Italic

Luxury for less has always been the guiding principle of this blog. Lots of things have changed over the years, but I still get excited over a beautiful, quality bag at an attainable price point. So how about a calfskin leather bag made by the same manufacturer as Prada and Miu Miu for $170? If you can live without the designer labels but still want quality, Italic is the company to put on your radar.

Italic is like a direct to consumer brand, only minus the brand - the membership based site is about enabling products to be purchased from the manufacturer at cost. Eliminating the brand removes packaging hallmarks we often associate with luxury goods - the glossy box with a magnetic closure, pieces swaddled in tissue emblematised with logos - but do we really need them?

 

Not just limited to bags, Italic is home to coats from the same manufacturer as Alexander Wang and Armani, shoes sharing a manufacturer with Chanel and Prada, even housewares and bedding from the same manufactures as All-Clad and Frette.

 

Italic's membership costs $120 a year, but considering they sell everything with zero markups, they aren't profiting on product sales, and most members break even on the cost with a single purchase. With the holiday season approaching, I can't think of a better way to gift a cashmere sweater that could retail at $400 for only $65.

The Rundown
Cream Denim Jacket Banana Republic
Cream Sweater Tank Banana Republic
Rust Wide Leg Pants H&M similar
Cream Booties Aerosoles
Green Mini Trunk Bag c/o Italic
Earrings S.V. Decker
Necklace S.V. Decker
Gold Snake Chain Vintage similar
Thin Gold Ring Etsy
Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Italic provided me with the bag for this post. Thanks for supporting the brands who support Chic on the Cheap.

It's a Jungle Out There

Since my sister started her blog we've been somewhat at odds when it comes to taking outfit photos. Since the very beginning of my blog (and in truth, before I started my blog) it was meant to be about documenting outfits I actually wore. I feel like a decade ago most bloggers shared a similar mentality, but over the years it's evolved to become more about inspiration (or perhaps even more so aspiration).

In the efforts to create content above all else, outfits get styled for photographs which never have a reason to be worn for real, and that has never been something I could get behind. So my sister and I argue, and most of the time I end up photographing her inspirational looks and refusing to put together my own - since what I'm really wearing is some combination of joggers and a sweatshirt with zero makeup and my hair pulled back.

But here we are, six weeks into quarantine, with no reason to get dressed aside from going through the motions of normalcy, so here is a look that wasn't so much worn as it was styled, and hopefully someday will provide inspiration, even if for no one other than myself.

     

The Rundown
Jungle Print Blouse J.Crew
Drapey Marnia Pant Ann Taylor
Sandals Manolo Blahnik via Coco's on the Green
 Green Snake Skin Box Bag c/o Vintanthromodern similar
Earrings Thrifted
Ring Thrifted
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Easy Summer Pants

During one of my many visits to Banana Republic over the last month (yes, I have many weaknesses) I found these fabulous linen pants. They are a blend with a bit of stretch, but as you can see they do still fall victim to linen's greatest fault, excessive wrinkles.

As far as sizing goes, size down. Maybe even two sizes, as I found they stretched a bit after wearing. They also come in three lengths, as well as petite. I probably should have opted for petite or even the short length, but since I bought them in the store and decided when I tried them on that I liked them as they were, I stopped myself from ordering three other options 'just to see'.

The other new piece I'm sharing here is the pair of blue and white ceramic earrings. When I walked into one of my favorite thrift stores I was surprised to find a huge influx of jewelry. Apparently a shop went out of business and donated all their remaining inventory. After much deliberation, and talking myself out of pieces which felt very similar to things I already have, I left with two pairs of earrings, priced at $4 each. Hopefully I wont be tempted to go back for a third!

      

The Rundown
White Eyelet Top "Heidi" Ella Moss via Coco's similar
Wide Leg Linen Cropped Pant Banana Republic
White Mules "Bianca" Target similar
Round Rattan Bag Etsy similar
Ceramic Button Earrings Thrifted similar
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

 Linking up with  Style on the Daily

Golden Hour in Malibu

Last weekend I went to dinner at the oft Instagrammed Malibu Farm, a restaurant situated on a pier. The view was lovely, especially as the sun started to set, and if you've followed my blog for any length of time, you might know that docks during golden hour are my most favorite time and place for outfit photos.

When the sunlight catches my hair and ignites it bright gold, it might be the only time I don't mind my frizzy flyaways.

       

The Rundown
Black Tee Shirt Banana Republic
Field Jacket J.Crew similar
White Wide Leg Jeans Gap similar
Leopard Loafers Franco Sarto via TJMaxx similar
Camera Bag "Palma" ONA

Tortoise Earrings Loft
Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Crystal Bar Ring Upper Metal Class
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "Caviar Bar" Essie

Linking up with Style on the Daily

Point Loma

Before heading back from San Diego, my sister and I decided to make a stop in Point Loma, at the Cabrillo National Monument. While we didn't realize there was a $15 entry fee, since we'd already planned on going, we payed it and went on our way. There was a small gift shop and information center, along with some stunning views overlooking the city - we could even spot the Corondao hotel. There is a historically preserved lighthouse you can walk through, but you can only get access to the very top three days a year.

Down at the bottom there are tide pools, and this part would be best visited in sneakers or some shoe more sensible than a sandal. At least you can drive down and park! I saw some people walking the trek and I can only say that I admire their dedication.

As you can see, the views are quite gorgeous no matter where you are, and while I wasn't too keen on the entry fee, it was a worth while visit.

       

The Rundown
Polka Dot Wrap Blouse J.Crew similar
 White Culottes eBay similar
Sandals Target
Tear Earrings Etsy custom design via Bonanza Studio
Half Moon Necklace c/o Happiness Boutique
Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "Couture Curator" Essie

Linking up with

Jeans and a Teacup's Flashback Friday (one year ago today)

Central Park

No typos in this post title, this really is called Central Park. While it has nothing on its New York namesake, it is a cute little park, replete with turtles, ducks, and cactus balls. Though I probably shouldn't be mentioning that I took photos here at all, as it's strictly forbidden, and there are park rangers there to enforce the rule.

This is what it looks like to take outfit photos while looking over your shoulder.

           

The Rundown 
Grey Tee c/o ThredUP similar
White Wide Leg Jeans Gap similar
Blush Leather Jacket Athleta similar
Huarache Mules "Camila" Rebecca Minkoff
Monogrammed Bucket Bag c/o Marleylilly
 Scalloped Earrings Bauble Bar
Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "Caviar Bar" Essie

Linking up with Style on the Daily