Toggles

 

Sweater, jeans: Old Navy. Shirt underneath: Aerie via TJMaxx. Boots: my old horseback riding boots. Sunglasses: Forever 21. 

Here is yet another day when my outfit and the weather didn't quite get along.  It was actually too hot for this sweater, which is bizarre in late January.  I'm just waiting for the weather to turn and suddenly be 50 degrees below zero.  But until then, it looks like high 60's for a little while. So strange.

Cutouts

Blazer, dress: TJMaxx. Tights: Target. Boots: thrifted.

This outfit and the weather didn't go very well together, and for once it wasn't because I neglected to check the temperature.  Rather, I neglected to remember just how crazy windy it was that day.  You know that girl that you are secretly giggling at because the wind is whipping her dress around and she's grasping desperately trying to keep it from flying up?  Have pity on her, because she just might be me.

I went on my aforementioned thrifting trip this weekend and was almost too successful.  I have some awesome new pieces that I just can't wait to mix in with the old stuff.  Much needed wardrobe rejuvenation is now in effect.

Plain White Tee

Jacket: Forever 21 via Plato's Closet. Tee: Walmart. Jeans: Old Navy, altered. Shoes: Target.

Today was a pretty low-key day, so I felt like going for a classic casual pairing of a plain white tee and boyfriend jeans.  These jeans were originally straight legged, but I was always wanting to roll them for more of a boyfriend look, which didn't work with the legs.  So over winter break, I hit the sewing machine and took in the legs from the mid calf down to make them more rollable.  I used this tutorial from Cotten and Curls as the basis.  I skinnied  a full pair of jeans with it as well, and it was pretty easy and both pairs turned out great!

Seeking Inspiration

Sweater: Belk (?). Jeans: Target. Boots: Walmart.

I was running a little late for class the other morning and found myself with the misfortune of being at an impasse with my closet.  I was seriously stumped on what to wear; nothing was inspiring me to get dressed.  There is not much else that is as frustrating as having a closet overflowing with clothes but nothing to wear.  In a final fit of desperation, I ended up pulling this sweater out from the very back of my closet.  I've had this thing for so long that I'm not even sure where I actually got it.  I haven't worn it in ages.

My little wardrobe standstill made me realize that it's about time to do a closet purge.  I have a lot of stuff that is taking up space that I just don't wear anymore, and it's making it harder to get dressed in the mornings.  I'll admit, I have a little bit of an attachment to my garments and struggle with getting rid of anything, "just in case" I might need it sometime in the future.  However, I'm also I realist, so I know that the probability of me needing one specific item of clothing that I already never wear is slim to none.  This sweater is probably going to be one of the first casualties of said purge (sorry, buddy, but your hey day was probably three or four years ago).

Also, I'm planning a major thrift outing for this weekend, so I'm gonna need some space for some fresh, new, inspiring pieces!

Tutorial: Taking in Side Seams

Yesterday, I posted a look that included a buffalo check shirt that I had taken in the side seams on to make it more fitted.  Today, I'm going to show exactly how I did it.  

Skill level: Basic machine sewing (it's super easy, I promise!)

Supplies: oversized shirt, matching thread, straight pins, and a buddy (but only for the first step, then you can let them go) 

Here is the shirt before (pardon the blurriness).  It was way too roomy for the look I was going for.

1.  Start by wearing the shirt right side out and having your buddy pinch the excess fabric and pin along your body to get the correct fit.  Make sure that each side is being taken in evenly.

Here's the placement of my pins along the side.

2.  Lay the shirt out flat and measure the distance between the edge of the shirt and the pins.  You want to have pretty much the same measurement all the way down the side.

3.  Remove the pins and turn the shirt inside out.  Measure out the same distance from step  2 and repin, but this time with the pins perpendicular to the edge seam so that you can sew over them.  I centered the hidden part of the pin that the correct distance, as seen below.

4. Start the stitch at the base of the the armpit (don't forget to backstitch!)  Curve the row inward until you reach the line of pins, then sew straight down the side.   

How the final stitch looks, curved down from the armpit to the line of pins.

5. Repeat the process down the opposite side of the shirt. 

6. Try on your shirt and make sure it fits the way you'd like.  If not, sew a second seam, starting at the same place as the first, but curving out a little further.

7. Cut the excess fabric off, leaving a seam allowance of about 3/8"

Two easy seams later, and you've got yourself a shirt tailored just for you.  This method is great for thrift store finds, hand me downs, or simply breathing new life into an old piece.  Now, go out and start taking in some shirts!  Happy sewing! 

Check Mate

Shirt, shorts, jacket: thrifted. Tights, socks: Target. Belt: vintage via my mom. Boots: Urban Outfitters.

So I've noticed a bit of a trend with my rainy day styling.  I really love my blue trench coat, but I  can't seem to get out of the black and white styling rut.  I even mentioned it the last time I wore the coat, but that didn't stop me from doing it once again.  How about a little side by side comparison:

Aaaaannnnnddddd now I feel really unoriginal.  Alright, new fashion challenge: wear my blue trench with something colored!

The buffalo check shirt I wore here caught my eye at the thrift store but was a few sizes too big.  However, I had been wanting a black and white check shirt for a while so I went ahead and bought it despite the size.  I had a different button down shirt that was also too big, so I hopped on the sewing machine and took them in.

Tomorrow I'll be posting a tutorial on taking in side seams; it's super easy and only requires the most basic sewing skills.  Check back tomorrow for the how-to!

Out to Dinner

Shirt, clutch: thrifted. Leggings: Walmart. Cape: gifted. Shoes: Delicious via Shoe Carnival. Watch: my grandpa's.

Thanks to Lindsay for taking these pictures!

Last night was my roommate's birthday, so we all went out to celebrate.  We drove into the Uptown area about 20 minutes from school and ate at a great restaurant.  It was so fun to have an excuse to get dressed up and have have a little ladies night out.  

I've been dying to wear both this silk blouse and the cape, which I got for my birthday from my mom.  It's such a cool piece and a welcome change from my usual wool peacoat.  The shoes are also some of my favorites; the second I saw them, I knew I had to have them!

Patriotic

Sweater: thrifted. Jeans: Banana Republic, gifted. Shoes: Payless.

I found this sweater at the thrift store and picked it up as kind of a joke; it looked really cozy, but the flag seemed a little silly.  After I tried it on, though, I decided that maybe the flag was kind of cool (in a kind of silly, nerdy way) and the oversized cut of the sweater was too comfy to pass up. (Did I not talk about thrifting a sweater based on the coziness factor just yesterday?)  I love cozy sweaters!

Cuddly Soft

Sweater: thrifted. Skirt: TJMaxx. Purse, shoes, tights: Target. Scarf: CVS.

Have you ever bought something that really wasn't anything special but was just so darn comfy you couldn't leave the store without it?  That's this sweater.  It is cuddly soft and warm and once I tried it on, I just couldn't resist it.

Also, this scarf is indeed from CVS, as in the drug store.  I don't usually go to CVS looking for clothes or accessories, but this scarf caught my eye.  I love the subtle chevron pattern.

Cozy Cowl

Peacoat: Kohl's. Sweater, jeans: Old Navy. Boots: Walmart. Necklace: gifted.

Today was the first day this winter that I've worn my wool peacoat.  Usually by this time in January, it's become a staple, but the weather has just been so unseasonably warm.  Today, however, winter finally decided to step up its game, and it got cold.  I was actually quite unprepared for the cold and realized that I don't think I have enough sweaters.  I dug this one out of the back of my closet; I've had it for ages, but it's super cozy and was a quick and comfortable outfit paired with my favorite jeans and comfy boots. (Added bonus for the fuzzy socks in those boots.)