The Cool Chic

You’re hot then you’re cold.

I’m talking about the finicky weather lately. A heatwave one week, and a chance of rain the next week. Or, it can happen all in the same day: mild in the daytime, but winds pick up soon after sunset. Lightweight layering pieces are key to surviving these fast-changing temperatures.

For this weather driven style challenge, I reached for my leather jacket. I finally got my hands on one for a price that I can live with – $15 at Goodwill! A simple leather jacket is classic and timeless – you won’t have to worry about it going out of style. It’s the perfect mid-weight item for that in between weather, when it’s neither frosty nor too hot.

It’s black and it’s white. Still high off my previous outfit post, black and white seemed most appropriate for this leather jacket. Not one to be very edgy, I softened up the ensemble with feminine details: a polka dot bow, a strand of pearls, a sheer blouse, and a vintage beaded cardigan.

Between the jacket, the killer heels, and the graffiti in the background, I couldn’t help but feel too cool for school (while staying warm) in this outfit. I tried my best to give a mean mug, but to no avail. Instead of looking bad ass, I just look cool chic.

This cool chic chick needs a cigarette, a tatted up boy toy, and a motorcycle. Who da baddest chic?


thrifted Banana Republic jacket (similar pleather jacket) / vintage cardigan (similar cardigan) / Old Navy blouse (similar blouse and blouse) / Levi’s jeans (similar jeans) / Dollhouse booties (similar booties) / vintage Coach Willis handbag / thrifted headscarf (similar scarf)

Dressed to a Tee

Even this vintagenista likes to wear a casual tee shirt every now and then. How about a tee that represents the city from which I was born and raised? Oakland, smokin’.

I got this awesome tee shirt at fiftyseven-thirtythree, an Oakland based apparel company that specializes in not your mom’s screen-printed graphic tees and artwork oozing with street edge. Although paying $30 for a tee shirt is steep in my opinion (those funds could go towards a vintage dress!), at least it supports local business. Lucky for me, I happened to chance upon this grapefruit hued shirt in the bargain bin. I got five on it! Or more like ten, which is how much I paid for it.

Cardigan (options here + here) / Tee (options here + here + here) / Hat (options here + here)

My favorite thing to do with a casual modern tee shirt is to juxtapose it with feminine elements. I scored this high contrast black and white beaded cardigan at Buffalo Exchange in almost excellent condition, complete with silk lining underneath. Ripped jeans and studded booties complemented my rockin’ vintage look, topped off with a vintage silk pillbox hat and a blingin’ brooch.

Representing Oaktown and vintage at the same time! Oh how I love it.

The Feminine Cardigan