Ayes for Fashion

Wrap your head around this.

2011-05-10T09:33:00.000-04:00

Guys, it is summer time! SUMMER TIME!

But for me it doesn't feel like summer. Because of this Texas thing I was complaining about. Also, my summer vacation was like two days and I spent last week getting trained for 2 jobs. Which is probably why I was not blogging all week.

But this week I have some awesome DIY crafts for you guys that are very summery, that I am doing mainly to bring myself out of my lack of summer rut but also because I want to help you feel summery too.

So guys, remember hair wraps? Where you got a piece of your hair all wound up in embroidery thread. Well my mom never let me get one when I was a kid, so I used to try to do it myself because I thought they looked so cool, but they always ended up looking dumb, and so I took them out. They are like friendship bracelets for your hair. In that you make them during the summer and they use embroidery thread. Not really the friendship part, because I did mine last night and it was me sitting alone in my room for 3 hours watching The Office on Netflix. But friendship bracelets are very repelling right now according to the Man Repeller, so why not make that repelling nature permanent in your hair?

Glad you see my point. I tried to write up a how to for doing this, but I am terrible at explaining knotting, so I will just give you the awesome guide I used because it makes way more sense.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2058376_make-hairwrap.html

And this is what my final product looked like:

Yay! Go give yourself one because it looks really cool.

My Heart is Deep in the Heart of Texas

2011-05-01T22:04:00.001-04:00

I am from Texas. And I love it. Texas is the greatest place ever. And Texans are the greatest people ever.

I find myself talking about Texas constantly. I am obsessed with it. I just finished my finals on Friday, and now everyone is going home, and I am staying here in PA. My body is itching to be overcome by the sweltering Texas heat and go for a swim in frigid Barton Springs. But since I can't I am going to have to incorporate my homesickness into my personal style. Starting with this inspirational photoshoot.

I am amazingly impressed by this Italian perspective of Texas.

This is a spread in Italian Elle from last year that focuses on Texas. It has some awesome photos with awesome style that incorporates awesome Texas culture. It has the Texas state fair, Mexican embroidery (a huge part of my personal style), and even a shot at Barton Springs. If you haven't wanted to go to Texas ~~you are dumb~~ you should check this out.

No, you are not imagining things.

Yes, I own this shirt. I got it from being a Girl Scout delegate (don't ask). When I first got it (when I was 16) I was embarrassed to wear it, but now that I am stoked about it. I am dreaming of wearing it all summer over swimsuits, summer shorts, and with my trusty Birkenstocks. Plus, hopefully I can meet some fellow Texans so I can have a companion in my homesick misery.

Shirt: Girl Scouts

Shorts: Academy

Shoes: Birkenstocks

Sidenote: There are rooms in my house besides a kitchen!

These are my cowboy boots. Well, cowgirl boots maybe, because I have a vagina. But whatever. I think they look sort of ridiculous with pants, but I am digging them with summer shorts and skirts. And here I am wearing cut off shorts underneath that really short dress. I know what you are thinking, "Thank goodness she is wearing shorts, or else we would see the aforementioned reason that these are cowgirl boots." Well, you may not be thinking that exactly. But I was, which is why I put on shorts.

Boots: Thrifted

Shorts: Cut offs from Banana Republic Jeans

Dress: Urban Outfitters

Belt: Spoils of war

Smirky smirk

This is just about the embroidered chambray. Because it is two things that remind me of Texas in one. Embroidery because my (step)grandmother used to always make these amazing embroidery tablecloths and pillows and blankets. And chambray because... Well, it is just everywhere.

Button shirt: Thrifted
Lace shirt: Jerimiah
Shorts: Cut offs from Banana Republic Jeans

Handmade Outfit

2011-04-27T10:02:00.000-04:00

When I wake up, I usually get dressed before anything else. I remember as a kid, seeing people on TV come downstairs and eat their breakfast while they are all dressed for the day and being freaked out. Why would you do that?! Eating breakfast is how you wake up, and then you get dressed when you are all awake. But now that I am a grown up living with real people, I have turned into my childhood enigma. Except that I still make a cup of coffee before I get dressed.

Anyway, what this has to do with today's post is.... nothing. Well, sort of. This morning, after I got my coffee, Iwent back upstairs to get dressed and then came to my kitchen table and started outlining things for my final on Friday. But as I was sitting here I realized that everything I am wearing today is handmade, by yours truly. In the sense that I put all the raw materials together into pieces of wearable piece-ness. God, that sentence didn't make sense, I need another cup of coffee.

But let's go over them.

Ugh, please excuse the crazy hands on the right.

Okay, so step one is the dress. I feel like this being a dress is kind of cheating, because it is so easy to make, and it is all one piece to it counts as a two-for-one thing. But whatever. I decided to make it last summer because I was watching Weeds and Mary-Louise Parker was wearing a dress in the same cut. I thought it was really cute and I couldn't stop thinking about it. So I decided I would make one.

It was really simple to make; I did all the sewing in probably an hour. It is a silky silk in a midnight blue. I have this iron-on moon applique that I was going to put on the back, but my friend wouldn't let me because he thought it would ruin the dress. Gay people think they know everything...

Dirty, messy hair...

Okay, this is me showing off the earring. They are small, and kind of boring. But I made them, and I thing the gold goes well with the blue. I rarely get a chance to wear them because I am usually so blinged up (yes, I made that word up) with silver. And I made them, so they work with the outfit.

YESSSS!

These shoes are obviously what I am most proud of. I mean, they are freaking shoes. That I made. And the best part is that the material was 100% free. I went to this give away thing with a fellow crafter friend a couple weeks ago, where all the samples from home design stores get donated when they are done with them. I picked up a square of carpet (for the soles) and some fake leather wall covering (for the straps), plus a bunch of other stuff that I will make stuff with later. I had been looking for huaraches for a while now, and they don't have them in the thrift stores up here. So the best option is obviously to make them myself.

Then there was the cutting. And the hot gluing. And then I tried to wear them out last Sunday and the heel strap broke about a foot out the door. So I tried again last night by adding double straps and a re-enforcing center band, and I think this heel will hold up.

The best part is that it is like I am walking on carpet, but actually my shoes are carpet. And because I decided to put the carpet facing the bottom too, they are really comfy, but also slippery. I was spinning around my kitchen (which is hardwood) for like five minutes giggling like a dummy, and then my roommate said something from the living room. Which is awkward, because I thought he was gone.

Anyway, I hope this inspires someone somewhere to make something to wear for themselves. I mean, you know what you want to wear better than anyone else, am I right? Check out P.S.- I made this for some awesome step by step directions to make yourself some fashionable, awesome, fun items to kick-start your inspiration.

Remixed Dress

2011-04-25T16:39:00.000-04:00

Today is gorgeous, and I am wearing this really comfy dress that used to be a skirt that used to be a dress. Let me explain.

Glasses glare!

So my sister gave me this dress that was a super hideous. By that I mean that I really liked the pattern of the material of the skirt portion, but there was this weird top part that was just ugly and weird. At first I cut the top off and wore it as a skirt. It is pretty big, but it has those strings you use to define waists on dresses, and I used those to wear it as a skirt. But today I decided to try it out as a dress, and I liked it a lot, but you could see my bra in the back, so I decided to wear it with my trusty bodysuit. Yes, I have a trusty bodysuit.

Regardless, it is super comfy, and suprisingly cute. Plus, double bonus is that I can wear it on my bike really easily. So horray!

Does your ear hang low?

2011-04-24T23:03:00.000-04:00

I am a forgetful, scatter brained person. I am also really good at losing things. One thing that falls into this category of stuff I lose are earrings. Did that sentence make sense? Regardless, I have a lot of mismatched and single earrings because of this, and because I like them so much I wear the singles anyway.

This Julian Louie single earring is awesome. I like this look because the earring has two tassels, so it is like this girl had two normal earrings and then hooked one into the other because her ear was feeling too heavy. Also, I love these shoes, and how they are so bold with such a demure dress. Is demure the right word? No, but whatever.

So, lets just all agree to wear our single earrings proudly.

Good excuses

2011-04-21T09:51:00.001-04:00

This is the week before finals week so I am getting a little overwhelmed by academia. But regardless, I am going to see the Decemberists tonight, so I figured that is the perfect excuse for me to wear:

This.

Please excuse a) the coffee cup b) the blurry photobooth quality c) the stupid smirk of excitement that I got to my mark in time.

This dress is made of leather. I don't think the picture makes it obvious enough, and it is really important because it is awesome. Also, it is difficult to sit down, and walk. But so worth it, because of the adorable factor.

Fringyness

This fringe is mimicked on the top and bottom, but I wanted to provide a close up because of how fun, fun, fun it is. Please excuse my chest thrusting at the camera.

The worst part about this dress is that I have no shoes to wear with it. which is kind of expected because it is so... formal? But not formal, because it is leather. But not casual because it is sparkly. But not business casual because it is leather and sparkly. Regardless, I am wearing it with random orange mary janes that I got from my aunt. And a belt, which I am trying to decide if I should take off.

Thanks much!

Outdoors: Coachella

2011-04-17T20:57:00.000-04:00

Looking through pictures of Coachella fashion is making me wish there was some warmth in this gorram state. I grew up in Tejas and we went to Kerrville Folk Festival, literally every year from birth to when I was 13 because my parents declared it too "mainstream and commercial". Yeah, my parents are those people. Following that I was an ACL gal all through high school, so I feel like I know my way around the festival scene.

Moving on, here are some adorable Coachella images so you can channel music festival style in your own home. That is, if it is warm. Which it isn't here. But frankly, music festival style looks good all summer.

Oh, Mr. Newton... you certainly have a type...

This picture doesn't really have anything that I am excited about. But it does make me really nervous for this poor little lady and her pale-ness. I can feel the sunburn her delicate skin is going to get today, and it just makes me worried.... I hope she has a lot of sunscreen and aloe in that little bag of hers...

Good news! Cut off shorts are still in!

They are, and they are adorable. I have been wearing mine (without tights!!!) and just a big tee-shirt tucked in. For some reason, even though I am rarely seen out of a skirt or dress, this look is just so appealing to me. Plus, they go with everything. And they are so comfy.

Ahoy!

In the same way that florals are synonymous with spring, I feel like stripes are the perfect summer pattern (fall is plaid, and winter is a time I would rather not go back to). Blue and white ones especially. They just look so darn classy. I love this outfit. And I really love that I think these are separates that she somehow brought together.

Batik!

I used to have a lot of batik dresses and skirts. Actually, I still do. Sometimes I wear sarongs out of the house like they are normal people clothes. This is usually in Austin though, where there is no such thing as underdressed. Ever.

My favourite part about this look, however is the caption given by the brainiacs at Harpers Bazaar:

"High-top Chuck Taylors add street cred to her pretty babydoll dress."

And on that note....

The Enigma of Ombre

2011-04-14T17:50:00.000-04:00

Recently it has come to my attention that people like the way that hair looks when it has been sun-bleached a few months ago, so it is much lighter at the bottom. This is the reason I started dying my hair, to get rid of this stupid, stupid look which I always have during wintertime. Why on earth is this a preferred look?

I love this bag, but not the head.

This just looks lazy, and it is something everyone is doing. Frankly, I thought people were just being lazy about making their hair normal, until Man Repeller revealed it is on purpose.

WHY?!

This is a question I still cannot answer to my own satisfaction. I just don't get it.

Maybe people who are blessed (cursed) with their hair doing this all the time just don't get to appreciate it as much, but I would rather have solid colors than weird 90's looking dye jobs anyday. But this isn't just about me. This is about you.

So:

Ombre?

Or no ombre?

Get rid of those shoulder pads....

2011-04-12T21:11:00.001-04:00

I now present to you:

The Power Face.

I wish I could try on this face and wear it around with some particularly daring outfits. It has an intensity that gives me major pause. It must be the eyebrows. And the ice eyes. She demands respect.

Last Call for Cold Clothes

2011-04-12T19:54:00.000-04:00

We all know I am thrilled to the gills about the weather finally taking a turn for the lovely. But I am also aware that weather is predictable as weather (tautology anyone?), so it is likely going to take a turn for the crappy. Oh wait, it did that today. There is some lovely rain and some less lovely 45 degrees just outside my window. But I am going to be optimistic. I am going to be positive. And I am going to use this as an excuse to wear some last cold weather items that I haven't gotten around to.

Adorable neutrals.

Normally, neutrals aren't really my thing. This is likely because I grew up surrounded by flourescent colors in tye dye patterns. But this is soooooo cute. I love it. And I love the collar peeking out. Little brown pants under the oversized sweater. I am going to make this work for me. And I am excited about it.

Full skirts and boots.

So, I tried to give up buying clothes for lent. Because I buy way to many clothes, and my Catholic rearing convinced me. But I accidentally bought a skirt on eBay a couple weeks ago. And today I accidentally bought a petticoat from someone in my Women's Studies class that I am getting on Thursday. Yes, these things can be accidental. Yes, I am deluding myself.

But this full skirt looks amazing, and I can just see how well my new petticoat under a nice skirt will pair with some brown boots and a classy top. It will be great. And the pope would want me to feel good in a modest outfit like that. So it is okay.

Short skirt (dress), long jacket

As much as I love Cake, I have never actually tried this look before. Probably because I don't have many short skirts. But in the colder weather, wearing leggings underneath a skirt is

a) totally acceptable, weather wise

b) less skin showing, ergo, more comfortable for me

c) completely eliminating the risk of revealing my undies

d) all of the above

Well come on, we all know the answer is d. We also know that this look is just plain cute. I like the idea of buttoning the jacket up so that the dress underneath is a surprise when you get to where you are going. Sorry, my brain isn't working right anymore. Too much catalysis.

Spitballin'

2011-04-11T21:39:00.000-04:00

I am trying to come up with a cohesive idea of what this blog will focus on. Recently, it is fairly obvious, my main points of interest have to do with runway fashion. I find it fascinating, and I love watching shows and taking notes and making comments and being generally analytical in that respect. But frankly, it doesn't apply to my life.

I don't wear things like this. Regrettable, I know.

I don't buy designer clothes; and I don't really follow trends. I like to try and find my own style, and I love to observe other people's personal style. But fashion is still extremely important to me, in a weird way. I have been thinking that I would try to see how style influences other people in their lives. So I am working on an interview concept where I will talk to people and see what they think about fashion, their own personal style, and how their occupation affects them. We shall see.

Knees...

2011-04-07T12:48:00.000-04:00

I thought we talked about this guys. Knees are the ugliest part of the body. This should not happen.

Also, it is $200.
That is all.

Personal Style: The Weatherman Lied!!!!

2011-04-07T09:42:00.001-04:00

Today is a sunny, sunny day! Well, partially cloudy. But it is going to be 60 degrees (or 16C) today. I am thrilled. I am also behind on a lot of homework. So today I am going to share my sunny weather outfit and then go sit in the grass and work all day. And then go out for tiki drinks. And karaoke. You see that I have my priorities in line (be proud, Mom!)

Without and with jacket.

Head, hair, makeup closeup

These are photobooth shots, hence the poor quality.
Franchesca's dress (on sale for $10!!!), Promod jacket, Bjorn boots, Scuncii (for children) flower, and Chanel N°5

Have a great day!

Rainy Day(s)

2011-04-06T09:46:00.000-04:00

The weather forecast for the upcoming days in my neck of the woods looks like this:

God is dead.

Gah, lets look at rain gear.

I appreciate the realism Marc Jacobs brings to this look. My hair, too, looks like this when it is humid outside. And that is what happens when it rains for a week (yes, I am going to be bitter about it). There is also a flower in her hair, which is something I like to do when I am convinced that the sun will never shine again. But I do not wear heels like that in the rain. Nor do I wear heels like that in the sun really.... This is wear the illusion breaks down.

The patterns is ultra mod, always nice, but I feel like he is almost ripping of some DVF with this sort of thing. I wouldn't be surprised to see this on her runway. But maybe I am biased towards milady because of her fanny packs (side note: I am).

Pockets!

This Topshop creation is amazing for some number of reasons:

1) It is red, and I am a fan of red for rain gear. I just seems traditional to me, and I am an old fashioned southern gal. Ish.

2) There are tons of pockets. I love pockets. I like not having to carry a purse around because that increases the chances that I will lose it. This appears to have pockets for my wallet, phone, and plenty of room for unnecessaries.

3) It folds up into a little baby pocket, so I can put it in a pocket in by backpack. This could be a minus however, because I would probably leave something in the pocket, fold it away, and never see it until the next rain incident. But rain happens pretty often up here as I noted, so maybe not so big a deal.

Boring, I know.

Just letting you know, these are the rain boots I have. And I didn't even buy them, I got them from my old roommate who got them from her old roommate. And I got them 3 years ago. And they still keep my feet dry when it is raining. And they are from Target.

Frankly, Target just has a lot of cheap rain boots. And how often are you actually going to wear rain boots? Hardly ever. Just get some cheap, neutral style, and wear them when it is raining cats and dogs. No need to pay more money for a piece of polyisoprene made into the shape of a foot. Seriously, not worth it.

Bare ribs (it sounds like spare ribs, get it?)

2011-04-05T12:02:00.000-04:00

Coco Chanel once said that knees are the ugliest part of the female body. And according to some showings on the S/S-2011 runways, the newest competitor in lovelies part of the female body is the rib cage just above the belly button and below the breasts. I am not huge showing off my (pale) skin, but this is a look I think I can get behind. These looks, especially YSL, pull this off really well and make the cut look classy rather then weird.

Eco-friendly earrings made from tribbles, a renewable resource.

This piece by House of Holland has banana leaf macro prints which is more than I could ever want in a garment. I addition, the only piece of skin shown on this woman's body, besides her head and feet, is the ribcage. The selectivity just makes this even more dramatic, and really shows how this look works. And it works.

Police fingerprinting patterns, perfect for mugshots, by Yves-Saint Laurent

This dress is banging. I like the wild west style skirt with the vintage feel print. As always, Alexa Chung makes everything look amazing, and I feel like I could wear this in my every day. Somehow YSL makes this look even office appropriate, although I may have a much more casual standard of office appropriate than you. I probably do. But maybe casual Friday? Okay, no, you are right....

Doing something that is so right. So wrong

I am going to be honest. I hated, hated almost everything in the Topshop unique show. My notes look like this: "weird tye-dye fabrics, sheer legs, retro prints, strappy shoes, hot pants, perforated, tassels on shoes." And these are things I am usually really into, but somehow they were able to do everything wrong. Seriously, the show was a shit show, where they showed shit. Pardon my french. Back to this look, it has the same aspects as the other looks, in the form of rib cage hysteria, but somehow it looks way worse than I could have ever imagined.

So this is for you to take note when you, yes you, try to take this look out on the town. Fitted top, especially around the rib cage. Bold prints or bold colors. Flowy bottoms, not this much structure. Don't make the Topshop mistake.

Monochrome and turbans?! Yes yes yes.

These two looks are from Salvatore Ferragamo, and they both do something great. First off, belting makes the rib cage peak-a-boo even more prominent, and they have matching shoes and bags for their belts. Too cute. Also, this proves that this can be done in monochrome with elegance. The left has the effect of a crochet halter on top and a sheath maxi skirt on bottom. This skews a little ABBA/Mormon Tabernacle choir for me, but this girl has great shoulders and I have no problem with showing these off. The right has a buttercup Princess Jasmine top with a button up skirt that she just did not have time for this morning. And I loooooove it. Although I am not confidant enough in my undergarment choices to leave that skirt quite so undone. But otherwise, I would wear this in a heartbeat. And I am convinced I need to do this for spring.

I am trying to make this blog about accessibility, and let me tell you this trend is vintage-find ready. In less than 5 minutes I have found some cute, cute options on etsy and ebay. Just plug in a combination of crop, set, vintage, suit, and the like into the search bar and you are golden. Good luck, and happy rib cage revealing.

Cup O' T(-straps)?

2011-04-04T17:34:00.002-04:00

The T-bar sandal, according to the book of knowledge, originated in the early 1900's as footwear for young boys in the UK. They gained popularity up to the 50's and 60's as footwear for ages up to pre-teens, and then declined in popularity afterward. Recently, they have been having a come back that rivals things which have had big comebacks, of which I can think of none. Being to cheap to pay for cable has seriously cut down my ability to make pop culture references, and for that I apologize.

Charlotte Ronson and Elie Saab do asymmetrical arms.

First off, no, Natalia Zakharova (left) is not an amputee. I checked. I don't really know how she got this amputee effect, but I do like the vibe I get from seeing an aparent one-armed woman (a la J. Walter Weatherman) rocking a casual look. Anyway, appreciate this juxtaposition plz. Some casual socks and sandals tourist look, with a high class, ultra-70's sleeve thing on the right. These T-straps can go both ways. Literally.

I feel like most (read: all) of my posts have been wordy, so I am trying to cut down. But let me leave you with some more proof of the t-strap comeback, because two pictures does not a style story make (I wrote that all by myself).

YSL does it with carpet-skirt.

The Stylish Wanderer does it classically.

And Urban Outfitters has them low, high and in-between.

So there you have it! These babies are all over vintage stores too, so no need to drop big bucks for trend shoes, albeit classics.

Foodie Friday: Edamame Hummus

2011-04-01T16:52:00.001-04:00

I have invented a new thing. It is called "Foodie Friday" and what happens is on Friday I will pretend like this is a cooking blog. This is mostly because on Friday I come home and I want to cook/make something really fun and delicious. It is going to be grand (and full of garlic).

First off, Trader Joe's has this thing called edamame hummus at their store, and it is goooooood. But I am one of those people who likes to make stuff, even if I can buy it for about the same price. This is probably because I am difficult and stubborn and I like doing kitchen things. So I tried my hand at this hummus, and I can tell you without a doubt it is the most delicious green paste you could ever want.

Here is the super simple recipe so you can start eating this in under 10 minutes.

Edamame Hummus
1 cup - Frozen edamame (without pods)
1/4 cup - Sesame seeds
2 Tbsp - Olive oil
1/2 cup - Water
4 cloves roasted garlic (sub. with 2 cloves non-roasted or 1/2 tsp of garlic powder)
1/2 tbsp salt (I probably added more than this, but I am a salt fiend)

Thaw the edamame either in the microwave (if you are impatient) or leave them in the fridge if you know you are going to use them soon. Pour all ingredients into a blender, you could use a food processor as well but I only have a blender and it works well for this. and blend until smooth(ish). Add more water and salt as necessary to ensure a smooth and delicious final product.

Present in a handy ramekin, on pita bread, or eat in spoonfuls right out of your blender. No judgment here.

Around the web

2011-04-01T12:46:00.001-04:00

Get ready for a tour of the world wide internet. I am going to provide you with a few little articles that I hope you will enjoy. This cop out of a post is brought to you by staying up late to karaoke last night.

Sass.

This hilarious (and informative) feature of 10 common Vogue poses is brought to you by Lester Brathwaite, and even gives you little tips on how to mimic them. Although I am sure you practice in your mirrors daily, right? That just me? Okay...

Svelte blogger labeled curvy.

Mr. Sartorialist himself commented on this lovely lady's figure earlier this week calling her "curvy" in a way that has apparently offended the internet. The Gloss takes a look at why, in a way that isn't dry. Rhyme Time.

This woman is chic-er than I could ever dream to be.

Advanced Style is a blog about the greatest thing ever. Chic older women. It is full of ladies who have had years to collect and prune their closets and develop their own style. They are geniuses. This little intro video is the perfect way to get inspired to try something daring and (if you are like me) spend a couple hours reading through the blog itself.

Swimmy Suits

2011-03-31T11:44:00.000-04:00

Yes, I am slightly obsessed with warm weather. Yes, I realized that it is a frigid 35 freaking degrees (Farenheit, that is about 1 for you Centigrade lovers) in my craptastic state. And yes, I do realized that I am grossed out by public pools so I probably won't go swimming anyway. But none of these facts are enough to prevent me from drooling over swimming apparel. And you should join me.

Simplicity... Samatha Pleet for StyleLikeU

Despite the amount of runway fashion I frequently cite, I am not wealthy and I do not buy high fashion. I buy vintage. If I have something that is a big name designer it is either thrifted or designed for H&M, Target or the like. I am a college student for goodness sakes. I can't go around spending willy nilly on fantastic pieces. But this piece is amazing. A little romper that doubles as a swim suit. This is perfect for people (like me) who do not want to wear something skimpy. If there is anything runway style has taught me, it is that overt sexiness isn't stylish. And it is also just plain boring. So I will be on the lookout for something like this. Extra special bonus: it looks great with the hat (as if I needed another excuse to wear my boater...)

But lord you make it look so good.

This Antonio Marras getup consists of some amazing components that I will personally steal for my own excitement. First of, I am obsessed with high-waisted-ness. No, that is not a real thing. No, I do not care. My waist gets nervous when it is not being embraced by skirts or dress pants. I start to feel a bit panic-y if my midriff is showing (except for extenuation circumstances like extreme freaking warmth). Putting a high waist on a swimsuit is something that I have not seen before. But to be fair, this could be because I am a dummy. But I have seen it a lot since I started my swimsuit quest, and I love it.

Also, I really like the geometric aspect of this suit. I am not quite sure why, but the shape sort of reminds me of leaves or something, even though it is blue... This could be because I am an insano person. It could also be because I have always dreamed of a dress made out of banana leaves and I am projection. I don't really think the two are mutually exclusive.

Adorbs. From ModCloth... of course

This suit is really, REALLY cute. But also too expensive for my pretty little pockets, little being the oprative word. Pathetic really, considering it is under $100. I have been drooling over it (and the polka dot pattern with the same cut) for a while now. It incorporates the high-waisty thing (cha-ching!) with a really cool pattern (florals florals florals!) and comes from a company based in Pittsburgh. What more do you need? Well, for me about $50 bucks cheaper. But if I was a wealthy woman, I would get one in every color. And every size. Maybe not every size.

Basics: Sleeves

2011-03-30T12:03:00.000-04:00

Sleeves are a big deal. A huge deal. They can be cuffed. They can be buttoned. They can be fluttery. They can be different material than the rest of the garment. A lack of sleeves is a statement of coolness, as we all (read: me and other cool kids) learned from that one episode of Wishbone. They are usually not the right length if you are tall. They are what keep your (read: my) weird elbows with that scar from when you had a staph infection from being set on display for the world to see.

They are also big in fashion.

Sometimes literally.

These super puffy/bandage sleeves had a strong showing at Lanvin 2011 in a way that makes me feel weird. This reminds me of that episode of Arrested Development when George Michael wears the Adam body suit under all of this clothes to look super strong to impress Maeby. That is probs what Elbaz was going for. I have never met a Jew who didn't love Arrested. Hopefully this is actually a case of huge sleeves and not some ridiculous body snarking about a woman (or actually most of these Lanvin models) who is extremely built.

PVC tubes double as faux-sleeves

Here, I believe Rei Kawakubo is trying to capture the essence of wearing your jacket over your arms rather than with your arms in the sleeves thing that every fashion blog always has going on. Frankly, I don't get it. I mean, yes, it does solve the problem of your sleeves being to short from being on display. And it also solves the problem of ever having to carry anything for anyone ever. But at what cost? The cost of not being able to use your freaking arms. Comme des Garçons made this jacket so that I can look as cool as all you arm sacrificing people, but still be able to do a crossword puzzle on the bus. Thanks guys!

POOF!

Here YSL gives a good demo of how a flourescent orange tent on your arm can make you look alive. Even if you are a zombie with no melanin to speak of. It took me a solid 30 seconds before I started to wonder how this one could have more coloring in your legs than your face. But this must be what they are going for. The huge bow on her breast region is even overpowered by these sleeves, which are gypsy-like, while still looking ridiculously expensive. I want this in every color of the rainbow. Which according to Stefano Pilati the only other colors are white, black, blue, beige and a hint of fuchsia.

Trending: Karate for Spring

2011-03-29T08:51:00.000-04:00

As I said earlier, I am obsessed with spring. Far to obsessed for anyone to be about something that I am coming to believe is an urban legend. I am like those people who spend their lives looking for Bigfoot in the mountains up in Washington, who take plaster casts of places where little kittens slept in the forest and say it is his footprint. Only instead of my whole life it is this weekend, and instead of Bigfoot it is fashion, and instead of Washington it is the internet, and instead of plaster casts it is me really excited about birds foraging in my backyard because maybe, maybe spring is coming.

Anyway, I noticed something... awesome.

HIIIIIIIYA!

This Caroline Herrera outfit seems almost like a joke. The model isn't even wearing shoes! Maybe Ms. Herrera took a karate class (with A. Wang) to prep for the season and this is an homage. If I ever had a Karate dojo, I would require that all my pupils wore this piece. To be frank, this will never happen. And not just because nobody in their right mind would buy this for a pre-teen. And only pre-teens do karate. And Mr. Miagi. I will also never own a karate dojo because I never took karate as a pre-teen. I will have to make up for this hole in my heart by wearing this white belt outfit with pride.

Sooooo white.

Not only are the karate jackets some of the only non-sheer elements of Alexander Wang's spring collection, they are fantastic. And the pockets are just great. I love me a breast pocket. But who doesn't? What better place to put your University ID card (and then think you lost it, pay $20 for a new one, and find it when you do laundry three weeks later)? Seriously though, I do love breast pockets.

On a side note, when I was in 5th grade there was a Halloween party for my whole grade and I was so excited about it. I dressed up as an ice cube, which sounds cute in theory but is extremely spatially challenging in practice. I covered a box with blue satin and made straps that went over my shoulders, which created a box skirt/suspenders effect (for a very fashion forward adolescent). But what I am actually getting to is that my mom and I put little pony tails all around my head and then gelled them solid and sprayed them with metallic blue hair dye crap. And it looked exactly like A. Wang's models.

I knew I could count on you...

Continuing this trend and skewing it a bit papal is Chloé (yes this is kind of a stretch, but the feel of the collection does sort of fall into karate). Again, the look is paired with hand-to-hand combat appropriate footwear, because if you can't beat up a dude with pink ballet flats on, you can't beat up a dude. Since it is Chloé (yes, I just like putting the accent-aigu), there is a skirt involved, but the top has definite dojo tendencies, especially with the white belt that could maybe be terry cloth but def isn't. Lady MacGibbon makes this karate look chic, she is truly a goddess of femininity and shit.

Regardless, I urge you all to email your parents and ask them to send you that bathrobe/weird pants thing so you can rock this look come spring. Or if you are like me and had hippy parents who didn't let you do karate, go to your local karate mart.

Spring is not actually here

2011-03-28T11:27:00.000-04:00

The beginning of April is right around the corner and I am still wearing my coat everyday. I was running to the bus stop with coffee in one hand and my other hand thrust in my pocket to keep the wind chill from threatening it with frost bite. In fact, a man yelled at me for not having my coat buttoned up all the way, even though I was doing my signature barely-getting-my-shoes-on-in-enough-time-to-catch-the-bus thing, so how could I have time to button my coat?!

Anyway, I did laundry on Sunday (and yes, it is a day long production, as I am sure you know) and as I was sorting out my spring dresses that I was able to wear only weeks ago I looked outside and gave the sky the bird. Well not really, but it is a metaphor, or perhaps an allegory. I don't remember much of english (the subject, not the language (or perhaps both)). Anyway, if you are lusting over the warm weather clothes tempting you from your closet as much as I am (which I hope not, because wearing dresses around your house with thermal underwear underneath is not a good look for anyone, and I would prefer that it was contained to my own awkward space) then here is some springy sartorial porn for you.

Ohhh yeahhhh.

Anna Sui is my kindred spirit in doily pants. All of the clothes she shows are things that I want to put on my body, and in these temperatures, I would put them all on at the same time (for warmth, but also for inability to decide what to choose because they are all soooo good). Do you remember that summer, when you were 16 and you had a crappy car that only had a cassette player so you and your best friend would listen to the same old Bob Dylan cassette as you cruised around ~~smoking weed and~~ vintage shopping all summer? Well probably not, because you aren't me, or my Jerimiah. But that is what this Spring 2011 Anna Sui feels like to me. My 16 year old self who was obsessed with bandanna pattern and weird scarves and shit would lovvvvve this. And so do I, because it is amazing.

This look has it all.

DVF was the first "designer" item I ever owned. I got one of her dresses for 12 bucks, new with tags, from the Austin Assistance League, which is the most amazing thrift store anyone could ever hope for. If you are ever in Austin, you must check it out. And then go across the street to Top Drawer which is pretty good finds too. And you might as well go to the Omlettry and get some delicious breakfast (cash only). But I digress. The fact is DVF has some amazing pattern business going on, which I love. But frankly, I am a little put off by this, mainly because she stole my look. I mean fo real. Fanny pack? Check. High waisted shorts? Check. Pattern, pattern, pattern? Check, check, check. Sleeves that are too short? Well frankly, I don't do this on purpose, I just have weird arms, but still. Red lipstick for daytime? Check!

I love, love, love this look. And I am flattered (and shocked) that fanny packs have made it onto the fashion scene.

Oh Marni, what have you done.

This look has my favourite parts of the Marni collection, all in one amazing picture. I like to call it, Scuba Diving Fashionista has Puffer Fish Accident. This model is rocking an aviator/swimming cap, how could you go wrong?! I don't think there is much more to say about this except that I will cite this picture as a source next time someone calls me out on wearing my shorts full of holes. Oh, and one last thing, the loafer tassels on flip-flops are an inspired way to bring Wall Street to the boardwalk. Or wherever the hell you would wear this.

Basics: Jeans

2011-03-24T12:06:00.000-04:00

Denim is the uniform of the working man, and while chambray has been almost universally embraced by the fashion world, you would be hard pressed to find a picture of denim jeans on the runway. Despite this, denim is something almost all of us have in our closets, usually a favourite pair that we love to put on when there is not other inspiration waiting for us, or for me at least, around this time of year when the weather takes a turn for the worst after a couple days of spring dresses.

But today lets take a look at new ways to wear the jeans we have to make the standard seem unexpected.

Class.

Leave it to Karla (right) to turn even standard denim into something remarkably high class looking. Both of these stylings make use of a seemingly pedestrian look, white shirt and denim jeans, but manage to elevate them. The chic sunglasses and tall heels can turn almost any ensemble elegant, but what I think is important is to not how accessories can really change an outfit.

Left, she uses an amazing hat to add a level of drama that is easily the most interesting part of the look, and jeans can let her hat actually take front and center. Plus, I know for me at least, clutches require a level of attention that I have trouble dealing with. I mean, I can barely complete my daily tasks with two hands, and now I have to give one of them up to look fabulous?! But think of it like this: you are wearing jeans, so you have to suck it up and pick up the slack somewhere else, why not in a leather bag?

Outdoors!

Okay, yes you can wear jeans outdoors. But also you can wear them with patterns. Like crazy patterns. This lady on the right is rocking two different sweater patterns, and the jeans just sort of act like an anchor. You think, "Oh, she isn't a crazy person, because she has on jeans." Or at least I do.

If you are anything like me, I hope you aren't because I am sorry, but you probably have some things from thrift stores with patterns that bring new meaning to busy. And you wear them with jeans. Just do it, because jeans are the only thing that are so basic and wonderful that nothing really looks bad with them. Even more jeans.

Short.

I know you have that one pair of jeans in your closet that you have worn for the last 5 years and you love them to death but they are sort of grungy and you have that hole in the knee from the seat on the bus that you got caught on that keeps getting bigger and bigger but you still wear them.

Well, cut them. Just do it. I recently did this with a pair I got from Banana Republic my sophomore year of high school. And while it is sad that I still have them, now I have a brand new pair of shorts, that look fabulous. Or if you aren't a shorts person, just do a little DIY magic and make a skirt.

Jeans are perfect, they make you feel good when you wear them, blue is a wonderful color, and you can get them in whatever style or fit that you feel best in. So wear your jeans proudly and with a touch of style.

*I am sorry I don't have sources for these pictures but they are from my massive and poorly indexed inspiration folder on my computer and probably from street style blogs...

Zuckerberg and hoodies

2011-03-23T13:03:00.000-04:00

I know not everyone is into fashion, or even personal style. I am confronted by it everyday. You see, I am a student of the Engineering Arts. No, actually, it is not an art. You can tell because after walking into the engineering building, a.k.a. my second home, my eyes accosted by hoodies, sneakers, cargo pants, and t-shirts emblazoned with my school logo.

And this is the future of my generation. Sigh.

As the New York Times states, "Mr. Zuckerberg’s famously anti-fashion styling is spawning imitators, or at least has come to symbolize success for a new generation of would-be billionaires" [1]. My Gen Y peers have taken the idea of dressing for the job you want, not the job you have to an unnecessary extreme. Frankly, we are dressing for our retirement before we are employed. And people like Zuckerberg, as well as others, set a precedent for sloppiness as a symbol for success rather than unemployment.

Style you never thought possible. Never.

But it isn't just Marky Zee who is leading this crusade against formal wear in the tech industry. When you think tech industry, what do you think of? Let me give you a hint, they run this blog. And pretty much every fashion blog, because they run blogger. The fabulous google guys who pretty much started the tee shirts and jeans thing.

Larry Page (left), man after mine own heart in vertical stripes, and Sergay Brin [2]

By googling (a word, possibly) these two fellas, you are hard pressed to find an image of them looking nice. I mean the closest you get is an awkward business casual photo shoot with uncomfortable looking dudes. But they are billionaires in a way that the number zeros after their worth make me dizzy.

But what seems most pervasive is, of course, media. And while Facebook and Twitter and blogs like these are the "new media," I can't see anything presenting a more sartorial view that film. While I plan to expand on film and fashion in a later post *note to self*, right now I need to talk about how the new generation is being presented with "new sartorial standard for success in the Internet age," or that is what David Fincher, director of The Social Network calls it [3].

According to the Daily Beast, while this film is apparently amazing (cue Golden Globes music), "deep down The Social Network is a fashion flick." A fashion flick that shows the true style dissonance in the tech scene. The film presents two styles, the clean cut, up scale Justin Timberlake as Napster, and the Jesse Eisenberg grunge and sloppy Zuckerberg.

Juxtaposition out the whazoo [4].

But this is where I get worried. While I am aware that most people don't peruse Style.com or Sartorialist before they get dressed, they do see movies. And when presented with the image of success scoffing fashion, how can we expect them to continue putting in an effort to look their best? Will people become complacent with their college attire and never make the transition to adult clothing with their transition to adult occupations? And if so, what does that mean for people like me, or you?

So the big question for me, how pervasive is this style story? Will my future employers be unwilling to hire me because I show up to an interview in lace blouses and pencil skirts when they expect college alumn tees and blue jeans? Frankly, I can't imagine if it would be worse to be discriminated against because of sophisticated style or expected to dress differently because of my gender. But I know there is really only one thing I can do. Remain strong by dressing with the power I have, and when necessary, take up the Brooks Brothers that my male cohorts have doffed. They look great on anyone.

[1] NYT talks Zuckerberg
[2] Google Guy Picture credit Associated Press
[3] Daily Beast gives me another reason to see The Social Network
[4] Social Network still

More about me

2011-03-22T20:56:00.001-04:00

WARNING:
This post contains a lot of me talking about myself and my crazy pants and more about myself so, feel free to not read it. Or just laugh at the pictures.

Before I became interested in fashion, I really couldn't careless about what I wore. Or I thought I didn't care about what I wore. Throughout high school I was completely adorned with tye dye pants, thrifted shirts, and blue jeans.

Oh god.

But something happened when I went away to college. I know it is ridiculous and cliche, but in coming to a new town I found an opportunity to do things that I would have never done in high school, which is weird considering I used to wear tye dye pants. What normal human is afraid of wearing red lipstick but dons techni-colored linen capris on a semi-regular basis? Weird ones.

Pittsburgh is by no means a fashion oriented city, they do wear almost all black for months but only in conjunction with yellow for the legendary Steelers football team, but I don't think they qualify as any sort of fashion Mecca. My hometown Austin, in contrast, has been a hipster Mecca for the better part of the century, and the sartorial decisions by its occupants reflect that. In a cold, grey world where I must now own a coat, I found myself being excited by the vibrancy of my closet.

I have matured in my clothes, and have used my youth's obsession with thrifted and vintage clothing as a basis for my current style. While I maintain many pieces from before moving, like an unnecessary amount of tye dye wife beaters, I have a collection of items that are appropriate for my age and my maturity that I still manage to wear daily in ways that I find unique and interesting.

Modeling my refrigerator, and sleepy head hair...

But this is about my style journey. This blog is about me, and you, and fashion. About what I am learning, what you are learning, what style is inspiring, and what we can do this season, and next season, and every single day to feel glamorous.