Retroversible

I love the thought of being able to get a lot of longevity out of my wardrobe. When you're drawn to novelty and statement items, that can be a difficult goal to accomplish. I've started to embrace more basics and practical separates as of late, so when one of my favorite designers, Julie Mollo, reached out and asked if I'd be interested in reviewing something of hers, I was over the moon. Julie actually makes some of my favorite kitschy stage looks (Julie, if and when I ever form a band, I'm calling you to make me some outfits!), but I love that she also makes incredibly wearable and versatile pieces, like her retroversible skirts.

Julie's reversible skirts come in several different colorways, but this black & plaid one happens to be my favorite. I'd actually been needing a nice black skirt anyway, and I really love this particular plaid. The skirt has a side zipper that fully unzips (which makes going from one side to the other a breeze), as well as a gold button to fasten it at the top. The quality is superior, and I love the fact that both sides are really wrinkle-resistant. Julie sent me the XL size, as she told me that this style runs a little small, but I think I probably could have gone with the L (though the XL is fine and gives a bit of extra breathing room) – which means the size chart on her site is actually quite accurate. It really is like having 2 skirts in 1, which makes it an awesome staple that I'll wear a ton. I decided to style it in two different ways to show you each side of the skirt. Which way is your favorite?

Outfit Details

Retroversible Circle Skirt: c/o Julie Mollo

Black collared top: similar || Black cropped cardigan: ModCloth

Wanda pin: You Were Swell || Hat box purse: Playclothes Vintage

Floral vamp top: Pinup Girl Clothing  ||  Green cropped cardian: c/o Doll Me Up

Petticoat: Pinup Girl Clothing ||  Betsey Johnson typewriter purse: available here

Name necklace: c/o oNecklace  ||  Flats: Amazon (similar)

Have a wonderful Wednesday! 

(And pssst! You can get 15% off Julie Mollo's website when you sign up for her mailing list!)

Poppies

Although my first love is novelty prints, I have a special place in my heart for landscape and photographic prints. I've liked this Bernie Dexter poppy field print for a long time, but because the dress version is in her "Chelsea" style (which I don't really love on myself) and because I wasn't a huge fan of separates until recently, I never thought to add it to my wardrobe. But now, I'm so glad that I have the Trixie skirt version (and coordinating cropped cardigan) from Doll Me Up. Even though they're both lighter pieces, they're still totally wearable during the colder months, and I know I'll get a ton of outfit combinations out of them.

As far as sizing, the Trixie skirt runs a bit smaller than my other Bernie Dexter pieces. I ordered my normal size and it fits, but there's less wiggle room than in some of her dresses. If you're between sizes, I would probably recommend sizing up. I own about 15 of these cropped cardigans and I wear them with pretty much everything – and Doll Me Up carries nearly every color I've ever seen. Doll Me Up also has a ton of new arrivals I'm drooling over (including more Bernie Dexter pieces and B.A.I.T. Footwear!), and I love the fact that they have higher-priced brands (like Heart of Haute) interspersed with inexpensive basics and fun accessories.

Outfit Details

Bernie Dexter Trixie Skirt in Essex Poppy Field: c/o Doll Me Up

Tootsie Cropped Cardigan in Viola: c/o Doll Me Up

Martha Mother Goose Brooch: Erstwilder

Shoes: B.A.I.T. Footwear (similar)

White tank top: Target

I had a crazy-busy weekend, but in the best way. We managed to put together a wonderful play in 6 days(!), and it went incredibly well. I hope we're able to do it again, because I had an absolute blast. I'm currently fighting off a cold, which is kind of a bummer, but what can ya do. At least I made it through the weekend! I hope your week is off to a good start!

Friday Favorites #118

This week has been a bit difficult. Not only did we lose both David Bowie and Alan Rickman, but I've been in the midst of putting together an entire play in less than 7 days. It's times like this when I need a bit of an escape, so here are a few things that made me smile this week...

B.A.I.T. has lots of adorable designs and colors in the works, and I love these two new styles.

a    ||    b

I think I'm opting to wear red on Valentine's Day this year, but if I were going to wear pink, I'd definitely consider this darling dress from Tara Starlet:

Valentine socks!

These dresses by Coco Fennell are both really great, subtler nods to St. Valentine's Day:

a    ||    b

I love this unique Valentine's option, too!

These tights are so cute!

I really want this book!

These are the prettiest lollipops of all time:

This brooch is so fun!

As are these little punny snack boxes:

This swimsuit makes me want to skip winter altogether (or head south for a bit)!

top    ||    skirt

I don't know why I wasn't aware of this Marc Jacobs x Disney collaboration, but I love that it features one of my favorite scenes from Alice in Wonderland!

a    //    b

This top is so deer dear! :)

These sheets! Ahh!

I might need this bag...

And finally, I think everyone should have this Bowie kitty brooch:

Have a lovely weekend!

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links, I may receive a small commission, which helps to run my blog. I link only to items and brands I absolutely love. Thank you for supporting The Soubrette Brunette!

Lil' Lou Lou

Who says that red + green are only for the holidays? While this outfit from Lil' Lou Lou would have been a great Christmastime option, I think it totally works for any time of year. I'm trying to add more separates to my wardrobe, and this skirt and peasant-style top are such versatile pieces that I can use to make countless outfits. 

For those unfamiliar with Lil' Lou Lou, owner/designer Lily is a one-woman operation (and an absolute joy to work with). Her Jivin' skirts come in numerous colors, are 100% cotton (with pockets!), and run true to the size chart she provides. I also really love the wide waistband with large belt loops; her skirts don't come with belts, but since I have a pretty extensive collection, this wasn't a problem at all. I was a little worried about the fit of the Mary top (since button-down fronts and I don't always get along), but the size large was absolutely perfect, had absolutely no gaping in the front, and instead of being too billowy like many tops in similar styles, it's tailored in such a way that it looks equally great with pants. Although the fabric is a bit thin for our frigid New York winters, I know I'll get a ton of wear out of these pieces, and I can't wait to style them in different ways.

Outfit Details

Mary Top in Triangle Pink: c/o Lil' Lou Lou

Jivin' Skirt in Red: c/o Lil' Lou Lou

Shoes: B.A.I.T. Footwear (similar)

Petticoat: Pinup Girl Clothing

Belt: from another dress

I love being able to work with smaller businesses (especially ones that are owned by women!), and I like the fact that many of the pieces at Lil' Lou Lou are available in sizes up to 3X (and all are made in the USA). In addition to women's clothes and accessories, Lily also makes the cutest children's matching pieces! (You can check out Ashley's "Mommy & Me" posts featuring Lil' Lou Lou here and here.) For now, I'll just be matchy-matchy all by myself... but if I ever have a daughter, she'll be in trouble... :)

Have a great Wednesday!

Fairytale

Well, it's officially winter here! We finally got some snow, and I'm sure more is on the way. I don't mind a little bit of cold weather, but my fingers are crossed that this winter won't be anywhere near as awful as it was last year. Luckily, I have pretty dresses to get me through. As soon as I saw the sneak peeks of this Bernie Dexter Rococo print dress, I knew it belonged on my body. Plus, it pairs perfectly with this enchanted carriage brooch from Deer Arrow and my new Miss L-Fire boots!

This week is going to be a bit hectic, as we're in the midst of rehearsals for the show we're putting together with 1 week of rehearsals. It's going to be really fun though (it's such a cute little play), and a really great challenge. My best friend (who's also directing the show) and I did a little interview on TV for it last week, so I'm hoping both the response and turn-out for the show will be good. (If you're interested in watching it, you can find it here!) In general, there are a few really fun things coming up for me, which definitely makes the winter a bit more bearable.

Outfit Details

Paris Dress in Manor Print: Bernie Dexter 

(get 25% off with code 25BERNIE)

Enchanted Carriage brooch: c/o Deer Arrow

Miss L-Fire booties: available here

Cropped cardigan: ModCloth

Petticoat: Pinup Girl Clothing

Have a great start to your week!