What I've Been Wearing on Repeat This Spring
Some easy, breezy, rewearable spring outfit ideas.
For School Runs…
Wearing: A Girlfriend Collective unitard, similar here. (I like the new one better, actually. It’s got more of a scoop back.) A midi denim skirt. Old but love this similar one from Levi’s here. A short-sleeved cardi (old) but this Rag & Bone one is similar and has that same rare waist definition but is pricey. I also like this one on sale at Maje. A vintage 2002 Louis Vuitton looping hobo bag, same one here or even cheaper here. And Adidas Sambas.
After a busy weekend, I stayed home last Monday to catch up on chores, emails, etc. but did manage to squeeze in my favorite New York City Ballet workout that I’ve literally been doing for decades and which is now available online, luckily! (Aging myself but I own the DVD, though no longer a DVD player.) After my home workout, I threw a thrifted denim skirt and a very old, very beloved* cardigan over my unitard, and then my current favorite (and maybe comfiest? kicks). I posted the quick mirror selfie above, and I was shocked by how many comments I received!
After that, I purposely wore this thrown-together outfit several more times in the last two weeks, and it’s made me think maybe it’s good to throw things together? Simple and not as studied looks more appealing? *Side note but investing in basics really does pay off. This short-sleeved cardigan was a splurge when I bought it back in 2006, and I’ve worn it COUNTLESS times since and it’s still in perfect shape. I can no longer read the tag, sadly, so I’m not sure where I bought it, but I can share the lesson!
For eating al fresco…
Wearing: Skirt by Sézane, sold out in this color but similar available here or here secondhand or here at Sézane in another color. Tie-back top (sold out) but similar available here or here or here. Vintage Chanel ballet flats, similar here or new dupes here. Secondhand Polène tote available for pre-order here.
It’s finally that time of year where dining outside is a wonderful way to spend a warm afternoon or a not too cool evening… so long as you’re not an allergy sufferer. I usually am, but so far this year I’ve been okay! I don’t know if it’s because I’ve gotten in the habit of putting local honey in my morning coffee, which I honestly didn’t do it for its curative powers but only because I’m now addicted, or it might just be a less vicious pollen season in Philly this year compared to last? At any rate, my first investment purchase this year was this two-piece set by Sézane that makes me want to stroll an Italian flea market and then have Prosecco by a fountain. The skirt, like all Sézane tailoring, really snatches the waist, and the cream is such a versatile color for spring outfits. The back of the top is open, actually, which will be even more of a plus as temps continue to warm up. This set sold out instantly, because shopping at Sézane has turned into a scary contact sport but I linked other colors/ similar options!
For running errands…
Wearing: Ganni top, available here (true to size, I took a 38 or US size 6) or a similar dupe here or secondhand here for only $24. Mother straight-leg denim here but they look too much like skinny jeans on my curvy hips, I fear? I still like them as they’re very comfy and the wash pairs perfectly with everything. Mary Janes (old) but similar EVERYWHERE. Vintage red flap Chanel bag, similar here.
I spotted this similar outfit on one of my favorite Parisian style accounts on Instagram and fell in love with the double trend pairing of red and leopard print. When I searched it, I happened to spot her exact Ganni top on sale. However, if you don’t find this trending top on sale/ secondhand, I wouldn’t bother. It’s not the greatest material really. However, I love its clever construction. The tie opening in front is adorable and has given me the idea to sew ties on a couple of my blouses that I still love but that won’t quite close over my current chest situation. (I stopped running after a few injuries and can’t believe how my chest expanded. This happened wayyyy after two childbirths, mind you. I actually started running again with the hopes of a natural breast reduction. So far not much luck but I’m still not running as often as I used to.)
Anyway, this is a very easy outfit to throw on and go and still feel cute and trendy. Something else I love about this look is that when red or leopard is less trendy again, I’ll still love these classic pieces but will probably style them separately. This vintage red Chanel bag was my first designer bag purchase seven years ago! I luckily bought both my classic flap bags (see below) before they became insanely expensive, actually.
For an evening out…
Wearing: an NBD dress, sold out in all but small here or similar here or here. With a Parfait bustier (gift) available here and vintage Chanel heels and a vintage Chanel bag. Similar here and here. I also paired this with a vintage knit shawl but it was hard enough for me to walk down these steps without tripping as it was lol, so my husband held on to the shawl for the first photo. This screen shot came out blurry but I’ll share, so you can get the idea…
As I mentioned above, my bust really expanded after I stopped regularly running. My mother once glanced at me YEARS after I gave birth to my son and remarked, “Aren’t those supposed to go down after childbirth?” Gosh, thanks, Mom, haha, don’t hold back!
Well, they did go down after childbirth but I think that experience gave them ideas, because then they shot back up after some injuries changed my running habits to once a week or less. I’ve actually started running again for the sole reason of trying to naturally reduce my chest. To anyone who’s ever felt jealous of large chests, I can report anything over a D cup is incredibly uncomfortable, sometimes downright painful, and fits into nothing— as one of my friend’s who’s a female designer explained to me, very few designers put enough material on the tops of dresses for women with D cups or larger.
One wonderful exception is the House of CB. I really should invest in another of their dresses. They offer the option of purchasing a dress based on both dress size and cup size and I don’t know why more designers haven’t followed suit. I found one of their milkmaid dresses secondhand, and I love it. Anyway, as usual, I was getting ready to go out with no time to get ready in between settling in the babysitter and trying to tame my hair, and as usual my husband zipped up the dress only to have the top not really fit. It was way too revealing in this case. Luckily, with minutes to spare, I grabbed a bustier in the same color and figured I’d try to slap it over the dress, and it worked! No one was the wiser! I love the dress’s full skirt and the fitted waist, so I’ve decided to keep it and if my breasts do reduce in size, maybe I’ll be able to wear the dress without the bustier again at some point.
For a casual work meeting…
Wearing: a Doên blouse sold-out here but same here. (It runs short and small. Size up!) Mother flares available here, size down. Vintage silver Prada kitten heels, similar here or dupes here.
I wore this look to shoot my Earth Day vlog, actually, but I’m going to wear it many times more. I wasn’t sure about this top not being tuckable when I first purchased it, but I love the floatiness of it, actually. It’s a pretty but also comfy look and the vintage shoes peeking out help it look more polished.
For a less casual work meeting:
Wearing: A secondhand Sézane Betty jacket (new here) with a matching Sézane skirt, available secondhand here. Secondhand Tory Burch otk boots from Vestiaire, similar here. And an Alo workout top that I love, similar here.
This outfit was my awakening to the fact that I own no gray tops. I’ve since fixed that problem, and I’ll have to rewear this look and repost it with an actual gray top but this purplish gray Alo version was a close enough match, I think? I also want to try wearing this set with cream for spring. It is a set, but I found the jacket secondhand. I also advise sizing up in both this top and skirt. I’m wearing a large in both.
Other than that, I’ve still been in sweatpants way too often this spring, sigh. It’s really easy to fall into that rut when you work from home. I actually spent some time organizing my closet last night, and I know that always helps remind me of forgotten pieces or looks I’d love to wear as does sharing a post like this one where I really focus on what I have and how much I love the pieces in my closet.
What’s been on repeat in your closet? Any pieces on your wishlist for spring or summer?
As always, let me know if I can help you source anything secondhand! Imagine I’m saying this in a Liam Neeson voice, but finding ANYTHING secondhand is my particular skillset.
Until next week!
I love all these looks❤️❤️❤️❤️