Classics

A VERY MCQUEEN HALLOWEEN - ALEXANDER MCQUEEN - A/W11 SCARF COLLECTION from BABETTE PAUTHIER on Vimeo.

I know there's nothing new about the Alexander McQueen skull scarf, it seems everyone including 'non-fashionistas' know and wear it. But, the above vid really accentuates the artistic dimension that went into its creation.

As you know, I am pretty simple when it comes to my style. I like sticking to neutral but accentuate with accessories and I will only spend money where I feel there is value for time to come. Pieces like the Alexander McQueen skull scarf has the best of both worlds: classic and value.

With so many brands knocking it off (like this one from Topshop, there is no doubt that buying the real thing will last you a fashion lifetime.

Admittedly, I bought a knock off Alexander McQueen skull box clutch from Topshop last year and have worn it once. There's something about fakes that make you forget you have them in your closet. You can buy your real scarf here or I have found some better deals on places like ebay and gumtree.

How do you wear your skull scarf?

Happy browsing!

Turquoise and Lime

The scarf is the entire point of this outfit:

I love it.  I think it flatters my skin tone like nobody’s business and what’s better than turquoise and lime?  Besides, of course, turquoise and lime with a pop of orange.  And will you look at that, I’ve given you a pop of orange.  Just don’t say I never do anything for you.

In order to let my ridiculously fabulous scarf (Echo “Ornate” via Nordstrom) be the focus, I paired it with black cropped pants (Banana Republic) and a white tee (Target).  I added cognac accents with the shoes (BC Footwear) and the braided belt (thrifted).  And, of course, the coup de grace, a pop of orange in the form of drop earrings (Alberta street vendor).  As an added bonus, I think the orange earrings tie in quite nicely with the cognac accents, proving once again that orange goes with everything.

And because we’re all big on full disclosure and transparency (no puppet regimes here, Katie) I have to admit that Rebekah (of The Mixed Up Files…) wore a pair of black trousers, a white tee and a bright scarf the other day and I loved it so much I basically copied her.  Because sometimes that’s just how we roll here at Fashion for Giants.

Happy Wednesday, 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.

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

Thriday

I had a fabulous day yesterday.  So fabulous, in fact, that I didn’t have time to write my post yesterday evening, so I’ve combined Thursday’s and Friday’s posts.  We’re calling it Thriday here at Fashion for Giants.

Yesterday really was fabulous.  My blog was mentioned on HuffPost Style, I got off work early to go to Last Thursday in Portland, I got to spend hours there with my much-loved and gorgeous friend Jodee and I even saw the man I like for a little while.  Oh, and my new shoes were cute (I’m just sayin’).  All in all, it was a good day, for which I wore the following:

I paired my Flirt Skinny Jeans (Old Navy) with a black ¾-sleeve tunic (Old Navy) layered under a tan batwing tunic (via Ross) and my cute new gladiator wedges (Bamboo via TJ Maxx).  I also wore my vintage squash blossom necklace (via Lil’ Gypsy Vintage) during the day.

For the afternoon and evening in Portland at Last Thursday with Jodee, I traded the squash blossom necklace out for a colorful scarf (???), coral and Peruvian opal earrings (via Crafty Wonderland) and a cuff (thrifted):

I figured I might need the scarf more than I needed the necklace for walking up and down Alberta Street in the rain while at Last Thursday.  I know most of you aren't from Oregon, so, briefly, Last Thursday is a sort of street festival that takes place on the last Thursday of every month during the summer, on Alberta Street in Northeast Portland.  It's amazingly fun with music and street vendors and food and jugglers and fire eaters and belly dancing troupes.  The galleries and shops stay open late on Last Thursday, giving it a sort of First Thursday feel, but with more dreadlocks.

Here are some photos from yesterday – the crowds were a lot smaller than usual because of the rain, but J and I still had a great time:

Fellow Last Thursday attendees

This was a wonderful ragtime band.  Wonderful.

I think this one is self-explanatory.

Rose City Vaudeville's mustachioed double-decker bus

If yesterday was fabulous, today was the antithesis of fabulous.  It was anti-fabulous.  Work continues to be crazy and today I had a three hour conference call.  THREE HOURS, Y’ALL.  That just isn’t right, especially considering that it was only scheduled for an hour.  And it rained on me on my way to work.  I have to tell you that I’m over being rained on, darnit.

At least I was dressed comfortably:

Today I paired some Real Straight Jeans (GAP) with a white tee (Target), beige cardigan (Santa Fe thrifted), gold flats (Kenneth Cole Reaction), a gold belt (???) and my new orange drop earrings purchased yesterday from an Alberta Street vendor.  I realized yesterday that for all my love of orange, I didn’t have any orange earrings, so I was very happy to find these.

As bad as today was (and it really was bad), it is Friday (hooray) and I do have a three-day weekend this weekend (double hooray), so I really can’t complain.

I hope everyone has a lovely, hopefully-three-day weekend and I will talk to you all later!

Gracey

She Wore a Raspberry Beret

And I wore a raspberry scarf:

I wanted to wear something simple today; I didn’t have the fortitude for anything more complicated.  I went with a striped tee (Jones New York via Ross), black jeggings (GAP Generation), black mini-wedges (Jessica Simpson via Nordstrom) and, because I have to have some sort of color, a raspberry scarf and belt.  If you’ve seen my pictures from prom, you know that I love me a deep pink.  I think it looks better on my skin than a soft, baby pink.

In truth, I’m not much of a pastel wearer.  I do own some pastel pieces, but I’m definitely more drawn to brighter or deeper shades (or is it hues?).  How about you all – what are your feelings on pastels?

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and a happy Monday!

Gracey

P.S. My sister took my pictures today and we tried our hand at a jumping photo.  She cut off my head:

A Stripe-y, Persimmon-y Friday

A better-late-than-never daily outfit post for Friday, May 6, 2011

It’s overcast and misty in Oregon today, so I wore my persimmon-colored coat to combat the gloom:

And I think it worked.  Well, the coat and the bright purple azalea behind me.  It’s hard to be too upset with Oregon’s hit-or-miss sunshine when the flowers and trees clearly benefit from all of the rain.  And, of course, I’m also in a good mood because 80s prom is tonight.  Nothing cheers a girl up like giant puffy sleeves and some blue eye shadow.

In spite of its cheering powers, I’m saving the blue eye shadow for tonight – today I’m just rocking the blue stripes.  This navy and white striped tunic (Old Navy) seems like the perfect fit with this coat (thrifted) – I always want to pair the two.  Today I wore them with some cropped skinny jeans (Bandolino via Macy’s), my Born Crown boots (Nordstrom) and my multi-stripe scarf (unknown).

Happy Friday, Everyone, and have a wonderful weekend!

Gracey

WeeCap: April 30th and May 1st

This is the recap for a gloriously sunny weekend in which Gracey goes to a rummage sale, goes on a coffee date, spends time with family, goes on a dinner date and that was just Saturday!  On Sunday, I spent the whole day doing nothing.  A little reading in the much-hoped-for sunshine with the dog and nothing else.

Saturday, April 30th

This is what I wore to a rummage sale to raise money for my nephews' school and then to my first date:

I wore Flirt Skinny Jeans (Old Navy), with a brown tunic (New York & Co via Ross) and a black knit blazer (Liz Claiborne via Goodwill).  I love yellow with black and brown and actually wanted to wear yellow peep toe flats with this outfit, but it was raining very hard on Saturday morning.  So, I went with my low boots (Target) and accessorized with my yellow scarf and a yellow bangle instead.  I added a brown wood bangle to tie in the brown elements in the outfit, and a turquoise wood-beaded bracelet to pick up the turquoise stripe in the scarf.  And, because you can't go wrong with a pop of turquoise.

Later that evening, I went on a dinner date, and changed into this:

For date # 2, I wore my Wide-Leg Trouser Jeans (GAP), a black tunic (JC Penney), black Vince Camuto wedges (via Ideeli), and accessorized with another trio of bracelets: vintage turquoise beads (Portland vintage shop), black glass and clear glass (Macy's).  I also wore large silver hoops and carried my new favorite clutch.  It's vintage eel skin and I thrifted it for a mere $6.00!  It's fabulous, no?

I have to say, both dates went very well.  Both men were very nice and for the most part, conversation with both was easy and natural.  Deciding what to wear was a bit difficult, but I was ultimately very comfortable with both outfits.  I didn't feel like I had tried too hard, or that I didn't try hard enough, both of which were concerns of mine going into this.


I hope everyone had a lovely weekend!

Gracey

P.S. I will be posting more details on the actual dates on my other blog, The Mingling Single, if anyone wants to hear more.

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.

WeeCap: April 17th and 18th

Saturday, April 17th

On Saturday, Alex and I went thrifting to try and find her something to wear for 80s prom.  We were out all day and unfortunately I didn't get a photo of what I was wearing, but it involved color and my black and silver flats.  The good news is that we found something for Alex to wear.  I can't wait to post pictures from prom for you guys.

Sunday, April 18th

On Sunday I cleaned my room, did some laundry and ran some errands.  It was actually pretty nice on Sunday, so I let my ankles out to play:

I wore my "regular" length Flirt skinnies (Old Navy), which are conveniently ankle length on my giant self, along with a grey tee (Target), grey cardi, raspberry belt (thrifted), yellow-stripe scarf (???) and my black and silver flats (Mossimo/Target).

I have no idea what I'm doing in these poses.  Showing off my giant man-hands?  Smirking?  Both?  I don't know, but all of my film looked like this, so I posted them.  You're welcome?

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and that it was warm enough for some ankle-flashing.

Gracey

Friday, Friday, Friday

Daily Outfit for Friday, April 15, 2011

It’s Friday.  You probably knew this, but just in case you didn’t, I’ll help you out and let you know by putting it all over this post.  Because I’m a giver like that.  You’re welcome.

Yep, it’s Friday, and boy, was I dressed for it:

Super-comfortable dark layers with a pop of color.  That’s what I like to wear on Fridays and that’s what I wore today.  Black leggings (Target), black jersey skirt (Target), raspberry l/s tee (Gap), black cashmere sweater (thrifted) and flat black boots (Chinese Laundry via Piperlime) worn with my lovely new scarf (Nordstrom). 

The scarf is a very lightweight wool which will eventually be too warm (as long as the weather heeds my threats from yesterday), but it was perfect for today.  I love the orange, purple and pink color scheme and think it’s perfect with my predominantly black outfit.  All of the colors look great against black, but the pink in the scarf also picks up the pink of my tee.  Win, win.

Really, I’m so very happy it’s Friday.  It’s been a hectic week here at work and I’m exhausted.  I’m staying in tonight and sleeping in tomorrow, and then Alex and I are going shopping to get her a prom dress.  My little sister and I found hers last night and it’s AMAZING.  Black velvet, teal satin and a giant butt-bow – we’re all going to 80s prom next month.

For my fellow Oregonians – are any of you going to the McMennamin’s Kennedy School 80s prom on May 6^th?  And for my non-Oregon readers, do you guys have 80s proms were you live?  If so, have you ever gone?

Happy Friday, Everyone!  As always, thank you all so much for reading – blogging would be completely boring you!!

Gracey

The Tumbleweed Aesthetic

Daily Outfit, 3/30/11

In honor of my trip to Santa Fe (photos are forthcoming, I swear) I am renaming my wrinkle-flaunting, comb-flouting Hot Rumpled Mess aesthetic to the Tumbleweed Aesthetic.  I’m even wearing a tumbleweed-colored cardigan for the debut of the new name:

Accompanying the cardigan (Old Navy) is an appropriately wrinkled silk tunic (Banana Republic), wide-legged jeans (also Banana Republic), boots (Kenneth Cole Reaction) and a multicolored-striped scarf (???).  I have wanted to try hot pink and brown together ever since I saw model Dree Hemingway wearing it – I like it, but I think it’ll be even better paired with a tomato red skirt like she did.

Sorry it's such a short post - I had a sleepy and distracted day today.  The first day back from vacation, even a short one, is always a bit weird for me.  I am putting together a longer post, with pictures from New Mexico, that I’ll put up as soon as I finish.

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Ditsy Used Car Salesman

Daily Outfit, 3/23/11

I have an affinity for loud jackets.  Like used car salesman loud.  I don’t know why, but they make me happy.  With the way this week is going, I need all the happy I can get, so I wore one today:

I am struggling with getting clear pictures lately  - maybe if I stopped dropping my camera...

I paired the plaid jacket (Ross Dress for Less) with a ditsy floral sleeveless blouse (Old Navy), some Long and Lean jeans (Gap), my blue scarf (H&M) and brown boots (Mossimo/Target).  My thighs love these Long and Lean jeans, and have agreed not to secede.  For now.  (They’re always tossing around veiled threats).  Also, I am going to donate yesterday’s jeans – my thighs thank you all for talking some sense into me.

I’m actually pretty pleased with this jacket and blouse together.  If you want to try pattern mixing but haven’t yet, something like this is a good way to go about it.  The pattern on the blouse is tiny, so it doesn’t clash with the larger pattern of the jacket.  And, something that is key when pattern-mixing, the two pieces share a dominant color – in this case blue. 

This week continues to lack awesomeness, but at least there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  I’m going to Santa Fe, New Mexico to visit friends for four days beginning Saturday.  I’m very excited – I haven’t been before.

Anyone out there from Santa Fe?  Anyone visit Santa Fe before?  Is there anything I absolutely HAVE to do while I’m out there?

Thank you all so much for reading and I’m sorry for the blurry pictures - I've been more rushed than usual!

Gracey

Greige

Daily Outfit 3/15/11

I would like to say this outfit was more flattering in person than it is in the photos, but I’m not sure that’s true:

What I do know is that it was extremely comfortable and because I’m having one of those days, that’s pretty much all I cared about. 

The skirt is not actually a skirt, it’s a dress.  It’s one of those “twofer” dresses with a bodice in a different color and fabric than the skirt.   It’s also not the color it appears to be in either of these photos.  It’s actually a combination of the two - a strange grey-beige, or greige, if you will.  And it’s another closet orphan.  I’ve had it for over a year and I don’t know that I’ve ever worn it.  I bought it because I have another twofer dress (grey top/black skirt) that I love because it works so well as a skirt.  But, this greige color throws me a bit.  I have no idea what goes with greige.  I know it’s a neutral, but it’s a strange neutral.

Today, I fully intended to pair it with a burgundy sweater, but the proportion was all wonky.  So, instead, I layered the dress (Mossimo/Target) under a black turtleneck (Old Navy) and a dolman sweater (a.n.a/JC Penney).  I accessorized with black cable-knit patterned tights (Assets via Target), faux-lace-up boots (Kenneth Cole Reaction via Piperlime) and my plaid infinity scarf (Steve Madden via Macy’s).

I think I actually liked this outfit.  It’s very comfortable, and not too overwrought.  I think this is another orphan that may get to stay – I already have a couple more ideas on what to pair it with.  What about you all?  Any ideas on what to pair with greige?

Gracey

Better in Sepia for Giants

This is not me:

This is the lovely Ana from Better in Sepia.  I just recently began reading her blog but quickly became a fan of her simple-but-elegant style.  If you don’t already read Ana’s blog, I encourage you to stop by.

While I have liked pretty much everything Ana has posted, I especially liked her navy, rust and turquoise outfit from last week.  I have considered rust and turquoise before, but never with navy and I think it’s fabulous.  So, of course, I wanted to try to recreate it for giants.

The Dress – Pintuck Dress in Navy - up to size 3x - Talbots:

I went with a navy dress instead of a rust skirt - I know a lot of women aren't comfortable having the lighter, brighter color on their hips.  I thought a dress was a nice alternative and although this dress isn't available in “tall” I think the length is long enough for all but the tallest of ladies to pull off.

The Shoe – Seychelles “Kiss at Midnight” Mary Jane Pump – up to size 11 – Endless:

I think this is an absolutely gorgeous shoe, and it also comes in a rust color if turquoise shoes are not your thing.  But, I'm not going to lie, I'd be disappointed to find out that turquoise shoes aren't everybody's thing.

The Scarf: Tarnish "Peacock" Wool Scarf in Spice - Nordstrom:

As many of you know, I have a predilection for long, rectangular scarves instead of square ones, so I chose this fun, peacock printed scarf. 

The Belt – W-Twist Belt - Steve Madden:

 

Instead of a double belt, I went with this Steve Madden twisted belt in cognac which I think will look fabulous with the navy dress.

I know not everyone loves orange (for whatever reason), so I tried to keep the rust element to a minimum with just the scarf, but I think a rust cardigan or rust tights would look fantastic with this as well.   I think it would also look good with black, turquoise or navy tights.

This outfit is something I would definitely wear (especially those gorgeous shoes).  And I actually did wear a rust, navy and turquoise outfit myself today that I'll post later in my Daily Outfit post.  But what about you guys?  Is this outfit something you would wear?

Happy Monday!

Gracey