Bring Spring

I'm alive!!! I simply can't believe how long it has been since an actual post. Cold weather just isn't conducive to things like productivity/the urge to take photos without a coat on. However, if you weren't aware, while suffering in the cold I started an Instagram account for the blog! It's hands down one of my favorite things I've done this past year. You can follow me at the username @dressingdevin - I post pretty frequently, so it's a good way to get little bursts of fashion joy throughout your week, especially between posts.

This gorgeous sunny Sunday managed to convince me to get out of bed and venture out to the roof deck, and I could really feel spring in the air. My featured outfit today is definitely transitional for the changing seasons, the coverage still protecting from those bursts of winter cold while the crisp white, robin egg blue, and detailed embroidery beckon for spring.

To give you the basic rundown, my look - as always with bargain-friendly components - is comprised of the following:

Blazer: BCBG

Tank: Gabriel Brothers

Jeans: Romeo and Juliet Couture, purchased at Gabriel Brothers

Necklace: Coldwater Creek

Belt: New York & Company

Shoes: Tildon

Bag: Guess

The real bargain pride and joy of this outfit is the pants. Despite the $140 retail price, Gabriel Brothers had them marked at $15 - amazing! I used to love wearing black jeans, but I haven't been able to get back into it. I always feel they look bulky and - despite black's slimming powers - rather unflattering. But these with the tribal embroidery just won me back over the second I put them on.

The combination of denim and detailing makes them extremely versatile: you can easily pair these with boots and a comfy sweater/sweatshirt for a casual but still unique look, or when placed in an ensemble with more polished items - like in this instance - they can hold their own while still keeping the outfit from getting too tense or appearing over-thought. They simply keep things fun yet fashionable.

The blazer is another statement item I simply needed to have in my wardrobe. I view white as a power color. It's a color that carries a sense of sophistication and import. I especially love how the angles of this blazer with the sharply cut neckline and closure area play off of the diamond-shaped embroidery and the color-blocked, pointed-toe heels. Nothing comes off looking harsh, but there is a common element of geometry going on that draws you in and is visually striking.

Please excuse the caddywhompus necklace

This outfit is flexible as is, being good for dinner, galleries, shows, and even work if your office is more casual or style-friendly. However, just by switching out any number of items, this outfit can transform in so many ways: exchange the blazer for an over-sized cardigan, the heels for a pair of booties, or the handbag for a small cross-body. All these options can change the feel without having to switch into a completely new look.

I had so much fun getting to feel productive from simply playing dress up again! But more than anything, being out on the roof deck in the sun made me realize that yes, spring is actually in the air, and we WILL feel warmth again. Huzzah!

Now go enjoy your Sunday. I'll be having an intimate night with Netflix and leftover Chinese.

~ Devin

Bringing Roy Lichtenstein to Life

I love art. The first thing I ever wanted to be was an artist (well, tied with a paleontologist...dinosaur obsession was pretty intense), and if I was doing anything that required sitting still, you bet I was drawing. It justified binge-watching TV at a young age quite nicely :)

While my professional interests have since taken me in a very different direction, art still feels like that little piece of home. I will never forget my mom teaching my about Degas on my first trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, her pointing out the ballerinas and the race horses, and me falling in love. Art is one of the reasons I do fashion - it's my way of getting to create a piece of living art every day, something that evokes reaction, something that has heart in it.

So when I saw an article a few years back about dressing up as a Lichtenstein comic girl for Halloween, I was obsessed. It was just such a perfect idea. What an amazing way to demonstrate cool makeup capabilities, pay homage to an icon, and be an absolute show-stopper. Even if people don't know his work well, they immediately recognize the look. However, I never really had the opportunity to do this costume. I was in college, and college parties weren't the best venue to display something like this (lots of sweaty people, not good for hair and makeup). But now I have this blog! Therefore I was able to put this together just for the fun of it on Halloween weekend for the sole purpose of sharing it with you.

The makeup didn't take me nearly as long as I expected. You can see the before on the left and the finished product to the right. To sum: makeup does mind blowing things. The dots could have been smaller and more uniform, but I was working with mediocre Halloween makeup and on a time crunch. For what took probably 20 minutes or less, I was pretty happy with the results.

Lichtenstein girls are famously known for having phone conversations with men, and I made the decision to pose with my iPhone rather than a larger house phone. I wanted to take the Lichtenstein comic girl to the 21st century. Sure, she makes the occasional phone call, but she's a much bigger fan of sending her gentleman callers selfies and snapchats. That's what you can see in some of the images I chose, like in the image immediately below (which I must admit is one of my favorites).

This entry is pretty obviously less style-focused than my others. It's more artistic and abstract. However, I have worn all of these pieces separately in my daily ensembles! The Campbell's soup can sports bra has to be my favorite. Who can resist anything Andy Warhol?? I purchased it at Forever 21 (they've gone through a pop art phase recently, and I am NOT complaining). I think it was around $12.99. I normally wear this with skinny jeans and a soft grey tank top that has a high neckline but is cut super low on the sides - it's a great conversation starter for fellow Warhol lovers, which sounds like a very specific crowd, but is surprisingly most everyone.

The skirt was actually purchased at a Mandee right before the store went out of business, and I snatched it up for only $5! This is another conversation starter. People seem to have this innate love for pop art, and it's nice to wear something that brings a smile to other people's faces. I typically wear this with a tight black tank top and a moto jacket. You can do any type of shoe - combat boot, heels, flats, they all work with the flattering cut of the skirt. Plus hello stretch waist band! Please be my friend while I consume endless piles of pasta (my intention for this evening).

I wouldn't mix these pieces outside of a fashion shoot like this one - the tones don't particularly work with each other, and it's too over-the-top, even for me. But for a costume when you're looking to make a pop art impact? Perfect. And like I mentioned, each piece on its own is a fantastic crowd-pleaser. So don't be afraid to purchase an item that's a little outside the box! Pair it with the right minimalist pieces to make it shine, and you have a statement piece that is sure to become a new favorite.

I had so much fun creating this look, and I hope you enjoyed seeing it. Have a fantastic night! I know I will...that pasta's calling my name.

 

~ Devin

Wrapped in Chains

I have had a stressful past couple of months, so I am really excited about seeing some of my favorite bands in concert over the next couple of weeks. The bands are rock and metal, so to celebrate I decided to feature a look that takes that vibe, tones it down a little, and makes it more mainstream accessible.

I'm going to start with the dress, because I kind of can't contain my excitement over it. Kaleidoscope Boutique is a stunning Philadelphia shop with all of my style but none of my budget. If you were a rock star living in Philadelphia, this is where you would shop. But I've seen price tags up into the thousands, so normally I venture in only to drool and stumble around pining over every item I see.

But one beautiful day this past winter, my now-roommate and I journeyed into the cold on a snow day from work (yes, those happen and it's a beautiful thing), and I found this dress on the sale rack. On the price tag marked $190 was the most gorgeous sight I'd ever seen: 70% off. The opportunity to own not only a really, really freaking cool dress, but one from my favorite boutique in Philadelphia, was too good to pass up (even if it was still a bit of a splurge). And so my dress and I went on our way to live happily ever after together.

I mean, I have to start with the chains. THE CHAINS. The back of this dress is to die for. That hard metal right against bare skin is so sexy yet punk all at once that it just gives off confidence and nothing short of perfection. The scooped neckline in front is just low enough to be interesting, but keeps it tasteful considering the exposed back and shorter hemline - it's a casual sexy. The handkerchief hem is something I normally stray far, far away from, as all it does is remind me of the early 2000's (that's not a good thing). However, I thought it actually added to the cool, laid back, "I don't care" vibe that the dress gives off. With a straight hem, it would look too put together. This hem makes the dress more detailed but also more effortless. Lastly, the pattern is subtle enough to not overwhelm given all the other elements, but super pleasing to the eye with the brushstroke-esque lines leading right into a beautifully intricate design.

I kept my eye and lip makeup dark to go with the overall feel of the outfit

I have always loved incorporating edgier elements into my outfits. A lot of my wardrobe is made up of punk and rock elements, such as leather, studs, spikes, and - of course - black. When I dress with a more punk vibe, the resulting feeling of empowerment is so addicting - hence why I've never given it up, despite my trending toward more classic pieces as I get older. The main way I've melded these interests of mine is to become pickier with my choices when I come across these punk elements. I make sure that what I buy is done really well and not kitschy or cheap looking, especially since this type of look has become pretty popular recently and spikes and studs and leather accents can be found in almost any store you look.

My necklace and earrings brought out the gunmetal hardware in the jacket | I normally wouldn't wear them together as they are both large, but for the rocker effect I liked the over-accessorized look

For example, take the jacket I'm wearing. I saw it on the rack and immediately knew it was a must-have piece. It is faux leather, but it doesn't have that cheap, shiny, common look that a lot of fake leather jackets have. The color blocking is perfection, and the choice of cream rather than white gives it a pricier appearance. This is helped by the hardware being a gunmetal color rather than bright silver, which can cheapen a look if not done well. The end result is a really cool jacket that tons of women would feel great wearing - I know I do - for a steal: $20 at Ross

Speaking of Ross, it's time for the boots.

Another great find at Ross for around $25

Over the knee boots are tricky, including these. Pair them with the wrong thing, and you can look really cheap and like you're trying too hard. I've found that simple is better. Choose one focus piece for your outfit other than the boots, and use the boots to frame it. In this case, the dress is the focus piece, and the large chunks of black on the jacket and the black of the boots create borders that direct your eye right at it. For other outfits, I often will wear these boots with a pair of unique pants, such as a leopard or snake print, but then just wear a simple black sweater, once again framing the focal point of the pants. Just a little tip I've picked up over the years.

This is a look that I really like. I've been trending toward crisper, more delicate looks in my daily life lately, but I really find that nothing makes me feel quite the same as dressing darker and edgier. It backs you up, puts power in your step, and makes you feel like you can take on the world - a feeling worthy of any woman.

To sum: whatever style you find makes you feel the best version of yourself, embrace it. Life is too short to dress for other people.

~ Devin

Zebra Wonderful

I have been THE WORST about posting! I blame standardized tests and the resulting general desire to crash in bed with reality TV.

But, now that freedom ensues, it's time for a new post! Now I know my last post was inspired by pin-ups, and this doesn't venture far (or at all), but I promise I wear more than this genre of clothing! However, my beloved roomie took some shots the other week, and I just can't resist sharing this amazing dress with all of you :)

This zebra print number grabbed me the second I saw it in Tatyana Clothing (originally Bettie Page Clothing). I discovered it around Christmas time, and I just couldn't justify buying it for myself with all the presents I had to buy for others. But when I stumbled upon it post-holiday for around 50% off, you know I had no self-control!

It has molded cups with a great v-neck and accent bow for a super flattering neckline, and the fabric is stretched juuuust tight enough to cinch you in without looking skimpy. Basically, I just love what this dress does to my body.

Paired with the black and white Tildon heels I featured in my Easter entry, the entire vibe goes retro without looking costume-y. I would wear this to a dinner or event without feeling out of place or dated.

The entire dress definitely exudes sex appeal - the neckline is low, the fit is close to the body, and the animal print displays confidence - but the overall vibe is really quite feminine and sweet. The revealing details are countered by modest aspects, like the short sleeves and below-the-knee length. 

I love this dress because it makes me feel like a woman for all the right reasons. What I admire about pin-ups is that their ability to embrace their own femininity and sexuality actually serves to advance their situation in society and empower themselves in a male-driven world, rather than make them subservient. When I see a pin-up, I don't see a woman aiming to please a man. I see a woman who is so confident in herself that men can't help but be pleased by her.

My makeup was a basic cat-eye liner with a bright red lip, an invaluable accessory for any pin-up! Doing all-over curls with one large victory-roll-esque (I know, I know, it goes down instead of up, hence the "esque") moment was definitely playful and fun. I aim for my outfits to not only make me look good, but feel good, and this embodies that to perfection. Go to Tatyana Designs and treat yourself! You deserve it.

May you have all the confidence of all the pin-ups of the world combined :)

With sassy, zebra-tastic love.

~ Devin

Party Like a Pin-Up

Happy almost 4th of July!

After spending part of yesterday becoming completely enamored by modern pin-up photos and YouTube tutorials, all I wanted to do after work was come home and play dress up. Well, I've never had much impulse control when it comes to fashion, so I did exactly that.

This outfit was a conglomeration of pin-up inspiration and 4th of July anticipation. The bright red skirt and lipstick, the crisp white of the shirt, and the stripes on the bathing suit top (the linear nature of which is replicated with the fabulous T-strap heel) all brought in aspects of the American flag. As for the pin-up features, the skirt itself is from Bettie Page Clothing (recently renamed Tatyana: http://www.tatyana.com/) which features retro-inspired clothing and is absolutely amazing. It's a little on the expensive side, but every article of clothing I put on in that place makes me feel like a goddess. I own just a select few pieces of theirs, and every item is a prized possession. Just look at the detailing - the precious fabric-covered buttons stacked above crisp pleats and precise seaming...not only is the design exceptional, but its high quality is apparent in both feel and appearance.

To keep the pin-up vibe throughout the outfit, I chose the aforementioned T-strap heels, a strand of pearls, and an ever-necessary sassy-side headband. I did my hair with curls and a faux bang, and my makeup featured classic ruby red lips and black liquid cat eye eyeliner.

The hair could definitely have been much better, but it was about a hundred bajillion degrees in my room despite the AC, and a thunderstorm was on its way in. So I did what I could in a very short (and sweaty) time frame. The results were a little subpar, but they work well enough.

When I was initially brainstorming the outfit, I knew I wanted to incorporate this bikini top. First off, it's almost the 4th of July, and being pool-ready at a moment's notice is absolutely non-negotiable. Second, it just fit the vibe. The stripes and especially the polka dots kept with the pin-up feel, and the cut was even able to pass for retro, despite being a 2013 purchase from Burlington Coat Factory. I mean imagine this top paired with a high-waisted bikini bottom - it would totally work. Plus, it added the playful element that I really wanted to achieve with this look.

As for the white button-down, I chose this particular one for a reason. This shirt is from Banana Republic, and it's become a staple in my wardrobe, both work-related and casual (this with a pair of cute shorts, a belt, sandals and a great necklace is a must). However, I chose it for this look due to its slightly boxy shape, which I figured when juxtaposed with this highly feminine outfit would create that fantastic "I just threw on my boyfriend's work shirt" feel. That definitely brings its own unique type of sex appeal.

That view. Those heels.

This outfit was a lot of fun to shoot, and that's really all I wanted to accomplish. Luckily I had the added bonus of actually liking how the end product turned out, so now I don't mind sharing it with all of you!

Hello summer. Hello holiday. Let's always feel this good :)

I'm going to try to do an actual 4th of July look for my next entry, so stay posted!

~ Devin

Maxi Strikes Again

Good news folks! I finally found my old point-and-shoot camera, so no more having to bug the roomie to take pics of me when I want to post. That means that I no longer have to feel narcissistic and annoying in order to procure photos for my blog, so I'll definitely be making more frequent blog posts!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ok, so as you can see above, today's post features another maxi! This dress was an incredible find. It's the most comfortable stretch fabric, and while it is designed to be tight it isn't so clingy that it shows every little imperfection. The pattern is certainly outgoing - I mean, you're covering your entire body in leopard print - but the colors are warm and the overall effect isn't overwhelming. And the kicker? I got it at Dots on sale for what had to have been less than $15. Can't complain there!

I think one of my favorite things about this dress is simply the mixed message it sends. An aggressive print and a tight fit combined with a modest neckline, 3/4 length sleeves, and an ankle-length hem creates this everything yet nothing effect that I think gives the look a lot of its power.

When styling this maxi, I decided to go for a Rachel Zoe-esque over-accessorized feel. I chose 3 different gold tone necklaces (a shorter owl pendant, a mid-length chain with key charms, and a long single gold chain that used to be my grandmother's), a brown leather and zipper bracelet, 5 different animal-themed rings (a buck, 2 foxes, an owl, and a bunny), 2 of which I stacked on one finger, and a fedora purchased on South St. that I absolutely adore. Plus my Tahari sunglasses that just go with me everywhere at this point.

As you can see below, I have a huge obsession with all things related to woodland creatures. Who wouldn't want to wear cute little animal friends all over their fingers??

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For shoes, I opted for a heel despite the fact that the maxi is a little on the short side. I normally agree that a maxi's hem should just graze the floor, but with this look the high hem actually didn't bother me. I wore these super comfortable wooden and brown leather strappy chunky heels, and I enjoyed them being visible.

The visible heels

This is a look that is so easily replicated. You don't need a leopard print maxi to get this same kind of vibe going. Pair similar accessories with a tank and a pair of denim shorts and you'll still have a great semi-boho look. This one is simply dressed up, a little more chic. It can be dressed up or down depending on your comfort zone.

Coco Chanel may have said that a lady should remove one accessory before leaving the house, but sometimes you have to put one on instead.

On a slightly unrelated but colorful note, while it's not normally the kind of makeup I'd wear with this look, I already had on some pretty fantastic product by Urban Decay (their Electric Palette is fantastic) and couldn't bring myself to take it off for the shoot. The possibilities are endless!

COLOR ME HAPPY 

To sum: sometimes more is more.

~ Devin