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Why Did You Wear That: From the Top

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

crop top day and nightDue to my computer’s inability to function last week, I was unable to finish my three part series documenting how a crop top and pencil skirt could be reincarnated quite easily.  Not that last week was any warmer, but the fact that my face froze off  yesterday afternoon as I ran errands, it seems a little odd to be posting about crop tops.  Especially since the inclement weather has prevented me from prancing ’round town in one, but if Jenn keeps it up, I’m gonna have no choice but to walk around topless… and potentially pantless.

So, how can one dress down a sequined top that is cropped?  Pair it with destroyed denim, motorcycle boots, and a tough leather jacket to look more downtown than bridge and tunnel post Bagatelle brunch.  It’s just that simple.
kirsten smith

kirsten smith crop top11

kirsten smith

kirsten smithtop: Express, jeans: 7 For All Mankind, boots: Frye, jacket: Andrew Marc, bag: Balenciaga, dog: Smitty

I will have another mimosa though.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Woodgrain and Leather

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

pencil skirt dressed up dressed downIn 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?

kirsten catherwood smith

kirsten smith baseball hat

kirsten catherwood smith

kirsten smithhat: 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: Tell Me the Truth

By |July 10th, 2012|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?, WhyDid Wisdom|

kirsten smith not photoshoppedThe rampant use of Photoshop has stirred up quite a bit of controversy in the fashion and advertising worlds.  While it may come in handy in some instances, there is a huge difference between removing a blemish or brightening up a photo and giving a woman a total digital diet.  Seeing advertisements, magazine covers, and commercials showing already beautiful women Photoshopped to within an inch of their lives is disheartening to say the least.  Uh, that Adele Vogue cover?  At times, I can’t even tell who this month’s covergirl is.  Is that Kim K or Jessica Alba?  It frustrates me to hear friends talk about their children or nephews/nieces already dealing with body image issues due to the unrealistic pressures that society has put on them to be “perfect.”

That said, when Feel More Better asked me if I’d like to join 50 other influential bloggers to promote the Truth in Advertising message with their “Not Photoshopped” Story Tees, I was more than happy to be a part of it.

 

not photoshopped kirsten smith

For a chance to win a black “Not Photoshopped” Story Tee (like the one I’m wearing), Tweet me using the hashtag #FeelMoreBetter and tell me what you think makes a woman most beautiful.  I will pick one winner next week.  P.S. If you don’t win, you should still head on over and buy one yourself.  For each purchase made, a book will be given to an underprivileged girl! 

shirt: c/o Feel More Better, skirt/tube top: Express, booties: Members Only, bracelets: Alex and Ani, clutch: Expressions

Now remember what makes you beautiful.

xx,

WhyDid

 

Friday Frocks: Born To Be Wild

By |January 27th, 2012|Friday Frocks, Why Did You Wear That?|

leopardI look forward to Friday for oh so many reasons and I get the feeling I’m not alone.  One of those reasons is the prospect of letting my hair down, slipping out of something standard, and perhaps getting a little bit wild.  What better way to let people know you are serious about having fun than sporting a little something borrowed from our friends in the animal kingdom?

In case you haven’t noticed, leopard and animal prints aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.  In my opinion, leopard print is a new neutral.  If you tire of the standard “as seen in nature” prints, opt for a recolored print.

1. Torn by Ronny Kobo Jill Lace Leopard Combo Dress, $232, 2. Vix Mali Snake Print Jersey Mini Dress, $125, 3. Rachel Pally Peg Dress, $109.99, 4. French Connection Animal Magic Dress, $198, 5. Parker Open Shoulder Dress, $253, 6. Parker Strapless Pleated Leopard Dress, $253, 7. Express Leopard Burnout Elastic Waist Dress, $108, 8. Alloy Cara Leopard Dress, $29.99, 9. Milly Stephanie Ruffled Dress, $335, 10. Diane von Furstenberg Krystle Maxi Dress, $265

Grrr… baby, very grrr.

xx,

WhyDid

 

image via Color Scientist

Gift Guide: You Da Man

By |December 13th, 2011|Gift Guide|

1. LEGO Architecture: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, $39.95, 2. Bodum Fyrkat Picnic Charcoal Grill, $59.95, 3. Mele & Co. Faux Leather Watch Case, $52.12, 4. Gorham 5 Piece Flask and Cigar Set, $99.99, 5. iDevices iGrill Thermometer for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, $99.99, 6. Lomokino Super 35mm Movie Maker and Viewer, $99, 7. Jack Spade Box Dopp Kit, $94.99, 8. Express Striped Fingerless Gloves, $29.90, 9. To Boot New York Warren Boots, $398, 10. Esquire Eat Like a Man, $37, 11. Alexander McQueen Skull Medium Dot Tie, $195

Now that we’ve picked out presents for just about everyone under the sun (including you, possibly), let’s start working on the man in your life.  I didn’t leave him til last because he’s any less important.  It’s actually quite the contrary.  I always find men the most difficult to shop for.  While we, as ladies, can be blinded by bling and shriek for anything with a red sole, men are much more particular.  They don’t like silly gifts and as previously mentioned, they often pick out things that we most likely will never be able to afford on our mid-level salaries alone.  So, without selling our ovaries, here are some great manly gifts that are sure to delight even the most practical male in your life.

Man up.

xx,

WhyDid