Oscar De La Renta | WhyDid.com

Friday Frocks: It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere

By Kirsten|October 14th, 2011|Friday Frocks, Why Did You Wear That?|

Quite frequently (especially during this time of year) we receive invites for cocktail parties or invitations with a dress code stating “cocktail attire,” but what does that really mean? We’ve come to know that slipping into a slinky LBD (little black dress) is the way to go, but shall we take a little trip back in time? Well, you have no choice… cause we’re gonna.

Cocktail parties first gained popularity in the 1920’s during prohibition (aka when alcohol was illegal). So, since the sale and consumption of alcohol in public would land you behind bars (no pun intended), cocktail parties popped up as private social gatherings. And just like us modern girls, the ladies of the 20’s realized that they needed a little something special to wear to these functions. Alas, cocktail attire was born! The first cocktail dresses were waistless, knee length, and reminiscent of the flapper (cause a lot of them were flappers). And these ladies knew how to accessorize! Small embellished bags, gloves, and hats were all a part of the attire. Shoes were slipper like and often dyed to match the dresses.

By the 1950’s, cocktail hour was part of the culture and while the tradition continued, groups opted to go out rather than stay in, which is more in line with what we consider our modern day cocktail hour or “happy hour.” This week, let’s check out some frocks that would have made even the tartiest flapper smile.

1. Oscar de la Renta Feather Trimmed Silk Mesh Dress, $5,390, 2. Red Valentino Bow Dress, $611, 3. Kova & T Windsor Cocktail Dress, $429, 4. French Connection Winter Bex Beads Dress, $328, 5. Juicy Couture Guipure Lace Dress, $328, 6. Vanessa Bruno Athe Dress, $360, 7. Top Shop Scallop Embellished Drop Waist Dress, $330, 8. Top Shop Lace Panel Pleated Tunic, $76, 9. Accidentally in Love Crinkle Popover Dress, $54, 10. Tibi Rococo Print Silk Twill Cap Sleeve Dress, $462

It’s five o’clock somewhere, right?

xx,

WhyDid

Would You Wednesday: Blushing Bride

By Kirsten|April 6th, 2011|Why Did or Why Don't?|

On March 26, Reese Witherspoon walked down the aisle to wed Jim Toth, but she didn’t wear white. While Reese has been married once before (to Ryan Phillippe) she opted for something a little less traditional. Seeing as Reese has two children (Ava and Deacon) from her first marriage, some might say that it was only right for her to not wear white. Many traditionalists associate white wedding dresses with virginity. Well, a couple of things here: 1. There are very few brides who actually wed with virginity still in tact (It’s 2011. Let’s not be ridiculous), 2. White dresses actually have absolutely nothing to do with virginity.

The popularity of white dresses for weddings began back in 1840 when Queen Victoria wed Albert of Saxe-Coberg. Before then, it was common for women to wear dresses of any color to walk down the aisle except black (mourning) and red (prostitutes). Brides wishing to flaunt their virginity actually wore blue. White was a color associated with wealth because it was a dress that would not be easily worn again. It wasn’t until the 19th century that the white dress really picked up steam and became a social standard. You can also visit bridalxoxo.com for more information.

When I was trying on wedding dresses, I noticed a lot of muted pastel tints to the dresses. I tried on an icy lavender, a beautiful blush, and a steely grey gown. I was almost sold on a blush Vera Wang creation (Farrah below), but mama wasn’t having it. Below are several non traditional gowns created by the very traditional bridal ateliers:

Marchesa

Vera Wang: Tatiana, Farrah, Dorothy, Didi, Felicity

Oscar de la Renta: 22E40, 22E29, 22E105, 22N46

Reem Acra

xx,

WhyDid

Photo via People.com

Friday Frocks: Heavenly Creations

By Kirsten|February 18th, 2011|Friday Frocks|

I did not report on every last detail of New York Fashion Week- I like to leave that to the style obsessed. My MO is to sit back, digest, filter out the garbage and focus on the fabulous. Anyway, this week’s Friday Frocks is dedicated to all the beautiful creations that made their way down the runway this past week. When I think of decadent, delicious frocks, I think of Vera, and Monique, and Oscar (oh my!). I have to say, it’s kind of like someone read my mind, reached up to the heavens and pulled down these pretty pieces to fill me with girlish delight. My very favorite colors are those of sunsets and evening skies, so I was beside myself to see all these beautiful frocks derived from that color palette.

Fall 2011 is shaping up to be a very stylish season. I look forward to watching the starlets storm the red carpets in these beautiful frocks.

To view every last bit of New York Fashion Week shows, head on over to Style.com.

xx,

WhyDid

SAG 2011: Ladies Brought Their A-Game

By Kirsten|January 31st, 2011|Red Carpet Recap|

Last night the brightest and most beautiful joined together to celebrate the 2011 Screen Actor’s Guild Awards. I was tuned in and ready to scream at my TV screen as I watched the red carpet arrivals, but surprisingly, there was not much to be angry about (um, except for you Jane Lynch… wtf?). All I can conclude from this is that these sexy starlets must be reading WhyDid.

Great Whites:

Let me be perfectly clear… I am not, by any means, saying that I love all of these dresses. I am merely pointing out how dead on I was with white being the new black. While Winona looks like a crazy runaway bride, Natalie was absolutely breathtaking (not to mention she finally heeded my advice about embracing her baby bump). The ladies in white looked like real life angels on the red carpet.

Hote Hues:

Nothing makes me happier than seeing young hot Hollywood embracing color. From juicy tangerine shades, to shocking pinks, to spring’s hottest stripes, these ladies nailed it. They took these saturated shades on with a vengeance.

Under the Sea:

From deep navy to patterned hues of green and blue, these ladies put the Little Mermaid to shame. Each dress encompassed a different feeling, but all embraced beautiful ocean shades and flattered the ladies who dared to wear them.

Subtle Shades:

If you know anything about WhyDid, you know that I love shades that are slightly off white– bonus if they include a bit of shimmer. Each of these lovely ladies embraced a bit of both. I can’t help but wonder if the girls of Glee didn’t plan to look equally as stunning in these subtle hues.

While I was looking forward to some red carpet calamities, I’m now actually looking forward to the red carpet of the Academy Awards.

xx,

WhyDid

Monday Mashup: Red Carpet Repeat

By Kirsten|January 17th, 2011|Monday Mashup|

So, before I announce who I found fantastic and who made me cry “foul!”, I decided to recap the rest of the red carpet from the Golden Globes. Um… I can’t help but notice… there were a lot of duplications in the wardrobe department. Whoops! Perhaps the stylists in Hollywood need to communicate more. Having a twin on the red carpet might be every starlet’s worst nightmare, but seeing double gives us much more to compare come Monday. While I have my own opinions on who rocked the look best, I’m going to go ahead and let you- my usually fashionably elite- readers decide. Now, behold the beauties that were the Golden Globes:

A Case of the Ex:

Sandra Bullock in Jenny Packham vs. Scarlett Johansson in Elie Saab