Pertinent Pacing Plaid

I suppose it's a little bit difficult to tell in the evening light, but the woods behind me are full of snowy blossoms albeit so high in the canopy the only way I could even get them in the distant background was by standing on top of the hillside.

Spring is finally here, Hallelujah! I am thrilled to see its arrival, fashionably late, as always.  In spite of the decidedly autumnal academia vibes of today's post, rest assured I have been reveling in all my pastels and florals.

You may be thinking that this outfit must be one that got lost in the shuffle from fall, but no, this dress is actually a thrifted ModCloth piece that I thought would be perfect for work.  My work environment isn't really conducive to joyful prints and bright colors.  Which isn't to say that the people there aren't hilarious and lively, because they are, it's just well, not the kind of place for whimsical clothing.

While whimsy may be right out, tasteful and timeless are welcome anywhere, so I have been searching for more serious fare that remains interesting and stylish.  In the 20-teens, I loved the vintage New Girl vibe dresses that ModCloth was producing and still have many of those pieces in my weekly rotation, (even I can't believe how well they've stood the test of time) and am always on the lookout for the thrifted remnants of that era.

I have been on a spending/shopping reduction this year, just basically trying to be very mindful of what I spend and how much stuff I am bringing into my life, so when I came across this Pertinent Pacing Plaid dress, I knew it would be the perfect pairing of vintage style with work appropriateness, but I still waited for a few weeks to think about it before buying.  

The things I take into consideration are 1. Do I really need it?  2.  Do I already have something like it?  3.  Would it be occasional or would I wear it all the time?  4.  Does it go with what I already own or will I have to buy more things in order to accessorize it?

I took two or three weeks, and thought through all these questions and decided that this dress really would fit right in with my existing wardrobe and be a real asset as it checks all the boxes for work.  I have stuggled for months to find the right balance in my work clothes and I think I am finally getting the hang of it at my new job.

Having these questions ready and taking the time to really think about them so that I am not spending money emotionally or impulsively has been incredibly helpful.  That's not to say I don't sometimes slip-up and make a silly purchase when I'm having a bad day, but I can tell that I am making strides toward getting things in balance and that is exciting.

I am also getting the hang of finding pieces that I feel comfortable in wearing to work.  It's taken a year of trial and error, but if a thing is worth doing then it's worth seeing it through.

Outfit Info:  Ecosusi Bag (Bow added by me) Shoe Carnival Flats, Ye Mak Honey Comb Sweater, Pertinent Plaid Dress by ModCloth

How to Wear Leggings

It's been a long, long while since I've talked about leggings.  Of all the fashion trends I've seen come and go over the years, leggings/jeggings seem to be one of the most difficult for people to wear correctly.  I have a pretty strict policy on them which is-- if you can't wear them properly just don't wear them.  I thought it was only fair that if I were to take such a firm stance to then write a post on how to wear them correctly.  Four years ago, I felt like I covered it all, but it's been a while and now I think it's time to revisit that topic.  So, what is the proper way to wear a legging?  Well, first and foremost, if it came from LulaRoe and/or has some tacky, god-awful (usually food or animal) print on it and it's too late to return it—just burn it.  Don't wear it and don't give it away, you will not be doing anyone a favor that way.  And then go for a better brand like FemmeLuxe.   

The second thing to note is that leggings are not trousers and jeggings are not jeans.  The thicker fabric of jeans and trousers leaves a little more to the imagination than leggings and jeggings do and wearing them means You Must wear a top that has your bummy and your tummy covered at all times.  Typically when wearing something form fitting on one half of your body, the other half should have something looser and more flowy to bring balance to the outfit.  I usually go for a tunic top or occasionally with a peplum top and a blazer if I need to dress things up a little. 

A few years ago the fashion trend was to wear jeggings with a wool pea coat and knee high leather boots.  Living in the land of perpetual winter and gloom, I wore it year round for three years and then seasonally for three more with tunics, sweaters and scarves.  It was adorable and I still like it, but for the most part, I think we've moved on from that look, I definitely have, and I've put my jeggings away and haven't worn them much in the last two years.  Lately I've been missing my jeggings and decided maybe it was time for an upgrade.  My jeggings just aren't comfortable for the work that I do, but leggings are far too casual to be office appropriate.  All this is to illustrate my next tip which is to consider not only your style but also the places to which you'll be wearing your leggings.  

If you're running errands and chasing children all day or schelping across campus from class to class, a breathable cotton spandex blend is your most practical bet.  If you need something more appropriate for the office or a nice weekend brunch I recommend a faux leather legging like the Wine Faux Leather Look Leggings I'm sporting from FemmeLuxe.  One of the great thing about these leggings is that they have all the comfort of the cotton/spandex variety, but with ever so much more sophistication.  Another thing to love is the burgundy color.  Burgundy is what's known as a “pseudo-neutral” meaning that like a neutral you can pair it with just about any other color and it totally works.  That kind of versatility is exactly what you want in a legging. 

The light sheen of these leggings adds just that extra hint of visual interest and in place of the pea coat from years ago, I now prefer the polish of a sleek jacket or blazer.  I also love the leg lengthening effect of flats with a little point to the toe.  I may ditch my boots for good over this style.  It has a more professional vibe to it in the office and an overall classic for weekends especially when you add a little jewelry and a clutch.  Remember to keep your accessories in proportion to your frame.  If you're petite go for a small clutch and delicate jewelry.  If your plus size, go for a large clutch and a cuff or bead necklace to bring balance to your style.  Sounds easy, right?  It is.  It's all just a matter of --who are you? and where do you want to go today?

Shopping info:FemmeLuxe Wine Faux Leather Look Leggings - Catriona, Stripe Tunic from Old Navy, Bomber jacket from H&M, Disaster Designs Clutch, Forever 21 flats.

F21 Love

Just a quick outfit before we step out into another chilly day of sunshine.  Still need layers, but at least they're getting lighter.

Shop the Look:

Forever 21 Dress & coat purchased from PoshMark
Beret purchased locally
Earrings &Qupid Heels from ModCloth
Textured tights from Wal-Mart