Feelin' the Forties

I am not referring to age, but to the decade. I don't usually dress with a strong or easily-discernible theme at work (gotta keep them guessing) but for some reason I was totally feeling a retro vibe today. It almost became a costume when I curled my hair, but what other hairdo could be paired with a tie-neck blouse and high-waisted pants?

Le outfeet!


Contrived catalog-esque pose. Not a professional, here, people! ;)



Making bows look like they are complicated work:


Bow and polka-dot close up!
Outfit: Necessary Objects blazer, Ellen Tracy blouse, F21 belt, NYandCo pants, Classiques Entier shoes (a new color just came out and I am in LOVE- see it here), Sophie watch, Biasia purse.

Do you ever feel the need to dress in a theme? Or do you never/always create daily costumes?

I Love Accordions!

That is, accordion pleats.

My recent post (here) on sheer, flowy clothing with prints naturally made me think about flowy clothing with pleats (I say "naturally" because it is a natural progression in my mind, but probably not the same for most sane people, so bear with me). Ever since I saw the look on Chloe's Spring 2011 runway, I have been hooked:


But, I haven't found a pleated skirt for my wardrobe. Not for lack of searching, as you will see:

I like this American Apparel version because of the similar color, but I am not ecstatic about the shiny fabric and the fact that everyone else already has it:


I love this look captured by Mr. Newton (is it me, or is this the same girl from my "brights" post?):


I love the length and price of this option, but the green might be too bold for all the soft, subtle colors I am into right now for spring:


I also like this Trina Turk office-friendly version. It is reminiscent of a school uniform of sorts:

Has anyone successfully acquired an accordion number of their own? If so, details! And I can't decide if this is a trend we'll be seeing for a while, or something that will be gone by the end of the summer....?

Breezy, Printed Layers

While I love the sheer maxi skirt trend (though I don't know why-- it is counter-intuitive to purposefully wear see-through clothing in public), I am not satisfied with just a sheer skirt: there must be pattern that creates the feel of movement! The flowy layer needs to evoke that romantic-yet-slightly-boho/carefree-vibe to instill softness into a bold outfit statement.

I could wax poetic on this 'til the cows come home, trust me, but I would rather just show you looks I am currently loving:

This Juicy Couture tiered maxi dress is really frothy and playful:



Phillip Lim always creates elevated basics of interest, like this simple, Grecian dress modernized with a grid pattern:


I love the vaguely-reptilian watercolor pattern of this Robert Rodriguez dress:



Bellatrix always makes fun, blousy separates and I love this look with the shorts:
This Blain kimono sleeve top is especially cool because of the long back hem:


Andy from the Style Scrapbook always gets it right and I love her sheer maxi-- pattern + soft pleats!!

What is your style-obsession for spring?... (Or for the week if you are a spaz like me)...
Happy Monday!

Weekend Outfit Inspiration

This weekend I am taking cues from the the book launch of "What to Wear, Where" from the makers of the website Who What Wear. The book seems like a cute idea (it offers outfit ideas for situations like the conservative job interview outfit and the equally-nerve-wracking meet-the-parents outfit), but my favorite part of the recaps are the pictures!


The authors (Katherine Power and Hilary Kerr) above.

The authors with Rachel Zoe and Jessica Alba.

I love Kerr and Power's vibrant outfits and the fun Proenza Schouler dress that Alba is wearing. After seeing these, I definitely feel like infusing color into my weekend outfits!

PS- I love that Kerr and Power took the time to create and model every outfit in their book themselves. That's dedication!

Wrap it Up!

I should be doing more outfit posts, but I am less than thrilled with my bangs right now (when will I ever learn to not trim them myself?!?!) and have been ducking out of photographs like I am some sort of international spy... but an international spy would have way better hair...
Que lastima!

Anyway, a hat would be my natural solution to my quandary, but what about the indoors? Wearing a fedora while eating Cheerios could be remarkably chic to some, but it can get silly pretty quickly... which leads me to the point of this post: turban headbands! Thank goodness they are "in" right now because they might just be the thing to motivate me to rejoin society! (dramatics are necessary when it comes to self-inflicted hair issues, right?) I have found a few fun options across the web and might actually purchase one. It's funny because I didn't think I was brave enough to sport one, but if I am not brave enough to bare my bangs, then a turban jumps categories from "risk" to "necessity"... Hmm.

This ASOS Wide Headband Scarf is a bit theatrical, but I like the color.


The Wooden Ships Isadora Spring Turban from Urban Outfitters is cute and very wearable.


A full turban, like this jersey one from Urban Outfitters, would be a statement, but the fabric and color retain the casual vibe.


A fun, floral option from the queen of prints, Diane von Furstenberg.

Etsy always come through with fun options, like this leopard adorableness from LeilanniLand.


The big knot must have subconsciously stuck with me from this shot of Katherine Power's chicly-styled closet on The Coveteur:

I even found a tutorial on how to make your own headband here.

What do you think about the turban headband? Fashion misstep or fun accessory? And who else has cut their bangs in a moment of hair inspiration? Be honest ;)

New Obsession: Rebecca Minkoff Shoes!

While you might be thinking "obsession" is a strong word--it is. And can you blame me, her new collection is great. Minkoff always performs well in the handbag arena, so it's nice to see that her talents extend beyond the Morning After Bag. All her shoes look very unique and yet very modern and wearable. (Le swoon!) I am particularly fixated on this pair....

The Trott cut out wedge.... It's like you wore your favorite plain black and wooden wedge to the beach and then a stingray leapt out of the water and attached itself to your shoe... AKA- awesomeness that defies the laws of nature!
If you aren't too hott for these Trotts, (sorry, I couldn't help myself), there are other shoes in the collection that deftly combine her basic color palette with that same strangely textured, metallic leather:

The Caroline mini-wedge... statement-y, yet simple.
The Brooke heel... You need to wear a dress/ skirt with these because they need to be showcased! I didn't like the buckle at first, but now I feel it's totally integral to the shoe, yes?
When did I become a shoe girl?! Do you think Minkoff has done well, or should she churn out another new batch of MAB's?
PS- There is a haircalf wedge (2nd to last pair) that is pretty spectacular, too. Just sayin'!

Soft Sands

I normally skip over my Shopbop email of the day, but today, they hooked me! The "Soft Sands" shoot was on a sandy beach (natch) with clothing that would certainly be appropriate for urban living, but looked effortless in the wind and surf. Here are some of the looks:






The above dress is my favorite! Needless to say, I was plotting an immediate beach-escape while eating my breakfast, but decided that it was better to go to work...for now at least ;)
Does anyone else get lots of shopping emails and rarely look at them?