As I’ve mentioned, I am not good at dressing appropriately for hot weather during the summer. I generally go from May through September feeling completely overdressed, sweaty, and gross. I desperately look forward to the fall, which is my favorite time of the year clothing-wise. Layers! Cardigans! Boots! No skin showing at all!
That said, I’m not very adventurous when it comes to choosing my wardrobe. I like to have a uniform, which generally consists of skinny jeans, boots, some sort of long shirt/tunic, a scarf, and a cardigan or blazer. I wear jeans at least 360 days of the year—I don’t even own a pair of non-denim pants. On rare occasions I will wear a dress, but I feel so self-conscious in “girl clothes” that I usually spend the whole day wishing I could run home and change. (I’m working on that. There are so many great dresses that I’d love to wear!)
This year, though—watch out. I’ve made the bold choice of moving beyond skinny jeans and into the world of leggings-as-pants. Don’t worry, I promise not to wear them with a short shirt.
Crazy, right? I’m not ready to wear “jeggings” (if only because I HATE THAT WORD, ugh), but perhaps that’s where I’m headed. I did see a pair at H&M over the weekend that I really liked—lots of interesting seaming, and faux-leather patches on the insides of the knees. This is a bold move for me! I’m surprised by how confident I feel in leggings, since my legs are easily my least favorite part of my body.
So this is my basic uniform for the rest of the fall, I think. I like not having to really think about what I’m wearing, but I don’t want to look like a scab. Do you know what I mean? Personal uniforms are good confidence-builders.
Can we talk about this awesome chevron scarf, by the way? It’s actually more of a small blanket—you should see it unfurled. I’m totally in love with it. I feel like it was custom-made for me at the Anna Factory.
91 Comments
Your uniform is exactly like my uniform 🙂 Capsule wardrobe rocks. As does your chevron stripe scarf.
Well, I love your uniform just because it looks really good, & if it makes things easier, that’s great. The scarf/blanket is gorgeous. Will you reveal where you got it?
But mostly I’m writing in solidarity on the word “jeggings.” I have a 13-yr-old stepdaughter so unfortunately I am subjected to this word ALL THE TIME. It makes my skin crawl.
It’s from H&M! I don’t know if it’s a current item—I bought the only one at the store I went to, and it was kind of hiding in the accessories section. It’s about 4’x8′!!
You should ask your stepdaughter if she wants to wear a skort over her jeggings. 😉
Even worse than the word “jeggings” is the addition of the word “stirrup” in front. Oy! Junior high flashbacks!
I saw stirrup jeggings (woah, did I really just type that sequence of words?) at the Gap over the weekend! Oy vey. Actually, I can see that working well with boots—I just don’t want to see anyone wearing them with Keds. Talk about junior high flashbacks!!
I love the scarf/blanket… absolutely love it!
I feel the same way about summer. I am always wearing layers in the summer and dreaming of fall. LOVE the scarf.
that scarf is off the hook!
My new favorite fall wardrobe item is a pair of dark gray skinny cords! Corduroy is just so autumnal, somehow, and I like that they’re not just another pair of jeans.
Where did you get your lovely collection of flat boots?
I have four pairs of flat boots (black, white, gray, and brown), and they’re all from Frye. I like Fryes because they can stand up to a lot of hard wear—AND they can be repaired. I like to keep my shoes for years and years. I bring my Fryes to my cobbler and have them resoled, reshaped/restitched and waterproofed as needed. It’s like getting a brand new pair of boots for $30.
i thought i recognized the veronica slouches. i’ve had the same ones for three years and they still look nearly new. love my fryes!!
I can’t even read that word without cringing.
will. not. say. it.
but I did buy some the other day at target….
you look so beautiful! I love the whole outfit, and uniform.
and your hair.
xo
Don’t call them jeggings. Jean leggings, stretch skinny leggings, whatever, but get them. I finally bit the bullet and bought them when they were on sale at JCrew.com for a reasonable price (factory weekend sale) and LOVE them. I never wore jean leggings in the 80s because they did not exist. They are much thicker, much more like proper pants than anything in the 80s. But I still won’t buy stirrup pants – what is the point of the stirrup if you’re not a horse???
I think the stirrup is probably great if you’re wearing them with boots—I always have to fold my jeans over and tuck them into socks, which can be annoying!
Your uniform rocks, as well as your legs! That scarf is very cool, I’m very jealous. I was looking for a new scarf and gloves the other day but couldn’t find anything I liked. Also, I’m totally digging your hair!
You look great, as always!
I remember you mentioning something about great leggings on twitter, but I can’t find the tweet. Can you remind me what brand they were? You said they were pricey but lasted years and years. I had some great ones from Eileen Fisher that lasted almost 10 years, but their new ones aren’t as thick as I like, so I’m on the hunt for a new favorite. THanks!
The leggings are from Lululemon. They’re thick but not sweater-y, and they’re not shiny. They also have a wide waistband, which I like, and they’re long enough to scrunch up a bit at the bottom.
I’m happy with them so far! This is only the third time I’m wearing them, though, so we’ll see how it goes. The feedback I got on Twitter was positive (apparently they have a 5-year guarantee), so I’m hopeful. 🙂
Thanks Anna, they sound exactly what I’m looking for! Especially the non-shiny part. My butt stands out enough as it is – no shine required!
I have a uniform, too, but mine is not nearly as cool as yours looks: jeans, all-weather boots (ie, dorky snow boots of the Lands End variety), solid color t-shirt, and sweater on top. Add coat if really chilly. Never skirts or dresses, because I feel too self-conscious in them and, like you said, I also spend the day wishing I’d just have worn pants and was comfortable. I agree that having a go-to outfit helps with confidence. I feel like it also forces/inspires me to choose different, interesting accessories to mix that uniform up a bit. Your boots are nice! And love the black leggings. You look good in them!
I totally sympathize with you on every count — I have no idea how to dress for warm weather. And I do try to venture out of my norm and wear skirts/dresses in the summer, but I feel ridiculous in them and just squirm uncomfortably all day. I’m so glad it’s finally fall and I can feel comfortable again.
The clothing store I work at sells “jeggings” but when I talk them up to customers I call them “denim leggings” because I just cannot bring myself to say that word.
your legs are your least fave part?!!! I’ll trade you my tree trunk legs and maybe you’ll change your mind!! Exploit those babies.
Believe me, I had to angle this photo JUST SO in order to make my legs not look like turnips!!
Do not fear the denim leggings! I, too, was once all, “jeggings? oh hell no.” But then I tried on a pair from the Gap, and I am in love. They are more comfortable than all of my skinny jeans (although that might be due to increases in cake consumption) but look more pulled together than my basic leggings. I urge you to try a pair and just not call them jeggings.
Yeah, I broke down and went back to H&M tonight to get them. 🙂
your hearcut is supercute, wow!!
mmmmhh, haircut….. 😉
First of all, you’re gorgeous (and so is that scarf!) Second of all, I’m with you on the uniform front. But you’re braver than I am because I only own one pair of black leggings that I am too hesitant about to wear to work. I really can’t go down the jeggings route; I’m just not cool enough for those babies.
I’m with you on not knowing how to dress during hot months – it’s pure torture, especially since I don’t wear skirts or shorts (yes, I have a leg complex too).
I love how you look put together without looking “put together”, if you know what I mean. Some people’s outfits seem so studied that it’s almost like they’re about to strike a pose! My uniform of blue jeans + t-shirt needs serious updating, and reading this post is really motivating me. I have a brand new pair of para boots from Vegetarian Shoes that I’m dying to wear with thick tights and a dress or skirt, then layers of knits/cardigan/jacket and a scarf. (Your scarf is absolutely GORGEOUS, by the way!) It would certainly be a different look. Maybe I should start with adding some colours instead of being a walking symphony of greys…
I didn’t think I would resort to buy jeggings either but then, over the weekend, I found myself at Guess and tried on a pair of their Brittany skinny jeans. They looked and felt like jeggings to me. I bought them in black to wear with boots and I’ve a feeling I will be living in them soon. Which surprised me because I tried on a pair of Jessica Simpson jeggings – let’s keep that info btwn us here shall we – and I felt fat and gross in them and swore I’d never buy a pair of jeggings.
I went to H&M tonight and bought them!!
reading this post made me believe we may have been separated at birth. 🙂
fabulous!!
love the entire look. and now, i’m going to have to go hunt for that scarf at h&m!
i’ve been investing in leggings too. i like ’em with boots, and sometimes with my red keds. i think the people at the dog park probably think i’m homeless, because i wear the same ‘uniform’ almost every day. i love uniforms. 🙂
Babe alert!!! Not to be a total creep, but I think you have really nice legs, Anna!
CREEP!! j/k, as if I haven’t complimented you on just about every part of your body at some point!!
I don’t have a favorite brand of jeans, but lately I’ve mostly been wearing a pair of Marc Jacobs skinnies that fit perfectly. I also like some of the jeans from Uniqlo and even Old Navy depending on the time of year (they are so inconsistant!). I really want to try the new Levi’s that are supposedly for curvier bodies—I always have that problem where jeans that fit my hips/thighs are too loose around my waist, so they slide down and make a muffin-top.
Oh, also where do you find jeans? Most of my jeans are “jeggings”, because I cannot find structured jeans that fit me properly.
A uniform can be very comforting, a bit like armour to face the world with. Sometimes I love my uniform. Sometimes I just want to break free and be something completely different. This happens rarely, but I do dream about it.
Those are kick-ass bangs!
It is like my uniform but I do wear dresses,they are good for big bottom girls like me.
I adore your uniform! it’s just right – cute and comfortable looking.
I don’t like dressing in the summer either…. especially with office air conditioning making it more of a challenge to dress for work.
My year round uniform is a skirt with a tee and cardigan or a dress with a cardigan and usually dansko clogs, or these cute new shoes that are a cross between mary jane skechers and dansko clogs. the skirts and dresses have been feeling too voluminous lately so I may go back to wearing pants. my preferred length is capri – to hit just below my calves and just above my ankles. it’s not a popular length but it’s my length 🙂
Seriously, I don’t even know where to start! Love this post! I am not even a fan of skinny jeans (I have legs, butt AND hip issues) but this post really makes me want to branch out. But I am SO a fan of Frye boots. That is actually how I found your site. Googling Frye boots! Go figure. It was your pic of you in a dress, tights and boots. So very cute. I think you need to do dresses more often. Not a huge jump from skinny jeans to tights and a dress. And I am loving your bangs. My hair just DOES NOT have the right texture to pull of bangs like that. Sigh… Love the uniform idea and the whole outfit you are sporting.
I know it doesn’t seem like a big jump from jeans or leggings to tights and a dress, but there’s something about losing the entire length of the outline of my legs that just makes me feel like a short, fat stump.
nice new layout!
and you are easily one of the prettiest girls ever. just thought you should know.
That’s very nice of you to say, even if it does make me feel like hiding under the sofa!
On the subway a few weeks ago I overheard two girls who looked to be in their mid-20s talking about how they wanted to buy some jeggings. It was like listening to nails on a chalkboard.
Ah Frye, I do love the Frye boots. I got the Carsons in a grey color last year and just found a fantastic black knee high lace up pair (not sure their official name) at my Marshall’s for $99(!) a couple weeks ago. And Lululemon, also a huge fan. Your uniform is fantastic and closely resembles mine for the season. My only problem is finding tops long enough to cover my, ahem, problem areas. Any suggestions there?
Sarah, H&M always has a plethora of long tanks and tees!
I bought a pair of [that word] from Zara a few weeks ago. I recommend trying on their, let’s say, stretchy denim thingies. They usually have a selection and their prices can’t be beat.
Love the scarf! Also I agree stirrups are ok, as long as they aren’t viewable to the general public ( must be tucked inside boots!)
I think you could totally rock leggings with a tunic-y dress. And layer with your usual cardigan/jacket/scarf. It won’t feel much different from your usual uniform, promise!
I’m a huge believer in personal uniforms. This one time, from the ages of about 8-13, I wore khakis every. single. day. Now I have many pants, but I still feel like I just wear variations of the same thing year round (I, too, struggle with summer months… I’m more of an indoor kid). Like you, my pants are getting skinnier with each season, but I don’t think I’ll take it quite that far.
Blue jeans, a Black T-shirt and either my Black Pork Pie Hat or my Oklahoma shaped Bee Cowboy Hat. When cool out, either my “The Alley” work coat or Denim Jacket.
That’s the uniform. Keep it simple. No decisions.
That’s not to say I don’t have a closet full of vintage Hawaiian shirts…you know…for partying!
Ah, vacation…nuthin’ but cutoffs, Guayaberas and flip flops (not those thong flip flops though, guys should NEVER wear those).
Shees, you lured me into chick talk.
…and by Blue Jeans I mean American Made Levis in the 517 (boot cut) 505 (straight leg) or 501 (duh) varieties.
Hi, this is my first comment here, from a reader in Sweden. Love your blog!
In two weeks time I’ll go to NY for the first time, and I wonder if you could give me any insider recommendations about what not to miss (except the obvious tourist stuff). Any restaurants to recommend? I also wonder if you could recommend nice places to have breakfast, we’ll be staying at Hilton at W 54th St. We’ll stay in NY for 6 nights, and then we’ll rent a car and plan to drive northbound along the coast to Cape Cod, and eventually by ferry to Long Island. Any places you’d recommend along the way?
Thanks in advance, and greetings from Sweden!
I have a little thing about this on my FAQ page, and unfortunately, what I said there really is the truth—I am the last person to ask about what to do in NYC. I actually really like all of the obvious tourist stuff! I think all first-time visitors here should take the tour bus, go to the Statue of Liberty, MoMA, the Empire State Building, walk over the Brooklyn Bridge—all of it.
A nice breakfast in midtown is tough—it’s an area filled with corporations and hotels and delis that cater to people at work, and not a lot of “cute”. The only place that immediately comes to mind is FIKA on 58th between 5th and 6th. Most the employees are Swedish ex-pats, though, so I imagine they’ll have some tips for you. 🙂
As for the drive to Long Island portion of your trip, I’m TOTALLY useless—I don’t know that route at all. It sounds like it will be a very pretty trip, though!
(I’m sorry I’m not good at this—but seriously, you don’t want NYC tips from me. All I do is go home and play with my dogs…and go to work.)
I could have written that post…so weird… I waaaaaay prefer winter clothes, I get all excited about boots and coats! Also venturing to leggings and they are so much more comfortable! This year I’ve bought a few dresses too and 120 denier opaque tights, very handy! Dressed in 2 minutes!
You look great!!! Love the uniform 🙂
And how about treggings then? Worse than the j-word if you ask me…
You look great and I am so happy that I am not alone with hesitating on the jegging thing. Of course now I will have to try them. Can’t imagine ever doing the stirrup thing again, but who knows.
On that note. I am following this german blog about a woman doing a clothing experiment in which she wears the same dress (she has three) every single day for one year – http://www.daskleineblaue.de. Her idea originated from the http://www.littlebrowndress.com and http://www.uniformproject.com. Nothing that I could do, but something to ponder.
Love the scarf – fab.
Anna, Your eyes are like lipid pools of ….dark chocolate! Beautiful! I thought for a mo that you had on boots like mine; they are born ones, so soft and comfy. Love the scarf…reminds me of your front hall flooring! A bit of a theme, eh? Interesting how evvvveryone is repelled by the word “jeggings”–it had the same effect on me!
I adore that scarf! Also, I really like your haircut – I have bangs right now too and most days I can’t make them behave! 🙂 I’m an autumn girl too, I love layers, cardigans and scarves.
I have some [annoying word here] that I bought at Uniqlo awhile back and I end up reaching for them a lot. Even over my formerly fav skinny jeans. So never say nevah. Now I wish I had bought more. (I don’t live near NYC …boo.)
My uniform is a lot the same as yours, so I hear ya. I also sometimes wear dresses with comfy leggings and boots, so that works ok too. Almost like a long tunic, but an actual dress. But mostly I just wear the pants/shirt/scarf boots combo.
It’s funny how you dress pretty much the same way you decorate your house. I guess when it comes to any style, “you” can’t be trailing too far behind. 🙂
firstly, LOVE the new site design.
secondly, whateva. leggings/jeggings- i wear them i love them. your outfit is perfect. the scarf is divine. you look gorg.
xx
Anna,
You are BEAUTIFUL! Work it, girl.
anna,
what do you mean by scab? (LOL)
thanks,
m.
Just what you think—the dried crust that forms over an open wound. I don’t want to look like THAT! 😀
oh girl, our uniforms are pretty much the same. love skinny boots, scarves, long shirts and jackets!
I don’t know what my problem is with H&M tops. I buy ones that i think are long and they gradually get shorter and shorter over time. Even when I hang them to dry. OR they’re so big and blousy I feel like I’m wearing my old maternity clothes. Oh well, I did see that amazing scarf at H&M today. It was the only one in the store just like your experience. Strange, but its fantastic.
Oh and been meaning to ask, Psych Furs in Woodstock Friday? You going?
Nope. I had a “falling out” (for lack of a better term) with them this past year, and there will be no more Furs concerts for this gal. The pleasure is entirely gone.
You’re ridiculously pretty. And I haven’t commented here in so long the comment field doesn’t remember me, aw. Anyway. You’re pretty. And I heart you. I’m not a fan of giant scarves usually but that one makes me want to hug it. It looks really soft and cuddly.
Urghhh, I hate the word “jeggings” I thought it was a lazy english chav word !!
Nice look, but then you always look very cool and stylish !!!
Hey, that’s MY uniform! Get out of my closet, woman… oh, and you look pretty today. LOVE your blanket scarf. Cozy and gorgeous!
We’d clearly get along, and could quite possibly share wardrobes. I’ve worn riding pants—there is no way I’m saying that awful word created from jeans + leggings—for the last two years. If you want to invest in a pair that is thick and warm with stitching in all the best places so that they stay tight and shapely you should really get a pair of Rag & Bone’s riding pants. They are honestly the perfect pants in the world.
I LOVED this post. How funny it is the opposite here as winter is so short and mild that I hate my winter wardrobe. I live in dresses as they are so much cooler. I do find that when I travel to colder climates I live in jeans everyday – that is a comfortable pair. Takes me trying on about 100 pairs to find comfortable ones (perhaps a little bit of an exaggeration). Uniforms are great though – my kids had to wear a uniform to school for their whole school life – fantastic absolutely no agonising over what to wear each morning 🙂
i, too, am ALL ABOUT THE UNIFORM and i feel weird in “girl dresses” !
loving your “uniform” and that great scarf.
We share a similar uniform, I’m generally perma-scarfed with a long leopard number all year round. Used to have a similar attitude to dresses but after about 10 year break in dress wearing they probably make up about 50% of my wardobe now (generally worn with leggings/tights and clumpy boots). The word jeggings is vile I agree, however find the right pair and you’ve got a good mix of comfort and style plus less fiddley time going to the bathroom!
I have to agree about fryes – they are well worth the investment.
Anna, you should try a black wrap dress with black boots for this autumn and a wrap dress (short sleeves) with nude (it is very important) sandals for spring. You can not feel fat or short wearing these things.
I don’t do short sleeves! Or dresses. 🙂
Hah! Sounds just like me Anna!
On the uniform, the dress and the hate for the word ‘jeggins’ ;-D
Oh! I DO love that scarf…
/hugs
Awesome post! I have a personal uniform too. I live in cropped denim shorts, v-neck tees, and teva “mush” flip flops. But I’m in the south, so this works for me 9 months out of the year. Occasionally I’ll get really daring and wear a skirt with my v-neck tee & flip flops.
I’m interested in trying the “jean leggings” for the winter. I love Frye boots. Winter is the one time I’ll venture out of my comfort zone and wear skinny jeans with my boots or leggings with dresses. However, I just can’t do the ones with the fake leather on the inside. I guess it’s because I ride. I first saw a pair on a mannequin in Miami last weekend, and I said “Why the eff is that mannequin wearing breeches?!” For me.. it was very strange.
I always love your style. lovely bang!
I know this is an “older” post but I have to share that I bought my first pair of skinny jeans tonight and I feel like the hippest pregnant woman around! No pun intended with “around”… 🙂 Seriously, after this post I felt like I needed to break out of my comfort zone and I am SO glad I did! Thanks for the inspiration!
Yay! That’s great, Lori. 🙂
I’m gonna go ahead and jump on the bandwagon late and say that
a)jeggings is a terrible word. sounds like some sort of weird skin condition or medieval ailment, something like scabies comes to mind
b) your scarf is totally amazing. If I wasn’t already suffering from serious scarf overload, I’d be all over that bad boy at my next H&M outing
c) you’re lovely.
ooh ooh that scarf! i adore 🙂
this post cracks me up. only because my sister recently told me she bought “jeggings” and i looked at her like, wtf? what are jeggins? then she proceeded to tell me what they are…
leggings, long top, cardi, scarf -boots or flats…….black gray white – occasionally another color thrown in. my exact uniform. I love it- makes life easy and still feel decently dressed.
i’ve been working on investing in super comfortable and good shoes, but super comfortable and cute at the same time is hard to find :/ What styles of fryes do you have?
i know the pants you’re talkin about at H&M they’re super cute but the fabric didn’t seem comfy? Are they? I’m addicted to all cotton and super comfort- so I have issues.
i also know the gap stirrups yours talking about and they’re really cute i think – their new pants and jeans are nice. I got some super skinny ponte pants there that i LOVE.
love love your hair – sooo cute 🙂
ok i’m done agreeing with and liking everything you like for today 🙂
So, I’m really enjoying your makeup in this picture especially your lips and cheeks. Lovely, natural,flushed.
I’m totally with you on the uniform thing!!! I used to dress super duper creatively, but moving around for a few years turned me into a uniform girl. Since I once thought I wanted to be a fashion designer and now work making clothing for stage, I sometimes feel a bit guilty for adopting the uniform–like I should be more creative. Oh well…
Hi Anna!
I’ve been trying to track that amazing scarf down for years, H&M said they’d have a look in their warehouse for me for any old stock but they need a code – don’t suppose u could do me the biggest favour ever and give me the details from the back of the care label, could u??
I’d be forever grateful!!
Thanks,
Ilana.
Hi Ilana, sorry, I cut the tag off years ago!