Thursday, September 23, 2010

Leather and Leopard

There are many reasons I have long been referred to as a "free bird" by the people who know me best.  In a nutshell I'm basically a non-conformist (aka all over the place) - especially in the apparel area. What's the term?  Eclectic.  Yes, that's it.  One minute (or hour) I can be looking over a J.Crew catalogue sighing over everything I neeeeeeeed, then two minutes later you'll find me eyes glazed over contemplating the lack of boho chic in my life a la Free People (and don't even get me started on my evening "reading" of the Shopbop website.  eyeglasses anyone?) .  Olivia Palermo is one of my best girlfriends when it comes to style mentors - and Jackie O has been an icon of mine for as long as I can remember - but then I'll enter my closet and come out happy as a lark in a pair of harem pants tucked into knee high military boots with a beat-up chunky sweater coat thrown over circa my early 90's grunge phase.  Are you like this, too?  Do you stick to any one style or find yourself moving fluidly between several?

Yesterday's Tucker post made my heart sing because it was so unexpectedly, off-the-wall perfect.  When I was in Canada I wore this and honestly cannot wait to wear it again.  It is probably my favorite blog outfit post to date, however this one ranks right up there as well.  And yet all 3 are distinctly different.  I say all this to say...enter the opposite end of the spectrum.  I'm going to throw myself out there and say there's little chance of us spotting Olivia Palermo in yesterday's outfit, but today's?  Oh yes - it is Olivia P all the way.

 Nothing like yesterday, but still totally my style.
A little closer so you can see the detail on the top and the shorts...
From the side.
And of course the shoes.  Oh the leopard shoes.
Outfit details:  Martin+Osa (RIP I'll never recover) - Cashmere Cardigan, J.Crew - Rosette Tank (last winter?), Aritzia - Faux Leather Shorts, J.Crew - Leopard Mary Jane, Melinda Maria - Jewelry, Tom Ford - Sunnies

With the exception of the shorts each of these items has lived in my closet for at least a year, and I'm really proud of that.  One of my current goals is to work my closet as much as possible and enjoy what I already have.  As for the shorts - one of my "must" stops when I go home is Aritzia.  I have scored some major finds in their stores - they carry everything from top contemporary brands to their own private label items and I was determined to lay hands on a pair of their faux leather shorts for fall...of course I arrived in Canada to discover they were entirely sold out nationwide.  The Manager of their downtown Calgary store was so kind and tracked down the last pair in the company (I was so excited and grateful!!  and they said they should restock in October) in - wait for it - NEW JERSEY.  I went all the way home to find my dream shorts on the other side of the country I just came from.  Gotta love kismet!!  Somethings are just meant to be.  I'm sure Olivia would agree.

81 comments:

BeautyH2T said...

you look GORGEOUS Carrie. YOur style is incredible, I love your eclectic nature, it is really refreshing. Hope you are really well lovely lady xxx

Anonymous said...

Loving this outfit - and love all the ones you mentioned. I'm the same way - my style, taste, everything is constantly changing. I think I'm just indecisive (see? I can't even decide) but hey, it keeps it interesting.

Proud of you for shopping that beautiful walk-in closet you have. Clearly I fail at that lately!

Leia said...

I think the most fashionable people have eclectic style :) and are able to pull off many looks effortlessly, as you do!

I think that I've put myself into a little style box, constantly trying to be feminine and girly, and this is probably boring. But it's what I like, so why change something that makes me happy and that I feel comfortable in?

Leia

Catita said...

You look great, your hair is amazing and those leather shorts! Plus the detail of the top is cool and it has been in your closet already for a while! I am proud of you too!

k said...

wow that is one of my fave outfits too!!!! wish i could pull it off! kelly and i will pour one out for you ;)

Collette Osuna said...

LOVE your leather shorts....I need some:)

I really dont have one style..I move around, more fun for me that way:)

Statements in Fashion Blog

G. said...

Fabolous look, above all the shorts! So cool!


http://chezg.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

wow those shorts look amazing! xxxx

Lilacandgrey said...

Carrie-now that you have "defined" free bird-I guess I would be called that too...I am all over the place!

PS> that outfit is redic! You look HAWT!
PPS. I am going to get the leopard shoes that I passed up this weekend-b/c now I have to have them!

FRANCESCA said...

I love the shorts and the shoes....so lovely!!!
pass to my blog
kisses francesca
http://fashionmilkshake90.blogspot.com/

Diana Mieczan said...

You have a great style,sweetie and I love how you mix it all up and make it your own:)
I totally love this outfit...I need shorts like that:) Perfection:)
Hugs

Anonymous said...

Carrie, it is good not to be put in a box! You are a chameleon, girl! I love the Canada outfit too. I know I said it before, but you are gorgeous with your hair up! (I wish I had 1/2 that head of hair)! So, I may live under a rock... did all of the Martin & Osa's close? I thought it was only the one near me. Funny, every time I went into the store it was empty and I always wondered how they stay in business. xo

jemina said...

You look BEYOND Amazing, WHOA!!! I really love your versatility, PERFECTION and INSPIRATION from head to toe, much LOVE, Jemina, xoxo

Lacey in the City said...

You look sooo cute! I love the shoes. I never got to shop at a Martin+Osa but did know of them. I didn't know they were no longer, though!

Closet Fashionista said...

Those shorts are awesome!! :D
http://aclosetfashionista.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

wait a min lovey - JERSEY is awesome - we have the best clothes here hahaha

and like u - i'm ALL over the place in my clothes - i can never stick to 1 "theme" ..

all this leapord heels thing - i gotta break mine out and start rocking them again!

Stacey said...

You look very tre's chic. The leopard shoes are definitely fierce! Work it girl!:-) xx

Colleen said...

One word, HOT! Now, you have me on a mad search to find those shorts! They are AMAZING! Well, it's probably your legs making them look amazing, but I'm still going to give them a try....if I can find a pair!

Lisa Griffin said...

woooooo you look gorgeous! I love those shorts, and the slight bloomer shape is so flattering. Will you please do a how do on this bun hair do? It's gorg and so Olivia P.
P.s I'm so excited to be knighted as a 'free bird' thank youuu!!

Natalie said...

love the shorts, can't believe i missed those, i would of totally scooped them up

Unknown said...

so glad you found those shorts because you look STUNNING in them. seriously, this may be one of my favorite outfits on you! love love love--better than miss olivia!!

xx anna jane

Daniela said...

sexy lady.

fashion clocked said...

such a good outfit- you look gorgeous and really suit the leather look shorts - perfect and worth tracking down! I adore Olivia P.. and as far as style goes.. Im not sure I always feel more 'me' in Winter.....Katie.xx
fashion clocked

Annie said...

That is one hot outfit! I love how you always change up your style. I think it's good to be unpredictable like that when it comes to fashion and many other things in life...xo

Marie a la Mode said...

You Sexy Mama, you! I love this! You look like Audrey Hepburn with your hair up like that. I'm glad you snagged those shorts, your wardrobe would be weeping without them because they look so good on you!

Jessica said...

I just adore reading your posts! You are such a breath of fresh air. I think I get a little caught up in what trends or styles are "in" sometimes and forget to just wear what I like and not what fashion week tells me I should like. I love your free spirit! It's so inspiring!

justagirlLaura said...

I LOVE this outfit! You look a-mah-zine! [In the words of Rachel Zoe, if you will.] Those shorts seem so hard to pull off and you do it SO WELL!

ps I, too, don't like to stick to a style. I might get stuck in a rut with one or two, but can definitely appreciate what all is out there.

Josie said...

OBSESSED with those shorts! I've been superdoubtful of leather shorts, but these are perfection. I love that they're high-waisted and loose rather than skintight -- and gorgeous with that frilly white blouse!
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

S said...

Hot!! I'm all about the leopard...did you see my new leopard shoes??? xx

Taylor said...

GOOD GOD Girl!!! We were sisters from another MISTER/MAMA!!! One day I am prep-ster a la J.Crew, the next I am rocking skinny jeans, high top Nike dunks and a vintage tee (guess i need to post one of those looks!)

We could totally be like the three musketeers with OP!!! I love her!

Cafe Fashionista said...

Leather shorts. Leopard shoes. I have just come to one very important conclusion, Carrie...it is not a celebrities wardrobe that I would love to raid - it is yours! Gah! You have the most amazing collection of clothes and shoes!! :)

Lila said...

Definitely one of my favorites. And those SHOES! Oh my they are too perfect.

Ashley said...

I'm all over the place too, and I love it! J. Crew is one of my favorites, and I also love Free People. Weird, I suppose, but it's just normal to me. :)

I LOVE THE SHORTS in these photos! And the leopard print shoes! OMG. Why do I not have a pair like this?

And thank you for your comment!!! Made me smile a mile wide. <3 I'm following you now.

HC! said...

omg love is not even a word i can use to describe this outfit. how about lust!? it's absolutely fabulous.

in response to your comment on my blog i go to cal poly in socal :) i'm really excited but kinda stressed too

Claire Kiefer said...

Very few people could pull off what you're wearing today, and you look fantastic in it. Those shorts look perfect on you (girl, you've got some hot legs!) and that top is precious. Love it!

Barbara von Enger said...

Those shorts are so cool - I adore the detail and your lovely legs. My style icon is my mother.
Here's wishing you a fun weekend;-)
XX

Poppies and Sunshine said...

You look fabulous!! I love that top. This top is so LA looking to me. Love it!

Kate said...

eee, lady, I love this! those leather shorts are awesome, and I love your hair up like this, too. gorrrrgeous!

Laura said...

Stunning outfit!! It works really well. And I love the last picture you look like you are really strutting your stuff :)

L x
Half Dressed

Valerie said...

I'm exactly the same way when it comes to my style. You mix it up perfectly and I love this look, Carrie! It's so very Olivia P. Those shorts are super fabulous. I've been dying for a pair, but as we've discussed, I'm cutting myself off over here. You look so feminine, classy and chic.

xo
Valerie

this free bird said...

yep Valerie. I'm cut off too. These were my last bit of fall fun. I guess I'll be wearing them every day. hahahaha!! kinda

Unknown said...

ps - i wish i could pull off the leather shorts like u did - even if i found those bad boys here in Jersey - i would look redic - i have *icky* legs ... maybe next year, with some hard ass work, i'll be able to rock out with some shorts! :o)

thanks for always being so awesome!

THE ALTERNATIVE WIFE said...

I'm the same exact way!!! You know my adoration for Olivia and I always go back to her but you never know what I'm going to pull together on any given day. {reference my Mrs. Roper comment yesterday :)}

You look gorgeous, girl! Sigh those shoes. Leopard has always been my weakness...

noone said...

great outfit, love your shorts! Lol I like the way Olivia dresses too but she's such a byatch on "The City"! lol she drives me nuts on it, I feel so bad for Erin!

FRANKIE HEARTS FASHION said...

You are the epitome of chic...And having eclectic style make you unique! Love it!
xo

bananas. said...

i NEED those shorts!!! SERIOUSLY!!! where on earth can i get my hands on some?! DO TELL!

i love LOVE that entire look. and yes darling i am the same way about style.

Catherine Au Jong said...

SHORTS AMAZING!!

Anonymous said...

With your legs you can wear anything.

Couture Carrie said...

Fantastic combo, darling!
You look gorgeous!

xoxox,
CC

P.S. So glad you approve of my latest purchy :)

kelli g. { bug miscellany } said...

i'm definitely more on the side of ecclectic as well. i'd never be able to shop from just one store.
i love those shorts! and i really never thought i'd say that about LEATHER SHORTS, but there you go. you look FAB!

Gorgeous Glam said...

Gorgeous! I don't need to say another word!

Nell said...

You look seriously hot lady! And those shoes some of the best i've seen in a long time!! x

Sidewalk Chic said...

You look amazing here! Wow, your photos look like serious glamor shots. I really like how you outlined your inspiration sources too!

Louise (Fifth Sparrow) said...

Love the shorts!! So awesome, especially paired with the leopard! xx

this free bird said...

thanks everyone - these shorts are so easy to love...and of course the shoes!

bananas!! - call aritzia in the bay area (or anywhere in the US) and they will ship to you. they might be sold out right now, but are restocking and will try to track a pair down for you. I'll send you an email! You will LOVE.

Jessica said...

I love your outfit. The shoes are amazing! I am a go with the flow kind of person and just wear whatever I like. I don't bother with any particular style.

Stop by our blog and enter our first giveaway!
http://sunnydaystarrynight.blogspot.com/2010/09/our-first-giveaway.html

Jessica said...

I love your outfit. The shoes are amazing! I am a go with the flow kind of person and just wear whatever I like. I don't bother with any particular style.

Stop by our blog and enter our first giveaway!
http://sunnydaystarrynight.blogspot.com/2010/09/our-first-giveaway.html

Style, She Wrote said...

Gorgeous!! Love the leather shorts and those J. Crew leopard mary janes are incredible.

stylenuggets said...

My style is a bit all over the place too. I veer from laidback jeans and t-shirt to all-out girly dresses. But that's the beauty of fashion now, we don't have to put our style in a box!!

Jess said...

Ummmm those shorts are ridiculously hot!

Leeann @ Join the Gossip said...

Dude, you're hot! Get it guuuuuuurl ;) Love this outfit! The shoes really give it taht extra pop!

J. said...

Ummm...I'm pretty sure we're style soulmates! I'm all over the place when it comes to what I like to wear but in a good way not in a hot mess way...or so I like to tell myself.

And I agree with above...the chef is walking around with one hot lady on his arm!

Unknown said...

One of my fav outfits! Really love the leather shorts and leopard shoes.. a lot.

20 YORK STREET said...

Awww Gawd, those shoes! I'm in love with your outfit!

besos,

ML
20 YORK STREET

heather said...

I think it's excellent that your style is fluid and you can change it up! One thing all the time (puffy jackets and wool hats, for example) gets really boring after a while! :)

And pumpkin choco chip muffins! OOH I want some of that!!! Wish I was in your kitchen tonight, picking the scraps and licking the spatula!

hugs!

Elle said...

Those shorts are insane!!! I'm obsessed and so jealous you found them - the whole outfit looks amazing on you!

allison said...

Carrie, you are so glamorous! How precious are those shorts on you! I would have to do some serious squatting and dieting to pull those off.

Charleston Girl said...

Love it!!

LyddieGal said...

Haha, J. Crew and Free People are my favorites. I always look for Free People at TJMaxx, since that's usually the only way I can afford it.

But anyway, this look is amazing! I think I'm warming to the idea of leather shorts, even though I'd previously dismissed them. With that white top and leopard pumps, they are completely feminine and badass.

Chic on the Cheap

Mimi said...

you look fantastic, carrie! :D

<3, Mimi
http://whatmimiwrites.blogspot.com/

Kelly Frances Dunn said...

I think it's all been said! Non the less, it's my turn to say...it's free birds like you that get the rest of the flock flapping their wings to a better fashion place :) XO, Kelly

S.I.F. said...

OK hot mama, I am totally digging it!

I always have loved anyone (and anything) eclectic! ;)

Catherine Au Jong said...

Thanks for the comment!
I really love your outfit as well!!

Paint it Black said...

You look stunning and thse shorts are perfection. I agree with you about that outfit that you mentioned in the post it is gorgeous I love the layering and the socks with the boots xoxo

Discovery Street said...

OMG...you look so hot! I definitely used to be much riskier with my style when i lived in Cali.....the PNW is way more granola and that look is just so much easier.

JMB said...

You most def look like Audrey Hepburn on the top (hair/sunglasses/skin pigment haha) are you sure your last name is not Hepburn? And I am loooving the soft white top with the edgy shorts!! Jackie O is my favvvvorite fashion icon.

Ashleigh said...

Perfection Carrie!! Fierce + sweet :)
The glasses are fabulously Jackie O & I love your hair like that!

Colleen said...

So, I am an instant gratification kinda girl and couldn't wait for these shorts to be restocked. I just ordered a CUTE pair of dark brown, distressed leather (faux) high wasted shorts. I picture them with one of my Tucker for Target blouses tucked in and some colored tights. Love!!

Alicia Lund said...

Oh Carrie I'm pretty sure this is my favorite outfit post you've done yet! Love the leopard pumps (obviously, do i even need to say it anymore?) and the leather shorts! happy weekend!

Taylor said...

The leather shorts are divine!

Johanna said...

I love the outfit. Love, love and I have those shoes! I am totally going to rock those with leather shorts. Thank you!

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