Three Reasons Why You Should Give the Peplum Skirt a Chance

1. Instantly creates an hourglass figure.

• If you have broad shoulders, a peplum dress or skirt will balance you out.


• For those who have a little extra love in the tummy area (like me) it will help give back that hourglass figure by contrasting your waistline.


• If you have a slender frame (or even just a straighter frame), this will enhance your curves.

And the people does all of this without making your legs look bulky, because the skirt itself is typically fitted. Otherwise, it's just a ruffle. Peplum elitism here, folks.

2. Adds playfulness and femininity to an otherwise stuffy ensemble.



If it weren't for the peplum effect of the blazer, this look would be quite serious and a little too matronly for a woman of Kate Middleton's age. It also adds curves to her slender body.

3. It's readily available in thrift stores!



The peplum has been around long before the 1980s! It's the modern way to wear a bustle, representing a stark contrast to the loose-fitting garments of the 1920s and 30s.

Thanks for reading, thrifters!

New etsy store, The Betwixt Boutique

So, I decided I wanted to create a more recognizable image for my etsy shop. I made a new one, and this time I named it "The Betwixt Boutique."

Here are some of the lovely vintage items you'll find in my shop:







I've haven't been much of a fashionista lately, if I'm honest. I started a new job in March at an optometry office. This is my first job that I've actually worked full-time. I find it hard to much of anything after work, because I work long hours. There's little reason to put anything nice or exciting on. I'd like to find some less boring work clothes -- especially pants. It's a work in progress.

I promise I will post some personal outfits soon. I swear!

Recent Thrift Store Finds...

Well, I've got some stuff from the Salvation Army and some stuff from a church thrift store to share this week.



Here's a vintage cotton candy pink accordion pleat skirt with what looks like fruit slices printed all over. I love it.  I got this at a church that has a thrift store where you can full a paper grocery bag for $2.



A closer look at the detail...



Nautical? Candy stripe? I love it! A waist cincher belt that will go great with a few skirts I've got in my wardrobe. Same bag sale.



A nice thin leather belt from that same store again. They had a ton of similar belts, and I thought it would be a handy piece to add to my wardrobe.



Lace "Express" blouse, like the kind Prince wore in the eighties! Not vintage, but still cool. $3.99 from Salvation Army. (Actually it was half of that because it was "Family Day," so everything was half-price.)

There are more things to come, so stay tuned.

My Fashion: Dali Art Gallery Exhibition

Getting dressed up for openings for the art gallery that I work for at college is a lot of fun. Not to say that the art is somehow less important. I really enjoy fine art, and this particular exhibition was a collection of Salvador Dali prints illustrating The Divine Comedy. Super cool. So here are some cool outfits from that night...

[caption id="attachment_149" align="alignnone" width="518" caption="Super cool vest and great maxi-dress."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_150" align="alignnone" width="550" caption="Gorgeous dresses!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_152" align="alignnone" width="302" caption="My outfit..."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_153" align="alignnone" width="396" caption="Weirdly lit face, and my outfit again."][/caption]

I am wearing:

Leopard print button up top, Burlington Coat Factory, $9 ish

Faux leather waist cinching belt, Body Central, $9

Vintage leather pencil skirt, thrifted, $2

Silver faux snakeskin platforms, Steve Madden, $3o

I can't resist Steve Madden shoes. Those were expensive, but I had to buy silver shoes for my friend's wedding when I was a bridesmaid. Love them though.