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Why Did You Wear That: Over the Knees and Through the…

By |November 21st, 2015|Why Did You Wear That?|

over the knee boots suedeFall basically gives you any and all reasons to step up your shoe game- and by that, I mean boots.  Motorcycle, stiletto, fringed, and flat, one that always stands out (and up) is the over the knee boot.  Don’t look to the OTK boot if you’re not trying to garner attention and perhaps a handful of suitors.  Wearing an OTK option adds instant sex appeal to any outfit and there’s something to be said about Julia Robert’s boots in Pretty Woman.  But, if you’re not looking to get picked up by the likes of Richard Gere in a Porsche, then perhaps these flat show stoppers are the more modest in between option for you.  Wear them with skirts and dresses while the weather still allows for a glimpse of skin and then pair them with your jeans and cozy cashmere when winter rolls in.

over the knee boots1. Seychelles Sardonyx Thigh High Boots, 2. Dolce Vita Neeley Suede Boots, 3. Gianvito Rossi Suede Over the Knee Boots, 4. Robert Clergerie Fee Over the Knee Boots, 5. Stuart Weitzman Lowland Over the Knee Boots, 6. Toga Pulla Embellished Stretch Leather Thigh High Boots, 7. See by Chloe Fringed Leather Over the Knee Boots, 8. Free People High Noon Tall Boots, 9. L.K. Bennett Delila Over the Knee Boots, 10. Isabel Marant Etoile Brenna Stretch Suede Over the Knee Boots

 

 

Why Did or Why Don’t: Flat Footed

By |March 26th, 2014|Why Did or Why Don't?, Why Did You Wear That?|

tevas

Which came first: the Birkenstock of the Teva?  The answer doesn’t actually matter because they are both having fashion reincarnations this spring… much to the joy of some and chagrin of others.  While the Birkenstock reemergence has already been happening on the low for quite some time now, the other favored sandal of the 90’s complete with velcro straps and thick flat soles has just recently filled high end department stores’ and designer boutiques’ shelves.  Brands from Marni to Rebecca Minkoff have embraced and reinvented the functional over fashionable shoe with metallic leather, studs, and colorful embellishments.  While they sure will make traipsing through the city a lot less painful for your feet, I’m not sure about the effect they’ll have on our eyes.

summer sandals1. Marni Metallic Leather Sandals, 2. Vince Brennen Two Band Flat Sandals, 3. Rebecca Minkoff Talia Too Flat Sandals, 4. Isabel Marant Brook Braided Leather Sandals, 5. Balenciaga Pads Riding Sandals, 6.  Dolce Vita Foss Colorblock Sandals, 7. Nicholas Kirkwood Metallic Leather Trimmed Raffia Sandals, 8. Toga Embellished Leather and Suede Sandals, 9. Prada Asymmetric Strap Sandal, 10. Lanvin Holographic Woven Leather Sandals

So, what do you think about Tevas 2.0?

xx,

WhyDid

Friday Frocks: Spring Training

By |February 28th, 2014|Friday Frocks, Why Did You Wear That?|

new york springWe love spring.  We love dresses.  We love spring dresses.  Since you’re all up to date on spring’s biggest fashion and beauty trends, I figured we’d take it one step further by rounding up some of spring’s most stylish frocks that fell into each trend.  Honestly, it was almost too easy.

spring dresses

 

1. Rebecca Minkoff Striped Mesh Dress, 2. Rebecca Taylor Long Sleeve Shirtdress, 3. McQ Alexander McQueen Printed Stretch Cotton Dress, 4. Bec & Bridge Nefertiti Strapless Dress, 5. ALICE by Temperley Venice Metallic Snake Jacquard Dress, 6. By Malene Birger Ajala Fringed Crepe and Chiffon Dress, 7. Dolce Vita Pernita Dress, 8. Markus Lupfer Vivian Printed Satin Mini Dress, 9. UNIF Percy Dress, 10. Bec & Bridge Fire & Ice Printed Cutout Waist Dress

 

xx,

WhyDid

 

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Why Did You WearThat: The Best pLaid Plans

By |December 29th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

Kirsten smith californiaMixing patterns is tough enough, but would one dare to mix plaid on plaid on plaid?  I would.  Especially since I’ve begun to run out of options in my suitcase and I’ve either gotten incredibly creative or undeniably delusional.  Perhaps both.

I can’t count the number of times in the last month when my father has asked, “That’s what you’re wearing?”  Well, yes, dad, it is.  It’s more evident than ever that my father raised two wild wolves as sons and I had the pleasure of being pampered by my very feminine mother.  He thought I was kidding when I told him a pedicure was a near emergency yesterday and pretty much laughed in my face when I told him I was going to need to go shopping for an evening specific outfit for New Year’s Eve.  He’s a dude’s dude and I’m slowly breaking him back into what it means to have a woman around.  Poor guy.

Needless to say, he gets a kick out of being my personal paparazzi and has been nothing less than accommodating.  I had originally scouted a location to shoot close to his house where the leaves had just begun to fall in the most magnificent display of ombre glory.  The deepest shades of red to the warmest yellow, it was a Pantone wet dream.  However, I waited a day or two before scheduling the shoot and by the time we headed out, someone with a leafblower and disdain for mother nature had ruined my set.  A true lesson that there is no time like the present.  Being a good sport, Dick, Smitty, and I hopped in the car to look for new location inspiration.  Just as we were about to call it a day- and a loss- we passed the Spreckels Post Office which is nestled next to the Spreckels Emporium emblazoned with an old fashioned Coca Cola ad.  It’s like stepping back in time.  I asked Dick to stop and we proceeded to shoot and see what we came up with…

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

kirsten smith whydid

kirsten smith

kirsten smithhat: H&M, scarf: PerryEllis (similar here), flannel shirt: Wrangler (similar here), t-shirt: American Apparel, slip: (similar here), tights: who knows? (similar here), boots: Dolce Vita, bag: Amrita Singh, jacket: Andrew Marc (similar here)

And yes, dad, my tights are shredded, but that’s life.  You’ve gotta embrace the snags.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: I Got the Hook Up

By |September 26th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

kirsten smithI always argue that I live in the West Village, though my address teeters terribly close to the streets that fill with drunken girls in stilettos and inappropriately and unseasonably short bejeweled bandage dresses and the men who love them on the weekends.  Then one day, I noticed the banner (conveniently sponsored by my building’s management company) affixed to the lamppost on my corner welcoming all to the trendy Meatpacking District.  “Live Well!” it decrees.  If you mean paying six dollars for a bag of salt and vinegar potato chips at the corner deli and navigating through fanny pack clad Midwestern tourists while avoiding the stench of street carts, then, why yes, you can live very well in this neighborhood.

…And then I received a packet in my mailbox.  It was officially welcoming me to the Meatpacking District complete with a Hookup Card.  I can’t.  And yet, I do.  When I first came to New York before my senior year of college, the Meatpacking District was exactly what its name suggests.  There was meat on the ground and it smelled and it was not yet infiltrated with Lulu Lemon and the stroller pushing mothers who wear it.  It was gritty and scary and fun.  It was the old New York.  But as much as I complain about it, I love where I live… so long as I always walk south when exiting my building, unless heading to Sephora or Soho House.  I’m glad I’ve lived here long enough to know the difference and to be able to bitch about it.

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

over the knee socksdress: American Apparel,  jacket: c/o American Living (similar here), socks: Xhiliration (similar here), boots: Dolce Vita (similar here), bag: Balenciaga

Holla if ya hear me.

xx,

WhyDid

 

Photo Credit: Michael Stiegler