I have to be 1000% honest- Fashion Halloween is perhaps one of my most favorite series, planning, times I have all year. The combination of aging and fashion? The story telling? I get a kick of planning and putting together my costumes each year– and I can’t wait to share this year’s choices with you! Yet, in the meantime- here is a look back at some of my most favorite Fashion Halloween moments and costumes!
Cleopatra- Queen of De-Nile! Catwoman- these gloves have the nails on them and they still may be one of my favorite things! Old Hollywood and me? The Birds! A take on Betty Draper! Maleficent! I was her in college and couldn’t resist again! T-Rex in a cocktail dress as the tales foretold! Marie Antoinette- the wig and this gown! Troop Beverly Hills! And of course! Barbie! Peaches and Cream- as all the cool kids know the best one!!
As you can tell- I LOVE this time of year- and these costumes. One of the ones I am planning (and the mask I bought) may be one of my best EVER! What are you being for Halloween? Have you thought about it? Do you love planning a costume and story like I do? I would love to hear any and all about it (and give ideas if needed!) From this Wednesday till the Wednesday before Halloween we will be celebrating Fashion Halloween- I truly and so excited and can’t wait! Happy Spooky Season! XO RA
One of my first posts in this series was about wedding dresses (and how we hang onto them and why) while wearing my great-great-grandma’s wedding dress (you can read about it here). So, in a way, it seems a bit full circle that I’m now writing about being a wedding guest (and what I wore and why) for a recent family wedding.
Let’s be honest: weddings are a great ritual, a great party, a great time and a stressful event for many. Recently my cousin got married (and I’m not sharing pics as it’s not my news but let me say that she was STUNNING and that the event- from top to bottom- by a lake, with gold Dinos as decorations, with family dancing- was just perfect), and like anyone else, I worried about what to wear to the wedding.
I was not a part of the bridal party, but I am who I am, and knowing that Id see family that I don’t often to visit with, when my invitation said “cocktail”, I knew that I wanted to look special (and not upstage the bride). So, below, from lunch with cousins to wedding to the morning after brunch (of which I was a hostess), I break down what I wore and why. Weddings are big stories- for all of us. I hope my choices help you in similar situations, or just inspire you to get dressed up!
Cousins Lunch
The day before the wedding, I had lunch with come cousins I hadn’t been able to catch up with in years! A casual affair, yes, but I wanted to look my best! My choice? A silk shirt with corduroy pants. Easy, seasonal, and yet chic- this combo would work with any color combo (I happened to choose purple and white for my college colors and CFB season!) and while I choose a chic flat, from boots to heels almost any shoe will do!
What I love: it’s easy and yet elegant. Super on point with textures, and easy to customize with colors and shoes!
What I would do differently: I did feel a bit undone. A belt would help, or adding more jewelry!
Wedding
You may have read about this dress here. It’s new (to me, vintage Hanea Mori) and when I got it, I knew that I had to wear it to the wedding. I felt as if it were perfect- fallish colors, midi length, long sleeved, and cocktail. But not overpowering – it wasn’t a gown, it’s a cocktail dress- and with the right gold shoes and jewelry, I felt like I nailed it!
What I love: everything. Everything about this dress. The fit. The color. Invite me to all your events so I can wear it again! I also felt like it wasn’t so over the top that I upstaged anyone (the last thing I would want to do!) but yet felt so good in it (and got a ton of compliments!).
What I would change: Not. A. Thing.
Morning After Brunch
For the morning after brunch, I knew that I needed something casual (yet chic), and I wanted to make a nod to the happy couple! As the table decorations at the reception were decorated with gold painted Dinos I felt as if a Dino shirt would be incredibly appropriate! Paired with a “nice” pair of jeans (and un-pictured amazing shoes!), it was a hit!
What I loved: Such an inside joke and felt like a cute outfit, even when I was “working”
What I would change: I loved the outfit but as we had to clean before and after the brunch I wish I had brought non-high waisted comfy pants and something I didn’t care about getting dirty for that!
I was very lucky as I didn’t have to travel for this wedding, meaning that if I put something on and it didn’t work I had my entire closet at my disposal. I know that’s not always the case, so a few of my wedding guest dressing tips:
-Plan in advance and take a backup. You just never know!
-Comfort and chic-ness are key. Yes, you want to impress everyone you haven’t seen in ages, but you want to move and dance, etc, with ease. There is a balance to be found!
-Look your best but adhere to the “rules”. Usually this means no white dresses, no overdressing, no upstaging the bridge, etc
-Have fun! Weddings are for the couple- and for families! Enjoy it all, from the event to what you wear!
What have you worn to recent weddings and what concerns about wedding dressing do you have? I would love to help you out with them and hear all about it!
I think I am rounding out the bug I have had as I want to dress up again! Yet- because I am still not 100% I am looking at hostess dresses. And caftans. And all things lounge that look like a party dress. And as a reminder:
This is the time of year when we’re looking for looks that are festive but yet, super comfy. Or at least I am. I love me a good party dress, I can’t resist a party dress, but at this time of year, I’m usually a bit overwhelmed and a bit behind, so while I want to be in a party dress I still need to be comfy.
My secret weapon for this? A hostess dress. Part fancy robe, part party dress that lets you go from
This:
to this:
OR in simple terms a hostess dress is:
The idea of a hostess outfit as somewhere between loungewear and partywear has been around since the 1920s. In 1925, Vogue decided pajamas were de rigueur, especially should you be able to acquire an Elsa Schiaparelli housecoat-and-pajama-pants set. In the ’60s, caftans and palazzo pants became the hostess outfit du jour. Since then, the idea of dressing up for company tends to mean something fancy and not all that comfortable. (read more on these thoughts here)
or you could put a hostess dress like:
an informal dress or robe to entertain at home.
Incredibly popular in the 1940s-60s, you can read more about hostess gowns here and here. But yes, hostess gowns are part robe/part party dress, sometimes more sheer, sometimes more embroidered, but for me- the perfect combination of chic and comfy.
This is a hostess dress.
As is my new favorite (purple with a but of a cape):
There are so many hostess dresses out there (I’ve linked some of my vintage favorites for you below, and my go-to sites are Esty and the Gem app) but for me, what ties them together is the mix of lounge wear and party wear. Hostess dress were the first dresses (or pant suits!) to toe the line between pajamas and ball gowns. And as much as I love party dresses, I also love lounge and fancy pjs, so I think that hostess dresses are heaven. (I also love the idea that in days gone past, people would just throw these on to have neighbors over for drinks or even just to chat with their husband!)
Since Covid, I’ve discovered a passion from caftans- which are a direct descendant from hostess dresses, which explains part of my love of hostess dresses. As they range from more formal to incredibly informal, there is a hostess gown (especially as wearing vintage makes it even more special!) for every holiday party or at home drink you have on your calendar!
Have you ever worn a hostess dress? Do you love them as much as I do? I hope that you find a part robe/ball gown aka hostess dress that lets you tell all of the most amazing holiday fashion stories this season. And I also hope that said hostess dress keeps you comfy as you look amazingly chic. Again, I’m linking my current favorites below (including a green exact copy of this purple one!), if you need help finding your perfect hostess dress please let me know!
XO RA
Note: This post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
Have you heard? Brooches are in- AGAIN! I love a great brooch, fun to put on a lapel, or a scarf. You could also- fasten your cardigan with it, put it on your purse, use it as a tie. There are so many ways to wear a brooch, and so many messages you can send with them. I love this reminder that what we wear tells a story, and when we are intentional with the stories we tell we can change the world!
I’ve always been fascinated by those women who walk into a room and everyone notices. And I’m even more fascinated by the women who seem to get everything that they want, without having to over explain themselves. (Real talk? I’m wordy and would win a gold at over explaining myself.) So, when I had the chance to look at a way that one such powerful woman communicated, I jumped on it!
** Did you know that a spider represents patience and predatory behavior? I’m not the only one who suddenly wants to wear a spider on a night out, right?
***And you may have caught on, today isn’t a true “Desginer to Know”, but rather a way to wear a design. (Play on words? Maybe, but related)
Last winter at the LBJ Library in Austin, I got to go see the pin collection worn by Madeleine Albright during her time as Secretary of State. Fashion? Yes. But, Albright also used her collection of pins to communicate with other Global Leaders, and silently but clearly, make her positions and feelings known.
It’s all the best of everything I love about fashion. A personal way to say who you are, and what you’re feeling. It’s a bit cheeky. And pins are a way to stand out. Why don’t we all do this?
Some of my favorite pins from the collection:
A broken glass ceiling
Hear No Evil/See No Evil/Speak No Evil
Albright’s colleciton had flowers, butterflies, animals, and all sorts of patriotic symbols. She became known for her pins, and people became adept at interpreting what some of them meant. One of my favorite stories from the collection:
And I was thrilled to realize that a strong, powerful woman and I have similar tastes: Madeleine Albright’s leopard pin My leopard pin from Bloomers and Frocks
I’m left with two questions: Should we bring back pins?
(Answer: I’m game. I loved that not all of Albright’s pins were designer. Which means-yes, if you can, start collecting Cartier and high end pins. But it also means, Etsy, any jewelry or vintage shop, and any market can provide you with a pin to say something with. )
Do you have to use pins to make a statement?
(Answer: No. Let’s use all of our fashion, accessories, and personality to say what we need to say.)
Which leaves the question: What are you communicating?
I’m off to make statements with my fashion. Join me?
XO RA
Every season there is a “sheer trend”. We chat about how to wear sheer, how to make sheer work appropriate, how to layer sheer tops and dresses and more. I am a big fan of sheer, see: here, here, here, here, here and so on, trust me: search “sheer” in our search tab!). There are so many ways to make sheer work appropriate (slips, tanks, etc) and I’ve tried them all. This past week I went back through some of my favorite outfits (some sheer) in a way to look for inspiration and also clean out some of my closet. Sheer can be so versatile, so many things.
But loves, what if we let sheer clothing be sheer?
I give you: Fashion in the Wild! It’s me- in all my fashion out and about, no planned shoots, no controlling it. Of all things sheer can be, it’s also fun!
What do you think? Any trend you’d like to see in the wild?
Shop my current sheer picks below and keep it wild out there!
XO RA
Note: This post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
You can also search Revolve here as they currently have the most on trend sheer dresses and more!
I love the water, which means that I often am in need of an updated swimsuit. BUT more often than not, when I am shopping for swim I think about fashion. More often than not, when I am shopping for swim I am thinking not about the pool or the beach but about fashion. I have mentioned more than once that I wear many of my swim wear as fashion. From one pieces to bikinis tops, there are so many swim suits that I wear as either body suits or crop tops. Swim as fashion or street wear is nothing new to me- in fact my swim “close” is divided into swim I wear in the water and those I wear with fashion. As we head into not only holiday weeks but into the heat of summer I am looking to update not only swim for the water but swim for the fashion.
Below are the swim pieces that I am interested for this summer to wear as fashion pieces- including an exact top as above. From shorts to skirts to pants, I can’t stop, won’t wearing my swim as fashion wear. And at this time there so many fantastic suits that look so chic as bodysuits!
How do you wear your swim? What do think of wearing swim as fashion?
I am linking certain swim suits from one pieces to bikini swim tops that I love and want to wear with everything this summer- especially out of the water!
Note: This post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
And here is my ultimate go to swim as a body suit:
Loves! It’s the time of month where we go into our closets to see what stories live there. This month? I was lucky enough to chat with Lauren from Timeless Vixen about her Ossie Clark collection. It’s amazing. And I can’t wait to get back into her closet and really play. Also –I’d love to come play in your closet! What do you collect?
In the meantime, let’s enjoy my convo with Lauren about her 109 pieces of Ossie Clark (yes, her closet is #goals)
Also- you can read about Lauren and Ossie (and a recent Italian exhibit here)
It’s summer and it’s the season of vacation. I know right know there are a ton of tips and tricks, and people who can tell you how to pack light. And show you all the cubbies and packing systems that they have. I am sure that those are all great tips. If you’re looking for that, this isn’t it. Of all people, I am not the one to tell you to pack light- I can’t even leave the house for the day without an extra set of shoes. Actually, I think adding an extra outfit- and pjs and underlings is always for the best! JIC! While I do have a system for me, I don’t know that it would translate to anything resembling advice.
What I can offer? Ideas for your bag that will make you feel chic- even on the days when you’re ready to come home!
Note: This post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
Vintage Luggage
Ok. A lot of vintage luggage doesn’t have wheels.But, so much of it is well made, and roomy. And a bit chic! I personally am partial to a great train case- they are perfect for your toiletries and small items (and count as a personal item on planes!). While these may be best for road trips, I have never regretted vintage luggage. And if they fit all my shoes I am sure that they can fit all of your things!
One and Done Outfits
I shared on Monday that I bought this jumpsuit for travel (and beyond). As with anything, when I plan what I wear to travel I want something chic that’s also comfortable- and this jumpsuit is it! It can be dressed up or down and could go from beach to dinner!
And speaking of one and done- I am also a fan of packing things that can be styled in oh-so-many ways.Not just talking about with different shoes or tops or whatnot- but outfits that can be completely new and different depending on how you wear them. For example? A smocked skirt! I got this one recently and have worn it as a dress- for poolside and beyond. But it also looks great as a skirt! With tees or button downs, crops or long sleeves! Change out the shoes and it’s new each time!
Stock Up on Travel Size
This seems like a given- but I can’t tell you how many people I know from family to friends that have a separate stash of travel toiletries and products that they use on trips. Most of the the things you love to use? They come in mini sizes. If not, the one “travel tip” I do while heartedly approve of is buying a set of mini bottles to fill with your go-to products!
What are some of your travel tips? How do you travel in style? I am open to anything other than leaving a pair of shoes at home! XO RA
Does it age me that one of the ads that I most remember from my youth is a song that goes: Who wears short shorts? We wear short shorts!
It was for a shaving/Nair product- but I still have that song in my head. And I still think about it in short season. Are shorts in season every spring/summer? Yes. I mean- they have to be, right? But, for some reason this season, I feel as if shorts are everywhere. EVERYWHERE. As in- everyone you know is wearing shorts, shorts are in so many editorials, so many red carpets, so many EVERYTHING. From short shorts (like the song) to Bermudas, to even pedal pushers- all shorts are en vogue.
So. Shorts are a thing we’re doing?
The thing about shorts? They do scream summer. I can’t think of anything other than swimsuits (and we know I love those both in and out of the water) that I wore more as a kid in the spring/summer.
My one issue (ok- not my only issue as out of no where I get worried that I am too old for shorts) with shorts is that I don’t want to look like a kid (and ironically too old) wearing them. So, how do we tell our stories (which I hope this season includes a ton of fun, a bit of nostalgia, and perhaps a smidge of sexiness) with shorts this season?
These are my tips, and my tips alone for shorts. Note: Like you I am still feeling it out as I go along and experimenting with short length, etc!
-Figure out what you feel comfortable with! Is it a length? A color? A pattern? This season everything- from suits to patterns to to all fabrics and lengths. If you’re drawn to a certain pair of shorts- play with them! I promise you that all shorts, even and especially those pictures here can be styled in SO many various ways.
– Dress up or down as you love. I have been playing with pairing my shorts with heels. Flats. Sneakers. As a suit. Super casually (cut offs and a tee!). Shorts, any shorts, with your favorite tee or blazer or blouse might the outfit for your season. And there are so many shorts! From suiting shorts to tailored Bermudas to the beloved cutoffs. Even rompers.
Perhaps the biggest story for shorts? To play. For you to figure out how and what and where shorts make sense for you. How to style them to feel most like yourself. Shorts that make you feel your age- in all the best ways.
I’ll be honest, I’ve been both drawn to shorts lately and a bit scared of wearing shorts lately. Yet, for fashion, I’ve been pulling through. (Also, because I refuse to believe that we are too old to wear anything. If you think you look great, who does care? At least, this is what I am telling myself) Shorts can be: cheeky (in the attitude way. OR I guess the other way!), sophisticated, flirty, causal, dressy- and all the things in between. And if shorts can be ALL of that, what stories could we tell in our shorts?
I can’t wait to find out!
How do you feel about shorts? How do you wear them? And any tips for feelings on shorts? I am all legs!
I have linked some of the shorts above and shots I want to wear below! Happy shopping for shorts!
Note: This post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
During the “lockdowns” I began to watch Golden Girls and Murder She Wrote, among other classics on the regular. (There is a whole other article and thought process about those shoes and the Guest Stars!) Whenever I get really into a show, I can’t help but let it influence my fashion- fashion is stories after all and so are our favorite tv shows. Ironically? Since Then? A Matter of Age? I have fallen a bit in love with a skirt suit.
Let’s be clear. I LOVE LOVE LOVE a great suit. I’ve never worked a job that required one. And a skirt suit? It’s a bit old fashioned- but on the other hand a bit forward and so daring. Yes, you can break up these “sets”- wear separately, update, make edgy- all of the things. Yet, I can’t help but be so attracted to – and start collecting skirt suits. Which, now, feel a bit edgy on their own!
This polka dot number (and we know I can never resist a polka dot) is a Fortuny number. For reference Fortuny is both a type of pleat, a a fabric and was a label. You can read more here, here, and here. I’ve also linked some modern polka dots and some Vintage Fortuny for you below. I love these slight balloon sleeves. And the pleats. The blazer would go amazing with any white/black/denim bottom. And pair the skirt with anything from a tank to a sweater to a tee. Add a pop of red (it’s my favorite pop with black and white dots).
And yet. Without all of that- this suit with the cinched waist and the movement in the sleeves feels daring on its own. Any hose. Any shoes. Perhaps a skirt suit is a bit more daring than we ever thought!
This silk set (which feels perfect for the season) is vintage YSL via here, here, and here for starters. Women in suits? Always a bit daring and always a bit forward thinking.
So. How also are skirt suits the perfect thing for the upcoming religious holidays? How are they modest at the same time? I am not sure– but I know do many of our stories are wrapped in skirt suits- from Easter Sunday (or your own service!) to first jobs to luncheons. The skirt suit is such a staple- and yet still forward.
What is your experience with a skirt suit? And are you wearing one soon?
I’ve linked a mix of Fortuny, modern and vintage skirt suits for your shopping pleasure!
XO RA
Note: This post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission form them. Thank you for your support!
