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Why Did You Wear That: Woodgrain and Leather

By Kirsten|January 22nd, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

In adventures of “I’ve run out of clothes- what can I find in someone else’s closet?,” I popped into Dick’s closet to grab a jacket and found one which he claims is older than I am- which means it’s probably made out of dinosaur skin. While in the depths of his closet, a baseball cap in the same maroon hue caught my eye. When I reached up and dusted it off, my head nearly exploded as I discovered that the brim was… woodgrain. If I hadn’t had breakfast that morning, I totally would have passed out. Instead I fired off a text to my male bff telling him about the treasure I’d just unearthed. He was beyond stoked and probably a little jealous that he didn’t have his own. Don’t worry, homie, I’m on the hunt for a replica.

Pencil skirts are most often associated with secretaries and desk jobs a la Mad Men -pretty, prim and proper. However, I think they can be a very sexy addition to a dressed down look without losing all femininity. When I mixed a distressed (aka future dishrag) t-shirt that I cropped (obviously) and removed the sleeves from with this basic black skirt and topped it with an oversized leather jacket and baseball hat, I felt I’d created yet another perfect contradiction.

The combination of woodgrain and leather essentially makes me a walking rap song and what could really be better than that?

hat: brilliant find from dad (similar here), t-shirt: future cleaning rag turned crop top (similar here), skirt: Express, jacket: vintage (similar here), boots: All Saints (similar here), bralette: Victoria’s Secret, dog: Smitty, earrings: (similar here)

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Metallica and the Monterey Musical Melee

By Kirsten|December 16th, 2013|Personal Style|

In case you haven’t heard (or read WhyDid in the the last 6+ moths), the 90’s are having a renaissance. And with the revival of 90’s trends like babydoll dresses and brands like Birkenstock, 90’s musicians are also feeling a lift in their royalties. I understand that stores like Urban Outfitters and Forever 21 shill out shirts with graphics of “vintage” bands emblazoned on them and some of you have only heard of these bands during drunken stories told by your nostalgic “older” friends or when a song comes on in a dive bar and all the “middle aged” patrons go wild. Well, here’s a pro-tip (talking to you children of the 90’s): be sure you know something about the vintage band t-shirt you are wearing because people will ask you about it- much like the friendly man who checked me out at Nob Hill. Fortunately for me, I was schooled, partially by osmosis- partially against my will by my older brothers who wore weird clothes, had long hair, and played their instruments at ungodly hours at decibel levels usually reserved for freight trains in the guesthouse above our garage.

I don’t think any of us will soon forget the roadtrip from Monterey to Los Angeles that nearly came to bloody blows when I demanded in my pouty teenage cheerleader way that we listen to Backstreet Boys and my metal loving brothers were more inclined to jump out the windows of the moving vehicle before allowing their eardrums to be tainted by such pop hypocrisy. I don’t actually recall who won, but I do love my poor damn dad for dealing with all of us without wrecking into a guardrail in the midst of the melee. I believe we ended up taking turns, but I have to take a moment and thank my brothers for their efforts in a musical intervention. You saved me from myself… and the Backstreet Boys.

In my tradition of nomadic travel (meaning I am incapable of booking roundtrip plane tickets and prefer to take things as they come), I didn’t pack enough clothing for my extended stay. However, I enjoy raiding the closets of those that I’m visiting and incorporating their wares into my gypsy wardrobe. This is when I stumbled upon my father’s 1971 military fatigues (which he has informed me as I write this were referred to as OD, olive drab). What a perfect way to top off my Metallica tee and maxi skirt while watching the sun set on a sunny day in Monterey.

earrings: Soho street find (similar here), jacket: Dad’s (similar here), t-shirt: Bravado, skirt: Brandy Melville (similar here), bag: Amrita Singh, boots: All Saints (similar here)

Sleep with one eye open.

xx,

WhyDid

photos by Richard (Dick) Smith

Setting the Mood: Smells Like Teen Spirit, Again.

By Kirsten|October 8th, 2013|Setting the Mood|

The 90’s: a decade I can get behind. Rather than leaving us with treasures like bad perms. legwarmers, and the hair bands of the 80’s, this decade was the cooler, more rebellious little sister. I always wondered why anyone wanted to purposely look like an asshole by throwing an 80’s theme party. Some things are meant to be left in the past. Like your ex’s and that one school photo when you had braces and DIY bangs.

The 90’s left the legacies of grunge, garage bands and fashion trends worth repeating. Combat boots, babydoll dresses, and anything plaid are 90’s style essentials (not to mention some of this fall’s must haves). Unkempt hair, porcelain skin, and a deep wine pout are the beauty staples to complete your trip back in time. Bonus points for being able to borrow your boo’s blouse. Your flannel, is my flannel, honey. Hello, androgyny. Recall CkOne? Who didn’t love My So Called Life and who can forget the queen of grunge, Ms. Courtney Love? Starting to see why sometimes history is worth repeating?

DKNY Cotton Blend Flannel Nightshirt, $58, Lucca Couture Daisy Print Chiffon Dress, $59, Bop Basics Cashmere Oversized Beanie, $80, Saint Laurent Patti Boots, $1,295

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Hats Off To You

By Kirsten|August 27th, 2012|Celebrity Style, Look for Less, Why Did You Wear That?|

Summer may very well be on its way out, but that hasn’t stopped a few stylish celebrities from shielding themselves from the last bits of sun with their favorite headwear. Whether they’re trying to be inconspicuous (yeah, right) or hide a bad hair day (dirty hairy), they all look quite chic from morning til midnight in everything from fedoras to a standard straw hat.