Walking the Line

If you’d like to see examples of tasteful, business casual wear, I recommend that you visit Sheila’s or Londyn’s blog. If you want to see someone walking “a fine line of looking funky and cool and like a crazy bag lady,” then you’ve come to the right place!

Dress, Forever 21. Tights, We Love Colors. Lace-up pumps, Isaac Mizrahi for Target. Charm necklace, thrifted. Headband, Bitten.

Hopefully I’m on the funky and cool side of the line today…although I don’t mind looking like a crazy bag lady, either.

Edited to add: not that Sheila and Londyn aren't funky and cool, too! They just do it with more class than I do.

Corporate Stud

Jacket, Breakin’ Loose. Sweater, Body Central. Blouse, Worthington. Skirt, Tulle. Fishnet stockings, Simply Vera by Vera Wang. Studded pumps, Oh Deer! Bracelet, Bitten. Bag (pictured below), Tommy Hilfiger.


I’ve been on the hunt for navy dress shoes for ages. It seems like everything I found was horribly matronly. The studs and tall, spiky heel saved this pair from Boringville. Conversely, the navy color keeps the studs and height from being too sexy for the office.

Like a Bruise

Sweater, Forever 21. Dress, Sele. Tights, Chinese Laundry. Sandals, Nine West. Bracelet, Urban Outfitters. Belt, swap. (And wet hair - sigh.)

Whenever I wear black and purple together, I feel like I’m dressed as a giant bruise. You can’t see it, but my toenails are purple too! (From polish, not bruising.)


I just got this belt from a swap. The buckle has little bits of shell embedded in black enamel. It’s lovely!

Base Layer

Sweater, City Fur Co (vintage). Top, Moda International. Strapless dress, Newport News. Boots, Nine West. Necklace, thrifted. Clutch (pictured below), thrifted. Feathered headband, Forever 21.

This simple, strapless sheath from Newport News has been worn a lot, but I’ve never taken a picture of it alone until today. It’s a bit formfitting to wear on its own, but it makes a perfect base for subsequent layers. It’s a neutral color, doesn’t contribute much bulk, and provides a nice, slim silhouette for my bottom half.










Um…yeah, those are my bra straps in the first photo. Sorry. And you can check out the back of the black top here.
All the ways I’ve worn this dress…

(And it only cost $15!)

Jouse

Jacket/blouse, Esley. Skirt, Moda International. Tights, Target. Boots, White Mountain.

This is a tricky top. It looks like a blouse, but is actually more like a jacket, with a central zipper and knit cuffs and hem. Is it a jouse? That sounds more PC than “blacket.”

Fracas, Revisited

Blazer and trousers, Forever 21. Blouse, Bebe (altered by me). Lace-up pumps, Isaac Mizrahi for Target. Clutch, thrifted. Cameo necklace, shopgoodwill.com.


Without the jacket…for those of you wanting an unobstructed view of my creation. Click for a “before” picture.

I like white flower perfumes. I’m absolutely gaga for tuberose. My favorite tuberose scent is Michael by Michael Kors, but Fracas is second. Not only is the perfume divine, but the bottle itself is so chic. I like to dress to match it.

Some prior Fracas-esque outfits:

Short Sleeves

Vest, NY & Co. Blouse, Forever 21. Dress, Bitten. Boots, White Mountain. Earrings, thrifted. Brass bangle, World Market. Beaded bracelet, gift.

It’s warm enough today to make wearing short sleeves under my coat bearable. And I even went sans pants at the bus stop.

Feather Head

Jacket, FANG. Tank, The Limited. Skirt, Newport News. Boots, Nine West. Bag, Payless. Earrings, gift. Headband, self-made.

It took no special skills to make this headband. I bought the feathered paddle as one piece, at Michael’s, for $5 or so. Then, I hotglued it to a brown, python-print headband I already owned. After I completed the project, I was leafing through an old Lucky magazine and found a very similar headband priced at $95. How silly.

I like how the whimsical headpiece lightens up an otherwise bland and office-appropriate outfit.