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Why Did You Wear That: One Dress, Three Ways (Rated G)

By |February 11th, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

Screen shot 2014-02-11 at 10.50.28 AMI love an occasion that calls for dressing up.  Any occasion really.  Holidays, black ties, brit malahs.  So, when my birthday rolled around I knew the dress I’d been eyeing since Christmas must be mine.  But just like my New Year’s outfit, I wanted to find more than one way to wear this frock.  To the untrained eye, one might see it as a one hit wonder, but because it was literally just lace sans lining, I found more than a few ways to style it from fairly modest to leaving just a little to the imagination.  And it’s a good thing because once my friends who had planned my party finally revealed the evening’s location, I made a quick wardrobe change.  This was not the dress for dodging ninjas (don’t ask).  For this version (rated G), I slid into a black sleeveless catsuit, camel coat, and black booties for a look that I think could be considered boho casual… but my version of casual could also be considered some’s black tie optional.

 

kirsten smith for love and lemons

kirsten smith for love and lemons

kirsten smith

kirsten smith for love and lemonsdress: For Love and Lemons, catsuit: American Apparel, booties: Steve Madden (similar here), coat: vintage, necklace: vintage, rings: Scott Kay, bag: Céline

Up next, PG-13.

xx,

WhyDid

Photos by Michael Stiegler

Friday Frocks: Lil Bit of This, Lil Bit of That

By |November 8th, 2013|Friday Frocks|

Every woman, no matter her age, lifestyle, or body type must own the perfect LBD.  At times, a simple black frock can seem a bit dull, but there are some easy ways to add interest to an otherwise standard staple.  To avoid falling flat, texture can be a crucial part of keeping your LBD from being run of the mill.  Leather, lace, or a combination of the two will take you from standard to standout.  In a classic shape or something more au courant, the basic little black dress has never looked better.

leather lace dresses1. Madewell Leather Dress, 2. Lovers + Friends I Heart Babydoll Dress, 3. Alice + Olivia Shelly Leather Trimmed Dress, 4. HELMUT Helmut Lang Half Leather Dress, 5. Nightcap Clothing Florence Lace Dress, 6. Roberto Cavalli Lace and Stretch Jersey Dress, 7. Thakoon Addition Cutout Midriff Leather Dress, 8. Stylestalker TLC Dress, 9. Maje Deraphine Lace Paneled Jersey Dress, 10. Nicholas Leather Racer Paneled Dress

 xx,

WhyDid

 

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Setting the Mood: Sugar and Spice

By |November 4th, 2013|Setting the Mood|

leather and laceOn more than one occasion I’ve been called a paradox; a walking contradiction.  At first glance you may think you could quickly delegate me to one box, but after a conversation and cocktail, you may be moving me to another.  And just when you think you’ve got me figured out, look out for that curve ball because it’s coming.

I don’t like predictability and following the herd makes me more than uncomfortable.  I think there’s much to be said for mixing things up and keeping people guessing, especially when getting dressed.  This is precisely why leather and lace are the perfect complement to one another.  While lace could be overly feminine or somewhat sexy, leather is tough enough to tip the scales from prissy to powerful.  A head to toe leather look would have you reminiscent of catwoman and all over lace could land you somewhere between a Victorian and 80’s Madonna.  However, when the two are combined, the look is lethal.

DKNY Leather Paneled Lace Top, Saint Laurent Leather Bra Top, Karl Lagerfeld Delphie Coated Leather Mini Skirt, Mason by Michelle Mason Leather Trimmed Lace Dress

xx,

WhyDid

Friday Frocks: Witchy Woman

By |October 21st, 2011|Friday Frocks, Why Did You Wear That?|

It’s that time of year again.  It’s always some time of year again though.  Anyway, the time of year I’m talking about is Halloween.  And while some of you may be crotch deep in slutty costumes, some of us are a little tired of plopping down 50 bucks for a pre-packaged costume the size of a dinner napkin from Ricky’s only to exile said costume to the far corners of our closets the day after fright night.  Luckily, there are quite a few frocks that can do double duty.  Not only are they spot on for Fall, they’d also make for very good witchy, vampy costumes with the right makeup and props.  Now to be clear, vampires just really aren’t my thing, but I’m not here to judge.  I’m in front of my TV every Monday night for Gossip Girl… so…

Anyway, wearing a black lace or deep red velvet frock with some snagged stockings, smokey eyes, and maroon lips would make for a very sultry, very sexy (not slutty) Halloween costume.  Pop some vampire teeth and fake blood in your clutch for added effect and you’ll be utterly bewitching.

1. Camilla and Marc Courtesy Frock, $492, 2. Plastic Island Gatsby Lace Dress, $180, 3. Rebecca Minkoff Frida Lace Dress, $428, 4. The Battalion Marion Lace Maxi, $99, 5. Insight Rouched and Ready Dress, $66, 6. Free People Floral Lace Fit and Flare Dress, $128, 7. One Teaspoon Sweet Lace Mini Dress, $108,8. Theyskens’ Theory Knock Yara Sweater Dress, $395, 9. Forever 21 Lace Peplum Dress, $19.84, 10. Free People Bell Sleeve Lace Trim Tunic, $183.33

The best part about a freaky frock?   If you happened to have a slumber party with your very own Edward Cullen, you simply must wash your face to make the walk of shame home at the break of dawn.

xx,

WhyDid