switching stripes

Take away the moto jacket, and you've got what I've been wearing to the office this past week. Wait, let me say that again: office. Oh my gosh, you guys, I have an office! Okay, just a desk, but still! 

As much as I love playing with different outfits, I keep coming back to the same element: stripes. I've worn them three of five days just because, well, what else am I supposed to wear? Seriously. Tell me. What else?

So that I don't get entirely bored with my structured work stripe outfits, on my down time I've been pairing them with edgier things: a faux leather jacket here, distressed denim there. 

It makes me feel like a superhero, switching stripes -- by day, a blazered-up journalist and by night a street-chic party girl. Except instead of partying, I'm grabbing dinner and immediately falling asleep because, as it turns out, running around doing interviews all day is tiring. The life of an intern, right? 

this old thing

My mother's wisdom has taught me that fashion is cyclical and styles always make their way back around. That's one of the primary reasons that I'm a thrift store junkie. The other is that maybe, just maybe, I'm a bit of an old lady in love with old things. 

I won't tell you how many floral midi skirts I have in my closet for fear of judgement, but all you need to know is that I have a teeny problem. As far as I'm concerned, stripes are a neutral. I wear them with the ease of a plain white tee, so while this pairing is technically pattern-mixing, it's much simpler to wear. 

P.S. These bangs I have are clip-ins. I'm afraid to do the big chop, so these are non-committal fun. If you're debating bangs or just like to look like a totally different person each day (hello, I'm Audrey and I have multiple personalities), I suggest them.

 

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distressed but well dressed

Not gonna toot my own horn, but toot-toot. I've successfully made my first pair of distressed denim cut-off and they are currently my second skin. They are a quintessential summer item and, most of all, easy to wear.

Which has been pretty good for me these days 'cause life hasn't been so easy. I'm talkin' emotional roller coaster, squirrel friends. Don't you wish that you could just put your feelings on reserve some days and go through life in a beautiful oblivion? Imagine how productive we'd be without being bogged down by down by those pesky little things called "emotions." Or is that just me?

But back to the topic at hand: these shorts. They once were baggy mom jeans and are now a relaxed pair of distressed cutoffs and I couldn't be happier. If you want to make a pair, this is my favorite how-to by a pair & a spare. Here's to happy distressing -- your jeans, not your life.

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the denim equation

In my recent efforts to get comfortable in jeans after years of avoidance, I've cooked up a kind of crazy idea. Hear me out, okay? Pull those denim bottoms out of your closet, dust them off, and then throw on a denim top. Life changing, I say. Also, to be completely honest, I didn't entirely come up with this idea. 

Pinterest did it. I saw this combo and was immediately smitten. I'd never thought that wearing matching denim-on-denim could work. It almost doesn't. But the blazer, a thrifted one I should mention, is the glue that holds this all together. It is what really makes this work. 

And with it being such a vital part of the denim squared equation, why not make it a bright bubblegum pink? And then, why not add striped heels and a structured purse to really tell the world, "hey, I know this is a Texas Tuxedo, but look, I can make it fancy!"

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thrift must haves

I live for a Goodwill or Value Village shopping day -- live for it! I am a huntress and severely discounted old clothes are my prey. I love when I find those amazing, one-of-a-kind, funky items, but more often than not I end up grabbing what I consider thrift must haves. These are items that you'll always find at thrift stores that are easy to throw into your closet's rotation. They're also great items to hone in on if you're new to thrifting or just haven't developed "the eye" for hunting.

Blazers: Just about all of my blazers are thrifted. Most older blazer styles have padded shoulders which I don't love. I usually take them out unless I intend to wear to it as an overcoat. I found some great patterned blazers, too! Not for the timid, though. 

Button Ups: I go to straight to the men's sections when I want over-sized button ups for grungy or casual looks. Their denim shirts are better than women's to me. DIY tip: Cut the sleeves and roll them for a more feminine look.

Crossbody Bags: It's amazing how similar the expensive crossbodies sold at mainstream stores are to the ones at thrift stores. I've found some amazing crossbodies for only $4! 

Silken Scarves: I love how classic a good silken scarf looks tied onto one of my purses. I also use them as hair accessories, but the possibilities are endless. 

Midi Skirts: Here's the thing: what we consider a midi-skirt is what ladies back in the day considered regular skirts. That length of skirt is easy to find. All you have to do is find a pattern you like. Keep in mind if it's too big, you can always cinch it with a belt and make it high-waist. 

Denim Cutoffs: I live in these during the summer. They're just so cool and effortless. I usually look for light wash shorts and cuff them a few times. If you cant find a good pair of shorts, regular length jeans can be cut and cuffed. 

Trouser Shorts: I wear these similarly to the cutoffs, but I go for ones that are brightly colored -- coral, royal blue, pink. They are more fun and can be dressed up or down -- especially patterned ones. I have a great houndstooth pair that I wear with tights during Fall.