The Trials and the Tribulations

I have noticed that this season, I have had some very love/hate relationships with several of the trends that have surfaced. Things that I thought I would hate (or DO hate) have been styled or worn in a way where I find my fashion addicted bubblehead self thinking, hey! I could totally pull that off!. Then another, more sensible self orders me to snap back to my senses, and realize that, no darling, you are not a)six feet tall and/or b) Anna Piaggi.

Here are some of my conflicts:
1. High-waisted pants/shorts

Although I have a pair of very flattering high-waisted jeans already, I usually just wear them as regular jeans (i.e. with a shirt over them, rather than tucked into them). It's because the high-waisted look can get very trendy (I HATE TRENDY), and also very mom jeans-ish (sorry mom).

This is high-waisted gone bad:


Oh Fergie, Fergie, my sartorially-challenged friend. These are just bad: all bunchy and too short and not flattering at all. Try again.


I think this dispels the myth that models look good in everything. Because I'm sorry, but girlfriend looks a hot mess.


The worst of the bunch. I think this speaks for itself.

However, these are some that cause me to rethink my high-waisted skepticisms...



Then again, MK and Alix can do no wrong.

2. Harem Pants, a.k.a. Hammer Pants
The origin of these pants is actually quite exotic. They were worn by women in the middle east because of their fluidity and ease. They could also be worn to dance in (belly dancing-holla).
But, yet again their name has been besmirched over the years.



But my heart is overriding my head!


3. Brogues
On principal, I have no problem with brogues: they are comfortable, cute, and I'm always up for a little androgyny action. But, they've just become so, so...trendy! Grrr.

However, then I saw THESE:


Life is so hard!

The Minx

(pics from scout-holiday.com, wanderingbhuddist.com, strictly-fab.blogspot.com, dotszy.com, leblogdebetty.com, lagarconne.com)

It's not about Gossip Girl...really!

Well. It's kind of about Gossip Girl.

You might already know about Abigail Lorick; she's the designer behind the clothes of Eleanor Waldorf, Blair's mother, who is supposed to be a designer on the show. I first noticed her designs in the episode where Serena and Blair are running around the city wearing gorgeous matching low-backed dresses and having a jolly good time.


Her website (loricknewyork.com) is full of really ladylike but interesting clothes (and GREAT dresses). Her inspiration for the season was all about the English countryside, Oscar Wilde, etc, etc, etc.

But seriously, her clothes are really pretty.

SPRING 08




FALL 08




(pictures from loricknewyork.com, nytimes.com)

Backwards Beauty

When I was very young, my favorite thing to do when I was over at my grandparent's house was to watch old videos of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. I loved the colors, the love stories and especially the costumes (of course). Even though it is indesputable that Astaire was a master of entertainment, I was always drawn to Ginger. Her grace and elegance was unmistakable, and together they made a dynamic pair. It's a shame movies today aren't like that...

Here are some pics of Ginger's various gorgeous getups:

This is a fabulous example of how "Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, except backwards and in high heels"

Oh, the summer night/Has a smile of light/And she sits on a sapphire throne.

(all photos from foto_decadent)

Storytime

Once upon a time, there was a little baby girl who was born in Paris, France. The baby girl moved with her parents to America when the girl was only a year old, but her residual memories of her short time in Paris stayed with her forever.

She visited once a few years ago, and felt such a strong connection to the country that, when it was time to leave, she cried the whole way home.

This year, however, the girl has gotten the chance to stay in Toulouse and Paris for 4 WEEKS to learn better french and to experience the country once more (the girl is good at speaking french, but her grammar sucks).

This is Toulouse:




This is what I want to look like while I am in Toulouse:


HA!

The Minx

(pictures from Flickr, Le Blog De Betty, Audreyhepburn.com)

fall/winter 08

I'm definately drawn to the colder seasons, at least in terms of fashion. There's nothing I love more than boots, tights, scarves, jackets, and muted colors like brown, burgundy and blue. Because of this, I really loved what the designers put on the runways for the upcoming season; I felt like a kid in a candy store looking at the pictures.

Here are a few of my very favorite collections:
1. Alexander Wang
I kind of love his dirty, grungy looks, complete with beanies and ripped tights. My favorite details, however, were the extended zippers on his trousers.




2. Gucci
This season, Gucci was alive with images of gypsy-travelers/rock band sensuality. I love the way Frida Giannini uses embroidery, and this time it was reminiscent of old Russian opulence.




3. Balmain
Again, I was drawn to the rock vibe of the collection. I really dug the red plaid pants, and the way some of the androgynous looks were perfectly combined with over-the-top girly sexiness.




4.Luella
This season, Luella Bartley described her muse as "Cute, but always a little sick." She was inspired by witches and horror flicks, which definately comes across in her slightly sinister meets cartoonishly witty fall collection.




5. Nathan Jenden
I'm a sucker for the Victorian era, so I couldn't resist Nathan Jenden's darkly wonderful collection. Everything was crafted with such care and precision, and pleated and tucked to within an inch of its life. Flawless.




What do you think?

(all images from style.com)

If Jesus wears them...

Through the years, the label Doc Marten has been associated with anti-establishment, angry punk kids who like riding around in beat up cars, listening to crazy music, and kicking puppies.

As we know, today Doc Martens is associated more with mainstream fashionistas than the avant-garde. It has made a comeback with new, sexier ads and now, even Gossip Girl has joined in on the fun:


That's Jessica Szohr, a.k.a. Vanessa, who is supposedly the most "avant garde" of the GG's. Yep, she's pretty out there with her denim miniskirt and leggings.

But I digress.
I desperately want these docs.


If nothing else, just so I can look like this chick, all sullen and indifferent-like

She makes awkwardly sitting (standing?) on your head/back look very fun.