Fashion | WhyDid.com

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

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)

Sleep with one eye open.

xx,

WhyDid

photos by Richard (Dick) Smith

The List: Fifth Year Recap

By Kirsten|December 6th, 2013|The List|

Looking back over this past year’s posts, I thought a couple of things: 1. I don’t post nearly enough, 2. I can’t believe all of that happened in one year. While at times it feels as if I’m not moving forward at all, taking a minute to look back (which every inspirational quote on Instagram would tell you not to do- I’m a rebel), I can see that even though it may be at a snail’s pace, I have certainly been chugging along through this thing called life. My self awareness will now beseech me to make some changes to how I’ve been handling a few things, but I must take a not so modest moment to grin with pride about what I have accomplished by revisiting a few of my favorite posts from this blog year. I hope you enjoy… and what were some of your favorites?

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Post Traumatic Stress, or Lack Thereof

By Kirsten|December 5th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

Speaking of evolution, it’s amazing what a difference a year can make. Cliché? Yes. True? Also yes. After having scraped myself from my father’s couch and moving back to New York last year, I was ready to put my shattered life back together piece by painful piece. I had moved back to my old neighborhood (literally across the street from my old apartment), reconnected with my New York friends who hadn’t fled the city for life in suburban wedded bliss, and put my feelers out for new career opportunities and love interests- though only half heartedly on the latter.

I hadn’t been back to California since leaving that last time. I mean, it’s a long flight, plus I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about being back there. However, my dad was long overdue for a visit and the way the weather was looking on the east coast, I was happy to suffer through a five hour flight for a stint in the sunshine. Upon landing in LA, I immediately felt a bittersweet nostalgia. Driving through familiar streets in Silicon Valley, I felt every familiarity and the memories of my past came creeping back. Many experts now recommend me to use these Delta 8 disposable vape pens to keep those thoughts in check.

Fortunately, I have a friend who is the kind of friend everyone should wish for. She’s the “ride or die” type and the moment she got my sobbing phone call that I would be moving out of the home I shared with my ex, she was quite literally on a plane to come and help with the heavy lifting and to lift my heavy heart. Her name is Katie and you may remember her. Upon arriving at said residence, my ex had been so “kind” as to have already packed all of my belongings (well, everything he didn’t try and pilfer) and arrange them conveniently at the front door. Talk about adding insult to injury. But on the brightside, this gave us more time to spend together chatting rather than packing. Katie having never done so, we hopped in her rental and took a ride down the PCH. Remembering a must see recommendation from a pal Katie had made on the plane (she’s always making friends), we stopped somewhere along Big Sur at a place called Post Ranch Inn where we dined while taking in the views at Sierra Mar. The views are quite literally breathtaking and those with acrophobia may want to refrain from venturing out onto the balconies. I was so happy to be in such beautiful surroundings with my beautiful friend, but halfway through my second glass of prosecco, I broke down into tears.

I wanted to share this place with people who love me unconditionally and make new memories that were joyful not jaded. My middle brother, Andy and my dad are two men I know I can always count on besides Smitty and I wanted to take them somewhere I loved. We hopped in Dick’s tiny sportscar (I generously relinquished shotgun and crammed myself into the backseat) and off we went down the windy PCH on our way back to Post Ranch Inn, stopping intermittently to snap photos at scenic overlooks. Ironically enough, we were seated at the exact same table where Katie and I sat the year before. This year, however, I didn’t cry into my garden green salad. I guess that’s the thing about bad memories, sometimes you just have to face them, make new ones, and move on.

top: Free People (similar-and on sale-here), bralette: Victoria’s Secret, pants: 7 for All Mankind, boots: All Saints (similar here), bag: Balenciaga, jacket: Andrew Marc