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Why Did You Wear That: Crop Top Ya Don’t Stop

By |August 15th, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

crop top day to night how toWe’ve all awoken as the morning sun manages to creep through the black out shades rendering us nearly blind to the startling realization  that the water glass on the nightstand is empty and that nightstand is not our own.  The second pang of panic comes barreling through shortly after groggily recalling that what we deemed appropriate attire for a late evening dalliance may not exactly translate to daytime, let alone during the morning commute with other responsible, gainfully employed adults.  I was not a Girl Scout, but I am always prepared.  98% of the time, there is a pair of sunglasses stashed safely in my bag (I painfully learned this lesson during that other 2% of the time).  Sunglasses are essentially a real life force field.  Whether they actually prove to disguise your appearance from curious onlookers or not is irrelevant so long as you feel like they do.  As you carefully tiptoe your way to the restroom only to discover that your previously perfect blowout more resembles Bob Marley’s dreadlocks, you breathe a sigh of relief knowing that you have a hair tie on your wrist and a collection of bobby pins in the bottom of your bag.  This is when when a top knot comes in handy (tutorial here).  The only problem left is somehow making that tiny crop top look less Pretty Woman and more Carrie Bradshaw.

One of my favorite outfits and favorite shoots (which you can see in totality here) is a perfect example of something that would garner compliments post sunset and could attract clientele come morning if you’re seen standing on the corner too long awaiting your Uber.  Whether your evening prior to sunrise had been raucous or rather innocent, sometimes you’ve got to borrow from your boy’s closet to save some dignity, but how does one do so without looking like a total shacker?  In this instance, wearing a belted pair of shorts with your crop top and pulling your hair into a squeaky clean top knot will certainly fool any innocent bystander into believing that you did, in fact, wake up like this.

whydid blog nyc kirsten smith

kirsten smith whydid blog

kirsten smith why did blog

kirsten smith whydid blogtop: American Apparel, shorts: Hurley, belt: similar by Rag & Bone, shoes: Jimmy Choo, bag: vintage, similar by Barney’s, sunglasses: Ray-Ban

xx,

WhyDid

photography by Michael Stiegler

Why Did You Wear That: April Foolishness

By |April 3rd, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

kirsten smithEvery time I check the weather on my iPhone and start to feel optimistic about the above 40 degree temperature and lack of rain icon, I’m smacked in the face with reality when I check it again fifteen minutes before leaving the house to see that the temperature has taken a nose dive and the icon may as well be a middle finger.  It’s as if my weather app is playing an elongated and twisted April fool’s joke on me and it’s the only one laughing.  Getting dressed during this time of year is also a joke because one never knows when Mother Nature will snarl and decide she’s bored with the sun and would rather toss out a hailstorm to liven up your otherwise mundane Tuesday.

And while I may look like a delicate spring flower in these photos, I certainly navigated the April showers (along with the ever patient, Brian Schutza) to capture them.  A wet fire escape in five inch stiletto Jimmy Choos?  Child’s play.  I like living on the edge and 6+ years navigating the treacherous cobblestone streets of the West Village qualify me as a pro.  I found these pants in a thrift store in Bushwick, and I knew I needed them because they fall in between the categories of pants and maxi skirt and isn’t that kind of like getting the last seat on an overcrowded L train?  While these pants are beyond comfortable, I had to be very careful with the way in which I styled them, because they could very easily be mistaken as pajama pants– something I discovered when I wore a similar pair to brunch at Bubby’s one lazy Sunday.  When wearing pants with an elastic waistband (yikes!), be sure to keep the other elements more tailored (adding a belt is a good way to add refinement to an otherwise casual style).  Take that, Mother Nature.

Don’t forget to learn how to milk maid braid to avoid rainy day hair calamities.

kirsten smith nyc

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kirsten smith nyc

new york kirsten smithjacket: Express, tank: Brandy Melville, pants: vintage, shoes: Jimmy Choo, belt: vintage (mom’s), bag: vintage

 SHOP THE POST:

 

xx,

WhyDid

photography by Brian Schutza

Why Did You Wear That: Hut, Set, Whatever.

By |January 28th, 2014|Why Did You Wear That?|

superbowl 2014

This Sunday the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks will face off at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  (full disclosure: I just Googled that to make sure).  Besides being the best thing that’s happened to New Jersey since the Jersey Shore being canceled, this also means that we, ladies, have the opportunity to spend the afternoon in a room with a captive male audience.  Oh, you actually came to watch the game?  I’m actually here for the finger food and legitimate reason for pushing snooze on Monday morning.

My dad often texts me about football games and I attempt to give spirited responses because I know he cares… but sadly, I do not.  I’m not like a football hater and I might care a little more if a team relevant to me was playing (Steelers, Giants), but I kind of don’t care either way.  It’s the same way I feel about tofu.  Meh.  Without question, you will never see me in a bar wearing a football jersey.  Or face paint.  Though, Miley’s got me a little more interested in foam fingers as of late.  I’m probably  not friends with anyone wearing any of the aforementioned sports paraphernalia either, but I’m sure there are some exceptions.  Like an actual football player.  But alas, I do understand the need to show a little team spirt- I was cheerleading captain for heaven’s sake.  Clever little ladies can achieve a sporty chic look by wearing a pop of their team’s color in slouchy sweatshirts, colorful kicks, or mini t-shirts boasting the teams logo.  And denim is always a good look.

superbowl style

 1. Nike Denver Broncos Super Bowl T-Shirt, 2. Nike Dunk Sky Hi Shoes in Armory Navy, 3. Hanky Panky Signature Lace Low Rise Thong in Screaming Orange, 4. Acne Studios Bird Fleece Sweatshirt, 5. Current/Elliot The Stiletto Distressed Skinny Jeans, 6. Seattle Seahawks Navy Antigua NFL Womens Signautre Hoodie, 7. Rag & Bone Capri Cropped Skinny Jeans, 8. Splendid Snowpeak Plaid Button Down Shirt, 9. Deborah Marquit Giardino di Fiori Lace Thong, 10. Vans Authentic Sneaker

But, if you’re anything like me and you could care less about either team and are betting only on running out of salsa before chips, then you may want to just stick to the home (New York) team uniform.  All black everything.  Not only will you still look slim after housing a plate of nachos, you also won’t look like an a-hole wearing the losing team’s color postgame– which really makes you the winner, now doesn’t it?

superbowl style1. Towsen Reversible Leather Jacket, 2. Alexander Wang Drawstring Crepe Tapered Pants, 3. Only Hearts Second Skins Bodysuit, 4. Agent Provocateur Anoushka Lace Thong, 5. Jimmy Choo Lace and Leather Sneakers

Okay, break.

xx,

WhyDid

Setting the Mood: Auld Lang Syne

By |December 30th, 2013|Setting the Mood|

new years eve nye inspirationBad news?  It’s Monday.  Good news?  It’s the last Monday you will have to slog through in 2013.  I have mixed emotions when it comes to New Year’s Eve- mostly because of the pressure that people put on one night (the last night) of the year.  In my personal/professional experience, the more weight put on the night, the more disappointing it usually turns out to be.  Pretty sure FOMO reaches its peak every year on this day.  I actually can’t recall the last December 31st that was drama free and TV movie perfect- although I did spend last year in West Virginia with my mom in a vintage sweatshirt jumpsuit and a crown.  That was pretty fabulous.  If you’re looking for a foolproof recipe for a festive NYE, try this: something sparkly + something bubbly+ people you love = a happy new year.

nye-metallic-accessoriesDeepa Gurnani Draped Hair Clip, B-Low The Belt Vanity Belt Agent Provocateur Zonia Sequined Bikini Briefs, Jimmy Choo Fedora Paillette Trimmed Sateen and Mirrored Leather Sandal

 

Worst case?  There’s always next year.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Clutch Call

By |December 17th, 2013|Why Did You Wear That?|

laura-laine-editorial-clutchI normally carry a bag so large it’s a wonder I haven’t exacerbated my adolescent scoliosis.  I mean, one never knows when one may need a notebook, business card, energy bar, or rape whistle (one must always carry a rape whistle).  On evenings out, especially in the northeast when the weather turns to slippery slush and we are relegated to bundling ourselves in massive coats of wool, fur, leather, and cashmere to merely tolerate the bone chilling cold in hopes of drowning our sorrows with overpriced cocktails, space which is already at a premium in a city like New York becomes exiguous.  Sure there are coat checks and clever cubbies cut into the backs of banquettes, but do you really wanna cram your Céline into a dark cavern alongside some chick’s Canal Street knockoff in the off chance that yours will mysteriously go “missing”?  Just like when the meathead at the bar asks if he can buy you a lemon drop, the answer is, “No.”  Instead of carrying your everyday bag that could double as a carry-on (and on occasion has), opt for the handheld version commonly called a clutch.  Just be sure to hold onto it rather than leaving it in a puddle of condensation on the table credit cards et al.

designer clutches

1. Charlotte Olympia Gold Scent Clutch, 2. Saint Laurent Letters Metallic Leather Clutch, 3. Marni Jewel Embellished Clutch, 4. Marc by Marc Jacobs Ravenheart Metallic Leather Clutch, 5. Kotur Margo Animal Print Minaudiere, 6. Claire Vivier Flat Printed Leather Clutch, 7. Serpui Marie Klimt I Clutch, 8. Jimmy Choo The Candy Lip Print Acrylic Clutch, 9. Givenchy Bambi Clutch, 10. Sondra Roberts Scattered Bead Box Clutch, 11. Nina Beaded Heart Box Clutch, 12. ZAC Zac Posen Claudette Scale-Embossed Tassel Clutch, 13. B-Low The Belt Kenzy Clutch, 14.  Santi Floral Sequin Clutch, 15. Mango Crystal and Bead Box Clutch, 16. Jonathan Adler Electra Bond Clutch

 

xx,

WhyDid

 

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