I've moved....

http://fashionrehab.onsugar.com/

Fashion for thought

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/29/fashion/29ROW.html?8dpc

Want

So every season magazines/websites/even newspapers go on to print lists and lists of Spring essentials. Trends, "must haves", "cannot live withouts", whatever they label them every year it's some new fangled list of things you need. I'm not here to discuss those lists (however, don't fret, I will be dedicating individual posts to each trend that in my some-what-professional opinion are new spring trends. We already covered one for those of you paying attention: Stripes). Instead this is my list of things that I want this season. Yes some of them are the trendier, must-haves, but some of them are classics. Essential obsessions that I've convinced myself I need. So this list is almost a therapy session for me. I just need to get out everything that I want so that I can finally stop thinking about them all at the same time. It is quite complicated to be me I've realized.

So. Here's my list:

1. MORE stripes: stripes in mod style (blocked and bold), nautical style, and everything in between
2. Paper thin gold jewelry: I'm nuts about this California girl look. Delicate, thin gold chains and bracelets to be worn all the time. I think they look especially good with t-shirts and jeans.
3. Wellies: Although the rainy season where I live is almost over, it still does rain every once in a while. Wellies, or galoshes if you will, can be so adorable and cute with leggings and dresses or a pair of skinny jeans. Just don't wear them when it's sunny and 80 degrees.
4. Flats, flats, flats: I have this crazy idea that I could have been a ballerina. I couldn't of course, I can barely keep my balance while walking. But I adore ballerina flats. I want them in all colors, all types. I want them to be cute, punk, rock and roll, and comfortable at the same time. Impossible I think but I'm never going to stop looking.
5. Fedora: Now, with this one I'm a bit unsure. I love the idea of a comfortable fedora I can wear on any bad hair day but I don't know what style I want. Whether I want it to be made of straw or cloth, color, etc. This is one of those things where I'll know it when I see it.
   
6. Unique Dresses: I'm a big fan of dresses..but i want them to be totally different then anything else out there. I also want them to be cheap. I think this is a losing battle.
7. Tribal print: I love tribal print. It's bold, it colorful, it's fresh and honestly, it never really goes out of style. There's just varying degrees of how to wear it. For example, now, you'll see tribal print dresses, shirts, pants. In about a year, stick to tribal print on jewelry or handbags.
8. Shoes: I.love.shoes. Always.need.more.
9. Floral Print: I'm really unsure about this one. I don't know if floral print is me. Mostly because it reminds me so much of wallpaper. But I've seen a few skirts and shirts that I've considered to be very adorable. Still. I can't help but imagine it in a bathroom.
10. Designer things: It's not wrong for a girl to dream is it?

So that's my list. Whew. Feels good to get that off my chest.

Ode to Stripes

In the time of technology, where new fashion is at our fingertips, it's not necessarily clear what you should be investing in. Fashion IS an important investment (more on that later)so what SHOULD you be buying? And what can you live without? Well no fear - that's exactly what I (don't) get paid to do. So for my first altruistic deed here's one thing you can and should always consider buying: Stripes. Stripes. Stripes. Stripes.

Vertical. Horizontal. Diagonal. On shoes, shirts, pants, tights, scarves, hats...you name it. And let me address the obvious here: Stripes are not a one type buy. It's a print; not a certain object. But it's essential. So absolutely essential.

Stripes are classic and modern at the same time. Think about pinstripes and navy style big blocked stripes - totally classic. But think dark mod stripes or bold multi-colored ones - modern, a throwback to 70s style. Personally I think of a Ralph Lauren/Calvin Klein combination of the two: big mod inspired stripes but with nude, neutral colors. Love it.

Recently, I'm so enamored I've made it a point to wear them all the time! It's easy - I've invested in a pair of flats with blue and white stripes with gold buckles. They were $10 from a JcPenny outlet store. I wear them with EVERYTHING. But stripes go beyond being functional and adorable. They translate to slimming, daring, and bold. Stripes are your in between - are you scared of color? Are you scared of pattern? Try stripes. Go 'safe' and stick with varying shades of black. Feeling not so skinny - stripes are super slimming. Just try it on first and pay attention to fabric! Cotton will be much more forgiving then a jersey material. And finally, stripes are bold. You don't need to invest in studs, metal, shoulder pads, or booties to be on top of the trend here. Stripes can be fun and crazy - I have an amazing shirt that has stripes on a bias on the sleeves from Banana Republic.

So hopefully I've convinced you that stripes are amazing. If nothing else - buy one shirt, jacket, purse that's striped. And tell me after a week you're life's not better (at least in the superficial, vain sense). Bon Shopping!

They're not pants....

So I have to admit, I'm semi-new to this whole blogging thing. And by "semi-new" I mean I attempted a blog before. It lasted a total of 4 posts. Then I was bored. I had nothing more to say, nothing more that didn't sound like the same thing over and over again. I started this blog because fashion is something I never get sick of. Fashion surrounds us; everywhere we go, everything we see, fashion is involved. So how could I possible get sick of it? Well I can't. I think about it all the time. Writing about it is another thing. It's that whole scenario: when you get paid to do something you love, you no longer love to do it. For a while - it happened to me.

But alas - the clouds parted and I finally made it past. What was I thinking? I still love clothes and I still love writing about them. It's just that I had so many topics that I wanted to cover with such little desire to actually write my thoughts down. So I turned to another emotion - absolute and utter hatred. What is it that I hate most in fashion? What do I hope will go away and never ever come back? And the answer was clear and I knew I had to write about it: Leggings as pants. LEGGINGS AS PANTS.

I don't even know how to begin to describe my disdain when I'm walking behind a girl (ANY girl - skinny, fat, pear-shaped, busty, etc etc) and she is wearing spandex as pants. Why why why would you do that to yourself? What did you possibly think looked good about covering your ass in the tightest fabric known to mankind? I don't care who you are, YOU DON'T LOOK GOOD. Now let me be clear, I love leggings. Absolutely love them: lace ones under shorts, polka dot ones under dark skirts, I ever love layering my purple ones under the lace ones. But under no circumstances, do I wear them as though they are my pants. My shirt, dress, sweater, jacket, whatever is long enough to cover at least down to the middle of my thigh. I'm not saying this is a hard and fast rule - I'm saying that please do not think you look amazing with your ass/camel's toe exposing leggings, even if you're in the best shape ever. And trust me - you'll look back on it in 2 years and regret it.

So this is my PSA to all of you out there: you can look good in anything that flatters your shape, that flatters your style, that flatters your figures. ANYTHING. But leggings don't flatter anyone EVER.

All Things "Boyfriend": Etc., Etc., Etc.

Of course there are the less glamorized "boyfriend" dubbed articles of clothing. The boyfriend t-shirt and the boyfriend cardigan. No "boyfriend" discussion would be complete without them.

The Boyfriend T-shirt is comfy (notice a theme yet?), longer, and usually simply made out of mostly cotton. I got a great one from Kohl's for cheap (forgive me I can't remember how much it was but I promise it was under $20). The nice thing about boyfriend t-shirts is that they're sexy without that over-the-top girl sexy requirement. I.e. it's not necessarily tight, showing a lot of cleavage, or cropped really short. It fits well but it doesn't overwhelm - it's perfect with a pair of jeans, or if you're really adventurous, tucked into an A line skirt. Want it for really cheap? Steal it from a boy (one that you know and trust of course - let's not turn this fashion thing into a criminal case).

The boyfriend cardigan, also known as the boyfriend sweater, is fast becoming my staple. I've been wearing it over EVERYTHING from dresses to t-shirts to skirts paired with tank tops and under blazers. I don't even wear my non-boyfriend cardigans that much. I belt it, cuff it, layer it, and wear it on road trips. It's baggy and slouchy. It's black with big buttons. And I adore it. I absolutely adore it. For me, it's perfect to wear with outfits that fit me especially well (i don't want to say "tight" but yeah, sometimes "tight" outfits) like dresses and t-shirts. I love love love the balance (I'm crazy about balance): Tight with loose, feminine with masculine, heavy with light. It's perfect. Lucky for me I got my boyfriend sweater for free: my boyfriend gave it to me after noticing I wore it more then he did. But thankfully, boyfriends sweaters are all the rage and as such they're everywhere - I especially like the Mossimo Cardigan at Target for $12.59. Trust me - even when cardigans have fallen out of favor with the trend gods, this one will always be fashionable.

Sidebar #1

Just a quick note: Fashion week in NYC has just ended and London's is just beginning. It is a beautiful time to be an internet addict and a fashion addict because everywhere you look there are pictures of runway shows, parties, and uber-stylish celebrities sitting front row. If only to look at the pretty colors, take advantage of the art that is being created in our modern world. As the sudden and untimely death of Alexander McQueen has shown, there is no better time to appreciate fashion then right now.

All things "Boyfriend": The Boyfriend Blazer

Oh the boyfriend blazer. Is there a more classic piece? (okay, maybe the LBD, but what goes best with a little black dress? A boyfriend Blazer). Back to my androgynous crazy talk, the boyfriend blazer is the ultimate balance between feminine and masculine. Pair it with a flirty floral dress, with a pair of skinny jeans, or over a cami and leggings. (and if you're really adventurous, without the cami. Vicki Becks did it - and it was kinda amazing). But aside from this male/female balance, the boyfriend blazer is an amazingly classic piece. It fits with any style (from euro chic to California) and transcends trend. The best part: you can wear it to work! It's a versatile piece appropriate for work, play, or in between. This blazer is beyond trendy, it's modern, chic, and yes, I'll say it again, classic.

The key is to find one that fits. The perfect boyfriend blazer looks like a man's suit jacket. It's long and fits the chest without that boxy look. Find one that fits in the shoulders especially - this is isn't the 80s and you don't need to look like a linebacker with those shoulder pads (The discussion on my hatred of shoulder pads will be reserved for a later time). If it doesn't fit in the shoulders it'll look sloppy and bulky. Remember this is a jacket you want to wear over things without looking like you're wearing 7,000 layers.

Your boyfriend blazer has longevity and a timeless appeal. I would recommend investing in one. But if you're like me and still find it hard to part with a lot of money, try thrift stores. I got my blazer for about $33 from Forever 21. It has a bit of gold detail on the sleeves which I like because it gives it a little bit of a twist without distracting from the overall look of the coat. Try it out for yourself; it won't disappoint.

All things "Boyfriend": The Boyfriend Jean

Currently, I'm obsessed with a lot of things. Julia Child and, as an obvious derivative, Martha Stewart (I mean, have you ever read her magazine/watched her show? Is there nothing that woman cannot do?). I'm in love with this Navy/Sailor trend that's going around. Cause who doesn't love those thick stripes on EVERYTHING? But more than any of that I am obsessed with all things "boyfriend". Blazers, sweaters, and my recent borderline addiction, boyfriend jeans. (where are you Dr. Drew?)

Now let me explain. I'm a one jean woman. Always have been. In high school, it was nothing but flare cut jeans. From insane bell bottoms to these crazy ones I had with flames stenciled up the legs. I know what you're wondering - and yes I still have them. They're gonna come back in style, I swear! In college, I toned it down, opting more for boot cut jeans that I could wear out to house parties. My major break to date was just a few years ago when skinny jeans were everywhere. I was hesitant, adamant, and incredibly hostile to buying a pair. And then, I broke down. And I haven't gone back. I love skinny jeans. I have a pair in black, several shades of blue denim, white, bleached, and gray. I have ones with zips on the side, ones that get tighter at the bottom, and ones that are more straight leg then skinny. I even have a pair that are so tight I need to lay on my bed to pull all the way up. Pathetic, some might say, crazy, would be the opinion of others, but i sacrifice. I love those jeans.

And then, along came the boyfriend jean. We flirted. We talked. We dated. And now I can't stop calling. And the reason is this: I only have one pair and I just bought it. It was a short courtship. 2 days really. I made the decision to buy a pair. I looked them up online. I went to the mall. I bought them. And now I'm in a serious committed relationship.

Now I have read around that the boyfriend jean is no longer in style, it is only for younger girls, but honestly, what do you have against comfort? Boyfriend jeans are now made in a style for females. They aren't baggy, and instead they sit on or above the hips. The crotch, which on a pair of men's jeans is baggy, is tailored to look clean and not at all sloppy. Moving past those two things, you've got a great pair of jeans. Comfortable, not tight in the legs at all with a great worn-in look. Personally, I love the androgyny. Boyfriend jeans with a super girly top and heels. Boyfriend jeans with flats and a cropped cardigan. It's the classic play on hard/soft, masculine/feminine, even ying/yang. It's about achieving the inherent balance within us all.

However you want to look at it, these jeans have become my new staple. As they can be for you if you give them a try. I got my pair for $29.95 at American Eagle Outfitters (on sale). But a little internet research and you can get yours for cheaper (their even sold on eBay). That's the beauty of boyfriend jeans, they're supposed to look worn-in, distressed. So buying them at a thrift store would give the perfect effect. Just don't wear them rolled up at the ankle, please! Is you're ankle hot and the rest of you cold? What's the point of that?

What's in a name?

I'm not some fashion expert. I'm not a designer. I don't even work in the fashion industry. There are only two connections I have to fashion: I love it and I buy it. I'm an avid shopper but I refuse to spend more than $30 on any one item of clothing. I like bargains, but I'm not necessarily a bargain shopper. I like vintage, but I'm not necessarily a vintage hunter. I like sales but I won't buy everything that's on sale. In short, I'm an average person who doesn't mind splurging (read: $30) every once in a while, but I enjoy a good clearance sale.

My hope, if not my expectation, with this blog is simply to share my passion for clothing, accessories, and shoes with the world. I don't expect that anyone will even read this. But in case someone does stumble across this random blog, I promise one thing - fashion that is objective, cheap, and workable. For some reason I feel that fashion is promised only to those that can afford it. But who says that fashion is $300 shoes, a $500 dress, and a $3,000 bag? Why can't it be the jeans I bought for $10, a t-shirt I got for free, and my old school kicks? I'm hear to say that it can be that. And if you're a fan of fashion. this is the place.

That isn't to say I don't appreciate high fashion. I'm able to ogle over those $300 pair of shoes just like any other person. Because let's face it - I'm a slave to all things designer. But this is a blog for the average person about all things fashion. I promise high fashion, low costs, permanent swag. Enjoy.