Yep, that's a boy in my inspiration photo! I love saving menswear looks for inspiration, but this is the first time I've ever re-created one. I added a couple feminine elements such as a ruffled top and patent heels, but stuck to his overall color palette and I have to say I'm digging it. (I also love his clutch, I want one that's "floppy" like that soon.)
Speaking of purses, I'm holding my latest find. Purses are something I usually mull over before I can decide for sure. The pros and cons list for this one? Pros: it meets my bare minimum standards because it's genuine leather and has gold hardware. I also don't have any purses this color, and it was only $60 (score!) at Ross. Cons: it seems a tad big, and almost like a backpack shape. Anyone care to offer their vote? Also, have you ever been inspired by a menswear look?
Inspiration photo: Refinery29
Jacket: Gap, $25 (similar)
Shirt: Limited, $16
Pants: Hwy Jeans c/o TJ Maxx, $15 (similar, similar)
Belt: H&M, $20
Shoes: Colin Stuart c/o MJR Sales, $17 (similar, similar)
Purse: Emma Fox c/o Ross, $60
Rings: LOFT pink ring $11, My Stella & Dot website $49
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Bracelets: Banana Republic $10, My Stella & Dot website $49
1. Forever 21 peach top, $13.50
2. Charlotte Russe peach top, $21.99
3. Macy's peach top, $45
That purse is cute! But I'd never find my keys in that thing. And then I'd probably be finding old food in there a year later. But I really like the color.
ReplyDeleteWhy does that man in the inspiration photo have a murse (man-purse)? This worries me. Also, I think I just need you to go shopping for me. I'll give you the money, you come home and dress me up in cute things. Deal?
<3 the purse!
ReplyDeleteI love this look! I am very inspired by mens wear looks, and love your new purse! It looks like a Balenciaga handbag, so I think that you should definitely keep this one and get use out of it! I am definitely looking for a bag like that in black still! I love the inspiration photo too! That guy has some serious style! xx
ReplyDeletePip
http://chicstayathome.blogspot.com
I like the purse, it just doesn't seem "user friendly". Is it easy/comfortable to carry? The straps/shape seems awkward. I guess to sum it up - is it practical for your daily use? If yes keep it. If no, return it.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I really love this color combination - something about the girly peach with the boyish army green jacket is so cool & chic!
ReplyDeleteI love that purse and if you're second guessing you're self, I'll buy it from you! I have a similar purse in burgundy that I just happen to have with me today :) WEIRD. I am picky with purses as well and if it's not leather, I don't buy it.
ReplyDeleteI like the softer lighting on your photo today! You must be getting the hang of your new camera situation :)
ReplyDeleteThe purse is okay, but you are right it does sort of have a backpack look to it. It sort of looks awkward the way you are holding it, but if you like then I suggest you keep it.
ReplyDeleteI really like the purse! It's different and the color is beautiful. However, if you aren't sold on it is it going to end up in the back of your closet never to see daylight again?
ReplyDeleteI have a very stylish brother-in-law, so I have more of an interest in menswear than I should!
ReplyDeletehttp://work-it-blog.blogspot.com/
I'm using "Auto" with no flash whatsoever so when the sun wants to be nice to me, I get the perfect shot. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI like this Jen, thanks for the feedback!
ReplyDeleteOh you crack me up Paula. I'll come shop for you and you can write some jokes for my blog posts everyday. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI only occasionally do menswear, though I've been thinking that I need to try it more frequently. I am much more likely to go for what I call 1950s urchin.
ReplyDeleteThis outfit is great! I love that you were inspired by menswear. Have you tried using the purse yet? (Like, around the house pretending you're doing your daily activities and having to reach in and out of it.) If its shape doesn't detract from its functionality then keep it! But if anything is awkward or fussy about it, or if it's one of those pieces that you're not wishing to grab for immediately, then I'd say return it.
ReplyDeleteAudrey
www.puttingmetogether.com
I can't love this anymore than I do!
ReplyDeleteI love your style and i love that you put other options for purchasing the same things at different stores. I live in Canada so I don't have Limited or Macy's or Charlotte Russe but we do have Forever 21!
ReplyDeleteThis look is pretty common on male men in NYC, especially those that work in women's retail clothing stores (minus the handbag). Actually I saw it on waiters as well in the tea shop I visited recently. A lot of boat shoes and rolled up shorts. Kind of a Cape Cod weekender look.
ReplyDeleteNiki
www.fashionatforty.blogspot.com
LOVE this look and the inspiration!!
ReplyDeleteThat is too funny Christine! :-)
ReplyDeleteYay! I have all the components to wear this to work tomorrow for casual Friday! Love it!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to check out Ross - I have never found a leather purse for $60! Purses are my main splurge item.
ReplyDeleteThe purse is a really pretty color, but it is a bit big. I'm a mom, and I would love something like that as my every-day purse for fitting in the baby's diaper, burp cloth and pacifier in addition to all my stuff (especially with all the different pockets to organize things). But pre-baby I probably wouldn't have gone for it.
J, correct me if I'm wrong but didn't you buy a pair of oxford shoes like the gentleman is wearing a long time ago?? I could be wrong since I can't find it on your site, but I could have sworn you did. It stuck out to me because they were flats and not heels like you mostly wear. :) Just wondering why you didn't use them if you still have them.
ReplyDeleteOh the oxford shoes... those caused quite the stir (and you have a great memory because that was almost 2 years ago!!). His are awesome, but mine were a suede kind of gray color and I got rid of them! :-)
ReplyDeleteRoss usually doesn't have leather purses (or at least very many) so I was shocked to see this one. I did some research on the brand when I got home and it looks like a great company! (and that I got quite the deal)
ReplyDeleteAnd I hear ya - someday I will likely need a big purse so maybe now is not the best time. Although if I have a biz meeting and want to bring my Ipad or something, this purse would be perfect. :-)
I love sporting a "menswear" look. There's something so sexy about it! I love that whole outfit. Definitely something I will wear soon.
ReplyDeleteMenswear is a tough one for me. I love the components, but end up not feeling feminine enough (defeating the purpose, much?). This is a nice balance. J, do you rotate between most Orlando Ross/Marshall's etc. I LOVE Ross, but have been striking out a lot in Orlando. The most successful I've found is in Winter Garden Village. And I love Millennia's Marshalls. Just wondering which ones you frequent.
ReplyDeleteI saw a photo on another site of what I think is the same bag you're showing there. They said it was convertible and you can fold down the handles and use the strap as a crossbody bag. Just a thought. The way you're holding it, it looks like a super stylish bowling bag!
ReplyDeleteGreat look, I love the idea of using men's outfits for inspiration!
ReplyDeletehttp://fiveminutefashions.blogspot.com/
The color palette of this outfit is fun. Perfect for spring or fall, really.
ReplyDeleteThe purse, though. I'm not feeling it. It would be adorable without that extra top part, know what I mean? But, yeah, if you think it would be useful on a regular basis then I say hang on to it. I guess you never know when you need a large purse to haul things (like on a plane, maybe).
Great stuff!
ReplyDeletehttp://goo.gl/NA6lo
I just purchased the same Emma Fox purse at TJ Maxx in Madison, WI. I paid $129 for it! I'm so very jealous that you were able to get the same purse for a fraction of the cost I paid. Although I love your brown, mine is a camel color which I think is a little more springy...maybe keep an eye out for the camel, or I have also seen it in white which is really great!
ReplyDeleteI love it when you have your eyebrows relaxed in your pictures, your face looks so young and soft and pretty.
ReplyDeleteThat is crazy Rachel! I still think $129 is a good price though, the quality is outstanding. Love the idea of a camel or white color! I might check another Ross or TJ's, thank you!
ReplyDeleteLove this! I just linked your page on my blog here
ReplyDeletehttp://rookietorockstar.blogspot.com/2012/04/wearing-my-clothes-day-64-with-new.html
I've been wearing everything in my closet and posting pictures daily for the past 64 days. A poll is currently open for people to vote on their favorite/least favorite outfits from the days 31-60. If you've got time, I'd love your opinion! Thanks for blogging. =)
http://rookietorockstar.blogspot.com/2012/04/days-31-60-cast-your-vote.html
I love it! So different!! If you get a chance check out my blog to see how to be entered to win a Sephora Gift Card!!
ReplyDeleteXO Michelle
http://michellelivinglifebeautifully.blogspot.com/
LOVE LOVE LOOOVE this colour palette!!
ReplyDeleteOoooo.. Hey, Hey, this is pretty cute! Peach and Olive-y, wouldn't have expected it! I'm gonna dig out my skinny cargos and find something kinda similar to this!
ReplyDeleteLove your outfit and love the color of the purse and even the shape, BUT I find deep purses very, very frustrating. I have one, and it is so hard to find my stuff way down in the bottom I vowed never to buy one again. Does anyone else feel like I do?
ReplyDeleteI love this outfit! I would have never thought of using a guys photo as an inspiration photo!
ReplyDeleteI would never have thought to use men's clothing as inspiration...Never, but oh how you make it work. You are an inspiration, in many ways. Thanks as always for caring enough to share:)
ReplyDeleteLove love love that you used a menswear photo. So chic!
ReplyDeleteLove the colors and really love the purse. I have looked for something similar for a long time. Is it wrong to offer to buy it from you if you decide it's not something you want to keep? I love it that much!
ReplyDeleteI actually do like the purse. It looks rather equestrian to me. But if you are asking about it and having doubts, I don't think any purse is worth it, no matter the price. No point in having a good deal that you don't love! If you don't love it, you probably won't use it much.
ReplyDeleteI have been searching high and low for a pair of camel color jeans!!!! Thank you for this post! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are sweet Karen, thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent point. Not sure I've ever owned a purse this deep so will have to give this some thought! thank you! :-)
ReplyDeleteThe best TJ's by far is all the way up in Lake Mary, and i always have really good luck with the Ross and TJ's in Waterford Lakes! TJ's on International Drive is pretty good too. I don't really have a strategy though, since they can all be a great place to find a good deal - I just try to stop whenever I'm passing one and have 20 mins to spare. :-)
ReplyDeleteA great bit of advice, thank you Audrey!
ReplyDelete