Tuesday, June 28, 2011
PS.
Remember when I posted about DIY lace shorts, and how badly I wanted to make them? Well my friends, one of my favourite blogs has just come up with ANOTHER incredible DIY for lace shorts. I think I like Honestly WTF's version better! I'm definitely going to try these.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Boston Prep
When I moved from Toronto to Boston, I can't say that I noticed how preppy the fashion was here right away. Sure, there were your typical bowtie-wearing boys walking around, but I suppose I attributed that to growing up– transitioning to College, where EVERYBODY dressed nicely. How wrong I was. It seems to me that Boston, like Toronto, is a mosaic of people from across the globe. Each person has their own unique style, taste, and fashion sense. Inevitably though, whichever style they came with is not the one they will be wearing 3 years later. I can easily say that my own style has been infused with a fresh dose of preppy (although, the untrained eye wouldn't notice). Personally, I've always found fun in juxtaposing pieces that contrast within one look: menswear and girly clothes, patterns, layering softer clothes with structured pieces. I've recently taken on preppy and... I wouldn't say punky, but something close to it.
Almost a year ago, Vanity Fair wrote an article about True Prep, an update to the bestseller The Official Preppy Handbook. They pointed out some pretty important fashion rules which I would now like to share with you all. Study up friends!
-We wear sportswear. This makes it easier to go from sporting events to social events (not that there is much difference) without changing.
-We generally underdress. We prefer it to overdressing.
-Your underwear must not show. Wear a nude-colored strapless bra. Pull up your pants. Wear a belt. Do something. Use a tie!
-We do not display our wit through T-shirt slogans.
-Every single one of us—no matter the age or gender or sexual preference—owns a blue blazer.
-We take care of our clothes, but we're not obsessive. A tiny hole in a sweater, a teensy stain on the knee of our trousers, doesn't throw us. (We are the people who brought you duct-taped Blucher moccasins.)
-We do, however, wear a lot of white in the summer, and it must be spotless.
-Don't knock seersucker till you've tried it. (Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, unless you live in Palm Beach or Southern California, or the southern Mediterranean, please.)
-Bags and shoes need not match.
-Jewelry should not match, though metals should. On the other hand, your watch doesn't have to be the same metal as your jewelry. And you can wear gold with a platinum wedding band and/or engagement ring.
-Men's jewelry should be restricted to a handsome watch, a wedding band if he is American and married, and nothing else. If he has a family-crest ring, it may be worn as well. For black-tie, of course, shirt studs and matching cuff links are de rigueur.
-Nose rings are never preppy.
-Neither (shudder) are belly-button piercings.
-Nor are (two shudders) tongue studs.
-And that goes for ankle bracelets.
-Tattoos: Men who have been in a war have them, and that's one thing. (Gang wars don't count.) Anyone else looks like she is trying hard to be cool. Since the body ages, if you must tattoo, find a spot that won't stretch too much. One day you will want to wear a halter-necked backless gown. Will you want everyone at the party to know you once loved John Krasinski?
-Sneakers (a.k.a. tennis shoes, running shoes, trainers) are not worn with skirts.
-Men may wear sneakers with linen or cotton trousers to casual summer parties.
-Women over the age of 15 may wear a simple black dress. Women over the age of 21 must have several in rotation.
-High-heel rule: You must be able to run in them—on cobblestones, on a dock, in case of a spontaneous foot race.
-Clothes can cost any amount, but they must fit. Many a preppy has an item from a vintage shop or a lost-and-found bin at the club that was tailored and looks incredibly chic.
-Do not fret if cashmere is too pricey. Preppies love cotton and merino-wool sweaters.
-We do not wear our cell phones or BlackBerrys suspended from our belts. (That includes you, President Obama.)
-Real suspenders are attached with buttons. We do not wear the clip versions.
-Learn how to tie your bow tie. Do not invest in clip-ons.
-Preppies are considerate about dressing our age. It is for you, not for us.
-Men, if you made the mistake of buying Tevas or leather sandals, please give them to Goodwill.
-You may, however, wear flip-flops to the beach if your toes are presentable. Be vigilant!
-Pareos (sarongs) are for the beach, not for the mall. (Even if it's near the beach.)
-Riding boots may be worn by non-riders; cowboy boots may be worn by those who have never been on a horse. However, cowboy hats may not be worn by anyone who isn't technically a cowboy or a cowgirl.
-You may wear a Harvard sweatshirt if: you attended Harvard, your spouse attended Harvard, or your children attend Harvard. Otherwise, you are inviting an uncomfortable question.
-If your best friend is a designer (clothes, accessories, jewelry), you should wear a piece from his or her collection. If his or her taste and yours don't coincide, buy a piece or two to show your loyal support—but don't wear them.
-Every preppy woman has a friend who is a jewelry designer.
-No man bags.
-Preppies don't perm their hair.
P-reppy men do not believe that comb-overs disguise anything.
-You can never go wrong with a trench coat.
-Sweat suits are for sweating. You can try to get away with wearing sweats to carpool, to pick up the newspaper, or to drive to the dump, but last time you were at the dump, the drop-dead-attractive widower from Maple Lane was there, too.
-And finally: The best fashion statement is no fashion statement.
Almost a year ago, Vanity Fair wrote an article about True Prep, an update to the bestseller The Official Preppy Handbook. They pointed out some pretty important fashion rules which I would now like to share with you all. Study up friends!
-We wear sportswear. This makes it easier to go from sporting events to social events (not that there is much difference) without changing.
-We generally underdress. We prefer it to overdressing.
-Your underwear must not show. Wear a nude-colored strapless bra. Pull up your pants. Wear a belt. Do something. Use a tie!
-We do not display our wit through T-shirt slogans.
-Every single one of us—no matter the age or gender or sexual preference—owns a blue blazer.
-We take care of our clothes, but we're not obsessive. A tiny hole in a sweater, a teensy stain on the knee of our trousers, doesn't throw us. (We are the people who brought you duct-taped Blucher moccasins.)
-We do, however, wear a lot of white in the summer, and it must be spotless.
-Don't knock seersucker till you've tried it. (Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, unless you live in Palm Beach or Southern California, or the southern Mediterranean, please.)
-Bags and shoes need not match.
-Jewelry should not match, though metals should. On the other hand, your watch doesn't have to be the same metal as your jewelry. And you can wear gold with a platinum wedding band and/or engagement ring.
-Men's jewelry should be restricted to a handsome watch, a wedding band if he is American and married, and nothing else. If he has a family-crest ring, it may be worn as well. For black-tie, of course, shirt studs and matching cuff links are de rigueur.
-Nose rings are never preppy.
-Neither (shudder) are belly-button piercings.
-Nor are (two shudders) tongue studs.
-And that goes for ankle bracelets.
-Tattoos: Men who have been in a war have them, and that's one thing. (Gang wars don't count.) Anyone else looks like she is trying hard to be cool. Since the body ages, if you must tattoo, find a spot that won't stretch too much. One day you will want to wear a halter-necked backless gown. Will you want everyone at the party to know you once loved John Krasinski?
-Sneakers (a.k.a. tennis shoes, running shoes, trainers) are not worn with skirts.
-Men may wear sneakers with linen or cotton trousers to casual summer parties.
-Women over the age of 15 may wear a simple black dress. Women over the age of 21 must have several in rotation.
-High-heel rule: You must be able to run in them—on cobblestones, on a dock, in case of a spontaneous foot race.
-Clothes can cost any amount, but they must fit. Many a preppy has an item from a vintage shop or a lost-and-found bin at the club that was tailored and looks incredibly chic.
-Do not fret if cashmere is too pricey. Preppies love cotton and merino-wool sweaters.
-We do not wear our cell phones or BlackBerrys suspended from our belts. (That includes you, President Obama.)
-Real suspenders are attached with buttons. We do not wear the clip versions.
-Learn how to tie your bow tie. Do not invest in clip-ons.
-Preppies are considerate about dressing our age. It is for you, not for us.
-Men, if you made the mistake of buying Tevas or leather sandals, please give them to Goodwill.
-You may, however, wear flip-flops to the beach if your toes are presentable. Be vigilant!
-Pareos (sarongs) are for the beach, not for the mall. (Even if it's near the beach.)
-Riding boots may be worn by non-riders; cowboy boots may be worn by those who have never been on a horse. However, cowboy hats may not be worn by anyone who isn't technically a cowboy or a cowgirl.
-You may wear a Harvard sweatshirt if: you attended Harvard, your spouse attended Harvard, or your children attend Harvard. Otherwise, you are inviting an uncomfortable question.
-If your best friend is a designer (clothes, accessories, jewelry), you should wear a piece from his or her collection. If his or her taste and yours don't coincide, buy a piece or two to show your loyal support—but don't wear them.
-Every preppy woman has a friend who is a jewelry designer.
-No man bags.
-Preppies don't perm their hair.
P-reppy men do not believe that comb-overs disguise anything.
-You can never go wrong with a trench coat.
-Sweat suits are for sweating. You can try to get away with wearing sweats to carpool, to pick up the newspaper, or to drive to the dump, but last time you were at the dump, the drop-dead-attractive widower from Maple Lane was there, too.
-And finally: The best fashion statement is no fashion statement.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Lookbook
I always find that, in terms of all things fashion, I am mostly inspired by the people around me. Yes, occasionally Serena or Blair will wear something that I try to mimic, but for the most part, I get inspired by the people around me. Whether or not I know them, there's something pretty sweet about seeing a look that is unique and a little experimental that ISN'T an editorial shot in a magazine. That's why I was so excited to find LOOKBOOK, a site where people across the globe can send in their day-to-day outfits. What they're actually wearing, and not what they wish to be wearing. Why do I care? I don't even know, but it's an addictive site that is getting me through the 9 to 5.
I've even gotten some great DIY ideas that I may try out this summer, and seen some looks that I can replicate myself with pieces in my wardrobe!
Love how casual and cool this one is. Maybe I'll take a whack at making shorts like these!
I am actually wearing a very similar shirt to this one right now. Coincidence?
I'm not a huge fan of this look, but I LOVE her tights.
Would it be weird for me to make shorts like this? I'm not even American! Plus, Maple Leaf shorts would look really weird (sorry fellow Canadians, but you know it's true)
I've even gotten some great DIY ideas that I may try out this summer, and seen some looks that I can replicate myself with pieces in my wardrobe!
Friday, June 17, 2011
Hippie Lace
As summer is coming into full swing, I've started to realize that the summer bottoms in my wardrobe are lacking. I'll admit that I have a lot of dresses, but not too many skirts or shorts that don't belong in a nightclub. I don't really want to go out and buy a million new skirts and shorts, so I was really excited to find Hippie Lace, a blogger who seems to find the most versatile bottoms out there (ones that also aren't super boring). She came up with a great DIY idea to fix up some old cutoff jean shorts (which, if you don't have, you can always make from a pair of old jeans!) It seems like a lot of people have started trying their DIY in their own style, but I really like the zig-zag eyelet she used in her version.
I also really like the asymmetrical bottoms of the denim on these ones, from Hakunamatata
I'm sure I have an old pair of jeans somewhere...
I also really like the asymmetrical bottoms of the denim on these ones, from Hakunamatata
I'm sure I have an old pair of jeans somewhere...
Monday, June 13, 2011
lele-love
Hi Friends! It's been a while... I wish I had a legitimate excuse for not having posted in weeks and weeks, but unfortunately I don't. I'm hoping as I settle into a summer schedule, blogging will become a solid part of that schedule. Only time will tell.
My best friend E just posted this beauty on my facebook wall. I couldn't resist.
Source: Celentano Woodworks Etsy Shop
It's probably the cutest uke I've ever seen (or at least top 3). A little (okay a lot) out of my price range, but a girl can dream, right? Plus, if I'm being realistic with myself, I have 2 ukes already, and am not really in the market for a third. E bought me my current ukulele last Christmas, and it is super fun to play. Mostly because it's pink. I wish I had a good picture of me playing my pink uke to post for you all, but all the ones that I currently have are blurry and/or awkward on my part.
I explored some more ukulele-themed things on etsy, and found this Cabin no.7 uke ring which I will keep in mind for the next time I need to treat myself. Generally I wear gold jewelry, but I'll make an exception for such a cute piece.
That's all for now! (Hopefully) you will hear more from me soon.
My best friend E just posted this beauty on my facebook wall. I couldn't resist.
It's probably the cutest uke I've ever seen (or at least top 3). A little (okay a lot) out of my price range, but a girl can dream, right? Plus, if I'm being realistic with myself, I have 2 ukes already, and am not really in the market for a third. E bought me my current ukulele last Christmas, and it is super fun to play. Mostly because it's pink. I wish I had a good picture of me playing my pink uke to post for you all, but all the ones that I currently have are blurry and/or awkward on my part.
I explored some more ukulele-themed things on etsy, and found this Cabin no.7 uke ring which I will keep in mind for the next time I need to treat myself. Generally I wear gold jewelry, but I'll make an exception for such a cute piece.
That's all for now! (Hopefully) you will hear more from me soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)