The Outfit Repeater

Tag: pork pie hat

This Kidult Outfit Is Pure Joy

Embracing Kidult Style

Who says growing up means letting go of the whimsy and joy we had as kids?

Kidult style is all about embracing those things you loved long ago and making them work for you as an adult.

Though this term has been used since the 1950s, I only heard about it in the last couple of years and it really helped explain the aesthetic I grew up with and strived for.

I like to joke that thrifting is a way to buy back your childhood, but it’s also a way to buy the style you’ve always wanted. Whether that’s sophisticated, preppy, colorful, or anything in between.

Now that I’m a big kid with money from a big kid job, I can more easily acquire the things from my past that I always wanted or never got.

The outfit in this post is a nod to that. Let’s explore this look and redefine fashion rules that tell us what to wear!

Closet Confession

I have to admit that this outfit wasn’t something I put together myself. If it looks familiar, it’s because it first appeared on my TikTok a while back.

I used a sound to create an outfit about “How to Dress Like You Belong on a Pinterest Board.” I didn’t expect it to kind of be a vibe but I snapped a picture of it anyways!

So, why does this outfit work? It’s all about balance. The relaxed, flowy palazzos offer a sophisticated base, grounding the cartoonish charm of Garfield’s smug grin.

It’s unexpected, eye-catching, and totally me.

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WHAT I’M WEARING
Everything thrifted, >20 | Old ASOS pork pie hat | Old Walmart sneakers

Expressing Your Inner Child

Kidult fashion isn’t just about one perfect outfit. It’s about weaving your inner child into your everyday style.

Dust off that vintage band tee, rock your favorite anime socks with a pair of sweet kicks, or let your childhood comic book heroes peek out from under a blazer.

It’s about saying, “Yes, I love the 1980s, and yes, I have bills to pay.”

I want to hear from you! How do you express your inner child through fashion? Let’s inspire each other to embrace the magic of being a kidult together!

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January 15, 2024
The Truth About My Thrifting Journey
The Truth About My Thrifting Journey

A comment I hear most from my online audience is how in awe they are of what I thrift, how I thrift, where I thrift, or my colorful thrifted outfits in general.

I don’t claim to have any magical powers when it comes to thrifting (though the thrift gods do bless me on occasion).

I’m just a regular gal on a budget living in the Midwest who uses thrifting as a creative outlet and to help reduce my environmental footprint.

So what makes my thrift finds so different or my outfits so unique?

To answer that question, I had to do some digging into my shopping habits and peek into my closet for some insight.

So what’s the truth about my thrifting journey? Read on to find out!

My Thrifting Journey: In My Cart

I shop at a variety of stores every month from the recognizable chains down to volunteer-run shops that are off the beaten path.

I used to favor one over the other but have come to appreciate the offerings of both.

My outfit in this post is a mix of Goodwill finds and no-name stores.

The only big rule I follow is that if it’s too expensive, I don’t buy it. Simple as that. Life’s too short to complain about thrift store prices or speculate why they’re on the rise. ٭eye roll٭ Plus, I’ve been thrifting long enough to know that if I can’t afford something right now, it will come back around at another time.

Which brings me to my first big piece of advice – BE PATIENT!

Thrifting the perfect wardrobe doesn’t happen overnight. It takes years to find the clothes that speak to you, your body, and your budget. Be patient and keep searching. One store is not going to have it all, and you shouldn’t expect it to.

My Thrifting Journey: In My Closet

Since my closet wasn’t thrifted overnight (nor is it finished now!), sometimes that means my outfits are lacking certain pieces to finish them.

It can be frustrating but I remain patient. That was a trait I picked up many years ago when, in 2012, I went through an extreme health-related weight loss and had to give up 95% of my wardrobe in under a year. I was left with the bare bones of a closet and had to start over.

I was always a savvy thrifter and saw potential in everything I bought, but that became even more important than ever.

I cannot stress enough that you need to see potential in everything. If you disregard everything as being too frumpy, old, outdated, or small; you’ll wind up with nothing. (And likely write off a lot of thrift stores without giving them a fair chance!)

Everything can be refashioned into something new or styled to look different. My social media feed is full of Gen Z thrifters buying clothes I’d only imagine my grandma wearing but they have a way of modifying the pieces to look trendy. They’re definitely on to something!

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WHAT I’M WEARING
Old ASOS pork pie hat | Thrifted tee, cardigan, and skirt, $5 | We Love Colors tights | Old Walmart ballet flats

In Clothes-ing

So how long did this outfit take to thrift?
- The skirt was bought in 2013
- The graphic tee was thrifted in 2017
- I found the cardigan last year, in 2023
Isn’t that wild to think it took me 11 years to wear this outfit?!

I hope this post encourages you to be patient and see potential in every thrift store and item you pick up. The result is SO worth it to your closet and the planet!

Please Pin this post or pass it along to a friend who could use some outfit inspo. (Or one who’s a fan of X-files!)

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January 11, 2024
4 Fall Outfit Ideas To (Pumpkin) Spice Up Your Life

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This post contains affiliate links & I may receive a commission if you click or complete a purchase through them.

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Fall Outfit Ideas

Fall is in full swing and I’m sure you’ve all got a milelong bucket list of activities to fulfill!

Me? Not so much.

I’m continuing to take it easy this season and have converted an “activities” list into an outfit list. That’s what a fashion girl does, right?

To really top it off, I created a mini pumpkin patch in my own backyard so I can fulfill my outfit fantasies in a seasonally appropriate setting! * extra and I know it *

So whether you’re hitting up an apple farm or Netflix and chillin’ with a scary movie, maybe one of my outfits will spark an idea for you!

Color-fall Jeans & Sweater

Fall is really a beautiful season because of the changing colors. I like to switch out summer pieces for fall but keep one thing – COLOR! The shades and hues just change a little bit.

Yellow still remains one of my faves so I paired up this bright sweater with dark olive skinny jeans. To keep it somewhat cohesive, I chose a neck scarf that ties both colors together and a matching yellow beret.

This is seriously one of my most favorite outfits in a long time!

👗 WHAT I’M WEARING 💄
Thrifted/thredUP yellow sweater & beret, bought w/ store credit | Thrifted olive green jeggings & scarf, $6 total | Outlet store cognac booties, $20

[irp posts=”13630″ name=”The Ultimate 1980s Halloween Costume Round-Up”]

Girl Bossin’ In Orange Pants

If you missed my last blog post with a big announcement, I’m employed in the fashion industry again. It’s such an exciting time to jump back in!

So I wore my “girl boss” graphic t-shirt (I’m loving all the satire surrounding the phrase on TikTok!) and tried something different with a white moto jacket. I’m digging the monotone vibe!

Then I (pumpkin) spiced it up with my faaaavorite orange palazzo pants. Altogether it’s kind of a cool, quirky fall look.

👗 WHAT I’M WEARING 💄
Thrifted/thredUP moto jacket and orange pants, bought w/ store credit | Thrifted tee, $1.50 | Outlet store white booties, $20

A Sweatshirt That Is SO GOOD

I’ve already worn this outfit for quite a few events like shopping, a quick stop at a corn maze, and sitting around my house.

The sweatshirt is a classic, comfy piece and I wore it with yellow pants to kick it up a notch. I think that helps it from being an ordinary top + jeans look.

👗 WHAT I’M WEARING 💄
Thrifted sweatshirt and sneakers, $7 total | Old Maurices yellow jeggings, $?

Pumpkins & Polka Dots

I know I’ve used the word “favorite” quite loosely in this post and it’s honestly a pet peeve of mine… but this babydoll dress is my FAVORITE baby doll dress! There, I said it.

It was easy to style with some knock-off Doc Martens and a pork pie hat. It’s a very classic “me” outfit and I couldn’t have felt more comfortable to be wearing it!

👗 WHAT I’M WEARING 💄
Thrifted dress, $10 | Old Target boots, $20 | Old ASOS pork pie hat, paid w/ gift card (shop similar hat)

[irp posts=”19616″ name=”Your Biggest Dress Dilemmas SOLVED!”]

What Will I Wear Next?

Which outfit was your favorite?

If you’re anything like me (a very sleepy spoonie!) maybe I can make this “outfit bucket list” a tradition. Rather than choosing to go places every season, I’ll just dream about what I want to wear! What do you think?

If you liked this post, please be sure to Pin your favorite outfit or share it with a friend!

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October 6, 2021
Clothes That Rock For an Outdoor Concert & A Colorful Day Trip

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This post was made possible by Travel Dubuque. All opinions expressed are my own. This site uses affiliate links & I may receive a commission if you click or complete a purchase through them in this post.

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Consider this your front row ticket to the greatest fashion around!

Weekend Update

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend America’s River Festival in Dubuque, Iowa. And since it’s such a short jaunt from my house, I made it into a day trip!

I’ve been to Dubuque a lot in my life but it’s always changing and I’ve almost never done the same thing twice. This trip was no exception, especially because of the once-in-a-lifetime concert featuring three legends of 1980s music.

Keep reading for outfit details and to get tips for your own day trip to Dubuque!

What I Wore

My outfit inspiration came from Pat Benatar herself circa 1980-something. She was often in slinky garments and could rock an animal print like nobodies business.

My search for the perfect garment led me to online consignment store thredUP, where I bought this leopard print maxi with high slits. It was a great choice for the humid summer weather! We did have an emergency run to Hartig’s to buy a sewing kit when the slit started unraveling. Thank goodness drug stores are on every corner in the Midwest!

I accessorized my look with a “heart breaker” pin, pork pie hat, moto jacket, red lipstick, and a bum bag. Because nothing says you’re a tourists like a bum bag, amirite?

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👗 WHAT I’M WEARING 💄
thredUP dress, paid with shop credit (shop similar dress) | ASOS pork pie hat, paid with gift card (shop exact hat) | Thrifted bum bag, $1 (shop similar bag) | Old Walmart broken heart pin, $1 (shop similar pin) | Lulu’s sandals, $19 (shop exact shoes) | Sephora lipstick in Belly-dancing (shop exact lipstick)

🛍 SHOP MY LOOK 🛍

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Where I Went

Our main objective was secondhand stores and free happenings, both of which were sparse in the downtown district but here’s how we made it work:

• Art Wall Crawl. I was in heaven with all the colorful murals! There are too many to list (though here’s a decent round-up) but I definitely want to go back and take more pictures in the near future. Totes Instagram-worthy! And free! (All outfit pictures in this post were taken in front of multiple walls within a few blocks of one another.)

• Watershed Cafe. I’m normally an adventurous eater but my recent dietary needs have really put a cramp on my vaca eating habits. I did a bunch of research beforehand and came across Watershed Cafe that had a few options for me.

Afterwards, we popped into the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquariam (it was one of the few air conditioned buildings in town) and learned they had a small food court with some healthy options. I’m definitely keeping that in mind for next time because their atmosphere trumped the cafe by a lot!!

• Dubuque Missions Thrift Store. This is one of the few things I’m familiar with as I’ve been there a couple times before. I appreciate how charitable this store is but the location itself leaves much to be desired. While it’s arranged by item type, it crams too much into it’s tiny building. Walking through feels very treacherous and I wouldn’t say it’s handicap accessible, which is unfortunate as that’s who it’s there to help.

I did pick up a few things on my visit as they were running a couple $1 specials when I was there. You’ll see them in my June thrift haul at the end of the month!

• Curious Goods Thrift Store. I seem to recall more thrift stores in the downtown area but I guess most have closed since I was last there. But I did come across Curious Goods thrift store in an obscure neighborhood and was happy with it. It featured an organized selection of both old, collectible, and closeout products.

The location is small and off the beaten path which is too bad because the older man running it was very friendly (he was playing with a Bop-it when we walked in. lol) and it was overall an interesting place.

Who I Watched

The America’s River Festival took place in the Port of Dubuque which is such a lively location. We arrived early, grabbed a great spot, and then were informed that the show was being rushed along as there was impending weather. But a little overcast sky couldn’t stop the rock ‘n roll!

• First up was Night Ranger. They totally killed it! I went in with no expectations (admittedly I only know there most popular hit Sister Christian) and was blown away.

Their energy was electric, they hammed it up for the crowd as much as possible, and even threw out guitar picks, signed someones vinyl album, and touched as many hands that went up. (I was THISCLOSE to getting fist bumped by lead signer Jack Blades)

Fun Fact: I recently discovered the ’80s movie “The Secrets To My Success” (starring Michael J. Fox) and learned at the concert that Night Ranger sang the eponymous track to that film… guess who else had a song in there? Pat Benatar! Small world!

• Steppenwolf. It’s hard to believe that Steppenwolf has been in the music biz for 50 years! Feel old, yet? They put on an excellent show, considering their age. Something fun they did was play clips from their old shows on the video screens next to the stage.

The crowd really went wild for “Born To Be Wild” but can you blame them? I’d say it was the most popular song of the night.

• Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo. I am so in awe of these two! They put on a powerful show in the short time they were allotted on stage before we all were instructed to leave early because of the weather.

I think Pat was upset most of all and tried to stretch her time out by playing a quick medley before they ushered her off. You can’t say she didn’t try to put on one heck of a show and her enthusiasm was admirable!

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Next year will mark the 15th anniversary of the America’s River Festival and I would highly recommended keeping an eye on the line-up. It’s a well organized venue with lots of grounds to explore, food to fill you up, and merch to spend your dollars on.

I’d say my day in Dubuque, overall, was well spent. I had a good time and can’t wait to go back and try more new things on my next visit. What’s your favorite thing to do in new towns or cities? Tell me in the comments!

Thank you for joining me in my adventures. If you liked this post, be sure to Pin it, share it with a friend, or bookmark it for later. 🙂

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June 11, 2018
Wearing Ultra-Violet is Going To Be Ultra Cool This Spring!

This post may contain affiliate links. Clicking or making a purchase through them helps me earn a few cents to keep this blog going. Thanks!

Roses are red, violets are blue, here’s a trendy outfit post just for you!

Color Me Bad

Color has been a big part of my closet for the past couple of years so it should come as no surprise that I’m excited about ultra-violet being chosen as the Pantone Color of the Year! Purple feels like such a powerful color so I think it sets a good tone for 2018.

I was able to jump on this trend thanks to a recent DIY I did in collaboration with Rit Dye. So here’s how I styled my new-to-me top as well as a few tips for other ways to work it into your outfits!

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👗 WHAT I’M WEARING 💄
DIY/thrifted shirt, free (see DIY here) | Thrifted skirt and vest, $2 total (shop similar skirt, shop similar vest) | ASOS pork pie hat, paid w/ store credit (shop exact hat) | We Love Colors tights, c/o (shop exact tights) | Outlet store booties, $15 (shop similar shoes) | Kate for Rimmel London lipstick in 29 (shop exact lipstick)

🛍 SHOP MY LOOK 🛍

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Purple With Purpose

I don’t normally highlight trendy things around here but this shirt is definitely different because, as I mentioned, it was a total labor of love that I sourced secondhand and colored myself.

Why spend lots of money on something you may never wear again? Though, I think this top is going to get lots of wear. I mean, come on, it’s ultra-violet which makes it ultra cool!

What I’m Wearing

This ultra-violet top matched so much in my closet that I had a tough time narrowing it down. My mom actually stepped in to give her opinion so I have to give her credit for most of this look!

She picked out this splashy vintage skirt, a punk-y moto jacket, black tights, and sleek black booties.

My contribution to the look is the hat and purple lipstick. They’re the perfect nod to the ’80s that I love to incorporate into my looks!

Spring Forward

The other ideas I had for ultra-violet were pairing it with other shades of purple for a monochromatic look, yellow to really contrast the colors, and red because it’s Valentine’s season. Now you see why I had to call in for help to wrangle my ideas in!

Overall, I’m really digging this edgy spring look that my mom helped me come up with. Maybe my mom should become a regular contributor to my blog after she styled the outfit in this post and this outfit a couple years ago. Let me know in the comments what you think!

If you liked this outfit, please be sure to Pin it for future reference or share it with your friends on social media! 💜

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February 16, 2018
Winter Capsule Wardrobe Challenge: Day 3

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Are we having fun yet?

What I’m Wearing

I think this shirt really says it all – I’m having fun with this winter capsule wardrobe challenge!

Today my robot app dressed me slightly more skewed than I would normally wear but still a combination I like. I’m wearing a graphic tee, polka dot skirt, and my trust denim jacket. This shirt almost always get worn as pajamas so it’s a nice change of pace to wear it for an everyday outfit.

Scroll down to read about how I jazzed up these basic pieces to make this outfit more fun!

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👗 WHAT I’M WEARING 💄
Thrifted tee, skirt, and jacket, $8 total (shop similar tee, shop similar skirt, shop similar jacket) | ASOS pork pie hat, paid w/ gift card (shop exact hat) | Revlon lipstick in Spicy Mauve (shop exact lipstick) | Walmart flats, $6 (shop similar shoes) | We Love Colors tights in Pastel Mint, c/o (shop exact tights)

🛍️ SHOP MY LOOK 🛍️

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Tee Time

Like I said, this shirt is usually worn as pajamas so I liked being able to actually style it. Because the outfit is otherwise pretty basic, I decided to add these minty blue tights that I own – though I know they totally show up as white. In any case, they served their purpose in punching up an ordinary look!

It’s funny because the last time I wore these tights was almost exactly a year ago. Which outfit do you like them with better? Tell me in the comments! 🙂

Do you like this outfit challenge? Be sure to share it with a friend or Pin it for future reference.

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January 16, 2018
The Evolution Of My Style | Celebrating 3 Years of Outfit Repeating

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This post may contain affiliate links. Clicking or making a purchase through them helps me earn a few cents to keep this blog going. Thanks!

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3 years ago I launched a little fashion blog called The Outfit Repeater and now here I am!

The Making of An Outfit Repeater

One of the most frequently asked questions I get is where did my style come from? (Followed up by why in the world do I love the ’80s so much? That’s a story for a different day!)

The bottom line is that I believe everyone has their own sense of style and this is just the one I was given. But for the sake of answering the question, I’ll try to dig around my brain and figure out why I dress the way I do. Keep scrolling to read about my style evolution!

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👗 WHAT I’M WEARING 💄
Thrifted dress & pin, $1 (shop similar dress, shop similar pin) | H&M/thredUP moto jacket, paid with store credit (shop more moto jackets on thredUP) | Red Walmart tights, $4 (shop similar tights) | ASOS pork pie hat, paid with store credit (shop exact hat) | Red outlet store shoes, $10 (shop similar shoes) | Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lipstick in Rebel Red (shop exact red lipstick) | Unknown necklace

🛍️ SHOP MY LOOK 🛍️

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The Cool Kids

I always wanted to dress like the cool kids but thought I didn’t have the creativity or confidence that they did.

So my first taste of fashion came from going to thrift stores when I was growing up because it was what I could afford. I’d buy anything and everything that I thought seemed “cool” and try like heck to be like everyone else.

License For Creativity

It was some time later that I realized the power of thrifting. When you’re given less options, it leaves more room for creativity.

I was literally surrounded by decades of fashion and could try any trend that I wanted! So I stopped trying to emulate the cool kids and instead focused on myself and experimenting with lots of different styles.

An Outfit Repeater Is Born

After years of trial and error, I’ve finally settled into what my style is now. I normally describe my outfits as “secondhand finds mixed with modern trends.” It’s anything but boring!

And of course it’s important to me (and my budget!) to buy and wear clothes that can be worn in lots of different combinations.

To celebrate that, I decided to recreate the first official outfit that I ever posted on this blog 3 years ago to commemorate my blogiversary. A white dress, moto jacket, and my favorite ASOS pork pie hat are wardrobe staples for me. But I updated it a little to reflect my current style whims by wearing red shoes with red tights for a very monochromatic bottom half.

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I have loved getting to share my style with you for the last 3 years and am looking forward to many more!

It would be awesome to hear what your favorite thing about The Outfit Repeater is. Let me know by leaving a comment on this Instagram pic. It could be an outfit post, video, or other memory that stands out in your mind. I can’t wait to read them! 😊

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January 5, 2018
An Unexpected Way To Wear Leopard Print

Some things come and go but leopard print is forever.

Wild Backstory

Would you believe me if I told you these tights have been in my collection for 4 years? It’s true! I bought them because of a stylish outfit I clipped from a magazine about 10 years but have only just now worked up the courage to wear them.

Scroll down to find out why it took me so long + shop this look!

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👗 WHAT I’M WEARING 💄
Old ASOS leopard print tights & hat, paid with gift card (shop exact hat, shop similar tights) | Thrifted blazer, free (shop similar) | Forever 21/thredUP dress, paid with gift card (shop similar) | Walmart black flats, $6 (shop similar) | Gifted gold necklace (shop similar) | Colourpop lippie stix in LBB (shop similar lipstick)

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TIP: New thredUP customers can use code “HANNAH” for 50% off orders up to $50.[/su_note]

🛍️ SHOP MY LOOK 🛍️

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Bold Beginnings

I’m no stranger to pattern mixing in my outfits but leopard print tights felt like a big leap for me. It’s so much pattern in a place where I don’t normally wear patterns!

But like with my floral shorts this past summer, I wore these tights around my house with an LBD many times getting used to seeing my legs all covered in animal print. I guess it worked because here I am!

Animal Instincts

The original picture that inspired me to buy these tights was an outfit comprised of black high waisted shorts and a fun graphic tee. Clearly I went in a different direction!

I went with this green dress I picked up in my November thrift haul video and added this brocade blazer (another recently thrifted piece) on top. All together I felt like the look perfectly tied together the fall + winter seasons. The colors and textures make it a little bit of both and I’m digging it!

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I always have fun when I go outside my clothing comfort zone and I’m so glad I finally put these tights to good use! Let me know on my Facebook page what’s one item you’re afraid of styling. Hopefully it won’t take you 4 years to try it out! 😉

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December 4, 2017
4 Pieces to Make Your Outfit Look Cool This Fall

Here’s how to dress as cool as the weather!

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October 11, 2017
The New Fashion Trend On The Block

No white pants were stained in the making of this outfit post.

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September 20, 2017