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  • inopinate 6:28 am on September 10, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

    Inopinate – September 7 

    A 2.5 mile cable car ride up a desert mountain was the perfect way to end a relaxing weekend getaway. It also meant that I needed to dress for a transition from 104 F to 69 F in 8 minutes.

    From Style Per Diem

    Shorts: Overposted khaki walking shorts. They don’t lose their charm, no matter how often I wear them. 

    Top: This black top from Old Navy was love at first sight. I had the salesperson strip the mannequin to give me the last XS piece. I still had to cut an inch off the neckline from either side and sew up the cuts by hand to make the top fit, but it was all worth it in the end. I simply adore the woven detail on the neck, which reminds me of intricate henna patterns that seduce you with just the right balance of scarlet and skin. The elasticized bottom adds to the breezy-yet-stylish look. I have worn this top by day and by night, and it always delivers without fuss. I pulled my black sweater over this ensemble when we reached the top altitude of 10,000 feet, and it worked just fine. 

    Shoes: Silver snakeskin ballet flats, also overposted. I found a whole new appreciation for these shoes in the dry desert heat. The silver outer surface reflects most of the heat and light back into the air, keeping feet nice and cool. Can your gladiators do that? 

    Accessories: Turquoise earrings, straw hat, and nothing else worth mentioning.

     

  • inopinate 7:22 am on September 2, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

    Inopinate – September 1 

    I was attending a Microsoft demo this evening in their swanky downtown office. Because it was an after-hours event for designers, there was no dress code. So I chose to look like a laid-back professional.

    From Style Per Diem

    Skirt: There has been a lot of stuff coming up in the stores that requires tucking in the top. I intentionally stay behind trends that I don’t think will last, such as high rise bottoms, jump suits (say it isn’t so!), harem pants etc. But it looks like this one is taking after all, so I finally bought this high rise skirt from H&M last weekend on trial basis. It is an off-white cotton A-line skirt with side pockets and self-colored buttons along the pockets. The rise is very high – almost up to the navel, which makes it very tight on the tummy sitting down. I don’t think I am going to take high rise out of trial mode anytime soon. Nonetheless, the look is very flattering on narrow frames.

    Top: Previously shown racerback top from Forever 21. Although very transparent in the daytime, it drops to an acceptable level of sheer in the evening. 

    Shoes: Brown Chinese Laundry pumps shown before. 

    Accessories: I was in a mood to experiment, so I threw on two different necklaces together. The turquoise one is a Kokommo piece that brings some much-needed color to the outfit, and has a gold-tone chain. I pulled this one up high so it sat right at the collar bone. The second necklace has three charms on a silver chain, one of which is an amethyst. I let this one hang lower than the other one. While the turquoise one pretty much stayed put, the charms had a lot of movement, creating visual interest and nice asymmetry. Other than that, all I had on was the chronograph and my ginormous blue bag.

     

    • Ella Renee 4:31 pm on September 2, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      You look stunning! I love the put together, looks professional but not boring at all. It is a very great look on you. Especially the shoes, I am a sucker for pointy shoes and it just looks so nice all together. Love it!

    • Shwetha 5:46 pm on September 2, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Nice necklaces, and great look!

    • inopinate 5:26 pm on September 2, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Thank you! I am trying to go through all my skirts at least once before the warm weather disappears again!

    • inopinate 9:51 pm on September 2, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Thanks!

    • weewoman 11:39 am on September 3, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Love love LOVE the skirt! I’m all for the high rise look – elongates the leg on short people like me and shows off a tiny waist. :)
      The whole look is just lovely!

    • inopinate 5:15 pm on September 3, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Thanks! The skirt is on sale at H&M – check it out.

  • inopinate 6:09 am on August 31, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

    Inopinate – August 30 

    We had a barbecue at my boss’ house today. I dress conservatively to work on purpose, but a barbecue on a hot summer afternoon was reason enough to loosen the chastity belt. My apologies for the photos again; I will get it right soon, I hope.

    From Style Per Diem

    Skirt: I bought this black and red printed skirt in Toronto for CAD 10 many years ago. It is a standard 3-hole wrap skirt and I love the tribal print. A great choice for a hot day. 

    Top: 100% silk top with an open back, elasticized waistband, high neck and 4-button closure in the front. ET featured it on SaM a while ago. The large butterfly sleeves and the open back make this a challenging shape. Every slight breeze makes the whole thing balloon up like a parachute – not advisable unless you are OK with looking like you should have given birth a couple of weeks ago. I like this top because of its loose and somewhat shapeless silhouette to balance out the form-fitting wrap bottom. 

    Shoes: Same sandals as yesterday. 

    Accessories: The $1 cuff from the flea market, the chronograph and the large Target bag for an extra shot of summer.

     

    • Ella Renee 4:32 pm on September 2, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      You look like a model in this photo! Red looks so good on you, and it is very summer-ish. I love your bag, very modern and cute.

    • inopinate 5:49 pm on September 2, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Thank you for the compliments!

  • inopinate 6:13 pm on July 27, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

    Inopinate – July 27 

    Winning free passes to a private performance of The Fray was a pleasant surprise to kick off this week. But that was not enough to get me out of bed and impeccably dressed at the inhuman hour of 6 am. I put together this easy outfit to keep the cranky down.

    From Style Per Diem

    Pants: My only pair of somewhat skinny jeans. Previously posted Guess jeans with slight whiskering at the hip. 

    Top: I picked up this black tank top with embroidered-on patchwork at the neck on sale from a boutique in Los Olivos. I love the detail and shimmer around the neck, and the overall simplicity of the top. Even though it is summer now, there was a slight nip in the air when I stepped out. In anticipation of that, I threw on my trademark black sweater from Old Navy. By the time we were standing in line at the event, the sun was blazing and I eventually took the sweater off. That is my idea of a perfectly planned outfit. 

    Accessories: Previously posted turquoise earrings, gold bangles, the chronograph and this lovely orange purse that a dear friend got me from India many years ago. It is just big enough to fit the essentials, but not so big that if I had to stand for the duration of the performance, I would pull a shoulder muscle. Small bags with straps are where it’s at. Also, turquoise and orange might clash with another outfit. The plainness of this one allowed me to go there without making a faux pas. 

    Shoes: The silver snakeskin ballet flats that I am so fond of. Every time I think they have run their course, they catch the light and I am reminded of how luscious the snakeskin is.

     

  • inopinate 12:31 am on July 25, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

    Inopinate – July 21 

    For a quick run to Home Depot, I whipped up this outfit.

    From Style Per Diem

    Pants: Guess Jeans, medium wash, slight flare at the bottom. I want to retire them, but not until I find a pair to replace them. So, they are my no-fuss jeans for now. 

    Top: I layered a brown V-neck T-shirt with a printed racerback top. The brown T-shirt is another $3 Papaya basic, perfect for layering. Not much standalone appeal. The printed top is a soft cotton blend from Forever 21. By itself, this top is semi-transparent. Together, they make a nice breezy combination. I like the pin tucks on the neckline of the printed top because they accentuate the bust without the knocked-up look. 

    Shoes: I found these adorable Nike skimmers at DSW last month. They are printed canvas with a small elastic band for give. They are exactly the kind of shoe I wish I had every time I am about to board a plane. Slip-on sneakers sans socks – genius. 

    Accessories: The previously posted criss-cross leather strap watch and a pair of turquoise earrings from Bangkok.

     

  • inopinate 8:18 pm on July 19, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

    Inopinate – July 18 

    Americans wear sweat pants to dinner, jeans and sneakers to birthday parties and shorts to nightclubs. Aside from their own weddings, they do not dress up for anything. So no matter what I wear, I always feel overdressed. I wore this (I think rather plain) outfit to the Coldplay concert last night.

    From Style Per Diem

    Pants: Casual pants that are not jeans! I recently discovered that Mango’s size 2 pants fit me like a glove when I bought these navy ones on sale for $50. They are fitted at the hip and thighs, and fall nicely into a wide bottom. A great alternative to jeans for dressing up or down. My only complaint is that they pick up lint and wrinkles too easily to make them a staple. 

    Top: I wanted a shape that would balance the silhouette of the pants. I chose this mauve top with exaggerated butterfly sleeves. It is modestly sheer and low cut. Underneath the giant sleeves, there are regularly constructed armholes, so there is no fear of exposing too much sideways either. 

    Shoes: All-solid outfits bore me to sleep. The previously posted, printed satin peeptoes added enough interest to keep me awake through the warm-up bands. 

    Accessories: I found this lovely gold necklace at some store in Pasadena. The pendant is a dainty peacock with black beads at the bottom. I also added these silver teardrop earrings, because I like mixing metallics. The dotted beads in it look dark blue to me, but they could be black. The purse is the previously posted birthday gift. 

    Although the outfit lacked visual interest in my opinion, it did not make me feel overdressed. Until the orgy teens showed up in bikini tops and thongs.

     

    • weewoman 5:23 am on July 22, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Nice top, very form flattering!

    • inopinate 8:50 pm on July 22, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Thank you! You got any new stuff coming?

    • weewoman 9:59 pm on July 23, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      LOTS actually….just no time to post…will do some tonight hopefully!

  • inopinate 12:53 am on July 17, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

    Inopinate – July 16 

    Thursday was the last workday for me this week. So I dressed on the casual end of the business casual spectrum.

    From Style Per Diem

    Pants: Previously posted, streamlined black pants with beige pinstripe. The jeans interpretation of casual for the workplace gets old.

    Top: A beautiful pantone blue top that I recently picked up from a no-name store for $10. Jersey tops with blouse-like styling are my favorite fashion explosion of late. They are the missing link between T-shirts and blouses. This one has a small yoke with a few pin tucks and 3 low buttons. The neckline is tailored to give the top-button-left-open look, without actually having a button there. The material is perfect for summer.

    Shoes: Black patent leather slingbacks with peeptoe front and buckle detail. They have a small stacked heel that is uber comfortable for walking. I have a feeling these are going to be my staple for work this summer. I just wish they had them in bone.

    Accessories: The Tau Beta Pi bent for nice contrast with the blue, small blue floral earrings and the chronograph.

     

    • weewoman 3:23 am on July 17, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      YAY! 100th post! And agreed about the t-shirt/blouses, I have many of them and they’re lovely with both jeans and trousers. :) I love the colour of the one you’re wearing.

  • inopinate 12:46 am on July 14, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

    Inopinate – July 13 

    Today was an uninspired and hot Monday. All the apartment hunting has also taken a lot out of me lately. So I kept it simple and cool.

    From Style Per Diem

    Pants: Yet another Editor from Express. This time, it’s black with grey pinstripe. 

    Top: A very old cotton top from when long tops first came back into fashion this decade. I love the cherry blossom print and the Chinese collar. Everything about this top is very Asian. In fact, even the material looks like silk from far away. There is a tie at the waist that I tied at the back. I also added a sheer white tank underneath to keep the outfit work-appropriate. 

    Shoes: Previously posted burgundy wedges. 

    Accessories: In keeping with the Asian motif, I chose these golden earrings (as in, gold-colored plastic earrings) from India – circa 1997. To avoid being too matchy-matchy, I carried the previously posted ginormous blue bag.

     

    • Nidhi 8:25 am on July 15, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      such a pretty top! sure to add some cheer to what seems like a dull day. are you looking to rent? there’s something available in my building :)

    • inopinate 5:18 pm on July 15, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      NOW you tell me! Signing the lease tonight.

  • inopinate 3:04 am on July 7, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

    Inopinate – July 3 

    Day 1 of this year’s annual NYC vacation was sunny despite the forecast of thunderstorms. There is a fine line between fashion forward and fashion victim. On days like this one, I walk it gladly.

    From Style Per Diem

    Dress: The first time I saw this maxi at a stall on Venice Beach, I was smitten. But I was not willing to pay the hefty price of $69 for it. Venice being what it is, hippy-chic tourists eat this stuff up. So there was no hope of bringing the price down. I am glad I did not cave, because a friend’s keen eye spotted the same maxi for $44 at a store in Orange County a week later. Score! The neckline was a little too low cut for me off the shelf. The straps have button closure in the back with an extra button hole for length adjustment. I made another additional button hole on top of that (which is a bitch of a sewing job by hand, BTW), and voila! A beautiful printed maxi! The viscose, while less commonplace than jersey for maxis, limits the stride. Regardless, I love the fall and the print. 

    Shoes: Bronze gladiators with a zipper up the foot and a tie at the ankle. I bought these mainly because the tie allows me to fit them precisely to my ankles. That is a shoe worth dropping money on. 

    Accessories: My new white bag and previously posted mixed materials chunky necklace.

     

    • Nidhi 3:29 am on July 7, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      love the pattern! you look so nice and summery :) I don’t think many people can pull off maxis (myself including) but it is made for you!

    • educated Tatya 5:37 am on July 7, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      The print is lovely but I love the neckline more. I like maxis that aren’t strappy but don’t look like maternity dresses either. The necklace and the sandals are perfect.

    • inopinate 4:54 pm on July 7, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Thanks, all!

    • Anks 11:54 am on July 9, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      The print is adorable!

    • weewoman 11:33 am on July 7, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Love the pattern!
      I’m too small for maxi’s. I can pretty much wear a knee length dress for regular sized people as a maxi!

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