e.g.

i gotta be me

There are times when I worry that I dress too weird for my workplace. Today I selected a wool blend jumpsuit that calls to mind Rosie the Riveter gone lux. I paired the charcoal piece with sky high heels (so I'm a creature of habit, sue me) and a layered necklace. The reason I say it might be too weird, is my clients' running commentary on my ensembles, which range from "Wow, you look like you're ready to jump out of a plane" to "That's a weird outfit". The latter client is known for getting to the point quickly.

I am currently transferring to a more creative position within the same company, but feel like I might need to pull in the reins on my weird outfits (harem pants in the corporate world might not be the best idea). I decided to do a little virtual window shopping, but can't stop leaning into looks that are loud and fun. What I have arrived at, is, well - I gotta be me. I'm not comfortable wearing someone else's styles, so I won't. If I had my choice, here's what I'd wear on Day #1 of my new job:

 

chunky necklace image from google search :: topshop contrast collar blazer :: pixie market iris dress :: rachel roy heels

Or maybe this: 

 

topshop contrast collar blazer :: zara boys oxford shirt :: ysl leopard belt :: sissii tan shorts :: b-store x underground debbie 2 heels

My armor is mine because it suits me.

short list

Spring (Transition) Uniform

zara overshirt w/ beaded yoke :: oak karate tee :: r13 ankle zip jeans :: h by hudson horrigon boots :: y's large dot bag 

fall, 2013

As a fan of fashion, I try to keep up with what's happening during Fashion Week / Month. If I wait until the end of Fashion Month to comb through the shows on style.com, I feel something near dread because the sheer volume of looks is overwhelming. About a week and a half in, I've decided to catch myself up with what happened in New York, and what's starting in London. So far, the Fall collections haven't really rung my bell, but I'm holding out for Paris and Milan. 

ALTUZARRA

Big buttons, and high boots. I'm in. 

ALEXANDER WANG

This show was all about the accessories. The shoes remind me of the way legwarmers fall down a dancer's legs during rehearsal. At the end of a piece, the knit will sag into a puddle at your ankle if they're loose enough. And the bag - any bag by Alexander Wang - is a piece to covet. I like that this one is double sided like a saddlebag. Practically speaking, it looks like a pain in the arse to carry, though. 

DEREK LAM

Dear Derek, I really love your take on the sailor pant. Love, Anna

(His suede dresses with macrame trim were like a mashup of flapper and hippy aesthetics, and I liked it.)

OSCAR DE LA RENTA

Oscar? Is that you? Some say it's John Galliano whispering in your ear. Oscar, though I cherish the de la Renta House History, is not often on my top ten; but when I saw these looks, I was terribly excited. The hat, the draping, the awkward skirt length that works (!); I am certain a collaboration was conducted, and a strong one at that. You can tell when Oscar was leading and when he was not. 

3.1 PHILLIP LIM 

I'm digging the layers of these looks by Phillip Lim. I like the styling of the purse (strap tightened a bit high), the extra long sleeves, and the slender pants, and swishy boots. I'm particularly impressed by look #2, since it is a leather top and leather pants that does NOT smack of motorcycles. 

THEYSKENS THEORY

It's usually Olivier Theyskens' trousers that do me in, but this time, I'm OBSESSED with the boots. The high knee boots are constructed of an incredibly stiff leather that mimics a pant if a dress or longer skirt is worn over them. I also love them with the short short, so short shorts and skirts with the spindly legs tucked inside. 

TOM FORD

Sexxxxxxxxxxxy. 

 

VERA WANG

I love being surprised. The Wang aesthetic is very much alive in this collection, but there was something in here that spoke to me. Maybe it's more about the styling than the frocks - I'm not sure. I would love to go to the Opera in Look #1. The sleeve length sweetens the deep decolletage. Look #2 looks like an off duty (and fancy) martial artist. It's tough, sexy, and powerful. I'm charmed by Look #3 for a few reasons: I find the silhouette feminine, and the mix of fabrics playful; the shoes are an unexpected and casual choice, while the gloves pump up the proper. It's a little bit messy, but it works. 

I look forward to checking back in on the shows as they move along. Even a dull year has inspiration to be found. 

short list

unearthen quartz shard earrings :: zara men's checked scarf :: alexander wang mixed ribbed sweater :: chimala denim :: belle by sigerson morrison lamar booties

assassin

It happened quite suddenly, this death of my feet. Maybe it's the years adding up on me - first, pointe shoes; then, heels every day. Yes, that's right - every day. I lived in heels for years, preferring them over no heels, or egad, low heels. I have hiked in heels, biked in heels, rocked my heels for 20 hours straight only to kittynap and wake up to a fresh day with a fresh pair of heels. I like to drive in them, using my pin thin heel like an axis as I swivel from stop to go.

And I admit to having cortizone injections in the soles of my feet to help the flare up of plantar fascitis that haunts my mornings and occasional jogs, all in the name of heels.

The only thing I loathe about heels is that you can't mask your foot pain while wearing them. We've all seen her: the lady in the killer heels walking like a recently neutered dog crossing a street made of hot nails. It's a fact that if you can't strut in your heels, don't even try.

I recall the precise moment when I knew my relationship with heels was compromised: I was at a conference and sprinting from room to room in 4.5" heels with a .5" platform. After 12 hours of this, the pads of my feet grew a pulse of their own, and I felt the swell within my shoe. My feet had a fever. I still had a few hours left in my day's work, and I refused to hobble, lest anyone think I couldn't strut in my heels. I thought a good night of rest would cure my pain, but when my alarm went off and my feet bore my body's weight for the first time that morning, I almost collapsed from the pain. I didn't think to pack flats. I don't even remember the pain of that day, I've wiped it so completely from my memory.

So what are my options? I'm vain. I want to wear heels. I have been committing myself to hours of research, and have found a few options, but this is how the new me is handling it:

• pack flats, stupid
• alternate between heels of all heights during the week
• do not slam your feet into your running shoes after a day in your highest heels - you're asking for the kind of foot issues that pay for your podiatrist's luxury vehicle
• ice, massage, rest, and wear really supportive (ugly) shoes as often as you can 
• orthotics (ew)

The problem with comfortable shoes is that they're hideous. They really are. It's impossible to have the kind of structure your food needs in a shoe shaped like a Louboutin. I found a few looks that I think are pretty cute. Nothing has blown me away yet, but I'm just starting. I'll update as I buy and try.

Clarks

Heath Harrier

Heath Skylark

Wessex Azure

Desert Boot

 Aerosoles

Episotic

 

Sofft

Nickelby

Balsov

Belfast

Trippen

Graphic Closed - I tried on a pair of Trippens in Germany and could not believe how deliciously comfortable they are. These are the only style that I could potentially integrate into my wardrobe. Does it make them cuter if I say they look better on the foot?

 

big night

Google the phrase "flapper girl" and you'll pull up a bevy of looks from trashy polyester costumes on spray tan frames, to heavily styled (and heavy lidded) dames from the 20s. I have the divine pleasure of dressing a la Roaring Twenties for a themed costume party in late October. As it turns out, this particular decade in fashion history has never gone out of vogue, which makes shopping for a look especially spendy. Let me show you.

THE ATTITUDE: Louise Brooks & Josephine Baker

THE HAIR:

THE SHOES:

THE VINTAGE DRESSES $350 - $1500:

THE NEW DRESSES $350 - $1900:

And I haven't even begun the search for accessories. What's a gal to do? 

short list

tilden cateye shades :: pixie market chiffon trench :: mikkat market twisted checkered shirt :: balmain leather pants :: zara glitter heels

copy kitties

Art, fashion, design, and music are all subject to copycats. Your very own thoughts, when shared, are likely to be copycatted (bet you didn't know the term copycat is a noun, a verb, AND an adjective). I don't mind so much, especially when it's more of a play on the original, but sometimes the copycatting is a straight up theft of someone else's design. But that begs the question: who did it first anyway? We may never know.

Here is the "original" Chloe striped maxi dress from Spring, 2012 Ready-to-Wear. The palette reminds me of a tube of Aqua Fresh and I like that. The pleating creates the stripes, which is gorgeous; and the string thin straps look as if they could let loose at any moment. I like that too. The Chloe dress is 100% silk and will set you back about...well, I don't even know since it's sold out. I'm guessing about $2,000.

The "copycat" is from Pixie Market, and though less subtle, is still lovely. It's made from100% polyester, and rings up at $54.

These sexy two-tone trousers are by none other than 3.1 Phillip Lim for Fall, 2012 Ready-to-Wear. Composed of 100% silk, they cost $475. I'd like to point out how much I loathe the styling (those shoes - egad!), but I delight in the simple, dynamic design.

This "copycat" version of the trousers was found on Mikkat Market. What's that you say? You don't know of Mikkat Market? I feel only slightly more original shopping here than at Zara. These 100% polyester pants are $41.

I remember the singularly girly sensation I experienced when I first spied this dress by Oscar de la Renta for his Spring, 2004 Ready-to-Wear line. A more feminine pink has never existed. It was the spectacular design and meticulous finish of the skirt that threw me into the spins. I have no idea how much it retailed. Thousands. Thousands.

Although not a direct copy, but more of a deep nod, Jason Wu sent this dress down his Spring, 2012 Ready-to-Wear runway and I instantly recalled my de la Renta moment eight years prior. The color is fresher, younger, and the silhouette is in the style of the mullet, but damn do I love it. Damn damn damn. Again, I have no idea the price. Thousands. Thousands.

Ah, Miu Miu. Weird collection, this Spring, 2011 Ready-to-Wear. Strange silhouettes. Forgettable? Hell no.

And apparently Proenza Schouler agreed, because they complimented Ms. Miuccia Prada with this homage for Fall, 2012 Ready-to-Wear.

Oh dear. I can't even express how much I love these boots. The Chloe Studded Susan boot of my dreams. Retailing at an outrageous $1300, alas, they would have to adorn my feet solely in somnolence.

But then I ran into these as I was perusing Zara, and damn if they aren't expensive, too. Zara is for shopping on a budget, but these are selling for $189. The silhouette isn't as sharp as the Chloe version, so I'll either wait for a sale or a Santa.

images 1, 3, 5-8 from style.com

sucker for steven

Too good to be true, this sale at Steven Alan. I check out their wares from time to time, and yowza, now I'm pining for these treasures to make their way into my (fit to bust) closet.

Because I'm a sucker for stripes:

Because I'm a sucker for summer dresses every day of the year, layered with tights and cardigans and boots and parkas and scarves: 

Because I'm a sucker for any shirt that looks like it belongs to a man:

Because I'm a sucker for jumping in puddles:

Because I'm a sucker for warm toes after jumping in puddles:

Because I'm a sucker for a dress that can transition from the office to play time:

Because I'm a sucker for a bikini any time of the year:

Because I'm a sucker for sleeping in dainty things:

 

what? what?

Overheard: Topshop is coming to Nordstroms (select cities) on September 10th. Here's what I'll be trying on: