My Fall/Winter Wardrobe Wishlist

It's like someone flipped a switch around here, and all of a sudden it's fall. As much as I love this season, I think it can be pretty challenging to dress for. Right now my neck of the woods is in that transitional period where it's chilly in the mornings and evenings but relatively warm during the day. That means it's too chilly to wear what I've been wearing all summer but too warm still for my winter clothes. Also some of my wardrobe workhorses have finally given up the ghost, and I need to start replacing them. All this leaves me feeling once again like I have nothing to wear in the morning.

To breathe new life into my wardrobe, I would like to add some fresh pieces to supplement what I already own. First, let's talk about color palette. My summer color palette consisted of white/ivory, denim, blue, stripes, heather grey with accents of blush and black. I still like most of these colors for fall/winter, although optic white and blush feel too spring/summer to me. I think my fall/winter color palette will be black, blue/denim, heather grey, burgundy, and camel with accents of cognac and ivory.

(clockwise) camel sweater, ivory cami (similar), black bag (50% off, ordered to try), cognac bag (bought recently), brown boots, cognac belt, black jeans, grey jeans

Black. I have this weird thing about wearing dark colors near my face (I think it makes me look sallow), so no black sweaters for me. I already have a black puffer vest that I wear all the time. It's the perfect layer for transitional weather. Also, I already own several pairs of black shoes, including these flats, these sneakers, a pair of knee-high boots, and a pair of loafers, so I'm good there. I do need to replace my old ripped black jeans from J.Crew. I bought them on a whim back in Fall 2014 and wore them so much that the knees are now completely worn out (they originally had small knee rips). I want to replace them with a pair of black skinny jeans that aren't distressed and don't look like leggings (maybe something like this pair but with more dimension, not just flat black). Based on the selection I've seen so far, this might be a tall order. I would also like to upgrade my beloved black Rebecca Minkoff purse that I wore all last year, which has seen better days. I'm currently lusting after this beauty, which is 50% off (ordered to try)!

Blue. I already have a navy turtleneck sweater and a navy sweater-blazer from J.Crew. Also I have a beautiful navy peacoat that I really ought to wear more often than I do. In addition, I own a couple pairs of blue jeans (but I need to get my favorite Hudson jeans repaired, because the button somehow fell out) and an old J.Crew chambray shirt. If I added anything else blue, it would be another pair of classic blue skinny jeans with no extra embellishments, but that's not a super high priority.

Heather grey. I already own several grey sweaters, so I'm banned from buying any more. However, I would like to buy a new pair of grey jeans. I used to own a pair of grey Siwy jeans that I wore all the time, but I had to throw them away after finding a big hole in the crotch. To replace them, I want a plain simple pair without any extra embellishments or details (like this pair).

Burgundy. I already own all the burgundy pieces I need. My beloved Mackage leather jacket (I bought it for a great price years ago and still wear it all the time) is burgundy, and I just bought a new pair of burgundy pants last month.

Camel. During the winter, I wear my J.Crew camel cocoon coat all the time. It's still one of my all-time favorite coats. Warm, great for layering, and goes with everything. What I would like to add is a thick camel cardigan, something warm and cozy to bundle up in.

Cognac. I love the idea of cognac accessories for fall, and I just recently acquired this crossbody bag that I've wanted for ages. I've been eyeing the matching cognac belt, and.I'd like to get a pair of cognac ankle boots that are both stylish and good for walking long distances. I'm currently deciding between this pair and this pair.

Ivory. I own a few ivory silk blouses and a cream colored cable sweater. I would like to add a silky ivory cami for layering under cardigans.

Miscellaneous. Maybe a fun patterned/colorful scarf that fits into my palette. And a few more cardigans! I actually wear cardigans year round, even during the summer. My boyfriend likes to joke that I look like a librarian when I wear one, but hey there's nothing wrong with that!


What's on your fall/winter wardrobe wishlist?

Summer Wardrobe Planning, Part 2: My Wishlist

Here is Part 2 of my series on summer wardrobe planning. Check out Part 1 here. I am continuing to follow Un-Fancy's wardrobe planner to guide me in figuring out my style as well as what I should add to my closet this summer.

Step 9: Make a list of stores, brands, and designers you love that work for your style, body, and budget.

J.Crew - everything (but since the brand is going downhill, I'd like to find other brands that work for me)

J.Crew Factory - casual dresses, tees, pajamas

Nordstrom - everything

Amazon - everything

Madewell - denim, shoes, bags, accessories

Everlane - tops, tees, shoes

REI - activewear

Step 10: Create your color scheme. Include patterns and color from all aspects of your wardrobe, including shoes and accessories.

Major colors: white/ivory, denim, blue

Minor colors: stripes, heather grey

Accents: blush, black

Some outfits I love with those color schemes:

Step 11: Make a list of your go-to pieces. These could be pieces you already own or pieces you want to buy.

• stripe tee
• flowy scoopneck tanks (black, white, heather grey)
• linen button-down
• denim jacket
• destroyed denim shorts
• medium blue jeans
• white shorts
• maxi skirt
• casual skirt
• casual striped tee dress
• sleeveless casual dress
• flat sandals
• straw boater
• crossbody bag in either white, ivory, or blush

Step 12: Create 3-4 outfit formulas using your go-to pieces.

• casual dress + sandals or flats + hat
• tank or tee + jeans or shorts + sandals or flats
• button-down + tank or tee + skirt + sandals

Step 13: Make your shopping list. Include a list of pieces you want to add to your wardrobe, where you might buy it from, as well as your budget. 

I already ordered and even kept a few items (which I'll review in my monthly budget post) since I made my list in advance, so I'm going to break this part down into three categories:

A. What I am keeping (and how much I spent):

• scoopneck tank in heather grey ($25) - go with your normal size for a flowy fit, size down if you want a close fit
• destroyed denim shorts ($40) - true to size, do not size up as you might normally for denim shorts
• casual knit dress in heather navy ($34) - go with your normal size for a slightly bodycon fit, size up for a more casual fit, does not emphasize stomach UPDATE: I am returning this dress. Even though it's flattering in the front, it's actually somewhat sheer in the back. I didn't notice this until I wore it outside for the first time. I could see the color of my underwear, even though the dress is dark, as well as the dreaded visible panty line. Also, the hem has a tendency to ride up as you walk around or sit down, which is annoying when the dress is already plenty short. Anyway, the situation was so bad/embarrassing that I had to go home to change during lunch. So I cannot recommend this dress after all. What a shame when the front is so flattering.

B. What I ordered to try (and how much I spent):

• scoopneck tank in black and white ($25 x 2) - I love the heather grey one so much that I ordered the other colors too
• destroyed white denim shorts ($26) 
• leather crossbody bag in blush ($50)

C. What I'm still thinking about or looking for (and how much I've budgeted):

• linen button-down from J.Crew (~$35)
• straw boater hat (~$50)
• flat sandals from ??? (~$80) 
• casual shift dress from ??? (~$80)
• casual knit dress from ??? (~$50)
• stripe tee from ??? (~$25)
• maxi dress?

Do you have a color palette for your wardrobe, and if so, what is it? What are your go-to summer uniforms? And what's on your summer wishlist?

Summer Wardrobe Planning, Part 1

To tell you the truth, summer is my least favorite season for getting dressed, because it's always boiling hot outside and freezing cold inside, making it impossible to be comfortably dressed for both ends of the temperature spectrum. So far my solution has been to wear shorts and a t-shirt most days so that I don't melt the instant I go outside. I also always have a jacket or cardigan on hand in case I get too cold. This formula doesn't make for very interesting outfits though, and it doesn't help that I feel very uninspired by my current summer wardrobe. I would like to buy a few new pieces for summer to "refresh" my look and also better tie together the pieces I already own. I wasn't sure exactly where to start, but thanks to the power of Google, I found this wardrobe planning worksheet from Un-Fancy (does anyone else love her style too?). It's supposed to help you figure out your style and pinpoint missing pieces in your wardrobe. Since the planner is pretty long, I decided to break up this post into two parts. Part 1 covers what I like and don't like about clothes I already own, my lifestyle needs, and my personal style.

Step 1: Identify pieces I already own and love to wear. I tried to include a few pieces from each category: tops, bottoms, shoes, and dresses, along with reasons for why I like each item.

Favorites from left to right: a) black cotton tank; b) denim jacket and navy shorts; c) striped maxi skirt and sandals; d) striped tee, jacket, and sandals; e) linen shirt, jeans, and sandals

Tops:

• black flowy cotton tank (old, similar): love the scoopneck, longer length, doesn't emphasize stomach, super soft, wish I had more tank tops
• classic denim jacket (new version): classic wash, cropped fit
• skinny stripe tee: classic color combo, close fit is good for tucking into skirts
• white linen button-down: thicker linen, not too sheer for white, flowy fit, not tight in shoulders/chest (I also loved my blue striped version, pictured above, which sadly ripped earlier this week)

Bottoms:

• navy 3" chino short (similar): no muffin top, I especially like the way it looks now that the color is faded to be kind of navy/grey
• navy/grey striped maxi skirt (old): really comfortable, classic color scheme, warm enough for A/C, I always get complimented on it
• white skinny jeans: crisp clean look, no muffin top

Shoes:

• ivory thong sandals: minimalistic, goes with everything, reasonably comfortable

Dresses:

• navy/white striped dress (not pictured, similar): one of the few casual dresses I own, loose fit, simple

Step 2: Look for common themes from Step 1. What I like to wear during summer:

Fabrics:  cotton, linen, denim

Brands:  J.Crew, J.Crew Factory, Everlane

Colors:  white, blue, navy, heather grey, stripes

Fit:  doesn't emphasize stomach, comfortable, flowy, not tight

Miscellaneous:  scoopneck, tank tops, neutrals, would like more casual dresses, simple/basic

Step 3: Identify pieces I own and never wear. There are very few pieces that I never wear, because I got rid of those when I moved, so instead I picked pieces I only wear sometimes and/or wear only when I run out of better options

Tops:

• silk ruffle blouse (old): afraid of stains, too shiny, too frou-frou/twee
• ivory scallop cami: double-layer polyester too hot, too tight in the stomach (maybe need size up?), need to wear strapless bra
• tie-back blouse: polyester too hot, itchy around the neck, need to wear strapless bra

Bottoms:

• black ripped jeans (old): love for fall, but looks too dark for summer
• short skirts in general: they look nice, but too cold to wear in A/C, self-conscious about sitting/bending over

Shoes:

• nude low heel sandal: love the look but rubs foot, can't walk for very long in even low heels
• black Vans: love for fall/winter but too dark for summer

Dresses:

• printed cami dress (old, similar): top fits well but waistband too tight
• wish I had more casual dresses, I mostly own semi-formal dresses for weddings

Step 4: Look for common themes from Step 3. What I don't like to wear during summer:

Fabrics:  polyester

Colors:  black

Fit:  too tight, too short, need to wear strapless bra

Miscellaneous:  semi-formal dresses, uncomfortable shoes, heels, frou-frou

Step 5: How do I usually spend my time?

50% working at school

20% being active (gym, climbing gym, outdoors)

15% lounging at home

5% daytime out and about (mostly lumped into active, also not really a morning person)

10% evening out and about

Step 6: Upcoming special events and travel

No confirmed travel plans yet, maybe just a few short weekend trips

Need more sunwear for outdoors: sun (UPF) shirt, sun (UPF) leggings, wide-brim hat

Step 7: Identify the weather where you live.

June: low 80s to low 90s (feels hotter due to humidity), mostly sunny, occasional rain, humid

July: high 80s to high 90s (feels hotter due to humidity), mostly sunny, occasional rain, very humid

August: high 80s to high 90s (feels hotter due to humidity), mostly sunny, occasional rain, very humid

Step 8: Write a list of words or phrases that you associate with your style. Identify your favorite 3-6 words.

My style now: classic, simple, neutrals, stripes, casual, comfortable

What I want my style to be (the worksheet doesn't ask this): effortless, feminine tomboy (like Alterations Needed or Un-Fancy), Parisian chic

Favorite words: neutrals, comfortable, feminine tomboy, Parisian chic

I will post Part 2 soon, which covers brands that fit my style, my summer color palette, some uniform ideas, and a wardrobe shopping list.

Have you ever tried wardrobe planning? How would you describe your personal style?

Hats Off to You

I love hats. Fedoras, panama hats, boaters, fascinators, I adore them all. I like wearing them, and I like seeing other people wear them. They instantly add drama and visual interest to outfits, don't you think? I wish we lived during one of those time periods where men and women wore hats every single day. Well, maybe not actually, because you know: social issues, lack of proper healthcare, etc. But you get my point. I wish more people would wear hats!

I used to own quite a few myself before I moved in with J, but I had to purge them all due to space limitations. Now that summer is almost here, I find myself daydreaming about hats again. Summer is the perfect time for wearing a hat. They're a welcome respite from the hot sun beating down on you during long summer days. They keep your face from getting sunburned and your hair from getting too hot. They even double as a fan when you need a quick cool-off.

Right now, I'm on the hunt for the perfect summer hat. I want it to be classic (no text or weird embellishments), made of straw, have a natural color, with a wide brim (at least 3 inches), not too floppy, and tied with a ribbon for under $50. I found some possible contenders that I wanted to share with you.

Bachelor #1: wide-brim straw fedora.  This hat is a darker natural shade but is classic in shape. I can't tell based on the picture how high the crown is. Sometimes fedoras with high crowns make my head look disproportionately tall. The price is quite reasonable.

Bachelor #2: classic packable straw hat. I like the light natural color and the classic style of this hat. Also, it's packable, making it perfect for trips to the beach (or pool) and summer vacations. It's middle of the road in price. The packability of it probably means it has less structure and is more suitable for casual wear.

Bachelor #3: structured straw hat with a wide grosgrain band. I like the wider grosgrain ribbon on this hat, and the brim is pretty wide at 3.5 inches. It looks like it has some structure and would work well with both casual and dressy outfits. This hat is at the higher end of my price range although it's still under $50.

Bachelor #4: classic panama hat. This hat is such a classic style, and it's a steal considering the price! Again it has that classic black grosgrain ribbon, and I believe it has the widest brim of them all. It looks like the straw is not as tightly woven as the other two, but that also means it's more breathable and lighter weight.

Bachelor #5: wide-brim boater hat.  Unlike the other hats which were all fedoras, this hat is a boater. See that flat top? The brim looks pretty wide (for a boater at least, probably less wide than the fedoras), and I like the slightly different colors in the straw weave. The band isn't a ribbon, but I think it's fine on this hat.

Honorable mention: black and ivory packable straw hat. This hat is also super classic, and the price is definitely right, even when it's not on sale. It actually looks pretty similar in shape to the first hat, which might be due to its packability. The only reason it didn't make my top 5 list is because of its color. I like the woven black and ivory pattern but worry that it's too dark for summer.

Are you a hat person? What kind of hats do you like, and where do you buy them? Which of these is your favorite?

Jackpot

If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would you splurge on? Let's assume all of the responsible stuff was taken care of already: paying off debts/loans, putting aside money for retirement/kids, buying a new house, car, etc. I was thinking about this question the other day and realized that I have quite a few items that I really admire but can't afford. Even though they're out of my price range right now, they could eventually be within my reach if I put aside a portion of my clothing budget every year. In the long run, I'll probably be better off saving for these reach items instead of buying disposable fashion on a whim.

Most of the items on my wishlist are high value and high wear: shoes, coats (my major weakness), and bags. In order from least expensive to most expensive, here are my top 5 most lusted after pieces:

1. Ferragamo Vara Pump - Retail: $550

If you've been reading this blog for a while, then you know that I never wear heels. I like the way they look, but they're just too uncomfortable for my day-to-day life. That's why I really like the Ferragamo Vara pump. It has a small block heel, so it adds some height while still being comfortable. I have a vintage navy pair that I bought on eBay, but I would love to own a black pair (which I could also wear for interviews) and a nude pair (visually elongating). If anyone is interested, Target is currently selling a faux-leather dupe for only $30.

2. Canada Goose Trillium Parka - Retail: $900

I would buy this down coat in a heartbeat if I lived in a place with harsh winters. It really is the gold standard for cold-weather outerwear. I tried it on in-store last year, and it's one of the lightest/warmest coats out there. If the Trillium is out of your price range, the J.Crew Nordic parka is a good alternative (see my review from last year). I own it in navy, and it's held up well so far.

3. Valentino Rockstud Cage Flats - Retail: $995

These flats are not the most practical, but my, they are gorgeous. I'm sure they would need a significant break-in period since they have such pointed toes. I'm not sure what color I want. Black looks the coolest, but I also like the contrast of a softer color with the edginess of the studs.

4. Burberry Wool Duffle Coat - Retail: $1,195

Of course Burberry is famous for their trench coats, which are undeniably beautiful. However, I find that I almost never wear trench coats, so adding a designer one wouldn't be practical (even in dreamland). What I really admire is their wool coats, in particular the classic duffle. The tailoring of this one plus its attention to detail really differentiates it from other coats.

5. Chanel Boy Bag - Retail: ~$5,000

I'm not sure I could ever pull the trigger on a designer bag without guilt (they're just so expensive!), but if I did, it would be definitely be the Chanel boy. I love how structured it looks and the versatility of being able to wear the strap multiple ways. I think it's classic while still being a little edgy at the same time. Everyone knows Chanel prices are ridiculous (they seem to grow every year), so I'm not sure if I will ever be able to get one. In the meantime, a reasonable dupe is the Rebecca Minkoff Love bag, which I own/like and costs about 1/20th of the price.

What designer pieces would you buy if you won the lottery?

Suit Yourself

In my last budget post, I mentioned that I'm in the process of looking for an internship for the summer. That means I've been thinking about what I want to do when I (eventually) graduate, updating my resumé, writing a new cover letter, talking to students in my field who are already working full-time, and making a shortlist of companies that I'm interested in. It also means that I need to get a new suit. My last one was from about 6 years ago, so you can say it's looking a little out-of-date. In fact, I wore it to a recent career fair and felt super frumpy! That's the opposite of how a good suit should make you feel, which is powerful and confident.

Anyway, I started researching women's suiting options a few weeks ago and came to several conclusions about what I like and dislike. First of all, I know that I want a pant suit and not a skirt suit. A skirt suit is more conservative, and a skirt would be easier to fit, but it also labels me as "other" in an already male-dominated field. Also I just feel more confident and less self-conscious in pants. Secondly I prefer a two-button jacket. I looked at some pictures of jackets with one, two, and three buttons, and overall two buttons seem like the perfect balance. Three buttons look a little stodgy, and one button is too casual. Thirdly (and this is a personal preference), I like black best as a suit color. I think navy is hard to pair with shoes, and charcoal gray looks a little too casual. Lastly I'm looking for pants that aren't super baggy. For some reason, suit pants are always ill-fitting! Maybe that's fine for men, but it's very unflattering on women.

From my preliminary search, I narrowed my options down to a few mall retailers that fit me decently well. The early front-runners are:

1. Banana Republic

This jacket and pant combo is a relatively affordable option at $308 full-price. Since Banana Republic frequently has 40% off sales (although watch for the exclusions), this could potentially be as cheap as $185 before any additional discounts. That's not bad at all for a suit that's 95% wool!

2. Ann Taylor

Most of the pieces from these two suits are online exclusives, which means no try-on unless I order them. The first one is made from tropical wool, which is kind of misleading when you consider that the material is actually only 41% wool. The price is similar to Banana Republic at $327 full-price, and Ann Taylor also frequently has 40% off sales. I really like the silhouette of the jacket, although the pants (which are lined) don't seem slim enough. The second suit is made from all-season stretch fabric, whatever that means. Apparently it's 49% polyester, 48% viscose, and 3% elastane. I'm a little concerned about how breathable the material will be, but the jacket and pants are the cheapest option at $267 full-price.

3. J.Crew

Of course this list would be incomplete without my beloved J.Crew, even if their quality is iffy at times. This is the only suit mentioned here that is 100% wool. Of course you pay for the quality; this jacket and these pants cost a total of $396. J.Crew sometimes has 30% off everything sales, but I suspect those might be getting more rare in the future as J.Crew tries to wean us off the perpetual discounts.

So these are my top contenders. I wish I could afford this Theory blazer and pant combo, but I'm afraid my student budget just isn't up to the task.

Do you have a suit that you like? If so, where is it from? What do you look for in a suit?

Worst Purchases of 2015

It was interesting to look at my best purchases of the year, but what about the worst ones? Arguably the misses are even more important than the hits to reflect upon and learn from. Like last year, I tried to pick out my 10 least favorite purchases of 2015. This time it was much harder. I only strongly regret buying a few pieces and feel ambivalent about the rest. Hopefully that's a good sign?

Here are the pieces I regret buying the most:

1. Gap 1969 Resolution slim straight jeans (sold out) - I have serious buyer's remorse about these jeans! I originally got them to replace an old pair of skinny black jeans, but they never looked quite right, so I kept not wearing them. They still even have their tags on! It turns out I prefer skinny jeans over straight leg.

2. J.Crew Factory photographic floral collector tee (sold out) - I tried this on in store, sort of liked it, and brought it home on a whim. Then it languished in the back of my closet for months. Every time I brought it out to try and wear it, I couldn't put together an outfit that made sense. After a while, I felt too guilty seeing it in my closet, so I had to sell it.

3. Everlane cotton heather v in heather grey - I really like the Everlane v-neck tees, but this one is terrible! The heathered material is super flimsy and stretches out too easily. Also it's already developed a series of holes after only a few washes. Do yourself a favor, and stick with the solid colors instead.

4. Madewell skinny skinny sateen jeans (sold out) - These pants feel great when I put them on in the morning, but they stretch out a lot by the end of the day. Also, since the material feels slightly fuzzy, it catches all of the lint ever. It also doesn't wash well, so the color has faded over time. So irritating, because I expected better from Madewell!

5. Lilly Pulitzer for Target strapless maxi dress (sold out) - Will I ever learn my lesson about these Target collaborations? I love them, but it's so easy to get sucked into the hype and buy stuff you never wear. I still think this dress is cute... on someone else. I kind of forgot a few things about myself when I bought this. Like how I feel overly exposed in strapless dresses. Also, how I'm not really into super girly colors or patterns. So yeah.


I kind of wish I hadn't bought these:

6. Lilly Pulitzer for Target challis pompom shorts (sold out) - I still like the way these shorts look, but I've never once reached for them. They're more of a statement piece and thus harder to remix. I could see wearing them as lounge shorts or a cover-up, but even then I have other pieces I like more. They're also a bit big in the waist.

7. Nike vintage collection Air Pegasus '83 sneakers in black - I saw these online and instantly fell in love with them. When they sold out in my size before making it to sale, I frantically combed the internet in search of them, and when they popped back online late one night, I quickly clicked buy, forgetting to even use ebates. When I finally got them, they looked great but didn't feel great. They're sort of low vamp and constantly feel like they're going to slip off my heels. Because they're not that comfortable, I usually end up wearing other sneakers instead.

8. Sephora Collection retractable waterproof eyeliner (black) - This is the first year I started tracking my makeup purchases. I probably had makeup regrets last year too but didn't mention them on the blog. Anyway, I'm obsessed with finding the perfect black eyeliner: super black, applies easily, has great staying power, but can be easily removed. So far I haven't found anything that meets all of my requirements. This Sephora liner failed to be black enough, so it was instantly nixed. I should have tried this on in store instead of buying it online and then being too lazy to return it.

9. Old Navy floral string bikini (sold out) - This bikini is another example of something that was almost right but not quite. The fit is great, and I even like the pattern, but there are these cheap-looking tassels at the end. They didn't bother me initially, but now I want them gone. I can probably fix it, but it doesn't really make sense to buy something that you immediately need to alter.

10. Mossimo strappy halter bikini top - There's nothing really wrong with this per se. It's actually quite flattering. The problem is the fact that I can't find a matching black bottom! You think it wouldn't be that hard, but somehow the double strap makes it hard to match, and even if it matches, the smallest size is usually too loose for me. Also I'm a bit picky, and I want the shade of black to match exactly...


Whew, that was longer than I expected! Let's wrap up with the lessons I hope to learn next year:
- Don't buy something that's almost right.
- Think about ways to remix a piece before buying.
- Try things on in store whenever possible.
- Don't buy more than 2 items from Target collaborations.
- Don't buy things that are uncomfortable, because you're never going to wear it.


What were your worst purchases of the year? Do you have any lessons you're hoping to learn next year?

Also I want to wish everyone a healthy, happy, and wonderful new year. Thank you for reading!

Best Purchases of 2015

Now that 2015 is coming to a close, let's take a look back at my top 10 best purchases of the year. I'm defining "best" as stuff I reach for all the time that goes with everything. I went through the same exercise at the end of last year, and I felt like the process helped me better pinpoint my style for the new year. Hopefully this will serve the same purpose in 2016.

1. Everlane women's cotton v (muted black XS) - This is my favorite color of the Everlane tees I own. As the name suggests, it's a light black or a very dark grey. The material is super soft (and opaque!), so I reach for it all the time.

2. Everlane women's cotton v (white XS) - For a long time, a white tee was a missing essential in my wardrobe. This one is a little too sheer (I can see my nude bra if I look closely), but since it goes with everything, I still wear it all the time.

3. Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC (almond) - A cognac crossbody was another missing wardrobe piece for me. This one is a great size and the leather is very supple, although the chain is a bit heavy and things tend to get jumbled around inside.

4. J.Crew Factory pocket tunic sweater (sold out, similar) - I used to hate tunics, but somehow this merino wool tunic sweater has grown on me. It's great over skinny jeans or leggings. I can only wear it on cold winter days, because the wool is too plush and warm. If I try to wear it on a warmer day, I instantly overheat!

5. J.Crew toothpick Cone Denim jean in parker wash (sold out, similar) - This is my go-to pair of jeans. I wear them at least once a week, because they're so comfortable and the wash is spot on. They're dark medium blue without any hints of yellow, and the fading/whiskering is really flattering in my opinion. The only bummer is that they're starting to look a little faded since I wear them so often.

6. Siwy Ladonna skinny high rise crop jeans (true love wash 25) - Another pair of jeans. I've also been wearing these every week since I got them. They fit perfectly in the waist (no muffin top!), and I got them for a song.

7. Lilly Pulitzer for Target crochet tank top (sold out, similar, similar with sleeves) - It turns out I love a good white lace top. It's so easy to wear, and it makes me feel instantly dressy. This one is great, because it's 100% cotton. I wouldn't mind adding another lace top to my wardrobe!

8. Kendra Scott Rayne tassel necklace (turquoise) - Turquoise is one of those colors that doesn't match anything but "goes" with everything. I'm glad I got the Rayne necklace over another Kendra Scott necklace I was considering, because the tassel is just so fun!

9. J.Crew tropical fern sliding halter bikini (sold out) - This is seriously the most flattering bikini I own. Even if I've eaten a big meal, I can still wear it without feeling self-conscious. The top offers great support, and the bottom stays firmly on my booty without digging into my hips, which is sooo rare.

10. Zella leggings (black XS) - These are my favorite leggings! They're pretty thick and completely opaque, so they're almost like ponte pants. I frequently wear these as regular pants with longer button-downs and my J.Crew Factory tunic sweater.


What were your favorite purchases of 2015?

My Fall/Winter 2015 Wishlist

It seems like I just made my summer wishlist for this year, and now it's already late fall. As the weather turns colder, I'm on the lookout for warm and cozy things to add to my wardrobe.

1. A warm and stylish down coat
I mentioned in this post that I hate my old winter coat, which I've had for over 4 years. A few weeks ago I started looking for a replacement and went in store to try on some possible contenders. My favorite two were the Canada Goose Trillium and the J.Crew Nordic parka. Since I don't currently have $745 to spare, I decided to get the J.Crew parka during a 35% off promo. I'm very happy with my decision! I really can't say enough good things about it, and I'm super excited for the weather to turn colder so I can break it out!

2. Duck boots
I really wanted a pair of duck boots this year! Last month I bought these Sorel ones that Jean recommended, but I wasn't sure if I should keep them or order a pair of L.L.Bean boots. (Thanks to Xin from An Invincible Summer and Jasmine from Making Restorations for their detailed answers to my questions about Bean boots!) The Sorel boots are very warm, but since they're so insulated, I can only really wear them in the winter. On the other hand, Bean boots could be worn for three seasons, but right now they're backordered for so long that winter will be over before they even ship! Anyway I'm still undecided. What do you think?

3. Cute knit hat
For some reason, I have a lot of scarves but very few hats. I know my new coat has a hood, but most of my other coats don't. It would be nice to get a hat that's both cute and warm. Maybe something with pom poms?

4. Activewear
Back in January, I made two resolutions for 2015. One of them was to work out more. I'm happy to report that I've stuck with it! Right now I go to the gym about 2-3 times a week. However, my workout gear hasn't kept up. I really need a few more workout tops and shorts, especially ones that don't have those dreaded internal briefs.

5. Plaid flannel shirt
Is there anything more delicious than wearing soft cozy flannel in the winter? I have my eye on this medium-weight jewel-toned version.

6. Comfortable flats
My favorite flats (the Me Too Patty - I have two pairs!) are looking pretty shabby these days. Since they're so comfortable, I wear them almost every day, and it shows. I would love to get some comfortable, reasonably stylish neutral flats to replace them.

Bonus nice-to-haves:

Heavy-weight sweater
Most of my sweaters are light- to medium-weight, so I'd love to add a cozy chunky sweater to the mix.

Leather cognac booties
I love wearing booties, and I already own two pairs in black and taupe suede. It'd be great to add a cognac leather version.


Should I keep the Sorels or order the Bean boots? Also, what's on your wishlist this season?

My Summer 2015 Wishlist

You may have noticed by now that I've been posting much less often these past few months (on the order of 2 posts a month). I feel that I owe you a bit of an explanation. The short answer is that I've been really busy with life lately. Busy in a good way. It's the first time in a while that I don't feel stressed or dissatisfied. The long answer... well it's a long story. Maybe I'll talk about it in a future post.

One thing about being so busy is that I haven't had time to go in store and try things on in person. Hence, why I haven't written any review posts lately. I'm still shopping, just online. It's kind of a hassle to have to deal with returns every other month, but until things get less busy around here, I don't see how I can avoid it (unless I stop shopping completely).

Anyway, I've been wanting to focus my shopping a bit more now, especially after reading Fran's tips on how to build a cohesive wardrobe. I've already been mostly buying neutrals, but I'm still noticing gaps in my wardrobe. Here are some items on my wishlist that I'd love to own this summer. Of course I'm not expecting to find the one for all of them, but I can at least try. Also, if anyone has recommendations for any of these items, please let me know!

1. A cognac bag
Somehow I don't have a small cognac bag in my embarrassingly large collection. I'm really excited about this one that I ordered from Amazon using my birthday gift cards.

2. Cognac flats
Similarly I have multiple pairs of black flats and yet no cognac ones. I'm not sure why. Anyway I like this pair from Banana Republic.

3. Comfy sneakers
I never wear heels, but flats with their lack of padding and arch support are wrecking havoc on my feet. Comfy stylish sneakers are just the thing for those days when I want to give them a rest. I think I'm going to keep this Nike pair that I bought on sale.

4. Nude underwear
Now that I own more white clothing (this tee and these jeans), it's time to invest in more nude underwear. I actually hate shopping for undergarments, so I've been avoiding it this whole time. I really need better seamless bras as well as nude seamless panties.

5. The perfect denim jacket
I want something classic that doesn't make me feel like a trucker, is soft, neither too light nor too dark wash, and in a length that goes well with both pants and dresses. A possible contender is this jacket from J.Crew that I tried on a while back. It might be slightly too cropped to wear with pants though.

6. An easy breezy dress

I used to have a casual striped shift dress that I wore all the time, but now it's all pilly and unserviceable. Since then, I haven't really worn dresses much. All of the other dresses in my closet are earmarked for weddings and/or special occasions. It gets so hot here during the summer that a lightweight casual dress would be just the thing to throw on. Bonus: also doubles as a cover up if you go to the beach.

7. A long pendant necklace
Because I wear so many plain tops, a necklace like this would go with everything. Originally I wanted to look for it on Ebay or while thrifting, but I never saw anything I liked. I'm currently debating between this style and this one. Which do you like better?

8. The little black bikini
I've come to realize that the little black bikini is a lot like the little black dress. It's the perfect swimsuit for all occasions. I was looking for a halter-style top (gives you support and coverage) with a bikini/hipster-style bottom (coverage). I actually really like this affordable and flattering top from Target (I'm a 32C and got a Small). I'm still searching for good bottoms though.

Bonus nice-to-haves:

Espadrille sandals
I only have three pairs of sandals, and two of them are the same style (which I love and highly recommend). Now I'm looking for something fresh and different. Recently I've become obsessed with espadrille wedges on other people, so it's time to look into adding a pair to my own closet.

An inexpensive white bag
Last summer I got a white Old Navy bucket bag, and I wore it all the time. Unfortunately, it rubbed against one of my dark blue pairs of jeans and got stained. This summer I'm interested in buying another inexpensive white bag. That way, if it gets ruined or stained, I won't be too heart broken.

A pretty summer blouse
Recently I took stock of my closet, and I mostly own t-shirts and button-downs. I'd like to add a pretty patterned blouse that I could dress up or down to the mix. For example, something like this top from Anthropologie.

What's on your summer wishlist?

Lilly Pulitzer for Target Wishlist

I'm a big fan of Target designer collaborations. I've been following them since Jason Wu for Target in 2012. Since then, I've taken part in the frenzy surrounding each release numerous times. Even though some of the collections have been poorly executed, I still look forward to each new one!

Target's latest collaboration is with Lilly Pulitzer, who's primarily known for her colorful resort wear. It's going to be released on Sunday, April 19, 2015, and I can't wait to check out some of the stuff in person! I browsed the newly released lookbook, and I see quite a few things I like. In particular, I'm interested in the nosie posey and upstream prints. Here's my wishlist.

(top) Button down shirt in nosie posey, $24; Crochet tank top in white, $32; (bottom) Challis pom pom shorts in upstream, $24

(top) Shift dress in nosie posey, $38 (online only); Challis romper in happy place, $34; (bottom) Shift dress in upstream, $38; Strapless maxi dress in nosie posey, $34

(top) Embroidered clutch in gold, $24; Espadrilles in upstream, $24 (online only); (bottom) Embroidered clutch in nosie posey, $24; Seahorse necklace in gold, $24

Reversible decorative pillow in nosie posey/boardwalk cafe, $25; Ceramic mugs with gold caddy (set of 4), $30

Since I don't have an extra $375 just lying around, I need to narrow down my list a bit more before the actual release. For example, do I really need 3 dresses and 2 clutches? On the other hand, I must have the button-down, crochet tank, and pom pom shorts!

Are you excited about Lilly Pulitzer for Target? What's on your wishlist?

Classic Stripe Tees under $100

We all know the importance of owning a classic stripe tee, but for some reason, it's incredibly difficult to hunt down this wardrobe staple.

Luckily for you, I've scoured the internet to round up all the classic stripe tees that satisfy the following criteria:
1. Costs less than $100.
2. Has thin navy or black stripes on a white or ivory background.
3. Is made primarily of cotton (< 5% other materials).
4. Does not have trendy embellishments such as zippers, pockets, embroidery, drop shoulders, etc.
5. Preferably long-sleeve but 3/4-sleeve is also acceptable.

They're sorted by retail price from most affordable to least affordable.

Lands' End petite 3/4-sleeve boatneck sailor tee in ivory/true navy. $29 full-price. Navy stripes on an ivory background. Cotton. Boat neck. 3/4 sleeves. Limited sizes available. Also available in plus size.

Added on 02/01/2015: L.L.Bean French Sailor's Shirt in Cream/Navy. Thanks to fivesouth for pointing out this one! $29.95 full-price. Navy stripes on a cream background. Cotton. Boat neck. 3/4 sleeves. Sizes range from XS to XL. Also available in petite and women's sizing.

Boden long sleeve breton in ivory/navy. $38 full-price. Navy stripes on an ivory background. 100% cotton. Crew neck. Long sleeves. Small side slits. Sizes range from 2 to 18.

J.Crew Factory long-sleeve stripe boatneck tee in oat navy spring. $49.50 full-price. Dark navy stripes on a cream/oatmeal background. 100% cotton. Boat neck. Long sleeves. Small side slits. Sizes range from XXS to XXL. (I personally own this and really like it! True to size but a little tight in the chest/shoulders, which is a common issue for me.)

Saint James Galanthee in neige/noir. $90 full-price. Black stripes on an ivory background. 100% cotton. Round neck. 3/4 sleeves. Sizes range from 4 to 16.

Honorable Mention: Ann Taylor stripe shoulder zip cotton top in winter white. $54 full-price. Navy stripes on an ivory background. 100% cotton. Round neck. Long sleeves. Shoulder zips and high-low hem. Sizes range from XXS to XXL. Not the most classic option here with its embellishments, but the pattern is spot on.

Do you own any of these stripe tees? Are there any that I've missed? Where do you buy your classic stripe tees? Please chime in!

Worst Purchases of 2014

In my last post, I gushed about my best purchases of 2014. It was all rainbows and puppies. But what about the items that got relegated to the back of my closet? The ones that never saw the light of day. Let's talk about those too. Here are the 10 worst offenders of 2014.



1. Madewell skinny skinny jeans in crackle print (grey 25) - These jeans were originally $158, but I bought them for $22 this past June. Like most Madewell jeans, the fit is impeccable, but the crackle print is too edgy for me. I feel like a K-pop star every time I try to put together an outfit with them, which is fine if you look like this.

EXO (source)

My style is more classic (boring?), so I feel like I can't pull them off.

2. Madewell skinny skinny jeans in nightfall (nightfall 26/29) - I really do like Madewell jeans, but this pair has a fatal flaw. The fit was decent, and the price was right (on super sale for $18). The color was fine too, a very wearable dark indigo wash. So what's wrong with them, you ask? They bleed on everything they've come into contact with! Even though I washed them several times, they still stained my white Old Navy tassel bucket bag. Now I'm afraid to wear them with anything lighter than dark navy, which is just about every color except for black.

3. AG Adriano Goldschmied Angelina bootcut jeans (white 25P) - I've been looking for the perfect pair of white jeans for a while now. I don't want anything that makes me look fat, and the white material needs to be completely opaque. This pair delivers on both counts, but is too low-rise and after years of wearing skinny jeans, I just can't get used to the way bootcut jeans look now. They seem all wrong with the pointy toe flats I like to wear. I'm holding onto them though in case I change my mind later. Kind of sad that I paid $78 for them.

4. J.Crew lace shift dress (neon citrus 00) - This dress fits like a glove, but I'm having a hard time with how/when to wear this. I rarely wear cocktail dresses except to attend weddings, but the neon yellow is too gaudy of a color for solemn occasions. Also, I paid $46 for it in June, but later it dropped to around $20. *shakes fist*

5. Gap essential rib tank (heather gray XSP) - There isn't much to say about this tank, except that it's a little too tight and it rides up to become a belly shirt whenever I put my arms up. I can't even wear it out for fear of flashing someone accidentally.

6. J.Crew Factory sailor sweater in stripe (snow navy XXS) - This sweater seemed like such a good idea when I bought it for $33 back in June. Classic stripe sweater, right? Well, I hate the tan buttons on either side of the collar, and it shrank the first time I washed it (even though it's a cotton sweater). This is Exhibit #1 of how I tried to buy a classic breton top but failed.

7. Loft striped long sleeve cotton tee (burgundy XS) - And here's Exhibit #2. At least this Loft tee was cheap at $7.50. I bought it, thinking this could substitute for the normal white and navy/black stripe tee (which I'm still searching for). Wrong. The burgundy stripes are harder to pair, and the base color is ivory, not white. It's also sort of sheer. Sigh.

8. J.Crew lightweight merino tunic sweater (haven blue XXS) - Yet another time that sale goggles have gotten me in trouble. Look, this sweater only costs $9! It's so cheap! Of course I need a blue tunic sweater, even though I don't like tunics. 

9. Peter Pilotto for Target sunglasses (red iris) - The print is too loud for me. Also I don't like how they're simultaneously round and aviator style. My only consolation is that I bought these with a gift card.

10. J.Crew Factory seersucker mini (class navy 00) - I love seersucker, but I regret paying $38 for this skirt. The buttons should have been decorative instead of functional, and the front zipper needs to go down lower so that it's easier to slip in and out of.

So how does this compare against my worst purchases of 2012? (I forgot to make a Polyvore set in 2013 for my best and worst purchases.)



First of all, I actually rescued 2 items from the worst purchases of 2012: the neon yellow tee and the navy J.Crew dress. Secondly, the problem with 2012 was that my purchases were all sorts of wacky colors. I definitely toned that down in 2014. However, there are still some lessons that I need to learn for next year:

- Stop buying things just because they're cheap. A few dollars here and a few dollars there really add up. This is going to be even more important in 2015 as I reduce my budget.

- Don't buy odd colored things unless I know with 100% certainty that they'll work with my existing wardrobe. My current wardrobe color palette consists primarily of ivory, grey, black, and blue with hints of red and burgundy.

- If there are any doubts, leave it. If something bothers me at the store, it's only going to bother me more when I get home.

- Don't settle for a substitute. Every time you wear it, you'll wish you got the original. You'd think I would have learned after the chambray shirt and military jacket fiascos.

What were your worst purchases of 2014? And where on earth can I find a classic stripe tee?

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On a more serious note, I'm so glad I started blogging this year! Thank you all for being so welcoming and encouraging, and thank you for taking the time to read this blog. I can't wait to see what 2015 brings. Happy New Year!