­

Why Did You Wear That: American Girl

By |January 25th, 2015|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

leopard coat and jeansWhen I was little, American Girls were introduced.  As luck would have it, one of these dolls was named Kirsten.  There was no way on Earth my mother thought I should go one single day without having a Kirsten doll of my own.  Eventually, she got a best friend named Samantha.  Having spent the past week in Paris (much more on that later), I’ve learned quite a bit about what French men (and women) think about American girls.  While I didn’t stand out like a sore thumb with a money belt and massive camera, once I spoke English, the French were very intrigued to ask us about our President and who we thought would be the next.  (Their guess is Hillary Clinton).  The style here is much like New York, except they aren’t afraid of a full length fur and even those dressed down have a bit more polish and panache than their American counter parts.  While I blended in nicely, I do suppose wearing the outfit in this post would have been a dead giveaway of American descent.

kirsten smith leopard coat

how to wear double denim

denim on denim leopard jacket

jeans and denim shirt

coat: vintage, similar by Rag & Bone here, shirt: Scotch and Soda, jeans: 7 for All Mankind, shoes: Pour la Victoire, bag: Louis Vuitton, belt: vintage: similar by B-Low the Belt here, bracelet: , lipstick: Clinique

xx,

WhyDid

 

Photos by Michael Stiegler

Why Did You Wear That: Your Fall Fashion Survival Guide

By |September 18th, 2014|Why Did You Wear That?|

fall shopping guideFirst and foremost, you’re welcome…  And I’m sorry.  You’re welcome because I’ve spent a great deal of time finding all of fall’s very best options to ensure that you’ve got each and every one of this fall’s UK fashion blog biggest trends at your fingertips, I even made sure to visit specsfair to get the best deals on glasses. Yes you heard that right, one of a kind pockets.  I’ve basically contracted carpal tunnel from all of the clicking, coding, copying, and pasting of product, but not severe enough that I can’t sip red wine while I write this.

I’m sorry for doing such a thorough job that you’re sure to be able to easily spend a month’s salary or more stocking up on your fall wardrobe refresh.  Just remember, it’s good for the economy. I am also a Reseller clothes for many good fashion brands from which I earn good money.

When I first started seeing stores displaying their autumnal wares, it was still a sweltering 90 degrees and I couldn’t be bothered browsing.  However, as the temperature started to dip and I began to grow bored of baring all my skin, the cozy knits, oversized coats, and overtly luxurious look this fall brings got me wishing for the next polar vortex.

Sure, sweaters are always fall staples, but this season’s are much chunkier, more textured, and come in all lengths from cropped to tunics.  Wear them in fall’s favored colors consisting of gray, scarlet, cobalt, and any shade of candy colored pastel.  These shades carry over to other trends including mid calf length hemlines, long line vests, sixties shaped shifts, and folk inspired frocks.  Men may loathe leopard (as we recently realized), but it’s quite strong this season and if you aren’t feeling bold enough to wear it in a bomber, try it as a statement accessory.  Speaking of fur, this must be the year of the Muppet, but if you can’t stomach the price tag (or the use of) real fur, there are some really beautiful faux options that are both animal and wallet friendly.  Whether you opt for fluffy, colored, fuzzy, or something in shearling to weather the winter, you’ll certainly be warmer for it.  When looking to add a bit of bling, opt for silver as it’s been used as embellishments on coats and knits as well as woven into rich fabrics.  If you’re up for a bit of pattern play, geometric shapes and fairisle intarsias are leading the charge.

When it comes to pairing your ensemble with shoes, you definitely should go for something stylish but comfortable and warm. If you’re looking for great pairs of shoes, be sure to check out vessi.com.

Fortunately, this fall’s trends easily translate from one to another and also play off one another seamlessly.  You can effortlessly cover two trends at once by purchasing a pastel vest or a grey faux fur coat.  Be creative.  Be bold.  But be this fall’s all-embracing look of luxe.

Gray Area:

fall fashion trends 2014 gray

Leopards Don’t Change Their Spots:

fall 2014 leopard print

Tangled Up in Blue:

fall 2014 trends fashion

Silver Baller:

fall 2014 trends

Psychedelic Hotline:

fall 2014 trends print

Long Term In-Vest-ment:

fall fashion trends long vest

Scarlet Fever:

fall fashion trends 2014 scarlett

The Shearling:

fall 2014 fashion trends

Midi Terms:

midi length fall 2014 trends

Pastel Princess:

Keep Your Knits About You:

chunky knits fall 2014

Folk Alluring:

fall 2014 fashion folk

Fur Sure:

fur fall fashion 2014

xx,

WhyDid

 

 

Why Did You Wear That: Spot On

By |November 16th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

kirsten smithI’ve always felt a little conflicted about wearing leather and fur. When I was ten, I begged and pleaded (to no avail) with my parents for a cute little spotted potbelly pig. One morning over breakfast, it was revealed to me that bacon, in fact, comes from pigs. For the next year, I refused to eat meat thinking about that poor little pig in the pet shop. (I also begged and pleaded for a chinchilla around that same time). After finding it far too difficult to gain sustenance without any meat in my diet, I gave up vegetarianism the next year, but the feelings of guilt about fur, stuck with me. While home visiting my mom in Wheeling between semesters in college, we ventured into an antique store in Centre Market. Amongst the delicate tea sets and tiny trinkets, there was a rack of vintage clothing and hanging in the midst of these dated duds, was the most amazing leopard coat. I am my mother’s daughter and she insisted that I would be thankful that I’d bought this coat one day. While it was first worn to a “pimp n’ hoe” party in college, I’ve held onto it throughout the years and am happy to bring it back into rotation this fall. When worn with a simple tee, vegan leather pants, pumps, and topped off with a knit beanie, the look is definitely not outdated and to me, it says more “hollaback girl” than call girl.

Kirsten Smith

leopard coat

kirsten smith

kirsten smithbeanie: H&M, coat: vintage (similar here), top: Express, pants: Black Orchid (similar here), shoes: Yves Saint Laurent, bag: Celine, sunglasses: RayBan

xx,

WhyDid

 

photos by Catherine Sampietro

Why Did You Wear That: Fresh Coat

By |October 22nd, 2013|Why Did You Wear That?|

coatsThe only item more clutch to one’s closet than the perfect fall boots is the perfect fall coat.  Growing up in Florida, I was unfamiliar with inclement winter weather.  Boy, was I in for a rude awakening during my first northeastern snow storm.  This was when I took a crash course in dressing for the elements.  Never again would I be chilled to the bone without the appropriate outerwear.  Someone wise once told me that if you have a nice coat, nice bag, and nice shoes during the winter, it doesn’t really matter whether you’re wearing sweats underneath– no one will even see them.  I’m not encouraging that, but I certainly wouldn’t shame you for running to Starbucks in your jammies so long as you cover them accordingly.  While you should have one go to coat to cover all occasions, you’re going to need a couple more to fill in the wardrobe gaps.  Below are some essential styles that will keep you warm and looking cool.

fall coats

 

  1. The trench: Rachel Zoe London Belted Trench, Burberry Brit Short Leather Trimmed Cotton Twill Trench Coat, Club Monaco Isabella Trench
  2. The leather jacket: T by Alexander Wang Reversible Leather and Nylon Bomber Jacket, Mackage Veruca Leather Jacket, Club Monaco Lee Moto Jacket
  3. The cape: Max Studio Single Breasted Cape, DSQUARED2 Wool Cape, Anthropologie Chevron Sweet Poncho
  4. The varsity jacket: Lulu & Co Wool Blend and Leather Varsity Jacket, Club Monaco Gabi Varsity Jacket, Current/Elliot The Varsity Jacket
  5. The camel coat: Club Monaco Ashley Quilted Sleeve Coat, 3.1 Phillip Lim Split Sides Pea Coat, Joseph Man Wool and Cashmere Coat
  6. The statement coat: camilla and marc Silentium Wool Coat, BB Dakota Hazel Leopard Coat, alice + olivia Rhonda High Neck Coat
  7. The weekend jacket: Canada Goose Trillium Parka, Tibi Scuba and Padded Twill Coat, Vince Fur Trimmed Hooded Anorak
  8. The classic coat: GAP Moto Coat, Dawn Levy Harper Leather Trim Wool Wrap Coat, French Connection Leather Trim Asymmetrical Coat

Don’t be left out in the cold.

xx,

WhyDid

 

image via