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Why Did You Wear That: Black Dress, Jean Shirt

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

lbd day to night how toPerhaps your need to be discreet regarding last night’s outfit is a bit more innocent than the aforementioned instance.  After a beautiful dinner complete with across the table hand holding with your beau, you both awake with a hankering for Eggs Benedict, but seeing as you are not (as of yet) co-habitating, you’ve got to work with what you’ve got.  And isn’t that what life is all about?  A swanky dinner at Claudette called for the perfect little black dress (a favorite LBD of mine worn two ways here and here) and sexy stilettos.  As stunning as you looked last night strolling past tables packed with wealthy Wall Street types and their girlfriends who smacked them for gawking, wearing the same thing this morning to Bubby’s may raise some eyebrows for entirely different reasons.  An incredibly simple way to disguise your enticing ensemble is to simply tie a denim or chambray shirt around you (a flannel variation would work as well) and embrace the uptown/downtown amalgation by also embracing your bed head with a simple rope braid (learn how here).  You’ll look so “devil may care” that the only reason someone’s head may turn this time is to figure out which tabloid star you are.  Order a mimosa for me.denim shirt scotch and soda nyc whydid

west village nyc denim shirt shopping how to wear denim shirt why did blog

kirsten smith why did blog

why did blog kirsten smithshirt: Scotch & Soda, dress: similar by Young Fabulous & Broke here, bag: similar by Alexander McQueen here, shoes: Steve Madden, sunglasses: street vendor on Washington Street, similar by Oliver Peoples here

xx,

WhyDid

Photography by Michael Stiegler

Why Did You Wear That: April Foolishness

By |April 3rd, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

kirsten smithEvery time I check the weather on my iPhone and start to feel optimistic about the above 40 degree temperature and lack of rain icon, I’m smacked in the face with reality when I check it again fifteen minutes before leaving the house to see that the temperature has taken a nose dive and the icon may as well be a middle finger.  It’s as if my weather app is playing an elongated and twisted April fool’s joke on me and it’s the only one laughing.  Getting dressed during this time of year is also a joke because one never knows when Mother Nature will snarl and decide she’s bored with the sun and would rather toss out a hailstorm to liven up your otherwise mundane Tuesday.

And while I may look like a delicate spring flower in these photos, I certainly navigated the April showers (along with the ever patient, Brian Schutza) to capture them.  A wet fire escape in five inch stiletto Jimmy Choos?  Child’s play.  I like living on the edge and 6+ years navigating the treacherous cobblestone streets of the West Village qualify me as a pro.  I found these pants in a thrift store in Bushwick, and I knew I needed them because they fall in between the categories of pants and maxi skirt and isn’t that kind of like getting the last seat on an overcrowded L train?  While these pants are beyond comfortable, I had to be very careful with the way in which I styled them, because they could very easily be mistaken as pajama pants– something I discovered when I wore a similar pair to brunch at Bubby’s one lazy Sunday.  When wearing pants with an elastic waistband (yikes!), be sure to keep the other elements more tailored (adding a belt is a good way to add refinement to an otherwise casual style).  Take that, Mother Nature.

Don’t forget to learn how to milk maid braid to avoid rainy day hair calamities.

kirsten smith nyc

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kirsten smith nyc

new york kirsten smithjacket: Express, tank: Brandy Melville, pants: vintage, shoes: Jimmy Choo, belt: vintage (mom’s), bag: vintage

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xx,

WhyDid

photography by Brian Schutza

Setting the Mood: Spring Awakening

By |February 24th, 2014|Setting the Mood|

spring fashion trendsSpring equinox is less than a month away (March 2oth) and even though that sadistic groundhog, Phil, made us wait it out a little longer this year, there is light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.  That means, it’s time to shake off that winter way of thinking and dressing… and eating.  Before you know it, it’ll be time to start bitching about how hot it is, but in the meantime let us revel those few pleasant weeks of spring that remind us why we live in the best city in the world.  Judging by this past weekend’s “heatwave” that spawned dozens of pairs of bare legs to make their post polar vortex debut and the crowded streets on Sunday for boozy brunches (not to mention the rooftop at Soho House that resembled that of a Lorde music video shoot), it seems that the natives are restless and ready to shed winter’s layers.

spring-accessories

Dolce & Gabbana Cat Eye Filigree Gold Tone Sunglasses3.1 Phillip Lim 31 Minute Iridescent Textured Leather ClutchJ. Crew Collection Floral Print Cotton and Silk Blend JacketSophia Webster Kiki Lace Print PVC and Leather Sandals