A couple years back I quit work, for good. I gave away and sold all of my suits, dress pants, silk tops, and only kept a few of my favorites I had collected over the many many years I worked there. I wasn't sad to see them go, in fact it was quite liberating, but now I kinda wish I had some of them back, cause I'm back there again, back in retail, back at the BR.
With a full time job comes a dramatic loss of any free time. The little I have now is spent playing with Luke, not designing and sewing clothes, although I still have plans to use up the $50 of fabric I just picked up at Joann's. I am enjoying putting outfits together again however. I feel more excited about getting dressed now that more than just the moms at the nearby park will see me.
These are some of my workwear outfits that sadly cannot include denim.
Top: Old Navy, current
Skirt: Banana Republic, 2 years old
Shoes: Frye, almost 1 year old
Top: APC madras, current
Pants: Banana Republic, 3 years old, I had to steal them back from my mom.
Shoes: K Jacques, current
Sweater: Old Navy, current
Skirt: somewhere on ebay, 2 years old
Shoes: Banana Republic, 1 year old
Top: Gap, current
Pants: Gap, current
Sandals: Old Navy, current
Incidentally, it is a good thing I work for Gap Inc. I have pretty much only shopped within their three brands for the last 16 years. Before I quit I used to dream about the day when I didn't have to wear their clothes anymore, but even during my 2 year hiatus, I almost exclusively shopped either at Gap or Old Navy. I love the simplicity of their clothes, the straight lines,how I know my size without ever having to try anything on, and mostly the prices, you really can't beat the prices.
when i'm feeling thin and not like i have 'baby fat', nothing beats the BR.
and that top old navy shirt is the best thing ever. as a mom, it's sometimes nice to have a reason to dress up.
Posted by: pam | August 06, 2008 at 07:23 AM
Cute outfits! You should start a personal shopping buiness! I have a client who has a lady shop for her and put outfits together! I am positive there is a market for that here. You would be perfect for it!
Posted by: Marti Dumas | August 06, 2008 at 09:14 AM
your style is impeccable, alysha. no matter how old it is.
i'm impressed you could go back to retail, because it is certainly not an easy profession. i didn't do clothing, but books. customers and employees can sure burn you out.
Posted by: amanda | August 06, 2008 at 10:17 AM
your style is impeccable, alysha. no matter how old it is.
i'm impressed you could go back to retail, because it is certainly not an easy profession. i didn't do clothing, but books. customers and employees can sure burn you out.
Posted by: amanda | August 06, 2008 at 10:18 AM
My one complaint, is why must you cut off your head? It really only adds to your outfits as your head is something that is actually quite beautiful and I miss it when I don't get to see it. But all of these outfits, so jealous. You make putting together clothes and making them into outfits, look easy, which maybe for some it is, but it isn't for me. I really wish I had gone to Old Navy because I WANT that top in the first picture. Want want want. Though it looks so perfect on you it wouldn't be the same even if I got it. And pairing it with that slimming skirt and those shoes, oh my love. You look sexy (and again even sexier with your head not chopped off, cause I saw you with your head).
I love that APC shirt. It's just so very 'you.' Hah, I love that you stole back pants from mom. That's also very 'you.'
Man on man I NEEED that sweater from Old Navy. It's not even a want, it's a NEED. You are actually making me want to get ready for work. Well, almost.
I don't think I've seen the gap current top, but I like it. You really do have a talent and I always wish that you would just buy me things (I would of course reimburse you) because I almost always want whatever it is you have. But I wouldn't look nearly as sexy and beautiful as you because you are sexy and beautiful. Always.
I too am impressed that you've been able to ease back into working retail so smoothly, as I don't know if I could ever handle it again, and I didn't even progress pass the 'fitting room' (maybe that's why), but I'm glad that it gives you a reason to want to get dressed up. Lukey sure misses you (as he cries for you more often than not) as you miss him, but at least in the mean time you've got some new clothes on you that look good.
Posted by: tara | August 06, 2008 at 10:52 AM
ok sorry to comment again but i think if i had the money i'd employ you as a personal shopper.
Posted by: pam | August 06, 2008 at 11:46 AM
all very cute! my favorite is the vertical stripe sweater paired with the skirt and teal-ish flats. i am coveting those shoes!
Posted by: Erin | August 06, 2008 at 12:57 PM
now you know how i feel. working full time... and unable to sew as much as you'd like.
i used to enjoy getting dressed. but i've been working full time for the past 13 years, so i'm always a bit burned out by the selection in my closet. seems like even brand new things get old after a few weeks. glad you're having fun. maybe this will inspire me to rearrange my closet... and mix and match more (though i feel like i've matched every possible shirt with every possible skirt/pants available and i've accesorized each outfit to death!) on the positive side, i do have 2 skirts (wrap-arounds inspired by you) that i need to finish! maybe that's why i sew. because i've been getting dressed for work for so long, that i need something fun to wear to motivate me to go day after day! it makes me tired just thinking about it. 13 years of full time employment!?! yikes.
Posted by: Ellen | August 06, 2008 at 03:27 PM
I love the red striped sweater and the teal shoes outfit the BEST! I wish I had great legs so that I could wear cute skirts like that!
Posted by: Lindsey Z. | August 06, 2008 at 08:52 PM
you need to come help me with my wardrobe (or lack of) - you look so cute in each picture. wow.
Posted by: leigh | August 06, 2008 at 11:04 PM
very cute, and sad. no more stay at home mom :(
Posted by: eddiethegirl | August 07, 2008 at 01:41 PM
these are some really great outfits.
I don't really understand why you can't wear denim. I could see maybe no jeans, but a nice pair of denim trouser style pants or a nice denim skirt... why the heck not?
Posted by: Kelly H | August 21, 2008 at 09:06 PM
well. i just stopped by because i was sad i only got to see you for like 10 seconds in utah, and i was so stressed about the flight/etc. i couldn't even enjoy it, and now i'm obsessing about your clothes. all these outfits are so freaking cute. i'm envious of the maxi dress too... apparently i need to get my butt to target. usually i'm there like 3x per week, but my habits are greatly different when i'm at my parents house.
i need you to come visit me and tell me how to put cute outfit together. or just tell me what to buy!
Posted by: sara | August 23, 2008 at 07:42 PM
i love love love your outfits. wish you could send them over to me....
good luck at work!
Posted by: lyckoskatt | October 01, 2008 at 12:49 PM