I miss you Jane

From their celebrity guest edited issues (Pamela Anderson was surpringly quippy and self-aware) to their blind date documentations, Jane was always a good read, and I am still keenly aware of the void in my monthly magazine pile-up. This was one of the the editorials I loved most, from early '07 I'm approximating, and poring over my back issues I found myself just as inspired as I was the first time around. Valentine Fillol-Cordier and Susan Eldridge (LOVE) in high waists, '90s-evocative denim jackets, and Lolita sunnies? Yes please. That last picture is just IT for me. Perhaps I need to create a $2000 Gucci skirt fund. And this must have been the my subconscious inspirational origin of my most recent shoe acquisition, I'm thinking.

New favorite status

I always wear new things to death the first week, here is my not so exciting outfit, but well it's what I'm wearing today.

T, Urbn. Shorts, vintage Levi's. Magenta lame bra, AA. Bangles, vintage and Forever21. Heels, Nine West.

My mirrored heels came!

Yay! They're a tad big but nothing a gelatinous insole and a couple extra holes for the buckle won't fix. People didn't seem to love these when I posted about them last week but they're much better in real life - the satin is almost incandescently blue, and I love the cutout heel. This sweater I found at Marshall's a few years ago shopping with my mom. Last time I wore it, my boyfriend's brother (whose aesthetic is more surf/skate than Barney's) declared that it was the coolest sweater he had ever seen in his life and he was going to steal it. I told him it wasn't unisex. And I'm wearing that dress again, I know I know...

Dress, secondhand. Sweater, Wearing your heart on your sleeve (some random Marshall's brand). Belt, secondhand Gap. Gray cable tights, H&M. Heels, Nine West.

Alexa's over the guitar strap

I'd seen a smattering of pictures online of Alexa Chung carrying about what I was sure was a vintage satchel of some sort, and at this last photo was quite enamored. "How cool", I thought, "a sturdy vintage briefcase-looking thing with a Luella dress". However, a closer look at the gold embossed lettering made it a dead giveaway. Miu Miu. Not sure if that makes it more or less attainable-seeming, but it sure is cute.



Edited: Thanks to my eagle eyed readers, I was notified that I posted the wrong bag! I thought the clasp placement looked a little off, but I figured it was just a weird angle or something. Thanks Sophia for the link! And it's on sale!!

Images: glamour.com and net-a-porter

Lux bohemian..or something

Now that I'm looking at this outfit, I'm a little perturbed that the turquoise matches one of the colors in the dress. Oh well. This is one of my favorite little boho dresses, I love the different prints.

Dress, Urban Outfitters, with vintage slip underneath. Boots, Marc by Marc Jacobs. Bag, Balenciaga.

New flats

I've been dying for some ankle strap flats ever since I saw an adorable white pair in Lucky last spring that were deemed unattainable due to their $300 price tag. I suppose patience pays off because I found these for a really good price at Aldo this week, can't wait to wear them with a cream lace dress and black tights!

Trench, F21. Flats and bag, Aldo. Jeans, Uniqlo.

Raingear

T, Urbn (I know I wear it too much but I have multiples don't worry). Skirt, secondhand. Diamond pattern tights, jacket, and hat, F21. Boots and canvas bag, vintage.

The grunge

Flannel dress and socks, F21. Boots, Minnetonka. Sunnies and cuff, vintage. Bag, vintage Bally.

This? I got this in Las Vegas, Nevada.

What is with me having missed so many iconic movies from the '80s and '90s? I've learned the hard way not tell people that I've never watched Sixteen Candles or Top Gun lest they sputter and fume. I usually blame it on a childhood spent in Japan and Hong Kong, but this never seems to impress the sputterers. But it's okay, such gaping holes in one's cinematic lexicon are inexcusable. I am slowly rectifying this, and finally got around to watching True Romance with the boyfriend last night after having it inefficiently sit around in it's Netflix envelope for a week or so. It was relatively gripping from start to finish and just as violent as one would expect a Tarantino film to be. But, more notably, I found myself silently thinking how hipster-relevant Patricia Arquette's '90s call-girl-turned-criminal wardrobe was. I didn't dare share this insight with the boyfriend for fear of having him think me insane, but I can definitely imagine the pink leopard print leggings and grungy Detroit getup on a Finnish street style site or even the pages of Nylon. And I would kill for those obnoxious turquoise sunnies and perfect leopard print coat.

Fashion crushes aside, Christopher Walken is amazing forever, Brad Pitt played (a VERY tiny role of) the stoner quite impressively, and Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette as Clarence and Alabama Worley were extremely young and extremely charming. I oddly enough had the luck to meet Christian Slater at the San Francisco airport in 2000 and had him sign my boarding pass (I was so lame!) while he waited for John Woo to pee. I found him kind, short, and not quite as dashing as I now know his 1993 self was. But, one more movie checked off the endless queue.

Black, brown, electric blue, and...plaid

Added a big fluffy white scarf to this afterwards for a little more coziness. I stopped by H&M on Wednesday, hoping to find a skirt on the same adorableness level as Irene Adler's, but alas I was only to come away with a trendy sock purchase. Unsure how I feel about the Prada/AA footless ones, I was glad to find these two-tone babies. This dress is definitely one of those random $3 thrifted purchases that ends up being quite a lot more fun to work with than one might think.

Dress and blazer, secondhand. Hat and unicorn necklace, F21. Socks, H&M. Boots, found at Marshalls. Bag, Balenciaga.

Fine by Jane, fine by me

While I am (obviously) a very big proponent of the combination of shorts and tights, I feel that there is a certain level of disdain and eye-rolling involved in the viewers of said look. This is fine and everyone has their own favored style but I just thought this Jane Birkin photo was too adorable not to post. Though her carefree bohemian attitude and ethereal beauty would probably allow her to pull off a neon clown suit with shoulder pads and crocs, I feel her being a purveyor of this type of outfit allllmost puts it in the category of classics. Or perhaps I've just gone completely mental.

More modern interpretation. Sort of channeling a hipper, more French Jessica Alba, non?



PS sorry for the dearth of daily outfit posts this week, I've been traveling (seeing about the fashion opportunity of a lifetime) and just now am getting settled back in. Hopefully many new pictures to come this weekend!

Edited to add this much-too-appropriate-not-to-post photo of Lou Doillon from GARANCE DORÉ. Pulling off this look must run in the family.

Victory is mine, and it's electric blue

After vacillating on Endless.com for longer than I care to admit over the urgency of having these shoes in my life (I am inexplicably enthralled by that mirrored indentation), I decided to research their comfort level/real life appeal by reading a few reviews. In doing so, I found them for almost half the price they were almost going to be purchased at anyway. Pondering complete. Thank you amazon for stocking every consumer item imaginable and free shipping! I will report back on the $26 heels upon receipt. I am imagining them with a floaty mustard dress and knee highs, or perhaps with a high waisted shorts/black opaques combo. We shall see..

Random dose of Erin

Blurring the line again between cool and ethereal, Erin Wasson stuns with a floaty dress suitable for a wood nymph but presumably by Chanel, grounding it with the '05 Balenciaga gladiator heels I never got over. I'm even liking the odd (and likely arctic temperature-driven) choice of pairing tights with a long dress and sandals, but I love how nature-derived her tactile accessories look. Total girl crush.

10 things

As I stretched out languidly in the emergency row of yet another Southwest flight last night, I promptly fell asleep only to realize upon regaining conciousness that I was an inch away from leaning my head on the corduroy of some middle aged guy's shoulder and, even more terribly, that I had missed my opportunity to snag some ginger ale. Horrified at my narcolepsy and the awkward grazing situation it had produced, I swore off ever sitting in the middle seat again and decided to focus on staying vigilant and began to stare pointedly into space. This was just as uncomfortable so I decided to busy myself jotting down notes to at least make myself look busy. Inspired by an interesting thread on The Fashion Spot, I proceeded to make a list of 10 things about my style.

1. When out of inspiration, I always feel better with a sheer white T/statement skirt combo. Plus every girl I see out at night seems incapable of straying from the reverse uniform of jeans and "clubby" top, so it's fun to go the opposite direction.



2. The last pair of quote unquote expensive sunglasses I purchased was in 2005 when I dove into my measly retail-manager salary to equip myself with some Ray-Ban aviators. I still love them dearly but am beyond satisfied with my vintage sunny collection. Unless Tom Ford was to be factored in the equation, of course.



3. I used to crave pin-straight Gwyneth in the '90s hair but now I'm glad my hair is rumpley and sporadically wavy.



4. Accessories make the outfit. I love to wear a snore-inducing plain dress and tights with crazy bright heels and a vintage bag.

5. I am the only person I know that wears and loves armwarmers.



6. I love big cozy sweaters and the process of defrumpifying them.

7. I'm seriously dying for a heeled oxford/sandal hybrid even though they sound absolutely horrific. While on the topic of desiring things, why is it so hard to find a skirt like this?



8. I own 3209372 pair of vintage boots and am perpetually one eBay search away from wanting 5000 more.

9. I would wear every single piece from Paulo Melim Andersson's fall '07 collection for Chloe. High waisted mirrored skirt, I need you!!!



10. I am shamelessly obsessed with the the Olsen's Traina-styled video for the Row.

Mini trench

Going to have to change into a wrappy warm thing and some boots for the airport tonight..

All, F21 except for the gray H&M tights. Bag, MJ.

Saturday night

A semi-chaotic night downtown with some collegiate-era friends entailed the debut of my fabulously vertiginous Forever21 heels. Purple isn't a favorite color of mine whatsoever, but I loved the satin/platform/buckle combination too much to refrain from purchasing. And not a single blister after what seemed like endless street meandering and taco hunting.

PS one looking down and one hazily up. But yeah, in regards to Friday's comments, clothing > poses.

Waisted

I was stoked to find these high waisted shorts because they aren't ridiculously high and corset-like but definitely still up there.

Shirt, Urbn. Shorts, F21. Belt, vintage. Boots, Jessica Simpson. Bag, Aldo.

Leather and sequins

I am gleefully shuddering that I am following yesterday's exposed-pocket-shorts with an outfit including cowboy-inspired fashion footwear. I was unable to resist the artfully distressed leather and the chain that actually goes all the way around the sole (how neat!). Well, that and the fact that they were $3. So, while I ponder my questionably existent taste level, I will stomp about happily and try to avoid pairing them with fringed goods.

Jacket, Nordstrom from like 8 years ago. Dress, FCUK. Boots and bag, vintage.

Ooh and check out my just-posted interviews at Allure-allure and Mahalo Fashion!

Miu Me

At long last, we are privy to viewing the relatively anticipated starring of the Wayfared One in Miu Miu's spring campaign. Remaining congruent with the dark, slightly ominous feel of her runway show, these shots give one the sense of accidentally being allowed backstage before a kinky acrobatic peep show taking place at the Theatre des Vampires. I know, I want tickets too.

The Lolita look to the clothes screams through quite clearly, and while the frothy white thing in the first photo is something I would love no matter how shoddily photographed, I am also left at least temporarily reconsidering my lifelong wardrobe ban of garments with faces on them (not as creepy as clowns but still up there). The calf-cage footwear is becoming ubiquitous to the point of tiresome, an amazing feat for something I have never seen on an actual present-life human. But, I mean, they look amazing. Rating highest on the desirability scale is the red, white, and blue flare skirt, which could be fabulous with ratty Converses and ankle boots alike.

All in all, well done, Claudia. Your fang nubbins looks good. This is Lohan times fashion infinity. Not that it was a contest, of course.

Britney shorts

Haha I am wall-colored.

Tee, AA. Shorts, A&F. Boots, Minnetonka. Clutch, vintage.

Rannndom pics

Here Emina thoughtfully demonstrates the gaping holes in my wardrobe. I need this jacket.



And these shoes. So practically impractical, what with their ability to properly mesh with casual and dressier looks, all while putting me satisfactorily at eye level with the boyfriend.



Amazing Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti concoction. I sort of can't look away.



Worth the tan lines.

I'd rather be wearing...

Definitely didn't end up doing anything worthy of reporting tonight. My boyfriend and our roommate are watching American Idol, which I smoothly bowed out on after about 4 minutes. I understand that I am outweighed by 2938472934299 people when I say this, but I just can't glean any joy from that show. In fact, I'm pretty sure I find it depressing. I wonder if I don't care about singing. Anyway, Polyvore it is.



Orla Kiely dress, Charlotte Russe coat, Marc Jacobs dress, Hollywould cuff, Topshop belt.



Phillip Lim dress, Alexander McQueen sandals, Chloe sunglasses, We Love Colors tights.

'90s florals rule

My version of the Alexander Wang vest dress I coveted all last summer. Two separately originating pieces are better anyway. Loving the warmer weather but definitely going to add tights and my leather jacket if I end up going anywhere tonight.

Dress, secondhand. Vest, Bitten by Sarah Jessica Parker. Booties, F21. Bag, Anna Corinna. Hat, H&M.

Vans are the new cape

My favorite thing about this outfit is that I slept in the gray romper last night.

Shorts, H&M. Romper, worn underneath, AA. Blazer, secondhand Ralph Lauren. Boots, Jessica Simpson. Clutch, vintage.

Always Choose Pegasus

Met up with one of my favorite people I have ever known to exist only to reaffirm that he is in fact my exact person in male format and therefore the only one I would force myself out of a paralyzing hangover for. We discussed the pros and cons of different mythical beasts, pretended we were being attacked by shoulder-mongeese, researched the origins of Winnie-the-Pooh, entered inane entries on urbandictionary.com (sorry, slang-inquisitive denizens of the world), spent half an hour parallel parking in a large-ish spot, observed my distaste for high-fiving strangers, and briefly pondered whether it is possible to healthily fester. All in all, a highly productive Sunday.

Jacket, F21. T, Urbn. Skirt, AA. Sandals, Nine West. Bag, Balenciaga.

The Flame Skirt, Part II

So kill me I wore the same skirt two days in a row. I'm very pleased with it's obnoxious shade of red.

Spent the day thrifting, eating Dolci Mango (first time and I am ADDICTED), and preparing to have a bunch of friends over to our place tonight. Coronas, burritos, and fresh salsa will flow like umm wine.

Top, F21. Skirt, sunnies, and boots, vintage. Bag, Anna Corinna.

'80s Redux

Skirt and bag, vintage. Tee, Urbn. Jacket, F21. Shoes, Bebe.

Dishevel it

Somehow fanciful feathers and ragged shirts are just what I am feeling right now.

7 Random Things

Neophyte to the blogosphere that I am, I am simultaneously delighted and surprised to be tagged by The Glossy to reveal 7 randoms about the old self. Since I did a bag-unveiling at least semi-recently, I'll keep this more general.

1. I like to eat everything out of big mugs with long spoons.

2. I am currently horrifically addicted to Nestle peppermint mocha creamer. Don't worry, I don't drink it straight (yet), but did stock up since it's the morons at Nestle have deemed it a seasonal product. If there is no coffee present, into hot chocolate it goes.

3. My boyfriend and I have seen the movie Madagascar (yes, the cartoon about zoo animals) 5 times. Sometimes we dance around at the end.

4. I'm okay with the general concept of socks but can't STAND to wear them when I'm in the house.

5. I am convinced I can singlehandedly teach my boyfriend French and test him regularly with vocabulary flashcards.

6. I love driving with the windows down and the heater on full blast.

7. I used to live in Tokyo, then Hong Kong when I was little, the latter of which gave me a temporary British accent. I still don't like to say "tomato" the American way.

I in turn will tag...
Lalatheartgeek
Punky style
thread trend
the coveted
fops & dandies
bobble bee
hello-dreamecho

That bag!

Textured tights

All, F21. Bag, Balenciaga (my first bbag, '04 turquoise!).

Matching the bike

Dress, F21. Boots, random brand from Marshall's. Bag, Balenciaga.

Stripes for the cold

This odd little jacket is one of my favorite finds..normally I would recoil at the thought of velveteen, but the motorcycle silhouette and soft gray sort of balance it out. I hope.

Top, jeans, and armwarmers, F21. Jacket, secondhand. Boots, Jessica Simpson. Bag, Balenciaga.

Thriftiest outfit ever

Not even meaning to, I picked out an outfit that (minus the boots) cost me about $10. And the boots were even obtained on clearance at Marshall's (yes apparently stores as lowbrow as Marshalls have clearances)...oh the joys of being frugal to balance out the handbag binges.

Flannel shirt, secondhand. Dress, vintage Ferre. Boots, some Italian brand. Tights, F21. Bag, likely faux Chanel.

Channeling Wednesday Addams

Don't worry, I didn't freeze...wore my trusty H&M toggle coat over this. And H&M Prada sock knockoffs=love. Still.

Dress, Erin Fetherston (scored on clearance, woohoo rifling through aisles of horrible sale merchandise!). Socks, H&M. Bag, Marc Jacobs.

Geraldine Saglio

Geraldine Saglio, assistant to Emmanuelle Alt (I think), and winner of the Hottest-Girl-Ever-to-Never-Change-Her-Shoes award. She seems relatively conscious of the fact that her legs are her best accessory (what is that, a 50" inseam?), and therefore rocks the opaques like no other, favoring simple, loosely silhouetted tunics whose only risque factor is their micromini length. But, being the French Vogue-ette that she is, she also pulls off the monochromatic jeans ensemble like it's child's play, looking chicly '70s in the subtlest way manageable in her midrise flare/wideleg hybrids. Also appreciated is the giant hardware Balenciaga clutch (one of two styles in which I actually secretly desire the semi-obnoxious studs) and her simple canvas military-inspired jacket. I'm even going to admit that she's on the verge of inspiring me to break out the Levi's mini I made out of my brother's old jeans and wore to death in 2004. Dangerous territory indeed.

Pics courtesy of The Sartorialist and Vogue Japan.

Daydreaming

Perfect for a day of coffee shops and boutique browsing...

Dress and jacket, Topshop. Bag, MJ. Shoes, Burberry. Scarf, Urbn.

and if I could transmogrify (Calvin and Hobbes would understand) to the southern hemisphere.

Dress, Chloe. Bag, Topshop. Shoes, Bebe. Cuff, Hermes. Sunnies, Ray-ban.

Sequins for day

I always prefer sequins in a less "done-up" way, with some texture mixing and a beaten up bag.

Dress, some random boutique in San Francisco. Blazer, Ralph Lauren. Socks and tights, F21. Boots, Marc by Marc Jacobs. Bag, vintage.

Flora & Fauna

I've always loved floral prints with black backgrounds, there's something darkly romantic (well, and Kate Moss-reminiscent) about the combination. So I was understandably overjoyed to find this little vintage number at an out-of-the-way Norcal Goodwill for a trifling $4 or so. As I gleefully added it to the heap in my basket, my boyfriend blandly commented that it looked like every other random floral dress in there. Though it's frumpy knee length might have obscured it's charm, I saw the light and shrugged off his shrewd analysis, taking it home to put my newfound sewing skills to work. A lot of pinning and not too much sewing later and I had my English tea garden dress, complete with a moderate amount of slouch. The triumph was of course topped off by a celebrational cavorting amongst the trees.

Dress, vintage. Coat, secondhand. Socks, AA. Boots, vintage. Ring, F21.

Late Afternoon Light

Cardigan, Marshall's. Shirt, Target. Leggings, AA. Boots, JS. Bag, vintage Chanel.