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Oh, sorry.  I just woke up.  I can only assume that my deep slumber was induced around the same time I slammed my hand to my forehead upon One Direction taking the stage to accept the award for Artist of the Year.  Either that or I had too much wine.  Maybe both.  In any case last night was the 42nd annual American Music Awards held at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles and hosted by a basically blacked out and slurring Pitbull (Mr. Worldwide, if you will).  While I look back on the evening, I can’t actually tell you who won or gush over any particular performance (except maybe Lorde’s), but there are a few key things I did deduce from the evening.  If you do not already own a leotard, get one.  Without a nary Beyonce, Miley, or Katy in the auditorium, there was no lack of spandex to be seen.  Also, J. Lo and Fergie made the message clear that the old guard hasn’t gone anywhere and a Pilates class sure doesn’t hurt.

As far as the red carpet, there were about fifteen “celebrities” who actually walked it, leaving my options for best, worst, and WTF very limited.  Black was the overall favorite for the evening and the ladies who donned the official color of New York, looked sleek, stunning, and sophisticated whether in long gowns or short shifts.  The skin showing of choice last night was most certainly the legs with sky high slits as well as micro minis.  Green, coral, a bit of navy, and peachy flesh tone were the favored hues worn by songstresses.  Rita Ora was pleasantly surprised to find out that she was the only one wearing a skin flattering yellow frock.

The favored hairstyle for the evening was soft tousled waves more often than not in buttery blonde.  Manicures were more like claws with long pointed tips not to be outdone by fingers covered in elaborate rings on multiple fingers.  Statement clutches and sky high heels finished off the ladies’ looks.

And we can’t forget the fellas.  Wyclef Jean and Imagine Dragons channeled their rocker style in tailored tees and leather, while Aloe Blacc spelled it out for us.  Nick Jonas’ suit made me feel even more awkward than his crotch grabbing Flaunt Magazine spread.  I quipped that I hoped 5 Seconds of Summer were also five seconds from a shower.  Magic looked like lost tourists who had wandered onto the red carpet after a tour of Hollywood Boulevard (rude!) and Sam Smith seemed to have forgotten his socks.

I wonder if Pitbull’s hangover is as bad as mine.

All But Basic Black:

Charlie XCX in Vivienne Westwood, Selena Gomez in Giorgio Armani, Fergie in Halston

Mary J. Blige, Christina Milian, Jenny McCarthy in Cushnie et Ochs

 Little Babe Dress:

 Nicki Minaj in Alexander Wang, Meghan Trainor in Ted Baker, Lauren Cohan in Blumarine

 Golden Coral:

Elizabeth Banks in Peter Pilotto, Julianne Hough in Zuhair Murad, Jhené Aiko in Alice + Olivia

 Flesh Take:

Jennifer Lopez in Reem Acra, Selena Gomez, Morgan Stewart

Leggy Ladies:

Kendall Jenner, Heidi Klum in Versace, Kylie Jenner in Alexandre Vauthier

Micro Trend:

Becky G, Lele Pons, Noah Cyrus

All That Glitters:

Jordin Sparks in Halston, Olivia Munn in Lanvin, Zendaya

Whatever Suits You:

Jessie J, Iggy Azalea, Gigi Hadid in Prabal Gurung

Ill Suited:

Ne-Yo in Anthony Franco, Ansel Elgort in Kent and Curwen, Nick Jonas in Armani

Male Order Babes:

Wyclef Jean, Imagine Dragons

 Leading Ladies ( DaBest):

Kate Beckinsdale in Kaufman Franco, Rita Ora in Zac Posen, Taylor Swift in Michael Kors

Led Astray (Dafuq?):

Bleona Qereti, Frankie J. Grande, Diana Ross

xx,

WhyDid

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The fashion industry may have cleverly renamed them “waist bags” and “belt bags,” but they’re not fooling me.  I roller skated to Ace of Bass “I Saw the Sign.”  These are glorified fanny packs (known in the UK as “bum bags” since “fanny” means something entirely different) and having just returned home from Orlando, Florida, presumably the birthplace of fanny packs, I know one when I see one. It may  have taken a bit longer for fanny packs to trickle down from the runways (the trend was first spotted in early 2013) to the retail stores, but they’re here and they’re happening.  From Chanel to Sarah Jessica Parker (not her first time wearing a hands free handbag), the waist bag has gone mainstream and now you’re going to have to experience it… perhaps for the second time.  I suppose it could be worse.  You could be carrying your dog as a tote.

And there are always upsides to even the most troublesome trends.  One brand called their version a “dance bag,” which I guess makes sense if you’re one who frequents nightclubs.  Gone are the days of guarding your bag from sticky cranberry juice stains and drunk girls with sticky fingers.  Dance the night away with your handbag safely resting on your hips.  Hanging your valuables from your waist will also cure the epidemics of uneven arm strength and scoliosis.  The only downside is that I don’t believe you’ll be able to safely stash much more than your cash, cards, and beloved iPhone.  So looks like you’ll be stuck carrying that shopping bag from Forever21 for all to see.

1. Rebecca Minkoff Quilted Affair Fanny Bag, 2. NewbarK Eva Metallic Textured Leather Belt Bag, 3. Clare V Leather Trimmed Shearling Belt Bag, 4. ONE by Erin Dana Evan Large Fanny Pack, 6. What Goes Around Comes Around Louis Vuitton Geronimos Waist Bag, 7. Times Arrow Asia Lamé Dance Belt Bag, 8. Pendleton, The Portland Collection Convertible Belt Bag, 9. B-Low the Belt Samantha Belt Bag, 10. Alexander Wang Leather Belt Bag

Since the belt bag is readily available at many of your favorite shopping outposts, now’s your time to weigh in on the trend.

xx,

WhyDid

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Being someone who typically favors skin grazing frocks and tops only slightly larger than sportsbras, it may come as quite a surprise that one of my favorite parts of cooler weather has absolutely nothing to do with pumpkin spice anything and a whole lot to do with slipping into a cozy, cuddly, oftentimes oversized sweater dress.

This is not the first time I’ve dedicated a Friday Frocks to sweater dressing and I can promise you, as it’s only mid-September, it won’t be the last.  Knit dresses are the perfect way to transition from chilly fall days to frosty winter evenings.  When the thermostat starts to head below 60, wear your knitwear with over the knee boots and toss on a leather jacket.  As the biting temperatures of winter arrive, layer your frock over patterned tights or a pair of complementary knit leggings (another really big trend for fall).  I may be the only one, but all I want to do is hug myself when wearing a soft cashmere sweater and fortunately, I’m quite flexible, so it’s entirely doable.  But seriously, if you see me in the street wearing a sweater dress, hugs are welcome.

1. Just Female Link Roll Neck Sweater Dress, 2. Red Valentino Long Sleeve Sweater Dress, 3. Matthew Williamson Merino Wool Mini Dress, 4. Rachel Pally Sleeveless Turtleneck Dress, 5. BB Dakota Dakota Collective Lara Sweater Dress, 6. Vince Sweater Dress, 7. T by Alexander Wang Mohair Tunic Dress, 8. Haute Hippie Slouchy Collar Dress, 9. Eternal Sunshine Creations Georgia Mini Dress, 10. Bella Freud Three Way Color Block Wool Mini Dress

xx,

WhyDid

Image originally published here.  Photo courtesy of Living The Dream Blog

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In one week, it will officially be autumn… as well as two of my favorite men’s birthday.  Technically, it’s still summer, but the weather has taken a turn and the inevitable chill is in the air.  As a matter of fact, as I type this with my window cracked, I can actually smell what epitomizes fall to me.  When it’s not the skin melting heat of summer or the bone chilling frost of winter, the weather in Manhattan is nothing short of magical.  Spring and fall, while both way too short, are reminders to residents as to why we tolerate exorbitant rent, public urination, and unreliable transportation.  Start stashing your swimsuits and pull out your sweaters from the bins under your bed.  Enjoy the brief pause that is fall and brace yourselves for what the Farmer’s Almanac is predicting to be one wild winter.

Saint Laurent Metallic Leopard Print Woven Scarf, Carolina Amato Fingerless Knit and Leather Gloves, The Elder Statesman It’s A Bunny Echo Cashmere Beanie, Alexander Wang Cara Colorblock booties with Haircalf Trim

xx,

Whydid

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Oh, hey there.  In case you don’t have access to cable or a smartphone, last week (and a half) was New York Fashion Week.  The fashion elite have since jetted off to London for round two, but here’s a little sneak peak into what was my NYFW experience.  I kept things pretty quiet on Instagram as when I scrolled through my own feed, I was bombarded with photo after photo… after photo of the shows.  I tried to snap shots of things that not everyone was capturing- like bored little girls in the front row and the contents of my bag.  This wasn’t my first rodeo and I can wax poetic like all of those annoying New Yorkers who recall a city of a different era.  A city that still had a little grit and required more than a weird outfit to garner getting papped outside Lincoln Center.  (Did you see the Jimmy Fallon bit?).  So, while I miss when Fashion Week was more about fashion that it was fluff, I am happy to have been a part of another New York ritual.

dress: KNITZ by For Love & Lemons, top: American Apparel, bag: Alexander Wang, shoes: UNIF 94 Heels, lipcolor: Clinique

xx,

WhyDid

Photography by Michael Stiegler

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