It's Not a Hashtag. But, Those Are 8 Ways to Wear Maroon Pants.

Teaching AP English has opened up a new level of intelligence for me. This scarecrow finally has a brain. Thanks, wizard. Enter my newest bit of knowledge--learned from my students, no less. That sign you call a hashtag? Not a hashtag. That sign you refuse to call a hashtag because, damnit, it's a pound sign? Not a pound sign. It's an...

octothorpe!

It's like the symbol superhero. Or something. 

What will the inter webs do if I just start saying:

#therealdeal

octothorpe: the real deal

Much cooler if you ask me. 

Not that you did.

Of course, calling the symbol a hashtag or pound sign is acceptable because plenty of words and symbols have different names/definitions. Look at the F word (yes, that F word.) It has an entire book devoted to its many definitions and a YouTube video dedicated to its versatility. You might have even seen my insta about that book.

I was frighteningly close to buying it for my Dad.

I refrained and bought him the Urban Dictionary instead.

octothorpe: not kidding.

It'll catch on. Eventually. Just like fetch.

Since you probably come here for my photos of terrible quality and not my words of better quality, I have a treat for you today. I am here to inspire you with pictures, but be glad you are not viewing pictures with my face in it. All I have to say is that Medusa would be proud of this lion's mane of mine. Instead, I present you with pictures of outfits folded all neatly and prettily on my bed. Who came up with this genius idea I see splattered all over Pinterest? Whoever you are, I LOVE YOU. In a very non-creepy way. 

Today's clothes-folded-prettily-on-bed (should I be concerned about putting my shoes on the comforter?) theme is "maroon pants." I just took advantage of Old Navy's $15 rockstar jean sale yesterday, but I allowed myself ONE pair as long as they came in the exact color I needed to replace my too-small H&M pair. Only one left. In my size. Fashion fate? I think so. 

(I really wish I bought a pair of the ones that look like leather. Poop.)

Anyway, after I buy an article of clothing, I like to Pinterest the shit out of it so that I can justify my purchase. Some of these looks are inspired by Pinterest, but I just relied on shopping my own closet.
Yes, I just turned Pinterest into an infinitive. 

I compiled outfit "formulas"and provided pictures of each outfit in case you want to pin a specific look. Let me know if you like this sort of thing and wish to see more posts like it!

Look 1 Formulas: 

Pieces: colored skinny pants + striped shirt + scarf + cardigan + flats 

Colors: maroon + navy + cognac + cream

Replacements: 

- swap stripes for another pattern

- swap cardigan for blazer

- swap flats for boots

-swap cardigan for an oxford under the striped shirt

Look 2 Formulas:

Pieces: colored skinny pants + lace top + cardigan + scarf + booties

Colors: maroon + cream + leopard + black

Replacements:

- swap leopard scarf for statement necklace

- swap ankle boots for tall boots

- swap black boots for leopard heels/flats

- swap cardigan for blazer or vest

Look 3 Formulas:

Pieces: colored skinny pants + statement shirt + cardigan + tall boots

Colors: maroon + blush + charcoal gray + black 

Replacements: 

- swap cardigan for blazer

- swap tall boots for ankle boots

- swap black boots for sparkly flats

- swap black boots for gray ankle boots

Look 4 Formulas:

Pieces: colored skinny pants + patterned shirt + long blazer + scarf + long necklace + ankle boots

Colors: maroon + black + white

Replacements:

- swap blazer for vest/cardigan

- swap lace-print shirt for another black & white patterned shirt

- swap booties for flats/heels/tall boots

- swap white scarf for a different pop of color (hunter green? burnt orange? mustard?)

Look 5 Formulas:

Pieces: colored skinny pants + heels + tee shirt + long necklace + scarf + statement blazer

Colors: maroon + white + gold + leopard + black

Replacements:

- swap heels for flats

- swap leopard for black

- swap blazer for cardigan

- swap white shirt for black shirt & black scarf for white one

Look 6 Formulas:

Pieces: colored skinny pants + long sleeve tee + cropped blazer + flats + scarf

Colors: maroon + mustard + black + plaid

Replacements:

- swap long sleeved shirt for a sweater

- swap blazer for an oxford or cardigan

- swap flats for heels

- swap flats for booties

- swap scarf for statement necklace

- swap plaid for another pattern (dots? stripes?)

- swap mustard shirt for something neutral and wear a mustard scarf

Look 7 Formulas:

Pieces: colored skinny pants + leather coat + sneakers + scarf + tee

Colors: maroon + white + black + gray

Replacements:

- swap sneakers for booties/flats/heels

- swap coat for a vest/blazer/cardigan

- swap scarf for a statement necklace (or simple necklace)

Look 8 Formulas:

Pieces: colored skinny jeans + sweater (need breathing room) + oxford + lace-up boots + boot socks

Colors: maroon + tan + chambray + brown

Replacements:

- swap chambray for something fancier

- swap chambray (if it's too hot) for a scarf or statement necklace

- swap sweater for boyfriend cardigan

My exact jeans here (currently $22.50.)

Note: if you're new to the rockstar jeans, know that you have to size up. Typically, I'm a size 0-2. In these pants, a 6 fit best. 

Look at that. You are leaving with the knowledge of the octothorpe and eight ways to wear maroon pants. (If you follow me on Pinterest, you can see all of the awesome outfits I pin. Shameless plug.) 

Linking up with Molly. (There's a chance to win a Target gift card. Go now!)