I spent the better portion of the weekend in downtown LA.
From Meet the Public to taking outfit photos, I got to know the city a little better, especially the historic section. Who knew there was such great architecture?
Almost 99.9% of my outfit photos are taken by tripod, but every once in a while, I want an actual person behind the camera. So, I enlisted the help of S. to take photos this weekend. As I was going over them, I realize what a horrible model I am and I need better “faces.”
Still, these turned out way better than I expected and the quality is a million times better than what my scrappy point and shoot can offer on its best days.
Going back to the topic of outfits, I’m debuting my fantastic score from The Row sample sale, a button-down shirt similar to the Norwood shirt. This brand is the expensive cousin to Elizabeth & James, another Olsen brand, so I expected higher than average prices. But I was pleasantly surprised with a shirt that originally retails for $590, I snagged for the low price of $30! The shirt fits well in XS with a slightly long sleeve. The kicker is that there are no darts for this shirt but it’s very slim-fitting, it’s that well-constructed and superbly designed. I can understand why people love this brand and why they hunger for sample sales. You can’t beat this kind of quality for the sample sale price.
Now I have a smashingly crisp white shirt.
Outfit Details: Zara blazer – XS, The Row shirt – XS, J.Crew Favorite Fit Chino – 00P, The Limited belt – S, Forever 21 cloche, Michael Antonio wedges (not shown)
Photo Location: Westin Bonaventure Hotel and LA Public Library
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Cute hat! You did well pulling it off
Love the outfit! And the white button down was such a steal! You pull off the menswear look so well! Can’t wait to see your The Row lace dress, it sounds amazing.
your outfit is AMAZING! I wish I could pull off hats as well as you can!
also, I know what you mean about having to make better “faces” for photos. I usually end up laughing hysterically when someone else is taking my photo so you get to see a mouth full of teeth. haha! You seem to be doing great though!
I absolutely adore your sense of style. xo
So jealous of how much you got that shirt for! We need a “The Row” sample sale in Toronto soon!!
xx The Little Dust Princess
GREAT deal on that shirt!!!! Holy cow! Your outfit is great and I love the last picture of you!
@Simple Subtle Style: Thanks! I got the hat last year and it’s about time to start wearing it again!
@Elle: I think I like the whole menswear look better than the really feminine silhouettes because feels more relaxed.
@Katrina: Thanks! I’m working on “faces” in the mirror and trying to look for other photo inspiration. =)
@The Little Dust Princess: LOL. I was lucky to get to the sale, but I’m sure they’re not all that cheap. =P
@Erin: It was an amazing find and I had to find something that would show how well it fit too! =)
such a cute look!! i love the hat and the button-down shirt is very slim-fitting considering it doesn’t have darts. i love the cognac-colored jacket too and will have to check out zara. beautiful pictures too, btw!
Amazing score on that shirt from The Row! All I ever hear is how great The Row fits. I’ll have to give them a shot, but I’m thinking I’ll need some tailoring. Might be worth it though if they’re as great as they sound.
You are so cute in the hat. The last picture made me smile
That is an absolute score on the shirt, $30?! Plus it fits you really well. Love the brown jacket paired with gray trousers!
$30?! What an awesome deal!
You look so great in the outfit! I lespecially ove the hat and jacket!
Wow that’s an amazing bargain! Although almost $600 retail for a white button down is a bit ridiculous
You look so glam! I love this outfit on you- very chic!
I like your shirt.
I wish I had a tripod. I stack up books, boxes, etc so my camera is high enough! lol
I was hoping my tips would help girls who don’t feel sexy but want to, my family has a curse of always being cute. lol I’m not always comfortable with either cute or sexy as well.
@Kileen: Thanks! I’ve been trying to figure out how to incorporate the hat without making my outfit look like a costume…so it’s good that it turned out well.
@AlterationsNeeded: I noticed that the tees and the shirts run small, but the pants/skirts run a bit larger. =)
@Cee: The best pictures are the ones that aren’t planned. The last one was kind of a random moment and it just looked right. Some people can pull off posed photos, but I think I do better with the spontaneous ones.
@Michelle: It was such a great find and I’m glad I held onto the “white shirt hole” in my closet before filling it with some other replacement. This one was meant to be.
@PetiteXXS: I agree, the original price is quite steep, but there are people who would pay for it…that’s even crazier!
@Good Girl Gone Blog: Thanks! The outfit just popped into my head. =)
@Annie: At first, I used whatever I could find as a tripod, but I sucked it up and bought a relatively cheap one for $30 and it’s been with me ever since.
I love this outfit so much! So classic with a 20′s flair! Love the cloche hat.
Also, $30???!!! For The Row? I’m so incredibly jealous right now.
Great find on the button-up shirt! I’ve yet to find any basic white shirt that fits. Love the last photo with the whole color scheme, your happy smile and you look super tall!
That hat is SOOO CUTE on you! I’ve never seen anyone look so good in that style!
wow, what a great find! And at such a sexy price! Going dress shirt shopping is a bit of a nightmare for me since it never fits the way it should =/
@Olyvia: Thanks! I had two white shirts previously, but they didn’t fit well so I ended up selling them. So when this one came along, I just had to pick it up!
@SewPetiteGal: Thanks! I didn’t think I was a hat person but since I came across this cloche, I’m really diggin’ it.
@Tiff: Dress shirts never look right on me either and most of them are loose so I tend to buy other kinds of blouses and tops instead. =) But this one just worked.
You look adorable in the hat! Great bargain finds!!
This shirt really does fit extremely well. I am not petite myself but I do have trouble finding the perfect button down. You really are lucky. And that blazer seems like an amazing one as well, the fit is phenomenal.
Look forward to hearing from you soon.
Love from Toronto, Canada
There is truly nothing better than a well fitted white collared shirt, and yours looks glorious. Mine, not so much: the button holes gape when I do anything with my arms, which is a problem because I like to use my arms.
Your entire outfit is adorable, especially the cloche!
@ReallyPetite: Thanks! I love it when I’m not looking for a bargain and I find one!
@Tashrin: I think most items are hard to find a perfect fit since everything is “standardized” but when you find an item that fits so well, you can’t resist!
@Jen: Thanks! Good button downs are hard to track down since most of them are shapeless but tailored ones are always better looking!
i love this outfit! everything about it goes so well together.
i love love love your hat!!!
That blazer is AMAZING!
That white shirt is amazing! No darts sounds absolutely heavenly. Your hat is so chic too! You’re insanely classic.