Category: Out of the Closet

Fashion Stories: Halloween Costume

Investment Piece: Fashion Stories, Halloween Costume
Investment Piece: Fashion STories, Halloween Costume
Investment Piece: Fashion Stories Halloween Costume
Investment Piece: Fashion Stories HAlloween Costumes

When fashion stories and fashion Halloween intersect magic can happen. This year I thought long and hard about what I wanted to be for Halloween. I knew that it had to be fashion (here with the black cocktail dress and shoes), and I wanted it to be something I would really dress up as! So…I’m Maleficent! Ironically, this is not my first (or second) time being the “Mistress of Evil”. This headpiece is from college-yes, I was Maleficent when we hadn’t seen her side of the story, when to be a fan of Maleficent meant you loved her in all her evilness. (It doesn’t hurt that Sleeping Beauty is my favorite fairy tale)

But I really wanted to think about the fashion part of my costume. You’ve seen this dress before (here and here), it’s one of my favorite designers (Norma Kamali) and this is one of those little black dresses that feels like nothing, but offers such an impact. Here I put a turtleneck under it- I know, you can see the lines. I do love this dress, though I have to say if I were going to alter it, (a series I’m thinking of doing, what are your thoughts?) I would cinch the waist a bit as it can gape. (Insert shrugging emoji)
But for the most part it’s perfect.
Those sleeves read queen. (Note- a LBD would also work for any queen, Morticia Adams, or a witch)
I’ve had the headpiece for years. And I’ve found you updated headpieces.
And I’ve had the bird.
However, most of this costume is just fashion. And as a fashion lover, I love that. You know that I’m a firm believer that fashion is a medium with which to tell our stories, and why should our costumes (stories) be excluded from that?

Investment Piece: Fashion Stories Halloween Costumes
Investment Piece: Fashion Storeis Halloween Costume
Investment Piece: Fashion Stories Halloween Costume

The question now is: what are you for Halloween? What fashion are you using? And what story are you telling?
Some other easy things I’ve thought about being:
Mrs. Maisel (a vintage slip with a coat)
Audrey Hepburn (black turtleneck, crop pants, loafers)
Hester Pyrne (black dress with a Scarlet A)
Barbie (pink)
And for fun, T-REX (with heels)

The fun part for me is mixing fashion and stories–and isn’t that just want a costume is?

There’s a lot to shop her, so I’ve broken it down!
I can’t wait to hear about what you’re being for Halloween, and the stories and fashion that went into it!
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!

If you love this dress:

Maleficent costumes can be purchased here
Or here:

Happy Halloween!
Investment Piece: FAshion Halloween

Fashion Story: Costumes.

Loves, we know that I have this thing about all the fashion that we keep in our closets. I think it’s a part of how we tell our stories. (Fashion Story, get it?) Sometimes we hang onto the things that we wear all the time, and that’s a story. But sometimes, we hang on to things that we don’t always wear. Maybe it’s something that represents something we hope for, or aspire to be. Sometimes, maybe it’s a thing we are dealing with, and learning to let go.

Today, let’s chat costumes. Yes, Halloween. But also things like dance costumes. Yes, I was a dancer growing up, and there are a ton of recital costumes that I just can’t seem to get rid of! Let’s chat about it!

I’d love to know: what are the things you can’t get rid of? Are you holding onto any costumes? I want to hear about everything!!

Xo RA

September Armarium Picks

Loves, this is a part of my partnership with Armarium. All opinions and picks are my own! You can use code RADELICIA for 20% off your first rental xo RA

It’s September and I don’t know about you, but I have a lot of kicking off this month. From the start of school seasons, ballet seasons, class seasons, and football seasons; it seems that with summer ending, a lot is beginning. What does that mean for me? Opening parties, tailgates, fundraisers and galas. Which means I have a lot to wear.

I’ve picked things for all these kick off parties. Some can be dressed up or dressed down. Some are gowns. All are amazing (I think). These are what I’m renting this month:

Investment Piece: September Armarium Picks
Not your average gown, I love this Hip Pad Dress and can’t wait to wear it to a gala!

Investment Piece: September Armarium Picks
Together or Seperate, perfect for start of season meetings. Get this Suit and show them who’s boss.

Investment Piece: September Armarium Picks
I just love this silhouette. It’s classy and a little risqué all at the same time!

Investment Piece: September Armarium Picks
Yes, this is technically a gown. But it would also look great with sandals or flats. Cocktail party? Rent it here

Investment Piece: September Armarium Picks
I can’t get over how beautiful this dress is. And how great w all would look in it.

What do you have going on this month? Might I suggest anything at Armarium? Remember to use code RADELICIA for 20% off your first rental!
Xo RA

Fashion Stories: Elaine Kim Hero Vest

Note: this post is a part of my partnership with Elaine Kim, though all opinions are my own. This post also may contain affiliate links. While that does not affect price for you, I may earn commission. Thank you for your support! When shopping Elaine Kim use code RACHEL4EK to get 15% off your first order!

Does your summer need a hero? Something you can throw on with anything and everything and have it save the day? Lucky for you, I know a hero like that!

I’ve worn this vest as a dress-both work wise and play wise. I’ve worn it over my workout clothes, my bikinis, my cut offs. It would be amazing over any pant (I just can’t bring myself to be in pants when it’s blazing hot outside. If you can, you’re a stronger person than I am!) My point? This vest is one of the hardest working pieces in my closet. And in yours, it could be as well–it will also work in the fall. The vest comes in 4 colors (black, white, navy, and a desert).

Chic, comfortable, a hard worker, and able to shit seasons? That’s the kind of hero I need. I have a lot of stories to tell, and this piece helps with ALL of them.

Get your hero vest here!

Happy hero shopping!
Xo RA

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

Fashion Stories: Lexie and Spell Collective

Fashion makes for the best friends. I met Lexie at a lingerie party at Bloomers and Frocks. It was love at first try on. Then, as we got to know each other, Lexie shared with me her love of the brand Spell & the Gypsy Collective, how Facebook groups trading that brand influenced her style, and her love of vintage. I’m so fascinated by her story and I hope you are too!

I love telling your stories–what you collect, what you can’t get rid of, what you wear. But most of all, I love how fashion brings us together.

Xo RA

Some notes on Spell Collective! It is an Australian brand! You can buy it on their website (they do have an US option and they ship. Some thoughts: the Australian dollar is a better deal, and all shipping over $150 is free). However, the brand is also stocked in the states at various stores–Free People especially. And, maybe if you’re lucky, Lexie will let you in a Facebook Group for it!

I’ve linked some pieces of the brand I love 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!

Fashion Stories: Great-Great Grandma’s Wedding Dress

Investment Piece: Out of the Closet: Great Great Grandma's Wedding Dress
Investment Piece: Out of the Closet: Great Great Grandma's dress
Investment Piece: out of the closet, great great grandma's dress

Loves!! I’m so exited to share the first of the new project we’ve been working on:

Fashion Stories : Telling the Stories our Fashions Hold.

I’m a big lover of fashion. I’m a big believer in stories. I’m convinced that we’re all story-tellers and that in our closets are pieces that hold meaning and explain different parts of us. Whether it’s something that shows a side of us that we don’t normally share with the world, or the outfit that we got our big promotion in, our fashions tell our stories. So, let’s bring our fashion out of the closet and listen.

Or, at least, that’s the idea.

And our first story? My great-great grandma’s wedding dress. Wedding dresses are one of those things that we all hang onto, and pass down. They’re full of the hope and love that the first owner had on her big day, and as we pass them down, the dresses get full of the love and hope that the older generation has for the younger generation.

Investment Piece: Great Great Grandma's Wedding Dress

My Great-Great Grandma, Cora Christine, wore this gown in 1887 to marry my great-great grandpa, Arthur A. From just a fashion standpoint? The beading (that even runs underneath the belt), the train, the sleeves. It’s just exquisite. The story? While this wedding dress was originial to my great great grandma, she got it at McNeil’s Gowns (an extensive Internet search has produced nothing on this brand, if you know something I would love to hear it!), it’s been passed down in my family for generations. It’s become one of the things that no one can (or wants to) get rid of–and not just because it’s gorgeous.

I never got to meet my great-great grandma (I’m not that old), but getting to wear her dress let’s me in on little bits of her personality. That she must have liked details. That she could pull off being delicate and a train. That she wanted a dress for her wedding like this, at a time when some people didn’t go big for their wedding day. There are parts of her in me, and this dress describes both of us.

I made us a little video for Out of the Closet. Our fashions hold stories, and I love telling them:

(Yes, there are some technical issues. It’s hard being great at fashion and not great at technology. Also, if you know someone who’s great at editing send them our way!)

Loves! Thank you for listening to my stories. I would love to come play in your closet and tell yours!

XO RA

Fashion Stories: Gifts

I am obessed with the stories that our fashion tell. I’m on a mission to tell them all. Mine. Yours. Everyone’s. I’m fascinated by the things we hang onto, the stories we tell, what matters to us and how does the fashion we keep enforce that.

This month, as our minds are on gifts, I’m chatting about gifts that tell a story that I can’t get rid of.
And yes, I’m working on stopping saying “um” all the time!

Enjoy!
I’d love to know what gifts you hang onto! I’d also love to tell your stories-hit me up!
Xo RA

Fashion Stories: Ossie Clark

Loves! It’s the time of month where we go into our closets to see what stories live there. This month? I was lucky enough to chat with Lauren from Timeless Vixen about her Ossie Clark collection. It’s amazing. And I can’t wait to get back into her closet and really play. Also –I’d love to come play in your closet! What do you collect?

In the meantime, let’s enjoy my convo with Lauren about her 109 pieces of Ossie Clark (yes, her closet is #goals)

Hope you enjoy!

Xo RA