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Why Did You Wear That: Now and Later

By |September 4th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

kirsten smithThe weather at the end of summer and the beginning of spring is more flippant and unpredictable than a woman two days into Aunt Flo.  One day you’re blotting sweat stains from a silk blouse and the next you’re wishing you’d stowed a cardigan in your tote.  Most of my summer was spent sunning my stems in denim cutoff shorts.  My jeans barely saw the light of day and probably now have perma-creases from staying stagnant in the depths of my closet.  Most people see Labor Day as the end of summer and Fashion Week as the beginning of fall.  This is when closet starved New Yorkers begin the purging of their closets.  Tiny tanks and strappy sandals are stowed and soft cashmere and slouchy boots take their place.  But before you pack away your denim cutoffs for good,  let’s examine how some of your favorite summer pieces can have an extended shelf life by working them into your wardrobe with winter wear.

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

denim shorts kirsten smith

kirsten smithsunglasses: Ray-Ban, top: custom vintage (similar here), shorts: c/o Cult of Individuality, bracelets: Alex and Ani, bag: Malini Murjani (similar here), shoes: L.A.M.B. (similar here)

Stay tuned to see how to take your summer shorts to a winter staple.
xx,

WhyDid

Photo credit: Michael Stiegler

Why Did You Wear That: Take Two, Part One

By |August 13th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

kirsten smithBuying a dress for your own birthday party is a pretty big deal.  At least it was for me this year.  For my first birthday back in New York, I wanted to celebrate with my favorite friends who I had missed so much and look damn good while doing so.  However, having a birthday in the icy wintry month of January proves to be a bit more difficult when perusing the racks.  I had been eying a particular lacy black dress online for quite some time and finally concluded the day of my birth would be the perfect time to debut it.

The good thing about this dress is that it’s neither seasonal, nor too trendy.  It makes a statement without being something that can only be worn once.  So, one evening, when I couldn’t quite figure out what to wear for another friend’s birthday party, I pulled this pretty little thing out of my closet for another spin around the dancefloor.  This time sans tights.  On my way out, I decided I should also probably take out the trash.  Well, wouldn’t you know, it was a good thing I hadn’t worn my usual post workout sweat stained garb to handle the task.  As I approached the compactor room, a very dashing gentleman was on his way in to toss his own trash.  Being an actual gentleman, he held the door open for me and continued to hold it so that I wouldn’t be shut in the creepy, stinky room solo.  As I leaned over the shoot, the fellow commented, “That’s quite an outfit for garbage duty.”  To which I replied, “Oh, this old thing?”

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

studded sandals

kirsten smithdress: Nightcap Clothing (long sleeve version), shoes: Steve Madden (similar), clutch: Helena de Natalio (similar), bracelet: vintage necklace (similar), nails: Marie Nails

Stay tuned for this little black dress, take two.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: The Witching Hour

By |July 16th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

kirsten smithWhile one can essentially never go wrong in a little black dress, the same ol’ cocktail attire can become a bit tired.  For a more modern take on basic black, try mixing separates in the same color- most notably in noir.  Make the look your own by adding accessories like a hat for a more dressed down take, or twisting your hair into a top knot for a more polished presence.  I once suggested another alternative to the LBD, which garnered a love/hate reaction.  And to be honest, this is a look I’ve been perfecting since senior prom.

Yes, my parents let me out of the house (and actually escorted me) to my prom wearing these very same fly-away shorts and a beaded butterfly top (dare I mention my very first weave?).  I never thought I’d see the day where these shorts would become a part of my wardrobe again, but during one of my 18,000 moves, I returned to my mom’s house in West Virginia and scoured the archives.  Jackpot.

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

kirsten smithhat: borrowed (similar here), top: American Apparel (similar here), shorts: Caché, shoes: L.A.M.B. (similar), bag: Erickson Beamon

kirsten smith fence

lamb

kirsten smith

xx,

WhyDid

Photo Credit: Michael Stiegler

Why Did You Wear That: Baby, You’re a Firework

By |July 4th, 2013|Personal Style|

This year’s Fourth of July couldn’t have fallen more perfectly on the calendar.  A four day weekend?  God bless, is right.  This, however, led many to stress out over where they’d spend such a fortuitous long weekend.  I couldn’t even begin to tell you where I was last year during the Fourth.  I’ve given it a bit of thought, and I have zero recollection.  Sadly, that has no correlation to the amount of fun that was had.  The year before, I watched fireworks alone on my rooftop, simply because it was less frightening to hear the fireworks if I could actually see them.  To be honest, fireworks scare me, but I also have an irrational fear of dragonflies, so it doesn’t hold much weight.  I do, however, love the ol’ US of A despite all its flaws.  I’ve never been one to wear a Christmas sweater or paint my face for a football game, but I do think it’s nice to give a patriotic nod to our great United States by adding a bit of red, white, and blue to your holiday ensemble– in a totally non-obvious manner, of course.

bikini: Cia Maritima, shorts, H&M, glasses: random party store, bag: c/o Violetta, dog: Smitty In the City, necklace: c/o Nashelle, bracelet: c/o Style Queen

denim shorts

kirsten smith

girl in backwards hathat: Quicksilver, shirt: vintage Limited (as in middle school vintage), dress: American Apparel, boots: Frye, bracelets: Alex & Ani, c/o Style Queen

new york rooftop

kirsten smithHappy Fourth of July from WhyDid.  Sparkle responsibly.

xx,

WhyDid

Friday Frocks: The Perfect Coverup

By |May 24th, 2013|Friday Frocks|

beach hammock girlsAlmost as important as that bikini is how you choose to transport yourself from Point A to your final destination.  The coverup should be chicer than throwing on a pair of Soffe shorts and tank.  Put a little pride in your poolside presence by picking out a coverup that could easily be mistaken for a frock.  In my experience, poolside rose often leads to post beach cocktails and oysters and sometimes even a little bit of table dancing… but maybe that’s just me.  Anyway, just make sure your coverup continues to be sexy, not soggy after a long day of fun on in the sun.

bathing suit coverups1. Jen’s Pirate Booty Grecian Wildlife Mini, 2. Zimmermann Elixier Crochet Knit Cotton Maxi Dress, 3. WILDFOX Shell Necklace Tank Dress, 4. Mara Hoffman Luau Cutout Coverup, 5. Lisa Maree Daybreak Coverup, 6. J. Crew Whisper Gauze Beach Tunic, 7. Blue Life Ombre Babydoll, 8. JOSA Tulum Low Back Halter Coverup, 9. TOPSHOP Black Crochet Flower Coverup, 10. Melissa Odabash Cindy Crochet Detailed Mini Voile Coverup

xx,

WhyDid

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