Welcome to Chic Out of Luck and boy am I happy to see you here. 

 

 

Before we start, I have a few ground rules. 

 

I am going to try to post images that invoke inspiration only. This means NO Pinterest bodies. I am going to only be posting pictures of the items in question, links to items and collages of clothing. This is a safe space that will curate positive ideals. Too often have I found myself impulse shopping based on what the outfits have looked like in the photos and on the Pinterest doom scrolls that feel like running a 10k.

 

That being said, if there is an item that only provides pictures of it being worn, I will do my best to crop it to only showcase the item. I want you guys to see the outfit, not the model. What makes an outfit special is how you feel wearing it. So, I will do my very best to provide the garments and not the models. 

 

Finally, and this is important, I am learning with you. Be gentle, kind and patient with me and each other as we learn and grow together. This is meant to be, and I cannot express this enough, a safe space for you to dip your toes into the world of trends in a way that not only supports your self-expression but celebrates it where it’s at. Meet me here each week as we learn and grow together. 

 

So…let’s dive in shall we?

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You made it. You are OOO: Out of Office. It’s 5 o’clock and you have a date with anything but the desk in front of you. Push in your chair, turn off the light and clock. that. bitch. out.

 

So, what are we wearing? Let’s talk about it. In my humble opinion, getting ready is USUALLY the best part of going out. I carve out my schedule like a finely chiseled sculpture, allowing time down to the seconds to choose the perfect ensemble.

 

Before we dive into WHAT we are wearing, let’s dive into how we’re wearing it.  

 

Consider this a preface that is fully applicable to anything you read here at Chic Out of Luck. Let it apply and reapply. Read it once and read it again. 

 

You'll grow accustomed to my language as you and I develop a relationship here and I want you to take note of anything you feel resonates with you or your beliefs. 

 

Some of the best advice I’ve ever been given was to “speak to yourself like you’d speak to your best friend.” When it comes to getting dressed, this is not only encouraged but simply vital. Clarification? You got it.

 

Would you say to your best friend, “if you just lost x amount of weight, that top would look so much better.” 

 

No? Me neither. So why is it okay to say that directly to your reflection?

 

More importantly, I have never once in my life seen someone wearing a specific outfit and thought, “wow, they’d look so much better in that outfit if they _____changed something about their appearance_____.” So where did this idea come from?

 

I currently work in retail which I love for a multitude of reasons. One reason being how often I hear this type of dialogue. I will never tire of opening this dialogue with anyone who decides to let me in on those not-so-uncommon thoughts. 

 

“If I were 15 years younger, I’d be able to wear those jeans” 

“I am about to lose a bunch of weight, so maybe then.”

“If I were 10 pounds lighter, I’d try this on.”

 

It’s so common that it has become a run-on sentence featuring different characters picking up the open-ended conversation and never failing to continue the discourse. 

 

Don’t misunderstand me, having a personal goal related to creating change and invoking positive growth is fantastic and fully encouraged. However, what is DIScouraged is opening this conversation with you or others around you. Degrading yourself in the subtleties. Talking about your body and your appearance in a future tense, as if you aren’t entitled to love, appreciate, respect and celebrate your body before and during that transition. 

 

Your body is a machine. It has carried you through this life. It has held the metaphorical weight of growing and building the foundation to the life you lead. It deserves to be praised as if it has done that work because it has. If you spent years in the trenches, fighting for a healthy, happy life and someone you love and care about responded with “I’d appreciate all of this work if you were just 10 pounds lighter,” how would you feel? Completely discrediting your work, your dedication. So why are we normalizing this dialogue? Why are we regulating this trend, washing in like a high tide? 

 

I would like to acknowledge that I, too, have a toxic relationship with my inner monologue.

 

I am certainly up on my soapbox here, but only because I have always dressed myself in scratchy, uncomfortable threads stitched together with the poisonous words I have said to the mirror. I once had a closet filled to the brim with things I bought despite the things I wrote on the fitting room walls, but those clothes, once worn, now sit and soak in those criticisms. They are tainted and become hurtful as I zip and pin them to my body, hoping I won’t believe the things I force them to say.  

 

As I grow, I find myself constantly reviewing and censoring the habitual comments I make. It’s as though they have become muscle memory. At any given opportunity, I could give a Ted Talk on reasons why I shouldn’t feel confident in this outfit, let alone my own skin.

 

You’ve not only earned the right to feel confident, but you deserve it. You deserve to find joy in finding a way to express yourself, as you are. 

 

We love you, as you are. We will always love you as you are. 

 

So, starting this week we are not only clocking out of work, but we are clocking out of these habits. If I hold you accountable, you must do the same. I am quitting. No longer will I refer to sizes, numbers and the stitching of a piece of fabric as a ruler to measure my worth. Never again will I let the most wonderful inconsistencies of my beautiful body create negative criticisms defining my diminishing worth. I have been working a full-time job of keeping myself below the surface, drowning in the vocabulary we have engraved in our language.

 

So, let’s clock out. 

 

With that being said, what should we wear tonight? 

 

Let’s talk about weekend wear.

 

What is weekend wear? I’ve found my favorite piece in each category below, creating an ensemble of sorts. 

 

Let’s build a look for the perfect weekend out.

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If you love any of the items below, click the link to check out where to find them!

 

Starting with bottoms. 

 

This month we are doing a weekly write-up on my favorite denim brands and styles, but I wanted to feature this pair on it’s own as well.

 

Normally, I stay away from Zara denim for a multitude of reasons. The main reason being that their sizing is incredibly inconsistent + the pricing doesn’t match the quality. 

 

HOWEVER…

 

I decided to risk it all and try on a pair of these Marine Straight High Rise Jeans a few months ago and admittedly have purchased a pair in every color. I am very close to writing a strongly-worded letter requesting they release every color known to man. That’s how good these pants are.

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They are true-to-size stretch denim that provides shape without the rigid structure. They are tailored to fit you where you are and that is why I love these jeans so much. So, these are going to be appearing quite often when I am putting together a high-rise look.

 

Let’s start with these.

 

Next, I want to talk about your shoes. This is VITAL to the outfit because these are *quite literally* carrying the weight of your entire night. 

 

Let me introduce you to the best boots I’ve ever been lucky enough to own, wear and live in:

 

The Aerosole Brown Leather Ankle boots.

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I have these in the chocolate brown color and these shoes are built with the most insane inserts you’ve ever experienced. You’d think you were out in slippers all night. 

 

They. Are. Worth. The. Investment. 

 

What I suggest is taking some time to scroll their boots. I am not super in love with all of their heel styles, but I can fully recommend their boots. They have several styles, and each design is padded with Aerosole inserts. I have worn these boots for 4-5 miles of walking in New York City on any given day and could have doubled the mileage if I wanted to. I cannot say enough good things about these boots. 

 

The best part: this style is on sale.

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Now onto the top half. 

 

I have discovered that with such high-rise denim, you want something a bit more form-fitted at the bottom of the blouse so that you don’t lose the shape that the denim provides. Now, this doesn’t mean you need a bodycon option on top, but something that lets the shape of the jeans show you off. 

 

For example, I chose this ASTR The Label top, another brand I love and support. 

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This is a great going-out top for the weekend. This provides a little bit more coverage for the winter, but still sleek and sexy. The shape is tapered at the bottom and if styled this way can give you the most stunning silhouette. 

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Finally, accessories.

 

 

This is my favorite part of any outfit. Accessories can elevate any and all outfits. The most subtle pieces can allow you to express your style in more ways than one. 

 

My favorite accessories are from FYB Jewelry. FYB - Find Your Bliss - has a stunning collection that combines unique storytelling through delicate designs. FYB also has almost all styles available in BOTH gold and silver for you to decide which resonates with you the most.

 

For this ensemble, I chose something that would be delicate enough to not distract from the beautiful high neck of this top, but stand out against the almost plisse design: The Heirloom Heart Locket in Gold.

 

I paired that with the FYB Charli Huggies. These, in a similar way to the locket, provide a subtle sense of elegance to balance out the sleek and sexy ensemble. 

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For your evening bag, I chose the Wonnaful Leather Woven Handbag in brown. Wonnaful bags are available online and at several retailers, including one near and dear to my heart - the Dear Dreamer boutique in Brooklyn, NY. 

 

This bag matches the same chocolatey brown as your boots for the evening. 

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Now that we’ve talked through some of my favorite pieces, all of which I’ve worn and can attest to, I would like to remind you that this is a template. I want you to scroll through these posts to find a way to make these designs your OWN. If you want to click each link and add to the cart - perfect! If you want to search for the perfect version of each item to fit your style and your story - EVEN BETTER.  I will always reiterate that this is a safe space to try new things, to recreate the things you love and to find ways to express yourself through each outfit. 

 

If you find your OOO outfit for this weekend - please tag me @chicoutofluck in your posts - I WANT TO SEE YOUR FAB ENSEMBLES which I just know you’re going to rock.

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Day to night - something we hear all the time. What exactly does that mean?

 

"Day-to-night wear" typically refers to clothing or outfits that are versatile enough to transition seamlessly from daytime activities to evening events or occasions. These types of outfits are designed to be suitable for a variety of settings, making them practical and adaptable for different parts of the day.

 

This week’s “must have” for a day-to-night ensemble: a blazer.

 

Not just any blazer, but my favorite blazer. The Varsity Blazer from Blue Revival.

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I have invested in several oversized blazers over time and this was the first “structured” blazer I had ever purchased. This blazer has been the perfect go-to for the nights when I am leaving work and heading straight to dinner. This blazer can be paired with almost anything underneath. A tee, graphic or simple, a lacy tank, a sleek solid-colored sweater, almost anything. 

 

The leather sleeves give an edgier spin to a classically structure blazer and the varsity stripes are a simple, yet effective way to add a more youthful look to the outfit. 

 

This blazer is fun and professional. When I go out in this top, I usually wear it alone, as it has a sleek and sexy deep-cut V shape when worn alone. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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What is Freaky Friday (other than possibly the best thing to come out of 2003)?

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Freaky Friday is my challenge to you. Consider this your weekly dare.

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I am going to post about things that are considered unconventional, daring, audacious, avant-garde and ostentatious. Things like prints and bright colors, cargos and corset, the wild and untamed trendsetting looks that have supplied a pure sense of whiplash from the double-takes. 

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I want to take these rule-breaking looks directly from the dog-eared pages of magazines and streamline them to you. I am daring you to find a way to bring these boundary-pushing faux pas looks to your wardrobe, even if in the most subtle way. It's my challenge to you to do the unthinkable and to break down the walls between what we consider to be "high-fashion" looks and our own style. These styles are not only entirely attainable, but so encouraged. 

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And again, just as a reminder, YOU are the trend. Looks will come and go, but YOU will never go out of style. 

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This weeks challenge: Pink and orange.

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We're starting off slow, introducing you to a subtle dose of dissonant colors. Here's an example of an ensemble I put together, showcasing the bright, but exciting contrast that these colors can bring to any outfit. 

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My best advice for these Freaky Friday challenges is this: take what you know and grow. The end game is that you end up with an ensemble that you love because it is rooted in what you know with the added styles, colors and pieces that allowed you to grow your signature look. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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So, of course I had to include what you're wearing underneath these fab combos. Something I discovered recently is the way my confidence grows if I am wearing something that makes me feel sexy underneath the outfit I chose. Whether it's a matching set, a bodysuit or just something with lace, it definitely inflates my ego, knowing I look great in what I'm wearing, but even better underneath it. 

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And while I can recognize how lingerie is usually utilized, I have invested in wearing these for me and only me. It lets me feel sexy on an entirely new level, because i'm dressing for me in every way.

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Here is my pick this week:

 

Savage x fenty Savage Not Sorry Underwire Teddy

 

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Love this for several reasons. Most Importantly, the french cut. The french cut allows this bodysuit to sit high on your hips, showing off your curves and hugging your body just right. Another reason I love Savage x Fenty is because the material is so comfortable, it's almost like they were made to be worn at anytime. The lace is soft and encourages even an all-day wear. 

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This bodysuit is also unlined which, again, hugs your body and emphasizes the sexy sillouhette of your natural hips and curves. 

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As far as the hardware goes, this piece also has an underwire cup and adjustable straps so that you can create the perfect fit based on your comfort level. 

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Lastly, I'd love to conclude our visits each Friday with an open discussion of buzzwords that have been moving within the industry. These are words you'll find lingering throughout your shopping experience. So, let's talk about them. We'll find a buzzword each week and discuss. What is it? How does it show up in my style and how can I be cognizant of something like this?

 

This week's buzz word: Unisex Style

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Unisex style refers to clothing or designs that are not specifically tailored to or associated with a particular gender. instead, these styles are intended to be appealing and suitable to any gender identity. 

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Unisex clothing and styles are gaining popularity as they not only challenge social norms, but they promote an ongoing and ever-evolving gender equality movement. Unisex styles can promote the rising awareness of non-binary identities as well. 

 

An article posted by Independent states, "‘Boyfriend’ jeans, sweaters and blazers for women have been around for a while now, but increasingly brands are choosing to forgo gender labels in favour of unisex designs."

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You can find the article here.

 

Definitely check it out, as it features more buzzwords that maybe helpful in creating an intuitive shopping experience.

 

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Well, we've reached the end of our first post. I am so happy you are here and hope you tune in weekly to check out the new and exciting things trending in the world of style. But, more importantly, I hope you return to continue growing your already budding and incredible sense of style. Make sure to check out the schedule to find out when we post and what we post. Stop by our contact page and drop your information to be first in line to see our new posts each week. Finally, stop by our social media and say hi.

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Looking forward to seeing you soon.

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xoxo,

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