New Blog

26Jun09

Unfortunately, this blog is closed, but the good news is I’ve opened another.  You can view new fashion posts (and a lot more) here.  See you there :)

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Secret Obsessions

06Mar09

So lately I’ve been obsessed with anything pink.  I’m not kidding.  Not hot pink, so much:  baby pink, pastel pink, traditional pink.  Carousel pink, cupcake frosting pink, rose pink, soft neon pink.  Cotton candy pink.  The kind of pink that you hate when you’re a teenager, the kind of pink I hated when I was a teenager.  There’s something about it that’s magical, the way glitter and teddy bears and teacups are magical.  This color reminds me of anything and everything sweet in life, not just childlike things but whimsical things.  And lately I’m striving for that.  All I want is to be surrounded by it.

And so I’m getting there.  I’m already a lot more girly than I was as a teenager – and don’t get me wrong, I still *love* to dress all in black with knee boots and a leather jacket and spiky hair (I didn’t quite do that in high school, either).  But some days I just want to be pretty, in the strongest sense of the word: romantic and lovely and opulent and happy.  A princess.  The little girl never really leaves me.

I have pink sheets and bright pastel bedding with candy-colored dots and stripes.  I still love dolls, and keep them around, with my favorite stuffed animals.  It’s silly, really – and dolls scare the boys, but I don’t care.  I now have a pink patent leather purse (I’m so excited about it), pink t-shirts, pink dresses, pink bikini, pink jacket, pink skirt, pink scarf, pink pearls.  I love to layer the pearls with my sparkliest necklaces and earrings and bracelets and other pastels and feel like royalty, like a dream, like Marie Antoinette (in a way).

Anyway, if you’re down with the prettiest pinks, here are some treats you might enjoy (click for details).

Marc Jacobs “The Handy Clutch”; Lorus Pink Strap Watch

Boden “Chic” Coat;  Delia’s “Michelle” Dress

Carvela “Delicious” Platforms;  KG “Azalea” Platforms

Charlotte Russe Opal Pink Pastel Skinny Jeans; Café Press Pink Unicorn T-Shirt

Forever 21 Pink Sunglasses; “Leesa” Metallic Bangle

Yummy.

P.S. If you love me, you now have the option of donating :)

Filed under: Dresses, accessories, bags, coats, pants, shirts, shoes   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: bangle, bow, clutch, dress, jeans, pink, platforms, pretty, strapless, sunglasses, t-shirt, unicorn, watch

When the past makes a comeback…

21Feb09

For the past few years I’ve been on the lookout for a retro bathing suit. You know: low-cut legs, strapless or halter style, likely a one-piece but possibly a two-piece. Well I got lucky and found one of each at Victoria’s secret recently. A one-piece I’m likely to purchase, and then a two-piece, which I like, but…is puzzling me.

Now. I’m all for the fashion comeback – reinterpreted or not. That doesn’t mean I’ll always like it, let alone that everyone else will (I remember the upheaval over the return of the high-waisted jean a couple years back). Now, using that as an example – I’m all for the high-waisted flares (yes, I own a pair). Seventies appeal, cute form, figure-flattering cut (in some ways, it bears similarities to this style of bikini).  However – I’ve never been on board with the reinterpreted high-waisted skinny jean. Some people like it – but personally, it doesn’t do it for me, as I think it creates a very odd and awkward silhouette.  Some people are afraid of strange, uncommon shapes (whether a reinterpretation has taken place or not).  In the case of this bathing suit, it hasn’t – but I remain perplexed nonetheless.  I simply can’t decide whether or not I like this enough as a modern bikini (and believe me, if it was the fifties, I would be all over this thing).  The funny thing is, it’s not the coverage itself that’s weird -  if this were a one-piece, it would look totally normal; it’s the covering of the belly-button with a high-waisted bikini bottom that’s no longer standard – when we see a midriff nowadays, we expect (maybe demand) to see navel!  Another funny thing is that I think Victoria’s Secret is having a similar dilemma, given that they’ve actually provided two bottom styles (one more standard for this day and age) to pair with this one top.

Now really.  The problem here is it depends on who you’re trying to please.  If you’re into the retro look, and go for it, you’re probably only trying to please yourself – which is good, but means that you need to be aware that you will probably have people snickering behind your back, and will most likely turn off the male majority (most of whom I suspect will interpret these retro bottoms as unnecessary granny panties).  If, however, you want to look cute, but still sexy to the masses, you will probably choose the standard bikini bottom – it’s safer.  But in my opinion?  Compared to the retro style, it’s boring!  Suddenly, the modern bikini bottom is run-of-the-mill and unoriginal.

Now – I love the retro-style bottom.  But I’m torn.  I’m not sure I can picture myself actually wearing it, or if it’s worth the odd glances I’m sure to attract.  It’s one thing to model this for a catalogue shoot, and look great, and feel like a babe – but is it worth wearing on the beach?  Would I even have the guts?  Would you, if you love it like I do?  Because the standard bottom style makes for a cute bikini – but frankly, I already have a sexy purple-ish bikini – so unless this one has magic powers I’m skeptical I need to buy it.

Perhaps I’m overreacting.  I’m curious to see how this dilemma turns out.  I wonder – is temptation always enough?

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Tags: bathing suit, bikini, retro, sexy

Incorporating Color Into Your Wardrobe

13Jan09

A popular query.  (By the way, I’m just back from Winter Break after a busy semester – sorry for the delay.)  Anyway – here’s my take on the color question (coming from someone who has never been afraid to wear any and every color under the sun, but who has always played it pretty safe and mitchy-matchy with color pairings until more recently).

A lot of people might say that if you are used to wearing a lot of neutral colors (black, white, beige, grey), or just a monochrome outfit here and there, you should ease into color gradually and choose pieces that are less bold and therefore less intimidating, or opt for patterns or interesting textures over full-on solids.  This makes sense in some ways, but overall I disagree with this approach, and would encourage you not to hold back, for three reasons:

1) If you’re new to color, it’s never easy, regardless of which route you take.
2) Patterns and textures are more distinct (read: memorable) and more difficult to alter/play with, and you are therefore less likely to wear them often.
3) You can fall into a habit of buying colorful/patterned tops and nothing else (I did this all through high school) -  which is fun but packs a hit to your wallet for less mileage (see #2).

I’m not saying you shouldn’t/can’t wear patterns or textures – these can both be great.  Just don’t put all your eggs in that basket if your goal is color and versatility.

My prescription?  Pieces which are easy to layer, and lots of them:

Colored tights (Alloy has some great opaque tights in eight colors – $5.50 ea. when you buy 3 or more.)
Colored leggings (For when it’s colder.  Best buy?  American Apparel – but you can get them cheaper on Amazon.com.)
Colored cardigans (Get lightweight pieces for all-weather wear: Forever21 and Wet Seal have inexpensive options.)
Colored coat/jacket (This works particularly well in colder seasons, when it’s all anyone usually sees.  Shop around.)
Colored accessories (Scarves, belts, jewelry, sunglasses, whatever!  Handbag optional – I keep mine simple.)

The great thing about all these pieces is they are bold (regardless of hue) and versatile (they can be paired with all your basics in endless combinations, which allows you more control over how much color you want to show, and where).  You can also tried colored shoes/boots (but stick to a pair – and a hue – you’re sure you’ll wear over and over again, lest you regret your cash-dropping).

But how do you know which colors to choose?  Unfortunately this is less my area, because like I said, I’ll wear anything that strikes my fancy.  There are complicated color charts that compare complexions to seasons in an attempt to produce a workable palette for one’s skin tone – but personally, I’ve had little luck trying to decode them and properly apply them to myself.  You, however, are welcome to try.  But I’ll say this when it comes to choosing colors:

1) Complement your skin tone.  If you tend to go pink in the face easily, don’t wear a lot of red/pink/coral/orange.  If you are particularly pale, you might want to stay away from yellow and neon green to avoid looking sallow.  Use common sense.
2) Go with what you love.  Don’t be afraid to try things because of how they might look.  Try them first.  Which brings me to…
3) Invest in a full length mirror – I can’t stress this enough.  Consequently (when shopping in person), try things on before you leave the store.

You don’t have to go all out – you can just try a pop of color here and there.  If you’re not comfortable wearing red tights, try a red clutch instead.  But as usual, I recommend thinking outside the box – don’t be cornered by fashion “rules.”  For instance, I’ve been seen lately wearing two or three bright colors at the same time – like yellow tights with a fuchsia dress.  Sounds ridiculous – but I guarantee you that there will always be someone who won’t like what you’re wearing, regardless of how safe or daring it is.  Better to ‘fail’ (whatever that means) taking a risk than spend the day wondering what it would have been like to put on red lipstick and wear that orange silk scarf with your work attire.

Go with what you feel.  It’s surprisingly liberating – and you will never be wrong.

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Tags: accessories, bags, cardigans, coats, color, leggings, scarves, shoes, tights

Making a statement.

23Nov08

Lately I’ve been thinking about statement pieces.  Hopefully, you all have some (or one or two, at least).  You know what I’m talking about: those out-of-this-world boots (I have some tartan stompers worthy of Kiss that fit the bill), that fabulous fur coat (which I am dead set against, I’ll have you know), those huge gold filigree earrings (I made that one up).  They are impossible to miss – a splash of color, an interesting shape, anything that draws attention to itself.  You get the idea.  Or do you?  I realize I haven’t been ‘getting it’ as much as I should.  I utilize them on a regular basis, but I could probably be doing it more, and better.

Why do we have statement pieces, aside from the attention they garner?  What are their benefits?  Well, they will transform an ensemble in seconds, for one (that dress will never be the same after you add that huge patent belt).  In addition, you can build an entire outfit around one piece, if you so desire (don’t know what to wear today?  What would go with that gorgeous cloche hat you really love?).  Here are some examples:

I’m finding myself thinking about which articles of clothing and accessories I own are worthy of the title “statement piece.”  There’s the bright green Mayhem coat from French Connection, for one (it looks cuter when worn, but it’s still bizarre).  There’s the denim corset belt I found at F21 a while back (which is crazy awesome over a dress or blouse, though not for everyone).  There’s the YSL-mimic glass star necklace I just bought from ASOS (out-of-season, but still great), along with countless other necklaces (I have, for instance, a short pearl necklace from Korea with a large black metal bird motif and a black bow – it’s brilliant really).  Leather is big on my list – a faux leather vest (I can’t believe how much I love that thing), leather obi belt, and recently, elbow-length leather gloves (oh yes, I did) – not to even mention all the other leather things I own (I won’t wear fur but I’ll wear leather, it’s silly really).  There’s the black fedora, various other hats, the custom-made Victorian-style coat from Japan, the lace-up wrist cuff I found on Etsy – the list goes on.**

So what of it?  Basically, I’m realizing it would be well worth the effort to make sure such ’statement pieces’ don’t get pushed to the back of the closet or the bottom of a drawer.  There are times I feel at a loss with regards to what to wear, and I forget these miracles even exist.  In fact, with the exception of coats, I think I might create a drawer dedicated solely to statement pieces, to utilize every time I get stuck, or just anytime I feel like it.  How about you?

** Good rule of thumb – one statement piece at a time is more than enough.

Filed under: accessories, coats, ensembles, jewelry, shoes   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: belt, boots, coats, gloves, hats, necklace, shoes, statement piece, vest