Investment Piece – Page 95 – Everyday Editorial

Tell me About It, Stud

Investment Piece: Tell Me About It, Stud

Do you remember the end of “Grease”? When Sandy comes to the carnival in that black outfit that’s incredibly sexy yet incredibly chic?

When I was a kid, I loved that movie. And scene. Ever since that moment, I’ve been searching for an outfit that made me feel all those things: fun, sexy, chic, and a little rebellious.
Loves, I may have found it.

(Yes, you should see the movie if you haven’t. Here is the scene I love. And yes, we should all ask our parents if they got what it was about and still let us watch it!)

You’ve seen this leather top before (in a fantasy). This top is Elaine Kim. Yes, it’s perfect for looking hot and staying cool in the summer, and will be just as amazing in the fall with sweaters, etc. I do have a partnership with Elaine, but that in no way affects my opinion. Leather tops are fantastic and you need one.

Paired with shorts and heels? I just felt cool in this outfit. Maybe that’s all that it is, how our outfits make us feel. If so, I can’t recommend this one enough. I’m ready to go and slay at a carnival, or any other summer shindig, but I also ran errands in this number. And felt super confident in it.

Outfits that make you want to tell people about it? That’s a number to stay cool in!

(You can’t see but I’m winking at you)
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!

Want your own?

Shorts:

Shoes and other tube tops:

Investment Piece: Tell me about it Stud

Sunday Chronicles: Summer Shoe

Investment Piece: Sunday Chronicles: Summer Shoe

You’re right. This is not a typical Sunday Chronicle. It’s hot outside, and all those deep thoughts we have? They’re harder to hold onto in the heat. Or, at least they are for me! So what are we to do?

Enjoy what we have going on. For me? That’s a great pair of shoes, a patio, and good company.

Investment Piece: Sunday Chronicles Summer Shoe

I have to admit: I’m not the BIGGEST fan of flip flops. Do I want shoes that I can just throw on? Of course. Do I want the sandals to look chic and do with everything? Yes, please!

That’s why I fell for these sandals. Not quite flip flops, but flat. A bit more chic, a bit more elevated, and a bit more versatile. Do they go with all my shorts and swimsuits? Yes. But, they also go with my “cocktail” summer dresses and more.

Loves, they even go in the water!
Investment Piece: Sunday Chronicle Summer Shoe

Yes, they’re plastic and have made going from water to land a breeze. (You know, as one does when it’s 107 outside).

Is this about how you might need a summer shoe like this? Sure.
But more than that, my wish for us in the last few moments of summer, when it’s too hot out, is that everything is this easy. That everything goes and we can just go about our day. That things look good no matter what happens. That we don’t have to think too hard and that we can just be.

If a summer shoe can give that to you, I’m all for it. No matter what the shoe is!

Investment Piece: Sunday Chronicles, Summer Shoe

Wishing us all a week of ease and amazing shoes!
Xo RA

If are interested in a summer shoe a la this one, I’ve found options here.
Note: that is an affiliate link, and while that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!

Dots. Spots. Minis.

Investment Piece: Dots. Spots. Minis

I’ve spent the summer longing for a mini dress. At the same time, being terrified that all the mini dresses that I loved would be too short. (Yes, there are downsides to being tall) So, even though I thought this summer should be the summer of a mini dress, I resisted.
Then.
I remembered.
In my closet there was a perfect mini dress. Spotted. (I do love a good polka dot). And mini without being too short. Is the moral of the story that we already have what we need? Yes. (And no, there is always more fashion to be had; no such thing as too many clothes!) Or is the moral of the story that we shouldn’t be so scared of what we want? Yes.
My mini dress? It’s everything I thought this summer should be: fun, flirty, and fantastic. The dots and long sleeves keep it just classy enough, and the other thing these dots needed?
Spots!
Investment Piece: Dots. Spots. Minis

I do love mixing patterns. And love animal prints (yes, people will say they’re “on trend” for fall. Animal prints are always on trend. And they’re neutrals!). What’s more natural than mixing dots and spots? They mimic each other, go together, and look simply perfect. There are times when I love a heel (with everything, even shorts), but with a mini I loved how these flats let me be carefree in my mini dress. (And yes, these flats look great with shorts and jeans and all the things too!)

All classics. All fun. All the things. Dots. Spots. Minis.

How are you spending the last few days of summer?

Both this mini-dress and these flats are older, but I’ve found you similar for your shopping pleasure. And yes, I’ve been given the confidence to get another mini dress, what about you?
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!

What to Buy at Summer Sales

Yes, it’s a liminal space we’re in: summer is wrapping up (though it’s going to be hot till October) and fall is on it’s way in. We’re being offered fall trends and summer is on sale. It can be overwhelming. But, I think it’s a great time to stock up on items you can wear now, later, and next summer. Quality and Quantity. Everyone wins.

And of course, fashion (like art and your life) should be curated, effective, and fun. So if there’s something you’ve been wanting that brings you joy it’s the time to buy! (Even if it’s not an investment piece!)

Below are some of the pieces I’m buying during the summer sales. I would love to know: what are you shopping for? What’s on your mind for fall? For now?

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!

White Jeans

Sundresses

SwimSuits

Shoes and Bags

Happy Shopping!

All in One

Investment Piece: All in One

The thing about Investment Pieces? They have staying power. I got these shorts/skirt/culottes/skort at least six years ago. From the pool to the opera, I’ve worn them everywhere, and in every way. Over a bathing suit, with sequins, and with this Amberleaf Jacket.

Years later they’re still stylish, I still love them, and they’re still getting compliments.

(If you’ve contacted me about wanting some of your own, I haven’t forgotten! I’m working on it. More on that at the end of the post!)

Investment Piece: All in One

So, the bottoms? All in one. But this jacket? (Yes, worn as a top!) It is too! From pieces like this to jeans, skirts, over dresses, what couldn’t you wear it with?

Another “all in one” factor? Both of these pieces are perfect for the transition we’re in right now. That late summer to early fall? Yes, these go! Wear them casually to a BBQ now. Both would be the perfect bikini cover up. Wear the jacket with shorts. Then. Before we know it, it’s early fall. Still warm enough to wear these shorts. But the jacket? So much opens up. With pants, even sweatpants. As a suit piece. As a true jacket.

Your possibilties are endless. All in one.

Investment Piece: All in One

Even though this post was a part of my recent shoot with Amberleaf the opinions are my own. That being said, my opinion is that you get this jacket. As for these amazing shorts? I’m looking for an exact match (if that’s something you’re interesting in, email me at racheladelicia@investmentpiece.com and I will keep you updated!), in the meantime, I’ve found you similar!

What pieces do you have that are all in one? What stories do they tell?
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!

August Armarium Picks

Loves, this is a part of my partnership with Armarium, though all opinions are my own. You can use code RADELICIA to get 20% off of your first rental!

I love high fashion. And vintage (it’s amazing to know you’ll be the only one in the room wearing EXACTLY what you’re wearing). I also love ethical fashion (it matters). This month? Armarium is combining all these things I love with their collaboration with What Goes Around Comes Around, the luxury vintage brand. Currently, they’re featuring select vintage items for rent–and I think we should rent them all. From Dior to Galliano, this collection is fantasy, fun, and fabulous. Yes, for my monthly Armarium picks, I usually go by events, but this month I wanted to spotlight this curated selection. Getting to wear a vintage Dior gown for an affordable price (not to mention a discount with code RADELICIA!)? How can any of us say no to that?

Hope you enjoy the collection as much as I do! I would love to know: what are you renting? What story are you telling?
Xo RA

Armarium X What Goes Around Comes Around

Investment Piece: August Armarium Picks
Dior Knit Dress

Investment Piece: August Armarium Picks
Dior Silk Dress

Investment Piece: August Armarium Picks
Karl Lagerfeld Sequined MiniDress

Investment Piece: August Armarium Picks
Mugler Magenta Strapless Gown

Investment Piece: August Armarium Picks
Galliano Macrame Dress

Investment Piece: August Armarium Picks
Dior Gown

Investment Piece: August Armarium Picks
Dior minidress

Maybe I have a thing for Dior? Loves, my selections barely scratch the surface of the What Goes Around Comes Around X Armarium Collection. There’s more Dior, CHANEL, Galliano, Versace, etc– and it’s all stunning. I can’t think of a better time than wearing fashion history, and this collab lets you do it (for an affordable price! It’s also a great time to use your discount code, RADELICA!)

The entire collection can be seen here.

Happy Renting!
Xo RA

Icon With a Twist

Things I like: martinis, fashion investment pieces, and outfits that make me feel like royalty. I also like surprises, and getting new perspectives on things I thought I knew.
What do all these things have in common?
This classic DVF wrap dress (yes, it’s an investment piece, and yes, you need one), and this shoot (yes, I felt like royalty, and with all my outfits, got a new perspective on how to style this dress).
Icon. With a twist.
(No martinis were consumed on this shoot. I can’t promise about after).

You first saw this dress here, back when this blog was still a baby.

I’ve worn the dress time and time again, with everything from sneakers to heels. I’ve put sweaters and blazers over it, I’ve always felt like there were ways to make this dress feel new.
But. I had never worn it over a dress. Till now.

Wearing an open kimono over pants and skirts? Yes. Mini dress over jeans? A thousand times. A maxi wrap dress over another dress? IT HAD NEVER EVEN CROSSED MY MIND.

But it worked. And I love it.
Yes, this may be a little more on the formal side (though with flat sandals, a combo like this could be perfect for your Labor Day BBQs), but it’s simple yet elegant, wildly unexpected, and allows you to mix and match like never before.

Also. It’s fun to twirl in.

Some tips:
– I love pattern mixing, but if you’re going that route, I would suggest that you pick tonal colors. Or, like here, pick a pattern to match with a classic.
-I love the mix of lengths. Would this look good with dresses that are the same length? We won’t know if we don’t try? But ??
-I tied the wrap dress underneath itself, so the ties didn’t show and it flared out. The underlying dress gets to show more that way.

The underlying dress here is Amberleaf. You can read about my love affair with them here. This shoot was part of my summer collab with them, and yes I think you need this dress; but, more than that, putting my dress over theirs made me realize that we may need to look at our closets in new lights. There’s more to combine, more to layer, more to dare than we might be thinking of now.

What icon can you put a twist on?

I’ve found you several DVF dresses below! Some new, some used, all sizes. I truly think a DVF dress, of any kind is an investment worth making!
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!

Sunday Chronicles: The Rest of Summer

Has anyone else felt like July was kind of a bust? Not in a total way. There were great days and amazing things in July. However. I’m so grateful for a new start in August.

I got sick way more than expected in July. My schedule got much weirder than expected. There were things that I didn’t get to do, and things that I did. It was both overwhelming and perfect. So. What do we do with the rest of summer?
I revisited my summer bucket list, and I have some ideas.

-I want to get in the water as much as possible
-Travel. Both planning ahead and right now.
-Work. I have ideas and plans and want to start things that will carry over into the fall
-And yet, relax. This summer I keep thinking of the summer days of my childhood where all I did was swim, read, make art, and eat watermelon. Those days recharged me in ways that I can’t explain. I may need a few.

In more than one way, during the next few weeks we will all be looking ahead. To sweaters and fall. The school season and to-do lists. To the end of the year and all we want to do. My question and quest is: how do we enjoy where we are and set ourselves up for a great fall? Is it possible to get the last bit out of summer without feeling guilty about it? What do we really need to do? How do we really recharge?

I don’t have all the answers, but I’m thinking I might find them if I use the rest of the summer. There has to be a balance of working ahead and relaxing now. Or,let me say I’m determined to find one.

Wishing us all a week of summer and amazing shoes! Xo RA

#doingthings

Investment Piece: #doingthings
InvestmentPiece: #doingthings

Investment Piece: #doingthigns

If you would have told me that an exercise dress would become my summer uniform back in June, I don’t know that I would have believed you. Not that I don’t like exercise. Or dresses. But the combo? Let’s say I was hesitant. Good thing that doubtful me was not in charge-this Outdoor Voices Exercise Dress has become my ultimate summer go-to. With shorts to let you move, and a chic mini dress to show you off, it might be the best of all worlds.

Things I’ve done in my exercise dress:
– Work Out (in fairness, not a hard workout, though I think layered with a sports bra it would be great in those as well!). I’ve walked and hiked and am dying to learn how to play tennis in it!
-Run errands
-Gone out. Yes, my current favorite thing is to put a scarf in my hair and pair this dress with “fancy” shoes. It’s gone from happy hours to book clubs. And I get compliments every time!
-Got in the water. And still looked chic

The thing about this exercise dress? It makes me feel put together. And it lets me do things. It’s the perfect combo.

Investment Piece: #doingthings

Now, loves, the question is: what kind of things are you going to do in your exercise dress? If you don’t exercise I won’t tell. Or if you exercise and never take it out, I won’t tell that either. I just know that, despite my doubts, this dress has become one of my favorite pieces, and I think it could be the same for you. Wanna go do things?

I’ve linked this dress and items similar to what I paired with my exercise dress above.
Happy doing!
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!

Mad Men Audition

Investment Piece: Mad Men Audtion

As an actress, and a fashion lover, there was no show I loved like “Mad Men”. From iconic scenes like Peggy leaving the company smoking to Betty shooting birds, to everything Don Draper did–I LOVED it. I still love it. “Mad Men” was gorgeous and dramatic, everything I wanted to be and nothing I wanted.

There are many, many essays on “Mad Men” and its fashion, so I won’t bore you with my own yearnings for a waredrobe like that. But I can recommend this article on the evolution of Mad Men’s style, The Secret Behind All Your Favorite Mad Men Looks, and How Mad Men Changed Fashion” as jumping off points for your “Mad Men” fashion research.

This look? Let’s take it as my audition to be in “Mad Men”. (I can dream, even if the show is off the air, right?)

The combo made me want to vacuum with a martini, have the pool boy scrub while I watched, and drink coffee for lunch. In short, it had the feel of everything great about “Mad Men” costumes.

Investment Piece: Mad Men Audition
Investment Piece: Mad Men Audtion
My “Mad Men” audition? Part of my summer collab with Amberleaf, the mother/daughter chic company that I just can’t get enough of! Yes, this white blazer (worn as a top here–so sexy and chic, and one of my favorite styling tricks) is Amberleaf. Would it look great with jeans or pants? Yes. Over a shift dress? Yes. With a pencil skirt in a power meeting? Yes. Blazers can be anything you need them to be (even my “Mad Men” fantasy), and you won’t find better options than Amberleaf. You can shop them here. Tell them RachelAdelicia sent you!

The rest of my look? A full skirt and my favorite mules. Shop options with a screenshot via LiketoKnowit here.

I’ve also linked options below.

What are you story (audition) are you telling today?
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!