WhyDid.com

The List Volume XLVII

By Kirsten|June 24th, 2011|The List|

This week’s list is a little different. I’ve decided to not just complain, but also teach a lesson while complaining (multitasking). A lesson in vocabulary. You see, there’s not a day that goes by that I hear someone say something so dumb, trite, or played out that it makes me cringe with sheer secondhand embarrassment. This is usually as simple as scrolling through my Facebook feed.

Since I love all my WhyDid readers nearly as much as I love Friday afternoons, here are ten things that you need to remove from your vocabulary immediately (if not sooner):

“WINNING!” It was funny for the first two or three days of Charlie Sheen’s delusion filled rants, but now you just sound like a washed up has been…
“Sigh” “Le sigh” Any variation of air leaving the body.
“Just saying…” I was an early adopter of this phrase. I really loved it… two years ago. Now everyone seems to tag it onto the end of every sentence for maximum impact, but here’s the thing: we know you’re “just saying” because you JUST SAID IT.
“Hit me up” I’m not even sure what that means.
“Sunday Funday” Just because it rhymes doesn’t make it cute. Boozeday Tuesday? Highday Friday? Didn’t think so.
“Nuts-o” “Dunz-o” Anything-o. Adding an “o” to the end of words sucks-o.
“Fashionista” With exception to the website.
“I’m straight.” That’s wonderful, but I asked how you were doing.
“Literally” People misuse this bad boy all the time. Literally means actually; without exaggeration or inaccuracy.
“Guru” “expert” “maven” Chances are if you refer to yourself as one of these… you aren’t.
*A late addition: “Curate” or any adaptation of…

Choose your words wisely and always remember, “silence hath more eloquence than speech.”

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Loungin’

By Kirsten|June 23rd, 2011|Why Did You Wear That?|

I’ve never met a romper I didn’t like. When I encounter people who don’t “understand” the romper, I must immediately walk away. As much as I love clothes though, the first thing I do when I get home is strip down and put on something comfy. While I’d gladly spend all my free time in my knickers, there’s an off chance I ordered pizza and need to answer the door. Or perhaps I need to run out for another bottle of pinot. This presents a problem for a girl in her skivvies. Luckily, there is no problem too large for WhyDid. The happy medium between bare flesh and camera ready? Loungewear.

To amp up sales in the lingerie department at Bendels (you can only sell so many strapless bras) we started incorporating some “crossover” pieces much to the chagrin of the contemporary buyer (sorry!). One must get crafty in order to maintain sales goals, my friends. Luckily, lingerie brands caught onto the trend of wearing your underwear as outerwear and produced pieces that would fool even the most prude princess. (As a side note, these pieces are typically cheaper than the contemporary counterparts- bonus!).

1. Skin Cotton Gauze T-Shirt, $105, 2. Undrest Classic Foldover Tap Pant, $33, 3. Only Hearts Venice Teddy, $92, 4. Kiki de Montparnasse Garter Tank, $150, 5. Julianne Maria Shorts, $64, 6. Dessous by Sophie Simmons Ludvine Tunic, $136, 7. And Cake Gold Necklace Ribbed Tank, $60, 8. VPL Deltoid Undi, $87, 9. Eberjey India Jersey Lace Cami and Shortie Set, $103, 10. Matters of Leisure Townhouse Robe, $225

When in doubt, keep a cute robe handy. My girlfriends probably couldn’t count the number of times I answered the door for them in my pretty pink cashmere robe. (I never could seem to be ready on time). So dress down with your bad self.

xx,

WhyDid

Photos courtesy of HerbalTeaNYC

Why Did You Wear That: Double Up

By Kirsten|June 21st, 2011|Why Did You Wear That?|

While shopping for my mom’s birthday present this past weekend (Happy Birthday, mom!) at Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, we stopped by a jewelry store (like mother, like daughter). While there, I asked to have my earrings and ring cleaned. The diamond decked woman took my precious stones and started shining them up. When she returned, she informed me that she had found a loose stone in my ring and she would need to keep it to have the jeweler tighten it. Initial feeling: Phew! Glad she found it! Feeling of realization: Dang it! I’m going to have to go without my ring for a week. What’s my little naked finger going to do?

To avoid any type of “tabloid scandal” or socially controversial questions as to the whereabouts of my ring (Okay, I know I’m no Bennifer, but whatevs), I decided to have a little fun and dress up my ring finger with not one, but two sparkly substitutes. The first ring is a giant pink sapphire that I bought myself several years ago and the other is my grandmother’s ring (blue topaz) that she gave to my mom when she was my age. It was a little different at first, but I got used to it and people really loved what I had going on.

Moral of the story? Here’s a situation when two may actually be better than one. Stack some cocktail rings on your fingers next time you’re heading out and want a little extra shimmer at the tips of your fingers.

xx,

WhyDid

Monday Mashup: Vintage or Just Used?

By Kirsten|June 20th, 2011|Monday Mashup|

Some of my very favorite pieces in my wardrobe are things that belonged to my mother when she was (around) my age. Not only does this lead me to believe that style may be a genetic trait (cause Georgia has great style), it also made wonder what the differences are between vintage, retro, and antique.

Lots of so called “fashionistas” like to throw around the term vintage, but is their bag circa 1992 really “vintage” or just something they picked up at a thrift store and probably should just be classified as “used”? Since I really like to know what’s what, I did a little research to find out the official definitions of these time

Vintage:

Vintage clothing is a generic term for new or second hand garments originating from a previous era. The phrase is also used in connection with a retail outlet, e.g. “vintage clothing store.” It can also be used as an adjective: “This dress is vintage.”

The word vintage is copied from its use in wine terminology, as a more elegant-seeming euphemism for “old” clothes.

Generally speaking, clothing which was produced before the 1920s is referred to as antique clothing and clothing from the 1920s to 1980s is considered vintage.

Retro:

Retro, short for retrospective, or “vintage style” usually refers to clothing that imitates the style of a previous era. Reproduction, or repro, clothing is a newly-made but faithful copy of an older garment.

Antique:

Most authorities consider the actual definition of the term ‘antique’ to mean an age of at least 100 years. If an item is not definitively datable to 100 or more years in age, it should not be directly referred to as an antique.

So there you have it, ladies. Vintage is basically a trendy way of saying “used.” While I have no problem wearing my mom’s “used” clothes… I do have a hard time slipping my tootsies into some other broad’s old shoes. On the bright side, shopping at a luxury consignment store is a great way to save cash and just think… “it was somebody’s mom’s” clothes at one point or another.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Little Black What?

By Kirsten|June 14th, 2011|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

Every girl owns (or at least she should own) the perfect little black dress. But wearing the same hot little number cocktail party after cocktail party can leave a girl feeling bored with what once was a no brainer. Not even swapping accessories can change things. Like a rubik’s cube, there are only so many combinations. This is when you must channel your inner Macgyver and start rigging up new and inventive cocktail combinations.

Besides the LBD (little black dress for the slow pokes), another staple piece is a black pencil skirt. You may be thinking to yourself, “That’s a little too Betty Draper for me.” Well, let me tell you, the pencil skirt has stuck around for a reason. Fitted properly, a pencil skirt can make even the most waifish gal look more Beyonce and less Olive Oil. To offset the conservative pencil skirt, I paired it with a cropped bandeau top (this little guy happened to be a DVF sample and would benefit greatly from some time spent at a seamstress). Classic black pumps, top notch top knot, and a sequined jacket completed this unconventional, but totally cocktail appropriate attire.

Before creating this look yourself, remember to use some common sense: 1. Will this look good on you? If you could benefit from a few more sit ups, hold off until you’re bare belly brazen. 2. Where are you planning to wear it? A funeral or wedding is probably not the right time for this. Save it for a more appropriate occasion.

1. Cosabella Marni Strapless Plunge Bra, $132.50, 2. Diane von Furstenberg Panel Marta Techno Jersey High Waist Pencil Skirt, $210, 3. Tuleste Market Layered Ball & Chain Necklace, $150, 4. Harrison Morgan Black Sequin Bolero, $220, 5. Christian Louboutin Pigalle 120 Patent Pumps, $595