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Why Did You Wear That: Black Dress, Jean Shirt

By |August 17th, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

lbd day to night how toPerhaps your need to be discreet regarding last night’s outfit is a bit more innocent than the aforementioned instance.  After a beautiful dinner complete with across the table hand holding with your beau, you both awake with a hankering for Eggs Benedict, but seeing as you are not (as of yet) co-habitating, you’ve got to work with what you’ve got.  And isn’t that what life is all about?  A swanky dinner at Claudette called for the perfect little black dress (a favorite LBD of mine worn two ways here and here) and sexy stilettos.  As stunning as you looked last night strolling past tables packed with wealthy Wall Street types and their girlfriends who smacked them for gawking, wearing the same thing this morning to Bubby’s may raise some eyebrows for entirely different reasons.  An incredibly simple way to disguise your enticing ensemble is to simply tie a denim or chambray shirt around you (a flannel variation would work as well) and embrace the uptown/downtown amalgation by also embracing your bed head with a simple rope braid (learn how here).  You’ll look so “devil may care” that the only reason someone’s head may turn this time is to figure out which tabloid star you are.  Order a mimosa for me.denim shirt scotch and soda nyc whydid

west village nyc denim shirt shopping how to wear denim shirt why did blog

kirsten smith why did blog

why did blog kirsten smithshirt: Scotch & Soda, dress: similar by Young Fabulous & Broke here, bag: similar by Alexander McQueen here, shoes: Steve Madden, sunglasses: street vendor on Washington Street, similar by Oliver Peoples here

xx,

WhyDid

Photography 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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Friday Frocks: Skin in the Game

By |August 31st, 2012|Friday Frocks, Why Did You Wear That?|

leather dressIn case you didn’t get the memo last fall, you’re going to need a leather dress come this autumn.  The ultimate update to your standard LBD, leather will not only keep you warm thermostatically speaking, but will also have you looking hot literally speaking.  Should you opt to go all in, a leather shift is a fantastic transitional piece that can eventually be layered over a turtleneck and tights.  Feeling more modest?  Opt for a frock with leather details or panels to achieve the same leather look.

I’m a huge fan of basically leather anything and have been pushing the trend since I was sixteen.  I wore a leather dress to my sophomore year homecoming… and while that went over like a lead balloon with teachers and students alike, this season’s must have frock is sure to be a bigger hit with your classmates.

leather dresses 1. Theyskens’ Theory Noel Dhidas Leather Dress, $537, 2. David Lerner Strapless Leather Dress, $264, 3. Raquel Allegra Heavy Rib Dress, $596, 4. Faith Connexion Leather Paneled Ruched Jersey Dress, $445, 5. Valentino Lace Paneled Leather Dress, $5,380, 6. Theory Solara Stretch Cotton and Leather Dress, $495, 7. Rag & Bone Adeline Paneled Satin and Leather Dress, $505, 8. Shakuhachi Leathergoods Shift Dress, $504, 9. DKNY Leather Sleeved Jersey-Twill Dress, $495, 10. MICHAEL Michael Kors Leather Dress, $495

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Grammy Glory and Grammy Gross

By |February 12th, 2012|Red Carpet Recap, Why Did You Wear That?|

You know, the Grammy’s always manage to get my blood boiling.  Whether Lady Gaga is showing up as an egg or Snooki just shows up, it seems like this particular award show just causes everyone to lose their darn minds.  This year was especially tragic due to the loss of the great Whitney Houston, and I expected a much more subdued, somber affair, but despite the abundance of (I suspect unintentional) black on the red carpet, it seems the night carried on as usual.

grammys black dresses 2012Oh- hey black dresses.  I know that we all think you can’t go wrong in a little black dress (LBD), but it would appear that’s not always the case.  Now, I know Rihanna’s Armani “collaboration” was a showstopper, but let’s be real, while not offensive, it’s also nothing that me or one of my sorority sisters didn’t don at one of our date parties.  This slinky low cut number left me less than impressed.  Anne V (beautiful arm candy to beau Adam Levine), proved that an LBD can be anything but tasteful.  We get it, your gorgeous.  Now please cover your crotch.  However, Gwyneth Paltrow wowed in this tasteful yet unexpected Stella Mc Cartney.  That, my friends, is how an LBD is done.

grammys 2012 best dressedWithout spending too much time on the red carpet (and my head and heart exploding), let’s just get down to business.  Three ladies who I thought stole the show, or at least the red carpet, were Taylor Swift in Zuhair Murad and an unlikely chic bun updo (let’s forget about her Yeehaw Junction performace), Jessie J in Julien Macdonald, and Kelly Rowland in Alberta Ferretti.  This is how you do elegant glamour.

grammys 2012 worst dressedAnd with the good must come the bad.  While I have to say that I was blown away by the color and the detail of Fergie’s Jean Paul Gaultier get up, I had no interest in her oversized granny panties or “Grammies” as they were coined.  It’s a bit age inappropriate (and eye inappropriate), but had she chosen nude, tonal, or metallic undergarments, I might have been slightly less offended.  Katy Perry just needs to cut it out with her crazy colored hair (this combination has me thinking she’s gunning for a Smurfs sequel), and this Elie Saab dress leaves me longing for that ridiculous light up number she sported.  The most offensive by far, however, was Nicki Minaj in Versace.  I don’t care if you showed up with the pope.  This look will have you saying Hail Mary’s from now until eternity.  Why don’t you and Gaga just have a “weird off” and see who can outdo each other once and for all.  Kind of like a dance off with clothes.

Nonetheless, the Grammy’s was full of fantastic performances and plenty of fun… and while my blood pressure may have peaked… I’m certain I will tune in again next year just to get another glimpse of crazy.

xx,

WhyDid

Friday Frocks: Fade to Black

By |January 6th, 2012|Friday Frocks, Why Did You Wear That?|

Well, January is in full swing and after the holidays and festivities have wound down, it may just feel like one big ‘ol hangover.  You’ve sequined and accessorized and now you probably just want to lay low.  Bling feels so blah and glitter makes you want to gag.  That’s where the good ol’ LBD comes into play.  Consider it your lime sorbet between appetizer and entree.  The LBD is a great palate cleanser to hold you over between holiday and spring.  Its uses are endless and it doesn’t have to be boring.  Cutouts, texture, and unexpected details are what make an LBD a totally stylish staple.  Dress it up, dress it down.  Take it from day to night.  You really never can go wrong when you’re back in black.

1. A.L.C. Sienna Stretch Leather Dress, $1,195, 2. Valentino R.E.D. Black Crystal Embellished Dress, $682, 3.  Black Halo Jackie O Off the Shoulder Dress, $375 , 4. Marni Asymmetric Crepe Dress, $346, 5. Lamixx Cold Shoulder Dress, $46, 6. DKNY Black Dress with Round Collar, $315 , 7. Elizabeth and James Rebecca Silk Chiffon Dress, $116.80, 8. Miss Selfridge Black Elastic Back Dress, $55, 9. bebe Leatherette Paillette Dress, $129, 10. Alice + Olivia Leather and Tulle Dress, $595

Fade to black…

xx,

WhyDid