6.13.2009

Checkmates

When I had to stay that extra night in Phoenix, I had to go out an get another shirt to sleep in because whatever I brought with me was just too warm. Luckily, a local had given some shopping advice. I headed over to Chandler Fashion Center in Chandler, AZ to get that shirt and some dinner.

I could have just bought a cheap t-shirt, since I just needed something to sleep in, but I didn't want to buy something that I wasn't going to wear a lot once I got home. Luckily, the Gap had exactly what I needed and wanted. I found this lovely red-orange top on clearance for $11. The sleeves and gatherings on the shoulders are just amazing for something cheap. The color is so vibrant, and the fabric is soft and comfortable like a t-shirt. In the end, I only paid $1.07 for it, since I had a $10 certificate on me. Even the salesman found it incredulous.

I also got a pair of checkered tights from Nordstrom. It was something that I've been wanting since last week, when I saw a random stranger wearing it. I've never stopped someone to ask them where they got something, but I felt compelled to do so that time. The person was nice enough to tell me that she bought the tights from Nordstrom. Sure enough, that was where I found them. It also helped that Arizona's sales tax is lower than California's, which is going up and up due to the fiscal crisis.

Both pieces are rather dramatic, but I really wanted to wear them together. That's exactly what I did today, and indeed, they belong together. I also wore a light black coat with a Peter Pan collar for most of the day, since June Gloom has taken over the California skies and it feels like Autumn.

[Gap top, secondhand pencil skirt from clothing swap, Hue tights, Ciao Bella booties. Not shown: Alice Ritter for Nave coat.]



5 comments:

yulanda said...

Those tights are awesome! Good job on stopping the stranger to ask where she got them from.

Sales Rack Raider said...

Thanks! I am definitely glad to have asked.

Elaine said...

I have that shirt. Don't you just love it?!? It is sooo soft... I wish i could wear it more but people would know you wear it a lot because it's so bold. Help me style it! Give me some ideas!

Sales Rack Raider said...

Elaine--I definitely love it. It is so comfortable.

There is nothing wrong with wearing what you love a lot (you love it, right?) Given what I've seen of your style, I'm absolutely sure that you'll figure something out. =) There are plenty of ways to wear it. It looks great with a pencil skirt and also with jeans. If you want to tone it down, you can wear it under jackets, vests, cardigans, and scarves. You can even wear a sleeveless shift dress over it and let the dramatic sleeves peek out from the sides. Or you can pair it with something else that is bold and draw attention away from the top, and people would not even think of the top as being bold.

ambika said...

Oh love this. So elegant and pretty.