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Setting the Mood: Goth Goes Glam

By Kirsten|September 30th, 2013|Setting the Mood|

You know what’s spooky? Tomorrow is the first day of October. I’m not quite sure where the time goes. Hell, I hardly know what day of the week it is more often than not. And not only is summer absolutely over, we’re fully in the midst of fall. While the weather has been nothing short of heavenly for the past month, it’s only a matter of time before I lock myself away like a hermit to avoid the bitter chill of winter. But before I make off like Winslow Homer, I may as well enjoy the last few brisk days of autumn. Sure, my summer tan has all but faded, but now is no better time to bask in my alabaster skintone and take on the look of glamorous goth. The word “goth” probably evokes memories of that one kid in your gifted class who never spoke much and spent a lot of time doodling pentagrams on his Trapper Keeper. However, the modern goth is a bit more polished and much more high fashion than Halloween. I believe I outgrew Halloween when they started making costumes like “sexy bacon” and “naughty neurosurgeon.” Think textures of leather, lace, and velvet and smokey eyes with a deep plum lip. Just remember: the look should be sultry, not scary.

Miu Miu Lace Up Leather Ankle Boots, $990, Maje Duree Lace Blouse, $285, L’Agent by Agent Provocateur Penelope Satin and Mesh Waspie, $148, Oscar de la Renta Gold Plated Crystal Ring, $295

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: I Got the Hook Up

By Kirsten|September 26th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

I always argue that I live in the West Village, though my address teeters terribly close to the streets that fill with drunken girls in stilettos and inappropriately and unseasonably short bejeweled bandage dresses and the men who love them on the weekends. Then one day, I noticed the banner (conveniently sponsored by my building’s management company) affixed to the lamppost on my corner welcoming all to the trendy Meatpacking District. “Live Well!” it decrees. If you mean paying six dollars for a bag of salt and vinegar potato chips at the corner deli and navigating through fanny pack clad Midwestern tourists while avoiding the stench of street carts, then, why yes, you can live very well in this neighborhood.

…And then I received a packet in my mailbox. It was officially welcoming me to the Meatpacking District complete with a Hookup Card. I can’t. And yet, I do. When I first came to New York before my senior year of college, the Meatpacking District was exactly what its name suggests. There was meat on the ground and it smelled and it was not yet infiltrated with Lulu Lemon and the stroller pushing mothers who wear it. It was gritty and scary and fun. It was the old New York. But as much as I complain about it, I love where I live… so long as I always walk south when exiting my building, unless heading to Sephora or Soho House. I’m glad I’ve lived here long enough to know the difference and to be able to bitch about it.

dress: American Apparel, jacket: c/o American Living (similar here), socks: Xhiliration (similar here), boots: Dolce Vita (similar here), bag: Balenciaga

Holla if ya hear me.

xx,

WhyDid

Photo Credit: Michael Stiegler

Why Did You Wear That: Fall Overhaul

By Kirsten|September 24th, 2013|Why Did You Wear That?|

September 22nd marked the first day of fall (and also my dad’s and beloved pooch’s birthdays). Now you can officially start complaining about the end of summer… not that you haven’t been doing so since Labor Day and the end of your summer share. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I actually find fall to be a little bit magical. It’s nice to have everyone back in the city. Sidewalks are full of brunchers on the weekends soaking in the last bits of tolerable temperatures. There seems to be a tinge of excitement in the crisp air. For what- I’m not quite sure… can’t possibly be the impending arctic winter. And while I do love a teeny bikini, I’ve always preferred dressing for fall. Layering cashmere, leather, boots, and coats may seem daunting to some though. So, I’ve put together ten fall trends that will help you start your shopping list and soften the shift from summer to fall.

Sweaters that say something: Forever 21 Boom! Cropped Sweater, ONE by Babe Babe Sweater
Layer in leather: All Saints Sens Leather Skirt, Helmut Lang Stretch Leather Legging Style Pants
One, two buckle your boots: Steve Madden Cinch Cutout Ankle Boot, Chloé Susanna Studded Leather Boots
Mad for plaid: Forever 21 On the Range Plaid Sweatshirt, McQ Plaid Zip Skirt
All shades of grey: Free People The James Dress, Richard Nicoll Waffle Knit Angora Blend Sweater Dress
Sneak attack: Adidas by Stella McCartney Discosura Hiker Sneakers, Giuseppe Zanotti London Zip High Sneakers
Oversized outerwear: Forever 21 Oversized Zip Up Jacket, Rochas Oversized Open Coat
Go Army green: Sparkle and Fade Camo Sweater, Faith Connexion Camouflage Tapered Pants
Beanie baby: Urban Outfitters Waffle Knit Beanie, Lanvin Embellished Ribbed Wool and Cashmere Beanie
Mini me: See by Chloe Rosita Mini Chain Purse, Fendi Be Baguette Mini Shearling Bag

Save me a seat at brunch.

xx,

WhyDid

image via

Why Did You Wear That: Emmy’s Red Carpet- Taste the Rainbow

By Kirsten|September 23rd, 2013|Red Carpet Recap, Why Did You Wear That?|

Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang, Anna Faris in Monique Lhuillier, Allison Janney in Lorena Sarbu, Zooey Deschanel in J. Mendel

Once it was confirmed that I was, in fact, watching the Emmy’s red carpet arrivals and not a live feed of the Beverly Hills High junior prom, I sat back, sipped some wine, and started taking notes. At first I thought that purple was the hue that ruled the evening, but after collecting all of the red carpet arrival photos, I realized that the only pattern I was seeing was randomness. From deep wine to all shades of green, the red carpet was more like a fashion rainbow. I always appreciate diversity and was glad to not see the same ol’ same, but it seemed as if nobody quite got their look complete. Example: for once, I finally liked the Prada Lena Dunham chose to wear, but her eye makeup massacre made it null and void. Julianne Hough’s hair was to die for, but she seemed to forget her pants in J. Mendel. Claire Danes’ Armani was ethereal, but her helmet hair was anything but. Rose Byrne looked sleek and chic in Calvin Klein, while Julie Bowen looked like an extra from a country western saloon photoshoot in Zac Posen. Michelle Dockery knocked it out of the park in Prada and Connie Britton’s Naeem Khan had me wishing I was just knocked out. While not straying far from their norm, Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang and Christina Hendricks in Christian Siriano wore what works for them and worked the red carpet and their best assets. My takeaway? Much like the assorted shades of silk, chiffon, and sequins, this year’s Emmy’s ensembles were a mixed bag. Replica Designer Handbags are the best choice for your trendy fashion. and I apparently need to watch more TV.

Kate Mara in J. Mendel, Taylor Schilling in Thakoon, Lily Rabe Vionnet

Claire Danes in Armani Privé, Kerry Washington in Marchesa, Leslie Mann in J. Mendel, Elisabeth Moss in Andrew Gn

Malin Ackerman in Marchesa, Julianne Hough in J. Mendel, Kristen Connolly in Nicholas Oakwell

January Jones in Givenchy, Julia Louis Dreyfus in Monique Lhuillier, Cobie Smulders in J. Mendel

Laura Dern in Naeem Khan, Rose Byrne in Calvin Klein, Julie Bowen in Zac Posen

Michelle Dockery in Prada, Kaley Cuoco in Vera Wang, Heidi Klum in Versace

Melissa Rauch in Rubin Singer, Carrie Underwood in Romona Keveza, Alyson Hannigan

Edie Falco in Escada, Allison Williams in Ralph Lauren, Tina Fey in Narciso Rodriguez

Lena Dunham in Prada, Jessica Pare in Oscar de la Renta, Connie Britton in Naeem Khan, Anna Chlumsky in Badgley Mischka

Robin Wright in Ralph Lauren, Lena Headey in Alessandra Rich, Christina Hendricks in Christian Siriano

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Smitty Did it

By Kirsten|September 17th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

If you’ve been reading for a while (even only a little while), you are probably well aware that the main man in my life is and always will be an eight pound Maltipoo by the name of Smitty. What you may not know is that his namesake is my father and the reasoning behind that is because they were coincidentally born on the very same day, September 22nd. At some point in my early collegiate years, my mom passed down a vintage t-shirt that she’d owned emblazoned with the phrase, “Smitty did it.” Since my last name is, of course, Smith, I had taken it and worn it without really giving it much thought. Then I gave it some thought… and realized how inappropriate the interpretation of this shirt could be. Almost as awkward as the time my mom tried to hand off her keychain that says, “I love Dick,” which she carried for years without ever realizing that most people weren’t privy to the fact that her husband’s name was Dick and she wasn’t some kind of overly amorous individual.

I held onto the shirt and it became relevant again once this pound and a half of puppy entered my life. No longer indicative of anything other than the fact that my dog probably did it. I didn’t actually realize what a family affair this outfit was until I started listing the pieces individually below. The only member I’m missing something from is my eldest brother, Adam, but I’ve already sported his gear (thanks, big bro).

hat: Dick Smith (dad) similar here, flannel shirt: Andy Smith (brother) similar here, t-shirt: Georgia Smith (mom), jeans: c/o Frankie B., bag: vintage- similar here, boots: – similar here, on Smitty: camo hoodie by