October 31, 2009

Outfit Roundup: Week of October 18

Brown sweater dress, thrifted
Brown silk slip, Eileen Fisher Outlet
Heather gray tights, Banana Republic
Silk scarf, Echo
Brown suede Tsubo Asmiks

Last year I bought two crinkled silk slips at the Eileen Fischer outlet for $10 apiece. Little did I know that I'd wear them on a weekly basis once it got cold out. They are absolutely perfect for layering under sweater dresses! They keep the dress from sticking to my tights, add another layer of warmth, and make scandalously short tunic/dresses totally wearable. What a stroke of luck!

Sweater dress WITH CATS ON IT, The Mexican Shop
Teal tights, probably Target
Orange pumps, Perlina Celebrity
Bracelets and necklace, both gifts from my awesome mom

I bought this adorable dress on a recent trip to Chicago to visit my parents. Snapped it up from my favorite local boutique, which I visited with ...


... Clare of Between Laundry Days! And this was AGES ago and I'm a crap-ass blogger for not posting about it sooner. Especially since Clare is so lovely and smart and funny and generally awesome and posted about our visit in a timely fashion. I am quite sure we will coffee and shop again soon!

Pink ... thing, self-made
Black turtleneck sweaterdress, thrifted at ARC's Value Village
Fishnets, Target
Black boots, Diesel Go-Go
Black leather belt, thrifted at ARC's Value Village

So I recently developed a complex, you guys. I believe the technical name for my complex is "HEY, I can make stuff!" This, er, vest was borne of that delusion and I am still a little unsure about it. I just kept seeing these extremely simple, drapey, deconstructed garments selling for $100+ and thinking, "THE HELL?!? That's just a piece of jersey knit with two armholes cut in it!"


So that's what I did. I'm gonna keep experimenting with wearing this thing different ways. And if, after five or six tries, I still feel like a complete loon wearing it, I'll just hack it up into scarves.

Navy wool bolero, Anthropologie last year
Navy tee, AA via Yque
Navy skirt, Ann Taylor over the summer
Olive green tights, Target
Navy pumps, thrifted

Two years ago, wearing FOUR - count 'em, FOUR - different shades of navy would've driven me to the brink. Now, I'm loving it. Especially with the olive green tights for contrast.


This roundup is from last week, but since TODAY is Halloween, let's hear about Stonehenge, shall we? What could be spookier, I ask you?


41 comments:

pretty face said...

It is testament to your endless supply of ideas for your blog that only now you're posting about that blog meet!

Looking awfully pretty, lady :) xx

lopi said...

Your cat dress left me speechless!!! HOW INSANELY CUTE IS IT? (sorry for shouting) Genius pairing with the orange pumps.

Amy said...

AS IF you posted an Eddie Izzard video. AS IF I DIDN'T LOVE THIS BLOG TOO MUCH ALREADY!!! <3

Love all your different coloured tights, too! Mine are all black pretty much, I should get some more funky ones :)

Middle Aged Woman said...

That first outfit with the brown slip? To die for. Mary Janes are so cute with it!

"There, you build...Trump Tower." Everyone misses that line!

Luinae said...

I love that brown dress on you- the colour is very rich and deep. The olive green tights are a really great twist- I would have never thought of it.

Clare said...

I LOVE that brown crinkly slip! All I have are the super-silky white ones, which are fine underneath but look a little too Courtney Love-esque when they peek out the bottom. Anywho, I'm also SO glad you got that dress at the Mexican Shop! It looks absolutely killah. And finally, HOW have we not discussed our mutual admiration/obsession/pretty-sure-he's-actually-jesus with Eddie Izzard?? Love that man.

The Budget Babe said...

what's this favorite local boutique of yours in Chicago? i want names! also love the pink "thing", it looks like a perfect flyaway vest to me, and i love how you've styled it with the belt, etc.

Michelle said...

I love your pink drapey thing! I think it looks gorgeous (and ahem, much like the more expensive pieces at I'm sure a fraction of the cost). I've got some lovely drapey rayon jersey, maybe that's what I'll do with it.

And now I have to watch the Eddie Izzard video. :)

Happy Halloween Sal!

Melissa said...

I must tell you that just reading your blog makes me want to dress better every day - and I dno't mean go out and spend money on a new wardrobe, but actually look at the pieces I already have and make them work... and maybe snag a couple thrift pieces - it's like shopping for the frugal!

kristophine said...

What an insanely gorgeous bolero!

I, too, feel the urge to make things out of jersey. So far I've restrained myself, but I keep going to the fabric store and thinking, "hmmmm."

The Seeker said...

Oh that cats dress is so cute!!
I'm sure you will find so different ways to wear your "thing vest", it has a great colour.
Happy Halloween, dear

xoxo

Qair said...

Bwaah. I want a teeny tiny navy bolero as well :(

Must... check... eBay...

Lemondrop Marie said...

I too have that complex, comes from my mother- I can make that! I think you did make it, and well! I think the same vest idea in faux fur would be fun! Love the brown thrifted sweater dress and graphic print dress. Great outfit roundup!

SR@MyStyle said...

A great selection of outfits, the different shades of navy look great!!

WendyB said...

That cat dress kills me. Love it.

dapper kid said...

:O That cat dress is AMAZING!!! And I love the first outfit. Hope you're having a wonderful Halloween weekend :)

K.Line said...

You are genius!! And where is that cool inbuilt kitchen table? Is it in your house??

myedit said...

I clearly love the dress with cats on it because it warms the corners of this cat lady's heart.
And your legs look stellar in the mini with the self-made top... Haha... love that you 'made' it yourself... clever.

Pat said...

I love the brown outfit...and the navy one which looks great with the olive tights.

I think I would have liked the pink jersey thing more if it weren't belted (for the full, flowy effect.) I also think it would look great worn it with pants or long skirt like a tunic.

Suzanne said...

What a fun and colorful week!

Pink thing is seriously making me want to buy some fabric and make one for myself...and I don't "do" sewing/crafting/fabricating anything!

I really like how you've worn it with the black background so all of its drapeyness shows off, and the belt definitely flatters you & the outfit.

I was also inspired by the olive green tights with the Navy ensemble. Something I would have never thought of but it does have impact.

Thanks for sharing.

Diana said...

I am in love with that cat dress! If I'm ever in Minneapolis and it disappears, you know what happened :)

Alison said...

I love the "pink thing" How many yards of fabric is it? I may have to make one of those. I love all the outfits. And then, you threw in a little EDDY!! Love Him!!!

Corrine/Frock And Roll said...

Wow, C-R-E-A-T-I-V-E! Your pink top is adorable! And also, so is your smile - I will never grow tired of seeing your happy face beaming down my screen, Sal! :)

Sheila said...

I LOVE the cat dress and the navy/olive outfit. I have to admit the pink thing is a little kooky, but if anyone can pull it off, it's you, Sal! :-P

I need some long crinkly slips like that.

Healthy and Homemade said...

O M G

Pink drapey self made thing? AWESOME.

I have some black-drapey-cardi-type thing, and I paid $20 at Charlotte Russe because I loved it so much. Skipping out on that next time, and attempting to make my own!

I've seen a few people wear large scarves as cardis by belting them, this is even smarter because you made armholes!! fabulous =)

Rosie Unknown said...

I am so making a drapey vest thing!

As per usual, I adore every single outfit, but especially the navy and olive one, and the brown outfit.

Missa said...

The cat dress is awesome!

budget chic said...

I like all the bold colors, you look cute as button! I trying to get away from black, brown, grey, tan, etc and inject some color into my wardrobe this Fall. It's kinda difficult because more then half of what's in the store are in these colors!

daddylikeyblog said...

That pink thing is BADASS. And how wonderful is Clare? I met her once and came away yearning to be best friends forever!

Meli22 said...

I WANT YOUR SCARF!!!

Love the outfits, love the navy ensemble ;)

Anonymous said...

you are just the cat's meow! I love the way you combine colors that I would never consider combining! Four different shades of Navy and olive tights?? Wow! that's cool!

Kelly said...

Love your cat dress - and still love your anthro bolero

eednic said...

ahahha! i love the Pink Thing! it looks like a long sleeveless vest! i never would have known it was a "thing" otherwise! honest! and i love the first look with the brown sweater dress and scarf too.

futurelint said...

What a genius idea - two holes in jersey = great vest, who knew?!? I am LOVING that shades of navy outfit! And yay for meeting Clare!

Audi said...

LOVE the multiple shades of navy with olive green! You also seem to have loads of cute stuff from the Mexican Shop -- you must take me there someday.

NatalieW said...

I think you look great in your pink wrap! Your outfit is super cute.

Allie said...

It's true, Sal! You CAN make that stuff!

ambika said...

That sweater dress is just priceless. What a find!

Sal said...

Melissa: (A thousand years later) THANK YOU, lady! I'm so flattered to hear that.

Lorena said...

Have to say that the CAT DRESS is my favorite !!!!!!!!!!!

GeekGirl said...

I love these dresses and tights. I love your blog, thanks for all the continuing inspiration to try new things and reminding me that I'm pretty as I am!