Outfit Of The Days (Fancier Follies)

Oh, nothing new for this week. I wish I had some exciting updates, but I don’t–aside from the fact that I was knocked silly for the past few days, feeling as if someone used my entire lower-body as a punching bag. Crippling, crappy-ling pain, woohoo.

And I know ya’ll are likely wondering–whatcha doing, Chloe? Have you been training for a marathon? Moonlighting as a roller derby roller girl? Getting in shape to partake in next year’s Lumberjack Days? Still trying to teach Petunia how to do the Dougie and the Stanky Leg? (Come on girl! It’s useless! Give it up! Everyone knows that chihuahuas lack natural rhythm!)

Oh no; no no. It’s just arthritis, and there ain’t no party like a watch-Chloe-get-out-of-bed-in-the-morning-and-walk-like-a-drunk-penguin-for-2-hours-straight party. Heyyyy. Ho.

Here are some outfits from the days where my body wasn’t giving me the middle finger, thank you.

Vest: Ann Taylor (similar here) (similar here) (similar here for under $30)

Fur: H&M (similar here + take 25% off with code “MACYSFF”) (similar here) (similar here, on sale)

Blouse: Forever 21 (buy it here + take 10% off on orders of $100+ with code “TENOFF”) (similar here)

Pants: The LImited (similar here) (similar here)

Collar Necklace: F21 (similar here for $21) (similar here)

Fringe Bangles: F21 (buy them here)

Gold Braided Bracelet: t+j designs (buy it here)

Watch: Michael Michael Kors Runway Rosegold Watch (buy it here + take 25% off with code “MACYSFF”) (similar here for under $150)

Bag: Chloe Paraty in Rosewood (similar here) (similar here by DKNY) (and here, too)

I have been pretty excited over the re-emergence of drop-waist dresses for Spring 2012–it might even be one of my favorite upcoming trends. Isn’t it interesting how closely the fashion industry mimics the entertainment industry, though? We all know that the recent abundance of pleated skirts, mid-length dresses, kitten heels, and bow blouses were fueled by one Don + Betty Draper; no doubt the flapper dress trend is being pushed by The Great Gatsby (and Mr. Luhrman totally trying his darn hardest to ruin it). This country is foolishly-obsessed with that book, I think (and…I’m probably the most foolishly-obsessed fool of all).

Drop-waist dresses are surprisingly flattering; their looser shapes wear well on almost all body types. And in spite of visually elongating the torso, the illusion doesn’t necessarily make the wearer look short and stumpy. It’s kind of fascinating how that works, actually. Magical!

Cardigan: J Crew Perfect Mix-Tape Cardigan in Bronzed Twig (similar here) (similar here in olive)

Dress: Darling Embroidered Drop Waist Dress (buy it here) (similar here) (similar here)

Necklace: Ann Taylor (buy it here) (similar here + take 30% off)

Wrap Bracelet: Old F21 (similar here)

Black + Gold Bracelet: F21 (similar here)

Ring: Banana Republic (similar here) (love this for $24, too)

Earrings: Kendra Scott Darby Earrings in Tigers Eye (buy them here!)

Clutch: The Limited (similar by Sandra Roberts) (similar at ASOS, $35) (similar at Express, 30% off) (similar by ALDO, $40)

Shoes: J Crew Mona Pumps in Wild Berry (buy them here) (similar here) (similar here for $60)

And last but certainly not least–I had never really experimented with lip color prior to this year, but I am now having fun with it. I have never been a fan of my mouth (I find it to be oddly shaped and wide), so I have always believed that slapping a bold color on top would only draw more attention to its weirdness. Maybe it does, but it is also kind of fascinating how different a bright red lip (+ a startled chihuahua) made this outfit look: