Please keep sharing fashion here and on Big Undies. I’m moving away from Insta etc. not good for my mental health. You and Corrine and Dacy are my go tops thank you
All your (and Corinne’s) closet content inspired me to give overalls another shot (I had previously “outlawed” them from my wardrobe before I started my anti-diet journey). I have two pairs of overalls now and I LOVE them! It feels like a win every time I put them on.
LOVE overalls! It feels very 90s flashback in the best way. I have a couple pairs of corderoy that I am excited to wear when it gets cool enough here. Also, my Gen Z daughter has a floral pair that she wears all the time, so they're "cool" FWIW. :-)
You’ve come so far in your transitional season dressing!! 👏🤩 Honestly, that’s what I love about a shoulder season - the sandals w a sweater, long sleeve w shorts dichotomy of it all. I purchased a red cardigan for fall, influenced by you, we’ll see if it makes it into the regular rotation. It’s still way too hot here atm.
My current go-to outfit is black jeans (loving the Madewell perfect vintage jean which I got off Poshmark!), the Gap favorite T in a bright solid color, and a jean jacket. Or blue jeans, the same solid T, and a black leather jacket. I feel like it's much easier for me to dress stylishly in the warm months and can't really nail down my style when it gets cooler (I cannot figure out how to layer/accessorize for the life of me). I love these posts for inspiration though!
I quite like the chats on Tuesday !! It's a breath of fresh air at the beginning of the week. I have been loving the Dana Jeans from Lucy & Yak, goes up to W52 (UK32). The leg part can be rolled up or down depending on the weather !
I bought those Gap jeans from Jeans science in August and I have worn them a LOT since- they are super cute but I’m in a 35 and that’s the top of the size range. I also got some universal standard jeans, I can’t remember the exact style right now but I really like them too and I’m happy I found some jeans I liked for the first time in 3 years. It has been cooler in the mornings in particular and jeans have been good for our early youth soccer games on Saturday morning and PTA volunteering.
I have also recently bought a lot of dresses, I am going on my 10 year anniversary trip to Hawaii in 6 weeks but I got a lot of new more tropical prints in Labor Day sales. I feel like they mostly read more summery but I did get a cobalt blue cocktail dress from Nordstrom that has a pleated skirt that I love. I needed a cocktail dress for a Sondheim revue event my friend is performing in and it’s a good level of dressy. https://www.nordstrom.com/s/vikki-pleated-sleeveless-satin-maxi-dress/7747573 it’s unfortunately another dress that maxes out at 16 and I am in the top size.
I have recommended before and continue to recommend Lands End for basics, their quality seems to be better than Target to me AND they have more inclusive sizing. I have several tanks and cardigans from them and they have very cute graphic tees for my kids as well.
You’re an excellent shopper (which is probably why my “shopping” sometimes consists of raiding your closet to see if you have something I can wear that you liked in 2016 or whatever). I love that purple dress you gave me and it’s been my go to outfit for 3 years now, but I’m looking for a dress that is in the same dressy casual vein as that but maybe in a blue or green? I like a stretchy fabric that doesn’t wrinkle, and usually I wear a medium because I have no boobs or a 10 in dresses.
I’ve been really into blue this year- helps me with vote blue to save America type posts- and it’s the color of both my alma mater Duke and my husband’s high school team!
Crew socks over leggings: I’m struggling with this trend. As a short person who spent a good chunk of my adult life dressing via the style rules of Stacey London and Clinton Kelly via “What Not to Wear,” internally I’m screaming about proportions and the need to “lengthen the leg.” Don’t get me wrong—I’m still trying it, even though I don’t care if my no-show socks/low ankle socks signal my age. But man, when I look in the mirror all I see are my perceived short stumpy legs accentuated by my socks 🤣🤣🤣
Two things help me with this. 1, monochrome. Or 2, (oddly the opposite but it somehow makes my brain give up on the Stacey/Clinton brainwashing) intentionally super fun colorful socks, extra if they coordinate w colorful shoes.
Yes! I feel the short person thing deeply. It socks over leggings makes me think of how my mom used to make me dress as a kid when we went hiking in the woods so we would not get ticks….
I finally found wid(er) leg leans that fit my waist and weren’t also 2 feet wide at the bottom at the THRIFT store, and have been living in them and in three thrifted men’s short sleeved button ups in blue, chambray, and white/pink/blue wide stripes. Excited for sweater season to get here!!!!
I can only find affordable, wearable, jeans at thrift lately. I'm going through jeans so fast because my thighs rub through the fabric lately, almost instantly. I find that disappointing because of store and quality, but also the thrill of the hunt at thrift haha.
So true- part of the reason I try so hard for thrifted- makes me way less mad when the jeans inevitably fail! And I finally have time in my life for thrifting again, which I loved as a young person!
just here to complain about how it is still boiling where i am (rainy and humid now instead of bright and humid, joy). i am a sweaty person and i want the temps to drop NOW. born to huddle in sweaters cosily, forced to wear tanks and t-shirts for now.
Great stuff as always! I have footwear questions as fall and winter approach. I’ve been adopting wider leg pants, and shoes are easy for summer. But what do I wear with them in fall and winter? Help!!
Would love a whole recap on shoes and boots for the coming transition / cold months! I have been wearing my Bond Girl Fluevogs for years, but I think it’s time for a something new.
I really like a sneaker look with wide leg pants. I have some slip on nice looking sneakers from Kizik in a burgundy that I wear constantly. But you could do any really, or like a Vans or Keds sneaker in whatever color you like.
It is the best season in NY where you can wear a blazer or a lil cute jacket and not be too hot!
I am constantly wearing an Old Navy "linen" jumpsuit in every color available in my size. It has a sweetheart neckline and spaghetti straps, and the real secret to it fitting so nicely is a bunch of stretch in the back! I definitely saw a 2X at the store, not sure the max size. It's on clearance so all sizes are dwindling.
I'm also wearing a purse shaped like a hot dog from the best store (Boomerang in Brattleboro, VT) and clothing I got from stitch fix years ago that had fallen out of rotation. They sell a lot of very stretchy jeans, and apparently that's what my butt wants now!
Love that you're sharing your outfits because they're fun to see, but also helpful as DC is entering shoulder season as well and I'm having a bit of difficulty with the transition. I noticed that all of my sweaters are wool, alpaca, or mohair, all of which are too warm for current weather. My shirts, blouses, and long sleeved tees are white, beige, navy, and black, which are uninspiring. I want things that complement the colors of the season but am in no-buy mode, so a bit frustrated. Your photos illustrate how to make outfits interesting using the clothes that I have. Thank you.
My favorite weather is sweatshirt/ sweater + sandals, which is where we are right now, so I am quite happy at the moment. I am also looking for work appropriate, nursing/ pumping friendly dresses for my very much in flux postpartum body, so if anyone has recommendations, I would very much appreciate it. (Apparently wearing leggings and a sweatshirt to teach is not appropriate?) I have no idea what size I am now; I was roughly a 10 before I got pregnant, but right now both my chest and my hips are quite substantial.
I lived in a couple Boob Designs nursing dresses while pumping at work. They’re very stretchy but thick fabric, stylishly cut without looking like any particular trend. They have a sale on rn so they’re more reasonable than normal, but I found they were a good investment in a period where my body changed rapidly (and then…didn’t, but they still fit). However, sizes top out at their XXL, which is a 48” bust and 52” hips (in cm on their website).
Tangential addition: still hoping for my post-nursing boobs to shrink more so my dresses won’t be quite so body-con. Maybe it’s a fantasy? Anyway these dresses accommodated a lot.
For work pumping, I wore a nursing cami under my shirts. Then at pump time, pull shirt up/pop cami (and bra if added) down, put pump on, and then pull the cami up over the bottom of the horn flare and the shirt down over the top of the horn flare and it has full coverage. :) honestly, it even held them in place so I could work hands free if the over shirt wasn’t too loose.
I adore your style Virginia. There us a confidence that just emanates from you and that's something I really look up to as another formerly thin. I still struggle with comparing my now body in clothes with my former body in clothes. I aim to get to a point where I love my now body in clothes. You are inspiring.
Please keep sharing fashion here and on Big Undies. I’m moving away from Insta etc. not good for my mental health. You and Corrine and Dacy are my go tops thank you
LOVE that you’re setting that boundary for yourself!
Why does it feel like 😓 but I’m really getting off there
Ugh I have gone through phases but all the suggested posts and ads are just too much lately! That sounds like a very good plan.
I'm also moving away from Facebook and insta and praying this platform continues to be a positive one for me
Enjoying Licorice's arc
I feel, of all my pets, he has the most Influencer Energy.
SO MUCH
All your (and Corinne’s) closet content inspired me to give overalls another shot (I had previously “outlawed” them from my wardrobe before I started my anti-diet journey). I have two pairs of overalls now and I LOVE them! It feels like a win every time I put them on.
LOVE overalls! It feels very 90s flashback in the best way. I have a couple pairs of corderoy that I am excited to wear when it gets cool enough here. Also, my Gen Z daughter has a floral pair that she wears all the time, so they're "cool" FWIW. :-)
Also they’re so comfy! No waistbands!
But wait, where are you getting them??
You’ve come so far in your transitional season dressing!! 👏🤩 Honestly, that’s what I love about a shoulder season - the sandals w a sweater, long sleeve w shorts dichotomy of it all. I purchased a red cardigan for fall, influenced by you, we’ll see if it makes it into the regular rotation. It’s still way too hot here atm.
I am embracing the dichotomy more! But yes, it's so annoying when something just turns out to be way too hot for the day.
My current go-to outfit is black jeans (loving the Madewell perfect vintage jean which I got off Poshmark!), the Gap favorite T in a bright solid color, and a jean jacket. Or blue jeans, the same solid T, and a black leather jacket. I feel like it's much easier for me to dress stylishly in the warm months and can't really nail down my style when it gets cooler (I cannot figure out how to layer/accessorize for the life of me). I love these posts for inspiration though!
I quite like the chats on Tuesday !! It's a breath of fresh air at the beginning of the week. I have been loving the Dana Jeans from Lucy & Yak, goes up to W52 (UK32). The leg part can be rolled up or down depending on the weather !
Agreed on Tuesday chats feel so fun!
I bought those Gap jeans from Jeans science in August and I have worn them a LOT since- they are super cute but I’m in a 35 and that’s the top of the size range. I also got some universal standard jeans, I can’t remember the exact style right now but I really like them too and I’m happy I found some jeans I liked for the first time in 3 years. It has been cooler in the mornings in particular and jeans have been good for our early youth soccer games on Saturday morning and PTA volunteering.
I have also recently bought a lot of dresses, I am going on my 10 year anniversary trip to Hawaii in 6 weeks but I got a lot of new more tropical prints in Labor Day sales. I feel like they mostly read more summery but I did get a cobalt blue cocktail dress from Nordstrom that has a pleated skirt that I love. I needed a cocktail dress for a Sondheim revue event my friend is performing in and it’s a good level of dressy. https://www.nordstrom.com/s/vikki-pleated-sleeveless-satin-maxi-dress/7747573 it’s unfortunately another dress that maxes out at 16 and I am in the top size.
I have recommended before and continue to recommend Lands End for basics, their quality seems to be better than Target to me AND they have more inclusive sizing. I have several tanks and cardigans from them and they have very cute graphic tees for my kids as well.
You’re an excellent shopper (which is probably why my “shopping” sometimes consists of raiding your closet to see if you have something I can wear that you liked in 2016 or whatever). I love that purple dress you gave me and it’s been my go to outfit for 3 years now, but I’m looking for a dress that is in the same dressy casual vein as that but maybe in a blue or green? I like a stretchy fabric that doesn’t wrinkle, and usually I wear a medium because I have no boobs or a 10 in dresses.
That dress is SO cute!!
I’ve been really into blue this year- helps me with vote blue to save America type posts- and it’s the color of both my alma mater Duke and my husband’s high school team!
Crew socks over leggings: I’m struggling with this trend. As a short person who spent a good chunk of my adult life dressing via the style rules of Stacey London and Clinton Kelly via “What Not to Wear,” internally I’m screaming about proportions and the need to “lengthen the leg.” Don’t get me wrong—I’m still trying it, even though I don’t care if my no-show socks/low ankle socks signal my age. But man, when I look in the mirror all I see are my perceived short stumpy legs accentuated by my socks 🤣🤣🤣
Two things help me with this. 1, monochrome. Or 2, (oddly the opposite but it somehow makes my brain give up on the Stacey/Clinton brainwashing) intentionally super fun colorful socks, extra if they coordinate w colorful shoes.
Totally! Going tonal makes it look intentional and cool.
Yes! I feel the short person thing deeply. It socks over leggings makes me think of how my mom used to make me dress as a kid when we went hiking in the woods so we would not get ticks….
Ahaha same! It also stresses me out to see white socks on black leggings!!
I finally found wid(er) leg leans that fit my waist and weren’t also 2 feet wide at the bottom at the THRIFT store, and have been living in them and in three thrifted men’s short sleeved button ups in blue, chambray, and white/pink/blue wide stripes. Excited for sweater season to get here!!!!
I can only find affordable, wearable, jeans at thrift lately. I'm going through jeans so fast because my thighs rub through the fabric lately, almost instantly. I find that disappointing because of store and quality, but also the thrill of the hunt at thrift haha.
So true- part of the reason I try so hard for thrifted- makes me way less mad when the jeans inevitably fail! And I finally have time in my life for thrifting again, which I loved as a young person!
just here to complain about how it is still boiling where i am (rainy and humid now instead of bright and humid, joy). i am a sweaty person and i want the temps to drop NOW. born to huddle in sweaters cosily, forced to wear tanks and t-shirts for now.
Same! My desperation for sweater weather is so intense. I am purposely taking a trip to the Midwest so I can get a fix.
Not sure where in the Midwest you’re headed but in Illinois it is extremely muggy and not at all fall like 😭
No worries, the trip is later for just this reason. Early fall is unpredictable everywhere.
I hope it’s beautiful when you go!!
Great stuff as always! I have footwear questions as fall and winter approach. I’ve been adopting wider leg pants, and shoes are easy for summer. But what do I wear with them in fall and winter? Help!!
Would love a whole recap on shoes and boots for the coming transition / cold months! I have been wearing my Bond Girl Fluevogs for years, but I think it’s time for a something new.
I really like a sneaker look with wide leg pants. I have some slip on nice looking sneakers from Kizik in a burgundy that I wear constantly. But you could do any really, or like a Vans or Keds sneaker in whatever color you like.
I also do mostly sneakers with mine. and sometimes birks
It is the best season in NY where you can wear a blazer or a lil cute jacket and not be too hot!
I am constantly wearing an Old Navy "linen" jumpsuit in every color available in my size. It has a sweetheart neckline and spaghetti straps, and the real secret to it fitting so nicely is a bunch of stretch in the back! I definitely saw a 2X at the store, not sure the max size. It's on clearance so all sizes are dwindling.
I'm also wearing a purse shaped like a hot dog from the best store (Boomerang in Brattleboro, VT) and clothing I got from stitch fix years ago that had fallen out of rotation. They sell a lot of very stretchy jeans, and apparently that's what my butt wants now!
The Old Navy “fit and flare” line is such a workhorse
Love that you're sharing your outfits because they're fun to see, but also helpful as DC is entering shoulder season as well and I'm having a bit of difficulty with the transition. I noticed that all of my sweaters are wool, alpaca, or mohair, all of which are too warm for current weather. My shirts, blouses, and long sleeved tees are white, beige, navy, and black, which are uninspiring. I want things that complement the colors of the season but am in no-buy mode, so a bit frustrated. Your photos illustrate how to make outfits interesting using the clothes that I have. Thank you.
Virginia Sole-Smith, my millennial mom style icon 😍😍😍
My favorite weather is sweatshirt/ sweater + sandals, which is where we are right now, so I am quite happy at the moment. I am also looking for work appropriate, nursing/ pumping friendly dresses for my very much in flux postpartum body, so if anyone has recommendations, I would very much appreciate it. (Apparently wearing leggings and a sweatshirt to teach is not appropriate?) I have no idea what size I am now; I was roughly a 10 before I got pregnant, but right now both my chest and my hips are quite substantial.
I lived in a couple Boob Designs nursing dresses while pumping at work. They’re very stretchy but thick fabric, stylishly cut without looking like any particular trend. They have a sale on rn so they’re more reasonable than normal, but I found they were a good investment in a period where my body changed rapidly (and then…didn’t, but they still fit). However, sizes top out at their XXL, which is a 48” bust and 52” hips (in cm on their website).
Tangential addition: still hoping for my post-nursing boobs to shrink more so my dresses won’t be quite so body-con. Maybe it’s a fantasy? Anyway these dresses accommodated a lot.
For work pumping, I wore a nursing cami under my shirts. Then at pump time, pull shirt up/pop cami (and bra if added) down, put pump on, and then pull the cami up over the bottom of the horn flare and the shirt down over the top of the horn flare and it has full coverage. :) honestly, it even held them in place so I could work hands free if the over shirt wasn’t too loose.
I adore your style Virginia. There us a confidence that just emanates from you and that's something I really look up to as another formerly thin. I still struggle with comparing my now body in clothes with my former body in clothes. I aim to get to a point where I love my now body in clothes. You are inspiring.