Category: shopping
Fashion Stories: Minimalist Closet
Loves, I am a shopper. I love fashion: that it lets you be someone new every day, that it’s a visual playground, that it can speak for you. And I have quite the collection of fashion. This entire blog is based on the premise that fashion is an investment, and that your closet can be an asset. But an idea I’m simply fascinated by? Minimalist Closet. Let’s be clear, I don’t know that it’s completely for me. I love options too much. Although, I have traveled with a minimalist waredrobe and loved it (read about it here and here). Do I think I could give up all my clothes and par down to basics? No. And I don’t think that’s a bad thing.
But, I do think that what we have in our closets, what we chose to buy, the waredrobe we build should be intentional. What I love about the minimalist closet or shopping approach is the thought: to the pieces, how they fit, what you really need. And while I am in no hurry to turn my closet clean out into a massive purge, I think we can all benefit from really thinking about our clothes. What do we need? What do we wear? How can we mix and match? How can we build a waredrobe that compliments itself? How can I buy the best pieces for me?
I’m clearly not an expert on the subject, but with closet clean out season upon us, I am reflecting on those questions. As much as I love my options, I want pieces that fit together well. I want to curate a closet that is worth something, and easy to live with. Some reading I’ve been doing on the subject:
Waredrobe Rebuild
How to Become a Fashion Minimalist
A Shopper’s Manifesto
Am I taking a firm stance? No. I’m still reading, thinking, in the midst of a closet clean out. And while I know I’m not the type to par down to 10 pieces, I’m thinking about this. I want to try parts of this on and see if I can be a closet minimalist my way. What about you?
XO RA
Classic, Not Boring
Many times I think we take our classics for granted, we call them boring. It happens with books, art, and for our purposes- outfits. A button down, a pair of jeans, and boots are a classic combination. It will never fail you. Simple, easy, and you don’t have to think too hard about it. Classic. But not boring.
The thing about classics is that within a no-fail formula is so much room to explore, to create, to be extra. Yes, here I’m in a classic combo- jeans/button down/boots. But. The jeans fit perfectly, the boots are anything but boring (over the knee! the cap toe! the design!), the details on the shirt! This outfit is far from boring, and feels like me, even if I’m technically following a formula.
So many of what makes an outfit exciting, or pop, comes down to our details. How do we express ourself within the confines of something that has been done before? What makes a classic feel new? This is about an outfit, but it also applies to our weeks, how we spend our days.
We’re at a time in the year, the winter blahs, and the pandemic, when things may be feeling a bit stale. To stay warm you may be wearing all the sweaters and all the coats. To stay safe you may feel like everything is a bit boring. I get it. Personally, I’ve felt like I’ve been in a rut, and have been cooped up at home lately so nothing feels new. Instead of giving into that, I’m attempting to look at my life (which outfits are a large part) and see what I can work with, what I make exciting. There are classics (routines) that I have and yet within them lay all sorts of possibilities.
Those are what I’ll be looking for all week.
What’s your favorite classic outfit combo and how do you make it your own? I would love to hear all about it!
XO RA
This outfit is made from older JCrew pieces, and the most fab Chanel boots I found resale, but I’ve linked similar pieces for your shopping pleasure below. I know what you choose won’t be boring!
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: Fashion Books
I truly believe that the fashion we wear is one of the ways that we tell our stories. Yet, I can’t help but also loving fashion stories- aka books about fashion. From biographies of iconic designers to histories of textiles, coffee table books to novels, reading about fashion not only inspires my outfits, but helps me understand fashion from POVs I sometimes didn’t even know existed. This past month, it feels as if we’ve lost a lot of fashion icons- from Andre Leon Talley to Mugler, and reading about them helps me feel as if we still have them.
Another great thing about books? They make great gifts, they are one-size-fits-all, and they let you own a bit of fashion history. Below are fashion books that are on my wishlist for Valentines Day (and beyond), maybe there is something for you or someone you love may love!
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!!
Velvet and Florals
It is incredibly tempting when the the temps drop to abandon all style for warmth. As someone who hasn’t spent a lot of her time in true “winter” weather, it’s especially hard to not dress in only sweats (multiple) and big coats (because, yes I’m cold all the time). So, when I find pieces that let me retain some style and stay warm, I go back to them again and again.
Also, who can resist velvet and florals? Especially when they’re this chic?
A trench is an investment I will always endorse, but trenches like this- with a bit of personality and texture? I love them. Velvet isn’t something I would think of for coats, mainly as I worry about it getting wet. BUT. This coat is so warm, and I love that the details, the slits, the buttons, the edging make it special enough to wear as a dress, but warm enough so I don’t regret not wearing sweats. And while florals may be more associated with spring, on boots they’re a bit of a statement. Obviously made for warmth, but made for fashion as well.
I’m always, always going to chose warmth over fashion (easy to say when we’re not going out much). Even with my shorter, not as warm outfits, I’m known to bring a big coat, or wear tights, or layer more than may be necessary. Sometimes winter dressing feels frumpy and big, and there are times when you may feel as if you have to choose between your style and not freezing. Maybe velvet and florals aren’t for you- there’s cords, stripes, faux fur, puffers, polka dots and more to choose from. What I recommend is finding pieces that let you keep warm and expressing your style. It’s been my joy to experience winter (now and again) and an even bigger joy to find warm clothes that look like me.
I would love to hear about your winter staples from coats to boots. The pieces that keep you warm, the ones that keep you stylish, and the ones that do both!
XO RA
Note: This velvet trench is vintage YSL (from the 1970s) and Valentino Floral Boots from the 2015 season, but I have found you similar!
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!
Year of the Tiger
While we collectively celebrated the new year on 1/1, on 2/1 it’s another “new year”- the lunar new year, or the Chinese New Year. 2022 is the year of the Tiger (water Tiger, to be exact), and in the Chinese zodiac tigers are known as strong, brave, and able to exorcise evil. Red is the good luck color of the Lunar New Year, and wearing tigers and red this year can be considered to bring you good luck throughout 2022 (at this point, I’ll take all the good luck we can!).
(I find Chinese astrology fascinating- you can read more about it here. I’m an Earth Sheep (or goat) and the signs point to me having a good year- I’m hoping that’s true for us all!)
If you’re into the astrology, you’re simply wanting another ritual for good luck, or a reason to shop seasonal and special, the Year of the Tiger has something for you. Brands, from skincare to shoes to dresses, have specialty items to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Below I’ve rounded up my faves.
Will shopping ensure good luck for this Tiger year? These’s only one way to find out!
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!
One of my favorite Year of the Tiger products are these slippers from my beloved Sarah Flint. Fuzzy lined for warmth, arch support, and in a great red suede with that embroidered Tiger. You’ll be brave both pre and post coffee! (Also these would look chic with denim!)
Buy them here and use code SARAHFLINT-BAINVESTMENTPIECE for $50 off!
Beauty
I know, it seems a bit odd to mention Tigers and skin care (or lipsticks) in the same breath, but each lunar new year one of my favorites are the beauty limited editions. From bronzers in the shape of tigers to serums with the red (for good luck), these are the Year of the Tiger limited editions I’m shopping!
Shoes and Bags
From purses shaped like tigers to shoes with tigers on them, to reds, these Year of the Tiger accessories will bring you luck and keep you chic all year long!
These are my favorite from Kate Spade and Tory Burch (both brands do a great job at celebrating the Tiger!)
Clothing
Dress like a tiger, have a tiger on your clothes. Either way, these pieces from Kate Spade, Tory Burch or COS will have you in a celebratory mood, incredibly on trend, stylish- and maybe a bit lucky. If the Year of the Tiger brings good clothes to all of us I won’t be upset about it!
What do you think will bring you the most luck for the year of the Tiger? I’m betting on all of them- and I can’t wait to see us all in various reds and tigers starting 2/1/22. Happy Year of the Tiger loves!
XO RA
In My Robe
Some thoughts:
When it gets cold I’m always tempted to wear a blanket out. This robe (yes, it’s a robe) basically lets me. I’m a fan of Pj dressing (really, who isn’t? But see here, here, and here for starters). Every year, my family does the matching PJ thing for Christmas (we’re cute) and this was the pick a few years (we wore them over plaid pants). It’s essentially a sweatshirt with buttons, and it was my uniform over the holidays.
One day my mom mentioned that she thought it would look great with a belt and heels. A neighbor asked where we got them as she could wear it to get mail and run some errands, and no one would know that it’s a robe. I’m interested in how warm it keeps me, the slightly 80s vibes, and that the possibilities are endless.
This isn’t the only styling you’ll see of this robe.
In fact, it’s not the first time that I’ve worn it out- before this post or after. I can’t resist any outfit that makes me feel like I’m in PJs and presents as chic- or any chic pjs that let me present as being dressed. Especially around this time of year. And if you’re looking for a break into the vintage community may I recommend a vintage robe, the 1930s and 1940s robes are especially LOVELY and glam. Robes as outfits? Why not?
Headbands-thanks to Blair Waldrof, the Duchess(Es), or the simple fact that you can use them to hide dirty roots are back. I resisted for a while, but now I’m in love. Ones for working out, ones for fashion, I’m wearing them all.
Jumping into the new year hasn’t been pain free. Really, we had something like 2 weeks off, is it fair or logical to assume that jumping into anything would be seamless? (Not that I don’t love new starts, but I was getting used to be in vacation mode. Also, this isn’t to say I’m having a hard time, it’s to say that going from 0 to 60 has thrown me for a loop!) However, I’m just hanging out in my robe. So, winning!
I’ve linked similar robes (and other blanket-like outfit options for your shopping pleasure!
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!
Bond Girl
Beloveds, you have seen this post before. I spent the weekend fighting Cedar Fever, thankfully not Covid, but I was still left in bed for the majority of the weekend. Then! I dealt with a little hacking on the back end of this site (so so sorry if you were affected by it!). I spent the part of the weekend I was functioning fixing that- which made me feel like a Bond Girl. Which made me think of this outfit (and once I’m up and about may have to wear it!) Shopping options have been updated, and I’m wishing you a Happy Monday that’s without spyware or allergies!
XO RA
I’ve always wanted to be a Bond Girl.
And I know that some of the Bond girls are the “bad guys”.
And that might not be the most evolved statement.
Maybe it’s more accurate to say that I want to be Bond, as a woman. The power. The style. The spy gadgets, intrigue, and glamor. (I also wouldn’t say no to a car or a martini right about now)
I may not be a Spy (that we know of) or have all the gadgets- but I like to think that the style and glamor I have covered. Or, more accurately stated, this set makes me feel like a Bond girl. Stylish. Powerful. Off to something glamourous.
And it’s just a set (though these details are swoon inducing):
I’m not going off to someplace glamourous. (It’s still the pandemic)
But this set. It makes me feel all those things. I tend to stand up straighter when I wear it. My walk has a bit of swagger in it. Power, style, and even spycraft- this outfit makes me feel like a Bond girl.
The power that has. What could I do in this set? Who could I win over? Where could I wear this?
I believe in that kind of fashion power- the kind that makes me feel changed. The kind that, even for a moment, leads me to new and exciting things because of how I feel in it. Yes, it’s a set (and here you can tell yourself all the set things- it looks great together and seperately, etc, etc), but when I’m in it, I’m a Bond Girl. You can’t beat that!
This is a vintage set, but you could “make” your own- simply layer a short dress over pants (any pattern will do). I’ve linked snakeskin pieces I love for your own Bond girl looks 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 your for your support!
Post Holiday Sales
As we ease into the new year, one of the things I miss from the holidays of my youth is getting to take your new toys to school or to a friend’s and showing them off. Obviously, as adults we can buy ourselves toys (aka clothes) whenever we want, and show them to whoever we chose, but aren’t there times when you just want to have that one moment where we show each other our new things? And get excited for each other?
It’s not that I don’t love holidays as an adult (they are just as magical, sometimes in different ways, but the magic is there), but the toys I get have changed. And that’s great! I really don’t need a Barbie house right now. 😉This holiday I was so lucky, and my family and Santa were so generous- and yet. I kinda want new clothes to show off to you.
Not just because I want to shop or show off, but because as I decide who I want to be this year, and what I want to wear, I keep finding things (from jeans to shoes) that I feel like would fit my story. Help me tell it. Lucky for all of us- most everything is on sale right now! The Post Holiday Sales are still going strong, and there are still amazing deals to help us tell our new year stories.
I have favorites from all over, and while I’m still debating (and attempting to be responsible) my choices, I’m excited to share these sales with you. Hopefully, there are things to help you tell your stories, and when we’re done shopping we can show them off to each other!
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!
Madewell
Madewell has been having sales all season long, and now you can get an extra 40% off sale with code CLASSIFIED. I LOVE Madewell jeans, and there are so many more picks below!
Anthropologie
From party dresses to chic coats, all sale at Anthropologie is an extra 50% off right now. Here are some of my faves:
Revolve
From on trend jeans to dresses (I really LOVE the yellow one), these sale picks at Revolve are every thing I think I want to wear:
What do you want to wear this year? Who do you want to be? We’ve had a year to think about what kind of stories we want to tell, and decide which clothes will help us tell those stories. We also need to find a time to show each other our new things!
xo RA
Last Dance
Are the next few weeks the last dance of the year?
In a way, yes. It’s the time to get it all done or let it all go. The end of year parties (yes, this look would be perfect for NYE, it’s both glam and comfy!), the end of year work, the letting go of what we can’t get into this year, the clean slate, and the new dances in the new year. The stories go on, but this time of year always does feel big- and if you’re into traditional troupes, this last dance of the year deserves a grand outfit. And a great dance.
Speaking of traditional troupes- you may have caught on that NYE isn’t always my favorite holiday. I love new beginnings and parties and champagne- but always feel like there is so much pressure on NYE. At home NYEs have always been up my alley (and this year they seem especially appealing!), but no matter if you’re at home or on the town this caftan is PERFECT NYE outfit. We know I love a party dress, and while we could debate if caftans are a party dress, this epic glamour and movement, while letting you stay comfy is what I plan on wearing. Dress it up. Dress it down. For a last dance of a party dress for the year, this one is one to shimmy all night in.
If these next two weeks are our last dance of the year what do you really want to do? Who do you really want to spend time with? What do you want to wear? I know that world events may make some of our plans obsolete, but I hope that if nothing else you get to wear something fabulous and be with people you love.
Some styling notes: this caftan is part of the HalstonxNetflix exclusive collection at Saks. Celebrating both the Designer and the series. It’s navy but at times looks silver, and comes with its own jumpsuit underneath. I’ve linked the whole collection below- all are up my alley for any kind of dance!
Xo RA
Note: This post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn some commission from them. Thank you for your support!
