Wednesday, June 3, 2015

95% love, 5% DIY

jean jacket with a white top and black jeans I'm in the process of writing a few posts on how to build a cohesive wardrobe (I'm hoping to have the first post done by the end of the week!) so I've been thinking a lot about what I've learned over the past few years, from the beginning of doing a closet clean out to buying those finishing pieces. One of my biggest rules over the years has been to only buy items you 100% love - or else, why spend money on it? 

A few weeks ago, I feel in love with this top from Anthropologie. On the model it looks light and airy, but on me, I felt it was too airy. The shirt sleeves actually don't really close all the way around the arms - they are open down half way the sides. I felt it made me look wider than I am because there was no waist definition, as you can see on the picture below. Besides that though, I really really liked it. The more I looked at the top, I wondered if there wasn't a way to fix it - the fabric lines up perfectly enough to sew shut along the sides. So the night after my board exam, I spent an hour sewing the sides closed and now it's so much better on me. It's still light and airy and perfect for summer, but now it's perfect for me too.

Listen learned? Sometimes a little DIY turns a no into a hell yes.
Anele Blouse by Meadow Rue
Paige Skyline Skinny in Mona
Anele Blouse by Meadow Rue
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Blouse: Anthropologie [exact]
Denim Jacket: Paige c/o Nordstrom [very similar]
Jeans: Paige c/o Zappos [exact]
Bag: Madewell [save | exact]
Shoes: Banana Republic [exact]
Lipstick: Nars [exact]
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