Investment Piece – Page 67 – Everyday Editorial

Fashion Stories: Childhood Trends

This week I am so thrilled and grateful to be featured in Voyage Austin. Both the process of this interview and while giving it, I couldn’t help but think about our stories. And our fashion. And what shapes both. It’s always funny as I always think I’m SO DIFFERENT in various stages of my life, but when I look back- there’s always a through line.

This was one of my first fashion stories, chatting about childhood fashion and what I still wear. Believe it or not, I think about it all the time- or I should say I think about how my fashion has stayed constant. The fashion that really makes me who I am.

The Voyage article is so nice- and it’s even niecer to tie it back to what I’ve been wearing for life.
Xo RA

Loves, as you know, I’m a big believer that fashion helps us tell our stories. And our stories matter. This summer, I’ve spent a lot of time helping my mom clean out many things. In mom’s house? A lot of baby pictures, which got me to thinking:

Last month we talked wedding dresses (see here) and yes, those are an item most of us can’t get out of our closet. Another item we tend to hold onto? Baby clothes (though my mom has mine boxed in the attic, but still). It made me wonder: does how we dress as children influence how we dress as adults? Are the things that were in our closets as kids still in our closets?

In my case, yes!! I was never one to turn down a party dress (I refused to wear pants till I was 5); and I’m still very partial to a great party dress (and shoes). There are direct lines between what I wore (and many times a day I changed) as a kid, and what I wear (and how many times a day I change) a day now. Ironically enough, my mom used to take pictures of all of my baby outfits, now I take pictures of my outfits. Everything comes around?

I hope you enjoy this video I made about these thoughts. I’d love to know:
What was in your closet as a kid? What can’t you get rid of? Did what you wear then affect what you wear now?

XO RA

***Note: I think I ramble too much. At one point, what I was trying to explain was I danced as a kid (yes, I still wear leotards around), and it got me in the habit of wearing a bun ALL the time

Spring Shades

Investment Piece: Spring Shades

Isn’t it funny how when things start changing colors in spring, our clothes start changing colors too? Almost every year, about this time, there’s an influx of color- be it brights or pastels- that is a deviation from winter. And every year, about this time, I’m surprised by how much I’m drawn to the new spring shades.

It’s not that I spend my winters only wearing black. But. Spring can make me feel like I’m drab, and adding in spring shades makes me feel brand new. New colors, new cuts, new me. I’m like the flowers- I bloom.

Investment Piece: Spring Shades

The spring shade I’m loving this year? Lavender. Just a slightly sweet version of purple, but it doesn’t feel saccrine sweet to me. Skirts. Dresses. Tops. Shoes. You can get anything and everything in lavender. But one of my favorite things? This jumpsuit. I bought it on a whim-but it’s become a corner stone of my spring wardrobe. The shade? Perfect. And these shoes? White felt daring (and super spring like) and the slip on is one of my faves.

Both are linked for you below! The jumpsuit great deal because it’s under $30, but I’ve worn it at least 3 times a week-it’s so easy to throw on and look chic. A sizing note- I wanted it a little over sized so I got a size bigger than I normally would have- I think it’s perfect. I also have a long torso and have been so happy that it’s a great length for me!

What spring shades are you loving and wearing?
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: Spring Shades

Hoppy Easter

Investment Piece: Hoppy Easter

There is more than one holiday happening this week, or have happened this week. If you’re celebrating, I hope that it is full of chocolate and love and renewal. If you’re not celebrating- I still wish you chocolate and love and renewal. I’m taking today to spend with my family and celebrate (virtually) but will be back in amazing shoes before you know it!

Xo RA

Fashion Stories: FashionxSports

Investment Piece: Play Ball

I’m endlessly fascinated by all of our juxtapositions. The corners and opposites that make us who we are, and make an outfit interesting. One of mine? I love sports. LOVE them. I’m a huge football fan (here, here, and here) I can’t miss basketball playoffs. And while I’m not the biggest baseball fan, I do enjoy watching my college team (and pay attention. Also- going to games is fun! I can’t wait till we can do that again! I wrote about baseball and fashion here)

There are people who are endlessly surprised that I can like both fashion and sports. Which is always so interesting to me. Sports stars are often seen as fashionable (and some even have their own lines). And fashion in its purest form is about a show, and sports is a spectacle- to me they don’t seem that so far apart. And if fashion is a way for us to tell our stories, wouldn’t it be natural for our fandoms- no matter what they are- to be expressed through our clothes?

Investment Piece: Fashion X sports

And if I’m telling my stories, I want to be in charge of them. While there are hundreds and hundreds of women who love sports, often our fashion options for our sports teams is lacking. In my opinion.

I’m a fan- I love the game. And I want the fashion I wear to show that, not be a beacon that I’m a woman. Pink. Sparkles. Rhinestones. I hate it all. If my team’s colors are purple. Or blue. Or green. I want to wear those colors. I want the shirts. And shorts. And sweaters. And more. That I wear to look like something the players would wear. Not a beacon letting the world know that I’m a girl.

Investment Piece: Play Ball

And I think there is a way to make sports wear look fashionable. Some of my tips? Wear heels. Pair fan gear- from hats to tops to pants- with a neutral. Let the team item pop. Wear your fan shirt like any other shirt. Dress it up. Be unafraid to be casual with it. Treat it like it’s any other outfit. Only wear your team’s colors- not logos. Don’t be fair to dress up for a game. Don’t be afraid to be casual.

There is no right or wrong way to show your love of sports in fashion. And if you don’t love sports? Nothing wrong with that either. After all, if you love sports like me, this is just another way to tell some of your stories.

Investment Piece: Play Ball

I would love to know. Do you love sports? Do you dress for it? How?

Xo RA

Day Dress

Investment Piece: Day Dress

During the quarantine I became obsessed with the nap dress, a cross between your high-end night-gown and a dress,(see here, here, and here). Now, as we move towards the after of the quarantine (or the middle? With a pandemic it’s hard to say!), my new thing is day dresses. Like a nap dress, but fit for day.

Ok. I admit. There may not be a HUGE distinction in nap dress and day dresses (though vintage day dresses are quite distinctive and I do love those). This dress was labeled as a day dress, styled with heels in his advertisements. And yet- it’s just as comfy as my nap dresses. Perfect for working from home, perfect for errands, and perfect for feeling like you’re dressed and yet feeling like you’re in PJs.

Investment Piece: Day Dress

Simple. Sophisticated. A bit more fitted than a nap dress (and yes, this one has leather accents, and pockets!) Usually when I think of a day dress, I think of the 1950s-fitted waists and all, not simple shifts like this one are changing my mind. I also usually plan a shoot and wait to wear new clothes- but when this arrived I put it on immeditately, snapped a few pictures, then went about my day- errands and work and all the rest.

Perhaps a day dress is defined not by its silhouette, or even when you wear it, but how it makes you feel. While the nap dresses (which I still love and wear) made me feel as if I were getting away with something (wearing my pjs out. Not a new thing for me, but a thing nonetheless), the day dress makes me feel like I’m able to get things done. Like the world is my oyster. Like the day is mine.

Investment Piece: Day Dress

Of course, maybe these differences are all in my head. Day dress, nap dress, dress- maybe it doesn’t matter. What makes you feel like you can take on the day (at home or out)? Maybe that’s the dress we should be wearing!

I’ve linked this exact dress (and yes, it’s avail in other colors) and the shoes!
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: day dress

Ex Files: Dudes and Nudes

Investment Piece: Ex Files

It’s my monthly dating horror stories, my attempt at being Carrie Bradshaw, and hopefully a bit of cathartic release for us all. If you’re in the mood to really suffer I recommend My ex’s Friend, Dumped Before an Event, and The One Who Asked For His Money Back. You can also search Ex Files in the search bar. A friend of mine let me know that he spent a day reading all of these back to back- and that it was funny and horrifying! Of course, all names have been changed to protect the innocent and the not-so-innocent. Be careful out there!

Xo RA

Dudes and Nudes

If you are a woman in any capacity online you’ve gotten pictures that you didn’t ask for, or want. Why men send these I have no clue! If she wants a picture, I promise she’ll tell you.

I’ve gotten pictures from men I don’t know, men I do know, men who have gotten very angry when I asked them not to send said nudes to me.

A friend of one of my exes was persistent in sending me a picture of him in bed- luckily everything was covered but the picture was awful. It looked like he was in some bad motel where people had been murdered in the 1970s-when I showed the picture to a friend of mine she commented that it was made more awful in that he thought I had style so he wanted to show me his style. Unsolicited pictures are bad, unsolicited pictures that make you look like a serial killer are BAD. Worse? He was sending this picture to every woman he knew. Worst? When confronted by me or others, and asked not to send these pictures, the dude would get defensive and threatening. He let me know that he did business with my ex and could find out my address, he threatened other women who complained about his unsolicited pictures that he could harm them.
And the pictures weren’t even good!

I had a friend who had a man who would send her an unsolicited nude each morning. She ignored him. Till he sent her a calendar he had printed of his nudes. To which she responded in laughter. Probably not the response he was hoping for!

Every woman you know has a story about a man who has sent her pictures she didn’t want. It can be horrifying to open messages and get things you didn’t ask for- and difficult to know how to respond.

I have a friend who rates the pictures she receives – from composition to lighting to all the things. The men who send her unsolicited pictures don’t seem to appreciate her unsolicited rating of them. I have a girlfriend who just blocks. One who researches and will forward the nudes to the sender’s mother or wife/girlfriend.

There is no right or wrong way to respond- I’m not a believer that you have to be nice! And until we have a way to make these unsolicited nudes stop, I’m all for whatever way works for you!

Wishing us all a week free of unsolicited nudes and amazing shoes! XO RA

Little White Dress

Investment Piece: Little White Dress

For spring? What if we put our little black dresses away (just for a minute. I’ll wear a lot of black this season, I promise), but, just for something new- what if we tried a little white dress? For new beginnings? For Hope? For something a little different!

Now. Things I have thought in my little white dress: “I hope I don’t spill” ” My Grandma was right, knees are the most awkward part of the body” “Is this long enough?” “Is this too bridal?” “Will that come out?”

And yet. With all my fears, sometimes spills, and the many, many times I have steamed this dress to get all the wrinkles out- there is something about wearing white. Maybe it is because I wear so much black, or maybe because it is hopeful. But. In white I feel like I stand out just enough, that I look just enough hopeful. That my look is just enough spring.

I won’t be packing away my black for good- there’s no need to get crazy. However, I am trying to add more white in my waredrobe. What about you? How does white make you feel? Are you going to be wearing it with me?

This dress is old (and these shoes are from a few seasons ago- a gift from me to me! Yes, they take a minute to get used to a flatform, but once you do they are easy to walk in!) but I’ve linked you little white dresses I love for your shopping pleasure 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!

Investment Piece: Little White Dress

Cliche

Investment Piece: Cliche

It’s spring. And while there are blooms and new styles galore, there are also cliches. Like florals.
We all know the joke- that they’re ground breaking. And we all laugh when we see it or hear it. But, again and again, we all wear florals. Even this weekend, I found myself reaching for florals whenever I could. Dark ones. Cheery ones. Subtle and bold. What is it about spring that makes us want to wear florals?

Is it cliche? Groundbreaking? Both?

Investment Piece: Getting in the Water

In some ways, it makes sense that we want to wear florals in spring. The florals are literally blooming. But, hopefully, so are we. This was my first winter that felt like a true winter (did I mention I saw a bunch of snow for the first time in my life?!?) For the first time, the green and bloom of spring feels like a big deal. Yep..I finally get it.

On top of that, this year has been a YEAR. And while the pandemic is still going on, it finally feels like there is light at the end of the tunnel. Things feel new in more ways than one. What says that better than flowers?

Investment Piece: The Pants of Summer

I was curious about when floral prints started -because that could let us know when they became cliche. History is always a little bit fascinating to me, and this deep dive was no different. Florals started being put on clothes in Asia in the 600s. Did you know that people used to put live flowers on their clothes (to hide smells amongst other things)? That each spring floral prints are often best sellers.

We may all tell the joke, but it turns out we’re all wearing florals. So it cliche? Or something bigger?

If you want to deep dive with me I highly recommend:
Floral Fashion Through The Ages

A Brief History of the Floral Pattern
Both are detailed and a delight to read!

Investment Piece: Cliche

Cliche or not, this year I’m fully embracing florals. I don’t care if they’re groundbreaking. They remind me that sometimes things take time, but they bloom again. I’m ready to bloom, and I’m ready for flowers. Even the ones on our clothes! What about you?

I’ve linked some of my favorite florals 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: BackYard Parties

Sunday Chronicles: An Ode to Window Shopping

Investment Piece: An Ode to Window Shopping

There have been lots of cycles in my life. One of my faves? For a while, Friday was one of my days off- and it was a gift. I would wake up, take my favorite spin class, make sure all my chores were done, and then I would spend the afternoon taking myself to lunch, watching a matinee (not the subject here but I LOVE an afternoon matinee and hope that the pandemic didn’t take movie theaters from us), and window shopping.
No matter the movie, the lunch, the window shopping was always the best thing, and a highlight of my week.

Window shopping (for me) wasn’t just about seeing what new things were out in stores- though I loved that. There’s something about seeing (and getting to touch) new arrivals that’s just divine- I would get ideas for new outfits, or find things that I didn’t know that I wanted, or find that something I was interested in wasn’t worth wanting. It was the type of shopping that let me curate wish lists, and visit the things I loved. The kind of shopping that can lead to an impulse purchase to make your day (staying on budget of course). And as much as I love the shopping part, window shopping was so much more than that.

Window shopping was getting to see the window displays in all their glory. Not the ads or editorials that magazines, etc, send out or you see online; the fashion displayed as art- as whimsical or sophisticated as one could imagine. From tableaux suggesting styling options and places to wear the outfits to scenes of pure fantasy, there was always something I learned from window shopping. And always inspiration I carried with me.

You can see whimsical and inpiring fashion shoots online and in print, but there was something about the window box- its own little universe contained in small spaces that held big ideas. Window shopping is a bit like abstract art, things aren’t always exact but the feelings they give you. Oh the feelings! The Windows could make me fall in love, change my day, or lead me to new adventures. Those Friday afternoons wandering, looking at Windows and idly shopping were times that I could let my imagination run wild and I miss them.

It’s not that I’m not shopping right now, and not that I don’t love online shopping (I do!). But lately, I’ve been yearning to properly, really and truly window shop. To stop and take in art made of fashion, to wander departments and fall in love with new arrivals. This past year and the pandemic has taken a lot from us– I’m hoping that window shopping is something that makes its way back.

Wishing us all a week of inspiration and amazing shoes! XO RA

Cocktails and Caftans

Investment Piece: Cocktails and Caftans

Caftans are something I always knew I would one day end up living in- they’re chic. Forgiving. And come in all the shades and styles you could ever want. I thought that one day I would age (super subtly) in caftans, floating about, being glamourous-like an aging star in the movies. My love for caftans has been constant (here, here, here, and here for starters), but during the pandemic, my caftan collection has not only grown, it’s become my signature.

I spend days and nights in caftans. From terry cloth casual to formal, much earlier in life than I expected, caftans are one of the ways that I’ve been marking time.

One of my favorite things to do in a caftan (and where my love has really blossomed)? Making cocktails! I’m by no means a mixologist but I’ve spent some of my time during the pandemic researching drinks that I love and learning how to make them. Sometimes they’re great, sometimes they’re ok, but I’m always wearing a great caftan, so the experience is always amazing.

Investment Piece: Cocktails and Caftans

I love the cape-like cut of this caftan, the ombré coloring- and it has pockets! And while it’s perfect for summer escapades (even in just the backyard), I got it to make a cocktail in.

Cocktails and Caftans is a thing I’m doing every Saturday over on IG @racheladelicia. It started as a way to get through lockdown, but now I’m having too much fun to stop! Also, it gives me an excuse for more caftans!

Investment Piece: Cocktails and Caftans

There are times when I wonder if, in the after of the pandemic, I will no longer spend as much time in caftans as I do now. My theory? Once you go caftan, you can’t go back. The comfort, the chic, the way they stay current. I’m accepting my lot in life as a caftan lady. Luckily, there’s a great cocktail to go with it!

This caftan is old Staud, but I’ve found and linked similar ones for you 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!

Investment Piece: Cocktails and Caftans