I wore the same pleated skirt for three days running last week! I like the way a this navy pleated skirt plays with my knees when I walk and I know that the sweater vests were inspired by someone who is running for President. The photo on the left was snapped at the end of my work day and the one on the right at the beginning of my work day.
Have you ever thought about the way an outfit evolves over the course of a day? (or even a week?) By the end of a day my hair was pulled back and just before the photo was snapped I had rolled my sleeves back down, but the look held up well over the course of a day in which my creative writing class explored words as sound and my teaching partner M. coached students on creating their own language.
In the second look, the blouse is pink gingham by Evan Piccone. The sweater vest I'm certain is vintage; the label reads JES Original.
Prep, much?
In other news the grandson won the local Pine-box Derby, with help from grandpa and the new son-in-law. The daughters and I arrived at our local Target AFTER the Jason Wu collection was pretty picked over. And I watched the pertinent parts of the SuperBowl, the commercials and the half-time show, from my Twitter stream.
Has Madonna rescued middle-aged women from oblivion? We're visible today at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style. Come strut your stuff!
She does still rock the house at 53! I love your prep looks, and I share your affection for a pleated skirt. Thanks so much for coming over to Visible Monday!
ReplyDeletePatti--As always, you've done me a huge favor to organize this event every week. I have several other pleated skirts which I haven't worn in a while on Rags. Time for some repeats!
DeleteI love the preppy look!I feel like Madonna is pretty fabulous, for middle-age or ANY age!
ReplyDeleteMeri--Yes, I'd love to know what her workout routine is like.
DeleteTerri, Thanks for your good wishes..... Trust me all I can do right now is breathe!
ReplyDeleteYou look is always so classic and simple. A look to aspire to for sure.
Have a good week and don't forget to roll those sleeves up or down whatever works for the moment:)
Tammy--I often roll up my sleeves during a day, an unconscious working-class habit retained in academia? At least the look is not fussy.
DeleteI so like the preppy look too. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYellow Silk Top
I don't do the look very often, but it has been fascinating to watch the look spread on campus to students from ALL ethnic backgrounds.
DeleteMy outfits evolve all day long, too! Usually, at some point, my hair goes up or back, since I live in a very windy part of the world, and I often need to contain it.
ReplyDeleteI like preppy! My VM outfit hearkens back to my own early- mid-80s preppy days, as well.
Ana--Our campus sits on the high point of the county where it is located so wind is a factor in my workday too, as I walk from one building to another. I've snapped a couple other end-of-the-day looks. Sometimes, a look doesn't actually weather very well through a workday.
Deletei am LOVEing the first look (at the end of your day). not only am i into the sweater+collared shirt combo, but i'm loving everything j crew....so, no surprice to find that it is a j crew vest!
ReplyDelete[oomph.]
oomph--I think this is the first piece of J. Crew I've purchased. Initially I worried that all the little pearls were a bit much, but you'll never find out...unless you wear it!
DeleteVery smart and chic. I love an item of clothing that works with lots of other things, so your skirt is a winner.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Madonna is the only 50-something woman who looks fabulous, there's plenty of them around (and many who manage to do so perhaps without trying quite so hard...!) xxx
Curtise--Well, the skirt, after three days, is definitely ready to go to the dry cleaner. I agree that there are many 50 year olds worth paying attention to. Tina Turner and Carole King come immediately to my mind.
DeleteI really like the one on the right! You just reminded me that I have a sweater vest some where in my closet! My student newspaper staff got to interview Rick Santorum and he was a lovely, gracious man...so I think well of sweater vests because of him!!
ReplyDeleteYou look great as always!!
Pam--I should probably have explained that the pattern on the front of the right sweater vest is a duck floating. I suspect that many of our candidates are much more charming people in real life than our media make them out to be.
Delete'the skirt plays with my knees.' I love that line! I do believe it's important to enjoy what we wear and you expressed that with creativity. My outfits evolve throughout the day as well, but usually with a change of gloves or a hat.
ReplyDeleteJudith--I recently bought my first pair of dress gloves and hope to do something with them this spring. I'm still suffering from a shortage of hats, but I do look for them.
DeleteI have skipped trying to get any goods from any collaboration as I usually don't get anything as its all sold out and all i get is upset :(
ReplyDeleteI have been watching bloggers wear the pleated skirts with sweaters and love the look - however I have not attempted to ... yet.
Lorena--I haven't been reading your blog long, but somehow the pleats don't strike me as very "you." I teach college for a living...and somehow the pleats do work.
DeleteI agree with Judith, your line about the skirt playing with your knees is sheer poetry, Terri! x
ReplyDeleteVix--thank you. I suspect that I am better at writing than styling.
DeleteI thought Madonna looked so great last night. She's in terrific shape for any age, but I know she is 53 and wow, what a bod she's still got! My other favorite 50-something is Carine Roitfeld. Have you seen her in her trench and super-high black knee boots that lace all the way up? Yowza!
ReplyDeleteOh and now I want a pleated skirt. And I skipped the Jason Wu collection. I think I am still recovering from the madness re the Missoni collection, ha ha! XO, Jill
Jill--madonna looked so very tall and thin. It made me wonder what I would look like if I was willing to sport a pair of boots like that. I couldn't have begun to move as lithely as she did in them.
DeleteI love it when you find an item you just want to wear over and over again!
ReplyDeleteFranca--I can't recall the last time I did this, wear something repeatedly. I stay with my mother on Wednesday evenings and Thursdays are often a variation on Wednesdays look.
DeleteYou look very preppy and smart! I love skirts that swish and swirl too!
ReplyDeleteKi--thank you. Wonder if wearing my glasses would have made me look smarter!
DeleteVery elegant!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Linda from www.moonon.com
Linda--Welcome to Rags! Elegant? I was thinking functional!
DeleteOh yes, I read about Rick Santorum's sweater vest - yours is much more elegant!
ReplyDeleteYes, I didn't name him for political reasons. I don't think they are particularly flattering on him.
DeleteGreat skirt and sweater vests are awesome :) Congrats to the grandson winning the Pine Box Derby, that seems like it would be so much fun.
ReplyDeleteHis little car was such a project for the entire family--each person contributed a little bit and we are all slightly stunned by his beginner's success!
DeleteMy outfits often change from the beginning of the day to the end of the day as well... funny how that always happens!
ReplyDeleteChic on the Cheap
Are your outfit photos taken before or after a workday? Mine often depends on my schedule and the available light. I never take interior photos in the morning.
Deletelove your blog your style and vibe are great. i would love it if you followed me back! i recently launched a scarf line 'Charlotte & Lisa' which i think is really suiting to your style! Fur and hoods.Check it out!
ReplyDeletewww.charlotteandlisa.com
Charlotte--Thanks for your visit to Rags! I'll check out your scarves soon.
ReplyDeleteWhat a preppy lass you are in your navy pleats, sweater vests and butting downs!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your grandson! He must be very excited and proud.
Actually, accomplishments seem to be lost on our grandsons. One made a basket at an elementary school game and he announced that it was nothing, he does it all the time in practice. C. is very impressed with his trophy though.
DeleteI'm so glad you included a closeup shots of the vest and blouse. They must feel great, and I love how you've written that the skirt plays with your knees. You look great. The ducks especially are my friends. About Madonna, maybe she has rescued us but she has also raised the bar to an incredibly high level - "We're up to the task, though, right?" she asks nervously, wiping the sweat from her brow.
ReplyDeleteMelanie--Even if I were in the best of shape, I'm not sure I would do cartwheels, etc. in thigh high spike heels. She has raised the bar!
ReplyDeletePreppy? Yes! And absolutely perfect! Almost seems apropos considering your profession! I give kudos to Madonna for her performance. Reminds me of Tina Turner who had the moves well into her 60s (and the legs to boot!). Hugs! ~Serene
ReplyDeleteSerene--Yep, I'm playing the part in this ootd! You wanna start a girl group with me?
DeleteI haven't worn a pleated skirt in a long time. I used to love them!
ReplyDeletexoxo
SC
Beth--I've only started to wear them again in the past year or so, but I really like the way they feel.
DeleteWhat on earth is the Pine-box Derby? Whatever it is, I'm glad your grandson won.
ReplyDeleteThe creative writing class sounds like fun. I like the idea of focusing on sounds.
I do often think about how an outfit will wear throughout the day. That's why I stick to tried-and-true choices.
Susan--they carve a little race car out of a block of pine. He (with grandpa's help) cut it out, sanded it, painted it, etc., etc.
DeleteI like to play with the sounds of words, think "Jabberwocky"
thanks for stopping by. This one goes for 5 more days. I usually make it longer but, usually doesn't really matter. I can extend it if need be just let me know. Just a few clicks to make it easier for you and I'm good with that!
ReplyDeleteMy laptop is cranky for caps. And I'm really to tired to care so I hope you don't either!
Tammy--You're not showing up in CAPS! I'm still wracking my brains for a stripes look.
DeleteProud to strut in such good company. Your preppy outfit works v. well and so impressive that it's all thrifted!
ReplyDeleteMater--thank you. Academics can probably get away with "prep" more easily than other.
DeleteMom - Love the preppy look on you! It was a blessing that C. did so well Sunday....can't wait to see the trophy.
ReplyDeleteP.--thank you. You're right, it was a blessing (and a group project too). The trophy is huge.
DeleteWhen I was thinner, I loved pleated skirts. You look wonderful in these outfits.
ReplyDeleteMy outfits always change by the end of the day. My sleeves get rolled up and I take off my shoes as quick as it is possible.
Debbie--You know, it's curious. Some workdays I don't change my clothes the minute I get home; the outfit is that comfortable. Other days, I can't wait to get out of the stockings, etc.
DeleteCute outfit! =)
ReplyDeletehttp://pinkchampagnefashion.blogspot.com./
Hope--thank you!
DeleteI know about living in navy Blue woolen skirts.
ReplyDeleteDanielle--this must mean that they were part of a uniform you were obliged to wear. I wonder if I'd had to wear a school uniform, if I would like pleated skirts!
DeleteHooray for Madonna!!! Now if only I could get some kind of gladiator skirt thingy going - which is EXACTLY what you're subconsciously channelling with your sexy pleated skirt!!! You DO realise that don't you? xo
ReplyDeleteDesiree--YOU could give Madonna a run for the money. I think you could pull off her look with the right, blingy belt (DIY?). I'm am NOT pulling off the Madonna look with my knee link skirt.
DeleteYou look fabulous in these outfits, channelling the all-American college girl look? Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI might believe Madonna was doing something genuinely good for middle aged women if she hadn't copped out by getting for herself the face of a 20 yr old....
Yep, you think she's had some p. surgery? I've read that she injects herself with something (vitamins?) on a regular basis.
DeleteHi Terri
ReplyDeleteI love that preppy look on you!
What is a pine box derby?
Ariane
Arianne--Do they have the Boy Scouts in Canada? My grandson is a member of a group of 6 year old scouts. They carve a race car out of a block of pine--cut it, paint it, attach wheels (and weights), and then race it. He's pretty proud.
Delete