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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.

how to wear sweater dress

why did blog kirsten smith

dog clothes

sweater dress fashion blog fall

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?

Friday Frocks: Sweater Dressing

By |October 25th, 2013|Friday Frocks|

To me, there is no better thing than being able to look pulled together while feeling as if you are lounging in your oldest holiest sweats.  The perfect way to achieve this style nirvana is by acquiring a sweater dress… or many of them.  Be it cashmere, merino wool, or cotton blend, sweater dresses come in all shapes, colors, and patterns making it quite possible to wear one each and every day of the week.  Perfectly suited for a day at the office or a weekend brunch with friends, this knit number is as versatile as it is comfortable.  With tights, over the knee boots, and a leather jacket, no one will ever accuse you of being frumpy.

knit dresses1. 360 SWEATER Zana Sweater Dress, 2. Remain Intarsia Knit Sweater Dress, 3. kensie Stripe Cotton Blend Sweater, 4. Tess Giberson Intarsia Collage Sweater Dress, 5. Matthew Williamson Knitted Sweater Dress, 6. Jonathan Simkhai Pixel Sweater Dress, 7. Tibi Intarsia Cotton and Modal Dress, 8.Temperley London Honeycomb Dress, 9. French Connection Stripe Sweater Dress, 10. Maison Martin Margiela Paneled Wool Sweater Dress

xx,

WhyDid

 

image via

Setting the Mood: Don’t Sweater The Technique

By |October 21st, 2013|Setting the Mood|

sweatersIt’s easy to get melancholy over the falling leaves and temperatures when autumn rolls around.  It’s stayed strangely warm this year, but it’s merely a matter of time before you are going to be swaddled in cashmere and merino.  I may be biased having spent a portion of my professional life in knitwear, but there is not much I love more than a giant cozy sweater.  With destroyed denim, sleek leather, or simple legwear, knitwear is nothing less than versatile.  Embrace the chill and find yourself a cozy sweater to snuggle up in.

Helmut Lang Boucle Cotton Blend Sweater, IRO Piper Knitted Sweater, Equipment Asher Cashmere Sweater, Theory Zambra Chunky Knit Sweater

Bundled up, boo boo.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Holiday Red-y

By |December 12th, 2012|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

whydid kirsten smithAnd the hits just keep on coming thanks to my ahead of her time mother.  This is yet another adorable dress straight from the closet of Georgia Lynn.  I’m so thankful my mom had the good sense to hold onto some of her favorite pieces.  While I won’t be inheriting any Chanel tweed jackets (wasn’t her bohemian style), I’m happy to give several stunners of the sweater dress variety a new home.  True, you won’t be able to go out and grab this exact one but, I think it’s a great example of a dress that’s more than appropriate for a couple of upcoming holiday party occasions.

  1. The office holiday party.
  2. Semi-formal family functions (whether yours or his).

A form fitting sweater dress (or knit) in a festive color (we all know emerald green would be a fantastic choice as well) at a moderate length says, “Cheers!” not “cheap.”  No one wants to be the girl in a mini dancing on the desk/table with a lampshade on her head.  And should you have one too many egg nogs and find yourself perched upon said table, this dress will be long enough to keep Victoria’s secret.

red sweater dress kirsten smith

kirsten whydidyouwearthat

whydidyouwearthat kirsten smith

dress: vintage, boots: Steve Madden, bag: Amrita Singh, hair: Sultra Bombshell

Thanks, I’ll have another.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Dress Up

By |November 28th, 2012|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

whydid kirsten smithIt’s always so relaxing to go home.  There are no worries, no pressure, nothing to do, and I gain about ten pounds.  Turns out, the fine folks here are not particularly interested in juicing, Pilates, or whether or not hunting gear should be worn to dinner at Applebee’s.  That said, I am looking forward to heading home (to New York), starting a cleanse, and hitting the treadmill– hard.  In the meantime, I played a little game of dress up in a sweater dress of my mother’s that I’ve been eying for several years.  It hung in my closet in New York for a bit, but never got any play because I couldn’t quite figure out when and where I wanted to wear it, so I returned it during my West Coast intermission.  Now seems like the perfect time for this knit confection to make its way back to my closet once again.  Let’s give it another go.  Whaddya say?

kirsten smith

vintage sweater dress

all saints boots

kirsten smith why did you wear thatdress: vintage, bag: Balenciaga, boots: All Saints, hat: Croft & Barrow

Thanks, mom.

xx,

WhyDid