Crazypants! The blog.

Angie's reminder to prep our wardrobes for fall was well-timed. I'd been carting around a bag of things to bring to the cleaners for ages, so I finally made time to do it.

I also brought in a bag of clothing in need of minor repairs. I knew my cleaner could fix them more elegantly than I could. My favorite skinny jeans had a hole. They were new with tags at a consignment store because they had a small puncture on one leg, $50 instead of $300. But the tiny hole got bigger over time, and I never got around to fixing it. I also brought in a pile of sweaters with holes and torn seams.

I got it all back and it's all the benefit of shopping at a fraction of the price. All the repairs are perfect, too. Today's outfit is things I hadn't worn in ages because they were awaiting repairs: the R13 skinnies and a thrifted Club Monaco sweater that had pulled apart at the armpit. I like the outfit. With the sandals, it might be better with the jeans rolled, but that made my legs look really short...

Also, a year ago I posted looking for dramatic minimal sandals. I finally found them this spring! I don't think I've posted them here. These are handmade by a California brand called Cydwoq. They fit my very strange feet as if they were built for me. The high strap across the top doesn't rest on my "foot bump" where my metatarsals hit my foot at an extreme angle. Pressure on that joint hurts after a few hours, so it really limits what shoes I can wear. It might be more flattering to have the strap placed further along my foot, but I don't care, because I can actually wear these!

Ines isn't one of my usual inspirations, but I love her style. (Her Uniqlo collab is pretty great too!) As I got dressed this morning, haphazardly, I realized I could add a few touches and channel her look.

The basics, what I was going to wear anyway, are the Joie metallic linen top and R13 boyfriend jeans (which are too big).

I added this old silk scarf that I love, a skinny belt, and tucked my shirt instead of wearing it out. The oxfords are a more Ines look than the combat boots I originally meant to wear. And my new smartwool socks add a little bit of hipster flair, I think, though I usually wear the oxfords with no socks and that might be better.

Does Ines come through at all?

(The jeans really are too big. Le sigh.)

Or maybe not so challenging. I bought this BR cropped shirt last year -- I know a few of you have the same one. I loved the concept, but I've only worn it a few times. I couldn't figure out how to make it work without baring too much midriff. I finally found a light tank top that fits under it and covers the gap. Obvious in retrospect! 

The other challenge is just getting used to the boxy look. Until I took these photos, I thought this style of top wasn't the best on me -- but once again a photo changed my perspective.

On the other hand, these ripped Zara jeans look less lovely than I'd thought. They really are just too big, and the extra fabric of the jeans and the tank top combine poorly. I'll try this outfit again with relaxed skinny jeans and a slimmer cami, and consider passing these jeans along.

I did really like the BR offerings the season this shirt came out. Unconventional shapes, interesting ideas. I can see why it wasn't commercially successful but the few things I bought from BR that year have all become favorites.

I've been very busy at work and, thus, not thinking as much about clothes. But I thought I'd stop back and catch up on all your posts and ask for opinions on a few looks.

1-2. WIW: denim shirtdress, waxed coating. A black denim shirt has been a HEWI, and I realized this tunic/dress actually works better on me than a denim shirt. I haven't gotten used to the boxy shirt styles that are in right now and how they interact with my chest. I think the length of this dress pulls the fabric down and prevents the balloon look. I found this one at a consignment store (7 for all mankind).

I wore this out with chunky flat sandals during the day, and Dr Martens boots at night. Sorry the footwear isn't visible. I wish I'd taken a photo after I put on makeup - lime green eyeshadow that I think added a fun twist.

3. Equipment silk shirt that I decided to return - a size too big. But I love the pattern.

4-5. Everlane square silk shirt. This is flying off their shelves. I can't decide if I like it on myself (chest issues, again) but I think it works pretty well and it's definitely trendy. My only hesitation is that the silk is washed black, not deep black, and that limits which of my black(ish) pants I can wear it with. I usually prefer solid black tops with faded/distressed denim. Keep?

5-7. Frye boots I found at the Rack yesterday for only $70.  My boyfriend loves them. What do you think?

Tall boots are hard on me, because my lower legs are so short. These look better than any other tall boots I've tried. But they're too tight to wear over skinny jeans and I'm just not sure how much I'll wear them. They're maybe 1/4 size too small, but the next size up was too tall (and $230...)

8-9. WIW last week: jumping on the neckerchief train! I got these new R13 jeans on final sale and sadly they're a size too big. But I added a belt the next day and they looked quite good as a slim boyfriend, so disaster was averted.

I'm so excited about today's outfit.

First, the sweater. It's a birthday gift from Everlane's E1 capsule collection, which is their first venture outside of (awesome) basics. I fell in love with this heavy merino turtleneck because it's bold and futuristic and sleeveless sweaters are practically my uniform this year. I'm sure it would look better on a tall person, but I don't mind the extra length.

Second, the jeans. R13 jeans that I found at a second-hand store months ago (new with damage - a small hole in one leg). They've become my go-to jeans. I thought I was done with skinnies, but they're perfect.

And third, the boots! These are the Atelje sneaker boots I asked about in another post. I love the Rick Owens vibe. I can tell they're going to be my default travel shoes because they cover a lot of different occasions and they are hella/wicked comfortable (choose SF/Boston terminology as desired).

And most excitingly, the boots are big enough to fit my custom orthotics. I've tried many many options over the past four years and so far only my Converse could accommodate the orthotics properly (other shoes don't leave room for my high instep). I don't have to wear them daily, but they make my feet so happy and I'm glad I have options now!

Everlane gave me a year-end credit as a thank you for shopping there a lot, and I'm thinking of splurging on these wool fingerless gloves (also from the fancy capsule collection). I never buy expensive accessories, but with the credit, they'd only cost me $15. Should I get them as a special gift to myself, or save the credit for something I would buy anyway?

With this morning's rain I wanted a cozy outfit, so I wore my new Gap velvet leggings with a long silk/cotton tunic shirt. They're woven, soft but structured, comfortable, and flattering.

The problem: these leggings are "soft black" but in daylight they look like a faded chocolate brown. Once I got outside I realized that the black shirt clashed horribly with the warm grey leggings. I have one grey silk shirt that's the same color as the leggings, but otherwise, I'm just not sure any of my black clothing will really work.

Question: should I go back and duplicate them in the solid black? They're half price today... I think the grey has more visual texture; the solid black is a little too much like a black hole. But the mismatched color is a real problem.

A few older photos too. I've tried to lighten everything so color and texture are more visible.

Photos 1-3: Today's outfit. #3 is in natural light, unedited, to show the color difference at its worst. Gap leggings, thrift store Pure DKNY shirt, Madewell boots.

4: Everlane short-sleeve merino sweater. It is so me. Worn with my R13 crossover jeans and Allsaints boots.

5: Juuust barely flattering enough? The Marc Jacobs main line silk pants, remarkably found at Crossroads, are great. But here I'm wearing them with my combat boots. What do you think? (My feet were sore, so these boots won out over my sleek pointed-toe ankle boots.)

I have a huge grin on my face seeing so many of you have fun with Angie's ensemble today. Some of you are already queens of this look. Some of you have secret stashes of draped black layers I didn't know about! Some of you are pushing yourself in a fun temporary direction. But it just looks like SO MUCH FUN and I'm in a great mood now.

I usually go more for the crisp, structured version of draped avant garde, rather than the muted chaos of the real post-apocalyptic look, but there are elements of it in my look, too. My Burning Man friends actually just went to a weekend-long Max Max-inspired campout in the desert, and the photos looked amazing.

I was in a rush this morning, but luckily, draped avant-garde layers are a staple of my closet. So here's my contribution: R13 crossover jeans, Allsaints ankle boots, Gap v-neck tee, Allsaints Drina cardigan (lemming!), Theyskens Theory biker jacket.

Bonus: you can see the results of my office decorating! I finally feel settled in, two years into the job. As you can see, my decor style is not post-apocalyptic in the least. My home's style is more modern minimalist with a lot of white, but this dreary office needed something to brighten it.

I just got back from a week off the grid at Burning Man, where I was building a large art project. Despite the non-commercial nature of the event, I jumped right back into shopping, thanks to Labor Day sales.

Anna posted a nice writeup of the styles she saw at a local consignment store event. She mentioned that a few women were wearing bandanas or scarves in their hair, a look I used to wear often. I haven't in years, but I found my favorite silk kerchief and gave it a try. Good? Bad?

First photo is today's outfit, with a new pair of R13 slouchy skinnies I found at the consignment store. I keep saying I'm over skinnies, especially low-rise, but I love these. Basically everything R13 is irresistible.

The Gap is killing it with their denim this fall. I've worn the knee length black denim skirt twice a week since I bought it. I saw a black denim jacket and a grey denim shirt in the new arrivals, and I had to have them. They're both HEWIs, especially the shirt.

I'm between a small and XS for both items and I can't decide what to do. I like how the smaller ones look on me but both the shirt and the jacket are tight through the armpits. Perhaps this jacket will be only for wearing with light tees. It's 100% cotton, so it won't stretch much.

Grey shirt: XS only (they didn't have the small)

Jacket: XS first, then S with the white shirt under.

I take my pictures in a mirror. Today I'm wearing a shirt with text, so I flipped all the photos, and boy does it look weird to see myself the direction people see me in real life!

Anyway. A WIW, and a handful of shopping decisions. The Gap had an incredible sale last week so I bought a bunch of their new fall items. I'm quite happy with the direction they're heading, but as usual I can't decide about fit & flattery.

1: First, what I wore: J Crew boys' t-shirt. I am so not loud in real life. This shirt cracks me up. After taking all these, I realized the sleeves look much better unrolled, but this is what you get.

And the Converse wedges from the NAS! They're amazing. They show up better in later photos.

2: Next, with a new Gap denim skirt. I love this skirt but I am considering sizing up. It's the right size but it hugs my curves in a way that's more bombshell than avant garde, and one size up hangs straight.

3-4: Same skirt, with a Gap "gwen" top. All cotton, structured, with a zipper in back. The XS was too tight in the arms. Is this (S) too shapeless on me? I rather like shapeless sometimes.

5: Not the Gap: a L'Agence silk dress with side zippers (invisible in the photo) and raw edges. I could shorten the straps 1/4". Keep? It was only $20 at Crossroads, and it looks great, but I'm not sure when I'd wear it and it smells strongly perfume.

6-7: Gap linen top - too much like scrubs? I think woven tops just might not work on my broader shoulders, after many attempts. I had to size up and I'm not sure the effect is great. I was going for a sort of Japanese / Eileen Fisher linen look.

Worn with slouchy Aritizia linen/tencel pants I found at Crossroads a while ago. They're my first foray into synthetic blends, and I'm happy so far. I'm considering adding wool/viscose blends also. I hate the feel of most synthetics on my skin for some reason, including pure tencel, but these are basically ok.

We had real summer weather last week, and the threads about summer dressing inspired me to wear shorts. To be fair, even our "summer" weather is quite mild, so the shorts outfit needed a light sweater for part of the day.

Photos 1+2: What I wore. Gap boyfriend shorts, Everlane silk, Madewell sweater, Rag & Bone loafers.

I've bought a few things recently and as usual I can't decide which are winners and which should go back. Here are a few:

3+4: Everlane cotton tee dress. I think I love it. Will bring it on my trip this week as a casual but sharp outfit.

5+6: Proenza Schouler cotton shirt on deep discount from the Rack. I love sleeveless button downs, so I think this is a keeper, but I wonder if I should go down one size? It's still expensive so I want it to be great.

7: My new high waist skinny jeans (also in 5+6). They'll stretch out (so far they squish my tummy too much). I'm having trouble with my body image in these - I went up two jeans sizes and I feel weird. But the high waist is needed for cropped tops and these are better than the zillion others I tried. The brand is Neuw.

8+9: Dolman sleeve jacket from Aritzia. I really wanted this to work because I have nothing I can wear over bulky tops, and it's been a huge wardrobe hole. I might keep it just because of that, but I don't love it. What do you think?