Playgrounds & Lollipops - Dressing For You

{Sequin Top from Nordstrom Brass Plum Department; Silk Shirt from James Perse, Jeans from Gap, Oxfords from Anthropologie, Ring from old job, necklace handmade from a girl at work}

I have a dear friend that could be described as many things in terms of fashion, including, fun, cute, trendy and hip.  I think of her though as sexy, and not in a creepy girl-on-girl type of way, but more of a "Dang, she can pull off sexy better than anyone I know" type of way.  You know, sexy fashion, as in tight tops, high, high heels and low cut blouses.  She's got a great figure and a spicy, sassy attitude to go along with it.  What does this have to do with my outfit?

Well I went shopping with her last year and I had a brief moment where I thought, "Hey, I too can pull off sexy."  I bought a few tight, low cut tops, as well as the flashy sequin one I'm wearing.  I envisioned myself wearing some white short-shorts and a pair of wedges for a summer night on the town.  Never mind I don't really ever go "out on the town."  When it came down to it, I just didn't feel comfortable being so "flashy" and out there with myself.  Plus I didn't have the "bust" to support it, being about 2 cup sizes smaller than my friend.

I don't think I could effortlessly describe my fashion sensibility in a neat little capsule; it's part feminine, and part masculine.  I love funky but not obnoxious, attention-getting funky.  I sort of love a little bit of nerdy school girl prep, but can also rock a short dress if I want to.  I love a simple basic look, but only when done in a sophisticated way with a twist.  My fashion style is a hodge-podge of many things and is ever-evolving, but I know what I like and I know what I feel comfortable in.  This shirt I just never felt comfortable in.

But it's a good shirt, well made from nice material, and since sequins are still very much "on-trend", I didn't toss it with the cleaning purge of 2010 but held onto it, vowing to make it work into my wardrobe somehow.

I finally figured it out the other day.  By layering it over a nice silk crepe shirt, giving my jeans a little sloppy roll, and wearing my Man-Repeller oxfords, I feel like me, with a little sass that I love so much in my dear friend.  I said to someone at work, "this is my faux J.Crew look."  I like it, and at the end of the day, that is all that matters with any outfit you put on yourself.

So what have we learned from this outfit post?

1. Dress for your own sense of style, and not to try and pull off a trend or a style that a friend can pull off.
2. Be true to yourself and your own sense of style and comfortability
3. Don't always feel like you have to abide by the age-old rule of "if you haven't worn it in a year, toss it out." 
4. If you are holding onto a piece of clothing for some reason, figure out how to wear it so you get some use out of it and it doesn't just take up space in your closet.

I really had to flex my styling muscles to figure out a way to incorporate this top into an outfit that I would love and feel comfortable in, but after I figured it out, it was like "Duh, why hadn't I thought of this before?"  This just may become one of my new fun go-to outfits that I rotate on a regular basis.

Thanks for reading along, and thanks to all those that left a comment on this post to raise money for Japan.  I will be donating $285 to the Red Cross to aid in the relief efforts in Japan.  Have a great weekend!