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…

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!

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!

I can never get enough of sexy back. Backless, low back, cut out back.. i love them all. This dress here by Alexander Wang took my breath away… it’s so subtly sexy. The front of this dress is a little disappointingly plain but just get in the door, turn around and TADOW how do ya like me now! I love the way the back drapes loosely, falling elegantly to create a sexy shadow down your back. Better work out those buns if you want to wear this LBD tho!

$595 @ Tobi.com

Grey or not? I have no grey bags yet. It’s a little drab for me but the styling on this Derek Lam bag is tempting. The handle would make it easy to carry, not too sure if it would add a lot of weight w/o actually feeling the bag though. The tassel is cute. But really, where does Derek Lam get off charging $1700 for one of his bags??

@shopbop.com for $1690

Form plus function is the only way to go. These “slot chairs” by Boettcher and Henssler are so neat/clean but also offer a useful twist by this little side table that slots into the chair. I like the muted colors too.. but I could see these being more popular in black and white or ivory hues. These would be great to pull out when entertaining a lot of guests in our tiny little home!

@ http://www.boettcher-henssler.de/projects.html

I’m wondering if this is a result of me being pregnant and immersed in all things baby.. but I’m into the bib necklace trend these days. I know this is kinda played out by now but I never got around to getting one and now I’m feeling it so shoot me! I like the boldness of the line the bib necklace creates. I’m liking the bib over a casual white tee since the ornateness of most of these necklaces veers closely on the side of gaudy. I have yet to find the perfect one so I’m scouring the web.. surprisingly, sites like Shopbop and Revolve don’t have much options if any on this trend.

Here’s a few that I like so far in my search for the perfect bib necklace.

It’s crazy but my favorite at this point is one I found at BR! $69.00!!

I’ve been eyeing this one.. for several months and now it’s on sale! Ben Amun Bib Necklace @ IntermixOnline.com

This one from Kenneth Jay Lane on shopbop.com would look good with a simple black get up.

Anthropologie is hitting the trend hard and has a ton of bibs… (which means this is so mainstream but that’s cool with me.. luxeness for the masses!)

Clearly the recession is over because $2300.00 for a pair of shoes didn’t break a sweat for all the girls who went out and bought these Balmain Sandals. They are sold out everywhere and haven’t been out for that long. I’m sure it doesn’t hurt that all the celebs are wearing them everywhere you look. I’m a little surprised people have taken such a liking to them though since they are way blinged out. I guess that’s what we’ve been building up to.. everyone is used to a little bling, now we are ready for the BIG BLING. I love them so much though and hope they do another run.. just one more guys.

Looks like they were originally being sold for $1600.00 but the only place that has them left (not to mention only size 38) is Net-a-Porter and they’ve jacked them up to $2300!!

The Fashionable Housewife found some great luxe-for-less options for these Balmains… must see.

just confused! This piece from Y-3 is an interesting number, what do you think? I appreciate the creative deviation from the same ole same ole. I’d consider getting a pair if I knew I could actually wear it out somewhere in the next year but considering I’ll be on new-born mommy duty for the next 6-8 months I’ll let someone else who’ll actually look good in it have it for now! Clearly, the avant garde-ness of this piece isn’t selling it off the block because it’s on 30% sale at www.oaknyc.com. I’ll admit it does look like something I could make myself with a little creative draping. At the original $394.. I’d defn. have to think twice about these spants.

@www.oaknyc.com