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!
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
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?
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?
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!
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.
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!
Or here’s the issue-does it matter when the grey is this amazing? (If your grey or gray is not amazing you may be on your own)
This grey is amazing. So I’m ok with an e or an a. (And I looked it up-grey or gray, both are correct!) Grey is one of my favorite colors (come to a sample sale with me and you may be in charge of stopping me from buying ALL the grey t-shirts. It’s a thing I do.) And while you may use grey or gray, it’s one of my favorite colors. I love all black. I’m a fan of a pop of color, especially red. But there’s just something about grey. It’s neutral without being boring. It can be moody, dark, or light. Grey can read professional or a little rock and roll. It’s one of those colors that can work with you. (One of my very first, when I didn’t know what I was doing posts was all about grey, see it here. Oh the days when it was me and an iPhone. I still love those pics though!)
But back to this dress-wool, long, but able to keep it’s shape and keep ’em guessing. I love the neckline! Yes, it is a little low; some ways to make it a little more conservative (or work appropriate): Wear a thin tank or shirt underneath it, a turtleneck would look amazing! Wear a bralette that provides a bit more coverage, or if you’re ok with showing skin but worried about movement, use fashion tape to keep the pieces in place. I love the idea of mixing textures, so these velvet slides with this wool dress were a fun choice. Another option: any pump, boot, or slides. I even think this silhouette would look great with oxfords!
I love this dress, and wish I could share the exact one with you–but I got it last season on sale, from an Australian website. However, this look could be recreated with any grey maxi-we’re simply going to look for ones with slits and movement, and maybe an interesting neckline! The velvet slides are from Asos, again last season. I’ve found similar items (both dress and shoes) and have linked them below! (Yes, these are affiliate links, I do get commission if you buy, but that does not affect price for you! )
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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
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!
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!
These pictures are actually from a few years ago. I wanted to showcase that you don’t have to be all done up (hair/make-up/nails/etc) to show up. Because, there are times when I do really care, but my hair isn’t clean, or I don’t have make-up on, (yes, those things happen a lot), or in some way, shape or form I’m not together, but I show up. Sometimes because I have to, sometimes because I want to. But because I’m not perfect, I needed to make the point that perfection isn’t a needed ingredient to show up.
And yes, I was making the point for me.
Yesterday, I wrote how about nice it would be if we could all get our holiday to-do list done, then we could spend the holiday season relaxing and being with the ones we love. In the time between yesterday am and today, my to-do list has exploded. I went from feeling like I knew what was happening to being behind on emails/posts/pictures, looking at a week when both work/day jobs/volunteering all have high demands on my time. It’s Monday and I’m feeling overwhelmed.
So, there will be a lot of buns this week. And imperfections. But I’ll show up and do my best. And when I can’t, I’ll work on forgiving myself for that. What else can we do?
Here’s the original post and it’s not wrong:
Loves, we’re headed into a few months that are all about party dresses, celebration outfits, and holiday plans. You’ll get some of that here, I promise. But even within these coming months, there are times when we’re not at our party best-our hair is dirty, maybe we’re wearing sweats (I do it), but that doesn’t mean we don’t care. Errands, last minute plans, days of shopping and holiday planning; what do you do when you have dirty hair, but you do care? My solution: distract people with your outfit! This amazing vintage kimono jacket from Reformation is reversible, meaning the outfits are endless (pants, skirts, over a dress) but I love it with vintage Levi’s and loafers. Simple, but pulled together. Comfy, but look great. You care, but it doesn’t take effort. I also recommend a messy bun and red lips–smoke and mirrors!
What do you do when you have dirty hair but do care? I’d love to hear all your tips!
Happy Monday! XO
Both this jacket and jeans are vintage (though I’ve found similar for you!)
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!
