Who Cares: It's Only Fashion...

desperately seeking: 4th of july weekend...

its only fashion — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:07:31 PDT

Nothing like 4th of July weekend shopping to bring out my inner "Preppy." I only capitalize it because I mean it in the Slater's nickname for Zack way.

With a weekend in the capital of prep (aka Nantucket) ahead of me, I figured it was about time to add some New England charm to my Bohemian chic. With just a smidgen of "Gidget" mixed in for the perfect 60s surfer girl summer.

Like the last minute holiday planner that I am, I narrowed it down to a few decisive items that will make all the difference on my pseudo prepster weekend. Happy Birthday America!

1. Can't completely let go of my inner hippie now can I? Velvet Kiki Shadow Tie Dye Tank Dress. $129. at revolveclothing.com

2. Stepping off the ferry with the perfect bag is a necessity. J. Crew Canvas Overnight Bag. $36.50. at jcrew.com

3. Gidget personified. Delia's Hearts Bandeau and Hipster. $22.50 each. At delias.com

4. Ideal for those late night clambakes, no? Wildfox Couture Malibu Girl Baggy Beach Sweatshirt. $108. at urbanoutfitters.com

5. SPF 30, keratin, ginseng, cashmere protein, wheatgrass and a multitiude of other powerful sounding ingredients promise maximum sun coverage with the added bonus of skin detox, toning and firming. Very much worth its high price tag. Sunday Riley Cashmere SPF 30. $125. at barneys.com

6. It's not 4th of July without boating shoes now is it?? Sperry Top-Sider. $74. at nordstrom.com

desperately loving: fenton/fallon for j.Crew

its only fashion — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 09:05:46 PDT

Another day another something masterful coming our way from J.Crew. Earlier this week the master of all things cool and fantastic, J.Crew's creative director Ms. Jenna Lyons, got together with Vogue Fashion Features Director Sally Singer to launch the Fenton/ Fallon for J.Crew collection at the brand's Soho store.

Needless to say FF's genius designer Dana Lorenz has created a collection that's right up there with J.Crew's super cool rocker-chic mixed with prepster-classics aesthetic. Chunky multi strand necklaces layered with spikes and fringe, likely put together with some cuffed boyfriend jeans and a fur vest, or even a boyfriend button down with some shorts. J.Crew's become masterful at incorporating the statement necklace with classic wardrobe staples and this latest addition is nothing short of uber cool.

My personal favorite is the layered bracelet. I just dream of wearing it with a men's watch, oversized silkish button down, ripped up boyfriend shorts and girly socks with high healed sandals. Sigh.

Fenton/Fallon for J.Crew is already available at jcrew.com and by the looks of its front and center publicity on the site, it might not be there for long. Hurry.

desperately seeking: transition dressing...

its only fashion — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:03:38 PDT

If you're anything like me, the idea of a week of Spring filled weather after a very cold and miserable winter not only inspires thoughts of city strolling, park hopping and outdoor drinking, but also brings with it a slight wardrobe anxiety. You see, I've gotten so used to living in my tights, boots, thick sweaters and coats that putting together a transition weather appropriate outfit makes the ever prominent lines on my forehead even deeper. In short, what the f&*#$@#@ do we wear this week for the 75 degree nyc weather? Yes the weekend gave us a sneak peak into the glory that's to come but I'm all sorts of stressed trying to figure out how to make a smooth transition from my winter gear to my sunny summer selections.

Can I wear flip flops? Is it too soon for shorts? Will I need a jacket? What about flowery dresses? If I put on a sweater will I be way too warm? But what if I wear a skirt without tights and it gets cold at night? UGHHHHHHH

After many moons of research, very careful people watching from an open windowed cafe (what up Cafe Condesa!) and revisiting many online shopping carts filled with spring goodies, I've come to a few conclusions about this particular predicament. What follows is basically going to be my transition into Spring uniform. Apparently my Spring picks are neutral, neutral, neutral and somehow they include the word "boyfriend" for the most part. Weird. Well at least we can get lots of mixing and matching out of these guys.

I'm also curious to know, for anthropological research purposes of course, what some of you out there wore this week to usher in the Spring Summer time? Have you mastered the art of transitional fashion yet?

Desperately Seeking: Fashion Week Fundamentals...

its only fashion — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 06:01:34 PST

Fashion Week is fast approaching and when staring at my closet in preparation, I'm faced with that eternal quandary: "I don't have a thing to wear." And with the winter and lack of funds and all, it's been a long while since I've been desperately seeking anything. So I figured it's about time I started building on what I already have and also bring in some early spring pieces to brighten things up a bit. My approach is to always have a few pieces to mix and match and basically plan out my outfits ahead of time as not to have major pre-show anxiety and inability to leave the house because I can't wear a thing besides yoga pants.

What I'm thinking is a mix of knits and lace to evoke the romanticism of mid February (there are shows on Valentine's Day and all), a few soft tops to mix with tight black pants and skinny jeans, a pair of black all purpose ankle booties (Forever 21 happens to make my most favorite ones, and I had looked EVERYWHERE), high wasted paper bag trousers to mix with tanks and cardigans and some of the afore mentioned soft tops, delicious fingerless cashmere gloves to get you from Bryant Park to Milk Studios warmly enough and still being able to twitter constant updates, and yet another all purpose black accessory a fold over black bag. And let's add to that a long sleeved red dress for those party nights. It's a mix of Alexa Chung with 90s minimalism that's sure to blend in with the rest of the pieces in my ever expanding, ever useless wardrobe.

After all, Fashion Week is as much about looking fabulous and getting a chance to play around with your look as it is about taking in the newest trends catwalk side.

Check out where to find my picks after the jump... more, more, more...

Desperately Seeking: Fall Green...

its only fashion — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:34:00 PDT

Considering my recent jetset - travel heavy lifestyle, I've been a little delayed on the fall shopping front. Until this week. Sweaters, boots, tights and yet more boots are the only thing on my mind, and if I've been absent it's only because so much of my time has been devoted to scouring the online shopping world for the perfect shearling lined leather jacket and the perfect everyday 90's Brenda-esque boot. And, for some reason a green cardigan seems to be sticking in my head as my lightweight layer of choice for the season. Every outfit I attempt screams at me "I need a green cardigan, please, pretty please get me a green cardigan..."

But it's not your regular green my closet is craving - it's a mix of hunter/forrest/army/olive that can't really be quantified, and you can imagine my surprise when I came across varied hues of just this green for my soon to be ubiquitous all season layer. Belted, vintage buttons, snap buttons, regular buttons, v-necks and crewnecks - a veritable pupu platter of sweaters, all there for my shopping pleasure! Pair it over a floral dress with (shocker of all shocks) chunky boots or perhaps over a shiny or studded tank with black pants and brown riding boots...green is the new beige? I can't wait.

1. Trovata Del Mar Classic Cardigan. $185. Available at http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=710202002&tid=plsp1r&kwid...
">piperlime.com

2. J. Crew Dream Crewneck Cardigan. $85. Available at jcrew.com

3. BDG Vintage Button Cardigan Sweater. $42. Available at urbanoutfitters.com

4. Old Navy Women's Cable-Knit Tie-Front Cardigan. $36. Available at oldnavy.com

5. NEAL by Neal Sperling Cable Cardigan. $68. Available at urbanoutfitters.com

6. Topshop Knitted Zip Long Cardigan. $80. Available at topshop.com

Desperately Seeking: Alexa Chung's London FW Wardrobe...

its only fashion — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:55:43 PDT

Dear Alexa,

Please don't take this as us stalking you or anything, but it's just that your London Fashion Week wardrobe has been absolute perfection. But this one really took the cake. A mix of classic, (hello little black dress) tough, (oh is that you studded satchel?) and trendy (nice to see you lace up booties). Oh and just to show us how fabulous she is, she added a dash of Amelia Earhart style to the mix. For my money there's no other fashionista who perfectly mixes elements like Alexa. But I may be a little biased. After all, I've started asking myself "would alexa wear this?" every time I stare at my closet with a complete lack of inspiration. So thank you Ms. Chung for providing us with a little fall wardrobe inspiration this morning and for putting up with us while we shamelessly try to copy your look for less.

All the best,

It's Only Fashion

1. Silence & Noise Sherpa Collar Faux Leather Bomber. $128. Available at urbanoutfitters.com

2. Free People Studded Side Sling Bag. $48. Available at freepeople.com

3. American Apparel Sheer Jersey Long Sleeve Henley Dress. $36. Available at americanapparel.net

4. Deena & Ozzy Laceup Bottie. $68. Available at urbanoutfitters.com

Desperately Seeking: Rachel Bilson & Drew Barrymore Edition...

its only fashion — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:15:07 PDT

Last night I found myself saying to a very wise friend "why can't I dress like Rachel Bilson's dressed in this picture?" (the one above, I hope that's inferred)...

To which I received a very well deserved "are you kidding me? don't be ridiculous, that's the easiest outfit ever," and of course my friend was absolutely correct, as she tends to be on most occassions. While doing my usual internet shopping and cruising for looks to post, I came across what can only be Rachel's exact Gingham shirt at ...shock me shock me, The Gap...pause for reaction.

Gap Gingham shirt added to cart I started thinking "I want more, I need more celebrity looks from stores that I can actually afford to shop in"... enter Drew Barrymore on the set of Long Distance something or other... wearing a pair of menswear inspired trousers that were already filed under "fall must have." And look at that, Ms. Barrymore's pants are identical to a pair of trousers that were actually already in my Urban Outfitters cart...

So there you have it kids, celebrities are just like us... note to self, wear gingham shirt with cut off jean shorts and pants with striped boatneck shirt... please try this at home...

1. Gap Gingham Shirt. $49.50. Available at gap.com

2. Silence & Noise Slouch Trouser. $58. Available at urbanoutfitters.com

Desperately Seeking: Stripes, Stripes, Stripes

its only fashion — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:49:24 PDT

A girl can never quite have enough stripes in her wardrobe. I've recently become completely obsessed with navy and white stripes and can't stop buying up every striped top, dress, skirt, pant, bag, socks etc etc I see. Of course it's Summer so this means the whole nautical thing is in full effect and finding that perfect striped tee is absurdly easy. I also love the American Apparel striped frock as a beach cover up, especially if you're boating...which I do maybe, never. But hey it's nice to have options and to be able to say "oh yeah, I'd love to go boating, I have the perfect outfit for the occassion!"

Check out where to find amazing nautical looks that will have you saying arghhhh in no time, after the jump...

more, more, more...

Desperately Seeking: Kate Bosworth's Look

its only fashion — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 07:12:56 PDT

It's no secret I love Kate Bosworth. She's always stylish and trendy without looking like she's trying to hard, and that to me is the mark of a true fashionista - I hate it when girls try too hard with their looks. Kate arrived at Heathrow earlier this week in a denim vest/black mini combo that had everyone talking...

So I took it upon myself to re-create Kate's look just for you! Take a look at what it takes to dress like an effortlessly chic starlet for a lot less after the jump...

more, more, more...

Desperately Seeking...White Boyfriend Blazer

its only fashion — Tue, 26 May 2009 13:06:38 PDT

Like every good little fashionista, I spent most of my fall and early spring in my boyfriend blazer. Black boyfriend blazer, boyfriend jeans and heels was pretty much my uniform. But now that things are heating up wearing my fall blazer needs a little update. Enter the summer version in white! You know when you are getting dressed to go out and find yourself saying "if only I had _____, it would be the perfect outfit"? That's my feeling about the white boyfriend blazer. Now blazers are a bit of an investment piece, since they go with everything. But we found ones ranging from designer to super bargain that will keep you covered up on windy summer nights in super style. I'm thinking of going midrange with the Victoria's Secret Three-Quarter Sleeve one...Which one are you into?

Check them out after the jump...more, more, more...