& Other Stories, Soft, and Uniqlo OOTD

You can never go wrong with black or lace. Here's a simple outfit that I wore during the "bridging" seasons. Way back when actually! This was when the summer was just turning into fall...in 2015.

I've linked similar clothing here:

Shorts
Top
Hat

+J Relaunch at Uniqlo! 10/10

Who else is excited for the re-release of Uniqlo's Jill Sander collaboration? Uniqlo's released the entire men's and women's lookbook teasing the sleek, classic, and chic designs of their original Spring 2011 collaboration over this past month. Although Jill Sander is not involved in Uniqlo's decision to bring back the "greatest hits" of her collection, Uniqlo's decided to pick the "creme de la creme" of what sold well during the original release. The collection is slanted a bit more towards the mens' selection, where they have 27 pieces. The women's collection has 15. The whole lookbook is chock full of streamlined basics that will fill a hole in any closet.

The +J collection dropped at the grand opening of the Chestnut Street store on the 3rd of October, but the collection will be available online and in select stores on Oct 10, tomorrow! I've chosen my top five pieces to show you from the collection.

Down Short Parka

This coat retails for $169.90 and comes in two additional colorways: a dusty maroon and a navy. I love the stiff architectural collar of this coat. Although it's short, I can tell that this coat would be a perfect topper to any outfit.

Wool Blended Short Down Coat

The Wool Blended Short Down Coat will retail for $229.90 and only comes in one additional colorway: navy. Similar to the coat above, only with a more subdued collar, I think this coat would come in handy on those biting winter days where you would want the majority of your body covered

Wool Wrap Coat

This coat also comes in brown and navy colorways. Like the coat above, the wool wrap coat also retails for $229.90. If you don't feel like wearing a puffer coat during the wall or winter months, I think a thick wool peacoat or trench is the best alternative. I personally prefer a more fitted coat silhouette and simple details. Luckily this +J coat has both with its tapered waist, collar, and pocket detailing.

Stretch Cashmere V-Neck Long Sleeve Sweater

This cashmere sweater retails for $149.90 and comes in four additional colors: dark grey, black, brown, and navy. I have a weakness for sweaters, and an even greater weakness for cashmere, so when +J made a sleek V-neck cashmere sweater....gimme.

Extra Fine Cotton Slim Fit Long Sleeve Shirt 

This simple button up retails for $49.90 and comes in black and navy as well. I've always liked the image of a collared shirt and sweater combo. For $50, and for Uniqlo quality I think this shirt is actually a very good deal. I love the classic spread collar, tapered waist and the concealed buttons.

Those are my picks! Which are essentially a third of the whole women's collection, but I encourage you to check it out yourselves!

Also, you should participate in the Uniqlo Lucky Line while you can! It's a cutely designed online "raffle contest" where you can enter through your facebook or twitter accounts. Depending on your place in line you can win: $10 dollars off your next online purchase, a limited edition Micky tote, a $200 Uniqlo shopping spree, and a grand prize of a Disney Expo prize pack! I entered through my facebook and twitter and got the tote and the $10 dollars off.

Let me know what you guys get! =) Good luck!

Schlub Life

Michael Kors Tote, Uniqlo Sweater, Uniqlo Ultra Stretch Jeans, Zara Trench, Club Monaco Beanie, Prada Sunnies

I have exams. And papers. And final projects. Somebody kill me. So what do you do when you have no time to do anything but roll out of bed? Put on some chic casuals and hope for the best!

I really like the idea of the "monochromatic" trend, where you use textures, like colors, and silhouettes to create a chic, "put-together" outfit. Clearly, this outfit is not meant to go out to Michelin-star restaurants or to any job interviews, but I really do love simply wearing a sweater and jean combo and throwing on a jacket on top. The sweater is cute on it's own and it's silhouette is really flattering.

Uniqlo Sweater! 

Sorry about the blurry photo here! I just wanted to try something out with some new technology. Anyway, I also wanted to show you what the sweater looked like without the canvas jacket over the top. It's long enough to be belted and worn as a tunic or, like above, as a sweater. Unfortunately, I feel like you can't really use this as a layering piece, because it actually shows quite a bit of texture through the fabric, but I think it's a quite simple garment that can be worn with skirts, jeans, or pants.

Aren't these flats cute? I recently brought them on a family vacation in Japan. Usually, I'm pretty wary of cheap shoes, but these flats were too cute to resist at $30. I'm trying to stave off my bunions' progression by switching my much loved heels to flats and I think these do the job well.

Anyway, thanks for reading guys. =) 

Links:
Uniqlo Jeans
Uniqlo Sweater (Different Color)

3.5 Ways to Wear Club Monaco's Blossom Top

As I've gotten older and I've honed in on my style a bit more, I've found that the most coveted pieces in my wardrobe, and the ones that get the most wear, are my most versatile pieces. When I saw the Blossom Top in the Club Monaco store, I was drawn to its simple pattern, collar detail, and texture. However, I was a bit turned off by the price, especially with the future costs of dry cleaning a 100% silk item, but...it...was....so...cute!! Someone kill me now. I have a problem.

However, I do feel that I've gotten my money's worth for it and I've decided to share with you the ways that I've styled it in order to alleviate my ever-growing guilt and shopper's remorse. I suppose I should put this disclaimer here, I'm not sponsored by Club Monaco or any other company in any way, shape, or form...I'm just addicted to buying things.

So where I could, I've posted links where you can get exact items I have, but a lot of my closet is just an accumulation of stuff over time, so I've tried to find the "closest" matches for you in the links I've included below if the "real thing" isn't available.

Casual

H&M Hat, Momo Sweater, Club Monaco Blossom Top, Uniqlo Jeans, Coach Bag

This is a cute, casual ensemble I would wear out as a transition outfit from winter to spring. With a light jacket thrown over this whole thing, it's actually quite warm! I also think it's a really dapper way to welcome spring, especially when you're in denial and dressing like it's spring when it's really late winter. You know, like when the temperature is still really cold, but the sun is still out? The Sun is a lie. It imparts no warmth. NONE.

I wouldn't go so far as to say this outfit was menswear inspired, but I've really come to appreciate structured collars on shirts. Layering a collared shirt with a nicely patterned sweater has quickly become a style that I don almost everyday. It's a good way to add some simple visual interest to a plain outfit.

Also, can I give a shout out to Uniqlo? I love it so freaking much. The jeans fit well, are good quality, and are also so insanely affordable. Uniqlo also offers free hemming and they can have your jeans ready within an hour. Crazy! FREE HEMMING. READY WITHIN AN HOUR. Even at Club Monaco, although they too offer free hemming, you have to wait for at least a couple of days.

I've never purchased a pair of Citizens of Humanity, True Religion, or 7 For All Mankind jeans, simply because I'm a cheapskate. Jeans?! FOR OVER $100 dollars?! WHY. I know that mentality can be applied to all things, especially things like food and makeup, but we all spend our money differently right? =) If you wanna try cheap, good quality jeans though...try Uniqlo.

Shoes: Dolce Vita Rada Booties

Jeans: Uniqlo Super Strech Jeans Dark Wash

Shirt: Club Monaco Blossom Shirt

Sweater: Similar Sweater to Momo

Hat: I have three options for you! My hat is original from H&M and is wool, but...

1.) Straw Bowler Hat From Uniqlo

2.) Christy's Wool Felt Bowler Hat

3.) Brixton Blue Bowler Hat

"Business Casual"

Prada Sunglasses, Versace Blazer, Top Shop Moto Jeans, Ninewest Shoes, Michael Kors Bag, Club Monaco Blossom Top 

Blazers are the frosting of the fashion world. Throw a structured blazer on anything and it just makes an outfit that much better. For this outfit, I wanted to mix black and navy. *GASP* I know. Black and navy is stereotyped as less than an ideal combo, especially in business suits. I think the general rule of thumb is that you either stick to one color or the other. To marry these two colors best, I thought it would be wise to utilize color blocking. I picked this burgundy, a color that goes with both well, to blend the blazer with the navy collar, while still adding interest to the whole outfit.

Although I say this is "business casual", I just wanted to highlight how you can appear clean cut and sophisticated, without getting in the full office getup. However, looking back on this I'm pretty sure colored jeans won't really be welcomed in a strict office environment. Regardless, I would still wear this out and, perhaps, inside a more lenient office environment.

Jeans: Top Shop Leigh Moto Jeans

Shoes: Similar, but not quite Nine West Shoes

Shirt: Club Monaco Blossom Shirt

Sunglasses:Prada Cat Eye Sunglasses in Brown

Blazer: I was lucky to get my Versace blazer on super sale at T.J. Maxx in California, that place is a goldmine, but here's some black fitted blazers for you to try: 

1.) Top Shop Black Fitted Blazer

2.) Aritzia Talula Blazer

Skirting and Silhouettes 

Cashmere Sweater, Coach Bag, Uniqlo Skirt, Soffft Shoes, CM Blossom Top

So the reason why I say 3.5 ways to wear the Blossom Shirt as opposed to 4 is because I honestly feel that these last two outfits are the same. What I wanted to highlight here is the importance of silhouette and shape. In this first skirted outfit, the navy skirt is in a paper bag style and is puffy and pleated. To me the skirt brings a more flirty, casual element to the Blossom Top, almost reminiscent of a 1950s style A-line dress. With a cute maroon heel and a nice cardigan, it makes for the perfect outfit to enjoy a sunny day.I recently purchased this guy from Uniqlo and again, I'm loving it. It even has pockets! 

Honestly though, I have tried many, many times to get the perfect "paperbag" skirt and shorts, but each time I've had the problem of the material not being right, the quality being poor, or, in the case of shorts, giving me a sort of wicked camel toe. No one wants to see that! This beautiful skirt is made out of a thick cotton, with a lining, for only thirty dollars. For the quality you get?! I'd say it's thicker and more delicately sewn than anything I've seen at Zara, Forever21 or even H&M. 

I raved about Uniqlo jeans in the first outfit section, but, honestly, all their items are super well made and affordable. It's no wonder they have international appeal and an almost cult-like following. I know they just opened one of their stores in San Francisco, but please Uniqlo! Come up a little further north!! We all want your heat tech, cashmere, and super strechy jeans here!! 

Skirt: Uniqlo Gathered Cotton Skirt

Top: Shirt: Club Monaco Blossom Shirt

Cardigan: Again, I plundered this cardigan from a sale at Nordstrom, so I can't find the exact one...

1.) Similar Uniqlo Cashmere Cardigan

Shoes: Unfortunately I can't remotely find anything that are similar to my Soffft shoes pictured here. However, I can direct you to their website here! Maybe you'll find something you like. =)

As for this "outfit" I went with a really fitted pencil skirt to match the navy in the collar. As you can tell the silhouette of the skirt gives a completely different vibe from the first. Where the first outfit was casual and Spring-y, this outfit is more formal and can easily be worn into the office. It's well fitted, has clean lines, and a hemline that falls just above the knees...so you know...you don't look too scandalous. Taking the blazer from the second outfit and putting it on this one would add polish and finish off the "office appropriate" look.

I purchased this skirt from Zara a while back and I really fell in love with its simplicity. The extremely fitted shape and the "peplum-ish" detailing at the waist made it an easy piece to wear, dressed up or dressed down. However, one thing that I really didn't realize until I wore it this skirt for the first time, was the lack of the slit in the back. Usually with really fitted pencil skirts like this, there's usually a stitched slit at the back you can cut in order to make walking easier for you. Walking in this skirt is not extremely difficult, but certainly tedious. I have to walk with small paced steps and stepping onto high ledges, for example getting into a bus, is extremely difficult. 

Shoes: Similar, but not quite Nine West Shoes
Skirt:
1.) Basic Pencil Skirt Zara
2.) Pencil Skirt With Zip
Shirt: Club Monaco Blossom Shirt

Well, I hope you enjoyed this rather long and image heavy post! Clearly none of these outfit ideas are "brand new", but I hope I've inspired you a little bit. Thanks for reading!

Naughty-cal

Tommy Hilfiger Chain Print Dress, Sofft Shoes, Uniqlo Basics Cardigan

Haha, get it? In reality, this sundress is probably one of the more conservative outfits I have in my "summer essentials" wardrobe. It's also one of my favorites and most worn outfits of the entire summer. The top half of the dress is a soft, stretchy cotton spandex blend, while the blue lower half is 100% cotton. Coming upon this dress was a meeting of pure chance. At the Tommy Hilfiger store I'd literally tried on most of the summer dresses offered for their Summer 2012 collection and none of them fit me...even in the extra small sizes. The saleswoman was bringing dress after dress out and I was feeling incredibly guilty about wasting her time. Then she brought out this one and it totally fit!

I've previously bought American Apparel color block dresses to achieve the same aesthetic I'm looking for here, but I've had terrible experiences with them. I found that the second that anything AA gets washed the colors bleed together almost immediately, completely ruining the dress!

I had the same qualms about this dress, but the store manager assured me that if the colors bled I could return the dress for a refund. The store manager in Vancouver was actually incredibly accommodating and I'm not sure if you'd get the same guarantee at other stores. The good news is, I'm sure you can see, that the colors didn't bleed! 

I loved the chain print on the bottom half of the dress. I thought it was very vintage and reminiscent of those vintage Chanel scarves that used to fill my mom's closet. Seeing the chain design still makes me smell my mom's perfume and reminisce about playing dress up in her closet. =) I don't like to wear too much jewelry and, for space purposes, I didn't bring too much of my jewelry collection down from Vancouver, but I did bring my favorite ring from Agnes. B and my most worn pair of earrings from Just Gold. 

Of course, how could I wear a sundress without accessorizing with a badass pair of sunglasses? <3 I didn't think I looked too repulsive in this last photo so I threw it in. I hope you guys are doing well!   

Purchase: Tommy Hilfiger Sundress

+Love