Thursday, August 20, 2009

Vintage-Inspired Plaid Dresses

You know how much I love plaid? And how much I love Mad Men? The twain have met!
Ok, so this is a pretty old photo--from the end of season 2, even. But it's been on my mind thanks to Modcloth's awesome new Look Book, titled "A Mad Affair." It's all Mad Men-inspired outfits, some of which are vintage and some are just vintage-inspired.
The Kenley Dress, $199, is named after the former Project Runway villain who had great vintage style but a bad attitude. But it really reminds me of something our favorite female copywriter, Peggy Olson, would wear (although she would never go that low-cut, being a good Catholic girl).

Here's another fantastic plaid dress by Anna Sui:The bright colors are a little more "bored housewife" than "working woman," so this dress reminds me more of Betty. The Wilcox Dress is $289.95.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Putting Money into the US Economy

I had a post planned about fall fashion, but my computer is being bitchy and refuses to upload the many photos required (to be fair, the three seasons of Nip/Tuck I have on iTunes might have something to do with it). Instead, here's a short post: I've been doing my civic duty lately and putting money into the economy. Here's what I've bought recently:

Yves Saint Laurent Luxurious Mascara in Sublime Grey, $28.50
I was in Saks yesterday picking up my beloved "Touche Eclat" and was sold on this mascara. I also have it in black and purple - I'm a fan of the coverage and the intensity of color - and the grey is perfect for everyday.

Current/Elliott Crop Destroy Jean in Super Loved, $235
First, the denim is amazing; these jeans are softer than the Citizens I've loved for years and washed countless times. Second, the fit is slouchy, relaxed perfection. These will be worn with sandals and strappy heels now; with boots later.

Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses, $129.95
I'm tired of the substantial, plastic frames I've been sporting for the past few years, so I thought I'd give Ray-Ban aviators - classic, unisex, lightweight - a try.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Summer Shorts

I pretty much stopped wearing shorts when I stopped going to camp, but if there's any time to bring them back, it's summer 2009. The hideous romper trend is proof enough that shorts are replacing skirts and dresses as the preferred method of showing off your legs.

I love a pair of jean cut-offs as much as anyone (except when the pockets are longer than the hem, and poke out at the bottom--I think that is the tackiest of the tacky. Makes you look like a white-trash teen who took a pair of blunt scissors to her jeans and just cut them as high as possible in order to seduce pimply boys at the outlet mall), but right now I think different fabrics and styles are worth investigating. These Gap button-tab striped jeans, $24.99, are menswear-inspired but still playful enough for girly girls. I like how they're a little bit longer, so you don't have to feel overexposed when you're riding the subway.

On the other hand, if you're not afraid to flaunt your killer legs, there's the Zimmerman Jinx Chambray Short, $55.20. The light blue color matches the sky of a classic summer day, and beaded drawstring on the side adds a crafty spin. I'd want to wear this with a loose, billowy white top, and then maybe some black gladiator sandals with silver studs--you know, to add a little toughness so you don't look like a member of The Babysitter's Club (Dawn was the California hippie, right?).

If there's one thing I believe about shorts, it's that they should be cheap because they're not very versatile. You can't wear them to work (unless you're a classy man rocking a nice shorts suit), or nice restaurants, or any month in which the temperature dips under 60 degrees. A trend I hate almost as much as rompers? Wearing shorts over tights in the winter. On the other hand, I do prefer that wacked-out layering to just wearing tights and a shirt, which, ladies of New York, IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR PUBLIC.

Where was I? Oh yeah, shorts could be dirt cheap. Enter Old Navy! Their always-reasonably priced shorts are now on sale, and I want to get the Low-Rise Perfect Khaki Shorts, $12.99 to $7.99, in every color. The bright white is perfect when I want to go all-out nautical (stripped navy blue boatneck top, a gold anchor necklace, some leather boat shoes, perhaps a scarf used as a headband), the classic khaki is good for hanging with the family, and the jalapeno green is perfect for drinking Coronas with friends at a patio bar.

I can't end this post without including denim. From American Eagle, the Tuxedo Short, $29.50, has a silly name but a great design. It's a bit distressed, so it has that lived-in look without being on the verge of falling apart. The waistband is cummerbund inspired, which distinguishes these shorts from other basic pairs, and you really can't go wrong with a dark wash and a 2-inch inseam.