Pardon My Fair Isle, Damsels

Warning: For this post to achieve maximum impact, it must be read in an Irish accent. Hey, I don't make the rules.

Ah, lassies. Allow me to regale ye with a wee story:

There once was a wee fair maiden who wandered into yonder woods at the stroke of noon on a blustery day. She left with no sweater, no warmth for the harsh winds, for she was to return to her lodgings shortly.

Alas, on that blustery day, she got lost in the woods. Her cheeks grew rosy with cold, and her skin rose in bumps. Suddenly, out of the bushes came a wee faerie.

"I'll grant ye one wish, Fair Lass," said she.

"I wish for only one thing, Faerie," the lass replied. "Please, give me something for warmth."

The winds grew ever more fierce, blowing the trees to and fro. So, the faerie granted her wish in the form of a fair isle print sweater, knitted, every stitch, by magic.

"I give you this fair isle sweater, lass, so that you may be warm whenever you feel cold. Now, whenever you reach for its comfort, you can remember the magic that gave it to you, and also this fair isle we inhabit."

Left, via Gap, right, via J.Crew

So, Damsels. If there is one thing to take away from this post, it is that magic always comes through when we are in need.

Oh, and also, apparently, fair isle print can inspire dramatically inventive, Celtic fairy tales by Yours Truly. And by "dramatically inventive," I mean completely mundane.

I think the biggest literary moment was, "so that you may be warm whenever you feel cold."

The emotional depth! The sheer courage! The drama!

Okay, I'm sorry if you read through that entire thing, but don't you just LOVE fair isle print sweaters???

Via Nordstrom

Nice Ride, Damsel

Ladies and gentlemen, and especially Damsels: allow me to lust vs. must your socks off.

Have you heard? Maybe you have. It is fall, which means fall fashions, layering and transitioning into winter. You've heard it all before, if you're a Damsel. But, please. Just humor me. Or, humour me, if you're British.

What better accessory for fall and winter than the boot? So stylish, so different from summer, and most importantly, so warm. This season, I've especially noticed the far-reaching trend of the riding boot. I, for one, am ready to ride this trend-horse off into the sunset, because if there is anything I can get behind, it is a boot with no heel.

Whether or not it has been brought to your attention before, I cannot walk in heels. It's never been a strong suit, and I avoid it at all costs. As I walked across the stage for my college graduation, for instance, every step was a fearsome, gruesome, high-heeled task. Thankfully, I didn't fall or make a fool of myself, but I will never get those years of stress back. NEVER.

Needless to say, when I can be stylish sans heel, I become a very happy Damsel, indeed. So, imagine my mirth when I viewed these lovely equestrian leather soles:

Via Tory Burch

Behold, dearest Damsels, the Selma riding boot from Tory Burch. J'adore. It is offered in both black and brown. Both colors are good choices in my opinion. But, they retail for $495. Insert sad face here. After pining after these specific riding boots for at least a month, and trying to look for any semblance of similarity in other brands, I had almost given up. Until:

Via Nordstrom's

Ah. Why does half the price feel so good? These are Vince Camuto version of the riding boot, and I have to say, I may enjoy the emblem placement even more than the Tory Burch version. This boot is just  $209! This brown is particularly flattering with jeans, and having tried them on in person, I can honestly say they fit close to calf, giving a true-to-form, slender fit, rather than a bunching, gathered, stiff leather fit, which most boots sport. As far as I can tell, they are only available through Nordstrom's and ShopStyle, but they are worth the dough.

Please excuse me while I grab my trusty steed and ride off into the sunset (perfectly accessorized, mind you).

Damsels are FUR Real

For real, Damsels. I had a hard time choosing a pun for this one, because technically, I could have said Damsels are FAUX Real or Damsels are FUR Real. I hope you think I chose wisely, as the sentiment I wish to convey has more to do with the idea of fur than the idea of faux, even if the fur is faux—you feel me, damsels?

Pun tangents aside, fur is totally in, partly because the weather is cooling down, and partly because texture is HUGE.

Fur is a great way to make a statement with a staple piece. And faux fur is a great way to make a statement on a budget (and also save animal lives).

The two types of faux fur statements I'm dying over are vests and full jackets.

Via shopnastygal.com

Fur jackets are great because you can make your statement in your outerwear, letting everyone you pass know that this girl knows what she's doing.

Via karmaloop.com

Vests are also wonderful objects because you can wear them indoors, allowing your coworkers, classmates and friends to see what you have going on in your wardrobe.

With all of these practical reasons and general warmth, who could really say no to faux?

It's Leathah, Damsels!

Lately, I've been wondering if I'm going slightly insane. It's just a small voice in the back of my mind telling me, "Are you serious about liking leather leggings right now?" And I try to tell this voice, "No, no, I couldn't possibly like those!" as I nervously shift my eyes back and forth and drum my fingernails on the couch cushion. Because, I explain to myself, "Leather leggings are tacky, Lindsay Lohan-type vestments. No one likes Lohan style. No one likes tacky! I DO NOT LIKE LEATHER LEGGINGS! I PROMISE I DON'T!"

This is the point where the voice in my head says, "Please, you're being a little too defensive. I see right through you."

Via nordstrom.com

Okay! So I admit it. I do like leather leggings! And maybe they aren't tacky anymore. Picture some cute muted (not shiny—that, my friends, is still tacky) black leggings with a soft chunky sweater and some flats. Or, if I must entice you further, imagine some burnt red leather, or dark teal leather leggings with the same chunky sweater! Cozy with an element of edge.

Via net-a-porter.com

This burnt red/orange number is the reason for all this madness in the first place. I blame you, Net-A-Porter!

I don't know anymore. All the voices in my head are conflicting. You tell me, am I crazy?