OOTD: 2012 edition

My Missoni for Target look

I was a big loser when it came to the Missoni for Target collection last fall. Luckily for me, though, I have a friend in Texas who manages a Target and was able to keep her eyes peeled for returns of the one dress in the whole collection I was really keen on. And voila! When she sent it to me I immediately had it tailored, because this particular dress was cut a little, err, generously. The one thing I couldn’t have the tailor adjust, however, was the length – it’s a little short, yeah? So I knew I had to wait and wear it with some thick leggings to make it work appropriate. Throw a cream shirt underneath to give it some sleeves and slap on beautiful brown riding boots, add an infinity scarf up top and I’m ready for the brutality of January in NYC.

OOTD: Volume 3, accessorize yourself

Long overdue, but here is my..11th outfit at my new job. Can I take a moment to talk about how much I love infinity scarves? Because I really do. In fact I wish I had more (this one is my only one, but luckily it goes with everything in my closet!). My favorite part of this outfit though, isn’t what’s happening around my neck. Here’s a detail shot:

Tights, H&M; Boots, Nine West

Since in the winter I repeat outfits a lot, tights are a major way I mix things up. When Missoni for Target happened (and I got left in the dust) I missed out on a really cool and funky pair of zig-zag tights. Fast forward a few weeks and I’m rummaging through H&M to find things for my Halloween costume – be still, my heart! – I found a pair of tights so strikingly similar and definitely not sold out that I just had to snatch them up.

OOTD

Everyone has an item of clothing that gives them confidence, makes them feel ultra sexy/skinny/and all-around better. For me, this pair of jeans does exactly that. They’re like insta-spanx – they slim me down, make my butt and legs look great and, perhaps best of all, leave absolutely no signs of muffin top (because, let’s get real – even if you don’t have it, many wrong pairs of jeans can give anyone muffin top). The dark color, with no fading or whiskering whatsoever, make them great for work, happy hour, date night, etc. Seriously, this pair can do no wrong. The flare might be a little 70’s for many people’s taste, but with an hourglass shape (I pose so you can’t tell, but I have some seriously wide hips), the flare at the bottom balances me out.

The silk top, while tailored, seemed just a little bare, so I belted my waist. Since it’s August (but thanks to Irene, a little cooler out than normal) I rolled the sleeves, which left me wishing I had an awesome cuff to wear at my wrist. Actually, I’m holding out for this Michael Kors rosegold watch. It’s as close to perfect as something could ever be. I’m not a gold person, but my complexion is too warm for silver (that and most of my handbags actually have gold hardware), so the happy medium is this gorgeous timepiece. At $250, it’s a little out of my constantly-broke-intern price range, but I’ll own it one day.

OOTD: Lace & Leather!

How does one make an ensemble of lace and leather appropriate for the office? Let me show you the ways!

First off, make sure the lace isn’t too boudoir, it needs to be modest. Take a cue from my tee – the high neckline and scalloped hem keep it demure, and the golden beige color keeps it refined. When adding the leather, stick to something loose. If I just told you I was wearing a leather skirt, you’d probably conjure up images of something tight and short, but that’s not cute for the office (unless your office is the Cat Scratch Club). This particular leather skirt earns mondo bonus points for having pockets! Pointer no. 3: in order to keep the outfit modest from head to toe, opt for ballet flats instead of heels. The leather skirt and lace blouse have enough heat on their own (even if they are this modest), adding heels would almost kill the whole thing. I chose a pair of black pointy-toe flats that have a little bit of edgy hardware to keep things interesting. Throwing a pearl and gold chain necklace over the whole thing ensures a “day” vibe. And if not for the skinny belt cinching my waist, this look would be pretty shapeless. Tada! Lace and leather that’s office appropriate! You’re still allowed to play Britney’s “Lace and Leather” on your iPod during your commute.

OOTD

I know, I know – it’s been a while. I blame the summer in nyc, it’s just too much fun (kind of like this outfit)! When I woke up this morning with a strong urge to wear this pair of shorts. With the soft blush color and pleating detail at the waist, this high-waisted pair is perfect for summertime in the office. While I usually wear a button down with these shorts, I decided to break out of my box and try something different. I paused an extra second when looking at this nautical striped shirt in my closet and had a brilliant idea. The horizontal stripes in the shirt and the horizontal pleats at the waistline of the shorts work synergistic-ally and bring the two pieces together making this not just any ‘ole outfit, but a look. Add the heels and multi-strand necklace and lookout!, this is a phenomenal style. And it has a little French feeling, no?

Stripes are a major trend for summer, match yours with a piece that you wouldn’t usually think to pair them – chances are you’ll be pleasantly surprised like me.

OOTD

Technically this is the outfit I wore yesterday (or since I’m writing this tonight and scheduling it for the morning, I guess it is today’s outfit…). But I think it’s a good enough one to dedicate a post to, because in reality it’s probably one of my favorite outfits I’ve worn to this new post-grad internship endeavor. It appropriately mixes NYC fashion magazine glam (the bucle and metallic yarn skirt) with Texas cliche and charm (oxford pearl snap shirt and medium-large brown woven belt). I think the most important aspect of this outfit, however, is that I finally found a way to wear this skirt! Hoorah! I bought it at the end of last summer when it was on final sale – probably $9.88 – at an additional 40%, I don’t care who you are, you buy it and figure out how to wear it later. So it took almost a year, but soooo worth the investment because now I have this cute ensemble catalogued for future reference.

And yes, I did take this picture in a fitting room. So sue me.

OOTD

I began the morning in a skirt, before realizing that it’s actually pretty cool out (and not so sunny) and remembering that I’m meeting a friend from Russia for a touristy romp after work. Hence the dark skinny jeans. Also the picture is blurry, but it’s the best in the series – I’ll do try harder next time, just for you.

OOTD

Today is so bittersweet! I’ve had an incredible time interning at Teen Vogue and would stay in a heartbeat if the combined issues of college credit/no openings didn’t make that impossible. And as if Hollywood had something to do with it, it’s raining and should be all day. Isn’t that just how it would be in a movie? I thought so too. I was going to wear the same shoes from Monday, but since they’re suede and haven’t been Scotchgard-ed yet I probably shouldn’t. But they would look so much better with the new khakis (that have become my favorite spring-y wardrobe piece). I may stow them in my bag… we’ll see about that.

The significance of this outfit is pretty tremendous, because it’s in the last outfit of my internship I have meetings with a pretty major editor. I think that’s pretty fitting.

I’m not sure how long I’ll continue outfit of the day blogs, I hope it’s something that doesn’t die out, but we’ll see. I know so many of you have followed all of these sartorial choices closely and without you I wouldn’t have kept this up for the duration of my internship.

OOTD

Breaking news: it is supposed to be 78 and sunny in NYC today!! And we all thought this day would never come… So I’m celebrating by going bare-legged in a fun skirt, but after wearing those shoes yesterday for 12 hours straight (with sub-par bandaids..), my feet need some therapy. Enter my cute and dainty gold sandals. I would be much happier in my nine west mules, but alas I left them in Texas and since I head back in two weeks (just to graduate, I’ll be back) I don’t think I can convince my mom to send them up. Le sigh. But ahhh! it feels so natural to be back in sandals. It’s almost like I never left Texas! Hm, not quite…

OOTD

It looks like spring may finally have descended upon NYC. Can I get an Amen?! And since yesterday was Easter, the most sartorially significant holiday for Christians, it means showing off your newest and springiest fashion, duh! So with part of today’s outfit, I did just that. The shoes were bought online (delivered to me on Good Friday, is that a sign or what?!) to match the dress I bought for graduation and to attend a spring/summer wedding in right before I head home to Texas. The khakis are also new. I bought them after one of the 70 degree flukes back in February or March (and much to my chagrin, I couldn’t wear them until yesterday…). The two pair better together than I could have thought. And I know I wear this shirt a ton, but, hmm, get over it.

Because shoes are everyone’s favorite…

The took some breaking in yesterday (I know better today – there are band aids stashed in my purse in the case of an emergency), but these might be my favorite pair of spring/summer shoes yet. If you don’t have a neutral sandal yet, go get yourself a pair. You won’t regret it. (photo: Seychelles, $90, zappos.com)