Kirsten Smith | WhyDid.com

Why Did You Wear That: Clear the Way

By Kirsten|February 26th, 2014|Why Did You Wear That?|

After tediously recapping all of this spring’s trends and having been late on more than one occasion because I was unable to navigate (read move hangers) in my overly stuffed closet(s), I realized that I was more overdue for a serious wardrobe purging than Paula Deen is for a colonic. The task seemed daunting and even considering taking on the less than glamorous chore left me feeling half anxious, half exhausted, one hundred percent unmotivated. I was able to come up with plenty of reasons why it could wait ranging from meeting a deadline to my favorite rerun of Sex and the City being on E!. Finally fed up with forgetting what even existed crammed deep in the abyss that is my closet, I uncorked a bottle of prosecco, put Pandora on shuffle and started shucking. I was fairly impressed with myself and during the process came up with some new rules for closet clean outs… because my previous advice is laugh out loud contradictory. What a difference five years can make…

Be brutal. This is not the time to be kind. Think of it like a game of fashion Tinder. Go with your gut. Are we swiping left of right? If you hate it, get it out of there. If you have not worn it in years and know you never will, kiss it goodbye. There’s no point spending any more time with something so-so. (That goes for dating and dressing).
Three’s company. Make three piles. If you are keeping it, leave it hanging. If you aren’t sure, pull it aside to revisit. If it makes you cringe with embarrassment for having ever owned it, kindly remove the hanger and toss it to the side.
Try it on for size. When I went through my wardrobe, there were a few pieces that I hadn’t worn in a while, but thought I loved. There were also a couple that I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to hold onto or have burned. Surprisingly, when I put them on, some of the things I loved looked stupid and the one’s I wasn’t so sure about were stellar. (This is why we make three piles).
Upgrade it. We spend all this money on beautiful clothing and then hang it on wire hangers we scored for free from the dry cleaner. Not only does this seem counterintuitive, it’s also not great for your garments. Get some proper hangers that will save your clothing as well as save you space (remember when we gave Katie’s closet a hanger makeover (hangover?)).
Keep it clean. This is a good time to rehang things properly (like not inside out) and inspect for any stains. There’s nothing more obnoxious than pulling out what you’d planned on wearing only to be reminded of that drunk teen who spilled a vodka cranberry on your chiffon blouse. Make a date with the dry cleaner so you can rest assured that everything in your closet is ready to wear.

A little preemptive spring cleaning is truly good for the soul because there is no room for anything new when you are holding onto the old… both literally and metaphorically, of course.

xx,

WhyDid

This post is sponsored in part by Lafayette La Cleaning Service | Maid & House Cleaning | Geaux Maids

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

Setting the Mood: Spring Awakening

By Kirsten|February 24th, 2014|Setting the Mood|

Spring equinox is less than a month away (March 2oth) and even though that sadistic groundhog, Phil, made us wait it out a little longer this year, there is light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. That means, it’s time to shake off that winter way of thinking and dressing… and eating. Before you know it, it’ll be time to start bitching about how hot it is, but in the meantime let us revel those few pleasant weeks of spring that remind us why we live in the best city in the world. Judging by this past weekend’s “heatwave” that spawned dozens of pairs of bare legs to make their post polar vortex debut and the crowded streets on Sunday for boozy brunches (not to mention the rooftop at Soho House that resembled that of a Lorde music video shoot), it seems that the natives are restless and ready to shed winter’s layers.

Dolce & Gabbana Cat Eye Filigree Gold Tone Sunglasses, 3.1 Phillip Lim 31 Minute Iridescent Textured Leather Clutch, J. Crew Collection Floral Print Cotton and Silk Blend Jacket, Sophia Webster Kiki Lace Print PVC and Leather Sandals

The List Volume: Instagram

By Kirsten|February 21st, 2014|The List|

I get scolded quite a bit for being on my phone during dinners and nights out with friends. I quickly remind them that I’m “working.” Which shouldn’t actually be in quotes because I really am. Social Media is bascially a 24/7 job, especially when you work for yourself. However, I’ve taken it down a notch and for those of you who aren’t actually running a business, it’s time to put down your phones. I know that selfie and shot of your salmon seem super important, but your friends are about to disown you if you don’t rejoin them in a little place called reality. So, here are some hard and fast rules for Instagram posting:

Instagram is basically not real life. Don’t let it consume yours.
I think a lot of people need to learn the art of self editing. We get that you are somewhere really beautiful or you’re having a REALLY good hair day, or there is a lot going on, but try and pic a COUPLE of the best pictures and spread them out throughout the day. No one likes their feed being spammed by your event. Either that or learn to make a collage.
We do not need your doctors’ visits, weekly sonogram, bloody wounds, or hunting kills to be forever etched into our brains. A post delivery baby hospital pic gets a pass though.
I’m really not kidding when I say I don’t want to see your food pictures. Unless what you are about to eat is a slain dragon, I’m just not interested.
If you’re going to create a meme (good for you), please, dear God, check your spelling/grammar. No matter how hilarious the punchline may be, I can’t get over the fact that you don’t know the difference between “your” and “you’re.”
If you need to use a filter on top of a filter before posting that self indulgent selfie, you probably shouldn’t be posting it. This is Instagram, not Vogue. There’s no need to Photoshop.
#Hashtagsareactuallyusefulifyouknowwhatyouredoing. Not everything needs to be hashtagged, but don’t hate on others who actually know how to use them.
Give credit where credit is due. If you love something someone posted, spread the love, but credit the source.
Please don’t post pictures only to delete them two minutes later. This is Instagram not Snapchat (although there’s now that creepy direct message thing). Don’t post unless you are sure you want to post. Posting something and then removing it two minutes later doesn’t make you look mysterious, it makes you look insecure, and a little bit schizo.
Clean your damn mirror, selfie queen.

And this one goes out to you… and you… and you…

Now, follow me on Instagram so you can see what I’m wearing.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Chain Gang

By Kirsten|February 19th, 2014|Why Did You Wear That?|

The saying is “less is more” but in some cases- like jewelry- without a doubt, more is more. We’ve double decked out our fingers. We’ve stacked our wrists. (I still refuse to use the term “arm party” as it gives me indigestion just typing it). And I’ve been layering delicate necklaces for quite some time, but just recently stepped up my game by piling on bulky chains in varying lengths and metals to create a look that would make even 2 Chainz envious.