West Virginia | WhyDid.com

Why Did You Wear That: Water Under the Bridge

By Kirsten|May 30th, 2012|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

Even the smallest cities have a great deal of history. My hometown, Wheeling, West Virginia, is no exception. As a matter of fact, every time I turn my head, I spot another area deemed a “Historic District.” One such spectacular piece of history is the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, which spans 1,010 feet across the Ohio River. Built in 1849, it has quite literally stood the test of time.

So, rather than poo poo your place of birth, do a little research on your city’s history. You never know what interesting artifacts you may uncover.

dress: Band of Gypsies, hat: Big Buddha, belt: vintage, clutch: vintage, sandals: Dolce Vita, watch: Michael Kors

Get that Wheeling feeling.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Take Me Home

By admin|May 23rd, 2012|Personal Style|

West Virginia tends to get a bit of a bad rap. Whenever I tell someone that I grew up/went to school there, I get the typical antiquated responses. “Are your parents cousins?” “You have nice teeth though.” “I love Virginia!” Come on, guys. Haven’t we gone over this? West Virginia isn’t all hillbillies and bare feet. The Bachelorette whisked her date to the Greenbrier in this week’s episode and as a matter of fact, it may be more Sex and the City than one might think (Sarah Jessica Parker stayed in Wheeling during the birth of her twins via surrogate).

Even when I don’t have a literal home of my own and can’t figure out where I want to be, West Virginia always feels like home to me. With its rolling hills, friendly faces, and unrivaled natural beauty (have you seen my sorority sisters), West Virginia hardly lives up to its reputation. It defies it. And I’m willing to bet if I didn’t tell you, you wouldn’t even know I was there…

glasses: Ray Ban, tank: American Apparel, skirt: Zara, bag: vintage Dooney & Bourke, bracelets: Alex and Ani, sandals: Enzo Angiolini

Take me home…

xx,

WhyDid

Real People, Real Style: She’s the Manns

By Kirsten|March 7th, 2012|Real People Real Style|

I’ve known Whitney longer than I’ve known some of my best friends. She’s what got me through 8th period of my senior year in highschool. Always funny, always positive, she made even the most mundane reading more fun. Little did I know that we had a lot more in common than our navy blue blazers and Mr. Fischer’s senior English class.

Name: Whitney Manns

Wearing: Fitted Red Shift Dress from Asos.com, Stella and Dot Pegasus Necklace, Nude Vince Camuto Pumps

Occupation: Owner and Stylist of WM Wardrobe Consultant

Hometown/Current Town: the small town of Lake Charles, Louisiana

1. I would describe my style as: Sophisticated chic, on the safe side. I love classic lines of outfits and mixing random colors together but never step over the edge to be overly fashion forward because I never want to scare away any potential clients.

2. I can’t leave the house without: Cardigan! Love my cardigans (could be because I’m always cold) even if its stuff in one of my ‘Mary Poppins’ size purses. Oooh- and either one of my silver or gold Michael Kors’ Watches, love the chunky boyfriend watch look.

3. Based on wardrobe alone, if I could live in any time period, it would be: The 50’s with all its body fitting outfits but still classy looks.

4. Best/biggest splurge (worth every penny): My first Milly dress, which I still own and wear. When I was first on my own and making my own money I couldn’t believe I was spending half my rent on a dress. However, I Love this designer with her adorable prints, she can make any simple structured dress look amazing.

5. Best fashion advice I’ve ever received: I don’t really know if I was ever told fashion advice more that i learned things gradually, but I guess the one thing i live by is to not be scared to think outside the box.

6. Biggest fashion pet peeve (a trend that just needs to go away): This isn’t so much a trend but a common mistake with ladies trying too hard to look fashionable but its when someone tries to wear too many trends in one outfit!

7. What I would tell my 13 year old self: To Stop wearing that turquoise track suit everyday because it really isn’t that cute.

8. Weirdest beauty trick that I swear by: I really don’t have any!

9. Don’t care if it ever goes out of style, I’m going to keep wearing: my Skinny jeans!

10. I would love to trade closets with: I admire Katie’s Holmes taste in clothes.

Fun fact: My love for clothes started as a love/hate relationship. When I was younger I was frustrated with not being stylish but wanted to just wear what I thought looked right. This relationship became stronger after all the art classes I took, evolving into the passion I have for clothes now.

Three years ago, I decided to help others with their struggle or desire to build their fashion relationship. WM Wardrobe Consulting now has clients in many states and cities and has helped build the confidence level in many women and men through personal shopping and outfit coordinating.

So, if you’re in need of a little closet overhaul get in touch with Whitney STAT. Not only will she work wonders for your closet, she can also recite E. E. Cummings.

xx,

WhyDid

Photo via Lindsey Janies

The List Volume LXIII

By Kirsten|January 6th, 2012|The List|

Just as time marches on, so do the lists. You didn’t think that 2012 would be any less annoying than years past, did you? With the onslaught of new reality TV, celebutards, and fashion delinquents, the best is yet to come. Bring it on 2012!

Bubble Lounge. This may very well be one of the worst places in New York City.
Rainboots in the airport. Call me an optimist, but I think you, me and Terminal B are in the clear as far as rain showers are concerned.
Magazine covers that are so photoshopped I have to actually read the headlines to figure out who the covergirl is.
People who post photos of other people who could look like them (with enough photo filters and if I squint my eyes) and pretend it’s them. That’s just weird.
Kanye West. Just please stop talking… and tweeting.
People who think they are funny. Mostly because people who think they’re funny usually aren’t.
Season 5 of Jersey Shore. Seriously, are we still doing this? Is there even anything left to smush?
Can we stop speaking like valley girls and using abbreviations for everything? OMG, that’s AMAZE, obvs!
There are so many problems with this video (and yes, it’s for real). First of which: muffins and cupcakes are not the same thing. (Thanks, Cat).
ESPN commentators apparently need some geography lessons… not to mention some practice in current events seeing as they don’t know where West Virginia is, nor do they know who Michelle Obama is. As a matter of fact, all on air media personalities should probably do their homework before speaking. Don’t just talk for the sake of talking.

xx,
WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Pick of the Patch

By Kirsten|October 18th, 2011|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

As mentioned, this past weekend, we made the trek to Half Moon Bay for their annual pumpkin festival. We considered pulling a U-turn looking down the hill at the bumper to bumper traffic, but hung in there, because really… going to a pumpkin festival is the right thing to do, right? Maybe not. This promised pumpkin fest wasn’t quite the vision I’d conjured up in my head while sitting in two hours of traffic. But with all things in life, you must take the bad and learn from it. So, here are a few things I learned:

I’m not really a “festival” type of girl.
They’ll charge you four times as much for a pumpkin in the “country” as you’d pay for it at Safeway.
I do love a good petting zoo and still want that pony I yearned for as a little girl.
And I still remember all the words to Kenny Chesney’s She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy (you can take the girl out of West Virginia…).

Luckily, on the road to (and from) the festival, there were several roadside stands with their own pumpkin patches (and petting zoos), where we stopped. It probably would’ve been prudent to have just gone to the pumpkin patches in the first place and skipped the festival altogether. Again, we live and we learn. At least I was dressed for the occasion. Without fail, it is always 15+ degrees colder near the beach in Northern California… and always grey (way to go marine layer). Wearing a transitional chiffon dress with a cashmere grandfather cardigan was the perfect way to look pumpkin picking chic. Paired with flat lace up boots and tote, those pumpkins didn’t stand a chance. Had my tote been any bigger, you bet your ass I would have smuggled a potbelly pig home.

1. J. Crew Maisie Floral Print Silk Chiffon Dress, $395, 2. C by Bloomingdale’s Cashmere Grandfather Cardigan, $118.50, 3. Seychelles Jungle Lace-Up Short Boot, $165, 4. Rebecca Minkoff Dear Tote Bag, $330