Pajama Jeans: No. Just No.

It pains me that I even have to say anything about this:

NO.

And don't give me the "But it's comfortable!" argument.  So are actual pants.

Don't bother with the "But they look JUST LIKE jeans."  Like hell they do.

Frocking Friday 3

Apologies for the crap lighting.

Outfit Details: Dress: Anthro; Shoes: Anthro, Necklace: J Crew

Dress it up: Change shoes to something higher and dressier, add cocktail ring or bracelet.

Dress it down:  Swap heels for flats or boots, change statement necklace for something more delicate.

Shop This Place: Ruche

(Disclaimer: it's possible I have blogged about this pace before, because it's been so long since I've meant to.)

My friend, E Dub, tipped me off about Ruche and now I am seeing pieces from the site all over the fashion blogs I read.

The vibe looks like Anthro, Free People and ModCloth, but (mostly) at much lower price points.  I am into the following:

Love My Nest Necklace ($16.99):

Three of a Kind Necklace ($15.99):

Fly Away Home Necklace ($24.99):

FINE. I will post something other than bird necklaces.

Here's the Wise Little Owl Print Cardigan ($42.99):

Ok, ok.  Here's something entirely BIRD FREE:

Summer In Paris Floral Dress ($46.99):

Shop This Place: eShakti

I am dying to order this bird motif cotton dress from eShakti:

I can customize the skirt length, sleeves, neckline, and while those alternations cost extra, the dress starts at only $79.95.

What's awesome about this site is that you can tweak clothes to work better for you without having to design something from scratch.  The clothes are well-priced, come in extended sizes (XS - 26W), and are unique.  The styles are similar to Anthropologie, ModCloth, bebe, and BCBG.

I love having something customized to fit me or look exactly as I wish.

For this dress, I plan to change the neckline to a wide V, change the sleeve type to a cap sleeve, and make the overall length hit the knee.

I also have my eye on these pieces:

Flying Birds Safari dress (comes in 4 colors): ($79.95)

Floral Embroidered Color Block dress: ($59.95)

Felted Wool Shift dress: ($79.95)

Rosette Pins Silk top (comes in 2 colors): ($64.95)

NOT for the office: Thigh High Boots

At the suggestion of my friend H, I am discussing thigh high boots in a professional environment. 

I disapprove.

Unless you work in an extremely casual- or extremely sex-oriented (i.e., a strip club)- environment, they are simply not appropriate.

Let me paint you a picture:

You walk in to a conservative (legal, finance, etc.) office.  You have paid good money to meet with/obtain professional services from the professionals in this office.  You are expecting quality work and excellent client service.  A woman steps out from behind a desk/from her office/around a conference table wearing a fitted jacket, a fairly short skirt, and a thigh high boots.

Your first impression is not one of quality work and excellent service, but of why this woman thinks this outfit is appropriate for the business climate.  You now wonder if she takes your business seriously and worry that when she sits down, her skirt won't entirely cover her arse.

These are things you have to take into consideration, people.  Even a low-heeled or flat pair that aren't pleather or even patent leather require a pretty short skirt to show off properly.  They certainly don't work under pants.  And if you are wearing them over jeans, you are already in such a casual environment, this post doesn't apply to you.

And whether you like it or not, they connote sex in a way no pair of ankle, mid-calf or knee high boots can.

These boots will not open doors, unless sleeping to the top is your M.O.  Do yourself a favor and don't degrade your professional self by wearing these at the office.  Save them for weekends, when being casual and/or sexy will be much more appropriate.

Frocking Friday 2

For Frocking Friday several weeks ago I cheated and wore a skirt.  But it's one that I love, and have since found a MUCH better top to pair with it. 

Outfit Details: Top: Aqua; Skirt: Anthropologie; Tights: DKNY; Boots: Cole Haan; Ring: don't remember.

Dress it up: switch out boots for heels, add way cuter top- loving this tuxedo ruffle tee:

Dress it down: swap tights and boots for flats, un-tuck shirt