Fashion Blog | WhyDid.com

Setting the Mood: Love Me Tender or Not So Much.

By Kirsten|February 10th, 2014|Setting the Mood|

The only day in February with more unnecessary hype surrounding it than the first day of Fashion Week is Valentine’s Day. While I’m love’s greatest champion even after all my crashing, burning, and broken hearts, Valentine’s Day gives me a little bit of anxiety. Not really for myself so much as the rest of the general population. My blackened heart basically makes me immune to the inevitable disappointment of people everywhere who dreamt up a day so romantic it would make Cinderella sick. Without fail, plans fall apart, hearts get shattered, and mascara finds its way down tear stained cheeks.

Don’t believe me? Check out a few of my Valentine’s Day massacres:

One year it was spent eating an entire box of red velvet cupcakes and crying with my gay best friend. Did I mention the cupcakes had been meant for his date who canceled an hour before?

I once went through a breakup while seated next to my boyfriend turned ex boyfriend on an airplane on the way home from Los Angeles. That was an awfully long flight.

And last year I really exceeded all of my bad decision making capabilities with a late night margarita fueled rendezvous. That lead to an entire year of what some might consider an all around bad decision. I’d actually like to thank the fine folks previously employed at Mole for having served us more tequila shots than there are days in February.

But it’s not all bad. People have gotten engaged, met at single’s mixers, and lived out The Bachelor worthy dates. So, let’s go with that. While I’ll probably padlock myself indoors and surrender my iPhone to my doorman for the evening so as to avoid my apparent February 14th curse, you kids go out and have fun.

Agent Provocateur Soiree Liu Liu Lace Bra and Briefs, Hotel Costes Red Eau de Toilette, Oscar de la Renta Gold Plated Crystal Rose Earrings, Nicholas Kirkwood Lace Mesh Pumps

xx,

WhyDid

Setting the Mood: Garnet Girl

By Kirsten|January 13th, 2014|Setting the Mood|

Not only is the garnet January’s gemstone, it also happens to be one of my favorite colors behind black, white and grey and closely followed by ballet pink. And wouldn’t you know, January just so happens to be my birth month. The deep red hue most often associated with garnets (did you know they could also be green, yellow, purple, and orange?) is a perfect shade for the chilly winter months. It looks great in everything from outerwear to accessories to your pouty little lips. It would appear that I’m not the only fan of the shade as it was quite popular at this year’s Golden Globes.

Givenchy Large Antigona Shopping Bag, La Perla El Color Rojo Lace and Satin Bra and thong,Valentino Rockstud Leather Bracelet, Rag & Bone Harrow Leather Biker Boots

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Sand Skating?

By Kirsten|January 11th, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

Speaking of skating… I’ve skated right through two of the east coast’s coldest months by hiding out in California. While there have been more than a couple of bikini clad Instagram photos, to be fair the temperature does dip below 70 when the sun goes down, but those sherbert sunsets never get old. I’ve made it my duty to watch them nightly because not one is ever the same and not one can ever be done justice by an iPhone photo- though Lord knows I’ve tried.

Speaking of aesthetic strife, no one can ever say I’m not resourceful. Yet again I’ve survived with a mere carry-on suitcase’s worth of clothing for the last eight weeks. (California must have that effect on me). Luckily, black and grey go with everything and I inherited some thread barren t-shirts that my dad was just about to relegate to cleaning rags. To say my dad is stable would be an understatement. If you need someone to put on your “in case of emergency” contacts, he’s the one. For instance, there’s a pair of sneakers I bought while visiting him maybe my sophomore year of college that have made it through five or so moves and always manage to reappear in “my room” whenever I visit. The deal with these shoes is that I made the rookie mistake of buying them half a size too small because they didn’t have my actual size of 7 1/2 and I just HAD to have them. I continue to make the rookie mistake of thinking that maybe they fit now… as if my feet have shrunk with age. All’s good and well for a few, but about 15 minutes into wearing them, I feel as though I’m partaking in the ancient ritual of feet binding.

Full circle? There’s a trail near my dad’s house where my mini sneakers abide and where I relish in the pastel skies on a nearly nightly basis. As I’ve traversed this trail, I’ve been mesmerized by these things that I incorrectly call sand dunes. Since I can’t really describe them (let alone identify them), I figured it was the perfect place to pose. So, Smitty, my own personal mountain goat (one of the memes my brother introduced me to) and I trotted up the trail in my tiny toe crushing shoes for this post. (Told you a skater skirt would look stellar with a crop top).

jacket: (similar here), top: Splendid (similar here), skirt: H&M (similar here), socks: StockinGirl (similar here), shoes: Converse (similar here – good job, Dick… these are apparently rare), bag: Balenciaga, necklace: no clue (similar here), dog: Smitty

I soaked my feet for an hour afterwards.

xx,

WhyDid

Friday Frocks: Skating Right Along

By Kirsten|January 10th, 2014|Friday Frocks|

Only thing a true ice princess needs this winter more than a whimsical skater skirt is a flirty, flippy, skater frock – just ask Michelle Trachtenberg. This silhouette is especially kind to those who have trim waists but may view their thighs as the type that are thunderous. It’s also great for someone who’s a bit more straight up and down and looking to add a little volume to her svelte shape. If you fear this looking too feminine much like Michelle and myself, layer a tough leather jacket on top and slip into a pair of rugged moto boots. Another option for styling a skater dress is wearing it over a turtleneck or long sleeve tee to give it a 90’s “jumper” look for the winter months.

1. Lover Vee Vee Guipure Chiffon and Lace Dress, 2. Carven Sleeveless Dress, 3. Splendid Stretch Jersey Mini Dress, 4. Faith Connexion Skater Dress, 5. Elizabeth and James Magdalena Dress, 6. Three Dots Crew Neck Dress, 7. Tibi Leopard Pattern Stretch Knit Dress, 8. For Love & Lemons Lulu Dress, 9.MINKPINK The Mini Dress, 10. Matthew Williamson Floral Haze Jacquard andd Silk Dress

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)