Where's Whitney?

While all of you are gearing up for summer, I'm gearing up for June gloom and some cold days in July, I'd say it's the one bummer of living in the Bay. One thing that isn't a bummer is my where's waldo knit shirt from Pearl.

I'm not trying to hide underneath my thin hair, it was just SUPER windy.

Now that i have fully embraced the belt, I don't know how to wear a cardigan with it. Do I wear a longer cardigan and belt it as well? Should I put a white long sleeve underneath? Do I just wear a cardigan over the belted shirt?  Sorry there are no visuals, I didn't even know where to start. 

Shirt: Pearl Belt: Thrift Store Jeans: F21 Shoes: TJ Maxx

Duplex, Reunited

As you may have already read in our about section, we started Ask the Duplex to fill the roommate void that comes along with a (happy) marriage.  More specifically, to fill the roommate-fashion-advice-giving void in our life.  This past weekend, roommates reunited at a fabulous roommate wedding. And boy, was it a good time.

We also thought you might like to meet some of our roommates who have always answered our style queries in years passed. 

And by "meet" I mean, view pictures of them without telling you their names.  Some of them may or may not have internet security issues.  

They're smokin, no?

Flare

If you're wondering if I am still on 'Cation, I am.  Which means I am still in 'Cation mode.  Which in effect, means that I have been doing some shopping.  Because when you're on 'Cation you're allowed to spend money.  Because money isn't real while on 'Cation.  Right?

So, I finally caved and made a Gap jean purchase.  I've been eyeing these jeans for quite some time but  I just couldn't bear to spend $69.50 on them.  But, if you truly embrace the 'Cation mentality, Karma is good to you.  I found them  on sale at the Gap Outlet and then had a $25 gift card.  Holla.

But, I've been wondering about the length of the jeans.  As I have mentioned before, I have stumpy legs and I always have to hem my pants after I purchase them.  But I just don't know if I should with this flare style.  Because nothing is more awkward than a high-water flare.

Shirt: Borrowed from my mother Flower: Icing Belt: Thrift Store Jeans: Gap

What should the length of these flare jeans be? Are they supposed to cover your shoes?  Should I hem them a tiny bit so you can see more shoe?

Ask the Neighborhood

shirt: H&M skirt: H&M belt: Thrift Store shoes: TJ Maxx

On Sunday when I walk to church a sixty year old lady across the street from me always comes out of her house and says good morning or will tell me to wear heals while I'm young. This Sunday she came running out of her house and said "You should wear that outfit with a shear peach shirt, I know you're married, but it would look great on a date night or something".  I must be radiating Ask The Duplex because I'm about 98% sure she does not know I have a blog, she doesn't even know my first name.

Anyway,  I think if my neighbor and I had more time to talk she probably would have said, "You should also iron your skirt, because it's not supposed to be that wrinkly". I KNOW! Every time I pull this out of my closet, or anything that needs to be ironed, I cringe, then put it on. I have an iron but it is terrrrrriibbllleee, it doesn't heat up, I can put my bare hand on it at the peak of its heat. So my question is semi-fashion related, but really just more practical. Do you iron your clothes? What brand iron do you have? If you don't iron, are there any quick unwrinkle tricks??

READER SUBMISSION

Monica and I met Rachel freshman year of college. We shared a love of pranks, travel, and the student cafeteria and all became good friends. It always seemed to me that Rachel was on some spontaneous adventure and now she lives halfway across the world in Spain! Rachel has great sense of style, but I think even those with impeccable style still have questions and a need for roommates. Here's Rachel:

Blue Summer

Like Monica, I too think I can do whatever I want on 'Cation and that includes wearing blue on blue. Most of the time I think different shades of blue can go together, like the little boy in the middle wearing sky blue and aqua in the picture with the buildings.

He is pulling it off...right?  Or am I wrong?  Is blue on blue ever okay?  Is the blue dress and blue bird scarf just too much blue?  

 Do head scarfs look good? Am I pulling-it-off? And for the future, can I dress like
that little boy?

Dress: Zara Scarf: H&M Shoes: Urban Outifitters

 Have a question for the duplex? Email us at asktheduplex@gmail.com

Polka Pockets or Polka Pleats?

 If you have ever gone shopping with me or have the opportunity to go shopping with me sometime in the future, you will most likely hear these words come out of my mouth: "Well,  I can always take it back".

I am a woman who loves options.  I love to talk about options, I love to have options, I love noticing other people's options.

Because of this, I keep all of my receipts for years and years and if you perused my closet, you would find that 72% of my clothes still have the tags on them.  I just loving knowing I have the option to take these items back.

Sometimes this love of options gets a little bit ridiculous.  Like when I purchase two skirts that are almost identical and take them home and contemplate the pros and cons of each.

Although these skirts may look somewhat identical, they're really not.  They both have one outstanding feature about them.

One has Pockets.

Sweater: JCPenney Belt: H&M Skirt: Target Shoes: TJ Maxx

One has Pleats.  I love me a nice kick pleat.

Skirt: JCPenney

So which polka dot skirt would you pick?  The polka pockets? Or the polka kick pleat?

Is it Gray or Grey?

Can I just sidetrack for a second from asking a question and say THANK YOU for the suggestions on our posts so far. I read each one and am always thrilled when I get a suggestion and think, 'YES that is exactly what I should do'. Monica and I are both thrifty and both of us have days filled with things that are not fashion, stylish or girly related, so having a place to talk about it has been more fun and helpful than I ever imagined it would be.

K, back on track. I've mentioned my sister's wedding on here a few times (and now the other one is engaged too!!! so my wedding related posts are just going to keep going). I found a gray dress, it is simple and nice and I won't Pippa my sister  by wearing a sexy, great white dress and semi-outshine her on her wedding day.  Now the problem is is that the wedding is in less than a week and I don't know which shoes to wear. (I can't help but read that sentence and it feels like it can only be said in a valley girl voice). But really, which shoes should I wear?

Option A: Gray shoes. Oh and the reason I look drunk or something is because I've slept 6 hours in the past 48. I've never actually been drunk, but I'd probably look something like that.

Option B: Black Shoes

I realize that the dress isn't the most youthful thing ever made, but 60% off at Banana Republic with sleeves and to my knees, how could I resist?

OH AND... sorry, so much text this time, I might wear this necklace so don't hate on it, but if you have a suggestion for something better, please do share.

We're on 'Cation

Some of my best memories of my childhood is going on vacation with Whitney and her amazing mother.

One time we went to the beach for several days and the only food we ate while we were there was Coldstone ice cream.  We had a waffle cone for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (with different mix-ins each time).

 Whenever we'd start feeling bad for spending 15 dollars a day on ice cream, Whitney's mom would reply, "It's okay! We're on 'Cation!"

Ever since then, I have this understanding that you can do whatever the heck you want while you're on vacation.  This concept has leaked into how much money I spend, what I eat, how I act, and even what I wear.

I start my day with a somewhat normal outfit:

And then my 'cation mentality kicks in and I have suddenly ruined a fine outfit with a fanny pack.

And then my 'cation mentality kicks in again and I put on a jacket that is too short for my outfit.  

And then it gets real bad and I wear my fanny pack with my too-short-jacket.

Shirt: Target Sweater: TJ Maxx Flower: Icing Belt: Thrift Store Jacket: TJ Maxx Jeans: TJ Maxx Shoes: TJ Maxx

I think sometimes you just need a vacation from caring about how you look.  Even if it means you look like an idiot.  But one thing is for sure, I never ever regret looking like a fool.  Those fanny packs are just so dang convenient.

I started my vacation asking you guys how to stay fashionable with only one carry-on bag.  But now I am wondering, does it even matter?  Can't I take a vacation from trying to look presentable?

Do you ever take a vacation from caring about your ensemble?

What's My Age Again?

A year ago, an 80 year old woman in my church congregation moved out of the state. I wasn't able to help her pack, but all of the ladies that packed her up decided that I should be the recipient of all of her unwanted clothing. I was happy that they saved me a trip to the thrift store, where I would have probably ended up buying the items. But, I was a little bit surprised that it was that obvious that I dress like an 80 year old woman. Whatever their reason for giving me the clothes, I was grateful.

Both the top and skirt are from Pearl (80 year old woman). I can't decide though what is off about this outfit? Do I need a belt? High heels? Something feels off.

It was extremely windy so I decided not to look at the camera. Also, there were tons of people walking on the path behind Bret and I felt suupperrr awkward.

Shirt and Skirt: Pearl Shoes: TJ Maxx

What would you change about this? What could I add to make it work better?

Roommate Reader Submission

Jacquie is one amazingly fabulous lady from Canada.  She is also the nicest person I have ever met in my entire life.  For real.  I (Monica) spent four splendid months with her in the most beautiful country on earth- New Zealand.  Jacquie actually purchased this dress in New Zealand.  Don't you love when clothing items have some sentimental value?  But lets stay focused here...Jacquie has a question for us today about wedding attire.
 PS- she just recently had a baby, doesn't she look amazing?

Wedding Wear Dilemma

I don't have much experience with fashion.  I also don't have much experience with weddings.  Most of the receptions I've been to have been those come-and-go-as-you-please ones, many of which have not involved dinner, let alone cocktails.  Well, now my husband's friend from High School is getting married, and we have been invited to the whole shindig: ceremony, cocktails, dinner, dance and all.


 So here's my question:

What do I wear to such an event? Can I wear the same thing to the ceremony as to the evening dinner and dance?
Would you wear this dress to the ceremony? Or to the dinner? or both? Or not at all? What would YOU wear?

Don't have roommates but have a style question? Email us at asktheduplex@gmail.com

Those Shorts Are Tight

If you guys haven't gotten enough of my white legs, don't you worry, I have more. 

Shorts are very rarely woven into my clothing repertoire.  I may or may not be scarred from a letter I received from a professor who told me that my shorts were too short.  And I may or may not be very self-conscious about my thighs/knees/ankles/calves.  But I guess you'll never really know whether I am scarred or self-conscious.  I like to remain mysterious.

But the point is- I almost never wear shorts.  And if I do, they're usually two sizes too big.  For some reason I think if they're too big, no one will notice my thighs/knees/ankles/calves.  I decided to go a little crazy and wear some shorts that fit me.  I really like to live on the edge.  

 Do you like this leg crossed pose? Ok. Good.  Because I have two more just like it.

Hat: H&M Cardigan: TJ Maxx T-shirt: TJ Maxx Shorts: TJ Maxx Shoes: Target

So, what do you guys think of the tight (not "cool" tight-- but tight against my body, tight) rolled shorts?  

Be honest.  I swear I won't wear them in public again if you tell me not to.   

(Wo)man

Last year I cut off all my hair, and I was shocked at how much I looked like Peter Pan. At the time I was teaching 5th grade and when I wore this shirt to work my students spent 1/2 the day saying things like "Ms. Baker, today when I came in I thought you were a boy!". Umm turns out short hair and baggy mens shirts don't mix. But don't worry, I spent the other 1/2 of the day teaching them  manners.

Hey Kids! I'm a girl, not a boy!

So now that my hair has grown out, I think I'm going to put this outfit back into my biweekly rotation, but is it a little too androgynous? 

Shirt: Thrift Store Sweater: Old Navy Jeans: F21 Shoes: Toms

How do you dress up men's shirts? Or do you just not wear them?

Mostly Worn by Children

Well, I made it to California.  And thanks to everyone's help, I made it without checking a bag!  It was a success.  I felt proud of myself for packing so light.

Although, all of my proud feelings went away when I opened up my suitcase in search of a swimsuit cover-up for our beach trip.  I had nothing. Except for my baggy black shirt.

I hope you're not sick of seeing it, because I had to whip that bad boy out again.  Although this time it went from a baggy top- to a Romper.  What is a Romper, you say?  Well, I googled it and found on wikipedia that it is a  "one-piece garment worn by children and sometimes women".  

I guess I was okay with the fact that I was the "sometimes woman" because I sported this faux Romper all day long.  It was so comfortable!

Hat: Ross Dress for Less  Baggy shirt:TJ Maxx Shorts: TJ Maxx Shoes: Target Swimsuit: TJ Maxx

But after looking at the pictures I wonder if I agree with wikipedia- Rompers should only be worn by children.  What say you?

Hats Off To You. Actually, Hats On.

I'm not much of a hat person. I once wore one throughout a 3 day trip to Disneyland when I was 14 and when I look back at the pictures I shudder at how terrible it looked. I mean I was already going through a really awkward phase and then I threw a hat on top of that and it was just bad. Real bad.

Well fast forward 11 years and I'm reconsidering a hat. Every summer for the past two years I squint and say, "I think this year I'm going to buy a hat".  Well this year I did it, and here it is:

Hat: Ross Shirt: ? I've had it for years Dress: found in my parents basement Stretch Pants: Target Shoes: TJ Maxx

What's the verdict, hat or no hat? Will I look back on this in 10 years and be mortified? I know I will be by my outfit, but it's the hat I'm worried about.

Roommate Reader Submission

Have you ever met someone and known right away that you could be great friends with them?  That's how we felt when we met Hannah in college.  We weren't ever lucky enough to actually be roommates with her, although we always wished we could, but we did get to see her every week at church.  And every week at church she amazed us with her wit, kindness, and fabulous wardrobe.  She's just one of those girls you wish could be your best friend.  So, let's all pretend we're her best friend today and help her out with her graduation question.

Graduation Dress

Hello lovers. While I have many questions for you, my surrogate roommates, on how to improve my wardrobe, this week's plea for help is rather urgent. I am graduating with my master's degree this weekend, so I bought a new dress to wear for the occasion. Since it is pretty much impossible to find a dress that has sleeves AND hits my knees, I had to compromise and get a sleeveless dress that is long enough that it won't shock my grandmother... which means I need to pair the dress with a nice cardigan. Washington, DC can get pretty hot and humid, and sitting on the National Mall for a two hour-long graduation ceremony in a black robe is just a recipe for disaster, so I chose the lightest cardigan in my closet to go with this particular frock.

dress: Loehmann's; cardigan: Target; shoes: Urban Outfitters 

My question regarding this combination is two-fold. 

One: Is the yellow + fuschia combo too Easter egg-y? Should I tone it down with non-necklace jewelry? 

Two: If the combination is indeed too loud, where can I find a nice short-sleeved cardigan in a neutral color?

Have a style question for the Duplex? Email us at asktheduplex@gmail.com

Dress Code

Before starting this blog, I was planning a Bridal Shower for my sister. She is marrying a boy named Gard, so it seemed only appropriate that I should throw a GARDen Party themed bridal shower. Since there were going to be adults and grandmas there, I didn't know if I could enforce a dress code. I envisioned everyone in pastels, but didn't know if I could write that on the invite. After consulting a few friends (it would have been nice to consult the duplex) I went ahead and mandated a dress code. Here is the invite:

pastel macaroons for the favor

bride-to-be in pastel

Friends and Family in pastels

pretty pastel clad friends

  

Turns out the pastel only dress code turned out great! I would love to throw another dress code mandated party.  Have you ever thrown a party with a dress code? Did your guests comply?

You're What the French Call, Les Encompetents

Although it is technically Whitney's day to post, I needed some serious roommate advice before I leave town.  I apologize, in advance, for having to see two posts of me in a row.

I have lived on this earth more than a quarter of a century and yet I still don't know how to adequately pack a bag.  I get really stressed out.  Which is lame, because going on trips is so exciting.  Why take any of the fun out of that?

But, how in the world do you fit everything you'll need for 22 days and for the following activities in one tiny carry-on bag? (Get real folks, I ain't paying 25 bucks to check a bag).

• Several Beach trips
• Family get-togethers
• An anniversary trip to Catalina island
• Disneyland
• A Wedding ceremony and wedding reception

When I travel, I usually end up throwing 35 t-shirts, underwear, deodorant, and mascara into a suitcase and then realize I am an idiot after I have arrived at my destination without any pants to wear.

So I have been trying to brainstorm what to bring to California with me.  This is the only thing I have come up with so far...

I figured I could double up my outfits.  I was thinking this could be a Disneyland-all-day-outfit.  

 Nothing crazy.  Just some nice spandex jeans, a baggy shirt, and some tennies.

 And then, I could roll the pants back down, put on some heels, a belt, and some red lips- and use this outfit again for a night out on the town.

And by night out on the town... I mean, a night out at the Cheesecake Factory when Rhett and I go stuff our faces with 6 baskets of bread and 2 slices of Adam's Peanut Butter Cup Fudge Ripple.

Every single clothing item in both outfits: TJ Maxx 

But this is all I got, people.  I need help.  

I am determined to make this suitcase packing as efficient as possible.

What items do you bring with you when you travel? What do you do to look presentable but still pack light? 

PLEASE HELP! I fly out of Nashville tomorrow and will be packing my bags tonight.