A Tale Of Two Jackets

In my very first blog post, I talked about some of my favorite coats, so it goes without saying that I also love jackets. I have a leather jacket that is so soft like butter, and has been in my closet for years and is my absolute favorite. Then again, I love denim jackets, lightweight jackets, embellished or sleek jackets as well. I jumped on the moto jacket trend while living in New York City and working at Bebe. I had been eyeing this black moto jacket embellished with many zippers and swore I would buy it. After weeks and weeks of going back and forth on the pros and cons of owning a moto jacket (FYI: There are no cons!), I finally bought it. I've worn it with dresses or skirts or denim, and though it still hangs in my closet, I wanted something more.

Most people, if they own a moto jacket, have it in black and many moto jackets at first glance look alike. I wanted to stand out. So recently I went on the hunt for a new jacket. No crazy outrageous color, as I would prefer something that could be as versatile as the black one. I also didn't want to spend a lot of money on a "trendy" item.

Here's a lesson: When shopping, spend your money wisely. If you are shopping for a classic piece (i.e.: pencil skirt or button down blouse), one that can be worn again and again and is fashionable but not "of the moment," than put aside a decent amount of money for it. You want to buy a quality item that is made well and can last for years. If you are shopping for a trendy piece (i.e.: tropical print crop top), that will be worn during this season and then go to the back of your closet to die, than still buy a quality made item, but at a lower price.

Back to my hunt for a new jacket. I searched around the mall and found nothing. Looked online, but was weary of buying and not trying on the jacket to check the fit (all of my jackets are different sizes). Then I ventured off to Kohl's. This is a store that I always luck out in. So it comes as no surprise, that after about only ten minutes of searching, I looked up at the Elle wall and found my new jacket. It wasn't like any others in my closet. It was on sale. It felt buttery soft (a MUST for me) and was in a great light neutral color. The best part of this jacket? It has an adorable ruffle along the back bottom hem, that is totally unexpected. I tried on a few sizes and found my perfect jacket.

Do not feel sorry for my black jacket; however, as it still has many more years in the spotlight. Until that moment comes, I say it's finally time to step away from the dark and slip into the light...jacket.

 

 Sunglasses: Jessica Simpson; Pearls: Vintage; Tee: Gap; Jacket: Elle; Jeans: Old Navy; Pumps: Aldo

Sunglasses: Jessica Simpson; Pearls: Vintage; Tee: Gap; Jacket: Elle; Pink Rhinestone Cocktail Ring: Guess

 

 Sunglasses: Jessica Simpson; Tee: Gap; Jacket: Elle; Pearls: Vintage; Pink Rhinestone Cocktail Ring: Guess; Rose Ring: LC Lauren Conrad; Jeans: Old Navy; Pumps: Aldo

Jeans: Old Navy; Pumps: Aldo

 

Sunglasses: Jessica Simpson; Tee: Gap; Jacket: Elle; Pearls: Vintage; Jeans: Old Navy; Pumps: Aldo 

Sunglasses: Jessica Simpson; Pearls: Vintage; Jacket: Elle; Tee: Gap; Rose Ring: LC Lauren Conrad

 

Sunglasses: Jessica Simpson; Pearls: Vintage; Tee: Gap; Jacket: Elle; Jeans: Old Navy; Rose Ring: LC Lauren Conrad; Pink Rhinestone Cocktail Ring: Guess; Pumps: Aldo 

Pink Rhinestone Cocktail Ring: Guess; Earrings: Express; Sunglasses: Jessica Simpson; Jacket: Elle

 



Wrap Star

Here's a shocker. There is a difference between humans and mannequins. In my past visual merchandising/styling experience, I have dressed both humans and mannequins. Now there ARE some similarities. For example: Both want to look fabulous. Both have their own personality (though the mannequin's personality may be featured through their faces or poses and above all, clothing). Humans and mannequins want to look stylish and turn heads and humans and mannequins come in all shapes, sizes and hues.

Here's where they differ: If a mannequin is not cooperating (limbs falling off, getting stuck on the stand, ripping or stretching clothing or having paint flecks fall off), then you can (nonchalantly) hit them with their own arm. Humans tell you (most of the time) what they want. You have to come up with hundreds of ideas for mannequins...they don't talk, or think for that matter. Humans have limbs that move, which makes it easier to try on clothing. Mannequins either have arms that are bent or completely straight, and many times only one leg comes off, so you have to pick up the entire mannequin to put a pair of denim on the one attached leg. You do not have to pick up humans. They dress themselves. Mannequins (especially male ones) are HEAVY....and do not get me started on when they slam down on your toes and break them.

As much as I love my mannequins (work with them long enough, they sort of become your friends and family), I enjoy the interactions with humans more because there's always a great story behind buying an item, or they have the best advice on treating scratches on leather or how to distress your own denim. Many come into the store/boutique with the fiercest outfits you have ever seen and they absolutely love showing off their accessories.

As we all know, I love accessories; And no matter how many humans and mannequins I have dressed over the years, I have always struggled with the numerous ways to wear a scarf. There were two ways I would wear a scarf: the first being the usual wrapping around the neck once and having the ends hang down in the front and the second being to double up the scarf, wrap around the back of the neck and pull the ends through the loop. These looks are classic, but I always wanted to learn more.

Anytime one of these stylish humans, be it male or female, walked in to the store/boutique I was employed at during that time, and they had on a scarf, I had to ask how to do it. Needless to say, they were more than happy to oblige. I would now like to pass the torch to many of you out there who may want a new look for their scarves. I am so thankful for those who shared their secrets with me...the mannequins were never so kind.

 

Tee: Old Navy; Pashmina: Unknown (bought from street vendor in NYC)



Loop and Tuck -     1. Take your scarf or pashmina (the bigger the scarf, the fuller it will look) and

                                    place the middle of the scarf at the front of the neck and wrap around the neck

                                    so the ends hang down the back.

 

                                2. Take both ends and wrap them back around the neck to the front of the body

                                    and pull the ends through the loop.

 

                                3. Pull down to desired length.

 



Tee and Scarf: Old Navy

 

Faux Infinity -         1. Take a thin scarf and tie the ends together.

 

                                2. Place the scarf around your neck with the tie in the back and wrap around as 

                                    many times as desired (depending on the length of the scarf).

                             

                                3. Once wrapped around, make sure to cover the tie in the back with a layer

                                    of fabric from the scarf.

 

 Tee: Old Navy; Scarf: Gap

 

Half Bow -              1. Wrap the scarf around the back of your neck and when you bring the ends to

                                    the front, make sure one end is longer than the other.

 

                                2. Cross the longer end with the shorter one and pull up through the bottom,

                                     resulting in a loop.

 

                                3. While pulling on the loop, hold the front end in place, so that the half bow

                                     tightens.

 

                                4. Spread the bow out and make it look pretty.

 



Tee: Old Navy; Scarf: Gap

 

Double Knotted -    1. Take your scarf (I LOVED using an ombre scarf for this!) and wrap around the

                                    back of the neck and bring the ends forward.

 

                                2. Tie a knot halfway down each end, but leave one of the knots loose.

 

                                3. Take the end with the tight knot and slip it through the loose knot.

 

                                4. Make sure the knots are touching and the look is complete.



Tee: Old Navy; Scarf: Gap 

 

Muffler -                1. Take the end of a large square scarf and place it on your shoulder.

 

                              2. Bring up a corner from the other end and tie with the end placed on the

                                  shoulder.

 

                              3. Leave the loose end hanging to create the triangle look.

 

* Due to the placement of my hands, my scarf is moved up. When following these instructions, your scarf will drape more like a triangle.



Tee: Old Navy; Scarf: Gap

Classic -                 1. Take your scarf and place the middle of the scarf at the front of the neck and 
                                   wrap around the neck so the ends hang down the back.

                               2. Take both ends and wrap them back around the neck to the front of the body.
                               3. Loosen the loop at the neck to desired length.

Tee and Infinity Scarf: Old Navy

 

Infinity Scarf -         1. Take your infinity scarf and place around your neck, making sure the seam is

                                     in the back.

 

                                2. Wrap around the neck till you reach your desired look. Wrap once more for a 

                                    long look such as this. Wrap more if you are looking for a shorter look.