Blog Feature: Sarah Vickers (Classy Girls Wear Pearls)

 Classy Girls Wear Pearls
As most of you can probably infer from my overcrowded side bar, I have a slight blog addiction and could easily spend months on the Internet in search of a new favorite. Recently, while on a quest for some mid-winter style inspiration, I happened upon “Classy Girls Wear Pearls,” the photographic chronicles of Sarah Vickers, an adorable Rhode Island native with a brilliantly preppy sense of style. Apart from a lust-worthy wardrobe filled with colorful Nordic sweaters, perfectly pressed corduroys and chic wool jackets, Sarah is also a savvy entrepreneur, and co-founder of the New England based company, “Kiel James Patrick.” Fed up with the dwindling amount of thoughtfully constructed American goods currently available to the general public, Sarah’s boyfriend,  Kiel, began designing colorful fabric bracelets, made from scarps of vintage ties and blazers, to sell at fairs and other local events. Quickly, popularity of these simple novelties grew, inspiring Kiel to expand the team, establish a website, and move operations out of his parent’s garage, and into a large factory located in his home state of Rhode Island.

             Hoping to connect with fans worldwide on a more personal level, Kiel and Sarah established a Twitter, Facebook page and of course, “Classy Girls Wear Pearls.” In perfect harmony with KJP’s firm commitment to quality and style, Sarah’s chic and perfectly polished outfit choices never cease to impress, constantly inspiring me to take risks with my own, often predictable, fashion choices.  Since, as I have come to realize, dressing for late winter can be challenging, below are some tips and tricks for refreshing your current look, all inspired by the lovely, Sarah Vickers.

Light Layers (from Essex Docks, Gulls and Ducks):
            Although March can be quite warm (this week we hit 70 in New England!), most days are still chilly enough to require a light jacket. In this look, Sarah embraced the late afternoon sun with a navy blue wool coat, cherry red sweater and effortlessly cuffed taupe corduroys. To top off the look, Sarah added a vintage, Dooney and Bourke shoulder bag, a pair of “old school” brown penny loafers and of course, a braided Kiel James Patrick belt. Simple yet stylish, this outfit serves as an invincible companion to any (very) early spring day, providing just the right amount of warmth without making you look like you’re ready for a blizzard. Because it’s mostly composed of popular “basics”, recreating a similar look at home is actually very easy. To give the outfit your own unique flair, consider adding an infinity scarf, a strand of pearls, a headband or even a few “mismatched bracelets.” If you’re not a fan of corduroys, jeans, khakis or even a tweed skirt could all serve as equally fashionable, potential substitutions. 

From Essex Docks, Gulls and Ducks photo courtesy of Sarah Vickers

                               

Contrasting Shades (from Mysterious Atlantic):

Striped shirts, are without a doubt, an essential element that every preppy girl should have in her wardrobe. Easy to dress up with accessories, the simple pattern adds a nautical touch to any look, while helping you to feel polished without looking over done. In this ensemble, Sarah dressed up a navy and green striped sweater with a strand of pearls, a Dooney and Bourke bag, boat shoes and some Kiel James Patrick bracelets. In an effort to remain faithful to the casual essence of the style, Sarah added a pair of light washed, cuffed skinny jeans. Although I tend to wear dark denim, the color of the jeans in contrast to the dark tones of the sweater works well, helping bold elements, like Sarah’s red boat shoes, stand—out even more. If stripes do not appeal to you, solids can achieve a very similar aesthetic—just be wary of skin tight styles, in the end sizing up is always cuter, and more comfortable! As much as I love boat shoes, if the weather allows it, feel free to replace them with gladiator sandals or ballets flats—it helps you feel “springy” without going too overboard- no pun intended.



From Mysterious Atlantic photo courtesy of Sarah Vickers

  

Bold Colors (from Duck Duck Goose)

To me, nothing screams spring like a pair of tailored, coral pants. For a while, I was convinced that there was no way I could pull off the “wild “slacks but last year, during a can’t miss sale at the Gap, I took a leap of faith and purchased my own pair.  Surprisingly, this seemingly daring piece is actually very easy to wear, and looks especially good with crisp whites and blues, as depicted in Sarah’s outfit. Her periwinkle Ralph Lauren oxford is also a perfect complement to the chunky floral necklace and emerald green Dooney and Bourke, $300, she   chose to accessorize with. To offset the bold colors, Sarah also opted for a pair of simple brown ballet flats, a skinny belt and single gold bracelet. If coral is too adventurous for your liking, feel free to replace the pants with navy khakis, but remember that sometimes taking a risk, in fashion or in life, can lead to great results!

From Duck Duck Goose photo courtesy of Sarah Vickers

As an aspiring small business owner myself, Sarah and Kiel motivate me to continue pushing forward with my goals, while helping me to realize that style does not have to be sacrificed for success. In the coming months, I will continue to keep up with “Classy Girls Wear Pearls”, bringing you monthly “style files”, all inspired by my favorite East Coast blogger, Sarah Vickers.