Madewell comes to Bird

According to our beloved WWD, J. Crew brainchild Madewell has joined the ranks of Alexander Wang, Acne and Proenza Schouler to extend its offerings toward the heart of hipster paradise, also known as Brooklyn's Bird, with three locations in Park Slope, Cobble Hill and most recently, Williamsburg. Being one of the first retailers in NYC to obtain a LEED certification, Bird kicks off this strategic alliance with a shopping event tomorrow night co-hosted by Nancy Whang of LCD Soundsystem, as WWD proclaims, "Hipsters welcome."

I want dat.

So while I may or may not be able to attend this baller opening event seeing as how Midtown will monopolize my time, a girl can still lust after the monochromatic wonders that (along with Rumi, of course) have inspired a gradual yet soon-to-be-complete shift in my design aesthetic. Let's step outside of the box now, shall we?

Cotton Asymmetrical Zip Jacket

Ligne 6 - Martin Margiela, $255

Perfect Tencel Button Shirt

Current / Elliot, $198

Dianetta Melange Cashmere & Silk Scarf

Faliero Sarti, $339

Sun Spike Necklace

Wendy Nichol, $405

Striped Silk Tennis Shorts

Rag & Bone, $255

Large Leather Zip Pouch

Comme des Garcons, $135

3 Stitch Knit Brass Cuff

Wendy Nichol, $310

Sazerac High Heel Ankle Boot

Rachel Comey, $425

On a slightly unrelated note, Bryanboy has the very best taste. How unbelievably awesome are these Mugler F/W 2011 booties? Yum.

At Kenzo. How could you possibly not love him?

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.

Blah blah blah

Right. So I know there's something off about this look; I'm very much aware that a snug schoolboy blazer with golden anchor buttons in no way, shape or form warrants a pair of genuine cowboy boots, but I'd actually like to action this type of ensemble come spring. What up, darty season. I can feel you already...

Boys (8-20) Blazer

Izod, $50

Super Skinny Racerback Tank

BDG, $16

Gardenia Necklace

J. Crew, $118

Cutoff Denim Shorts

Urban Renewal, $28

N4540 5/4

Luchesse, $335

Heritage Weave "Avery" Hobo

Cole Haan, $348

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.

New Year's Resolutions 1.0

How clever, right? But in the spirit of honoring what could have possibly been the very best weekend of my life, I think it's appropriate to concretely address my sartorial goals for the upcoming year. 2011. How the fuck did we get here? I honestly didn't think I'd make it past first semester freshman year (which happened, but just barely). Now, I'm sitting here with my sixth BlackBerry and officially-retired cognac H&M cross body bag (which has since been replaced by an Ann Taylor semi-quilted black leather gold-chain-link satchel, similar to the one below sans the bow, and half the quilting), and wondering what I can actively do in these next five (less than five, really) months in terms of improving myself before the culmination of this entire college experience: graduation.

Bow Quilting Single Shoulder Bag

Marc Jacobs, $550

I know this post sounds like it's headed somewhere lame and nostalgic, but one has to wonder what these past four years would have been like without say, my beloved/necessary Calloway locker, breakout room #117B (more recently, C), and of course, fratting hard and often. Engrossing myself completely in my studies and social life at Wake has influenced me in ways, but I still vow not to fall victim to engrossing myself in its rather defined culture of dress. After spending the past celebratory weekend in my favorite city in the world, something innate challenged me to go riskier than ever before. Marbled acid-wash denim leggings paired with 6-inch suede-velvet over-the-knee boots (foldover, and thus convertible to thigh-highs)? Done. I can't wait to see the look on people's faces when I break out my silver sequin shorts or massively torn jean cutoffs (thanks to a single day party, in fact) over a pair of sheer black tights to a lounge party. We shall see.

535 Legging in Old School

Levi's, $32

In keeping with my goal of making goals, here are the resolutions I've established, listed in descending order of urgency. (If you know me at all, this should not surprise you one bit.)

1. Yes, an outfit may look like it works. But would it make a statement when getting drinks at Soho House? If the answer is no, it'll be my duty to make it more interesting. For an outfit to be truly awesome, something should look a bit off about it. Being too obviously and consciously put-together is overrated. Effortless layering is way more fun. Unless I'm going to a business casual event or networking dinner, there are no excuses to looking shamefully safe and commonplace.

My philosophy of balance and layering in a nutshell, courtesy of LF Trend Reports. Nicely done, and totally inspirational. Shoutout to Kara Fabella on this one.

2. Make heels a regular occurrence. I'm absolutely not talking about some unnecessary pointy-toe stilettos, but rather, over-the-knee boots, gladiator wedges or heeled combat boots. It's normal in the city, so why can't it be here, too?

3. Make a constant effort to accessorize. This has been my goal since seventh grade, and I'll admit, to this day, I still haven't mastered it successfully. Don't get intimidated by how much a necklace or earrings will drastically improve the dimensions of the outfit. In the end, the ROI of taking the time to pick out the piece will be well worth it. Scarves are good, too, as long as I don't lose them...

4. Wear fur, studs, fringe, cut-out and leather at Wake, somehow, some way.

Wow. Seriously, what would people do if I tried to channel Posh or L. Lo while walking through the Swan Room? Lolz.

5. Look for pieces in places I wouldn't normally go. This break, instead of heading to the usual trusty suspects, I ventured out of my way and made some of my most versatile purchases (imported cowboy boots, oversized flannels and black suede lace-up booties) at Zane Western Apparel, Kohl's and Traffic... I'm dead serious. Initially cringe-inducing, yes, but after taking the time to filter out the 99% of absolutely heinous stuff, it's completely worth it.

6. Actually go thrifting. Man up. Stop being a snob, accept that other people previously owned these items and recognize that this may be the best $6 I ever spent on a jacket or knit sweater.

Both of these little boys' blazers (1, 2) were less than $5 from thrift stores. Baller.

7. Invest in blazers. Differentiate from my beloved black, pinstripe-lined original and explore different color palettes and textures, like velvet and herringbone.

8. Research a new coveted celebrity every few weeks and incorporate elements of his/her personal style into my own outfits on a daily basis.

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.

Amateur Hour

I'm never ashamed of and will even quickly admit to my rookie status regarding accessories. Researching, taking notes on and applying successful celeb accessory usage tops my list of New Year's Resolutions, though. If I've learned absolutely anything this year, follow through is vital. So you have my word on this one; unlike the beginning of every other year where I vow to experiment with layered turquoise necklaces, brushed gold bangles and chunky rings... and then freak out and revert to my original Ann Taylor single leaf-strand necklace (faded as it is)... I'm promising results in the shape and form of accessories responsible for tying every outfit together. No more intimidation factor. Man Up.

So here's to the $32.40 (no tax, bitches) I spent on three remarkably versatile pieces, all from Forever 21 which has risen to let's say... 60% of the time ggc status. Merry Christmas to me.

Chain and Diamond Necklace, $8

Chain Fringe Necklace, $15

Rhinestone Heart Dangling Chain Necklace, $10

Let's pray that these don't break in 2 seconds and/or when I embark on my New Year's Eve/Amanda's birthday adventures beginning December 30th, 2010. Let's be real. My ultimate goal is to beat the system and get the highest ROI on the amount I spent... dividing total retail cost by # of times used = "actual" cost (Hmm, $32.40 divided by 900 times worn... would make that cost pretty low. I'd say that's a good goal.) and perceived value to me as the consumer. I just love philosophizing aka justifying all my purchases. Maybe there is an up side to over-analyzing absolutely everything? Clearly. I know what's best for me.

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.

Se fiesta aquí

I know I butchered the verb tense (along with singlehandedly making up the tense and meaning completely), but as D-D-D-D-Dr. D would say, what I'm getting at is the phrase "Se habla español aquí", or "Spanish is spoken here". Clearly, I haven't studied my español since senior year of high school when I somehow managed to receive a 4 on the AP exam, but what can I say? Everything Señor has taught me since seventh grade stuck. Now, who would have thought I would be applying this knowledge to my own little fashion blog so many years later? More importantly, who would have thought I would reference two professors in one post? Creepy. Moving on.

In essence, partying happens here. Party is not a passive verb, but if you understand what I'm trying to convey, it just kind of works... similar to how "fratting" became a gerund as ubiquitous among my daily vocabulary as is the word "Calloway". Double lives, anyone? But I digress. So it's that time of year again: final exams, heinous Christmas sweaters and apparently, chasing black raspberry Belvedere with Four Loko. Christmas time is upon us, meaning New Years isn't far behind. I always like to give a nod to everyone's beloved Topshop during the holidays because it's a brand which exudes such sparkle year-round. In short, if the holidays were rolled up into a sole apparel brand, Topshop would be it. This year's NYE selections highlight texture, movement and simplicity-- three of my favorite concepts for sure. Last year, I was about vintage (thanks, Mom) mixed with fast fashion basics; now, I'm intrigued by understated pieces that can be played up by meticulous details and loud-in-a-good-way accessories.

Limited Edition Twist Dress, $340

Chainmail Vest Dress, $370

One Shoulder Drape Dress, $110

Slinky Cape Sleeve Tie Waist Dress, $80

Iconic Heavy Beaded Dress, $270

One Shoulder Suede Dress, $310

Chain Back Bodycon Dress, $100

It actually pains me how distracted I am right now, so commentary will come later.

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.

Little Miss Adventurous

Meet Miss Amanda Lynn Williams, a bubbly, fun-loving brunette from Fayetteville, North Carolina. With an introduction like that, it seems she’s as all-American-girl-next-door as it gets, but if you’re expecting a Southern belle who simply can’t live without her Vera Bradley tote and Lilly planner, you’d better look elsewhere. Her self-proclaimed style being defined as “simple with a little edge”, Amanda begs to interrupt the fashion status quo by channeling the personas of style icons Kate Moss, Rachel Bilson and my personal favorite, fashiontoast blogger and model Rumi Neely.

“I've always felt that my ability to express myself through my style has been really stifled.” Unashamed to admit she feels Wake’s fashion scene is “too bland and not adventurous enough”, Amanda, who has lived in some awesome places (Germany-- no big deal), replaces the typical rainbow-splashed wardrobe of pastel-colored polos with dark cotton crop tops, North Face fleeces with fitted schoolboy blazers and classic tall UGG’s with leather harness boots. What’s not to love about a girl who radiates constant Rachel Zoe-esque creativity and a breath of fresh fashion air? Continuously emphasizing the significance of distinguishable simplicity, the below outfit shows a bit more of Amanda’s casual side, but demonstrates her style in that “it’s just simple basics paired with the flannel and boots”.

Amanda salutes brands like Haute Hippie, Free People and Charlotte Ronson, as well as blogs like The Sartorialist and Stockholm Street Style, that best personify as well as inspire her willingness to step ahead of the traditional fashion curve. “In high school, anything too different didn't exactly warrant positive attention from my peers. And then coming to Wake, I quickly realized that I wasn't going to find that fashion freedom that I had hoped I would find in college.” Around her sophomore year, the non-sorority-girl-sorority-girl admirably stopped caring about standing out and her style evolved naturally to its current state.

Capitalizing on the fall and winter seasons to make best use of layering and balance with jackets and other fun pieces, Amanda’s personal style highlights a versatile approach to wearing a wider variety of her wardrobe in the colder months. Besides her favorite spoon ring which she inherited from her mom, she also can’t live without the brown leather purse she purchased in Florence and is very much looking forward to the holidays, meaning a shiny red bow tied around a coveted Jeffrey Campbell shoebox. Why brown lace-up boots? “Why not?” Point taken. So whether she’s assisting me in putting out the grease fire we started in my kitchen on the morning of Senior Fifth or going on adventures for sushi at 10 PM Sunday night, this girl clearly knows how to have a good time and doesn’t mind dressing well while doing it, either.

Cross-posted HERE.

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.

Dedicated to the whispering Robi

As much of a fashion enthusiast as I am, I’ll admit to my rookie status when it comes to non-apparel items. I often fall guilty to putting much less emphasis on accessories than my creative license warrants when I should in fact be challenging myself to push aesthetic boundaries. It's taken me my entire life to perfect my own style philosophy in terms of dresses and separates, yet I still find myself getting flustered when presented with the responsibility of working with an unlimited option of small items that each has the power to change the outfit's ultimate story. Baby steps are good, though, and I've decided to take on this learning experience one day at a time. (Yes, this was borrowed from a previous post, but the context was fitting and I was pressed for time.)

Here at Wake, accessories are definitely downplayed, so it wasn’t difficult to spot this gorgeous bib necklace from the typical string of pearls we’re used to seeing all around campus. According to its stylish owner, one of my dearest friends, this single statement piece is responsible for pulling together an otherwise neutral or monochromatic outfit—a simple black jersey dress, dark opaque tights and a trusty pair of cowboy boots. Pieces like this are what make good outfits great, and I’ve taken a cue from this necklace to step outside of the box and remind myself that stylish risks are a very good thing.

Cross-posted HERE.

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.

Holly Golightly: the most classically classic woman of all time

Oversized shades, a perfect updo and that stunning open-back Givenchy LBD. The image of UES socialite Holly Golightly eating a pastry and gazing into the windows of Tiffany & Co. at 6 AM is more ubiquitous around college apartment living rooms than silly bandz are on the wrists of elementary school kids. I wholeheartedly understand and agree that Audrey Hepburn has become a cultural fashion icon personifying all elements of class, luxury and good taste, but if only the girls who share such a so-called adoration for her clothing would just adopt her practices of dressing, instead of just jumping on the bandwagon by tacking her image up on the wall...

Besides being breathtakingly beautiful in every way possible, Hepburn as Golightly epitomizes New York City high society and the beneficial significance of sartorial perfection. Her outfits accurately translate the character's emotion-- all-time highs as well as pitfalls-- and I could only dream that my wardrobe was as incredible as hers. Even when performing a hauntingly soothing rendition of "Moon River" on the fire escape in a simple cotton top and headscarf, Hepburn looks amazing, giving a new meaning to the recycled term "casual luxury". Perhaps my favorite look of the entire film is the cream one-shouldered toga frock she donned as the hostess of a banging apartment soiree (the cops were called-- Audrey knows how to rage). Not only was this dress considered darling in the sixties, but it could easily be worn in today's context and be just as fashionably powerful.

I say this time and time again, but fit and form were clearly much more of a priority to people in earlier decades than now, as these concepts are executed moreso in this movie than can be found anywhere else. This totally doesn't have to be the case, but why have we as dressers in the 2000's become so damn lazy? Instead of always looking pressed and polished like the hunky gentleman George Peppard, guys now seem to  just throw on whatever's clean, then wonder why the hell girls aren't flocking after them. Similarly, girls resort to purchasing blah garments created of subpar fabrics that "work", or ridiculously-priced items stamped all over with designer logos, but don't flatter them in the least and contribute nothing to the style pool. Bo-ring. 

I'm not saying tailored tweed suits and shift dresses emphasizing clean lines are the solution to every single occasion today, but people, please clean yourselves up. If everyone simply honored this understanding of fit and dressed with as much flair as the characters in Breakfast at Tiffany's did, the world would just be such a better place. There would be no more trashy colorblocked elastic-waist dresses, heinous crochet-neck babydoll tops (undoubtedly paired with so-boring J. Crew shorts) or flimsy floral sundresses that were probably constructed for less than a dollar. When I'm baller, I really am going to make it a point to save the world.

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.

Inflection point

It's miserable and embarrassing that I'm going back to school, yet have only posted a total of twice this summer. I guess my 100-mph lifestyle this summer has finally caught up with me - Exhibit A being a comment my uncle made (partially at my expense), gingerly describing my appearance as "partied out... but good" because it seemed I had found my niche in New York City after only a few months... "Sorry I'm not sorry."

My style has evolved quicker than ever interning in Chelsea, the neighborhood so saturated by portfolio-toting models that style anywhere else just can't compare. I've permanently traded in my sad Rainbow flip-flops for Sam Edelman cowboy boots as my footwear go-to's, and frat function crewneck tees for oversized, slouchy v-neck tops. Honestly, a white Fruit of the Loom undershirt paired with my exposed-pocket 7FAM shorts and the boots, accessorized only with my Ann Taylor LOFT single-strand gold necklace and Diesel sunglasses, is good enough for me to down some Colombian roast and be out the door. This look involves loads more substance than does any given Lilly polo or Tory Burch logo sweater matched with some yawn-inducing J. Crew 3-inch inseam chino shorts. Bye.

Carolina Cup 2010 AKA Preppy Heaven

As I went on my annual before-school spree, I noticed I was still being drawn to monochromatic pieces that complete a more androgynous look, the style I've nurtured after being constantly exposed to girls and guys exuding the textbook definition of effortless downtown chic. I thought to myself, if this is my look now, why stop? Why allow Wake's suffocating style palette of Jack Rogers sandals (vom) and Vineyard Vines everything to dictate the pieces I appreciate? I'm more certain than ever in my style and the aesthetics I appreciate; naysayers can kindly go fuck themselves.

This entire set is comprised of items I own (the necklace and mini-satchel are the only stand-ins), so this is a taste of a typical outfit on my end these days. I do find it ironic, though, that the outfit's main pieces both seem to channel borrowing from your boyfriend's wardrobe when in reality, I feel this is a uniform to convey newfound sentiments of confidence and control.

 V-neck Boyfriend Tee

Forever 21, $5

Boyfriend Shorts with Liberty Pocket Lining

7 For All Mankind, $160

Nile Short Cowboy Boot

Sam Edelman, $189

DS 0194 HAI

Diesel, $120

  

Vintage Snake Chain Necklace

Bop Bijoux, $98

 

Totally Turnlock Percy Cross Body Bag

Marc by Marc Jacobs, $198

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.