­

Why Did You Wear That: Daisy Duke

By |May 13th, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

whydid kirsten smith April showers brought May flowers… and more showers.  So, when there were a couple of consecutive days of actual sunshine last week, I was certain to take advantage of them.  When the weather warms up, habitually angry city dwellers suddenly become jovial, relaxed, and if you look very closely, you may even see some of them smiling.  The West Village is prime for people watching.  Restaurants expand their dining rooms out onto the sidewalks and seats outdoors become prime real estate.  Spring in New York reminds us all why we suffer through bitter cold, slushy streets, and near hypothermia.  It gives us just enough to fall back in love before cursing it again during sweltering summer months.

whydid kirsten smith

whydid kirsten smith

kirsten smith whydid

kirsten smith whydid blogkirsten smith daisy dukehat: (similar here), bodysuit: Forever 21, shorts: Brandy Melville (similar here), bracelets: Alex and Ani, bag: vintage (similar here), shoes: Steve Madden (similar here)

xx,

WhyDid

Photographs by Brian Schutza

 

 

Why Did You Wear That: All Set To Sweat

By |February 4th, 2014|Why Did You Wear That?|

fashion-workout-clothesOn winter days when you wake up to the sound of salt trucks clanging down the street, it’s pretty easy to lose any and all motivation to get thyself to a gym, even if it is in your building- like one floor down.  It all starts innocently enough, skipping a day here and there and then before you know it, you’re making death threats to your laundry service for “shrinking” every single pair of your designer denim jeans.  Your scale also seems to be going haywire because your floor is clearly uneven.  Write yourself a Post-It to call the super.  You did not gain ten pounds of winter weight existing on Seamless orders alone.  And then you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror on the way out of the bathroom post shower…

Normally, I’d be pretty pissed at Punxsutawney Phil for sentencing us with another six weeks of winter, but let’s look at the upside.  Now, you have six more weeks to shed those polar vortex pounds.  I suggest posting a picture of a Victoria’s Secret Angel to your refrigerator, following a fitness inspiration account on Instagram, and cease and desist wearing pants with elastic waistbands… unless you’re heading to the gym/Pilates/cycling/yoga.  Other than an awesome playlist, having cute and flattering workout gear is a great way to make sweating seem a bit less sticky… and stinky.

gym-workout-clothes

 1. GapFit Motion Graphic Long SleeveT, 2. C & C California Velocity Printed Tights, 3. Reebok One Trainer 1.0, 4. Under Armour Shimmer ColdGear Half Zip Pullover, 5. VSX Gripper Toe Sport Sock, 6. New Balance WX20v3, 7. Moving Comfort Endurance Racer High Impact Sports Bra, 8. GapFit gFast Logo Leggings, 9. Zella Halo Eclipse Jacket, 10. VS Knockout Crop, 11. Aluminum Water Bottle, 12. Nike Free Balanza, 13. VS Sport V-Back Boxy T, 14. MICHI Feline Bra, 15. Hard Tail Ruched Shorts, 16. Nike Zoom Vomero+ 8 Distance, 17. Zella Yoga Mat with Tote & Strap Carrier, 18. Alternative Be Graceful Tank, 19. Nike Pro Bra, 20. Forever 21 Neon Pop Half-Zip Track Jacket, 21. Norma Kamali Interactive Diagonal Shorts, 22. Nike Free 5.0 V4

 

xx,

WhyDid

 

image via

Why Did or Why Don’t: Fuzzy Was He?

By |January 8th, 2014|Why Did or Why Don't?, Why Did You Wear That?|

muppets most wantedI’m not actually sure if I remember, but know I definitely did not participate in this trend the first go round.  I, for sure, had a few angora sweaters (cropped and otherwise) back in the day, but as for this especially fuzzy sweater trend, I have no recollection.  That might lead one to believe that it’s “new” but for one we all know that nothing is truly “new” and the fact that many of these styles have been labeled as “retro” I’m led to believe that perhaps I passed into a temporary coma for the fifteen minutes in the 90’s that these sweaters stole the stage.  Having seen more than a few late teen/early twenty year olds sport the trend leads me to believe we are going to have to decide whether to love it or leave it like the Muppets left Manhattan.

fuzzy sweaters1. Stella McCartney Bryce Mohair Blend Faux Fur Coat, 2. Glamorous Fuzzy Open Front Cardigan, 3. Y.A.S. Sally Cardigan, 4. Forever 21 Retro Shag Sweater, 5. Pins and Needles Fuzzy Open Front Cardigan, 6. H&M Fluffy Cardigan, 7. Karl Donoghue Shearling Coat, 8. Sparkle & Fade Fuzzy Leopard Cardigan, 9. Forever 21 Retro Sweet Sweater, 10. Faith Connexion Kaglan Sleeveless Sweater

xx,

WhyDid

 

Why Did You Wear That: Metallica and the Monterey Musical Melee

By |December 16th, 2013|Personal Style|

kirsten smithIn 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.

kirsten smith

kirsten smith whydid

kirsten smith whydid

kirsten smith

kirsten smithearrings: 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

Friday Frocks: Good LRD (Little Red Dress)

By |December 13th, 2013|Friday Frocks|

valentino redSince most people wouldn’t consider black and white really “colors” per se, I guess I would venture to call red my favorite color- along with ballet pink and sometimes a frosty violet.  That said, there is no better time of year to slip into a crimson creation and strut your stuff all over town… or at least every holiday party where your ex and his new (definitely not as cute or sophisticated as you) arm candy may potentially be this season.  We’ve all (hopefully) secured a LBD and perhaps even LWD, but now it’s time to kick things up a notch in a LRD.  From fire engine red to oxblood to shades of tomato, there is sure to be a LRD that will suit everyone whether porcelain blonde or exotic brunette.  Take your pick.

red dresses1. Tibi Serpentine Wrap Effect Satin Gown, 2. Forever 21 Bold Moves Bodycon Dress, 3. Bec & Bridge Reversible Rib V Dress, 4. For Love & Lemons Velvet Anna Dress, 5. Rag & Bone Geneva Dress, 6. Miu Miu Open-back Cady Dress, 7. Forever 21 Daring Cutout Bodycon Dress, 8. Mason by Michelle Mason Leather & Lace Shift Dress, 9. Alice + Olivia Runie Leather Trimmed Crepe Maxi Dress, 10. Motel Venus Cold Shoulder Bodycon Dress

Is grey a color?

xx,

WhyDid

 

image via