Chambray

Is it just me, or is chambray a neutral? I act like it is, anyway. There's nothing better than a perfectly soft chambray shirt. It goes with anything, can be dressed up or down, and looks great with almost any color. Chambray for the win.

I recently (like yesterday) replaced my Loft chambray shirt with this one from Banana Republic Factory. The Loft one I had was fine, it looked nice and had a lovely wash, but it was super stiff so it looked funny tucked into anything. This one is much softer, but unfortunately after searching online for it to link, I found that you can only get it in stores. So if you have the outlet nearby, give it a try. This is a small, and it fits my large shoulders and long arms, but is a little tight in the bust. That's laughable to me- I'm not exactly bursting at the seams of most shirts.

Banana Republic Factory shirt, thrifted skirt, Gap loafers, Citizen watch, H&M necklace

I'm getting more and more excited as June approaches- the end of school, my brother's wedding, and my summer capsule! Nothing but good!

Mid-Week

Sorry for the radio silence! I'm finally finishing up my classes and feeling excited for the end of the semester. I thought I would contribute an easy look I wore for work (another jeans week for teacher appreciation).

Gap t-shirt, H&M jeans, J Crew scarf, Gap loafers (another loafer option)

Teacher-wear

"Kate- describe a typical teacher outfit."
"This."

This outfit reflects to me decades of teacher style- pleated midi skirt (somehow popular again), button up (also popular again?), and loafers (how are all these things popular again). If I hopped in a time machine to the 50's I would not be completely out of place, any more than I am now.

Mango button up, thrifted midi skirt (similar), Gap loafers (similar on sale), thrifted belt, 

Citizen watch

Simplicity

When in a rush, your head is feeling fuzzy, your eyes are puffy with sleep and you're not sure how many times you pressed snooze- that's when you reach for the easiest outfit available. In my case, that is black pants and a white button up. So easy I felt a little guilty so I threw a scarf on top. Still ended up being the easiest thing I've worn in ages it feels like, despite my penchant for basic outfits.

Mango button up, Mango jeans, Gap loafers (super on sale!), Nordstrom Rack scarf (similar)

Old Lady Shoes

I picked these loafers up at Gap the other day when they had their awesome sale (which may or may not still be going on!) and I fully intended to tuck them away until fall, but I wanted to test-run them once (or twice... ok, it was twice) before I decided if I liked them. I do like them. In fact- they led me to an uncomfortable realization- I'm totally an old lady. I mean, these are some old lady shoes. Plain black loafers are about as classically boring as it gets. And I totally love them. I wore them because I was like "How cute and put-together-teachery will I look with these classy loafers!" But then I really thought about myself in relation to my age and I'm such an old lady! I drink loads of tea. I try to go to sleep as early as I can. I wear sweaters all the time, even in beautiful 70 degree sunshine (like today). I'm always cold. I have an affection for young children but they also bring out this stern side of me. Whenever someone comes to my house I try to give them things- food, candy, clothing- and I force it on them until they take it. Such an old lady. But I don't mind- I'll totally rock my old ladyness until I actually become one, and then I plan on being pretty kooky and weird.

Target cardigan (similar), Loft button up (another awesome option), Gap jeans, Gap loafers (still on sale)

Another way I know I'm an old lady on the inside? I love my pearl earrings. E got them for me for our anniversary and apart from my wedding band, they're my MVP of jewelry. I could and would wear them everyday. Sooo ooold! These are similar styles to the ones I have: 

from Zales

also from Zales

If you ever find yourself with a little extra cash on hand and a need for some earrings that go with everything and never go out of style, I would recommend pearls. I never realized how much I needed something so basic until I had them and now I wear them endlessly. Thanks E!

Gray and Leather

I love the contrast in the outfit- the top says nap time and I'm not sure what the bottom says but it's definitely not for resting. It has that casual look that's downplayed by the leather. I feel like these pants are the Parisian version of the boyfriend jean. They have the same slouchy fit, but they're not artfully tattered in a way that I don't feel meshes with the whole effortless chic the French are known for. Not to say I'm at all effortless. I won't tell you how many times I changed to get to this outfit. But I like to think it sends out the vibe that I can be effortless and comfy and chic all at once. 

Also, I'm not sure where these pants stand in relation to my capsule. Are they in or out? Should I pack them away until fall or leave them available for cooler days, ensuring they get worn? No idea. 

Banana Republic shirt, Gap cardigan, Nordstrom Rack leather pants, Gap loafers

Easy Blush and Black

If someone asked me to describe my style  uniform- what I could wear every day in any situation and feel fresh and ready for anything, this would be it. Loose button up, skinny pants, and flats. I could wear a variation of this until I die and be satisfied! It's easy and versatile. Add a cardigan or scarf and it's winter ready. Roll up the sleeves and undo a few buttons and I'm good for summer. Definitely my go-to combination when I'm not interested in thinking about my outfit.

Loft button up, DIY waxed jeans (similar), Gap loafers (similar, on sale!), Citizen watch, H&M necklace

What's your go-to uniform? Let me know!

Monday again?

Is it really Monday? Already? Even with the 3-day weekend, Monday snuck up on me.

I replaced my black and white Gap striped tee this weekend. I stained my hard won shirt with black shoe polish and through various attempts to clean it, I ended up putting holes in it. Oh well! I'll enjoy this gray and white option from Banana Republic until I finally find the perfect black and white striped tee. It's a little more weekend than work wear, but my style for work is pretty relaxed anyway. 

Nordstrom Rack blazer (similar), Banana Republic shirt, Gap slacks (similar), Gap loafers (similar in blush, on sale!), Citizen watch

Midi Skirt Week: Dressed Up and Down

So, this is a dress and not a skirt but its a midi! I need to do a thrifted favorites post about this dress. It's not in my spring capsule because the zipper needed to be fixed, but if it wasn't a problem I would be wearing this nonstop. I love this dress! Its a beautiful fabric- silky and light, perfectly draped. I tried this dressed up and dressed down, casually for work and then what I would wear for date night or a more casual event.

Thrifted dress, Gap loafers, scarf from Turkey

Thrifted dress, Jessica Simpson shoes, Target necklace, Old Navy bracelets

Leather Pants

((Alright guys. I'm going to just put this out there- I'm going to be using the phrase "leather pants" a lot in this post. Ok- begin post.))

Last weekend, while browsing the copious clearance section of Nordstrom Rack for an engagement party dress, I found something I'd be searching for for months. Quite possibly for a year. Leather pants. I found real, glorious leather pants for a ridiculous amount. Let's just say, I got them at 87% off and the clouds opened up and the gods of shopping smiled on me. Yes, it's against my capsule rules to shop. No, its not realistic to stick with the rules 100% of the time. Yes, I'm a total enabler.

Anyway, I waited all week for temperatures to dip below 70 degrees so I could give them a try. I wasn't completely sure that I would keep them if they weren't functional on the classroom level. You see, I was scarred slightly by a pair of leather pants I thrifted once... I wore them to a concert and had to completely unbutton and unzip them on the car ride to and fro. So no, not functional. These leather pants though, definitely functional! The whole day I was really self conscious about actually wearing leather pants, especially to teach pre-schoolers in, but it was a normal day. But a normal day in leather pants.

Leather pants.

Ok. Sorry.
(Have you seen this?)

Nordstrom Rack pants (similar), Gap sweater (similar), Loft button up (lovely alternative), Gap loafers (similar in blush)

Bright Blue

I really don't have much to say today, mostly just that I love this shirt! Happy almost Friday!

JCPenney button up (similar), Gap sweater (similar), Gap jeans (similar), Gap loafers (similar in blush)

 Necklace was a gift from my parents

Pleats

This dress was a last minute thrift find. I was killing time in Texas Thrift (giant, but somehow usually devoid of anything worthwhile) and I as I was leaving, I happened upon this dress on the dressing room reject rack. I loved its retro vibe and its simplicity. I don't usually go for pleats but something about this dress made me feel cool and unique, a little like I just popped into Zara for a little black dress.

In the summer I wore this with simple black ankle strap sandals and a little bright purse but I struggled to transition it into fall and winter, which surprised me because it layers well. Maybe it looks a little weird with ankle boots? Regardless, I'm glad I included it in my spring capsule.

Because of the rain this afternoon I had to switch from the loafers to my trusty red rainboots, which was fine. I don't mind break up all the black and white happening lately!  

Thrifted dress,  Loft button up (sold out, lovely alternative), Gap loafers (similar in blush), thrifted necklace

Playing catch up

This week has been madness! I'm so glad to finally be catching a break after rushing home from a cancelled class to see E before he went to work. I'm trying to catch up on my outfits, its been busy enough so far that I haven't been home when its light enough to get a decent shot!

Lauren Conrad blazer (similar), thrifted button up, Mango jeans, Gap loafers (similar)

 Old Navy turtleneck, Mango skinny jeans, Chinese Laundry flats

Joe Fresh button up (similar, super on sale and lovely), thrifted sheath dress (similar), 

Gap ankle boots

I love this dress! I hadn't originally put it in my capsule for this season but I added it back after missing it and day dreaming about looking like a 40's secretary going to a funeral. I love this length but it was killing me on campus going up and down the stairs! 

Hope the rest of the week is a little more laid back for everyone!

Layered Stripes

The other day I came up with this shirt combo and I definitely questioned it... Until I saw it on. I don't think it looks like two different shirts, it seems to be to look very intentional. I love layering button ups in unexpected ways- theres only so many times you can put a collared shirt under a sweater! Trust me, I do that every other day. But this was a refreshing change!

Another refreshing change was the lack of extra layers for most of the day- I didn't have to wear the blazer (same as yesterday) for most of the afternoon! I actually got hot. A miracle! Sorry for anyone reading this in the northeast who isn't enjoying the piles of snow.

Mango button up, thrifted striped top (similar), Gap jeans, Gap loafers, vintage necklace (similar)