Accessory Rescue Mission

Not all heroes wear capes, as they say.

I’ll explain, I’ll explain… First, though, a little preface.

Admittedly — as you know — not quite ready for fall just yet… but that doesn’t mean I’m not prepared.

Living in Chicago means you’re always ready for the worst case weather scenario; and when that happens, I look to comfortable, mid-rise denim and an easy v-neck pullover as the foundation for most of my outfits. (By “that,” in today’s case, I’m semi-dramatically referring to 60-degree temps in September. Ha!)

Basic? Nah… Anything but.

I love an easy fall-inspired look — especially one that perfectly juxtaposes that modern-meets-classic aesthetic. I love how a look of head-to-toe neutrals is traditional yet totally unexpected.

As an added bonus, almost everything I’m wearing is from Old Navy — one of my go-to one-stop-shops for budget-friendly wardrobe updates every single season… Who ever said good style needed to be expensive?

Old Navy asked me to participate in their “50 Styles, 50 States” campaign and share how my home state impacts my style, which was a no-brainer. (You can do the same by submitting your look here!)

Thus far, I’ve lived in Chicago twice in my life — and in New York City between each chapter. Each city and countless jobs (corporate and non) later, it’s easy for me to compare and contrast how fashion is uniquely interpreted in each.

Chicago is more about fashion-meets-function… You know, that Midwest sensibility.

On a non-related note, people are just nicer here, too. Plain and simple.

Here, case-in-point:

Heartbreakingly, I left my favorite felt fedora hat in an Uber minutes before I met my photographer, Melissa, to take these photos (a photo shoot that was promptly followed by a series of strong ass margaritas, but that’s a post for a different day). Didn’t we just talk about the dangers (lol) of multi-tasking? I should’ve known better.

I’ve been known to leave a cell phone or two in the back of a taxi cab, but those days are behind me. I thought I had my sh*t together. And, well, I f’ing love that hat, so it barely leaves my head.

(The one I’m wearing is Club Monaco’s ‘Vienna’ fedora, but I found an identical version over at Nordstrom for the affordable price of $39 here.)

I’ll spare you the nitty-gritty details of my desperation; but long story short: After a few frantic phone calls, I ended up spotting said Uber driver across an intersection and I, uh, essentially ran and threw myself across the hood of his car.

Hi, sir. Hello! OMG STOP THE VEHICLE you have my hat. And now my torso. Thanks!

(Or something like that… This was pre-said margaritas, too.)

My point? Suffice it to say: Functional fashion is important. After all, you never know when you’ll be hurling yourself diagonally through an intersection on an Accessory Rescue Mission… So-to-speak.

… Anyway.

My style has always been laid-back, but I’ve embraced a more casual aesthetic even more ever since I started working in the fitness industry.

To say I’ll be wearing a variation of this ensemble all fall would be an big understatement… The jeans especially, though. Old Navy’s “Rockstar” jeans are the best. I love them paired a blush-colored scarf with a striped boat-neck tee, too. How do you wear your denim come fall?

Happy Thursday, my friends. We’re almost to the weekend!

*In this post:

Clothing

Felt hat: Club Monaco ‘Vienna’ (similar here for $39)
V-neck pullover sweater: c/o Old Navy (wearing a size small, runs slightly large; comes in six colors)
Mid-rise skinny jeans: c/o Old Navy (wearing a size 6, runs slightly large; comes in three washes)
D’orsay pumps: Steve Madden ‘ Telsa’ (3″ heel height; perfect!)
Slouchy hobo bag: c/o Old Navy (adjustable strap, yay!)

Click to shop:

Beauty

Foundation: bareMinerals Complexion Rescue in ‘Desert’
Lip color: bareMinerals ‘Gen Nude’ buttercream lip gloss in ‘Forbidden’
Nail polish: Essie ‘Gel Couture’ polish in ‘Rock the Runway‘
Mascara: bareMinerals

Click to shop:

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Iron & Honey Photography

Created in partnership with Old Navy