Fashion Stories: TV Fashion: The Americans

Most of this is a repost. When I first started this blog, I knew that I wanted to talk (and show!) stunning fashion, outfits- and tell stories. As we know, for me stories and fashion are a part of the same thing. It’s taken me a while to really refine my vision and how I talk about our fashion stories, but the ideas have always been there. At first, I wanted to talk about fashion on TV and Movies (because, as an actress it made sense to me). This was one of my first attempts. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot (again) about costumes and costume designers. I talk a lot about how what we wear tells our stories, and one of the most visible ways (and ironically, one place where we learn how to dress for what we’re trying to express) of fashion story telling are costumes. They let us know so much about a character- who they are, what they like, what they’re dealing with, who they want to be. Costumes are such an important part of any show or movie you’re watching. I promise. So, I’m looking again at what I was thinking about the Americans- and how the story of being a spy is one I’m drawn to. I’ve added a link to an interview with the Costume Design Team from this show- and I’m also currently shopping items like these!
Xo RA

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In case you haven’t been watching, “The Americans” is simply one of the best shows on TV right now (seriously, go binge). It follows two Russian spies, living in the US in the early 80s–and I love everything about it. So much goes into making a great, timeless, compelling show–the story, the actors, the production–but also, the fashion. When I completely fall for a show, like I have with “The Americans”, I find myself wanting to live in their world, and while that isn’t always possible, dressing like them can be.

THE AMERICANS -- (Premieres Early 2013) Pictured: Keri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings -- Photo CR: Jeff Neira/FX
THE AMERICANS — (Premieres Early 2013) Pictured: Keri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings — Photo CR: Jeff Neira/FX

Let’s be clear, I’m not calling for a return to all 80s fashion (let’s just say no to big shoulder pads), but when fashion is great, done well, and timeless, elements of any period can be added to your wardrobe. It’s a case of “classic fashion never goes out of style”. The fashion on “The Americans” is not only great and classic–a lot of it would look modern today!

A Great Coat and Boots
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It’s on every “must have” or “invest” list–a great coat and a great trench. When it’s paired with boots it’s a classic outfit–and all over Instagram as we speak. Spring is a great time to buy a coat on sale, and trenches are always a good investment. I’m a fan of high boots, they never go out of style.
Some of my picks:
Trenches: Ralph Lauren, Burberry, and Zara
Boots: Stuart Weitzman, Frye, and Steve Madden

Wrap Dresses

Subject: The Americans On 2013-04-08, at 3:50 PM, Yeo, Debra wrote: Kerri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings and Matthew Rhys as Philip Jennings in The Americans on FX. CRAIG BLANKENHORN/FX  The Americans.jpg
Subject: The Americans On 2013-04-08, at 3:50 PM, Yeo, Debra wrote: Kerri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings and Matthew Rhys as Philip Jennings in The Americans on FX. CRAIG BLANKENHORN/FX The Americans.jpg

DVF made it ionic, the shape makes it completely flattering. A wrap dress is great in every decade and in every way–short, long, dress up, casual, there’s just something about this silhouette that looks great on everyone. It’s a classic you need and here are some of my picks:
Wrap Dresses: DVF (on sale!), DVF, and Ann Klein

Great Jeans and a Top
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Ironically enough, high waisted jeans and tie blouses are back in style–but I think any jean rise that looks great on you and any simple blouse is a classic hit. There’s something both effortless and pulled together about the combo. Some of my faves:
Jeans:JCrew, , and MOTHER
Tops: Equipment, Anna Quan, and Zara

Read about the costume process here.

Would you wear any of these costumes? Be a spy?

I’m game!
Xo RA

Something Gingham

Investment Piece: Something Gingham
Investment Piece: Something Gingham
Investment Piece: Something gingham
Investment Piece: Something Gingham
Investment Piece: Something Gingham

It’s Spring and the one thing that’s on every list: Something Gingham! True every spring (I’m still obsessed with my gingham Jcrew heels from last year, you can ogle them here), but especially true this year. Gingham dresses, shoes, pants, tops, bags- everything is something gingham. And loves, this gingham is chic, fresh and fun!

I love the silhouette on this Zara blouse: the collar, the cut out, the sleeves. It goes great with jeans, but lends itself to a more formal look, think pencil skirt, just as as easily. And nothing has diminished my love of vintage Levi’s–s I can’t help but wear everything with them! And these heels! Last seen here, I love the laces, the esperadille look, and the ease of matching them! This outfit is perfect for a night out or a day running errands!

and loves, this is how we do something gingham. How are you rocking it?

XO RA

This top is from Zara, the jeans are vintage. I’ve linked similar items to both as well as my favorite spring gingham pieces below!
Note: this post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission on them. Thank you for your support!

#Dotted

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There’s something about polka dots that I just love-they’re playful and fun, and yet can be sophisticated. So when I found this dotted Geoffrey Beene at one of my go-to TX Vintage places I couldn’t resist it! I love the business like feel (that collar, that bow!), the pockets, the length, and the way it balances work and party. I also loved the way it felt modern; I can wear it with any shoes really, but loved the juxtaposition of the dots with my beloved Jaquemus circle/square sandals. It feels fresh and new!

And as I reemerge after the storms in TX and all that went along with them, I needed something fun! I hope you’re staying safe and warm out there!
Happy Monday! XO RA

Details:
Dress from ReVint
Shoes: Jaquemus

Non-Wedding

Investment Piece, non wedding, fashion blogger, high fashion, Valentino, Asos, travel, Megan Weaver, CA, TX
Loves, believe it or not, this amazing white dress is a wedding dress. But who says I have to wear it to a wedding? What about a non-wedding?

Investment Piece, non wedding, fashion blogger, Valentino, Gucci, train case, mink, Megan Weaver, CA, TX, high fashion
Investment Piece, fashion blogger, non wedding, mink, vintage, high fashion, Asos, Megan Weaver, CA, TX
As a woman who loves fashion but is not planning her wedding, wedding fashion can be a murky area. Wedding guest? I have ideas and dresses. Bridesmaid? House Party? I got you. Wedding dress? Not something I usually touch. But loves, let’s be clear there are wedding dresses, and then there are non-wedding wedding dresses. For multiple reasons, I won’t get into wedding dresses (unless we’re shopping for you and you want my opinion), but non-wedding dresses? If I find a dress that I love that’s white, should I not wear it? Even to a non-wedding?

Investment Piece, fashion blogger, non wedding, high fashion, Gucci, Asos, mink, vintage, Megan Weaver, CA, TX
Investment Piece, non wedding, fashion blogger, Asos, Gucci, Valentino, floral boots, Megan Weaver, high fashion, CA, TX

Confession time: there are non-traditional wedding dresses that I have loved and always been afraid to buy. But then, why waste good fashion? (Again, this is not about me running around in a Princess wedding dress). There are great white dresses out there, great train-ed dresses out there, great wedding dresses out there that don’t read wedding. And we’re big girls. So I decided not to care and got this “t-shirt” wedding dress from Asos. I just then made it non-wedding. I love it with the leather blazer and boots. And it looks just as great with a belt and wedges. I’ve found the trick if you’re going to non-wedding a “wedding dress” is to play against type. Add color and texture, don’t Princess it. But, by all means, rock it!

investment Piece, fashion blogger, non wedding, Asos, leather, Valentino, floral boots, Megan Weaver, high fashion, Ca, TX
Investment Piece, fashion blogger, non wedding, Mink, vintage, Gucci, train case, leather, vintage, high fashion, Asos, Megan Weaver, CA, TX
Investment Piece, non wedding, fashion blogger, high fashion, Valentino, floral boots, Gucci, train case, mink, vintage, leather, Asos, Megan Weaver, high fashion, CA, TX

Let’s chat about these accessories. My fave Valentino boots (seen here, here, and here) add texture and color. The leather blazer roughs up the white, and adds edge? (Ok, maybe not, but that’s what we’ll call it) And this vintage mink muff! A great find on Etsy, I love it–it keeps my hands warm, adds a touch of class, and is statement piece. Then this vintage Gucci train case! I bought it from my go-to, Vesitaire Collective and it is perfect for traveling, making statements, and feeding my Gucci love.

Investment Piece, fashion blogger, non wedding, Asos, vintage, leather, mink, Valentino, Megan Weaver, high fashion, CA, TX

I like to think that I pulled off a non-wedding look. It didn’t feel like a wedding dress, and I didn’t get asked if I was running away from a wedding. It gives me hope that I can dip my toe into “non-wedding” wedding dresses and style them (because loves, there are some that I would love to style. I would love to know–would you dare wear a non-wedding dress? Did this read wedding to you? What’s your wedding style?

Shop my picks 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!

Jungle Heat

Investment Piece: Jungle Heat
Investment Piece: Jungle Heat
Investment Piece: Jungle Heat
Investment Piece: Jungle Heat
Investment Piece: Fashion blogger

Loves, it’s been so hot, too hot to do anything! It feels like a jungle out there! And what to do when it feels like a jungle? Dress for jungle heat! You caught me again: this is a swim suit (well, technically a rash guard) that I’m wearing with a skirt. But it goes perfectly! This exquisite skirt (very DG) is from one of my faves, Beehive Boutique, and it’s perfect for summer! The color, the patterns, the animals–it’s very jungle chic! And I couldn’t resist pairing it with this rash guard to match the stripes.

Yes, this skirt goes great with white tees (and yellow, black, etc), button downs, and denim shirts. This rash guard goes with any bikini and is perfect for your next water sport adventure. But, if it’s jungle heat outside, shouldn’t we be prepared at all times to get in the pool or ocean? Is there anything else to do when it’s this hot?

Hope your weekend is wonderful–and cool!

Shop my picks 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: Jungle Heat

Ocean, Baby// Ocean Baby

Investment Piece, high fashion, vintage, blogger, ocean, baby, LA, TX
InvestmentPiece, high fashion, blogger, LA, TX, ocean, baby,
Investment Piece, high fashion, vintage, ocean, LA
InvestmentPiece, fashion, blogger, ocean, baby, LA, TX, ocean baby
Investment Piece, vintage, high fashion, blogger, ocean, LA, TX, baby
Investment Piece, high fashion, blogger, vintage, ocean, LA, TX, baby
High fashion, ocean, baby, Investment Piece, vintage, LA, TX

What a week. What a time. What to say?
With so many high emotions and the desire to say the right thing, I’ve been a little overwhelmed. If you follow me on Instagram (@racheladelicia) you know some of my thoughts. We at Investment Piece believe that Black Lives Matter and while I (as a white woman) may never understand, I am committed to standing with you. I’ve been taking a step back, seeing where I can be of service, assessing how we should be handling the events here in the US, and what space we should take up. I’m not sure of the answers. I believe that this conversation and the humans matter, I also believe that fashion matters. Balancing the two is a bit hard. I appreciate you forgiving me for the mistakes I’m sure I make. In life, I’m working on learning and being a better ally. Here we’re working on telling our stories with fashion – because that’s what we do.

When things get stressful I want a few things: the ocean and fashion. This shoot was always the best of both. While we find our way this week I’m grateful for you’re being here.
Investment Piece: Ocean Baby

This is a week for finding what to say and what to focus on. And the ocean, amazing fashion, vintage, community, and you top my list. Thank you for visiting my little corner of the Internet, interacting with my fashion, and building a community here. I love juxatipositons, so shooting this gorgeous silk and sequined dress by the ocean was natural to me. And having a post full of things I love on a week where we pause to say thank you seemed even better. Here’s to many more shoots,more inclusion, more stories, more fashion, more us!

Hoping you and yours are safe and wishing us all peace and justice!
XO RA

Dress: Vintage from Garment Modern

For the Birds

Investment Piece: For the Birds
Investment Piece: For the Birds
Investment Piece: For the Birds
Investment Piece: For the Birds
Investment Piece: For the Birds

Loves, we know that I love me some swim suits, and have no problem wearing them as “regular” fashion. (Reminders: Leather Swim, Vintage Swim, Bikini Days, Swim Cape, and if you’re still looking for a great swim suit check out my Swim Round Up). Well, it seems like my problem has expanded to all things swim: now I’m wearing swim cover-ups as “regular” tops. And I’m not the least bit sorry about it!

This Mara Hoffman (one of my fave designers, she’s ethical, sustainable, and her pieces are chic and versatile!) swim cover up has quickly become a favorite for the summer. I’ve worn it to the pool, over shorts, over skirts–but love it with these side slit pants and lace up pumps. It’s the perfect combination of flowy and structured, cover-up and showing. It feels very elegant , but is perfect for the heat as it’s such a breathable outfit! We know I’m a big fan of juxatipositons, and this hits all the right notes!

Investment Piece: for the Birds

Most of us think of Investment Pieces as pieces that cost a lot, however, I would add to that definition: an investment piece is any piece that you can get a ton of use out of! I can think of no better expample than this stunning birds top: from pool side to date night, it’s got you covered (literally).

Note: It does come a little far down on the side so if you’re worried about your bra showing, make sure you adjust or use fashion tape to keep the top up!

XO RA

This swim cover up is from a few years ago, but I’ve linked you similar below, as well as some current Mara Hoffman I love!
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!

Shop my picks here!

Investment Piece: For the Birds

20s Fringe

Investment Piece, high fashion, vintage, blogger, 1920s, fringe, Ca, TX
While this post is a flashback, it makes me think of my quarantine style. A little of this, a little of that. Very fancy and very casual mixed. I’ve been known to wear sweatshirts with fancy skirts, or nice tops with my yoga pants. But this? This is the ultimate high/low dressing. And I may just have to wear it again today!
Investment Piece, blogger, high fashion, vintage, 1920s, fringe, CA, TX
Investment Piece, fashion blogger, high fashion, vintage, 1902s, fringe, CA, TX
Investment Piece, fashion blogger, high fashion, vintage, 1920s, fringe, CA, TX
Investment Piece: 20s Fringe
Investment Piece: 20s Fringe

When I saw this 1920s fringe skirt at Recess LA, I knew I had to have it. Can it be dressed up? The sequins, the detail, the way it would look over a gown–yes! But I love the idea of this fringe skirt over jeans. It’s just simple. Enough. It would look great with a tee and converse, but I love it with a leotard and heels. It’s a show stopper without you having to say a word. And the way this moves…loves. I’ve always loved the idea of a skirt over pants, but this is next level. And while you may not have a fringe skirt in your closet, I think this look could be recreated with any skirt with movement!

XO

Skirt: Vintage
And I’ve had this leotard since I was in high school (and wear it almost every week!)
BUT I did find you similar (and yes that means the 1920s skirt too!) Shop below!
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, fashion blogger, high fashion, vintage, 1902s, fringe, CA, TX

Swimming Pools

During our time in isolation, some of what I’m thinking about is getting in the water– if nothing else I’m determined to get an inflatable pool for the back yard so I can be in a pool. This was one of my favorite posts- a vintage suit, an empty pool. Life is a lot right now, I keep wanting to chat about fashion essentials, however, I can’t seem to get the words right, or explain to you how I want to dress up and celebrate but end up in sweats without sounding depressing. And I’m not sure what we need right now- I bounce between fantasy and reality dressing (and books!). While I figure that out (and if you have anything you’d love to see on me or on the blog PLEASE LMK), in the meantime let’s enjoy this. Let’s think about what we want to wear and do this summer, and maybe the essentials will come.

Stay safe and healthy out there!

Xo RA

Investment Piece: Swimming Pools
Investment Piece: Swimming Pools,
Investment Piece: Swimming Pools
Investment Piece: Swimming Pool
Investment Piece: Swimming Pool
Investment Piece: Swimming Pool
Investment Piece: Swimming Pool

Besides being an ocean baby, I’m a sucker for a great swimming pool! Even when it’s empty! I loved shooting this (and this view–I can’t wait till the pool is finished!)– the idea of a vintage suit in a new pool, it’s all the juxtatiposition I love! Suits like this one are simply amazing, though high coverage, they suck in, push up, and make you look fantastic! I paired it with a jacket of my grandma’s and a vintage hat (and pearls). Who says the pool can’t be lady like?

Though every piece is vintage, this would be an easy look to recreate using modern pieces. A great one piece, a hat, and a jacket–Summer is calling! And it would be perfect pool side or ocean side!

I linked some of my shopping picks below!

I hope you’ve loved swim week as much as I have! XO RA

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

Track Pants

InvestmentPiece: #TrackPants
Investment Piece: #TrackPants
Investment Piece: #TrackPants
Investment Piece: #TrackPants
Investment Piece:#TrackPants
Investment Piece, #trackpants

Broccoli. Running. Staying in on Fridays.

Don’t tell my mother, but there are things that I swore that I would never like that I do. But let’s not let that go to her head. We can just pretend that we discovered how great broccoli (roasted almost crisp with lemon), running (I’m not great, but there is a high), and staying in on Fridays (life is tiring) are. Right, right?

Now that we got the hard part out of the way, let’s chat about track pants. In my head when track pants are mentioned I think about those plastic wind suits from the 90s. If you’re young, just know that you missed out on quite the bright color movement (please google it and let me know your thoughts). But these aren’t your 90s track pants. These track pants are too good for the track (though they would look great post gym with any sort of top, but I love a great graphic tee). Track pants seem to be everywhere these days, and I couldn’t resist trying them out. I love these -comfy but structured, the snap down on the leg adds a little something. They are a great athlesure look, but I love that they suck you in and feel like “real” pants too.

I love this pairing of a sweater and kicks. Other combos that would be great? White button down and heels. A sweatshirt and any shoe. Boots and a jean jacket. Even with the color blocking and snaps down the side, the track pants are basically a neutral, so I say: style them that way. I don’t know that you could make them super dressy or business casual, but we should try, and the other styling options are endless.

As track pants are everywhere, have you tried them? How did you style them?

And that thing above, about my mom being right occasionally, that’s between us, right?

Happy Monday!! XO RA

Shop my picks below: they do contain affiliate links and while I do get some commission that doesn’t affect the price for you!

Investment Piece: #trackpants