PJ Dressing: As PJs

I’ve always been a fan of pj dressing. And never been afraid to wear my pjs out:

Investment Piece: Trend to be Tie-Dyed
Investment Piece: Vintage NightGown
Investment Piece: PJ dressing

In every post on pj dressing, I emphasize how you can wear “inside” clothes as “outside” clothes. And I stand by those stylings. However, at this point, we may just want pjs to wear inside. Even in bed, lounging, etc, it can feel good to feel “pulled together” or chic, even if you’re in your pjs. Maybe I should have just told you that pjs are a great thing to invest in, and that the right ones can make you feel amazing? I stand by that, too.

Investment Piece: slip into something more comfortable
Investment Piece: In my Robe
Investment Piece: Cinderella

What are your go to pjs? When it’s cold, I love to wear sweats, or flannel pjs. One of the most luxe pjs I have are a silk set that are flannel lined. They’re gorgeous and make me feel like a star. We know I have a thing for dressing gowns, I also have a thing for nightgowns. Silk. Cotton. Simple, a bit sexy. I love them all. And yes, during this time I may have been known to put a slip on under a kimono and call it a day.

I’ll also be honest there are days when my pjs are yoga pants and a shirt.

All pjs are amazing, and at times like this, when we might be spending a lot of time in our pjs, maybe they’re something to invest in.

I’m really curious: what pjs are you into? No matter what they look like, I hope in them you’re staying healthy, and taking care of yourself (that means mentally, too!)
I’ve linked some of the pjs sets I’m loving right now 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: how to rock a pj suit, #suitup

Dressing Gown

Investment Piece: Packing

Most of us are about a week into working from home, maybe for the first time. I do a lot of work from home already, but even I will admit that this is a bit different. (That being said, it’s important! If you are able, please stay home! If you have a job that you have to go to, thank you for showing up for all of us. Let’s all be kind and wash our hands!) Even when I’ve worked from home, there have been appointments and places to be. Now, for the most part, I might be able to get away with wearing almost anything.

Investment Piece, high fashion, vintage, holiday Velvet, CA, TX

So, what should we do? Wear yoga pants all day? Get dressed?

I’m attempting to balance it. At least once a week I’m getting dressed, it makes me feel better (and outfits are a source of stress relief and fun for me!). I’m also being ok with the reality that there will be days when I stay in sweats or yoga pants.

And I’m leaning into vintage dressing gowns. They’re the best of both worlds-lounge friendly and they make you feel glamorous.

Investment Piece: Summer Verision

I’ve always loved a great robe, I’m a big fan of PJ dressing, and a dressing gown is a must have in my book! All of my dressing gowns are vintage, and what makes a vintage one so special is just how gorgeous they are. Yes, you can get a great modern robe. In the past they essentially made gowns to wear around the home, and they are perfect for the moment. You can find any from the velvet and silk ones above to quilted ones, long sleeved, tea length, there’s a dressing gown for any style.

I’m wearing my black one with a black silk turban, and my white one all alone. They’ve been complemented on virtual meetings, and I’ve slept in them. For my kimonos, I’ve worn them over everything, and used a belt to wear them alone. There’s no wrong way to wear a dressing gown, and every reason to invest in one (being glam at home will never go out of style!).

I’ve linked some of my favorite dressing gowns here (yes, that is an affiliate link. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. I really appreciate your support. That being said, it’s a great time to shop online at your local vintage store- they need your support too!)

I would love to know: what are you wearing while you’re at home?

Be kind. Wash your hands. Thank you for being here!
Xo RA

Smocking Hot

Loves, in this uncertain time it’s a little hard to know exactly what to write. We don’t want to be insensitive, but would love to offer a bit of respite while we’re all dealing with social distancing, quarantines, and life changes. We’ll try to balance the situation with our love for fashion and a love for sharing it with you, if there is any content in particular you would love to see please don’t hesitate to reach out at racheladelicia@investmentpiece.com. Also, we’ll be doing our best to feature outfits that are perfect for being glam at home, and then can be worn out later! Thank you for your support as we navigate this! XO RA

Investment Piece: Smocking Hot
Investment Piece: Smocking Hot
Investment Piece: Smocking Hot
Investment Piece: Smocking Hot

Smocking Hot. I’m a lover of a good smock, or Smocking detail (see here and here). My mom smocked many of my dresses growing up and it’s always been one of those details that’s felt like home to me. And now, Smocking is back. Part a throw back to vintage Laura Ashley (which I loved growing up!). Part of the prairie trend. Part fashion based on movies such as “Little Women” and “Emma”. All chic.

What I love about dresses like these is that, even though they’re modest, they’re subtly sexy, they’re flattering, and versatile. Dressing up? Pair it heels. More casual? Sandals. Lounging on the couch? It’s good as is. It’s sweet but not saccharin, and it can easily be made more edgy with accessories!

Investment Piece: Smocking hot
Investment Piece: Smocking Hot
Investment Piece: Smocking Hot

The most important thing about a dress like this? Comfort. I’m not lying about the lounging part. It’s almost like a nightgown in the best ways, and we should all take advantage of that! Though it’s both high necked and long sleeved I was fine on a hot spring day.

What’s your take on this trend?
I’ve linked dresses for a similar look and some vintage nightgowns for you 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!

This look can be shopped here
Love the idea of a vintage nightgown or vintage Laura Ashley? I love these:

Investment Piece: Smocking Hot

Trend to be Tie-Dyed

Investment Piece: Trend to be Tie-Dyed
Investment Piece: Trend to be Tie-Dyed
Investment Piece: Trend to be Tie-Dyed
Investment Piece: Trend to be Tie-Dyed
Investment Piece: Trend to be Tie-Dyed
Investment Piece: Trend to be Tie-Dyed

Tie-Dye.
As a process it’s been around since people have been dying fabric.
As a trend, it’s seen some things. The hippie movement. Then it was high fashion by the likes of Halston and Dior and on Picadilly. Then disco. The trend died for a bit, but was revived on hyper-color shirts (yes,I’m that old), and now Tie-Dye is back. There are tie-dye parties you can throw with your friends. And if you’re not the DYI type, you can buy chic versions of tie-dye in the form of anything from dresses to pjs.

Yep, these are pjs. I have a bad (or good) habit of wearing my pjs as street wear. You can see for yourselves here, here, here, here, here, and here. For starters. (I can’t help it!). And this tie-dye number? Yep. PJs. But with a trench and on-trend sandals, no one may be able to tell! (And if they do, it will be okay!)

(Note: these pieces would also be great as seperates. Wear the cami with jeans or a skirt. Pair the pants with a crop top. It’s tie-dye. It’s supposed to be fun).

Investment Piece: Trend to Tie-Dye

As tie-dye has been making it’s come back (if we can call it that), I’ve been loving the tie-dye dresses and skirts that have been popping up all over my feeds. So why did I buy PJS? I love a good set (and everything that comes with, the endless chances for mixing and matching). I love PJS (seriously. They look chic out and you can sleep in them!! Go straight to bed (after skin care of course!). And this set was tie-dye without being over the top. I love the trend, but didn’t know if I was ready to for my tie-dye to be so bold. This was perfect for me. And while my mom could tell it was PJS, the people I met out and about couldn’t!

You can buy this set here:

And shop more of my tie-dye picks here.

Yes. Those are both affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!

I would love to know is tie-dye a trend you’re trying? How are you wearing it?
Xo RA

Set Moments

Investment Piece: Set Moments
Investment Piece: Set Moments
Investment Piece: Set Moments

A part of the story is that I love sets. They together. They go seperately. There are endless options with mixing and matching, wearing the set as a one piece, changing up the accessories, that they are truly a great investment!I love the combination of both dots and stripes on this one. It’s both a bit professional and a bit playful. This set was part of a vintage closet that I was gifted at the beginning of the year by a family member. It’s been worn to business meetings and dates, and I love wearing all that history. While I could dress this down, I love that this set lends itself to being so polished and lady like.

Investment Piece: Set Moments
Investment Piece: Set Moments
Investment Piece: Set Moments
Investment Piece: Set Moments

A part of the story:
This set felt very Megan Markle to me. Polished. Pretty. Appropriate for tea, or an event. Styling it with a belt and heels was a perfect way to tie everything together, and it wowed at the lunch meeting I wore it to! When I was first gifted this set I knew that there were a ton of ways to wear it. But this is the way I most wanted to style it. There was just something about it that made me yearn to be more polished.

Don’t worry, I’ll rock it with flip-flops and sneakers, too!

Investment Piece: Set Moments
The moment that made me laugh!
Yes, the wind was strong this day and I had a Marilyn moment. Actually more than one! The moral of that story? We can’t plan for everything. You have to keep your sense of humor in fashion. That all sides of us are valid and show up, even when we don’t see them coming!
Ironically, this was one of my favorite moments of the shoot/day. Yes,I love this set ladylike. But I love to laugh, and this was such a true joyful moment. Most of all, I love a good set that I can enjoy all the moments in. Don’t you?

While this set is vintage, I have found similar items for you and have linked them 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!

Pieces or Whole?

Investment Piece: Pieces or Whole
Investment Piece: Pieces or Whole
Investment Piece: Pieces or Whole
Investment Piece: pieces or whole
Investment Piece: pieces or whole
Investment Piece: Pieces or Whole
Do you think in pieces or in whole (big picture)?
In high school, the only B I got was in Geometry. The proofs killed me. You know when you were supposed to detail step by step to get to the answer? I always knew the answer, big picture, theorem, but the steps? No clue. Ever. It was so bad my teacher thought I was cheating and had to have a conference with my mom (a fact I recently learned. I’m just a little offended he thought I would massively cheat for a B. Why not go all the way?). And while I’m still not a fan of geometry, I’ve come to believe that it teaches us how we think. And I’m a big picture, whole thinker.

To-do lists? I have to be detailed (and it kills me) because otherwise I won’t do everything. Where I want to go and the end results I want I can see so clearly, but the steps to get there? Half the time I don’t even know.

Same goes for my closet. I know when I love pieces. What I want the over all feel, purpose, etc. And with outfits, I can sometimes know the overall effect. But it takes me time to get the pieces. I can even get lost in the pieces- when I shop I fall in love with a piece, but it may not always fit the over all big picture. Or maybe I have the big picture and don’t have all the pieces.

I’m working on it. There are a lot of lists. A lot of mapping out where I want to be (and wear) and how to get there. But. As I’m getting better there are times when the magic happens. I have the big picture (whole) and the pieces. They work, and they look and feel good.

And yes, I recommend double denim, jean jackets, and yoked jeans. Not to mention vintage clogs!

Let’s chat! How do you see your outfits? Your closet? In pieces? Or whole?
XoRA

I’ve linked pieces for your shopping pleasure below. These are affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!

Investment Piece: Pieces or Whole

ReDux (OR How to Redo an Outfit)

I’m currently on the couch nursing some sort of cold – no longer really sick, but a little too sick to work. So. Today we flash back. I do re-wear so much of my closet, and it’s so interesting (for me) to think about new ways to redo my outfits. I hope you enjoy this take! I’m layering on sweatshirts and vitamin C and you can expect all sorts of new starting Sunday! Xo RA

Investment Piece: Redux
Investment Piece: Redux
Investment Piece: Redux

Last week we chatted about revisiting an outfit. Today, without meaning to, I’m at it again. There are just things that I seem to think go together: Gucci shoes and floral patterns. I thought that this outfit was new and fresh (I added stripes!), but it turns out that this is a pairing I’ve been drawn to before; see Gucci+Floral here. Maybe my real pattern is that I’ve mastered how to redo an outfit?

I also can’t lie: I repeat that dress and these stunning shoes a lot.

But let’s chat about this outfit! Real talk? I get a little nervous wearing a short skirt with heels. Not that I don’t trust my legs, but I worry about showing too much skin. (Is that a thing?) Here I couldn’t resist. I may have mentioned this: I love these Gucci platforms. I love them paired with florals; there’s just something about the stripes and the flowers that just flow for me. And if you can resist an off the shoulder striped top, you’re a better person than me. There’s just something about this redux that’s flirty and a little classic. It’s a nod to the outfit before, and yet it’s own perfect thing. That’s how you redo an outfit.
Investment Piece: Redux
Investment Piece: Redux
Investment Piece: Redux

Now that we redux well, should we address the elephant in the room? Or, more succinctly, why are there patterns and outfit formulas that we keep going back to? What makes us want to redo an outfit?

I don’t know that I have all the answers.

Some patterns are just classic. There are reasons why certain combos and styles are never “out”. Or maybe it’s just comfort. If there’s an outfit or a combo that makes you feel good, that you know you look great in, that you get compliments on why wouldn’t you redo that outfit over and over again? What if reduxes aren’t something to hide or laugh at, but something to celebrate? Let’s not worry about why we go back to certain outfits. It’s not a bad thing to want to wear outfits that look great. Instead, let’s focus on making more outfits that make us feel stunning.

Maybe the answer is that we replace the word outfit with anything that’s great for us and makes us feel good. How’s that for a redux?

I’ve linked similar items to this outfit below. And yes, it will be one that I redo regularly.

XO RA

And one of my favorite places to get pre-owned Gucci at affordable prices:

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

Investment Piece: Redux

GO BIG!

Investment Piece: GO BIG
Investment Piece: GO BIG
Investment Piece: GO BIG

I’ve been thinking a lot about minimalism and maximalism and what we wear to make ourselves feel seen. There is a time a place for a waredrobe that’s self contained, with clean lines, and very minimalistic. Sometimes when you’re leaving the house you should take a look at yourself and remove an accessory.
But.
There are times when statement pieces are needed. And when more is best. At those times, why shouldn’t we go big? In fact, at those times, why isn’t going big a way to deal with things?

I’ve found, recently, that there are days when the only thing that fits, the only thing that makes me feel like myself, the only thing that makes me feel good is maximalism. It jars me out of my boxes and moods, and is just fun. More than one statement piece? Yes. Mixing patterns? Yes. Big pieces and even bigger attitudes? Yes. There are times to go big, and there’s no reason to be small about it.

Investment Piece: GO BIG
Investment Piece: GO BIG
Investment Piece: GO BIG

All of the pieces of this outfit are things I love, statements, and perfect on their own. Yet, together they were so fun, and even more perfect (if that’s a thing). I’ll admit, I got a bit nervous pairing more than one statement piece together- big skirt, floral boots, gold belt, tasseled scarf. Any one could stand out, and I was worried I wouldn’t make a statement, I would just be LOUD. But. It worked. And made me feel seen, and like every piece could be seen. The pieces went together, I felt great, and it was a hit at brunch (though it could also be that I showed up with champagne).

Those things that we can get nervous to wear? To pair together? Maybe the point is that we should wear them, that we should pair them. As much as minimalism is great, maybe maximalism lets us really be ourselves. GO BIG, in fashion, in life, at brunch. Maybe that’s the secret?

What big outfit could you wear that really lets you be who you are? What if being big and loud is our thing, and it’s amazing?

Xo RA

These pieces are from a few years ago, but I’ve linked similar ones AND I’ve found someone special these EXACT Valentino boots! 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: GO BIG

What We’re Wearing

A few months ago, I began a little video series on Instagram called “What We’re Wearing”. I mainly wanted to a. Keep myself accountable to always be creating, and b. Wanted an informal place to chat about what I’m wearing or thinking about or unpacking that week. If you follow me on Instagram (@racheladelicia) you’ve seen it and I appreciate you, and I’m sorry this is redundant for you. But if you don’t follow me (and I appreciate you being here!) I didn’t want to leave you out. So, I figured I would round up a few of my little videos for your Friday viewing pleasure.

Each is a bit different (and there are more on IG) but I wanted to give you a little taste. Most importantly, I would love to know: what are you wearing? What are you buying for spring? Or thinking about your closet? Tell me all of it!

Western Boots

For my first episode I dove deep into western boots!

Vintage

After the holidays I was gifted a bunch of vintage, I’m still sorting it and shooting it and loving it. You’ve seen some of it here!

Spring Shoes

I love these sandals I recently got on sale. You can shop them here (Yes, that is an affiliate link, and while that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from it. Thank you for your support! Also, these babes are under $50!)

I have a lot more to chat about, and I can’t wait to share it all with you!
Xo RA

Business and Pleasure

Investment Piece: Business and Pleasure
Investment Piece: Business and Pleasure
Investment Piece: Business and Pleasure
Investment Piece: Business and Pleasure

Is there any fashion item or outfit that you can’t help but be attracted to, even if it doesn’t always fit your life?
We all know I love a good party dress, and have never been known to turn one down. But if there’s not a party, I just make one. So that doesn’t count! 🙂
Other than that? I love a good suit. The irony? I work from home, and 99% of the time I could get away with sweatpants if I wanted to. Yet, I can’t help but love suits-any kind. The tux kind (for parties), the traditional pant suit,the skirt suit, or any outfit I can make the least bit suit like. At some point I read an interview with Nigella Lawson, the chef, were she explained her love of a great suit, and how she buys herself one a year. The difference between Nigella and me? She ends up giving her suit away, recognizing it’s not a part of her life, I make excuses to wear all of mine.
Business meetings?
Happy hours?
Slightly formal affairs?
I can be willing to wear a suit.
Investment Piece: Business and Pleasure
Investment Piece: Business and Pleasure
Investment Piece: Business and Pleasure
This suit (all business) also happens to be a part of something that brings me pleasure (vintage). Vintage skirt, blazer, belt, and bag–paired with the first pair of Manolos I ever bought. The combo made me feel powerful and confident, and the unexpected twist of the corset over the blazer kept me from feeling anything near to boredom. I like to think it wowed at my business meeting (but I would hate to assume for them).
Suits make me feel empowered, more confident in my meetings, and a little bit more grown up. That kind of pleasure for me is worth it, even though I can get away with wearing what ever I want. Do I wear one every day? No, probably part of what makes them seem so special, but when I do, I love it. Maybe that’s the secret to business, getting pleasure from it?!

I would love to know, what’s one of your business pleasures? What do you wear?

This suit is made of vintage pieces, but I’ve linked similar items for you 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: Business and Pleasure