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Why Did You Wear That: Two For the Price of One

By |May 10th, 2011|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

You know the sayings, “Two are better than one”, “The more the merrier”, “You can never have too much of a good thing.”  Well, for a little while there, two for one’s or “twofers” in fashion were not such great things.  You know what I’m talking about… the collared shirts with the vests already attached.  Thank goodness!  You can save yourself the trouble of thinking that one through! Phew!

It wasn’t until recently that twofers were allowed out from the time out corner and welcomed back into our closets.  The maxi skirt is huge for spring and summer and luckily, the geniuses who thought up this trend (um, hello unshaven legs and skirt equivalent of leggings) also threw in a little bonus by making these maxi skirts convertible.  Meaning that the skirt can also be pulled up to your chest, belted, and worn as a dress.  Some of you little wizards were probably already doing this on your own, but the cat’s outta the bag and it’s going mainstream.  Check out how to wear your new skirt/dress… shall we call it a “skress”?

I love a maxi skirt slung low on the hips with slightly wedged sandals and a cropped tee or tank.  It gives an easy, breezy, summer look perfect for a farmer’s market or outdoor festival without making you look like a total skank.  Remember, a little bit of skin is good.  A whole lot of skin is how you end up sixteen and pregnant.

To dress up your skress, hike that baby up to cover your mammaries, add a belt to cinch your waist and throw on strappy sandals to complete the look.  Another brilliant reason to own a skress? Packing purposes.  You’ve got one piece of clothing that works as two separate outfits giving you extra room in your suitcase for those sky high espadrilles and another teeny bikini.

1. C & C California Short Sleeve Cropped Hi Low Tee, $58, 2. Splendid Heather Maxi Tube Skirt/Dress, $88, 3. Elie Tahari Snake Printed Leather Strappy Wedge Sandals, $268, 4. Splendid Heather Maxi Tube Skirt/Dress, $88, 5. B-Low the Belt Eashan Belt, $115, 6. Miu Miu Multi Strap Suede Sandals, $595

Two never looked so good.

xx,

WhyDid

Friday Frocks: Jamaican Me Crazy

By |May 6th, 2011|Friday Frocks|

From what to wear to make an ex-boyfriend jealous to which underwear is sexy rather than skanky, my friends often ask me for style advice and I usually just answer them privately, but a friend sent me a message this week and I realized that it’s probable that many of you are also wondering the same things.

Peep,

I am going to a summer wedding in Jamaica and have no clue what kind of dress to wear. I’m thinking a chiffon maxi dress but I haven’t found any that I like. You know how much I love your posts on WhyDid, so I was hoping you would maybe want to do a post on this? If not, no biggie. Love you lots!!

xoxo,
Peep

Don’t ask about the nickname… Anyway, Peep, I think you’re onto something with the chiffon maxi.  It is the perfect option for a destination wedding for two reasons, 1). it’s breezy and light, 2). chiffon dresses are easy to pack and won’t require any ironing or ridiculous garment bag.  If you think you might be dipping your toes in the water after dancing the night away, maybe you can opt for a tea length or short chiffon dress.  Be sure to pick a bright color or bold pattern for maximum tropical thunder.  Some espadrilles or embellished sandals are the way to go when navigating sand and possible “rocky” terrain (especially after downing some rum punch or Red Stripe). Keep accessories light- some bangles and maybe a long necklace.  Now you’re ready to celebrate in style.

1. DSQUARED2 Natasha Long Dress, $1,950, 2. ADAM Colorblock Long Halter Dress, $395, 3. AKA New York Malibu Dress, $398, 4. Forever 21 Floral Maxi Dress, $16.50, 5. Winter Kate Harlequin Chiffon Maxi Dress, $285, 6. Ella Moss Penelope Maxi Dress, $189, 7. Robbi & Nikki Beaded Chiffon Dress, $265, 8. Halston Heritage Tiered Chiffon Romper, $295, 9. Top Shop Chiffon Bandeau Dress by Rare, $110

Let’s also not forget about the hair.  Destination weddings often include tropical climates.  I know that the minute my hair meets humidity, I resemble a wildebeest.  So, finding a hairstyle that not only looks pretty, but also holds up against wild weather is crucial.  Whether your hair is wooly and wild like mine, or fine and frail below are some great options to keep you looking beach wedding chic:

Yeah, mon!

xx,

WhyDid

The List Volume XLIII

By |May 6th, 2011|The List|

This week’s list is a compilation from coast to coast.  I’ve apparently been too busy to be annoyed, but thankfully, I got a little help from my friends- and they’re very annoyed.  Here are a few things that annoyed some of my besties this week (and a couple that annoyed me too):

  1. The people who stand outside of stores to try and lure you in.  Um, if I needed to come in there, I would.  This also goes along with the people who hand out flyers too.  I do not want your flyer. Stop it.
  2. Motorcycle/biker arm signals.  I know you know what it means… but we don’t.  Try a blinker. 
  3. People who “fake wash” their hands in the bathroom so you won’t think they’re scummy.  With all the effort you put into pretending… you could have just lathered up.
  4. Three words: Failure To Launch.  It’s time to be a big girl/boy.  Stow away your stuffed animals and get a grown up job.
  5. People who like to play the “victim.”  Shut. Up. and do something about it.
  6. Having things “taken” from your shopping cart on RueLaLa.  Um, I was going to buy that.
  7. Girls who get angry when you come up to the mirror to reapply your lipgloss/fix your hair/etc. in the bathroom.  Oh, I’m sorry… is this your mirror? 
  8. Speaking of hair: Touching your hair in public.  Like, I’m not talking a little twirl of the hair while flirting.  I mean a full on coif at the dinner table or perhaps flat ironing your hair on public transportation… yeah, I’m talking to you girl on the CalTrain…
  9. Public overshare.  This includes but is not limited to: Facebook break ups/make ups, Twitter lists of what you ate today, YouTube sob stories, DailyBooth risque photos.  Let’s use social media for good, not evil.
  10. People who feed their children fast food.  I don’t mean for a “treat” from time to time.  I’m talking about when it’s the rule rather than the exception.

Hey universe?  Stop upsetting my friends.  I need them sane and happy. Thanks!

xx,

WhyDid

 

Photos via Coverings Magazine, Andrea Grant, Jokers Wild Motorcycle Club

Why Did You Wear That: Cinco de Style

By |May 4th, 2011|Why Did You Wear That?|

Cinco de Mayo is another one of those holidays that Americans celebrate with no idea why.  They simply celebrate because it is yet another reason to drink heavily and eat delicious Mexican food.  I see nothing wrong with either of these two things, but I do think that we should probably figure out what it is that we’re actually celebrating.  Let’s see what Wikipedia has to say;

Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for “fifth of May”) is a holiday held on May 5. It is celebrated nationwide in the United States and regionally in Mexico, primarily in the state of Puebla. The date is observed in the United States as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride, and to commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy during the first years of the American Civil War. In the state of Puebla, the date is observed to commemorate the Mexican army’s unlikely victory overFrench forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day, the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico.

Alright, now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get this party started.  For a holiday such a Cinco de Mayo, you have to go all in.  From the food to the drinks to the dress, it’s easy to get into the spirit.  Below are some awesome ways to bring a little bit of south of the border style to your celebration:

uno. Jen’s Pirate Booty Senorita Dress, $148, dos. Wendy Nichol Handknit Shawl, $350, tres. Nightcap Clothing Crochet Beach Pant, $190, quatro. Arden B. Crochet Trim Tube Romper, $49, cinco. All-American Swing Skirt, $14.80, seis. Love Sam Guaze Smock Top with Lace, $174, siete. Top Shop Red Flower Crochet Insert Dress, $70, ocho. Free People Mexican Embroidered Shift Dress, $168

Once you’ve got your outfit picked out, don’t forget to make up a big pitcher of sangria (my famous recipe here) and cook up some crowd pleasing enchiladas (recipe and last year’s fiesta video here).

 

xx,

WhyDid

Monday Mashup: MET Madness

By |May 3rd, 2011|Monday Mashup, Red Carpet Recap|

The gorgeous and well groomed came out to strut their stuff down the red carpet for the MET Ball this evening.  Where most red carpets are a bit of a bore, the Costume Gala always proves to be  more interesting seeing as it is thrown by the fashion elite (you don’t see Anna Wintour at the Grammy’s).  Each year, the gala is themed and this year was “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty.”  Talk about one hell of a week for McQueen creative director, Sarah Burton.  A royal wedding followed by the year’s biggest fashion fete.

Above Tory Burch and Taylor Swift (in J. Mendel) slipped into their red carpet best and while both look absolutely beautiful (thanks for ditching that side swept ‘do, Taylor!) they look uncomfortably similar.  These dresses look like they could have been cut from the same cloth (oh yes, pun intended).

Tory and Taylor weren’t the only lookalikes this evening.  Quite a few starlets, and style icons were seen wearing similar get ups.

Ginnifer Goodwin in custom Top Shop, Barbara Walters

Too easy.

Rosie Huntington Whiteley in Burberry, Brooklyn Decker in Michael Kors

Two blonde supermodels, one color. I love Rosie Huntington Whitely.  She’s absolutely beautiful and I do love Brooklyn’s dress.  I just wish they could have swapped outfits.

Kate Hudson in Stella McCartney, Jessica Alba in Ralph Lauren Collection

No, this is not season 4 of Teen Mom Goes to Prom.  These are just two very pregnant actresses dressed in prom gowns for the gala.

Dakota Fanning in Valentino, Fergie in Marchesa

Speaking of teens… why is Fergie dressed in the same outfit as seventeen year old Dakota Fanning (who is very much age appropriately dressed)?

Sarah Jessica Parker in Alexander McQueen, Renee Zellweger in Carolina Herrera, Gwyneth Paltrow in Stella McCartney

Seems that slinky metallics were all the rage for the over 40 set.  I can’t help but think these dresses look awfully similar to Anne Hathaway at the Golden Globes

Freida Pinto in Chanel, Janelle Monae, Anna Dello Russo in Alexander McQueen and egg hat

Three perfect examples of why women should stick to womenswear and stay away from menswear.

Chrissy Teigen in Chris March, Beyonce in Emilio Pucci, Lucy Liu in Vionnet, Christina Hendricks in Carolina Herrera, Demi Moore in Prabal Gurung, Kirsten Dunst in Chanel

These six sexy black widows actually all ended up on my worst dressed list… just mere coincidence that they’re all in black.  Preparing for their fashion funeral perhaps?

Gisele Bunchden in Alexander McQueen, Dianna Agron in Michael Kors, Saorise Ronan in Rodarte, Kristen Stewart in Proenza Schouler, Emily Browning in Marc Jacobs

I’ve organized these ladies in red from “red hot” to “red not even kind of a little bit. uh uh.”

Diane Kruger in Jason Wu, Christina Ricci in Zac Posen, Bar Rafaeli, Ashley Greene in Donna Karan, Lily Aldridge in Ralph Lauren Collection, Leelee Sobieski in Vionnet

These six stunners got their red carpet looks right.  They are each wearing one of the above trends or themes that were so popular at this year’s MET, but they got it right rather than oh so wrong. These beauties were able to separate themselves from the savages.

xx,

WhyDid

 

Photos via JustJared & Huffington Post