Flashdance

When I originally put this outfit together I topped the sheer tunic with my cropped Asos top with the sheer back. It almost worked, too, and I did like the sheer-over-sheer effect. However, the way the wide neckline of the cropped top revealed the straps of the tank top just wasn't quite right; too many Flashdance memories, I suppose. Incidentally, click on over to Wendy Brandes' latest installment for the Huffington Post, featuring me and a bunch of fellow bloggers sporting sheer garments.

I bought both the pants and the shoes on an afternoon that Sal and I spent lunching and shopping with LPC. In a very uncharacteristic move, I walked into the John Fluevog store and walked out with possibly the most conventional pair of shoes they've ever produced. But a pair of basic, retro-styled black pumps has been on my shopping list for ages, and I had decided I was going to stick to my shopping list during Sal's visit and not allow myself to stray, despite there being several other pairs that caught my eye. Also on the shopping list: colorful, skinny pants. Since this purple pair had bonus leather panels on the calves, and they were on sale, it was really a no-brainer.

This outfit was inspired by this one from Sea of Ghosts, but for my version I covered up a bit more and opted for the demure pumps to make it more age and work appropriate. I love how the leather detail on the tunic pairs mirrors the leather panels on the pants.

Cardigan: Express
Tunic: Audrey Cantwell
Pants: Rag & Bone
Shoes: John Fluevog

Duster

I found this funky sheer zebra duster at a thrift store near my mom's house a few months ago when I was up there to visit. It was actually a dress when in combination with the long black liner that came with it, but I much prefer it this way. I made a couple of modifications: I hemmed it from straight across to the tapered hem you see here, and I added a pleat in the back to give it some shape at the waist. It was quite the boxy 90's shape before.

This was a perfect outfit for our gorgeous fall weather. It was warm enough outside to bare a little skin, but not quite warm enough to expose all the limbs in their entirety. Boots and socks and bare legs was just the thing.

Duster: thrifted
Dress: Max Studio
Belt: Lazarro
Boots: from Scoop in Copenhagen
Bag: Lucky

Getting Back on the Horse

I decided to give this pants/shoes combo another try, despite the fact that it felt a little risqu� for my comfort level the last time around. You've got to get back up on that horse, right? It turns out that putting a long layer over the pants, even though it was a very sheer layer, did the trick. And in a moment of inspiration, I chose not just a plain tank to put under the sheer tunic, but this beautiful lace-back top, which I've had a terrible time figuring out how to style appropriately while still showing off the back:

The nearly backless halter-neck top doesn't really allow for wearing a bra, making it something I'd normally relegate to say, a night out dining and dancing on the beach in Mexico. But since I'm not in Mexico very often, it's good to have found another way to wear it; the sheer layer provided plenty of coverage, while still giving a hint of the sexy top that's underneath. It only took me about 4 years to figure this out; luckily I didn't give up on the top before then.

When I put all the clothing and shoes together I knew the outfit still needed a little something, but this tunic can't really be belted very easily. Instead, I tucked a long, layered necklace under the tunic's bow to bring in some shine without disrupting the long, sheer line.

Also, going *almost* braless at work felt awesomely rebellious, not to mention amazingly comfortable.


Tunic: Fremont
Pants: Club Monaco
Top: Sisley
Shoes: Pour la Victoire

Enamored

This sheer shirtdress arrived via Gilt just before I left on my trip, so I didn't actually get to wear it until after I got back. And let me just say, I am absolutely enamored with it. The waist can be adjusted by pulling on the ties in the back, so I can control how snug or how loose the dress fits. The sheer silk chiffon feels very elegant, and I just love the way it moves when I walk. I've already got another outfit lined up for next week that uses this dress.

I ended up wearing a variation on this outfit when Laura and I went out to see Peter Murphy in concert (who still sounds amazing after all these years, btw). For our evening out I swapped the jeans for black tights and wore a short black dress (more of a slip, really) instead of the tank I have on here.

To hide all the bra and tank strap action that was visible under the sheer chiffon, I added this lacy shrug. The neckline is just low enough to pair perfectly with the bow at the neck of the dress.








Dress: Fremont
Shrug: a gift from my sister
Jeans: Joe's
Boots: All Black










And because I think everyone could probably use a good laugh on a Friday afternoon, I thought I'd share a video by Canadian comedian Jon Lajoie (how could he not be Canadian with a name like that?), who Jess played for Mark and I when we were up in Seattle. To me the funniest comedy is the kind that points out truths, and this video perfectly sums up exactly how I feel about 99% of music that's played on the radio (which is why I almost never listen to the radio). Be forewarned that the lyrics contain a lot of swearing, so it's NSFW unless you've got headphones.