I busted out my sewing machine over the weekend to hem a pair of pants, and guess what? After a multi-year hiatus, it was like riding a bike! It’s so much more convenient to hem my own pants rather than haul myself (and kids) into a tailor and wait for them to be done on someone else’s timeline. Not to mention, cheaper! My next project is to alter a wool coat I bought at Goodwill over the summer. It’s vintage, and 100% gorgeous wool. It’s very straight and hits mid-calf. My plan is to take it up to mid-thigh and make it look like a cool cocoon coat.
Yes, this is a cool coat, but come on, with a face like that, everything looks good. Sometimes I’m not sure why we’re always trying to follow in the fashion heels of models.
I was thinking of adding a pair of chelsea boots for winter, but they seem to be popping up everywhere. I’d hate to invest in a good pair of – albeit classic – boots only to have them become overly trendy. Do you think chelsea boots are on the rise? I just ordered these from Everlane, but I’m thinking about maybe something like this instead. Timeless > trends.
Holiday party season is officially upon us! I went to my first (semi-casual) one over the weekend and I wore one of my go-to dress-up shirts (last seen here). You know, the kind that always does the trick of making you feel pretty. And I did the math, it’s been in my closet almost four years! I feel so good about that. I always struggle with dressing up this time of year. It seems like I can never get the pieces just right. But maybe I’m overthinking it. I love this take on getting three holiday looks out of one dress. They make it seem so easy!
December is probably one of the most consumer-heavy months of the year. Between decor, gifts and clothes, the possibilities for emptying your wallet are endless. I love Paige’s (Style This Life) take on how to keep the holidays from being overrun by ‘stuff.’ She has a great plan for her kids (one I’m following too!) and some smart ideas for supporting small businesses.
And lastly, did you guys watch the new Gilmore Girls? What did you think?
xo,
Andrea
I’m probably biased because my Chelsea boots are my favourite pair of shoes but I think they’re pretty timeless! They have resurgences as “trendy” shoes every couple of years but I definitely see myself wanting to wear chelsea boots forever. I also find it interesting that they fall in and out of “trendy” for women, but they’re considered classics/office-formal appropriate for men.
That’s a great observation Jane! I hadn’t thought about the trend cycles in terms of men and women.
Cannot tell you what I think about Gillmore Girls, because I’m not through yet.
I do think chelsea boots are always hot though – I think oxfords are the item that will seem overly trendy in a few years IMO.
And how brave of you to work on a jacket. I would fix most things myself, having even taken sewing causes, but jackets are the mother of garments, so I don’t want to touch them, because I know what goes into it…
Hi Johanne! I hope I’m not too brave with the jacket and destroy, eep! My mother in law is a master sewer, if I get stumped I’ll probably consult her.
Interesting take on oxfords! I could totally see that. And by the way, your chelsea boots have definitely been one of my sources of inspiration!
Chelsea boots have always been a timeless classic. They might become trendy for a bit but a pair of plain black or brown ones will always stay in style. Just make sure you opt for a pair that are in a classic style – like the Everlane ones you linked to – instead of the No.6 Store ones, which look more trend-led.
Hi Sophie! I think us US types are just now catching up the Brit’s on their affection for chelsea boots. But I agree, I think they’re a timeless classic. I especially love the way they keep a dress of skirt from feeling too fancy. I do love the No.6 Store clog boots, but I definitely wouldn’t compare those to chelsea’s they’re a style all unto their own.
Those clog boots are AMAZING! They get my vote.
Right?! I am in love. But the price point is rough.
I’ve been on the fence about ordering the Everlane Modern Chelsea boots, scouring the internet for reviews since I’ve found their shoe sizing to be a bit challenging. Curious to find out how you get on with these once you’ve had chance to wear them.
Thanks :-)
I have done the same Sarah, and have been unable to find reviews! I’ll let know what I know so far. I typically wear a 9.5/10 in shoes, but find Everlane’s shoes to run small. I have a pair of sandals in a 10, and I recently got the Modern Heel Boot in a 10.5, that was tight in the width at first, but now fits great. So when I ordered the Modern Chelsea Boot, I got the 10.5, but it was definitely too long. So the 10’s are en route. We’ll see how they work!
I think Chelsea boots are a classic item. It is possible for a classic “inspired” item to look dated in the future (like some of the exaggerated loafer styles in style now). But a true classic, in simple lines and of high quality materials will endure. Anything flattering on your shape and complimentary to your own personal style will endure as well.
Don’t get me started on the loafers Tania! If I see another pair of Gucci loafer mules… But seriously, that’s a good point about classic “inspired” vs. true classics. I agree totally.
Chelsea boots are definitely classic. I always admire them on other people. For me however this style never fits well, especially in the heel. I have some Dansko clog boots that I am really loving. I love the look of the wooden soles but I appreciate the comfort and flexibility of the rubber soles more.
The new Gilmore Girls was super fun, especially Winter and Fall. It wasn’t totally what I expected but overall it was worth it.
Gilmore Girls wasn’t what I expected either!!! ****Spoiler alert**** Honestly, I had a hard time with the fact that she got married without her mother. I didn’t like the montage showing Emily all alone.
I have seen those Dansko clog boots, they are SO cute!!! I wore Danskos through all of college, so stinking comfortable. Maybe I’ll have to reconsider their boots!
Ha! I totally get that reaction! My view is that the wedding was Amy Sherman-Palladino’s version of a fantasy, fairy-tale ending for Lorelei, which could not have happened even in real tv-life. The wedding for everyone, including her mother, was still going to happen the next day. (Side note: they did not have the budget for a huge wedding scene.) Ultimately, it was Emily’s transformation from society wife to (finally) mature woman who can buy her own dream cottage by the sea and enjoy her freedom alone and/or with a man friend that was a high point of the whole show.
Oh Addie, that is fantastic insight! I love that perspective on Emily, it definitely makes sense, and makes me feel a little better about the mini series.
I agree with Addie– I have a pair of the Dansko clog boots and find them extremely comfortable and cute.. For Chelsea boots, I think it’s all in the cut and where they hit you on your leg. I have an okay pair that I haven’t worn as much as much as I thought I would because the toe is a bit more rounded and rubs my foot ina weird way. I’m also short, so styling them in a way that didn’t cut off my legs was a learning curve. But the right Chelsea boot could definitely be a classic. I wished I had waited for the everlane ones. (Though I wonder if the modern ankle boot would be better for me.)
Big Spoiler Alert — I thought Gilmore Girls was all over the map. As much as I love Sutton Foster, I thought the dance and musical sequences were a little too out there, and also Rory just kind of sucked. A big wedding would have been the perfect final plot point – the whole town gets together and we see all of the characters one last time. But alas. It was fun to see what everyone had been up to in the 10 years since the show ended, but I guess I was just hoping for more Stars Hollow and less London/ Pacific Crest Trail/ Life and Death Brigade.
Thank you for saying this! I thought the play sequence went on for way too long, and it just seemed out of context after awhile. I agree, it WAS all over the map, almost random. And why was Rory making all those lame choices
. But as you said it was good to check in and see where everyone is at in life.
I have not watched the Gilmore Girls because I want to go back and finish the old ones. And keep me posted on the progress with the coat – what an ambitious (and awesome) project!
I will!!! And let me know what you think of the old Gilmore Girls!