Black Crane linen wide leg culottes | size medium
Everlane slub slouchy tee | medium, purchased with credits from Everlane
Birkenstock Arizona Sandals
Jerome Dreyfuss Florent backpack | purchased with credits at Forzieri, gold suede version
Margot Wolf necklace
It’s been so rainy and yucky here up until the last few days that I haven’t worn these Black Crane culottes much since the first time. Excitedly, I pulled them out yesterday to wear, but right before I left the house, I changed into a 3/4 sleeve white top instead of this Everlane tee, because I wanted more arm coverage (I was afraid I’d be cold inside. It was so hot outside that I wasn’t.)
BUT. I don’t know. I love these pants. And I love how they look when I see them on me. BUT…..all day yesterday, I felt (again) more high-school art teacher than I wanted to feel. I blame the shoes, and all my silver jewelry. Who am I kidding, I do lean towards high-school art teacher sometimes (or have you seen Grace & Frankie yet? I hope I don’t go too far towards Frankie!!), with my loose and flowy silhouettes, but this time I crossed the line.
(I like this outfit with the culottes better…)
I actually think the first way I wore these was more “modern” – with a more fitted top and platform sandals – and ultimately more in the direction I’d like to go with my style. I wanted to try a more “relaxed” look though, like all the kids are doing these days, and this is my attempt at it. I don’t think it works on me. And as much as I appreciate my Birkenstocks, perhaps I shouldn’t try and wear them with EVERYTHING LOL.
I’m still trying to interpret my feelings about this outfit yesterday, honestly. I remember at some point, being pretty uncomfortable, shifting around a lot, and wishing I was wearing something else. I need to determine if I would have felt that way if I was by myself (instead of with a friend I’m always comparing myself sartorially to), and if that means I’m truly moving away from “normcore,” boho, flowy, and towards more modern, dark, and structural. All day yesterday, I wished I was wearing something more fitted and dark.
And remember, I was really wearing a white top, so that may be something too – perhaps I would have felt different if I’d been wearing this black tee. But no, I think overall, I felt too “messy.” Too “artsy.” I am not artsy. Maybe a little, but not all-out artsy. Artsy with edge? Modern artsy?
Ugh. Just when you think you might have things figured out. You think you have your personal style DOWN**, and then wham! life comes and hits you upside the head and says, “no! not that!” For now, I’ll just say I know my style when I see it, when I wear it, when I FEEL it. Sort of like the Supreme Court’s view of pornography…
This. Was not it.
*a note on the Everlane tee – I like it, but it’s not amazing; I prefer the shape & style of the u-neck tee to this one. The slub is nice, but I don’t like the pocket and the rolled sleeves. And at this point, I’d rather have the “straight” drape of the u-neck tee over the more full drape of this one…
**I don’t believe in “personal style” as a reference point anymore. I don’t think everyone has a signature style, or can necessarily pinpoint a specific type of style she likes best. How can we? We are always changing, learning, trying new things, aren’t we? Or is that just me? 😉
I like them! I do think the necklace may be what put it over the top for you, in terms of the art teacher thing. Maybe some big earrings would give it a more modern-urban feel? I used to wear big earrings all the time and now am only into studs, but I can still often see on others how its the big ones that often pull you together!
Personal style and “signature style” definitely changes all the time. Who wants to be stagnant? It would be strange to be wearing the same styles and silhouettes from decades ago. As your life interests and body changes, so must your clothes and style. I think that is a very good thing. It is like going down the same road and seeing the same things every day. Comforting and familiar, but what about taking a different path and seeing a new view once in a while? You can’t discover what you like and don’t like unless you branch out once in a while.
I just had a big hissy fit yesterday and I’m returning a long shirtdress and two pairs of shoes. Sometimes I find shopping so annoyingly frustrating I could scream! For me, even having those clothes in my house created all kinds of tension. Maybe that sounds crazy but it’s true, I can’t wait to return the whole bloody lot!
I like this outfit on you and I LOVED those platform sandals (oh, and I returned a pair of those too because they squeaked so badly it was embarrassing but I loved how they looked) story of my life with clothes shopping these days I guess…
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oh, i get that way too- as soon as i decide i don’t want something anymore, i must get rid of it ASAP; i can’t stand to even have it around!
did you have the exact sandals? they do squeak a bit! maybe less now, but i just figured i was the only one who could hear them.
absolutely lori. but so many minimalist blogs, wardrobe consultants, etc., sort of live and die on the idea of having a “personal style” that remains constant – so that everything can be “planned” around it…and i’ve always felt bad that i didn’t think i really had a personal style – i mean, i’ve thought i did for a while, and then it changed, so i felt like i was “wrong” somehow. you know? now, i know there’s no such thing. just as i know there’s no perfect wardrobe. or perfect anything…
yeah. i think the necklace, and maybe i was wearing too much jewelry? interesting point about big earrings though – i haven’t worn substantial earrings in FOREVER. i usually just get a very minimal pair (right now melissa joy manning huggies) and keep them in for a year or two, then get a new very small, minimal pair. maybe some large MJM hoops would be fun!
I love the first outfit, the culottes just work better with a fitted top and the platform shoes. I often find an item i LOVE and a great way to wear it but then make the mistake (because i love the item so much and/or cause i want to reduce how much laundry i do) of trying to wear it with everything as a sort of universal piece. Then i realize i only wanna wear it the way that makes me feel best and i just accept that and am ok with it. The second outfit isn’t terrible at all just not as flattering and lovely as the first! Love birks and def understand your desire to wear a lot!
I think it’s the Birkenstocks that “ruined” the look for you. I feel like these culottes are similar to Eileen Fisher clothing–there is a fine line between the fashion-forward drapey look and oversized matronly, and the distinction is in the styling details. 😉 I love my Birkenstocks (and kind of need them when walking a lot due to problems with my feet), but I rarely feel chic wearing them. I have to be very conscious about what else I’m wearing, or else I just need to embrace that my look for the day is about casual comfort rather than being fashionable.
And I agree one shouldn’t need a “signature style.” Some people have that, which is great. I have several styles though, and I feel good in each of them. I have my work style (casual workplace and school events) which leans toward preppy with a twist; my nighttime style (drapey tops, boots, lots of gray and black); and casual everyday style, which means my huge collection of jeans, t-shirt dresses, and pretty much anything else that strikes my fancy (there are lots of quirky animal prints, I mean like dogs printed on Vans slip-ons not leopard print). As I write this I still think these categories make my style seem more defined than it truly is, ha. ;p
Totally agree with you on the Birkenstocks issue, it’s like “normcore” fashion—a 25-year old can wear pleated jeans ironically and look fashionable, but on me they just look frumpy .;-)
haha! yes, i get caught up in this too…thinking i NEED to wear something ALL the time to make it “worth it” – which is crazy, because as you said, not everything goes with everything. i’m learning this…thanks for the reminder 🙂
definitely. especially the taupe suede color. they’re much more granola than the black JP version, for sure!
absolutely agree with you, but jewelry/shoes/bags is where i have such a hard time lately. jewelry especially. but i’m working on that! i have a partnership with Aro that i’m really excited about, and i’m going to be getting some new pieces of jewelry from her. shoes, i have, i just need to remember to wear them. forsaking my birkenstocks…
and yes, some people definitely have a signature style, and i think sometimes i do too. but maybe it’s not that, it’s just particular pieces that are “my style”. like i’m sure you guys can tell what things are “me” or not so much when i post about them. i get a lot of comments “that’s so you!” – and i agree with them most of the time, but those “things” aren’t necessarily related. if that makes sense. anyway, i’m going to stop envying women who DO have a signature style, and just be good with my own crazy shit… 🙂
like i said below, also, i think it depends on the birkenstocks (or i hope so anyway..) – these taupe suede ones are much more hippie granola than my black ones. so much depends on an overall “look” that it’s really tough to get right. you gotta know that online stylists, etc., work hard to get that perfect “oh this? I just threw this on…” look.
I have a similar pair of culottes (not linen, but wide leg ankle grazers with elastic waist). I found that in order to feel right in them, I have to make sure it’s apparent where my waist actually is – either by wearing a tighter top, or simply wearing them higher on my torso so that the waistband isn’t hitting me at my wider-hip point. I’m definitely pear-shaped, heaviest in the thigh-area, so pants like this feel amazing but when I try to do something drapey on top, it just doesn’t work. I’m not overly concerned with ‘figure flattery’, I just want to look age appropriate (I’m 29 but constantly mistaken for much younger), feel good about myself in the clothes I’m wearing, and not look like a crazy cat lady/art teacher (even though that’s pretty much dream job/I love all the cats). Stylistically, I’ve been treating them as I would a maxi skirt instead of a pair of pants.
I think the Birkenstocks are fine – not my favorite in the outfit as a whole, but also not bad. Better if they were darker (black/grey – I think you have some other similar sandals, JP ones? might look good.) – but that’s just me because I’m allergic to anything brownish/tan – also I like the look of the platform sandals, but mostly just the darker shade rather than the added height. Not that it matters – you look wonderful as is. 🙂 And I love the necklace.
I wear MJM huggies too (the ones with herkimer diaminds)! love them and never take them off at this point. But I feel they are more for my personal enjoyment than for outward appearance, as they are so hard to notice with my massive head of hair. I just visited their NYC shop yesterday – such lovely things.
I ordered culottes a few months ago (from Zara) and came THISCLOSE to wearing them to a wedding with heels and a cute crop tank top, but my husband’s negative energy got to me at the last minute. Some things will never be traditionally flattering, regardless of how much pleasure they bring to the wearer. I ended up returning them 🙁 I do think you black crane ones are much more flowy, casual, comfortable and easier to wear though. I would have kept those!
ah yes…i get a lot of negative energy from my husband as well, but only at first, he doesn’t keep at it. i just know what to wear when i’m going out with him and what not to wear 🙂
i love MJM! i would be in trouble if i went in a store. the huggies are so great, and i kind of love that they’re “just for me”- you know? but now you’ve got me interested in a larger pair of hoops. only problem is that i would probably feel like they’re too much with my glasses also. hmmm…
haha! i don’t wear any brown/tan either, but i think i sort of treat this pair of birkenstocks as “nude” you know? but they’re much more hippie than i’m going for now.
and good idea to treat them like a maxi skirt. in my opinion, if you’re not really paying attention, they LOOK like a skirt. and i would definitely wear a maxi skirt with a more fitted top. thanks 🙂
What strikes me first about this outfit is the black on blackness…and the fact that the blacks don’t “match”. Disclaimer – this is not a reflection on you, just a known issue I have with colors that don’t match. I know this about myself & have accepted it. 🙂 Still, it’s no where near as bad as denim on denim. Oh geez that’s never a good thing, yet Jay Leno wears that look nearly daily.
I don’t think that even a white top would keep you from having the art teacher vibe, but what about a whole different color – like a berry shade, or blue or green? What about Trying a pair of Giza style Birks instead as an alternative to the double strap versions?
GASP. another “color”?? besides black, white or gray??
LOL, yes, i have a nice wild rose color t-shirt that looks great with it. but yeah, still art teacher vibe 😉
So…..at the end of the day…are you still glad you chose to wear the culottes then? Are you beating it to fit and painting it to match? Are you more happy that you succeeded in wearing them for the sake of wearing them….or do you really love them & feel at peace about it.
Really though, if someone comes up to you and says “hey you sure look like a high school art teacher what with those culottes on”, would that be right up there with “Hey, when is the baby due??” (and you aren’t pregnant)?
i’m not happy with the way i wore them the second time, more “slouchy” altogether. i would have been happier with something more fitted up top, and a more modern pair of sandals, like the first time. in that case, i’ll wear them and love it…and go on about my business. who cares what anyone things or says?
i knew that second outfit was “off” – it didn’t feel like me, and i felt it all day. but with the first outfit, i did feel at peace. happy and like i “succeeded” in wearing them.
Thank you so much for the wonderful Isis hat from the Azalea contest. It’s gorgeous. I love hats though I rarely wear them, I recently had to be treated for a precancerous growth on my nose so must now protect my face. This sure will make it easy-so lovely.
About the culottes, I agree that the shoes are off. The line of the shoes needs to be slimmer. Have you ever had a pair of the Mephisto black patent leather thong slides? They are cut in a less weighty way but are still super comfy. A bit pricey but they last for years. I am still wearing a pair of black slides from 2003.
Thanks again!
Then that’s all the matters!
I give up on speeling and grammer today.
How’s the sizing on the Everlane tee? Does it run TTS, or would you have done better with a small? Always on the fence about their sizing because of how slouchy their cuts can be!
this one i think was TTS – it’s meant to be pretty slouchy, if i’d sized down, it wouldn’t have looked right i think, if you know what i mean. like it was trying to be something it wasn’t…
Afrome: I am so jealous that you own the ones with Herkimer diamonds! And I’d be happy with the ones you have, Grechen, but in silver (Cheap!!!). I may have told you this story, but forgive my old age….My eldest daughter’s former college roommate mentioned that she loved my hoop earrings and I said the were by MJM. She got excited and said, “Oh cool! My brother-in-law designs for her. Is she a big deal or something?” After I restrained myself from punching her (she does that to people), I said, “Yes. She’s a big deal!” 😉
I may be the only voice out there saying this, but I could totally see your JP charcoal Birkenstocks with the culottes and your more fitted JP white casual tee. And maybe just the cuff and your black bag that is sack-like with the twisted handles. (Designer is escaping me…Margiela?!?)
My style has changed a LOT over the years (And I am NOT fessing-up on the phases I’ve been thru!) but I’m finding that the older I get, the more I feel that I have a “defined style” that has lasted. I can especially tell when I look at my Pinterest boards…it’s SO discernible when it’s right there in front of me. But the funny thing is, there’s actually several Vals, if you know what I mean: Minimal Val, Boho hippie Val, and Tomboy preppy Val. They’re all me, but I enjoy choosing which one I’ll be on any given day based on plans and my emotions. And I like it that way!
Hi Grechen. This is my first time commenting on your blog, which I have been enjoying a lot lately. Anyway, I just wanted to say that I am one who actually loooved Frankie’s style in Grace and Frankie. Art teacher style all the way! I want to watch the show again only to take another good look at her outfits.
Just like you I always thought that one should have a very well-defined style that they stay true to from adolescence, let’s say, till forever. But now I’m rethinking it. I mean, largely, my style hasn’t changed all that much. Not the silhouettes. The changes are subtle, like colors, prints, small (or bigger) design details. My style used to be very boho colorful (maxi skirts, peasant tops, embroideries, small flower prints), and now it’s still maxi everything, but with less pastoral details. I’m going darker as I age. Still, this change feels strange. I don’t want to wear many of what used to be my most beloved clothes. And I feel like I don’t know where this change has come from: is it because of the style blogs I follow or is it something coming from within me? I can’t tell how authentic it is, but it is and I’m having fun with it for now.
hi lori!! thanks so much for your comment! i actually loved frankie’s style too, i just wouldn’t like it on me! i appreciated it on her though. especially those long sleeve mesh tees…i need to get some of those 🙂
i feel the same way – about my style – like i’m going through changes, and it feels strange. but i think we should just go with it for now…not over-think it (as i am wont to do!), and have fun. it’s time for me to have some fun, i think. it’s been a while 🙂 over time, it’ll sort itself out, and BECOME authentic.
yes! the MM6 bag – i would totally wear that. less is more 😉