Unexpected Classics (It's a thing, we promise!)

Ever since we started talking about having a blog, Katie 1 has recommended that we do a post about Unexpected Classics. Katie 2 never really understood what that meant, because she wears black almost every day, and has never met a sheath dress or pencil skirt she doesn’t like so nothing is a classic and nothing is unexpected.  But Katie 1 wouldn’t let it go, so Katie 2 had to come up with something to say. Elizabeth has opted not to participate in this post. 

Katie 2: So I started wracking my brain (and my closet) for something that is unexpected. Pencil skirt? No. Black sweater? No. Sheath dress? No. Black fancy-ish t shirt? No. Black A-line dress? No. It wasn’t until I showed up at work and looked at the shoe pile under my desk that I realized my unexpected classic isn’t an item, it’s a brand. Franco Sarto. When I was job hunting, I came to Chicago for a “not interview” with the woman that would eventually become my boss. I had a great “not interview” outfit, but my trusty patent leather nude shoes were looking a bit rough. A “quick” trip to DSW left me a bit under whelmed when I didn’t find anything from one of my go-to brands. So I scoured the clearance racks looking for a light nude pump that wouldn’t break the bank because I knew I wasn’t going to love it. I came across these (see below). They were pale enough (I have really white legs). They were a good height. They were basic. And the price was beyond reasonable. So I slipped them on. It was like I put on a cloud. I’m not joking. I have tried very few shoes on that fit so comfortably straight from the box. I knew these shoes would be great for walking the God only knew how many blocks from the parking structure to the office downtown Chicago (I drove into town just for the “not interview”). And I wasn’t wrong. I have worn these suckers for hours and my feet never hurt or pinch. I have to admit, they do scruff pretty easily. But a little bit of hand sanitizer and cotton balls clean them right up.

After my nude pump success, I am often on the lookout for other FS shoes. I have since bought a pair of light grey/blue suede pumps (pictured below) and flat booties (I talked about them here.) They are all just as comfortable and stylish as my first pair. I am happy to announce that they are now one of my go-to DSW brands. [Note: Katie 2 has wide, flat feet in case that helps in determining if you want to follow her recommendations.]

Katie 1: Honestly, I can’t take credit for the idea for this post.  I remember reading an article in the Harpers Bazaar 150^th anniversary issue about unexpected classics and the author talked about a turquoise Pucci dress that her mother bought in the 1970s that became one of her go-to dresses.  When we started discussing ideas for this blog, that article stuck out for me as a great idea for a blog post, especially because I have two dresses in constant rotation that I originally purchased thinking they would be one-hit wonders. 

First up is this turquoise printed under the sea themed jersey dress.

I think I bought this dress for like $5 at an antique shop in Charlotte, NC in 2008.  It was a little too big so I had some minor alterations done (hemmed, taken in on the sides, sleeves shorted) and wore it to a March wedding.  I received so many compliments on it that I wore it to a fancy birthday party.  When I transitioned out of private practice into my current role, I threw it on with nude pumps for workwear.  I literally receive compliments on it every single time I wear it (and not just from people I know, from random people on the street).  I never thought I would get as much wear out of a $5 dress with such a loud print, but here we are.  I think it’s the print that makes the dress so versatile.

Because the print is so loud it can easily be dressed up for a cocktail party with fancy shoes and perhaps a necklace, like I've styled it below.

It can also be easily dressed down with sandals for a casual occasion. Add more conservative pumps and it becomes work appropriate for my business casual environment as you can see below.

Next up is this faux wrap sleeveless jersey dress with a sort of diamond meets polka dot pattern.

This bad boy is a less than $10 Target clearance rack find that I’ve had for about 5 years.  It seriously still looks the same as it did the day I bought it, and I haven’t babied it all (I don’t even hang dry it) and it still doesn’t show any signs of wear.  Because it’s sleeveless, I wear this dress year round, from the hottest days of summer to the dead of winter (although tbh, it’s mostly a summer dress for me).  It looks great on its own with a fun pump as shown above in the summer months and just as good with tights, boots (although I substituted black pumps), and a blazer or cardigan in the winter as seen below.

It’s also a great piece to dress down with sandals for a more casual after work look (throw on some sandals and a jean jacket and you’re good to go for a concert or casual dinner).

So there you have our unexpected classics.  Hopefully, ours will help you look in your closet and find yours (or at least help you justify a ridiculous purchase).