Alpinestars was originally started over 40 years ago (1963 to be exact) making motorcycle gear for serious riders, but has now evolved into the rocker chick’s new bff and go to brand.  Designer Denise Focil has created edgy basics and key item pieces that every hip girl needs in her closet. 

The line is a collection of  sexy, slouchy tops, vintage T’s,  skinny denim, and, of course,  leather motorcycle jackets.  Already, the line has a serious celebrity following too (Kirsten Dunst, Blake Lively, Whitney Port, Taylor Momsen, Audrina Patridge).  Be warned, this is not a line designed with wallflowers in mind.

Pit slouchy tank, $59

Zip straight leg jean, $108

Piper dress- Limited Edition, $98

Crash Jacket, $398

Okay, so I just finished watching this Monday’s DVR’ed episode of The City (yes, lame, I know) and I have a few things to get off my chest.

Other than the fact that The City is basically just very well packaged air, I am a little disheartened by their depiction of what it is like to live in New York City. 

First of all, the girls’ apartments in this show are ridiculous.  I believe that Olivia lives where she does (except they keep calling her an “Upper East Sider” and her apartment is actually in Tribeca) because she is clearly living on daddy’s dime.  Now, as most people who actually live in Manhattan know, there is no way on Earth, Whitney is able to afford her “Gramercy” apartment on her DVF fashion salary without either the help of her parental units or a sugar daddy.  I have friends who have worked at DVF and trust me, they do not live in massive luxury buildings in Gramercy.  Try more like a 5th floor walk up in the East Village.

And Erin?  I’m not sure what exactly she does (except that she now has some title-less job at One Management), but again… girls with entry level jobs in New York City are NOT living in apartments like hers without financial assistance. 

So to people in Manhattan, we are very well aware that this show is basically B.S., but for little girls in Iowa who dream of moving to the “Big City” and pursuing a career  in fashion I feel sad.  They are getting an idea of something that is just not even close to accurate.  I get it, who the heck wants to watch Whitney squash cockroaches or ride the subway?  But that’s reality.  And isn’t The City supposed to be a “reality show”?

**Note: There was one highlight in Monday’s episode.  When model Allie asked Kelly Cutrone if she liked her outfit, Kelly replied that she hated the leggings.  Thank you, Kelly.  Your support in the “leggings are not pants” campaign is invaluable.

Clearly, I have quite a few that I would like to never see again.. ahem.. Leggings as Pants… But, I have asked some of my savvy and stylish girlfriends which trends of 2008 they  hated the most:

Meg:

“Ok, so it was the high-waisted jeans (particularly on the wrong people, ie Mischa Barton), the baggy parachute pants with the ridiculously saggy crotch, and the peep-toe ankle boots (eww).” 

JF:

“I’ll think of more.

Shiny motorcycle boots
Neon nail polish
Anything with feathers
Colored jeans
Bangs with blunt cuts (not really fashion)
Boyfriend jeans”

Pinkytoe:

“Open toe booties. What the hell is that anyway? Either its cold or not. Reminds me of something a hooker would invent, to show more skin.

Clip-in extensions.
If done properly, you’ll look fierce. If not, you’ll look frightening. Perhaps one should have to pass some sort of proficiency test in order to buy a set…

Wedges in winter.
I just don’t trust it. Something about the wedge style shoe screams st. Tropez, not st marks place. Even in boot form, I’m a firm non-believer in the winter wedge.

Leopard print.
When will this fabric ever die? I do believe leopards themselves are on the endangered species list, purely because their likeness is being exploited at forever 21’s everywhere. I don’t think they’re actually endangered; they’re still here, just hiding out until this print is done for.”

JC:

Hippie Headbands- I really don’t know who decided this was a good idea or that it was even slightly flattering, but it really needs to end. The plain old shoelace ones were bad enough, but now it seems that young ladies are trying to get crafty with them (a la Whitney Port). I know the 70’s seemed like a loving and peaceful time, but hippie headbands get no love from me.

Kanye West Glasses- They only work on Kanye West because he is, in fact, Kanye West. Everyone else just looks silly. Now that they sell them at every street bodega, you should realize this is a trend you don’t want any part of.

Fedoras- and just like you are not Kanye West, you are also not Justin Timberlake, nor are you Al Capone. When I see fedoras (on guys and girls) I just think, “wow, they are trying way too hard.”