outfits – Page 43 – Investment Piece

The Pants of Summer

Investment Piece: The Pants of Summer
My loves, this is a new and exciting partnership with Gia Texas. While I did get pants, th opinions and advice below is completely my own. Love these pants like I do? Use code INVESTMENTPIECE for a special discount!

Investment Piece: The Pants of Summer

Usually, at this time of the year, with the heat, I’m living in skirts. Swim suits. Pants are the last thing on my mind. Even the thought of them can seem too hot and overbearing. Really. Who wants to wear pants in the summer?

Investment Piece: The Pants of Summer
As it turns out, me. But loves, these pants aren’t the traditional pants that I avoid at this time of year. These Gia pants are made from up-cycled saris, made from the softest silk, made ethically, fit everyone (smocked waist) and go WITH EVERYTHING. I’ve been wearing these pants non-stop since I got them- in every which way.

Investment Piece: The pants of summer
With my swim. You can get these wet (they’re machine washable, but use a mesh bag for safety!)- they’re the best cover-up, they move with every breeze, and as you can adjust how high you sit the waist, they can make any top look flattering!

Investment Piece: the pants of summer
One of the best things about palazzo pants? (Which is essentially what these are) They are the best of both worlds- pants and skirts. Pair these with a more formal top (here I hid the smocking) and use them as a formal skirt. Even for backyard parties, these are so chic and easy. You can put them on and forget about them, they’re so comfy they make any look feel like you’re relaxing.

Investment Piece: The Pants of summer
Doing business? Throw on a blazer or a longer jacket and these pants are business. Casual or not.

Investment Piece: The Pants of Summer
And of course, these pants are the ultimate lounge look. Pair with your fave tee, tank, sweatshirt, or whatever makes you feel comfy!

Anytime I don’t know what to wear, I’ve reache for these pants. And yes, if you’ve visited the website or the Instagram (@gia-Texas) you may be thinking these pants lend themselves to more of a festival or causal look. And you’re right! But they can also be classic. Or formal. Or business. One of the great things about these pants is that they can be anything you need. Waist high or low. Easy or complicated.
And each one is so different! Because they are made from old saris, no two are alike. Different patterns, colors, and eras. You can pick a pair that’s completely you, and let it speak for you.

I have so much more to tell you about Gia Texas. Look forward to posts telling you all about the company, Sheryl (the owner), a trunkshow we have planned for you, and all the things. In the meantime use code INVESTMENTPIECE or this link for a discount on your own pair. Pick one that you love! Style how you see fit!

See how often you wear pants at the end of summer. I’m wearing mine non-stop!
Xo RA

Investment Piece: the pants of summer

Keeping It Simple

Investment Piece: Keeping it Simple

When I go to shoot something for the blog,I can sometimes go overboard with my plan and the outfit. I tend to think big, and I can think REALLY big when it comes to outfits. One of the things I love about fashion is how it can make you anything you want to be.

Take this dress: part of what I loved about it was that it was simple, so you could make it anything you wanted. It fits great and the color is fantastic, shoes and accessories could change it into so many things.

When I went to shoot it, it could be so many things that I got a little overwhelmed. Should I pair it with flat sandals and show off how great it could be casually? Glam it up a bit with classic pumps or platforms? Be daring with a shoe that laces all up my leg?

The options seemed to be endless and could change everything about the outfit. I always want to showcase the absolute best outfits here, the ones that are most me at my best, and ones you can take as inspiration to be the best for you. I was completely overwhelmed. Then the answer came to me.

Investment Piece: Keeping it Simple

Keeping it Simple.
Yes, one of the reasons I loved this dress when I got it was that I could make it so many things. It would look great with any of those shoes: flats, pumps, platforms, even sneakers. This dress would look great in any way you wanted it to.

And when the time comes, I’m sure that I will wear it in all those ways.

But, right now, a majority of my time is simple. We’re at home. I’m working. I’m relaxing, I’m on the couch, I’m in the garden. And this dress is great simple, too. If a dress can do all of the things, and be stunning while simple, there’s a chance you’d love it as much as me. I realized I didn’t have to over do this dress. I could keep it simple.

And loves, that felt amazing.

I’ve linked this exact dress, as well as shoes I would wear with it. But. Let’s not be afraid of simple this week!
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: Keeping it Simple

Dressing Up to Stay Home

Investment Piece: Dressing up to Stay home

Are there days that feel exactly the same to you? Here in the States we’re still staying home. And if you tell me you’ve thought about letting go of getting dressed up, I would have to admit that I’ve felt the same.
Some days are hard. Some days need yoga pants. Some days need pjs.

And then there are the days that I’m dressing up to stay home.

Investment Piece: Dressing up to Stay home

I think this is where I’m supposed to tell you that dressing up will make you feel better. And it might. It usually does for me! Dressing up also gives you a chance to play (I mean, no one is going to see you!), so try out every wild thing you’ve ever come up with!

But.

Dressing up might not make you feel better. And loves, that’s ok too. I’m a firm believer in the power of fashion and of our stories and the connection between fashion and our stories.
But.
Things are crazy bananas-every day is like a roller coaster. There is no right way to feel. And fashion might not fix it.

Do I think you’ll regret dressing up? No. Dressing up brings me joy, I hope it brings you joy too, but it may not always work.

So, what can we do?

Investment Piece: Dressing Up to Stay Home

I think we do what’s best for us, based on the day. Sometimes it’ll be yoga pants. Sometimes pjs. Sometimes it will be dressing up.

(And if you do dress up, might I recommend a caftan? It will look like $1MillION and feel like pjs! It’s the best of both worlds! I have written about caftans here, here, and here. It’s no secret that I think caftans are both a secret weapon and a must have!)

This caftan happens to be sold out but I’ve linked similar ones (as well as a necklace that’s an exact twin to this one!). This weekend? I may just dress up, see how it makes staying at stay feel.

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: dressing up to stay home

Old is New

Investment Piece: Old is New

We’ve been at home for a while now. Your routine might be beginning to feel stale, you may feel like you’ve run out of things to wear and do, and you may be yearning for something new.

To be fair, this yearning for new and feeling like you’re out of things to wear could have been happening before the pandemic. But I’m willing to be that staying home more often has made these feelings stronger. I have no idea where I think I could go but I have days when I’m so sick of all the clothes I have and I want all new things!

What are we to do?

Make the old new.

It’s just a way of taking the old we have and making it feel new. Wearing things in a new way, in a new combo, or simply looking at old things with new eyes.

Investment Piece: Old is New

Same old, same old? Cutoffs and a t-shirt.
Old is new? Turning the collar and the button holes of your silk shirt in, crossing it in the front, using your belt bag as a tie to keep your shirt closed. Old is new.

All of a sudden, with this one little change, this combo felt new and chic.
(Side note: you could always use a little safety pin to help your shirt stay closed! Or wear a regular belt. There are endless options- once you start looking at things in a new way)

I have nothing against new clothes (in fact,I love them!), but I’m even a bigger fan of having endless ways to wear all my old and new things!

I bet that you have a ton of amazing things in your closet that could be feeling a little blah right now, how could you switch those things up and make them feel brand new?

This shirt is vintage and these shorts are old, but I’ve found you similar and I’ve linked them below for you (if you do find you need something new!). I’d love to see how you’re styling your old (and new) things!

Xo RA

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

Investment Piece: Old is New

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

Summer Whites

Summer whites, I have a thing for them. (See here and here for starters) All white is a little romantic, a little daring (I always feel like I’m tempting stain fate), and a little optimistic. There’s just something about an all white outfit that makes me feel like I’m wearing the best of summer.

Side note: while you’re wearing a traditional color, like white, there’s no rule that you can’t be untraditional about it. I love jackets that are unexpected like this one. Yes, it would also look great over something (as well as with anything from cut-offs to suit pants), but I love taking something like a summer white and making it my own!

And yes, together, this look is a little on the formal/suit side. Insert the part where I tell you how you could wear these pieces separately and how you could make them casual! And you could! These basics are great to have in your closet to wear any which way you like! I know right now a lot of our lives can be lived casually right now, and I’m doing that too. However, there are still times during these times (say that a few times fast) that we may need to be daring and romantic and optimistic. So, I couldn’t resist the urge to “suit up” or be a little more dressy- even if it was just in the backyard.

In the morning light, with coffee, it was the perfect look to help me feel as if I was getting a jump on my day and could conquer anything.

Starting your day with pieces that make you smile and amazing shoes is a trick I reserve for Monday mornings. It helps!

I would love to know: do you rock all white looks? Are you living in yoga pants or getting dressed? How does all white make you feel?

And–don’t hate me– I did change into yoga pants a bit after this!
I’ve linked you similar items below. Happy shopping!
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!

Not Forgotten

Investment Piece: Not Forgotten

I got this dress this winter, in February, when it wasn’t quite warm. I kept meaning to shoot it. It looked great with boots, and there was a time when it was my favorite thing to throw on over leggings and a sports bra to go to Pilates in.

Then lockdown. My wardrobe went from things I wanted to be seen in to a lot of workout and lounge wear. Which hasn’t been a bad thing. But it means that there are things that were forgotten.

Investment Piece: Not Forgotten

Last week I pulled it to the front of my closet. And I began to wear it. It’s great with sandals, over my bathing suits, with sneakers, and as a Caftan around the house.
It made me think of all the clothes that may be forgotten in our closets right now- the business suits, the formal dresses, jeans. How can we not forget them? I don’t think it’s about wearing these pieces in the way that we did, or the way we thought we would (though that happens too!). I bet there is so much in your closet that could brighten your day, if it was not forgotten.

Don’t get me wrong–I’m still in leggings a lot. And the world is still uncertain. But I’m doing my best to not forget my clothes. If that means getting dressed up or wearing something in a way I hadn’t thought of- I’m not forgetting my clothes. What about you? What are you wearing? What could you be? What are you forgetting?

This dress is vintage Albert Nipon and I’ve linked you both vintage Albert Nipon pieces and modern zebra prints (yes. This is a classic shape, and the details, and it has pockets! I love the play on animal print. I highly recommend it all!)

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!

Get the modern look:

Or if vintage is your thing:

Investment Piece: Not Forgotten

Holiday Hangovers

Investment Piece: Summer Mood

I’m a believer that it’s not only too much alcohol that can leave us with hangovers (I’ve written about it here). Normally we think of holiday hangovers in relation to the winter holiday break, but summer has its own big holiday–and the hangover that comes with it.

Investment Piece: Don't Go in the Water

We’re officially half way through the year. And if you’re in the States, this weekend was the 4th. I’m not going to claim that this year is any way, shape, or form normal (2020 is its own brand of just -I’m shaking my head though you can’t see it), but it’s still a lot, and there was still a holiday, and there’s still a hangover.

Did you have a good holiday? I did! It was a nice balance of work (redoing the yard, cleaning, etc) and rest (movies and the like at home!). I didn’t over extend. But today, I’m still dragging. There’s the urge to not do anything, the need to recover.

Investment Piece: Holiday Hangover

So. How do you cure a hangover? Especially a holiday hangover?

Here’s what I’m doing. I’m resting. No, not all day (while we’re all at home is anyone getting a full day off? How? Is that another convo?), but I’m letting myself take some time when I need it. I’m planning projects that get me excited (finishing the backyard, some re-decorating). I’m gearing up to work through my closet, and I’m thinking about what I want to wear for the summer heat that’s coming (swimsuits mainly). And because it’s always good advice, I’m making sure that I drink enough water!

Are you suffering from a holiday hangover? How are you curing it?

Below I’ve linked some of the summer styles I’m thinking about living in for the rest of the summer, as for today you can find me working in the morning, then watching a movie on the couch! It’s hangover recovery!
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: holiday hangover

Into the Jungle

Investment Piece: into the jungle

Into the jungle.

Holiday weeks are wild, aren’t they? Even though we are at home (which can be even more wild! And jungle like-see my backyard above!), it can be a time of activity and hopefully of rest. Also, a time of being off your schedule. Here’s how we are celebrating:

-Blazers and shorts? Yes! It was a long time coming for me to love this combo (see here and here) but I do. It’s the perfect business look for the hot months!

-Scarves as hair. It was my go-to accersory last summer. As in, my hair was shorter (which I loved!), but it let me have long hair when I needed it. I’ll be doing an Insta story (@racheladelicia) on exactly how I do this, but it’s essentially tie a long scarf over a low bun and have fun!

-Sales. The next few posts (Wed/Fri/Sun) will be sales picks. We’re at home (or wearing our masks out). There’s a lot going on. And yet, there are sales. Do I think fashion is divorced from everything? No. In fact, it can be a part of your story. If you want to shop the sales, do so!

-If you’re in America it’s our “birthday”. I believe being a patriot is holding your country to the best it can be, its highest ideals. Call your reps. Fight for what you believe. Let’s be our best.

Investment Piece: Into the Jungle

The jungle.
It may look different this holiday weekend. I’m redoing my backyard to be a little more civilized, but I can never resist a green space, or an excuse for a great outfit. How are you spending this holiday weekend?

I’ve linked similar pieces to this outfit below. Happy shopping!
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: Into the Jungle

into joy

Investment Piece: into joy

Joy is a revolutionary act. Joy is just as necessary as anything else you’re doing at the moment.
So. How are you diving into joy right now?
There are so many big ways to find joy, so many small ways.
These are some of the ways I’m diving into joy right now:

– yes. I got a little (toddler pool). We’re re-doing our back patio to have a nice seating area, and this little pool is one of my favorite things. I fill it up almost nightly. Sometimes I just put my feet in, sometimes I get in. It’s the best thing!

-Playtime. I’m friends with the little girls down the street (5 and 3 YOs). At least once a week we get together: we race, play tag, play pretend (including fashion show and parade), sing, and read. It’s balm. They also remind to me play. To do art that no one will see, be goofy. To be with my friends how I can. And throw myself dance parties occasionally.

– Summer rompers. I resisted this one, as I have to admit rompers and I aren’t usually friends. I’m super long waisted and tall- so they often don’t fit me well. This one? Was perfect. I sized up from my “regular/go-to” size and it fits excellently. It looks tailored, but not too tight. It’s pulled together, with room for fun. Isn’t that what summer is supposed to be about? Also, I can never resist great shoes and great hats–they are my forever joy.

As the days get longer, we can get lost and bogged down in the heat. Joy is important and it’s worth making time for, it’s worth making a priority. However big or small the joy is, I find it informs the work.

What are you doing to dive into joy?

I’ve linked this romper and shoes, as well as similar options!
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: into joy