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Why Did You Wear That: Crop Top Ya Don’t Stop

By |August 15th, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

crop top day to night how toWe’ve all awoken as the morning sun manages to creep through the black out shades rendering us nearly blind to the startling realization  that the water glass on the nightstand is empty and that nightstand is not our own.  The second pang of panic comes barreling through shortly after groggily recalling that what we deemed appropriate attire for a late evening dalliance may not exactly translate to daytime, let alone during the morning commute with other responsible, gainfully employed adults.  I was not a Girl Scout, but I am always prepared.  98% of the time, there is a pair of sunglasses stashed safely in my bag (I painfully learned this lesson during that other 2% of the time).  Sunglasses are essentially a real life force field.  Whether they actually prove to disguise your appearance from curious onlookers or not is irrelevant so long as you feel like they do.  As you carefully tiptoe your way to the restroom only to discover that your previously perfect blowout more resembles Bob Marley’s dreadlocks, you breathe a sigh of relief knowing that you have a hair tie on your wrist and a collection of bobby pins in the bottom of your bag.  This is when when a top knot comes in handy (tutorial here).  The only problem left is somehow making that tiny crop top look less Pretty Woman and more Carrie Bradshaw.

One of my favorite outfits and favorite shoots (which you can see in totality here) is a perfect example of something that would garner compliments post sunset and could attract clientele come morning if you’re seen standing on the corner too long awaiting your Uber.  Whether your evening prior to sunrise had been raucous or rather innocent, sometimes you’ve got to borrow from your boy’s closet to save some dignity, but how does one do so without looking like a total shacker?  In this instance, wearing a belted pair of shorts with your crop top and pulling your hair into a squeaky clean top knot will certainly fool any innocent bystander into believing that you did, in fact, wake up like this.

whydid blog nyc kirsten smith

kirsten smith whydid blog

kirsten smith why did blog

kirsten smith whydid blogtop: American Apparel, shorts: Hurley, belt: similar by Rag & Bone, shoes: Jimmy Choo, bag: vintage, similar by Barney’s, sunglasses: Ray-Ban

xx,

WhyDid

photography by Michael Stiegler

Why Did You Wear That: Go Wide

By |July 16th, 2014|Why Did You Wear That?|

lolitaBeing the third born and first girl in my family, I really made it known that I was, in fact, female.  When my mom prudently and practically attempted to put me into some of my brothers clothes, I went ahead and turned up my tiny freckled nose at the sheer thought of wearing something that had belonged to a boy.  This is also the same reasoning I used in pre-school when I decided I would no longer be addressed as K.C. because there was a boy in my class named Casey.  I would be called Kirsten and pink dresses and ruffled panties it was.  I may have scaled citrus trees and caught lizards barefoot, but I did so wearing a dress.  And while I still prefer a dress (as of late a coordinating crop top and skirt), there are times (much like the ones mentioned yesterday) wherein, I must put on my big girl pants.  And this summer it’s all about a printed palazzo pant.

wide leg pants1. Ella Moss Biarritz Print Wide Leg Pants, 2. SW3 Bespoke Pembroke Pants, 3. Rachel Pally Grady Wide Leg Pants, 4. Topshop Paisley Wide Leg Trousers, 5. Clover Canyon Byzantine Scarf Print Wide Leg Pants, 6. sass & bide The Royalist Pants, 7. MSGM Tie Dye Pants, 8. Lovers + Friends Willow Pants, 9. Trina Turk Perleen Knit Pants, 10. Theodora & Callum Cypress Palazzo Pants

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: It Takes Two

By |June 29th, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

whydid blog kirstenSometimes you feel like a nut.  Sometimes you don’t.  The beauty of matching separates is that the ways in which they can be worn allow for a bit of creativity.  Of course you can wear them as they were meant to be- matching, or you can always mix things up and wear them as the name implies- separately.  Just as shown this week, a top can be dressed up, a bottom dressed down simply by remixing your basics.  And honestly, who doesn’t love a remix?  I’m talking to you, Too $hort.

This week was the beginning of the season wherein New Yorkers take to social media to remind you of how hot they are.  Remember when we swore we wouldn’t because the winter was so wretched?  Well, just like the Maury Show, the lie detector has determined… That was a lie!  As we strolled through the back streets of the Meatpacking District to snap these shots, It’s all I could do not to just melt into the puddle of sweat that I was becoming.  But alas, I do it all for you.  The irony in all of this being the beautiful vegan handbag I received from Like Dreams having been shot in the middle of the Meat Market.  Don’t worry, no animals were harmed in the production of this shoot… unless you count me and the blister on my arm from my curling iron.

kirsten smith nyc5

kirsten smith

kirsten smith nyc3

kirsten smith blog

kirsten smith nyc4top: similar by Parker here, skirt: similar by Parker here, shoes: L.A.M.B. similar here, clutch: c/o Like Dreams

xx,

WhyDid

Photography by Michael Stiegler

Why Did You Wear That: Thankful for Crop Tops

By |November 27th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

kirsten smithIf I could wear this outfit or an iteration of it every single day, I probably would.  Basically, if I was a superhero, this would be my costume.  I’d have a closet full of the exact same thing just like Doug Funny.  I’m not exactly sure what kind of superhero or cartoon character I would be, but I think one of my superpowers would be being able to see private Instagram accounts.  To me this feels a little bit like a mixture between Pretty Woman and Cat Woman.

Yes, I’ve found another way to incorporate a crop top into my wardrobe, this being more of a “girls’ night out” version and probably not something that I’d be wearing post Thanksgiving dinner with my compressed socks you can buy at this website link.  So I’ll just try and remember that when Thursday rolls around and there’s a plate full of food in front of my fat face.  But perhaps another one of my superpowers might be a super metabolism.

 

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

crop-top-over-the-knee-socks

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

kirsten smithtop: American Apparel, skirt: Brandy Melville (similar here), socks: Stocking Girl (similar here), jacket: Andrew Marc (similar here), boots: Kelsi Dagger (similar here), bag: DIY (make yours here), necklace: vintage

xx,

WhyDid

photos by Catherine Sampietro

Why Did You Wear That: The Perfect Paradox

By |November 9th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

kirsten smithIn sticking with this week’s theme of leather and lace, sugar and spice, sultry and sweet this outfit should provide some weekend outfit inspiration.  And wouldn’t you know, I’ve found yet another way to incorporate a crop top.  Sure it’s gotten quite a bit colder here in New York, but wearing a coat in transit makes showing a little skin entirely achievable.  Pairing a high waisted pencil skirt with a lacy top is a great way to show off your curves without having to pile yourself into some type of bandage contraption.  It’s classic, yet modern and most all body types can wear the look, crop top optional.

As I’ve mentioned, contradictions are my specialty.  Mixing something more tough with something seen as soft is the way to create drama (the only kind I’m into) without looking like you’re trying too hard or doing too much.  The skirt is actually something I’ve had for years- since I was a sophomore in highschool as a matter of fact.  Because a custom made leather dress seems totally normal for a 16 year old’s homecoming (photographic evidence here).  I held onto it knowing that while it may have been a bit ahead of my time as a teen, it would be a piece that would stand the test of time.  Worn with a cropped lace tee, black booties, and subtle accessories, it is the perfect paradox.

Kirsten Smith

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

kirsten smithtop: American Apparel (thanks, Mer), skirt: custom (similar here), bra: Cosabella, bag: Malini Murjani, bracelet: vintage necklace (similar here), booties: Steven, ring: Grandma’s (similar here), earrings: vintage (similar here)

xx,

WhyDid

photos by Michael Stiegler