Ever since seventh grade (the first year I attended a school with no uniforms), I’ve worn a variation on the same thing for the first day. That includes the first day of every year of middle school, the first day of every year of high school, the first day of every year in college, and the first day on any job I’ve had since (dress code permitting; although even when I’ve worked office jobs I’ve worn an officed-up version). First dates, too. I’ll admit, there’s a touch of superstition involved, but it’s mostly just about wanting to feel as good – and as much like myself – as possible.
And this is how I feel as good – and as much like myself – as possible:
1. Jeans.
2. White top.
3. Brown and black accents.
One year – I think it was eighth grade – I decided to switch it up a bit on the first day of school by throwing a hat into the mix, and so I wore a fairly ridiculous thing that my grandparents had bought me on my last trip to visit them in LA. You know which hat I’m talking about: floppy, big brim, enormous pinned-on flower. You had one. It was probably in eighth grade.
In the years since I’ve fallen out of love with bedecked toppers and then fallen back in – hard. This new one is a shape I haven’t worn in awhile, but am pretty psyched about: sort of half-flapper, half-crazy old lady, the color makes it wearable during the day while the velvet band and enormous feather detail make it…oh, just so much fun.
Try it. Go buy a hat with velvet and feathers on it, and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
So much fun!
I’ve gotten a bunch of emails from expecting readers asking if there’s any particular brand of jeans I recommend for maternity wear, and so I absolutely need to tell you about these. I also need to tell those of you who aren’t expecting, because they’re thirty bucks, they’re from Forever 21, and they are 100% not maternity, and yet they’re so unbelievably stretchy and comfortable (with extra waist-expansion thanks to a lace-up front with a panel rather than a zipper) that they feel like leggings while looking like the perfect fall denim.
(I couldn’t find this exact pair on the site, but they’re from the Premium Denim Vintage line, similar to these.)
Now all I need is a new pencil case, and I’m set.
On me: Feather and velvet hat from TJ Maxx, Joie top, Forever 21 lace-up jeans, Juicy Couture sunglasses, vintage pin (worn on pocket), gloves from TJ Maxx.
Click here for Money-Saving Maternity Style.
Market photos taken at Union Square Greenmarket / Saturday, Oct 1, 2011
