and the winner is... (and an update)

OSRTS reader Jennipher!

Congrats to Jennipher, who's won an awesome $100 Shopbop.com gift card from Shopbop and only style remains the same! I'm so happy you've scored this gift card to work on replenishing your wardrobe after amazingly losing 80 pounds--a secondary congrats on that accomplishment. Jennipher, I hope you're healthy and happy and enjoying every one of the curves of your body. Use the gift card in the best health, and good luck on the last 20 pounds. Don't hesitate to let us know what you snag with your dough.

Please send you contact info to onlystyleremainsthesame@gmail.com, and we'll get rolling on getting you your winnings.

I also want to update readers on the absence of photos from me yesterday and today; I've been feeling a little unwell, and frankly, I haven't felt like stepping in front of the camera with lackluster efforts.

In view of that, and of the miss last week, I am making a slight amendment to the progression of the Uniform Project. It will still be the main focus of the blog for the remaining 21 outfits, but I'm going to take one day off in the remaining three weeks of the project. However, I'll still update on whatever day that happens to be (I'm not setting a hard day as I'm sure life will dictate that as it may); on the days off, I'll post an inspiration board I'm working with for that week. This week, though, you'll all still get a double outfit post one day--I want to stay as close to the original 30-day plan as possible. We're just going to do it in 33 days now.

So, without further ado, I'll get to this week's inspiration board, chockfull of looks from some of my favorite bloggers. My personal goal before Sunday is to work with some shorts.

Photos from the Glamourai, Karla's Closet, Le Blog de Betty, Leese Looks, Lookbook.nu, Olsens Anonymous, and Park and Cube.

reader question no. 15: glasses.

This week, we have a question from reader (and Tolani scarf giveaway winner) Julianna. A glasses-wearer and bob-sporter, Julianna wanted some ideas on working with her specs, and it's a good request.

I've worn glasses for (scarily) about 17 years now, and I never really thought about them as an accessory until I was seven or eight years into that career. But the day I secured my first pair of black plastic frames, I knew I'd see them as a statement worth making--after all, the most utilitarian things should be the prettiest, right? We see them all the time, so we should consider them when they're entering the picture.

The good news on glasses, I say, is that as long as they fit your face properly, they'll go with anything you choose. Now, it's true I don't usually wear my glasses when taking photos for OSRTS; the main reason I don't, I admit, is partially because I spend a little time on eye makeup and partially because said eye makeup gets a little ruined on account of my eyelashes being pretty long (they hit the lens, and after an hour or so, separate into an annoying little V shape).

But truth be told, glasses can be as much a part of a outfit as any other piece--and if you want them to, they can actually set the pace for the direction of your wardrobe. They serve as an immediate style statement, and playing off them can create some of the coolest, most cohesive looks around.

I've put together five outfits today--a few casual styles, a casual and formal variation on an easy shift and jacket, and an ensemble for a night out with the ladies. Because I'm a fan of bold glasses, I've used mainly chunky plastic frames, but any will do. I tend to put together preppy looks with a little edge when glasses are involved--they're less serious but just as smart. Don't hesitate to work off some of the obvious ideas--sexy secretary or, with Julianna's bob, the swingy '20s. Some of those shapes and ideas can be incorporated into looks, giving the glasses a reference point.

A cool leather jacket and booties, for example, make sense with '50s-inspired hornrims.

Thick, slightly catty frames here work with a quirky, mixed-style look--tough moto jeans and heavy-hardware boots, an eclectic top and scarf, and a big slouchy bag. It's breezy and artsy and bold--I might have to look into this one myself.

I love vintage frames--they're unexpected shapes these days, but still entirely classic. So here, I've worked in a throwback shift shape, paired it with a little cropped jacket and added some funky flats and zippered leggings. And the same idea can be made more formal:

Can you see what I mean about glasses being an awesome accessory?

You can even take them with you when you head out for dinner and drinks at the trendy hangouts.

Maybe a good way to approach glasses is to think of them in the same terms you think of your sunglasses--pick a smaller, everyday-sized shape that riffs off your favorite sunnies and remember how often you wear those, and how cool you feel in them.

I promise, optical specs are just as cool, and a little more fun.

Thanks for the question, Julianna--I hope this helps!

75: the uniform project 9.

Pleated-bib shirt: ae.
Cardie: Gap.
Zipper leggings: Target.
Circle scarf: American Apparel.
Flats: Nordstrom kids.

I think I'm going to start wearing leggings only on Sundays. It just feels so right--lazy days with some reading and a pastry and Nick Drake albums and friends call for comfort, no? I think so. Especially when your hair is misbehaving.

74: the uniform project 8.

Stripe boatneck tee: Ralph Lauren.
Skinnies: BDG.
Button-collar puff-sleeve jacket: Target.

For a while now, Saturday has been my do-nothing day; often, I don't get done up much beyond denim or leggings because I'm never doing anything more strenuous than errands (if I even leave the apartment to do them--sometimes, I admit, I just think about doing them). Of course, Saturday night generally doesn't operate with the daytime policy, but it's actually really nice to just sit around in whatever for seven or eight hours once a week. I recommend.

Today, though, I put on a little mascara, and hoped the details of this little, little-worn jacket would make up for whatever else (mainly energy) I was lacking.

73: the uniform project 7.

Sheer tee and faux leather moto jacket: Express.
Miniskirt: American Apparel.
Tights: miscellaneous.
Chain and ribbon lariat: F21.
L initial charm: Helen Ficalora.
Leaf charm: art shop in Quebec City.

I could say something about how my sister and I went on a mini-shopping spree during Black Friday this afternoon (during which I finally scored a faux leather jacket, something I've been coveting at least since last season), but right now I'm kind of distracted by my boyfriend flipping the TV between Ghost Adventurers and TCM Underground.

I don't know which one is scarier.

I'll be more verbose tomorrow. But instead of listening to me chit the blog chat, click here to enter to win a $100 Shopbop.com gift card right here at OSRTS. The giveaway will be open through Monday.

72: the uniform project 6.

Tee and tulip skirt: American Apparel.

Cardie: Gap.

Leggings: Target.

Saddle shoes: JJ School.

I hope all of the American readers here had a Thanksgiving as lovely as mine--or at least a meal as completely delicious as the vegetarian shepherd's pie my sister made today.

I have a lot to be thankful for this year--friends, a family and a job I love, along with a host of great opportunities. I'm grateful for all of life's little recent pleasures, too--this new cardigan, a tidier apartment, holding hands, the rediscovery of old albums.

I hope you all can find the best things life has given you and be grateful for them every day. For this blog's part, well, I'm so excited y'all stop by often, share a thought, ask a question or drop a note. Please know you're welcome any time.

While we're giving thanks for what we have--and while we're on outfit no. 72--I'd like to take a minute to invite you all to enter a truly awesome contest hosted by Jimmy Choo and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

You, Your Shoes and 72 is a photo competition launched to support Project PEP, a new charity collection that donates 25 percent of sales to the Simelela Rape Centre in South Africa. The money goes to providing the HIV-preventative treatment PEP, which must be taken within 72 hours of exposure to HIV, as well as counseling to rape victims in South Africa, which has the highest rape count in the world.

By taking a photo of yourself, your shoes and the number 72, you'll help generate awareness of just how vital that 72-hour window of time is. Just snap a photo and upload it at the contest Web site by Dec. 7; the winner will be invited to spend the day at the Jimmy Choo headquarters and will receive seven pairs of shoes and two handbags. More than a hundred other prizes will be awarded as well.

Check out the site, follow the contest's twitter and become a fan of the contest on Facebook to help spread the word about this worthy cause.

And finally, remember to enter to win a $100 Shopbop.com gift card--the giveaway is open through Monday.

70 and 71: the uniform project 4 and 5.

Pussy-bow blouse: vintage.
Knife-pleat chiffon skirt: H&M.
Cardie: Gap.
Tights: miscellaneous.
Double-buckle waist belt: F21.
Flats: Nordstrom kids.

As promised, two outfits worn on Wednesday. I'm starting with my night outfit just because I like it so much. I found this skirt thrifting last weekend and immediately fell in love with it...I just couldn't really think of anything to do with it. After much fussing and reorganizing, I came up with this ensemb, which I think really captures the spirit of both of the blog's 2009 projects, the Recessionista Project and the Uniform Project.

I'm giving myself a sub-challenge now to come up with more ways to wear this gem of a skirt.

Sheer slouchy tee: Urban Outfitters.
Long knit skirt: thrifted.
Blazer: Bitten.
Chain-link elastic belt: F21.

And here we have a day outfit, and another great thrifted skirt. A particular Goodwill in Omaha is a Mecca for these, and I'm strongly considering snagging another when one inevitably comes along. I actually wear this skirt all the time.

Now, back to regular posting--and remember to enter to win a $100 Shopbop.com gift card!

69: the uniform project 3.

Tee and circle scarf: American Apparel.
Cardie: Target.
Jeans: BDG.

I know, I know, I missed a day. This outfit is actually from yesterday, and it's nothing fancy. Work has been beastly and a clogged bathtub left me in leggings and a tank both last night and tonight as I've been trying to sort out all the gunk. So, to make up for this miss, tomorrow you'll get two uniforms--I promise.

That aside, this little ensemble of basics is a good example of what I'm probably wearing when I'm not taking a photo for the blog. There's nothing really wrong with it, but in the blog world, usually, the more unusual, the better. But in real life, basic has its charms.

What do you wear when you're just up to the business of everyday life?

While you ponder that, remember to enter to win a $100 Shopbop.com gift card--you have six days left!

68: the uniform project 2.

Knit shift and leggings: American Apparel.
Cocoon sweater: F21.
Boots: Frye.

This is the sort of real variation on my uniform I love--a knit dress and cardigan and leggings are perfect, essential weekend pieces, even if you don't opt to wear them all together.

I will say since I bought this sweater a few weeks ago, I've been sort of obsessed with it; it's just so comfortable. I suspect more cocoons are in my future.

Entering the OSRTS and Shopbop.com giveaway to win a $100 Shopbop gift card should be in your futures, dears--just scroll down, read and comment to enter.

By the by, this post (crazily) marks the 200th post here at only style remains the same. Here's to 200 more.

reader question no. 14: the winter hat.

Welcome to the new Reader Question Sunday! I love answering all your questions, and to make the process easier--a proper schedule for me and a certain, timely answer for you--all reader questions will now be answered regularly on Sundays.

Today, we have a question from reader Melanie, who'd like some ideas on a stylish winter hat. She threw scarves and gloves in at the end of her question, too, happily--I love a scarf myself.

The hat shape of the season--the last several, really--is the cloche, a 1920s bell-shaped hat that sits close the head and flares out with a small brim. While vintage cloches were usually made of felt--and subsequently sort of floppy, a la the entire flapper look--today's cloches are a little on the sturdier side.

I like them for their classic shape, as well as their inherent femininity. Stocking caps are well and good when the temperature drops below zero, but they're pretty non-descript (and they can create a staticky mess of a hair situation when you take them off). The cloche is pretty and girly, and the wearer can, with the right accessories, play off the vintage vibe or put a casual spin on it or make it super-modern.

I've paired five cloches with a variety of accessories--some classic pastels, some everyday chunky knits, some trendy studs and sequins. It's fair to say I don't believe in the entirely coordinated winter set. Just as shoes and handbags don't have to match exactly, neither do hats, gloves and scarves. Keep things in the same color/neutral family, but play with texture and detail. The result is a cool, eclectic look you can be assured no one else will have.

I hope this helps, Melanie! Stay warm this winter, and as always, thanks for reading--and for the awesome question.

67: the uniform project 1.

Blazer: Bitten.

Sweater: ae.

Miniskirt: American Apparel.

Tights: miscellaneous.

Saddle shoes: JJ school.

Well, we're getting the Uniform Project off to an inauspicious start, I realize, but creativity wasn't with me today. I can say this wasn't my original vision for this new sweater, so you'll probably see it again before my 30 days are up.

And I don't know why my photos came out so dark. Here's hoping I have better luck with that tomorrow, too. In the meantime, remember to enter to win a $100 Shopbop.com gift card--you've got nine days left!

shopbop.com. brian reyes. who wants it?

I love Shopbop--who doesn't, really? The sartorial inspiration, the beautiful clothes, the awesome sales. So when I was approached to host a giveaway with Shopbop, I jumped at the chance. And let me tell you, this is an exciting one--I'm excited to have it kick-off a stellar month here at OSRTS.

I've gushed over designer Brian Reyes in the past, and shopbop loves his work, too. Today, Shopbop and only style remains the same are giving out a $100 Shopbop.com instant gift card to one lucky commenter who tells us which Brian Reyes item from Shopbop.com is her favorite, and why. Where would you wear it, and how would you put together the rest of your ensemble? The most creative response wins the giveaway.

A little more about Brian:

Brian Reyes launched his namesake line in 2006, having been described as one of New York's most hyped young designers. Also in 2006, Reyes was given the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Award. The designer line can be described as a blend of young socialite with a twist of funk, and his celebrity clientele includes Rachel Bilson, Leighton Meester, and America Ferrera, to name a few.

And a little sneak peek of what's over at Shopbop:

Brian Reyes said, "It's important to me to have a level of rawness to each collection. I used fabrics and prints that in one way or another represent the aspects of nature and technology that impact our lives."

How will you add that touch of rawness to your wardrobe? Just tell us which Brian Reyes item from Shopbop.com is your favorite and why for a chance to win that $100 Shopbop.com instant gift card. Remember, the most creative comment wins; be sure to make your comment stand out from the rest so you can get shopping for Brian Reyes right away.

And I can tell you, every Brian Reyes piece at Shopbop has a place in the Uniform Project--totally chic, totally beautiful. I can't wait to hear about your picks. The contest is running 10 days, which means I'll announce a winner Nov. 30.