Styling together an outfit is all about mixing together complimentary patterns, textures, fits and colors. I don’t always mix more than one pattern in one getup unless they are similar enough without being overwhelming (maybe one is muted down a bit). However, when the same is all considered in the production of one garment, things can get even more interesting! Patchwork is one of those fun mixed-media ideas in terms of designing a piece, and perhaps brings a bit of nostalgia, either from grandma’s quilts or recycling fabrics to make a perfect pair of bell bottoms in the 1970s. It’s a cool category in the denim industry that is always around, but seems to poke its head out from time to time every few years as a new trend. It can be used to portray just about anything from a bold, rebellious street style to a laid-back, friendly aesthetic. It’s been awesome to see how brands get creative with all the ways to create a unique pair of jeans in such a saturated market, and patchwork is always a bright go-to when stuck in a style rut or when you’re just feeling stylishly playful.
Urban Renewal Vintage Shop at Urban Outfitters
Image: Urban Outfitters
Urban Renewal Vintage Shop at Urban Outfitters
As much as I love seeing vintage fashion (especially denim) all over the place right now on every blogger and celebrity’s instagram, I am still slacking when it comes to my own wardrobe. I guess maybe I just haven’t found that perfect piece yet, or am not quite sure if it fits my style, but either way, I am a HUGE fan of upcycling. I’ve tried rummaging around in local thrift shops but my town kind of lacks in that department, compared to some from larger cities. I don’t know, maybe I need to give it another go. It seems rather silly, being as obsessed as I am with denim, that I don’t at least have a vintage Levis piece lying around! Apart from my appreciation for organic and sustainable materials used in clothing manufacturing, along with spending a little more for quality and being more choosy with purchases, I am all for upcycling to reduce waste and help preserve our precious resources. I also find it really hard to let go of pieces I know I’m not wearing anymore (stupid yet sweet nostalgia), so I love the idea of my once-loved pieces going to someone else who will love them, or carrying on the love of a cherished piece that another person once had.
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A Casual Beer Date After Work
A Casual Beer Date After Work
It was a nice warm evening after work on Thursday last week, so some of us decided to head out to happy hour for a beer! So needless to say this was my outfit for the day. I feel so lucky to have a job that allows so much style freedom…Anyway, I’m wearing a top and black flats I found from Urban Outfitters several years ago when I hit a big sale, a black cardigan from Old Navy, my Foley & Corinna Mid City Tote in Cobalt which my day bag of choice right now and a new pair of Joe’s Jeans Vintage Reserve Ankle Skinny in Zhane. They were a pair of jeans I was craving since they were first released, and I scored them on sale for less than half the price on 6pm! The only thing was, I grabbed their last one available, in a size 26, and they sent me a 25, which was what I was considering to begin with since Joe’s are known to stretch out a lot. However, these were SO dang tight that I couldn’t even button them! I’ve kind of turned them into a project, doing all I can to stretch them out, using the tips that Lorna from Raindrops of Sapphire explained in a DenimBlog article awhile back. This includes water, excessive wearing and a LOT of lunges and dancing around! This actually worked pretty well, and I can wear them around, although I’m still trying to stretch them out just a tad more. I am determined, as they are such cool jeans! I love the vintage detailing. Hell, if I’m this determined, I should find myself a pair of raw denim jeans…
Here are similar items (with the actual jeans) in my look above:
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Breaking Out of the Rain Boot Rut
Breaking Out of the Rain Boot Rut
Every year I’m tempted to get a stylish pair of rain boots…but they seriously are few and far between. Why? I have no idea. At least, it’s tough to find them in stores. Although, being in California, we rarely get seasons so bad that really warrant a rubber pair of boots to keep our feet dry (unless maybe you live in San Francisco), I always like the idea, because they are so cute…and perhaps because they trigger a slight case of nostalgia — the last time I truly remember making the most of a pair of wellies was when my sandbox would flood when I was a kid, and I’d march around in it in my boots, fascinated by the feeling of being submerged, and yet dry (simple pleasures, you are truly missed).
When looking for cute rainboots, I always run across the same “wellie” style, just with different prints, and maybe an embellishment here and there. They aren’t exactly stylish and only seem to be meant to wear from point A to B, where you’d swap them for something more outfit-friendly if you were meeting someone for dinner or heading to work. So I decided to peruse the net for a bit and find some different styles, because I really think the style world needs to think about breaking out of the rain boot rut a little more. Granted, I think we’re probably done here in California this year, but I figured this might be helpful for some other style-savvy people in areas not so dry…and we still have the spring…come on weather, April showers bring May flowers, right?
