The New Classics

I'm getting old, and before you roll your eyes at a 24-year-old calling herself old, let me just say that I am not complaining. It's just a fact. And I know this because, now, with every decision I make, even in my closet, I'm thinking of the future.

"There are voices in my head, girlfriends, and they're getting excited over classic staples. It's a strange time for this 24-year-old."

When I added this trench vest to my shopping cart, my thought process went beyond the usual "Oh, this is cute." I was thinking of every way I could make this staple work, from office to weekend. I was being – gasp – practical. 

There are voices in my head, girlfriends, and they're getting excited over classic staples. It's a strange time for this 24-year-old. I'm still holding onto some of that youthful impracticality, though, mixing trends with staples. Taking a trench coat and turning it into a vest. The new classic, if you will.

Photos by Kaye McCoy

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April Showers

I'm not a fan of April. Well, let me rephrase that: I'm not a fan of rain. And it seems those two go hand in hand. Maybe if my hair weren't so damn frizz-prone, I wouldn't mind, but as you can tell, that just ain't the case.

It was a very damp weekend here, and though I wanted to stay wrapped in bed, I had things to do and people to see. Read: wake up at 6 a.m. to shop and have a much need catch up with my girl. It was #worthit, even with the resulting bad hair day.

"MAYBE IF MY HAIR WASN'T SO DAMN FRIZZ-PRONE, I WOULDN'T MIND, BUT AS YOU CAN TELL, THAT JUST AIN'T THE CASE." 

If I have to brave the elements, I'm going to to do it with a bright umbrella and even brighter lipstick. Also, my most lived in striped dress and classic trench, of course. You just let me know when they start making frizz defense that actually works.

photos by Kaye McCoy

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Sorta, Kinda Valentine

This year will be the first that I have a Valentine, but won't actually have a Valentine. How did I get here? I'm this close to saying Valentine, shmalentine.   

I'd like to be a big person and say it's just another day, but really, I'll probably be a little bitter. I miss my fella and no amount of red, lace or chocolate will fix that. That doesn't mean I won't try, though. 

These red pumps are one of the few red things I own, besides my favorite red lipstick. But, a peek of a lace bralette under a classic trench sets the mood just as well, no? Hopefully he can appreciate that across Skype. 

photos by Kaye McCoy

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hot tin roof

I can't tell you how much I've tried to make slip dresses work for me (so many attempts), until one day I finally threw my hands in the air and said, fuhgeddaboudit! And then, like with most things in life, the minute I stopped stressing, it came to me.

This picture of Elizabeth Taylor  in a slip dress from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof has long been an inspiration for me. Remembering it, I decided that trying too hard to make a slip dress work, wouldn't work. Simplicity would have to do.

Then I thought, duh, what would be simpler than throwing something over it? This trench (only $3 thrifted, might I add) takes away the question of, "is she wearing a nightgown in public?" It makes it structured. 

Don't get me wrong -- this is still a saucy look -- but it was just perfect to wear for a drink, channeling Maggie the Cat, on a cooler summer day. 

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put together

Working in retail will open your eyes to the bounty of the style world and its trends. One style I've recently fallen in love with is the clean, classic look of the All-American Modern Prep. Minus the logo ridden polos. Never any polos. Think more J.Crew meets Audrey Hepburn relaxing at home with a good book and a cup of tea.  

On this particular day, I was trying to squeeze in a celebratory birthday breakfast for my boy before class, so I didn't have my usual 40 hours to get ready. I pulled out my basics, threw on a trench for the lingering winter air and slapped on red lipstick for instant polish. 

The ingredients -- stripes, neutrals and a dash of color here and there -- are fun to work with. They also happen to be very easy to work with. The careful pairing of simple items help you look very put together, which you realize is important when you don't actually have it together. 

And by not having it together, I mean that after breakfast my day went like this: speed to class from a longer than anticipated breakfast. Remember that I forgot to print off an essay. Print essay at school which makes me late to class. Receive death glare from professor. From class speed to work so I'm not late for that either. Work. Go home. Die. 

So you see, this is why I at least need to look put together. 

shirt - F21 (similar) | pants - j.crew (similar) | trench coat - mossimo via thrift (similar) | shoes - nine west | purse - thrifted