The Skirt Likes Leopard

Yesterday, Kelley, of Threads and Buttons, rescued one of her closet orphans and I remembered, “Hey, I have closet orphans – they might like to be rescued.”  This skirt is the orphan I decided to rescue today:

I actually have a great fondness for all of my closet orphans; I’m just not fond enough of them to wear them regularly.  This skirt is no exception; I like the color and the length and the fullness but I never wear it.  At first it was because it used to be a little big in the waist.  So, I took it in.  And I still never wore it.  But today?  Today the yellow linen skirt has been liberated.

I paired the skirt (thrifted Eileen Fisher) with a knotted white blouse (Banana Republic) and leopard mini-wedges (v. old via Ross) because the skirt hinted that it liked leopard.  I figured “who doesn’t” and added the leopard wedges and some bracelets (Mom-made) to tie them in.  And I liked it.  I just don’t know how versatile this skirt is going to be for me.  The skirt would like me to point out that the fact that I don’t have the imagination for multiple pairings isn’t it’s fault.  And that’s true – I should probably try harder before just giving up. 

To that end, how do you all think this skirt would look with grey?

Happy Thursday, Everyone!

My Kingdom for Some Belt Loops

Daily Outfit for Thursday, August 18th

Okay, so I don’t have a kingdom*, but, if I did, I’d probably give at least some of it up for a skirt with belt loops.  Because, once again I was sorely feeling the lack of belt loops:

I paired my belt loop-less skirt (vintage, thrifted) with a silk blouse (Nordstrom, also seen here), cognac belt (Old Navy) and leopard wedges (Tahari via DSW).  Once again I wore this blouse backwards because it has what has to be the lowest cut keyhole neckline ever.  Seriously, this blouse doesn't even try to be work appropriate; but, the colors are so pretty I don't want to get rid of it.  I actually loved  all of the colors in this outfit but it wasn’t very comfortable because my belt kept sliding everywhere. 

It’s sort of my fault (only sort of, though) because this skirt is a size too big.  But, it’s such a pretty color and it’s vintage Neiman Marcus and did I mention how much I love the color?  And, as demonstrated with the blouse, I will keep something just for the color.  Unfortunately, the skirt is too big so not belting it is not an option, but when I do belt it it’s a hot damn mess.  Really, the practical thing would be to just get rid of the skirt, but practicality is not my strong suit, so that probably won’t happen.

Also, you may have noticed (and if you didn’t, that’s okay too), but I am a day off on my posts.  I didn’t have time yesterday to post this because I was in a meeting all morning and at a smorgasbord of vintage wares all afternoon and evening.  So, I’ll post today’s outfit sometime tonight or early tomorrow, and post pictures from yesterday afternoon and tomorrow’s wedding maybe Sunday?  Or something like that.  Don’t worry, we’ll get it all sorted.

You may have also noticed that today is Friday (I’d be a little concerned if you missed this one), so I hope everyone has a lovely weekend.

Happy Friday, Everyone!

Gracey

*Outside my head, at least.  In my head, it’s the Balkan kingdom of Gigantistan.

Leopard Dress, Owl Belt

The bad news is that my dress is too small:

The good news is that I layered the too small dress over one that fits me so as not to look like a leopard-spotted-sausage (because no one wants to see that).  I love this leopard dress – it’s vintage, it’s silk and it has pockets (pockets!), but it doesn’t fit.  Specifically, my thighs fight it like it’s an invading army and my chest appears to be determined to say a very personal ‘hello’ to anyone and everyone.  I was going to get rid of the dress but then I had the idea to try it layered over another dress; and I think it worked.

The bottom layer is a simple black tank dress (thrifted) and the top layer is the silk leopard dress (thrifted) which I buttoned at the waist (the one place it fits) and belted with my owl belt (Ross).  I added some wedges (G by Guess via Piperlime) and a bangle and called it a day.

Would you all like another piece of possibly dubious advice?  Of course you would.  Before getting rid of something, try repurposing it first.  While it’s doubtful that I’ll ever fit into the leopard dress on its own again, by layering it over other pieces, I can continue to get some use out of it.

Happy Thursday, Everyone!

Gracey

I Still Can’t Move My Arms

Especially my left one.  This has made washing my hair impossible.  However, because I care, I wore a bright coral blouse to give you, Dear Reader, something other than my unwashed hair to look at*:

See?  So bright.  What unwashed hair?  Exactly.  Just focus on the blouse, folks, focus on the blouse. 

Said blouse is a silk/linen blend that I thrifted awhile back.  I haven’t worn it before because it’s so darned boxy and my body doesn’t do well with boxy.  Boxy tops, unfortunately, eradicate the little bit of waist I do have, but I just love the color of this one.  And I needed something to draw the viewer’s eye away from my poor, lank ponytail.

The blouse is fairly sheer so I layered it over an orange tank (Banana Republic).  And I paired it with my trouser jeans (Gap), leopard wedges (Tahari via DSW), coral and opal earrings (Crafty Wonderland vendor), gold cuff (thrifted) and a multi-colored scarf (Nordstrom).

So, to recap.  Weight-lifting sucks.  I haven’t washed my hair in at least three days (really, the pain has caused me to lose track).  And I wear a lot of orange (I told you I loved it) and a lot of leopard (rowwrrr).

Happy Monday, Everyone!

Gracey

*Yes, I’m aware I could have kept my unwashed hair a secret, but transparency is a big deal here at Fashion for Giants.  Anything less than transparency and my thighs will use it as an excuse for a military coup.  It’s what they do.

It’s Friday. I wore some clothes to celebrate.

To participate, just pretend that Kool and the Gang song is playing (You know the one; Celebration, not Get Down on It.  Although, I supposed if you wanted to imagine Get Down on It, I wouldn’t blame you.  It's a great song):

So yes, I wore clothes.  Specifically an orange skirt (thrifted), blue leopard hoodie (Nordstrom), white tank (Old Navy) and pewter sandals (Lovely People via Ideeli).  And then I went and worked out at the Y during lunch with my friend Kory who is a bit of an exercise fanatic.  She is always asking me if I want to go running.  I am always asking her if I’m being chased.  Turns out the answer is ‘no’ to both questions. 

But, I did want to try this weight lifting workout and lemme tell ya somethin’ folks – I have NEVER regretted trying something new like I regretted this workout.  I can barely lift my arms, my calves hurt and I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to walk tomorrow.  Thank goodness I have nowhere to go, but good golly, I haven’t been this sore in a long time.

Today’s lesson?  It is NOT good to try new things, I don’t care what your mama told you.

Also?  Happy Friday, Everyone!

Gracey

You Want Accessories? Oh, I’ll Show You Accessories

Unlike Thursday’s unadorned dress, I wore the heck out of some accessories the past couple of days.  I didn’t wear much of anything on Friday – I had the day off and it was sunny so most of the afternoon was spend sunbathing with the dog.  For some reason, our dog loves himself a good lawn chair so we laid out both Friday and Saturday afternoons.  Otherwise I ran some errands but mostly did nothing.  Let’s just say I got A LOT of reading done.

On Sunday, however, I had reason to get out of the house.  I went shopping and bought some shoes, went to lunch and then on a date with my current favorite person to date.  We went out to Multnomah Falls along the Columbia River and it was absolutely gorgeous:

View of the Falls from near the bottom

View from the Falls from just above the bridge

And yes, I was accessorized:

I wore these maybe-slightly-too-big khaki shorts (Target) with a new yellow blouse (also Target) and accessorized with my favorite vintage turquoise-beaded cuff, a turquoise ring, vintage blue glass bead necklace, multi-colored medallion earrings, a vintage Anne Klein clutch and pewter sandals (Lovely People via Ideeli).

After the falls we went to a graduation party, for which I traded out my sandals for these fabulous leopard print wedges (Tahari via DSW):

Today I kept the accessorizing bonanza alive:

I paired a jersey dress (Target) with a thin leather belt (Gap), one of my new scarves (Nordstrom), a wood bangle (Alberta Street vendor), unkempt hair (it was just so very kempt the day before) and my new favorite shoes: blue platform sandals (MRKT via DSW). 

Seriously, folks, these are easily the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn.  They feel like they have at least a half-inch of padding in the soles and the straps don’t pinch or cut into my dear piggies.  And the color!  I’ve already decided this lovely periwinkle will go with everything.  Like this dress!  And this scarf! 

I know, I know; that’s a lot of enthusiasm for a Monday, but it was sunny this weekend.  In Oregon!  And I bought shoes.  And scarves.  Really, you’re just going to have to cut a girl some slack.  I will end it here though. 

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend too.  And Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

On Safari

Daily Outfit for Tuesday, May 31, 2011

I feel like this is what I would wear if I were going on safari.  I know khaki pants would be more practical; if for no other reason than they'd keep tsetse flies from biting my nethers.  However, I promise you all that I do NOT look good in khaki pants.  So, a khaki skirt it is:

I paired the linen skirt (Jones New York via Macy’s) with a leopard cardigan (Ann Taylor), my Born Crown riding boots (via Nordstrom), studded belt (Michael Michael Kors via Nordstrom) and blue scarf (H&M).  I’m not sure how well the blue scarf fits in with the safari theme, but I really like this blue with brown and think it’s sort of fun with the animal print.

Even though this skirt is sort of an awkward length – I think it could stand to be a little shorter or a little longer – it is super for riding a bike in.  Enough length and volume so that it doesn’t fly up and frighten schoolchildren.  And it has pockets.  I’m a bit of a sucker for pockets, I think.  I find myself wanting pockets on everything.  But only if there are two pockets; I don’t understand the point of single pockets.  I’m not talking kangaroo pockets, I’m talking just one pocket on the left or right side.  I mean, really?  Does only one hand get cold?  Am I only going to want to fill one pocket with pretty pebbles and Masai trinkets?  (Just so we’re clear, the answer to both of those questions is no).

I guess I should have called this post "On Safari With Two Pockets: Just The Way I Like It: The Fashion for Giants Story."  I smell a Lifetime movie, folks.

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

It’s A Jungle Out There

And on my blouse:

I thrifted this magnificent blouse the other day and I absolutely love it.  I don’t know why.  My sister looked at it this morning and asked me if the guy I was going on a second date with on Saturday (D., from this last Saturday’s dinner date) knew I was tacky.  I laughed and said yes, he’d seen my blog.  Is this blouse tacky?  Maybe; my sense of style might be out of whack due to job stress (sooooo stressful you guys, for real) and lack of sleep.  Or, maybe, just maybe, this blouse is crazy awesome and I’m right to love it.

Because it’s my blog, we’re all going to assume the latter (that’s right, blogger = tyrant).  As I mentioned, my beloved blouse is thrifted, the pants are Banana Republic, the leopard flats are the same ones I wore yesterday (oooh, blogger blasphemy), and the olive cardigan is from Target.  I considered wearing black flats with this, but I love a good jungle motif and these leopard flats are easily my most comfortable pair.

In other news, work really has gotten stressful and yucky, so if I am not as good about returning comments, I apologize.  It should slow down by mid-July, but until then I’ll do my best to keep up with my posts and with visiting you all.  If I don’t get around to it daily, please know that I still heart all of you immensely.  Also, on a more fabulous note, 80s prom is this Friday, and I promise to take tons of pictures to share with you guys!!!

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

A-Team Hannibal, Not Hannibal Lecter

A Belated Daily Outfit for Monday, May 02, 2011

Today’s outfit was a surprise to me:

Yes, I did pick it out for myself, but you know how sometimes you think of an outfit and then you get it on and it’s twelve kinds of wrong?  Or you think of an outfit and you don’t expect to love it because it doesn’t even include any of your favorite colors, but you put it on and it turns out wonderfully?  The latter is what happened here today.

I think this outfit might actually one of my favorites and it was a complete accident. I am house-sitting for friends this week, and I don’t sleep well if not in my own bed, so I have a bit of insomnia.  I came up with this outfit during one of those half-asleep-but-the-mind-is-racing moments last night.  And honestly, it’s a combination that in the light of day I can’t even imagine how I came up with.  It’s making me think that half-asleep is how I should make all of my outfit choices.

When I bought this silk blouse (Banana Republic via Goodwill), I thought it might look okay with my brown pants (Banana Republic Factory Store), but couldn’t picture what else I would possibly wear.  I think I got stuck on the fact that I was combining brown, purple and pink, all of which are colors I don’t wear often and never together.  But, this morning at 5 am, it came to me; I’d wear the blouse and pants with a navy cardigan (GAP), leopard print flats (v. old via Ross) and a hot pink belt (INC via Macy’s).  And oddly enough, I think it worked.

Like Hannibal (A-Team Hannibal, not Hannibal Lecter or Second Punic War Hannibal), I love it when a plan comes together.

Happy Monday, Everyone!

Gracey

P.S. My new camera still hasn’t arrived, so Ferge is still taking my pictures, today with my phone, for which I am super-grateful.

Exhibiting a Complete Lack of Creativity

Daily Outfit for Thursday, April 28, 2011

The outfit I had planned to wear today involved a muumuu and some boots.  It didn’t work out.   I was running late and under the gun to wear something (nakedness generally being frowned upon at my job) and I chose this:

That’s right, I’m exhibiting a complete lack of creativity with today’s outfit.  A few bloggers have made reference to “uniforms” and I think that this look may be one of mine; jeans, tunic and a cardigan.   I know I wear this look a lot, but it really is comfortable and easy to put together, especially when I’m running late and nudity is not an option.  Also I just realized that this is my second blue and brown look from this week.  To be honest, before I began blogging I didn’t notice how often I pair those colors.  I think it’s fair to say they’re some of my go-to colors, just like this is one of my go-to outfits.

Today’s uniform incorporates Real Straight jeans (GAP), a floral tunic (thrifted), ever-present brown cardigan (Old Navy), blue scarf (H&M) and blue leopard flats (Nine West).  Even though it’s formulaic and possibly boring, it’s nice to have a go-to look.  Sometimes I just can’t decide what to wear.  And instead of wearing something that’s innovative and creative but that I don’t love and am therefore uncomfortable with, I’d rather be comfortable today and resume the creativity battle the next day.  (Just an FYI – tomorrow’s outfit is probably not going to be any more creative, but I planned it that way on purpose.  So far as you know.)

How about you, Friend Reader?  Do you have any go-to outfits and/or color combinations?  Something that might not rock your world but at least you know you’re presentable and/or not naked?

Happy Thursday, All, we’re nearly there!

Gracey

P. S. Thanks again to Fergita Pepita, Kathy and Phylissa for taking these pictures while I'm waiting for my new camera.

Some Citron, Some Leopard, An Award and Some Questions

Daily Outfit for Tuesday, April 26, 2011

High winds again today meant no skirt again today (no, C., the wind does NOT understand our pain):

So, once again, I’ve resorted to some skinny jeans (Old Navy), this time paired with a tiered blouse (Nordstrom), citron cardigan (JC Penney) and peep-toe leopard-print flats (v. old via Ross).  I have only worn this cardigan once before because although I love the color, I don’t do well with shapeless clothes.  I always want to belt them into submission, but this time I just let it be and actually really like it with this blouse.  As in like it so much I’m probably going to repeat this combination in the future.  You’ve been warned.  And what goes better together than citron and leopard, right?  Right.

In addition to brow-beating you into agreeing with me on my citron/leopard love, I wanted to tell you that the sweet and wonderful Gretchen of GretchTM gave me an award the other day.  I have been given the “One Lovely Blog” award:

Dear Gretchen, I accept.  And thank you.

One of the conditions of the award is that I need to share seven random (not specific, it’s in the rules) things about myself and award it to 15 other deserving bloggers.  Let’s start with the random, shall we?

1.      Dancing is my preferred form of exercise and I have tried pole dancing, Jazzercise and belly dancing to stay fit.

2.      I didn’t learn to drive until I was 20.

3.      I don’t like swimming in water where I can’t see the bottom.

4.      I have a terrible ear for languages and it makes me sad.

5.      I was a tomboy through high school – no skirts or dresses, ever.

6.      I love salmon in any form – raw, baked, grilled and barbecued; I love it all.

7.      My family goes white water rafting every summer and I am terrible at it.

Now for the fun part; I’d like to pass this award on to these lovely blogs: A Day in the Life Too, Aberrant Moda, Blogging for Joy, Boheme Noir, Em’s Fashion Finds, Girls Day Out, Madeline Quaint, Squirrel and Starling, Styled by 3, Tall Girl Blogging, The Elegant Bohemian, the other emily, two birds, Tart Lemon Drop and Stylefyles.

I know this is a long post, but stick with me for just a bit longer because I need to ask you all something.  As you know, in my outfit description I include the brand of the item and where I got it.  My question is this: is that helpful and/or interesting to anyone?  And if it is, would you like me to include links to the actual item or a reasonable facsimile?  I guess what I need to know is if you’re interested in the provenance of what I’m wearing and if you’d like to know where to get your own or not.

Please to let me know in the comments or via email – whichever makes you happiest.

Also, I wanted to say hello to my new readers/followers and as always, thank everyone for reading.

Happy Tuesday!

Gracey