Algebra of Style

Apr 24

Apr 17

French style blogger Saks in the City.

This comes from one of the recent plus-size magazine specials. Elle?

I love it. I love the shoes (The same style Saks is wearing in my last post - I’m wondering if I could wear these), I love the colors, I love the strong glasses frames.

Wore this outfit to shop a week or so ago. I like it, but it was one of those moments where I look down and realize that everything I’m wearing (down to the necklace!) is from Ann Taylor Loft!

In the second picture I’m adding to my Loft problem by buying this off-white cotton jacket, which I hope can be a more structured alternative to the white cardigan. It fits well and I like the fan pleated back, but I’m not 100% sure it doesn’t make me look wider. Wearing light colors is still kind of a stretch for me!

Glasses shopping at Costco. I went in thinking I’d buy another, different pair of regular glasses, but then realized that if I did I’d end up with another pair of plastic frames in a dark color (like these from Karen Kane), and I couldn’t justify that.

I did buy this pair of sunglasses, however. I’m getting a line on my forehead for lack of a pair of prescription sunglasses, and I need them for driving. The ones I chose are actually Costco’s house brand, in tortoiseshell plastic. They will have dark gray polarized lenses. These will only cost $110 (I’m used to spending $300+ for a pair of glasses), and will be ready in 8-10 days. I can’t wait!

Felt good about this outfit the day I wore it, but now I feel a little so-so. I think the skirt needs to be longer, and heels would definitely improve it all. I’m wearing one of two ponte knit pencil skirts I bought on sale from Loft (a 10 and a 12), and I’m still learning exactly where I should have them sit on my waist for the best fit and length.

I wore this to go on a little shopping trip to pick up some buttons to improve the look of some of my cheaper shirts and jackets (who knew mother of pearl shirt buttons cost at least $1 each?), and to buy a couple of extra clothes and makeup items. Getting ready to start a new job has made me feel both freer to spend some money without feeling guilty, and a little anxious about having outfits I can easily and reliably put together - even at the end of the week or when I get stressed.

I bought:

Gold almond-toe Cole Haan almost-flats (I actually had a pair of these from the thrift store to sell, they were much too big for me). I was excited to see these in Nordstrom Rack because I’ve been looking for gold flats for a while (to create a longer line than dark ones do), and these are great quality.

Blue snake-print Tahari pencil skirt. I am not 100% sold on the fit of this skirt, It is good, but it would be better if I lost just 5lbs, which I hope to do. It is gorgeous though, subtler than it sounds. Also from NR.

Cream linen motorcycle jacket from H&M. I wasn’t looking for anything like this, but it jumped out at me, and it is lovely. It’s really just as thick as a linen shirt, but it’s very structured. I’m actually wearing it in a post I posted before this one!

Gold and silver square big stud/button earrings from Aldo. I hope these will be a good slightly-fancy basic.

I was mildly disappointed in my search for a good french-style stripe top, and for good underwear. Victoria’s Secret sucks. I think I’m going to go ahead and order the expensive DIM underwear from La Redoute, I’ve just never found anything better than this pair I’ve had for almost 10 years!

Win! I love this. Cream H&M linen jacket, that black Loft dress I’ve had a while and which is now nasty and bobbly, and that blue tie-die scarf I’ve also had a long time. This something dark + something light + something blue formula seems to work!

Apr 12

Mar 23

Today, at a federal court hearing in SF where it’s cool and windy.

Scarf is new from Madewell, sweater is old from Oasis, trench is H&M via the thrift store, bag is from Kenneth Cole a couple of years ago. Out of shot, blue-black Tahari skirt, grey suede boots.

This is some really daring color combining for me!

Mar 21

Once again, taking pictures saves me from making bad choices! I was drawn to a couple of blue jacket options in H&M, a stretchy Chanel style blazer and a drapey sequined vest. I thought I liked the jacket more, but no, it turns my upper body into a triangle! The vest makes a long line (the back is cool too), and will make any simple outfit cool and eveningish. It’s getting too hot for a jacket too.

This might just be the best outfit I’ve put together in a while!

The denim jacket makes its debut out of the house over my seamed H&M pencil skirt (perfect length), Bravissimo cotton top, and a brand new Madewell scarf that was expensive (about $40) and kind of a risk for me, but which I love. Shoes are gold wedges from Boutique 58 a while back, they are becoming my favorite shoes, and I wish I had them in even more colors!

This was for dinner with friends.

Mar 12

It needs some little tweaks because I really needed the petite, but this is what I’m talking about!

$20 from eBay, a stretch print knee length Loft dress with a waistband and straps that cover my bra. I can wear this anywhere all summer, with sandals or heels, on its own or with a cardigan, and I can throw it in the washing machine and not be too sad if it’s worn out by the fall. Sure it’s not an investment, and I’d love a better quality version, but it’s still just what I need.

Mar 11

Going to LA Art Walk.

Sweater from Club Monaco via the thrift store, skirt from Tahari, boots from J Crew, trench from H&M via the thrift store (with the epaulets removed by me), necklace “borrowed” from my mom.

Wow, I really need to find a better camera to do this with.

Algebra of Style

I'm curvy and I like clothes! This tumblr is to help me figure out what I like and what works for me.