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Friday Frocks: Sweater Weather

By |September 19th, 2014|Friday Frocks, Why Did You Wear That?|

fall sweater dressBeing someone who typically favors skin grazing frocks and tops only slightly larger than sportsbras, it may come as quite a surprise that one of my favorite parts of cooler weather has absolutely nothing to do with pumpkin spice anything and a whole lot to do with slipping into a cozy, cuddly, oftentimes oversized sweater dress.

This is not the first time I’ve dedicated a Friday Frocks to sweater dressing and I can promise you, as it’s only mid-September, it won’t be the last.  Knit dresses are the perfect way to transition from chilly fall days to frosty winter evenings.  When the thermostat starts to head below 60, wear your knitwear with over the knee boots and toss on a leather jacket.  As the biting temperatures of winter arrive, layer your frock over patterned tights or a pair of complementary knit leggings (another really big trend for fall).  I may be the only one, but all I want to do is hug myself when wearing a soft cashmere sweater and fortunately, I’m quite flexible, so it’s entirely doable.  But seriously, if you see me in the street wearing a sweater dress, hugs are welcome.

sweater dresses1. Just Female Link Roll Neck Sweater Dress, 2. Red Valentino Long Sleeve Sweater Dress, 3. Matthew Williamson Merino Wool Mini Dress, 4. Rachel Pally Sleeveless Turtleneck Dress, 5. BB Dakota Dakota Collective Lara Sweater Dress, 6. Vince Sweater Dress, 7. T by Alexander Wang Mohair Tunic Dress, 8. Haute Hippie Slouchy Collar Dress, 9. Eternal Sunshine Creations Georgia Mini Dress, 10. Bella Freud Three Way Color Block Wool Mini Dress

 

xx,

WhyDid

 

Image originally published here.  Photo courtesy of Living The Dream Blog

Why Did You Wear That: Spring 2014: Style Cheat Sheet

By |February 25th, 2014|Why Did You Wear That?|

snow flowerAlthough it was fifty degrees over the weekend and snow flurrying today, we really are in the home stretch of winter.  Just hang in there, pretty birds, relief is on the way.  While we wait for the last frost of the season to cease, let us refresh ourselves on the clothing that is just waiting to make itself quite comfortable in our closets come spring.  Since each fashion week presents collections a solid six months in advance of when we can actually get our greedy little hands on it, it’s easy to forget what we need to start scoping for and what to relegate to the back of our wardrobes for the time being.  The fashion elite may be a bit clairvoyant perhaps predicting the dreadfully long winter we’ve endured as the spring collections did not shy away from color, bold patterns, and plenty of shiny embellishment.  Though black and white were ever present, it’s time to drop the dull all black uniform and have a little bit of fun.

While florals are really nothing new for spring, this season’s are a bit bolder and less feminine incorporating the trend of black and white as well as darker tones as opposed to the predictable pastel colorways.  Speaking of which, Easter egg colors abound and are best done head to toe, but if that has you feeling apprehensive of emulating Great Aunt Ida, the presence of a pastel leather jacket or clutch will do the trick.

Along with bold graphics that will have even the biggest globetrotters giddy, art aficionados rejoice.  Patterns for spring give a nod to pop art using brights that make them downright framable.  Wearable art, if you will.

Embellishment was big and came in the form of fringe, 3D embellishments and gilded golds, bronze, and silver.  An alternative to shine in the form of straightforward metallics is presented in the option of iridescence.

And to those who attempted a croptop intervention on me… bad news: the croptop (which will live on through Fall 2014) is stronger than ever for spring.  Might I suggest enrolling in a Pilates class, like last week?  Though tops are shrinking bottoms get a bit of volume in the form of wide leg trousers and full skirts seen prevalently in the midi length.

Most notably to me was that all of the various trends seem to work together quite seamlessly and in some cases there’s quite a bit of overlap.  Full metallic skirts, crop tops with sheer panels, and boldy printed wide leg trousers make hitting a few trends at once a spring breeze.

spring 2014 fashion trends

  1. Fresh Blooms: Rebecca Taylor Sweet William DressJoie Talina B PantsElizabeth and James Klaus Floral Print Silk and Mesh Dress
  2. Go Wide: by Malene Birger Cosyna High Waited Silk-Satin PantsDiane von Furstenberg Salma Wide Leg Silk Pantsalice + olivia Pleated Eric Pants
  3. Dirty Pop: Paul Smith Black Label Maxi SkirtLisa Perry Patchwork SkirtM Missoni Neon Crochet Knit Mini Dress
  4. Heavy Metals: Rachel Zoe Pearl Sequin Fishtail SkirtDAY Birger et Mikkelsen Metallic Chiffon Wrap Dress3.1 Phillip Lim Crossover Biker Skirt
  5. Peekaboo Panels: Yigal Azrouel Scuba Waterprint Mesh SkirtRag & Bone Molly SkirtRebecca Minkoff Antoni Silk Top
  6. Full Circle…Skirts: JOA Striped SkirtTOME Taffeta Skirt, Tibi Full Pleated Skirt
  7. Team Spirit: SEA Cotton-Blend Tweed ShortsSacai Luck Striped Cotton and Taffeta Dress, Equipment Abbot Silk Bomber Blouson Jacket
  8. On the Fringe: alice + olivia Caitlin Fringe Maxi SkirtHaute Hippie Fringe Pencil SkirtJason Wu Cropped Fringed Crepe Top
  9. Buttoned Up: Diane von Furstenberg Trudy BlouseMiH The Oversize Shirt, Carven Silk Floral Print Collared Cotton Shirt
  10. Perfect Pastels: Halston Heritage Asymmetric Satin Twill Peplum Dress, J Brand Ready To Wear Durham Oversized Leather Biker Jacket, Lotusgrace Polka Dot Sheath Dress
  11. Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop Croptops: Tibi Cropped Embellished Cotton Blend TopJonathan Simkhai Cropped Intarsia Jersey TopBCBGMAXAZRIA Kaja Harness Top
  12. Black (and White) to Basics: A.L.C. Harrison SkirtDonna Karan Printed Silk Wide Leg PantsMcQ Alexander McQueen Slash Effect Stretch Knit Dress
  13. Iridescent Does It: Acne Tine Sequined Silk Georgette ShortsRoksanda Ilincic Oriel Colorblock Wool Crepe Dress, 3.1 Phillip Lim Colorblock Suede A-Line Skirt
  14. Global Graphics Clover Canyon Diamond Quilt Printed Cropped Track Pants, Diane von Furstenberg Phaedra Jacquard Skirt, Line & Dot Silk Palm Tree Print Dress

 

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did or Why Don’t: Overall Overhaul

By |July 17th, 2013|Celebrity Style, Why Did or Why Don't?|

As you may recall, I wasn’t particularly pleased when the whole “overalls” trend popped up this past fall.  It just seemed like such an unflattering and unladylike look for about, oh… 98.9% of the population.  But then something funny happened.

Trendsetting celebrities and stylish city girls put a positive spin on the formerly dowdy denim dungarees.  For some reason, I find the short version far less offensive than its full leg counterpart.   Dare I even call it cute?  So, I guess you could say my cold heart has melted… or it could just be this miserable mid-July heatwave, but you be the judge.

Blank Roll in the Hay Overalls, Haute Hippie Chambray Overalls, BDG Denim Overall Shorts, Current/Elliot The Short Overalls

xx,

WhyDid

Friday Frocks: Get Down with Gatsby

By |May 17th, 2013|Friday Frocks|

Fact: you will be invited to a Gatsby themed party this summer.  So, you better be ready to dress the part.  Turns out Ricky’s doesn’t carry costumes in a bag all year round.  The horror!    How will you achieve the look without being completely in costume?  Channel your Daisy with dropped waists, sequins, feathers and flapper-esque details in dresses like the ones below.

1. Marchesa Tiered Tassel Cocktail Dress, 2. Milly Lisette Polka Dot Tulle Dress, 3. Haute Hippie Beaded Roses Dolman Mini Dress, 4. Rag & Bone Violette Tiered Dress, 5. Notte by Marchesa Sequin and Feather Embellished Dress, 6. Parker Hayden Dress, 7. Milly Chevron Tulle Dress, 8. Bless’d Are the Meek The Light Peplum Dress, 9. By Malene Birger Wasuinia Feather and Sequin Dress, 10. Candela Dixie Dress

Go ‘head, girl, go ‘head get down.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Black and White and Anything but Boring

By |August 6th, 2012|Celebrity Style, Look for Less, Why Did You Wear That?|

black and white rachel bilson emmy rossum sophia bushI have collected quite a bit of clothing during my time on this planet, and while I do have pops of pink and pretty patterns, I always seem to be drawn back to the basics of black or white.  Safe?  Maybe.  I prefer to call it classic, contemporary, even minimalistic.  Pairing black and white might seem obvious or boring, but if done with well tailored interesting pieces, it is anything but your average cater waiter uniform.  Incorporating different textures like lace, leather, satin, or chiffon, will take your look from flat to fully dimensional.  Trust me, no one will mistake you for the hostess at your local Olive Garden.

When you invest in quality pieces, you can mix and match them for all new looks that are anything but boring.

black and white clothing1. Haute Hippie Tuxedo Sleeveless Blouse, $285, 2. Madison Marcus Elegance Lace Pants, $285, 3. BCBGeneration Cielo Pumps, $99.99, 4. Free People Best of Both Worlds Shirt, $118, 5. Marni Contrast Stripe Pants, $550, 6. Ivanka Trump Ginger 2 Pumps, $135, 7. Patterson J. Kincaid Farrow Button Down Blouse, $168, 8. Pins and Needles Lace Mini Skirt, $39, 9. McQ Alexander McQueen Two Tone Leather Ankle Boots, $665, 10. Alice by Temperley Lottie Lace Appliqued Top, $330, 11. Karl Pacey Faux Leather Mid-Rise Skinny Pants, $200, 12. Jimmy Choo Abel Pointed Patent Leather Pumps, $495

Simple as black and white.

xx,

WhyDid