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Friday Frocks: Check Me Out

By |November 21st, 2014|Friday Frocks, Why Did You Wear That?|

types of plaid One of the fastest ways to get dressed and stay on trend this holiday season is in a festive plaid frock.  Whether, knit, flannel, or flowing tunic, there are several ways to get yourself checked out in plaid.  Try wearing with tights and boots or under a tough leather jacket.

plaid dresses1. Free People Swing Me Baby Tunic, 2. re: named Plaid Peep Dress, 3. Marc by Marc Jacobs Pleated Printed Crepe Mini Dress, 4. MSGM Cable Sleeve Plaid Dress, 5. Isabel Marant Ilaria Oversized Plaid Cotton Flannel Dress, 6.BB Dakota Suzett Dress, 7. Chalk Field Plaid Dress, 8. Equipment Owen After Dark Plaid Dress, 9. Coach Printed Silk Crepe de Chine Mini Dress, 10.  Torn by Ronny Kobo Morgan Dress

xx,

WhyDid

Setting the Mood: Plaid to the Bone

By |November 17th, 2014|Setting the Mood, Why Did You Wear That?|

plaid fashion editorialAs seen as one of the trend’s for this winter’s must have coats, plaid is a pattern that hasn’t (and isn’t) going anywhere.  Houndstooth, Glenurquhart Check, Windowpane and Tatersall, whatever your check of choice, be certain to include it in your winter wardrobe.  One might think I’d be burnt out on plaid after being forced to wear it for a greater portion of my adolescence, but the opposite is true.  Perhaps it holds a bit of nostalgia, or maybe it’s just a pattern that really never goes out of style.  While it can be worn in the straightforward fashion of a flannel or frock, it also comes in an array of accessories and the truly bold may be able to pull of mixing multiple tartans at one time.

burberry rain boots plaid

Burberry Shearling Lined Checked Cotton Twill and Rubber BootsIsabel Marant Matt Plaid Linen and Wool Blend ScarfMarc by Marc Jacobs Top Schooly Printed Leather Shoulder BagEquipment Shane Plaid Intarsia Wool Sweater

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Pajama Jam

By |May 28th, 2014|Why Did You Wear That?|

pajamas kirsten smithThough I rarely sleep with much on once the weather breaks from freezing, I have an overabundance of sleepwear.  As a matter of fact, for someone who would rather sleep with her window open for fresh air and sweat than turn on her air conditioner, it seems a bit excessive for the lack of closet and drawer space of New York studio apartments. Well Many times I used bridal pajamas for sleeping comfortably. Despite living in what is essentially a large hotel room, my apartment has become a bit of a hangout, probably due to its convenient location to trouble.  Upon entry everyone always comments on the number of rompers and nighties that hang from the doorknobs of my closet… which aren’t there merely for show, but because I’ve got a bit of a textile overpopulation problem. It just so happens that they look nice and add a little bit of color and femininity to my black and white abode.  My pajamas are mostly seen by my girlfriends who catch me between showering and dressing for the day, delivery men, and my neighbors across the street who have seen more than their fair share of me.  But alas, with summer weekend getaways and shared spaces, it’s probably best to have something to sleep in more modest than your birthday suit and slightly sweeter than your old ratty college t-shirt and pair of boxers that came from who knows where.

sleepwear

1. Only Hearts Venice Cutout Romper, 2. Juicy Couture Print Sleep Essential Romper, 3. Eberjey Bleached Out Slub Jersey Jumpsuit, 4. Cosabella Bella PJ Romper, 5. Donna Karan Sleepwear Cotton Batiste Pajamas Set, 6. Eberjey Hannah Teddy, 7. Skin Lace City Chemise, 8. Equipment Landon Floral Print Washed Silk Pajamas, 9. Wildfox Couture Sleep In Late PJ Set, 10.Splendid Genie Jumpsuit

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

Setting the Mood: Don’t Sweater The Technique

By |October 21st, 2013|Setting the Mood|

sweatersIt’s easy to get melancholy over the falling leaves and temperatures when autumn rolls around.  It’s stayed strangely warm this year, but it’s merely a matter of time before you are going to be swaddled in cashmere and merino.  I may be biased having spent a portion of my professional life in knitwear, but there is not much I love more than a giant cozy sweater.  With destroyed denim, sleek leather, or simple legwear, knitwear is nothing less than versatile.  Embrace the chill and find yourself a cozy sweater to snuggle up in.

Helmut Lang Boucle Cotton Blend Sweater, IRO Piper Knitted Sweater, Equipment Asher Cashmere Sweater, Theory Zambra Chunky Knit Sweater

Bundled up, boo boo.

xx,

WhyDid