Ampersand's blog

these d/c pants are my new favorite piece: a nice thick menswear waistband with belt loops; sateen-finish cotton; perfect length and ankle-opening so that i can wear them normal, or hiked up on my calves.

finally: a chance to wear something besides puffy down jackets and multiple layers.

i love the way this coat is cut.

back fron barcelona and completely shocked over how cold new york is. my closet it still full of summer: boo.

purchases included: some amazingly comfortable black ankle boots with a hidden platform and a toe that is slightly reminiscent of those balenciaga boots. dove grey stacked-heel pumps from zara’s outlet store (i’m currently thinking of studding them as they’re a little to prim for me as is). whimsical jewelry, not exactly the heavy-chain look i was going for, but just as interesting. more drop crotch pants. one pair of denim bell-bottoms that are the perfect ratio of tightness through the leg until just below the knee. an asymmetrical cut, military-look coat. i think that is the bulk of it…

i apologize for the absence of posts! thanks so much for everyone’s comments and interest. i’ve been super busy these days and just haven’t had time to take photos, although i’ll try in the next few days to document some outfits.

i’m leaving for barcelona in about a week and i’m really looking forward to it. due to various reasons i travel there a few times a year—it’s one of my favorite places to visit. there are so many incredible restaurants and shops and neighborhoods. the ambiance is a marvelous break from new york.

clearly, i’ve been planning my shopping list. i even have another little black inspiration book in the works—i’ll post photos of that soon, too.

the list looks something like this:

slouch lots of slouch, but with an element of structure: tailored drop crotch pants, wide-leg lightweight black pants, loose long sleeved tees, tailored blazers of both the shrunken and slightly oversized variety.

charcoal gray jeans i saw them on emmanuelle alt and a while back on melanie. they just create a nice range of grays and black, and also let statement pieces like a black leather jacket, or great black heels stand out

trapeze or sculptural coat zara has a great red ethnic looking one, but i am trying to withold from buying anything until i get to spain. i think the zara stores there have a much better selection of clothes, and even with the exchange rate, they’re a lot cheaper than here in the states.

long layers when i say long, i mean long tops layered over long skirts, or more drop crotched slouchy goodness. i’m very inspired by hofcandidc’s polyvores and looks right now. i think the hippie in me that lends over to long flowing layers is going a little goth this winter.

other items ethnic jewelry; knee high black boots; possibly some busted looking engineer boots if i find them; military inspired tops/jackets; etc.

ah the jodhpur/drop crotch/harem pants look is my new obsession.

i spent an hour this morning sifting through bags of old clothes in search of a couple pairs i bought in barcelona three or four years ago. they were far more casual looking and made from a cotton jersey material, but they would have suited me just fine these days.

no luck, so i darted out to zara to satiate my need. woo, i almost bought four pairs—they were all so comfortable and the fabrics were really lovely. i settled on one pair… for now. A basic black, plain-front pant.

i’m so excited to try all sorts of layered looks with these, and to pair them with tights in the winter. So much fun!

the story of shoe acquisition:

boyfriend
plus
tiny french-caribbean restaurant
plus
drunken cavorting along 8th street
equals
my most impulsive purchase to date

this has been the week of crazy shoe wearing. but really, i mostly wear flats. it’s only when i have places to go that require relatively little walking that i pop on the heels.