Category: outfits

Top ten things to happen during your day? Someone compliments your outfit.
Top five things to happen during your day? Someone asks where you got it.

(And Ladies, let’s play for the same team here, if someone asks where you got something–or even if they just compliment you–be a sport and tell them. It’s a compliment! And when we’re all stylish, we all win!)

These things mean so much, especially when you love what you’re wearing, and I have a big policy here that you should love what you’re wearing. Another policy? I believe in investing in quality pieces that not only look amazing on you (gaining compliments) but last for years. (Isn’t the name Investment Piece amazing?!?1) (And yes, those are Gucci loafers). But wanna know yet another policy? I believe in faking it (in moderation, never in the bedroom, and only when it comes to amazing fashion).

Loves, let’s get real, we can’t buy all luxury all the time (or if you can and would like to adopt me in any way, I am available). And wearing head to toe designer can be a little stale. I love the mixing of high and low fashion, I think it’s fresh and modern. Another policy? (I promise, I’m not in Congress). I hate knock offs. I really have an issue with directly copying someone else’s design, the artist in me can’t handle it. but I understand that desire to have something specific, and I get wanting that asthetic. My solution/compromise? A “cheaper” item with that designer feel. Not a knock off, but a “in the spirit of”, if you will.

This jacket? HM. (Seriously, they have some amazing stuff right now!). I love that it’s bold and just Gucci-esque. I love that it goes great with my Gucci. (And my new fave AYR jeans). I love that it makes me feel polished and that it feels like pjs. I love that it’s a fake, but not a fake.

So, how do we fake it? We find something that we love. We pair it with things we love. We rock it proudly, even if it’s a “fake”. And we share our secrets.

How do you fake it?
XO RA

You made the plan: the lists, the time, the place. You got excited, you have the dress, you invite people to your after party. Best laid plans are the best because you’ve thought of everything!

Then, it happens. And by it, I don’t mean your best laid plans. It rains. Or someone cancels. The dress rips, you have a headache, Mercury is in Retrograde. It happens–that thing that puts your best laid plans to rest.

That was my story this past weekend. Here’s the thing loves, I’m a planner and a procrastinator, I have firm plans and I play it by ear, I’m really regemented and yet I can bend all the rules–there’s a reason I have a thing for juxtatipositions. But this weekend? I had best laid plans. I was going to shoot this dress with a hotel background (though I have to admit, I’m a fan of the early Autumn, backlit look), I was going to clean out my closet (my next opprotunity to do so is in November), and I was going to work ahead (as I have a lot going on in the next few weeks).

Wanna know what I did? I got some shooting in (and while it was not to my best laid plan, I’m happy with them), I watched football (a lot of football), and I got some work done (but I’m by no means ahead). My best laid plans? They were laid to rest. Quickly, quietly, and without a quarrel. And while I had in my head these “perfect” plans for my weekend, I have to say I’m aok with my non-best plans working out. I got to rest. I got enough done. I made plans for the future. That’s all ok with me. Isn’t that the beauty of best laid plans? When they get laid to rest, our second (or third or fourth) plans get their chance to shine.

Now that we’re up to speed on my plans that didn’t happen, let’s chat about this dress! Vintage Laura Ashley, and it makes all my little girl princess dreams come true. (When I was 4 I had this amazing pink Laura Ashley that I wore around, for days at a time, sometimes with a crown. I still feel like that’s a valid look) This dress has all the great requirements for a floral dress-the skirt flares, it still shows your waist, it’s both a stand out and a staple. It would be great at a wedding, cocktail party, or maybe just a Monday. And while I thought that perhaps I had outgrown the famed Laura Ashley florals and gowns, there’s something sweet and a little edgy here that I just felt drawn to–I’m not sorry.

Of Note: This dress is vintage, I found it on Etsy if you care to search for your own Laura Ashley. I did link similar dresses below, if you like your florals modern.
Sea of Shoes stoked my love of Vintage Laura Ashley, and her collection is something to check out.
I realized in writing this post that last year about the same time, I wrote about this amazing floral dress as a good bye to fall. I don’t know if great minds (yep, still my mind) think alike, if this is repetition or tradition, or if this is just another example of best laid plans–but with dresses like these, I may not overthink it!

Shop my picks below, and I’m wishing all your best laid plans work out!
XO RA

She walks into Starbucks, dressed to the nines, and though your hair looks Drybar perfect today, you automatically feel like a 7th grader with broccoli in her braces. She doesn’t seem to notice anyone else in her haze of perfectness. Feel like that will never be you? Me either.
Let’s chat about dealing with Insecurities

Imagine wearing whatever you like, whenever you like, and feeling amazing in it. How do we get there?

To be honest, I’m not sure. My body is not something I’m always comfortable in. I work out 6 days a week, eat clean, and there are times when I have abs and times when I don’t. I fantasize about not worrying what I look like, just throwing things on, and feeling secure all the time. My insecurities won’t let me.

I mean, they do sometimes, but let’s be honest sometimes they don’t. I love this unique way of tying a white button down. But there are shots I’m not confident to show you (this was not an abs day, and as a human when I bend, my stomach moves, sometimes over my clothes). I spent days thinking maybe I should reshoot, or look into those retouching services. But, as much as I want to portray a perfect, super secure, super Instagram worthy life and outfit to you–this is who I am.

So, how do I deal with my insecurities? Probably not well. Let’s be frank with each other, dealing with insecurities is hard. One day it’s super easy. One day it’s super hard. I wish that I had a magic wand and could tell us secrets, but I can’t.

If I could, I would easily make our insecurities go away. We would see ourselves for the beautiful and amazing creatures that we are. Wine would make us lose weight, for real. Calories wouldn’t matter. Gucci shoes would be a lot cheaper than they are (ok, that’s not an insecurity, but if we’re dreaming, let’s shoot for the fences).

I’m still waiting on magic wands and affordable Gucci shoes, so I will share what I do know. We are beautiful. We are worthy. And if you love an outfit, it doesn’t matter than your stomach moves with your body. Also, if you fake that you can deal well with your insecurities, you can be that woman in Starbucks (at least for a minute, we can do anything for a minute).

The best way I know how to deal with insecurities? Amazing fashion. So, let’s chat about that!
I saw this way to tie a white button down on Instagram and had to try it-using the top button, button down as far as you like, then pull the sides back, tie, and twist up. I love it with a pencil skirt–and I love a classic pencil skirt in a great bold color. I like to think that these wedges balance the fact that it’s fall and it’s 90 degrees outside, they may not.

Even when I looked at these pics that sparked my insecurities, I loved wearing this outfit. I felt good in this outfit. Isn’t that what matters.

Side note: Maybe choosing to feel good is the best way to deal with our insecurities. What do you think?

Shop my picks below:

XO RA

There’s smoke in the distance, danger in the air, and someone in distress. People are waiting for a hero to swoop in and save them. Then out of the blue, flies in a hero with a cape to save the day. Superwoman? BatGirl? No, it’s you! You are able to be your own hero and it saves you!

One of the best pieces of advice that I think we can get in life is to be your own hero; or as Nora Ephron put it, “Be the heroine of your own life”. It can be cliche, it can be Pintrest-y, but loves, it can be true. We are conditioned to think of heroes as these big, larger than life characters, that often have super powers, and save people from life or death situations. And yes, we are also conditioned to think of teachers as heroes (and they are!), but we don’t watch movies about them (the fact that we should is a post for another type of blog).

So, what does it mean to be your own hero? Does it have to be big? What if being your own hero simply means showing up for yourself? If day in and day out, you can manage to be kind to yourself, you can manage to work to give yourself what you need, and if you can stand up for yourself: you are a hero. None of that is easy. We work to be able to do that for ourselves, and here’s the thing: I think that’s heroic. No one but you can take care of you, and showing up for yourself (and others, if you’re able), is something to be proud of! In fact, you deserve a cape!

I don’t think it’s a secret that I’m a fan of capes (see here, here, and here, with more under our search bar!), but this cape is a little different. I found this fun number in the little girl section of Target (pro-tip, there’s a chance you fit in kid’s clothes and that’s not something to shy away from), and I fell in love. The colors, the star, the length. Cheeky? Yes. But what hero isn’t a little cheeky at times? I’ve worn it over my swimsuit at the pool, and out for dinner. It’s a showstopper, and makes me feel good. And that’s some heroics I can get behind.

And these jeans? Some of my new faves for fall! I broke down and tried AYR, an affordable but luxurious line from a JCREW alum, and they are amazing–I’ve lived in them! The perfect amount of stretch, they hit me just right, and this wash goes with everything!

Real talk? A hero cape may be a little much for you, maybe you don’t want to wear a big star on your back, but because you’re a hero, I think you deserve something to celebrate that. What does that mean to you?

XO RA

Shop my picks below:
Including these exact pieces!

Loves, Equipment is one of my favorite brands: from the softest silk you’ve ever felt to amazing cashmere to dresses and seperates that are effortlessly chic, there’s something for everyone. And if you’re in the market for any of those things, you’re in luck! This weekend is Equipment’s Friends and Family Sale, where everything is 25% off (some restrictions apply). I’ve linked some of my favorite pieces below, you can find yours here!

Happy Shopping!

XO RA

Loves, from last week, you know that I take my football very seriously, see here, and wear purple on Fridays (Go Frogs!). And you know that I thought that this skirt was going to be my new neutral (see here). So loves, it should come as no surprise that this purple is my new neutral. That’s right, you heard it first: purple as a neutral. It’s happening.

It happens in this amazing vintage YSL skirt because while the color is bold, and the length is long, it just goes with everything! Case in point: this off the shoulder top (from last season, but I found you some that are super similar), and these yellow shoes (yes, they are my new favorite). The colors stand out by themselves, but flow together seamlessly. Purple and blue are in the same family, and the yellow is a nice pop. The lesson: don’t be afriad to mix. This skirt would also look amazing with leopard print, your classics (white and black), red, a print, green. I dare you: bring me something it wouldn’t look great with!

Purple as a neutral might seem like a stretch, but I don’t think it is. Any color can be a neutral if you pair it correctly (and what have we been learning here?). Especially any bold color can be a neutral-red goes with so much, as does blue, yellow, green. There’s so reason to stick to black and white, the entire rainbow is your palette. (I also love leopard and snakeskin as neutrals. Don’t be afriad to pair them with colors!) But loves, I do love this purple skirt. As it is purple, and it is football season, it is currently my favorite neutral in my closet. While I am partial to this outfit (how couldn’t I be?), I’m pairing this skirt with almost everything I own (and yes, that includes TCU shirts).

What purple (or other color) are you wearing as a neutral?

Shop my picks below! And happy GO Purple Friday!
XO RA

Don’t Forget about free gifts at ModCloth:

I recently got an email asking me where you can shop the #OOTD looks that I post both on Instagram and my Instagram Stories. If the look is a part of the post, the look is always shoppable in that post. Another place you can shop my looks? Under the “My Looks” tab on the menu, I always attempt to make sure that I stay up to date on my #OOTD postings, they usually go up right away. (I try to stay current, sometimes looks go up a little bit later, please check back or message me if there’s a look you need ASAP!) Today, you may be in luck! I’m taking some of my most recent #OOTDs, and posting them in a big round up! You can shop the look right here!

Have a question about any #OOTD? Don’t see what you’re looking for here? Let me know! And if there’s a special piece you’re looking for, I’m happy to help! Racheladelicia@investmentpiece.com

#OOTD: Fall is Coming

#OOTD: TBT

Another #OOTD TBT

#OOTD Summer Dress

#OOTD White Skirt

#OOTD ALL White

Many of the OOTD I post in Instagram stories have a link that’s shoppable, and I’m also shoppable on ShopStyleCollective as RachelAdelicia!

I love sharing my #OOTDs with you! I hope that you love shopping them!

XO RA

And if you spend $100 at ModCloth, you will get a free gift! Happy Shopping Indeed!

Sometimes the perfect outfit finds the perfect setting. If you know me, and by know I hope that you feel as if you do, you know that I feel like fashion is a form of freedom. I think that your fashion should be fun, make you feel good, hopefully do good, and make you feel free. There aren’t a lot of rules I adhere to, fashion is a function of self expression, and you should feel free to dress any way that celebrates your freedom. so when I found this wall with one of my favorite words on it, I couldn’t help but resist shooting by it, especially when I believe in dressing like freedom.

This shirt dress is a staple. It can be worn alone, over anything, and can be transformed into almost anything. I love it half open over jeans. I love these mules that are the perfect combination of classic and new. And, in the theme of freedom, I love that all of this looked amazing with the addition of lingerie. Those beautiful things that go under your clothes? Who says that they have to stay there? Dressing like freedom means that you can put them on top!

This is a vintage La Perla corset (from my fave Bloomers and Frocks) that was just too stunning to be left under wraps. The silk, the sheer, it looks amazing as a layering piece; I love it over this shirt dress. It takes some of the shock out of the lingerie, makes the look more classic, and yet, it feels like freedom. Ever worn your corset in public? If it makes you feel free, I completely recommend it! Lingerie dressing is in, but for some of us, that’s not an option with jobs, and whatnot. If that still is a look that you would like to experiment with, this layering technique is a way to retain that freedom dressing, and yet stay covered.

Is lingerie dressing the only way to dress like freedom? Not by a long shot, but it’s one way.
I’d love to know: what’s your take on dressing like freedom?

Shop my picks below!

XO RA

A great place to get both resale and vintage pieces, the Real Real has you covered!

“When will you stop wearing black?”
“When they make a darker color.”

We’ve all hear this exchange, seen it on memes, gifs, and on Pintrest. You may laugh, think of someone you know, or brush it off. All black is such a fashion cliche, and yet, it’s such a classic. The reason? All Black is chic. That’s why there’s a faction of us who believe in the quote above: we can’t think of a more chic combination of all black, that is, till they come up with a darker color.

What makes all black so chic? (For the record, this could be true of any monochrome look). All black chic is part line, part color, and part attitude. Part of what makes this such a classic is the power that all black dressing can mean: sophistication and elegance, part attention grabbing, part blending in. All black chic is the thing to do when you can’t think of a thing to wear; and is also the thing to do when you know exactly what to wear. What I love about all black chic is that the pieces don’t matter too much; while I’m always a fan of high quality, well tailored pants, blouses, dresses, all black chic allows you to play with some pieces, and is a way to make cheaper pieces look more expensive (this outfit is composed of a $10 top I got on Etsy and a Zara skirt).
My tips for All Black Chic:
– Make sure your blacks match Loves, there’s blue based black and red based black. In the light you can tell if your pieces don’t have the same base, and it’s a distraction!
–Have Fun Classic pieces look amazing in black. However, as the color scheme will elevate any look, this may be the time to play! Want to try a one shoulder look? Want to experiment with a different style pant or skirt? Now is the time for it all! The all black chic has you covered!
–Don’t be afraid to add color I know, this seems like the opposite of all black chic, but loves, when you’re wearing all black a colorful accessory can be incredibly powerful! And loves, I can’t tell you how much I love these yellow shoes!

I’d love to know: what’s your take/thoughts on all black chic?

Shop my all black chic picks below!
XO RA