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.

Boston Basics

Even though I don’t actually reside there, I consider Boston to be my true hometown. Much like NYC,  the city is full of life and of course, a traditional accent that is more than a little fun to impersonate (what's so bad about pronouncing your R's?) Whether I’m watching a Red Sox game at Fenway Park, exploring a new exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts, or simply window shopping on Newbury Street, I can’t help but feel captivated by the city’s vibrant energy and lifestyle. In an attempt to escape the monotony of school and work, my friends and I often venture into the city for extended day trips, hoping that a momentary change of scenery will alter our perspective on the seemingly endless school year. With each trip also comes a fresh style aesthetic, most often inspired by the urban, laid back essence emulating from the city’s tired sidewalks. Because my style is traditionally preppy and classic, spending time in Boston is the perfect excuse to branch out from my comfort zone and incorporate some trendier pieces into my wardrobe.

Although our reasons for boarding the train remain fairly consistent, the way we choose to spend our time while in the city could not be more varied. From concerts at the House of Blues, to shopping trips in Harvard Square, every event calls for a new look. Recently my friends and I embarked on three of these adventures, each inspiring a unique outfit choice.

Friday Night Concert (House of Blues)


Allison and I outside of HOB Boston
Photo courtesy of Diana Russo and Allison's Blog

 For this trip, I choose a laid back, yet classic look perfectly reflecting the easy going and "cool" vibe of the House of Blues. Because it was an evening event, I opted to pair black leggings with a navy blue oxford shirt and a black leather jacket. I tied the outfit together with my favorite brown riding boots and fun, pink scarf with a touch of sequin detailing. Attending concerts at the HOB is a great excuse to channel some bolder style choices (like a leather jacket) while still staying true to classic staples, like boots and oxfords. The best way to experiment with your clothes is to build up a wardrobe of favorite basics while investing in the occasional "special piece". This way, when the time comes, you will be ready to mix and match your items, creating an interesting and timeless ensemble. Allison also chose to top off her outfit with a caramel leather jacket and some authentic cowboy boots (so jealous)!

Sunday Matinee


Galaxie, Diana, Allison and I at Shear Madness
Photo courtesy of Allison Russo

 This outfit is the perfect mix of classic staples and pretty, feminine styles. An afternoon performance demands a little extra effort, which is why I choose to pair a simple black skirt with a solid colored blouse and a ruffled cardigan. The central focus of the outfit is a mustard yellow peacoat and dark plum, bejeweled ballet flats. Like the leather jacket, this peacoat is one of my "special" pieces-- only fitting for a stroll through the stylish, fashion forward streets of Boston.

Shop Till’ You Drop



Photo courtesy of Allison Russo




photo courtesy of Allison's blog

 

A few weeks ago, Allison, Diana and I spent a Saturday in Boston to celebrate their closely linked birthdays (one day apart!). The day was mostly devoted to shopping and eating so I opted for a comfortable yet stylish pairing of dark wash jeans, a pink oxford and riding boots. No classic preppy look is complete without accessories and for this particular day I chose a quilted jacket, a worn in cross body bag and a simple strand of pearls. This outfit was a perfect sampling of New England basics and it definitely made me feel authentic. Because each piece was so versatile, the ensemble flowed seamlessly from an afternoon on trendy Newbury Street to an evening spent walking and indulging in some delicious, yet pricey,  Belgium waffles in Harvard Square.

Vineyard Style

As much as I try to convince myself otherwise, there is no denying that summer is my favorite time of year and that there is no better place to relish in the charm of the season than Martha's Vineyard, a beautiful island located south of Cape Cod, in Massachusetts. Apart from simply being a favorite escape for many cultural icons, like the Kennedys, the quaint destination also offers a relaxed atmosphere filled with plenty of local shops, restaurants and beaches that are all easily accessible by bicycle-- the preferred mode of transport. This past August, my friends Allison, Diana and I all opted to take a few days off from our hectic work schedules to spend some time shopping and relaxing on the Vineyard, before getting ready for the mad "back to school" dash. Apart from providing all of us with a much needed break, the mid week excursion was also the perfect excuse to pull out our preppy gear and embrace our favorite New England summer styles. 

Gingerbread Cottages, "The Black Dog Tavern", "Sweet E's Cupcakes" and The Real Black Dogs

Since the Vineyard is technically a vacation spot, I opted to capture the laid back, nautical energy of the island through my look, composed of a pale yellow blouse and seersucker shorts. Keeping with the spirit of simple style, I paired the versatile basics with t- strap sandals, a thin headband, a vintage "knot" inspired belt (borrowed from Allison), a simple gold cuff and of course, some pearl earrings! To me, this outfit was the perfect mix of form and function, casual enough for exploring the Gingerbread Cottages in Oak Bluffs but also stylish enough for a quick lunch out at the always delicious, "Black Dog Tavern". Because the weather near the ocean can be temperamental, I choose to carry a bag big enough to hold a light cardigan and a windbreaker (very handy for our surprise encounter with a late afternoon rain shower). Allison stuck to chic and simple basics for her look, which was composed of a cropped beige sweater, airy polka dot shorts and soft grey sandals-- complete with fitting shell details. Diana's simple blouse, cross body bag and cluster earings were pretty and sophisticated, introducing a refreshing color palate that perfectly complemented a sea of blue and white tones.



Diana, Allison and I showing off our Vineyard looks



The only thing more exciting then actually going to the Vineyard is picking out clothes to wear on the trip and I feel very lucky to have a group of stylish friends who share this philosophy with me. This past week marks the arrival of February and the beginning of the official countdown to summer-- which will hopefully be filled with many more island adventures and of course, lots of wonderful clothes to match!