Regular People Wear Their Clothes

Back in time

Thu, 16 May 2013 17:28:19 -0700

Over the next couple days I’m going to go back in time a bit and post some outfits that got photographed, but never shared with the world. I’m still loving this dalmation-print skirt and think I may have to wear it again sometime soon!

Skirt: Target, ca. 2013

T-shirt: Lands’ End Canvas, ca. 2010

Jean Jacket: Old Navy, ca. 2006

Belt: Target, ca. 2011

Sandals: Sanita, ca. 2010

Necklace: Pink Olive, ca.

Skinnies and flats

Sun, 12 May 2013 11:00:43 -0700

About a year ago I posted about how I just couldn’t get behind skinnies with flats, as they might or might not make me look all unbalanced. (If you would like a hilarious peek into my family dynamics, read the comments on that post, in which my mother took exception to my critique of our family’s leg shape and my sister and I sort of tried to backpedal to make her feel better.) But lately I’ve been wearing that combination more and more—I guess it just took me some time to get used to the idea. Yet another example of why we should never say never when it comes to fashion!

Skinnies: Anthropologie, ca. 2010

Cardigan: J Crew Outlet, ca. 2011

Scarf: H&M, thrifted, ca. 2012

Bag: Banana Republic, ca. 2008

Shoes: Corso Como, ca. 2011

Black Blazer

Tue, 07 May 2013 21:00:07 -0700

Remember when I figured out that I could wear blazers as outerwear? That was a good day. It’s opened up a whole world of possibilities. Today I used a blazer from the deep recesses of my closet to class up this little blue dress.

Blazer: Banana Republic, ca. 2008

Dress: Anthropologie, ca. 2013

Tights: Target, ca. 2011

Boots: Miz Mooz, ca. 2012

P.S. Maybe it’s because I just typed it a million times, but isn’t “blazer” kind of a weird word? Why is that what we call this particular kind of coat?

Saved by the flower

Mon, 06 May 2013 21:49:37 -0700

So, I fear that this blousy shirt along with skinny pants creates a bit of a Not Flattering situation. Will have to remember not to do that again. But I do have a lovely flower in my hair.

Shirt: Loft, ca. 2012

Pants: Citizens of Humanity via Anthropologie, ca. 2013

Shoes: Cherish via DSW, ca. 2012

Flower: gift from a student, ca. 2013

Springtime florals

Wed, 01 May 2013 18:00:41 -0700

Stopped in at the local consignment shop just after someone had dropped off armfuls of clothes in my size—Christmas in April! I don’t know why she was getting rid of it all, but it worked out well for me.

Dress: Tommy Hilfiger, resale, ca. 2013

Shoes: Naturalizer, ca. 2007

Tall Tales

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:35:12 -0700

Two people remarked on my height today. Ben said I was looking particularly tall and one of my first graders said I’m his “tallest teacher.” I’m only 5’7, but I know the secret: wedges, a maxi, and a topknot!

Top: Target, ca. 2013

Maxi-skirt: Target, ca. 2012

Sandals: Dansko, ca. 2010

Have you met Abby?

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:01:24 -0700

Abby is another one of my extraordinary colleagues, and the author of the blog the Sacred Profession. Check it out if you haven’t yet—it’s a great blog about teaching!

Abby says, “This New Year’s I resolved not to buy any new clothes (accessories, shoes, and underwear not included). So far so good!”

Also, she would like to point out that this is not her car. In fact, we have no idea whose car it is—it was just the spot in the parking lot with the best light.

Skirt: Anthropologie, ca. 2009

Shirt: Forever 21, ca. 2010

Boots: Target winter sale, ca. 2013

Sweater: The Limited, ca. 2010

Polka dots

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 23:46:58 -0700

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—this polka dot shirt is the best.

Shirt: Anthropologie, ca. 2013

Jeans: Anthropologie, ca. 2013

Boots: Steve Madden, resale, ca. 2012

Earrings: Novica, ca. 2011

Secret Weapon

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:31:45 -0700

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: The secret to basically wearing pajamas to work is a fancy necklace!

Necklace: Loft, ca. 2007

Dress: Target, ca. 2010

Cardigan: Target, ca. 2013

Sandals: Target, ca. 2012

Laptop bag: Lucky, ca. 2009

Tote: Lands’ End Canvas, ca. 2012

High Utility

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:56:13 -0700

Purchasing this dress may have been totally unnecessary, but at least I’m getting a lot of use out of it! This is the fourth time I’ve worn it in the past month. In fact, all of these pieces are things I wear A LOT.

Dress: Banana Republic, ca. 2013

Leggings: Target, ca. 2012

Scarf: H&M, thrifted, ca. 2012

Shoes: Corso Como, ca. 2011

Bag: Banana Republic, ca. 2009

On notice

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 22:52:40 -0700

Over spring break I did some pretty serious closet cleaning. I got rid of 2 scarves, 3 pairs of shoes, 7 dresses, 2 skirts, 7 pairs of pants, 1 blazer (surprise, surprise), 2 sweaters, and 1 pair of socks (unworn). All of it went to goodwill except for 3 of the dresses—2 of those got consigned and one got sold back to the vintage store I had bought it from a few years ago.

As part of this process, some other items of clothing were put on notice. I shook my finger at them and said, “If you don’t get worn before the end of 2013 you are going in the goodwill pile!”

This brown shirt and these brown shoes responded immediately to the threats. They made an excellent showing today, don’t you think? I’m not sure my black suit will fare as well. It doesn’t seem that interested in being worn, but it’s got 8 more months so we’ll see what happens.

Shirt: Vendor at the Renegade Craft Fair, ca. 2008

Cardigan: Loft, ca. 2012

Grandma Jeans: Banana Republic Outlet, ca. 2012

Shoes: Naturalizer, ca. 2007

Breezy Monday

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:06:12 -0700

I knew it was going to be chilly and breezy today, so I figured it was a good time to give my Equinox sweater another wear before it gets too warm. It works well layered over a dress—and since I have no shortage of dresses, the possibilities are almost endless!

Sweater: Handknit, ca. 2013 (Pattern: Equinox Raglan)

Dress: Land’s End, ca. 2011

Tights: Hue via Macy’s, ca. 2012

Shoes: Corso Como, ca. 2011

Dear Hedgehog Sweater,*

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 11:50:54 -0700

You are amazing. I think I will wear you at least once a week.

Love,

Heather

P.S.

Hedgehog sweater: Anthropologie, ca. 2013

Jeans: BDG, thrifted, ca. 2011

Boots: Miz Mooz, ca. 2012

*Part of the occasional series, “Letters to my clothes.” To read more letters, click on the tag below.

Night Out

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 23:13:18 -0700

Last Sunday night I went out to a comedy show with my friend Laura. What do I wear on a night out, you ask? Basically the same thing I wear during the day.

Dress: Anthropologie, ca. 2013

Belt: Gap Outlet, ca. 2012

Scarf: Tibet Bazaar, ca. 2005

Stockings: Handknit, ca. 2013

Boots: Steve Madden, resale, ca. 2012

Here's today's outfit.

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 22:47:34 -0700

I’m still loving this dotty top. Today it’s paired with my blue and white pinstripe pants and red shoes.

But the best thing about today is this outtake, which is too good not to post:

I call this masterpiece “jazz hands at the bustline.” Stefanie knows just when to click that shutter.

Shirt: Anthropologie, ca. 2013

Pants: Anthropologie, ca. 2008

Shoes: Steve Madden, resale, ca. 2012

The dream of the 90's is alive at Savers

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:55:44 -0700

Heather and I went thrifting with our friend Sara last week and I found myself drawn to clothes with an early 80’s bend. The piece de resistance was a green velvet and tafetta ball gown, which will hopefully make an appearance sometime soon. This one’s kinda awesome too though. I’m pretty sure I had a dress just like this one back in late elementary school.

Dress: no label, thrifted, ca. 2013

Jean Jacket: Old Navy, ca. 2006

Sandals: Dansko, ca. 2008

Oldish, newish, used-ish (and a handknit, of course)

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 20:09:26 -0700

Old-ish: This sweater has been in my closet since 2002, I think. So many times I’ve thought about ditching it, but it always hangs on. It’s having a renaissance lately—I’ve worn it twice on the blog and a few more times in real life. It fits me just right, and you can just barely tell here, but it has these cool silky elbow patches.

New-ish: I got this skirt at around this time last year, but I’ve only worn it twice. Back in January I did a year in review post in which I said that I ought to wear my skirts more often. Then I proceeded not to wear a skirt until April 9. (Thank goodness this is the year of style intentions rather than style promises.) But I do love this skirt. I WILL try to wear it more often.

Used-ish: I got these shoes at my favorite consignment store recently, and based on the wear on the sole it seems like they were only worn a few times. They’re such an interesting neutral, and we all know I love a kitten heel. Score!

Sweater: Banana Republic, ca. 2002

Skirt: Banana Republic, ca. 2012

Shoes: Butter, resale, ca. 2013

Cowl: Handknit, ca. 2012 (Pattern: Honey Cowl)

In other news,

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:18:43 -0700

my hair is now long enough that it goes into a ponytail without barrettes or bobby pins! This means it’s probably only a matter of time before I get sick of my hair and chop it off again. We’ll see how long it lasts.

Cardigan: Gap, ca. 2011

Shirt: Old Navy, ca. 2012

Jeans: Anthropologie, ca. 2013

Boots: Steve Madden, resale, ca. 2012

Perfect Pants

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 20:17:34 -0700

Why don’t I wear these jeans more often? They are ridiculously comfortable and the perfect color. Maybe this spring will be the season of the cropped, coral, polka dot jeans!

Tunic: H&M, ca. 2008

Tank: Old Navy, ca. 2011

Jeans: AG via Anthropologie, ca. 2012

Shoes: Target, ca. 2013

Every day is a good day...

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 13:00:23 -0700

…when you’re wearing a hedgehog sweater.

Sweater: Anthropologie, ca. 2013

Pants: Anthropologie, ca. 2012

Shoes: Ecco, ca. 2002

Scarf: Handknit, ca. 2012