Midnight Dancers

I really love this song, and I picked out a few words/phrases that really helped me I draw inspiration for this outfit: the cobbled streets of Paris, Lovers, break the rules, you had me all along, I can hardly breathe, stay the night with me

So I decided something that was romantic, slightly rebellious, something you could walk all night in, and something that had some Paris inspiration.  Hello iconic striped shirt, ruffled skirt, soft curls, and edgy boots you could definitely walk (or dance) all night in!

  

Shirt: Gap, Undershirt: Shade, Skirt and necklace: Downeast Basics, Boots: Last Chance

My Rebellion Against Myself

I told myself no more striped shirts.  I guess this is rebellion against myself?
Skirt: Loft, $30, Shirt: Loft, $12, Shoes: FF, $20, Watch: Last Chance, $5

Black and White and Red All Over

Shirt: Target, Cardi and Pants: Gap, Shoes: Last Chance, Belt: F21

3 for 1

Sometimes you just take so many pictures and they all look bad. Sometimes you have to settle for just one decent one.  Let's all remember that one post where I broke my own format.....

Skirt and Jacket: Anthro, Shoes; nine West, Shirt: Rampage

Better to Overdress

I cleaned and packed the good ole' classroom today, so I wanted to be casual. I was asked by my father if I had worn this to work, since it's "a little casual." I laughed and let him know there was one other teacher, male, dressed slightly nicer than I. I have always had the theory that it is better to overdress than under dress for any and all occasions- even when moving boxes. Does anyone agree with me? Do you pick and choose when to dress up, or do you too try to be a little above the norm in all situations?

Shirt: Gap, $12, Shorts: Gap, $15, Belt: Gap, $6, Shoes: Latin Market, $5, Watch: Wal-Mart, $10

Eastern European Sweater

I had a bad day this week and did what I love to do when I get down- go shopping! I know, bad habit, but nothing seems to make me feel like life is ok like a new pair of shoes!
I went to Anthropologie and found this sweater on sale for $30- what a steal! I live in AZ and knew it may not get a ton of wear since it's getting hot again, but the fit was perfect for my upper body and I somehow I convinced myself that there is a good chance I'll go to grad school somewhere cold next year. I'm happy I bought it, I don't think I'll ever find a better fitting sweater!
Sweater: Anthropologie: $30, Skirt: Banana Republic: $20 (I think), Undershirt: Target: $3, Shoes: Sketchers: $45

Black and White Gamine

I was pretty excited when I found this sweater in just my size on sale for only $5! It's perfectly Gamine. And, might I add, I was feeling reading for spring and busted out my white skirt and no tights (it was 80 today in the Southwest). I was pretty darn happy!
Sweater: Target, $5, Skirt: Gap, $15, Shirt: Aeropostale: $15, Shoes: Famous Footwear, $15, Ring: Charlotte Russe, $4

Ahoy! A Little Gamine

There is just something about a classic striped shirt that pulls a Gamine look into any ensemble. I decided to add a mustard yellow instead of the traditional red for a nautical look. And please note I'm rockin' skinny jeans, I have fat thighs and have avoided them forever. When I tried on this one pair, it was the first time I was sold!

Jeans: American Eagle $20

Shoes: Target $13

Bag: Target $6

Shades: Target $13

Shirt: Mervyns $12

Necklace: Black Market Minerals $2.50

Style Egos

Let's define style alter ego's. There is usually a "look" that accompanies outfits. When you get dressed, you will fall into one of the following categories. Some of these names vary according to which fashion magazine/book/designer/etc you are talking to, but the looks remain the same. According to most style icon books there are a group of styles in fashion people tend to gravitate to, here are my interpretations and an example or two of each:
1. Classic- pieces that never go out of style (Jennifer Aniston is the poster child)
2. Preppy- Part schoolgirl, part polished (Think Blair Waldorf)
3. Bohemian (Boho)- Hippie-esk (Sienna Miller)
4. All American- girl-next-door looks with a polished flair (Rachel Bilson)
5. Rocker- what would you wear to a concert, particularly if you were the one on stage (Blondie, Avril Lavine, etc.)
6. Femme Fatale/Bombshell- classic sexy pieces (think leopard) put together with some attitude (Marilyn Monroe
7. Quirky- Bright colors, interesting pieces, you actually want to look a little weird while still looking good (Betsey Johnson, Zooey Deschanel)
8. Gamine- European inspired polished with a school girl twist (Audrey Hepburn, Katie Holmes)
9. Romantic/Girly- Feminine pieces with ruffles, flowers, and other details for an ultimate girly look (Kerri Russel, Mandy Moore)
10. California Cool- T-shirts and jeans, shorts, sandals, and minimal hair and make up give a sporty, laid-back cool style (Kirsten Dundst, Lauren Conrad)
11. Artsy- Your clothes make a statement, abstract, loud colors, statement pieces, and interesting shapes contribute to this look (Vera Wang)
12. Retro/Vintage- A purposeful look into past decades of style. Vintage clothes are anything 20 years or older. Anything made to look old is qualified as retro (Gwen Stefani, Your Grandma)
12. Eclectic- A mix and match of styles, shapes, colors, and sizes. Anything and anything together goes for an Eclectic chick (Misha Barton, Lindsey Lohan)

My favorite style books that explain these further:

The Lucky Guide to Mastering Any Style

In Style: Instant Style

The Lucky Shopping Manual

In Style: Secrets of Style

All these books rock and explain style looks better than I ever could! To have your fashion vocab, you need to familiarize yourself with these styles, and the art of creating these styles.