Kirsten Catherwood | WhyDid.com

Smart Is the New Pretty: Shut. It. Down.

By Kirsten|October 2nd, 2013|Smart Is the New Pretty|

On the second day of October, we also find ourselves on the second day of the government shutdown. I can’t take full credit, but I do hold myself slightly accountable as I haven’t been keeping up with keeping you up to date. Therefore, I’m reinstating “Smart Is the New Pretty” effective immediately. Heaven knows it doesn’t matter how great you look if you can’t keep up an intelligent conversation and it would appear that our country is all kinds of out of whack.

The National Zoo may have turned off their panda cam, but The San Diego Zoo didn’t. (Phew!) [CBS News]
Sadly, the government isn’t the only place shutting down. The New York City Opera has filed for bankruptcy. [NPR]
And the Jacksonville Airport was shut down after reports of suspicious packages. [NBC News]
Mark Jacobs shut down Paris Fashion Week with his collection for Louis Vuitton before confirming he will be leaving the fashion house to focus on his own brand. [NY Times]
Hedi Slimane would like to shut down your Saint Laurent parody T’s. [The Cut]
New York should probably go ahead and shut down the ‘pop up’ biker gang. [NY Post]
I’m about to shut down anyone who doesn’t love dogs and think they’re Earth angels. [Huffington Post]
Perhaps little girls would be able to shut down low self esteem if they had pups. Don’t worry- Bloomberg is here to help. [The Cut]
Banksy’s latest piece in New York gets shut down overnight. [Gawker]

Do me a favor and don’t shut down your brain just because our politicians have decided to shut it down.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Breathe and Reboot

By Kirsten|October 1st, 2013|Why Did You Wear That?|

The best part of fall? No, not pumpkin spice lattes (can we cool it with that, by the way?). Buying boots is by far my favorite part of fall and its fashion. The staple of the fall closet is always footwear. No matter what you’ve got on, if you don’t have the right shoes to seal the deal, you’re essentially screwed. Another great thing about closed toe shoes is spending less time and money on pricey pedicures-not that it’s okay to forgo them entirely. Speaking of which…

To make your lives easier– that’s what I’m here for, afterall– I’ve compiled the best boots in every category and how to style them for any occasion. You don’t have to thank me now, but I certainly won’t stop you from sending Céline in gratitude.

The Wedge Bootie: See by Chloe Suede Wedge Calf Boots, $475, Tabitha Simmons Haley Suede Wedge Ankle Boots, $1,295, IRO Darlon Wedge Boot, $618
The High Heel Bootie:Saint Laurent Leather Ankle Boots, $950, MICHAEL Michael Kors York Boots, $200, Madison Harding Jackie Bootie, $280
The Riding Boot: Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent Garrett Western Riding Boots, $495, Church’s Martina Two Tone Riding Boots, $1,050, Boutique 9 Randen Tall Boot, $300
The Combat Boot: Dr. Martens 1460 Boot, $115, Giuseppe Zanotti Blok Combat Boots, $1,450, Belle by Siegerson Morroson Victoria Combat Boots, $450
The Moto Boot: Frye Veronica Boots, $268, RED Valentino Flower Embellished Booties, $650, Rebels Shoes Travis Moto Boot, $75
The Over the Knee Boot: Sophia Webster Hallie Nubuck Over the Knee Boot, $895, 3.1 Phillip Lim Leather Over the Knee Boots, $975, Jeffrey Campbell Missionary Over the Knee Boot, $230,
TheWinter Weather Boot: Isabel Marant Nowles Shearling Boots, $840, Sorel Conquest Carly Boot, $220, Rag & Bone x Hunter Short Boots, $265,

xx,

WhyDid

image via

Setting the Mood: Goth Goes Glam

By Kirsten|September 30th, 2013|Setting the Mood|

You know what’s spooky? Tomorrow is the first day of October. I’m not quite sure where the time goes. Hell, I hardly know what day of the week it is more often than not. And not only is summer absolutely over, we’re fully in the midst of fall. While the weather has been nothing short of heavenly for the past month, it’s only a matter of time before I lock myself away like a hermit to avoid the bitter chill of winter. But before I make off like Winslow Homer, I may as well enjoy the last few brisk days of autumn. Sure, my summer tan has all but faded, but now is no better time to bask in my alabaster skintone and take on the look of glamorous goth. The word “goth” probably evokes memories of that one kid in your gifted class who never spoke much and spent a lot of time doodling pentagrams on his Trapper Keeper. However, the modern goth is a bit more polished and much more high fashion than Halloween. I believe I outgrew Halloween when they started making costumes like “sexy bacon” and “naughty neurosurgeon.” Think textures of leather, lace, and velvet and smokey eyes with a deep plum lip. Just remember: the look should be sultry, not scary.

Miu Miu Lace Up Leather Ankle Boots, $990, Maje Duree Lace Blouse, $285, L’Agent by Agent Provocateur Penelope Satin and Mesh Waspie, $148, Oscar de la Renta Gold Plated Crystal Ring, $295

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: I Got the Hook Up

By Kirsten|September 26th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

I always argue that I live in the West Village, though my address teeters terribly close to the streets that fill with drunken girls in stilettos and inappropriately and unseasonably short bejeweled bandage dresses and the men who love them on the weekends. Then one day, I noticed the banner (conveniently sponsored by my building’s management company) affixed to the lamppost on my corner welcoming all to the trendy Meatpacking District. “Live Well!” it decrees. If you mean paying six dollars for a bag of salt and vinegar potato chips at the corner deli and navigating through fanny pack clad Midwestern tourists while avoiding the stench of street carts, then, why yes, you can live very well in this neighborhood.

…And then I received a packet in my mailbox. It was officially welcoming me to the Meatpacking District complete with a Hookup Card. I can’t. And yet, I do. When I first came to New York before my senior year of college, the Meatpacking District was exactly what its name suggests. There was meat on the ground and it smelled and it was not yet infiltrated with Lulu Lemon and the stroller pushing mothers who wear it. It was gritty and scary and fun. It was the old New York. But as much as I complain about it, I love where I live… so long as I always walk south when exiting my building, unless heading to Sephora or Soho House. I’m glad I’ve lived here long enough to know the difference and to be able to bitch about it.

dress: American Apparel, jacket: c/o American Living (similar here), socks: Xhiliration (similar here), boots: Dolce Vita (similar here), bag: Balenciaga

Holla if ya hear me.

xx,

WhyDid

Photo Credit: Michael Stiegler

Why Did You Wear That: Fall Overhaul

By Kirsten|September 24th, 2013|Why Did You Wear That?|

September 22nd marked the first day of fall (and also my dad’s and beloved pooch’s birthdays). Now you can officially start complaining about the end of summer… not that you haven’t been doing so since Labor Day and the end of your summer share. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I actually find fall to be a little bit magical. It’s nice to have everyone back in the city. Sidewalks are full of brunchers on the weekends soaking in the last bits of tolerable temperatures. There seems to be a tinge of excitement in the crisp air. For what- I’m not quite sure… can’t possibly be the impending arctic winter. And while I do love a teeny bikini, I’ve always preferred dressing for fall. Layering cashmere, leather, boots, and coats may seem daunting to some though. So, I’ve put together ten fall trends that will help you start your shopping list and soften the shift from summer to fall.