Wearing: Some swing

Oh hey there vintage coat for twenty dollars. Aren't you pretty with your big collar, sweet buttons and light lavender but gray but perfect color.

Before I talk about the open heart surgery I performed, I want to first state the obvious in that I simply can't get over the movement of this coat. Swing!

Anyway. With some major shoulder pads happening in the upper left and right regions, I had to get out my drug store sewing kit and remove the madness. And by madness I mean massive, diaper sized shoulder pads that added about three inches to my torso. Cut to five minutes later and the silhouette is now simple, modern and chic. Free of any pads.

Coat: Vintage (love this)

Jeans: Cheap Monday (similar)

Booties: Lucky Brand

Sunglasses: Free People (similar)

Wearing: The weekend

Typical weekend outfit: leggings, flats, sweaters, light jackets with big pockets. Extra large bun.

These leggings are old, before leather accents were in and waist control tops were a must. I love the leather knees but the elastic waist band is horrifically uncomfortable so I don't wear them much. And I definitely shouldn't have worn them to dance class last week. Sweaty knees are nawt hawt.

Happy Friday, wearists!

Jacket: Urban Outfitters (old, similar)

Sweater: H&M (current)

Striped top: Urban Outfitters (old, similar)

Leggings: Forever 21 (similar here, love these too)

Flats: Urban Outfitters

Sunglasses: No name (similar)

Wearing: Denim x denim

Look away if you hate Canadian tuxedos because I present to you this triple-layer denim ensemble. So technically the shirt is chambray, whatever that means, but nonetheless I was a jean blob this past weekend. In addition to the chambrizzle, I'm wearing a giant thrifted vest (remember: bigger is better for a denim vest) and my trusted Levi's. I dusted off my mom's old Louis bag too because something needed to be classic about this look.

Vest: Lee (similar)

Shirt: Forever 21 (similar)

Jeans: Levi's

Flats: Ted Baker (similar)

Sunglasses: Karen Walker

Bag: Louis Vuitton (love this bowler bag)

An essay

"Essay" doesn't even do it justice. I'd call this a piece. A piece crafted by my gifted writer of a sister Chloe (I've posted her style before so you've at met her virtually), who wrote this for a college application. It's an inspiring way to view fashion and explains why it truly is the most exciting, accessible and creative platform.

ESSAY #2: In an essay of 300 words or less, tell us something about yourself that isn't covered elsewhere in this application, some interest or experience of yours that you think the University of Illinois should know about as part of the admissions review. 

I am a champion thrifter. I love eccentric jewelry, a stranger’s platform shoes, unisex sweaters, and baggy jeans that I can cut into shorts. I love enormous second-hand coats and someone’s grandmother’s hand-knit scarves. I have found vintage Coach purses that are worth $300 and bought them for nine dollars. On a meager babysitter’s salary, I can burn 15 dollars on 14 items in 13 minutes.

But what I love about fashion isn’t only the infinite possibility, or even the immortality of it. I don’t only love it because I can put any shirt with any skirt and call it “chic,” or even that high-waisted jeans are back-- again. I love that fashion is breathable. It is dynamic and it is fleeting. My love for fashion can be paralleled with my love of modern culture; they grow together, flourish together. Culture changes with the passing seconds, opinions alter by the hour. We are forever trying to keep up, and that excites me.

While I’m an avid follower of my older sister’s street-style blog The Wearist and I scrapbook my favorites from my monthly issue of Vogue, I am not just keeping up-- I am a creator. Fashion icon Coco Chanel once said: “Elegance is not the prerogative of those who have just escaped from adolescence, but of those who have already taken possession of their future.” This elegance she speaks of is timeless, but at the same time, emphasizes an urgency. Instead of watching the future rush at us, we must attack it-- or take “possession” of it. It is this that motivates me, my ability to create my own unique culture. I have taken vintage shoes and worn them with colored socks. I have layered old button-downs with men’s sweaters. I have found used jeans and dip-dyed them with bleach. So although my clothes are inexpensive and old (I only babysit), I have redefined them and made them priceless and new. I, Chloe Bayhack, am a creator. 

Wearing: Metallic envelope

With dark colors at every turn, I thought I'd brighten my look with a statement clutch. From H&M's prized clearance rack, the clean lines and sleek texture says anything but clearance. And hey! A black and blue ensemble! This fashion no-no (of mixing blue and black) is a yes-yes in my book; it looks fancy and chic without being too complicated. Hair tucked in turtleneck: also a yes-yes.

Sweater: Urban Outfitters (clearance, love this)

Black jeans: Cheap Monday

Booties: Lucky Brand

Clutch: H&M (similar)

Lipstick: Dark Side by M.A.C.

Wearing: Leather skinnies

If you haven't already, it's time to invest in some black leather skinnies. They are perfect for colder weather and edge up an outfit in no time. Now watch out - real leather pants are super pricey. But don't worry kids, The Wearist to the rescue! I've spotted some cheaper options; these I got at H&M last year and are faux leather but are incredible in quality. I was at H&M last weekend (duh) and saw they have really nice inexpensive pairs between 40 and 50 dollars. Tempted to get a burgundy pair.

Here's that necklace I was pining for, even blogged about it, and I'm still not sure why I like it. A little girly-girl for me but I'm drawn to it. Can't explain. Women.

Leather pants: H&M (love these too)

Top: Urban Outfitters (old, similar here)

Flats: Ted Baker (love these)

Necklace: Forever 21

Strap club

Welcome to Shoesday, where I celebrate all things strappy. I know, it's totally not summer anymore. I'll talk about cold-weather shoes later.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7

Wearing: Camo

If we keep this camouflage trend up we'll end up disappearing into each other, all invisible to the naked eye. I mean seriously, camo has infested belts, bags, shoes, pants, sweatshirts, coats. Even manicures.

So 'invisible to the naked eye' might be overboard. I do love the trend though, so let's just go with it. I bought these pants secondhand and had no idea the look would blow up (there's a pun somewhere there I'm sure). A chic neutral that just blends with everything (duh), camo is more interesting than your average pair of jeans or chinos. Also, get used to this top because I'm not even ashamed to say that I wear it every week. Hell, I've worn it twice in a week. Fashion faux pas, also laundry faux pas.

Then there's the coat, which I bought in the same season as previously posted blazer and I seriously can't imagine life without it. Okay, I can't imagine life without a lot of things but I'm serious on this one. A conversation starter wherever it goes, the muted lavender color and gunmetal studs never fails an outfit. See more on fall coats here.

Coat: H&M

Top: Forever 21

Pants: Gap via Thrift (similar)

Booties: Bakers

Sunglasses: No name (similar)

Wearing: Ladylikeness

Well look-y here. Don't I look like a lady.

This is one of my favorite skirts because it goes so many directions (I've worn it with a camo t-shirt!) and even though it's busy, it oddly goes with everything. The full shape just won't quit and paired with these shoes, I figured a slouchy sweater would even out the look.

The shoes. Hello, lovers. They're a classic pair for under 50 dollars (hell to the yes) and I may or may not have them in two colors. Hey, this pointy toe thing is back for a vengeance.

Sweater: Forever 21

Skirt: Michael Kors (similar options here and here)

Heels: Zara