pink pop

 This Vetements sweater is my new favorite even though it's about six years old.

 

soft nostalgia

On the left is a pair of velvet pants by Vetements and on the right is a pair of velvet pants by Alice + Olivia. The Vetements version retails for around $1100 while the AO version is about half that. Currently, the AO pair is 80 percent off in their second round of sample sale days and the Vetements version can be found on Ssense for about $400. A true 'bougie on a budget' moment if I've ever seen one (although I find that concept kind of low class? It just doesn't appeal to my faux-elitism to be honest).

While I do spend a LOT on fashion, it's never frivolously or mindlessly. I have basic criteria for my spending and usually it's based on multiple things such as: how often do I see myself wearing the item? Does it match anything I already have in my wardrobe? Can it replace anything I no longer wear? Sometimes it comes down to pure sentiment; a moment of my life I'm reminded of when I look at the item that makes me feel good, or a moment I can envision through the item that is transformative in some way (like a new suit for a big job interview for example). We all naturally gravitate towards fashion pieces for more than just function, there's always a feeling attached.

These velvet flares first reminded me of the time I was on the dance team in high school. There were the older (and richer) girls who would wear these American Apparel flared leggings that probably cost about as much as the Vetements version regular price and I wanted a pair SO BAD. They always looked so cool during rehearsals and when I'd see them walking around in the hallways, the flares flowing over their shoes and grazing the tiled floor and the stretchy material nipping their silhouettes in perfectly, but not like, toooo perfect, ya know? Like, it was such a cool-girl look that I simply wasn't cool enough to acquire I guess, despite all those days working my little knuckles to the bone at my dishwasher job.

I still love dance very much so anything that reminds me of my dance beginnings in my youth is exciting. As a matter of fact, if this stupid shut down nonsense hadn't happened I fully intended on enrolling in some classes at the local community center although I'd probably risk breaking a hip.

Another major nostalgic nerve that was touched by the velvet flares is derived from the Britney late '90s vibe that forever influences my ENTIRE LYFE.

As you can see by this blurry screenshot taken from a live performance video of the song, ...Baby One More Time that I spent longer than a I'd like to admit locating, Britney Spears aka Queen of All Fashion Things Simple and Cute is wearing black velvet flares. This was a part of her few performance ensembles from when she first came out and her record label wasn't ready to risk putting too much money behind her so she was forced to repeat outfits. Unlike the more gaudy '90s fashions that she graced the stage in, this one always stood out to me because it was so sleek and understated.

Late '90s and early 2000s fashion will forever be such a comfort zone for me style-wise; everything was so effortless and simple. Maybe I'm more drawn to the style now that things have suddenly become so complicated? I don't know, but there's nothing wrong with wanting to hang on to happier times.

2017 lookback and lookbook

VEDA leather vest; Fendi shearling sneakers

 

dress by Edit and Gucci loafers

 

Gianvito Rossi boots and Kate Spade bag strap

jumpsuit by Only Hearts; B&O Play headphones; visor by Brixton

Isabel Marant boots

Aquazurra boots (charms are my own)

Filson hat; Vetements dress

2017 was...interesting to say the least.

It was just a lot right from the start...and all the way to the end. All the linear parts of my life, primarily work, remained stable while other things would just...happen.

The list of unfortunate events is too long for my liking and I'd rather not recount any of them here, but I survived...not all of my clothing did--that Acne leather jacket has since been replaced for example along with many other items lost in said unfortunate events. Despite what I tend to post on this blog, I have never been truly materialistic. I do not attach my worth or any real meaning on to things like I do with people. 2017 really proved to me that material things of good quality are still replaceable, but good people are hard to find.

I did what I could to deal with it all; I took a couple trips to step away (and see Britney Spears! Will share later of course) and to reflect and recoup. I did this so often that I don't have any real 2018 resolutions because I was able to find my resolve in all those moments of being knocked around a bit. There's something special about finding a way to settle down after disruption. Yes, I did cry; yes, I did scream at people; yes, I did stay in bed longer than my usual sloth self...but I'm not drained, or defeated. 

Finally, I've come to believe that the saying 'life goes on' doesn't really become apparent until you have watched it wither away right in front of you. However, watching death front and center doesn't make me afraid, it makes me even more ready to live. 

Happy New Year!

we'll see

 

...so this MIGHT be the piece that ends my boycott of LaGarconne...the extended sleeves, the quirky, but functional button detail, that gorgeous leather--Vetements stays coming through.

 

spring uniform #3

 

 

I haven't been outside in a minute and last I looked out the window, snow was coming down...awesome.

dystopian mercenary looks

I think these boots look best head on...when I'm looking down at them I'm still like 'holy shit half my leg just got eaten by some hairy black monster'...it's such a struggle.

 ...and this jacket is still the best thing I've bought this year. I'm so happy I made that phone call.

 ...welp, I gotta go fight off renegades in the brave new world--later.

Had to make some calls...

  

...but I HAD to pick this up. Vetements is now fully on sale on Net-a-porter, I'm glad I snapped this up before it sold out literally moments after I got off the phone with the lady I told to raise my spending limit that I didn't even know I had. I'm a mess, I know.

...daily

I waited and waited to purchase this sweater and it wasn't until it disappeared from the site that I decided that if it somehow came back I would buy it no matter what. I even emailed LaGarçonne's staff to verify the sizing because I got so excited when it came back, but I didn't want to impulsively buy what was left (the size small fit fine). I've needed it daily since I took it out of the delivery box.

...currently waiting on this to go on sale next. 
 

Because spring 2015 is like, basically here...

...I've been chasing the slouchy beige knitwear look:

via Tumblr/Pinterest

...because it was seen on Gigi Hidad who is friends with Kendall Jenner so she's basically an automatic style icon...but because I have super duper long arms, the slouchy part might be an issue...

How is it that you can see my finger tips? This sweater was designed with exaggerated sleeves so--HOW? (Vetements)

...I swear my arms are a good three inches longer than the models on the sites I shop despite them being around my same height...so I figured this selection would do...

...because I'm trying to create a beige trifecta...

The Theory one you already saw and the latest one by Organic by John Patrick

 ...but it might be a beige quadfecta (add it to your dictionary too, okay) because this:

Acne

...and because I failed the spending ban and I'm not even mad.