Oh thank you Suz! What a blessing you are. I think I'm copying your vibe a lot here. The chelsea boots and distressed jeans, for sure. You made me laugh SO hard remembering our early days on YLF (now if that doesn't make us sound ancient, I don't know what does)! Thrift store ladies who lunch indeed! I am having such fun continuing to learn and try new things each season, and you are a big, HUGE(!) inspiration. Thank you for the commiseration and the advice on the belts. I will have to take pictures of mine and see what you think. These jeans have sparkly "chain mail" inserts in the distressed areas (which they have been mended with) and once I had them laid out on my bed, along with my sparkly metallic belt, and the sun struck them just so and I thought, "What on earth was I thinking? I'm not that much of a magpie!" Sheesh. I guess I could save it for a rainy day.

ETA:

Jackie, you are one of the major culprits who got made me mad for plaid. Now see what you've done? Thanks, BTW.

Jaime, at first I thought you were saying that I had bought your Zara plaid shirt. Can you believe that this was my very first Zara purchase, ever? They are a little expensive for me, but I'm paying for the design and the colors which I couldn't find anywhere else. Sorry if I'm enabling you--yikes. But thank you!

This is my absolute favourite of all your posts. Awesome finds and you truly do look fab!!

Claire, you are always an inspiration to me, in every way! And I meant to add, i was just looking at "genetic denim" on the Rack website and wondering about it, and then saw some on the regular Nordstrom website, too, so those are a score! They really do look fab on you. So so comfy to have that bit of ease, right?

DEB, thank you. What a nice thing to say!

Suz, yes. The ease is wonderful, and these stretch out (which I no longer consider a bad thing)! One day I woke up and realized that skin-tight jeans are A) hotter than loose jeans in the Summer and B) colder than loose jeans in the Winter. So why was I wearing them again? It certainly wasn't for my comfort or female health, lol!

How do you manage to make a flannel shirt and distressed jeans look so elegant? I don't mind the lack of belt at all. Wouldn't have even noticed it either way if you hadn't commented on it.

The boots are really my favorite piece out of everything, I think. Such a good fit, and the perfect go-with-everything neutral!

Oh, how fun to see you in plaid! I really like the colors and the pockets, cuffs, and collar details of the shirt on you. It looks equally great in a casual way without the topper as it does with that amazing, polished jacket.

I thought this was gonna be, you know, "Claire cast as the lady lumberjack," but no ---- this is modern, looser, straighter, simpler. OK -- it's not a solid, but b/w is the simplest color combo you could have, and the patter reads like a geometric under your jacket.

This is a great piece for your curated wardrobe. The booties are equally fab!

So good to see you again!

This is like the *perfect* fall outfit to me Claire - everything about it is just right, fluid fit flannel shirt in a creamy tone, bookending booties, the creamy jacket, your bag - those jeans! Love it. I also find that your carefully selected items and how you style them have made me want to take more time with not only shopping decisions, but also with how I put things together. I think often times it's the thrill of buying, and doing so in a hurry that creates those wardrobe orphans that I still have. You help to teach us to slow down and THINK first.

You look so incredible in this - well done!

Gorgeous - I love plaid, and love it on you too!

Wow, Claire, this is Plonkk with a big sound! Love your Zara cream shirt. It is not a common pattern, it is indeed reminding me of the burrbery checks-and you styled it perfectly. Fits you like a glove & how lucky you are! Your premium jeans are gorgeous-including rolls and bootiesll! And OMG, Celine jacket it's the icing on all! LOVE!

You look wonderful! The colors are great, the fit is great, you've totally got that rolling thing down, and I continue to think your hair looks just great. Good job!

You look fantastic, Claire! I love your new shirt and I'm glad to hear the boots are working out well for you. I know very well what you mean about the belt, from the feel of it I prefer to go without a belt too. But I love to semi tuck and to me it just looks unfinished without a belt, at least most of the time. I'm not buying one of those Hipsi belts, but I'm keeping my eyes open for a neutral belt that feels less bulky than the ones I've had so far.

I love the look on you. The jeans and shirt and booties all look fab (and the Celine is a brilliant topper for this). I would prefer with a belt, but that's me. You do what you want - you still look fab.

Good grief Claire - this is perfect! I don't know how, no matter what you are wearing, that you always look eleganlyt chic. I wish I had that talent! You already know how great I think that those jeans look on you - and it just tickles my funny bone every time I think about you wearing distressed anything! So glad that you found your "Burberry" shirt - and the colors are perfect for you!

Claire you look fab and I love your clothing sensibilities!

I missed this yesterday!
Claire, I love your new shirt
I am thinking that a plaid shirt is one of those pieces that need to very very well-thought-out and planned, and bought new:
I have looked at every one on offer at various thrift stores, and decided that unless they are current, this style very easily can fall into the 'off' category!
KWYM about belts too- I like the way they 'finish' an outfit, but they can be uncomfortable, and for me often sit right on my 'poochy-bits' in mid-rise jeans
Fantastic jacket too, and a great colour for brightening cooler weather!

Absolute perfection Claire!