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  • inopinate 11:57 am on November 29, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

    Inopinate – November 28 

    After an uber long day Black Friday, I was tired and running out of clean clothes on Saturday. But there were things to be done in advance of the big trip next weekend, so I fished out this comfortable outfit.

    From Style Per Diem

    Pants: Same old Guess jeans, somewhat skinny. They are fading now, and well-worn. 

    Top: The black and white striped tank is an old piece from Forever 21 that I have recently taken a liking to. The horizontal stripes are nicely offset by the ruffle at the bottom. The ruffle also calls attention to the hip, which, if I were even slightly wider there, would not have been flattering. The top has buttons running all the way down the front, like a button-down shirt. Even at my height, the top noticeably cuts length. In short, this top works on my frame in a very specific way, which is probably why it has grown on me. I layered this with another simple black tank underneath. 

    Sweater: Previously posted black sweater from Old Navy, which has now become a staple. 

    Shoes: After a long time, I made a shoe run to DSW recently. These BCBG suede shoes are my new go-to flats. They need to be broken in still, which was part of the purpose of wearing them yesterday. 

    Accessories: T knitted me this pretty grey scarf during my trip to Boston. Though we chose the wool together, she had to cut the length short due to technical constraints. So I had to come up with an ingenious way to wear it without looking like I was wearing a half-scarf. I thought the bow-tie worked nicely. It also brought some visual interest to an otherwise-neutral outfit. Other than the scarf, just my criss-cross leather strap watch.

     

    • Educated Tatya 10:34 pm on November 29, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Would T be willing to part with the pattern for this scarf? I have lovely blue wool awaiting inspiration.

    • inopinate 10:18 am on November 30, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      We chose it from a knitting patterns website, so I don’t see why she would mind. I’ll ask her for the URL. She modified the middle a little bit, but my favorite part are the holes along the periphery. I am meant to weave a pretty ribbon through it, but just haven’t gotten around to it yet.

  • inopinate 7:19 pm on November 18, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

    Inopinate – November 18 

    For a regular Wednesday at the office, I felt like dressing up for no good reason.

    From Style Per Diem

    Dress et al: Previously posted grey dress from H&M, with a winter twist. I layered the previously posted almost-perfect white dress shirt underneath, and added grey stockings to reinforce the winter look. After I put together the whole ensemble, it reminded me so much of my school uniform that I was tempted to put on canvas shoes and carry a backpack. 

    Shoes: Burgundy wedges, seen earlier. Since my feet mysteriously shrank an entire shoe size last year, I have been slowly retiring shoes from my collection prior to said mysterious event. This is the last pair left, and it works perfectly with this outfit. But alas, today had to be their last day with me. They will be missed. 

    Accessories: An old chunky beads necklace in a nice deep red to tie in the shoes. Other than that, nothing special. 

    Except for the shoes being way too big to walk in, the outfit was comfortably stylish. And, when people asked me if I had come from a job interview, I cryptically answered “Yes.”

     

    • Educated Tatya 11:02 pm on November 18, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Oh! This is so adorable and ironic. I love.

    • karpelsyndrome 3:33 am on November 20, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Lovely school-girl-innocence-imbibing work outfit.

    • f 3:40 am on November 20, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Lovely outfit – very like something I would wear, but I don’t think stockinged toes go with peeptoes, IMHO. Have you tried toeless tights? But I suppose it would look odd to have your whole leg covered and just the toes naked, especially with black tights. I think they work well with flesh-coloured tights.

    • inopinate 11:45 am on November 20, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Thanks, all!

      F: Funny you should mention that; I had actually typed up a mythbuster sidebar for that in my description, but ended up editing it out. Stockings can be worn with closed as well as open toe shoes. No stockings with open toe shoes is one of those old school rules like no white after Labor Day.

    • weewoman 12:41 pm on November 20, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Hmm…I tend to agree with inopiate on this one. I have been wearing stockings with peep toes for a while because I have some lovely peep toes that I don’t want to stop wearing in the fall. Now socks with sandals…THATS another story….

    • f 4:56 am on November 23, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      You girls are probably right. If I had to, I suppose it would have to be a seamless toe. See, for me, and I’m not a fashionista by any stretch of the imagination, it is the equivalent of wearing socks with sandals (which I have done at some point in my life – kill me now!). Mythbusters sounds like a fabulous section to have G!

  • inopinate 9:20 pm on October 31, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

    Inopinate – October 29 

    This is going to be a bit of a twist. SPD’s primary purpose is to show off our triumphs in personal style. But who says we can’t have a little fun here and there? So, at ET’s encouragement, I am making an exception to give you my Halloween costume for this year’s party at work.

    From Style Per Diem

    Costume – Facebook Wall: I would have loved to do this with a dry-erase board so I could keep changing my status and let people keep updating my wall. But I have no room to keep a whiteboard in my already cramped apartment, so I favored the disposable cardboard instead. 

    I knew I would need felt pens and color pencils. After some deliberation, I also picked up dark blue construction paper for the global nav. In hindsight, that was a great idea, because negative-coloring the lettering would have been a royal pain. I also made a second trip to the craft store to get a white ink pen. 

    Once all the materials had been bought, the only decision I had to make was how I wanted to approach the profile picture. One option was to hang the wall around my neck with a photo glued in the profile picture position. But I was already going with a relatively low-effort costume, so I decided to take it to the next level and cut a piece out of the cardboard in the shape of my face. Again, in hindsight, this was a crucial point in the project. I miraculously managed to get the shape and size right the first time. Had I gotten that wrong, it would have been difficult to recover from. 

    The rest was easy. I opened up my profile page and went about replicating all the UI elements the best I could. I was determined not to turn it into an architectural drawing, so I did not bother much with measurements and proportions beyond what looked acceptable to the eye. For my photo album, I used arbitrary pictures from magazines. My total effort was 4-5 hours over a course of four days.

    Accessories: I carried a blue felt pen with me and asked people if they wanted to write on my wall. By the end of the day, my mostly blank wall had been filled up with messages. Success! 

     

  • inopinate 2:08 am on October 27, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

    Inopinate – October 24 

    Though my Boston trip was a wash SPD-wise, I came back with a small treasure trove for my wardrobe. I wore a couple of the pieces to a Windows 7 launch party this past weekend.

    From Style Per Diem

    Pants: Dark wash blue skinny jeans from Guess Jeans. I love the fit of Guess Jeans denim at my size, and this uniform wash has a nice clean evening look. 

    Top: I normally go into a coma the second I enter Gap, but this time I was pleasantly surprised. I found this lovely printed top at one of their stores in Boston. Now that I have embraced skinny jeans, I figure I might as well do them right. This top has the perfect length and silhouette to complement a well-fitted pair of skinny jeans. I love the floral print and the paper bag neckline. The fabric has a slight shine, which did me in. 

    Shoes: Much vaunted grey pointy pumps. 

    Accessories: Fetish accessories have officially taken over. I wore this funky studded leather bracelet – another Boston find, my floating crystals watch, and carried a trusty old brown clutch.

     

    • whquestions 1:58 pm on October 27, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Great top. Unfortunately it is sold out on gap.com.

    • weewoman 4:51 pm on October 27, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Nice! Embracing the skinny does well with boots too I think. I decided to stop fighting it and am on the hunt for some dark indigo or black ones.

    • Nidhi 6:37 pm on October 27, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      skinny jeans look good on you. once in a while the gap manages to carry basics that aren’t actually boring…and their deals fluctuate which helps.

    • Ella Renee 12:44 am on October 30, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      LOVE THE LOOK.
      Skinny pants and pointy flats! My best choice!!
      I love your flats, where did you get them??

    • inopinate 12:33 am on October 28, 2009 Permalink

      I’ll have to venture into the boots arena. In the pre-skinny jeans era, I could never wear boots because they were like tents to my calves/ankles.

    • inopinate 12:34 am on October 28, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Thanks!

    • Educated Tatya 7:58 am on November 10, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Nidhi, I meant to ask you for a tutorial on skinny jeans. I’m a straight fit girl myself but increasingly feel like I’m stuck in the 90s. I own one pair of skinnies which I use like tights or churidaar. What are the things you keep in mind while buying/pairing tops with skinnies?

    • inopinate 12:56 am on October 28, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Did you check the store? They had lots in stock where I bought.

    • inopinate 2:16 am on October 30, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Thanks! The shoes are from the Nine West outlet, but they’re not flats actually. They have a teeny heel only slightly taller than kitten heels. Very comfortable though.

    • Ella Renee 9:51 pm on October 31, 2009 Permalink

      I love them!!! Nine West is always a good choice!!
      btw, Great costume! Very creative!!

    • Aparna 3:23 pm on November 8, 2009 Permalink

      LOVE LOVE LOVE your top….

    • inopinate 7:02 pm on November 9, 2009 Permalink

      Aparna: Thanks!

  • inopinate 1:08 am on October 3, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

    Inopinate – September 28 

    I have a confession to make. I am a clothes-hoarder. When I buy something new, I don’t wear it until I find the right occasion and the right things to combine it with. I bought this skirt back in May, and I could not find a top to go with it so I hoarded it all summer. But now that fall is almost here, I had to break it out.

    From Style Per Diem

    Skirt: A linen-cotton blend, faux wrap pencil skirt. Who knew such a thing existed! It has an amazing fit and just the right length. It curves in all the right places and stays put all day. I wore it to work, but I can see myself wearing it on the weekend or to a casual dinner as well.

    Top: A simple knit turtleneck with short sleeves, from Zara. I love the color, but I am still not happy with this to go with the skirt. The sweater would have been a much better choice if it were navy blue. I can live with this for now. In itself, the sweater was a great find. It is the lightest knit and works really well for fall.

    Shoes: I went with my grey pointy ones again.

    Accessories: Silver necklace with a geometric pendant from Fossil, and the Skagen chronograph.

     

    • weewoman 3:49 am on October 3, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      What a great skirt! WAH!

    • Educated Tatya 1:04 pm on October 3, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      I just resisted buying a metallic one like this from ASOS. Where would I wear a silver skirt?

    • Shweta 3:05 pm on October 8, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      @ ET:You could have worn the metallic skirt at Lakme Fashion week!!!

    • Educated Tatya 3:28 pm on October 8, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      That was my justification too. But ASOS still hasn’t delivered the clothes I ordered a month ago. So pat on the back for me. But sniffles in the heart.

  • inopinate 3:13 am on September 27, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

    Inopinate – September 25 

    I was going to a wine, cheese and chocolate tasting event on the rooftop of a chichi downtown loft building. The dress code said casual chic, which I would like to think is my forte anyway. So, I give you my outfit for the evening.

    From Style Per Diem

    Pants: Newly acquired black cropped pants from Zara. 2 is the smallest size at Zara, which is common for European retailers. However, when I tried these on in the store, they were loose all over with the crotch hanging a good 2” to 3” below my anatomical crotch. I loved the pants so much though, that I decided to bet my money on the 97% cotton claim on the tag. And it paid off, because once I shrank them at home, they became the most perfectly fitting cotton pants. They have a comfortable high rise and just the right length on the leg. In fact, I liked them so much after wearing them out that I went back and bought another pair in grey. 

    Top: This long-sleeve ivory blouse is reminiscent of Jerry’s puffy shirt from Seinfeld. I had a very specific vision for it from the second I saw it in the store, and I hoarded the blouse for a couple of months before I was finally able to put that look together last night. I love the vintage, black and white detail around the neck and the ruffles down either side on the front. 

    Shoes: The high rise on the pants combined with the top tucked in made my somewhat disproportionately long lower half look even longer. Oddly, I enjoy quirks like that so I exaggerated it even more with the help of the shoes from the last post. I love the drama of the overall effect. 

    Accessories: After toying with a few different belts, I preferred to go without one for a more streamlined look. The only visible accessory was my black mock croc clutch. I also had on a pair of silver geometric earrings, but you can’t really see them here.

     

    • weewoman 3:42 am on September 28, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Lovely! I’ve been in love with ruffles all season and very much love the top. Crop pants don’t work on me but super major power up points for shrinking them to fit so perfectly! :D

    • Educated Tatya 3:01 pm on September 28, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      So chic. A pair of cigarette pants are on my shopping list this month.

    • inopinate 5:16 pm on September 28, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Thanks, peeps!

    • H 7:47 am on November 24, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Oh so chic!

    • inopinate 4:59 pm on November 24, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Thank you, H!

  • inopinate 1:09 am on September 25, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

    Inopinate – September 20 

    Though I don’t have a good front view shot, I have to post this one. I wore this to the Hollywood Bowl last weekend.

    From Style Per Diem

    Pants: Grey, true skinny jeans by Helmut Lang, recently acquired from Gilt (thanks, Nidhi!) at a ridiculous discount. I had never bought clothes online before, so it was not easy choosing a size. Finally, I decided to trust the “true to size” claim on the website and reluctantly chose 24”. And am I happy I did, because the fit on these jeans is beyond perfection. Now I know why the elite go bespoke. I am sure to wear these again soon, and I promise to get better photos. I will reserve the singing of more praises for that future post as well. For now, drool on.

    Top: Previously posted black sweater with a twist, from Anthropologie. In case you have not noticed, my style is more about me, and less about the clothes. Needless to say, I do not shy away from print and color, and you will rarely see me wear neutral-on-neutral just to show off the clothes themselves. But with those jeans, I had to make an exception. Black on grey. There, I did it.

    Shoes: To take those jeans to the extreme, I went with the previously posted brown-black suede pumps with the cut-out wedge heels. As I was rushing up the ramp at the Bowl to a show I was already late for, a woman simply pointed at my shoes and yelled, “New York or Italy?” Enough said.

    Accessories: I cinched the previously shown white crochet belt at my natural waist to keep the sweater in check, and carried my big white bag. Other than that, nothing worth mentioning.

     

    • Nidhi 1:56 am on September 25, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      you look so so chic and I have to say it’s all in the jeans! high five for gilt :) they are so flattering on you…length, bootie all of it! did you go to the India Calling concert?

    • inopinate 4:36 pm on September 25, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Dilshad: Thanks! Want an invite to Gilt?

      Also, since you asked, I searched online to see if I could find the shoes, and voila: http://www.gothamcityonline.com/product/index.cfm?brand=Bobbi%20Blu&styleid=&AID=&color=&dept=2&MID=40911&Size=&bid=1606&Stock=1040018 . And I paid twice that, so you’d better jump on that price. You will love them.

    • inopinate 4:44 am on September 25, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Thanks! You know what you’ve done, don’t you? You’ve created a monster. Now I’m going to blow all my money on Gilt and become one uber-chic homeless person.

      Yup, India Calling. Was great. Did you go?

    • weewoman 3:48 pm on September 25, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Love it! Love the jeans, NEED the shoes!

      I have been looking for a good pair of grey skinny jeans forever!

    • weewoman 3:42 am on September 28, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      OOOHHHH!! I want them SO BAD. Unfortunately the smallest size they seem to have is a 6. I’m a 5, 5 1/2 at best. :(

    • inopinate 5:16 pm on September 28, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Bummer. Can’t do with big thick insoles?

    • weewoman 1:35 am on September 30, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Dont think so. :( I have very high arches and really need a proper fit or I cramp up and go all insane! waaahhh!

  • inopinate 6:28 am on September 22, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

    Inopinate – September 19 

    The farmers market at the Grove is one of my favorite places in LA. I wore this to a leisurely brunch there on Saturday. Nothing special, but a comfortable and stylish ensemble nevertheless.

    From Style Per Diem

    Dress: Previously posted printed jersey dress. The holes in the braid detail at the waist were a nice bonus for air flow on this hot day. 

    Shoes: Previously posted bronze gladiators. I have not gotten enough use out of these, and I am trying to make the most of them while the summer makes up its mind about leaving for the year. 

    Accessories: I got this long necklace with a round pendant recently. I love the pendant and the idea of a long chain, but every time I wear one of these, I can’t help but think that I look like a call center person with her ID around her neck. I pulled the chain up a lot from its natural position using a safety pin, and I am still unsure about the look. For what it’s worth, it goes well with the dress.

     

    • sraikh 12:19 am on September 23, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      I love the gladiators.
      The long chain irritates me as well. It bounces up and down with each step. I havent figured out what to do with it

    • Ella Renee 3:46 am on September 23, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      I LOVE your dress and the gladiators!!

    • Nidhi 5:27 am on September 23, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      love the dress and the print! Farmer’s Market is very close to me and I end up there atleast once a week for food :)

    • inopinate 5:49 pm on September 23, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Thanks, all!

      Nidhi: Maybe we’ll run into each other sometime! I know if we try to plan it, it’s not going to work out! :)

    • weewoman 11:29 am on September 23, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Ah! I love one piece wonders like this. Very nice!
      As for the long chain, it really doesn’t look like the ‘call centre employee’ badge. Not this one! They do get a little annoying but I find if I can get the length right they tend to work well.

  • inopinate 6:17 am on September 15, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

    Inopinate – September 14 

    After many failed attempts, we finally made our first visit to the Dosa Truck.

    From Style Per Diem

    Pants: Guess blue jeans, kind of skinny, medium wash. 

    Top: An old faithful T-shirt. I love the simplicity and the glamour of it. When it says GLAM right on the front, how can you go wrong? 

    Jacket: The Dosa Truck’s Monday location is right around the corner, so I did not want to get all dressed up. Just jeans and T-shirt would have done fine, but it was too cold for that. So I brought out my new purple corduroy jacket. I have always wanted a corduroy jacket, but never found one that fit. When I found this one at H&M, I snapped it up, and just in time for fall, too. More on the jacket another time.

    Shoes: I had originally put on sandals, but as soon as I stepped out I realized they were a bad choice. So I switched to the black slingbacks posted before. 

    Accessories: Nothing special. The T-shirt does the talking.

     

    • Educated Tatya 12:08 pm on September 15, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      I have a collection of corduroy jackets — some bought, some inherited. Such rich colour on this one. Tell me you carried a pipe in the pocket

    • Nidhi 4:36 pm on September 15, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      umm dosa truck…dosa is ok and I love all this truck business…but I was really missing the sambhar :) cute outfit!

    • inopinate 3:33 am on September 16, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Yup, it’s there now. They have other colors too, including black. I was tempted to buy one more!

    • inopinate 5:00 pm on September 15, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Nidhi: You said it. I wasn’t impressed at all. It’s another attempt to cash in on the Bollywood craze thanks to Slumdog.

      ET: Glamour girls don’t smoke pipes, dahling. Only the finest slims with a silver holder so the hands don’t smell.

    • weewoman 2:39 am on September 16, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Love love love!

      This jacket is at H&M right now?? I MUST HAVE IT!! Beautiful colour!

    • Educated Tatya 7:19 pm on September 17, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      *tucks away her pipe and moves nonchalantly away*

    • weewoman 5:12 am on September 17, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      I’m worried if I see black I might buy ANOTHER black blazer. But I definitely need one in another colour. Will probably steal this colour only! DO you know if its in the hipster sections or the professional lady type section?

    • inopinate 4:49 pm on September 17, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      It should be near the front where they keep the latest stuff for the current season. Definitely not hipster.

  • inopinate 10:08 pm on September 10, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

    Inopinate – September 9 

    For a semi-important work meeting on a semi-summer day, I chose this outfit.

    From Style Per Diem

    Skirt: This mixed wool skirt in brown, muted yellow and all kinds of earth colors has a cool uneven hem. Depending on how adventurous I am feeling, I wear it short in the front and longer in the back (shown here), or have it fall asymmetrically from left to right. The mixed wool is light enough for fall/autumn.

    Top: After many years, my long quest for the perfect dress shirt ended (kind of) at H&M a couple of weeks ago. The dress shirt is one of the most difficult items of clothing to get right. This white shirt has it all – almost. The top button is in the precise location it should be, allowing just the right opening at the neck. The construction has darts down the torso, front and back, which lend the perfect fit without bunching up. It even has the horizontal seam on the upper back without which I think a dress shirt is worthless. This superbly tailored masterpiece has rolled up sleeves with tab buttons to keep them in place. This casual, albeit stylish detail brings down the dress value of the shirt a notch. But all in all, a great find. I like the way it grounds the skirt in this outfit.

    Shoes: Grey, faux patent leather (yes, hippies, rejoice) pointy pumps from the Nine West outlet. My intention with these is to replace the worn-out brown pumps from Chinese Laundry. These grey ones have a nice medium-low heel that works well for me.

    Accessories: Nothing special.

     

    • Nidhi 1:04 am on September 11, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      love this. I must admit I also love the little glimpses of your place…it looks so nicely done!

    • Educated Tatya 7:56 am on September 11, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Hair, cut?

    • inopinate 5:27 pm on September 11, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Thanks! We are still in the process of setting it up, but it’s good to know that it doesn’t look like a complete mess.

    • inopinate 5:30 pm on September 11, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      It’s similar to what I’ve had (I’m assuming you’ve seen the latest on Facebook), with small changes in the cut. Ever since I went short I just let it keep evolving rather than stick to the exact same look.

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