Last Look

Andy Dufresne

WEARING:

MSGM jacket (IT 40)

MANSUR GAVRIEL mini bucket bag

AG JEANS denim (26)

TARGET long sleeve tee (Medium)

These photos were taken by my super talented mama while I was in LA over the holiday break. Just know this fact please, because taking photos for a fashion blog is kind of a pain sometimes and I never tire of bragging about the talented friends and family who take the time and effort to take my picture (I love you). So this outfit is the epitome of what I wear when I'm at home in LA with family and my brothers (and the kitties in my mom's house). The rules are pretty simple: a) wear comfortable jeans (preferably already ripped lest the cats rip them for you), b) an anonymous top, like this one from Target (the long sleeve tissue tops are my favorite ever and if you doubt my choice to wear a $9 tee then I feel bad for you),  c) and a statement bag/jacket. This formula is the ultimate lazy girl LA outfit, trust me. I grew up here, and LA is where surface appearances are everything. No one really bothers to know you past the surface most times, so why put so much time and money into every single piece of clothing you own? This theory extends to the workplace outfit too because not everything you wear has to be expensive or designer. Even if you're only out to make a good impression, if the surface level items in your outfit hold the most "appeal" then in my experience no one will really bother to investigate the sources of rest. It can be as easy as a nicely tailored blazer made out of quality materials over a junky t-shirt, or a compliment-worthy bag paired with a decent and neutral shift dress.

It's like that time Andy Dufrense broke out of the Shawshank Prison in the warden's shiny shoes without anyone noticing. Same thing, people.

Every Last Bit

 EVERLANE tank (M), AG jeans (size 26), CHURCH'S shoes (size 37), MANSUR GAVRIEL mini bucket,  KATHLEEN WHITAKER ear cuff,, DYLANLEX Marley necklace

I'm enjoying the last bit of summer in the Bay Area, which coincidentally is some of the warmest weather we'll see all year. There's nothing more to talk about here, the newly acquired DYLANLEX necklace and Mansur Gavriel bucket bag are pretty on my person daily. I'm like Doug Funnie. A cartoon. So predictable.

Blue Tortuga

Free People Tortuga Boots (c/o), DYLANLEX necklace, ZARA top (M), AG JEANS (26), MANSUR GAVRIEL mini bucket bag

Ankle boots are a tricky thing for me. They're a relatively new adventure in my closet because I rarely even look to them when I'm getting ready in the morning. But this past week was more exciting and inspired because I've teamed up with Free People to showcase how I would style a pair from their newest fall collection of boots. I took a little bit of a risk here choosing the navy blue ankle boot instead of my usual black shoe, and I have to say I couldn't be happier with that decision. It turns out styling a dark, rich colored boot is the same as styling as a neutral black or brown boot. Since the design of the Tortuga boots are rooted in vintage moto style, the wrap-around leather buckles and matted dark hardware are masculine touches that bring a familiar tomboy aspect to my outfits. I'm actually surprised how easily they worked into what I already wear, despite the monochrome nature of most of my closet, which makes me wonder what else I could infuse a little bit of unexpected color to. 

These Days

EVERLANE poplin top,  MADEWELL sweater, AG jeans, CHURCH'S sandals, EVERLANE petra portfolio tote,

Holiday Occasion Equation

I like to boil down many things to the lowest common denominator. It's not so much a lazy thing as it is a repetition in what I know works. For example, red lipstick, a festive headband and heidi braids are the bases to a simple holiday occasion equation for me. I believe that if I wear these with pretty much anything else in my closet I'll seem festive enough to sit at any party. Aside from these three things, the rest of the outfit is a slight upgrade to the standard issue jeans and shirt. The skinny pants are wax coated instead of straight-up denim, and instead of a cotton shirt I'm upgrading to a silk one, if only for the nice drape it provides when I've had multiple servings of broccoli and cheese casserole. 

I'm headed up to Northern California for Thanksgiving with Nick's family, but right after that I ain't stickin' around. I'm headed out to Turks and Caicos to celebrate our birthdays (always a week apart), so expect a couple updates from the antithesis of winter. Happy Thanksgiving!

EVERLANE silk shirt   //   AG JEANS   //   THEIRRY LASRY sunglasses  // ZARA flats  //  J.CREW headband (on sale)

Jeans with an Inner Thigh Swaddle Effect

AG JEANS legging ankle jeans and top (c/o AG Jeans) / ETOILE ISABEL MARANT coat / VANS slip ons / KATE SPADE bag

One final note on the the ideal denim legging fit (consider this a photographic dump of knowledge on what I deem to be the Perfect Fit): There has to be the right balance of thick cotton fabric and stretch. These two things come together perfectly every now and then and have a good sense of compression and flexibility. What good is a pair of denim pants that are thin enough to reveal the very seams of the pockets? I mean, why even bother with such self conscious pants? Having to wear a thong with denim isn't my idea of comfort — not judging, I have some friends that find this comfortable, it just ain't for me. But why is compression important? Well, it's that hold that hugs your booty just so, and prevents the pooling of fabric at the small of your back, yet remains just flexible enough to be comfortable whe you sit. It's also the hold that comfortably keeps the thighs compressed. Like bike shorts compressed. Read: spandex. Does wanting a little bit of inner-thigh separation make me a bad person? No. I know for a fact all women want this (if there are any men reading this now, then God bless you, and just know these two things are key to women and pants). Women, I'm not advocating a full inner-thigh clearance here, but I am telling you that when you have jeans that give you a swaddle effect on your more self conscious leg parts, you tend to feel a little more sexy. 

A Black + White Edit

AG JEANS legging ankle jeans and top (c/o AG Jeans) / ETOILE ISABEL MARANT coat / VANS slip ons / KATE SPADE bag

Jeans that Make Me Feel Like Some Botticelli Chick

AG JEANS legging ankle jeans and top (c/o AG Jeans) / ETOILE ISABEL MARANT coat / VANS slip ons / KATE SPADE bag

There is something magical in finding jeans that fit perfectly. This is absolutely a woman thing, men (if you're even here reading this). Why is it so hard to find great jeans? You'd think that after my last post on the subject this search for a repeat win would have been obvious — "just buy the same type as last time, Olga!" — but no. I ventured into the land of boyfriend jeans for months and came back a complete novice when it came to the perfect skinny fit. That is until AG Jeans caught wind of my deep admiration on their fit and kindly gifted me what is now my absolute favorite everyday-pair of jeans.

A favorite pair of jeans must achieve two important things: a) stretch to fit my butt perfectly without weird draping in the seams and closures, b) make me feel slim and confident. This is exactly what the legging ankle does. If I have 10 minutes to get dressed, these are what I reach for because just fit.  Also, I'm 5'3" and I love when an ankle jean keeps its promise about its length, too. I highly recommend these. Go get a euphoric high, pose in front of a beautiful bay waterfront and report back please. I promise you will not be disappointed. 

Go Ahead and Fake It

 AG JEANS moto pants (c/o AG Jeans) /  LEVI'S sweater /  ZARA  loafers  /  ETOILE ISABEL MARANT coat  /  MIU MIU sunglasses

If you're like me you like the look of leather pants but are not quite sure if they are office appropriate. It's not that they are not allowed in my office, it's that they seem incredibly over-the-top considering the median outfit everyone else wears; from t-shirts and jeans, to pretty dresses, to the more formal business attire. And here on the west coast the weather doesn't quite dip low enough to justify the use of pants made out of a special material. And let's not even discuss the incredible price tag some of them seem to run at — at least $1,000...for pants! 

Behold the two word solution:: waxed leather. They fake leather incredibly well, but when seen up close they are just incredibly dark black denim with a slight sheen to them. They wear just like leather pants because they are typically made in very stretchy materials, but the price tag is much more budget friendly. 

I've been fishing for a pair of moto leggings with ankle and hip zippers for months and am über happy to have finally found a lovely pair. Having already been an evangelist for AG Jeans' ability to fit my booty, I was smitten when they sent me over this pair from AG's fall collection — I think I literally squealed with delight, if we're being totally honest —since they are fast becoming one of my favorite brands for denim based on the fact that they just fit.