J Brand | WhyDid.com

Why Did You Wear That: If Shopping Is Your Cardio

By Kirsten|July 24th, 2014|Why Did You Wear That?|

You know what’s a great way to beat this miserable heat? Shopping. And wouldn’t you know, it’s that time of year again. Get deep discounts on new arrivals during Nordstrom’s Anniversary sale. We aren’t talking about picked over end of season goods either. Stock up early and shop everything from Joie suede booties to J Brand denim to Hanky Panky thongs until August 4th when regular prices return. So, if shopping is your cardio, consider me your personal trainer.

xx,

WhyDid

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

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

Although 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.

Fresh Blooms: Rebecca Taylor Sweet William Dress, Joie Talina B Pants, Elizabeth and James Klaus Floral Print Silk and Mesh Dress
Go Wide: by Malene Birger Cosyna High Waited Silk-Satin Pants, Diane von Furstenberg Salma Wide Leg Silk Pants, alice + olivia Pleated Eric Pants
Dirty Pop: Paul Smith Black Label Maxi Skirt, Lisa Perry Patchwork Skirt, M Missoni Neon Crochet Knit Mini Dress
Heavy Metals: Rachel Zoe Pearl Sequin Fishtail Skirt, DAY Birger et Mikkelsen Metallic Chiffon Wrap Dress, 3.1 Phillip Lim Crossover Biker Skirt
Peekaboo Panels: Yigal Azrouel Scuba Waterprint Mesh Skirt, Rag & Bone Molly Skirt, Rebecca Minkoff Antoni Silk Top
Full Circle…Skirts: JOA Striped Skirt, TOME Taffeta Skirt, Tibi Full Pleated Skirt
Team Spirit: SEA Cotton-Blend Tweed Shorts, Sacai Luck Striped Cotton and Taffeta Dress, Equipment Abbot Silk Bomber Blouson Jacket
On the Fringe: alice + olivia Caitlin Fringe Maxi Skirt, Haute Hippie Fringe Pencil Skirt, Jason Wu Cropped Fringed Crepe Top
Buttoned Up: Diane von Furstenberg Trudy Blouse, MiH The Oversize Shirt, Carven Silk Floral Print Collared Cotton Shirt
Perfect Pastels: Halston Heritage Asymmetric Satin Twill Peplum Dress, J Brand Ready To Wear Durham Oversized Leather Biker Jacket, Lotusgrace Polka Dot Sheath Dress
Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop Croptops: Tibi Cropped Embellished Cotton Blend Top, Jonathan Simkhai Cropped Intarsia Jersey Top, BCBGMAXAZRIA Kaja Harness Top
Black (and White) to Basics: A.L.C. Harrison Skirt, Donna Karan Printed Silk Wide Leg Pants, McQ Alexander McQueen Slash Effect Stretch Knit Dress
Iridescent Does It: Acne Tine Sequined Silk Georgette Shorts, Roksanda Ilincic Oriel Colorblock Wool Crepe Dress, 3.1 Phillip Lim Colorblock Suede A-Line Skirt
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 You Wear That: Fake It Til You Make It

By Kirsten|November 12th, 2013|Why Did You Wear That?|

Fall is all about leather and fur (and a little bit of lace) and there are more than a few ways to achieve this luxe look. But should you prefer to go faux, there are plenty of options out there that won’t leave you looking like a muppet. Many designers have decided not to even dabble in the realm of authentic animal skins, most notably Stella McCartney. Faux options have come a long way since the inception of pleather and plasticky fake furs and at times are almost indiscernible. Faux and vegan furs and leathers are not only animal friendly, but much more cost efficient than their counterparts- twice the incentive to fake the funk.

1. Stella McCartney Bryce Mohair Faux Fur Jacket, 2. David Lerner Faux Leather Leggings, 3. BCBG Micah Faux Leather Top, 4. Milly Faux Fur Cheetah Skirt, 5. Stella McCartney Faux Leather Platform Ankle Boots, 6. Karl Lagerfeld Omari Faux Fur Vest, 7. Club Monaco Tasha Leggings, 8. Unreal Fur Furry Floss Faux Fur Jacket, 9. Club Monaco Lena Faux Fur Cashmere Gloves, 10. J Brand Carey Coated Skinny Jeans

This is one instance when it’s fine with me to fake it.

xx,

WhyDid

image via

Setting the Mood: Blue Jeans, White Shirt

By Kirsten|July 29th, 2013|Setting the Mood|

There are times when I gaze into my closet like it’s the great abyss. Just like there are times when I stare blankly at my computer screen with my fingers poised on the keyboard, but not a thing to type. The fact of the matter is, I tend to over complicate things. Overthink them. And so when I start to feel the sweat prickling on my skin as the stress sets in, I take a deep breath, and murmur to myself, “Keep it simple, stupid.” You see, when a women has a few staple pieces in her wardrobe, she can count on them like she can count on the rain after a blowout and her monthly visit from auntie Flo. By having a perfectly fitting pair of jeans, a fresh white t-shirt, crisp white blouse, and a gently destroyed pair of denim shorts, there is no occasion (except for black tie) that she cannot concur. Depending on the woman, event, and accessories, the most simple pieces, American classics, can take you from daytime down time to dinner, drinks, and possibly dancing.

J Brand 485 Luxe Sateen Midrise Skinny Jeans, T by Alexander Wang Classic Jersey T-Shirt, Splendid Voile Shirt, Rag & Bone Mila Distressed Denim Shorts

Sealed with a K.I.S.S.

xx,

WhyDid

Setting the Mood: White Heat

By Kirsten|July 8th, 2013|Setting the Mood|

Halfway through summer and all the way to the top of the thermometer. The July heat is nearly unbearable and it’s those humid days where it feels as if anything heavier than a tissue would be too much to wear. While a New Yorker’s standard uniform seems to be perpetually black, reversing roles in all white seems to lighten things both literally and figuratively. Ivory, bone, eggshell, and stark white in linen, lace, crochet and chiffon will keep you cool and cool you down.