Watercolor Rose

/ Topshop top and skirt / Zara heels and purse / DIY sunglasses /

Lately, it's a pretty rare occasion where I come across a garment that stops me and I automatically need to have it. Even rarer, is that it is in a reasonably affordable price range. I have been working on trying to add in a few special pieces into my wardrobe, regardless of their wearability, and this skirt from Topshop had all of the qualities I was looking for. Feminine, dainty, and unique in design, it is one of the pieces that has the power of making you feel a bit prettier just by putting it on. Bonus points, it reminds me of Katie Rodger's Dior illustration on Paper Fashion!

Have you seen any of these special pieces lately? I'd love to see.

Sample Platter

/ All images from J.Crew /

I had always heard that the J.Crew sample sales were a must-go event, but had never ventured to one. Today was the first official day of the sale open to the public, so after work I decided to head over and check out the assortment of punchy prints, girl-meets-boy styles, and glitzy baubles. After a seemingly short hour long wait, the selection was not disappointing once inside. Above are some of my favorite pieces that were available. I left with the sequined striped pink skirt from their J.Crew collection line that was surprisingly discounted from it's original steep price tag. I absolutely love when a garment has a good weight and texture to it and this skirt, with it's infinite sequins, makes the most satisfying clinking noise when I walk. If you haven't checked out the sale yet, it is open until Sunday the 23rd of June at 260 5th Avenue (that's 260 Sample Sale for all of you sample sale regulars).

A to Z: Oxfords

If you have been following 85Dresses for a while now, you've realized that we're kind of obsessed over here about the oxford loafer. Everything from traditional brown menswear style to glitter and candy colored, we've covered just about every style--don't think we're done, though--. However, this Monday's A to Z post on oxfords isn't about these greatly adored shoes, but their under appreciated same-named relative, the classic oxford button-down. 

When word associating with an oxford button down, a first word may near towards either uniform or conservative. While oxfords are a main make-up of private school uniforms, we wore them at my high school, as well, in wearing them sleeves rolled up, disheveled with a fur vest, pattern pants, and the right accessories, this classic oxford instantly goes from a conservative piece, to the perfect base of a pairing to the rest of the outfit. 

To add to the school-girl look if you please, by layering a sweater over your oxford with simply the collar and cuffs peeking out from underneath, your already instant polish is polished even more. Here, in pairing her more traditional sweater and oxford pairing with a leather mini skirt, burgundy blazer, and menswear oxfords--the shoe kind--, she compliments the appropriateness of the oxford with a little bit of edge. 

And, for those who need a basic to work with their most extravagant piece in the hopes of making it "day-time appropriate", The oxford in this image above brings an almost boyish approach to a skirt that is about as feminine and sequined as you can get. In choosing a light blue instead of a crisp white, the contrast between the brightness of the skirt and the solid of the oxford work together better than a stark white might have. 

Although oxfords and button-downs are probably the most common article of clothing for working women (and men) to have in their wardrobes, they can also easily be styled stylishly for work, or quickly and easily changed and altered around for another occasion.

What is your favorite way to wear the classic oxford?