Tag Archives for vintage

{Outfit} Professional

You graduate college.  You move to a new city.  You grow up.

Right?  Or, at least that’s what we are told.

In the past week, I have managed to take on another internship; and it’s one that requires “business professional” wear.  Yes, the same girl that was bragging weeks ago about not having to don professional wear in the most conservatively dressed city must now join the throngs….Well, to a certain extent.

Actually, I am going to ensure that I am able to stay true to my trendy self AND look professional!  (Truth: I actually now have an excuse to wear the pencil skirts hanging out in my closet!)

My goal is to be known as the cute and adorably dressed intern in the office!

And, of course, the professional outfits will take inspiration from Mad Men.  Then, maybe, I’ll find me a dapper man in this city…

xoxo,

Hillary Rose

PS:  Sadly, one cannot bike in a pencil skirt….At least not well……..

PPS:  Yes, I am sporting my signature lip color!

undershirt: american apparel // lace overshirt: american apparel // skirt: vintage // shoes: aldo’s (similar) // jewelry: vintage

{Outfit} Red

 

It. Is. Hot. Way. Hot.

I’m quite tempted to put my undies in the icebox, but the roommates might think I’m crazy.  So, maybe I’ll just stick to crop tops and tying my hair into a top knot.  (And enjoy our now-working AC).

For those that don’t know, a freak storm (that I got caught in for a few minutes) has caused major power outages in DC and other nearby states.  I kind of blame it on the homeless man that my roommate and I didn’t give give a dollar since we had no cash on us.  Two seconds after telling him no…BAM!  We thought the apocalypse had hit.

 

Karma?  I think so.  The next day I made sure to give this other homeless man a dollar to help him get a metro ticket.

But this heat is making everyone’s lives miserable.  I’ve attempted to bike a few times only to get off drenched in sweat and red faced.  (Neither the most fashionable nor desirable look at this moment…..)

Thankfully, cropped tops are currently on trend, and I WILL be taking advantage of those for the next month.

 

Weeeeeee….summer time….

xoxo

Hillary Rose

shirt: urban outfitters (two years) // skirt: urban outfitters (two years) // shoebies: steve madden // scarf: vintage // jewelry: vintage

{Outfit} Windy

Before getting dressed this morning, I took a gander at the weather report.  Paying more attention to the fact it was going to be low 80′s and sunny, I opted for a cute and simple LBD to dress down with my large straw bag.  But when I walked outside, I realized there was one thing I did not take notice of when checking the weather:  the wind report.

As I tried to cross the intersection, I got caught on one of the traffic islands.  The combo of the cars whooshing and the wind blowing was not working in my favor.  I tried to hold my dress down while cars honked and a homeless man approached me.

HM:  Whooshhh!  Whosshh!  You betta’ hold ya dress down honey!

Me:  Hahaha…I’m trying….

HM: Well, keep tryin’!  You don’t want to show them the money!

Slightly traumatized, I dashed across the intersection as soon as I got the walk sign.  I then tried to contain my want to flip off every man whistling at me while driving by….fail….

Anyways, here to you Marilyn.  If only I looked as chic as you while the wind blew my dress up….

xoxo

Hillary

dress: gift from friend // scarf: vintage // shoes: zara (last summer) // bag: vintage

{Outfit} Vest

A couple of years ago, I went through this BIG denim obsession faze.  Nylon had done an article about the upcoming trend for Fall 2010, DOUBLE DENIM.

At first, I despised the thought of wearing denim on denim, but then I got on board.  Before long, I was trying to see how much denim I could wear at once (four was the best I could get and still look cute:  jeans, denim jacket, denim shirt and denim flats….).

While I have moved forward, the one thing I refuse to give up from my denim obsession faze is my thrifted denim vest.  It’s too awesome!  The cut!  The wash!  It’s simply, one-of-a-kind….(my mother actually helped me find this while we were out and about).

And since I don’t really work in an office on “The Hill,” I luckily get to sport my eclectic style pretty much everyday.  Sucks to suck government interns having to wear your boring black on black suits!  I’ll stick with my arts internship/job at Urban Outfitters and call it a day.

(At least for the time being….)

Actually, I am a tad bit jealous of those interns in their work wear…  They can wake up in the morning, open their closet and pick out an outfit from a limited amount of pieces.

As for me, I wake up in the morning, pour myself a cup of coffee while checking my email, open up my closet, go over in my head my schedule of the day and attempt to figure out what’s appropriate for my day.

Heels?  Nahh, I’m going to be walking to Bloomingdale today.  Black jeans?  Yea, I’m heading to visit an artist.  Denim vest?  But of course because I don’t have to work in the Capital!

Oh the life I live….as a hipster in DC….

xoxo,

Hillary Rose

vest: thrifted liz claiborne // shorts: gap // purse: vintage // sunnies: ray-ban // sandals: urban outfitters

{Outfit} Green

“The question isn’t ‘Are you ready for DC, Hillary?’ but, instead, “Is DC ready for you?”

I like to tell myself this is the true question to help ease my nerves.  While my father, on the other hand,    tells me that DC is a city full of crime and unemployment.  My response?  What city isn’t?

My father also asked me what New York Fashion Week was at lunch yesterday.  I stared at him in disbelief trying to figure out if he was serious.  He was.   At the time, I didn’t know how to respond….but now I realize my answer should have been:

“Dad, it’s the World Series of fashion!”

 But don’t get me wrong, I love my dad.  I’m a bit of a daddy’s girl.

My daddy doesn’t exactly understand my passion and interest in fashion.  He’s a man of such simple clothes:  three pairs of the same khaki shorts, 10 neutral colored polos (all Duck Head) and two pairs of blue jeans.

He attempted to wear his navy blazer with his black dress pants to my graduation.  I immediately vetoed that!

My brother on the other hand…I’ve been able to help him a little bit…

No cargo shorts.  No sweatpants in public.  No red on red.

Though, it is baseball season, so he’s been wearing a lot of running shorts out and about….But honestly, they might be better than cargo shorts….

Hoaaaa, hummm….I just hope I marry a well dressed man…

xoxo

Hillary Rose

shirt:  express // skirt:  zara // belt:  rando paris boutique // sunnies:  ray-ban // heels:  rando paris boutique // purse:  coach // jewelry:  vintage

Savvy

I graduated.  It’s time to face the adult world.  Needless to say, I’m a little nervous.

But, I did take on Europe solo (The Chic Traveler)…so, living in DC should be easy-peasy?  Right?!?

(DC is kinda the first stop on my journey to NYC…just give me three years!)

In less than two weeks, I’ll move out of my cozy house to a teennyyy-tinyyyy apartment where I will attempt to make it without sacrificing my savvy and chic self!  Which, leads me to my current wish-list book!

I’m a bit of a girly, lifestyle book “whore.”

All those books can be found on my bookcase (along with Breakfast at Tiffany’s, A Farewall to Arms, A Moveable Feast).  So, call me weird or tell me to live my own life…I honestly don’t care.  I get joy from these books.  It’s as if someone else is speaking exactly what’s running through my mind.

So, maybe I’ll purchase this book.  Or maybe I’ll be spend savvy and go inside the bookstore, find the book, curl up in a chair and take notes.  (Means I can splurge on a coffee, right?!?)

But for now, I’m going to finish finding coins in my couch and taking it to the coin machine.

Cheers to a savvy yet thrifty next couple of years!!

xoxo

Hillary Rose

shirt:  h&m // necklace:  vintage

DC

So, I’ve been a bit M.I.A.  Actually, I’ve been gone for over a month. AHHH!  I’ve kind of been a bit busy….

See, I had this entire fashion show to co-coordinate (which you should click here to take a gander at the photos and designs).  I’m also to appear as the cover story for this event in the future.  When that story is up, I can link ya to it and tell you more about it.  But for now, here’s a sneak preview:

My short self is on the left sporting some red Trina Turk pants (that I much wanted for myself).  You can also see that Izzie makes an appearance!  The shoot was ’50s themed, and I was told I look a bit Jackie O and politiciany wifey….

Following the fashion show, I prepared to graduate from college and officially be granted the smarts and intelligence of a grown-up! BAM!

(dress:  target  // shoes:  jessica simpson)

I finally purchased some flatform espadrilles.  Happy happy dayyyysss!

And around the time of graduation, I was making a few stylish appearances out and about the town!  (I’m on the right incase you haven’t figured out what I look like yet…)

(pants:  h&m // shirt:  h&m // necklace:  vintage)

Immediately following graduation, I was in a wedding for a best friend.  Want proof?  Here’s another photo for your fancy!

ANNNDDDDD, on top of all this, I have been searching HIGH and LOW for an apartment for my big post-grad move to WASHINGTON DC!  Yuupppp!  This small town raised Southern belle is about to take on the city.

Here’s a photo from a few months back, but a good one of me in the city….

(pants:  gap // jacket:  vintage leather jacket // scarf:  ??? // purse:  vintage // glasses: ray-ban)

Okkkk…So now that I have updated you on my life and proved that I have not fallen off the face of the earth, it’s time to get back in the fashion action!  Hopefully DC won’t freak out too much when I come to stay!

(Maybe those polticiany-wifey comments will work in my favor in DC…I can see myself as a wayyyy-in-the-future first lady….)

xoxo

Hillary Rose

{Outfit} M.J.S.

M.J.S.

Short for “mom jean-shorts.”

Mom jeans: a satirical term for a perceived fit of women’s jeans considered very unflattering, consisting of a high waist

Yes, I own a pair.  And to top it off, they are cut-offs (which, I did myself…).

Why do I own a pair of these?  Well, honestly, I don’t think they look too unflattering on me.  And with this outfit, they aren’t too “mom” but more “badass.”

So, maybe you agree with me, or maybe you don’t.  You might be sitting at your computer thinking I look a fool.  But I’m sure you own some things that others deem “unflattering.”

Fashion’s meant to be fun.  And having your own, unique style is meant to set you apart from the crowd.  Seriously, what fun is it to look like Ms. Plain Jane sitting next to you on the bus?

Not that much fun?  Right?

I’ve always had this desire to wear things that make me unique and stand out (except for my junior and senior year of high school when I wanted to be “cool” and not trendy).   In middle school, I used to wear Dr. Marten look-a-likes with pleated skirts while the other kids wore AE and hip-hugging flares!

Maybe if you are reallllll nice, I might show off some of these old photos!

Oh look!  I even made a gif!  Weeee!

xoxo

Hillary Rose Owens

shirt:  ny&co // jeans: thrifted calvin klein // blazer:  thrifted // shoes: hamrick’s // sunglasses:  clothing warehouse

{Outfit} White

Honestly, it’s probably because I rolled out of bed with 5 minutes to get dressed before biking off and arriving late on time to class.  But this white on white business is still snazzy!  Don’t you agree?

(And just look at my adorable lavender toes!)

White’s one of those colors that people are afraid to don.  I know because I used to be afraid of it myself.

“White pants on me?  Hell no!  It’ll make my thighs look HUGE!”

But I finally broke down and bought a pair last spring, and I haven’t regretted it since.  Surprisingly, the perfect white pant seems to slim you!  They are a classic wardrobe staple and worth the investment.

My roommate in Paris, who is also curvy, invested in a pair while we were shopping the “soldes” (French for “sales”).  She found the perfect pair and looks amazing in them!

White pants are also perfect for spring and summer.  Dress ‘em down with sandals during the day, and dress ‘em up at night with some fancy wedges!

Oh, and don’t think that white pants are only for spring/summer.  They can be worn in the winter with a navy sweater and boots.

Très chic! Oui! Oui!

And here is the neighborhood cat interfering in my shot and sporting the orange on white trend!  He’s not the brightest thing in the box (he likes to lie in the middle of the road and won’t budge…), but I think he’s a cutie!

Actually, I’m the only one of my housemates that likes this cat. I’d call him my own and give him a home if they only let me…. 

xoxo

Hillary Rose

shirt:  express // pants:  ny&co.  // shoes:  ny&co.  // scarf:  vintage

{Outfit} Pants

Patterned paints.  Typically, they don’t work on my body.  As I’ve discussed in the past, I am short and been cursed bestowed with short legs.  I was so against wearing them until a fateful day last summer while in Paris.

My roommate and I were picking up a baguette (or multiples since I always got hungry on the way back…) from our favorite boulangerie in the 4th arrondissement right near the Pompidou when we spotted this vintage store.  There were racks of shirts and dresses and pants on the racks outside for 25 cents or 1-5 euros.

So, of course, my roommate and I had to make a shopping pitstop.

While rummaging through the racks, my roommate pulled out these pants.  I wasn’t too sure about them since I had never been a fan of patterned pants on my body.  But she demanded I try them on and see.

And to the fitting room I went.

Even after putting them on, I still wasn’t too sure about them.

“I’m not sure these work…”

But my roommate didn’t agree with me.

“Hillary, they look so cute on you!  Just imagine them with your heels and a wrap top!”

I returned back to the fitting room and began to analyze myself in the mirror.  They were cute, buttttttt, patterned pants? On me?

After a few minutes of staring at myself in the mirror, my mind started to change.  They do have a flattering flare and lose fight.  Plus, they aren’t too patterny.  And they are perfect for spring and summer…perhaps with the right heel….

Right then and there I convinced myself to buy them (and if all else failed, they’d work as lounge pants).

Now, flash forward nine months, and here I am wearing these pants around the town (and I never wore them as lounge pants…).  If only the Parisian that used to own them could see her pants now….

xoxo

Hillary Rose

shirt: ny&co // pants:  paris consignment shop // shoes:  hamrick’s // necklaces:  thrifted