick waist belt and tucking in my sweater I was able to completely changed the look and feel of my outfit. Playing with proportions and adding simply accessories are quick (and cheap) ways to make your wardrobe really work for you.

Will you be rocking a maxi skirt this summer? What accessories do you pair with your maxi skirt?