Category: style

Librarian Chic

Skirt, RED Valentino (via consignment); top, Cynthia Rowley; cardigan, J. Crew Factory; shoes, Ferragamo; bag, Marc Jacobs
Skirt, RED Valentino (via consignment); top, Cynthia Rowley; cardigan, J. Crew Factory; shoes, Ferragamo; bag, Marc Jacobs

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.

outdoors shot!
outdoors shot!
watching my feet (?)
got my eye on the prize (?)

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.

earrings, J. Crew Factory
earrings, J. Crew Factory

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?

cardigan love
cardigan love

KISS

Jeans, AE; top, Old Navy; shoes, J. Crew Factory;
Jeans, AE; top, Old Navy; shoes, J. Crew Factory;

If you’re read this blog for a while, you’ll know that, historically, I’ve subscribed to the more is more philosophy when it comes to style. There never used to be an accessory, or print mix, or loud colour combo, that I didn’t love. So I think we can say that my recent sartorial efforts are positively minimalist by comparison. And then we have an outfit like this one. Less is more, indeed.

hey, hey, Good Hair Day
hey, hey, Good Hair Day

And you know what? I loved it. Even aside from the Good Hair Day. It was comfortable, and simple, and I still felt stylish – without looking entirely out of place for my afternoon stroll in the “wilderness” with the kidlets.

from where I stand
from where I stand

Yup, it was that time of year: the J family’s first trip of the season to Whitemud Ravine. We love going there because it’s quiet and scenic, and a conveniently short drive from our house. You feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere (a very pretty nowhere) – right in the middle of the city.

It’s also where we like to take an annual “state of the little J’s” photo … which didn’t turn out quite so well this year due to a distinct lack of cooperation on the part of the subjects.

annual Whitemud Ravine portrait
annual J Family Whitemud Ravine portrait

If this looks relatively sedate, be assured that the other 99 photos looked more like this. Or worse.

toddler revolt
toddler revolt

Another activity this outfit is perfectly suited for? Toddler wrangling. Yee-haw!

simple, right?
simple, right?

I Feel Summer

Skirt, Anthropologie (thrifted); top, necklace & shoes, Old Navy; bag, Coach (vintage, eBay)
Skirt, Anthropologie (thrifted); top, necklace & shoes, Old Navy; bag, Coach (vintage, eBay)

This top was an impulse buy during an impulse trip to Old Navy. My casual wardrobe doesn’t really need any additions, so I try to stay away from Old Navy, where cute unnecessary things always seem to call out to me. Perhaps “impulse buy” is not exactly appropriate in this case; I bought the top on a whim, that’s true, but it was a whim motivated by my inability to find a decent striped top. I thought this might be a good option for my wardrobe, albeit not your typical striped top. And whaddya know? It’s pretty much perfect.

stripes + florals = groundbreaking #sarcasm
stripes + florals = groundbreaking #sarcasm
bare legs, barely believe it
bare legs, barely believe it

The greyish blue colour and chambray-like material are a perfect fit with my summer clothes, especially my floral print Anthro skirts. The cut is not figure-flattering per se, but it is loose and floaty which is nice for summer. (It’s almost a trapeze-like style). The length is a bit odd; not quite cropped, and not quite regular length. It makes tucking in a bit more challenging, but it does give me an opportunity to experiment with different silhouettes. I usually love accentuating my waist, but I’m also drawn to these looser silhouettes these days. I don’t know if I’m alone in this, but that tends to happen whenever I lose some weight; it might sound counterintuitive to play with volume in those circumstances, but I’m actually more adventurous (confident?) with my outfit formulas.

TL;DR This was a cute outfit, and the first time I bared my legs this year. SUMMER IS COMING!!!

wind effect!
wind effect!
action shot!
action shot!