Pink, White and Gold

Pink, white and gold is a pretty darned girlie combination.  And, in spite of my love of dresses, I don't really consider myself a girlie girl.  So, it's sort of a surprise, yes, even to me, that I ended up in this combination today:

But, for what it's worth, I consider this a sort of tough pink, white and gold:

Maybe it's the bits of black in the shoes (Seychelles "Mum" via Ideeli).  Or maybe it's the hot pink pants (Michael Kors) instead of a pale pink.  Or, maybe it's the cut of the blouse (Max & Mia via Nordstrom); I think the mixed media and raglan sleeves keep it from being too sweet.  The shape of the necklace (Nordstrom) is also not too terribly sweet.

Not that I have anything against sweet.  Donuts are sweet.  And I love donuts.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Literary Stylings #1: Auntie Mame

Hello, hello, hello!  Welcome to my first ever Literary Stylings post and Link Party.  Today, I am posting an outfit inspired by the book, Auntie Mame, by Patrick Dennis.

I can't remember how old I was when I first saw the movie, Auntie Mame, but I absolutely adored it, and Mame, from the very beginning.  I actually didn't even know that it was a book until a few weeks ago when I was wandering through my favorite used book store and stumbled upon a copy.  The book turned out to be as much of a delight as the movie was and I fell in love with Mame all over again.

Today's outfit is inspired by a scene early on in the book where the narrator first meets his Auntie Mame.  In the scene, Mame is well into her "Asian influence" period so she's dressed in a full kimono to host a fabulous soiree.  Here is my look:

For this outfit, I layered a kimono-esque thingamajig (I think vintage & I think from the sticky thrift store) over a micro-pleated dress (Goodwill) .  I finished the look with Seychelles "Mum" sandals, some layered necklaces and a vintage rhinestone bracelet:

Mame would, of course, have worn diamonds, but I'm channeling after-the-crash-Mame.

I look skeptical but I was quite excited to be swanning about in this.

I really, really liked this look.  I felt tall and fabulous, but still well within my comfort zone.  Mame was a great believer in authenticity so I think she'd appreciate that my look, while inspired by her, is still very much me.

And now, over to you all.  I can't wait to see what everyone wears!



Not a blogger?  I'd love to see your literature-inspired photos on the Fashion for Giants Facebook Page!

Thank you to everyone who was able to participate; I know it was very short notice.  If you didn't get a chance to join in this time around, you can read more about the Literary Stylings Challenge here and hopefully we'll see you on Tuesday, August 6th!

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

Gracey

Peplumesque

I am wearing a striped top once again today but, more importantly, it's also peplumesque:

Well, it's not really.  But I belted it into a peplumesque shape and I think it kind of works:

I haven't been too keen on the peplum trend because I haven't been able to find one I like.  I realized the other day (while watching Pretty in Pink, no less) that many of today's peplums are just too limp for my tastes.  I prefer a stiffer fabric.  And belting this vintage silk jacket was pert near perfect.  It could stand to be a little longer and even a little more stiff, but it'll do in a pinch.

Because I was adding volume at the waist, I tried to keep the bottom of my outfit sleek with a cinnamon-colored knit skirt (Jones New York via Goodwill).  I finished the look with my neon necklace (Target) and abstract print sandals:

 Seychelles Women's Mum T-Strap Sandal

Image via Amazon.com

What about you, Reader Friends?  Are you fans of the peplum trend?

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

** Disclosure: Actions taken from the hyperlinks in this blog post may yield commission/compensation for the writer. Please see the Disclosure tab for more details.

That’s the Spirit!

Today is the Everybody, Everywear Back to School Challenge.  Having not been in school for years (don't worry how many, it's not important) I decided to show my school spirit by wearing the colors of my alma mater, Washington State University:

According to our fight song, we're supposed to "win the day for crimson and gray"*:

So I paired a crimson pleated sweater skirt (vintage, thrifted) with a lightweight gray sweatshirt (Old Navy) and tasseled booties (Seychelles “Clue” via 2011 NAS).  I then realized that in my attempt to go “sporty” I looked like an old-timey cheerleader, so I quickly added a turquoise and silver necklace.  Because, let’s be honest, you can’t do cheers in a squash blossom necklace (vintage via Lil’ Gypsy), you’ll knock your teeth out.

In addition to the turquoise necklace, I also wore my new turquoise earrings (vintage via Lil’ Gypsy):

Looking at my outfit, I think it’s unfortunate WSU’s colors don’t include turquoise.  Don’t you think this uniform would look better with a pop of turquoise?

Image via Fresh University

Like the numbering.  Or the helmet.  Oooh, a turquoise helmet would be sooo pretty.

Even though my team doesn’t have pretty helmets, I have spirit, yes, I do.  I have spirit, how ‘bout you?!  You do?  Well, then, make sure you’re linked up over at Everybody, Everywear!

And have a Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

Gracey

*Our fight song also says we're the "best in the West," but that hasn't been true for over a decade.  Sad face.

Silk is Totally Professional

I am basically wearing shorts and a tee shirt at work:

But, it’s okay, because the tee is silk and silk is totally professional.  I paired the super professional silk tee (one of the six or so I thrifted) with patterned shorts (Target) and added a polka dot belt (Nordstrom Rack), Seychelles mini-wedges and a bib necklace (c/o Maurice’s).

Why did I wear shorts and a tee to work?  Because it’s getting stupid hot here in Oregon.   Today is supposed to be 91 and it’s supposed to hit 100 this weekend.  I know that is nothing to those of you who’ve been dealing with rolling heat waves all summer, but it doesn’t usually get that hot here.

Luckily, I like the heat so I’ll be spending this afternoon and evening at another 80s concert.  And tomorrow, I will return to my beloved thrift stores to pillage and plunderdo some shopping.  I need to find a dress for a wedding next Friday.  I think it’s in a field?  Or a barn?  Or a barn in a field?  I’m not exactly sure where it is, but I’m pretty sure I need something new to attend.

Have a wonderful weekend, Dearest Reader Friends!

Gracey

Mock Turtles = Professional

I wore shorts to work today.  Not clam diggers, not Bermudas, shorts:

But, it’s okay, because I paired the shorts (Target) with a mock turtleneck (vintage, thrifted).  And if anything says professional, it’s a mock turtleneck.  I completed my totally professional outfit with patent mini-wedges (Seychelles), several bracelets and hot pink drop earrings.

As I was wandering along the edge of The Printed Plains in The Giant’s Closet, I came to the realization that I really, really love these shorts.  Not this particular pair (although they do make me happy), but this style of shorts.  As it turns out, I have three pairs of printed shorts from Target and they are all Merona, Fit 1.  I like them because they have fun prints but also because of the fit.  The ride a little lower on the waist, but aren’t low-rise.  And my favorite part; they don’t cut into my thighs when I sit down.

So, these shorts are definitely a keeper.  And of course I have to keep the mock turtleneck as it’s clearly an integral part of my professional wardrobe.

Happy Friday, Everyone, and have a wonderful weekend!

Gracey

Yes, No, Yes

Yes, my dress is sheer.  No, I’m not entirely certain it’s work-appropriate.  Yes, I wore it to work anyway:

And I loved it.  Sheerness be damned, I think this dress is fabulous.  It is, admittedly, probably more of a party dress than a work dress, but the only party I have coming up is a 90s party and this dress is from the 70s.  Besides which, I wanted to wear it now, not later, so I wore it to work.  I'm not a complete dress code rebel though, so I did wear the dress (vintage Lady Blair) layered over a navy blue slip.  I also added a black patent belt (Steve Madden via Ross) and black patent mini-wedges (Seychelles).

I guess this probably isn't the most versatile dress in my closet, given that its a sheer 70s party dress, but it will definitely remain in my closet.  And I will wear this dress again.  There is just no way in heck am I getting rid of this one.

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Tomato Violet

This has to be one of my favorite color combinations:

I think it makes sense because the two pieces have similar tones.  But, let’s be honest, I totally could have made that up. 

I paired my tomato-red polka-dot blouse (vintage, thrifted) with a violet skirt (thrifted and hemmed) and added black accents by way of a skinny belt (Steve Madden via Ross) and mini-wedges (Seychelles).  And then I added a yellow accent in the form of a bracelet (Mississippi Street Fair vendor) because that also makes sense to me.

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

Gracey

Old Fashioned

My friend, Kathy, said I look old fashioned today.  I suppose it was inevitable that someone would make that comment.  After all, the majority of this outfit is vintage:

The floral dress is vintage from an antique mall in Albany, OR.  The blazer is vintage Montgomery Ward from my thrifting trip with Kelsey (Hi, Kelsey!).  And the cameo bracelet is vintage from an antique mall in Nashville, TN.  I also added my vintage lion-head earrings, olive tights (Hue) and tasseled booties (Seychelles via Nordstrom).

I know the idea is to try to modernize vintage items, but I just didn’t care to today.  Besides which, I rather like today’s outfit.  In spite of the fact that it’s all matchy-matchy and muted tones, in addition to being old fashioned, it still feels like me.  More than likely that's due to my adherence to this silhouette - my thighs and I like it best.

Or, maybe, I’m just old fashioned.  (Probably not though).

Happy Monday, Everyone!

Gracey

Putting On a Brave Face

I am having a rough month.  Yes, I know we’re only six days in, but December really isn’t working for me.  I tried cheering myself up with some hot pink:

And it almost worked.  But, that smile is pretty forced – this is how I really felt today:

Boo on the sad face.

It’s not the outfit’s fault though.  I actually really like the hot pink sweater (Talbots, thrifted) layered over the blue and navy dress (thrifted) with the blue tights (DKNY via Nordstrom) and tasseled booties (Seychelles via Nordstrom).  I’m just gloomy, is all. 

Although I wasn’t able to put on much of a brave face today, bear with me; I usually find my smile again after not too long.

I hope you’re all having a happier Tuesday than I,

Gracey

Take Four: Fall Accessories from Coast to Coast

Hello, Dear Reader Friends!  I hope everyone had a lovely weekend.  Even though it’s Monday (boo), I’m excited because today’s post is the next Take Four post – and we’re talking about fall accessories.  Accessories in my closet generally consist of either shoes or scarves.  And while scarves are perfect for fall (and anytime, really), I decided to go with shoes for today’s Take Four post.  In particular, these Seychelles booties:

I chose these booties because they incorporate two big trends for this fall; chunky heels and menswear-inspired.  But, the best part is that they also incorporate tassels and fringe.  I love tassels and fringe.  I wore the booties (Seychelles “Clue” via Nordstrom) with a goldenrod bow blouse (Gap) layered under my cranberry Mr. Rogers cardigan (vintage Jantzen, thrifted) with a grey midi-skirt (vintage, thrifted) and grey Swiss dot tights (Hue via Macys).  Sadly, this color combination photographed like I am Ronald McDonald's personal secretary, but I swear it was more flattering and less fast-food-empire in person (no, really, I swear!).

But, enough about me. Want to see some other fall accessories in action?  Of course you do!  In which case, might I suggest a visit the other ladies of Take Four?  As always, they are Kelsey of Charming Pumpkin, Karla of Frugal Big Girl and Bekah of Matters of Merrymaking.  Try it; I think you’ll like it.

Happy Monday, Everyone!

Gracey