Elevated Business Casual
I’ve recently developed something of an aversion to sheath dresses, for years a main staple of my work wardrobe. This is unfortunate insofar as there is no easier professional outfit formula than dress + blazer. Before you jump in to ask, I don’t really know why sheath dresses don’t do it for me anymore. Not baggy enough, maybe? I kid, except not entirely. Anyway, let’s rejoice because I do have some other alternatives in my closet that work with that classic formula … like this amazing Maria Cornejo dress. Hope you’re not tired of seeing it yet.
And speaking of pieces on repeat, does anyone recognize this blazer? It’s an Elie Tahari number I bought a long time ago (as far as clothes go); I want to say circa 2012? I used to wear all the time, and then for some reason I stopped and sent it to the archive closet. I did a recent sweep of said closet and realized that this blazer fits well (again?), and has a relaxed, streamlines silhouette that works with my current aesthetic, so it’s back into regular rotation. The medium grey is a good grounding neutral without being as stark as black. Add some red shoes, and you’ve got yourself an easy outfit.
Vintage, Revisited
High waisted, pleated pants are back! Or so I hear. It’s rare for me to be so on-trend, so let’s go with that being the case, ok? The new iteration of this trouser silhouette is still too “hot” to have hit the thrift racks, but there is no shortage of the vintage kind. Now, not all vintage pants are made equal, especially when it comes to front pleats. I think I’m on safe ground with this pair, though, even if they do pack a lot of lewk. There’s the aforementioned pleats and high waist, but also the tapered leg … and did I mention they are velvet? A heavy velvet, and lined to boot. Vintage at its best, most vintage-y. These pants were made in Canada for Eatons, you guys! If you remember Eatons, you are official An Old Person, like me. Congraaaaaaats!
But in all seriousness: I loved this outfit. When I thrifted the pants, I tried them on with a Uniqlo blouse made of a print with small flowers against a black background. I didn’t buy the blouse – it had a pussy bow, which is a big NO for me – but kinda regretted it because I liked how the black-on-black combination looked. A few days later, I came across this Maeve blouse at the consignment store. No pussy bow. Sold.
Weekend Formula, Times Two
Now, THIS was a popular outfit on IG. I dig it a lot, so I am not surprised by its popularity, except insofar as I’m always surprised that IG shows my photos to anyone nowadays. Yes, that’s a very Blogger-y complaint, I know. Moving on. This MaxMara camel coat is still going strong, 4 years later. I am dreading the prospect of trying to find a replacement. Hopefully, that trial is years removed. Polished coat + distressed jeans + knits = instant chic. In my books, anyway. And check out those recently thrifted SoftMoc boots. Amazing.
So amazing, in fact, that I wore this outfit twice, with a couple of small tweaks:
Love all three of these and yes, I seem to be noticing the same with IG as well. In terms of a huge downturn in “likes” and also, why aren’t YOU in my feed ffs?? Urgh. In fact, now I will go and seek you out, see if I can force it to start showing your posts again, ha ha
I don’t know what’s happening, honestly. My feed is full of garbage, and I don’t get to see posts from people I’m actually interested in. Or I see posts days after the fact. I may just have to create a separate accounts for following large/celebrity IGs, so that they don’t clog up my personal feed.