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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?

Why Did You Wear That: Kiss the Sky

By |April 18th, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

kirsten smith whydidSure, as a New Yorker, it’s a given that my favorite “color” is black.  However, if you want to know the way to my heart, take me to see the sun set… or rise.  The color of the sky never gets old to me.  Every single day is a different variation that takes my breath away.  I’d say the thing I miss most about California other than daily morning coffee and cocktail hour with my dad is the sky.  Smitty would say it’s having more than 500 square feet of wood floor to run on.  I tried to take a hike- literally- every evening to be quiet and alone and watch the color of the sun and the way it painted the hills different shades of glorious each evening.  There isn’t a whole lot of that here in the city, hell, we can’t even see the stars, but I’m fortunate enough to have a rooftop that overlooks a lot of the city and Hudson River, so even if I can’t see the Big Dipper on the regular, I can take a rose gold sunset from time to time.  And hey, when there aren’t a bunch of bros drinking Stella upstairs, sometimes, I even get a sacred moment of silence.

nyc sky kirsten smith

kirsten smith nyc

pastel sky

kirsten smith whydid skirt: Zara, top: American Apparel, bralette: Victoria’s Secret, clutch: Alexander Wang, shoes:

SHOP THE LOOK:


xx,

WhyDid

 

Photos by  Brian Schutza

Why Did You Wear That: Take Me Home

By |May 23rd, 2012|Personal Style|

oglebay mansion wvWest 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…

grecian columns

oglebay steps

maxi skirt

rayban aviators dooney bourke

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

Take me home…

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: I Would Like To Extend to You an Invitation to The Pants Party.

By |April 3rd, 2012|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

floral printed denimRemember back when I  invited you to the Pants Party?  Well, you knew I was going to RSVP “YES” to my own party.  Duh.  So, I found a pair of pretty awesome floral jeans at Zara (that were only $60!) and paired them with one of my favorite slouchy Kain tanks so as not to look too prissy, pretty, pretty princess-like.  (I don’t like to blow my cover too early).  This outfit is perfect for hanging out casually or could be a great date outfit with some strappy heels and shiny accessories.  I opted to lounge in the sunshine and slip my shoes off.  I “topped” it off with a big ol’ top knot.

denim floral printed

floral printed denim

giant top knot

printed floral denimtank: Kain, jeans: Zara (similar here), shoes: Colin Stuart, hair: top knot, necklace: Maya Brenner

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: For the Birds

By |March 6th, 2012|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

striped dress bird bathEveryday around the same time, a flock of birds shows up at this little bird bath.  I’m not talking like one or two.  I am talking about ten to twenty at a time.  It’s like birds gone wild at spring beak (too many fowl puns?).  Something about this little bird bath seemed very French to me.  I’m not sure why.  Do they even have birds (les oiseaux) in France?  Doesn’t matter.  It seemed like a perfect place to put on one of my favorite knit dresses with wedge booties and beret and channel my inner French girl.  While it’s been abnormally warm, the air does start to chill when the sun goes down.  That’s why it’s imperative to always have a jacket and scarf on hand.  Cherry nails and lips are the perfect accents for an all black and white ensemble.

striped black and white dress

striped dress details

striped dress black and whitedress: Zara, jacket: Andrew Marc, cashmere scarf: Nordstrom, hat: Urban Outfitters, shoes: Franco Sarto, bag: Kwigy Bo, nail polish: Essie Lacquered Up

1. Dolce Vita Bayley Dress, $176, 2. Bark n Bag Monaco Pet Tote, $48, 3. Cooperative Woven Wedge, $109, 4. Members Only Sylvia Leather Jacket, $140, 5. Wyatt Black Wool Cashmere Knit Hat, $85, 6. John W. Nordstrom Cashmere Scarf, $56.90

And I never leave home without my best accessory… Smitty.

xx,

WhyDid