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Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Inspired by an Oprah makeover episode - Monday's outfit

I had this post already posted earlier, but I realized I skipped Sunday's outfit.  I didn't want my posts to be out of order, so I saved this one, took it down, and wrote another one for Monday's outfit.

In 2008 Oprah had an amazing makeover show.  Four suburban Chicago stay-at-home moms were featured on the show and they were made over by stylist Lloyd Boston.  They were the frumpiest ladies I've ever seen.  Sweatpants and light-wash jeans galore.  The first mom they made over had the most amazing outfit, and it was definitely one I could do.  Here she is before:


And here she is made over.   Sadly, this photo does not show the amazingly beautiful animal print sling-back flats she was wearing.  Shame on The Oprah Winfrey Show's photographer for cutting off her feet!

At this moment I was in somewhat of a frumpy stage.  It was this moment I swore I'd give up the frump too, right along with these ladies.  It was this moment I was truly inspired.  The next day I went to Oprah's website and found info on this episode so I could find the exact pieces from this particular makeover.  Each piece was from JC Penney.  I already had a good pair of boot-cut jeans so I did not need to look for those.  The red trench was sold out online, so I went to see if I could find it at the store.  No luck.  I found it in black and in sand, but neither of those would work since it was the red that I was so in love with.  I saw the animal print sling-backs and white leather handbag, but I didn't like the quality of either. At that point I figured it wouldn't be too difficult to find these pieces on my own but different brands.  And so I did, and this red trench is my most cherished piece in my wardrobe.

Here is my version.  Back in 2008 I did have a white handbag to wear with this, but it wasn't a good choice.  It wasn't real leather and the zipper was difficult to deal with.  I recently gave it to a friend.  I have not yet replaced it.  For now wearing a black one works better anyway for the fall/winter.




I keep forgetting to have my photographer zero in on my earrings.  Here is the stock photo:

Kenneth Cole REACTION trench in Cardinal Red - bluefly.com and later Ebay*
White Caslon ribbed long-sleeve tee - nordstrom.com
KUT From The Kloth boot-cut jeans in Future Wash - nordstrom.com
MICHAEL Michael Kors 'Seaport' peep-toe flats in Calf Hair - dillards.com
Cole Haan 'Villiage Small' black leather handbag - Nordstrom
Jet Charm Earrings - whitehouseblackmarket.com

*A little side story about the cherished red trench:  When I first bought it from bluefly.com back in 2008, I made a huge mistake and bought a size too small.  I was focusing too much on sleeve-length and not overall shoulder fit.  I was foolish in my decision to go a size down.  I wore it for about a year and half and it never was comfortable, so I sold it on Ebay.  In all honesty, I shed tears.  By the time I realized I couldn't live without this trench, it was impossible to find the correct size in this coat.  I looked everywhere for something like it, I was okay with it not being the exact coat, but I couldn't find anything nearly as good.  Everything seemed to be cropped.  Or double-breasted.  Or with a hood.  Or the shade of red was wrong.  I searched high and low.  I searched Ebay for 6 months hoping to find this exact coat in the size I really needed.  FINALLY it became available on Ebay, and I snagged it earlier this year.  It was quite a joyous WIN.  Now it fits fabulously!

5 comments:

  1. I know that episode :) Yes, the red trench is awesome! You look so classic. Glad you could find it again, totally worth it.

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  2. I originally paid $105 for the trench and that was a clearance price. :/ I sold mine on Ebay for $55 and then bought the new one on Ebay for only $26 and it was in pristine condition. Only left me $24 in the hole. Not a bad price to pay for a tough lesson learned about fit. The toughest part about the whole thing was being without it for six months!

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  3. Love this post and the idea for your blog. I have made a similar pledge to myself recently. I look forward to reading about your ideas!

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  4. Hi, just found your blog and it is wonderful. Keep going. I live in NC and am also a stay at home mom with older children. The what to wear each day is daunting. Seems I see clothes that I like, but in reality are really too constricting or dressy to wear cleaning etc. I love your outfits. Was disappointed not to find older posts, I wanted to keep looking. Great job!

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  5. Julianne,
    Thank you so much for stopping by here! It is so nice to have visitors. I just began this blogging adventure, and I hope to continue my posts daily. Right now my challenge is getting ready in time before my husband leaves for work. It's crazy!

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