Wanted: Shrunken Blazer

For a few months now I have searched for the perfectly fitting shrunken blazer… I have searched high and low price points, from Club Monaco to the little boys department at the Goodwill and still can’t find the one I want! It should be fitted through the bust, but not too tight through the shoulders (to avoid ”fat guy in a little coat” moments) with an elbow or three-quarter sleeve (or even a long sleeve one that is easy to cuff, but in this case it must have a cute lining), and the collar can’t be too retro 70’s and no double breasted jackets welcome…. So I guess I am slightly picky, but a girl wants what she want! I’m not too concerned with color, just that it has to be a neutral darker tone… but not brown…. navy or black would be perfection, even a pinstripe would make the cut. What I will end up doing, which I should have done months ago is buying one that has the best fit (and right color) and having it tailored by our “ladies” (i.e. our sample makers at work). I have included some images of blazers that I like the fit… please see Kate, Ashley, Sienna, Rachel and Agnes. Also ones that I have come across in my search that didn’t live up to my standards….JCrew Children’s department (If I am spending $150 it better be a women’s tailored blazer), Vintage Etsy Shop (can’t handle the plaid) and Urban Outfitters (most selection, but fit isn’t great and everyone will have it=not my style). So my search continues on…. and on, and on………

Androgyny… Here to Stay?

For years my good friend has always said that her favorite outfit is her “gay man outfit” which consists of skinny jeans, super low v-neck 50/50 American Apparel tee and her Chuck Taylors. Now more than ever (even more than in the 80’s when women’s “power suits” were all the rage) women dressing more like men and respectively men dressing as women is a full on movement, not just a trend. Perhaps my big city local has jaded my thoughts regarding the movement, but I think the lines between men’s and women’s clothing is so blurry the line is non-existent. Take for example, Marc Jabobs’ current ads starring a man (who at first glance can easily be mistaken for a woman) wearing his IT dresses of the season. Also, I see just as many men sporting the gladiator sandal on the streets of New York as women. When I went to Levi’s looking to buy my boyfriend a pair of skinny jeans they led me to the woman’s section, where I proclaimed “No he doesn’t wear women’s jeans… men’s skinny jeans will be skinny enough for him….” 

But it isn’t only the men wanting to look more feminine, women can pull off boyfriend chic just as well as their beaus. Personally I prefer to pair my masculine pieces with softer more feminine fabrics and heels, that way I will never be mistaken for a 12 year old boy.

Fall for Mad Men

The premiere of Mad Men’s second season not only reinforced the fall trends that were seen on runways in February but it also inspired new trends to pursue. Amongst the characters, everyone sported some form of plaid… even the inside of one of the executive’s briefcases was tartan clad. The first scene of Betty Draper featured her during her equestrian lesson sporting the most masculine clothing we have seen her in to date. Super skinny riding pants, fitted sweater, tall riding boots and a helmet made her look as if she trotted right off Gaultier’s runway….Even her riding instructor was mixing plaids in a casual yet fitting-for-her-character way. Below I have pulled images from both seasons to prove that in some way the Mad Men of the 1960’s have influenced 2008’s trends (and some trends should be left in the 60’s). They really are great advertisers!

Pre-Fall Obsessed

It’s not that I am sick of summer already, its just that I have been doing a lot of Fall trend research for work and I keep coming across looks that I love!! I have also been noticing that I own a lot of the pieces that make up some of these fabulous looks!

Fall Look #1: Chloe Pre-Fall 08

From My Closet:

Zara Blazer

H&M Floral Shirt

Vintage “Knickers”

H&M Tights

 

To Complete the Look:

American Eagle Sweater

Still looking for the perfect Boots

 

Fall Look #2: Stella McCartney Pre-Fall 08

From my closet:

Club Monaco Jeans

H&M Top (Same from Look #1)

 

To Complete the Look:

American Eagle Sweater

 

Just to prove that I am not over summer yet, I recreated this D&G look from their Spring 08 Runway show from things I had in my closet…

 

Simply Vera Rain Jacket

Parisian Vintage Lace Slip

Vintage Belt

Steve Madden Gladiators

 

Comfy Casual is definitely my current mood when it comes to dressing myself.

Inspirational Food

Here are a few photos of food that I find inspirational in color combination, especially for summer! Wouldn’t that stripe look so cute as a light-weight t-shirt dress? And the way the strawberries stained the pineapples makes a great gradient!

 

Have a wonderful summer weekend!

Not So Mellow Yellow

Recently I have noticed that my wardrobe continues to become more and more yellow… no I don’t mean its turning yellow with age, but I am accumulating a lot of bright yellow clothing!! From shoes to vintage pieces, yellow has caught my eye this summer. I bought this vintage skirt for a few dollars at the Salvation Army and hemmed it and sported it with a red striped top and cheetah flats this week. Put your shades on while you view my over abundant yellow wardrobe!

Wanted: Pleated Pants

 

 

 

 

Last week I was admiring these navy pleated pants from Alexander Wang’s collection. There is some kind of simple glamour about the cropped cuff pant paired with a basic silk shirt, something I wanted to have… (for much cheaper of course). I vowed to make them if my hunt was unsuccessful, (although the vintage fabric from my aunt just would not work for pleated pants) but alas, I found them! I purchased this grey pair at H&M for only $29.99. As I was trying on different tops to wear with my new fabulous pants I came across a very serious issue… if worn the wrong way, I could end up looking like a 1980’s soccer mom. Note: DO NOT WEAR PLEATED PANTS WITH VESTS! I ended up wearing them with a simple cotton voile ruffle dress (that I wore as a shirt of course) and due to my short stature, I had to cuff the pants more than they were originally intended, but I think it worked out great!

 

 

Way To Wear It!

 

 

 

 

I picked up this vintage top at Cheap Jack’s on St. Mark’s Place a few months ago because I fell in love with the unique print that mimics camouflage. The print is really made up of painterly strokes of green, brown, yellow, and scattered pink flowers and bridges… yes bridges! No matter what the print is made up of, the colors and feminine styling make this a versatile layering piece that helps create endless possibilities in my wardrobe. As I was organizing my closet, I came up with these 3 looks… Professional Chic, Sassy Safari and Dollhouse Rock.

 

Hot Child in the City!

 I had a very nice weekend just bummin’ around New York. I always appreciate these weekends because they all start the same… breakfast on the water with a day of adventure ahead of us, not knowing what to expect. This weekend it was in the 90’s (felt like it was in the hundreds) which made it slightly less enjoyable, but still a great time! After enjoying my bagel and iced chai by the water, I headed to the Beckerman Sample Sale which was quite a delight! Set in their very lovely apartment, the living room was full of whimsical dresses and brightly colored accessories. Cubby, the super sweet Beckerman pup was enjoying his bone as much as I was the clothing and the company of the sisters. I purchased this season-less tie dyed/painterly dress and the most quirky of all necklaces… the Beckerman Spectacles which proclaim, “I see beautiful things.”  I also received a free gift: the tree branch peace sign necklace which is proudly worn by the most fabulous M.I.A. The rest of the weekend was full of flea marketing in Chelsea and vintage shopping about town. I came across this must-have studded belt and this simply lovely ring. Both will be great additions to my ever evolving accessories collection. Between all of the shopping I picked up a rainbow ice to cool down (oh so colorful!) And took a minute to sit in the West Village Park and enjoy the “wild” flowers. I hope everyone else had a great weekend as well!

 

 

 

 

 

Hats are Back!!

I have been seeing hats all over the place, from regular people strutting down the street to supermodels on the runway. Celebrities sport the hat as well, maybe to keep away from the paparazzi more so than to look stylish. I have always firmly believed that someone who has a prominent nose looks the best in a hat. I think that the nose balances out the brim on the hat… call me crazy! I have a love for vintage hats (but often refrain from purchasing them due to the lack of length of my nose). The one I own is great for the Fall trend of English Country which I am obsessed with! So big nose or not, get out your hats for the summer and upcoming fall!

Old School Fabrics

My collection of vintage fabric has been slowly filling up my small East Village apartment, it grows faster than I can use it up! My mom is always on the lookout for cool vintage fabs when she shops estate sales and my great aunt donates her old fabric to the “Christina could make something cute out of this crazy fabric” fund. I appreciate every bit of it, even if the piece of fabric is only enough to line a pocket! I love vintage fabrics because you often see strange techniques that might not be used anymore, kinda crazy color combinations and whimsical prints. Here are my most recent additions to the ever-growing collection.

 

 

Denim Daze

Summer is not the ideal time for wearing long denim jeans, especially not super skinnies in 90 degree weather… so I have collected photos of denim pieces that can keep you cool on those smoldering days. Personally my favorites to wear are denim jumpers and jean shorts, you can’t go wrong with a great pair of jean shorts!

Have a FABULOUS weekend!!

Bow-tiful

Going along with my obsession with bows, I just finished making a dress to wear to my friend’s wedding this weekend. It is made out of an Ikat, Silk Dupioni fabric. Since the last dress I made was very free and flowing I thought it would be nice to change it up and focus on structure. Because Silk Dupioni is so flimsy I ended up facing the entire dress to achieve the structure that I wanted and to reduce wrinkling while wearing it. Also, I bought these new Betsey Johnson Shoes to mimic the bow in the back of the dress. I will be accessorising with vintage jewels and clutch. Very excited to wear the whole ensemble!!

Highland Fling!

Although Fall is still months away, I couldn’t neglect sharing my favorite trend for this upcoming season. I have fallen madly in love with the tartans that were all over the runways for Fall. There is something so rich and beautiful about the way the textures and prints are mixed. Unlikely to use plaid, (i.e. Carolina Herrera and Roberto Cavalli) these designers paired tartans with their signature style. In true Cavalli style, the Just Cavalli collection featured animal skin tights under an over-sized plaid dress. Tartans are done in a very sophisticated way this year and I look forward to layering on the plaids and print as soon as autumn hits!

Summer Brights!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend! I spent the majority of mine in upstate New York. It was nice to be out of the city for a few days, and even nicer to hunt for great vintage finds! I hit the local Salvation Army and found some great pieces for nearly nothing. I purchased 3 items totalling $7.50, the lady behind me said “Don’t break the bank there hunny!” The long yellow skirt I plan on hemming so that it hits right at my knee. Currently it hangs closer to my ankles… not so flattering.

My next stop was at a small family owned vintage store that carries vintage clothing and accessories along with housewares. I stumbled upon this great floral slip! The $20 price tag was at first offputting, but once I noticed the beautiful scalloped hem, I had to have it! I am wearing it today as a high waisted skirt, so cute! I’m not sure if it was because of the holiday or the great season of summer but I purchased all bright colors this weekend, which isn’t always the case. I look forward to more bright days and fun colors for my summer wardrobe!

Super Girl-y!

For a few seasons now we have seen a continuation of feminine details such as bows and ruffles. I personally will purchase almost anything with a bow on it: bags, shoes, jewelry and clothing of course! I think bows are timeless and classic. These vintage shoe clips would be perfect to make a pair of basic flats more feminine! Here is a collection of some of my favorite bows and ruffles!

Have a great holiday weekend!

Beckerman Heaven

A few years ago a good friend of mine (and a good friend of the designers) introduced me to the 3 ring circus known as the Beckermans; Three Canadian sisters who studied different aspects of fashion design at FIT. Caillianne studied Fashion Design, Samantha studied Accessories Design and Chloe studied Textile/Surface design. Every season they come up with new silhouettes that are not only flattering but fresh! They have a sense of humor about clothing that makes you coming back for more every season. They also design their own textile prints each season that reflect their quirky style.  http://www.beckermans.com/