Fashion Advice

Okay, before we went to London I requested a Front Door Fashion mini-box, since I was on call a lot and didn't have time to shop for myself, what with outfitting everybody here with winter clothes. These were 3 outfits that I loved, plus I got a waterproof jacket in black camo that got lots of comments. This first one wasn't actually worn, but WILL be when the weather warms up a bit here.


I wore this red sweater twice in London, and did pair it with socks and boots from the 3rd picture.


And this is probably my favorite, with a crazy hi-lo that's very exaggerated. I wore this twice too, and actually wore those 15-year-old boots out, so they've been retired.


So I think all those look great, and I decided to make a tunic out of my London fabric to go with these leggings that have to be covered up. Ta-da - I'm frumpalicious!


Now what exactly is the problem? Is it too big at the bottom? I initially was disappointed in the neck, so am looking into adding a cowl or some type of collar or something, and this post was actually going to be about that, but then I saw the pictures and realized I've screwed something up! Now this is Burda 3197, and here's my first shirt with it from 2010:


Wonderful fit! So apparently it's the tunic length that's doing me in, but then why do the sweaters look good and this doesn't? I think it has to do with the neck and shoulders being wider than my hips in the sweaters. So I tried adding a scarf to see if it would help.


Um, I guess a little bit. Then I figured maybe there's too much real estate below the waist, so I tried to replicate a hi-lo hem. (Recognize my scarflet, Robbie?)


Hmmm, I'm just not feeling it for some reason. What do you think? I need to be featured on a What Not to Wear or something - feel free to submit my pictures! And please let me know what it is that's off, so I can redo this top!

Sunday Fashion Blog

I will heretofore wear no shoes but Ivanka Trumps and Fluevogs! Ivanka because she makes beautiful and comfortable shoes, and Fluevogs because their philosophy is so cool. I ordered these online, and asked for sizing help since they reportedly ran large, so I got an email from the store in San Francisco, and they actually had a clerk with a size 10 foot try on a 9.5 to be sure it fit well - personal service! (Plus the guy signed it "Hugs," - precious!) And every standard email about shipping has a little paragraph about how good-looking you are and other funny stuff. They even tie a bow around the box.


The box not only had stickers and buttons, but Twizzlers, and Starburst -what?!


Behold the Lyra!


Remind you of something? (Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat)


They also included a shoe bag...


and the box has funny sayings. These people go all out!


One more peek from work - love these things! So now I really want Natalie Chanin to partner with John Fluevog - can't you picture her models with these shoes?


And now for the Japanese kimono silk fabric my MIL's sister sent me from Japan. They apparently use a narrow width to make kimonos...


and I have no idea how many yards this is, but it's apparently the whole bolt! Any suggestions on what to make with it?


Okay, ready for a million pictures of clothes? I realized I couldn't sew spring shirts for work fast enough, so I ordered one more box from Front Door Fashion. This time Morgan sent me a ton of things - I tried on clothes till 11:30 PM! This first one didn't work out too well - pants were a little loose.


I was going to keep these shorts, but turns out they were $91, and I just can't pay that much for a pair of shorts and live with myself...plus we're getting an H&M - have you guys heard that?


LOVED this top - kept it, but didn't keep the shorts.


Also loved this top, and these were my own white shorts from about 10 years ago.


Next time I make an AC shirt I may experiment with a hi-lo hem.


I did keep these pants, but the top was too low-cut, and I just feel so guilty buying a cardigan when I've knitted about 4 in different colors.


I did keep the pretty blue flower earrings that matched the back of this though.


And I loved this shirt - apparently Tencel is hot in shirts right now, because most of the shirts were made of it, and I kept a bunch. I also couldn't make up my mind on shoes, so you'll see a bunch of different ones.


Another hi-lo hem with a slit in the back.


Um....a little boxy for my taste.


I mean REALLY boxy!


Now these shorts were totally 1982 with big ol' stitching, so I asked Lucas if he'd go to Target with me wearing this. He immediately said, "No way, those are too short!" Which is what he told me about every pair of shorts after that - way too short. Hmmmm....


I was thinking they'd be good hiking shorts, but not if everyone's going to deny knowing me.


LOVE these white jeans, but not with these shoes - just mixing it up a bit.


Lucas said I looked like a teacher at school who's very skinny - NICE!


Now this top had a really boring neckline in the front, but a very cute cutout in the back, which I accidentally deleted a pic of. Didn't keep it. I realized after my last box that I have to be brutal, because I have a couple of things that I've never worn or only worn once because they're kind of exotic, so to speak....have to be realistic about wearing them in Mobile, AL!


Loved this Tencel shirt, and that's a belt from my last box.


Just kidding with the Fluevogs, but I had to throw them in there!


Now this outfit was promising except the pants were a little tight, and I have an almost identical pair from H&M in Charleston that were like $20. I was digging the blazer. Morgan said this was my Ellen Degeneres look, which is awesome because I told her that's my style.


I just wasn't a fan of the hi-lo hem on the blazer, because it seems to almost showcase the derriere.


Now this next one took my breath away, so I had to pull out the platform peep-toe pumps I bought in Chicago a few years ago...and have worn exactly once. Lucas said this outfit made my legs look TOO skinny.


I didn't keep the pants, but did keep the top since it was so dramatic. It's kind of a thick material, and turns out to be polyester. Yay for washing and not dry-cleaning!


And this last one was 2 tank tops I didn't keep and a nice pair of shorts, though again, they were declared too short, and the legs were big enough that if I bent over, there might be a discussion about my assets.


So that was a ton of stuff, and I ended up with about 5 shirts for work and home (I left out a denim-colored Tencel sleeveless button-up that I wore to the hospital yesterday), plus some pants and earrings. Awesome that I didn't have to drive anywhere to find it all, and I just dropped the pre-paid returns at UPS yesterday - easy-peasy. Thanks, Morgan! Now back to thinking about my Grand Canyon knitting project...

Front Door Fashion Scores Another Hit!

My work pants were not progressing fast enough, so I broke down and ordered another box styled by Morgan. Let's go!


Could these pants make me look any skinnier? They're Japanese fabric with Modal or something, and "mold to your body throughout the day."


Before you get all mad that I'm bragging - I'm NOT this skinny. You've seen the swimsuit pics, right? There are more to follow, but these pants and another pair are so stretchy that they make you look amazing even with that giant gut hanging over the waistband of your underwear...perhaps I've said too much. I totally wore this to work today and got compliments on top and pants. You go, Morgan!


Dude! I couldn't handle the giant green scarf because it's so humid down here and I feel guilty that I could knit one myself.


But I'm digging the pants and the blousy blue top. Swapped the pants for a smaller size....(Robbie, does this little scarflace look familiar?)


and I can wear this with lots of different bottoms...


and it goes with the blue necklace I kept from my first FDF box!


This outfit was worn to work yesterday, minus the white tee. The shirt got RAVE reviews from everybody at work, and these are the "ultrasculpt" pants that suck you in tight. You see the gut trying to escape through the white shirt, that was actually see-through - oops!


Love this little jacket - and why wouldn't I, since it matches my favorite Ivankas!


I accidentally deleted a pic of the black silk top under the jacket. It's a very fitted top with an interesting neckline, and I kept it for special events. So these are a couple of things that didn't do it for me - not sure what I have against red...or maybe it's the fabric - just wasn't feeling this one.




Oh, and I see I deleted 2 pics, because there was a VERY long blue silk tunic with a deep V neck that also didn't do it for me. However, these pants will be amazing once I get them hemmed. They're some sort of stretchy fabric but have belt-loops and fit so well.


Can you tell how well they fit? So sorry for my terrible pictures!


So, I remain a HUGE fan of Front Door Fashion, and am so happy I can feel good at work now with what I'm wearing. Katrina, have you done another box lately? My mom just got another Stitch Fix, so I'll have to check that out. Has anybody else experimented with a subscription box service? I'm thinking of doing one for Dean....