Secret Viewpoint

I found a new hidden park by my work--it has a fantastic view and is at the end of a windy little road.


Sweater: Banana Republic via Goodwill
Cardigan: Unknown via Goodwill
Skirt: Express via Plato's Closet
Tights: Target
Shoes: Naturalizer via Goodwill

Back To School

I had several meetings at work today, so I chose a very conservative, normal look of pants and a blazer. My Naturalizer shoes were a comfy choice and my sweater added warmth (there is snow on the ground!).


Pants: Le Merlot via Plato's Closet
Shoes: Naturalizer via Goodwill
Sweater: Gap via Goodwill
Blazer: H&M

Twenty Five Pennies

After looking over my Two Thirds Review, I realized that I have been wearing cardigans almost every day for the past few days. I wanted to try to branch out a bit, so instead I wore a long-sleeved shirt underneath my sweater to have the warmth without the layering look. It's not a huge step, but it's something. Next: Outfits without scarves!

What items do you wear out of habit?
Do you have any 'safety-blanket' items you feel undressed without?
What has been your most ridiculous favorite item that you wore all the time?









Sweater: Gap via Goodwill
Long-sleeved shirt underneath: Kiabi via France
Skirt: Preview Collection via Goodwill
Tights: Black Tights from Target layered over Underamour
Boots: Giusti via Goodwill
Scarf: Self-made

Sixteen Ounces to a Pound

It is SNOWING here in Big City, and I am both excited and apprehensive about what this means for the rest of the winter. Excited because snow=awesome, duh. And apprehensive because we usually get snow only for one or two days in January, so this is very foreboding for our winter...but at least this will give me ample opportunity to bulk up my layering skills before Mr. P and I take off abroad next year! :D





Tights: Target
Skirt: H&M via Plato's Closet
Sweater: Gap via Goodwill
Wrap: Chico's
Scarf: from a street market in Kiev, Ukraine
Boots: Steve Madden

I also have a POLL for everyone to vote on! I have a few different ideas for the next big feature (interview, tutorial, etc) here on Developing Style and I wanted to know what YOU would like me to do first! Please vote and I will announce the winner in one week on Sunday the 28th.

Lucky Number Thirteen

Today I chose to wear pants for a variety of reasons, but mainly because I wanted a low-energy outfit and we've seen how pants are that solution for me. However, after work I had to run an errand downtown and I felt...less stylish, especially compared to all the sharply dressed people around me. Of course, it didn't help that I ducked into Anthropologie to check out the new clothing--just to look! ;) The sales staff there are always so well-dressed, they make me feel self-conscious!

Anyways, I thought it was interesting how different I feel when in pants as compared to when I wear dresses or skirts. I definitely feel more stylish and fashionable when wearing a skirt, and I'm wondering why that is. Is it because, to me, pants signify less effort being put into an outfit (although we all know that throwing on a dress is really the ultimate in no-effort chic)? Is it because society sees dresses and skirts as being more dressed up, so I feel more fashionable? Is it because skirts are now rather uncommon, so I feel special when I wear one, like I've made a conscious decision to be different? Hmmm...I have no answers, only questions.

What do you guys think? Why do you choose to wear/not wear skirts?
Is there anything you wear that makes you feel extra fashionable?




Jeans: Martin & Osa via Goodwill
Boots: Capelli via Goodwill
Sweater: Gap via Goodwill
Cardigan: Self-made from a Goodwill find
Scarf: Unknown via Goodwill
Belt: Unknown via Goodwill
We knew the day would come...EVERYTHING I am wearing came from the Goodwill. I'm pretty much awesome. :D

Roll A Six

Busting out the leopard print flats, you know I mean business! I have been wearing skirts lately and wanted a low-energy break in the form of these corduroy pants. The purple sweater underneath added warmth, the blazer added professionalism, and the flats added fun.

Do you have any items you add for a dose of fancy to your regular outfits?
What kinds of items spell low-energy for you?


Blazer: AE via Plato's Closet
Sweater: Gap via Goodwill
Pants: Le Merlot via Plato's Closet
Flats: Naturalizer

Four Better Or Worse...

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post more than one outfit per day for the 30 for 30...but oh well, call me a cheater. ^-^ I have a meet-and-greet tonight for work and needed something that wasn't too formal, but was nice and appropriate. I also chose to include several layers, since the event will be taking place in a drafty gymnasium.


Purple Sweater: Gap via Goodwill
Cardigan: Unknown via Goodwill donation pile
Belt: Unknown via Goodwill
Skirt: Preview Collection via Goodwill
Leggings (base layer): Underarmour
Tights (top layer):F21, gift
Boots: Steve Madden

Double Double

My clever hidden-wedge boots, how I love you. Perfect for a day when I want to dress up and wear heels, but when I am too lazy to actually wear heels!

As we start getting into colder and colder weather I will begin my favorite cold-weather trick--layering tights. Here I layered a pair of patterned gray fishnet-type tights (I love them, but they were unexpectedly lady-of-the-night-esque when worn alone) over my plain gray tights for a subtle patterned leg. Once we get into colder weather, I will start layering opaque tights over opaque tights, tights over leggings, and (finally, when it is freezing out) tights over Underarmour (how I love thee!).

Do you have any tricks for enduring the cold weather?
Do you notice your personal style changing a lot from the summer to the winter?
On the subject of my outfit, do you think the khaki skirt stands out too much from the darker palette of the rest of the outfit?

J’adore mes bottes avec le petit talon caché ! Parfait pour moi quand je suis trop paresseuse de porter des chaussures avec des vrais talons !

Lorsqu’on approche l’hiver, je commence à porter deux collants, l’un sur l’autre ! Ici je porte les collants gris de la dentelle sur les collants qui sont seulement gris. Ça donne un motif joli, je crois ! Je vais commencer à porter les leggings sous les collants, ou même Underarmour (mon favori—c’est comme les leggings mais sportif et très chauffant !) sous les collants !

Avez-vous des trucs pour quand il fait vraiment froid ?

Votre style, ça change beaucoup de l’été à l’hiver ?

Pour ma tenue, la jupe est-elle trop claire en comparaison avec les autres vêtements ?

Sweater: Gap via Goodwill
Skirt: H&M via Plato's Closet
Tights (2 pairs): Both via Forever 21
Boots: Steve Madden

Four Ways To Wear Episode 7: Brown Full Skirt

In this episode of Four Ways To Wear, Plummy finds another skirt that looks remarkably like one she already has, gets very excited, and then gets goofy. Intrigued? Read on!

The Candidate: This brown skirt from I.N.C that I found (where else?) at the Goodwill.

The Goal: To make many a work outfit, and to find another versatile skirt that is not my brown pencil skirt (how I love thee! But srsly, I have to branch out. I wear it pretty much every day.)

The Results:


Could it be? So similar to other outfits! Yes, I am already in love.
Skirt: I.N.C. via Goodwill
Shirt: Tricot Jolie via Plato's Closet
Tights: Hue via Plato's Closet
Shoes: Naturalizer via Goodwill


This is what you get when Plummy is overtired at the end of a long week...
Skirt: I.N.C. via Goodwill
Blazer: AE via Plato's Closet
Shirt: Banana Republic via BR Outlet
Tights: Hue via Plato's Closet
Shoes: Naturalizer via Goodwill


It's the month of Halloween! Give me scary!
Shirt: Gap via Goodwill
Skirt: I.N.C. via Goodwill
Belt: Unkown via Goodwill
Leggings: Target
Boots: Steve Madden


Finally, something that looks alright with my wool Bebe coat...I was so excited to find it at the Goodwill (brand new for $10!!!) but it's such a tricky little beast to wear. Obviously, I bought it before I started Four Ways To Wear.
Coat: Bebe via Goodwill
Skirt: I.N.C. via Goodwill
Leggings: Target
Boots: Steve Madden

The Verdict: Since it is indeed practically the same as my brown pencil skirt, except with lovely pleating and a slight sheen to the fabric, it is in! I love that it is another great find for work, I love that it is a fuller skirt, and I love this rich taupey brown color.

Day The Second

My second day at the new job was dreary, gray, pouring down rain. I layered. I wore my boots. Then I threw on a scarf and wore a thick coat all day. This is what I looked like without the coat (because, let's face it--I'm always cold, and if I included my coat in all my photos it would be a boring fashion blog, haha).


Sweater: Gap via Goodwill
Skirt: Preview Collection via Goodwill
Tights: F21, gift
Boots: Steve Madden
Scarf: Unknown, free (someone was throwing it out as they were moving last spring--but it's sooo soft!)

Four Ways To Wear Episode 5: Black Poncho and Cream Sweater

This episode is a Full Night Event (remember those, back when the CW was the WB?). A twofer, if you don't mind.

Part I: The Case of the Black Lace Poncho

The Candidate: A black lace poncho

The Goal: A new type of layering piece, something fun and unexpected

The Results:


Poncho: Bisoux Bisoux via Goodwill
Shirt: Gap via Goodwill
Jeans: Martin & Osa via Goodwill
Shoes: Unknown from France


Poncho: Bisoux Bisoux via Goodwill
Dress: Ross
Tights: Hue via Plato's

I'm stopping at two. This poncho does not fit in with my wardrobe (Is it the lace? Is it the fact that it looks cold weather, but is not warm? Is it the unusual shape?) and it was a stretch for me to make these outfits, much less two more.

The Verdict: Thumbs down. Return it!

Part II: The Case of the Wool Cream Sweater

The Candidate: A wool cream sweater, Banana Republic.

The Goal: A light-colored neutral warm sweater.

The Results:


Sweater: Banana Republic via Goodwill
Dress: Ross
Tights: Hue via Plato's
Shoes: Naturalizer


Sweater: Banana Republic via Goodwill
Skirt: Preview Collection via Goodwill
Shirt (you can see the tip of one sleeve, haha): The Loft via Plato's
Tights: Hue via Plato's
Boots: Steve Madden

Aaaand I stopped again at two. This time, it was definitely the result of several extremely unflattering photos--usually I get quite a few not-very-pretty ones, but rarely to this degree! It was the sweater! Added in that it felt a bit too big, loose cut notwithstanding, and the cropped sleeves denied me the warmth I was seeking in a wool sweater...it got cut.

The Verdict: No-go. But a return means more money in my pocket!

Four Ways To Wear Episode 4: Safari Skirt

I found this cute skirt at Plato's Closet (originally from H&M) with the tags still attached! It's definitely not work appropriate, but I liked it enough to want to include it in my casual wardrobe (and prevent me from looking 'office-appropriate' all the time). I put on the skirt and immediately think safari, complete with wanting to wear square scarves around my neck, tweed, a hat and riding boots (obviously have never been on a safari. I've been to the zoo though, that counts, right?). Of course, Mr. P saw it and told me "it looks like you took a trench coat and cut it up to make a skirt." Thanks, Mr. P.

The Candidate: My safari/trench skirt.

The Goal: A cute casual piece that, because it is a neutral that is light colored (i.e. not black, gray or dark brown, my usuals) will coordinate with much of my wardrobe in a new twist.

The Results:


Sweater: Gap via Goodwill
Skirt: H&M via Plato's
Tights: F21, gift
Boots: Steve Madden


Sweater: Bogari via Goodwill
Scarf: Unknown, Goodwill
Skirt: H&M via Plato's
Tights: F21, gift
Boots: Steve Madden


Sweater: 22 via The Rack
Shirt: Tricot Jolie via Plato's
Skirt: H&M via Plato's
Tights: F21, gift
Boots: Steve Madden


This outfit reminded me most of my safari/outback idea when I saw the skirt.
Blazer: AE via Plato's
Scarf: Unknown via Goodwill
Skirt: H&M via Plato's
Tights: F21, gift
Boots: Steve Madden

AND a bonus outfit! What I wore to birthday dinner tonight (OMG we had authentic italian and I just about imploded it was so amazing...om nom nom)

Shirt: Tricot Jolie via Plato's
Skirt: H&M via Plato's
Tights: F21, gift
Boots: Steve Madden

The Verdict: Yay! I like it!

However...to come soon, a Four Ways To Wear that might not be as successful...stay tuned!

Clear Vision

I finally got a new camera--the Canon S90, and I love it! I'm still figuring out all of the functions (it has crazy manual controls) but already the quality is so much nicer than what I had before.

Summer, although officially here, has not brought warm temperatures, sun or a plethora of ice cream trucks. Mostly it's been gray, rainy and cold (plus ice cream-less), hence my current outfit of sweater and pants. I've also been biking to work (about an hour bike ride each way) and pants are just so much easier than a skirt to bike long distances in.






Shirt: Gap via Goodwill

Pants: Don't remember

Shoes: Champion, found someone tossing them at the end of the school year and snagged them for free

Coat: This is the new wool Bebe coat I found at the Goodwill for 10$! I was pretty excited--it's not my usual style, but I rather enjoy it, and think it would be super cute with a high-waisted black full skirt.