Schoolgirl Twist

Peter Pan collars never fail to remind me of my whopping twelve years as a Catholic schoolgirl. I haven't gone near them since then, as they're not exactly flattering. Plus, after those twelve years, I never want to see a plaid skirt or knee socks or, of course, button down shirts with Peter Pan collars ever again. But this season, designers have gone a different route:

However, Peter Pan necklaces reimagined in tough metals? That's more edgy than schoolgirl savvy. The collared blouses themselves were all over the Fall/Winter 2011 runways, but so were the necklaces. And I love them. They're so versatile and can dress up a scoopneck tee in an instant (stay away from v-necks, however). They'd even look great worn over an actual collared blouse. I'd want to try it over something sheer and polka-dotted, in an uncomplicated black and white palette.

Here are my favorite ones:

Chanel, on the left, is light years out of my budget (duh), but the silver number is handcrafted and the perfect way to jazz up an otherwise simple ensemble.

[photo cred here and there]

At First Blush

There's a new makeup trend. I find these things out while I'm working. When I say "working," I usually mean painting my nails for a mini photo shoot or getting my eyelashes dipped in something or other. Sometimes, "working" means writing. I understand if someone wants to reach their arm through the computer and cyber-slap me.

Anyway, as I was saying: new makeup trend. Blush is on the up and up—literally. It's gone from the apples of the cheeks to the cheekbones and now, to the temples. Here's a prime example:

Pretty? Yes. Easy to pull off? No. Depending on placement and saturation, blush at the temples can have a sickly effect. Worst case scenario, it resembles a rough case of pink eye. Which is neither cute nor comfortable.

However, a few tweaks make it surprisingly easy to try in real life. Just keep a few things in mind: don't wear eyeshadow. At this height, blush does double-duty as rouge and eyeshadow. Secondly, try sweeping it from the cheekbones to the temples, as shown below. That way, you get the best of both worlds. Lastly, commit. A wimpy patch of pink is going to look exactly that: wimpy. Here, the perfect real-world execution of this trend:

Would you be game to try? Or is it too over-the-top?

[photo cred here and there]

Style Snapshot

Quirky accessories and a fabulous pair of shoes can make all the difference.

P.S. Have you seen the rest of the collaboration between The Man Repeller and Dannijo? (I know I'm about three weeks late on this). I'm not the biggest fan of the former (I'm not into Man Repelling so much as Of Course You Can Pay for my Gin and Tonic-ing) but I can't say no to a cheeky moustache necklace. Check out the entire line here.


[photo cred here]

Feathered Fancies

I'm going to be up front about this: I'm pining for feather hair extensions. I'm fairly easy on my hair; I dyed it once, a color I thought was auburn but actually closer to an unfortunate shade of purple. My mom convinced me to go back to dark brown by pointing out that my hair didn't match my eyebrows. After that, that was all I could see in the mirror (my mother knows me very well). In comparison, feather hair extensions are a breeze.

However, this desire for feather hair extensions does not mean I want to look like I got on the wrong side of a pack of pigeons or was dragged backwards through the brush. For foolproof feathering, here are a few tips:
1. Neon pink feather extensions look like neon pink feather extensions. They also look as though you tried too hard to fit in when you went to a B-52s concert (in the hopes of hearing Love Shack played live, of course).
2. Therefore, find feathers that are as natural-looking as possible, ideally with shades that riff off your own hair color. This set of five loose feathers can work with anything from dirty blonde to dark brown.
3. Wear feather extensions with your hair loose and casual. These are not for the workplace (unless you're a beauty assistant)(eh, eh?)(just kidding)(kind of). Avoid perching a flock of feathers in upswept hair; a few can be elegant, but the look can turn a bit madcap, à la Marie Antoinette. She wore so many miniature birds in her updos that they had accompanying cages.
4. Don't have time for DIY feather extensions? A pair of long earrings, such as these pearl feather earrings, accomplish the look in seconds.

The key here, as with so many other things, is to keep it subtle. I am not a bird. I'm just a human being with a really big weakness for feathers.
[photo cred here]

Ziggy Stardust

I'm not usually one for zigzags and/or prints of any kind, but that ethnic-inspired upholstery and this playful Charlie by Matthew Zink bikini are calling my name. They're yelling, "Deanna! Stop wearing black tees because you're no longer a sulky English major. THIS IS REAL LIFE, GIRL. BRIGHT PRINTS. GO FOR BRIGHT PRINTS." And let's be real, who could say no to a swimsuit like that?

[photo cred here]

Chambray Style

I know I wax poetic about silk and sequins, but I can't deny the fact that I'm a sucker for a good tee. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways... tees look great with skinny jeans and a pair of Bensimons (I'm going to mention my new kicks in every post this week, for I've worn them since they appeared on my doorstep and they've actually rendered me incapable of wearing anything else). Tees are simple enough to tuck into a frilly masterpiece of a skirt. Tees are soft, comfortable, and unbelievably flattering when you have the right fit and material (I love anything by James Perse, and my best friend swears by Madewell's artisan tees).

But sometimes (and I can't believe I'm about to say this), my tees get a little old. Maybe not old — a bit worn, if you will. After eight seasons, my tee needs a supporting actor to swoop in and help it win an Emmy. You know who that superstar is? Chambray. I get that this is old news, but here's the thing: the typical blue wash and classic shape just aren't doing it for me, so one of them needs to change. This is what separates an Emmy Award-winning supporting actor from the masses:

A ha! See, not slow on picking up the trend (which would make me a terrible style blogger); I'm just tweaking the trend to my own tastes. If I'm going to sell-out, I'm obviously going to do it for something a) grey, like this shirt by Rag & Bone on the left, or b) cut longer and reminiscent of oversized men's shirts, such as this J.Crew tunic. Are you a sucker for either one of these or more about the classic chambray shirt (which, of course, is a classic for a reason)?


[photo cred to 1 and 2, both via havelessbemore]

Styled: Part I

It was an accident.

Actually, I blame this. Because of it, I found myself half-dressed in a J Crew dressing room, trying to simultaneously be French and figure out where my waist had gone in the skirt I was wearing. One of J Crew's personal stylists, Shellie, halted on her way to a client, looked me up and down, and said, "Hon, can I try a few things on you?", which inevitably led to:

Don't let the harem pants fool you. Their success depends greatly on body type; Shellie spent twenty minutes trying to convince me that I don't have birthing hips (I do) before convincing me to wriggle into them. The thing about harem pants is that they create curves, so if you already have them (I thought I did), they won't be the most flattering pair of pants. Also, styling is of utmost importance here: harem pants look best when they're pushed up on the calf and when paired with an untucked blouse, which hides the top five inches of the pants. I swear they look better in real life. My fellow interns deemed them "sexy," "womanly," and "YOU LOOK LIKE A STICK." Naturally, I don't really care what I'm wearing so long as I can be described as a stick. Shellie then slapped the flannel shirt on me (there was a lot of crying involved with this — I'm allergic to flannel), added the blazer, cuffed the flannel over the sleeves of the blazer, and cinched it with a soft brown belt. After I slipped into the shoes (made in Italy, which is a big thing for me), I looked into the mirror and saw the J Crew model version of myself. I liked it. I liked it enough to buy the harem pants, the shoes, the blazer, and the belt (but not the flannel). Instead, I'll layer a soft, crumpled blue blouse underneath the blazer to get the same effect of the rolled cuffs. It's perfect for work and offers a hint of androgyny, which is probably my favorite thing in the world. Even better, these pieces won't work with only this outfit — Shellie introduced me to a few more options to give me more bang for my buck, which will follow shortly.

Hope your week is going splendidly!

Back It Up

3.1 Philip Lim Juicy Couture Alice + Olivia

I love dresses that showcase the back. In my opinion, the small of the back is one of the most subtly sexy spots of the female body. It's alluring and (for the most part) never strays into skank territory. How to pull this off? Don't let the hem rise too high nor allow the back to dip too low. The end result of this look should be demure and enticing; if you show too much skin, it's the fashion equivalent of telling everyone that Dumbledore dies in the sixth Harry Potter book before they read it. If you go for straps, try to keep it simple (explanation to follow shortly). In the case of the Philip Lim dress, the basic cross-strap and higher backline allow for the shorter length of the dress (but not for those boots, which horrible stumpify what are probably mile-long legs). The Juicy Couture is a sweet choice because it doesn't bare very much skin -- as opposed to a halter design, the shoulders are covered and the back rises safely above her waistline. The Alice + Olivia dress is probably my favorite; the sheer paneling is so unexpected yet it brilliantly updates the little black dress. It's one of the most clever ways to straddle sexy and classy. (All three pieces are available from Shopbop).

Heaven & Earth Asos

Feeling a little shy? These dresses lend a bit of intrigue without committing to it. They are equally seductive with the addition of charming details; the Heaven & Earth dress offers the ever-sexy lace, which serves the ironic purpose of covering up, while the the piece by Asos features discreet draping and soft material. Nevertheless, the sneak peek doesn't decrease the captivating capacity of showing a little back. The cut-outs still amp up the typical dress and add a dose of skin that a dress without them might not have. (Lace cut-out dress by Heaven & Earth, available at Asos, and blue jersey dress by Asos, also featured at Asos).

Alice + Olivia Zimmerman

I actually liked this Alice + Olivia dress at first glance. Then, when I was thinking of a good description of it, all I could come up with was "S&M! S&M!". I think it's the thick black straps that, although they're not pleather, remind me of pleather, which reminds me of anything I've ever watched on Sex & the City concerning S&M. Hence, S&M. Combined with the up-to-whoa hemline, even the most innocent shade of white can't save it.

The Zimmerman dress proves my earlier point about the necessity of simple straps. It's as though she sat on a brocade Louis XV chair, wandered (with it) into a paper shredder, and got tangled in the remains. Exaggeration aside, I still don't understand how I could figure out which hole to put my arm through. Although, could you imagine the sort of Spiderman-esque tan lines you'd acquire with that?

Wedge Extravaganza

Weak spot: wedges. Wedged boots, wedged sandals, wedged anything. I can wear them to class without feeling too dressed up or out for the night without worrying that I'll end up barefoot on the walk home. I don't have the longest legs in the world, so these provide length without sacrificing comfort. A nude-hued style is by far the most flattering, as it visually extends the leg line. I happen to be a sucker for cute ankle straps as well: my two favorite picks from the list below are the Charles David "Dizzy" and Pour La Victoire "Tarissa"; if I could afford the See by Chloe wedges, they would be cradled in my arms right now. I prefer spare details and the occasional bold pop of color (couldn't you just see the red with worn, rolled up jeans and a slouchy striped tee?). It's just sheer convenience that these are considered "trendy" right now. I'd like to rename them "never leave my feet ever I love you I promise I'll get pedicures we'll be together forever."






(from top to bottom)

Charles David Dizzy Espadrilles, Zappos, $135

J. Crew Sardinia Wedge Espadrilles, J. Crew, $118

Dolce Vita Pela Wedge, Piperlime, $165

Kate Spade New York Metro T-Strap Wedges, Bloomingdales, $225

Pour La Victoire Tarissa Strappy Platform Wedges, Bloomingdales, $290
See by Chloe Ankle-Wrap Wedge Sandals, Saks Fifth Avenue, $335

Jungle Fever

I have a weak spot for animal jewelry, though I err on the side of bizarre rather than kitschy. My parents cringed when I returned from a high school trip to Rome sporting a sterling silver snake thumbring. They're the sort to tell me that sure, I can get another piercing - as long as they can do it with their dental drills (which is a surprisingly effective way to keep your children in check). Plus, my mother funds my entire life, so I'd might as well try to avoid driving her completely crazy.
In addition to the thumbring, I have a bronzed octopus necklace and a starfish headband. It only makes sense that I've developed an enormous crush on Erica Klein's designs:

I love that the ram is actually subtle and, if worn among a mess of bangles, would require a second glance for recognition. My favorite, though, is most definitely the lion door knocker ring. It's extremely quirky, very unique, and would make my mother question my taste. There are more options on her website here, though the upgraded materials (emeralds, 18K gold, etc) make for higher prices than on Shopbop. If you can afford the better quality, by all means, go for it. If you're a junior in college with no money making prospects in the near future, spring for the cheaper versions, which are just as lovely.

How to Wear a Romper

The secret to wearing a romper is this: make it so cute that you don't hate yourself every time you have to pee. Half the time, rompers make a person look as though she's been squeezed through one of those Christmas tree netting contraptions - completely inappropriate and generally frowned upon by any gentrified community. (I guess that this point, I'd might as well admit that I've always wanted to climb through one of them, so take my opinion with a grain of salt).
Let's have a little chat about this:
There are a multitude of sins about this romper. I don't even know where to start. This is no more than a glorified pair of long johns, right? The buttons, the awkward neckline, the disconcerting come-hither glare, the very questionable pairing of boots (BOOTS), and the camouflage shade of green that works to camouflage nothing - they are all available for purchase right here.
If rompers give way to such designs, why wear rompers in the first place? This is why:
You may be paying double the price of the other for this, but who can really put a value on dignity? The color is subdued, which perfectly offsets the cheeky feel of a romper, the draping is impeccable, and I LOVE the haircut. The shoes complement the material, making this piece (available here) ideal for a classy, delicate romp.

Sequins!

Oh oh oh, I love this so much. I could imagine wearing this on those days where I wake up at 10:30 in the morning, cut myself a slice of strawberry shortcake, and drink some tea with a side of champagne. Which actually happens all of the time.

I'm kidding. Of course I'm not twenty-one yet.

Here's the thing about sequins, though. While I am absolutely positively sure that this would flatter my skin tone, I tend to have a problem with sequins scratching my arms. By problem, I mean it drives me out of my mind. Secondly, it costs $495. I have approximately half of that sitting in my debit card account because a) my undergraduate writing career hasn't taken off, and b) I just love falafel, which doesn't happen to be a staple on college campuses.

The verdict? I would say that even if you do happen to have a spare $500 lying around, save it until the dress goes on sale. A sequin, rose gold dress, albeit a beautiful one, is not unique nor innovative enough to merit the price.

A Return

I had no idea that anyone read this blog; I try not to pimp it out on my Facebook because I don't want to become patronizing with it. But when I stumbled across it for the first time in months and saw recent comments, I blushed furiously.

Details of the moment: It is Easter, which means that it is April, which means that because I live several feet from one of the Great Lakes, my hair has reached epic Diana Ross proportions.

Ideally, I would've pulled off this cute number:

And oh, I wanted it so badly. I'm a huge sucker for the French "My hair is like this naturally" look. I struggled for about two hours, armed with a single bobby pin and two hair elastics, before realizing that my hair is about four inches too short. After crying for a while, I consoled myself by trying out a ballerina bun a la Charlize Theron, who is not French but managed to saunter her way into a J'Adore Dior commercial.

I'm not French either, and I also dabble in sauntering. Did it work? No. In my defense, did I have less than four minutes since I'd wasted two and a half hours on the other style? Yes. But this is perfect for those windy, humid days in Chicago; my hair won't whip into my face or reach a two-foot wingspan.

Happily, this correlates to the next post: hunting for a tutu. Why? I don't know yet, but I promise I'll find a reason.

To Fringe or Not to Fringe

Let's talk about fringe. Am I a fan? Not really. Plus, I'm self-aware enough to understand that if I were nervous, I'd be inclined to pull on the fringe and break it off. I don't wear boots with spurs and I don't wear cowboy hats (neither of which are even acceptable north of the Mason-Dixon line), so why oh why would I fall for fringe, however reluctantly?

Rule one: In order to reel in the nutso factor of fringe a bit, the fringe should be the exact same color as the piece. And I mean perfectly camouflaged. I cannot stress this enough. Compare these two little Free People chickabidees:

The fact notwithstanding that the model on the right looks like she's just finished up 150 years of chainsmoking, the black top works. Disregarding my natural bias considering I'm currently wearing said top, the fringe isn't garish or obvious upon first glance. They accent the neckline of the top instead of stealing the show entirely, and convey a vibe that's more "a top with fringe" than "BEWARE of fringe thicket." Now, a perfect example of the latter would be the maroon shirt on the left - same cut and material, but the fringe is a noticeably different shade than the base. The viewer's eye immediately zeroes in on the fringe, in the way that you can't help noticing a snaggletooth or a blue giant mole. Hence, exhibit a, why the fringe must match exactly; for fringe to work, it can only be an accessory, a back-up dancer to your Britney of an outfit.

Rule two: the fringe stands alone. This means no rhinestones, no studs, no garish shades, no daring patterns, and no odd textures throw in. Why?

That's why.

Rule three: the fringe cannot be as long as your hair. After a certain point, it crosses into Cousin It territory and leaves stylish far, far behind. Fringe shouldn't be the focal point of any outfit, even as a purse. Case in point:

It becomes a whole new creature. Where have you tethered your horse, Eva-Pigford-of-America's-Next-Top-Model-my-favorite-show-ever? It lacks tastefulness and refinement and ends up looking rather cheap. Perhaps this is a matter of preference, but shorter fringe tends to look more demure and delicate (as delicate as fringe can look). With the fringe this long and even layered, you take the chance of getting your watch lost in it. Or you run the risk of looking like you've recently swaddled your newborn baby, who has just been thrown into a paper shredder. It is OVERKILL. The bottom line is, bigger (or longer, in this case) is not necessarily better, it just depends on how you use it. Just like everything else.