10.25.2009

Double-Duty Designs

Darlings I don’t care how many proclamations I hear about the economy turning around. When you’re living on a shoestring budget, it’s impossible to be carefree about shelling out loads of cash for a singular item that will mottle your wardrobe twice a month – if you’re lucky. I want a garment that can work overtime; that can perform multiple tasks despite the fact that it was obtained for a solitary amount. Hence the reason I am contemplating ransacking my very own closet, casting aside those pesky items that possess all of zero versatility, and replacing them with designs that don’t complain about performing double-duties!

Free People “Riding Hood Convertible Tee” I have absolutely no qualms about admitting my admiration for Free People and their countless convertible creations; case in point the Riding Hood Convertible Tee. Admit it, I’m sure, like me, you’ve experienced those times where you’re shivering in your tank and realize that you’ve left the house sans sweater. Magically, these moments are plentiful in Southern California where days are sweltering and evenings are chilly and brisk. Thus, the Riding Hood Convertible Tee is sure to be a blessing in disguise. A snap detail in the center makes it possible for you to wear the top in four different ways – as a racer back tank with hood, as a dolman, as a batwing tee, or as a more fitted piece for those candlelit dinners with your cute boy. It’s as if a fairy godmother is by your side 24/7 waving her wand about and ensuring that you’re properly dressed and look your best no matter the situation!

7 For All Mankind “Convertible Skinny Jeans” I am the queen of choosing the worst possible moments to try on clothes. When I want to slip on slouchy boots I’m wearing ballerinas without socks. When I think about tossing on an off the shoulder top or halter, I’m wearing the wrong type of undergarments. It’s always a Catch-22; but it truly doesn’t have to be. 7 For All Mankind’s Convertible Skinny Jeans are the ideal legwear for your shopping excursions – or your night’s of dancing out on the town. They may look like your typical pair of dark wash skinny jeans, but the 17-inch zippered gusset adorning the hem makes them anything but. Unzip to convert these denim delights to a bootcut, or stick with the skinny silhouette by zipping them snugly around your ankle. Now you can see how those Louboutin’s look with skinnies or bootcuts before taking them home!

Brixton “Sky Hooded Wrap Scarf” Once upon a time I thought it possible to keep an ordinary scarf swathed about your head hood-like simply by wrapping it into place. An encounter with a cherry red Convertible and high winds upon the freeway resulting in two hours of combing out knots lacing my hair quickly proved me wrong. If you truly want a scarf that doubles as a hat of sorts, it is best to splurge on something that actually states it is capable of such a task, much like the Sky Hooded Wrap Scarf. I will admit it was the lure of the red wine-imbued burgundy shade that led me into a love affair with Brixton’s Sky Hooded Wrap Scarf; but the realization that it works as two separate accessories merely by putting a few buttons into place was truly the icing on the cake. For those days when all you need is a scarf to keep you cozy, swaddle it about your throat; but when the weather turns downright blistery, bind yourself from the cold by attaching the matching hood to ensure that you stay warm without forsaking your adorable factor.

Elizabeth and James “Trench Coat Dress” How one can so much as contemplate attempting to make it through the fall and winter seasons sans trench coat is beyond me; yet even I see the predicament that such a purchase puts one in. Trenches are quite the investment; and while capable of creating a sublime silhouette, it’s difficult to imagine spending such an exorbitant amount of money on an item that will be locked away after a couple of seasons. Therefore Elizabeth and James’ Trench Coat Dress is an absolute must. Fall and winter can be spent carousing inside the warmth of the coat; when spring and summer comes around, wear it as a sleeveless belted dress; and for those more casual evenings, don it as a cropped jacket with skinny jeans and sky-high heels. It’s a can’t-live-without three-in-one for the girl on the go seeking a little luxury in her life!

Ecote “Convertible Harem Pant” I find spending money on new trends to be extremely frightening. On one hand you face the possibility of heavenly results; on the other you come head to head with a potentially disastrous outcome that could end with a depressing purchase dangling within your closet. Thus, when the opportunity to try two trends in one presents itself, quite simply, I leap at it. Illustrative example…Ecote’s Convertible Harem Pant. The tapered leg and high-waist make them an easy breezy form of legwear that is breathable and beatific; or pull them all the way up tube-top style to create a seductive jumper with a cropped silhouette. Two completely different trends and ensembles in one…I’d call that money well spent.




Ready to lay claim on a few double-duty designs of your own, darlings?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Free People, Shopbop, Karma Loop, Net-A-Porter, and Urban Outfitters for the pictures.
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42 comments

Amanda K said...

I love the Free People “Riding Hood Convertible Tee” and 7 For All Mankind denim are def. a fan fave for me. I am always running out of closet space and these Double Duty Designs are awesome!!

daisychain said...

I love the tee and scarf/wrap!

michelle_ said...

oh my . where and how can I get those 7 jeansss ??! they are seriously rad . thanks for putting them up.. maybe I could get someone to buy it for me in the states and bring them back to jakarta . :p

glistersandblisters.blogspot.com

Leila said...

I love convertible things! I feel like I'm getting away with something! Victoria's Secret has a couple of convertible items too, a jersey knit dress, the long wrap sweater/scarf thing, a great army green jacket, convertible boots, the 100 way bra, aahh i might as well write my own blog on this. Great Post!

FASHION SNAG said...

I love that Free People hoodie and the Elizabeth & James trench. Gorgeous items. I have that problem a lot where an item will only work one way and I usually like the items I can wear over and over in different ways to create many outfits. Great post!

www.FashionSnag.com

Leia said...

Oh! Am loving all of these convertible, double-duty items. I especially love the convertible tee and the 7 jeans! Thanks for sharing your fabulous finds :)

Erin said...

I'm glad I could help :)
Also love the scarf. That's exactly what I've been looking for for this winter!

Marian said...

thank you for your amazing comment honey. love that designs and garments that work overtime and all these do! how cute is that hooded scarf. it is so perfect for me as the temperature drops as with the super short hair,my ears tend to freeze! :o)
xx
marian

Couture Carrie said...

Fabulous idea for a post, darling!
Those jeans are... well... genius!

xoxox,
CC

Stéphanie said...

I love the scarf so much !

Paula Lobos said...

Love the harem pants! They look really cute and smart! :)

Chicago Chic said...

7's jeans were my first pair of designer jeans and my first love ;) My husband also likes 7's for men! I love this convertible idea, genius!

Baci ♥
Rachel

Jennifer Fabulous said...

I love that hooded wrap scarf. It looks perfect for winter. These are all great finds. It's nice to see fashionistas looking out for each other in this dreadful economy. :)

Style Search said...

love all items, especially jeans!!!

chic femme said...

Oh, I love the new skinny jeans. Those are fab and convertible. :)

C A said...

Hi, how was your weekend? Hope to ear from you ^^

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@ MaisonChaplin.blogspot.com

Emily said...

these are all great, money-saving ideas! I love the jeans :)

Sherin said...

I'm loving the jeans. Its really useful for someone like me, who spends ages deciding whether to leave the house in skinny jeans or boot legs!
But there should definitely be more kinds of clothes that you can wear many ways!

ediot said...

great post. i love the first piece.the tee. looks amazing.
hope you had a great weekend. take care xx

M said...

Many props to you for always finding such great stuff and sharing it here on your blog... I think a lot of us are on tight budgets here! I am all for letting my clothes do double duty - the best pieces are the seasonless, timeless and of course all these dresses, tops and whatnot that you can change up depending on what look you're in the mood for. I really like the sound of convertible skinny jeans... :)

Jaime @ laviejaime said...

Love the E&J coat/dress- would love that in my closet!!

B a la Moda said...

The free People tee looks like a great find. 4 different ways to wear it!! No way. The only think is that all those convertible items (like some of American Apparel) are so hard to manage...

xoxo
B* a la Moda

Ashley said...

I'm still a little iffy on the harem pants... I bought a pair from Express (for about $5 on crazy clearance), but I still can't bring myself to wear them!

Mama Fashionista said...

luv luv luv the jeans and i must figure out how to make the scarf/hood dealie!

xoxo

http://mama-fashionista.blogspot.com

nicole said...

Great post! I'm all about versatility so convertible clothes is right up my alley. I love those Seven For All Mankind Convertible Skinny jeans.

Pretty in a Power Suit said...

As a frugalista, versatile fashion is the best idea. Love your suggestions.
-Tawney

Leah said...

I love double duty outfits... and i so love the harem pants.

Meg said...

Versatile pieces give you so much more value for your money!

the NEO-traditionalist said...

Dying for the Elizabeth and James trench coat dress! It would look so fab this fall over sweaters! Hope you enjoyed your weekend. Where the Wild Things Are is definitely worth seeing!
XX Kate

Haute World said...

I love convertible items! It doesn't just justify spending money on, but I really like clothes that can adapt to different climates if the weather suddenly changes. Love the tee and the jeans!

Keith said...

My favorite is the first one. I think all of these are great. Thanks for posting those. Hope you had a nice weekend. Have a wonderful week ahead. Cheers!

Rohini said...

The trench and the scarf are fab!
Have you seen the Victoria's Secret dress that you can way in about 7 different ways? It is really pretty. :)

Xx

Rohini said...

The trench and the scarf are fab!
Have you seen the Victoria's Secret dress that you can way in about 7 different ways? It is really pretty. :)

Xx

Rohini said...

The trench and the scarf are fab!
Have you seen the Victoria's Secret dress that you can way in about 7 different ways? It is really pretty. :)

Xx

Rachel @ The Haute Notes said...

Loving the Brixton wrap scarf and the Elizabeth and James trench coat dress! Double-duty pieces are always great to have!

KP said...

love those zipper jeans-great pics xx

Closet Cravings said...

I love the Free People “Riding Hood Convertible Tee. I've been faced with the problem of forgetting to bring a sweater or jacket many times, and I absolutely hate that feeling. =)

www.closetcravings.com

Soiree said...

Love the zipper jeans as welll... Perfection!

www.janetteria.com said...

Love the trench coat dress. I want it!

XoXo

Luminita said...

Thanks for the suggestions, there are some great ideas here!!

Anonymous said...

Love Free People too! That top is fabulous for the versatility but I'm also a fan of the classic, yet chic, trench coat dress. Great picks, lady!

xo, Becs

Style, via Tia said...

Hello, I love the hooded wrap scarf and I just had to let you know that last night while shopping at target I saw this! Unfortunately they only have it in a cream color but it is just as fab!
Happy Shopping!

Tia

http://www.target.com/Merona-Jersey-Hoodie-Muffler-White/dp/B002B7K1HM/ref=br_1_23?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&searchView=grid5&searchNodeID=271658011&node=271658011&searchRank=salesrank&searchPage=1&searchSize=150&id=Merona%20Jersey%20Hoodie%20Muffler%20White

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