Oh My Galoshes!

Spring has sprung (supposedly) and it is high time we all start dressing for it! Despite the aggressive chill in the air and the fact that I am still needing to wear my heavy Winter coat, warmer temps and rainy days ought to be right around the corner.

As a little kid I remember seeing my dad wrap extremely odd looking rubbery things to his shoes during inclimate weather. Through the wisdom that comes with age (or google), I later came to find out he was putting on what are known as galoshes.

This picture makes them look infinitely more stylish than they actually are.

"Galoshes" is also a more entertaining word for rain boots. We've all been wearing thick, weather-resistant boots for the past few months, warding off the potential for a slip with heavy tread. Mine are by The North Face (trust me, I'm judging me more than any of you possibly can for that) and are insulated fleece with so much tread they look like I took the teeth of a monstrous beast and attached them to my boots. They have been wonderful for colder temperatures, but as we creep up to warmer weather-- which despite all reason to believe otherwise, we eventually will-- I know I will need something else.

Rainboots are typically made of rubber... and that's that. They're rubber and do not breathe, which in turn means they will protect my feet from wetness. Unless, of course, you count the wetness that is inevitable when it's a hot rainy day and I'm trekking all over campus in rubber shoes-- do I really need to explain the smelly consequences of such a choice? Rain boots are a necessary evil, though, and typically unattractive at that.

In my quest for all things stylish, I have tried to find rain boots that do not offend my eyes. My selections are as follows:

Jeffrey Campbell "Marsha" Over the Knee Rain Boot

Jeffrey Campbell "Voom" Rain Boot-- essentially a shorter version of the Marsha with a more traditional shine.

Cole Haan Air "Melanie" Suede Rain Boot

Tretorn Shoes "Emilie" Rain Boot

I realize some people like to do crazy patterns on their boots, flash the classic Burberry check, or wear their favorite sport team's emblem on them. I, however, do not. I do not need, nor do I want, more than one pair of rain boots. Let's face it, these rubbery beasts are pretty much going to be the bane of my existence come April (whose abundant rain showers are expected to bring May flowers). Limiting my boots to a single pair is ideal. I want something basic that will go with everything, not something I have to try and coordinate a handful of go-to outfits with. For me, they need to be sleek and simple, a mere addition to my wardrobe-- not the things that causes me to go shopping to make them work.

What's important to keep in mind is not everything that is waterproof is a suitable Spring rain shoe or boot. Many things are made waterproof to protect our feet, but will promptly look like absolute trash if used repeatedly in precipitation-heavy weather. The above mentioned Cole Haans are actually intended to be the exception to that rule; I have no idea what they do to the suede to make it water-resistant, but apparently they can handle major puddles.

It is also worth it to consider shoes that are water resistant, such as Aquatalia by Marvin K. These shoes are not necessarily always the most forward-thinking fashions, but they are quite weatherproof. In my opinion, they are an excellent option for someone looking to get something to wear from the car to the office without destroying their typical kicks in the rain.

Happy shopping! Truth be told, I'd much rather be getting these:

Vince Camuto "Malaya" Pump

Getting back to it!

A couple of weeks ago I posed a question:

Is it more stylish to wear something with a specific intention or to wear something out of natural desire?

The point of that inquiry was to get people thinking: what is the motivation behind what we, and anyone else, wear? Naturally when comments of style come up, a series of names and major impacts come to mind: from Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and Madonna to flappers, Dior's New Look, and mini-skirts.

What it got me thinking about was why some people get a place in our history books of style, whereas others are swept under the rug and may or may not receive a single line blurb about their kooky looks.

Often in today's modern culture, however, we revere people who reflect a certain shock value influence on style. Lady Gaga leads the pack for modern line-pushing, but plenty of iconic people led the pack before her.

Isabella Blow

Who of course brings up a discussion of Philip Treacy, or rather, his hats!

Grace Jones

My point is, though I love her, Lady Gaga's eccentricity is hardly a new idea. She gets a great deal of attention for sampling music, but what about sampling style? The lack of exposure generations as of late have had to icons who think outside the back is somewhat stunning. Part of it is a result of our society not particularly valuing what is removed from our concepts of aesthetically pleasing, or rather, what is pretty. Following the grunge era-- which in truth, was merely a brief vacation from the images of style = beauty in the '80s-- we have been bombarded with images of women who don't necessarily look like the every day girl, but certainly look like someone we would not have a problem running into. I suppose that description is especially accurate in terms of men desiring to have a casual rendezvous with a teenage Britney Spears clad in her pink tube tops or Shakira and her glittering belly chains.

Currently, though immersed in the neverending media parade of bathing beauties a la Victoria's Secret's swimsuit catalogue, we are experiencing a culture of ugly. I do consider the works of art Lady Gaga wears to be beautiful, but that is out of respect for the garments. It also is likely a direct result of my imagination working overdrive: while other people may have found pearls attached to her face to look like a skin disorder, I thought of a sea princess arising from an oyster shell.

I now ask you to consider other such artists as Ke$ha (and yes, I realize in this case I am using the term "artist" loosely).

Ke$ha in all her blue lipstick glory.

The funny thing is, I actually chose the most flattering image I could find. Some of Ke$ha's trademark look is revered. For example, her perpetually messy hair could be associated with the much sought after look of bed head, aka The Sexed Look. Ke$ha's mane, however, is more on par with what I can best describe as being the I've-Been-In-Many-Beds head. It's not what our culture generally considers attractive, yet all over the place people are emulating her. Blue lipstick has made a mild comeback, something I never expected when I tossed out my tube of it from Bath & Body Works back in the '90s (and to think, mine was actually dual-sided in both blue and green!).

Though not ranked on the same influence level as Gaga, Ke$ha has had an impact. Why? Her shock value! In and of itself, it is a surprise anytime we see a woman doing something other than making herself pretty-- or dying trying. Our traditional references for style are and remain people like Grace Kelly and Brigitte Bardot not because they were such shocking innovators, but rather, because it's what we like to remember. Isabella Blow's influence on modern style reaches far beyond her personal appearance. She is the woman who put Alexander McQueen on the map and brought Sophie Dahl to the forefront. Everyone knows who Alexaner McQueen is and you may not realize it, but you know Sophie Dahl, too.

Who can forget her infamous YSL Opium ads?

I'm pretty sure that shocked more than just my 13 year old self. Isabella Blow made an enormous dent in our modern style and brought new innovators to the forefront. Her contribution to the fashion world as we know it today is undeniable, yet she receives little attention. Lately, however, we are seeing people who are obviously inspired by her work end up as major icons of today. The real question is, will today's new "out there" stylistas end up in the history books themselves? I hope so, and I have faith in that possibility.

I believe today's concepts of style and fashion have been blurred far past the ability to select a well-fit blouse and style it with a beautifully tailored skirt. We demand more. We want lights, camera, action! "Action" being the most important part of that bit. Women in particular have an opportunity right now that was seemingly inconceivable in the past; it's okay to be a little ugly. The idea of moving away from sexualized beauty being the only option has come to the forefront. Women no longer need to be pretty all the time; just look at Heidi Klum's Halloween costumes and you will see just how much we have moved away from that expectation!

While mainstream dressing remains dictated by the hallmarks of beauty, we are seeing movement in the upper ranks. I don't expect us to all start prancing down the street in six inch heels and our heads topped in exquisite hats resembling sea creatures. Nonetheless, a quick glance down any number of runways will reveal our interests and values shifting. It's as much about comfort and beauty as it is about statement. The trickle-down theory means inevitably we may see some new proclamations in fashion being made.

So ask yourself:

Why are you wearing what you wear? Is it to please someone other than yourself? Are you eliminating looks from your wardrobe because your significant other does not care for them? And more importantly, is satisfying someone else's opinion of your apparel more important than keeping with your own?

You don't have to wear a latex body suit or create a headdress orb of beads to surround yourself to make a statement. You also don't have to stifle your expression by suiting it to fit someone else's beliefs. Look to the people making "worst dressed" lists for their wacky ensembles a inspiration to style yourself for every shade of your personality-- from the neutral shades of calm to the experimental tones of neon.

After all, aren't we always saying beauty is in the eye of the beholder? Sometimes I wonder if I missed the addendum to that adage stating, "except when your boyfriend/husband/significant other says otherwise."

But hey, give yourself a break sometimes... I mean, there's a reason we go shopping before a first date and it isn't because our closets were ransacked by wardrobe thieves. Think about it.

Skirting the Issue.

I am not a pants-wearing girl. I spend the vast majority of my time wearing skirts and dresses, occasionally slipping into pants for shock value. Nearly every time I wear them to work, I am bombarded with amused comments, typically guessing when the last time was anyone saw me in anything that required me to step in, one leg at a time: "what has it been, three months?" I have been trying to branch out. After all, I've even purchased designer denim in recent times. That, for me, is quite a landmark in my shopping history as of late.

I blame my affinity for all things mini, maxi and everywhere in between on my size. Standing a strong 5'2" and wearing sizes considered little, my body would seem simple enough to dress because, well, people generally assume every body type but their own is easy to dress. The truth is, my legs are not what you would consider long and though my hips are average size, my rear has just enough bubble to it to be annoyingly out of proportion with my waist. While alterations can be a beautiful thing, I am typically an instant gratification shopper: I need to walk out of the store knowing I can wear my purchases immediately or months later, whichever I prefer. That means no hemming and no nipping things in at the waist.

Skirts alleviate that issue.

Most of the time, I don't have to deal with any issues when wearing skirts. They just fit. Perhaps it is as predictable as falling into a stereotype: I have a feminine body, skirts are associated with traditional views of femininity, ifso facto skirts work on me. In addition to a vast collection of dresses, I have a wide array of skirts. Lengths aside, they have a variety of waist locations (low-riding, high-waisted), prints (tribal, floral, striped, even solids), and fabrications (silk, cotton, linen, and the Fabric That Shall Not Be Named, poly-blend). I'm a huge fan.

Yesterday, while helping a close girlfriend of mine shop for pieces to add to her wardrobe (hi Alanna!), I snatched up a few items for myself as well. While I realize Forever21 is the bane of many's existence, as a poor college student/fashion fiend, it is a necessary evil. Along with a wonderful, silky taupe maxi skirt, I purchased this wonderful paper bag waist skirt.

Abstract Floral Print Skirt from Forever21

I love the print. I'm pairing a rose colored burnout tank with it. I want a cream button down blouse to tuck into it over that tank, but I'll leave it open down to the belly button and roll up the sleeves. The waistband is my favorite detail.

The nice thing about the paper bag waist is it creates an exaggerated line. While it can be frustrating to deal with dressing curves on one's body, an hourglass figure is aesthetically appealing. The paper bag detail on this skirt creates a highly defined waistline, then flares both up and down to create full curves. Perfection.

In related news, here are a handful of skirts I am currently in love with.

Trina Turk "Shaye" Skirt

Marc by Marc Jacobs "Iris" Knit Pencil Skirt

Donna Karen Essential Jersey Drape Twist Skirt

BCBG MaxAzria Flared Faux Leather Skirt

Excuse me, Madame Mother Nature?

Perhaps this is not such a challenge in places in the south or, you know, the wardrobe-to-season-ratio Bermuda Triangle that is California, but here in the middle of the country we deal with more temperature variability than we ought to. We wake up in the morning and get ready to gallivant about town, all the while wondering what to wear-- and not because of the typical "closet full of clothes with nothing to wear" scenario. It's the fact that we have no idea what to expect from the day. After all, the forecast says it should be sunny and in the mid-60s, but it looks as though it's going to pour at any moment and there is a serious chill in the air.

How in the world are we supposed to dress in this weather without looking like a complete nomad with the level of layers we pack "just in case"?

I for one hate the idea of wearing my Winter clothing even an hour past the first day of Spring. To me, the time change is a preview and the actual day is intended to be more significantly a celebration of seasonal change in my wardrobe than a glorification of rebirth in nature. It's not that I don't enjoy the earth and the wonderful world around me... it's that I enjoy it so much more when donning a silk maxi skirt and fabulous sandals.

Each season rolls around and we have those things we covet, those items we know we must have in our closet to make our wardrobe for the coming months fit the image we have in our minds. For me, this past Winter it was a beautiful Mackage coat I obsessed over for months. It was black, puffy, and had an enormous hood. When I speak of it I tend to get that far off look in my eyes not entirely unlike the one drug addicts get at the mention of a magic eight ball-- even when it's a reference to the toy. I love my Winter coat and am actually somewhat sad to say goodbye to it until next year.

At the moment I am trying to decide what my exciting Spring wardrobe maker will be. As it takes so long for Spring to truly show up here, this seasonal piece tends to roll right into Summer.

It doesn't have to cost a great deal of money, nor does it have to be a "hot item" in every magazine's recommendation column. It's that piece that seems to capture your mood for the season. In my case, as it is tremendously apparent, my mood is lost somewhere between Studio54 and fields of wildflowers.

So, as I consider my wardrobe signature this season, I ask the climate:

Please commit. I will commit to those Prada sunglasses or any number of DVF dresses I am obsessed with (or more realistically, the style of either) as soon as you get your act together. This whole "pack a sweater and coat to be prepared" nonsense is getting old fast. The time is ripe for swingy silk maxis, not extending the life of my gray wool mini.

Style does not end with what you wear.

We have all seen that woman who looks almost perfectly styled. Her outfit is phenomenal, you love her shoes, her makeup is perfectly applied in that "is she really wearing any?" kind of way-- with the exception of her obviously-but-fabulously painted lips, of course. Even so, something isn't quite right.

It's her hair. Yesterday you saw her in a Theory suit and today she's in trouser jeans, platform wedges and rocking a sunny yellow t-shirt with layers of red stone necklaces around her neck... so why hasn't her hair changed?

Style is as much about what you wear on your body as what you do with the things you're born with. Hair is all about manipulation, even if you're not doing anything to it with products or styling tools-- yes, honey, dreads are a manipulation too. And, incidentally, not one I'd advise.

Anyway, it's important to embrace your style head-to-toe. Often people perceive that as a direction to buy fabulous shoes, and by all means, do so! But it also means remembering to take it to the top; the hair on your head needs to be addressed when embracing your style.

It's not that the woman you saw who previously had on her work look can't switch it up to a relaxed ensemble and leave her hair the same. I am certainly guilty of doing just that. But... why not mix up your look and change it to something that fits the vibe of your overall appearance? A neat top-knot is perfectly fitting with a pair of slim dress pants and your leopard print Equipment blouse. Toss on a few layers of rosy pearls and you will be impossibly chic.

But is that 'do the best you can do for a look that fits an entirely different facet of your personality? I think not, my friends.

I am a big fan of good hair. I don't remember who said it, but I once read a quote about how if your hair looks good, you probably look good; I stand behind that statement 100%. Whenever my hair looks bad, I feel off. Now, the same can be said for my outfit; if it's not my ideal, I get grumpy. My hair, however, can transform a look that would have been otherwise thoroughly unspecial. It's as though that extra oomph of volume and bounce is enough to also amp up my confidence otherwise.

I am lucky enough that my hairstylist, Emily, is a good friend of mine. She knows my style, my life, my interests. A lot of people believe taking a picture of the hair you want into a stylist will be enough. I respectfully disagree.

The thing is, unless you're taking in a picture of your doppelganger, the likelihood of you leaving the salon looking the way you hoped is slim. Further, it's not just about face shape; is your hair as thick as whomever's style you covet? Is it the same texture? Do you have the attention span to take it past the cut and style it like your favorite model/actress/singer? So much has to be take into consideration. For that reason, I sent Emily a series of pictures of the attitude and style I'm looking to convey with my hair. She was amused, as at least one of the pictures involved someone wearing a hat, but all the same she got it. She understood what I was after.

The keywords I used in my e-mail to Emily were "Earthy, touchable, 70s cool" and "free-spirited, funky, fabulous".

As seen in the picture here on my blog, my hair is pretty long. It is also poker straight and pretty lifeless without a bit of manipulation on my part. I have always desired that beachy, relaxed look of wavy/curly hair. I have tried at least a dozen products and how-to videos via YouTube to get that look, but alas, nothing has ever worked.

Until now. Emily recommended a fantastic Paul Mitchell product that I am now obsessed with.

Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Texturizing Sea Spray

As directed by Emily, I comb my hair out with a wide tooth comb and let it air dry to a point of dampness. Then I spray this liberally through my hair and tousle it lightly. At that point, I can already see a curl forming. Followed by blow drying with a diffuser on a high heat, low intensity setting, I end up with fabulously curly/wavy hair and a ton of volume. I don't even need hairspray! I have received numerous compliments on this new look, as I typically have very straight, sleek hair and this gives me more of a loose and funky style. I am 100% sold on this product and highly recommend it to anyone whose look this Spring/Summer identifies with the wild and carefree sensibilities of the '70s!

I love these Jeffrey Campbell sandals a lot. They're just another version of the pair I recently posted on my facebook.... may I have every version please? Man I'm loving the current embrace of the '70s!

Almost!

I have one more truly challenging exam to take and then I can allow myself to update this more aggressively again.

Food for thought in the mean time:

Is it more stylish to wear something with a specific intention or to wear something out of natural desire?

In other words, is one more or less stylish when they wear certain things to evoke a reaction? Is it better to simply wear what one wishes to wear with no consideration for results? And are ensembles that are generally perceived as wild or unique the only examples of which one can wear something to illicit a response? Are there not more subtle ways of doing the same?

Images to consider. I wonder who can figure out the reasoning behind each as a part of this inquiry? I will elaborate upon posting the full entry.

"Chanel-lo!"

Can we have a chat about advertising?

I really enjoy analyzing ads. I find the motivations to be interesting, as well as the potential for a story to be told. That may be a direct result of one of my favorite activities-- people watching and assigning them names, jobs, families, lives, etc.-- but advertisements really do hold the key to much of what fuels style.

For example, when the turban trend came on the scene I was fiercely opposed to it... but now, after a couple of months seeing scarves wrapped on any number of models heads, I want one. What?!

Advertisements in fashion really do have the potential to influence us greatly and guide our choices one way or the other. They can be the voice of the brand when fashion does not speak loudly enough, they can create a believer out of even the most disinterested. After all, my vegetarian self feels tempted entirely too often when I see advertisements for fantastic leather handbags... but I have no idea why! I generally steer clear of them!

Often times I find myself looking at advertisements of high end designers and wondering what prompted them choose a certain model or actress to promote their product via advertisement. Then it tends to become a discussion of what causes any particular starlet or model to become the next It girl.

I suppose my current question is why Chanel is so obsessed with Blake Lively? Actually, why are so many people obsessed with her? She dominates entirely too many pages in my monthly Vogue and I am not a fan. My primary theory is she has a phenomenal PR team pushing her face to the forefront of so many style magazines, and that kills me. I hate the idea of people being able to buy their way into anything, particularly the fashion industry. I hate it almost as much as I hate people who take credit for great style when it's actually the result of someone they hired to think for them.

In the case of Lively, she claims to not have a stylist. Good for her! I suppose that is impressive given the ease with which so many celebrities give in to the opportunity to have someone else express their points of view. All the same, I still do not understand the preoccupation so many people have with her. Perhaps I am alone in this, but I do not look at her and instantly think, "yes. She knows what she is doing." More often I look at her and think, "yes. If you put on Chanel, you will likely look fabulous."

And now, Chanel has taken her on as the face of their new Mademoiselle handbag line. Happily my research shows she is at the very least being quite humble about the opportunity. With that knowledge I decided to do a bit of Googling and found a few looks of hers I can get on board with. Hey, if Karl Lagerfeld can finally get on the faux-fur train, I can try to support Blake Lively.

Shown here with a beautiful Fendi handbag. Personally, the pink pants are what got my blood pumping!

Overly tan in my opinion, but I LOVE her pants! The top is very boobylicious, but tastefully so.

Stunning colors, adore the simplicity of her hair and makeup, phenomenal fit.

'
I think I can become a fan assuming she stops acting... or whatever you might want to call furrowing her brow and talking out of the corner of her mouth. Perhaps that is what is holding me back... because honestly, I would wear 90% of the looks I found images of her in. She has a great combination of a versatile color palette paired with many outfits involving classic white blouses and modern black pants or skirts. I maintain that she seems primarily fueled by lots of brand names and labels, but truth be told, who wouldn't take advantage of that if given the chance? I would like to see her expand by learning how to pair a $20.00 dress with a $650.00 shoe and still making the ensemble look like a million bucks. It will be interesting to see where her endeavors with Chanel take her.

Yoohoo!

Hi!

I apologize for the lack of blog updates. My intent for this thing was to do some form of an update daily... until life got in the way. Between working full time, being a full time student, and having my birthday take place quite recently, I've been really bogged down with work and cocktails. Finals week is next week and I've already completed two of them, so legit updates will be plentiful quite shortly.

I do have three entries regarding an array of topics halfway written and intend to post them soon. Tonight should yield the completion of at least one!

Thanks for checking in on the blog and thanks to those who have given me friendly reminders that I need to get back on the horse and write in this again. I promise, I will :)

And as a quick comment (and preview for an upcoming entry ;)), I would like to note how much I am ready for warm weather. I've been fantasizing about "taking a holiday" for awhile now... ahh, if only I had the time to do such a thing, imagine all the blogging I could get done!

With that in mind, I LOVE this bikini from Agent Provocateur!!! My only wish would be for the bottoms to be a high-waist brief.

Yes, I'm still alive.

PSA:

I do plan to update very shortly. I have been outrageously busy for quite a few days, particularly the weekend as a result of my birthday celebration. I have, however, been thinking about this blog and my next legitimate entry should be up within 24 hours.

Thank you to those who have been checking it for updates, it's nice to see a variety of people are interested!