Why Did You Wear That? | WhyDid.com

Why Did You Wear That: Vive La Poncho

By admin|January 19th, 2016|Beauty & Trends, Why Did You Wear That?|

As someone who is currently wondering, who the f#*& snuck into my apartment while I was out and shrunk all of my pants in the commercial driers downstairs, I completely understand the post holiday bloat. Too much drinking, too many late nights, slacking on those workouts, and allowing for one (hundred) too many cheat days, has left me giving new meaning to the term “skinny jeans.” While the seams of my jeans hold on for dear life until I’ve managed to get my life back under control, I’ve taken to hiding my holiday leftovers in clever ways that don’t include Tupperware. That’s right, it’s been a little while since I’ve sported a crop top and turns out, it’s not necessary to carb load when you aren’t training for a marathon.

One way that is conveniently cozy during this altogether dismal time of year, is draping oneself in what is called a “poncho.”

Now, ponchos have gotten a bit of a bad rap over the last, say, hundred thirty years, but the ponchos of present are anything but unkempt. Great to wear for travel as well as for covering up those leggings on your way to Pilates, ladies- ponchos are the answer to all of our overeating. I also love a poncho for lounging lackadaisically around the apartment on winter weekends while I scroll through Netflix for the hundred thousandth time wondering why it’s only suggesting I watch movies with tragic titles and strong female leads. Because the Snuggie isn’t appropriate for public consumption and you haven’t yet reduced yourself to sweatpants, check out these alternative options in the form of ponchos.

1. Shades of Grey by Micah Cohen Colorblock Poncho, 2. Madewell Border Cape Scarf, 3. Vince Cashmere Poncho, 4. Mara Hoffman Knit Cape, 5. Rag & Bone Devon Poncho, 6. Barbajada Fringed Cashmere Scarf, 7. Burberry Prorsum Colorblock Cashmere Poncho, 8. Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent Scarf Poncho, 9. DKNY Asymmetric Fringed Poncho, 10. 3.1 phillip lim Fringe Poncho

Setting the Mood: New Year, Same Tricks

By admin|December 29th, 2015|Setting the Mood, Why Did You Wear That?|

I like New Year’s Eve. I always have. Despite the unnecessary pressure to come up with somewhere fantastic to toast the new year so as to post on all social media channels by 12:01 and even more pressure to lock down the perfect twelve o’clock kiss, there’s a bit of mystique built into an evening otherwise designed for disappointment.

What you may not know about me is that I’m missing the holiday gene. I don’t love Christmas carols, I couldn’t tell you the last time I decorated a tree, and I’ve spent the last two December 25th’s like Macaulay Culkin, home alone in Manhattan. A Grinch I am not, but because my family is so spread out across the country, the holiday season has taken on a bit of a different meaning to me. If you’ve never experienced New York on Christmas day, which most people have not, you are missing out on something truly magical. Empty sidewalks, closed cafes, and the absence of angry horns. Talk about silent night.

By the time December 31st rolls around, I’m more than ready to trade in the previous year for a newer model. I’ve got a list of bad habits I’m set to swear off, a newfangled collection of delusions for the year ahead, and a fresh pair of red knickers (for good luck, of course).

The places I’ve spent the last day of the year have been sordid and there are very few which warrant honorable mentions. As a matter of fact, I had to think for a moment where I even was last year. I danced the night away with new friends at Soho House and drank my body weight in champagne. I wore a black crepe de chine romper with lace tights. And as for this kiss? I was caught canoodling with a handsome young Frenchman. His name? Je ne sais pas.

Friday Frocks: In the Red

By admin|December 18th, 2015|Friday Frocks, Why Did You Wear That?|

New York may be called the Big Apple, but when it comes to that shiny red skin, we’d prefer it be rotten. New Yorkers tend to favor the LBD over the LRD because wearing color makes us nervous. Regardless of New York’s aversion to any other shade of black than black, a red dress is a closet staple, especially around the holiday season. Much like the “bend and snap,” an LRD works every time. You may be saying, “But I don’t look good in red.” Fortunately for your pretty little whining self, there are enough shades of red that at least one will complement your skin tone and hair color- from crimson to cranberry. So take a step outside of your comfort zone during the party circuit this year and dare to draw some attention to yourself in any various shade of red.

1. Zimmermann Sueded Bralette Dress, 2. Bec & Bridge Bon Bon Long Sleeve Dress, 3. Noam Hanoch Russo Mini Dress, 4. Nili Lotan Mock Neck Gown, 5. Preen by Thornton Bregazzi Andrea Guipire Lace Dress, 6.Issa Haley Dress, 7. A.L.C. Aldridge Dress, 8. Halston Heritage Embellished One Shoulder Stretch Crepe Gown, 9. VERSACE Mini Dress, 10. Carmella Michelli Dress

Setting the Mood: Tis the Season

By admin|December 15th, 2015|Gift Guide, Setting the Mood, Why Did You Wear That?|

While some establishments wheeled out the holiday decorations well before the shelves had been stripped bare of sexy nurse costumes, I prefer to wait til a bit after the Thanksgiving bloat to start making my list and checking it twice. I don’t love Christmas music and I couldn’t tell you the last time I decorated a Douglas fir, but don’t get me wrong, I love nothing more than coming up with creative gifts for the people I love. Some people would be happy with a ball of yarn so long as you remembered them, but others are a bit more tricky to shop for. This week, I’ll do my best to help you navigate the holiday madness that is online shopping in order to procure the perfect present for all of your nearest and dearest.

Why Did You Wear That: Blurring Lines in Gempicket

By admin|November 30th, 2015|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

Upon entering my apartment, one of the first things people notice, besides the fact that it took them twenty minutes to navigate the maze like hallway to get there, is the collection of nightgowns hanging on the handles of my closet doors on the left side of the hallway. Some of them are vintage, some of them I’ve never worn, others I wear all the time. You could say that my obsession with nightwear began while watching Golden Girls as a little girl. That’s right, instead of Big Bird and Mister Rogers it was Murphy Brown, Sam Malone, and Blanche Devereaux. I still fall asleep to the sounds of Nick at Nite and all of this ties back nicely to the potential narcolepsy I suffer from. Another hypothesis as to my penchant for boudoir attire is the time I spent buying lingerie for Henri Bendel. One never knew she was missing a waspie or the imperative need for an embroidered kimono until she spent time in a showroom full of silk, chiffon, and lace. I only have one dresser in my apartment and its sole purpose is to house my bras, panties, and bathing suits. You may be wondering why I ever even bother getting dressed. Spoiler alert, I rarely do.

Working from home most days doesn’t require putting on much more than a whisper of clothing. Other than slipping into something spandex to catch a yoga or pilates class, I’ve become quite comfortable in the very basics– as have all of my deliverymen. My freedom in dresscode and days of solidarity have taken some of the stress out of my normal work day, but it has also left me somewhat socially awkward and also in a panic when it comes time to piece together an outfit fit for public consumption. And this is when the beauty of blurring the lines between “your eyes only” and “all eyes on me “comes into play. When you can pair a Gempicket silk cotton batiste cami with your favorite skinny jeans or throw a vintage t-shirt on with your delicately demure tap pants, you’ve perfectly bridged the gap between wallflower and woman of interest. Or you could just call the whole thing off and stay home in your skivvies.