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Why Did You Wear That: Thankful for Crop Tops

By Kirsten|November 27th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

If I could wear this outfit or an iteration of it every single day, I probably would. Basically, if I was a superhero, this would be my costume. I’d have a closet full of the exact same thing just like Doug Funny. I’m not exactly sure what kind of superhero or cartoon character I would be, but I think one of my superpowers would be being able to see private Instagram accounts. To me this feels a little bit like a mixture between Pretty Woman and Cat Woman.

Yes, I’ve found another way to incorporate a crop top into my wardrobe, this being more of a “girls’ night out” version and probably not something that I’d be wearing post Thanksgiving dinner with my compressed socks you can buy at this website link. So I’ll just try and remember that when Thursday rolls around and there’s a plate full of food in front of my fat face. But perhaps another one of my superpowers might be a super metabolism.

top: American Apparel, skirt: Brandy Melville (similar here), socks: Stocking Girl (similar here), jacket: Andrew Marc (similar here), boots: Kelsi Dagger (similar here), bag: DIY (make yours here), necklace: vintage

xx,

WhyDid

photos by Catherine Sampietro

Why Did You Wear That: The Perfect Paradox

By Kirsten|November 9th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

In sticking with this week’s theme of leather and lace, sugar and spice, sultry and sweet this outfit should provide some weekend outfit inspiration. And wouldn’t you know, I’ve found yet another way to incorporate a crop top. Sure it’s gotten quite a bit colder here in New York, but wearing a coat in transit makes showing a little skin entirely achievable. Pairing a high waisted pencil skirt with a lacy top is a great way to show off your curves without having to pile yourself into some type of bandage contraption. It’s classic, yet modern and most all body types can wear the look, crop top optional.

As I’ve mentioned, contradictions are my specialty. Mixing something more tough with something seen as soft is the way to create drama (the only kind I’m into) without looking like you’re trying too hard or doing too much. The skirt is actually something I’ve had for years- since I was a sophomore in highschool as a matter of fact. Because a custom made leather dress seems totally normal for a 16 year old’s homecoming (photographic evidence here). I held onto it knowing that while it may have been a bit ahead of my time as a teen, it would be a piece that would stand the test of time. Worn with a cropped lace tee, black booties, and subtle accessories, it is the perfect paradox.

top: American Apparel (thanks, Mer), skirt: custom (similar here), bra: Cosabella, bag: Malini Murjani, bracelet: vintage necklace (similar here), booties: Steven, ring: Grandma’s (similar here), earrings: vintage (similar here)

xx,

WhyDid

photos by Michael Stiegler

Why Did You Wear That: I Got the Hook Up

By Kirsten|September 26th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

I always argue that I live in the West Village, though my address teeters terribly close to the streets that fill with drunken girls in stilettos and inappropriately and unseasonably short bejeweled bandage dresses and the men who love them on the weekends. Then one day, I noticed the banner (conveniently sponsored by my building’s management company) affixed to the lamppost on my corner welcoming all to the trendy Meatpacking District. “Live Well!” it decrees. If you mean paying six dollars for a bag of salt and vinegar potato chips at the corner deli and navigating through fanny pack clad Midwestern tourists while avoiding the stench of street carts, then, why yes, you can live very well in this neighborhood.

…And then I received a packet in my mailbox. It was officially welcoming me to the Meatpacking District complete with a Hookup Card. I can’t. And yet, I do. When I first came to New York before my senior year of college, the Meatpacking District was exactly what its name suggests. There was meat on the ground and it smelled and it was not yet infiltrated with Lulu Lemon and the stroller pushing mothers who wear it. It was gritty and scary and fun. It was the old New York. But as much as I complain about it, I love where I live… so long as I always walk south when exiting my building, unless heading to Sephora or Soho House. I’m glad I’ve lived here long enough to know the difference and to be able to bitch about it.

dress: American Apparel, jacket: c/o American Living (similar here), socks: Xhiliration (similar here), boots: Dolce Vita (similar here), bag: Balenciaga

Holla if ya hear me.

xx,

WhyDid

Photo Credit: Michael Stiegler

Why Did You Wear That: A Walk in the Park

By Kirsten|July 30th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

It’s a rare occasion that I make it above 14th Street. Leaving downtown at times feels like leaving the country. Well, my country. I’m not actually a neighborhood snob (okay, maybe), but for me, there’s not much reason for me to head uptown. I used to go for the sole purpose of re-blonding, but then my hairstylist left the country… and I stopped coloring my hair. Some even say your ears may pop when you cross 42nd Street. Whatever the case may be, I don’t make it up to the Upper West Side or the park very often.

I can’t decide if I gave up on Central Park after I realized there were about 3cm of park where Smitty was actually allowed to be or that time we got pelted by a football courtesy of a group of guys trying to catch our attention. Speaking of which, a guy once asked me on a date to Central Park. I never called him back. Even my best friends have a tough time coercing me to the Upper West Side. Given enough wine, I’ve found myself sleeping on their couch in the morning, pleased with myself for having passed out before the pizza arrived. So, when my newly Americanized pal, suggested we head uptown and check out the park, I felt I had to oblige. I suffered through a steamy subway ride and was soon reminded what a wonderful oasis we have in our otherwise concrete desert.

shorts: Torn by Ronny Kobo, top: American Apparel, shoes: Jimmy Choo (similar), bracelets: Kenneth Jay Lane (ring version), bag: Asos (similar)

xx,

WhyDid

Photo Credit: Michael Stiegler

Why Did You Wear That: The Witching Hour

By Kirsten|July 16th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

While one can essentially never go wrong in a little black dress, the same ol’ cocktail attire can become a bit tired. For a more modern take on basic black, try mixing separates in the same color- most notably in noir. Make the look your own by adding accessories like a hat for a more dressed down take, or twisting your hair into a top knot for a more polished presence. I once suggested another alternative to the LBD, which garnered a love/hate reaction. And to be honest, this is a look I’ve been perfecting since senior prom.

Yes, my parents let me out of the house (and actually escorted me) to my prom wearing these very same fly-away shorts and a beaded butterfly top (dare I mention my very first weave?). I never thought I’d see the day where these shorts would become a part of my wardrobe again, but during one of my 18,000 moves, I returned to my mom’s house in West Virginia and scoured the archives. Jackpot.