Imitation Game: Rosie the Riveter

The first thing I thought of when I saw this navy herringbone jumpsuit from eShakti was Rosie the Riveter.

Jumpsuit:  eShakti

So, from the start, I knew that I wanted to have some fun with this jumpsuit and play fashionable ode to Rosie, and what better time to play The Imitation Game than Halloween?!

Heels:  Target

If you're not familiar with the iconic Rosie the Riveter photo, it was used as part of a propaganda campaign to encourage morale among workers.  

Women had been encouraged to replace men in the factories while they were enlisted during World War II.  While women's increased labor force participation was part of the impetus that led to the women's rights movements of the 60s & 70s, the image of Rosie was not originally intended as the feminist figure she has become.

Women were encouraged through propaganda that it was their patriotic duty to join the workforce and to help support the war effort, but once the war was over, women lost their jobs and were told it was their patriotic duty to return to the home and to give up their status in the paid labor force.

While the war greatly increased women's labor force participation, the figure of Rosie the Riveter also overshadowed the fact that many women had already been in the paid labor force.  Poor white women and many women of color had been working outside of the home already.  This fact tends to get ignored.  While some women began fighting to get out of the kitchens, many women were already in the labor force, working for much lower wages than men, some working as maids and nannies for the very women that Rosie represented.

As problematic as she may be, the figure of Rosie is still important.  While she certainly didn't start out as a feminist icon, many feminists have taken this iconic image of the past and have separated it from its original meaning to create an empowering figure.

The labor force participation of "Rosie" and other women helped lead to greater economic and social independence of women.  It also became part of the impetus for the women's rights movements which helped improve the status of all women.

Now that you know the history, let me talk about my outfit a bit.  While not practical for real factory work, I went with red peep-toe heels to add a fashion touch to my look.  I actually wore this very look (including scarf) over the summer while running some pre-wedding errands.  So even though it is a little costumey by modern standards, it still makes for a fun look.

For my costume, I also added a button to my collar.  I didn't get a good pic of it as the light kept blurring the words, but I figured it fit today's theme.  The button features the Marie Shear quote, "Feminism is the radical notion that women are people."

Scarf:  Amazon.com

Yes, we can do it!  It's a good mantra for life, and ultimately, it's an empowering message.  Women aren't strong because we have muscles on our arms...we're strong because we do what needs to be done.  We take care of business at home and in the paid labor force.  Economic circumstances still impact a women's "choice" of whether to work or not.  It's important though that we respect these choices as there is no wrong or right choice.  It's also important that we continue to work for greater economic freedom for ALL women so that we can ALL do it no matter what "it" looks like!

Happy Halloween!!

Did you dress up?  Would love to see your pics!  Share on Instagram using hashtag #SCHalloween!

For the jumpsuit in another look, see here.

Wild Card Wednesday: Weekend Basics

I didn't get a chance to take pics of the outfit I had planned for tonight's post, so instead, I will just be doing a quick post of a recent comfy weekend look.

Jacket:  Eloquii

Last weekend, I had to run to a couple of stores to pick up Halloween costumes and candy for the kiddos.  I had been wearing my yoga pants around the house and decided that I wanted to stay comfortable while running my errands. 

Shirt:  Torrid

Pants:  NY&CO Petites (Available here)

Booties:  Sonoma life+style (Available at Kohl's here)

I paired the yoga pants with a chambray shirt and moto jacket and threw on booties with memory foam.  I was super comfortable but felt more put together than I would have with a t-shirt/sneakers combo.

Glasses:  Valentino

Each season, I usually have one or two outfits that become favorite weekend staples.  I like this simple look so much that it will definitely be one of my new fall weekend go-tos.

Do you have a go-to fall weekend look?

For the denim shirt in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.
For the jacket in other looks, see here, here, and here.

Manic Monday: Day to Night

It's Monday...which means back to work and back to those groggy mornings of trying to figure out what to wear.

Skirt:  Eloquii (Available here)

I don't have a lot of need for day to night fashion.  I usually go home to my kids and man right after work and peel off my clothes in favor of sweatpants.  I live an exciting life, I tell ya! ;-D

Honestly, I'm such a homebody, I wouldn't have it any other way, but on rare occasion, I may have an event or after work date for which a day-to-night option is favored.

 Tank:  Eloquii (Available here)

Tonight's look is perfect for transitioning from the work day to an evening function.  This look makes me feel sharp, sophisticated, and professional - all the things I want to feel at work.

Jacket:  Forever 21+

The peplum skirt is flattering, and I love the midi length.  The skirt is too long for me (as compared to the intended fit), but I like it. 

I had the skirt taken in to get a more pencil-y fit, and I plan to get it taken in a bit more to get the super sleek fit I'm wanting.  I may also have the peplum shortened a bit to be in better proportion to my frame.  

As it is now though, I still love it, and the cropped jacket has just the right fit to top the skirt.

Satchel:  Target

To transition this outfit to evening, I lowered the tank a bit and added a fun clutch.

Clutch:  Torrid

Boots:  New Look (Available here)

As professional as this outfit makes me feel, it also makes me feel really sexy, making it perfect for after work dinner or drinks with the hubby!

Glasses:  Valentino

I think when you're choosing an option for day to night, first and foremost, you need to feel great in what you're wearing.  It needs to be comfortable and non-fussy (you don't want to be fidgeting with your outfit all day AND night).

Necklace:  The Limited

Finishing off the look, I went with a couple of bold pieces of jewelry and booties.  A gold coil necklace and cuff works well for day but also transitions easily to night, and I'm always up for comfy booties any time, day or night (more on these new booties later).

Bracelet:  The Limited

Do you have much need for day-to-night work wear options?  How do you make the transition?

For the jacket in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. 

Imitation Game: Eloquii Fall 2015

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of Eloquii, especially for my work wardrobe.  It's so great to find trendy and unique clothes that are still work appropriate.

Jacket:  Eloquii (Available here)

Case in point - today's outfit was completely copied...err inspired...from a photo on Eloquii's web site.

Source, photo on left:  Eloquii

Carwash fringe was a big trend on fall 2015 runways, so it was really exciting to see Eloquii offering this trend up in a work-friendly pencil skirt.

Skirt:  Eloquii (Available here)

I saw this peplum jacket and thought it was really cute - peplums are really flattering, and I loved the green color.  I also realized it matched the green pencil skirt I had previously purchased (shown here and here), so I knew I would have options for what to wear with it.

Boots:  Fergalicious by Fergie

I realized recently (while trying to find shirts to wear with particular outfits) that I tend to veer towards buying bottoms and tons of jackets (I'm a little obsessed), but that I have a fairly limited selection of shirts. 

For some reason, most shirts and blouses just don't appeal to me even though I do have to wear something on the top half of my body! 

My recent weight gain also means that several of my tops don't fit quite like they once did.  Because of that, I have been looking for some new tops to fill the gaps in my wardrobe, and I really liked this black and white graphic printed top.

Sunglasses:  Calvin Klein

When I saw this entire look on Eloquii's web site, I fell in love with the cool effortless vibe and the color palette.  I knew I needed to rock the whole look! 

Top:  Eloquii (Available here)
Earrings:  Target

Clutch and cuff:  The Limited

Have you ever been inspired by an entire look on a store's website or in-store display?


For the skirt in other looks, see here.

Wild Card Wednesday: Artsy Print

Happy Wednesday! 

Dress:  eShakti (Sold out)

Today, I'm featuring a custom maxi dress from eShakti.  It was originally featured as a knee length dress, but I customized to a maxi length and did custom sizing to get the right proportions.

Jacket:  eShakti (no longer available)

I love artys, painterly type prints, and the colors in this dress are just sensational.  My favorite shade of green mixed with blush pink, navy, and black makes for the perfect fall maxi dress.

Earrings:  The Limited

Clutch:  The Limited

For today's look, I paired the dress with a cropped moto jacket in the same forest green color.  I wore this look to a recent baby shower and also to work because I was eager to wear the dress again.

Glasses:  Firmoo.com

Ring:  Purchased at local jewelry show

The satiny dress is a little formal on its own, but the wool moto jacket made it feel a little more casual.

Are you a fan of artsy prints?

For the jacket in other looks, see here, here, and here.