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Friday Frocks: Spring Training

By |February 28th, 2014|Friday Frocks, Why Did You Wear That?|

new york springWe love spring.  We love dresses.  We love spring dresses.  Since you’re all up to date on spring’s biggest fashion and beauty trends, I figured we’d take it one step further by rounding up some of spring’s most stylish frocks that fell into each trend.  Honestly, it was almost too easy.

spring dresses

 

1. Rebecca Minkoff Striped Mesh Dress, 2. Rebecca Taylor Long Sleeve Shirtdress, 3. McQ Alexander McQueen Printed Stretch Cotton Dress, 4. Bec & Bridge Nefertiti Strapless Dress, 5. ALICE by Temperley Venice Metallic Snake Jacquard Dress, 6. By Malene Birger Ajala Fringed Crepe and Chiffon Dress, 7. Dolce Vita Pernita Dress, 8. Markus Lupfer Vivian Printed Satin Mini Dress, 9. UNIF Percy Dress, 10. Bec & Bridge Fire & Ice Printed Cutout Waist Dress

 

xx,

WhyDid

 

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Why Did You Wear That: Spring 2014: Style Cheat Sheet

By |February 25th, 2014|Why Did You Wear That?|

snow flowerAlthough 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.

spring 2014 fashion trends

  1. Fresh Blooms: Rebecca Taylor Sweet William DressJoie Talina B PantsElizabeth and James Klaus Floral Print Silk and Mesh Dress
  2. Go Wide: by Malene Birger Cosyna High Waited Silk-Satin PantsDiane von Furstenberg Salma Wide Leg Silk Pantsalice + olivia Pleated Eric Pants
  3. Dirty Pop: Paul Smith Black Label Maxi SkirtLisa Perry Patchwork SkirtM Missoni Neon Crochet Knit Mini Dress
  4. Heavy Metals: Rachel Zoe Pearl Sequin Fishtail SkirtDAY Birger et Mikkelsen Metallic Chiffon Wrap Dress3.1 Phillip Lim Crossover Biker Skirt
  5. Peekaboo Panels: Yigal Azrouel Scuba Waterprint Mesh SkirtRag & Bone Molly SkirtRebecca Minkoff Antoni Silk Top
  6. Full Circle…Skirts: JOA Striped SkirtTOME Taffeta Skirt, Tibi Full Pleated Skirt
  7. Team Spirit: SEA Cotton-Blend Tweed ShortsSacai Luck Striped Cotton and Taffeta Dress, Equipment Abbot Silk Bomber Blouson Jacket
  8. On the Fringe: alice + olivia Caitlin Fringe Maxi SkirtHaute Hippie Fringe Pencil SkirtJason Wu Cropped Fringed Crepe Top
  9. Buttoned Up: Diane von Furstenberg Trudy BlouseMiH The Oversize Shirt, Carven Silk Floral Print Collared Cotton Shirt
  10. Perfect Pastels: Halston Heritage Asymmetric Satin Twill Peplum Dress, J Brand Ready To Wear Durham Oversized Leather Biker Jacket, Lotusgrace Polka Dot Sheath Dress
  11. Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop Croptops: Tibi Cropped Embellished Cotton Blend TopJonathan Simkhai Cropped Intarsia Jersey TopBCBGMAXAZRIA Kaja Harness Top
  12. Black (and White) to Basics: A.L.C. Harrison SkirtDonna Karan Printed Silk Wide Leg PantsMcQ Alexander McQueen Slash Effect Stretch Knit Dress
  13. Iridescent Does It: Acne Tine Sequined Silk Georgette ShortsRoksanda Ilincic Oriel Colorblock Wool Crepe Dress, 3.1 Phillip Lim Colorblock Suede A-Line Skirt
  14. 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

Why Did You Wear That: Sorry, Karl.

By |February 5th, 2014|Why Did You Wear That?|

designer sweatshirtIf you’ve tired of cashmere turtlenecks and grandpa cardigans, there’s some new knitwear in town.  Well, not really “new” because I’ve suggested it once before this past fall, but it’s the sweatshirt.  The last time we visited sweatshirts, I feared for poor Karl’s health, but hopefully he’s recovered from his panic attack by now… because it would appear that sweatshirts have not only grown in popularity, but have been adopted by just about every designer on the market.  An article of clothing once relegated to the gym, males, and lazy Sundays at home, the new sweatshirt is far beyond a marled grey crewneck. Whether in printed neoprene or with heavy embellishments of sequins and chiffon, this season’s sweatshirts might even sway Mr. Lagerfeld.

fashion sweatshirts1. Givenchy Patchwork Print Sweatshirt, 2. Erdem Petal Embroidered Sweatshirt, 3. Acne Beta Geometric Printed Scuba Jersey Sweatshirt, 4. Clover Canyon Gatsby Sequined Printed Sweatshirt, 5. Alexander Wang Parental Advisory Sweatshirt, 6. Cédric Charlier Printed Sweatshirt, 7. McQ Embroidered Ribless Sweatshirt, 8. Carven Aplliquéd Cotton Jersey Sweatshirt, 9. Milly Printed Panel Sweatshirt, 10.Lulu & Co Never Again Sequined Cotton Sweatshirt

Just remember not to pair one with its counterpart, the sweatpant, because that means you’ve given up- and you’re not a quitter.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Fall Overhaul

By |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.

fall fashion trends

  1. Sweaters that say something: Forever 21 Boom! Cropped Sweater, ONE by Babe Babe Sweater
  2. Layer in leather: All Saints Sens Leather Skirt, Helmut Lang Stretch Leather Legging Style Pants
  3. One, two buckle your boots: Steve Madden Cinch Cutout Ankle Boot, Chloé Susanna Studded Leather Boots
  4. Mad for plaid: Forever 21 On the Range Plaid Sweatshirt, McQ Plaid Zip Skirt
  5. All shades of grey: Free People The James Dress, Richard Nicoll Waffle Knit Angora Blend Sweater Dress
  6. Sneak attack: Adidas by Stella McCartney Discosura Hiker Sneakers, Giuseppe Zanotti London Zip High Sneakers
  7. Oversized outerwear: Forever 21 Oversized Zip Up Jacket, Rochas Oversized Open Coat
  8. Go Army green: Sparkle and Fade Camo Sweater, Faith Connexion Camouflage Tapered Pants
  9. Beanie baby: Urban Outfitters Waffle Knit Beanie, Lanvin Embellished Ribbed Wool and Cashmere Beanie
  10. Mini me: See by Chloe Rosita Mini Chain Purse, Fendi Be Baguette Mini Shearling Bag

Save me a seat at brunch.

xx,

WhyDid

 

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Setting the Mood: I’m a Creep

By |October 22nd, 2012|Setting the Mood|

halloween costume mood boardWell, I was trying to avoid it altogether… but you can’t fight the calendar.  Halloween and its impending skank parade are fast approaching, so we may as well just address this situation head on.  Perhaps I’m just old now or I’ve seen one too many “naughty nurse” or “frisky flight attendant” but I’ve about had it with the oh so obvious “insert the word slutty in front of” Halloween costume.  It would appear we can turn just about anything erotic… even a skunk.  So, how about this year we go for artistic makeup or eery attire as opposed to exposing our ass cheeks for all of the city to see?  Let’s keep creepy classy and besides, subtle is most sexy.

skull halloween accessoriesIllamasqua Lipstick in Pristine (Matte Black), $24, McQ by Alexander McQueen Skull Intarsia Mohair Sweater Dress, $635, Monserat De Lucca Skull Bracelet, $150, D.L. & Co. Skull Cased Candle, $135

Happy haunting!

xx,

WhyDid