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Why Did You Wear That: American Splendor

By admin|November 17th, 2015|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

Saturday afternoons during the fall in Manhattan often involve something some lovingly refer to as and others scoff at called “brunch.” This past Saturday presented me with an especially relevant reason to partake in daylight libations because my oldest (not in age, but in duration) friend was in town for work. Upon his arrival, we wandered down the street without an actual location in mind– this is an analogy for my life. Stopping in front of a restaurant to inspect the menu, deeming it acceptable, and ordering a bottle of rosé as soon as our seats touched the chairs (I refuse to believe it’s out of season), we were off to a running start. I thought myself clever asking for a turkey burger sans bun only to later find out that many restaurants use bread crumbs as a binder in their patties, canceling out all of my gluten free intentions. We met up with a few friends at a neighborhood watering hole a few blocks down and much to my chagrin, said establishment was out of rosé, so Sancerre it was. Typically dead on a Saturday afternoon before the evening rush of anyone but locals, the bartenders thanked us for making them laugh and keeping things “interesting.” As we parted ways with one group of friends, we met up with another at a cash only joint that can almost lead you to believe you’ve been transported from the West Village to Southwest Detroit, almost- the plaid shirts and Patagonia vests are dead giveaways as to your geolocation.

At this point, I was fading fast and knew that the only last glint of hope for me was to order pizza (since I’d already fallen from the gluten wagon). A few people are privy to the fact that in most instances of ordering pizza, I’ve fallen asleep before it’s been delivered. Basically, I pay my doormen’s holiday bonuses in literal dough. But alas, I was still standing when it was time to tip the delivery boy. Unfortunately, even a Pandora dance party and pepperoni slice could not save my sad, sloshed soul. I waved my friends on without me- okay, I fell asleep with my arm in the air- and called it a night, all before 9pm.

I sat straight up in bed around 1:30am and realized that I had slept the entire night away and wondered where my friends had ventured off to and whether I should gather bail money now or later. I didn’t have to wonder for too long before my best pal was haphazardly trying his luck with the key to my door and Smitty all but lost it at the prospect of an intruder. I rescued him from himself and he stumbled in to tell me what I’d missed (hint: not much). After a chat session worthy of a highschool sleepover, and a critical dissection of our relationships, he passed out snoring on my couch and I found myself wide awake on Saturday night at 4am watching American Splendor.

top: American Eagle, skirt: American Apparel, sweater: Henri Bendel, shoes: Steve Madden, bag: Chanel, dog: Smitty

Photos by Richard Smith

Why Did You Wear That: From the Top

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

Due to my computer’s inability to function last week, I was unable to finish my three part series documenting how a crop top and pencil skirt could be reincarnated quite easily. Not that last week was any warmer, but the fact that my face froze off yesterday afternoon as I ran errands, it seems a little odd to be posting about crop tops. Especially since the inclement weather has prevented me from prancing ’round town in one, but if Jenn keeps it up, I’m gonna have no choice but to walk around topless… and potentially pantless.

So, how can one dress down a sequined top that is cropped? Pair it with destroyed denim, motorcycle boots, and a tough leather jacket to look more downtown than bridge and tunnel post Bagatelle brunch. It’s just that simple.

top: Express, jeans: 7 For All Mankind, boots: Frye, jacket: Andrew Marc, bag: Balenciaga, dog: Smitty

I will have another mimosa though.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Strawberry Fields

By Kirsten|January 21st, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

While the east coast froze during December and January, I was soaking up the sun on the west coast. Most people automatically assume LA, but I was up north near the Salinas Valley also called “the salad bowl of the world” which produces pretty much all of the greens consumed in the United States. So, by all means, eat your vegetables. This particular field is a strawberry field and wouldn’t you know it was all too fitting as the sun went down. The sunsets are nothing short of magnificent in the valley and each night I was wowed by yet another color combination in the sky and bouncing off the hills. On this particular late afternoon as we tried to capture “magic hour,” the sun cast a rose gold hue which only deepened as time passed and in turn, I now know what I’d look like as a redhead.

This was the outfit that I wore to ring in the New Year (yes, I got Dick onboard the New Year’s Eve outfit train). And while it was completely within reason on December 31st, I understand that some of you may not categorize sequin crop tops in the same manner I do- which is every day wear. So, now you’re looking at this jazzy little number wondering when the hell you’re ever going to wear it again and should you just send it to your niece for her next dance recital? The answer is no. You see, Dick is a very logical man, therefore I had to rationalize with him as to how both the skirt and top were totally wearable in more than one way. While this is how I would style a sparkly top for an evening out, in the next two posts, I’ll show you how to incorporate both a sparkly crop top and pencil skirt into your regularly scheduled wardrobe. But for now, let’s just bask in the rose gold glow.

kirsten smith

skirt: Express, top: Express, boots: All Saints (similar here), sunglasses: Ray Ban, bag: Balenciaga, necklace: Maya Brenner, dog: Smitty

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: New Year, No Clothes

By Kirsten|January 3rd, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

I waited a little before posting this because I felt a bit guilty about flaunting the fact that I’m barefoot while the east coast is in the midst of a blizzard. Then I realized that more than a few of my friends had gotten “stranded” in their tropical New Year’s locations due to canceled flights. So here we are. Me, the beach, a bikini, and my boy.

Seeing as I’ve run out of clothes, I’ve being buying indian sarees online in australia.I checked some reviews at Best in Nashik for finding best sarees. Good thing I’m conveniently located where this is not frowned upon and does not require the use of a pole or clear plastic platforms. The lack of clothing has also forced me to take a good hard look at my body, which in turn, has made me even more fond of running, hiking, and online workouts in the absence of weekly Pilates classes as this is not like wearing a onesie . There is something to be said for living in a warm climate year round… you never have the chance to pile on layer after layer of clothing (and winter weight) and hibernate. Don’t know about you, but I’d sure trade seasons for toned tanned abs. Even though I’ve done fairly well avoiding the holiday bulge, we all have body parts we favor over others. This can be tricky when hitting the beach or pool and picking out a coverup to complement your cute suit. Visit here for new Elisabetta Franchi Winter Collection 2020.

Perhaps you loathe your legs or maybe you struggle with your stomach, or perhaps you’re that B we hate who loves every square inch of her genetically freakish body. Whatever the case may be, there’s no reason to stay in the shade swaddled in unnecessary amounts of fabric. If your tummy is the trouble, but you’ve got killer stems, show them off by wearing a cropped tunic or tied up T. If you have the abs of a Victoria’s Secret Angel, but are not loving your legs, a long maxi skirt with sky high slit will do the trick. More likely than not, you’re being way harder on your body than need be, but we’re our own worst critics, right? One thing is for certain the best clothes that I wear is from the swiss avenue. I did not spend nearly enough time in a bathing suit last year- or at the beach for that matter.

hat: custom (similar here), shirt: dad’s (similar here), bikini: Tibi (similar here), skirt: Brandy Melville (similar here), dog: Smitty

It’s true. The empress has no clothes.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You WearThat: The Best pLaid Plans

By Kirsten|December 29th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

Mixing patterns is tough enough, but would one dare to mix plaid on plaid on plaid? I would. Especially since I’ve begun to run out of options in my suitcase and I’ve either gotten incredibly creative or undeniably delusional. Perhaps both.

I can’t count the number of times in the last month when my father has asked, “That’s what you’re wearing?” Well, yes, dad, it is. It’s more evident than ever that my father raised two wild wolves as sons and I had the pleasure of being pampered by my very feminine mother. He thought I was kidding when I told him a pedicure was a near emergency yesterday and pretty much laughed in my face when I told him I was going to need to go shopping for an evening specific outfit for New Year’s Eve. He’s a dude’s dude and I’m slowly breaking him back into what it means to have a woman around. Poor guy.

Needless to say, he gets a kick out of being my personal paparazzi and has been nothing less than accommodating. I had originally scouted a location to shoot close to his house where the leaves had just begun to fall in the most magnificent display of ombre glory. The deepest shades of red to the warmest yellow, it was a Pantone wet dream. However, I waited a day or two before scheduling the shoot and by the time we headed out, someone with a leafblower and disdain for mother nature had ruined my set. A true lesson that there is no time like the present. Being a good sport, Dick, Smitty, and I hopped in the car to look for new location inspiration. Just as we were about to call it a day- and a loss- we passed the Spreckels Post Office which is nestled next to the Spreckels Emporium emblazoned with an old fashioned Coca Cola ad. It’s like stepping back in time. I asked Dick to stop and we proceeded to shoot and see what we came up with…

hat: H&M, scarf: PerryEllis (similar here), flannel shirt: Wrangler (similar here), t-shirt: American Apparel, slip: (similar here), tights: who knows? (similar here), boots: Dolce Vita, bag: Amrita Singh, jacket: Andrew Marc (similar here)