old school

I think it's time for an apology: sorry guys, I've been a horrible blogger. I was busy with visiting friends and boyfriends and MY BIRTHDAY but now everyone's gone and I'm 21 but I still look like I'm 12. Which kind of relates to this entry...

Last weekend I wore a really great outfit. It was perfect for fall, embodied at least three of this season's current fashion trends (I think... florals? purple and gold colors? velvet?) and comfortable. I got tons of compliments on my attire. A friend asked me where I had gotten my cardigan. And I responded, "Contempo Casuals, circa 1999."

Yep, I've had this cardigan since around 6th grade, maybe even earlier. Of course, I was even shorter then than I am now, so it fit me a little differently back then. It was probably an actual, slightly large jacket rather than a little shrunken cardigan. But I found it crumpled in the back of my closet, and thought I'd give it a try ... and now I have a great, unique velvet cardigan with little pearl buttons that looks perfect for fall.

The skirt isn't AS old - if I had the same waist size now as I did when I was 11, that would be frightening - but it's from 9th or 10th grade. I never wore the skirt back then, because I had never heard of the term "high waisted" and didn't like how it looked down on my hips (it was too long and school-marm-ish). BUT, I found this skirt, along with the jacket, in the back of my closet, and thought I could reinvent it. Sure enough, it looks great (if I may say so myself) worn as a high waisted skirt (not that it would fit on my hips anymore even if I wanted it to...) under a plain white tshirt.

I added some gold flats I picked up at target, and I was ready to go. I looked stylish and up to date, even though half my outfit was so five seasons ago (at least).

Do any of you wear clothes that you've had for years? I have a friend who wears a black skirt she had in high school as a tube top now (which sounds kind of slutty, but it's actually flowy and sophisticated). You don't have to be short like me to do this, either - dresses can become shirts, jackets can become cardigans, etc. If you're a broke college student like myself, try shopping in the back of your closet - you may be surprised.

(p.s. I took these pictures at the SF Exploratorium. I highly recommend you go there if you live in the Bay Area, if only for the tactile dome).

- Katie

(jacket; contempo casuals [ha!], shirt; some random store from buenos aires, skirt; juicy couture [ew], shoes; target).