A Lesson in Layering that Ends with a Gift

And I'm not just talking about the metaphysical gift of inspiration, that's lame ass and I don't mess around. This is a real hard (literally, it's pretty structured) gift. Let's just call it, Holiday Giveaway Volume II. But you can indulge in those details later. Right now is about layering, again. I speculate these posts no longer require much an introduction, so I'll just jump in and share the theme: embracing darker colors and a more monochromatic mode of living while still unleashing the evident repeller now not even manifesting within you all, just plain old and out there and running, running and out there. Freak flags, they are a'flying. Here are the steps.

 tank: The Reformation, pants: J Brand, booties: Alexander Wang

I guess this may also serve as an installment of: Man Getter to Repeller. Because utilmately, (unanimous) man likes nothing more than tank and jeans on woman. Reasoning is simple: the male psyche isn't all that different than that which he consumes (I'm still trying to make out whether this makes sense outside the confines of my head.) He's simple, so he likes things delivered to him simply. We as women, are complex and so we relish the prospect of multiple layers, prints, intricate details...you know how it goes. In any case, so much revealed thigh and shoulder makes me massively uncomfortable.

blouse: The Kooples

So a mens style button up cleverly equipped with obligatory Peter Pan collar renders the only plausible solution. Cover that thigh and shoulder, it's a two for one deal. But it ain't over. 

sweater: The Reformation

No, no, that would be too easy. So here find the most comfortable sweater I own. I'm pretty sure it's menswear, which, you know, makes it all the better. Naomi said I looked like Alexa Chung in this shot and for that reason alone, I almost--keyword almost--stopped layering here.

skirt: Miu Miu

But I'm an overachiever now, and overachievers don't stop at any cost, enter my new favorite trend the skant. Reactions to this trend are still ambiguous, but I'll just come out and say it: I fucking love it. I've reached a point in my life when I whole-heartedly ask myself on the daily while dressing: what good are pants without a peplum? No good at all, folks. No good at all. And now, in a final step:

shoes: Sergio Rossi, necklace: DANNIJO, clutch: Wanderlust + Co

Accessories conquer all. Nothing says reluctance to-commit-to-trend like a sweater, jeans, and structured clutch. It's my most favorite form of underrated thematic dressing. Please also find stapled to my feet my most notable Black Friday conquest. Sergio Rossi shoes most remniscent of a certain Black Swan who had evidently, lost it out to the proverbial white swan because, you know, they were sixty-five percent off, plus an additional twenty for Black Friday. That loss was my gain. And again, you can't out a price tag on an epic gain.

I just can't stop looking at them! Feathered ankle cuffs are the future.

all photos by Naomi Shon

And now for the fun stuff: Holiday Giveaway volume two in cahoots with everyone's favorite: Wanderlust. While they may be the official enablers of allowing oneself to host an arm party on the cheap, they do run a fancier operation too; cue the cocktail clutch. There are very many variations but ultimately, I selected the most fun and colorful one to match our souls. This little dude retails for $349 and adds an interesting quirk to oh, I don't know, everything. But enough about that, win it! The rules are typical: 1. Follow Wanderlust on Twitter, 2. Like Wanderlust on Facebook, 3. Do the Macarena, 4. Comment on this post with your twitter handle, Facebook name and let me know at which point your back went out during the requisite Macarena recital and finally, 5. Follow me on twitter, too. Because we will announce the winner, winner, chicken dinner right over there come Monday at 12PM. Contest closed, congratulations Kelly Boaz!