I used to wear cardigans all the time. “Librarian chic” could well have defined my style at the time, and I say that without any intended self-deprecation. Librarians are cool. For a law office, this look is on the more casual side, but still perfectly acceptable on days without any client meetings. With summer around the corner, and most of my blazers on the heavier side of knits, it’s a look I’m enjoying rediscovering.
Can we talk about my shoes for a minute? Conventional wisdom is that Ferragamo shoes are the epitome of style and comfort, and while I would not dispute the former, I have reservations about the latter. The Vara style IS indisputably one of the most comfortable I’ve ever tried (at least the older/vintage pairs I have). The Varina style (i.e. these flats) is another story. Admittedly, I haven’t worn them extensively in the 3 years I’ve owned them, but I am still breaking them in. Painfully. Good thing they’re such a pretty colour.
Okay, minute’s up. Back to the outfit. I’m glad I’ve held on to this ancient Valentino skirt (scored at consignment, years ago, for $40 or so) because it’s such a nice staple piece, strange silhouette and all. (It’s not an A-line, nor a pencil skirt.) Did I mention how much I love rediscovering old classics in my closet?
What is it about breaking the shoes in that’s painful? I’m curious because I’m considering taking the plunge on a pair (during a sale of course). I never noticed that shirt had teal in if before. I probably never would have noticed it if you hadn’t paired it with those shoes!
I’m glad you held on to that Valentino skirt as well. It’s more visually interesting than the classic pencil skirt, but at the same time it’s neutral enough to pair with pretty much anything!
The leather at the back of the heel is stiff. They didn’t seem too bad the first few times I wore them (mostly around the office), but then I actually walked in them for an hour, and I got the mother of all blisters (it was … not pretty). I’m hoping that the leather softens with time. My vintage Varas are sooooo comfy.
Your hair looks absolutely fabulous!! What product did you use?
Just a bit of leave-in conditioning oil (L’Oreal Miracle Oil, I believe is the name) after I washed it, and then hairspray after curling (Elnett). I’m not sure if this really matters, but for the sake of full disclosure (LOL!): I usually wash my hair at night, and leave it to air dry overnight. I straighten it in the morning, and then the following day I curl it. I find that gives me the best results in terms of “holding the curl”. I wash my hair every 4-5 days, though, so this approach won’t work for people on a daily hair-washing schedule.
(I should add – I don’t re-straighten or re-curl my hair in between washes, because I’m trying to limit its exposure to heat. So the waves get a little less structured and more “lived in” after the first day, but they usually still look decent for at least another day.)
I love your hair! Any chance you could post a tutorial on how you style your hair? It’s just the perfect amount of waviness! 🙂
Thank you so much! Seriously, it means a lot because I have struggled to get my hair to look like this for years. But it turns out that no magic is actually involved. Just get yourself a curling wand (I believe that is the correct term – it’s a curling iron without the clamp thingie) and then wrap sections of hair around it. I’ve seen people suggest that this should be done vertically, but I don’t know how much different it makes – you better believe it that I can’t get my arms to do that behind my back!
I don’t use any products except a bit of leave-in conditioning oil (on damp hair, after I wash it) and some hairspray after curling it.
I’m not sure all that is really worth a tutorial, LOL! And I HATE seeing myself on camera …