Classic Duffle
I admit it: I love the smell of new leather. Just like some people crave new car smell, I crave new leather smell. It just smells so clean and full of possibility! I got the sense of new possibilities when I unwrapped this lovely birthday present to myself back in August: the large Coach duffle from the revamped Legacy collection. I choose this camel color as the perfect neutral addition to my ever-expanding handbag collection. The long strap gives great conversion to a cross body position and the tassel is just adorable. The cream sweater and suede boots were easy and comfortable with the bag. Threw on a tri-colored necklace and I was ready for my day. Enjoy all!
Sweater-American Eagle Outfitters. Retail Price: $44.50. Purchase Price: $44.50. Times Worn: 8. Cost Per Wear: $5.56.
Jeans-American Eagle Outfitters.
Handbag-Coach. Retail Price: $398. Purchase Price: $298.50. Times Worn/Carried: 65. Cost Per Wear: $4.59.
Boots-Maurices. Retail Price: $20. Purchase Price: $20. Times Worn: 10. Cost Per Wear: $2.
Necklace-Akira.
MAD Outfit: Autumn Florals
Hello all! Today’s post breaks my favorite fashion faux pas: wearing white pants after Labor Day. I know some people still swear this is unacceptable; I say whatevs! White pants/skirts/shorts are a great neutral year round so don’t be afraid to bust them out!
I love rolling up a pair of skinny cut pants to reveal the glory of the shoe, in this case a killer pair of booties with a tassel-pull zipper from Coach.
Shirt-LC Lauren Conrad (Kohl’s). Retail Price: $44. Purchase Price: $30.80. Times Worn: 4. Cost Per Wear: $7.70.
Pants-American Eagle Outfitters. Retail Price: $39.50. Purchase Price: $29.63. Times Worn: 10. Cost Per Wear: $2.96.
Booties-Coach. Retail Price: $298. Purchase Price: $201. Times Worn: 6. Cost Per Wear: $33.50.
MAD Outfit: Shirt Tails
Anyone remember the 80′s cartoon, The Shirt Tails?! While racking my brain for a clever title, I thought something like “Denim Shirtdress” or “Leather and Denim” seemed generic, yet effective. All of a sudden shirt tails popped into my head and that was it. I wore this outfit to Carrie Underwood’s Blown Away tour with Hunter Hayes. Great show with my mom, aunt and cousin! There was a hilarious moment unfortunately not captured on camera where I bent over asking my cousin if I could possibly wear this dress without tights and not have my behind hanging out. It felt a little shorter than expected when I tried it on, but I think it will be okay once temps inch back up in the spring.
Also this is the debut of my new Coach Legacy bag, the Rory tote. If you’re in the market for a new classic handbag with a twist, there’s nothing better than the Legacy collection right now. Lots of punchy colors for the holidays and great shapes and sizes too. Have a great week!
Shirtdress-American Eagle. Retail Price: $49.95. Purchase Price: $46.25. Times Worn: 1. Cost Per Wear; $46.25.
Belt-came with dress or skirt from Maurices.
Tights-George (Wal-Mart.) Retail Price: $5.97 per pair. Purchase Price: $5.97 per pair. Times Worn: 3. Cost Per Wear: $1.99.
Boots-Coach. Retail Price: $548. Purchase Price: $219.20. Times Worn: 51. Cost Per Wear: $4.30.
Handbag-Coach. Retail Price: $398. Purchase Price: $298.50. Times Worn: 20. Cost Per Wear: $14.93.
Sunglasses-Coach.
MAD Outfit: Proud to be an American
Quick post: This patriotic bib necklace arrived from BaubleBar just in time for Election Day. I threw it on with a denim shirt for a heavy dose of Americana, hit the polls before work and am now sitting here flipping between a special on the presidency on the History Channel and Brian Williams and team on NBC.
So this isn’t the greatest picture but hey I was rushed!
Shirt-American Eagle. Retail Price: $39.50. Purchase Price: $29.63. Times Worn: 4. Cost Per Wear: $7.41.
Necklace-BaubleBar. Retail Price: $28. Purchase Price: $28.00. Times Worn: 1. Cost Per Wear: $28.
Below is where I posted myself for the results! Also see my Coach Legacy Leather Duffle, my birthday present to myself this year. Retail Price: $398.00. Purchase Price: $298.50. Times Worn: 45. Cost Per Wear: $6.63.
MAD Outfit: Pastel Stripes
Temperatures have finally gone down enough to break out the sweaters and boots without having to wear a heavy coat yet. The second I spotted this sweater at American Eagle, I knew I could construct an outfit around these awesome gray Coach boots. Enjoy the fall weather while it lasts!
Sweater-American Eagle. Retail Price: $39.95. Purchase Price: $23.97. Times Worn: 1. Cost Per Wear: $23.97.
Jeans-American Eagle. Retail Price: $49.50. Purchase Price: $34.99. Times Worn: 5. Cost Per Wear: $7.00.
Boots-Coach. Retail Price: $548. Purchase Price: $219.20. Times Worn: 50. Cost Per Wear: $4.38.
Sunglasses-Coach.
MAD Outfit: Summer Breeze
It’s mid-October here in the Midwest, so everyday is treated like the last nice day until spring arrives. I broke out this ruffled dress and shoe combination because I felt like being extra girly for the weather. When I originally saw this dress online, it looked more pink, but I was pleasantly surprised with the soft, baby peachy color upon arrival.
These shoes have a very funny story surrounding the first time I wore them in my first outfit post. While entering the church for a sorority sister’s wedding, I immediately stepped to my left to let the slew of other wedding patrons in behind me. And I stepped straight into a floor vent, leaving me wobbling all over the place, arms flailing and all. I had to pull my foot out of one shoe, turn around and yank it out of the vent, whilst muttering God damn it to myself. Obviously it wasn’t muttered quietly enough, as I got a very reproachful look from an older woman when I finally stood up straight.
And finally…introducing my assistant, Zoe Belle! It may have started with some reluctance, but this self portrait of the two of us turned out pretty well. Look for Zoe to accompany me on future posts! If you look closely, you can catch a glimpse of my Bing Bang for BaubleBar earrings.
Dress-Maurices.
Sunglasses-Coach. Purchased with employee discount a few years ago.
Earrings: Bing Bang for BaubleBar. Retail & Purchase Price: $48. Times Worn: 10. Cost Per Wear: $4.80.
Nail Polish-OPI for Sephora in Nonfat Soy Half Caff.
MAD Outfit: Palm Fronds
Welcome to a rebooted MAD About Style!
The idea behind this project has also changed over the last year. As a means of understanding how and why I allocate money to clothes, and in an attempt to truly show the value of my wardrobe, I’ll be listing the retail and purchase price of each item, along with the approximate number of times I’ve worn it. A price will be broken down to show the ever elusive cost per wear. If an item is something I’ve had forever, or if I just misplaced a receipt, the entire equation may not be listed. Yes there’s math involved and for once, I’m ecstatic about math!
My cousin Jenny has agreed to be my photographer for MAD About Style and I couldn’t be happier! It’s a chance to spend time with her and her family while working on something I’m so excited about…win win! We met at a local park and I choose this maxi dress for one last spin before retiring it until next spring.
Denim Jacket-American Eagle. Retail Price: $49.50. Purchase Price: $42.07. Times Worn: 15. Cost Per Wear: $2.80.
Dress with Belt Included-Christopher Straub for Maurices.
Wedges-Coach. Retail Price: $218. Purchase Price: $109. Times Worn: 10. Cost Per Wear: $10.90.
Sunglasses-Coach. Purchased with employee discount a few years ago. Times Worn: probably 100+.
Leather Bracelet-American Eagle. Retail Price: $15.50. Purchase Price: $10.85. Times Worn: 5. Cost Per Wear: $2.17.
Ring-LC Lauren Conrad (Kohl’s). Retail Price: $16.00. Purchase Price: $8.80. Times Worn: 4. Cost Per Wear: $$2.20.
Necklace-Grandma’s gold chain with baby ring. Priceless.
