Fur Me

Skaist-Taylor faux fur vest from Neiman Marcus + Target limited edition collection.

I like to think I’m a trend setter…but I’m the first to admit when I’m late to the game, and faux fur is one of those times when I was slow to pick up the trend.  I remember when it was elegant to wear real fur.  I was little, and used to admire the furs in my grandmother’s closet while tromping around in her pointy high heels.  And then I remember when people didn’t even wear faux fur because fur wasn’t cool or politically correct.  I am an animal lover, and I see no reason to kill animals for a fur coat.  At the same time, I haven’t stopped buying leather shoes or bags or eating poultry.    But for some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to embrace the faux fur trend until this season.

Target + Neiman Marcus Vest worn under J.Crew Gray Tartan Boy Shirt

My faux fur obsession this winter started when Target launched its collaboration with Neiman Marcus, and I became absolutely obsessed with the Skaist-Taylor faux fur vest.  I walked all around Target with it on while my husband and I looked for a new fake Christmas tree, debating the entire time whether I should buy it because it was $79.99.  Then my husband turned to me and said, “you look cute.”  He usually has no opinion on my wardrobe, so I knew I had to buy it.  I have already worn this vest twice – once with J.Crew matchstick jeans and once with my black wool J.Crew pencil skirt.  I love that this vest dresses up and down so well, looking equally great with denim and silk.  I have a feeling I’m going to be wearing this vest with one of my sequined tops on New Year’s Eve.

Same outfit, different angle — fur and shirt paired with J.Crew matchstick jeans and tall red boots by Lumiani.

My second faux fur purchase happened — believe it or not — at BJ’s wholesale.  We typically shop there for toiletries, vitamins, cleaning products, and food, but sometimes they have well-priced team sports apparel.  So there I was, wandering through the ladies section (if you can call it that) when I came across a faux leopard print, reversible vest for $22.99.  I had to have it (this time my husband just rolled his eyes…he knows better than to stop me when I spot a great deal).  So far, I’ve tended to just throw the BJs vest over a wool sweater and pair of jeans.  It’s a little longer and a little less fitted, so I wear it for quick trips out or on “warmer” days, the same way I wear my J.Crew puffer vests.

Reversible faux fur vest from BJs Wholesale (who would have thought?!)

I’ve received tons of compliments on both and I couldn’t be happier to have these two items in my wardrobe.  Are you sporting faux fur this season?  Let me know!

With love,

J.Crew Obsessed

J.Crew Silk Boy Shirt in Heart Throb, Three Ways

Silk boy shirt in heart throb, photo from jcrew.com. On sale for $89.99 plus 30% off as of 12/16/12.

This is my first installment of “One Item, Three Ways,” and I hope to keep these posts going on a regular basis.  This thought came to me as I was starting this blog and trying to edit my J.Crew purchasing behavior, and really my shopping behavior in general.  I am trying to only buy items that I can imagine working into at least three outfits.

I fell in love with the J.Crew silk boy shirt in heart throb the minute I saw it, but I waited until it went on sale and then snagged it during the extra 30% off sale.  I have this same shirt in the French Hen pattern, so I knew it would fit and wear well.

So, how am I making good use of this shirt?  So far, I’ve found that it works great with the J.Crew wool pencil skirts, jeans of any kind (I’ve worn them with J.Crew matchstick jeans as well as my very favorite AG “Angel” jeans, and under my J.Crew suit dress.    Here are the outfits so far:

1.  Accenting a monochromatic look.  I saw some great monochromatic looks in one of the Fall J.Crew catalogues, with a tip that this look works best when you add in some texture.  I paired my J.Crew #2 pencil skirt with a J.Crew cambridge cable.  The shoes are J.Crew Cece ballet flats in navy and the necklace is from a Consignment Shop called Pennywise in Mystic, CT.  This look would work with heels as well, but I often go for comfort and grab a pair of ballet flats.

2.  Dressed down.  This outfit worked great during the work week, as my work environment is fairly casual and I only have to dress up when I go to conferences or have external meetings.  The jeans are AG in Angel cut, which is a bootleg, and the shoes are Tory Burch black suede cyrstal bow ballet flats.  I got the jeans at Saks and the shoes were a Christmas present to myself this year during a Tory Burch sale.  The necklace is a recent J.Crew purchase, and a J.Crew colorblock Tippi cardigan is perfect over this outfit when it’s chilly in the office.

3.  Dressed up.  I haven’t worn this outfit yet, but I plan to next week.  Since the shirt is so soft and thin, it should work well under my black J.Crew suiting dress.  I usually belt this dress to add definition to the waist and wear the jacket open.  The shoes are Tahari and were purchased at least 5 years ago at DSW.  I think this look would work with tall black boots, black heels, or my black Born booties as well.

Do you have this shirt?  How are you wearing it?  Let me know!!

Accenting a monochromatic look.

Dressed down

Dressed up.