Thrifting Queen

On this glorious Spring day, I'm putting away my heavy winter clothes (waving to fellow puffer-putting-away Fabber Sveta). There's something so cathartic in cleaning a closet isn't there?

As I pulled out my spring/summer items from last year I was thrilled to see that they all still fit! But what I noticed more than anything is that all of my EF pieces (the slim cropped black pants, the black/white ombré sleeveless silk top, the silver linen blend tee, and the two drape front dresses) and the blush drapey BCBG top that was an Angie pick still fit my style aesthetic, even with the slight shift I'm experiencing. And I think I love them even more now than when I bought them. I FELT so good in these items then and now. Such a wonderful feeling! Obviously my new motto of "buy less, buy better" is going to serve me well.

I've also gone through my spring and summer shoe and sandal capsule and I'm in better shape than I thought.

A couple of new pieces for the warm season and the addition of my citron handbag and my wardrobe will feel completely refreshed. And the result of this cleaning and trying on morning? One fantastic mood!

Dusty Bottom even felt like pitching in :)

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

In a previous post, I expressed some concern with how to marry my love of Eileen Fisher clothing (comfort, quality, wearability) with my desire to return to a bit more structure in my outfits, toning down the amount of volume and the direction I'd like to head for Spring http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ring-style.

I've recently ordered the navy blouse below (it's with Wonder Woman getting the sleeves shortened) and I have a pair of the Eileen Fisher slim ankle white jeans on their way to me from my favorite eBay seller. I've also purchased Steve Madden nude peep toe sandal booties (pic #6). It's a start.

These pics are examples of the direction I'm wanting and they are all from Eileen Fisher's line - "controlled" drape on top with structure on the bottom. Do these outfits fit my new goals and Angie's SSS description (Sharp, Structured, Simple)?

To clarify, it's not that I'm going to purchase these exact items (although I'd LOVE to!) but rather the silhouette and simplicity of the outfits I'm wanting to emulate.

Ok - over to you wise ladies - thoughts???

I posted a thread last week about turning my EF faux wrap pants into cropped ankle length instead (sorry - on my phone and can't link to that thread).

I found the fabric of the EF pants a bit light in weight for our cold weather and layering tights underneath makes them cling like crazy.

I also found the full length to make me feel a bit frumpy in these because of the soft fabric and drape - a bit pajamas-esque, you know?

I think cropping them though and turning them into something akin to a silky track pant would work great for warmer weather and increase the likelihood of being worn. Plus adding that bit of ankle and lower calf skin adds structure.

So I have loosely pinned the hems to the length I'm thinking of but would value your opinion on this.

Is this a good length or should they be shorter or longer? Or will these pants not work at all with this alteration?

Thanks in advance :)

(And sorry for the not great pics - phone is all I have access to at the moment)

I have the Eileen Fisher faux wrap pants (pic #1) and love the soft
jersey fabric and the fun wrap front. But I don't wear them very often
and part of my hesitation comes from the length for some reason. It's almost like I don't consider them "cool" (for lack of a better word).

In looking in Angie's Finds today I see these fabulous Topshop wrap front jogger pants and am wondering about altering the EF pants in the leg - I could either add a wide elastic band like the Topshop pants (or are they then too similar to my J Brand Aviator trousers? - pic #2) or I could crop them and have the ankle tapered and make them ankle length to show off booties/shoes or even knickerbocker length?

Or should I just leave them the heck alone???

Ponchos are one of those clothing items that usually elicits a visceral reaction - you either love 'em or you hate 'em. No in between.

I find I'm suddenly drawn to outfits with ponchos. Now I'm not talking Clint Eastwood "spaghetti western" ponchos that look like you're wearing a horse blanket. Nor am I talking the boho style with tons of fringe and beads that could pass for a macrame crafts project.

I'm talking sleek not bulky. Something in soft merino wool. A poncho that doesn't overwhelm and that leaves your arms able to eat and no disastrous toilet mishaps. Yes. I'm talking Eileen Fisher ponchos - like you hadn't guessed!

The two pictured below are ones that I keep staring at. I almost always wear a topper of some type - could something like this be an alternative for a drapey cardigan? I could see the first one with a long tee and jeans or pencil skirt and the second one with slim trousers, pencil skirt or even popped over a dress (don't worry about the color - this is just generally about the style).

Do you need a specific body type to wear a poncho? i.e. would a petite apple just look pregnant in this? Is it better to be smaller busted? Tall and slim?

So what are your thoughts when it comes to ponchos - generally speaking and specific to my style? Bring it on... :)

(and in case you hadn't noticed, it's not busy today at work AT ALL...)

One of Angie's picks from NAS 2014 was this Eileen Fisher leather sleeve lambswool jacket http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ei.....etite/3728. I have loved it from the moment I saw it but even with NAS pricing (combined with Nordstrom shipping and customs), it was too rich for my blood.

However,
my eBay seller has sent me a message that she has one available in
Petite Medium and would I be interested. Yes...she and I now have that kind of relationship :) The price is more than affordable and hubby has given the thumbs up.

So my question to you wise wonderful women - is this something you could see me in or do I just have EF "love goggles" on? And if you think it's worth trying, is the Petite Medium the right size? I know that it runs large (as do most EF items in my experience). For reference my EF dresses are all Petite Medium.

Yay = worth trying
Nay = not right for me

Best friends of hubby and I just called to say they won in a work Christmas raffle last night a dinner for four at a fairly swanky restaurant for tonight and would love for us to join them. How sweet!

Hubby and I are busy with a fair bit of running around today and normally a last minute invite like this would throw me into a tizzy due to lack of a true dressy capsule and lack of time to do anything about it. But not this time :)

In probably less than 5 minutes I put together this outfit - my dark red EF dress topped with my sparkly open knit dramatic hi-lo cardigan. Love how the dark red peeks through the open weave in the sleeves and body of the cardigan.

I will wear nude hose and my animal print Cole Haan pumps, carry a vintage gold clutch (it was my grandmother's). I'll add my michael kors gold mesh bangle for jewellery. Red specs and bold red lip will be the finishing touches.

Over top of everything when I head out the door will be my berry coloured cashmere coat. It is delightfully mild here right now and since we'll just be walking from house to car to restaurant, this will be plenty warm.

I hope this will come across as festive. It is such a relief to be able to shop my small wardrobe.

I'm crazy in love with everything about this outfit. Now the fact that all pieces are EF don't hurt any. Substituting the bare legs with tights for warmth, could I pull off this outfit with my body shape?

So most of you know I'm completely enamoured with Eileen Fisher clothing - and my new items in her Dark Tulip colour have increased my love even more so.

Before you look at the pics know that I'm wearing grey tights as they are the only pair I have at the moment (since it's summer) - they are not the best with these outfits but hopefully you can get the idea.

As Joy mentioned when she tried this skirt, it is on the shorter side. But I'm very comfortable with this length on my short legs when paired with tights.

These are just a couple of quick ideas to basically show off the new Dark Tulip items - which include the tank, asymmetrical cardigan and merino wool skirt. I can think of all sorts of other items in my wardrobe that will work with these (i.e. cardigan with my charcoal waxed skinnies, cardigan with the faux wrap drapey black trousers, skirt with a simple black sweater, etc.). I also have the silk hi-lo dropped shoulder blouse in Dark Tulip on its way to me. 

To say I'm pleased with these items is a complete understatement. I'm thrilled with the colour, fit and quality of each item. Although these items are from EF Fall 2013, I believe they are still very current and all had the new price tags attached. This is not a Keep/Return thread as I'm tickled with these purchases but all are returnable if you see something glaringly wrong.

P.S. I think my SE red booties work with this colour - would you agree?

Just goofing around - here's my version of a Docs grunge outfit for cool fall weather. Not sure it's wearable IRL but having fun :)