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Friday Frocks: Hot Under the Collar

By |December 27th, 2013|Friday Frocks, Why Did You Wear That?|

collared dresses peter pan saint laurentOne of the most noteworthy numbers sent down this Fall ’13’s runways was the plaid Peter Pan collared frock from Saint Laurent.  Encapsulating just enough of the 90’s grunge while maintaining the sweetness of a babydoll silhouette, this dress becomes a classic contradiction.  Valentino and Louis Vuitton also sent very similar styles down the catwalk.  A perfect day to night dress that will transition effortlessly from cubicle to club by trading in flat boots for spiky Mary-Janes or strappy pumps, letting your hair loose and cranking up the smokey eye.  A perfect perfect mixture of sugar and spice- ain’t that nice?

dress with collar1. Alice + Olivia Courtnee Combo  Cuff Dress, 2. RED Valentino Polka Dot Peter Pan Collar Dress, 3. Sea Combo Silk Dress, 4. Victoria Beckham Peter Pan Collar Ottoman Mini Dress, 5. Cooperative Contrast Collar Babydoll Dress, 6.Motel Narla Cross-Back Dress, 7. Maje Eponyme Chiffon Paneled Stretch Jersey Mini Dress, 8. Charles Henry Collared Colorblock Dress, 9. One & Only x Urban Renewal Collared Babydoll Dress, 10. Elkin Noon Dress

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did or Why Don’t: Back(pack) for More

By |December 26th, 2013|Why Did or Why Don't?|

backpack style fashionEvery girl needs a bag within which she can lug around all kinds of things that a man would never fathom being necessary on a day to day basis.  We stow little items that may very well come in handy when handling an unaccounted for crisis.  You call them frivolous, we say functional.  It is the Girl Scout motto afterall, “Always be prepared.”

And with this 90’s resurgence it’s no wonder we are revisiting the backpack bonanza from last year.  This time, however, it seems just about every designer that’s ever played in the handbag arena has thrown his/her pack in the ring.  From Mr. Wang to MK and Ashley, there are backpacks crafted from studded leather to luxe leopard.  Take your pack—er, pick.  But will you be partaking in this trend?  Or is it something we should leave back in social studies class?

On the upside: they do look pretty cute and who doesn’t want yet another chance to channel Cher Horowitz?  It’s also great to just fling that baby on your shoulders and continue making overly dramatic hand gestures in conversation without that pesky handbag getting in the way.  However, have you ever tried retrieving something from your stylish sack while it’s still in place on your back?  Awkward.  Trust me, you won’t be going for your iPhone nearly as often(which, could be another one to add to the upside).  And along with looking like the teenage freak that you once were while trying to fetch a stick of Big Red from your satchel, backpacks pose as open invitations to pickpocketers, especially in a city like New York.

backpack1. Elizabeth and James Abstract Animal Print Calf Hair Sling Backpack, 2. Alexander McQueen Studded Leather Backpack, 3.Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Mariska Backpack, 4. Stella McCartney Shaggy Deer Falbella Backpack, 5. 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Stamped Leather Backpack, 6. Proenza Schouler PS1 Large Backpack, 7. Rebecca Minkoff Selena Backpack, 8. MCM Stark Allover Stud Med Backpack, 9. Christopher Kane Crackle Leather and Macramé Backpack, 10. Alexander Wang Prisma Cracked Skeletal Backpack

 

So, you be the judge… are backpacks back?

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Let’s Keep This Private

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

plaid fashion girlAs mad for plaid as I am?  So are Hedi Slimane of Saint Laurent, Rossella Jardini of Moschino, and Mr. Lagerfeld himself. But if you tossed that old school uniform or it doesn’t quite fit the way it did as a teen, do not fret.  Perhaps it’s time to be the teacher rather than the pupil and there are some very grown up ways to add plaid that are more collegiate than kindergarten.  Let me school you for a moment.  Pop a varsity jacket on with distressed denim and pumps, add a plaid jumper over a turtleneck, or polish off those penny loafers- but never forget your over the knee socks.  (Pro-tip: for cooler climates, layer over the knee socks atop sheer stockings in the same shade or patterned color family).  Pick a piece or two to achieve the look, but don’t go for extra credit by overdoing it.  You should look subtly nostalgic, not like you just stepped out of a time machine.

plaid fashion clothing1. Rag & Bone Raquel Boiled Wood Varsity Jacket, 2. Marc by Marc Jacobs Maya Plaid Wool Skirt, 3. Rag & Bone Beeman Velvet Tassel Loafers, 4. Theory Nikay Catalogue Cotton Blend Dress, 5. Saint Laurent Two Tone Leather Penny Loafers, 6. Missoni Shimmer Stripe Thigh Highs, 7. J. Crew New Schoolboy Brushed Stretch-wool Twill Blazer, 8. Vivienne Westwood Rocket Tartan Mini Skirt, 9. Robert Clergerie Serana Leather Wedge Pumps, 10. Elkin Basset Dress, 11. Gucci Beverly Patent Leather Pumps, 12. Plush Fleece Lined Thigh Highs, 13. J. Crew Wool Varsity Jacket, 14. Free People Lady Macbeth Skirt, 15. Bop Basics V-Neck Cardigan

You’re dismissed. xx, WhyDid

Setting the Mood: Private Parts

By |December 23rd, 2013|Setting the Mood|

plaid uniform editorialThis time of year, especially around the holidays, plaid plays a very important role in winter wardrobing.   Personally?  I have a penchant for plaid.  I went to plenty of private schools, St. Michael’s, St. Edward’s, and Linsly and maybe that’s where my love of plaid began.  Many may beg to differ, but there’s nothing better than slamming the snooze button knowing that your outfit for school that day is predetermined, so you can afford a few more moments of shut eye.   Honestly, there’s not a lot better than a good school uniform.  For years, I was living out my very own Britney Spears Baby One More Time music video.  Not really sure how the boys (or teachers) concentrated with pretty young things clad in pleated plaid skirts, knee socks, button downs, and blazers.  The worst three years of my life were those spent in public school during my middle school years- not solely for the lack of uniform, because my closet actually quadrupled in size during that time.  I may be the only adolescent on record who begged to go back.  I’m pretty sure it appeared on my Christmas list two years running.  While I did finally get my way, I still wax poetic about inappropriately short plaid skirts (I found myself in the office on more than one occasion for figuring out new and inventive ways to chop off a few inches from mine) and all the iterations of legwear and platform penny loafers.  Fortunately, there are many ways that we can all relive our prep school pasts with grown up plaid pieces.

plaid clothing accessories

Karl Lagerfeld MacPherson Tartan Wool and Faux Leather Pants, Cambridge Satchel Tartan Satchel Backpack,Christian Louboutin Anita 85 Buckled Tartan Pumps, Hanky Panky Highland Tartan Lace Bralette and Cheeky Hipster

Hit me, baby, one more time.

xx,

WhyDid

Weekend Playlist: I’m Festive, Ok?

By |December 21st, 2013|Weekend Playlist|

dr seuss the grinchIt should not be news to you by now that I do not enjoy Christmas music.  I just don’t, alright?  You think that makes me a Scrooge?  Well, I also despise ugly Christmas sweater parties, Secret Santas, and candy canes.  I’m a horrible human being, I know.  Shock of all shocks, I have a hard time stomaching any and all things that have been universally commercialized.  I’m not completely heartless though.  I do like some of the things that surround Christmas, like spending time with your family and loved ones, festive cocktails, and mistltoe.  Big fan of mistletoe.

But because I know that many (okay, most) of you do love all things Christmas and are more likely than not in the midst of sucking down a candy cane embellished cup of eggnog wearing hideous holiday knitwear just itching to deck the halls to some Christmas carols, I’ve put together a mix of the poppiest Christmas songs on the planet.  Because if we’re going down this route, let’s go big, loud, and cheesy.  While some of you prefer the classics, nothing says holiday cheer like Silent Night sung by Boyz II Men.

 

xx,

WhyDid