Style | WhyDid.com

Why Did You Wear That: Blurring Lines in Gempicket

By admin|November 30th, 2015|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

Upon entering my apartment, one of the first things people notice, besides the fact that it took them twenty minutes to navigate the maze like hallway to get there, is the collection of nightgowns hanging on the handles of my closet doors on the left side of the hallway. Some of them are vintage, some of them I’ve never worn, others I wear all the time. You could say that my obsession with nightwear began while watching Golden Girls as a little girl. That’s right, instead of Big Bird and Mister Rogers it was Murphy Brown, Sam Malone, and Blanche Devereaux. I still fall asleep to the sounds of Nick at Nite and all of this ties back nicely to the potential narcolepsy I suffer from. Another hypothesis as to my penchant for boudoir attire is the time I spent buying lingerie for Henri Bendel. One never knew she was missing a waspie or the imperative need for an embroidered kimono until she spent time in a showroom full of silk, chiffon, and lace. I only have one dresser in my apartment and its sole purpose is to house my bras, panties, and bathing suits. You may be wondering why I ever even bother getting dressed. Spoiler alert, I rarely do.

Working from home most days doesn’t require putting on much more than a whisper of clothing. Other than slipping into something spandex to catch a yoga or pilates class, I’ve become quite comfortable in the very basics– as have all of my deliverymen. My freedom in dresscode and days of solidarity have taken some of the stress out of my normal work day, but it has also left me somewhat socially awkward and also in a panic when it comes time to piece together an outfit fit for public consumption. And this is when the beauty of blurring the lines between “your eyes only” and “all eyes on me “comes into play. When you can pair a Gempicket silk cotton batiste cami with your favorite skinny jeans or throw a vintage t-shirt on with your delicately demure tap pants, you’ve perfectly bridged the gap between wallflower and woman of interest. Or you could just call the whole thing off and stay home in your skivvies.

Gempicket Elodie Cami, Grace Tap Pants, and Suki Socks

Photos by Michael Stiegler

Setting the Mood: Love Me Tender or Not So Much.

By Kirsten|February 10th, 2014|Setting the Mood|

The only day in February with more unnecessary hype surrounding it than the first day of Fashion Week is Valentine’s Day. While I’m love’s greatest champion even after all my crashing, burning, and broken hearts, Valentine’s Day gives me a little bit of anxiety. Not really for myself so much as the rest of the general population. My blackened heart basically makes me immune to the inevitable disappointment of people everywhere who dreamt up a day so romantic it would make Cinderella sick. Without fail, plans fall apart, hearts get shattered, and mascara finds its way down tear stained cheeks.

Don’t believe me? Check out a few of my Valentine’s Day massacres:

One year it was spent eating an entire box of red velvet cupcakes and crying with my gay best friend. Did I mention the cupcakes had been meant for his date who canceled an hour before?

I once went through a breakup while seated next to my boyfriend turned ex boyfriend on an airplane on the way home from Los Angeles. That was an awfully long flight.

And last year I really exceeded all of my bad decision making capabilities with a late night margarita fueled rendezvous. That lead to an entire year of what some might consider an all around bad decision. I’d actually like to thank the fine folks previously employed at Mole for having served us more tequila shots than there are days in February.

But it’s not all bad. People have gotten engaged, met at single’s mixers, and lived out The Bachelor worthy dates. So, let’s go with that. While I’ll probably padlock myself indoors and surrender my iPhone to my doorman for the evening so as to avoid my apparent February 14th curse, you kids go out and have fun.

Agent Provocateur Soiree Liu Liu Lace Bra and Briefs, Hotel Costes Red Eau de Toilette, Oscar de la Renta Gold Plated Crystal Rose Earrings, Nicholas Kirkwood Lace Mesh Pumps

xx,

WhyDid

Setting the Mood: Garnet Girl

By Kirsten|January 13th, 2014|Setting the Mood|

Not only is the garnet January’s gemstone, it also happens to be one of my favorite colors behind black, white and grey and closely followed by ballet pink. And wouldn’t you know, January just so happens to be my birth month. The deep red hue most often associated with garnets (did you know they could also be green, yellow, purple, and orange?) is a perfect shade for the chilly winter months. It looks great in everything from outerwear to accessories to your pouty little lips. It would appear that I’m not the only fan of the shade as it was quite popular at this year’s Golden Globes.

Givenchy Large Antigona Shopping Bag, La Perla El Color Rojo Lace and Satin Bra and thong,Valentino Rockstud Leather Bracelet, Rag & Bone Harrow Leather Biker Boots

xx,

WhyDid

Friday Frocks: Skating Right Along

By Kirsten|January 10th, 2014|Friday Frocks|

Only thing a true ice princess needs this winter more than a whimsical skater skirt is a flirty, flippy, skater frock – just ask Michelle Trachtenberg. This silhouette is especially kind to those who have trim waists but may view their thighs as the type that are thunderous. It’s also great for someone who’s a bit more straight up and down and looking to add a little volume to her svelte shape. If you fear this looking too feminine much like Michelle and myself, layer a tough leather jacket on top and slip into a pair of rugged moto boots. Another option for styling a skater dress is wearing it over a turtleneck or long sleeve tee to give it a 90’s “jumper” look for the winter months.

1. Lover Vee Vee Guipure Chiffon and Lace Dress, 2. Carven Sleeveless Dress, 3. Splendid Stretch Jersey Mini Dress, 4. Faith Connexion Skater Dress, 5. Elizabeth and James Magdalena Dress, 6. Three Dots Crew Neck Dress, 7. Tibi Leopard Pattern Stretch Knit Dress, 8. For Love & Lemons Lulu Dress, 9.MINKPINK The Mini Dress, 10. Matthew Williamson Floral Haze Jacquard andd Silk Dress

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Metallica and the Monterey Musical Melee

By Kirsten|December 16th, 2013|Personal Style|

In case you haven’t heard (or read WhyDid in the the last 6+ moths), the 90’s are having a renaissance. And with the revival of 90’s trends like babydoll dresses and brands like Birkenstock, 90’s musicians are also feeling a lift in their royalties. I understand that stores like Urban Outfitters and Forever 21 shill out shirts with graphics of “vintage” bands emblazoned on them and some of you have only heard of these bands during drunken stories told by your nostalgic “older” friends or when a song comes on in a dive bar and all the “middle aged” patrons go wild. Well, here’s a pro-tip (talking to you children of the 90’s): be sure you know something about the vintage band t-shirt you are wearing because people will ask you about it- much like the friendly man who checked me out at Nob Hill. Fortunately for me, I was schooled, partially by osmosis- partially against my will by my older brothers who wore weird clothes, had long hair, and played their instruments at ungodly hours at decibel levels usually reserved for freight trains in the guesthouse above our garage.

I don’t think any of us will soon forget the roadtrip from Monterey to Los Angeles that nearly came to bloody blows when I demanded in my pouty teenage cheerleader way that we listen to Backstreet Boys and my metal loving brothers were more inclined to jump out the windows of the moving vehicle before allowing their eardrums to be tainted by such pop hypocrisy. I don’t actually recall who won, but I do love my poor damn dad for dealing with all of us without wrecking into a guardrail in the midst of the melee. I believe we ended up taking turns, but I have to take a moment and thank my brothers for their efforts in a musical intervention. You saved me from myself… and the Backstreet Boys.

In my tradition of nomadic travel (meaning I am incapable of booking roundtrip plane tickets and prefer to take things as they come), I didn’t pack enough clothing for my extended stay. However, I enjoy raiding the closets of those that I’m visiting and incorporating their wares into my gypsy wardrobe. This is when I stumbled upon my father’s 1971 military fatigues (which he has informed me as I write this were referred to as OD, olive drab). What a perfect way to top off my Metallica tee and maxi skirt while watching the sun set on a sunny day in Monterey.

earrings: Soho street find (similar here), jacket: Dad’s (similar here), t-shirt: Bravado, skirt: Brandy Melville (similar here), bag: Amrita Singh, boots: All Saints (similar here)