How to Style Adidas Slim Track Pants

This post is for my sister Naomi, who wanted to know how to style her Adidas Slim Track Pants and not look schlubby. Below is a collection of images from the web, compiled by me in one handy dandy post. Please note, none of these images are mine and proper sourcing can be found via Google.

History Lesson

Just got back from rummaging cleaning house at Grandpa’s again. Well, after that we went to drop off a lot of the clothing at the Goodwill kiosk, and then S-mart and Winco to get groceries for Auntie Lea and him and me, but the highlight of the day was rummaging and scavenging from the upstairs bedrooms.

It sounds bad, but I did not want to donate the stuff to Goodwill or Salvation Army or anywhere of the sort. Before I sound like a callous sociopath, let me explain. I wanted to save it all. Each piece there had so much history and intrigue, and the fact that it belonged to my great-aunt and great-uncle and my grandpa and maybe even their parents is simply amazing. Each piece is a testament to good construction and strong materials and unique detailing and proper storage (cedar blocks for the win) and should be exhibited as such. People at thrift stores will not be buying this stuff for the pieces’ history, is all I’m saying. They will buy for necessity or for Halloween costumes or for themed parties and will not care about the craftsmanship or the details like the button cowl or handsewn labels of well-known designers who faded long ago. In fact, they may buy in spite of the era-specific detailing. They may even cut out the shoulder pads. I couldn’t help but want to save and caress and wear and appreciate each piece. Each distinctive, somewhat crazy handknit sweater. Each tailored 100% wool Pendleton suit. Each slightly-too-big Harris Tweed blazer.

And so, I saved all that I could. Don’t get me wrong—I couldn’t save it all. Goodwill got at least four garbage bags worth (to my chagrin). But I saved pieces I figured I would actually wear and ones I considered too precious to part with. Read: all of the sweaters I could get my hands on, plus a lot of the jackets and blazers. Even a few men’s wool houndstooth ones. And a navy suit of my great-aunt’s that is technically too big but the pants are elastic so whatever.

Of course, I wasn’t allowed to bring all that to my dorm room. For now, I only have a multicolored windowpane plaid cardigan (Alfani, size large, made in Italy, wearing it tomorrow with a BDG chambray and highwaisted Current/Elliott skinnies); a lightweight geometric pullover in eggplant, maroon, forest green, butterscotch and other colors (fabulous, Club Room, size small, 100% Merino, made in Italy--will wear Monday); a houndstooth men’s blazer (rescued last minute from the Goodwill bag); a charcoal gray wool men’s Member’s Only jacket (couldn’t resist, knowing the past popularity of the brand); and a Club Room burgundy wool bomber (also men’s, but cute oversized and with a superwarm flannel plaid lining). The rest is stored in one of those big plastic storage tubs, awaiting my mother’s pickup for dry cleaning and then subsequent wearing by me!

My Member's Only jacket looks exactly like this one.

And my burgundy bomber looks like this, except more burgundy, of course. ;)

Labels inside many of the tweed blazers, which are awaiting TLC in the tub. (Source)

Modcloth Madness

Something insidious implored me to do it; I had no idea why. My fingers of their own volition began to carefully type the address into the search bar.
Do you really want to do this? My rational mind implored urgently.
"Yes," I replied quietly. "I've got to. It's the only way... to get my fill of whimsical Peter Pan collars, feminine skirts, and cute dresses."
You might not be able to control yourself, my mind warned me. Remember last time--
"I'm stronger than I was back then." The site began to load, the colored beach ball accompanying my Mac's pointer spinning like some ominous cosmic pinwheel.
Just remember... I warned you. When all is said and done, when you're sobbing in a corner, regretting it all... Just remember...
But it was too late. The site had loaded, and with that one last warning still echoing heedlessly in my ears, I was once again hopelessly entangled in the adorable fashion frenzy that is Modcloth. Below, I will chronicle the daunting struggles of my thought process whilst informing you all of many awesome pieces and trying not to give in to their siren cries.

The Cambridge Satchel Upwardly Mobile Satchel in Mint-14" | $174.99

I love my black Cambridge Satchel, and I love the color mint. 

'Nuff said.

Poise Will Be Poise Dress-$117.99

Burgundy and velvet and a Peter Pan collar, oh my! I kind of need this for fall/winter. 

Loafer and Over Flat in Burgundy-$88.99

Bass Weejuns? Yes. In Burgundy? Double yes.

Counter Culture Sunglasses-originally $39.99, now $11.99

Can't forget a psychedelic pair of sunnies on those days when the sun's still shining (hello, California falls/winters). 

Midtown Meet-Up Top-originally $24.99, now $16.99

Leather and faux leather are always perennial favorites come fall and winter. Take the trend for a casual, fun spin with this crop top, which is a summer trend that for now seems to have some staying power.

Need I Sway More? Skirt-originally $79.99, now $55.99

I simply adore skirts with tulle, or lace, or tulle and lace; I just don't have many because I don't know when I would wear them. This one could be boho or more sophisticated/vintage-y, depending on the styling, and could even be a maxi skirt on a shorter gal. I mean, I'm just saying I could totally appreciate its versatility.

Innovative Idea Sweater-$39.99

I love the crocheted lace on this raglan sweater! It seems to combine the more tomboy silhouette of a baseball raglan with artsy, delicate femininity, creating a perfectly quirky sweater.

Story of a Twirl Skirt-$52.99

See above explanation on "skirts with tulle". 

Cranberry Craze Dress-$52.99

Ugh, Peter Pan collars. My current vice. And the rich cranberry color would layer nicely under warm cream sweaters for fall...

Siren cries, I say. Siren cries. Dare I resist them...? Only time may tell.

Falling for You

My boots have edged their way out of the closet, pumpkin spice beverages have returned to Starbucks, and I can almost smell the autumn chill in the air.

You know what that means.

Fall fashion has returned!

     I know they seem a little impractical (and maybe a tad sweaty), but I really want a pair of real leather skinny pants. Not leather look leggings, not coated or waxed cotton twill jeans. I want real leather that will last forever in a classic skinny jean style. Unfortunately, real leather pants (skinny or otherwise) tend to be way, way upwards of $200, and I don't even really want to spend that much.

     However, I did find one pair that seems (somewhat) reasonably priced: the Lucky Brand Charlie Skinny, which were originally $699 but are now on sale for $179.98 (marked down again since there's an additional 40% off for the next two days). The only caveat? This pair is red, instead of the preferred classic black. However, for such a great markdown, I may just consider them...

...Then again, what with sales tax and all the total will be about $200. What do you guys think? Do you like leather skinny pants, or do you think I've just succumbed to a bad bout of fall fashion fever?

Back to the Stone Age: The History of Uggs

Fashion trends, like history and my ancient film professor, tend to repeat themselves. Since the modern world has the long attention span of a 3-year-old with ADD, we have grown tired of the most recent decades. The latest fashion trend has gone way, way back: specifically, to the Stone Age and the Ugg boot.

Contrary to popular belief, the Ugg boot is not a recent invention. It is a truth universally acknowledged by all respectable historians that the first word ever spoken by cavemen was “Ugg.” Thus birthed the name of the most fashionable shoe in modern history.

Back in the Stone Age, Uggs were made by skinning wooly mammoths and saber-toothed tigers, and sewing the pelts together with needles made of the horns of Horsus unicornius. Since we have hunted all of those animals to extinction, we now can only slaughter sheep and metal porcupines.

But how did the Ugg boot return to the modern spotlight? In the early 1960s, an ice fossil was unearthed from the Blue Mountains of Australia (or New Zealand, it’s still a highly contested fact). Within this fossil was proof that sample sales have existed since the dawn of time: encased in the ice, a carefully preserved pair of cavewomen fought over a single boot. But it was not just any boot. It was an Ugg made from the softest rare Smilodon fur, which sparkles in the sunlight like diamonds and incidentally inspired Stephanie Meyer to create Edward and his brood.

Uggs, however, are just the start. This fashion columnist predicts the next fashion trend will be nudity, imitating the style of our very first ancestors.

Walk in the Past

Yesterday afternoon, our family spent the day rummaging cleaning out our great-aunt and -uncle's house, as my grandpa, who used to live there, is moving back to San Francisco full time. This allowed the older kids present (my cousin Meghan and I) to explore the previously unvisited, mysterious Upstairs. 

And boy, it did not disappoint.

Rooms with vintage floral wallpaper and walk-in closets and steamer trunks and vintage newsboy caps. Old luggage and wool and fur coats and a perfect matching set of twin beds and a vanity. Retro heels, some still new in box and nestled in tissue paper, unworn, and the loveliest vintage purses and dresses you ever did see. 

It was a vintage lover's dream.

Unfortunately I don't have photos of it all--I didn't come prepared, as my mom, aunt, and cousins swept me up from my dorm room and whisked me off to lunch as soon as I awoke (to be fair, I had been up until 5 the previous night, and woke up at 12, but that's a story for another time). Over the course of the day, we snacked constantly, explored extensively, divvied up clothing and purses, and even managed to put on a lengthy fashion show, in which my Auntie Lea suggested dresses; I modeled my great-aunt's aforementioned dresses; my grandpa told me I looked smart and to take them all; and Meghan begrudgingly snapped a few pics.

My Great-Grandfather Henry's newsboy cap | His luggage | My Great-Aunt Katherine's dress, purse, and heels | My Great-Uncle Bill's belt

I ended up taking home the above muted chartreuse dress; the purse; the belt; a slightly oversized gray and magenta houndstooth wool shift (it actually looks pretty modern couture); a super mod hot pink statement sleeveless shift with big pink buttons all down the left side of the back; and a black dropwaist pleated dress with a matching black, ecru, and celadon striped blazer. Each piece is so perfectly vintage and unique in its own way, yet I can definitely see designers today being inspired by the silhouettes of the past. I can't wait to wear them! 

I absolutely love exploring and trying on vintage clothing, especially when it once belonged to my relatives. Exploring the old house made me feel as if I were walking straight into bygone days, walking back into decades past where the times were simpler and fashions more modest. Wearing my relatives' old things makes me feel as if I have some sort of connection with them, and makes me wonder at the stories stashed in their--and their clothing's--pasts.

Updates on Life, aka Fresh Perspectives via Sarah

Long time no talk, faithful followers. In the interim of my absence, I have:

a) become a suffering college freshman
b) acquired a new pair of Frye Melissa Harness boots in Brown
c) acquired my first pair of Current/Elliot jeans--the High Rise Skinny in Bluebird
d) acquired a bunch of new clothing. Let's be real here, the list is way too long.
e) analyzed my campus's style and found it lacking.
f) found many fashion things with which to be enamored with.

So without further ado, I present to you my wish list shamelessly, just in case you feel like presenting the anguished new college freshman with a congratulatory, consoling gift.

1) The Ugg Nicco Oxford in Brandy-$250

Let me first preface this listing (or follow it up, at least, since it's a little late for prefacing) with the statement of my complete distaste towards Uggs--I mean, ugh is even in the name. I've even written a satirical article for my high school newspaper about how much I despise them (perhaps I'll post that next). 

However, I like to believe that everyone, and every brand, has some redeeming qualities, and I think I've just found Ugg's. These oxfords have a gorgeous patina and timeless style. They're one pair of Uggs I wouldn't be embarrassed to be seen in. 

Also, I have a completely irrevocable adoration of oxfords.

Moving on.

Image via Lady Katherine Sims.

2) Socks from Hansel from Basel-$3-39

Here's the thing. I love socks, but I don't like wearing them. If I do wear socks, they must be patterned or fun or textured, or otherwise complementary to my outfit. Hansel from Basel fulfills all of those prerequisites, and how fun would any of these be peeking out from oxfords?

3) Dusen Dusen Maps Collared Dress

Unfortunately, this is out of stock at Anthro and Need Supply Co. and wherever else they were selling it T^T But I still can--and will--hold out hope that one day... this baby will come into my possession. One day.

There's obviously a bunch more stuff on my wishlist (hello, active and zealous consumerism!) but I can't think of anything off the top of my head. Plus, these are pretty pricy pieces, so if y'all wanted to pool your money I wouldn't mind. ;)

I apologize in advance; outfit posts may be a little scarce--I have yet to find a doting slave willing photographer here at college. 

Thanks for sticking around anyway <3