Bloggers Do it Better: Challenge- Prep School

In an random act of online surfing from one fashion blog to another I discovered the blog Pretty Shiny Sparkly.  Besides being insanely fun to look at and read along with Kristina's style adventures each week, she has been issuing a style challenge to fellow fashion bloggers.  This week's style challenge is Menswear-Prep School, the one requirement was that every blogger don a tie or bow tie and work from there.  Excited by the idea I decided to channel my inner Annie Hall and rock my own menswear inspired look!

First I realized I had no idea how to tie a tie, so I went to the web for the answers. I found a great tutorial here.  After mastering the tie I decided on the rest of the pieces of the outfit.  Classic prep calls to my mind crisp oxfords so I donned my light blue Heritage Oxford Shirt from Lands End CANVAS.  This shirt is in heavy rotation in my wardrobe I think I may have to get another. Next I added on a plain black tie stolen from my brother's closest (shh!)  I threw on my grey Ann Taylor cardigan, looks like it came from Mr. Rogers neighborhood.  The pants are plain black skinny trousers from Lands End CANVAS.  Last I topped my outfit off with my J. Crew fedora a bargain buy from last summer, it was only $9!  After the first couple of shots I thought of adding on some men's watches (random brands all broken).  I really love the pocket watch the most.

Since the look skews masculine I kept my makeup decidedly feminine with a bold red lip and liquid liner.  

The photos for this post were all taken by my super helpful brother, Thomas Griffin.  I would not have gotten as many terrific shots without his help. It would have been me and the tripod, working with a camera timer.

How did I do? Did I achieve the effect of menswear prep?  Would you or have you rocked a tie?

For more on the Bloggers-Do-It Better challenges click here.

See all the amazing looks from this week's Blogger's Do It Better challenge!