Sartorial Saturdays: Souvenir Tees

 For this outfit, I wore a t-shirt I bought from Disneyland, but paired it with a grey cardigan, a string of beads, and a pair of white denim capris. It was still a little tourist-y, but since I was on vacation when the picture was taken, I'll forgive myself. :)

This T-shirt, which I bought at a church convention in Florida, already had an interesting graphic design and color, so I decided to keep the rest of my outfit simple with skinny jeans and a small stack of silver bangles.

For this outfit, I paired the t-shirt I bought at the U2 concert a few weeks ago with a black and white striped skirt and a dark grey shrug and accessorized with a charm bracelet, a seashell pendant, and a headband. This outfit was easily my favorite out of the ones here because it was so comfortable. I felt like I was wearing pyjamas all day. :)

For my last outfit, I dressed up a T-shirt I bought on a trip to Texas and blue jeans with a black vest with military detailing and a simple headband.

Sartorial Saturdays: Souvenir Tees Preamble

I have a confession to make: I love souvenir t-shirts. Whether I go on a trip or to a convention or concert I always buy a t-shirt as a reminder of the experience. I was there. See?!?!

The problem? I never wear them. When I'm on vacation, it feels tacky. Like I just scream "tourist". After I get home, it still feels tacky. Like I'm bragging about where I've been. Wearing a band tee sometimes makes me feel like a crazed fangirl of whoever's face/name is on the shirt. And even if (read when) I am, I don't want to feel like people see me that way.

Then there's the problem that these t-shirts generally don't fit perfectly. Often, you buy them from a crowded, hastily set up kiosk and don't have the opportunity to try them on first. As a result, the fit is a bit looser then the rest of your shirts, but still somewhat flattering at best. At worst, these shirts can be anything from too short to way too big, too boxy to fitted in all the wrong places. It's always a gamble.

The worst part is that I feel like everyone is staring at my shirt all day. No one notices me, just Mickey Mouse, the convention slogan, or the long list of places "X" Band has been on tour this year. Almost like the t-shirt is wearing me instead of the other way around. And that looks as bad as it feels.

The mission? To incorporate some of the commemorative t-shirts I've collected into outfits that make me feel if not polished and fashionable, at least somewhat presentable while wearing them in my day to day life. Hopefully by the end of this I'll have some ideas about how to make use of my souvenir tees.

Stay Tuned for the result...

Sartorial Saturdays: A Fashion Expirament

Recently, College Fashion did a post challenging it's readers to wear one article of clothing for a whole week, creating a new outfit around it each day. As though this week hasn't been jam-packed enough already, I decided to go ahead and try it anyway. Here's what transpired:

Saturday

Scenario: My Mom and I went to the local greenhouse to pick up some flowers for our yard. I wanted something comfy, casual, and most importantly, something I couldn't wear to work.

Greenhouses are an excellent venue for photos, by the way.

 

The Outfit: I wore my chosen item (a plain white T-shirt) with a pair of darkwash denim shorts. To make the outfit more interesting, I accesorized with a straw fedora, a black and white scarf, and a short stack of silver bangles. Black sandals finish off the casual look.

Did it work?: Never, ever, EVER, wear shorts to a greenhouse! Seriously. I got eaten alive by mosquitos. Maybe it would have worked had I thought to add bug spray to my accesories list, through...

Sunday
Scenario: Since the plan for today was to go to church and sing in what is essentially the church worship band (but they call it a "team" instead- to make it sound less commercial, I guess), I needed something pretty and youthful, but also church-approved.




The Outfit: I folded down the top half of a black dress with a w
hite graphic print on the skirt, wearing it over my t-shirt, and covered the seam with a bright yellow belt to add color to the look. The look was finished off with a grey cardigan, a black and white statement necklace, and black ballet flats.

Did it Work?: I got so many compliments on this outfit from both people my age and older members of our congregation. This one's definitely going on the "Wear Again" list.

Monday
Scenario: Back to work once again. I was really tired this morning, so style was still a priority, but was on the back burner compared to sleep.

The Outfit: I layered a light blue chambray button up over my t-shirt and added a string of pink and purple beads and for a free-spirited, creative, kind of look.

Did it Work?: It was a very comfortable outfit, but I couldn't get the blouse to sit just right. Perhaps if I had a skinny belt to give it shape, it would have worked out better.

Tuesday
Scenario: Work is pretty much the only thing on the agenda for today. Since tastefulness and jeans are essentially the only dress requirements, I had plenty of artistic license.

Up close- sorry the t-shirt doesn't show in the photo...it's there I promise.

The Outfit: I wanted white to be the primary color used in this outfit, so I added interest by adding texture. I started by layering a cream, sheer lace t-shirt over my white one and layered a white linen blazer over that. I wore a lighter wash of denim to prevent the outfit from becoming harsh and because I don't own a white pair. Finally, a watch on a string of pearls completed the outfit.

Did it Work?: Not as well as it would have with white on the bottom, too. Note to self: buy white jeans.

Wenesday
Scenario: Work, then a U2 concert!! :D The band was asking everyone to wear either white or red in support of Project (Red) and the ONE Campaign , which fit in nicely with my choice of clothing article

Confession: I would have cheated on the challenge if I wasn't wearing the right colors. XD

The Outfit: I figured that this would be a great time to let my red skinny jeans make a rare appearence. My t-shirt served as an anchor for a white, frilly tank top, while making the outfit work appropriate. I also wore a dark grey sleeveless cardi and my black ballet flats. I topped the outfit off with the Desi(RED) pendant that I bought a while ago from GAP, with some of the proceeds going to project RED.

Did it Work?: Well, in theory, yes. It was work appropriate, and still a fun look for the concert. However, the temperature dropped and the sky was threatening rain, so I was forced to add a red and black checkered jacket. I've also been carrying a red and white purse for almost a month, now. As a result, I ended up being dressed in head-to-toe red for the concert, which was pretty unfashionable. At least I looked like a die-hard fan and/or die-hard Project (Red) supporter, way up there in the nosebleed seats, I guess. :|

Thursday
Scenario: Work, then off to the movie theatre with my friend to see Thor.

The Ouftit: I started with my usual white t-shirt and darkwash jeans combination. I then added a black vest with military details and my black statement necklace from Sunday.

Did it Work?: Mostly. I'm a pretty messy popcorn eater, so crumbs and kernals got everywhere, but that would have happened no matter what I chose to wear. Also, it was kind of a bummer not being able to wear my U2 tee.

Friday
Scenario: Work, then hanging out with the youth group at church.

Sorry about the crappy picture...

The Outfit: I layered my grey cardigan from Sunday over the basic t-shirt and jeans work combo, then added a blue and tan statement necklace for interest.

Did it Work?: Perfectly. I think I'm finally starting to get the hang of this. I won't lie, though. I'm super looking forward to wearing my U2 t-shirt on Sunday...maybe that'll be the next post...hmmm...

Lessons Learned

1. Spray on febreeze is a lifesaver. Otherwise I would have had to wear a stinky t-shirt all week.
2. I need to buy a pair of white jeans and a skinny belt.
3. Accessories are important. I don't usually put much thought into them, but they can definitely make or break an outfit. I'll have to pay more attention from now on.
4. It takes a REEAALLLY long time to upload multiple photos to your blog. I apologise this post is so late. Now that I know how long this takes, I'll try to do them in advance of Saturday from now on...

Sartorial Saturdays

One of my favorite hobbies is fashion, so this is a new series of posts I'll be trying to see if I can get it to translate well to my blog. If it works, it might just become a more permanent feature. Hopefully you all enjoy it.

I just bought the most Amazing. Thing. Ever. No joke.

Allow me to backtrack a little, my mom and I went to the mall today, and there's this one store that we have a habit of checking out even though we never intend to buy anything there.
It's called Aritzia, and although they are best known for their super comfortable TNA hoodies (I didn't find so, but that's another day's post, I daresay), they sell other articles of clothing, too.

As usual, we went in. And as usual, we found overpriced jeans, t-shirts loudly proclaiming the logos of their brands, and dresses that were no doubt created to be worn on the runway but not in real life.

Nonchalantly, I rested my hand on an inconspicuous looking blazer. What is this?!? My mind did a double take as I looked down at it and slowly came to an amazing realization: it wasn't a blazer at all; it was a hoodie in disguise!(cue the music)

Suddenly, all the possibilities were swarming through my head: I could wear it to work, to church, to school, with jeans or a dress, or slacks...they seemed endless.

It had all the comfort of a warm sweater combined with all the professionalism of a blazer. I HAD to have it!

I braced myself and checked the price tag: $110. I sighed. Even with being employed at a well paying job now, I couldn't afford to spend that much on a sweater. If only I wasn't such a tightwad. I left the store.

We were in the next store for quite some time, but nothing stood out to me. All I could think of was that beautiful "blazer" in the next store...I couldn't resist, I had to buy it anyway.

We went back to Aritzia, and I found my size. Paying for it was certainly not easy (seeing as even half that price would strike me as pricey for a sweater), and a near disaster struck when I realised the tag stated it was "dry clean only" (the manager and the employee who was helping me both insisted that it should be fine on the gentle cycle if left to air dry), but in the end, I did buy it.

And I surprise myself. I'm not even feeling buyer's remorse over it. But then look at it. How could I?