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My style tends to be on the modest side; covered shoulders, knee-length skirts and longer, covered chest and covered head. It's my personal preference not to reveal too much skin; feeling adequately covered helps me feel less distracted about what I'm wearing. With that said, on this particular day it was gearing up to be a properly blazing hot summer day, and I wanted to take advantage of the weather to wear some of my shorter clothing. The blouse and skirt are both by Retroscope Fashions, which designs neovictorian-styled clothing of various levels of wearability. I like this combo because it's true to its aesthetic, but not off-putting or overwhelmed with ruffly madness. To take the edge off the high gothiness I added some simple canvas flats and a striped tote bag.I'm also wearing my round sunglasses which seem to have come back in style lately (maybe thanks to Lady Gaga, with her bizarre self?) That's fine with me; makes it easier to stock up on them before they go back out of style again. ;o) |
I think the title of the post says it all. I totally love Report's regular shoes because they are so deliciously cute and wearable, but lately I find my imagination held hostage by their higher-end line, Report Signature, which are probably the most UNwearable shoes I've ever seen in my life. I couldn't wear them in a million years, because I would break my ankles in about five different places and dislocate both my knees trying to toddle down the stairs from my apartment.
The shoes average a 4.5" - 5" heel. Geez Louise, who can wear such an absurdly tall heel? And yet, maybe the fact that they are so unattainable for the average gal makes them that much more awesome. Is it even possible to make outstanding shoes like these but with, say, a 2" or 3" heel? Sounds like a potential business plan...
From left to right: Madera platform, Howell bootie, Dita pump, Pamona platform, Rockwell platform, Tocai platform, Loring bootie, Durant bootie (in beige and leopard), Corinne sandal, Downey platform (in black and white), and Ziska sandal
Images taken from (in case you are crazy enough to want to buy them):
I ran into my friend Brian at a party and had to snap a picture of his T-shirt because it was so cool. He got it in Japan. Figures - get another example of their indisputable design prowess. Yes, it says "T-shirt."
We wondered idly if they also made pants that said "Pants" and socks that said "Socks" on them. It would be oh-so meta.
I'd been waiting to post this for about two months, waiting until I had a decent picture of me with my own yellow handbag, but I've been seeing more and more women carrying them. I figure I should post before it becomes a fullblown trend, because I swear I thought of it before I ever saw a single person carry one!
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I'm sort of easing into the whole concept of a grown-up handbag (I've mentioned my $35 guess minibag before). Looking at a bunch of options on etsy opened me up to the idea of a bag that that was none of the following:
- black or brown or other neutral
- mass-market brand-name (e.g. Coach, LV, Dooney & Burke, etc.)
- boring
I found myself at Marshall's of all places, gravitating to the brightly colored bags: orange, white, and even lavender. But my only criteria was that it be real leather and a manageable size, because moving from a minibag to a full-sized handbag is a bit like moving from a tiny shoebox apartment in the Wall Street neighborhood to a sprawling duplex in Brooklyn. You literally don't know what to do with all that new space in your life.
This no-name Italian bag caught my eye (MSRP $300, marked to $150, and marked again to $80), and it was bright yellow. I never thought I had it in me, but something about the bag felt so right - unassuming, but a little courageous. I bought it. And I'm glad I did! Even seeing it sit on my desk makes me smile.
I think it's important that with such a bright color, you stick to something with clean lines and unfussy shapes. Maybe some thoughtful details are nice, but you don't want a lot of ding-dongs hanging out all over the place. I would steer clear of ruffles, studs, and too many buckles.
So how does one wear a yellow bag? It's the kind of thing that tends to make itself very useful and will go with all the boring neutral colors you own. But anyone can wear a yellow bag with black or white (or both). I think yellow becomes a lot more interesting when paired with something a little more unexpected, like medium gray or navy blue. Then again, the more intrepid among us may want to experiment with prints and more daring color combos. I'm sure the possibilities are endless.
ABOVE: 1) Chloe Ada handbag, 2) Coach (I know...I really like the trim on this one though), 3) Marni balloon tote, 4) Natalie Fringe Hobo (just $30), 5) Dolce & Gabbana large patent tote, 6) Parentesi handbag, 7) Loewe satchel, 8) Kooba Talia bag, 9) Matt & Nat vegan leather (otherwise known as pleather) tote, 10) Gustto Bonba clutch, 11) Katie Holmes looking chic and 12) Mary-Kate looking daring.
Posted simultaneously to stephanie.posterous.com
Some of you may remember this story I told more than half a year ago, about a pair of stockings I fell in love with. In fact, it was the first pair of stockings, or leggings, or any legwear accessory to which I ever gave a second thought. They were made by MaxMara, but the brand was beside the point. They were the most beautiful things I'd seen in a long time, and they haunted me. You can read the original post here.
After that first encounter, and at least a week or two of miserable pining, I decided to try to find them again. This was not an easy task, as MaxMara doesn't even have a website. (Though their less expensive brand, MaxStudio, does.) Apparently MaxMara makes hosiery, but the lines are not widely distributed, and even among MaxMara stores, only a select few carry hosiery at all. And among those, the chances of me finding this particular style in my specific size were slim.
By the time I decided to cough up the $70 to buy them, of course, the South Coast Plaza location was sold out. I went on a cyber quest, searching for them in many different permutations until, finally, I ran into this Boston Globe article about eye-catching legwear. I jumped - there was a boutique that sold them, Moxie on Charles St. in Beacon Hill! I wrote them immediately to see if a) they still had the stockings in stock and b) they would ship to California. A day later, I got the magic response:
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Stephanie,
I have one pair left. It is a M/L but it is Italian sizing and runs pretty small. I can ship but we charge $10 for shipping. The stocking is $65. Let me know if you'd like it.
Thanks.
Karen F. Fabbri, owner
M O X I E ______________
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After a flurry of e-mails where we figured out logistics, shipping/credit card information, the stockings were on their way. I gotta hand it to the Moxie folks -- they were so patient, responsive, and accommodating. Totally painless experience, and I was so grateful that they held the stockings for over a week while I continued to hem and haw over the purchase. When I finally took the plunge, I was glad I did!
I know all the considerations about impracticality, exorbitant price, etc. But in the end, I was so very glad I did it. This is how I figured it--I don't buy jewelry or expensive handbags. This was one of the first luxury items I ever purchased, and just because they are non-conventional, and I can't wear them all the time, doesn't make me any less satisfied with them. They really are fine quality and I'm sure if I am careful with them, they'll last for years to come.
Outfit
Calvin Klein ribbed shawl cardigan
Le Suit pencil skirt
MaxMara stockings
Vintage buckle loafers
Ebony & Ivory bead lariat
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Since July of 2006 I've been blogging my daily outfits on flickr more or less regularly, even during my pregnancy last year. I partly do it to share my personal style with others and inspire them to develop their own style, but I also do it to learn about what works best for me and on me. My style could be called experimental, since I never wear the same outfit twice, and most of the time I approach the way I dress in an experimental way. It has been suggested that I share them here, so I shall. But I'll also take the opportunity to talk a little bit more about my thoughts on the outfit. So consider this my inaugural personal style feature!This particular day was a pretty casual day involving running errands and doing housework. But it was sunny out so I thought I'd wear my parasol hat. I pinned it to adjust the "flop" so it wouldn't flop in my face. I knew I wanted to wear the utility skirt that day, but also I wanted to see if it took a petticoat (I'm really into underskirts right now), and I was curious to know how a flouncy skirt would feel/look underneath a more utilitarian one. Lately I've been limiting myself mostly to a monochromatic palette, so I thought I'd use my vibrant kente print bag just to throw things off some. |
Thanks Robyn for inspiring this post!
It's no secret that Frye makes the best boots around - beyond the pedigree, vintage, and historical "street cred," they are simply beautiful to behold. My heart thrills to the supple, slightly shiny heft of the leather, the painstaking attention to detail, the patient craftsmanship (over 190 steps for each pair according to their website), the longevity, and the androgyny. It makes me glad that such a shoemaker exists, and that they have been around for so long (since 1863--they shod soldiers on both sides of the Civil War!).
If there's an addiction worth having, I think it's gotta be Frye. If I had $1,000 lying around, I wouldn't buy 4-5 pairs of designer jeans, like many girls do. I wouldn't buy a purse. (Well, maybe I would buy a purse...but only if it were Alexander McQueen, and if it were on sale). No, I'd buy 3 pairs of Frye boots. No matter that it rarely gets cold enough in California to wear them, or that I in no way resemble an engineer, or that I don't do any work strenuous enough to require a work boot. This, my friends, is what I call luxury.
What I really wanted to write about here is about the sense of longing, and even loss, I feel for some of the most gorgeous examples of the Frye company's workmanship. Many of these styles are no longer available, not available in my size, impossible to find through the usual discount or secondhand channels (you can forget about finding the Owen boot on eBay) or just prohibitively expensive. Maybe some are lost forever. But they are still beautiful, still classic, and I love them.
- Adrienne tall button boot
- Allie softie pump
- Andrea mid boot in black
- Billy western boot in cream
- Daisy Dukes - classic with double-F detail, perforated, and studded
- Engineer 12R boot in dark brown
- Faith boot in 'denim'
- Owen lace work boot
- Adrienne oxford in snakeskin and Adrienne stitch oxford in brown, and olive
- Classic Campus boot in dark brown
- Paige buckle boot
- Villager lace boot
I promised I would share more about the infinitely talented Emily Katz, and here it is!
I knew something was different about the unassuming little stall on one wall of the giant Ft. Mason hangar that housed last week's Renegade Craft Fair. I had been so bombarded with cutesy appliques, screenprinted tees, cards and knicknacks that my eyes were swimming.
I'm not sure what drew me in first - the poetically neutral palette of her collection, or the sunny demeanor of Emily herself. As soon as I flipped through the racks, I could see the quality, the adept cuts and proportions, the fine, unfamiliar fabrics she used. Frankly, I was surprised she was showing at the festival at all, because it certainly felt as though she were a master moving among amateurs.
As Bhumi and I chatted her up, I heard a little more about how Emily got started (six years ago in Portland), some of her other talents (singing, making music), and things that inspire her. She was very patient as I hemmed and hawed over the "wish" top, an incredibly wearable trapeze shape with a swooping drape, and a nice structure--given by the interesting blend of hemp and Tencel fiber that she uses. At that price though, the purchase was inevitable. We tried on some other pieces - Bhumi fit well into this pleat-front French terry sheath that made her look like an Indian Audrey Hepburn, but ultimately decided on a single scarf despite my cajoling.
All in all, an amazing discovery!
Posted simultenously to stephanie.posterous.com
I feel like I'm spilling all my secrets.
Don't think for one minute that, with all my mooning about beautiful shoes and things, I somehow lose track or control of my spending or, as I've heard some people say, "have nothing to show for it." Au contraire, I know exactly where every penny has gone and try to make purchases through careful deliberation (doesn't always work, of course).
I definitely make mistakes - I'm still a fledgling shopper, still learning the ropes, still buying things I regret later (or immediately). I know it will take some time, but what I'm really working towards is developing my taste, my ability to quickly assess fit, style, quality, and value--understanding what I like and what I don't like, what works and what won't, slowly getting more confident making this assessment, and slowly becoming faster at it.
I've come a long way in the last few years--it all started when I realized that I was a) buying pretty stuff I didn't wear and b) not wearing it out of laziness, defaulting to jeans and t-shirts, and, even worse, c) not wearing it because I lacked confidence/self esteem. I realized I didn't wear half the stuff I bought because I did not like calling attention to myself. I have been very lucky to have always worked in offices that allow a lot of room for creativity. I realized that if I could work up the nerve to pull off some of the stuff I bought, and get used to the attention it would bring, perhaps that gumption would seep into other areas of my life. I also realized that it would be fun to to approach style as another form of self-expression. As Garry tells me, "wear it and hold your head up!"
I digress.
As I said, I keep close tabs on my credit card statement, the wad of receipts in my wallet, and the accumulation of "stuff" around my room. I thought it might be a good exercise to do a recap/roundup of what I bought in the last few months, much of which you may have seen on this blog, along with my thoughts on each item.
April: Some may remember I gave up shopping for Lent. As soon as Easter came, I bought stuff. A crapton of it.
- Yellow bag: My first real-leather handbag. From Marshall's. Besides being a steal, I use it almost every day. Definite winner.
- World According to Jess "crossword" case: It is a fantastic overnighter. I love the separate compartment on the bottom for shoes.
- Black hoodie, gray sweater, blue top from the Gap: The hoodie replaced one that was falling apart and will come in handy as soon as autumn hits. The gray sweater I ruined in the dryer - but at least it was only $10 and may make some cozy armwarmers. The blue top I absolutely love.
- Shoshanna floral print dress: Huge mistake. It is sized a true 4 (as opposed to the generous sizing at most chain stores), so I can't even zip it up. I can't decide if I want to donate it, resell it, try to alter it to fit me, or lose a crapton of weight.
- Franco Sarto clogs: I love them. They were totally affordable, the grommets on the side add edge to any outfit, and they are so versatile!
- RSVP silver sandals: They served their purpose (my friend's wedding). At $13, does it really matter if I ever wear them again?
- Frye lace-up boots: One of my most expensive shoe purchases to date. I like them a lot, but still can't figure out how to wear them. (Help!)
May: This was a month of scouring eBay and traveling.
- Cotton "tropical toile" sundress: I bought this dress from the fantastic Moule in the Pearl District of Portland, a fantastic purchase from an amazing retail store. It was a one-of-a-kind sample, made either by Rachel Mara or Michelle Mason (the designer later decided to turn the design into a top instead of a dress). It has a balloon-y silhouette, is light as air, and I love everything from the pattern of the toile to the black bands that define it at the top and bottom. The icing on the cake was that it was heavily discounted, and there's no sales tax in Portland. Score.
- Black fedora: a random buy at the Saturday Market in Portland. I like the way it looks/fits but have not figured out where on earth I can wear it with a straight face.
- Vintage Selby loafers: From one of my favorite sellers on Etsy. At $10 they were a steal, and I love the extra-long tongues and little gold hardware.
- Vintage striped secretary blouse: It was also a steal, but it's a bit shapeless. I need to figure out how to wear it without looking like a referee or a flight attendant.
- Random jewelry: All purchased on eBay. You all witnessed the deliberation over the owl, but the blue orchid was an unexpected find, and I was surprised at how much I love that splash of blue against everything. The bracelets are fine, not super excited about them.
- Custom pencil skirt from Louise Hedley: I was disappointed with the purchase and ended up giving the Etsy seller neutral feedback (she was very nice/lovely to work with but the color and fit was just not what I expected based on the item description). Haven't worn it out but maybe one of these days. Not worth the $ at all.
June: Showed a bit more restraint this month.
- Plaid "farmer girl" shirt: I can't for the life of me remember the name of the designer even though I chatted with her for a few minutes at SF's Indie Mart. She very cleverly cuts off the sleeves of things and arranges them in flower patterns on the chest. I was debating between this and a vest made out of a repurposed blazer, but Garry was right that I would wear this more. I do, and I love it!
- Eva Brann cream crochet cardigan: It was the one thing I wanted to buy in all of Beacon Hill when I visited Boston last month. The preppy, yacht-club style of New England does not jive with me. I was surprised to find this unexpectedly romantic piece at Boutique Eskil. It was expensive, but it's beautiful, you can't go wrong with a pretty white cardigan, and there's no sales tax in Boston. Score.
July: So far. This does not include the sh*t I ordered last week from Anthro. Including the enchanting dark bouquet dress.
- Look from London plaid tights: The only thing at Jeremy's SF worth buying. Sushmita and I thought Jeremy's was like a big, disorganized, and appallingly expensive version of Ross. There were very few good deals to be had, and the selection was awful. But I salvaged the day with this quirky find - they are super comfortable and lots of fun (and not pricey!).
- Emily Katz "wish" top: One of the very few things I was moved to buy at the giant DIY flea market that was the Renegade Craft Fair. Not only was this sample hugely discounted, but I got to chat with Emily herself for a while. I'll be featuring her in a later post.
- Elie Tahari snakeskin sandals: You already know all about this one. They fit all right, but one major negative is that the slingback slips so easily off my heels. I don't know if I should try to return them, if I just need to break them in, if I should get some kind of heel insert, or if I just need to totter around like a deer in them.
Ties are normally a constricting item in the male wardrobe, sometimes further limited to formal (read: not fun) events--weddings, fancy brunches, court appearances, what have you. But they are making some headway in casual wear (on a more socially "cool" level than before...thank you Jonas Brothers, Justin Timberlake and Andre 3000).
Specifically, the skinny tie is making quite the comeback, so I'm paying a wearability homage to the trimmed down descendant of the ascot. Done right, the skinny tie adds a mod/nerd/rock-ish twist to any outfit. Three notes before proceeding:
Number one: Skinny ties do NOT go with everything you'd wear a normal tie with. Pay particular attention to the collar--a collar that is signficantly wider than the skinny tie makes your neck look disproportinately short and fat (and who really wants that?). Generally, skinny ties do not work well with spread collars (e.g. a pimp's unbuttoned shirt with the flashy shiny tiger print and chest hair sprouting up top), so don't plan to wear them like this unless you enjoy being publicly labeled as a tool. Otherwise, your run-of-the-mill dress shirt should do just fine.
Number two: A skinny tie requires a skinny knot. A full windsor just looks silly with a skinny tie. I'm partial to the "4 in hand knot" - it's slightly asymmetrical, which goes well with a more casual look. Don't know how to tie this knot? Check this site out.
Number three: If you wear the skinny tie with a blazer, look at the width of the tie compared to the lapels. They should be approximately the same size, erring on the size of the lapels being slightly wider. But if the lapels are too wide, it will make your head look like a balloon, with the skinny tie as a little string trailing underneath trying desespearately to keep your head attached to your disproportional outfit.
With these guidelines in mind, the skinny tie is a lot of fun. Some things to try: go for a loud shirt and a solid tie (skinny black tie is the classic), or try a subtler shirt paired with a bolder tie pattern. Subtle Tie + Subtle Shirt = OK, if the colors have good contrast (like a white shirt and black tie or vice versa - monochrome doesn't work well with this look). Loud Shirt + Loud Tie may result in screams from children running away from you, the Technicolor Monster. This is not for the faint of heart; mixing patterns/colors is really a matter of personal taste so I can't be too judgmental, but it's pretty easy to mess up this combination so proceed with caution. When you throw on a collared long sleeve shirt - throw on a skinny tie and see what it does for you.
Club Monaco has some really cool bold stripe skinny ties and your nearest Nordstrom Rack will carry some older (but more affordable and ever-so-stylish!) skinny ties from the likes of Ben Sherman and Paul Smith. Otherwise, venture out to your nearest vintage clothing shop to score some super cheap ties - you can usually find a skinny black tie for $5.
Anyway, I had some extra time to kill this weekend so I did a mini-shoot featuring me and stuff that I have in my closet that I've mixed and matched with skinny ties. My favorite look is the brown tie with a light blue gingham shirt and a pair of dark-ish blue jeans. I tried to cover a range of looks, from casual, to going out on the town, to business casual, to a more everyday look.
Note that while skinny ties are the "in" thing now, you can still wear regular-sized ties as well. It's really just about adding personal flair by throwing on a tie to spice up a look - but in a good, non-TGIFridays sort of way.