Style in the Wild

This look is a great example of how pieces that don’t go together in an obvious way come together perfectly. From newest to oldest, I shopped my closet for everything. Despite it being a spontaneous splurge, my bag is truly a beloved collectible at this point. In fact, I just packed it for our recent trip to the UK and got so many positive comments about it. I also packed this jacket, dress, belt and sneakers, too. And they all helped bring a versatile style spark to my limited travel wardrobe.

When planning this shoot, I really wanted to bring together pieces that could stand on their own, be dressed up or down, and stand the test of timeless style. I loved how this look pulled it off. Little did I know I was about to put it to another test.

We were set to spend 9 days in the UK, but our trip would encompass a wide range of activities and “dress codes.” This of course brought out the overpacker in me. In the end I did need almost everything I stuffed into my suitcase (and my husband’s!), but all five of these pieces fast became my favorites.

Let’s start with this vintage camo jacket elevated with a Chanel scarf inset. I’m not sure how Coco would feel about this hybrid fashion design, but I love it. As far as I’m concerned, camo is a bona fide classic pattern, along with plaid, tweed, checks and stripes. I wore this jacket at least half a dozen times. Its oversized fit made it perfect for layering over a sweater on those “typical” English days and nights. And I loved that it had four pockets. My jacket is one-of-a-kind, but I promise you’ll love the current options linked below.

I’ve never met an animal print I didn’t love, and this elegant, flowy, zebra-print midi dress was too perfect to resist. It comes with its own self belt, but for this look and on my trip I paired it with my black leather double G belt. I should add that I also took this dress on our recent road trip to Florida and wore it twice — just changing up my shoe, belt and bag choices. (Travel tip: if you roll a silk dress up in a dry cleaning bag before you pack it, it’s amazingly wrinkle resistant.)

I do believe details make the difference. And this bag and these sneakers upped my accessory ante. For this look, and again, when traveling. Day and night. I felt put together and happy every time I added either one of them to my outfit. I’m pretty sure most of us feel OK about splurging on a special handbag, but sneakers? As I’ve written before, I typically add one pair of high end/designer sneakers to my wardrobe every year or so. They’re comfy, chic and the epitome of modern casual dressing.

What’s your most wanted wardrobe add-on? I’d love to know.

Jacket: (One-of-a-kind vintage) Love this, this and this.

Dress: (Banana Republic, also in gold, on sale. I sized up to a Tall for extra length.)

Double G Belt: (Gucci)

Bag: (old, Tory Burch) Love this bag from Brandon Blackwood, a black-owned American fashion design collection of bags and accessories. His bags may not say something, but they are doing something.

Sneakers: (Saint Laurent) Other great designer options here and here.

Photos by Kristin Moore-Gantz @artdirectthis.

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4 thoughts on “Style in the Wild

    1. Thanks, Melissa! And Pride Month is a perfect time to show off my bag as often as possible.

  1. Love the zebra with the designer sneaks! What’s my most wanted wardrobe add-on? Why a handsome husband, of course😉!

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