remixing fashion and luxury for reality

I was only 14 years old, old enough to scar the delicate framework of my self-esteem, when I was caught wearing shoulder pads to school. I still can’t get my Mom to admit she was so wrong to make me wear shoulder pads back in the day. I get that it was the 80’s and all but I was still a little girl for chrissake. This obnoxious jock (but cute of course) came running up to me and grabbed my shoulders and asked me if I was going to join the football team. Would you have died too?

Fast forward 20 years and here I am playing with shoulder pads again! Well strong structured shoulders at least. I guess garment technology has improved since he 80’s and padding is not necessary to sculpt a look. Very good thing. No embarrassing white pads flying out of your jacket.

What do the rest of you think? I get a sense that the strong shoulder trend is not one that is going to take off with the masses. Maybe that’s a good thing. It certainly doesn’t look right on just everybody. I think it helps if you have a stronger profile to begin with. If you’re dainty and delicate this look might swallow you up for dinner.

I went el frugal route and picked up this zippered cardigan with sharper shoulders at H&M over the weekend, (see 1st photo below). Barely makes the cut as a strong shoulder top but it’ll do. And for under $30 it’ll tide me over until I find the real strong shoulder piece for my closet.

The rest of these were strong shoulder looks that inspired me..

Vintage is my new thing. Or at least I want it to be. It’s interesting to see that vintage and indi fashion is now reaching the masses. It makes sense though with the commoditization of fashion.. girls and women are craving a new flavor, something different than the stuff you see on every other girl on the street. I always figured vintage was too exclusive for me since it’s tough to find good stuff, and I’ve never felt totally comfortable wearing pre-worn clothes (my Mom would kill me!). But recently I came upon modcloth.com, an online retailer that offers vintage inspired clothing at decent pricing, the $40-$200 range. Off the bat I could feel the techie flavor of this site… someone who understands web design and basic web 2.0 concepts has had some influence on this site. I love the “Be the Buyer” program where you can vote on apparel designs which get manufactured if popular enough, as well as the “Notify me of restock” option. They even offer an inventory countdown so you know if there’s only 1 or 2 pieces of a style left! I’ve grumbled about this feature ever since I started spending money online. Modcloth sells mostly new clothing. The true vintage items for sale seem to only come up every once in a while and sell out in a blink. I’m starting to look for more vintage sites so tell me your favorites!

Here’s a few of the things from Modcloth I’m considering…

Great. Another site to burn more holes in my wallet. Just what I need at this time of year where funds are already more than scarce. But it’s ok because the stuff they got there is so cool it makes it all ok. Check out Forward, a new online shop by Revolve Clothing. Revolve now has 2 sister sites, this one carries their luxury lines and they’ve also got Reverse at www.reverse-reverse.com which from first glance looks like a members-only discount fire sale site like Gilt and Hautelook. With the online fashion industry scaling out impressively, it makes sense to break out into multiple domains to serve customers more targeted selections. You know where I’ll be spending most my time I like the design and functionality of Forward better than the original Revolve.. esp. their “Complete the Look” function where you can see other items styled with the item of choice. Seeing what goes with what is always helpful when you need inspiration or that last nudge to buy. So onward to forward!

Forward

I’m having a bit of a mid-life blog crisis, and been pondering what to focus my next posts on. Going back to the basics.. what I initially set out to do here.. is share insight and help enable you, my friends and readers, to explore more adventurous styles and fashions. I’ve always felt good fashion was too exclusive, too out of reach for the every day lifestyle and average girl. I don’t consider myself a fashion stylist or fashion trend setter by any means. If anything I’m just an avid consumer of fashion. A little too avid my husband might say.. But back to the point.. so I’m going to try writing more posts about what which fashion trends I’m following, and hopefully if I get this right, entire you guys to try a few of them out if you normally wouldn’t have dared.

So what’s on my mind right now? Sequin blazers! Is it just me or is this the trend that’s anywhere and everywhere. I don’t know exactly why started it but I think Rachel Zoe had a big impact.. esp. with her show the Rachel Zoe Project. Whatever she says on the show you end up seeing everywhere. By the time I’ve finally finished writing up this post, I’m actually on the verge of sequin blazer overload. Is it just me or do fashion trends seem to spread a lot faster and further than before?

Anyway, I’ve been photoshoping like mad and putting together some outfits with sequin blazers. The first look on the left is something I’d wear on a regular day, simple black and black. This is a very safe way to go. When in doubt go for all black, no one can say you didn’t know what you were doing. The next look (blue sequin blazer) would be something I’d wear at a more conservative event, maybe a work holiday party. Now that I look at it thought it’s a little on the mature lady side. The 3rd look (light grey/silver blazer) is definately work appropriate. The last look is a little wacky but I thought I’d try it out. What do you think? Does this work or is it just too mixy matchy?

I hope to hear you guys all try out the sequin blazer trend soon. If not sequin blazer, sequin anything. It’s everywhere so you can no excuse of not being able to find one you like!

Just can’t get over over the knee boots.

over the knee boots by LuxeGurl featuring Giuseppe Zanotti shoes

While she may be a backstabbing fridge on The City.. Olivia Palermo has style. She is gangsta! in my book. At first I thought it was the pretty face that made the look, but it’s more than that. She has a way of putting together looks that make it seem she spent effortless effort in putting together. It’s not the sloppy celebrity style, it’s not boring head to toe chanel/haute couture either.. it’s just good style. I love watching her on The City this season. Each season her outfits get better and better.

Here’s some looks I found online that I’m going to have to steal… let me know what you think..

HELLO Shoppers!! I’m baaaaack. After a long stint (3 months to be exact) I think I’m ready for some blog talk. Well at least just sharing some of my latest obsessions. I had a baby in case you didn’t catch that in previous posts. God knew I have been saving all my clothes for vintage wear one day and blessed me with a daughter. She gave mommy a good run during labor, delivery, and the first 2 months of her life and now is finally behaving like the good girl i raised her to be in my belly!! I may just have to do a few posts on the baby fashions I’m exploring as a new obsessed mother.

For now I’ll just share one of my recent cheap(er) thrills for this Fall. Who isn’t looking for an over-the-knee boot for this coming season?? I was very close to spurging on these platform boots from Belle by Sigerson Morrison for $545 but felt squeamish when it came down to pulling the trigger. Will my husband freak? Maybe. Ok so instead I found these boots from Guess called the Rumala boot. The picture on their website is not flattering. Check out the photo of ME in them hehe. They fit so well through the calves whether it’s over leggings, skinny jeans or just bare. They are faintly slouchy, just enough to slouch but not droop down your legs. The top of the boot can also cuff down revealing a satin lining. I personally like the full up look though.

Hope you all find your boot or boots (hopefully) for the upcoming season. There’s so many to choose from.. i may well go broke from boots alone!!!

The cocktail ring can make the entire outfit… i love statement pieces like that, that can carry the whole look just by being so fabulous. The tricky part is picking out the perfect one. I’ve been eying this House of Harlow Cocktail Ring. What do you think? Only problem is I’m guessing everyone and their best friend has it by now

House of Harlow 1960 Gold Starburst Cocktail Ring with Black Leather @ Singer22.com for $50.00

Here’s some others that I like..

Juicy Couture Turquoise Drama Cocktail Ring ($118.00 @ Zappos Couture)

Aldo Twit Cocktail Ring ($12.00 @ Aldo.com)

CC Skye_Black_Onyx_Cocktail_Ring ($189.75 @ My-Wardrobe.com)

Rings Eclectic White Rose Cocktail Ring ($98.00 @ shopintuition.com)

Faceted Dome Ring ($49.50 @BananaRepublic.com)

Can’t wait until I can fit one of these bad boys on my hand (after I have normal size fingers) and after I can swig a real cocktail!