Boots, Interpreted

I went with a rather uninspiring outfit for the first day of the new semester. (It's hard to get excited about corduroy.) So I decided to compensate by building my Tuesday outfit around a single strong item. Only one option came to mind: over-the-knee black boots.

Dixon over-the-knee boots from J. Crew, these are crafted from superb oiled suede. The rich patina and flared top pulls this pair away from the streetwalker vibe that high black boots are so prone to and toward instead a old-world, Elizabethan feel. They're elegant and swashbuckling at the same time.

Very apropos, since my AP Lit class is beginning a unit on Shakespeare. I took the bard concept further and paired the boots with a flowing ice-gray silk tunic from Ever.

Remove the top, and you get an entirely different look: something Trinity from The Matrix wouldn't look out of place in.

There is very little a fine pair of black leggings cannot do.

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Linen and Leather

Today, I decided to throw on my new Edun pullover. It's a cotton-linen blend, but the weave is thick enough to make it wearable indoors even in winter. After spending yesterday in my massive Vince cowlneck sweater, in any case, I want something lighter today. This pullover is part of my first purchase from Edun, and I'm satisfied. The fabric and cut are of good quality, yet still retains an organic, of-the-earth feel. The material drapes like a dream. The color is, well, I can only describe it as linen-colored. I played with this fact by photographing in natural light from the window (the snow outside acts as a great reflector) and giving the pictures an antique tint.

My last haircut was two Christmases ago.

The leather cuff is handmade, and from The Muse in downtown Frederick. The necklace has a leather tassel as well.

The pullover is still on sale in all sizes at the Edun website. Now I'm going to get back to enjoying the snow.

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Loot: Cupro Trousers, from Three Angles

Last week, I ordered the Sevilla Heels and Crisply Pleated Trousers from Anthropologie. The trousers in particular made me open the box with semi-held breath, as some of the online reviews had said it ran large and wrinkled easily.

Reviews can be such fickle things sometimes. My trousers are perfect.

Perfect trousers.
Imperfect webcam image quality.

 They have an easy yet refined fit. They arrived with the ankles cuffed once, and I can wear them unrolled for a slouchier look. The material is a soft, almost nubby cupro that can be worn from spring through autumn. I don't feel that they run one size large at all, as again the fit is meant to be easy. However, the waistband does gap a bit in the back: that may be where the sizing complaints come from. Because of this, I wish the trousers came with discreet belt loops, though the waistband stays where it is as long as I tuck my shirt in. Untucking my shirt results in a more slouchy, but not unflattering, look. I also love the prominent pleats in front (most easily seen in the side shot).

To keep them unwrinkled, I simply fold along the crease.

 

So that's a home run. As for the Sevilla Heels, I'm ambivalent. After the initial rush of "OMG PURPLE RUFFLED PUMPS," I'm now stuck with, "omg purple ruffled pumps?" I'm going to hold them while I think of specific outfits to wear them with. If I can't come up with more than six, I'll return them.

I had better luck with my order from Sundance. I got two pieces of jewelry in my favorite styles: bold and chunky, and leather with metal (a sweet wobbly arc of gold in this case).

 

The solid sterling silver link bracelet is so luxe. I can see myself wearing it all the time.

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all.

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Loot: Tassels and Teak

I have my packages delivered to my parents' because someone is always there to receive it. Through a conjunction of stars, when I visited home last Friday there were not three or four but five packages waiting for me. One of these went up to my waist. It contained the Tassels Away Boots from Anthropologie.

I can announce that I have found one more pair of boots that does at least a decent approximation of meeting my skinny calves. As soon as I read a review complaining that the shaft was too narrow, I hit the checkout button. In the one week since, nearly all sizes have sold out. I'm a nine.

These boots caught my eye when they first appeared on the website, thanks to the unusual flare at the ankle. The back especially is darling.










I was unsure, though, of how the boot would look in person, until I saw the model shots.

 

The boots look surprisingly elegant and delicate, and even with the flare the ankle still is slimming. I especially liked how the color was able to go with black in the second photo. (Although I can now say that while the boots are built beautifully, cycling in them is out of the question.) The styling along with the review convinced me to bite.

Trying them on, I found the boots to be the perfect balance of sturdy and slender. The shaft is soft while the foot and heel are stiff. There is no annoying wiggle room at all. Here is how they looked on my first wearing:

Forgive the mess. My parents' house is under perpetual remodeling, and we haven't installed my new closet doors yet. I test-walked the boots at Trader Joe's and the bookstore, and since it was chilly I popped on my favorite hat.

These are my first pair of heeled boots, also. I can now rest content. Until I decide I need an eighth pair of boots.

...

Yesterday I said I'd present a closer look at this statement neckpiece. It's the Teak Web Necklace from Anthropologie.

It has sold out already. It's a terrific, show-stopping necklace. It does look odd just lying there in the photo, and I picked it up only because it went on sale and the reviews all were glowing. Once I saw it in person, I fell in love. It's dramatic yet playful, a breath of fresh air.

Description: A chunky statement strand spun of agate, jasper, moonstone, cat's eye and gracefully handcarved slabs of wood. By Pam Hiran.








Yesterday, virtually every co-worker who saw me remarked on and complimented my necklace. Fabulous. Even if I did forget to remove the tag in these close-ups:

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