Archive for the ‘Fashion’ Category
The search for attractive eco-basics
Every time start to throw away a plastic bag away, I think of the gigantic trash island in the middle of the Pacific, and feel bad. Sometimes I’ll put the bag in a pile to clean out and reuse, but usually I end up throwing it away anyway.
I’m hardly an environmental crusader, but I am mindful about what I consume and lean towards vintage and ethically-friendly products, while (attempting to) veer from trendy, cheap items made with little hands.
That said, I also have a strong sense of my own aesthetic; I like what I like, and I’m not going to buy/wear a dowdy hemp dress just because it’s green.
I keep my eye out for cool items that are also fair trade and/or good for the environment. A couple of years ago, it seemed like everyone and their brother had a new line of environmentally-friendly clothing. For a season, it was actually pretty easy to find stylish-yet-ethical outfit choices.
Colin Firth’s wife has been documenting her own green challenge for British Vogue — wear eco-dresses through the entire awards season, which has inspired me to renew my search for good looking fashion that just so happens to have an environmental impact.
1.) Mociun Tie Dress, $370
2.) Ultimate Organic Tee, $45
3.) Double K 007 Necklace, $110
4.) Loomstate Lover Boyfriend Straight Jeans in Deluca, $154
5.) Fair Trade Sneakers, $54.99
6.) Urban Renewal Flutter Short, $48
7.) Urban Renewal Chiffon Ruffle Blouse, $48
Spring trends: Knee highs?
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen knee highs in regular circulation.
My mom used to have a bunch balled up in her drawer. She’d pull them out when she had the occasion to wear “slacks.”
I’ve spotted elderly women wearing knee highs with dresses or skirts as a hosiery substitute. Invariably they’ll bend over or heaven-forbid, sit down revealing reinforced elastic for all to see.
Now, however, that seems to be the point.
Last year when Jena Malone traipsed the red carpet in granny-chic, the response was shock and dismay. Yet this year on the Marni runway, knee highs were worn like knee socks. Flimsy, banded knee socks.
While I am a lover of knee socks, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to get over the Grandma hurdle.
Anyone planning on sporting knee highs this spring?
Spring trends: Floral tops
After a winter full of solid basics, I’m looking forward to adding a few feminine, floaty pieces into my rotation. A few I’m liking:
1.) Joie Leanne Blouse, $218
2.) Ditsy Floral Top, $78
3.) Angie Floral Chiffon Top, $29.50
4.) Dress Bouquet, $79.90
5.) Floral Print Top, $49
6.) Lucca Couture Floral Chiffon Top, $58
Spring trends: Military
I spent most of the winter wearing brown and grey baggy sweaters, baggy pants, and big boots.
From the look of it, muted colors and baggy military garb will also be a part of spring fashion. Here are a few items I like:
1.) Killer Queen Jumpsuit, $228
2.) Caitlyn Solid Shirt, $39.50
3.) Leopardito Bag, $428
4.) Jeep Military Pin, $8
5.) Boutique 9 Elation Boot, $198
6.) Melody Trench, $148
7.) Golden Rope Headband, $58
8.) All Star Outsider Boot, $84
Spring trends: Shoes
I sometimes feel like I’m 10 minutes ahead of certain trends.
It seems like I’m always looking for some unattainable item, settling for a reasonable facsimile — only to have the item I wanted become popular and available everywhere — only I’ve already purchased something…well, less.
It happened with my asymmetric motorcycle jacket. It happened with oxford man shoes. This season — it’s desert boots.
I was looking for a pair of cute and comfy lace up shoes — but didn’t buy, because there was a general absence of “cute” in my choices.
Now, comfy, casual and cute shoes are EVERYWHERE. Here are some of the options on my list:
1.) Quoddy Suede Ring Boots, $278
2.) Enfield Saddle Shoe, $70
3.) Louie Louie Wingtip Flats without Laces, $198
4.) Ballet Flats, $39.50
5.) Elijah, $198
6.) Portia, $225
7.) Facinate, $59
8.) Clarks Desert Boots, $90
9.) Barletta Cordones, $69
Wedding belles
I’ve been married for 6 years — my days of poufy wedding dresses are over. But I couldn’t help a little oooh and ahhh-ing when I saw this vintage-looking lovely in the window of Pricilla’s of Boston last night.
Thanks to the Web, I’ve also learned that such a dress is $4500 – $5000.
Guess that’s incentive to make things work.
Spring in Spades
Last season’s Kate Spade collection was right up my alley. Some of their outfits felt like the designers invaded my mind and plucked out exactly what I wanted to wear.
This season, not so much.
5 spring basics just hit the site — with ideas of how to wear each one. Outfit at right is the only one I can see myself wearing — and that won’t happen due to the $495 price tag on the jacket.
Liz style
“I found my favorite new show,” says my husband.
That show: MTV’s My Life as Liz.
If you haven’t seen it, Liz follows, well, Liz, a super-cute, super-stylish girl with a sarcastic comeback for everything…who I’m supposed to believe is the scourge of her high school. She constantly calls herself a nerd. Unpopular.
I’m calling bullshit.
BULLSHIT!!!
I have a hard time believing that anyone with such a distinct personal style, and such a deft hand at red lipstick would spend so much time worrying about what the bitchy cheerleader thinks.
Last night, my husband and I watched 2 episodes back to back. Liz signs up for a talent contest to keep aforementioned bitchy cheerleader from winning the talent crown. As luck would have it, Liz is an amazing singer…with impeccable Indie taste (Band of Horses). Of course she is. Just like it always happens in high school.
As I squirmed through last night’s episode my husband became irritated.
Him: What’s wrong with you?
Me: This is making me angry! This is not how high school really works!
Him: It’s not real. It’s totally fake. (An interview with Liz on Alloy says it’s real)
Me: But they want it to be real! If it were real, her nerd friends would be funnier, her singing talent would be debatable, and she would have totally compromised herself to get with Bryson.
I do, however, like Liz’s style: Funky sneakers, skinny jeans, nerdy t-shirts, and really precise red lips.
- Tuxedo Jacket, $69.95
- Paramount Reader Glasses, $10
- Star Wars T-shirt, $24.99
- Nike Delta Lite High, $49.98
- Taylor Low-rise Super Skinny Jean, $44.50
Shopping Etsy: Handkerchiefs
While trolling the 75% off Frances sale, I stumbled onto a shelf with lots of vintage handkerchiefs for $5 each. I bought 2.
I’ve never used a handkerchief, but I’ve always been fascinated by them.
Sure, the idea of blowing your nose on something, sticking it into your pocket, then reusing the same snotty rag again and again, well, it seems a little gross.
Even if you wash it, you know what was on there.
As long as you don’t have a perpetual sinus infection, it could be okay…maybe?
Regardless of your feelings on phlegm, vintage handkerchiefs come in a variety of pretty colors and patterns that are pretty to look at, utilitarian or not.
I recently found some of my favorite hankies on Etsy:
1.) Set of 3 Hankies, $28
2.) Applique Bird, $12
3.) Child’s Vintage Kitty Hanky, $12
4.) Boston Terrier Handkerchief, $11.97
5.) Vintage pair of ladies handkerchiefs, $6
6.) Child Handkerchief, $4.80
7.) Rose Scalloped Hanky, $8
8.) Men’s Mustache & Women’s Lips Handkerchief Set, $26
Save 30% on Winter clearance at Le Train Bleu
It’s been awhile since I’ve visited Le Train Bleu.
Formerly one of my favorite online retail sites, somehow time passed, I didn’t visit, we became estranged.
Recently we reconnected, and as luck would have it, they are offering 30% off their Winter clearance through February 8th with coupon code EXTRA30.
I’m mulling over this wool maxi-dress (30% off $146.50). I think it’s kind of witchy in the best way possible.
