9.30.2010

Luxe

While I've been on this "classic" kick, I feel like my wardrobe has been seriously lacking in the bag department.
I have my beautiful London Fog purse that I use for school, but let's be honest, if I could fit my Computer Science textbook in my clutch, that's what I'd carry instead.
I have a cute little blue vintage cross body clutch for running errands, my black patent-leather baguette clutch for weekends, and a canvas bag for the summer. But I would love a classic Chanel 2.55 bag. I feel like a beautiful, classic, medium sized bag would complete my bag collection.
(The fact that five bags would be completely enough for ever and ever should prove to you guys that I am sooo a shoe girl)
However, Chanel is out of the question at the moment. So instead, how about a quilted, black, medium chain strap bag?







9.29.2010

Interview

Hey guys,
I’m writing an article about the relationship between the fashion scene and fashion bloggers for my college newspaper, and I would love to get some quotes of an actual fashion blogger’s opinions (or even just readers opinions!).

If anyone would like to participate, just fill out as many of the questions below as you'd like, or even just voice an opinion and email it back to me at erindepew@verizon.net

Why did you start a blog?

Why do you think that “new media” (blogs, websites, twitter ect.) have gained such popularity over the past few years?

Do you think your blog influences the fashion community? What do you think is the extent of a fashion bloggers influence?

Do you think fashion blogs have replaced fashion magazines and why?

Where do you see fashion media and fashion bloggers in 10 years?
And just a little personal info:
First name:
State (or country):

Blog URL:

thanks guys!

Classic

Recently I've been going back to my classic, preppy, Bostonian roots.
I've been pulling out the Lilly Pulitzer, the Breton stripes, the Sperry Top-siders, the ropes of pearls.
But of course, topping it with last night's black eyeliner, bed head and skirts that just pass the finger tip rule. Standing up that is.
The trophy wives at the yacht club back home would be so proud.


outfit
 


 

9.27.2010

Shoes

I feel like a good way to kick back is to do a bit of imaginary shoe shopping.
I'm actually considering some of these though so I kept everything under $100 for you guys :)

On that note I also have been on shopping ban for the last month, and I didn't slip up once! Not enough time to I suppose, but still, I'm very proud of myself.

I Feel....

Hey guys, I'm back and somehow survived. I'd like to thank the copious amounts of crack and coffee.
I would like to NOT thank the sexy grad student down the hall.
Anyway, first up I need to share this awesome website that I first saw on Already Pretty (thanks Sal!). I will admit to playing around on this for a little while, and it might be on par with my other favorite website, Feed the Head. *
It's called We Feel Fine and it searches phrases all over the web that involve the phrase "I feel..." and then it copies them up to the period. Click on any of the colored dots and you can see whatever "I feel..." phrase has just been created. I feel like this is the modern version of the collective unconciousness, and it's a fascinating look into our society and to see the patterns in our collective thoughts.

* Feed the Head might be the greatest time waster EVER. It's a game with no rules and no way to win, but for some reason it just kind of makes sense to me and I enjoy the twisted logic to it. However, my mathematically inclined sister and all of her math geek friends were driven to insanity trying to "win" it. Claire, relax. You can't win so just enjoy it.

9.14.2010

Pardon

Sorry I've been gone for about a week!
Things have been hectic around here, with school starting, the school paper starting, NYFW down the street, work picking up ect.
Also I'm currently taking a web media class in school, hence the change in the profile picture. Figure I better be a little more professional and have my mug on my blog as opposed to a nom-ing bunny, right?
So any other changes going on with Blogger are due to my class this semester. Guess that's what happens when you start playing by someone else's rules...

But be back soon, I promise.

9.03.2010

Quality Control II

In an earlier post I explained how to tell if a garment is well-made and quality.

Of course, this doesn't do much good if you buy it too big or too small, or if the garment just generally doesn't fit.
So here's a few general guidelines.


Pants

- The crotch shouldn't pull across the hips (it's too small), or gather and sag (it's too big).
- I should not be able to see your butt crack. I repeat. I SHOULD NOT SEE YOUR BUTT. Yes, even when sitting down. That's what a high rise is for.
- It should skim over your body, so you can see the shape of your butt in the back. If the fabric drops straight from your hips to the ground without "cupping" under your butt, it's too big (this is true for pencil skirts too). But it shouldn't be so tight that you get "uni-butt" (close cousin of uni-boob).
- You should be able to fit a finger or two into the waist band. Muffin top is never a flattering look. But if you can fit any more fingers, it's too big.
-The hem should skim the ground, whether you are wearing flats or heels.
-If it is a cropped pant, it should hit just above the ankle bone (at the skinny part of your ankle) or just beneath your calf muscle (point your toe, see that calf muscle on the inside of your leg? Right under that).

Jackets and Tops

-The shoulder seam should hit just at the rotation point of your shoulder. Hold your arm straight up, above your head. The rotation point is the crook of the "L" shape you just made.
- Chest darts should be at the center of the breast. Peplums or pleating should be below the natural waist line. Princess seams should mimic your curves. In general, all seams should lie straight without pulling.
- Button or zip it all the way up. If there's any wrinkling or pulling, it's too small. If there's fabric bunching under your armpits, or if anything fitted is not lying close to the body, it's too big.
- Sleeve hems should hit just past the wrist bone. If you fold your fingers to your palm and your fingers can just touch the sleeve, it's a good fit.
- The collar should lie flat, without pulling or gaping at the neck.

Skirts

-You should be able to fit one or two fingers in the waist band, same as with pants.
- Skirts should fall at one of five places.
Mini skirt: Do the finger tip test. With your arms down straight at your sides, is your hem longer or the same length as your finger tips? No? You're wearing a shirt by accident.
Short skirt: A few inches above the knee. Basically higher than the knee cap, but below the quadriceps (thigh muscle).
Knee length skirt: Just below the knee cap, but before the calf muscle. The idea for both this and the short skirt is for the line of the hem to cut you off at your thinnest point above and below your knee.
Tea length skirt: Right above the ankle bone
Floor Length: Just brushing the ground.
- In general, I always suggest that you wear a skirt at your natural waist. Again, you want the line to cut you off at your smallest point.
- If it is a straight or pencil skirt, make sure that you can see the skirt "cup" your butt. If it falls just straight it is too big. Disregard this for a-line, tiered, or full skirts.

Bras
....
I'm not qualified at all to give advice. Go get a bra fitting.

General Guidelines

-No pulling, stretching, or muffin tops.
-No gaping, excess fabric, bunching, or "tenting".
-All hems and bands should hit at thin points. Such as your waist line, after the wrist bone, before the ankle bone, in between muscles groups and your knee cap, ect.
-Sit, stand, jump and stretch in it. If you feel constricted or uncomfortable, it doesn't fit.

Photo thanks t Marco D

9.02.2010

Purpose of Clothing

Beyond the obvious (ie, clothing keeps me warm, clean and presentable) lately I've been thinking about my relationship with my closet.

I know that generally my style is pretty consistent. I'm not one of those girls that vacillates between cowgirl to rockstar to hippie chick to prepster and back again.
Variety, in my mind, is over-rated and causes much to much angst.

 I met up with an old friend yesterday and his first question was "Is something that matter?"
To be fair, he's my gay best friend, so he knows me very well.
But I didn't really even consciously realize what I'd been picking out of my closet, which probably seemed a little incongruous in the heat for a brunch date.

clothing

clothing by erind90 featuring gold ring

He just waved at me and added "You just look.... fierce"

I guess I hadn't even realized it but I was definitely in a don't-fuck-with-me mood.

You know the ones.

It seems that for the past month I've been donning clothing as a sort of armor.

I guess I just need clothes tailored and sturdy enough to hold all the squishiness in.

Not so much physical squishiness (when I'm stressed you'll find me in the gym, remember? Trust me, my abs have never looked better) but definitely emotional squishiness.

I thought I was over the Mr. Smith situation but he decided  last week that it would be a good idea to call like nothing had happened.
Trust me, I had a few words to share with that man.

But really, I just wish that the whole thing hadn't happened at all.  
It was quite a shame. We made such a good pair, and I thought that I'd finally found a guy who could keep up with me physically, mentally, and emotionally. But cheating really is just unforgivable.
I think it shows a lack of respect, which I simply won't tolerate.

I just found it interesting how I express myself through clothing, but at the same time my clothing supports me. It really is a symbiotic relationship.

Pulling on leather and animal prints, strapping myself into a pair of stilettos and my Alice + Olivia bustier top, and swiping on some red lipstick.
I feel like I'm pulling on an extra layer against the outside, something tougher and stronger than what I'm feeling inside.
If I'm not feeling 100% I can at least look like I am right?

But so it goes. Talk to me again in a week or so.

Perhaps by then I'll have paid off my debt, be acing my classes, and have fallen in love again.
Then the chiffons, laces and blushes will come trotting back out of my closet. : )

But until then, pass the Russian Red and Prada please.

9.01.2010

Bra's Little Sister

I've already documented how much underwear does not interest me.

But I'm taking baby steps. I've started trading in my Fruit of the Loom underwear packs for some cute lacy things, which has been helping. Makes me feel very French to see all that lace in my underwear drawer.

Bras are a whole different issue though.
I have an AA cup.
Always have, probably always will. Strangers like to comment how a boob job would elevate my appearance. I was crowned queen of the itty bitty titty committee in High School. My girlfriends are continually trying to get me to wear those super-max-extreme push up bras they sell at VS.

Not happening girls.

I'm morally against push-up bras, I consider it false advertising.
Contrary to what magazines tell me, that curves are all the rage, I actually like my aerodynamic appearance.
If it weren't for the nipple issue and being afraid of getting saggy boobs I'd probably go braless.
So I found it irritating that I had to wear padded, underwire bras (according to good old mum) so no one could tell if I was cold.

Now I've finally gotten to the point that I just don't care.
I tried on a Hanky Panky bralette at Bloomingdales, and I fell in love.
THIS was the bra for me.
Felt like a sports bra, kept everything in place so I don't get saggy boobs (pecs?), but didn't do much else. Bring on the office AC and cute boys.
I'm 20 years old and if you can't handle the sight of a nipple I suggest you take a minute and grow up.

Thinking about adding these to my lingerie drawer, of course Hanky Panky makes the best ones (don't they always?) but Free People and Cosabella are close runners up. Aerie usually had some cute ones too a couple months back.