­

Why Did You Wear That: A Day at the Office

By |October 17th, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

daisy fuentes kohls nyc whydidWorking from home has its obvious perks.  Wine for breakfast, dog friendly, flexible work hours, pajamas welcome.  Though fewer, it also has its downfalls.  One of which I’m convinced I’ve contracted called “agoraphobia.”  Another, though disguised as an upside, is never really needing to put on pants.  Without the need to put on clothing that doesn’t include elastane in the fiber contents, it’s fairly easy to overlook your ever growing waistline.

Also, there are those times when my job does require me to interact with other humans and show face in professional work environments and that’s about the time I shift into a near panic attack as I stare into the abyss of my closet because we are always expected to wear some kind of uniforms that are part of are business attire.  What the hell do people wear to work?  Are crop tops considered business casual?  What if I wear one with a blazer?

When I received this ponté fit and flare dress from Daisy Fuentes for Kohl’s, I knew immediately that it was the perfect option for these terrorizing occasions.  Never again would I break into a sweat before a business meeting because this curve hugging, office appropriate dress is the perfect combination of classic and cool.  With a few added accessories like a studded belt, leather jacket, and strappy pumps, I felt professional without being overly prissy.  At this rate, I may have to get a desk job.

(P.S. you’re welcome, RKF.  I’ll happily take a cut of the commission earned from this post).

why did you wear that blog

why did you wear that kirsten smith

what to wear to work dresses

daisy fuentes kohls whydid kirsten smith

new york city street style why did you wear that kirsten smithdress: c/o Daisy Fuentes for Kohl’s, belt: DVF, similar by B-Low the Belt here, shoes: Sam Edelman, jacket: Marc New York, bag: Balenciaga, lipcolor: Clinique Different Lipstick in Angel Red

 

xx,

WhyDid

 

Photos by Michael Stiegler

Why Did You Wear That: If At First You Don’t Succeed…

By |June 5th, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

kirsten smith whydidA few weeks ago, the day came that I declared I was finally ready, willing, and able to dip my toes back into the dating pool.  So, I did.  It was funny that once I let it be known I was going back on the market, an interested buyer presented himself.  I had met him before, but because he kept complimenting my hair, I figured he was either gay or a hairdresser, possibly both.  When I ran into him again at a theme party one fateful Friday evening, he let our mutual friend know that he would be holding me captive and we spent the rest of the night attached at the hip… or maybe his hand/my butt… logistical technicalities.  In any case,  we’d spent a fun PG night together and deemed ourselves a perfect fit.  And just like I mentioned, once I started to get exactly what I wanted, I freaked the eff out.  He wanted to hang out that Sunday, but I was busy filming How To Tuesday and being fed hot toddies downstairs at Bakehouse in an attempt to fend off the oncoming and imminent flu.  As expected, I woke up the next morning feeling as though I had swallowed an entire carton of used Bic razors.  After a trip to the doctor (who complimented my dedication to still looking presentable when I felt less than human), I was diagnosed with a case of acute pharyngitis, aka, physical hell.  That benched me for the next week with ten days worth of antibiotics.  I let interested parties (okay, party) know my verdict and though disappointed, I promised I’d be well enough to see him the next Friday.  Like any good nurse, he checked in on his patient every day until then and made me feel slightly less miserable.  When Friday finally rolled around, the anticipation was at an all time high, but most importantly, what would I wear? kirsten smith why did kirsten smith whydid kirsten smith nyc3

kirsten smith nyc7dress: Wilfred Free, jacket: Andrew Marc, similar here, bag: Alexander Wang, boots: Frye, scarf: similar here, ear cuff: similar here, necklace: similar here

To be continued… xx, WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Almost.

By |March 12th, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

kirsten smith nycYesterday was the first day in a long time that I didn’t have to wear a coat, but a jacket instead.  The thermostat skyrocketed to an unbelievable sixty one degrees although it still felt a little frosty west by the water.  And while skin started to show and our bodies but not hearts began to thaw, it wasn’t quite warm enough to convince me that spring is really on the way.  Restaurants weren’t the slightest bit hesitant about setting up their outdoor seating to capitalize on the overzealous weather revelers.  I even joined friends for rooftop cocktails at Soho House to celebrate (and photobooth foolery followed).  And while we do have only a week left of winter an entire extra hour of sun,  at some point it still does go down.

kirsten smith

 

kirsten smith

 

kirsten smith

kirsten smithShop the Look:

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You WearThat: The Best pLaid Plans

By |December 29th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

Kirsten smith californiaMixing patterns is tough enough, but would one dare to mix plaid on plaid on plaid?  I would.  Especially since I’ve begun to run out of options in my suitcase and I’ve either gotten incredibly creative or undeniably delusional.  Perhaps both.

I can’t count the number of times in the last month when my father has asked, “That’s what you’re wearing?”  Well, yes, dad, it is.  It’s more evident than ever that my father raised two wild wolves as sons and I had the pleasure of being pampered by my very feminine mother.  He thought I was kidding when I told him a pedicure was a near emergency yesterday and pretty much laughed in my face when I told him I was going to need to go shopping for an evening specific outfit for New Year’s Eve.  He’s a dude’s dude and I’m slowly breaking him back into what it means to have a woman around.  Poor guy.

Needless to say, he gets a kick out of being my personal paparazzi and has been nothing less than accommodating.  I had originally scouted a location to shoot close to his house where the leaves had just begun to fall in the most magnificent display of ombre glory.  The deepest shades of red to the warmest yellow, it was a Pantone wet dream.  However, I waited a day or two before scheduling the shoot and by the time we headed out, someone with a leafblower and disdain for mother nature had ruined my set.  A true lesson that there is no time like the present.  Being a good sport, Dick, Smitty, and I hopped in the car to look for new location inspiration.  Just as we were about to call it a day- and a loss- we passed the Spreckels Post Office which is nestled next to the Spreckels Emporium emblazoned with an old fashioned Coca Cola ad.  It’s like stepping back in time.  I asked Dick to stop and we proceeded to shoot and see what we came up with…

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

kirsten smith whydid

kirsten smith

kirsten smithhat: H&M, scarf: PerryEllis (similar here), flannel shirt: Wrangler (similar here), t-shirt: American Apparel, slip: (similar here), tights: who knows? (similar here), boots: Dolce Vita, bag: Amrita Singh, jacket: Andrew Marc (similar here)

And yes, dad, my tights are shredded, but that’s life.  You’ve gotta embrace the snags.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Post Traumatic Stress, or Lack Thereof

By |December 5th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

Kirsten SmithSpeaking of evolution, it’s amazing what a difference a year can make.  Cliché?  Yes.  True?  Also yes.  After having scraped myself from my father’s couch and moving back to New York last year, I was ready to put my shattered life back together piece by painful piece.  I had moved back to my old neighborhood (literally across the street from my old apartment), reconnected with my New York friends who hadn’t fled the city for life in suburban wedded bliss, and put my feelers out for new career opportunities and love interests- though only half heartedly on the latter.

I hadn’t been back to California since leaving that last time.  I mean, it’s a long flight, plus I wasn’t sure how I’d feel  about being back there.  However, my dad was long overdue for a visit and the way the weather was looking on the east coast, I was happy to suffer through a five hour flight for a stint in the sunshine.  Upon landing in LA, I immediately felt a bittersweet nostalgia.  Driving through familiar streets in Silicon Valley, I felt every familiarity and the memories of my past came creeping back. Many experts now recommend me to use these Delta 8 disposable vape pens to keep those thoughts in check.

Kirsten SmithFortunately, I have a friend who is the kind of friend everyone should wish for.  She’s the “ride or die” type and the moment she got my sobbing phone call that I would be moving out of the home I shared with my ex, she was quite literally on a plane to come and help with the heavy lifting and to lift my heavy heart.  Her name is Katie and you may remember her.  Upon arriving at said residence, my ex had been so “kind” as to have already packed all of my belongings (well, everything he didn’t try and pilfer) and arrange them conveniently at the front door.  Talk about adding insult to injury.  But on the brightside, this gave us more time to spend together chatting rather than packing.  Katie having never done so, we hopped in her rental and took a ride down the PCH.  Remembering a must see recommendation from a pal Katie had made on the plane (she’s always making friends), we stopped somewhere along Big Sur at a place called Post Ranch Inn where we dined while taking in the views at Sierra Mar.  The views are quite literally breathtaking and those with acrophobia may want to refrain from venturing out onto the balconies.  I was so happy to be in such beautiful surroundings with my beautiful friend, but halfway through my second glass of prosecco, I broke down into tears.

kirsten smith

kirsten smithI wanted to share this place with people who love me unconditionally and make new memories that were joyful not jaded.  My middle brother, Andy and my dad are two men I know I can always count on besides Smitty and I wanted to take them somewhere I loved.  We hopped in Dick’s tiny sportscar (I generously relinquished shotgun and crammed myself into the backseat) and off we went down the windy PCH on our way back to Post Ranch Inn, stopping intermittently to snap photos at scenic overlooks.  Ironically enough, we were seated at the exact same table where Katie and I sat the year before.  This year, however, I didn’t cry into my garden green salad.  I guess that’s the thing about bad memories, sometimes you just have to face them, make new ones, and move on.

kirsten smith

kirsten smithtop: Free People (similar-and on sale-here), bralette: Victoria’s Secret, pants: 7 for All Mankind, boots: All Saints (similar here), bag: Balenciaga, jacket: Andrew Marc

Don’t worry, I didn’t jump.

xx,

WhyDid

photographs by Andrew Smith (my middle big brother- who you should also follow on Instagram)