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Why Did You Wear That: A Day at the Office

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

daisy fuentes kohls nyc whydidWorking from home has its obvious perks.  Wine for breakfast, dog friendly, flexible work hours, pajamas welcome.  Though fewer, it also has its downfalls.  One of which I’m convinced I’ve contracted called “agoraphobia.”  Another, though disguised as an upside, is never really needing to put on pants.  Without the need to put on clothing that doesn’t include elastane in the fiber contents, it’s fairly easy to overlook your ever growing waistline.

Also, there are those times when my job does require me to interact with other humans and show face in professional work environments and that’s about the time I shift into a near panic attack as I stare into the abyss of my closet because we are always expected to wear some kind of uniforms that are part of are business attire.  What the hell do people wear to work?  Are crop tops considered business casual?  What if I wear one with a blazer?

When I received this ponté fit and flare dress from Daisy Fuentes for Kohl’s, I knew immediately that it was the perfect option for these terrorizing occasions.  Never again would I break into a sweat before a business meeting because this curve hugging, office appropriate dress is the perfect combination of classic and cool.  With a few added accessories like a studded belt, leather jacket, and strappy pumps, I felt professional without being overly prissy.  At this rate, I may have to get a desk job.

(P.S. you’re welcome, RKF.  I’ll happily take a cut of the commission earned from this post).

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new york city street style why did you wear that kirsten smithdress: c/o Daisy Fuentes for Kohl’s, belt: DVF, similar by B-Low the Belt here, shoes: Sam Edelman, jacket: Marc New York, bag: Balenciaga, lipcolor: Clinique Different Lipstick in Angel Red

 

xx,

WhyDid

 

Photos by Michael Stiegler

Why Did You Wear That: Seeing Red

By |September 22nd, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

fall trends 2014 sweater dressIt can be tricky trying to decide what color to wear with red.  When I was younger, I had an incredibly strong aversion to wearing black with red.  To me, it came off as a little cheap.  I don’t feel as strongly about it now as I did when I was sixteen, but I still prefer other options over basic black when accessorizing with bold red.  Well then, what options is one left with when black is eliminated?  You could opt for luggage colored brown, or even a soft taupe.  Another great option is grey (also a fall trend).  In this instance, I had forgotten I even had these deep oxblood Pour La Victoire boots hidden beneath my bed (that’s how we store shoes here in New York).  As soon as I’d wiped away the dust bunnies, I recalled that I also had a vintage bag from my mother that was of the same shade.  Once a complete faux pas and something only worn by women donning their Sunday best for morning mass, I threw caution to the wind and got wild by matching my shoes to my bag.  Another option right on trend would be to wear a leopard boot or carry a leopard clutch (thous in this instance, I’d opt for one or the other).  It may seem a little bit “The Nanny” but I actually believe despite what men say, that leopard is sort of a new neutral.  Besides, did Fran not get her man?

Speaking of my man and matching, Smitty celebrated his eighth birthday and one of his doting aunts was sweet enough to bestow him with his own scarlet sweater.  She pays attention to fall trends too.  Pretty much Smitty and I became this fall’s Justin and Britney, Katy and Riff Raff.  Sure, my sweater is just about the same size as Smitty’s and technically it’s just an oversized jumper as opposed to an official frock, but it’s not the first, nor will it be the last, time wherein I wear something not as it’s intended.

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how to wear a trench coatcoat: Michael Kors, sweater: Zara, similar by 6397 here, bag: vintage, similar by Oliveve here, shoes: Pour La Victoire, similar by Opening Ceremony here, dog: Smitty, Smitty’s sweater: handmade, similar by Ralph Lauren here, lips: Benefit Benetint

 

xx,

WhyDid

 

Photos by Michael Stiegler—-> have you check out his interview with Skinny Says Relax?

Why Did You Wear That: It Takes Two

By |June 29th, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

whydid blog kirstenSometimes you feel like a nut.  Sometimes you don’t.  The beauty of matching separates is that the ways in which they can be worn allow for a bit of creativity.  Of course you can wear them as they were meant to be- matching, or you can always mix things up and wear them as the name implies- separately.  Just as shown this week, a top can be dressed up, a bottom dressed down simply by remixing your basics.  And honestly, who doesn’t love a remix?  I’m talking to you, Too $hort.

This week was the beginning of the season wherein New Yorkers take to social media to remind you of how hot they are.  Remember when we swore we wouldn’t because the winter was so wretched?  Well, just like the Maury Show, the lie detector has determined… That was a lie!  As we strolled through the back streets of the Meatpacking District to snap these shots, It’s all I could do not to just melt into the puddle of sweat that I was becoming.  But alas, I do it all for you.  The irony in all of this being the beautiful vegan handbag I received from Like Dreams having been shot in the middle of the Meat Market.  Don’t worry, no animals were harmed in the production of this shoot… unless you count me and the blister on my arm from my curling iron.

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kirsten smith nyc4top: similar by Parker here, skirt: similar by Parker here, shoes: L.A.M.B. similar here, clutch: c/o Like Dreams

xx,

WhyDid

Photography by Michael Stiegler

Why Did You Wear That: Hot Lips

By |March 27th, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

kirsten smith jeremy pennWith one of spring’s hottest trends being a nod to art inspired style, living in a city with not only limited wall space, but also limited funding for original artwork can be downright depressing- especially for those of us with pensions for more than basic black and white Ikea prints.  So, when New York based modern artist, Jeremy Penn, was generous enough to send one of his Hot Lips tanks (recently featured in InTouch), I was not only flattered, but floored.  Sure it’s “spring” here in the city, but it’s still too soon to bare it all in this soft and slouchy tank and since I really couldn’t be bothered to wait to wear it, I warmed it up with patterned denim, a light spring jacket, and colored suede booties- a look perfect for navigating the tourist infested cobblestone streets that I call home.

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kirsten smithkirsten smith whydidjacket: Diane von Furstenberg, tank: Jeremy Penn (available here– a portion of proceeds go to the Global Fund for Women), pants: 7 For All Mankind, boots: Pour La Victoire, bag: vintage

SHOP THE LOOK:

xx,

WhyDid

 

photos by Brian Schutza

Setting the Mood: Spring Awakening

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

spring fashion trendsSpring 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.

spring-accessories

Dolce & Gabbana Cat Eye Filigree Gold Tone Sunglasses3.1 Phillip Lim 31 Minute Iridescent Textured Leather ClutchJ. Crew Collection Floral Print Cotton and Silk Blend JacketSophia Webster Kiki Lace Print PVC and Leather Sandals