Posts tagged ‘prada’
Treat Yoself
Even when on shopping “hiatus”, I will make exceptions simply because some things are just too good to pass up (and maybe because I have a slight addiction). It’s kind of like being on a diet and then getting handed a plate of authentic Italian gnocchi. You just don’t turn that down. When this happens I like to picture Donna from Parks and Recreation saying “TREAT YOSELF,” since even the most addicted of shoppers deserve a treat every now and then (and even the most devoted of dieters deserve a plate of gooey potato pasta goodness).
Such was the case with this Cynthia Rowley skirt printed with thought bubbles of all things awesome on it. Lipstick. Diamonds. Cameras. I’m pretty sure there’s a slice of pizza on there as well. TREAT YOSELF. Thankfully, the skirt was on sale on Gilt so I could justify the purchase just a little more, which is how I imagine most people feel when they order a Diet Coke with their double double animal style burger and fries.
Prada shirt | Cynthia Rowley skirt | Kelsi Dagger heels | Hermes bracelet
//photos by Emily Malan
A Dissection of This Season’s Sandals
Yesterday I addressed the idea that perhaps my style is regressing; but today I wonder if it’s not just me that’s regressing but the world of fashion as well. While trends have a tendency to repeat themselves, this is the first time that I’ve seen the footwear styles I wore as an adolescent, pre-teen, teen, and college-drunkard join together in one season. And while that’s already curious enough, what’s more curious is that these resurfaced trends are ones that make me cringe to think I ever wore. Don’t get me wrong, I accept many of my own fashion faux pas — newsboy caps cocked to the side I’m looking at you — but in the world of footwear, many of the mistakes that I’ve made I care not to discuss or repeat. But allow me to be selfless here and discuss them anyways.
TEVAS // ALEXANDER WANG
When I was in elementary school I idolized my brothers. Hand-me-downs were not a forced situation but a desired one. I was never a tomboy at heart, but I made sure to get my hands on as many of their reptile print shirts and baggy jeans as I could. This was not about looking cool, this was about feeling cool. Case in point? My need for Tevas. Though exploring woody paths and dams were part of my weekend adventures, I was not the outdoorsy girl. So instead I paired my unnecessary Tevas with overalls, leggings, and cotton dresses that were actually just oversize t-shirts. I was determined to give off the vibe that I was cool like the boys but girly enough to know that belting a t-shirt to look like a dress is stylish. Looking back these outfits made for some pretty awesome Yearbook photos, but that’s about it. So imagine my look of shock when Alexander Wang debuted a sandal that may as well be a replica of the Teva. I have yet to see anyone actually wear these (and I did a thorough Google search in hopes to find an image), and I’m just going to say that I think it’s for the better. I’m sure they look great paired with overalls or an oversize t-shirt dress, but let’s save that for the chickadees.
THE GEISHA SHOE // PRADA
A few years after Tevas left my style-scene, Rocket Dog “geisha” sandals took their place. I would clunk around my 6th grade classrooms in these hard-t0-walk in sandals, convinced that the girls thought of me as Cher Horowitz and the guys found me utterly irresistible. This may have been the case, but I would like to test their sense of judgment since my own was clearly misguided into thinking these shoes were cool. I actually never thought geisha sandals would find their way back into fashion, but low and behold Miuccia Prada sent them down her Spring 2013 runway. They’re currently available for pre-order for $1150 (I think my Rocketdogs cost $25) and I anticipate the moment I see them take the streets on someone other than Anna Dello Russo or Elle Fanning.
BIRKENSTOCKS // CELINE
Like many girls in high school, I was completely obsessed with the Olsen twins’ style. Along with copying their grandpa cardigans, flared jeans, and oversize sunglasses, I also took cues from Mary-Kate and bought myself a pair of Birkenstocks. I remember my best friend being supportive of my decision to wear the stoner shoes, but telling me she thought they were ugly regardless (for the record: I did the same to her with her furry Ugg boots and cropped denim skirt. Hashtag friendship). I’d say the Birkenstocks lasted about six months in my wardrobe before I threw them out, but I still find myself drawn to them simply because those Olsen twins pull them off so well. How do they do it!? I look like Frodo Baggins when I wear them! Anyways, then Phoebe Philo and her epitome-of-cool Céline showcased Mock-enstocks complete with furry insoles. I actually think they could look good if worn correctly (see my earlier comment on the Olsens pulling off Birkenstocks), but I do wonder what will happen to the fur once the foot starts to sweat…
GLADIATOR SANDALS // ALTUZARRA
Gladiator sandals never really left the trend scene, but their height certainly shortened. In college I owned a few pairs of knee-high gladiator sandals and though my style already stood out at my middle-of-nowhere school, I don’t think I’ve ever received so many questioning looks. I also didn’t really care and unlike my Tevas and geisha shoes, I have yet to throw these awkward-tan-forming sandals away. They haven’t gotten much wear in the past 4 years, but something has kept me from tossing them in the donation bin. Much to my delight, Altuzarra sent gladiator-inspired heels down his spring 2013 runways, which makes me think I’ll have to dabble in this trend again.
So there’s my little recap of old shoe trends becoming new shoe trends. This further emphasizes my theory that trends are BS, and also brings up a potentially new theory. Are high-end designers borrowing from the brands that design for the masses? Because I think if you were to ask which came first the Wang or the Teva, you would find your answer to be the Wang. And I’m talking about Alexander here, not the male genitalia. Ok, goodbye.
The Color Pool
Baby blue is not a color I tend to reach for. This is mainly because people with blue eyes are always told how great they look in blue and unfortunately wearing the color brown doesn’t really yield the same response. “Hey! That’s a great color brown on you, really brings out the brown in your eyes” — yeah, no, that never happens.
But when I spotted this fuzzy blue Acne sweater on sale, I just couldn’t resist. No, it didn’t “bring out my eyes” or compliment my pale skin in a particularly striking way, but it’s cozy and a refreshing change from my other go-to colors.
I’m sure there are many of you out there who swear that you can’t wear lime green or tangerine or pastels or whatever, but before you completely remove that certain hue from your wearable colors list, I suggest you test out a few shades. Some greens have a bit more grey in them, some yellows a bit more cream, and so on and so forth. I know that a cold pastel green makes me look like I’m perpetually seasick, but one with a little more yellow works on me. But for baby blue I’ve found that a more saturated shade makes me look like I’m a confused 5 year-old tomboy, while cooler shades are more flattering. So, as the spring collections start hitting stores and the inevitable springy hues dominate every rack, I suggest you try a variety of different shades instead of nixing the rack of soft pink entirely.
Rag & Bone coat (on sale!) | Acne sweater | Rag & Bone jeans | Acne boots | Prada bag | Knockaround sunnies
Win Win Accessories (on eBay!)
I’ve always said that with the right accessories any outfit can look chic and refined, especially in the fall and winter months.
While bags and shoes are the bread to my butter, I also have an affinity for scarves, hats, gloves, etc. I don’t enjoy the cold all that much, but I do love a good pair of mittens or mukluks.
I find a sufficient amount of my accessories by shopping/bidding on eBay, and consider myself to be quite the eBay scavenger — I’ve scored everything from a Marni clutch to a Hermes bracelet on the site, and at discounted prices no less!
Using keywords like “authentic” or “NWT” (stands for “New With Tags”) is helpful when searching for designer pieces on eBay, but I also find that looking a seller’s history is crucial to knowing that what you’re bidding on is coming from a good and honest place.
Another tip for eBay hunting is to not bid until the very last couple of minutes. The prices go up pretty quickly (especially with accessories) once you start bidding, so the longer you wait the better. I add things to my “Watch List” on almost a daily basis, and currently have my eye on the 8 pieces below.
I have yet to go into a bidding war on any of these, but mark my words, I know how to watch and win. It’s all about knowing your limits.
2. ISABEL MARANT WEDGE SNEAKERS
3. CHANEL GINGHAM WHITE RESIN CUFF
5. MIU MIU SPARKLY CAT EYE SUNGLASSES
8. NORDSTROM RABBIT FUR LONG SCARF
DISCLAIMER: This post is part of eBay Finders, a new partnership that present collections of items curated by a carefully selected group of style setters. Find more information at eBay Fashion #eBayFinders
Checkered Ants
There are days when I think my style is relatively tame, and then there are days when I feel like a little girl playing dress up all over again; grabbing anything eccentric without so much as a thought as to whether or not they go together. This past weekend I had one of those days.
It all started with my desire to wear this pair of sunglasses that I picked up at a random party store a few weeks ago. Along with having an interesting shape – they remind me of the Prada sunnies from Spring 2010 - they also happen to be checkered with ants crawling all over them. Awesome. I don’t think I’ve ever planned a look around a pair of sunglasses before, but it posed to be much easier than I thought. Though checkered ant frames could easily hold down the wild card for an outfit on their own, I decided to go all out and grabbed a printed dress and pair of saddle shoes, both of which I realize I probably would have worn at the age of five. Which brings this story right back to where it started with me being a little girl playing dress up in my closet. And that is where I leave you.
{ Spotted Moth Dress, Bass Saddle Shoes, Philippe Matignon socks c/o, party store sunglasses, Proenza Schouler bag }
