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Why Did You WearThat: The Best pLaid Plans

By |December 29th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

Kirsten smith californiaMixing patterns is tough enough, but would one dare to mix plaid on plaid on plaid?  I would.  Especially since I’ve begun to run out of options in my suitcase and I’ve either gotten incredibly creative or undeniably delusional.  Perhaps both.

I can’t count the number of times in the last month when my father has asked, “That’s what you’re wearing?”  Well, yes, dad, it is.  It’s more evident than ever that my father raised two wild wolves as sons and I had the pleasure of being pampered by my very feminine mother.  He thought I was kidding when I told him a pedicure was a near emergency yesterday and pretty much laughed in my face when I told him I was going to need to go shopping for an evening specific outfit for New Year’s Eve.  He’s a dude’s dude and I’m slowly breaking him back into what it means to have a woman around.  Poor guy.

Needless to say, he gets a kick out of being my personal paparazzi and has been nothing less than accommodating.  I had originally scouted a location to shoot close to his house where the leaves had just begun to fall in the most magnificent display of ombre glory.  The deepest shades of red to the warmest yellow, it was a Pantone wet dream.  However, I waited a day or two before scheduling the shoot and by the time we headed out, someone with a leafblower and disdain for mother nature had ruined my set.  A true lesson that there is no time like the present.  Being a good sport, Dick, Smitty, and I hopped in the car to look for new location inspiration.  Just as we were about to call it a day- and a loss- we passed the Spreckels Post Office which is nestled next to the Spreckels Emporium emblazoned with an old fashioned Coca Cola ad.  It’s like stepping back in time.  I asked Dick to stop and we proceeded to shoot and see what we came up with…

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

kirsten smith whydid

kirsten smith

kirsten smithhat: H&M, scarf: PerryEllis (similar here), flannel shirt: Wrangler (similar here), t-shirt: American Apparel, slip: (similar here), tights: who knows? (similar here), boots: Dolce Vita, bag: Amrita Singh, jacket: Andrew Marc (similar here)

And yes, dad, my tights are shredded, but that’s life.  You’ve gotta embrace the snags.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Til the Bitter End

By |October 30th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

kirsten smithSo, I guess the nineties are back.  And I guess you know I’m going to be wearing a crop top until the bitter end.  And by bitter end, I mean a February snowstorm.  I plan on riding that trend like the Lone Ranger rode Silver.  I work very hard for those toned abs, just ask Jenn.  This outfit combines many of my very favorite items.  A flannel shirt that was my mother’s and you may recognize, a crop top, a bralette, acid washed jeans (that contain -2% spandex), and the little black bootie.  It’s as if I threw all my favorite things into a crock pot, let them simmer, and came out with the world’s most delicious outfit– kind of like mulled wine.

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

shirt: vintage (similar here), top: Brandy Melville, bralette: Cosabella, jeans: 7 for All Mankind (similar here), booties: Brian Atwood, bag: Alexander Wang, dog: Smitty

xx,

WhyDid

Setting the Mood: Smells Like Teen Spirit, Again.

By |October 8th, 2013|Setting the Mood|

90s grunge styleThe 90’s: a decade I can get behind.  Rather than leaving us with treasures like bad perms. legwarmers, and the hair bands of the 80’s, this decade was the cooler, more rebellious little sister.   I always wondered why anyone wanted to purposely look like an asshole by throwing an 80’s theme party.  Some things are meant to be left in the past.  Like your ex’s and that one school photo when you had braces and DIY bangs.

The 90’s left the legacies of grunge, garage bands and fashion trends worth repeating.  Combat boots, babydoll dresses, and anything plaid are 90’s style essentials (not to mention some of this fall’s must haves).  Unkempt hair, porcelain skin, and a deep wine pout are the beauty staples to complete your trip back in time.  Bonus points for being able to borrow your boo’s blouse.  Your flannel, is my flannel, honey.  Hello, androgyny.  Recall CkOne?  Who didn’t love My So Called Life and who can forget the queen of grunge, Ms. Courtney Love?  Starting to see why sometimes history is worth repeating?

DKNY Cotton Blend Flannel Nightshirt, $58, Lucca Couture Daisy Print Chiffon Dress, $59Bop Basics Cashmere Oversized Beanie, $80, Saint Laurent Patti Boots, $1,295

 

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Smitty Did it

By |September 17th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

kirsten smithIf you’ve been reading for a while (even only a little while), you are probably well aware that the main man in my life is and always will be an eight pound Maltipoo by the name of Smitty.  What you may not know is that his namesake is my father and the reasoning behind that is because they were coincidentally born on the very same day, September 22nd.  At some point in my early collegiate years, my mom passed down a vintage t-shirt that she’d owned emblazoned with the phrase, “Smitty did it.”  Since my last name is, of course, Smith, I had taken it and worn it without really giving it much thought.  Then I gave it some thought… and realized how inappropriate the interpretation of this shirt could be.  Almost as awkward as the time my mom tried to hand off her keychain that says, “I love Dick,” which she carried for years without ever realizing that most people weren’t privy to the fact that her husband’s name was Dick and she wasn’t some kind of overly amorous individual.

I held onto the shirt and it became relevant again once this pound and a half of puppy entered my life.  No longer indicative of anything other than the fact that my dog probably did it.  I didn’t actually realize what a family affair this outfit was until I started listing the pieces individually below.  The only member I’m missing something from is my eldest brother, Adam, but I’ve already sported his gear (thanks, big bro).

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

smitty in the city maltipoo

kirsten smith flannel shirthat: Dick Smith (dad) similar here, flannel shirt: Andy Smith (brother) similar here, t-shirt: Georgia Smith (mom), jeans: c/o Frankie B., bag: vintage- similar here, boots: – similar here, on Smitty: camo hoodie by

It wasn’t me.  Smitty did it.

xx,

WhyDid

 

Photo Credit: Michael Stiegler

Why Did You Wear That: Mad for Plaid

By |February 1st, 2012|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

flannel shirt and boots

They say what goes around comes around and just like the 80’s, the 90’s are now making a comeback.  Whether you’re a product of the 90’s or you just remember the decade fondly, you are probably relieved to be able to revel in a little bit of  nostalgia not involving sweatbands and permed hair.  A time when grunge music took center stage, so did many of the fashion trends that went along with it.  Flannel shirts and shaggy hair were par for the course and while I do not condone actual “grunge,” I love the undone edgy look. I snatched this particular shirt from my mom’s house, so it very well may be from the 90’s, but it probably won’t be too hard to find one of your own.

flannel plaid shirt

To create your own modern take on the flannel shirt try putting together some pieces that mix both grunge and glam.

1. Zoo York Charleston Flannel Shirt, $49.50, 2. Emily D Vegan Leather Leggings, $68, 3. Giles and Brother Multi Graduated Chain Bracelet, $175, 4. T by Alexander Wang Jersey T-Shirt Dress, $85, 5. Sally Hansen Salon Effects in Plaid About You, $8.54, 6. Wyatt Black Wool Cashmere Knit Hat, $85, 7. MICHAEL Michael Kors Rock N Roll Bootie, $325

Smells like teen spirit.

xx,

WhyDid