Monthly Archives: February 2013

Birthday Suit

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Remember when you were a little kid, three months of summer vacation felt so endless? How I long for that feeling of eternity again, but never more! I guess I should just come to terms that as I get older, time will just fly by faster than ever, and there is nothing I can do to stop it. The only thing I can do is to ensure that I look damn good, all the damn time. Take that, time! Ha!

It’s my birthday, folks. I can’t say I am eager to turn a year older, but I am excited to get all dolled up to celebrate with a fancy meal, a cocktail or two, and good company. The question remains, what outfit would be best suited for my celebration, a birthday dress or a birthday suit? The answer: neither! I should wear a birthday tuxedo.

This satiny J. Crew tuxedo jacket has been collecting dust in my closet ever since I bought it years ago, and has never been worn. How perfectly it would go with my crepe tuxedo pants that I recently purchased from Urban Outfitters! My outfit wouldn’t be complete without a vintage touch: a 1950s blouse. The sheer fabric is both alluring and delicately demure. The beading, mini Peter Pan collar, and dainty ribbon bow tie are all details that add to the charm of this blouse. A belt is the extra touch to help any ensemble to look clean and polished, especially on this outfit, which requires tucking layers at the waist. The floral buckle adds a splash of color to the black, white, and red palette.

I was having my photoshoot right before a family dinner. What perfect timing for an impromptu photo session with my dearest and only grandparent remaining? At age 87, my grandma is still in excellent health, and can go on three-hour strolls without getting tired. I guess that is the key to her youth. I am told that I look just like her when she was in her prime. Not only do we look alike, but she also has a great sense of style. She loves to shop at Ross and Salvation Army (my favorite places too!). This outfit she put together herself; I just had to help her adjust and button. I hope to be as healthy and vibrant as she is when I’m in my eighties.

Juvenile was right: I get it from my (grand) mama.

Fashion Week Favorites

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New York. London. Milan. While Paris Fashion Week hasn’t even started yet, there are simply too many fashion shows to keep up with. After reviewing hundreds of runway photos, my favorite Fall 2013 collections so far are from Anna Sui, Badgley Mischka, and Dsquared2.

I love Anna Sui’s bold use of color and eclectic mix of fabric and textures. From the clean wingtip eye makeup on the models to down to the shoes, Anna has redone the 1960s in a very groovy way and kept it young and playful. Might it be a reminder that yours truly was swinging 60s before Ms. Sui debuted her Fall collection. Call me clairvoyant.

Badgley Mischka’s slim silhouettes, fur, jewels, and dark hues paint the portrait of an elegant lady. It is said that the duo were inspired by the female characters from Alfred Hitchcock’s films. I’ve never seen any of his famous movies, but now I will definitely check some out, just for the outfits. Oh the horror!

Dsquared2 channeled the 1940s wartime look without the seriousness of the war. They added their own whimsical twist to the popular silhouettes and styles of that decade, with pencil skirts, suits,  fedoras, and fur. I must find excuses to wear socks with strappy heels more often. I drool over the men; the menswear doesn’t look so bad either.

What are your favorite runway looks from Fashion Week?

O, Be a Lady First!

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Our country has had many great presidents, and behind each of them, there has always been a wonderful First Lady. And where there is a First Lady, there is a fabulous wardrobe. And behind that wardrobe is likely a large walk in closet. No, make that an entire wing of the White House.

When most people think about fashionable First Ladies, Jackie O comes to mind. Who can forget her pillbox hats, gowns, and over-sized sunglasses? Currently Michelle O is reminiscent of the late Ms. O, as her stylish outfits have the power to make unknown designers (Jason Wu) become overnight sensations, as well as keep longtime fashion brands (J. Crew) still relevant to the consumer. Oh, Ms. O and Ms. O, you two are kindred style spirits indeed.

I rock the presidential vote because my voice matters. But ask me to go into a political debate with you on foreign policy and I will politely decline. What I will debate on is whether I should wear a red dress + white cardigan, or red pants + blue top, or blue skirt + red top for my salute to the presidents?

I purchased this Michelle worthy J. Crew sweater jacket secondhand at Crossroads some time ago. The first time I wore it, someone commented, “You look very..…president’s wife-y.” I haven’t worn it much since then. However, with Presidents’ Day beckoning, it is my patriotic duty to honor our country’s past commander in chiefs with a little red, white, and blue. I paired it with a red sheath dress and pulled a cream vintage Anne Klein skirt over it. I love the skirt’s interesting gathering and draping – it has pockets also! Nothing declares “First Lady” better than a strand of pearls. I only wish I owned a pillbox hat to complete the look.

Go Rouge

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Mary wore her red dress, red dress, red dress. Mary wore her red dress all day long.

Miss Mary, you were so stylish for your time.

Red is not a color to be taken lightly; its intense hue is known to raise blood pressure and heart rate. For these reasons, red is often associated with many things, such as love and passion (Valentine’s Day/Singles Awareness Day), or good fortune and happiness (Lunar New Year), and even the fight against heart disease (Go Red for Women). February is definitely the month to go rouge in your outfits. My closet has so many pairs of red shoes and red dresses it would put the ladies of the Red Hat Society to shame.

I found this classic beauty at my monthly visit to the antique faire. Lucky for me, the dress fit wonderfully and the vendor was ready to make a deal for $15. This dress is likely from the 1960s due to the ruffle bell sleeves and is all sorts of awesome. I told you I was going to get a bit groovier, but you didn’t think it would be so soon, did you?

This dress is a whole lotta red and doesn’t need many bells and whistles especially because of its color and sleeve detail. I kept it low key with nude fishnets and low-heeled leopard pumps. Jewelry was kept to a minimum, but I did wear a feather headpiece for some added drama, and skipped my usual red lip. The dress was missing the matching red belt, so I added a black one with some hardware detail to define my waist.

Oh Henry with the green sneakers, I think I’m ready for my roses and candlelight dinner now.

Happy Lunar New Year and soon-to-be Valentine’s/Singles Awareness Day!

Red Dress

Seeing Red

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Shift Happens

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Growing up, my favorite pal on Saturday night was Nick. Nick introduced me to Samantha Stevens and Jeannie. I loved watching these two women use their superpowers with good intentions, albeit sometimes to spite the men in their lives. Although I did not know it at the time, those shows probably influenced my passion for vintage today.

I admit that the 1960s is not one of my favorite decades of dress, but it has been growing on me as of late. My aunt recently did some spring-cleaning and offered me her vintage shift dresses from this era. I couldn’t turn down such a groovy offer.

The 1960s were characterized by a general shift in culture, as well a growing youth generation. During this time, shift dresses became very popular, and is perhaps the reason why they are named exactly that, the “shift.” Icons such as Twiggy and Edie Sedgwick epitomized this style of dress. An interesting fact is that these frocks actually originate from the 1920s, only this time without the fringe, feathers, and beads.

How to spot a shift dress? They generally have a simple boxy silhouette that might hang straight or slightly A-line from the shoulders with the hemline above the knee. For these reasons, this dress is versatile and can be worn by many body types, especially if you have a boyish figure like myself.

My favorite details of this dress are the elegant princess seams that transition smoothly into hidden pockets at the hips. The petal collar also adds a bit of whimsy and “flower power” to the outfit. The weave of the wool is quite psychedelic; I like to describe it as herringbone on LSD. To avoid feeling like a 12-year-old boy, I wore a pair of hidden platform pumps with a very high heel to balance out the straight and conservative silhouette of the dress, and finished with a few simple gold accessories to keep the true 60s vibe alive.

Be prepared to see me in more swinging 60s ‘cause I am up shift creek without a paddle. Groovy baby!

Arm Candy

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Vintage clip on earrings I have galore, dainty pendant necklaces, chains, and pearls I have a plenty, but arm candy I do not.

One of my New Year’s style resolutions is to add some more baubles to my empty wrists. I love my vintage gold-toned cuff watch (which I wear in almost every post), but I realize I need to add a bit more pizazz and bling to my outfits. On my wish list: chunky bangles, spikes, wrap-arounds, charm bracelets, chains, and watches. I love me some studs too, but since Ryan and Joseph aren’t available, these gold ones will do.

Arm Candy