Giving Thanks for Finding the Perfect Fall Skirt

It is a blessing and a curse to work right off the promenade. It is hands down the best place to people watch in all of L.A., it also has some pretty great shopping. Almost every day I find myself strolling the promenade looking for a good place to eat lunch. Today I picked a random sports bar because I wanted to indulge in a giant half-pound burger. So much for eating light before pigging out on Thanksgiving. Between bites I glanced out the window and took note of the passers-by who had great style. As I was looking some girl up and down, out of the corner of my eye I spied a tiny boutique in the middle of the street—not a name brand store at all, but something a little bit like a shopping stall. The mannequin out front had a great mustard colored pleated skirt that was short in the front and long in the back. I know describing this skirt is a bit like describing a bad 80’s mullet, but you just had to see the skirt in person.

By the time I wrapped up lunch, the stall had closed its doors temporarily while the retailer stepped away for 15 minutes. I wanted that skirt even though I am so on a shopping diet. I walked all the way back to my office thinking about that skirt. It was like an addiction. As I finished my work day a bit early I knew I had two options (1) I could go home and take my dog for a run to combat the ½ pound burger, or (2) I could tell myself that I was going Christmas shopping for other people, but really go back to the stall and by the skirt. Obviously I chose the latter, and here is how I rationalized it:

So there have been a few great pieces that I want for fall/winter, but I haven’t really been able to find them. It is kind of like my wish list of trendy things that I need to make me excited that the seasons are changing. I really want a cropped leather motorcycle jacket. The other things on my list include a knee-length chiffon pleated skirt and one of those skirts that is shorter in the front and longer in the back. When I saw the yellow skirt during lunch I knew I found a great piece that married two of the items on my must have list. I figured if I bought the skirt, I wouldn’t have to buy two skirts, so really I was saving money. It was like a fashion compromise, or a two for one deal. I have also decided, because of its color, that this would be my Thanksgiving outfit.

How to rock the short in front, long in back pleated skirt:

Day Look: Since the skirt has a bit of volume at the waist, it looks best with a fitted simple top and possibly a belt. I am looking for something ¾ sleeve that scoops low in the back to avoid looking like a Pilgrim. If you are tall, you can probably pull off something a bit breezy on top.

Date Look: So for date night I can totally see this skirt with very high heels because the short-in-front aspect has the sexiness of a mini without the “I’m trying too hard” silhouette of the traditional skin-tight mini. I can also see it with a sparkly bolero, pulled back hair, and possibly one of those American Apparel black leotard tops.

Life Changes, Wardrobe Changes, & Furry Vests, Oh My!

I am seriously depressed. It is like my dog died or something. Poof, in a flash, all my website content and links gone. I know I wasn’t writing a Nobel Prize worthy book or anything, but jeeze, all my fashion pearls of wisdom down the drain. It’s like Rome has fallen all over again and the libraries are burning. Ok, obviously I am feeling a little dramatic right now (I am writing this in my dark room while drinking a glass of wine), but I was documenting history—like the post about when jeggings were invented. Sigh. But I guess website content is a little bit like fashion—one day it’s in…and the next, it’s out.

So I missed you all throughout spring and summer. There weren’t a ton of fashion revelations for me at that time because I was trying to finish up the end of law school and of course prep for the ever-dreaded bar (which I passed!). Yesterday was the moment of truth when the results came out. I was concerned about a lot of things that day: (1) I had my first appellate brief due, and I needed to get that finished so I could rush home, take a few shots of vodka, and check my results (2) I had to pick out the perfect “today I become a lawyer” outfit, and (3) I was worried about all the terrible things that would spiral out of control in my life if I didn’t pass the bar (e.g. would my dog and I become homeless? What would I do with all 250 business cards that already had “Attorney” printed on them?)

All these life changes have been pretty dramatic. It’s like changing out your summer wardrobe for your winter one. As a student I could stroll into class in ripped/distressed jeans and jersey dresses (obviously not at the same time). Now my wardrobe is a little more buttoned up, but I don’t necessarily think this means it is boring, just grown up a bit. Fortunately I have a workplace environment that isn’t your typical stuffy law firm. I don’t have to wear grandma nude pantyhose or collared shirts under my suits. I think one of the best things about working in entertainment law is that most of the time my clients have jeans on. So basically I’ve had the freedom to layer trendy pieces into my work wardrobe, especially since it is fall.

The best part about fall is dressing for the weather—even in California. As soon as the first chilly breeze blows through, I have a good excuse to wrap a scarf around my neck and slip my legs into some fierce tights. Oh, and let’s not forget the boots. My old roommate LOVED fall because that meant that all the women in his office would start wearing boots. It was his ultimate weakness. There are boob men, and ass men, and well, in his case, boot men.

My favorite fall trend this season is the fur vest. When my roommate and I were out shopping not too long ago I made a beeline for one and picked it up longingly. I immediately thought of all the ways I could wear my new furry find until my daydream was interrupted by my roommate who said, “I’m not gonna lie Cam, that vest kind of scares me.” I get it. People are either going to love this look or hate it. I know I run the risk of looking like a yeti or a cat’s hairball, but I just had to get one. This vest also comes with a serious warning that it has the potential of falling into the category of man repellant.

Disclaimers aside, I think this can be the type of piece that can make a statement at work, during the day, or out on the town. So here are my suggestions for wearing this daring piece:

(1) Work it! – At work pair the vest over a dress with tights and booties. Keep your accessories simple and the colors muted. You could also work the vest in a more traditionally work-appropriate way with a pencil skirt and skinny belt over the vest + pumps.

(2) Play it up!- On a day out and about pair the vest with a striped long sleeve t-shirt, dark skinny jeans, and tall boots.

(3) Out on the town!- The vest looks great with a ¾ sleeve black mini-dress with tights, booties, and some great gold accents like a cuff or earrings.