outfits – Page 40 – Investment Piece

Mad for Plaid

Investment Piece: Mad for Plaid

I know there are plaids for all different seasons–and in comes in all sorts of colors. However, to me plaid is the season of Decemeber. Maybe it was all the matching Christmas outfits, maybe it’s all the Hallmark movies, maybe it’s the scarves? I’m not sure, but all I know is that during this month I reach for plaid over and over. I think every plaid that comes across my feed is amazing and I dream of plaid pants and dresses and more.

The rest of the year? I don’t shun plaid but I’m not mad for plaid like I am in December. So, this month, when we all need a little joy,I’m leaning into all of the things that make me happy. Yes, including plaid.

From plaid pants:
Investment Piece: Mad for Plaid

To plaid dresses:
Investment Piece: Mad for plaid

To everything in between:
Investment Piece: Mad for Plaid
Investment Piece: A Merry Little Christmas

I’m wearing my plaid pjs on repeat and adding all the plaid things to my cart. What pattern do you associate with December? Are you leaning into it?

I’ve linked some of favorite current plaid offerings from all over 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: A Merry Little Christmas

Classics

Investment Piece: Classics

About this time every year, I begin to run around. I think I need more. I think the outfits have to be big-sequins! Color! Plaids! It’s like it can’t be the holiday season without big! Statements!

And there’s a time and a place for statements. And sequins. And big!

But it doesn’t always have to be the time for all of that. For someone who will tell you that classics and investment pieces are a part of your closet to invest in (sorry, I couldn’t come up with another word!), it’s always amazing to me how this time of year that I flat out forget about classics.

The thing is: classics can be big. And a statement. The most important thing? While they always look good, they’re always easy. You don’t have to over think them. Just put them on and go–and wow!

Black and camel (especially coats) are always my go-to’s. No matter what, they look elevated, they match, and yet they will get you compliments.

Even just running to the grocery store, it’s an outfit you can feel good in!

This year has been a doozy, right? (I know, I keep saying that, but trying to write/think/wear outfits without recongnizing that this year is not what we’re used to feels like I’m trying to pull over on you. And it’s not to say that different can’t be great, it’s just that this year is different. And it’s also aok for the transitions and loses and grief that we’re all going through to be hard!) Part of what’s getting me through are outfits that make me feel good. Especially at this time of year.

And yes, even this year, I’ll go big. However, there will also be more than one day that I reach for my classics- the tried and true pieces that I know will make me look and feel good. Maybe there’s nothing wrong with being reminded that you don’t have to go big, you can wear classics.

I’m sure that you have similar (of not these exact) classics in your closet. But if you need a refresh, or new classics, I’ve linked pieces like the ones I’m wearing below.

Let’s go big. And let’s wear our classics!

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!

Making Up Your Mind

Investment Piece: Making up Your Mind
Investment Piece: Make Up Your Mind

The weather where I’m at hasn’t made up its mind. Sure it’s fall, but one day it’s in the 80s, one day it’s in the 50s. I’ve worn both shorts and a parka in the same week.

One of the things I’ve always loved about fashion is that you don’t have to make up your mind (just like the weather). You can be anything you like-and if you end up hating your outfit you can always change! So, when I saw these jeans- that didn’t make you choose between styles- I was intrigued. Chic black jeans. Destroyed skinny leg. Why make up your mind if you don’t have to? If you can be it all, why not be it all at the same time?

I was worried that they might be too much. What would I wear them with (everything. The answer is not to treat them as precious and wear them with everything)? Would they look crazy?
Ironically, a pair of jeans that didn’t make up its mind had me agonizing. But I couldn’t stop thinking about them, which made up my mind- I had to have them!

Investment Piece: Make Up Your Mind

I don’t know about you but lately, in the midst of weather that won’t be one thing, and a global pandemic, I’ve found it hard to make up my mind at times. There are things that I feel like I HAVE to be– and I’m just too exhausted. Those stories you hear about high power executives that only wear black-while I would miss all my clothes, I get the relief of having one decision that you didn’t have to make.

These jeans, then, seem a little paradoxical. They couldn’t make up their mind, but in a time when big decisions seem overwhelming I was drawn to them. My rational? (Besides them just being chic) These jeans reminded me that we don’t have to choose- be one thing in the am(wear your yoga pants) and be another thing at night (no one is stopping you from putting on a ball gown). There are a ton of decisions and ways to make up your mind–but you don’t have to. And if you can have fun with that, embrace all the decisions and the in-Betweens, we all might be ok.

As well as have some amazing outfits.

So. Two tone jeans. A wrap over a tee (that you can take off later). And some of my fave shoes. For not making up my mind, I feel like these decisions went pretty well!

I’ve linked these exact jeans (fit note, there’s really not a lot of stretch!) and similar items 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: Make Up Your Mind

De-Constructing the Editorial

Investment Piece: Decontstucting the editorial
Investment Piece: Deconstructing the Editorial

I think Editorial. In fashion. In life. I imagine outfits how they would look on runways, photo shoots, magazine spreads. Events can be like scripts to me. Outfit planning can be like styling.

It’s how I shop. It’s how I plan shoots. It’s how I work.
I’m a bit editorial. And I try not to make excuses for it.
There are upsides to thinking big (because you can always edit small)- and I love picturing AMAZING and BIG photoshoots, events, and shoes. Then, of course, working to make the big work.

When I first started this blog I had a friend who commented to me that he didn’t understand my pictures. I replied that I was basing myself on the Ralph Lauren ads of the 1980s. Remember them? Not only selling jeans and gowns, but they sold a lifestyle. I was only a child, but I remember wanting to live in the world that the Ralph Lauren ads portrayed.

The thing is that life isn’t editorial. I tend to shoot my outfits not in my life, but in set circumstances. But my outfits live in my life.

I know that you won’t buy this suit (from Target! Under $100!) and just sit in a garden somewhere.

But. You might:
Investment Piece: Deconstructing the Editorial
Wear the blazer over bike shorts, pj pants, or anything that works for you. It’s perfect for zoom, and then you can take it off to do anything from yoga to nap.

Investment Piece: Deconstructing the Editorial
Or throw on anything from a sweater to a graphic tee with the pants to get the mail or run to the store or anything that requires you to be dressed for real, and not just from the waist up!

Investment Piece: Deconstructing the Editorial
I think big- in fashion spreads and stories. But live small- moments and Juxatipositons.

The older I get, the more I don’t want to sacrifice either- even when it’s big, I like picturing my outfits editorial first; but I need clothes that can live in my moments. If we’re all the star of our own stories we should dress like it, but be comfy on the house.

I think the answer is to shoot big, and make sure the outfit is comfy. That way you can do both- live the editorial and deconstruct it!

I’ve linked the exact suit and shoes! Xox 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 the support!

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, 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!

Dressing for Others

Investment Piece: Holdiay Reds

Tis the season to talk about holiday dressing. What we’re wearing to Thanksgiving and holiday parties and Christmas and all the things. It’s usually one of my favorite times of the year!

It’s no secret that I LOVE dressing up, can be a bit loud in my choices, and am not afraid to go over the top. The holidays are a time when dressing like that is tolerated, even encouraged. So I love it!

Holidays look different this year, and I’m also a fan of keeping us all safe- so I’m ok with that! But beloveds, while I feel as if I’m supposed to tell you that you have to dress for yourself. And yes, you do. I don’t wear anything that I don’t love.

BUT

I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that this holiday season one of the things that I’m going to miss the most is dressing for other people.

Investment Piece: Dressing for Others

I miss putting together outfits and walking into rooms and being seen. I miss compliments. I miss complimenting other people! We all know that there are times when women dress for other women, and I miss catching another woman’s eye and looking at each other’s outfits admiringly. Planning outfits for events and who will be there– I miss it all.

That doesn’t mean that I won’t come up with special holiday outfits.
But I also won’t lie to you about what I’m missing this year.

Investment Piece: Dressing for others

Maybe this holiday is one of the years where we share our outfits on social media (I also love complimenting people on IG too! It’s always so lovely when someone notices what you’ve put together!)

When I was a baby, we lived in Spain and part of how my mom entertained herself (and made me who I am today) was dressing me in a million different outfits and taking pictures of me. Yes, this has been my thing before it was a thing. And it made me think- if you’re like me and missing dressing for other people, what if we dressed for each other?!

Go ahead, plan that outfit, go all out! Take your pictures and share them- on Social Media, to friends, email me (cause I wanna tell you how good you look!). Holidays may be different, but we can still enjoy and share with each other.

So. Dressing for others. You in?

Xo RA

Investment Piece: Black and White with a pop

Knit. Set. Fall

Investment Piece: Knit. Set. Fall

Investment Piece: Knit Set Fall

It’s a new day, a new week, a new start for us all. There’s a crisp in the air, the holidays are coming, and I’m feeling good. So. What are we wearing?

We all know I love a set-they are the perfect combination of formula and creativity. (See here, here, here, and here for starters. Once an aqquaintance was complimenting me on my style (or I took as a compliment) and she observed that I love to chose statement or standout pieces- and I do, but I also love a formula set. I also love Juxatipositons, but sets aren’t the Juxatipositon with statement pieces that you may think.

The thing about sets is that they’re both formula-comforting and easy, and standout- there are endless possibilities for statements with them-pieces. As the weather turns and we get into fall, it should be no surprise that my new favorite go-to’s for fall are knit sets. Knit. Set. Fall. Has a ring to it, don’t you think?

Investment Piece: Knit Set Fall

After a season where lounge sets and sweat pants were the “it” thing, knit skirts feel like a breath of fresh air. They’re just as comfy- but twice as chic. It’s tempting to always pair them with sweaters, but they are truly a great base for everything from graphic tees, button downs, tank tops, silk blouses, and just about anything you can put on the top half of your body.
Another way to make a statement? Sweaters. They don’t have to be boring, between colors and cuts, sleeves and textures. They do look great with knit skirts, even if they don’t match (sets can also be a make-it-your-own!) but also go with everything from jeans to trousers to your sweatpants.
Make them fancy with shoes (it’s boot season and I’m leaning into that), or wear them with slippers.

Whether you chose formula or you chose stand out, knits can be whatever you need. Fall staple, but so much more.

Are you into knit sets? How are you mixing them?
I would love to hear all about it?

Xo RA

I’ve linked knit sets and similar boots for you. These are affiliate links, and while that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them! Thank you for your support!

Investment Piece: Knit Set Fall

The Waiting

Are you getting anything done right now? At all? How?
I’m an actress by trade. I’ve had more callbacks than you can count, and have waited on pins and needles to see if I got a part. I can have the patience of a saint. However, this election waiting? A new ball game.

(Fingers crossed by the time this is posted the race has been called)

This is not a political blog. This is not a rant. But I find myself thinking about our stories- both personal and collective. How they influence and take over each other. What we wear to tell each.
This moment is a bit unique- it’s a collective waiting, a collective story, a collective moment. Is it taking all the oxygen from your personal stories? Do you find yourself dressing for the collective story or for your own?

I gave into the collective, but dream of the personal. Aka I’m in sweats hitting refresh on my phone, but stress shopping everything from chic leggings to fall dresses and boots. That’s a part of my story, and this outfit is part of it. Dressing for the collective story is no less valid than dressing for your own story.

What are you doing while you wait? What are you wearing? What story are you telling?

I’m so fascinated by it all. Tell me everything!

Here’s to not waiting!
Xo RA

A Skirt for All Seasons

I feel in love with Mrs. Emily on Instagram. She makes (gorgeous) skirts, which is enough, but her fashion philosophy, her openness about how this is hard (making things, putting yourself out there, believing in big dreams), and her styling tips have made me a loyal follower.

You can shop and learn about Mrs. Emily here. I highly recommend subscribing to her newsletter. It’s like a hug from a supportive friend who’s pushing you in the direction of your dreams. It’s a highlight of my week.

When I first found Mrs. Emily, I knew that I had to have one of her skirts. They’re chic and fresh, and I love the idea that it’s a skirt for all season. Something to wear no matter what the weather is like. Something to put on that always makes you feel good.

Investment Piece: A Skirt for all Seasons

So. I chose pink. Which may seem like an odd choice to be a skirt for all seasons. But I think it works.
This isn’t little girl pink. It’s not too sweet. It’s chic and the pop of color makes me happy. Even when it’s in the 60s like today. And it goes with everything:

Investment Piece: Skirt for all seasons
Spring and summer with a tank and sandals

Investment Piece: A Skirt for All seasons
A bit formal with a bustier and heels.

Investment Piece: A skirt for all seasons
Fall and winter with a sweater and boots.

Investment Piece: A Skirt for all Seasons
Office ready with a blazer and heels.

And these outfits are just the beginning. I can (and have and will) pair this with a graphic tee and sneakers, a sweatshirt, a jean jacket, a button down, jackets and coats of all colors, blacks and whites and greys and who knows. It makes me feel good (and the waist band is forgiving which is nice during the holidays!). A skirt for all seasons is a skirt that can love you back. Who couldn’t use a bit more love right now?

I cannot tell you how much I love Mrs. Emily, there just aren’t words. What I can do is tell you that her site (Mrs Emily and her Instagam (@mrsemily) will make you fall in love with her like I have. Check them out!

Xo RA

Fashion Halloween: PJs

Have I mentioned that I love Halloween? That I love “getting” into character, and planning costumes, and sharing them with you? Well, I do. I know that this year Halloween is a little different (though to be fair one of my favorite Halloween activities is staying home to watch “Hocus Pocus” and hand out candy–and not too much will be different this year!), but I still wanted to wear costumes. Since most of us will be home this year, I wanted to explore the world of pj costumes.

It’s a thing.
Or it should be a thing.
We could make it a thing.

While you might be thinking that pj costumes limit you, the reality is that there are SO many costumes you could make out of pjs. From just throwing on a fancy robe and calling yourself a movie star to much more complex costumes.

Such as:
Investment Piece: Fashion Halloween Pjs

Be Moira Rose from “Schitt’s Creek” with a pj set, a vest, and a brooch! (Wig optional!)

Or
Investment Piece: Fashion Halloween Pjs
A slip nightgown, a coat and you’re Mrs. Maisel!

You could even use a nightgown and robe set to be Betty Draper, like I was here

These are costumes whose pieces you probably have on hand (though if you do invest in new pjs I don’t think you’ll regret it!), that are fun, and let you be in your pjs! That sounds like a great Halloween to me!

I would love to know: what are you being for Halloween? Does it involve Pjs?

In case you do want to use Halloween as an excuse to get new pjs (or a vintage coat!) I’ve linked similar items to my costumes below!

Happy Halloween!
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!