Color Play: Burgundy and Gray - Classic Fall Color Combo

Burgundy is one of many colors that I look forward to wearing in the fall and winter. These days there is no reason that we can’t wear those darker, richer colors all year round, but for me, I like the special feel of pulling out colors I haven’t seen for a while to embrace a new season.

This outfit was inspired, once again by an Instagram challenge where today’s prompt was Academia. I love the classic vibe of the full range of academia inspired clothing combinations. There is something cozy and chic about layering plaid blazers, knit vests and button down shirts with the university silhouettes of trousers, a-line or pleated skirts or nicer jeans in a variety of washes and colors. Obviously, in today’s society, the university campus is a rainbow of styles, colors and nationalities making it an interesting melting pot for both fashion and learning.

To build an academia inspired outfit, I typically start with my topper. Today’s choice was this beautiful gray, plaid blazer. This was a second hand find a number of years ago and is Talbot’s brand. It is a lovely, wool blend piece and fully lined. This one from Kohl’s is a brownish color; here is an oversized twill version from Old Navy; here is another brown piece from JCPenney; and here is a pretty one from Chadwick’s. Always check the second hand stores for blazers, especially if you are looking for something vintage.

If I look a bit peckish in these pictures it is because I just started an antibiotic yesterday for a sinus infection. Today I didn’t roll out of bed until almost 11. Yikes! You know I don’t feel well, when I stay in bed past 8 or 9. I think the stress and grief of this past year has definitely caught up with both my husband and I, so If we are still in bed at 11, so be it. Right now we are able to do that and we’ll take that as a sign that we need the extra rest. This too shall pass.

Once I chose the blazer I chose the vest. This knit piece is a men’s Docker’s brand. I just found this at the beginning of this month, when we were on our getaway with friends. I had been looking for a few more knit vests that were not bulky. I got this one and a creamy white one, both in the men’s section. Here is a blue vest from Kohl’s; a button down style from JCPenney; a plus size cable knit style from Woman Within; and a pretty gray from Lee. There is also this burgundy one from Oliver and Blake.

The button down shirt is an older thrift find and is Apostrophe brand. This is a nice, structured button down with a little stretch, which I like in a more fitted shirt. I really like how the vest and the shirt look like they were meant to be together. It is always fun when that happens. Here is one from JCPenney; a 3/4 sleeve one from Walmart; another version from Kohl’s; and a petite version from Macy’s.

I wasn’t sure what sort of pants to wear. At first I just had a pair of regular jeans, but then I remembered my thrifted, gray Gloria Vanderbilt jeans that I have had for years. Though I don’t use these a lot, they commonly get worn a few times a year. They are comfy and hold their shape well. Here is a pair from JCPenney; a pair from Lee; and a cute pair from Old Navy.

I knew I had a couple of burgundy colored bags so I grabbed this one out of my purse pile. This is a thrifted Libby Edelman piece. I will be throwing this one in the trash, even thought it is a cute piece. It is peeling all over, so it is time to go.

I chose silver for my jewelry. I have way too much jewelry and with not working anymore, I do try to put something on most days. I actually did wear this outfit today…once I got dressed. Ha, ha.

I also knew I wanted a more academic type shoe so I dug out this old pair from when I still worked at the bookstore. I love this pair of suede oxfords. They are a little snug, but like a good pair of leather gloves they seem to stretch and fit after you have them on for a bit. These are Naya brand and I got them at DSW. Here is a page from their website for black oxfords.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you like the academia vibe? Do you own a plaid blazer? How do you wear it, or do you prefer to wear solid color blazers? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. I love hearing from each of you.

I have provided shopping links for you to explore. These are brought to you at no cost, and I do not make any money through any of these sites. These are just for your benefit.

I hope you have a great day!

Shopping Our Closets: Casual Summer Vibes

I am trying to get back to my monthly posts, at least for the summer, so this week I am shopping my closet to bring you a casual summer outfit that would be good for a coffee shop date, an afternoon of shopping or a trip to the theater with the grandkids to see a movie. We all know that indoor activities during the summer can often come with too much air conditioning, so thinking ahead about what to wear is essential for being comfortable.

Today’s look revolves around pieces that most of us have in our closets, or at least pieces that are similar: a Breton striped tee, light wash jeans, and a light weight cardigan.

A casual look like this is easy to put together and anyone who is reading this can probably find similar pieces in your own closet. Let’s look at each piece individually.

My Breton striped tee is an older thrifted piece and is J. Crew brand. I love the structure of this piece and the beautiful, sparkly bird embellishing its upper right hand corner.

I wondered what exactly made a shirt a Breton striped piece, so I looked it up. The Breton stripe originated in France and was made specifically as the official uniform for the French Navy back in 1858. The shirt was typically white with navy; the white stripe being wider than the blue, and it was usually a 3/4 length sleeve. In addition the neckline was a wide boat neck. In 1910 Coco Chanel took inspiration from the French navel uniform and it began its iconic journey through the decades as a fashion statement.

Here is an elbow length sleeve version from JCPenney; a red version from Eddie Bauer; a short sleeve version from Land’s End, and a plus-sized version from Kohl’s.

Style Tip: While tee shirts that are cotton/polyester blends are soft and comfy, they don’t always give us the coverage we desire as far as our extra rolls. A medium to heavier weight cotton will typically give you more structure, and is less see through for both your extra bits and your undergarments.

The next piece we’ll look at are my light wash, cropped jeans. I love this pair of Talbots that I found at a second hand store. They are a little heavier weight, but are soft, and I love the added detail of the stripes that go along the outside seam. Once again, the heavier weight cotton fabric is still doable for summer because it is still breathable.

Here is a mid-rise version from Land’s End; a higher rise pair from J.Jill; a lighter weight version from L.L. Bean; and this pair with the fun pocket detail from Christopher & Banks.

Style Tip: Jean washes don’t really matter any more as far as seasons are concerned, but If you are old school like me, I like to get out my light wash, and white, or bright colored jeans for summer just to lighten my wardrobe up a bit.

I decided to tap into the black stripes on my tee, and yes, mine are black, not navy, for the cardigan I chose. The stripes on my jeans are also black, so that added to the reason I went for a black sweater and black shoes. My cardigan is Croft & Barrow brand and I bought it at Kohl’s many years ago. Time goes so fast, it is hard to keep track. The 3/4 sleeves are perfect for when you want extra coverage, but not too much.

Here is a Croft & Barrow, open front version from Kohl’s; one from Macy’s; another version from Chico’s; and a couple from JC Penney - regular size, and plus size.

My Oxford shoes have been around for quite some time considering I haven’t worked at the university bookstore since fall of 2019, and I got these while I was still employed. These are a brand called Naya, and I got these at DSW on the clearance racks.

It’s funny, of all the pictures I struggle with, shoes are the worst. Ha, ha. If my feet are in them, I don’t feel like I can ever get the right angle for the picture. Either my feet look super long, as in the first picture, or my ankles look like tree stumps, as in the second picture. Ha, ha. It’s okay. I am no flighty influencer and that is okay. I just keep doing this for fun, and for you, my lovely followers!

My woven bag is also thrifted, and the label says, icing, which was Claire’s Boutique’s brand for many years. I don’t shop there any more, since I no longer have young daughters, but it was a fun place to go, especially for their special sales and clearance jewelry.

Pull out your straw bags, I mean doesn’t everyone have one? They are always spot on for the warm weather months, and always seem to be trending for summer. Here is a whole page of possibilities from DSW.

What do you think of this outfit? Is this something you would wear, or that you could put together from pieces you already have in your closet? What would you do differently: wear shorts, or a skirt; pick different shoes? Let me know in the comments. I love to hear your ideas.

I hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday!