Sometimes it’s more fun perusing the men’s department than the women’s. Especially if I’m shopping with the boyfriend. It’s so much fun to hold up crazy-awesome ties and try to convince him it’s high time he rock an ascot (he protests, but he’s secretly considering it). Then while I was gushing over an amazing skinny faded-linen pink and green stripe tie, he did something truly amazing. He said, “That would look good on you.”
OMG. Pandora’s box…open.
A wonderful thing happens to menswear around spring…it gets a cheeky sense of humor, and all of a sudden it’s full of pastels, pinks, polka-dots, and summer fabrics. Pair that with the current trend towards skinny ties, and it’s perfect for this usually timid girl to give it a whirl. Take this tie for example. Skinny linen navy polka-dots. It’s a masculine accessory in a casual fabric and playful print. Layering it underneath a vest allows it to peek out, but covers it enough so I’m not self-conscious of the fact I’m wearing a tie.
Best part, these are accessories even the boyfriend will wear, so it’s like a gift for the both of us. How many items in your wardrobe can say that? I mean, even if he wanted to wear my Loubies, he’d probably only be able to squeeze three toes into them.
Outfit Details – Burberry “Harbourne” trench, size 2 (altered) :: J.Crew “Crewcuts” shirt, size 10 (spring version) :: Theory knit vest, size xs :: Paige jeans, size 23 (hemmed) :: Barney’s CO-OP tie (similar) :: Christian Louboutin “Decolette” pumps, size 35 :: Ann Taylor belt, size xs :: Timex watch :: pearl bracelets
Aw! The “That would look good on you” line made me smile! :)
Very true what you said about wearing a tie under a vest! That is a great way to take baby steps!
I love your watch + pearl bracelet combo!
Thanks Michelle!
Aw.. Kelly you have train him well. The tie works well with the vest and the gingham shirt.
Thank you! He’s the best. He doesn’t mind that his girlfriend dresses like a 12 year old boy. What a keeper! =)
He is a great guy because he see what we see a
beautiful, smart and talented girl. =)
That line from your boyfriend is so cute! I love your look and your Burberry trench is a showstopper!
Thanks Katherine! It takes a certain kind of guy to be okay with his girlfriend dressing like a Crewcuts model..hehe.
You are very creative!! Sooooo pretty on you :)
Thank you! =)
What a great idea…you have inspired me to shop in the men’s dept more with the boy. haha The tie totally fits in with the rest of the outfit!
I LOVE this! I have never worn a tie, but you look so good I’m almost convinced I need to borrow from my man too! I love the polka dot tie with the gingham print!
i can’t say i’ve gotten brave enough to wear a proper tie yet, but the boyfriend showed me how to tie a scarf like a tie, which i was a big fan of.
also, i am in love with that vest! but it’s the only item that doesn’t have a link as to where to find it =( i’d love to try and track it down, any clues for me like a product name or somesuch? thanks!
The vest is from early 2009! Maybe you can find it on Ebay?
http://www.alterationsneeded.com/2009/04/tiny-clothes-on-sale.html
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446213515&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574491979129&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474399545537&bmUID=1241059418063&site_refer=AFF001&siteID=TnL5HPStwNw-957.uFZrOwybNgO7n53yiw&LScreativeid=1&LSlinkid=10&LSoid=203719&LSsid=TnL5HPStwNw
I couldn’t find a good dupe anywhere, but I’ll keep looking because I’m always in the market for a good vest. =)
Very cute look! You look great!
xoxo
http://www.natashafatah.blogspot.com
Such a cute look! I’ve been meaning to try out my polka dot bow tie with a gingham shirt… but haven’t gotten around to it yet. Definitely hoping that I can wear them as well as you!
Two thumbs up to ties. I haven’t found a print to my liking (nor skinny enough), so in the meantime I’ll just steal, I mean borrow, from the bf.
Yes! Do it Cee! I bet your polka dot bow tie will look great with your gingham! I bet your tie looks will be amazing, you have a great knack for preppy prints. =)
Love this!!!
Kelly, what is the fabric content of your trench? Does it wrinkle easily? Does the light color get dirty easily?
Hi Laura! My trench is 65% polyester, 35% cotton (lining is 50/50 polyester and cotton). It doesn’t wrinkle really at all. I’ve crammed it inside travel bags and even wrapped my camera in it for protection, and it comes out looking great after a few minutes hanging on a hanger. This color does tend to show dirt, but even then, I haven’t had much of a problem with it. I dry clean it once a year (after the colder, rainy months) and it looks just fine.
Oh you definitely look good with this boyish look. I used to wear the “total young boy” outfit as a tenn meaning pants, shirt, vest and tie or bow plus jacket and shorter hair. I was of course totally our of fashion and pretty weird in comparison with my fellow girlfriend but I did not care a bit!
Being petite did help at that time.
I loved wearing man’s clothes.
This is really your style and well you do rock it, a bit.
<3 this look! The vest is a nice way to ease into wearing a tie, and the pattern mixing is fun. I particularly like the red piping on the vest!
Cute idea Kelly!
looks adorable on you Kelly! But don’t think it would ever work on me… yet. ps, when are we going to meet Mr. AN? hmmm??
LOL! Mr. AN is blog shy and not really interested in a debut any time soon. Believe me…I’ve tried… =P
Very modern day Annie Hall, I like it!
What a great look! I was obsessed with plaids lately and found myself browsing in the men’s department for those shirts.
Following you. Great blog you have, glad I found your blog.
http://mui28.blogspot.com
Have you ever thought about doing a feature on any dresses and skirts you own for petites? .
Hi Anelissosa! I’m not much of a skirt or dress girl. When I do pick one up, I feature it on the blog, but to be honest, I rarely wear them, so it’s a bit of a waste of money for me to purchase them. Besides, there are plenty of other bloggers (petite included) who feature dresses and skirts all the time. If you’re looking for great petite dress and skirt reviews, I highly suggest you follow Jean at extrapetite.com. =)
The tie looks very good on you. It would look even better if it were done the righht way.