BASEBALL HATS (THEY'RE NOT JUST FOR HIM)

(image sources: one | two | three | four | five)

I love hats.  I usually gravitate towards wide brim, a bit western inspired (like this), or knit stocking caps.  But right now I am loving that baseball hats are having a fashion moment.  They're unexpected and a bit playful... like wearing a cotton tee with a sequin skirt, or layering on rhinestone necklaces with jeans.

In the images above - I love the burgundy leather hat in the second image, but I think I'd wear one like the fifth image much more often.  

So, what do you think?  Are you on board like me?  If so, here are a few options! Personally, I want a gray wool or something simple like number one from Madewell.

(one. Madewell - $22 // two. Sears - $12 // three. Rag & Bone - $125

four. Pendleton - $39 on sale // five. Archival - $40 // six. Asos - $26)

(I adore this leather brim hat via Free People, but at $263 I'm going to have to keep on dreamin'.)

PANTS ON PARADE

Pants.  I don't wear them.  I think it's a combination of these things: First, I have an aversion to dress pants.  I think I am still getting over having to buy and wear true business casual attire, way back in the day when I had an office job.  Second, I think it's hard to find flattering pants. 

So, I was pretty excited when more casual, "non-officey" pants started showing up.  Especially in shapes and cuts more flattering for us average size gals.  I basically spent the spring and summer trying to find a pair of harem pants.  For those of you born around the same time I was, the new version is not the same harem pants we had back in the day {not exactly "hammer pants"}.  I'm also not sure "harem" is the right term... I haven't been shopping for "true" harem pants with the drop rise that is around your knees {Zara actually has a few of these}.  I just want a pair of  slouchy, comfy, tapered-ankle, crop pants.  Preferably in a tribal print... and preferably under $75 or so, because I don't like to spend a lot on trendy pieces. Hmmm... maybe a bit too many criteria?  

Other big trends for pants right now are palazzo pants {wide leg} and prints.  Basically, whether harem or palazzo, we all just want to feel like we are wearing pajama bottoms.  I can totally get behind that.

And last, but certainly not least, I can't talk about pants without giving Zara due credit.  They really do have the best selection of pants. I have been wanting a pair of cropped trousers from Zara for a few seasons now.  How cute is the bottom right pair {#12}?  I would wear those with everything.  Too bad everything at Zara sells out before I can hit the "add to basket" button.  Zara, when are you coming to Columbus, Ohio?   

HAREM: 1. Urban Outfitters $49 lounge pant // 2. T-Bags $145 satin pants

3. Forever 21 {exact pair no longer available} // 4. Free People $98 tempting, if they were a bit more neutral

PALAZZO: 5. Joie $134.97 on sale at Piperlime // 6. Joie Ikat Aryn Pants {sold out} 

7. Zara $59.95 satin trousers  // 8. Anthropologie $98

CROPPED: 9 - 12. all Zara pants

ANIMAL MOTIF SWEATERS

Animal sweaters.  No, not animal as in leopard print.  We're talking about animal motif, like a wolf or a bunny on the front of your sweater.  Yep... just keep reading. While animal motifs have been in for a few years now, it's typically been more of a small all-over print... like little cats all over your dress that could just be any old graphic print from far away, like the two items below. {I actually have the bird print blouse on the left. My blouse, and the cat print dress on the right, are from Asos}

I'm sure some of you have worn an animal face on a sweater... when you were five.  I don't recall for certain, but I had to have one when I was little, right Mom?  I bet I had one with a unicorn on it.  It's kind of funny that an item that would immediately be seen as a fashion don't {as something an adult should simply not wear}, is now suddenly seen as cool and trendy.

 clockwise from left: Asos Tiger Sweater $52 // Aritzia Talula Zev Horse Sweater $80 {can't find it, but kind of want it} //

Mulberry Tiger Intarsia Sweater $670 { $$$? yeah, right!} // Zara Wolf Sweater {no longer avail.} // Paul & Joe Sister Cats Knit Pullover $280

clockwise from left:  JCrew French Hen Sweater $95 // Peter Jensen for Urban Outfitters Deer {no longer available} // 

Aubin &Wills Fox Intarsia Sweater $215 // Peter Jenson Fox Intarsia Sweater $285 // Peter Jensen for Urban Outfitters Bunny {no longer available}

I'm not sure how I feel about some of the more quirky & whimsical ones {the french hen, deer, or bunny}, but I would wear one with a bit more edge {the wolf, or tiger}.  I also like the horse sweater... and the bottom right fox.  So what do you think?  Are you on board, or have you lost all faith in me now that I've posted about bunny sweaters?