Showing posts with label Winter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Winter. Show all posts

Monday, December 23, 2013

"Fur"vently Festive


 Countdown to Christmas is down to two small days! Where has the year gone? I feel like Christmas should be in a few months, not a few days. But ready or not, here it comes. As I sit here, sipping my eggnog in my Christmas jammies, I realize that being home has inspired me to try all the winter trends that I have been experiencing withdrawals from while abiding in paradise. 
My fur vest happened to be number two on my list. First comes leather, second comes fur, and third comes... [insert every other winter trend here]. 


I wanted to make this outfit be festive, yet not the cliche "I Am Going To A Holiday Party" look. I chose to use my Banana Republic Red and Cream Striped Blouse with neckline detail as the foundation for this piece. I then added my High Waist Banana Republic Dark Straight Jeans, and topped the look off with my Forever 21 Faux Fur Vest. I wore Sperry's as my shoes and I loved this look. I feel like it was the perfect balance between casual and festive. I mean we still have two days till Christmas, we cannot break out the Santa Sweaters quite yet right?!


This fur vest actually has a story to it which symbolizes me as woman. My senior year of high school, I bought this vest and I was SO excited to wear it. To this day I can remember the first time I sported it to my small, narrow-minded, fashion absent, high school. I was wearing orange cord jeans from Ann Taylor, an H&M cream blouse, my Betsey Johnson combat boots, and this vest. I was so proud of this outfit and I loved it. When I reached school that day, the looks that I received were far from loving. Students and teachers alike gave me the rudest looks and the snottiest comments. Everyone hated it but I did not care. I was one of the only girls in my high school who loved fashion and everyone knew it. I was the weird girl who dressed "funny" everyday, but that never stopped me. I wore this vest all the time and I could care less what anyone had to say about it. I loved it, and that was all that mattered. I used to always tell myself when I would get strange looks for my outfits, "Someday, you'll wear this in New York and everyone will love you." Oh wait, I still do tell myself this. I guess some things never change! I cannot wait for the day when New York will FINALLY have me to love unconditionally.


 What I learned from this vest, teaches me just what kind of person I want to be. I could care less what people think about me, my life, my choices, and mostly, my style. Fashion is my safe haven. It is where my calling is and although many people believe that my dream to be a couture designer is out of reach, I could care less because I know that I can do it. And that is what makes me different. I believe that I can be exactly what and who I want to be. I also believe that everyone should try and be different and do all those things that they have always wanted to do because if you don't do them, who will?


It is scary to think that yet another year is coming to a close. I am so thankful that I get to spend time with my family and friends during this beloved time. I am so grateful for my love for fashion and for all of you, precious followers. You always listen to my rants on latest trends, styles, and most importantly life. Fashion is life. I show who I am through my style and once an individual can tie together their style and their personality, that is when fashion can become a thrill like it is for me. Every outfit I wear symbolizes me in one way or another. This vest symbolizes my growth in this industry and I vow to continue growing...
 and wearing this beautiful fur of course! 

Be sure to relax and enjoy this time my festive followers! 

Holiday Cheers All Around!
Till Next Time!
Xoxo
-The Retro Girl 

Sunday, December 22, 2013

All Hail The Sweater Weather

Sweater Weather: The Retro Girl's favorite kind of weather. Nothing in the entire world can compare to the feeling of putting on a cozy little sweater, some lipstick, and a beanie. The moment I woke up and looked outside to find little traces of snow, I immediately ran outside like it had been my first time seeing snow. Living on a little island has its perks, but nothing will ever replace the feeling of snowflakes falling into your fingertips and dancing in its showers. Snow brings happiness and happiness equals cute style. Would you want to dress up all festive if you were not happy?? my point exactly. 
Snow=Style, end of story.


I happened to be shopping back in Honolulu a few weeks ago and I saw a look on a mannequin at J. Crew that I could not wait to try once I got home. The mannequin had a blouse with a stiff collar covered with a burgundy sweater. The sleeves were rolled up to cover the cuffs of the sweater and the collar was poking out on top. I could not get this picture out of my mind and that mannequin happened to be my muse for this outfit. 


 This look consisted of: 

American Eagle Outfitters Light Wash Denim Button Up
American Eagle Outfitters Teal Crop Sweater
Gap Black Jeggings
Betsey Johnson Black Combat Boots with Ruffle Detail
Michael Kors Statement Watch
Gap Off-White Beanie
Lancome Red Lipstick 

This look was far more edgy than how I usually style myself but it seemed to be the perfect snow day look.  

I was so happy that I was able to take the look that I saw on the mannequin at J. Crew and create it for myself using clothes that I already had. As much as I wanted to go and buy an entire new winter wardrobe to wear for my three week home visit, I knew that I needed to use my clothes that I already had. By taking your own spin on new trends, you can make any thing happen without going out and buying completely different pieces to emulate trends perfectly. There is no right and wrong when it comes to personal style. Just make it you and have fun with your wardrobe.


Being able to finally break out my FAVORITE Betsey Johnson boots and my statement Michael Kors watch brought an instant smile to my face. Those two are some of my go to pieces to jazz up any outfit. On top of that, the feeling of wearing a sweater again was beyond comparison. Snow brought me happiness and I was so happy to see a winter wonderland at last. 

Bundle Up and Find Your Sweaters My Fashion Friends!

Till Next Time!
Xoxo
-The Retro Girl

Saturday, December 21, 2013

The Cold Never Bothered Us

Well, the time finally came for the Retro Girl to head home for the holidays. As I waved my "see ya in 3  weeks" goodbyes, the anticipation to be on the mainland overcame me. Hawaii is wonderful, paradise truly, but just as Dorothy says, there is just no place like home. And this girl was finally ready to be back in Oregon. 


Coming home meant far more than just the cliche reunions and holiday get togethers, it meant it was time to be REINTRODUCED to my winter wardrobe! And to me, that was the perfect Christmas present all in itself. I was so excited to finally break out the pea coats, the scarfs, the boots, and mostly, the leather. I have always been a worshipper of leather. The moment the trend happened a few seasons ago, I jumped on the "leather bandwagon" and let's be honest, I have never really jumped off. 


This outfit was my first look, the moment I got home. I had everything planned out in my head. The way that I plan my outfits usually is, I think of my current mood and try to show my mood without saying one word. That is the purpose of fashion right? My style should be strong enough to enlighten outsiders on who I am as a person and this outfit was the perfect, " I AM HOME AND I LOVE WINTER" look. (as cliche as that is) The enthusiasm for my re-acclaimed wardrobe can be shown through my facial expressions in all the photos. To sum it up, I was just so happy to be home. There is no place quite like it.


This outfit consisted of:
H&M Maroon Leather Collar Tunic
Black Madewell Knit Leggings
Black Forever 21 Leather Jacket
H&M Mustard Infinity Scarf
American Eagle Outfitters  Grey Boots

& One Very Happy Girl


The holidays bring out a side of me that otherwise is hidden. The feeling of Christmas is one like none other. I feel so confident in my winter wardrobe and I sure have missed it. This makes me wonder why I chose to live in paradise when my favorite styles happens to be for fall/winter?! Although I will return to paradise soon enough, I am so happy to finally be breaking in my winter ensembles and to be back in my little Oregon town.

Let the Holidays Begin! 

Till Next Time!
Xoxo
-The Retro Girl