Mark the Mini

The thing about pencil skirts is that they're difficult to (speed)walk in. When I'm hustling to work, the last thing I need is a restrictive silhouette to slow me down. Minis can be just appropriate for the office if you play them right (but still allow for a fast, I'm-not-afraid-to-trample-your-Dachshund pace). In a classic grey tweed and (at this length) paired with black tights, they're perfect with a silky blouse or collared shirt. I'm obsessed with this little DSquared2 number on the right. When I say obsessed, I mean that I hope Santa or the Easter Bunny or my fairy godmother is reading this right now. Wink. Wink wink wink.

What do you think? Does it depend on the office environment? Admittedly, mine is the kind of place where you can wear snakeskin pants or a silk jumpsuit. (Both worn by my bosses). (Who are awesome). (Whose ensembles clearly put my jeans-and-tee uniform to shame). (Would you prefer that they write this blog?). (Please don't answer that).


[photo cred here]

Skirting Around

It's been so hot around here that I've completely abandoned pants for skirts. I'm obsessed with really breezy, feminine numbers as of late—chiffon and leather with pleats and tucks. I'm currently pining after this Robert Rodriguez crinkled chiffon skirt (does it ever get better than crinkled chiffon?) though my wallet isn't.

I spent my weekend curled up with my AC unit and occasionally wandering out at night to explore the Lower East Side. How are you beating heat? I would do terrible things to have access to a pool right now..

[photo cred to 1 and 2]

Bandage for a Steal

My mother and sister actually tipped me off to this one. They know how obsessed I am with the BCBG Max Azria bandage skirts, pictured above and obsessed over in this post. I think they're lovely, particularly how they hug in just the right spots while allowing some give in the wrong ones. Plus, I'm a perennial sucker for ombré -- it's like tie-dye for grown-ups. Imagine, then, my glee when I was presented with this very similar, very affordable version from Express.

Sure, the shade of the second strip of color befuddles me a bit (it looks too icy compared to the other hues). Yet this skirt is also a fraction of the cost of the first, while the difference between both is far from obvious. The gradient, the shape, and the practicality are nearly enough to reel me in, but the pretty, pretty price ($59.50) are what makes this impossible to resist.

Monday Morning

Today is my first day at Allure. I hope I don't do anything stupid, which includes a number of things that will probably happen anyway. Plus, I'm already intimidated. When I'm intimidated, I become even more awkward than I already am, and when I get awkward, all of the blood rushes to my head and I reconsider the necessity of the situation. And then I run -- I'm all about flight as an emergency response. Unfortunately, if I run from the Conde Nast offices, I'm also running away from increased probability of finding a job upon graduation next year. Decisions, decisions.

On the bright side, my internship gives me a reason to purchase pieces such as this BCBG bandage skirt:

I could see it a) without those awful shoes, which would stumpify my legs in a heartbeat, and b) with a light chiffon tank tucked into it. I have a weak spot for ombre, and it looks stretchy enough that I could yank it down to an appropriate length. I hate pencil skirts because though they're super flattering, I find them impossible to walk in; this seems like it would be a perfect substitute.

Have a beautiful start to the week, everyone!

[photo cred to Wired New York]

Monday Morning

I love being the only one in my family who can speak French. Foreign languages are secrets that I always want to learn and which, in my family, I never have to share. My parents used to say that French is a beautiful yet useless language, which quickly changed when my dad broke our Europcar in Normandy and only I could communicate with the mechanic.

I'd like to start this week off with Things I'd Like to Wear But Unfortunately, Cannot. I am quite pear-shaped and my hips are going to make childbirth virtually painless. Nevertheless, I can't help hankering over this:

I love the hints of kimono about it, and the folds + stripes are definitely up my alley (I'm a sucker for fabricwork combined with patterns). The silhouette, though the most beautiful thing about this skirt, is my downfall. This design would only accentuate my hips and ultimately, make me look square on the bottom. If you have a boyish body type and are looking to amp things up, this skirt will create curves and work as a go-to piece for the summer.

As a result, it's on to Things I'd Like to Wear and Can, No Matter How Wide my Hips Are. These consist of A-line skirts with spare detail as far from the hips as humanly possible, and this happens to be the perfect candidate:

This skirt still fulfills my desire for pattern (florals!) and fabric detail - plus, I can't go wrong with the abundance of lace and that dusky blue shade. It will subtly draw the eye away from my hips and balance my proportions quite nicely. I can pair it with a pale blouse and white flats for an easy transition to the office, too (to the office! How old am I? No offense).

Have a gorgeous start to your week, my friends!

[photo cred via This Is Glamorous]

Polite Pinstripes

I haven't been around much. I'd like to blame it on the seventy degree weather that all but shoves me outdoors, but the slew of paper assignments that have rained down on me are actually to blame. Fortunately, I've had the time (of course I have) to come across this little babe, which just so happens to be the uber-belated Pick of the Week:
I'm still on my work-appropriate kick, so I've been keeping an eye out for skirts that fall longer than my fingertips reach. This skirt stands out thanks to the exquisite draping and the subtle pinstripes that are nearly invisible at first glance. The silhouette, along with the buckled strap, is modern and edgy, but the subdued stripes take it down a notch and usher it into "professional" territory (right? RIGHT?). I would tuck a slim, embellished camisole into this and top it with a black men's blazer - natch, with the sleeves rolled up. Nude heels would finish it off nicely, and it would translate seamlessly from day to night with a quick adjustment of accessories.