Alexander Wang | WhyDid.com

Setting the Mood: … And Break.

By Kirsten|March 4th, 2014|Setting the Mood|

Your definition of “spring break” doesn’t necessarily need to include a wet t-shirt contest and well tequila shot from a super soaker into your already inebriated mouth. Sometimes the best kind of spring breaks are those spent with close friends in low key locations. Sure, during my years as a co-ed I visited the obvious and oh so exotic locales of Aculpulco, Cancun, and Panama City, but never did I appear in a Girls Gone Wild DVD, nor did I awake in nothing but plastic beads. I did, however, misplace my purse and nearly face a lifetime spent in Mexico without government ID. But alas, UPS delivers to all of Northern America and I was returned home safely to two less than impressed parental units. While my behavior south of the border was less than stellar, let’s just remember that I was far from bikini clad, AK47 holding, Riff Raff groupie, so I call that a “win.” And why should we ditch the tradition once we’ve earned our undergraduate degrees? Maybe, much like naps, spring break is a tradition that should span on throughout all of adulthood.

Le Specs Cheshire Round Frame Acetate Mirrored Sunglasses, Etro Woven Pandanus and Printed Cotton Fedora, Alexander Wang Prisma Silicone Tote, Sophia Webster Violeta Vinyl Sandals

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Spring 2014: Style Cheat Sheet

By Kirsten|February 25th, 2014|Why Did You Wear That?|

Although it was fifty degrees over the weekend and snow flurrying today, we really are in the home stretch of winter. Just hang in there, pretty birds, relief is on the way. While we wait for the last frost of the season to cease, let us refresh ourselves on the clothing that is just waiting to make itself quite comfortable in our closets come spring. Since each fashion week presents collections a solid six months in advance of when we can actually get our greedy little hands on it, it’s easy to forget what we need to start scoping for and what to relegate to the back of our wardrobes for the time being. The fashion elite may be a bit clairvoyant perhaps predicting the dreadfully long winter we’ve endured as the spring collections did not shy away from color, bold patterns, and plenty of shiny embellishment. Though black and white were ever present, it’s time to drop the dull all black uniform and have a little bit of fun.

While florals are really nothing new for spring, this season’s are a bit bolder and less feminine incorporating the trend of black and white as well as darker tones as opposed to the predictable pastel colorways. Speaking of which, Easter egg colors abound and are best done head to toe, but if that has you feeling apprehensive of emulating Great Aunt Ida, the presence of a pastel leather jacket or clutch will do the trick.

Along with bold graphics that will have even the biggest globetrotters giddy, art aficionados rejoice. Patterns for spring give a nod to pop art using brights that make them downright framable. Wearable art, if you will.

Embellishment was big and came in the form of fringe, 3D embellishments and gilded golds, bronze, and silver. An alternative to shine in the form of straightforward metallics is presented in the option of iridescence.

And to those who attempted a croptop intervention on me… bad news: the croptop (which will live on through Fall 2014) is stronger than ever for spring. Might I suggest enrolling in a Pilates class, like last week? Though tops are shrinking bottoms get a bit of volume in the form of wide leg trousers and full skirts seen prevalently in the midi length.

Most notably to me was that all of the various trends seem to work together quite seamlessly and in some cases there’s quite a bit of overlap. Full metallic skirts, crop tops with sheer panels, and boldy printed wide leg trousers make hitting a few trends at once a spring breeze.

Fresh Blooms: Rebecca Taylor Sweet William Dress, Joie Talina B Pants, Elizabeth and James Klaus Floral Print Silk and Mesh Dress
Go Wide: by Malene Birger Cosyna High Waited Silk-Satin Pants, Diane von Furstenberg Salma Wide Leg Silk Pants, alice + olivia Pleated Eric Pants
Dirty Pop: Paul Smith Black Label Maxi Skirt, Lisa Perry Patchwork Skirt, M Missoni Neon Crochet Knit Mini Dress
Heavy Metals: Rachel Zoe Pearl Sequin Fishtail Skirt, DAY Birger et Mikkelsen Metallic Chiffon Wrap Dress, 3.1 Phillip Lim Crossover Biker Skirt
Peekaboo Panels: Yigal Azrouel Scuba Waterprint Mesh Skirt, Rag & Bone Molly Skirt, Rebecca Minkoff Antoni Silk Top
Full Circle…Skirts: JOA Striped Skirt, TOME Taffeta Skirt, Tibi Full Pleated Skirt
Team Spirit: SEA Cotton-Blend Tweed Shorts, Sacai Luck Striped Cotton and Taffeta Dress, Equipment Abbot Silk Bomber Blouson Jacket
On the Fringe: alice + olivia Caitlin Fringe Maxi Skirt, Haute Hippie Fringe Pencil Skirt, Jason Wu Cropped Fringed Crepe Top
Buttoned Up: Diane von Furstenberg Trudy Blouse, MiH The Oversize Shirt, Carven Silk Floral Print Collared Cotton Shirt
Perfect Pastels: Halston Heritage Asymmetric Satin Twill Peplum Dress, J Brand Ready To Wear Durham Oversized Leather Biker Jacket, Lotusgrace Polka Dot Sheath Dress
Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop Croptops: Tibi Cropped Embellished Cotton Blend Top, Jonathan Simkhai Cropped Intarsia Jersey Top, BCBGMAXAZRIA Kaja Harness Top
Black (and White) to Basics: A.L.C. Harrison Skirt, Donna Karan Printed Silk Wide Leg Pants, McQ Alexander McQueen Slash Effect Stretch Knit Dress
Iridescent Does It: Acne Tine Sequined Silk Georgette Shorts, Roksanda Ilincic Oriel Colorblock Wool Crepe Dress, 3.1 Phillip Lim Colorblock Suede A-Line Skirt
Global Graphics Clover Canyon Diamond Quilt Printed Cropped Track Pants, Diane von Furstenberg Phaedra Jacquard Skirt, Line & Dot Silk Palm Tree Print Dress

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: One Dress, Three Way (Rated PG)

By Kirsten|February 13th, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

To show a little more skin in this dress from For Love & Lemons, I scratched the catsuit and slipped into a silk slip. As soon as there was more skin showing, the level of drama was amped up. Mo’ skin, mo’ drama? Since it is still arctic, I added a fur jacket, gold chains, and a big bag to stow my scarf and gloves in between transit.

dress: For Love & Lemons, slip: Skin, booties: Steve Madden (similar here), bag: Alexander Wang, jacket: vintage, necklaces: vintage (similar here),

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Sorry, Karl.

By Kirsten|February 5th, 2014|Why Did You Wear That?|

If you’ve tired of cashmere turtlenecks and grandpa cardigans, there’s some new knitwear in town. Well, not really “new” because I’ve suggested it once before this past fall, but it’s the sweatshirt. The last time we visited sweatshirts, I feared for poor Karl’s health, but hopefully he’s recovered from his panic attack by now… because it would appear that sweatshirts have not only grown in popularity, but have been adopted by just about every designer on the market. An article of clothing once relegated to the gym, males, and lazy Sundays at home, the new sweatshirt is far beyond a marled grey crewneck. Whether in printed neoprene or with heavy embellishments of sequins and chiffon, this season’s sweatshirts might even sway Mr. Lagerfeld.

1. Givenchy Patchwork Print Sweatshirt, 2. Erdem Petal Embroidered Sweatshirt, 3. Acne Beta Geometric Printed Scuba Jersey Sweatshirt, 4. Clover Canyon Gatsby Sequined Printed Sweatshirt, 5. Alexander Wang Parental Advisory Sweatshirt, 6. Cédric Charlier Printed Sweatshirt, 7. McQ Embroidered Ribless Sweatshirt, 8. Carven Aplliquéd Cotton Jersey Sweatshirt, 9. Milly Printed Panel Sweatshirt, 10.Lulu & Co Never Again Sequined Cotton Sweatshirt

Just remember not to pair one with its counterpart, the sweatpant, because that means you’ve given up- and you’re not a quitter.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Hut, Set, Whatever.

By Kirsten|January 28th, 2014|Why Did You Wear That?|

This Sunday the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks will face off at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (full disclosure: I just Googled that to make sure). Besides being the best thing that’s happened to New Jersey since the Jersey Shore being canceled, this also means that we, ladies, have the opportunity to spend the afternoon in a room with a captive male audience. Oh, you actually came to watch the game? I’m actually here for the finger food and legitimate reason for pushing snooze on Monday morning.

My dad often texts me about football games and I attempt to give spirited responses because I know he cares… but sadly, I do not. I’m not like a football hater and I might care a little more if a team relevant to me was playing (Steelers, Giants), but I kind of don’t care either way. It’s the same way I feel about tofu. Meh. Without question, you will never see me in a bar wearing a football jersey. Or face paint. Though, Miley’s got me a little more interested in foam fingers as of late. I’m probably not friends with anyone wearing any of the aforementioned sports paraphernalia either, but I’m sure there are some exceptions. Like an actual football player. But alas, I do understand the need to show a little team spirt- I was cheerleading captain for heaven’s sake. Clever little ladies can achieve a sporty chic look by wearing a pop of their team’s color in slouchy sweatshirts, colorful kicks, or mini t-shirts boasting the teams logo. And denim is always a good look.

1. Nike Denver Broncos Super Bowl T-Shirt, 2. Nike Dunk Sky Hi Shoes in Armory Navy, 3. Hanky Panky Signature Lace Low Rise Thong in Screaming Orange, 4. Acne Studios Bird Fleece Sweatshirt, 5. Current/Elliot The Stiletto Distressed Skinny Jeans, 6. Seattle Seahawks Navy Antigua NFL Womens Signautre Hoodie, 7. Rag & Bone Capri Cropped Skinny Jeans, 8. Splendid Snowpeak Plaid Button Down Shirt, 9. Deborah Marquit Giardino di Fiori Lace Thong, 10. Vans Authentic Sneaker

But, if you’re anything like me and you could care less about either team and are betting only on running out of salsa before chips, then you may want to just stick to the home (New York) team uniform. All black everything. Not only will you still look slim after housing a plate of nachos, you also won’t look like an a-hole wearing the losing team’s color postgame– which really makes you the winner, now doesn’t it?

1. Towsen Reversible Leather Jacket, 2. Alexander Wang Drawstring Crepe Tapered Pants, 3. Only Hearts Second Skins Bodysuit, 4. Agent Provocateur Anoushka Lace Thong, 5. Jimmy Choo Lace and Leather Sneakers