So... I've gone to the dark side. It's just so easy to snap a few photos of my outfit with my phone versus having to get out my camera!

(Cardigan - J.Crew, Tank Top - Nordstrom Rack, Pants - Ann Taylor, Flats - Filene's Basement, Watch - La Mer via Bloomingdales, Earrings - Bloomingdales)

This was my attempt at pattern mixing. And also my attempt to be as comfortable as possible at work. I call these my "ninja shoes." They've got some type of felt on the bottom that makes them freakishly quiet when I do my speed walk at work.

The cardigan is a size larger than I normally wear. I wonder if it isn't as flattering as a result, or if it's more that it also seems shorter? It was also a third-hand-me-down. The cardigan was originally given to my mom, but since it was delivered through me, I asked/begged for it.

I wore my typical black pants, and cuffed them inside to make them shorter for flats. The tank has lace edge at the top, which you cant really see, but I like to think added some texture. I also added my oversized black watch and some new earrings. The earrings were free when I bought a gift. They're delightfully big and sparkly!

I only wish I'd taken a shot of my second outfit that day. I came home late to a broken dishwasher and perpetually hungry cats. An old friend texted that he was hungry and wondered if I wanted to grab dinner. I looked down at my "repair-woman" outfit of gym shorts and a sweatshirt, and looked over at the sink full of dishes I would have to hand wash. And texted, "I can be there in 5."

My second outfit was fun in a different way! I wore a giant black sweater, my slim bootcut jeans, and black flats. The black sweater used to be one of my favorites, but I left it at my house months ago and forgot about it.

I forgot how much hassle an oversized, drapey sweater can be! It was constantly falling off of me, either to one side or to the front. I kept rearranging it throughout dinner but I looked in the mirror when I came home and I think the way I rearranged it showed my bra and tank top strap. Oh well! Someone once commented that I could never look like a hooker. At the time, I was insulted, but now I find it more comforting!

And that was my Tuesday!

I'm going to try something new tomorrow for dinner and drinks with The Angsty Roomate. Hopefully it works as well as it (almost) does in my head!

The Cute Librarian

Sweater - Banana Republic, Tank - BP via Nordstrom, Skirt - Halogen via Nordstrom Rack, Boots - Steve Madden via Endless, Tights - Spanx via Nordstrom Rack, Necklace - Ann Taylor Loft Outlet (That's code for SUPER CHEAP), Earrings - Betsey Johnson via Nordstrom Rack

When I came into work this morning the first thing out of my coworkers mouth was "You look like a cute little librarian!" I'm still not sure how I feel about that. I know she sincerely meant it as a compliment, and I took it as such, but I can't help but worry that sometimes my outfits are a bit too... precious?

Either way, this outfit was a result of me feeling like I was wearing too many dark colors. I cant upload the photos right now, but earlier in the week, I had worn an outfit entirely of black, with a dark maroon sweater.

I quite liked this outfit in the end. I think the skirt really made it fun. Maybe next time I could try my aqua and silver earrings to make it a bit more complex? I should have taken a photo of the jacket as well, it's my new favorite despite being a bit snug. I got it off Ebay for cheap!

Also, yes, I'm doing the super lame "Take pictures with my iPhone" thing. But in my defense, my camera memory is full, and my computer is almost full. And it's sooooo easy!

Note the eyebrows as well, I'm trying to use more brow powder. My eyebrows are naturally very light, and I may or may not have hacked at them the other day. I'm under strict orders to not pluck anymore until they grow back...

Not Quite Louboutins

Not Quite Louboutins by Angsty Roommate featuring butterfly stud earrings

A couple posts ago The Chatty Roommate mentioned she had a pair of white and black spotted flats that she wasn't quite sure how to wear. This is my take on an outfit for those shoes, and yes, I know they weren't Louboutins, but hey, us girls can dream, right?

With shoes as patterned as the ones she has, I find it easier to stick with a mostly black and white palette and add a pop of color. In this case, red. I love, love, love the color blocked skirt, and well, color blocking in general, and added the earrings to match. It's just enough color to add some interest on a relatively basic outfit.

Typical Work Outfit

(Sweater - Ann Taylor Loft, Tank - BP via Nordstrom, Pants - Ann Taylor, Shoes - Franco Sarto via Nordstrom)

This is a pretty typical work outfit, as the title implies. I lost these pants for a little while in the apartment move, and it was really nice to find them again. I bought them for $20 on sale. It's why I fully advocate pulling everything in your size in a sale rack, and also going to see sales in-store. My only issue is that I can't find them for that cheap again!

I don't really have a whole lot to say. I really like these pants though. I think they're really flattering. Although that could also be that they're too long, so I have to wear heels with them. Either way, I think they make my legs look a lot longer.

Unfortunately, these heels also acted as a chew toy to one of the foster cats. They've taken quite a beating.

(Watch - La Mer via Bloomingdales, Earrings - Maybe J.Crew)

The jewelry was pretty minimal. I woke up on time for once! It motivated me to simplify and get ready faster.

I realize this is pretty banal, but I wanted to show a typical outfit. It's nothing exciting, but it's pretty easy to throw on in the morning.

Mad Monarchs

(Cardigan - Banana Republic, Tank Top - Aqua via Bloomingdales, Jeans - J.Crew, Necklace - 1928 Jewelry, Shoes - Sam Edelman via DSW, Earrings - Kate Spade)

The weird posing is because I was actually on the phone during the pictures. I would have waited to finish, but I really wanted to change into pjs as quickly as possible.

I feel like this outfit is less than a sum of its parts. I blame the jeans. Taking these pictures has really emphasized how badly I need to replace them. They don't really look so bad from the front, but DAMN. From the back, I think its obvious they're too big.

I took inspiration from Kate Middleton for this one. If a royal princess can tuck a shirt in and not look frumpy, it can't be that hard, right? Right... She also manages not to look like she's lost from the 90's. My stomach is also where I hold a lot of my weight and I was concerned that it would only draw attention to this.

I think it turned out pretty good though. Otherwise, it's a pretty basic outfit. It was a practice outfit for drinks that I ended up not using. If I replace the jeans though, I think it works. I was going for casual-yet-refined. Also, work appropriate.

I also happen to love the pen necklace. I bought it on impulse, mostly because of Joan from Mad Men, but also because, it's so useful! I'm always forgetting to carry a pen. Amusingly enough, it's also gotten comments from guys. Probably because it's weird, but I like to think it's more quirky.

This is the whole outfit, shoes and all.

Summertime Clothes

Remember when I said I had trouble dressing for summer? It's mostly because I own so much black clothing that it becomes a routine to throw on something black and walk out the door. I've been trying to be better about that though, and this was the result.


Tank top - Hollister
Skirt - JCrew
Cardigan - Nordstrom BP
Shoes - Marshalls

It doesn't deviate a whole lot from my normal work wardrobe, but it's got color and absolutely no black. I'm also completely in love with this skirt. It's pink and girly with a scalloped hem. Luv U JCrew.



I'm definitely severely lacking in the accessories department - I didn't even have time to put on a pair of earrings this morning and I feel like a thin chain necklace or some bangles would have been a nice touch.

I'm always on the lookout for summer work appropriate skirts not in black, and I think this one does just the trick. Now to search for more...

Just Another Manic Monday

My new shoes. I woke up late (again) and since I had been jones-ing to wear them since purchasing them at Marshall's over the weekend, I essentially built an outfit to justify wearing them.

(Hanging Open)

(Closed. Its blurry, but this is typically how I pull it throughout the day)

(A side shot, including the shoes. I know - its a mirror shot. But! Its the only way I know to include my shoes. And as a bonus it shows my hair and the earrings.)

These are my normal work jeans. They're J.Crew "matchstick" jeans from years ago. I cuff them on the inside since they're not petite. Come to think of it, with the exception of the earrings, from Anthropologie, the entire outfit is actually J.Crew. I like to think the coral of the shirt matches the orange of the earrings. Or at the least, doesn't clash.

I do think, however, the sweater can look a bit shapeless. I usually try to belt it, however, nothing was going right this morning. And so I went sans belt.

After I came home, I tried two belts for the next time I'm getting ready in a hurry.

The Brown Belt (J.Crew)...

(Front Shot)

(Side Shot)

And the Coral Belt (J.Crew)...

(Front shot)

(Side Shot)

I really like the brown belt. I don't think you can really see it in the pictures, but the coral doesn't really give a waist. I think it works best with pieces that have waists already. The brown belt is better at giving a solid waistline.

The Good. I like the general outfit. I love the color combination. It's comfortable, and it's easy.

The Bad. I've already talked about it but I think the sweater can sometimes look a bit shapeless.

The Ugly.

(Klassy, right?)

My butt does not look as good in these jeans. It's why I really like the AG Jeans. To be entirely awkward, I think they make my butt actually look nice. These J.Crew jeans have very little stretch, which I think makes them sag sooner.

Anyway, thats my rumination on today. I'm putting new jeans as my first shopping priority. Even above a new pencil skirt!

Prep School

I don't have an outfit shot today, unfortunately, because it decided to pour from the heavens when I left work and drenched clothes look good on no one, but I put together a Polyvore set that I think does a pretty good job of showcasing my general aesthetic. Yes, I realize everything in it is probably unaffordable for a large majority of people, but it's pretty easy to recreate at an affordable price.

I love the vintage Celine blazer with its navy and white striped lining and the Louboutin oxfords are dreamy, yet practical to wear when doing a lot of walking. As a caveat I should add that I went to a very large public university where walking from one end of campus to the other literally took 20-30 min so I'm a huge proponent of comfortable shoes. I love heels as much as the next girl, but I'd rather wear flats any day. I'm notoriously bad at accessorizing, but I think the gold and blue hues in the scarf, earrings and ring pull it all together without being too matchy.

Prep School by Angsty Roommate featuring printed silk scarves

The Outfit That Inspired It All

Cardigan - Banana Republic

Shirt - J.Crew Outlet

Pants - AG Jeans

Shoes - Rocket Dog

This is the outfit that inspired the whole "we NEED a blog." There's nothing really wrong with this outfit. But there's nothing really right. I need to ruminate on this, but my immediate thoughts are that the green shirt should be a bit more fitted. I bought it awhile ago when I was a bit bigger, and I think it shows.

I'm also still ambivalent about the shoes. They're cute, but I don't think they're fashionable, or even classic. I also don't think they do anything for the leg line.

Anyway, this is my quick outfit post. They may or may not be more detailed in the future. This one I wanted to crank out to see the process, and I have plans tonight. That I'll probably be late for. Oh well!

PS - Here are the earrings. I'm also wearing a necklace but I didn't grab a picture of it.

About The Angsty Roommate

I'm The Angsty (Long Distance) Roommate and with The Chatty Roommate share a love for all things fashion.

I'm a recent college graduate with my sights set on law school in the wonderful District of Columbia but for now am just taking things as they come. I enjoy rock climbing and generally being outdoors, cooking when the mood strikes, and angsty music. I guess I never quite grew out of 15.

In the fashion realm, I take a lot of inspiration from menswear, but I'm a huge sucker for girly dresses because I can never find pants that fit (I have a horrible genetic disease called "short legs"). I like leather goods, slightly ugly shoes, and minimal accessories.

Like for The Chatty Roommate, this blog will serve as a place for me to evaluate my style and see what new outfit combinations can result from another pair of critical eyes. I'm trying to add more color and patterns to my wardrobe along with good quality, basic pieces to last.

My biggest fashion weakness is never knowing how to dress for the summer! I own cardigan after cardigan, but never enough work appropriate tops for hot and humid D.C.

About The Chatty Roommate

On the off chance someone sees this that is not in our immediate circle, I thought I'd do a quick "About Us" type thing for each of us.

I'm a young twenty-something masters student, with a full time job working for a government agency. I live in D.C. with my actual roommate and our cats. My cat's name is Nelly and she is ADORABLE. I was previously a foster parent for a local organization, and she was one of my fosters. I'll probably post pictures of her as well. She's much cuter than me!

I see this blog as an opportunity to continue to evaluate my own style and to get feedback. If somethings not quite right? Say it! I'm certainly not perfect. As a recovering perpetual navy/black dresser, I'm trying to brighten my wardrobe. I'm toying with patterns but typically wear solids.

My favorite fashion trick is to see how much accessories can change an outfit. My least favorite is that being short, things can go a bit wonky unless they're cut right.

My biggest weakness in the winter is wearing the same boots everyday. But they're so comfy! I'm also trying to figure out how to better incorporate my yoga pants (yes! you read that right!) into relatively decent casual outfits. In short, I'm trying to go for a range of looks, rather than simply one look that can fit in multiple places.

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This is my first angst filled post...

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