Isabel Marant FW08.09..my picks

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Vintage galore!

Wow I've been hard at work, if I may say so myself. A good mix of girly and punky pieces this week, click here if you see anything you like! And the most amazing pair of must see thigh high boots if you're a size 7.

That profile

Freja is so badass, even on a bed of roses/whatever those are. I love her philtrum. That's totally a word.

Iknowhatyouwore

Cannot resist shoe acquisition

A hilarious coworker threatened to call these my "Top trendy!" shoes if she saw me in them. They kind of remind me of those semi-scary ones, but I figure why not get two pairs for what I'd end up paying for one from Topshop. I'm pretty sure that's Velcro on the strappy pair, which is exciting me more than it should. Velcro is sweet. One of my boyfriend's friends never wears lace-up sneakers and swears he saves entire minutes daily by wearing the kind of Velcro running shoes you see on like..four year olds. Which means I can totally say that I bought patent gladiator cone heeled sandals to save time.

Pics, thefashionspot and aldoshoes.

Ruffles, zippers, and chains

My dress arrived! The print is actually much more lovable in real life, and I am fixated on the exposed zipper and it's glorious length (thus the numerous back shots before you). I was feeling a little Mathilda from The Professional and threw on this random choker I had in my room that a friend gave me years ago for a Halloween costume. You never really know when something might appeal again. But then I took it off cause it was bugging me.

PS I finally updated my store!

Dress, Topshop. Tights, H&M. Wedges, Kors Michael Kors. Bag, vintage Anne Klein.

Whiteout

Sooo I kind of look like death in this particular series, but what can you do. I tried to distract from that problem with various ridiculous poses. A long day in the city is hardly the means to looking refreshed. I decided to lift the curse on this dress, which I bought last year at H&M for an occasion that turned pretty sour. And I know I've kind of been over-wearing these boots, but they're kind of all I ever feel like prancing around in. I must note that I have never had so many strangers stare at my shoes so pointedly it's almost awkward, both male and female. Who knows what they're thinking but it is hilarious. One girl that was running and listening to her iPod actually stopped and, panting, asked me where I got them. I love strangers.

Dress, H&M. Jacket and tights, Old Navy. Boots, Marc by Marc.

My version of all-American

My boyfriend would so not approve of this shirt. I have been informed that the shoes are very much to his liking though.

Shirt, secondhand. Jeans, J Brand. Socks, Forever21. Gladiator wedges, Nine West. Bag, Lucky.

Skipping and dancing

I'm so sorry that daily outfits are a bit of a struggle for the time being, it doesn't make it too easy when it's dark both when I leave for work and when I come back (more due to a harrowing commute involving three different means of transport than fascist hours). This is relatively temporary, and as soon as the boyfriend moves up here (sigh could be a couple months actually), the commute will be no longer and all will be set right. Well, all in terms of properly scheduled outfit documentation. Today I was lucky enough to return to the domicile right before the sun set..these photos should give a glimpse as to how completely Virgin Suicides my parent's house is, and no there aren't any cows lurking about, not for at least two miles north. So ha. Or something. Anyway, this is pretty much my version of a lazy comfy outfit, didn't feel like bothering with heels today and these Minnetonka are pretty much the closest things to Uggs in terms of cushy slipper-like feel and ability to prance nimbly over sidewalk grates and subway stairs. Oddly enough, I've gotten a lot of questions from you beloved readers in regards to said moccasin boots (are they worth buying..what does one wear them with), so hopefully this (and the fact that this is my third pair) will shed some light as to how I feel about them.

Dress, Forever21 with vintage slip underneath. Blazer, Ralph Lauren boys. Hat, Zara (one of my beloved Hong Kong purchases!). Tights, H&M. Boots, Minnetonka. Bag, Aldo. Quite the economical outfit, actually.

My secret garden

Sometimes it's nice to forget about leather and chains and spend the day in the girliest of dresses. Today was perfect, 85 degrees, went thrifting (I'm going to have SO much to stock the store with), ate dark chocolate mint creams, and played in the sun. My mother even indulged me in a mini photo shoot in our backyard. Wow I just made myself sound ten. Happy Easter!

Dress, Jovovich-Hawk for Target. Wedges, Kors Michael Kors. Sunglasses, Urbn. Jewelry, vintage, F21, Old Navy. Jacket...wait for it....wait for it....Union Bay...that's right.

Destruction Zone: Martin Margiela

Sources: style, scans by kochie332, olsen-files, and magmtartists-vanderperre

How...subtle..

It seems Bebe has increased their trendwatcher's budget and they seem to have taken inspiration from numerous unexpected sources this season. I can't say I'm against them trying to bring a little Givenchy into the average Betty's life but still. My favorite part is the twists they give each shoe, sometimes radically altering the entire look, most notably the executive decision to make the Givenchy peep-toe lace-ups into a slide. Which can't have been done because they didn't think their rhinestone and satin-bedecked customer wasn't ready for the peep-toe boot since those too have made an appearance. I have to see this one for myself and will be scheduling an unexpected visit to my nearest Bebe sometime this week. If I return with the Schouler k/os in hand you can't say you didn't see it coming.

Sources: bebe, shopbop, barney's, yoox,

A look inside

I bite my words. While the cover didn't appeal, the editorial lurking within is enough to merit me staring in awe for the next week or so. So I'm really probably just posting them here so they're more conveniently accessible for me to do just that. The styling is Alt at her best, and what is most frisson-inducing is the fact that the looks aren't even that aspirational. I'm pretty sure that's a pair of American Apparel black bull denim shorts that I will now be dredging out of some dismal drawer to belt and strut about in with motorcycle boots. Well, maybe on that last part, since I don't quite own the Frye engineer boots of my dreams yet.

And just because it wouldn't feel right not to:

En Vogue, this month styled by Geraldine Saglio.









It just gets better - former D&G model and L'Uomo Vogue editor Giovanna Battaglia in Une Fille Un Style. One of the more risk-taking fashion editors, always to jaw-dropping effect. Definitely buying a hard copy of this one.





All scans by the fabulous Diorette from The Fashion Spot.

The new breed

Seriously. Coolest post I've seen in a while. The Fashion Robot decided to treat her little sister & co. to a photo shoot and the results could be fodder for the likes of Nylon or Teen Vogue. I'm in lust with that gray sweater/blue tights ensemble, and have decided that I am outraged that I don't have a little sister to dress up. Sigh. This is only a smattering so be sure to check them all out.

The honeymoon phase

..is still going strong for me and the MJ boots...and the fringe bag for that matter. I've been dying to wear this weird little leather vest since I got it a couple weeks ago and decided I was in the right mood for it today. I toned it down with a trusty white T and bandage skirt combo, the latter of which seems to have stretched out to the point of non-bandageyness. Oh well, I've been meaning to make a big American Apparel haul for a while now. And yes, it was really warm today..due to microclimates it's about six hundred times warmer at my parent's house than it is in the city.

T, Urban Outfitters. Skirt, AA. Bag, Lucky. Sunglasses, thrifted (going in my store..as soon as my computer gets here!). Vest, vintage. Boots, M by MJ. Jewelry, vintage and Forever21.

Sexy like Kate Moss indeed

It's that glorious part of the month when the latest French Vogue is about to reveal itself in all of it's maddeningly chic entirety. The air almost feels more fresh...but that's probably just me. Here we have Kate Moss (insert subdued snore) gazing out from beneath that controversial fringe in all of her wood-nymph-on-a-Harley glory. But more importantly, Sasha is once again featured in a breathtakingly cool ed, which can only be interpreted as a tribute to the nimiety of the '80s. Awesome. Only Sasha could make me want to don asymmetrical volume and hacked-up disco balls. I like to think that she brings such character and feeling to her photos because she is actually a many-layered individual and even an artist. Her work is reminiscent of a more whimsical Francesco Clemente, no?



Backstage at Chanel - Real life in fake life. Sweet.



Emmanuelle Alt circa '88, rocking the Texas Tuxedo better than I've ever seen it done. Depp-inclusive.

Sources: kathyisyourfriend, work in progress, img, vogue france

I love you Marc

Second official work outfit photos, wondrously taken in the early morning hours. First official breaking in of the M by MJ "soccer" boots, which despite a staggeringly high heel are relatively comfortable. And for anyone out there who lacks access to the fabled Tabio tights brand like I do, I really recommend H&M's (80 or 100 denier, I forget) tights, they are ferociously opaque.

Dress and tights, H&M. Boots, Marc by Marc Jacobs. Added post-documentation: F21 leather jacket, Target leather gloves, vintage scarf, Anna Corinna tote bag.

(Who knew that Photoshop was so different on Macs? Does anyone know how to resize a picture using pixels instead of inches or crop with custom configurations?)

I am a sucker

Honestly. I spent a slightly exorbitant (for Topshop) amount of money on a non-designer good, in a print that could be defined as questionably quirky at best. Why, Topshop, must you dangle exposed zipper dresses before my roving internet shopping eye? I really did try to resist. Mmmmm exposed zipper...

I also wanted to offer a small apology for slow blogging lately, in addition to moving, my laptop/Photoshop-equipped blog enabler, has passed on after err 2 and a half years, leaving me temporarily incapable of even the briefest of resizings outside of Imageshack's pixel-unfriendly services (just so you know, I would normally NEVER allow that horrible black bar to remain in between the dress shots...shudder). I'm anxiously awaiting the 2-week away coming of a shiny new desktop on which I plan to immediately store incomprehensible amounts of horrible mp3s and oversized photos, just because I can. Laptops are shiny shiny and all, but also slightly fragile and too easily capable of reaching magma-like temperatures. I am even more excited since I haven't owned an actual desktop computer since...2004? And I really don't mean to still be semi-whining, but the temporary long-distance relationship I find myself in also leaves me out of a photographer. Which is the last thing I miss about him, but still. I have some amaaazing vintage to post in the store (over the knee flat boots, '80s sheer panel bondage dress, tiny floral rompers, neon-armed Wayfarers) and hopefully I'll be able to get to that this weekend. Okay end rant. Please bear with me! :)

Edit: a Macbook very generously given to me by work might save me yet!

The debut of the fringe bag

I was wearing my diamond patterned black tights with this but it was so hot in the H&M dressing rooms that I couldn't take it anymore.

T, Urban Outfitters. Blazer, Ralph Lauren. Shorts, Forever21. Boots, vintage. Bag, Lucky.

A day at the park

I've been going through blogging withdrawals with all the frenzy that comes along with moving..we left early Saturday morning for the long drive through California with my car packed full of, well, mostly shoes. Luckily the boyfriend looks at packing with a certain robotic Tetris-like eye so most of my things were forced to fit one way or another. It turned out to be an insanely picturesque drive, with all the spring wildflowers in bloom and sporadic misty, stormy spots mixed in with the clearest sunshine. But enough of nature, we spent the weekend wandering about the city, visiting friends from college, and attempting to organize my room at my parent's house where I'm going to be staying until my boyfriend finds a job. Not excited about living back here, I can already imagine the dishwasher drama and all the article clippings my dad is going to give me to read, though I know I'm lucky to have my room still intact and available, ie not converted into a home gym.

T, Urban Outfitters. Jacket, Forever21. Skirt, vintage. Boots, Minnetonka. Bag, Balenciaga.

Over the knee boots

Yesterday:



Denim shirt, secondhand. Leggings, F21. Bag and boots, vintage.

Today:


Tshirt, Urbn. Jeans, J Brand. Boots, vintage. Bag, Old Navy.

The magazine crew

Sources: vogue japan, elle, chicinspector, style, altamiranyc, refinery29, kathyisyourfriend

Dripping in chains

I know they're going to be ridiculously expensive ($1200?), but I am seriously coveting the body chains in the preview pics for Erin Wasson's Lowluv line. So sexy under a sheer white T or even buttondown as pictured. I'll probably just have to suffice by haphazardly draping random chains about myself. And a halfpipe in her backyard? The ultimate California cool.











Source: danmartensen, elle

Recent purchases

Doing a little rounding out of the accessory collection..

Lucky Brand fringe tote, via eBay

Marc by Marc Jacobs ankle boots..don't worry they were doubly on sale thanks to Eluxury's extra 30% off. I've been eyeing them since Teen Vogue.

Forever21 ring and cuff, I dragged the bf into every guy's most unfavorite store Monday night, also picked up the tie dye scarf I wore today and the coolest white/rhinestone enamel stripe ring. Wow that sounds horrible, but I swear it's pretty much awesome.

Kors Michael Kors wedges at Marshall's for $24.99. I was quite surprised and then gleeful when I saw they're still retailing at $186 on Zappos. Yes I looked them up.

The editorial responsible for my necessitating of the boots:

















Images: zappos, eluxury, amazon, forever21, teen vogue.

The pointless scarf

A favorite standby of mine. I was going to put this up for auction in my store, but it just fit me too perfectly to let go. I love the bright, almost ugly flowers on the black background. And I included a shot to showcase the ridiculously large nature of the bag.

Dress, vintage. Scarf, Forever21. Bag, Anna Corinna. All jewelry, vintage and F21.

I heart Levi's

Oops I'm behind a day...I actually photographed this for my store, but liked it so much I ran around in it till we went out for dinner.

Shirt, Urban Outfitters. Belt, vintage Banana Republic (I love finding old BR pieces from when it was a Mill Valley-based safari company...that banana logo is sweet). Shorts, vintage Levi's. Shoes, Kors Michael Kors (for the reader that asked, the style name is "Harlot"..seriously).

The denim shirt

Okay so I was totally inspired by Ashley Olsen. Today was so gorgeous that my boyfriend came home early from work so we could go to the beach, but this is what I wore out to dinner with his parents and sister for a congratulatory job celebration.

Shirt, secondhand. Skirt, vintage. Heels, Kors Michael Kors. Bag, Anna Corinna. Sunglasses, Ray-ban.

A bohemian Sunday

Impromptu shoot by one of our favorite sunset spots. I love my photo-indulgent boyfriend. And yay for daylight savings!

Dress, vintage. Sweater, from Marshall's. Belt, strap from a vintage clutch. Beyond easily runny tights, H&M. Heels, Nine West.

The fluff dress

We went out to sushi at the most amazing coastal sunset view restaurant, gorged on ridiculously creative and delectable rolls and then met up with some friends at a bar by our house...the last weekend here before the big move, had to do it in style. I dressed up a tad more than usual for the romantic setting, and wore my Valentine's day dress.

Dress, Pink Zone.

Dressing under the influence

Hmm don't get dressed after having a couple beers.

Tunic shirtdress thing, secondhand. Belt, beachside boutique. Leggings, American Apparel. Boots, vintage. Bag, vintage Bally.

Jak & Jil

Wow how have I not discovered this site earlier? Precise and well detailed documentation of all the editors at fashion week mayhem..it doesn't seem they've updated with the latest fashion weeks but hopefully soon..! Seasons old or not, I would still KILL for these shoes.


(Givenchy, on Carine of course)


(Balenciaga on Marie Amelie Sauve)


(Balenciaga)


(Marni on Nina Garcia)


(Balmain on Kate Lanphear)


(Luella)


(Balenciaga on Melanie Huynh)


(Proenza Schouler on Taylor Tomasi)

(source for all, jakandjil)

Jovovich-Hawk

The Jovovich-Hawk dress I picked up this week at Target, I'm rather pleased with the strange little arrow print.

Dress, Target. Heels, Nine West. Bag, vintage.

This week's vintage!

Click here to shop!

My faves (clickable links):

Ye olde bare bones

After relishing Susie Bubble's That Blah B Word post with delight, I was set off wondering what my wardrobe "basics" would be comprised of. When I was tagged by the venerable Curella to do such a post, I was just given more reason to stop being so lazy and take a few minutes to document my minor obsessions. Plus, I'm always getting comments from you lovelies about how I must spend so much money on my clothing and have a castle-sized closet when in fact this is pretty far removed from the truth. I spend sporadically, and as I'm sure you can tell if you've been reading my blog for a while, most of it is from cheapie stores or thrifted. And I'm sorry, this post is not going to be including any sort of closet documentation since my boyfriend and I share one that, albeit being a walk-in, I would have trouble fitting everything in if it was just me. Not very pretty. Hopefully our next living situation will be better, but I have a feeling space is even harder to come by in San Francisco judging from the apartments we've investigated on Craigslist...well, I ramble, on to the matter at hand.

Whatever concise and cookie-cutter list Nina Garcia may assemble, the key players in one's wardrobe are so specific and random that I mostly don't even know what will end up earning such status when purchasing. They're just those things you reach for day after day, whether it's for comfort, some odd little detail that makes you smile, or it's just one of those pieces that pulls everything together. So, though I pretty much have the "classic" basics (Uniqlo trench, J Brand skinnies, a few favorite LBDs, ballet flats, neutral cashmere sweaters), I rarely actually integrate them. Instead, I favor the following -

1. Ahh the white shirt...so this is actually probably on our friend Nina's roster, but, as is obvious from looking at just a couple of my outfits, is always on heavy rotation. I prefer them long, semisheer, and washed-a-hundred-times soft. With the right bandage skirt, shorts, or jeans and some in-your-face accessories, and you're done.



(clockwise from top left, Urban Outfitters, Fruit of the Loom, Urban Outfitters, American Apparel)

2. Printed minidresses...from floaty boho to '90s grunge florals to the infamous pansy print Kate Moss dress, I love to offset them with chunky tights, scarves, and boots, or just some Grecian sandals in the summer.



(from left, Jovovich-Hawk for Target, vintage, Kate Moss for Topshop, Urban Outfitters, vintage, vintage)


3. Bright pops of color! A lot of times I'll realize that I can lean towards bland..easily solved with any of these almost radioactive-looking pieces. No, seriously, sorry for the blinding nature of the below photograph.



(clockwise from left, Balenciaga bags, Nine West wedges, Bebe Maryjanes, random cheapie jeans, vintage red bandage skirt, American Apparel lame bra top, vintage scarf, Forever21 heels, Aldo flats)

4. Cozy wrappy scarves...I always keep these in my car or handbag to warm up in if necessary. Such a ubiquitous street style trend right now, but hey it works.



(from left to right, Target, H&M, vintage, Forever21)

5. Studs! You just know when your outfit necessitates that extra bit of ferocity and this is an easy way to harden it up. You know THOSE Louboutin studded ankle boots would be in here if they weren't one bajillion dollars.




(from left, Charlotte Russe bag, Bebe heels, Forever21 dress, vintage Chanel bag, Forever21 jewelry)

6. Laced heels/boots...I actually hadn't realized what a heavy affinity I have for such footwear until I set out to document for this post. I'm thinking I like the scholarly/rugged/sexy (did I really just combine those) feeling they lend. It's a testament to how odd I am that I am equally obsessed with the $2 brown vintage pair and the Marc by Marcs that I scored back in December.



(clockwise from left, vintage brown boots, Forever 21, Forever21, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Forever21)

7. Well I'm a California girl through and through, denim shorts just make sense to me, given amount of trashiness and all. During the summer, they're all I want to wear with bikinis for bike rides along the beach, and I'm thinking I might never get sick of the high-waisted shorts & ankle boots combo.



(from left, Abercrombie, Forever21, American Apparel, H&M, vintage Levi's)

8. Annoying '80s sunglasses. Loathed with surprising amounts of brutality by some, but I guess I just didn't get enough of these in the actual decade in question. Even though my boyfriend proclaims that the blue ones make me look 12.



(vintage, Urban Outfitters, and H&M)

9. Big ol' canvas carryall. Perhaps earning the most impressive cost-per-use numbers, I got this oversized canvas wonder at Marshall's for $24.99. It has since proved to be the most impossibly perfect airport companion (large enough to stow other pricier bags safely inside, along with a big sweater and 8 lbs. of magazines) and post office package receptacle. It's kind of ugly and plain, but to me, in the best way possible.



10. King-sized vintage clutches. Ideal for adding that certain unexpected color or general feel to a look, I absolutely love to wear the more "night-time appropriate" ones (black patent, greenish croc) with a pared down moccasin boot and denim short combination or some such thing. And that whisky colored leather one was such an amazing Goodwill find, it snaps open in the most satisfying manner to allow me a bird's eye view of all my precious goods.



(all, vintage)

11. Okay so I'm getting a little carried away and this has almost ceased being limited to basics. But I feel naked without piling on my beloved jewelry. I don't even want to think about the haphazard manner this would all be strewn about in if not for the stand complete with pleasant bird accent. Urban Outfitters is so reliable for randomly requisite home furnishings.





This completely lays out the fact that my wardrobe isn't really as exciting as it might seem, but I would much rather attempt to inspire someone to pare down and only buy what they love instead of just acquire constantly. Not that I'm not contemplating ordering completely unnecessary things all the time, but my goal is to only have things I really actually wear in my closet. Probably not gonna happen I suppose, but the thought is nice.

Oh, and because I feel that as lengthy and borderline nonbasic-inclusive as I made this post, there are still more items that I regard as such (Ralph Lauren blazer, little leather jackets, the shaggy sweater coat that so many readers robustly despise, my slouchy Zara beanie), I collaged some embarrasingly candid photos together to represent them.



I'm a horrible tagger, so whoever feels up to it to do a basics post I would love to check them out!