Tag Archives: stripes

Amour Vert

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There’s something about the Parisian chic style that has a certain je ne sais quoi. And in a world where trends move quickly and fast fashion rules, there’s Amour Vert.

Fashion Amour Vert

Amour Vert is the brainchild of husband and wife team Christoph Frehsee and Linda Balti. This eco-conscious brand has a simple concept: you buy a tee and they plant a tree. With a focus on sustainability, they strive to reduce waste while still producing high-quality items.

A color palette of neutrals, solids, and stripes done in a blend of feminine blouses, flowy dresses, and of course, their signature oh-so-soft drapey knits in Tencel, Modal, and cotton, epitomize the Amour Vert aesthetic. While there are a few seasonal styles and colors, for the most part, basics are the core of their collection. Just like the Parisian chic style, they designed these classic seasonless pieces for people to keep for a long time.

While their designs have that European flair, their materials and production take place locally in San Francisco and Oakland. With brick and mortar locations popping up throughout the Bay Area, Frehsee and Balti are taking the fashion world by eco-conscious storm.

Daiso hat (similar) | Amour Vert tee | Urban Outfitters shorts (similar) | White Mountain espadrilles (similar) | vintage Dooney & Bourke (similar) | vintage belt (similar) | compass necklace (similar)

ootd fashion style

Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer as well as any white wearing business, so I decided to take my Amour Vert tee out for a nautical spin, from front to back.

A deep V + super soft material = a versatile striped basic worn two ways. Whether it’s a figure-elongating, décolletage revealing effect I’m after or an unexpected exposed sexy back, we can all agree that eco-conscious fashion is always chic no matter how you wear it. C’est bon!

ootd fashion style

ootd fashion style

Daiso hat (similar) | Amour Vert tee | Urban Outfitters shorts (similar) | White Mountain espadrilles (similar) | vintage Dooney & Bourke (similar) | vintage belt (similar) | compass necklace (similar)

ootd fashion style

Leopard Faux Fur & Preppy Stripes

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Before you pack that faux fur coat back in storage where it will hibernate until next NYE, think again. Just because a leopard can’t change its spots doesn’t mean you can’t either.

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I always associate a faux fur coat – and a leopard printed one at that – with a night out on the town or some other fancy occasion. Leopard print by itself already oozes a type of allure as enticing as the giant cat itself. But unless you’re Kate Moss, us regular gals just don’t need to look that good getting out of our limo. Or boarding our private jet. You get the picture.

Bagatelle coat (similar) | Banana Republic top (similar) | Collection 59 blazer (similar) | Urban Outfitters boots (similar) | vintage beaded necklace (similar) | vintage Dooney & Bourke (similar)

January: Leopard Faux Fur & Preppy Stripes

To downplay the luxe quality of this coat and to make it daytime casual friendly, I decided to pair it with a minimalist look: preppy stripes, blazer, blue jeans, and black boots. The neutral color palette makes the seemingly opposite nature of the two prints work together in a balanced harmony. The resulting outfit is a classic look with a wild twist, perfect for a casual Friday at the office or an informal lunch date. Even Kate Moss would approve.

Now If you’ll excuse my leopard coat and I, we’ve got a private jet to catch!
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Bagatelle coat (similar) | Banana Republic top (similar) | Collection 59 blazer (similar) | Urban Outfitters boots (similar) | vintage beaded necklace (similar) | vintage Dooney & Bourke (similar)

leopard stripes

Dirty Flirty Birthday

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When I was 17, I did what people told me. Did what my father said, and let my mother mold me. But now I’m in control ’cause I’m all growns up.


Today marks a milestone birthday. As I reflect on turning the dreaded “dirty,” I must give thanks to two of the most important people in my life: my mom and dad. They are the reason that the world is graced by my wonderful presence. It was their unspoken love, support, discipline, and sacrifice that has helped shaped me into the woman I am today.

It only felt natural to dedicate this birthday post to them by literally clothing myself in their clothes. These unwanted items were collected from their closets over the years. I bet they never foresaw their daughter to have such a keen interest in “old” clothes – the concept of vintage still falls on their deaf ears. I can only imagine how my mom used to wear this blouse and purse while toting my siblings and me around. Or my dad who only wears ties when attending a wedding and always dons a sweater vest under his shirts because he gets cold easily.

The similarly striped tie and blouse look as though they were made for each other. The direction of stripes going every which way makes the combination even more charming and keeps it from looking too intentional. My dad never saw the need to teach me how to tie a full Windsor knot, but I learned anyhow thanks to YouTube. I added gold toned and pearl accents for a touch of femininity to the balance out the “old man” sweater.

I can count on my mom to embrace me with a hug and my dad to bestow some words of wisdom on this day. No matter how many birthdays come and go, I will always be their little girl in their eyes who still has a lifetime of learning to do.

What can I say? I get it from my mama (and papa).

Dirty Flirty Birthday

dad’s vintage sweater cardigan (similar men’s cardigan & women’s cardigan) / dad’s vintage tie (similar tie) / mom’s vintage blouse (similar blouse & blouse) / mom’s vintage Mervyn’s purse (similar purse) / Cooperative trouser skinnies (similar pants) / Pour La Victoire pumps (similar pumps) / vintage belt (similar belt) / vintage sweater clip (similar) / vintage earrings (similar earrings) / Express brooch (similar brooch)

Circus Circus

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Circus Tent

Come one, come all! I may be a lady, but let the freak show begin!

I went to my one and only circus show when I was ten years old. It was actually my dad who really wanted to attend, so he insisted on taking my sister and me. As much as I protested against going, I actually enjoyed the show – minus the smell of elephant poop.

While the circus I visited took place in an indoor arena, I am still enchanted by the whimsically striped circus tents from the olden days. The dizzying array of vertical and horizontal wide stripes on this dress is reminiscent of just that. The crisp blue and white can only be complemented by bold pops of cherry red in my belt and shoes. I kept all other accessories to a minimum except for a bracelet, a brooch, and a blue headscarf to match the blue stripes.

I know what you’re thinking and the answer is yes: beneath this tent is the greatest show on earth. That’s what he said.

Where’s a lion tamer when you need one?


thrifted I. Magnin dress (similar) / thrifted Selby shoes (similar) / thrifted scarf (similar) / vintage brooch (similar) / red belt (similar)

Stripes on Stripes on Stripes

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I attended my very first clothing swap party some months back. A clothing swap party is exactly what it sounds like – all you need is a person to host the party and a group of gals to bring in unwanted clothing/accessories/shoes/handbags. The rules will vary from party to party, but the single most important requirement is that all who participate must contribute something to the swap. What better way to empty your closet and also shop for a “new” wardrobe? Let the swapping games begin!

I almost passed on this pair of striped shorts. It is a size too big and the Bermuda style looks tomboyish on me, but I saw the potential – and it was FO’ FREE! There was no need to worry about buyer’s remorse here.

My inspiration for this outfit materialized merely by accident. I’ve gradually accumulated blue and white striped items in my closet, and one day I had a stroke of genius to wear all the stripes together. If you’ve been a reader of mine from the beginning, you know that I’ve always been a bit nautical by nature. I wore my go-to maritime rope belt with my favorite compass necklace; it will come in handy in case I get lost at sea. Not one to be too matchy matchy, I also threw in a vintage brown and goldenrod paisley scarf for good measure.

I’ve got on more stripes than I can spot.


Truly Madly Deeply striped shirt (similar here & here) / Japanese bermuda shorts (similar) / White Mountain espadrilles / Urban Outfitters rope belt (similar here & here)/compass necklace (similar) / Urban Outfitters zodiac watch (similar)