In this post, I really wanted to talk about the Boyfriend Blazer, and how versatile it can be – from dressing up some jeans to jazzing up your business casual attire. However, if you’ll look at the pants length, I have once again made a huge fashion faux pas.
Price Breakdown:
Boyfriend Blazer: Banana Republic $4.69
Teal Tunic: Ann Taylor $2.29
Pants: Eddie Bauer $1.99
Boots: Nine West $18
Total Cost: $26.97
I feel like I’m back in 7th grade.
7th grade was a pivotal time in my life. Upon returning back to school after summer vacation, I immediately noticed that there was something different about all the other girls. They had changed. They seemed taller, bigger, more mature. They were wearing make-up, carrying purses and wearing bras because they had boobs.
It was like they had all gone off to “How to Be a Girl Camp” and came back with all this new information about things that I didn’t even know existed.
Me? I had spent the summer like I always did – climbing trees and catching tadpoles.
With my recent outfits, I feel I’m right back there in 7th grade – everyone knows all these things about fashion that I wasn’t even aware of! Where have I been when all these fashion rules were made? How could I have been so unaware?
Today’s topic is pants length. And for all of you who were like me, unaware of the the current fashion standards, I have done some research by trial-and-error, and I can bring back some information for you. In other words, I feel like I have attended “What is the Proper Pants Length” camp.
Here’s what I’ve learned from the always helpful, kind supportive women at You Look Fab:
– Almost skimming the surface of the ground is about an eight of an inch off the ground – which is an ideal length. The photos on the left are perfect for bootcuts and wide legs.
– Skinny legs however, are different. Hems that taper cannot skim the surface of the ground – so we allow them to scrunch a little at the ankle instead.
For more information about pants length, visit click here.
So it’s back to my closet to re-evaluate my pants collection. No wonder why I wear skirts all the time. Pants are complicated.
Several people have commented how difficult it is in winter to wear pants this long in the winter. Any thoughts?
Welcome to Part Three of my 4 – part “Get Shorty” series, in which I have invited you along on my journey to secondhand stores to find short winter skirts (SWS).
Part One described my moment of truth (Oh no! I have no SWS!!).
Part Two described my trip to one of my favorite Goodwill stores, where less was more (it seems the less I spent, the more I got!)
And here’s Part Three, which describes my trip to the largest Goodwill store in my area. This store is (in)conveniently located near my boyfriend’s place, so it’s real easy to dash in check things out. It’s also close the library, and I have to admit that I have stooped as low to……..well, to lie to him, and say that I was going to stop at the library before I came over, when actually I was engaging in some sordid secondhand shopping…
I’m sure somewhere there’s an “Are you a Shopaholic?” quiz out there, and one of the questions is, “Do you lie to your mate when you are shopping so he/she won’t know where you are?” . I would have to check “yes” on that one…
In GS Part Two, I bought 7 skirts and 1 pair of boots for $16.73, which has to be some sort of record. The Banana Republic light brown one was my favorite, and the Bob Mackie comes in at a close second (I just have this feeling it’s vintage, and will be worth alot of money someday).
Let me remind you what my requirements for a SWS are:
1. Made of a heavy-type fabric (wool or wool blend, corduroy, heavy knit, tweed, etc.)
2. “Short” means: at, or just above the knee.
I did even better on this trip than on GSP2 in terms of quality, and I ended up with three skirts (two are SWS, but the third is a great fall skirt). I also picked up several other items, and once again, my price tag was shockingly low.
Here’s what I got:
Skirt #1: Express Gray Pencil Skirt $3.39
Skirt #1: Express Gray Pencil Skirt with back flair (96% Wool, 4% Spandex)
$3.39
This skirt was a great find. I had “Gray pencil skirt” on my wish list, and voila! I found one. This skirt also has a small flair in the back (see inset). A very nice bonus.
Skirt #2: The Limited Short Brown Corduroy Shirt - $3.39
Skirt #2: The Limited Short Brown Corduroy Shirt – $3.39 This is another great find! I had been in J. Crew several weeks ago with my friend Charlotte, who actually shops at the mall!
And while I was there, checking out what normal people buy when they go shopping, I had noticed some cute short corduroy skirts (Priced at $49.50 – for just one skirt!).
I know this skirt doesn’t meet either of the SWS requirement, but I really like it. I love the plaid – which I think is in style this year….This skirt looks like it’s either really in style, or it’s so out of style that it’s retro, which is in style…….are you following me?
Either way, this skirt is a great addition to my wardrobe.
So there you have it – GSP3 turned out to be pretty successful with 3 great new skirts at great prices.
Surely you didn’t think I stopped there, did you? Keep reading and check out a few other items that literally jumped into my hands!
Condrad C jacket - $4.59
Conrad C Collections Yellow and Black Jacket w/fringe and detail: This was love at first sight when I saw this jacket. The edge fringe and the cute little buckles on the pockets are exquisite details that exude class and sophistication. I had never heard of Conrad C Collection before, but a quick Google search confirmed that it’s a high-end collection manufactured in Canada, sold only to boutiques, with a price range of $150 – $250 per piece. I had this wonderfully smug feeling as I was purchasing this jacket…
These never-worn jewel-toned mule shoes where an incredible find. I have another pair of jewel-toned Bandolino pumps that are priceless to me, because they are so perfect to wear with lighter colors, when black or brown just won’t do.
Bandolino Mules - $3.59Calvin Klein Sweater $3.59
And finally, a couple of quality sweaters that I’ll wear forever.
Get Shorty Part Three was a very successful shopping excursion in so many ways – I picked two SWS – and both styles were actually ones I had been looking for. And all the other purchases were incredible deals for quality items that I will wear the heck out of. And then the best thing is the total cost (see receipt below).
After 7 skirts from GSP2 and 3 skirts from GSP3, you’d think I’d be done with shopping for SWS…… but then again, I’m a shopaholic, and “done with shopping” is a phrase that will never cross my lips…..stay tuned for Get Shorty Part 4, when I visit my favortite consignment shop…
Since the day I decided to write this blog, there have been two significant changes in my daily life:
1. I have started to read as many fashion blogs as I can.
2. Every day I come home and take a picture of the outfit I wore.
Both of these changes in my life have affected me in several ways. First of all, although I have always put some thought into what I wear on a daily basis, now I am even more obsessed about it. Reading daily blogs on what people wear and fashion is probably like a food junkie subscribing to Cake Photograph of the Week Club. It really increases the temptation to shop.
And I still feel like a dork taking a photograph of what I wear, yet I am strangely drawn to other people’s websites who do the same…So I turn off that “You are such a dork” voice in my head, and trudge on through. The result has been that I’ve learned some things about my wardrobe.
For instance, one week after taking photos of what I wore every day, I realized that three out of five days last week I wore a long skirt. That made me think – do people even wear long skirts anymore? Am I the only one? And the fact that I’m short – only 5’3″ am I a fashion disaster?
This would kill me, because I just checked my wardrobe, and I have 38 long skirts. Eliminating all my long skirts would put a huge hole in my wardrobe.
So here are the long skirt outfits I wore last week:
Black Jacket – Petite Sophisticates (Consignment Shop – $18.99) The inset shows the nice tailored built-in ‘belt’
Black/White patterned Skirt — A. Byer (Consignment Shop – $12.99) The inset shows the pattern – I love this pattern because it looks like a Jerry Garcia tie design.
White sleeveless Turtle Neck — White House Black Market (Goodwill – $2.89) This is one of the best items I have ever purchased.
Purple/Black Jacket – Garfield and Marks (Consignment Shop – $24.99) First of all, I just recently learned how expensive these jackets are when they are purchased new. Yea for me!
But take a look at how long those sleeves are! I never even noticed until I saw this picture. How embarrassing. Like I said, working on this blog has brought new realizations about my wardrobe. Time to call my tailor, I guess!
Black Skirt – AGB (Goodwill – $4.89) Five of my 38 long skirts are solid black ones. This is one of the five. They all look exactly the same. If you ever doubted I was a shopaholic, this is proof.
Brown Jacket – Banana Republic (Consignment Shop – $18.99)
Brown/White Flower patterned Skirt – Banana Republic (Consignment Shop – $10.00) This skirt is on my “Top 10 items I would Save in a Fire” list. I absolutely love it, and have had it for years.
So here’s my dilemma. Are long skirts fashionable?
(I feel like Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City asking ‘Can women be friends with their ex-boyfriend?’)
I look at these pictures, and even though they are photos of me, I love the outfits. If I saw these outfits in a fashion magazine, or on someone else, walking through the skywalk, I would look at them and think to myself, “That’s a classy outfit.”
So I Googled: “Long skirt, fashion,” here’s what I found:
“Usually worn by women in their late 20s and 30s, long skirts are generally preferred by confidant, sophisticated women who can boast a life well lived.”
“Unlike short skirts and mini-skirts, a long skirt looks elegant everywhere that it’s worn.’
OK, even though I’m not in my 20s or 30s, I can live with this ……
Yesterday I posted these outfits, and begged for mercy on my pathetic poses, and disturbing frowny faces. Now that I’ve gotten past the initial embarrassment, I’d like to brag a little about these outfits. One of them cost less than $20 – can you guess which one?
Outfit #1 – The Naturalist
I like this outfit because it’s simple and unassuming. A very nice fall outfit. I’ve had the skirt for years, and it’s one of my “10 items that I would save in a fire”.
Dark Brown Sleeveless Turtleneck – Christopher & Banks (purchased at Goodwill) – $2.89
Sweater – Casual Corner (purchased at Goodwill) – $3.59
Boots – Franco Sarto – bought new @ Foley’s in Houston – can’t remember how much they were, but I’m sure they were on sale…
Outfit #2 – Nothing to Cry About
Even though I look like I’m crying in the photo, I am actually crying tears of joy over this Awesome Bargain Outfit – this is the one that cost less than $20. When I found the jacket at Goodwill, I looked above me to see if I was standing underneath a rainbow, because I knew I had found gold! I found the brown pants on the same day, and I I just couldn’t wait to get these washed so I could wear them.
Jacket – Banana Republic (Goodwill) – $4.59
Sleeveless light blue shirt (Goodwill) – $3.59
Pants – Banana Republic (Goodwill) – $4.89
Shoes – Enzo Angiolini (Goodwill) – $4.59
And there you have it, folks – $17.66 for an entire outfit!
When I wore it to work, I was beaming with pride. And – get this, a woman on the elevator said “Nice jacket!” Of course, I HAD to tell her it was Banana Republic, and I bought it at Goodwill for $4.59. She looked at me kind of funny…which actually leads me to a future post I’m going to have to write – Why do I feel it necessary to announce to people how much I pay for something when they compliment my clothes?? Like I said….that’s a future post, but feel free to comment if you have that same need to confesss/explain, or any explanation as to why…
Outfit #3 – Black and White and Red all over!
I used to wear this houndstooth skirt with a black jacket, but recentlyI’ve started wearing red with all my black and white ensembles. It’s amazing how that splash of color livens up an outfit. The jacket is a recent Goodwill find (yea!), however I already own 6 other red jackets (shopaholic – remember?). Another “I-really-don’t-need-this-but-I-just -can’t pass-up-such-a-good-deal” situation.
Jacket – Liz Claiborne (Goodwill) – $4.59
Sleeveless turtleneck – Black and White (Goodwill) – $3.59
Skirt – Casual Corner – local consignment shop – bought years ago, and can’t remember how much it was, but I wouldn’t have bought it if it were over $20…
So there you have it – 3 fabulous outfits under $50, all purchased at secondhand stores (except for 1 pair boots, 1 pair shoes). I’ll try not to break my arm patting myself on the back….. 🙂
In this post, I really wanted to talk about the Boyfriend Blazer, and how versatile it can be – from dressing up some jeans to jazzing up your business casual attire. However, if you’ll look at the pants length, I have once again made a huge fashion faux pas.
– Almost skimming the surface of the ground is about an eight of an inch off the ground – which is an ideal length. The photos on the left are perfect for bootcuts and wide legs.
secondhandshopaholic.wordpress.com 