WIW -- Things Rae helped me pick!

Rae mentioned she was getting a lot of wear out of the things she got when we shopped together and I couldn't agree more! I got both of the sweaters in pictures 1 and 2 when we toured Santa Monica together, and they've been in frequent rotation.

1 -- Free People cardi purchased at Bloomingdale's. I recommend!
http://www.freepeople.com/wint.....3E51E5A64/
2 -- Fuzzy teal cardi from UO. I'm not sure about this color combination, but I was comfortable. These are my DIY distressed skinny jeans.
3 -- My Bubba trucker vest from Levi's, I found this at Nordstrom in Sacramento (not available on line); it's perfect for my lifestyle.
4 -- No new pieces to introduce to you here. I am cleaning out my closet. Some things are an automatic purge, some things are "?"s. So I try them again to see how they feel. I realized I would keep these plum skinny jeans because I love the way they scrunch around the ankle, yet are super fitted around my calves.

Thanks for looking and commenting! What do you do with your "?"s?

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11 years ago

jayne

Veteran

Hate to be a bummer but that vest in 3 looks way too big for you! But sometimes practical outweighs fashion...of course you could be doing the oversize trendy thing heh?

CocoLion

(website)

LOL Jayne, yes that is intentionally oversized. It's the oversized jean jacket/jean vest look I think Angie blogged about it not too long ago as a fringe trend to look out for.

Caro in Oz

Great looks & why were those pants ever in a ? pile?
I think the colour combo in #2 really works well - they are two tertiary colours I think.
#1 I see this as a signature look on you CL & I love it & love the way you merge relaxed & trending into a look that is totally yours.
I have been really unhappy with my summer wardrobe & instead of culling in an emotional way (which I would have done in the past) I have been forcing myself to incorporate the ? items into my outfits. It has been very educational - I find out very quickly why I don't wear them.

Agnes

Active Member

Looks like you and Rae are a good shopping combination! I sometimes put the ? items in a plastic bag in my laundry cupboard, and if I can't even remember them they go to the thrift shop after a couple of months. I'm not even allowed to look in the bag if I can't remember whats in there. Saves you changing you're mind and saying Oh maybe I will wear that.

Jaime

The plum jeans are certainly worth saving. My question marks are items that I think fit well or look good yet I never wear. I am trying not to hold on to them, but sometimes it is hard! All four outfits look great!

sarah

Looks like you had a great time shopping with Rae. I'm amazed how you manage to make cardis look so "cool" : ).

Suz

Love your new stuff, Denise! The vest makes it almost look as if you have peaked shoulders - a very cool way to get that effect in a casual outfit!

I have SO pinned that first outfit. What are those shoes?

As for my ? I try to wear them and see what I feel about them then. Or put them in a different closet for a while and see if I miss them. Then I decide how to pass them along -- a YLF gift in the style exchange, a donation, or a consignment resell.

Tina.b

Denise, you're really making me want to comb through my cardigans to see if I can reinvent them to look ask stylish as you've made them here. You just understand your signature looks and you achieve a great silhouette and fantastic style every time. That vest is so perfect for you, avant garde, but workable for your lifestyle.

Glad you saved the pants they look fantastic on you! As for my question mark items, depends what they are. I have a hard time letting go of shoes in general. I view each pair of shoes as part of a larger collection if that makes sense. But tops and bottoms I'm fairly ruthless with. I generally pass clothes too my sister, so I don't feel too wasteful overall.

Thanks for the wisdom Ladies!

Caro I have started to do what you are doing. I "force" myself to wear the item. For example I had not worn either the pant or the v-neck sweater in at least a year, but I ended up liking the tailored silhouette. I do love the slouchy look most but every once in a while a like a fitted, tailored look too.

I guess I have several tiers now for purging. I finally listed things on eBay that were new or worn once. Some of these things were bootcut premium denim I was no longer wearing which I would get 10-35$ for. Others just don't fit my lifestyle (too many silk blouses from places like Joie or J Crew, never worn). The silk blouses fetch a better price, even if used.

I have another tier of things for YLF swaps. If I am too busy to do eBay, things from category 1 go here.

And finally I have things that go to the thrift shop.

I am having a lot of fun editing right now!

Lisa

For my "?" I put them on hold and then when I am ready to purge I see if I can remix the item in question into a new outfit combination. If I can it usually becomes a new favorite outfit but when I can't them I am very comfortable purging the item because it truly is not working for my wardrobe.

Oh I also wanted to add that these are REAL outfits, worn for an entire day. I am sure this is no surprise as there's nothing special here! I am beginning to dislike bloggers who look great but their outfits aren't reality based. Angie is so inspirational in this regard as here outfits are supremely WEARABLE.

Suz the pony hair booties are from 80%/20, and very comfortable!

Sarah A

Your posts are always such a treat. I like seeing how you incorporate new items/trends while still being very true to your signature. The plum skinny's in #4 look great. Is that an agate slice necklace in #2? How cool!

catgirl

Denise, I am so with you on the reality outfits. Lots of bloggers post an outfit and when you read the comments they say they wore the shoes just for the picture. Well, that's nice but does not inspire me in any way.

Love all of these - the vest is especially fab! I loved shopping with Rae too.

rae

Love! I know I've said it before, but I'm so glad the Free People sweater went home with you. It goes SO well with the shoes. I also love the distressed colored denim in #2 - good distressing is tough to find, but even tougher in color.

I've got to pin #1 as well, since I also own white 80%20 ponyhair booties and haven't worn them since I left the bank... isn't it silly that I found them tougher to wear *after* the bank? o_0 Your outfit makes it looks so easy, though.

Rae -- I am actually *shocked* that those booties fit in better with your banking life than they do with your more casual life! Although I agree they are not standing work shoes. They are great, getting around, a few errands, coffee meetings, a little grocery shopping shoes. Oh and a movie could fit in with that agenda. The popcorn will bookend the booties, he he.

rachylou

#2 is my fave!

I ask other people what they think re. my ?s...

shedev

I really love #2 and #4. For my ?s, usually trying to wear them makes me realize why I dont wear them so I just pass them on.

Ingunn

I love seeing your outfits again, Denise! You have such great style. That vest impresses me - I would never have thought of even trying it on, but I really like it on you.

My ?'s? They end up in a holding zone for a while, but vey often I was right from the beginning, and the ?'s are distributed to my daughters, to the Salvation Army, and if they are worth it, sold.

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