My Spin on a Staple

There's a top in my closet. A beautiful piece with a delicate floral overlay, from a collection I was obsessed with. It was something I'd wear all the time, and it became a staple in my collection. But as seasons changed, so did my body, and somewhere along the way, it just stopped working for me. 

It hung in my closet for a long time, and I couldn't let it go. It needed some repairing, and instead of just mending it, I wondered how I could breathe new life into it and make it mine again.

Somewhere along the way, I was reading a book about upcycling, and my mind came back to this piece that sat in the back of my closet. I began imagining a new life for it. One that fits where I'm at right now.

I knew this top needed sleeves. It had gotten too tight on me, and forcing myself into it was causing it to tear. Then, I thought about making this piece shorter. The length of this top was always a hair too long imo.

The more I dreamed about what a new life could look like for this top, the more excited I got. So, then it became about finding the right person to help me execute my vision!

I started inquiring about reworking this top and reached out to a former Wildcat, Annabelle, the owner of Fashion AF.

Through a series of  DM's, we settled on using the lace to create cap-sleeves. Annabelle asked whether any alterations were necessary, which allowed me to reflect and request that the top be made roomier in the armpit area. I was so pleased when Annabelle agreed to take on this project, and off this beloved top went to California. 

Summer transitioned to fall, and I can hardly remember it. I went to Florida for a work trip, celebrated MOHIVES' 5 years, subsequently got stung on the face, returned to NWA, helped raise money for mental health in Johnson County, saw Breakfast at Tiffany's outside the Nelson with friends, met one of my heroes, went to a conference in Denver, saw an old friend for supper, and I even got to catch the 40th anniversary of St. Elmo's Fire in theaters =')

 When the final product got to me, it was even better than I had imagined, and so roomy!

From adding the lace cap sleeves to shortening the top, Annabelle did such a wonderful job.

I initially acquired this top (in a well-considered trade) and immediately fell for it. While it may have started as a simple, and not a well-thought-out addition, it evolved into a piece I wore frequently.

Since I got this top, I have been wearing it nonstop (and telling this tall tale)! Mainly with these AGOLDE Cooper Cargo jeans. I wear these frequently, but I have never actually posted them on the blog. I have been pondering what life would look like with more styles of denim beyond skinny, but as I am currently tackling my sock drawer, I will have to tend to my denim selection later.

I bought these Chelsea boots off the Real Real last spring for $294. Spendy, I know, but I wear the hell out of a Chelsea boot, so investing in another pair made economical sense, obviously.

I've never been a square-toed boot girl, so incorporating these into my wardrobe has been interesting, but ultimately I've really enjoyed wearing different styles and silhouettes!

I've been getting my nails done more frequently, and it has been a little luxury. There has been so much to do with work and life, having my nails done has really alleviated stress and given me more time. I'm wearing Turn Bright After Sunset by OPI (big fan).

Somehow, we're in November, and I look forward to 2026. It has been a weird and difficult year. Yet, I'm hopeful. Stay well, beautiful friends.

Wearing: Top - Lela Rose for Neiman Marcus + Target altered by Fashion AF (there are so many of these on ThredUp), jeans - AGOLDE, shoes - The Row, earrings - My cousin Yash's but plated by Castel by Crow (similar)

Photos by Javier Luna

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