outfits – Page 48 – Investment Piece

Fancy Dress

Investment Piece: Fancy Dress

Note: this post contains affiliate links. And is part of my partnership with Armarium. All opinions are my own. And while I might earn commission from these links, that doesn’t affect the price for you. Thank you for your support!

I won’t even address the fact that I’m in polka dots. Again. I can’t help it! And if they didn’t want me to wear dots, they would quit making them. Facts.
Investment Piece: Fancy Dress

And now that we got that out of the way:

Loves. This dress. It made me feel like a princess (but the self rescuing kind). And yet, I could also see it with flats and at bbqs. (This kind of princess loves drinking on patios and won’t apologize for it. I think this dress would look great doing that, too!)

Without prompting, I can speak for hours about what I love about fashion, and the power that I think fashion has. I’m a firm believer that everyone needs a party dress, a fancy dress if you will, to celebrate moments (big and small) in their lives. Birthdays? No exception.

Invsestment Piece: Fancy Dress

I fell in love with this Zimmermann dress the first time I saw it. And knew that I wanted to wear it on my birthday. (And also to walk in Paris, to summer soriees, and anything else my life could come up with) The thing about fancy dresses is that we tend to put them in a box. We think they can only be used for that party or that event or that soiree.

At that point we have two choices:
Yes. Buy the dress and wear it once
OR
Rent it and wear it once.

(Actually there are three choices, buy it and wear it wherever you want!)

This time, I choose to rent–and yet, I still got to wear it more than once. Birthday dinner. The ballet for Mother’s Day, and this shoot. I absolutely love renting with Armarium and I think you will too (see here). Like this option? Use code RADELICIA for 20% off your first rental.

Want to own this beauty for yourself?
I found options here

(A quick sizing note: I’m a size 0/2 and went with the bigger size here. In retrospect, I wish I had gone with the smaller size–it was a little hard to keep up! Armarium has stylists on call, so if you ever have a question like that, reach out to them!)

There’s no bad option. And there’s no bad fancy dress. Where do you wear yours?
Xo RA

It’s All Fun and Games

Investment Piece: It's All Fun and Games

It’s all fun and games….till the fashion gets involved. Or, if you’re doing it right, it’s all fun and games when the fashion gets involved. Because, loves, fashion is supposed to be fun. The games are up to you!

There are times when I get these ideas in my head that I can’t shake. Outfits. Shoot ideas. Pieces I must have. Sometimes the solution is simple: buy the shoes. Sometimes, the outfits or the shoots take more planning. This outfit? Easy. I fell in love with this Marni top (found at Recess LA) that is both metallic glory, and somehow reminds me of a bowling shirt. There are so many ways to wear it: jeans, skirts, over a bathing suit, over a dress. But I love them with these tux pants.

It’s fun. It’s perfect for playing games in. And yes, that is a shower cap worn as a hat. And some of my fave sandals.

All fun and games.

Investment Piece: It's all fun and games

We’ve covered the fun, now for the games.

I was convinced that I should shoot this outfit in a bowling alley. The shirt, the hat (which also looks amazing worn with all your hair up), the pants. It was to be editorial and fun and kitchy and high end, all at the same time. Here’s the thing about shooting in a bowling alley: you have to have one where you can shoot. Not that there aren’t bowling alleys, but issues like persmission, lighting, fees, and timing kept getting in the way. In the meantime, I wore this outfit to drinks. I wore the pieces seperately in various ways. The shhhower cap became a necessity when I needed to rinse off ad not get my hair wet.

And yet, I couldn’t get the idea of shooting this as a bowling outfit out of my head.

There’s a chance I watched Grease 2 too much as child. That’s most likely a subject for a different sort of therapy session. We’re focusing on the fun, games, and fashion.

But this outfit needed games, right?

We’re always given what we need. I should trust that by now, but sometimes I don’t. When I met my photographer for this shoot I knew that we might get to use an outdoor space, and that there might be some lawn bowling equipment. We lucked into someone having a hula hoop (and letting us use it). Then, by chance, we went by a restuarant that allowed us to shoot on their game deck and ping pong table. Some outfits just seem to find what they need.

It’s all fun and games, right?

This top is vintage Marni, and these pants are Jcrew from several seasons ago. However, I’ve linked similar items (and these shoes!) below for your fun and games!

XO RA

Don’t forget to shade yourself when you’re out having fun:

Note: This post does contain affiliate links. While I may earn commission from them, it does not affect the price for you. Thank you for your support!

Investment Piece: It's all fun and games — It’s all fun and games…

And Thank you to KYN Photo for playing games with me!

Dots and Sets

Investment Piece: Dots and Sets

Dots are a timeless pattern. I love them. You love them. They are everywhere. Here they get a little sass with a short set, you can’t quite tell but those sleeves are a little sheer, and some feathers. Perfectly vintage. Perfectly modern. The shorts would be perfect at the beach or a bbq, and with the skirt this is party ready.

Investment Piece: Dots and Sets

Sets. They’re great to wear together, to wear seperately. Sets can take the work out of planning an outfit. The skirt part of this vintage one would be perfect over any white dress, or even jeans. The shorts can stand alone. Together, or alone, they can be as dressy or as casual as your day needs.

Sassy, feathers and the pop of leg. Classic, those dots. If there is a superhero in your closet, I bet it’s a set like this one.

Yes, it’s vintage- from one of my favorites, FeatherstoneVintage, but I’ve found some similar options for your shopping pleasure below! The shoes? PVC from Steve Madden, exact ones linked. I’ve worn them with everything-they make your legs look like they go on for days!

Dots and sets. It’s how I roll!

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!

May Armarium Picks

This post is a part of my partnership with Armarium. At Armarium you can rent the designer looks you love, at a price that’s within your budget. Use code RADELICIA for 20% off of your first order, and 10% off your orders following that!

Every month I share some of the rentable looks I love that match some of the events I have coming up! May is an incredibly busy month for me–there are so many birthdays, a gala, ballet, graduations, and quite a few parties! See below what I’m thinking of renting, and don’t forget to rent yourself something!

Birthdays
May is the biggest birthday month I have, from my own to my mothers, to 6 family members, and a ton of friends-I can list a birthday for everyday this month. Which means, many events, parties, and celebrations!
I’m thinking :

Investment Piece: May Armarium Picks
This for some birthday dinners.

This for some parties.

And I just love this dress, and may need to find a place to wear it.

Graduations
May means graduations. And Mother’s Day Brunches and teas. What I love for these events?
Investment Piece: May Armarium Picks
This lady like dress, and it’s by a designer I’ve been dying to try!
And

This sunny number.

Ballets and Galas
Investment Piece: May Armarium Picks
Isn’t this the most perfect spring gala dress?

And I love this one.

Over any LBD, with pants, or a skirt, I just want to wear this blazer.

And finally, these pants are perfect for a matinee!

From gowns to purses, Armarium has everything I need for all my events. Use code RADELICIA to take 20% off your first rental,and 10% off after that!

Happy Renting!
Xo RA

Skirting the Season

Investment Piece: Skirting the Season

Investment Piece: Skiritng the Season

Shorts?
It’s not that I don’t like them, but they can be tough.
Jeans? Pants?
Not when it gets too hot.
The way I get through?
Skirting the season.
From midis to maxis, there’s a skirt for everything you have this season. I wear mine with everything from graphic tees to “going out tops”. Sneakers to heels. There isn’t a thin you can’t be, or a story you can’t tell in a skirt.

Personally, I like mine with a bit of movement (and it also helps you keep cool). We know I love a great juxatipositon, so pops of color, contrasting patterns,and the like are right up my alley.

I would love to know: how do you skirt the season?
Xo RA

I’ve linked similar items below for your shopping pleasure! This skirt is from H&M. I know. But, I have to admit there are collections from H&M that I just love! Their Conscious Collections, some of their new items, it’s all worth your time. And this skirt? Amazing. It even has pockets! And it’s a poly blend, but feels great, and the movement is a dream. I’ve worn it with everything from my bikini top to Blazers. I might gush, but skirts? They’re my secret weapon!

Note: this post does contian an affiliate link. While that does not affect prices for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!

Shop the look here

Fashion Stories: Smocked

Investment Piece: The Smock

A few weeks ago, I featured this dress that my mother had smocked. And while smocks can be many things-from an artist’s garment to a lightweight covering to a bib–smocking, to me, has always meant my mother. (The best things usually lead back to our moms). My mom smocked my sister and I countless outfits when we were kids; and now that I’m grown, she has made countless bibs as baby shower gifts for me to give.

Investment Piece: Smocking
(Me in an Easter Dress Mom made)

Smocking is so akin to my mother in my mind that when I started researching smocks for my last post I was shocked to find out that there is a complete history of smocks that didn’t include my mother. (Yes, I am that loyal. And yes, smocks are worth researching. You can start here).

Investment Piece: Smocks
My sister and I in dresses my mom smocked for us.

Loves, we know that I am fascinated by the things that we keep in our closets. I’m also fascinated by the stories that the clothes we keep tell. Smocks, and my mother, tell the stories of my childhood: love, holidays, my sister, and everything that goes along with those things. My mother has kept all the Smocking that she made for us, and this month I got the chance to sit down and talk with her about it.

IP: Mom! Thank you for being a part of this! When I look back at all of the things that you smocked for Ruth and I, I see all the love and time you poured into us. When did you begin Smocking?

Mom: I began Smocking in the early 1980s. When you were a baby, we lived in Spain and while we where there, I fell in love with some of the smocked baby clothes for sale. I wanted to make something just as special and beautiful for you and your sister as you grew up. I started with dresses and aprons, and then I started taking lessons using the Smocking pleater and doing the picture pleating.

This allowed my mom to design clothes for my sister and I, with things such as crayons, dogs, bunnies, balloons, and all sorts of designs.

IP: What has led you to hang on to these pieces for all of this time?

Mom: Well, I hope to pass them on to other members of the family. Or, at the very least, I hope that you and your sister can keep them and know how much love was sewn into them.

Investment Piece: Fashion Stories: Smocking

IP: And you recently began Smocking again. From Easter egg covers to bibs, bonnets, and other baby gifts, what made you take this up again?

Mom: Now that I’m retired I have more free time. I have always loved sewing and Smocking. It makes me happy to make something with love that I can give to someone. So, with that free time I’ve decided to finish some things that I started and never got around to finishing. And to do some more projects that will bring joy to people.

I know that my sister and I will always treasure these pieces from my mom. They were some of my first “custom Desginer” dresses. And informed my love of fashion. What have you kept in your closet from your family? What fashion piece do you associate with your mom? I would love to hear about it and come tell the stories in your closet!!

Xo RA

Investment Piece: fashion stories,: smocked i

trench (as a dress)

Investment Piece: trench (as a dress)

Note: some of the products in this post were a result of my partnership with Elaine Kim. While I may get products, all opinions and styling tips are my own. Also, I would never recommend a brand to you that I wouldn’t wear myself!

A take on the shirt dress that feels new and edgy (and yet a bit familiar)? Wearing a trench coat as a dress. I did it here. And I’ve done it again in an Elaine Kim number.

(What I love about the above trench/dress? The waist is adjustable, meaning there is as much room as you need. Details like the zippers on the sleeve. The slight tail at the back. And it also looks amazing over any outfit you can think of. Elaine also offers this number in a slightly darker color!)

Wearing your trench coat (or buying a trench dress) lets you combine function and fashion, comfort and class. For some reason, I always think of a trench coat as something a spy or “very important” business woman would wear. I carry myself differently in them. And yet, wearing a trench as a dress allows me to take all of that, and have a little fun with it. Surely, spies and important business women have a sense of humor, too?

Beyond that, this outfit is perfect when you’re running late and need something to wear, just throw on your coat. Or when you need structure, but don’t want to feel so stuffy.

Also, anything looks amazing with boots like these. That’s a promise.
But you could also wear any great boot, heel, or flat with it. That’s part of the fun.

What do you think of when you think of trench coats? Or wearing your coat as a dress? I’d love to hear about it!

As a special offer for my readers, you get 15% off of your first order at Elaine Kim with code RACHEL4EK. I love the entire collection, and if you love minimalist basics with some edge, you will too!

And I’ve linked some similar items below as well! Happy shopping!
Xo RA

Note: This post does contian affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!

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The Jacket

Investment Piece: The Jacket

A tweed suit says something. And a graphic tee says something. I personally love the combo.

I’m not the only one. There was a time not too long ago when “off duty model look” was simply a tweed blazer, a chain belt, and a graphic tee. I love this look. But I didn’t invent the wheel here.

What makes this outfit great (for me)?
This is my grandma’s blazer. Classic, well made, and full of love. Wonder Woman? We all are. And I think a great pair of jeans can never steer you wrong. These happen to be high waisted (and I’m a big believer that all good jeans are), and taper to make everything look longer and leaner. There are more exciting chain belts, I know. But really, all you need is a basic one.

And kitten heels? I think that they are a must. For everyone.

Timeless. A bit edgy. And a real chance to let us see some of you (your shirt doesn’t have to be a Wonder Woman one).
What I love about outfits like this one? There’s a really great chance that you have all the elements in your closet. Try pairing them together? The takes on this combo are endless. Switch out jeans for nice pants. Try a skirt. With the formula down, it can be anything you need it to be. And yet, still everything it should be.

Isn’t that great fashion?

Do you wear this combo? Is it something you love? I’d would love to hear about it!

(And if you don’t have these pieces in your closet, I’ve linked some similar pieces below for your shopping pleasure!)
XO RA

Note: this post does contian affiliate links. That does not affect the price for you, but I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!

Investment Piece: The Jacket

Play it Again

Investment Piece: Play it AGain

We’ve chatted about do-overs and re-wears. You may know that I’m all about you telling a fashion story as many times as you need to (fancy way of saying repeat an outfit), or switching up an outfit you love. In my world, there’s only one thing to do when something you love is finished playing.

Play it again.

Investment Piece: Nights in LA

I first shot this dress two summers ago (where does the time go?!) and have loved it ever since. It’s the perfect combination of simple (black dress) and statement (those sleeves). Over the years, I’ve worn it to parties and dinners, and have tried to make it feel new each time. (Not necessary when you’re rewearing something, there’s nothing wrong with the comfort of a perfect outfit. But there’s also nothing wrong with trying something new with someone you love!)

Investment Piece: Play it again

My new favorite take on this outfit? A belt to help emphasize the waist, and help keep the cut outs from gaping too much. (Another helper is fashion tape). Add matching (ish) shoes and you’re old hollywood meets sexy. Perfect for parties, dinners, the ballet.

Love something? Play it again. In any new or old way that makes you happy.

What outfit do you rewear over and over again? Do you switch it up or do you always wear it the same way? I’d love to hear about it!

I’ve linked similar dresses to this one below 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 from them. Thank you for your support!

Investment Piece: Play it Again

Inspired By

Investment Piece: Inspired By

I was lucky enough to recently make friends with a costume designer who inspired me. We met for happy hour the other week, and she told me story after story about one of her favorite outfits when she was younger: overalls, a silk shirt with great sleeves, heels, and her hair big. Inspired as I was, I couldn’t help but be inspired by that outfit. This is my take on it.

Overalls? Little girl? Maybe, but I think that when fitted properly, they can be chic. Heels? Always. And a great top with great sleeves? Done.
You’ve seen these pieces before: overalls and top. I loved them seperately. Together? I adore them. The sleeves make the overalls pop, and the way that necklace is obscured by the bib of the overall.

Most of all? I love my inspiration. The best part of style (I think) is that you can take inspiration from anywhere and really make it your own. My costume designer? I don’t think that her top was like this; but her stories made me remember how much I love overalls. It also made me think of how pairing things together can change the vibe of any outfit. Inspiration can come from anywhere, and our individual takes on outfits can make any combination special.

Who inspired your outfit today?
If the answer is no one, may I suggest this take on overalls? Pair them with any top you love and great heels, from teas to cocktails, you’ll inspire others!

I’ve linked similar items for your inspiration below!
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!