new textures

Alexander Wang's much lauded debut at Balenciaga proved that the storied fashion house is in elegant, capable hands.  My 2 favorite looks combined a sleek black pant with crackly painted knits...a look that will surely spawn some DIY attempts across the blogosphere. I think I'll leave the experimentation up to the experts though (Ivania, I'm looking at you).

duly noted: Edwardian dresses

Vintage Edwardian dresses via Neon Navajo ($175), VeraVague ($350), Decojumeau Antiques ($125), and Neon Navajo ($200)

Blame it on Downton--I'm suddenly noticing the postwar white cotton ankle skimming dress like, everywhere. BCBG's FW 2013 collection showed a fairly modern version paired with the Fall '13 topper of choice, a wool beanie. An unnamed street style subject paired hers with Charlotte Olympia kitty flats and a classic Chanel bag. And hours of etsy searching has unearthed a few lovely options-- the only catch being that most of them have 22 inch waists and hefty price tags (especially for the sturdier pieces). I may be able to save up, but it's unlikely that I'll ever squeeze into something that small without a can of Crisco, a pair of forceps, and an iron-clad pair of Spanx.

IMPRESSED: eudon choi

Eudon Choi FW 2013 via Fashionising

When I'm scanning Fashionising or The Cut for the latest from Fashion Week, I'm usually drawn to looks that fit into a larger vision and collections that tell a consistent story. With nods to Russian Folklore, the 'it' color of the season (red) and some refreshingly elegant slouchy low-waisted leather pieces, FW 2013 collection of Korean-born Eudon Choi definitely stopped me dead in my internet tracks. I'd take one of each please and thanks.

slightly athletic

Let's go running! Ha, not really. But let's don running shoes with heartier fashion fare like slim, cropped pants, pencil skirts, and yes, even dresses in the pursuit of Nowness v. 2013. When $500 versions of a running shoe come out (courtesy of Golden Goose, Balenciaga) you know we've got a full-blown Thing here. And even if you won't catch me squatting my way to leaner glutes or pushing 1200 pound truck tires down the street, you may just find me paying homage to Clock Watchers by pairing proper work clothes with all-terrain footwear. It makes it that much easier to run after the bus/flee from street musicians/get home in time for Millionaire Matchmaker or whatever low-budget TV show you've been using to rot your brain lately (personal favorite: The Shahs of Sunset).

Here are a few more affordable options that in my opinion, look no less fashion-y.

1. Nike Women's Air Max $94

2. Nike Free TR Fit 3 Print $100

3. New Balance custom 574 $139.95

4. Adidas Orion $46

5. Nike Free Run $79.97

6. New Balance 420 $54.99

style resolutions

Actually, it's pretty simple. I want to transform my entire wardrobe into this editorial from Harper's Bazaar Turkey.

model: samantha gradoville (img) 

photographer: koray birand 

stylist: mahizer aytas 

hair: ali yilanci 

make-up: ali riza ozdemir

black friday sticker shock

1. Sonia by Sonia Rykiel color block silk top, was $460 now $322
2. Diane Von Furstenburg Laurel wool blend boucle coat, was $695, now $417
3. Kenzo textured knit sweater, was $260, now $130
4. Yves Saint Laurent Charlotte glossed-leather and metal loafers, were $6745, now $472
5. Acne best lux wool crepe pants, were $500, now $200
6. Preen Rombus silk crepe de chine top, was $905, now $543
7. Maje smart stretch leather leggings, were $1120, now $560
8. Jonathan Saunders Benedict cropped printed silk-gazar top, was $960, now $480
9. Jonathan Saunders Belle printed silk-gazar midi-skirt, was $1585, now $792
10. Yves Saint Laurent Tan large Chyc tote bag, was $2150, now $1720
11. Marc Jacobs stud ankle boots, were $895, now $626
12. Miu Miu Bow-embellished snake-effect leather ankle boots, were $895, now $537
13. Richard Nicoll leather mini dress, was $1355, now $678
14. Emilio Pucci amethyst and glass ring, was $275, now $192
15. Alexander Wang Nikola mule heels, were $525, now $368

The grand total for these items, were I to become momentarily insane and buy them all, would come to $8,037.00. Now I don't know about you, but even with a generous offer of free shipping, this is skewing a little bit steep for me.

Did you get anything good on the internetz for black Friday? Do tell! It will help make up for my empty virtual shopping cart.

i wanna dress like: Parker Posey in Party Girl

Ok folks, I'm about to blow your mind: it's been 17 years since Party Girl was made. That's long enough for an entire person to be born, grow up, and get their driver's license. It's long enough to invent a cell phone app that turns you into a zombie. It's long enough to develop the technology to land on freaking Mars.

images via dovetail, google

And yet, some things can't help but stay the same. I've been mad envious of Parker Posey's wardrobe in Party Girl ever since I first saw it. With her retro-inspired accessories, bold color and pattern mixing, and chunky platforms, she perfectly encapsulated that post-grunge, beginning-of-the-rave-scene-candy-kid look from the mid-90's. And even though I'm not exactly longing for the days when ecstasy was the drug du jour, I'm pretty sold on the idea of dressing like a hot, eccentric librarian. See below:

Ron Herman Exclusive blazer in navy

10 Crosby tulip flared leather skirt

Lanvin round sunglasses

vintage 60's cropped double breasted leopard coat via ebay 

vintage bag via etsy 

Jones NY tie-neck blouse

Antique victorian stick pin via ebay

Christian Louboutin Lady Daf Tartan mary jane

Mango bow leather gloves

Wolford Peacock net tights

Sonia Rykiel sweater via the Outnet

Cuffed denim shorts

Kimchi and Blue victorian boot

Henrik Vibskov tony tiger tights via 

Chandelier earrings via etsy

Vintage beaded tunic dress

Dolce & Gabbana jacquard pants via Net-a-porter

The outnet clearance: the good, the bad, and the incredibly ugly

The Outnet clearance sale has commenced, giving mere mortals the chance to swoop heavily discounted designer thingies at prices that they're actually worth. Unfortunately, I'm not even in a position to be having bargains, but that doesn't stop me from dreaming up all the places I'd wear the striped Carven jacket or the Miu Miu top. In the spirit of delusion, won't you come with me on a virtual shopping adventure wherein I fill an imaginary shopping cart with items of clothing that are theoretically in my size and that I would like to figuratively buy??? Oh, but won't you?

1. Carven striped canvas jacket, $174 (was $1,090)
2. Hervé Léger odette leather sandals, $92 (was $575)
3. Felder Felder Lily silk dress, $93.60 (was $585)
4. The Row Williams silk twill pants, $158.40 (was $990)
5. Miu Miu cutout leather and satin top, $303.20 (was $1,895)
6. M Missoni long embroidered wool coat, $285 (was $1,780)


And now, please brace your gag reflexes for just a few of the bewilderingly ugly items on offer at the sale.

Anna Sui dress that looks like something my mom would have confiscated from me in high school because it violated the no "underwear as outerwear" policy. Also, because it's just plain terrible looking.

Marc Jacobs usually knows his way around a vintage inspired look, but this just reminds me of those puffy, velvet flocked hangers in dress form. I imagine it would also make your bust very, very sad.

Marchesa, or the Kardashians for TJ Maxx?!

Thanks to Herve Leger and what can only be described as a patchwork frayed denim freakum dress, I am reminded that 1999 was definitely not among the finest of our sartorial moments. Why anyone would choose to resurrect the trends of the era is beyond the scope of my comprehension.

I won't be losing any sleep over not busting out the pay later card on these particular items. It's no Barney's sale.

la playa

1. Étoile Isabel Marant Hana Romper 2. J. Crew Hat 3. Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 lens 4. Mih Jeans top 5. Laroche Posay Anthelios 50 Daily Anti-Aging primer 6. Immodium 7. Carven sandals 8. J. Brand shorts 9. Madewell straw beach bag 10. unknown sandals

In less than one month, I'll be sunning my flesh on the shores of the Mayan Riviera, sipping lethal margaritas by an ocean so warm and deeply azure, I would swear it's straight out of a postcard. I'm staying in Playa Del Carmen and Tulum, where I will partake (with extreme glee) in the following activities:

1. Snorkeling over a shipwreck 60 feet off shore
2. Exploring Mayan ruins
3. Swimming in limestone caverns that used to be places of human sacrifice (!!!)
4. Reading on the beach
5. Eating lobster tacos by the double fistful

And even though, let's be honest, I'll probably resemble a greasy drowned rat while schlopping through the humidity, let's suspend our disbelief for a second and pretend that I'm endowed with enough disposable income to have the outfits above on my packing list. Surely, if water that blue exists, it's possible for me to look decent in 4,000% humidity. Surely?

nothing but met

Allow me to go all Joan Rivers on you and give you my take on the Met Gala red carpet fashion. No really, please let me do it. I'm dying to share.

Disclaimer: Chloe Sevigny gets an automatic pass from me on all matters that concern fashion. That being said, I honestly do like this mirrored Miu Miu shift dress in an Andy Warhol/Edie Sedgwick let's-get-almost-naked-and-experiment-with-LSD kind of way:

Rihanna in head to toe Crocodile skin--a look that I would HATE on Renee Zellweger or January Jones but that just works on her because she is a saucy little sexpot. Also, because she could claw your eyes out. (Dress by Tom Ford)

Carey Mulligan (aka Michelle Williams v. 2012) in huge ass Prada sequins/fish scales. I like how the spangles light up her left cheek. I'm a whore for sparkly objects though, so it gets a full-on cosign by me.

Solange (the OTHER Knowles) is kind of a fashion darling right now, and I can see why. She's wearing the hell outta this Rachel Roy dress. And hats off to her for going bare-necked. It is so tragically unhip to wear a billion diamonds. Save it for the Oscars.

Don't you DARE say anything bad about Elisabeth Banks' Mary Katrantzou dress. I adore it. The little capelet is like a minaudiere for your shoulders.

Ok, before you go all apeshit proclaiming that SJP should march her dress right back to the set of  Little House on the Prairie, let me just say this one thing--the shoes match the dress. Somehow that makes it ok. I can't explain myself, I'm just going off my gut here. (Valentino Dress)

Karolina Kurkova looks like a gilded alien femme bot (in the best way) and RZ (also wearing her own line) looks positively radiant (read: less creased). She has been fucking with the botox needle hard, and I hate to say it but it looks fantastic.

I kind of feel like Lena Dunham's Wes Gordon dress was the result of a project runway challenge where Heidi gave the designers 1 hour to create a Met Gala look and this designer had a total meltdown when he thought someone stole his thread and ran out of time before he could properly finish the hem. I will say this: it's nice to see her looking so un-Hannah like IRL. Because I'm pretty sure she plays herself on the show, 'Girls.' (BTW: thoughts on Girls? I think it's well written and has charming and funny as well as horribly awkwardly unfunny moments. But I'm giving it a try. And yes, it is so totally whitewashed).

Ok, I know I should give her a pass because she's a model, but I honestly don't appreciate the fact that I can see the fascia that attach Anja Rubic's hip bone to her femur. I also don't appreciate that someone (her makeup artist?) rubbed oil on it before going out so that it looks even more pointy and sad. All I can say is, holy boob tape. (Anthony Vaccarello dress)

And last but not least, Kirsten Dunst's homage to Mrs. Claus. I'm racking my brain trying to figure out if this Rodarte outfit could ever manage to not look Yuletide-y. And I think I've come to the conclusion that no, I will not ever look at it and not get "Santa Baby" spinning around in my head. It is what it is.

So, how about you all? Favorites? Disappointments? Thoughts? Concerns?

i'll have another

It's definitely a dream of mine to attend the Kentucky Derby. As you can see I already have my outfit picked out.