Posts tagged ‘ray ban’
Productive Procrastination
I have a habit of slipping into books. Be it a trash novel, a collection of essays, or a book filled with pretty pictures, I tend to procrastinate on things by telling myself I’m being productive with a book in my hand. Sometimes this “productive procrastination” does nothing for me; see the two weeks I spent reading all four Twilight books. Other times however, this welcomed idle time inspires me, and we all know that inspiration can only lead to productivity.
I’ve been in a bit of a rut with my wardrobe lately. I hate being repetitive, but the comfort of the same pair of jeans, boots, and sweater were starting to become all too appealing. On one of those more frustrating mornings where I stand in a towel with wet hair staring at my closet ready to burst into tears because I have “nothing to wear,” I flopped onto my bed and picked up a book stashed in a pile on my bedside table. The book was Gypset Style, a gift I received a few years ago but hadn’t flipped through since the first time I opened it. An hour later, not only was my hair dry, but I felt like I was as cool as Jade Jagger in all her kaftan and embroidered jacket glory. Reality check: I am nowhere near as cool as her, I was still in my towel, and my closet is a joke in comparison, but the idea lightbulb was there.
With a little help from my relatively new moroccan-inspired jacket, a new light was shed on my closet and I slipped into a pair of old palazzo pants as if they were the latest addition to my wardrobe. It’s not that I hadn’t thought of wearing them, it’s just that I couldn’t get previous palazzo pant outfits out of my head. Just like a chef looks through different cookbooks for new ways to prepare chicken, I look to picture-filled books for new ways to style my palazzos (among other things).
This is me having fun in my pants that are too long.
I can be serious too.
Chin dimples are also a great source of inspiration, just ask Rubens.
And I’m done.
Zara jacket | Vintage camisole | Elizabeth & James pants (these are also awesome) | Coach bag (she’s pretty too) | Proenza Schouler heelz | Ray-Ban sunglasses
// photos by Emily Malan
Because It’s Awesome
Each time I wear either this jacket or these shoes I get a variety of comments — some positive, some negative. For example, a boy once said to me in reference to this outerwear, “why on earth did you buy that?” Ok, a few things here. One: I can’t believe a guy actually said “why on earth” — I feel like only people who say “geez” or “golly” or “soda pop” say that. Two: do you really want me to explain why I bought this jacket? Because it’s a pretty uninteresting, anti-climatic story. So, I simply responded with “because it’s awesome” and walked away. (Jerk.)
Now, when I was younger (ages 5-24) a comment like that would have sent me to Insecure City where people hide in corners and try to blend in with the walls. But as I’ve matoooooored (that’s “matured” with an obnoxious accent), I’ve grown to care less and less about what people think in regards to my sartorial choices. Much like the belief that most people would rather be overdressed than under, I would rather dress like myself than try to blend in with the vanillas of the world. This is starting to sound like a preachy post, and though that wasn’t my initial intention I’m going to roll with it. You see I’m under the belief that if you feel like your look is a little on the “is this appropriate?” side then you should definitely wear it. So I leave you with this: should someone question your outfit or comment on its ridiculousness, tell them it’s awesome and walk away. (Cause they’re a jerk.)
William Rast jacket (similar here) | Splendid shirt | Moschino skirt | Tibi clutch | Burberry wedges | Ray-Ban sunglasses
// photos by Emily Malan
The Purpose of Style
With the exception of skyscraper heels, I’d like to think my style is pretty functional. Sure I’ll pile on the accessories or wear an extra layer or two, but it’s important for me not to have an outfit that requires a lot of fidget and fuss. Outfits that have you constantly pulling down a skirt or adjusting a belt are not only frustrating, but make you look uncomfortable. Style is supposed to be fun and experimental, not a nuisance. So for the most part, I nix any outfit additions that get in the way or serve no purpose.
I’ve often admired punks and 90s grunge icons for their ability to look effortlessly cool when really we all know their outfits took some serious time and thought to put together. Sid Vicious and his piling of spiked belts. Kurt Cobain and his multitude of layered cardigans. The kids hanging around Tompkins Square Park or St. Marks Place with their tattered tights and mohawks. Do you know how long it takes to actually get a mohawk to stick straight up? I don’t, but I imagine it takes awhile. And Sid Vicious, I love you, but I’m fairly certain your three spiked belts all fastened to the side were not all there to keep your pants up. Yet, while these pieces serve next-to-no-function (i.e. ripped tights do not keep you warm), they do serve a purpose; the purpose of style.
Taking cues from the Fall 2013 runways, I’ve been testing out different ways to add more layers to a single look before spring and summer roll around and I’m stripped of anything that will cause an excess of sweat. I don’t like things to feel too bulky — having socks bunch up while inside my shoes may be one of my biggest pet peeves — so I started simple with a 90s grunge inspired plaid shirt tied around my waist. Though it serves no functional purpose, it added an extra element of proportion, texture, and style to a look that felt a little too simple without it. I can also report that when double knotted I never had to fidget to keep it in place.
Schott leather jacket | H&M sweater (similar here) | Catherine Malandrino dress (similar here) | Rail shirt (similar here) | Zara boots | Chloé bag | Ray-Ban sunglasses | Michael Kors scarf
// photos by Emily Malan
The Stigmas of the Turtleneck
Turtlenecks have such a stigma, and most of them for good reason. For one, their name screams awkward. TURTLE.NECK. Pretty sure turtles have no necks and if they do it’s a gross wrinkly texture that stretches and squishes like a post-holiday fupa. There’s also the fact that most of us were stuffed into turtlenecks by our mothers when it was cold outside and we were too young to know any better. And then of course there’s those girls who still don’t know any better and continue to style their turtlenecks in an almost offensive manner. For example, I once met a girl who wore a white cotton turtleneck underneath a flamingo pink flannel. Yikes.
While all these stigmas should remain in the forefront of your minds when approaching the controversial top, I’d also like you to consider that, when styled correctly, a turtleneck can be a one-way ticket to polished elegance like Diane Keaton is Something’s Gotta Give or Giovanna Battaglia on an almost daily basis. Turtlenecks of the thinner variety can have quite a nice slimming effect, especially when paired with a high-waisted pencil skirt or baggier trouser. Chunkier turtlenecks, as seen here, look best when styled with skinny jeans or some flared denim. The key is to make sure the neck area isn’t too tight — no one wants forced double chins — and that should you decide to pair your turtleneck with a flannel that you’re not also pairing it with awkwardly fitting bootcut jeans and sneakers. Feel free to agree or disagree, though.
H&M jacket | Vince sweater | Rag & Bone jeans | Kelsi Dagger heels | Coach bag | Ray-Ban aviators
// photos by Emily Malan
Sporty Spice
Remember those girls in high school who played volleyball and walked around all day wearing basketball shorts, running shoes, and some kind of oversize hoodie while still managing to look cute? I was not one of those girls. In fact, one time I tried wearing a similarly “athletic outfit” and a friend of mine told me I’d never looked so “butch”. As you can imagine, that was the end of that.
But there are ways to dress “sporty” without looking like you’re trying to avoid being caught doing the “walk of shame” by wearing last night’s hook-up’s gym clothes (we’ve all been there).
For me, this begins with accessories. I’ve now fully embraced the wedged sneaker trend, and picked up this pair of Nike’s with the full intention of testing sportier looks that didn’t scream tomboy-wearing-her-brother’s-hand-me-downs (though, I’m not opposed to that).
The next step in completing my look was this pair of mirrored sunglasses that either resemble a ski mask or something Kenny Powers would wear — I can’t decide. But the combination of the reflector sunnies with a slouchy beanie definitely added to my “cool athletic girl who was picked first for teams at recess” look.
After that I figured a jersey might be a bit overboard, so I opted for a neutral all black outfit t0pped with a red puffer. Not an outfit I would wear regularly, mainly because I just don’t have enough pieces like this in my closet to make it work, but definitely a statement look that added a little extra strut to my step.
Kenneth Cole ‘Awearness’ jacket c/o | Zara sweater | Pinky Otto blouse | J Brand jeans | Nike sneakers | Proenza Schouler bag | Ray-Ban sunnies | Saks hat
