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Why Did You Wear That: Mad Hatter

By |July 29th, 2014|Why Did You Wear That?|

different hats fedora sun bowler clocheRemember when every bro from every bridge or tunnel borough was seen sporting a fedora and clear sunglasses on any given Saturday or Sunday stumbling from a long fist pumping brunch at Bagatelle or Lavo?  If you don’t, God bless you.  You were spared.  Needless to say, for a while, “fedora” had a bit of a negative connotation in my social circle, but fortunately for milliners in Manhattan and beyond, the fedora has been revived along with a few other favored head huggers.  If you’re confused as to what to wear on your dome piece, here is a little guide to headwear.  I haven’t included the beanie on this particular list as I don’t approve of ski gear midsummer.  We’ll get there.

fedora panama bucket hatsI adore a fedora: Eugenia Kim Bianca Grosgrain Trimmed Wool Felt Fedora, Topshop Floral Print Fedora, David & Young Felt Fedora, Ace of baseball caps: Collection XIIX Metallic Baseball Hat, Betsey Johnson Wild Blooms Baseball Hat, House of Holland New Era Velvet Baseball Hat, In the bucket: Nixon Bob Bucket Hat, Eric Javits Rain Bucket Hat, Brixton Tracker II Bucket Hat, Panama Jack: J. Crew Panama Hat, BP. Wool Panama Hat, Michael Stars Well Weathered Straw Panama Hat, Shady lady: Helen Kaminski Provence 12 Raffia Straw Hat, BCBGMAXAZRIA Wide Brim Hat, Eric Javits Squishee Shade Sun Hat, Flop to it: Topshop Floppy Wool Felt Hat, Nordstrom Straw Floppy Hat, Hat Attack Leather Trim Wide Brim Floppy Hat

xx,

WhyDid

 

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

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

snow flowerAlthough 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.

spring 2014 fashion trends

  1. Fresh Blooms: Rebecca Taylor Sweet William DressJoie Talina B PantsElizabeth and James Klaus Floral Print Silk and Mesh Dress
  2. Go Wide: by Malene Birger Cosyna High Waited Silk-Satin PantsDiane von Furstenberg Salma Wide Leg Silk Pantsalice + olivia Pleated Eric Pants
  3. Dirty Pop: Paul Smith Black Label Maxi SkirtLisa Perry Patchwork SkirtM Missoni Neon Crochet Knit Mini Dress
  4. Heavy Metals: Rachel Zoe Pearl Sequin Fishtail SkirtDAY Birger et Mikkelsen Metallic Chiffon Wrap Dress3.1 Phillip Lim Crossover Biker Skirt
  5. Peekaboo Panels: Yigal Azrouel Scuba Waterprint Mesh SkirtRag & Bone Molly SkirtRebecca Minkoff Antoni Silk Top
  6. Full Circle…Skirts: JOA Striped SkirtTOME Taffeta Skirt, Tibi Full Pleated Skirt
  7. Team Spirit: SEA Cotton-Blend Tweed ShortsSacai Luck Striped Cotton and Taffeta Dress, Equipment Abbot Silk Bomber Blouson Jacket
  8. On the Fringe: alice + olivia Caitlin Fringe Maxi SkirtHaute Hippie Fringe Pencil SkirtJason Wu Cropped Fringed Crepe Top
  9. Buttoned Up: Diane von Furstenberg Trudy BlouseMiH The Oversize Shirt, Carven Silk Floral Print Collared Cotton Shirt
  10. Perfect Pastels: Halston Heritage Asymmetric Satin Twill Peplum Dress, J Brand Ready To Wear Durham Oversized Leather Biker Jacket, Lotusgrace Polka Dot Sheath Dress
  11. Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop Croptops: Tibi Cropped Embellished Cotton Blend TopJonathan Simkhai Cropped Intarsia Jersey TopBCBGMAXAZRIA Kaja Harness Top
  12. Black (and White) to Basics: A.L.C. Harrison SkirtDonna Karan Printed Silk Wide Leg PantsMcQ Alexander McQueen Slash Effect Stretch Knit Dress
  13. Iridescent Does It: Acne Tine Sequined Silk Georgette ShortsRoksanda Ilincic Oriel Colorblock Wool Crepe Dress, 3.1 Phillip Lim Colorblock Suede A-Line Skirt
  14. 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: Fake It Til You Make It

By |November 12th, 2013|Why Did You Wear That?|

fur editorialFall is all about leather and fur (and a little bit of lace) and there are more than a few ways to achieve this luxe look.  But should you prefer to go faux, there are plenty of options out there that won’t leave you looking like a muppet.  Many designers have decided not to even dabble in the realm of authentic animal skins, most notably Stella McCartney.  Faux options have come a long way since the inception of pleather and plasticky fake furs and at times are almost indiscernible.  Faux and vegan furs and leathers are not only animal friendly, but much more cost efficient than their counterparts-  twice the incentive to fake the funk.

faux leather faux fur

1. Stella McCartney Bryce Mohair Faux Fur Jacket, 2. David Lerner Faux Leather Leggings, 3. BCBG Micah Faux Leather Top, 4. Milly Faux Fur Cheetah Skirt, 5. Stella McCartney Faux Leather Platform Ankle Boots, 6. Karl Lagerfeld Omari Faux Fur Vest, 7. Club Monaco Tasha Leggings, 8. Unreal Fur Furry Floss Faux Fur Jacket, 9. Club Monaco Lena Faux Fur Cashmere Gloves, 10.  J Brand Carey Coated Skinny Jeans

This is one instance when it’s fine with me to fake it.

xx,

WhyDid

 

image via

Friday Frocks: Going Green

By |March 16th, 2012|Friday Frocks, Why Did You Wear That?|

st patricks dayI’m not typically someone who gets all decked out in green for St. Patrick’s Day.  It seems a bit trite and if you try pinching me because I don’t abide, I may very well punch you.  However, green has been having quite a moment.  So, perhaps it would be a bit easier to find something attractive, not tacky, to sport during the beer fueled festivities.  In order to still look like a lady rather than leprechaun, try these frocks that’ll have you going green whether it be mossy, minty, or military.

st patricks day dresses1. Old Navy Belted Pocket Jersey Dress, $29.94, 2. ABS Allen Schwartz Kate Wrap Dress, $118, 3. T-Bags Green Jersey Ruffle Front Dress, $89.99, 4. BCBGMAXAZRIA Angelika Drape Dress, $178, 5. Four Square Dress, $44.99, 6. under.ligne Mesh Strap Drape Dress, $495, 7. Merona Ponte Ruffle Sheath Dress, $20.98, 8. Tibi Draped Shift Dress, $450, 9. byCORPUS Knit Hi Low Open Back Dress, $19.99, 10. ASOS Dress with Peplum, $39.39


Never iron a four-leaf clover, because you don’t want to press your luck.  -Author Unknown

xx,

WhyDid


Why Did You Wear That: Trail Blazers

By |November 13th, 2011|Look for Less, Why Did You Wear That?|

You may only associate the blazer as a piece of clothing worn by uptight businessmen and those ladies who wear white sneakers on their commute to work, but I’d like to let you in on a little style secret.  The blazer is far less boring and uptight than you think it is.  As a matter of fact, a blazer can go great for a laid back weekend running errands or a night out on the town with your girlfriends.  Check out how Heidi, Miranda, and Blake all incorporated this style staple into their wardrobes this week:

1. Forever 21 Open Front Blazer, $28.90, 2. Genetic Denim The Shane Skinny Jeans, $69.74, 3. Charlotte Russe Raised Knit Beret, $9.50, 4. bebe 2b Multicolor Zebra Scarf, $15.95, 5. Nike Air Jordan Alpha 1 iD

1. BCBG Black Woven Stretch Kana Boyfriend Blazer, $125, 2. American Apparel Unisex Fine Jersey Short Sleeve T-shirt, $18, 3. Free People Rocker Vegan Leather Shorts, $98, 4. Forever 21 Sunglasses, $5.80, 5. The Limited Sheer Tights, $16.90, 6. BCBG Falla Buckle Ankle Boots, $142.49

1. Forever 21 Cropped Front Drape Blazer, $29.80, 2. Charlotte Russe Mesh Cutout Bodycon Dress, $29.99, 3. Kate Spade Mint Julep Ring, $78, 4. Topshop Black 120 Denier Opaque Tights, $16, 5. Vince Camuto Jordy Bootie, $139

Time to take the blazer from the cubicle to the cluuuuuurb.

xx,

WhyDid