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Setting the Mood: The Softer Side of Spring

By |April 15th, 2014|Setting the Mood|

pastelThis Sunday, the Easter Bunny will come to town and bestow upon us lots of calories we probably never needed, but will enjoy every moment intaking them.  With him comes Easter bonnets and pretty pastels which also happen to be one of this spring’s biggest trends.  So, whether you celebrate Easter or Passover… or you’re just in it for the Cadbury eggs, pastel is a perfect way to usher in this very stubborn spring.

pastel accessoriesLulu Frost Gold Plated Swarovski Crystal NecklaceAlexander Wang Antonia Snake Effect Leather SandalsMarc by Marc Jacobs Katie Bunny Silicone iPhone 5 CoverSee by Chloé Daisy Leather Shoulder Bag

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: Fall Overhaul

By |September 24th, 2013|Why Did You Wear That?|

September 22nd marked the first day of fall (and also my dad’s and beloved pooch’s birthdays).  Now you can officially start complaining about the end of summer… not that you haven’t been doing so since Labor Day and the end of your summer share.  I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I actually find fall to be a little bit magical.  It’s nice to have everyone back in the city.  Sidewalks are full of brunchers on the weekends soaking in the last bits of tolerable temperatures.  There seems to be a tinge of excitement in the crisp air.  For what- I’m not quite sure… can’t possibly be the impending arctic winter.  And while I do love a teeny bikini, I’ve always preferred dressing for fall.  Layering cashmere, leather, boots, and coats may seem daunting to some though.  So, I’ve put together ten fall trends that will help you start your shopping list and soften the shift from summer to fall.

fall fashion trends

  1. Sweaters that say something: Forever 21 Boom! Cropped Sweater, ONE by Babe Babe Sweater
  2. Layer in leather: All Saints Sens Leather Skirt, Helmut Lang Stretch Leather Legging Style Pants
  3. One, two buckle your boots: Steve Madden Cinch Cutout Ankle Boot, Chloé Susanna Studded Leather Boots
  4. Mad for plaid: Forever 21 On the Range Plaid Sweatshirt, McQ Plaid Zip Skirt
  5. All shades of grey: Free People The James Dress, Richard Nicoll Waffle Knit Angora Blend Sweater Dress
  6. Sneak attack: Adidas by Stella McCartney Discosura Hiker Sneakers, Giuseppe Zanotti London Zip High Sneakers
  7. Oversized outerwear: Forever 21 Oversized Zip Up Jacket, Rochas Oversized Open Coat
  8. Go Army green: Sparkle and Fade Camo Sweater, Faith Connexion Camouflage Tapered Pants
  9. Beanie baby: Urban Outfitters Waffle Knit Beanie, Lanvin Embellished Ribbed Wool and Cashmere Beanie
  10. Mini me: See by Chloe Rosita Mini Chain Purse, Fendi Be Baguette Mini Shearling Bag

Save me a seat at brunch.

xx,

WhyDid

 

image via

 

Why Did You Wear That: Little in the Middle

By |September 12th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

It is my belief that most women either love their torsos or love their legs and the alternate tends to be their trouble zone and bane of their existence- much like fitted sheets are to me.  Then I guess there are those handful of you bitches who can’t even comprehend what a “problem area” is.  I am not one of those, so read on and continue not hating me.  From the time I put on my first pair of tights for ballet class, I cursed my thighs.  I always longed for gazelle like legs, but instead was blessed with a set of sturdier stems.  A guy I was once dating nearly got clocked for calling them “healthy.”  Wrong answer, bro.

When the crop top came back in to heavy rotation this year, I really couldn’t have been more thrilled, unless someone told me there was a new way to make millions while simply drinking rosé and people watching.  You see, the chances of the crop top returning to relevance again and my being of age appropriateness overlapping are quite slim.  It’s kind of like a blue moon and I’m sure there’s some statistician out there who could calculate the odds, but I cried to my statistics professor to avoid failing, so I’m not your girl.  Point is: you give me an opportunity to wear a crop top, and I’m taking it.  Like here and here and, well, now here.

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

kirsten smithjacket: Diane von Furstenberg (similar here), top: American Apparel, pants: 7 for All Mankind, shoes: B Brian Atwood, sunglasses: Chloe, bracelets: Alex and Ani, bag: vintage (similar here)

So, if you’re sick of seeing me in crop tops, blame Jenn Seracuse… and my parents.

xx,

WhyDid

Photo credit: Michael Stiegler

Setting the Mood (and a Gift Guide): Oh, Mother.

By |May 6th, 2013|Gift Guide, Setting the Mood|

My mother once told me that she wished for me to have a daughter one day so that I might be as blessed as she had been by having me as her best friend.  That’s a much different wish than the “mother’s curse.”  Anyone fortunate enough to have the type of relationship I have with my mom understands that there is no greater bond than that between a mother and daughter.  Though I have yet to venture down the path of motherhood, I realize that being a mom is probably one of the most difficult, selfless, and thankless jobs on the planet.  The women who give birth to us often give up a lot of their freedoms and luxuries in order to give their children everything they can.  While we should be thankful for these great sacrifices and this great affection every day, it’s nice to have one special day dedicated strictly to mom.

True to form, most moms would simply be happy with a card handwritten by you. There are a few services like Handwrytten, who aims to provide good Customer experience. But why not spoil the most important woman in your life a little bit?  This is the perfect time to buy her something she’d never dare purchase for herself.

1. Eberjey Theodora Lace Trimmed Jersey Robe, 2. Classic Coffee & Tea for Two Set, 3. Elemis Duchess of Spa Gift Set, 4. J. Crew Fine Knit Cashmere Cardigan, 5. Loren Stewart Four Diamond & Silver Baby Bar Necklace, 6. Chloe Scalloped Ballerina Flat

Word… to your mother.

xx,

WhyDid