A wardrobe without a Safari jacket is rather like a wardrobe without a Trench coat – it’s just not complete. Originally this style of khaki-colored, self-belted, patch pocketed, jacket was meant to be worn while tromping through the African bush. Then, in 1968, Yves Saint Laurent created a Safari look for his Spring/Summer collection. What was once utilitarian staple has been a fashion statement ever since.
I have a real “thing” for safari jackets. The one I’m wearing here is made of a rather thick cotton. Although it’s a bit too stiff to be super comfortable, I find it very glamorous and simply can’t part with it. I like the safari look so much that even though I have another fitted beige jacket with similar detailing I would happily add an LL Bean classic version to my closet. I just don’t know where it will fit, and I feel guilty adding yet another version of something I already have.
I have worn this leopard skirt before on this blog, and I was getting dressed I couldn’t help but think about Scott Schuman’s interview with Style.com. In it he expresses a certain amount of distain for the fashion blogger and her “limited wardrobe”. Like many of my fellow style bloggers I felt a bit hurt by his statement. The Sartorialist was the first fashion blog I ever read. I still look at his posts almost every day and find both his photography and his subjects inspirational.
Mr. Schuman might find the fashion blogs written by average women boring, but what I find inspirational about them is seeing how other women put together interesting and stylish outfits with a limited wardrobe and budget. Anyone can look great with an unending flow of high-end designer clothing. It takes something special to look great on a middle-class budget. And if you don’t believe me, just take at my blog roll on the sidebar to the right!
I hesitated for a few minutes, and then thought “damn the torpedeos, full steam ahead!”, and put the skirt on anyway.
I felt this pearl and rhinestone necklace added a nice touch of glamour to the outfit.
A favorite purse in one of my favorite colors adds some vibrance to an otherwise neutral palette.
Safari jacket – Banana Republic
Black v-neck T-shirt – The Gap
Leopard skirt – Lafayette
Necklace – Target
Purse – a gift, brand unknown
Scarf – a hand-me-down from my mother, vintage
Shoes – Camper
Do you like Safari jackets?
How do you feel about wearing things you’ve already worn in a personal style post? Have you read Scott Schuman’s interview and what did you think of it?
You look more beautiful in every post.
I must try animal print.
Much love my dear, Heather.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sacramento recently posted..Flea Market bargains and Bernau
Yes you must try some animal prints! I can’t wait for your take on the print.
Heather, this may be one of my absolute favorite outfits you’ve ever posted. It is so chic!!!!! I love how every piece plays with the others- while simultaneously offering cohesion and balance.
For instance— I love how the feminine necklace blanances of the masculinity of the safari jacket and the humor of the jacket paired with the skirt and the skirts pattern next to the scarfs pattern….. okay I am stopping.
Suffice it to say, I LOVE this look!
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Thank you Alexis! It’s funny that so many people like it because to me it looks a tad conservative, but I’m really glad you like it so much.
gorgeous! Never part with it, goes with everything! Love your shoes too!
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The shoes will be in another outfit post soon I’m sure. They were a mother’s day gift and they seem to be perfect with almost everything. Glad you like them.
Twitter: annembray
May 20, 2011 at 12:55 pm #
you look so lovely next to the bouganvilla.
Combining the animal with a WHITE safari jkt really is fresh. love the combo of animal, white, and dab of vintage floral. a subtle pattern mix pulled off. brava!
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Thank you Anne!
Twitter: trustyourstyle
May 20, 2011 at 3:14 pm #
I love a Safari jacket and this post is making me wish that I didn’t give it away in a recent purge (!) What a cute overall outfit and I really love the vintage scarf, to me that kind of thing always puts an outfit over the top. It’s personal and has so much more style than something just put together from a department store.
p.s. Love your nail color
xo Mary Jo
Mary Jo recently posted..eye on style- erika from cafe fashionista
The safari jacket I wore in this post has been in the goodwill bag about 5 times. In the end I always take it out, but it’s been close to purged many times. Believe me, I’ve purged lots of things that I wish I hadn’t later! My closet is so small I have to be really hard core with what stays and what goes.
All my vintage scarves were once my mother’s. I love them all! And they do add a certain something don’t they?
VERY COOL! I have a similar Safari jacket but I usually style it more “plain”…and your leo-skirt is prettier than mine.
Boheme Noir recently posted..Cavalli Boutique Opening & Private Dinner in Cannes May 18th
I’m so glad you like my outfit. I’m sure your leo skirt is nice too and I hope to get to see it on your blog one day!
Twitter: gritandglamour
May 23, 2011 at 5:22 am #
I love a safari look, and this one is lovely on you! Orange is brilliant with leopard and khaki.
I echo your feelings about The Sartorialist. You nailed it here:
“Anyone can look great with an unending flow of high-end designer clothing. It takes something special to look great on a middle-class budget.”
Amen, girlfriend! We’re not all trust-fund babies with access to per-season designer looks!
xo
GRIT & GLAMOUR recently posted..Lipstick- Faves- Tips- and Tricks
I’m so glad you agreed with me. A lot of people are writing about his interview – I wonder if he realized what a stir it would cause?
Twitter: citizenrosebudz
May 23, 2011 at 5:49 pm #
i just wrote a big comment and something happened to it- crap.
suffice to say- you look amazing. every element of your ensemble works for me. I am sad i don’t have the energy to restate my lost comment. you rock.
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Sorry Bella. I don’t know what happened. It didn’t end up in my “to approve” file.
I’m so glad you like my outfit! I’m trying to push myself beyond the obvious.
Twitter: Ohtobeamuse
May 24, 2011 at 1:40 pm #
i love your necklace and bag, and i think fashion bloggers have beautiful wardrobes!
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I agree!
Twitter: totalcitygirl
May 24, 2011 at 6:11 pm #
Heather, as always you look great and I love how you can pull things together. In this outfit I really like your bag and shoes!!
Stacey – Total City Girl recently posted..Camrin’s Bat Mitzvah
Thanks Stacey! I’ve fallen back in love with the orange bag. It’s been in my closet for ages. I just rediscovered it.
This look is great. Very flexible.
Thanks Susan! Glad you like it.
Glad you decided to power ahead; the skirt looks amazing on you and the orange purse is a great complement.
Fajr | Stylish Thought recently posted..Closet Love- 6 Things I Love About My Wardrobe
Thanks so much! I do love that orange purse. I’ll be wearing it on another outfit post later this week.
Hi Heather–
I wrote a response to the recent comments about The Sartorialist in my last post as well–while I get why some bloggers were upset, I also think that what Schuman does and what “personal style” blogs do are very different, though related. The post goes into more detail. I’d welcome your response!
http://mauveincognito.wordpress.com/2011/05/21/inspired-by-the-sartorialist-and-vintage-photos/
mauveincognito recently posted..Inspired by- The Sartorialist and Vintage Photos
Hi there! Thanks so much for stopping by. I like your response to his article as well, and I haven’t stopped reading his blog because of his interview. I think there are a lot of ways to look at it. My husband, who takes my outfit post photos, looked at it as a challenge to make his photos better. So I think we’ve all looked at it a bit differently. Thanks so much for sending me a link to your reaction!
I too have a thing for safari jackets. I also have a thing for military jackets and suit jackets…ok I’ll stop now. Safe to say I HEART JACKETS! lol.
Umm yeah you have to work with what you got. I mean what’s the virtue of putting looks together when you have all that money, I mean it does help don’t get me wrong. In my opinion outfits are already put together in the designer’s look book. They already tell you how to wear it. I think there is little creativity involved in that.
Necessity is one of the cornerstones of creativity my friends! Here’s to being creative – I mean that is why we do this right?
Veronica
@bestofpbconsign
Best of Palm Beach recently posted..Rare Find- Jean Paul Gaultier Custom Made Skirt
Hi Veronica, Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! I see you live in another hot climate where wearing a jacket is not always easy. Sigh. I also love winter coats but there’s not much need for them where I live.
I absolutely adore that skirt, and I think you’re right- if you have a huge budget for clothes, you can wear a different outfit everyday, but it takes style (and work!) to make something out of fewer items!
Thanks so much! I’m very pleased with that skirt too – already worn it twice on the blog and I don’t know how many times otherwise.
Great outfit! I love the way you have glamorized the look!
Thanks so much for the nice compliment and also for stopping by and commenting!
Twitter: ladyofashion
June 1, 2011 at 11:40 am #
Well this was spot on! Your outfit here is pretty amazing. The jacket & the colouring of your handbag is so lovely. I feel much amazing inspiration for me is through the so-called “average woman/blogger/artist” much rather that any day! -xxoo
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I get almost all my inspiration from personal style bloggers – even when I’m working on new designs. I’m so glad you like my outfit.