Wednesday, February 25, 2009

CSI and Class

The other day I went over to my friend's house to catch up on CSI on the Internet. I just wanted to wear something casual but still stylish. I think this works. A bit french with the stripes and I am loving these jeans now that I know they work with flat shoes.

  
Jacket: Le Chateau $40
Shirt: Dynamite $20
Jeans: Winners $30
Shoes: Converse $100(white leather)
Scarf: Le Chateau $15
Earrings: Warehouse One $2
Cuff: Value Village $2
Purse: Aldo $20

Today I knew I was going to be having a bit of a busy day. Work, finishing a project for class, and then class. I love this dress. I just recently got it and I can dress it up or down and it always looks good. Plus its comfortable.

   
Jacket: Bootlegger $30
Dress: Zara $70
Tights: American Apparel $16
Boots: Aldo $50
Earrings: Gift 
Cuff: Value Village $2
Purse: Aldo $20
Scarf: Le Chateau $15

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Stripes and Polka Dots!

At the moment I am taking my own pictures and have yet to buy a tripod for my camera so please forgive the horrible quality of these two. I'll try to get better. It seems almost impossible to get a good picture of oneself that had head to toe and looks good. 

I wore this outfit on Wednesday to work, then after work running some errands before I changed to play some b-ball...okay just a few games of 21 but I won 2 out of 3!
Shirt: Dynamite $20
Skirt: Le Chateau $60 (but I had a gift certificate from Christmas. Thanks Grannie & Grandpa!)
Tights: American Apparel $16 (doubled up for warmth)
Shoes: Platforms from Spring $20
Necklace: Aldo $20(?)
Cuff: Thrifted from Value Village $2
Earrings: Gift from Granny

I wore this to work on Friday. I was about to donate these pants but I've had a change of heart.

Sweater: American Eagle $50 (I never go in there but it was polka dots, which I love, and in the window. It was meant to be!)
Blouse: Stitches $5
Jeans: Winners $15
Ballet Flats: Browns $?(Can't remember)
Earrings: Hong Kong Street Market $2
Necklace: Aldo $5
Belt: Le Chateau $15
Cuff: Value Village $2
Ring: Made it myself in grade 10 metal work class

I promise to get better at the self photo:)

xoxo
Girl!

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Pink Shirt Day



February 25th is "Wear a Pink Shirt" Day. Its a day to show awareness about bullying in schools. For more info check out this post from the Vancouver Metblog. I don't know about you but I am fairly sure we have all been bullied at one time or another. Even though I am not in high school any more I will be wearing pink on this day, even if I work, where there is a very strict all black uniform policy! Please join me in this cause and wear a little, or a lot of pink on the 25th! Plus its a great excuse to have some fun with pink!!

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Mini Skirts

I am totally feeling the mini skirt these days. Maybe because I am craving spring. Don't get me wrong I'm not loving the mini-mini-so-short-I-can-see-her-under-bum mini but the fun flirty mini. I mean how cute does Rihanna look in this cute flirty mini from twenty8twelve.



I love this look and in fact, I might even rock it this weekend. I know the weather in our fair city is all over the map and no, we can not be wearing tank tops already like they are in LA but throw on a pair of tights and a cropped tuxedo jacket and this is a fully Vancouver look. You can even match a cute umbrella to your outfit and it all works.  

Living in this city you just have to learn how to adapt your inspirations to your climate. I would probably add boots as well, which will not only protect my feet from the rain but will also help with the "is that a mini skirt" stares on the bus. Really through taking the bus is always tough on the fashion forward as it is mostly commuters who dress for long distance and comfort. Fashion can be comfortable people! Sorry, back to mini skirts.

Being very tall, for a girl at least, I have to be careful with hem length but a good pair of tights can take a mini from, um SHORT, to ooh fashionable. Trust me on this one. I have used this trick many many times and it has not failed me yet. Some days I think if all I had was a closet full of fabulous minis and mini dresses and a drawer of tights I would be a very happy lady! Obviously some amazing shoes would be needed as well.

Photographic proof: 
  

Still sometime you have to let the legs have their moment. 

Photographic proof:
  

I am not the only one loving the mini skirt, designers and other fashion forefronts are loving the length too. The mini skirts from Balenciaga are amazing and I want one, or to make one like it!


Here's a few other examples of the mini:


Camille, of Childhood Flames, looks awesome in this rock mini. 

The next few are good examples of how to wear a mini in colder places. You know, adding the tights, or boots with high socks, being cover on the top or things like that.

  
I mean Ranna, of Only Shallow, lives in Finland. If she can wear a mini in winter so can you!

  
Originally from Vancouver, Amber, of Painfully Hip, also has a knack for making the mini work in the weather.

So please this weekend when you are deciding what to wear I am saying put down the jeans, put away the lululemon's and try a mini with a pair of tights or if your really bold let the legs shine!

Monday, February 2, 2009

Fashion Leader: Mary Kate Olsen

  

As a fashion leader the effects of Mary Kate Olsen are undeniable. Having started many trends not only with the public but also with other celebrities. She kicked off the Bohemian trend in a huge way with her over sized clothing choices, and bag lady ways. 

The Bohemian look was first seen on Mary Kate and her sister Ashley Olsen before heading on to the bodies of many other celebrities and general public. Large vintage looking sunglasses wear seen on Nicole Richie, and every store in every city. Large hippie skirts were seen on Sienna Miller, Kate Hudson and in the pages of Teen Vogue. 

Soon after that Mary Kate was spotted wearing Gladiator sandals that ran up her legs to her knees. Very soon they were the most have sandal of the summer. Everybody had them, in the less extreme ankle height to the extreme knee high version; you could even get them at Wal-Mart. 

More recently Mary Kate has been seen bringing back the early nineties grunge look with a more glam twist this time around. Seen around Hollywood wearing large over sized flannel plaid shirts with skinny jeans and sky-high platform booties. Only a leader could restart a look that was around not that long ago and give it new life with new legs. This time around the grunge look is more glam grunge than dirty. Having actually been in high school the first time grunge was popular I would never of thought it would make this big of a come back. 

Soon after Mary Kate was spotted wearing her ‘90s Seattle grunge rocker look other celebrities were spotted wearing similar outfits. Heidi Klum was not only spotted wearing a plaid shirt with a ruffle and skinny jeans but on a different occasion was spotting wearing plaid pants with a black tank top.

  

Lauren Conrad was also spotting wearing a plaid shirt with skinny jeans and strappy platform shoes.

 

Most important though is that designers have been picking up on this trend and using it. Phillip Lim designed a gorgeous “lumberjack” coat in a red plaid, putting a glam twist on the flannel plaid shirt of the ‘90s grunge look.

 

Alexander Wang’s Fall ’08 ready to wear show was full of the grunge feel, including sending the models down the runway with slouchy black togues and ripped tights on.


Fashion leaders themselves are still influenced by something, someone or some feeling in the air. The recent photos of Mary Kate suggest that she has been listening to a lot of Nirvana and maybe watching a bit to many reruns of the movie “Clueless”.  

Looking back at photos from the early nineties you can see a strong case for the fact that Mary Kate Olsen very well may be influence by Kurt Cobain for her new sense of style. 


The early nineties saw the Seattle indie grunge scene burst open for the whole world to experience, bringing the grunge fashion style with it. Grunge was more of a style that was not a style. The flannel shirt, the doc martins, and stonewashed jeans were more of a need of the region then of an attempt to make a fashion statement. The grunge look of the early nineties was a unisex blend of punk and functionality of the region of Seattle and Vancouver, whereas the grunge glam that Mary Kate has ushered in is more fashion than function. More Gucci platforms than Doc Martin boots. More plaid mini dress than flannel plaid men’s shirt. You can see the influences of Mary Kate everywhere in magazines, on street blogs, runway shows, and even on the people of this city.

Here is my version on this new Glam Grunge look. I have to say it works well with the raining weather of this great city!

Men's Plaid Shirt: Value Village $2

Tights: Bootlegger $10

Boots: Aldo $50

Bow Tie!

Went bowling on Saturday night with two of my girls at the Arbutus Lanes and on our walk from there to the Kings Head Pub I spotted this young man. How awesome is that bow tie? I love it! Also when I asked if I could take his picture for my blog he answered of course, are you trying to be like the Sartorialist of Vancouver. I wish!! Anyways here he is in all his bow tie glory!

 
I don't recall his name but if you do or you are him please let me know!

Here is what I wore to bowling:


Sweater: Old, can't remember where I got it. $9
Dress: Old Navy $30
Tight: ? 
Boots: Aldo $50
Necklace: Aldo $15
Earring: Hong Kong Street Market $2
Crazy face: priceless!

UPDATE: Turns out the gentleman at the top is Julian. Hi Julian!