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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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dog clothes

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smitty dog sweater dressbest fall outfits

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: Private (School) Party

By |September 4th, 2014|Why Did You Wear That?|

private school uniformMove over Blair Waldorf, this fall preppy plaid and tailored blazers are having a moment lasting longer than your reign as prom queen.  But this isn’t a buttoned up and uptight renaissance.  Think of the girls in school who skipped class, spent lunch smoking in the hidden back parking lot, and unabashedly flirted with the cute English teacher.  Okay, I didn’t do any of those things in school, but I did manage to find each and every loophole in the dress code.  I was reprimanded more than once for having rolled my skirt or wearing shoes that weren’t deemed appropriate.  Many feel that a school uniform stunts a child’s ability to express him or herself, but I contest that belief as it takes a lot more creativity to own the look.  Plus, basically already knowing what you’re going to wear every morning gives you much more time to spend straightening your hair. Iron on labels can help you keep your school cloth well organized.  The only downside was that I didn’t wear thong underwear on a daily basis until I graduated as our ancient stairwells were a peeping Tom’s dream realized.

Can we take a moment and relish in the irony that my highschool had a “best dressed” superlative?

For fall, be at the head of the class by pairing an updated plaid or pleated skirt with an oversized blazer or varsity jacket and don’t forget to finish it off with a pair of absolutely inappropriate shoes.  See you in detention.

(In case you are wondering about these illustrious photos, the one on the left is from either my sophomore or junior year of school- clearly when I discovered bleach and the one on the right is my first day of ninth grade.  And yes, those are Doc Martens).

best plaid skirts fall1. A.P.C. Burnou Zippe Coat, 2. SMYTHE Three Button Schoolboy Blazer, 3. Roseanna Tommy Sherpa Lined Jacket, 4. J. Crew Schoolboy Blazer, 5. Opening Ceremony Tristan Wool Classic OC Varsity Jacket, 6. Sea Two Pleat Skirt, 7. Marissa Webb Paige Gerrit Plaid Skirt, 8. GETTING BACK TO SQUARE ONE Plaid Miniskirt, 9. BB Dakota Corvin Pleated Skirt, 10. JOA Checked Pencil Skirt, 11. Manolo Blahnik Rorita Oxfords, 12. Walter Steiger Lug Sole Patent Leather Loafers, 13. Studio Pollini Loafers, 14. J. Crew Kiltie Monk Strap Loafers, 15. Zimmermann Tie Up Ballerina Flats

 xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Leader of the (Back) Pack

By |September 3rd, 2014|Why Did You Wear That?|

how to wear a backpack overallsBackpacks aren’t anything new- we brought back the pack both last year (here) and the year before (here).  Long gone are the days of bulky canvas Kipling and Jansport and the current iterations aren’t of Clueless microscopic proportions either.  These bags are crafted of leathers, skins, and suede and embellished with shiny hardware in gold, silver, and in some instances even rose gold.  While many equate backpacks to textbooks and pencil cases, the backpack has evolved well beyond the playground and has become fashion “it” girls’ new “it” bag.  Trade in your slouchy tote for fall for a backpack slung over one shoulder or worn traditionally on two shoulders.  Tag- you’re it.

10 top backpacks1. Alexander Wang Dumbo Textured Leather Backpack, 2. Proenza Schouler Python PS Small Courier Backpack, 3. Opening Ceremony Izzy Backpack, 4. meli melo Mini Backpack, 5. See by Chloé Cherry Backpack, 6. Jerome Dreyfuss Haircalf Florent Backpack, 7. ZAC Zac Posen Eartha Backpack, 8. Deadly Ponies Mr. Chain Mail Backpack, 9. Balenciaga Arena Classic Traveler Backpack, 10. KARA Suede Backpack

xx,

WhyDid

 

Photo by Michael Stiegler, full outfit post here

Why Did or Why Don’t: Skort Stop

By |February 27th, 2014|Why Did You Wear That?|

sporkIn the process of rounding up spring’s shoppable trends, I spotted yet another one making an encore performance from the 90’s… get out your Lisa Frank covered Trapper Keeper, kids, ’cause this one is a doozy.  In line with Birkenstocks, but better than scrunchies (definitely better than skeggings), please give a warm welcome back to the clothing equivalent of the spork, the skort.  Yes, that’s right.  No need to choose between a skirt or shorts this spring because you can wear both!  At the same time!  Now, I get it because I do love a flirty little skirt.  And there’s really nothing better than showing off those hard earned gams in short shorts.  I’m also quite indecisive at times, so the appeal should be obvious.  Not to mention, a skort would make having a Marilyn moment atop a subway grate far less likely.  However, since I’ve done this whole “skort” thing once before, I recall them never being quite so flattering as one might hope.  It’s awfully difficult to get the fit of both articles of clothing right in one single garment.  Skorts tend to have the effect of “long ass”  or “elephant butt” on most women who dare to wear them.  So, like I said, I’m undecided.

skort 1. Opening Ceremony Celia Crepe Skort, 2. Rag & Bone Knife Skort, 3. Bec & Bridge Gourami Shorts, 4. Vanessa Bruno Aimy Pleated Crepe Shorts, 5. Sachin + Babi Carmen Silk Short,6. Jonathan Simkhai Leather Shorts, 7. Rachel Comey Textured Stripe Asymmetrical Paneled Denim Shorts, 8. Nanette Lepore Striped Flirty Skort,9. Robert Rodriguez Textured Silk Wrap Shorts, 10. Michael Kors Silk Floral Skort

Will you be wearing this fashion mullet come spring?

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: On the Rink of Greatness

By |January 7th, 2014|Why Did You Wear That?|

famous figure skatersSpeaking of arctic blasts (from the past) the 22nd Winter Olympics will be kicking off from Sochi, Russia in a mere month.  So, how coincidental (or is it?) that skater skirts have made a bigger comeback than Nancy Kerrigan after that whole Tonya Harding incident.  Show me a girl who didn’t dream of gliding on ice like Kristi Yamaguchi or long to be a spandex clad Tara Lipinksi and I’ll show you a girl who wasn’t old enough to remember the ’94 Olympics.  (Side note: I just did the math on that and it’s frightening).  Anyhow, reminiscent of Michelle Kwan and Oksana Baiul, the skater skirt is the perfect skirt to skate right through winter.  Worn with slightly less maribou and maybe equal parts sequins and this wardrobe reboot is just begging to be twirled in.  Not to mention it would most certainly look sensational with a crop top.

skater skirt1. Endless Rose Power Pleat Miniskirt, 2. Milly Gaffiti Floral Pouf Skirt, 3. Victoria Beckham Fluted Silk and Wool Mini Skirt, 4. Opening Ceremony Hope Gathered Lurex Skirt, 5. Parker McKenna Printed Flare Skirt, 6. BCBG Lucy Fit & Flare Skirt, 7. 10 Crosby Derek Lam Leather Ruffle Skirt, 8. Josh Goot Flare Mniskirt, 9. PARTYSKIRTS Smaks’ Night Out Skirt, 10. Line & Dot Flared Jacquard Skirt, 11. Rebecca Minkoff Andre Skirt, 12.Rebecca Taylor Leopard Print Skirt, 13. Rebecca Minkoff Andre Skirt, 14. Splendid Layers Flare Mini Skirt, 15. Alice + Olivia Fizer Striped Box Pleat Skirt

 

xx,

WhyDid