In Spades

Style... in abundance

Would I Still Wear That?

It’s been a while since I’ve done a Would I Still Wear That post, so today – in honor of NYFW starting next week – we’ll be taking a trip down NYFW memory lane.

I picked 3 looks from early on in my NYFW adventure.  These aren’t necessarily my favorites, but they all have fun backstories.

First up…

The Balenciaga Cocktail Dress

Balenciaga black dress

This dress epitomizes my #1 Rule – develop relationships with sales associates.

This dress was originally pegged for a top customer.  She had a ton of things on hold and this was one of the things she decided against.  So it sat in a stockroom and was kind of forgotten about.  By the time someone realized it, it was past season and needed to go.

Hence, the tipoff from my favorite sales associate that scored me a Balenciaga cocktail dress on massive sale.  I love that it’s a little bit Breakfast at Tiffany’s, a little bit badass.

The Indie Designer

Tiko Paksa

This look brings up another good lesson – styling prowess evolves.

I would style this blazer differently today.  This was still early on in my NYFW adventure and while I put thought into my looks back then, my strategy certainly evolved.  I used to think if I had a top, bottom, shoes and a bag I was good to go.  I still think that, but with a bit more panache now.

I ended up styling it differently two years later at NYFW.  Which look do you prefer?

Tiko Paksa blazer & Marni tassel belt

This was the first time I wore Georgian designer Tiko Paksa.  She would go on to become one of my fave indie designers.  I wore her pieces at two other fashion weeks.

NYFW SS19 OOTD 4 Tiko PaksaTiko Paksa at NYFW S/S19

Tiko Paksa Resort 20Tiko Paksa at NYFW S/S20

The Arm Warmers

NYFW FW18 OOTD Day 2

This is probably my favorite of the three backstories.

I was 7 months pregnant for this fashion week, so my top priorities were staying warm and being comfortable.  This was during Raf Simons’ tenure at Calvin Klein and when I saw him send arm warmers down the runway, I about died.  The 1980s are my favorite decade so these HAD to come home with me.

When I came out of the dressing room, I showed the sales associate the floor-length green coat I planned to wear with them.  I was concerned it was a bad color combo and asked him if he thought I would look like a Green Bay Packer.  He replied:

“Honey, what is a Green Bay Packer?”

Of course.  What was I thinking?  Always remember your audience.

LikeToKnowIt would go on to feature this photo on their Instagram account.  The comments it garnered were HILARIOUS.  Clearly, I am in an arm warmer part-of-one.

Happily still wearing all three looks.  Cheers.

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Would I Still Wear That?

For today’s Fashion Friday, we’re traveling back 6 years to March 2015.  Three outfits of yesteryear that beg the question…

Would I still wear that?

Skinny jeansSimilar Jeans // Pumps // Shirt // Clutch

First up is this business chic denim look.  Yes, I realize denim is not “business” but with the button-down shirt, power pumps and pink clutch, it feels like a casual Friday at the office.

Verdict?  I still own and wear everything but the clutch.

White jeansSimilar Jeans // Top // Shoes // Sunglasses

Next up is another business chic denim look, but this time with a spring staple – white jeans.

While I no longer wear white jeans, back in the day I had a few pairs.  I absolutely think they are a closet staple (if you like white jeans) and can be worn year-round if styled right.  Here are some of my favorites.

Fun fact – these pumps are YSL.  They were one of my first (maybe even THE first!) designer shoe purchases.  I scored them after scouring the aisles of Nordstrom Rack.  I wore them so much the heel snapped off twice.  I kept repairing them until they became too far gone.

White jeans

Verdict? I still wear the top and the shoes rest safely in my closet.  The jeans and sunnies are no more.

Flare leg jeansSimilar Jeans // Top // Shoes

Finally, this flare leg denim look was a big one for me.  I hate showing my mid-drift, but absolutely fell in love with this top and had to have it.  Six years ago jeans were very much in the mid-rise phase.  Thankfully when I wear this top today, my jeans cover my mid-drift and this shirt is no longer a crop top.

Verdict?  Still own and wear everything.

Would I Still Wear That?

Let’s take a trip down memory lane and go back to January 2015.

What was I wearing six years ago?  And is it still relevant today?

Would I Still Wear That explores these questions.  Let’s dive in.

The Layers

White jeans in winter

I still love this look.  While my hats have transitioned to strong brims instead of floppy, the rest of the outfit tracks.  White jeans are becoming a winter staple as much as a springtime must.  I’ll admit I rarely wear mine, but I appreciate their appeal in a well-rounded closet.

The boots are Bottega Veneta.  It’s so interesting to me to see what Thomas Maier was doing for Bottega 6 years ago versus what Daniel Lee is doing now.  I got them on sale and they ended up being a tad small (and REALLY high) so I sold them.  But boy were they fun.

This post was originally about layering.  See my style tips for how to layer like a pro.

The Mop

Mop vest

This vest bore a tradition.  You can read about it here.

I still wear every piece of this look… minus the vest.  That’s not to say I don’t still love its ridiculous nature.  But it was a Zara find and my Zara days are over.

Velvet burnout Jimmy Choo’s, black jeans and a silk button-down?  I’d call those closet staples.

The Alien Boots

Lanvin alien bootsLanvin alien boots

This was one of my favorite shoots.  Not only did I love my outfit, but it was the perfect example of having one thing in mind and then going in the complete opposite direction.  You can read more about it here.

I still own this entire look.  I wear the jacket often.  The skirt and the shoes, not as much.

When I first saw these boots and handed them to the Nordstrom associate to ask for my size he said, “it takes a special person to appreciate these boots.”

Clearly it was a sign.

Would I Still Wear That?

For today’s Fashion Friday, I wanted to share another Would I Still Wear That?  All of these looks are from Oct, Nov and Dec 2014.

This is such a fun series for me.  Not only am I a sucker for nostalgia, but I love a good laugh too. 😉

Speaking of nostalgia, first up is this Alexander Wang x H&M look.

Alexander Wang x H&M

Alexander Wang x H&M Alexander Wang x H&M

What I love about this one is how anticipated this particular collab was.  In 2014 Alexander Wang was at the height of his career.  He was simultaneously designing for his own label AND Balenciaga.  The minute the lookbook hit the internet I meticulously selected what I wanted and made plans to wake up early to queue up for the opening.

Back in those days, if you showed up at a somewhat reasonable hour, you were pretty much guaranteed to get what you wanted. (I distinctly remember the collection when all that changed – Lanvin for H&M).  Sure enough, I was able to score this dress, number 1 on my wish list.

Wearing it with genuine Alexander Wang platforms and a black bra.  Probably the most revealing look you’ll find on In Spades.

Yes, I’d still wear this.

Pink + Platforms + Pajamas

Pink Coat

Oy vey.  The first thing (that hits me like a freight train) are those shoes.  WHY did we wear platform peep toes?  Eesh.  Coupled with the fact that I’m traipsing around the forest in them – I have no idea what’s going on here.

The only platform pumps I can get behind are the YSL Tribtoo.  The weird bull nose made them an ugly shoe I just had to love.  But these?  Clearly an impulse buy.

The silk pants are actually trousers from Barney’s and resemble a chic pajama vibe.  I think I was ahead of my time here.  I no longer have them (RIP Barney’s) but would absolutely still wear them.

The coat is old Banana Republic and I have to say, I’m digging the 60’s vibe.  I still own it but haven’t worn it in ages.

The Duvet Cover 

Cape Sweater Cape Sweater

Haha, another oy vey moment.  I blame Lady Gaga for this sweater.  When I saw it, it immediately made me think of her and something ridiculous she’d wear so I had to have it.  Remarkably it’s from Anthropologie, but it looks like an old duvet cover, carpet or tapestry.

The first photo – when I keep the cape down – isn’t so bad.  But when I place it over my head like a hoodie, it’s a combo of E.T. and Little Red Riding Hood.

I will say it was a fun styling choice at the time.  I was working my wardrobe for the camera.  If you can’t enjoy yourself and take risks on a personal style blog, well, then you’re missing out.

 

Would I Still Wear That?

A friend of mine sent me a hilarious video of celebrities looking at old red carpet photos of themselves.  Seeing the fashion of bygone eras was SO fascinating for me.  Why do we wear what we wear?  How much of the current time influences our choices?

I’ve been writing In Spades for 7 years.  In that time my style has certainly evolved.  So I thought it would be fun to take a trip down memory lane and start a new series – Would I Still Wear That?

Not only will it be fun to look at old photos of my styling choices (and how far we’ve come), but I’m curious to see what patterns emerge.

Join me on this trip down memory lane!

For this first series post I thought I’d choose 3 photos to feature.  Going forward it may be more, it may be less.

Let’s start with what I was wearing exactly 7 years ago.

Would I Still Wear That

Ahh this Banana Republic cardigan.  For the devout BR fans, you’ll remember Banana Republic Signature and Banana Republic Heritage.  Both were elevated, speciality lines of the brand.  This cardigan is BR Signature and something I still wear to this day.  It’s like a warm (luxurious) blanket.

The tank top is moot.  Who doesn’t own a white tank?

But oh, the shorts.  These were a pair of True Religion jeans that I turned into cutoffs.  The rise is about 5 inches.  I love that in this day and age, a “low rise” jean is 8 inches.  Today’s jeans have got nothing on the low rise measurements of the early aughts.

Interestingly, I was barefoot for this shoot.  Hah!  Something I haven’t repeated on the blog.

Would I Still Wear That

This outfit just makes me laugh.  That and the fact that I look about 12 years old – go me!

This outfit was a byproduct of several early 2010’s mainstays: Gilt Groupe and skinny jeans.

I got the ankle boots from Gilt.  A steal at around $150.  They are Ash (anyone remember that brand?) and retailed for around $300.  I gave them away years ago.

The jeans are Rag & Bone, and while I still love the brand, they are the perfect example of how women wore skinny jeans in the 2010’s – WAY TOO LONG.

The fact that they pool around my ankles like leg warmers is just so comical to me now.  Plus, they’re way too tight.

The sweater is Joseph – an advanced contemporary line.  During this time I was living in LA and there was a Joseph retail store on the same block as my office.  I would go there on my lunch break and stick to the sale section – all I could afford.

The only item I still have from this look is the necklace.  An old J. Crew piece that I still wear to this day.

Would I Still Wear That

This look is still totally relevant.  Pleated maxi skirts, cardigans and Manolos will never go out of style.  Hello, Miuccia Prada.  I still own every single piece.

The cardigan is J. Crew and I got it on sale.  It’s a size XL but I didn’t care because I loved it so much.  I like my styling choice here.  Adding a throwback braided belt and wrapping it around rather than buttoning the cardigan is chic.

The heels are wine colored patent leather Manolo BB pumps.  His signature.  These will stay with me until I die.

What do you think of this new series?  Shall I continue?