If you’re like me, you love JCrew. They offer classics and well made trends at great prices, and the fit is perfect! And while Jcrew is known for classics, it’s a fun line–and has its own personality. In fact, I love dressing as a Jcrew Gal! So today, I’m breaking down Jcrew Stlye for you, so we can be classic and fun together!
Stripes and Statment Necklaces
Stripes are a staple–they go with everything, are the new neutral, and Jcrew offers more than one style. I love the short sleeve popovers, they manage to be both casual and pulled together at the same time!
Statement Necklaces are another Jcrew Staple, and why not! They add a bit of pop to any outfit, and who doesn’t love a little bling?
Leopard, it’s the new neutral. Seriously, leopard print can go with anything, and in classic shapes like this skirt make it a must for everyone’s closet!
Pop of Color! I love a great pop of color (told you I was a Jcrew girl), and think accersories are the best place for it! I have to be hones, these shoes aren’t Jcrew (they’re Gucci), but they go so perfectly that I couldn’t’ resist!
Put it all together and you have a classic look that pops, is fun, and feels lady like!
When we list the things I love, vintage dresses (like this Chloe) and I love accersories that pop (enter leather sleeves). I also mentioned that I loved the Chanel look that paired fingerless gloves under traditional dresses (you can see this look all over my Pintrest, follow me at @racheladelicia), so it was a natural for me to pair these two together! I love the soft and tough mixed, and the details! The banded hem and buttons of the dress (which also goes great with heels, wedges). The leather sleeves are a perfect juxatipositon (and go great under jackets, tops and other dresses–anything really). The boots tie it together, and make the look!
When I began this blog, I promised myself that I wouldn’t bring policitics into our discussion. It’s so divisive, I know I don’t have all the answers, and I didn’t want to alienate readers. I also wanted to stand apart, to truly bring you into my world on Sundays. Both things remain true. In November, I asked you to vote and let you know that I don’t judge how you vote, just as long as you vote. That’s still true. However, I would be remiss not to let you in on my experience yesterday. I was able to attend a Women’s March and it moved me: deeply and intimately. I’m a fan of both sides of the aisle and believe that rational discussion is the only way to get anywhere; however, as it moved me I had to share my experiences with you. This isn’t to say I judge how you voted, or I want you to believe as I do. However, as a woman who’s been groped, judged, and spent more than one night convinced she would be raped this is why I marched:
In America we currently have a President who’s been accused of sexual assault, who’s admitted to sexual assault.
A VP who has said more than once that he thinks that rape is something women make up to get off work.
Neither man seems to understand abortion.
Because abortion is always a hard choice, and even when it is the right choice, the government shouldn’t be a part of that choice.
Because, as a woman, I can’t be denied birth control, denied choice and be the one in charge of making sure unwanted pregnancy doesn’t happen.
A woman is sexually assaulted every 2 mins in America
People ask about what she was wearing
Some states charge rape victims for their rape kits
Texas has the maternal mortality rate of a third world country
Smiles and skirt lengths are not consent
We don’t teach consent
No woman has ever gotten herself pregnant
Yet, punishments for pregnancy or abortion only apply to the woman
Black Lives Matter
Blue Lives Matter
But, as a white woman with blonde hair and blue eyes, I’m more likely to be treated differently by the police and that’s not ok
Love is Love is Love
My IQ is not reliant on my bra size
Every woman I know has a story about doing something sexual that they didn’t want to do
Birth contra is not a female issue
It’s 2017 and Flint, Michigan still doesn’t have clean water
Slut Shaming is a thing
Period shaming is thing
Being called prude and a slut are two sides of the same coin, and both are ways of shaming women for making choices about their sexuality
Our society is scared of female sexuality
Breast feeding in public is shamed, but breasts shown for male enjoyment is celebrated
Mocking a disabled person shows your weakness, not theirs
Trans-gendered peeople are more likely to be raped or assaulted.
I’ve never been threatened by a trans person in the rest room, but I have been followed, stalked, and grabbed by men outside the women’s rest room
Someone gaining equal rights is not the same is you losing your rights
If ACA is reppealed, I will lose my health insurance
I’ve had to explain why I March
Feminist isn’t a dirty word
It only means men and women are equal
No person is illegal
There is no line, there are only people
Tampons have a tax
Muslims are not terrorists
Terrorists have shown that the thing they are most afraid of is a girl with a book
Yet
girls are taught what they say on a date is more important than what they might say in a boardroom
That they are responsible for what men think about sex
That tank tops are distracting to a boy’s education and therefore should be changed
That they come second.
Good girls:
Don’t get angry
Speak up
Speak out
React
Put out
Sleep with too many men
Say no
Lead him on
Disappoint him
Disappoint you,
Shouldn’t have opinions.
You can’t be a lady and a “good girl”.
Women are shamed for their choices, no matter if :
They have kids
they don’ have kids,
they use birth control,
They choose not to,
What they wear,
What they don’t wear.
Their size.
Their interests.
For being sensitive
Are crazy when they speak up
Women are routinely held accountable for men’s behavior
Being gay isn’t a choice, but being an asshole isn’t
Women still have to ask permission to use their bodies
The bravest, strongest people I know are women, and I believe in standing for them.
As a women on the Internet, and one involved in entertainment and outspoken, I get told everything from “shut-up” to I deserve to “be raped and killed” weekly. I’m told I shouldn’t be so sensitive.
I will debate tax code, gun control, and any other policy you like. However, I can no longer apologize for standing up for human rights as I see fit. I hope you stand with me, and if you see things differently, I hope we can chat and continue on this journey together.
As someone who loves their juxatipositons, can you blame me for considering jeans cocktail wear? Of course, pair a semi-sheer cocktail dress over them and it’s easy (You could also use any statement top, or put a skirt or dress on top, jeans are the most versatile thing you own, I promise). And I love the play here. I love that the dress is just sheer enough, I love that the denim grounds the dress, I love that it’s fun, and that the beading is magical. I’m not one for a ton of makeup but for this I attempted to keep a dewy look–it’s no makeup with a pinky lipgloss as eyeshadow. And if you ever have the chance, might I recommend the Pacific Design Center in LA? It makes magic easy!
You’ve done the work, you’ve cleaned out your closet, stored what you love, and now have a pile of cast offs. We’ve talked about what to do with them here, and again I will say, consignment shops are the way to go! Consignment Shops are often looking for new, clean, on trend looks; though vintage shops and some stores have different requirements. This Fashionista article has great tips on how to make sure your things are consignment ready, and of course if you have any questions a quick call to the store you’re looking to sell to should clear things up!
Looking to sell online? My favorite online consignment stores are TheRealReal, Tradesy, and Vestaire Collective. They each have a section that spells out their process and requirements! (I also love shopping at all three sites!)
Need some tips on how to organize the items you’re keeping? I love this piece from InStyle, because if we’re going to invest in our closets, they should be places we want to spend time!
I’d love to know: are you a consignment lover? What are your tips to sell? And tell me all about your closet!
This was another shoot where every pic was my fave and choosing was just too hard! I love the pleats on this skirt and how the light plays with them. I love this Gucci top: how it’s soft and sheer and yet a stand out with the tails. I love that the skirt goes with everything. I love that I can also wear this top with jeans. The shoes whose bands match the pleating. The sheer shocks with a node to the blouse. This is my idea of symmetry.
I love designer clothes, high fashion, and outfits that stand out. Not new information, I know. And for years I have longed for a way to indulge my high-end tastes in an affordable way (yes, I see nothing wrong with wearing Gucci everyday). In what seems like an answer to prayers is Couture Collective. More than a place to shop, Couture Collective allows me to “share” designer items I choose for a season. What does this mean? I get the pieces I love at a fraction of the cost, I don’t have to worry about closet space, and there’s always something new to wear! It’s a fashion lovers dream!
Couture Collective doesn’t run on the typical “rent for the night” model, although that’s an option as well. Each season, Members reserve the items that they love from the Collective, for 20% of retail, reserve when they would like the item, and send the item in when they are done with it! Reservations are on a first come, first serve basis and last up to 2 weeks, but if the item is free for evening, you can request it. There’s no pressure to buy at the end of the season, you simply choose what you would like to “share” for the next season. And loves, Membership is free!
There’s a selection of black tie and ready to wear pieces (with everything in between), and as the site grows we can expect more sizes. (This Collective originally started in NYC as a way for the fashionable set to get their fashion fix and not wear the same thing at events. Supporting other women in business- count me in!) Each season will be a little different, for the Spring we can get excited for more accersories.
Need something for a night? Not into sharing? Couture Collective has you covered! The site does offer one night rentals, which is perfect for party season. There’s also an option to buy a piece from the current season (seasons last for 6 mths) for a fraction of the price, it will be sent to you when the season is over. AND all items from past seasons are available for immediate purchase at a reduced rate!
The options with Couture Collective are limitless, and allow me to get my fashion fix at a fraction of the cost. I’m in love! Below see some of my picks, and you can sign up at <a href=”www.couturecollective.com”target=”_Blank”>Couture Collective</a> .
Things I love: high fashion, juxatipositon, couture, supporting other women, and outfits that stand out. This winning combo is complete here! The top is couture by my friend Rachel Ruth Baker (you can find her on Instagram as @pychinzska and you should!) and it’s perfect. I love the sleeves, the eye detail, the purple. I love that it’s high fashion, but goes great with jeans, or in this case Jrew chinos. It feels special and everyday all at the same time. And it’s a great way to holiday!
Loves, we love to be busy, don’t we? (Looking for a convo about busy? I think this, this, and my piece here are great reads). And yes, our society loves busy, it’s’ praised. A facet in that complex relationship? Multitasking. I do it, you do it, we all do it. To be as busy as we all love to be, we have to do it. And there are times when multitasking is good, helpful and works. However, loves, when we multitask are there times when we are doing too much and not getting anything done?
I’ve been thinking a lot about multitasking lately, and how I want to focus my attention. I have big goals and long to-do lists, like I’m sure you do. And there are times when doing two things (or more) at the same time is great. I can clean house and bake and listen to a podcast at the same time. I can watch football and do laundry, so skim social media. There are things that don’t need my full attention and I can get so many things done. However, there are also times when multitasking doesn’t work for me, and when I do more than one thing at a time I find I get nothing done. From writing posts to movies I really want to see, my workouts to time with friends, there are things that need, and deserve my full attention. There are times when multitasking stresses me out, when I have so much going on that I feel as if I can’t make progress on anything.
I’m sure that there are methods for being better at multitasking. I’m sure that there are ways to do all the things at the same time and get everything done. My method? I’m stopping with the multitasking. I’m committing to giving the things that require my full attention my full attention. I’m being present, and doing some things one at a time whole-heartedly instead of a dozen things half-heartedly. And loves, I actually feel as if I’m getting more done. Easy? Probably easier than you think. There’s no true “method” here, I’m simply being ok with doing one thing at a time. The movie I really want to watch? I enjoy it, instead of trying to catch up online at the same time. Chores, work, projects, I allot myself to sit down and focus on just that one thing. It turns out, when I focus and give myself to something, I get it done faster than trying to give myself to 20 things at a time. Does this mean I never multitask anymore? No. But, it does mean that I’m actively trying not to–and I’m enjoying that ride!
I’d love to know–what are your thoughts on multitasking?
AND It’s Martin Luther King Weekend! In that spirit, might I suggest the movie “Hidden Figures”? I loved it! It’s not only a great peak into some of the black heroes who helped get us to space, I loved that the women portrayed were smart and capable, and that was their story, not a romantic one. Take a girl you love! I also love visiting museums on holidays, and personally plan to begin to clean out my closet. What do you have going on?
