Archive for the ‘Fashion’ Category
Pump up your outfit
What’s Cracking Good — Pump Up the Volume outfits
During a night out, a friend and I discovered that a younger companion had never seen a slew of ’80s and ’90s films so we compiled our quintessential slumber party movie list.
A selection from that list:
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Heathers
Say Anything
Pump Up the Volume
My husband also had never seen the latter, so it went to the Netflix list. A few weeks later I got the email alert the DVD was on its way and started worrying that a movie about a 1990s pirate radio station for disgruntled high school students might not necessarily stand the test of time.
It did and didn’t.
Students tune into the radio show on their boom boxes. Christian Slater talks on a brick-sized portable phone. But the clothes, at least Samantha Mathis’ clothes, would still be cool now.
Here’s a sampling of her PUTV ensembles:
- Lightweight Wool Blazer, $98
- Sunnydale Dress, $74.99
- Floral Brooch, $24
- Combat Boot, $285
- Draped Collar Vest, $88
- Drop Waist Shirt Dress, $53.92
- Checked Tights, $51
Emmy fashion
Everyone interested in fashion has an opinion on red carpet styles — myself included.
I gave my opinion of Emmy Award bests and worst on my azcentral blog, Spinning Wheels, which includes (but is not exclusive to), these hideous heels worn by Rita Wilson.
The first day of class
Monday I attended my first day of classes.
What I wasn’t wearing: these outfits from Shopbop.
Are Shopbop’s main offices in Alaska?
As much as I like blazers, scarves and wooly skirts, I would probably collapse somewhere between the lightrail line and jellyfish net sculpture if I wore any of their suggested back-to-school items on my first day. I might, however, wear them around midterms.
Here is my idea of a good Arizona-friendly first-day outfit:
1.) Cocoa Powder Shorts, $39.99
Comfy, casual, cool.
2.) Ring of Desire, $12.99
Make a statement.
3.) Breezy Button-down, $38
Wear sleeves up or down, depending on the classroom A/C.
4.) Trouser Flat, $69
Comfortable shoes to traverse the campus.
5.) Double-studded Belt, $58
Pull it all together.
6.) Nuo Eco-Friendly Bag, $43.99
Keep organized with eco-friendly style.
The indispensable yellow cardigan
The single most worn item in my closet is a yellow cardigan (I actually have more than one).
3 seasons out of the year (she gets a break in winter), I probably wear a yellow cardigan — or have it in my purse — 3 or 4 days a week. Okay, maybe 5.
Yellow blends with just about every color — black, grey, browns, blues, greens, florals — which often don’t contain yellow — so I don’t look too matchy-matchy.
Ask anyone who knows me what my “signature” item would be — it’s likely they’d say a cardigan. I’d narrow it to a yellow one.
Currently my Delia’s-brand sweater is looking a little frail. I’m on the look-out for a new cardigan for the rotation. Here are a few possibilities:
1.) 3/4-sleeve Jersey Cardigan, $24.90
2.) School Uniform Cardigan Sweater, $38.50
3.) V-Neck Cardigan, $49.50
Note: For some ideas on wearing the pieces, check out azcentral.com’s “5 pieces for 10 days” challenge which includes, what else, a yellow cardigan.
Headwear is looking Rosie
I’m a sucker for a cool hat. A well-fashioned scarf — well that works, too.
Visit the Arizona Costume Institute’s “Are you a Rosie?” event and learn to make a headdress in the vein of Rosie the Riveter (see right) — or get inspired by the current 1940′s-era displays in the In the Mood exhibition at Phoenix Art Museum.
The event is free and materials are provided — all you need to bring is a little creativity and a willingness to learn about the history of fashion.
Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004-1685
Free to the public
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Keds is making brogues — for men
I’m a big fan of Keds‘ new brogue-inspired sneakers. The problem? They’re only available for men!
What’s up with that Keds?
Japan-style
I got back last night from a two-week vacation in Japan. Now Tempe Town Lakes is empty, Jon Stewart has a goatee and there’s a new season of Project Runway and Mad Men. How quickly things change!
I’ll be writing specifics about my trip later, but here’s a few of my style highlights:
1) People-watching
Everyone in Japan seems to have a unique style. Some are cool (gothic Lolitas, girly, trendy) — others are merely unique, but everyone seems to put thought in what they put on their body any given day.
2) Oversized-wear
I’m generally considered small in the states, but felt like a giant in Japan. Luckily, the trend is roomy layers that generally come in “one size fits all,” and I’m included in that all. Maybe it’s their diminutive size, but they made it look adorable, not dumpy.
3) The subversive kimono
There were a lot of people “dressed” for the weekend. Wigs, lashes, platforms — the like I’ve only ever seen in movies about ’80s New York. Along with the crazy fashion, however, were cool girls in kimonos.
—–
The following are some weird trends that I saw EVERYWHERE.
1) Stirrup tights
I saw loads of stirrup tights, worn under skirts, dresses and shorts — and often paired with sandals.
2) Arm sleeves
It was 95 degrees with 90% humidity, yet everyone wore what appeared to be arm socks. “Are they mad,” I thought? “Why would you wear arm warmers in this weather?” It took me nearly a week to realize that they weren’t for warmth, but UV protection. And everyone had them.
3) Socks
There were TONS of weird socks: frilly peds with flats, toe-socks worn under sandals, lacy socks under peep toes.
4) Drop crotches
Harem pants haven’t been lost on Japan. In fact, they take the trend to new (lower) levels.
Barraged by cross-body bags
What’s still Cracking Good — Cross body bags
You know, last year I searched far and wide for a decent cross-body bag…and while I found a few, they were pretty elusive.
This season, however, I’m not looking, and they are EVERYWHERE.
Isn’t that always the way?
1.) Deena & Ozzy Leather Cage Bag, $68
2.) Tano Thin Lizzy, $190
3.) Nine West Crossbody (more colors), $49.99
4.) Back in the Saddle Bag, $59.99
5.) Cantina Mini Bag, $99
July 4th-wear
Celebrate the country’s independence with a little festive red, white and blue (and vintage):
- July 4th Sundress, $169
- Jennifer Sunglasses, $12.50
- Barcelona Espadrille Sandal, $92
- Edgartown Quinn bag, $228
Summer style for the boys
My husband is one of the most stylish people I know.
He’s always been that way. Even in high school, he pegged his slightly baggy jeans, untucked his shirt just so, and had an easy way of carrying his backpack that made his whole look seem effortless and cool. You never get the idea that he stood in his closet for hours wondering what he should wear — or whether his jeans make his bum look big (for the record, he’s never done either of those things).
When my guy friends ask me about men’s fashion, I often point to him as a model of what I think a boy should wear: equal parts rumpled prep school student and street kid, with a dash of nerd.
Here are a few things that are in his summer rotation:
Tops:
- Polo shirts, $8
- Button-down shirt (in blue and white striped, white or blue), $59.50
- Madras shirts, $95
Bottoms:
- A not-so-baggy khaki, $54
- A not-so-baggy jean, $54
- A thin-legged short, $41.99
Shoes:
- Sneakers, $30
- Saddle Shoes, varies
- Oxford Laceup, $245
- Flip- flops, $22
Accessories:
- A giant watch, $135
- A preppy tie, $45
- Belt, $18
Favorite men’s stores:
If money is no object:
