January 2021 Outfit Roundup (Part 2)

 Happy Sunday, everyone! It's time for Part 2 of January's daily outfits. Ready? Let's go!

01.18.2021

inner: inner: pussybow tank blouse / Michael Kors (swapped)

outer: white beaded cardigan / B. Altman (thrifted vintage)

bottom: rust striped maxi skirt / Bar iii (swapped)

shoes: black suede booties / Frye (thrifted)

eyeglasses: cognac D-frames / Persol (found)

 This look is truly me. Not that I don't usually feel like myself when I get dressed, but sometimes an outfit just really speaks to my soul, and this is one of those outfits. I look like a fun librarian -- quirky, a bit nerdy, enthusiastic about... something or other. Probably likes to knit on weekends, I don't know. Either way, I liked getting to know her.

01.19.2021

inner: leopard print mock neck tank / unknown (new)

outer: white puff-sleeve blouse / Banana Republic (thrifted)

bottom: black high-waist trousers / Wilfred (thrifted)

shoes: black suede booties / Frye (thrifted)

socks: green pizza print / Socksmith (gift)

scarf: brown print silk / unknown (swapped)

belt: cognac carved leather / unknown (hand-me-down vintage)

purse: black cross-body / unknown (hand-me-down)

sunglasses: black wayfarers / Ray-Ban (new)

This outfit was developed for a challenge, with a prompt to take inspiration from someone with a similar body type to mine. I chose Abby from @abbyontheinternet (formerly clothesandpizza) who is an excellent print-mixer and always looks cutting-edge, yet not unapproachably so. I love that I'm able to wear outfits I'd typically wear in the spring right now, simply by adding a few extra layers, i.e. the socks and the mockneck. Plus, unexpected prints are so fun.

01.21.2021

inner:  black turtleneck / Cuddlduds (new)

outer: gray sequin stripe tee / Banana Republic (thrifted)

vest: black & white knit vestigan / Sans Souchi (hand-me-down)

shoes: black & white trainers / Asics (new)

bag: black backpack / Tutilo (gift)

hat: black wide-brim hat / Halston III (hand-me-down vintage)

 

This was the first day I ventured beyond our neighborhood to run some errands in the city in nearly a month, so it called for comfy layers! I love what a hat can do to a simple outfit like this. Instant level-up, as far as I'm concerned.

 

 

01.22.2021

inner: cream lace tee / Abound (new)

outer: aqua men's suit jacket / ASOS (hand-me-down, local buy-nothing group)

bottom: black high-waist trousers / Wilfred (thrifted)

scarf: silk burgundy & black floral / unknown (thrifted)

belt: chocolate & tan weave / unknown (thrifted)

Another challenge outfit! I was recreating a fellow style Instagrammer's here, and having a grand old time doing so, as you can see! I'm still figuring out what to do with this men's jacket I claimed via our Buy-Nothing market. It doesn't quite fit me, but isn't the color lovely?

01.23.2021

inner: black lace silk top / Equipment (thrifted)

outer: black moto jacket / Zara (thrifted)

bottom: light-wash boyfriend jeans / Express (hand-me-down)

scarf: red plaid / street vendor (new)

belt: brown leather / Gap (thrifted)

purse: cream clutch / Kate Spade (gift)

shoes: black low-tops / Converse (found)

 

It's a power 'fit! Done casual-style. Nothing adds a bit of oomph like a black leather jacket and red lipstick. I've been wearing my lipstick exclusively around the apartment these days, considering it just smudges and can't be appreciated beneath the mask. It still puts me in a cheerful mood when I catch my reflection.

01.25.2021

 

inner: charcoal longline tank / Old Navy (hand-me-down)

outer: ivory cable-knit cardigan / Banana Republic (found)

bottom: leopard-print leggings / Hard Tail (hand-me-down)

shoes: black platform sneakers / Janet Sport (new)

necklace: tiered chain / Lucky Brand (new)

 I've been dealing with some bouts of insomnia this month, and this Monday outfit was borne from feeling laaaaaaazy. Similarly to my errands-in-the-city outfit, I amped this one up with some layers (a tiered necklace, a chunky cardigan) and some kicks. I'm convinced there's nothing these David Rose-esque platform sneakers can't do. They're simply the best. ;)

01.26.2021

inner: rust waffle tee / Uniqlo (new)

outer: charcoal tweed belted coat / Fashionbilt (vintage)

bottom: burgundy a-line skirt / Loft (new)

shoes: chocolate knee boots / Frye (thrifted)

tights: chocolate / Hue (new)

scarf: brown printed silk / unknown (swapped)

 

*Trumpet noise* Introducing my new-to-me genuine '80s vintage belted tweed John Bender dream coat!! This is the first piece of vintage I've ever bought off the internet and the first anything I've bought a direct result of Instagram's algorithm. I'm happy to report it did not disappoint. Hopefully it won't be too warm again by the time it's safe enough to take her out on the town...

01.28.2021

top: gray marled sweater / Xhilaration (hand-me-down)

bottom: black ponte pants / DKNY (gift)

shoes: black suede boots / Frye (thrifted)

necklace: loose pearl / Banana Republic (new)

Another cozy outfit! Sometimes it's just coffee-and-a-sweater day, right? 

And an I'm-not-wearing-makeup day. 

And an I'm-letting-my-hair-air-dry day.

 

01.29.2021

top: blue heathered turtleneck / Free People (gift)

bottom: charcoal pencil skirt / unknown (thrifted)

shoes: navy suede pumps / Franco Sarto (new)

necklace: turquoise gemstone bib / unknown (thrifted)

scarf: light blue printed silk / unknown (thrifted)

tights: navy / Land's End (new)

The '80s made me do it. The tights with pumps, the blue eyeshadow, the waistband scarf -- all of it. Robert Palmer specifically. I can't help myself as soon as I'm in the '80s mindset. It's a one-way ticket to Glam Town.

 

 

01.30.2021

top: olive cashmere sweater / TSE cashmere (thrifted)

dress: russet corduroy jumper / F21 (thrifted)

shoes: olive snow-boots / Sorel (new)

hat: faux-fur hunting cap / Collectioneighteen (new)

tights: taupe / Hue (thrifted)

socks: cream chunky-knit / unknown (gift)

Can you tell I'm eager for a woodsy adventure? I've perched myself like a little chipmunk atop this stool! Here's a clever hack for summer-worthy dresses: put a sweater over them. Don't even think about whether or not it looks good; we're just in it for the layers. Add some boots and tights and a fabulous hat and you're basically ready for cabin life.

That's it for my first month back! Whew, what a whirlwind of learning the new ins-and-outs of Instagram, stealing my husband's phone camera while I prepare to upgrade my own, and meeting new style friends! Thank you for following along, and stay tuned for February: I've decided to host a month-long STYLE CHALLENGE! Five days a week, I'm basing my outfit around one of my favorite screen icons, from TV or film. I'll be back mid-month to share the looks here, but you can follow along daily on Instagram.

January 2021 Outfit Roundup (Part 1)

Hello all! I'm diving back in to sharing outfit photos again! This is exciting for me, as I haven't brought attention to this area of my creative life since late 2017. Of course, during that time, I've still been getting dressed; I'm still thrifting primarily and avoiding fast-fashion as best I can. But sharing it here, beyond my day-to-day, always brings me extra joy, and over the years, I found myself missing this outlet a great deal. These outfits are posted on Instagram (@inspirsession) daily, but I also wanted to share them here for those who choose not to engage with social media platforms.

You can expect to see two outfit posts per month, one for the first half and one for the second. The first half of this particular month is shifted slightly, as I came up somewhat short in terms of content. This is due to my taking a pause for a few days in light of the attempted coup at the US Capitol. I've spent the majority of my time on this blog ignoring current events in favor of escaping into my creative outlets. While I consider such moments of escape somewhat necessary -- particularly in the midst of the past four years -- I am coming to realize the inherent privilege in "escaping" from circumstances that to other people are everyday realities. 2020 offered us a reckoning in so many ways, and I'm glad for the time to reflect on my personal values & responsibilities in the midst of my creative efforts.

Below each photo you'll find a little blurb about the outfit contents and/or their inspiration. This is may include prompts and origin-credits for IG-hosted outfit challenges or just space for me to wax poetic about a newly thrifted garment. (You know me!) On a personal level, these notes help me continually evaluate my wardrobe in terms of its sustainability factor -- am I putting my money where my mouth is and avoiding buying new fast fashion? Are the majority of my pieces secondhand? Am I accepting too many gifts? (A word on "gift" items -- these are not sponsored, company-provided products, but rather actual gifts from friends and family members -- mostly my mom!) This space has never run on sponsorship, and you'll certainly know when and if it ever does.

Finally, you'll see pieces repeated here quite often, as I strive to keep a moderately substantial yet frequently-worn closet. I'm not operating under the monthly or four-season capsule wardrobe structure any longer, but I am currently keeping about a third of my clothes in storage, to be swapped out in mid-spring. The other two-thirds include my fall/winter pieces and my year-round basics, both of which are currently in rotation.

Without further adieu, I hope you enjoy this little review of my January wardrobe, part one!

 

01.01.2021

 

inner: Stranger Things graphic tee / Target (new) / 100% cotton

outer: brown longline ribbed cardigan / Max Studio (gift) / 100% merino wool

bottom: black high-waist trousers / Wilfred (thrifted)

I hmm-ed and haw-ed a long while over the perfect graphic tee. Mostly I couldn't decide what I loved enough to essentially advertise on my own body. (I'd be a horrible candidate for a tattoo.) I'm glad to see more retailers like Target eschewing polyester blends in favor of full cotton, but it doesn't excuse the fact that this was a fast-fashion indulgence. Later I found an alternative graphic tee option on Poshmark, which I'm sure you'll see on here later. It was a good reminder to live by my own mantra: "secondhand first"!

 

01.02.2021

top: puff-sleeve tee blouse / Banana Republic (thrifted)

bottom: navy floral skirt / unknown (thrifted)

shoes: Russian Pointe (new)

You can't see them in this pic, but I wore my pointe shoes for this whimsical shot! It's always a bittersweet experience re-discovering something you loved but no longer practice. I have dreams of taking a dance class again, post-pandemic. 

 

01.03.2021

dress: russet corduroy jumper / Forever 21 (thrifted)

top: mustard ribbed tee / Uniqlo (thrifted)

shoes: brown combat boot / Täōs (gift)

I just love how this look turned out! Long live 60s style! (P.S. Did anyone else run out and buy a newsboy cap as soon as they saw one on Mimi in Rent? Yes, I am that mid-00s-era theater kid. And yes, I've had this hat half my life!)

01.04.2021

top: olive crop sweater / TSE Cashmere (thrifted)

bottom: houndstooth ankle trousers / Banana Republic (gift)

glasses: cognac d-frames / Persol (found)

This medium-weight cropped cashmere sweater has been an absolute staple since I purchased it 3-4 years ago. If you're seeking a "perfect" sweater of your own, I guess my guidelines would be: somewhat oversized, in a quality fabric (wool, cashmere, sturdy cotton, etc. - nothing synthetic), in a shade that matches your eye color!

 

01.05.2021

 inner: brown striped tee / Theory (thrifted)

outer: navy plaid tunic / Zara (thrifted)

bottom: beige wide-leg pants / Old Navy (swapped) / cotton-linen blend

 

For those of us spending a lot of time hunched over the computer at home these days, a comfortable waistband is essential. This look was my compromise between getting dressed and staying in my pjs.

 

01.11.2021

dress: coral wrap / Pact (new) / 100% organic cotton, fair-trade

socks: Fair Isle knee-highs / Pact (gift) / 100% organic cotton, fair-trade

shoes: chocolate knee boots / Frye (thrifted)

 

After the events at the Capitol, I was feeling inspired to wear something truly humanitarian. I challenged myself to style up a fully fair-trade outfit, and it was eye-opening to see how far I still have to go in prioritizing sustainable brands. Luckily, Pact came through! I mostly rely on them for underwear and socks, but I can't speak highly enough of their commitment to fair-trade and organic cotton production.

 

01.12.2021

dress: russet polka-dot midi / Nanette (gift)

outer: ivory cable-knit cardigan / Banana Republic (found) / 100% wool

shoes: brown combat boot / Täōs (gift)

This outfit was inspired by one of my newly-discovered Instagram follows, @acjarrett. She coined the hashtag #grungegrandma to describe this look, and I was more than happy to participate. Grunge-grandma is very much part of my aesthetic!

 

01.14.2021

inner: cream lace tee / Abound (new)

outer: crop chambray shirt / Alice & Olivia (thrifted)

bottom: ice blue mesh skirt / Zara (hand-me-down)

tights: taupe / Hue (thrifted)

socks: blue pattern / Pendleton (gifted)

shoes: tan ankle boots / Born (hand-me-down)

belt: cognac & gold wide / unknown (thrifted)

scarf: light blue silk / unknown (thrifted)

I called this look "Cowboy Cinderella." It came together quite organically. I wondered if the blue shirt and skirt would fly together. They certainly did.

 

01.15.2021

inner: taupe pinstripe tee blouse / Jones New York (new)

outer: soft green herringbone jacket / Ralph Lauren (thrifted)

bottom: army green skinny jeans / Loft (swapped)

shoes: tan ankle boots / Born (hand-me-down)

This was another "I wonder if these two greens will go together..." concept. I'm absolutely in love with this jacket, even though it's admittedly a touch too big for me.

 

01.16.2021

inner: pink turtleneck / Free People (hand-me-down)

dress: maroon maxi wrap dress / Maurice's (thrifted)

stockings: cognac / unknown (upcycled tights)

shoes: brown combat boot / Täōs (gift)

hat: brown felt / unknown (thrifted)

As someone who really digs a true color match, I feel like this look would be been enhanced with a turtleneck on the same shade of blue as the flowers on the dress. Especially since the stockings are such a straight match with other elements of the floral pattern. But as far as winterizing a warm-weather dress, this got the job done!

See you soon for January Part 2!

A Return

Well, hello, everyone! It's been... well, it's been a couple years, which is a hard thing to admit. I didn't intentionally take a step back from Inspirsession -- it sort of just happened. With the movement within the style community from blogs to other forms of social media like Instagram and TikTok, I wasn't sure whether updates would continue to reach an audience. I also decided to redirect some energy toward my acting career. Ironically, just about the time I gained a bit of focus in that area, some family health issues arose, then an engagement, and then a worldwide pandemic. Life comes out of nowhere sometimes, and things get shelved and then start gathering dust before you know it.

With this great pause, however, comes a new breath of life into my personal style journey and the desire to share it! I continue to call it my "journey," because I think just like our personalities our styles are ever-evolving. That said, in some ways I feel I have finally "arrived" at what I always hoped to achieve: I have a closet which which I feel, for the most part, content. I wear what I own, even while living the unemployed life at home. I've taken a step back from the perfectionist fantasy of a minimalist capsule wardrobe, but held onto the structural guidelines. Here's a short update on what's new since my last posting:

I did not return to Rent the Runway after my free trial (the last thing posted on this blog before my break.) While it was plenty of fun, it was also expensive, and I didn't like the reliance on dry-cleaning.

I have continued to prioritize secondhand shopping, but in a way that feels more intuitive and less proscribed to a capsule checklist.

I have considered taking another year-long shopping break, because thrifting, while certainly a more sustainable practice than fast-fashion shopping, can easily get out of hand.

Speaking of fast-fashion, I have fallen off the wagon somewhat with my avoidance of it. It's a slippery slope -- especially when you don't have much cash to spare. It's also easy to become jaded with the "I'm just one person in a messed up society" train of thought. In an effort to recommit myself to buying new only from sustainable outlets, I am rereading Greta Egan's "Wear No Evil." In the context of education, I am also delving into more human-rights and anti-racist based reading (specifically the history of garment production within colonized societies) to better understand the roots of my passion, inconvenient and otherwise.

For the forseeable future, I have decided to post my daily outfits to Instagram, complete with short reels (videos a la TikTok) which breakdown the behind-the-scenes of it all. Stay tuned here, if this is the space you prefer, as I intend to do a monthly review of all the looks. If videos are more your thing, I encourage you to check out my Instagram @inspirsession -- and do follow if you like what you see. :)

For now, I hope we're entering a year of good ch-ch-ch-changes -- for our international health, for the planet, and for ourselves. We'll see what tomorrow holds. More soon.

Love, R.