Personal Style
Mostly Selfies
A documentation of my ever evolving fashion sense
Floral Frenzy
Floral has always been a tricky print for me. If you don't pick the right color palette you can easily end up looking like a kindergartener on her first day of school. I prefer a floral print in a darker color palette like this skirt from missguided. To begin with it is very versatile, I can see myself wearing this skirt with a simple black tank and some strappy sandals in the summer or wearing it like I did pictured above in the winter. Just because the palette is dark doesn't mean it is limited to fall and winter, the darker palette just makes it a bit more mature and modern which can be difficult with a print that seems so youthful. Floral is undoubtably a feminine print but you can toughen it up with a leather jacket and booties. So don't be afraid of floral- just be smart about it. Pick your floral in the right piece of clothing and in the right color palette, pair it with something smart, and you would look like the antithesis of a kindergartener on her first day of school, you'll look like a total babe!
Yours,
The Sartorial Seeker
Tank: Boutique
Jacket: H&M
Skirt: Missguidedus.com
Booties: H&M
Clutch: H&M
Yours,
The Sartorial Seeker
Tank: Boutique
Jacket: H&M
Skirt: Missguidedus.com
Booties: H&M
Clutch: H&M
Texas Tuxedo
A Texas tuxedo, according to urban dictionary, is a denim jack and jeans, but in my world it looks like this. Denim on denim is such a clean palette and there is just so much you can do with it. I've worn this combination of shirt and jeans so many times in multiple ways. I've worn it with colorful single sole heels and a red lip for dinner and I've worn it with combat boots and a military jacket for class. Today I decided to spice it up with a furry, white vest, brown booties, and a fake diamond necklace. One of my favorite things is to blur the lines of casual and dressy so I'll frequently pair this dressy necklace with unexpected, casual pieces. Denim on denim is a perfect way to start blurring those lines so don't be afraid of an all denim look!
Yours,
The Sartorial Seeker
Vest: Betsey Johnson
Shirt: Cotton On
Jeans: Joe's Jeans
Booties & necklace: Charlotte Russe
Yours,
The Sartorial Seeker
Vest: Betsey Johnson
Shirt: Cotton On
Jeans: Joe's Jeans
Booties & necklace: Charlotte Russe
Hallelujah for Hats
I've always admired a head that can pull off a good hat. I've really been searching for a great hat and I had a few qualifications for this particular hat. I had created a mental image of a camel colored hat that would sit perfectly on the back of my head. I have a beautiful plum, floppy hat but it's just not built for every day as I can't see when I wear it, which creates a problem, as you can imagine. Well, today the stars aligned and I found my perfect hat, of all places, at Target. It was the right color, sat at the right place on my head, and matched the outfit I was already wearing. I took this as a sign so I bought it! Hats are an amazing accessory because they are easy and add a super chic touch to any outfit but, I am most excited for this hat and my future hats because I have a love/hate relationship with washing my hair and this hat will be my saving grace the last few days of that greasy hair struggle. So hallelujah for hats!
Yours,
The Sartorial Seeker
Jacket: Nastygal
Sweater: J.Crew
Jeans: Urban
Booties: Charlotte Russe
Hat: Target
Yours,
The Sartorial Seeker
Jacket: Nastygal
Sweater: J.Crew
Jeans: Urban
Booties: Charlotte Russe
Hat: Target
Minimal Monday
I would, without a doubt, consider myself a minimalist. For the most part the silhouettes I gravitate towards are simple. I rarely wear prints and besides my rings, I seldom wear lots of intricate jewelry. The most complicated I get with my wardrobe is with the textures I choose (I'm a sucker for a gawdy faux fur). I always pair those intricate textures with simple pieces or choose them in simple silhouettes to balance my outfit. You have to find the right combination of print, texture, and shape of clothing to create just the right look and that can be a challenge. But balance is the key, in life and especially in fashion! So find your balance.
Yours,
The Sartorial Seeker
Sweater: Zara
Denim Jacket: Vintage
Jeans: Topshop
Shoes: Topshop
Yours,
The Sartorial Seeker
Sweater: Zara
Denim Jacket: Vintage
Jeans: Topshop
Shoes: Topshop
Black Magic
There is an 80-90% chance on any given day that I will be wearing black. My obsession with black began about my senior year of high school. Prior to this time I actually hated black, I hated the way it looked on me and I actually found it to be boring (insert shocked emoji) which is odd because now I find it to be one of the most interesting colors to wear. Black (according to wikipedia) is the result of the absence of light. This in itself is so interesting and it figures I am always fascinated by someone who walks by in all black. Black says I'm tough and I'm cool but I'm still mysterious. To me it says I know what I want and I'm not afraid to get it. Now I may be looking too far into such a simple color but you have to admit someone in all black sparks a little bit of interest. Now insert a mental image of a group of girls in all black. They look powerful and confident and that's the great thing about such a simple color- it can say so much.
Yours,
The Sartorial Seeker
Top: Urban Outfitters
Skirt: Boutique
Jacket: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Topshop
Scarf: Boutique
Necklace: Forever 21
Yours,
The Sartorial Seeker
Top: Urban Outfitters
Skirt: Boutique
Jacket: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Topshop
Scarf: Boutique
Necklace: Forever 21
Sunday Style
This post is about fall/winter weather despite our lack of it here. I have been ready for over a month now to let go of my skirts, shorts, and tanks for the more appropriate leather jacket, jeans, and boots. Unfortunately, mother nature has had a different plan for me. Before I dreaded my monotonous winter wardrobe but recently I have learned to love the colder seasons. It was the same styles, the same silhouettes, and the same color palettes and frankly I was getting sick of it. Everyday was a different combination of leggings or jeans, boots, and either a flannel or sweater and leather jacket. I love these pieces don't get me wrong, but I love my winter wardrobe so much more now that I have filled it with textures. That is what was missing all along. Yes, I had some wool and leather, but nothing adds a little pizzaz to a winter outfit like texture. My recent obsessions have revolved around fuzz, shag, and faux fur sweaters, cardigans, and vests. Although I naturally gravitate towards black I have made an effort to add bright colors, creams, and whites. Colder weather doesn't mean you have to compromise your style so don't be afraid to experiment with textures!
Yours,
The Sartorial Seeker
Tank: Boutique
Skirt: PacSun
Sweater: Forever 21
Booties: Topshop
Purse: Michael Kors
Yours,
The Sartorial Seeker
Tank: Boutique
Skirt: PacSun
Sweater: Forever 21
Booties: Topshop
Purse: Michael Kors
How About Houndstooth?
Houndstooth- if you are from the south you know this print is a staple and although I do not identify with a lot of southern traditions, this is one I can completely get down with. Houndstooth originated in Scotland and slowly made its way over to the states and it's just one of those prints I adore. I am extremely partial to a black and white color palette, so this print seems to be tailor made for me. I rediscovered my love for it after seeing the Balmain Spring/Summer 2014 RTW runway show which was filled with pastel and black and white combo houndstooth. You've even probably seen the look Blake Lively rocked from the collection recently. Houndstooth is a pretty effortless print and can be paired with numerous pieces so get down with this Scottish tradition and have a little houndstooth!
Yours,
The Sartorial Seeker
Blazer: Thrift
Skirt: Forever 21
Shoes: ASOS
Bag: Boutique find
Yours,
The Sartorial Seeker
Blazer: Thrift
Skirt: Forever 21
Shoes: ASOS
Bag: Boutique find
Sunday Style
And the debut of the infamous boyfriend jeans
Here they are in all their glory. I spent the day at the river with my fellow blogger friends where we ran around like children and managed to get some awesome pictures for our blogs . The weather here has been very confused similar to an awkward adolescent but today was a beautiful mild fall day! I'm definitely ready for some colder weather as our impromptu dancing to "Sweater Weather" had me craving it. This H&M sweater and these Topshop jeans have definitely become staples in my wardrobe as there are endless options with them. I want to give a shout out to my stylish friend Gaby who has an amazing blog called Breathingfashion.net and our photographer for the day the talented Morgan who's blog is Nomadicbaglady.com. I hope everyone had an amazing day filled with beautiful weather.
Yours,
The Sartorial Seeker
Sweater: H&M
Jeans: Topshop
Shoes: H&M
Bag: Boutique find
Yours,
The Sartorial Seeker
Sweater: H&M
Jeans: Topshop
Shoes: H&M
Bag: Boutique find
Black Tuesday: In which I look like I might be going to a funeral & realize I am most definitely living in the wrong city.
I'm walking through campus getting stared at because I left my gym clothes at home. It's a feeling I'm use to by now and I am sure all my fashion compadres are to (or at least the ones who live in a cities where fashion is mostly irrelevant). Nothing has helped me build confidence like living in Columbia. I am finally wearing exactly what I want without watering it down for said city and honestly, it feels great. So, to all my fashion sistahs who stare at themselves in the mirror before leaving the house questioning their outfits, rock it! Wear what you want every single day and in the wise words of someone I don't know "what others think of you is none of your business!" So carry on all you stylish babes!
Yours,
The Sartorial Seeker
Top: Zara
Skirt: PacSun
Boots: TjMaxx
Yours,
The Sartorial Seeker
Top: Zara
Skirt: PacSun
Boots: TjMaxx
Military Monday
Left, Right, Left, Right, Left. Military inspired looks are another one of those trends I refiled as a wardrobe staple. I don't know wether it is that perfect shade of green I love so much or the utility to the pieces but I cannot get enough. This vest can be paired with almost anything and bonus it has a plethora of pockets! Today I decided to wear it with my go-to pair of black jeans, a simple sheer white button down, and my other favorite brown booties. It is an effortless piece that always adds a little something to my outfits. I throw on the vest whenever I need a little "umph"! I added some simple jewelry and I was ready for a full day of classes. Military Mondays are here to stay!
Yours,
The Sartorial Seeker
Top: Urban Outfitters
Vest: Urban Outfitters
Jeans: Topshop
Booties: Charlotte Russe
Bag: H&M
Yours,
The Sartorial Seeker
Top: Urban Outfitters
Vest: Urban Outfitters
Jeans: Topshop
Booties: Charlotte Russe
Bag: H&M
When people describe their personal style I sit there dumbfounded as I listen to the extravagant adjectives describing the way they put clothes on their bodies. At one point I couldn't describe my personal style if I tried. Eventually, I realized your style directly correlates with how well you know yourself and how comfortable you are in your own skin. So I sat down pen and pad and put some serious thought into how I would describe my personal style. Like my style the description of it is ever changing and what I have come up with is pretty simple. On any given day I am two percentages equalling 100 of laid back Californian and sleek New Yorker. I love tailored pieces but I also love flowy, relaxed ones just as much. I accredit these two opposing styles to two things. 1. I've spent every summer since I was 10 going up and down the coast of California and 2. My dad being from New York is one of sleek dressers I'm referring to.
Today I had two classes and some plans afterwards. It was the coldest it's been this season which was nice so I wanted to dress warm. There's some outdated rule in the south that you can't wear white after Labor Day, but the first rule of fashion is that there are no rules so I stuck it to the man and wore white pants. White and camel are two of my favorite colors together especially in the winter so I decided to stick with that as a color pallet. I threw on my go to and rather dirty brown fringe booties and my favorite oversized camel sweater and I was good to go! I was clearly feeling 100% Californian today!
Yours,
The Sartorial Seeker
Top: Boutique
Sweater: Urban Thread
White Jeans: Topshop
Booties: Charlotte Russe
Today I had two classes and some plans afterwards. It was the coldest it's been this season which was nice so I wanted to dress warm. There's some outdated rule in the south that you can't wear white after Labor Day, but the first rule of fashion is that there are no rules so I stuck it to the man and wore white pants. White and camel are two of my favorite colors together especially in the winter so I decided to stick with that as a color pallet. I threw on my go to and rather dirty brown fringe booties and my favorite oversized camel sweater and I was good to go! I was clearly feeling 100% Californian today!
Yours,
The Sartorial Seeker
Top: Boutique
Sweater: Urban Thread
White Jeans: Topshop
Booties: Charlotte Russe