Review: Gap 1969 Jeans

Back in high school, I thought that I had to pay a ton for denim ($100+) in order to get anything that fit and flattered my small frame. Of course I still had to tailor the jeans, adding on some extra cost. As such, I have a few pairs of Sevens and a pair of Paige jeans in my closet, that luckily have held up for about 6+ years and are still going strong! So, maybe I got my money's worth in the long run, but a few years ago I discovered Gap 1969 jeans and I don't think I'll be going back.

Top: from a local boutique sz m / Jeans: Gap 1969 jeans, size 24/00 "Always Skinny" (buy here) / Heels: Target Pearce Pumps / Necklace: Macy's, borrowed from mi madre

Gap 1969 jeans are relatively cheap (anything from $34.99 on an average sale, though sometimes cheaper if you hunt for 'em, to about $70), and fit and flatter SO WELL. I don't even need to tailor them if I can find them in the petite length, another great cost-saver.

I have three pairs of Gap 1969 jeans: two skinnies that I've had for a few years (and have hardly worn anything else since I got them) and a pair of bootcuts I just bought when I re-realized that there was more to life than skinny jeans, found on sale for $34.99. It should be said that the Boyfriend just got a pair of Gap jeans for $9.00, so I definitely cannot claim the sale-shopping crown in this case.

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Here are the firt pair of 1969 skinnies, size 24/00 "Always Skinny:"
Gap 1969 jeans, size 24/00, "Always Skinny," saturated dark wash (buy here)

They are suuuppper tight when I put them on straight out of the wash, and maintain their shape (though not their organ-constricting-ness, thank goodness) for many wears. The fit is great all around, and the dark wash makes me feel like I can dress them up a bit.

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Here are my other 1969 skinnies, sz 0R "Straight Leg Stretch:"
Gap 1969 skinny jeans, sz 0R straight leg stretch, medium wash (old)

I'm not even going to pretend I ever wear these with heels. These are my uber-casual jeans, good for a pair of sandals and a t-shirt. They have a medium wash and slightly slouchier fit (0 instead of 00), which makes them feel overall more relaxed. They're also "regular" length and I haven't bothered to hem them, so they're a tad bit long.

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And here are my new 1969 bootcut jeans size 24/00, "Sexy Boot:"
Gap 1969 bootcut jeans size 24/00, "Sexy Boot," saturated dark wash (bought on sale for $34.99, buy here)

I could only find these in the "regular" length on sale, so I did get them hemmed. I asked my tailor to re-attach the original hem so it looks like nothing was changed.
The fit on these, as on the 1969 "always skinny" jeans, is great and snug. They hug through the hips and tush, are fitted through the leg, and flare out ever-so-slightly at the bottom. These are definitely my new favorite "going out" jeans!

Anyone else have some cheap but awesome denim they love?

Dressing Room: Zara and F21

I had an hour to kill at the mall the other day while my car was in the shop around the corner, so I headed over to Zara and Forever21 to see if I could scoop up any late-summer sales. Turns out there was a fair amount to see!

First up, Zara:

1. Orange/brown placket-front shirt sz xs $19.99: Passed. A bit too slouchy overall, wouldn't tuck in well for work outfits, and the color, though pretty and fall-y, didn't look so great on my skintone.

2. Orange floral print skirt with pockets sz xs $9.99: Purchased, but may return. This skirt feels great on, has an interior lining, pockets, and is a color I never wear (hello, orange!) but is accented by colors I do (blue, green, burgundy). I just need to see if it goes with any tops in my closet. If not, it'll probably be a return.

And, Forever21:

3. Orange knit top with ruffle front sz s $15.90: Passed. I was on an orange kick today, wasn't I? I could see this top looking great on someone else, but for me...a bit too girly/ruffly. The material was nice and soft, and it could be a great work shirt to tuck into high-waisted pencil skirts.
4. Beige feather print skirt sz s $14.80: Passed. The material was just ok, though I thought the print was very pretty. The cut just didn't wow me, so I passed.


5. Multi-color printed skirt sz s $10.50: Purchased. This is the perfect skirt for me. Short but not too short, flowy, in colors that can transition through seasons, with a few pops of color that I don't wear too often, and cheap! I'm wearing it to a business/casual day at work today, and am loving it. Also: pockets!

Dress as a Skirt (And give blood!)

Top: From a nearby boutique / Skirt: Betsey Johnson dress, sz s (gift) / Belt: Target / Sandals: Gap / Necklace: gift

I hope you're thinking "Hey, cute skirt!" because then I could say to you "Thanks! It's actually a dress!" and feel all proud of myself. :) I got this adorable Betsey Johnson dress as a gift from a family friend, and I love the pretty print and light material.
It is a bit too short to wear out unless I'm feeling adventurous (or wear it as a tunic over shorts), so, inspired by a bit of style blogger over-consumption recently, I thought I might be able to turn it into a skirt.

I tucked the top in underneath the smocking, pulled it down to my hips and voila; after a bit of pulling and tugging, turns out, it worked great!

The smocking at the empire waist of the dress helps hold it up as a skirt, and this little Target belt helps as well.

Maybe you were also wondering about the odd style statement I seem to be making on my left elbow? It's a bandage from giving blood earlier in the day (Go! Give Blood! Do it! Sign up here! Fellow petites might want to know there's a 110 lb weight minimum to donate, but if you're over that, please do so!)

Anyone else had success with the dress-as-a-skirt look? I think I'll try to do it again with some other pieces in my closet...

Beat the Heat

Oh LA, how I love your scorching summers and temperate "winters." And yet, how I hate putting sunscreen all over my body (even though I know I should). Thus, an outfit like this is ideal for me on a summer day. It keeps me cool, keeps my shoulders out of the sun, and makes me feel all breezy and summery.

Top: bought in England / Shorts: Urban Outfitters / Sandals: Gap / Bag: BCBG / Necklace: gift

The first photo was the only one where the colors came out even close to true (blame it on my first effort to photograph myself using a tripod), so I just went all-out 1970s fade with the rest. :)

Hope you're keeping cool in this heat!

It's Too Darn Hot

It is hot as the dickens in LA right now, and a few days ago it was about as humid as Washington, DC. Muggy, grey, and 97 degrees, woohoo!
Top: Local boutique, sz sm / Shorts: Urban Outfitters / Flats: Gap t-strap sandals (old) / Necklace: Various charms, put together myself / Bracelets: bought in England for about $2.00

I spent the morning wearing the sloppiest clothes imaginable (no, no pictures of those), deep-cleaning the house I'll be moving into next week (!). So after a shower and a refreshing glass (or 10) of iced-cold water, I wanted something airy, breathable, and comfy to get me through this heat.
I got distracted by something, apparently.

I love this top for so many reasons. It's flowy, it's patterned, it's not in colors I usually wear, and the back is covered by this pretty cut-out detailing that reminds me of a butterfly.

This is definitely one of my go-to oh-my-gosh-its-so-hot-I-could-melt outfits. Simple as heck, but it gets the job done!

Deal of the Day: Banana Republic Sleek Suit Jacket

I wanted to share one of the best deals I've gotten recently, on this Banana Republic "sleek suit jacket," size 0.
The original price was $158;, but the jacket was already priced down to $85 in my local BR store. On top of that, it was in the 40% off section, and then on top of that, I got a 25% off coupon when I walked in the door as part of some promotion they were having. All of that added up to me getting this classic black blazer for an amazing $41, including tax!
Blazer: Banana Republic Sleek Suit Jacket sz 0 ($158 $41 online here) / Top: Ann Taylor sz xsP/ Jeans: Gap "sexy boot" bootcut jeans sz 24/00 (hemmed, similar here)/ Belt: F21 sz x/xs (about $3) / Shoes: Target Pearce Pumps ($29.99) / Necklace: Macy's, borrowed from mi madre

I've shopped some great sales in the past, but I'm pretty sure this is one of the best I've ever had. Partly because of the great discount (about 75% off in total!), but partly because a black blazer has been on my wish list for years, but has always been out of my price range. I knew I could get a cheap-o one at Target or F21, but I wanted something fully lined, classic, and durable, with great construction that would last me for years. I am SO happy to have found this jacket. I can't wait to style it in the fall and winter!
The great sale wasn't enough to persuade the Boyfriend, however, who was, hilariously, absolutely flabbergasted that women wear blazers with jeans and heels on the regular. To him, they're strictly work wear, but I'm determined to try to prove him wrong!

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Fit: The fit is great across the shoulders, which was the most important thing for me. The sleeves are the slightest bit long when unrolled, but I actually really like that extra half inch. The torso is nipped in at the waist, but there's enough room under the jacket to layer a sweater during the winter. I guess this blazer is more in line with the "boyfriend" style...a bit longer past the hips and slouchier overall (yet fitted in the back and shoulders). The online reviews say it runs small.

Measurements (lying flat): 24.5" length (from top of shoulder), 14.75" across shoulders, 13.5" across the waist, and 24" long sleeves (from shoulder seam).

Material: Shell--57% cotton, 39% modal, 4% lycra; Body lining--100% polyester; sleeve lining--95% polyester, 5% spandex.

Care: Dry clean only

Lost and Found

Another summer day, another summer work outfit! These are going to peter out for a week or two, and then start back up with my new job that begins in the middle of this month.

Top: Banana Republic sz s (shrunk in the wash, hand-me-down) / Tank: Splendid sz s (gift) / Skirt: Ann Taylor sz 0p (old) / Shoes: White House Black Market (old) / Bangles: bought in England for about $2

I found this top in the back of my closet (not really, my closet's not big enough to have a back. But the metaphorical back of my closet, go with me on this one). I haven't worn it for months (ok, fine, years), but blogging has inspired me to shop my closet a bit more, so here ya go. Turns out, I love it. Little sheer top, where have you been all these years?


The best part about this top is that it was free! I inherited it from my mom when she shrunk it in the wash and passed it on to me.


And it has pretty little crinkly and seaming details, shown here just under the collar in the back.
It's also light and airy, perfect for walking to lunch in 92 degree weather.