must have: denim jacket

detail: buttons

detail: another button

Today I'm featuring one of my style staples: the denim jacket.  A denim jacket screams classic Americana, and depending on the kind you get (fit, details, wash), you can really change up your look from edgy to preppy to urban to anywhere in between.  Denim jackets are perfect for that in-between summer and fall kinda weather, where it's starting to cool down, but not a full on chill, as well as during the spring time where there may be light breezes.

Denim jackets were pretty stylish for men and women during the early 2000s.  During this time, they were often paired with jean bottoms in the same wash.  I was in junior high at the time and I seriously wanted one!  This trend lasted a few years, and by mid-2000s, I'd say it was fading, though I still wanted one! Recently, the denim jacket has come back, and I couldn't be more happy.  It's paired with a lot more items than just jean bottoms. As jean jackets were popping up in more stores, I was able to snag one from American Eagle, though you could probably find one for cheap at a Goodwill or so, and in that case, get a second! 

Though I've worn my jacket with pant bottoms (and shorts as in the picture), my favorite way to style the denim jacket is over a dress or skirt ensemble. Pairing it over a more delicate and feminine outfit adds a nice touch of edginess to it and really toughens it up, also giving balance to an otherwise cutsey outfit.  The denim jacket will pair nicely with all kinds of lengths and fits ranging from short to long, loose to tight. Adding a denim jacket over a body-con dress or skirt is a great way to turn a night-time outfit into a casual, day-time appropriate outfit.

A denim jacket is also the perfect article of clothing to personalize and really make your own.  I like to add some personality to mine by adding pins.  Other options include studding, distressing, bleaching ... the possibilities are endless!

Which of the following looks are your favorite?  How would you style a denim jacket?  Let me know in the comments below!

detalles:
**denim jacket -- american eagle**

outfit #1
top -- express
salt 'n pepper shorts -- express

outfit #2
navy dress -- urban outfitters
skinny belt -- from a dress a own ...

outfit #3
purple bodycon dress -- windsor

outfit #4
printed brown dress -- gap (a $4 steal!)
black cuff booties -- steve madden

buttons
I scored the "bad news" and "make" buttons at a conference.  The other button shows a picture of book spines.  This was made with a button maker on campus.

guess that's why they call it the blues

ethiopian food.

trinkets.

oodles of vintage goodies ...

"Hey Macklemore!  Can we go thrift shopping?!?"

outfit

treasure trunks.

Recently I met up with a couple of friends for a little LA adventure.  This brief daytrip took us to Little Ethiopia, on Fairfax, close to LACMA and Miracle Mile.  We dined on Ethiopian food from Buna Marketplace, a quaint little food place and shop.  This was my first time to eat Ethiopian food, and I must say, it was rather interesting -- quite the experience.  After, we strolled through the area to check out a few of the vintage shops.  Though none of us scored any purchases, it was definitely fun.

Outfit: I decided to go with this navy blue floral dress for a day out in the city.  I purchased the dress at a little boutique in Westwood and have been in love with it ever since.  I love the simple and clean lines of this short and flirty A-line dress.  It has a high-cut crew neck, which I feel is very flattering, yet hard to come by these days.  This higher cut neckline paired with the slim, elbow length sleeves (forgot to take a photo with the jacket off!) lend to a more conservative and modest dress, however the higher hem line make it still young and fun.  I also love how versatile this dress is: it can easily be taken from day to night by changing the outerwear, shoes, and accessories.  Scrap the denim jacket, swap the loafers for some heels, add a shiny necklace and some dangling earrings, and voila!  You've got yourself a night-time ready look in no time.

detalles:

navy and tan floral dress -- sweet rain

denim jacket -- american eagle

loafers -- SAS shoes

purple crossbody bag -- kipling

brown sunnies -- ANDM showroom

kaleidoscope

waiting at the expo line.

USC campus for the LA Times Festival of books.

sunnies.

street art. "forgive someone" by morley.

mondrian-like wall.

weekend read.

Decided to check out the LA Times' Festival of Books on 4.20.  I still remember when it was at UCLA, it was a little disorienting at USC, I'm just not used to the campus, though it was quite lovely (I root for the blue & gold though!).  Also checked out Record Store Day, no pictures from that, and no purchases either, the store my friend and I went to was quite nice though.

detalles:

zig zag dress -- francesca's

denim jacket -- american eagle

geometric necklace -- forever 21

pink clog boots -- gap kids

pink sunnies -- anthropologie