I Want This + Vanity + Wearables

My work uniform + my favorite boots.

I felt a little silly when I put together my first outfit post last month, I guess because I don’t think of myself as being a particularly “stylish” person when it comes to clothing. Most of what I wear comes from stores like H&M, Gap and Old Navy (I prefer to spend on accessories and shoes, since they’ll always fit!), and I don’t dress to stand out. I don’t work from home—I’m in a midtown office building every day—and while we don’t really have a dress code beyond “don’t come to work in a bikini” (not a problem), I try to not look like a complete mess. That said, I pretty much wear the same thing on my days off as I do when I’m at work, I just try to save the stuff with holes in it for the weekends.

1. Blazer, H&M
2. Small Gem Necklace, Lila Rice
3. Juniper Tank Top, Alternative Apparel
4. Sofia Skinny Jeans, Lucky
5. Hepcat Shades, Madewell
6. Leslie Zip Booties, Frye
7. Rain print pouch, Bookhou
8. Mustard cotton scarf, Scarf Shop*
*Martha from Scarf Shop was kind enough to offer 10% off anything in the shop with the code ILOVEANNA through Jan 1st!

This is a typical work outfit for me. I wear jeans almost every single day (I don’t even own a pair of non-denim pants!), so I try to keep four well-fitting pairs in rotation at any given time. Sadly, Gap seems to be discontinuing the Curvy Skinny jeans I love so much, but Lucky’s Sofia skinny jeans are my fallback. I’ve been wearing Lucky jeans for years, and while I can’t always rely on them to have the exact color/fit combo I like in their lineup, I do love these. They hit all the marks: A truly skinny leg, medium-rise, butt-covering, hip/thigh-accomodating. Flattering. The “resin” color is actually a really dark blue, not black. I love that they have absolutely no fading/distressing whatsoever, too. I find I can wear dark, unfaded jeans to just about any fancy event short of black tie (and I’ve never been invited to anything black tie!) as long as I wear the right shoes and a nice shirt/jacket. I love a good blazer.

Speaking of the right shoes, these are The Right Shoes. (After ogling Acne’s Pistol boots for a few months, I finally tried them on and they were…wrong for me. The opening around the ankle is too small to tuck jeans in unless you have stick legs, and I don’t have stick legs. They just looked bad on me.) By chance I came across Frye’s Leslie Zip booties right before I left for London in October, though, and they are perfect. Perfect! The opening is large enough that my jeans can tuck into the top and look a little scrunchy the way I like. The heel height is just right. Last weekend I wore them with tights and a dress…they can do anything. Like I said, perfect.

In a moment of true recklessness, I decided to make them the ONLY shoes I brought with me to London—yes, I committed myself to a full week of walking every day in a brand-new pair of shoes. And I was fine. I did get one small blister around day 5 from my toes rubbing against each other, but nothing from the shoes. They have been ultra-super-comfy from the moment I first put them on. Bootlove.

EDIT: I just realized I’m actually wearing this exact outfit today, only with a different Bookhou bag. Hah!

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52 Comments

  • Reply Cori Magee December 3, 2012 at 11:25 am

    Not sure I believe in “stylish”… I think whatever someone rocks with confidence is inherently stylish because they feel good in it. That being said, I happen to love your uniform and it closely resembles mine. Although I’ve gained some weight over the last year and the absolute WORST part about it is not being able to wear my favorite black blazer! I’m stubborn and refuse to spend money on a new one.

    • Anna @ D16 December 3, 2012 at 12:58 pm

      My favorite blazer (I have two) comes from Old Navy and cost about $25. My weight/size fluctuates a lot, but I’m a believer in having at least a couple of items that fit nicely and make you feel good even if you expect to get smaller/bigger in the future.

  • Reply Natalie / Half Asleep Studio December 3, 2012 at 11:48 am

    Yep, similar over here, too, although I’ve been having so much trouble finding decent jeans lately that I’ve thrown some charcoal denim into the mix too. Love those boots!

    • Anna @ D16 December 3, 2012 at 12:57 pm

      Charcoal denim! Tips, please?

  • Reply j+h @ beyond the stoop December 3, 2012 at 12:02 pm

    love it! i have a pretty open dresscode at work too.. but i work in an engineering office, so although my new wedge sneakers (thanks to YOU i bought some!) i would get funny looks and jokes if i wore them to the office 🙁

    this outfit is edgy, but not TOO edgy… i could do it and maybe slide by without a comment from the 50-something engineers that wear plaid button-downs and khakis everyday 😉

    • Anna @ D16 December 3, 2012 at 12:10 pm

      Considering one of Mamma Biscuit’s dads is my office-mate, it’s pretty safe to say that there is NOTHING I could possibly wear to work that wouldn’t look conservative next to him! 😉

    • Mamma Biscuit December 3, 2012 at 11:35 pm

      LOL You can say that again considering I reference a Tom of Finland drawing to come up with a typical “work” outfit almost every single day! It’s a big slap in the face to the concept of “corporate casual” but my girl Mamma Biscuit loves my look, so that’s all that matters 😉

  • Reply Sadie December 3, 2012 at 12:28 pm

    Yes and yes. It makes me smile to think that someone who’s home style I admire dresses very similarly to me, down to the Bookhou bag (though your accessories are fancier!) . Thanks for the blazer tip. I have been looking for one. Nice Fryes! These are lovely comfortable treasures as well: http://www.gravitypope.com/shoes/product/11400-gravitypope-b-9284-2-
    PS: As a longtime reader, I am loving more posts from you. Thanks!

    • Anna @ D16 December 3, 2012 at 12:56 pm

      Thanks, Sadie! I’m enjoying posting more, too. 🙂

  • Reply Kali December 3, 2012 at 12:58 pm

    I just found the scarf shop and I love that you support them. Mpls is my hometown and since moving I miss it like crazy. I started following her on Instagram because she posts lots of beautiful pictures and so many of home! Hoping to catch her at my parents neighborhood farmers market this weekend!!

    • Anna @ D16 December 3, 2012 at 4:26 pm

      Martha is incredible, isn’t she? I also have a couple of printed works she did and an amazing table runner…she’s so multi-talented. Every time she posts a picture of an article of clothing she’s working on, my comment is pretty much “I WANT THAT.”

  • Reply Michelle December 3, 2012 at 1:07 pm

    I love your style! As a college student about to graduate, I’ve been trying to work on a casual style that goes beyond jeans and a sweatshirt. I love the way you pair simple clothes with interesting accessories. I also wear a lot of stuff from the gap (it fits and I can buy online and avoid the dreaded mall) and I’ve been inspired by your outfits to pair my jeans and cardigans with cool scarves and jewelry. Actually, one of my scarves is a triangle print and I always think of it as my “Anna scarf” though the blue and green colors are more my style than yours. I think you’re such a classy dresser and I always enjoy your pictures!

    • Anna @ D16 December 3, 2012 at 4:29 pm

      Anna scarf! Hee! I have a lot of scarves. I keep them in a big box in my closet that I refer to as my “scarf library.”

  • Reply Adriane /// The A & B Stories December 3, 2012 at 1:36 pm

    I loooove your style. I have several Bookhou bags as well (Arrounna is so awesome) and I feel like I have this entire outfit, but not that necklace. Clearly I have some shopping to do.

    P.S. Loving the ombre comeback.

    • Anna @ D16 December 3, 2012 at 4:51 pm

      Thank you! I dyed over it for a while, but I missed it…

  • Reply Naomi December 3, 2012 at 2:43 pm

    Your super stylin’ even in an office bathroom. (great tiles & bench too)

    • Anna @ D16 December 3, 2012 at 4:50 pm

      That bathroom is far less cute in person, but I’ve been taking pictures in there for years. One of these days someone is going to walk in on me…

  • Reply Donna December 3, 2012 at 2:54 pm

    Love Bookhou bags as well. I also just discovered another Toronto designer at the One of a Kind show last weekend who makes some great clutches. However, her Etsy shop doesn’t seem to be currently stocked with all the great stuff I saw at her booth. She uses vintage kimono fabrics and leather. Thought you might like to check them out too.
    http://www.gracedesign.ca/

    • Anna @ D16 December 3, 2012 at 4:51 pm

      Nice stuff!! Great find, thanks Donna!

  • Reply Danielle December 3, 2012 at 3:15 pm

    Love those boots! I’ve been hunting for new black boots (tall, riding style) for the past 2 years and am about ready to give up. All the ones I like are too wide in the calf – or too snug to pull on over my feet. Whenever I make it back to NYC, I’m heading straight for the Frye flagship store. In the meantime, maybe I’ll consider those Leslie Zips…they are awfully cute…

    • Anna @ D16 December 3, 2012 at 3:29 pm

      Danielle, my oldest pair of Fryes (I’ve had them about 12 years, I think?) are probably exactly what you’re looking for, but they’re discontinued. I wish I could remember the name in case you wanted to look on eBay! They’re almost to the knee, riding style, just snug enough to stay up without a zipper but loose enough that I can fit jeans inside.

      The Frye flagship store is indeed amazing…

  • Reply Tara December 3, 2012 at 3:43 pm

    Anna, I love your style. The house, the hair, the clothes.. you got it going on.

    Can you tell me what size scarf you’re wearing. There’s a couple that I wanted to order, but it’s hard to figure out the amount of fabric by the pictures. Yours seems to have just the amount of bulk I like.

    • Anna @ D16 December 3, 2012 at 3:50 pm

      Mine is the GIANT size. It’s pretty darned giant, too. 🙂

  • Reply Jen December 3, 2012 at 3:59 pm

    Shoot, I’ve been looking for a mustard colored scarf and wasn’t able to find exactly what I was looking for. So I settled for a close but not quite right (a little too yellow-orangish) approximation from Target. Now I want to return it and get the one pictured here. (BTW, my husband got me the striped scarf from Madewell featured here awhile back for my b-day and I love it!)

    Question: Are you wearing a Scarf Shop scarf in you picture? If so, what size is it? Also, this is totally stupid, but do you have any tips on the art of scarf wrapping? I’m fairly new to scarfs, and can’t seem to get them to look stylish. Yours looks so nice in the picture, so I’m wondering if there’s sort of a trick to it (or maybe I just don’t look good in scarfs!) Thanks, Anna!

    • Jen December 3, 2012 at 4:01 pm

      Oops, see you answered the size question above (that’s what I get for taking a call and then not refreshing before I publish my comment)!

    • Anna @ D16 December 3, 2012 at 4:48 pm

      I definitely don’t have any special tricks! With this particular scarf, I just loop it around my neck three times and then loosely tie the ends. I don’t twist it or do anything special. Honestly, with stuff like scarves and ponytails, I find it’s usually best to not think about it…just do it quickly and forget about it. 😉

  • Reply Vanessa December 3, 2012 at 4:01 pm

    I bought that same Bookhou tote after you shared that you bought the cross strap version 🙂

    Love your daily outfit – I need more of this in my life!

    • Anna @ D16 December 3, 2012 at 4:49 pm

      Haha, so you noticed I have the exact same bag in two sizes, then? 😀 What can I say, when I like something…I like it a lot.

  • Reply Karen December 3, 2012 at 6:18 pm

    loving the outfit and that wallpaper (or stenciled wall?) in the booties pic too! where is it from?

  • Reply Lewis December 3, 2012 at 9:09 pm

    YES! I’m your less-stylish twin! Color scheme and all. I love my Frye (Carson shortie – but very similar) boots. Frye boots in general, really.

  • Reply the chronic utilitarian December 3, 2012 at 10:54 pm

    this is an adorable post.
    i love the outfit, too.

  • Reply Carina December 3, 2012 at 11:43 pm

    I’ve recently been spending more on accessories and shoes than clothes, because you’re right, they’ll fit forever! 🙂

  • Reply jane December 4, 2012 at 3:08 am

    Hi — I noticed you already answered a couple of questions about the scarf but I was wondering if you have tried the other sizes as well. I want to order one but I am stumped as to what size. I’m leaning toward giant but I’m pretty busty and am thinking it might make me look even larger. Do you have the medium one or smaller one and if so what are your thoughts? Thanks.

  • Reply bliss December 4, 2012 at 6:47 am

    you have a “coming soon” bag that i am sincerely covetous of! seriously awesome outfit, thanks for sharing 🙂

  • Reply Emily December 4, 2012 at 4:32 pm

    I love it, Anna! Lately I’ve been on a “black and gray” kick lately (as opposed to the former, uh, “everything brown” kick that lasted about three years) and I actually defer to Door Sixteen for style tips. You are a style blogger! 🙂 Black jeans are the best, though. Love them.

    • Anna @ D16 December 4, 2012 at 6:24 pm

      The thought of me as a style blogger is hilarious!! The poor fashion industry, hahaha

  • Reply Emily December 5, 2012 at 12:52 am

    Haha, well, I still say thankyouthankyouthankyou for your posts on awesome clothing. Those Frye boots are sort of amazing …

  • Reply jja December 5, 2012 at 2:41 pm

    Nice haircut!

    “(I don’t even own a pair of non-denim pants!”

    Wow, really? Not the black one (not.denim) for funerals and weddings? Or something lighter then denim for hot summer? Linen for example.

    • Anna @ D16 December 5, 2012 at 2:42 pm

      Nope! I have a two dresses for occasions where jeans wouldn’t be appropriate.

  • Reply mommy December 5, 2012 at 3:37 pm

    I love the Frye boots. Heel not to high, but still elegant. Sigh.

  • Reply Megan Kelly December 5, 2012 at 4:18 pm

    I ordered the Sofia Skinny jeans based on your recommendation… They came today and they are AMAZING. I am in love. Thank you! Also I put the giant cotton scarf on my Christmas list, but if I don’t get it, I will just be ordering one. 🙂 enjoyed your post!

  • Reply Jemma December 7, 2012 at 5:40 pm

    Inspiring outfit! I left a message last time you mentioned your Boukhou bag asking if yours had faded. Mine had areas that were lighter than others but I think that was just where the fabric had been handled a lot during construction. (ie around the zip and strap areas) I just wanted to say that after a bit of use those areas were not noticeable any more. I have used the bag almost every day for months and it has aged well and looks great. I still love it!

  • Reply brandeye December 11, 2012 at 3:25 pm

    i really love those boots and have been looking for some like that for ages. may have to treat myself 🙂

  • Reply arounna December 19, 2012 at 10:03 pm

    perfect work uniform
    gotta get those frye boots

  • Reply Modupe Oloruntoba January 11, 2013 at 4:10 am

    hi, just wondering what you use to compose your outfit post pics? doesn’t look like polyvore, and its pretty awesome, so I’m curious… hoping its not photoshop. I have it and I know how, but I am just. so. LAZY. 🙂

    • Anna @ D16 January 11, 2013 at 7:01 am

      Haha, yes, I use Photoshop. It takes me a couple of hours to make those collages because I like to silhouette as many items as possible. That’s a lot of time spent with the pen tool. 😉

  • Reply Leah January 12, 2013 at 9:57 pm

    hi Anna! i’m seriously considering the Lucky sofia skinny jeans, but am wondering about the sizing. do you find they run true to size? thanks so much for posting about these. I’m a curvy girl, so finding modern jeans is always challenging.

    • Anna @ D16 January 14, 2013 at 7:13 am

      Hi Leah! I’d say they’re more or less true to size, maybe a liiiiiiitle on the large side.

      It’s so hard for me to even know what “true to size” even IS anymore, though. Between the vanity sizing at Gap and the (opposite of vanity?) sizing at H&M, I’m not sure I even know what size I am anymore. 😛

  • Reply Lizzetta April 12, 2013 at 7:15 pm

    Hi Anna,
    Oh, wow. I just must tell you- the sophia skinny jeans are my holy grail jeans. Before I read this post, I’d thought it was just hopeless between me and blue jeans, but your point about “high waist-hip ratio” made me drop what i was doing and rush out to purchase immediately. They are the best jeans EVER. Thank you SO much for writing your blog and changing my life.

  • Reply May November 23, 2013 at 12:01 am

    I love this look! And I love Fryes! I have been eyeing these and wanted to ask you if they were true to size. Are they narrow or average width? Thanks!

    • Anna @ D16 November 23, 2013 at 7:53 am

      I’d say they’re average, May. Zappos has a ton of reviews up with notes about the fit, so definitely take a look there if you want more opinions before ordering. 🙂

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