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2010-03-02

The Second Day

outfit2.3

I had to share the above picture with the stupid tea towel prop and my kitty Stella (undoubtedly he just knocked something off the table to get my attention).


outfit2.1

outfit2.2

2+4+6+8+10+Stella again

I guess I never got the memo that one shouldn't wear a sequined shrug over a leather bomber. Meh, it's a wardrobe challenge, I need to be creative... I mean, yes, it isn't the most practical look but the weather network said 0% chance of precipitation, so I figured why not? I have had this shrug for years. I bought it at UO for $10 or $20 (it's Betsey Johnson!) during one of their epic clearances and I put it away for future wear. You see, I'm a total snob and at the time I bought it every girl was running around with one of those crochet shrugs with iridescent sequins on it. I did not want to be part of the crowd so I bought it because I loved the colour and texture (with the paillettes and sequins it looks almost furry...maybe just me) and I knew I would wear it later. Almost five years later, here it is...
Some people have recently asked some advice on wearing sequins during the daytime (someone even said I was their 'sequinspiration', which made my day). I'm not really an expert...oh who am I kidding? What false modesty... if it's shiny, I wear it. Here are my two best tips for rocking a sparkly look during the day...

1. Always pair the sparkle with something casual or rough. Put sequins with satin and you are holiday party ready, but put sequins with distressed denim, some leather or a crisp cotton and you look like you know what you are doing. At least that's what I tell myself...

2. Commit to it. If you have decided to wear something with mega-watt shine and you have made your first step out of the house, commit to the look 100%. I don't think my look today is super crazy but for an afternoon grocery shopping trip in Hamilton, Ontario, it's unusual. I realize this. Wearing my heels makes me the tallest person in the grocery store and wearing my Olympic bronze medal shrug will garner looks. Some people give me cut-eye and think I dressed up in order to pick up their man at the grocery store. Not true, I dress up wherever I go and I don't want your man, he has 7 Hungry Man frozen dinners in his cart, I'll pass... OK, seriously for a second, sometimes I can feel people scrutinizing me but I never let them know that it affects me. I have committed to my sparkly shrug and if I get self-conscious and pick at my vest or try to cover it up, it's obvious that I'm uncomfortable. I have fun dressing up. It's that simple and it's that attitude that lets one get away with wearing what they want.

35 comments :

C said...

This outfit is nothing short of kick-ass.

Nadine said...

Those sequins look as if they are actually part of the jacket - the colours work together so well. You're right, dressing up IS fun, and we should commit to whatever look we're rocking, sequins or not. (LOVE the out-take.)

Sabrina said...

this look is so amazing. I love the mix of the brown and b/w stripes!!!

Julia said...

Wow, I LOVE this. It's incredible. That jacket is TOTALLY THE BEST THING I"VE SEEN IN A LONG TIME. Look at those caps! I was also rocking the shiny shine today. Your tip is perfect, and actually applies to anything even remotely odd. I never feel strange here in Richmond because there are quite a few odd dressers about, but when I go home to North Carolina it's another story. The dirty looks literally roll in. You have to make it part of the fun. :)

Anyway, this is really one of my favorite looks of yours. I've been saying that a lot, haven't I? You must be on a roll...

Healthy and Homemade said...

LOVE this!! yay sparkles =)

Lovers, Saints & Sailors said...

Amen Sister! I have always said that a look is 70% conviction, 30% outift. If you feel great in what you're wearing, you'll look great.
I get more than a few glances on some of my more experimental days and it doesn't bother me in the slightest.

Also, love that you thought to pair these 2 together in this way.

Leah said...

You are right... if you wear something out of the ordinary, commit to it and be confident. I love how you styled the shrug... it is just so brilliant. Love this outfit! xoxo

Linda said...

Ha yeah you are a wierdo, I'd stare at you too..

I like this look. End of story

Linda said...

BTW. Just imagine all those people that you are staring at because they are wearing their track pants in public. Or that time you said that really mean statement to me that I giggle at every time I put on that winter coat...without running shoes OF COURSE!

Secondhand Stella said...

Love the shoes!!!!!

Diane @ Haute Flashion said...

Black and brown? I'm all over that!

And I love the way this looks. It's simply genius! I, too, have the sparkle gene. That's why my husband calls me the magpie...I swoop in at the slightest hint of sparkle and shine. I have a closet full of sequined jackets and vests. Hey, let's go sparkle somewhere together!

eek said...

I love that you wore this to the grocery store. You were probably the best dressed person there! Love it!

Danielle said...

love love love those pants!

Becky said...

I seriously thought this was an embellished leather jacket at first glance! I love the entire look. Here's so fancy grocery shopping!

Fabulocity in Amish Country said...

These pants are just amazing! I want them! :) Where are they from?

Holli said...

Cool as hell outfit and great post. There are times when I want to where something out, but know I'm going to get stares (I actually live in North Carolina..reference to Julia's comment) so I change, and then I wish I hadn't. A lot of the time I don't change, and I'm always happy I didn't. Who really wants to be boring and blend in all the time? I don't. Yay for daytime sequins!

Sheila said...

I love this outfit!

Heh, when people stare at me in the grocery store, I pretend I'm someone famous out doing "normal" things and they all secretly want my autograph but are too awed to say anything, and just watch me pick the best grapefruits.

Dylana Suarez said...

WOW! Awesome jacket!

Ari said...

I actually thought the sequins was just part of the jacket! Great post, your second point was great. A lot of times I won't wear something because "its too pretty" to wear to class or the books store. This week I'm going to wear something that doesn't seem like its appropriate and I'm going to own it. Thanks for the inspiration!

Anonymous said...

You are so right: The true key to pulling off ANY slightly-outrageous look or piece is just to commit. And lady, the shrug over the jacket is INSPIRED!

Nana Erin said...

You look great. I had to squint to decide if the shrug was a part of the jacket or not, so it clearly looks great.

Also?
"I don't want your man, he has 7 Hungry Man frozen dinners in his cart, I'll pass"

LOLLERSKATES.

Christina said...

From that pic it looked like an embellishment of the actual jacket so I think it looks perfect and really compliments the brown. I am so looking forward to your posts for the rest of the week.

Holly Courtney said...

I love the section "commit to it". I get cut-eye from so many women when I wear heels and/or dress nicely because I am 5'9 and like to wear 4-5" heels. Whatever, I'm not trying to pick up their husband. I have my own husband and I certainly don't need two! Besides, if their husband is staring it is probably only because he has never seen an amazonian woman shopping for groceries... or maybe he wants me to get something from the top shelf but is too shy to ask. I still do get a little self conscious but I need to work on that and just stop caring what people think. Great outfit and great post!

Raquelita said...

I am in awe! If only I had something equally sequintastic to commit to!

Anonymous said...

Love it! I have the very same shrug and also got it for $10! We must have hit the same sale. :) Great idea for it.

K said...

LOV-ING those shoes! They look simply perfect at the end of your long legs.

KP said...

I thought the sequins were a part of the jacket! I love how your hairstyle matches the outfit - a bit of a grunge with femininity.

http://dressedtostudy.blogspot.com/

FashionTheorist said...

I'm quite glad you never got the no-sequined-shrugs-over-leather-jackets memo, because it looks amazing - girly and tough, all at the same time. I very much want to reinterpret this look myself.

LyddieGal said...

Your outfit is fantastic, and no dirty looks in the grocery store should ever deter you from looking fabulous.

the sequined shrug is so cute over the leather jacket!

michelle_ said...

okay this challenge seems soo fun ! i think i'll try it sometime !
itd be great to explore the ways I could use the stuff I have in my closet ! you're off to a great first day !

thanks so much for ur comment!
you have a lovely blog and style !

im following .
hope u follow me back too !

Kyla said...

I'd hit it! Sorry ... is that inappropriate? Ahem. You look very lovely, Yen.

Milly said...

nice outfit...love the jacket

Christen said...

Um, my dear, you are a fashion genius. A sequined shrug over a leather jacket?! Yes, please.

The Village Idiot said...

LOVE THE BOLERO OVER THE JACKET!!! GREAT IDEA!

Tieka, Selective Potential said...

Loveee! Those jeans are hot! And I'm loving your shoes.