What I'm Wearing | My Uniform & Vogue 1248!

7:00 PM

The other day, I was reading a post from a fabulous over 40 blogger Kim at J'adore Couture.  It was regarding dressing your age and uniform dressing.  Kim specified this article from Harper's Bazaar.  The quote from the article that reached my soul and really spoke a message that conveys where I am in my personal style is this: 
In my case, now that I'm in my 40s, I find myself wanting to dress not necessarily younger but edgier. Classics that I once loved, like tailored bouclé jackets and basic LBDs, suddenly seem aging. I want to push my boundaries, to find silhouettes that are modern and clean and have a twist. I need a little funk. Not a lot. But enough to keep it all interesting." -- Jennifer Alfano
 Yes, yes, yes!  Exactly!  I'm not trying to look like my 21 year old daughter.  Nor do I want to look like an aging, middle-aged woman that's given up.  Just a 42 year old Erica -- with "a little funk"!

The author also spoke of creating a go-to look -- a uniform by your late 30s, that you can rely on.  I pondered this and if I had to define my own go-to look, it would be a blazer, skinnies and a heel.  For me, this is my fail safe look. Here are a few examples of it that I snagged from my prior posts:
And I also like to rely on a top and a pencil skirt.  My other look.

But let's talk about what I'm wearing with today's blazer and skinnies.  It's OOP - Vogue 1248.  This top has been in my sewing queue for as long as it's been released.  Once I start sewing things, I always question what took me so long to getting around to making it.  Because this top was a breeze!
The description of this top is as cut and dry as it was to sew:  fitted top, front and back snap closing.  I think the reason this pattern probably didn't do well was the skirt.  It was a disaster.  And after viewing Andrea Katz on Project Runway, it all makes since.  (Remember how she ran away in the middle of the night?!  Just wow...)  She's a hit or miss designer and she packaged that into this pattern.
But this top is really, really cute!  The only alterations I made were to lengthen it by an inch at the waist.  I find that most button front shirts from the Big 4 are always drafted really short (for me).  And I choose to use flat-felled seams.  I used another great Thakoon fabric, a white cotton shirting from Mood Fabrics.com.
And I absolutely loved all of the cool details.  Details will reel me in every single time.  Check out the triple stacked collars!  How cool is this?  What made them so easy to create is that they're not interfaced.  Seriously, what would be the point?  There are three of them.
And my other favorite detail are the back snaps.  And it's not just a decorative addition.  They're real snaps! I had to space mine out a little more than what was suggested because of length addition.
Very cute!  I would love to make this again, in say a chambray and a black.  Since it's OOP, I've gingerly folded the pattern pieces, placed them back into the envelope and filed it away.  I would hate to have to pay full price!  
Wearing:  blazer: Vogue 8721; jeans: Escada Sport, similar to these; shoes: MRKT from DSW (old); clutch: Urban Expressions, same one in black and similar here.

Do YOU have a "go-to uniform" look that you rely on?  

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38 comments

  1. Double Hem + Triple Collar = Tons of Style! :o)

    www.dressupnotdown.blogspot.com

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  2. I love that top. I agree that it has tons of style.

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  3. I dont have a go to look. I just put on whatever is nearest me. Lol, I should probably change. That top though is quite fetching on you, and I love the way you styled it. So chic, with a little bit of umph.......love it.

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  4. Love that triple collar! Erica you always look fabulous and put together. And seriously, I did not think you were in your 40's..

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  5. Erika with a little funk...you got it, girl! Thanks for the great blog.

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  6. I been a reader for a few years and I must say that you've gotten edgier but with the underpinned classic look. I absolutely love it.

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  7. Yes, I think a little edge does look good, I'll have to work on mine, lol's

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    1. Yep, just enough to keep the look interesting!

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  8. Looking good. That style of outfit definitely works well on you. I love the cut in the shoulders - very flattering

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  9. Erika, is this gorgeous fabric a broadcloth or a crisp dress shirting? I've been trying to source the latter and I hope this is it!

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    1. Phyllis, it's crisp dress shirting... like a man's nice dress shirt.

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  10. You certainly do manage to make a "uniform" anything but boring. Lovely!

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  11. Erica, every one of your "go to" outfits is fabulous and polished. I am at a bad place in my life fashion/stylewise. I am in my mid 60s and have come to learn the magazines just do not cater to my age group. If Vogue can put out a Teen Vogue and a Bridal Vogue, why not a "senior" Vogue? Unless people my age stick with classics, we look we are trying to regain our youth. When I was a teen, JFK was in the White House and my friends and I tried to emulate Jackie on limited funds. This is when I started sewing - A-line skimmers as well as pleated and A-line skirts. I still favor A-line skimmers over the tighter day dresses of today. I generally favor jackets and blazers without lapels but love the bottom edge of your pink one. You wear it beautifully.

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    1. Nancy, you should read this blog: http://fashionover60.blogspot.com. Thanks!

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  12. Erica, may ask how you handle undergarments on the triple collar top? I would love to make the style (I have the pattern), but there is no chance in h*ll that I could ever *not* wear a bra. May I also say that I find your style posts exceptionally inspirational. My style isn't yours (and I wouldn't expect it to be) but what inspires me is seeing what you put together. Thanks for doing it!

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    1. Paloverdeblooms, I'm wearing a racerback style bra. Trust me when I tell you that there is a bra style for pretty much everything.

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  13. That top is WORKING!! I didn't even recognize it from the pattern (you're so right...that skirt completely blinded me to it!)

    If we could all have such a "uniform". :)

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  14. A dress and jacket is always a winner! Thanks Valerie!

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  15. Love this post and your top. I used to have a classic style - jeans, cute button down and heels - but then I changed jobs and absolutely no jeans allowed. Screwed up my sense of style because I am a casual type - not business suit type. I'm learning how to take control of that - by sewing. I find my classic style now are wrap dresses. I have two to finish up and one in my closet. Two other dresses are faux wraps but I love the style! I've been thinking of how to look edgier and create "chic" looks for myself. By the way, I went back to that post where you first featured the pink blazer - wow! love the entire look with the shorts and belted button down and those shoes!!! love your style.

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    1. Jenny, a wrap dress sounds like a perfect compromise in between corporate and casual. Thanks!

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  16. Love Love Love the shirt, love the back love the collars. Did you find sewing through the layers of the collar difficult? You always look fab and put together.

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  17. Anonymous12:42 PM

    You look terrific today (and every uniform day!) I also LOVE your hair this way -- it's super flattering!

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  18. Anonymous1:03 PM

    Love the blazer and top paired together. It's classic but with some pop which is gorgeous.

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