Creative Layers

(From The Sartorialist)

I actually had a conversation the other night with Fr. Mark White (recall: the priest with the cufflinks) regarding where the best fashions are coming from these days. Although I have a great deal of affection for vintage and vintage-inspired clothing like that we are seeing on the runways, is it really new? I wonder. Anyway, after some thought we concluded that Asia is really producing some new and creative fashion these days.

To my delight, the Sartorialist has been in Japan recently (the above pic was taken in Toyko). Don't you love the layering that the girl has in the photograph? Layers of lace over cotton skirt, with colored stockings...my roomate is from China and she has the same sense for lovely layering that I wish I possessed. Even the dude in the photo has an awesome aesthetic, with the vest thrown on over the t-shirt (so effortlessly cool!) and the hat.

(p.s. ack! where did all my old pictures go?!? I will fool with that later...sorry!)

Blog Review: Young, Fat, & Fabulous

Have you been thinking about the so-called "curvy" model controversy? With my sisters, myself and my mother, there are four girls in all living at my house, and the issue has definitely come up around the dinner table. The questions we've discussed involve whether catalogs should use "regular" women as models for their clothes, whether designers should use curvier models on the runway, and the definition of "plus-sized" and "curvy" in the fashion world today.

While I think I prefer to see designer clothes, and clothes in general, modeled on very thin models - giving me a blank canvas to help me appreciate the designer's art so to speak - I have at the same time a problem with the fact that the fashion world would call a normal body imperfect, a curvy woman fat, etc. What do these words mean? Would I be considered merely imperfect, curvy, plus-sized? The size of the vocabulary necessary to navigate the world of fashion makes the head spin.

Yesterday I discovered this fashion blog, Young, Fat, & Fabulous (via WORN). And let me tell you, Gabi has the right attitude and taught me volumes in the first few minutes of reading her posts. First of all, she throws the confusing body-image vocabulary out the window, replacing it with an acceptance with and love for the body one has been given in life. One thing in particular that she said really got me thinking and exemplifies her awesome attitude, so I thought I would share it here:

I still have friends who call themselves fat to get others to argue that they aren’t - something else I refuse to do. Be warned: if you call yourself fat, I’ll probably just agree with you, even if you’re a size 4. Because, what’s fat, anyway?

Too true.

Anyway, hop on over and take a look at her site. Add it to your Google Reader. Not only does this gal have a fabulous fashion philosophy, but the fashion sense I wish I had!

Oxford flats

I did it - I bought myself a pair of black oxford flats from goldenponies (remember when I posted about them a couple weeks ago?). It will take a few weeks to make them before they are shipped, but I promise I'll post a picture when they arrive! :)

$35 for the shoes + $6 shipping to the U.S. = $41. Note the new budget totals -------->

Classic Gangster Style

This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending two performances of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (written by Bertolt Brecht and performed by CUA Drama). Aside from being a fabulous and thought-provoking production, the costuming was delicious and satisfied the so-called "greedy eyes" of this wannabe fashionista. The play made me cast my mind back to classic gangster style I'd seen in old movies like those starring Jimmy Cagney and Edward G. Robinson.

Very awesome. Since the first time I saw the play on Thursday night, I've been set on incorporating some classic gangster-style subtly into my wardrobe in case the mood hits me. Any ideas on how to do this? I did some Etsy browsing this morning and found a few pretty fabulous things:

Steel-grey spats from here.

Earrings made from bullet shells.

Finally, my personal favorite. Pinstripe cuffs. :)

Vogue Korea March 2010

The March 2010 Vogue Korea has an absolutely gorgeous spread of Han Jin. All the photos have an ethereal, feminine quality that is a great inspiration for Spring. I love the ruffles, pleats, and delicate folds on her dresses. Makes me want to find something beautiful to wear, and put flowers in my hair. (Maybe like these from whichgoose?)

Photos from Vogue Korea via Asian Models. Head over to AM for the rest of the photos (and beautiful, full-size versions!).

Make a Spring Scarf

I don't know about you, but I can never have too many scarves. They are one of the ultimate accessories, because you can wear them a million ways. Wrap them around your neck all by their lonesome, twist them up with pearls or another necklace for some extra fabulousness, tie them around your waist, or around your purse handles for panache. Scarves are the easiest way to remake an old outfit, and are warm for slightly chilly spring days.

Yesterday I came across this tutorial on making a trendy scarf out of your old tights that I am hoping to try this weekend. I have literally a drawerful of old tights with runs in them that I haven't had the heart to throw away as they were so expensive. Anyway, check out the tutorial!

(photo from Obstinate Pursuit)

Suit Yourself in a Men's Dress Shirt

This morning I'd like to introduce you all to the creative and fashionable author behind the blog Cubic Dreams. As her "about me" says, she is currently living in London (is there a cooler place to live? I miss London almost as much as I miss Paris) studying Interior and Spatial Design. She also has some fabulous ideas about how to s-t-r-e-t-c-h one's clothing budget.

Suppose you come across a men's dress shirt at the thrift store that you simply love. You love the fabric, the buttons, the color...you wish it were a dress or a skirt and not a men's shirt. At this point, if the shopper were me, I would sigh wistfully, caress the fabric, and put it back on the rack. But not this gal! She makes the shirt into a dress or a skirt!

Here is a photo of the dress she made out of a shirt (too cute!) and the tutorial on her website.

And here is a skirt she made out of a shirt and another tutorial!

Now, make sure you add Cubic Dreams to your Google Reader for some daily inspiration!

(photos from Cubic Dreams and used with permission)

Latest Purchase

Remember the gingham dress I bought a couple months back from allencompanyinc? The waist was a little big, so last night I bought a Banana Republic skinny patent leather belt to go with it. I got the belt on eBay for $10.00. I've always wanted a skinny black belt!!!

Check out the sidebar for new budget totals ------>

Welcome!

Welcome (back) to my blog - unfortunately my previous hosting site had a problem with "regenerated content" so I was forced to find another host. No worries! Give me a little time to get back on my feet and the "new" DOBF will be just as awesome! I have a backlog of posts I've been working on that I will start posting later today.

Thanks for visiting!

Budget Fashion Tip: Use Shopping Blogs!

I’ll admit it: I am totally addicted to shopping blogs. What exactly is a shopping blog? They are a cross between a fashion ebay and a consignment store, where people clean out their closets and sell their high-end items via a drawing system. When you surf the site and find an item you like, you post your paypal email address to enter the drawing to buy the item.

My favorite shopping blog is Laws of General Economy. It is very active; sellers post several items a day so you need to visit daily if you are serious about it (or addicted as in my case). Currently I have my name attached to two items, and am debating putting my name in for a third.

I’ve bought accessories and shoes on blogs in the past, and I must say I like it because there is such a huge range of items available – literally something to fit every wardrobe/style. The other plus is that you don’t have to get involved in a bidding war. Rather, everyone pays the same price if they win the drawing.

Here’s a sampling of things listed at the moment. Click the image to go to the listing itself:

Ted Baker skirt UK Sz. 2 - listing ends 4/17

Adam Lipps dress Sz. 2 - listing ends 4/17

Calypso dress Sz. XS - listing ends 4/17

Corso Como oxfords Sz. 6.5 - listing ends 4/16

Anthropologie sweater Sz. S - listing ends 4/15

Some other, less active (at least at the moment) shopping blogs are shoes and your mom, Shop it Right Now, and Shop the Stylish Wanderer’s Closet.

Happy Shopping!

(all photos from laws of general economy)

Inspiration India

The Fashion Spot featured an article this morning on India’s Expanding Fashion Weeks and Middle Eastern/Indian inspired fashion. Am I a little excited that I had my finger on this fashion pulse? Yes. Do you want to know where to get some inspiration on how to incorporate the look into your own wardrobe? Of course.

To start you off, my favorite place to go is High Heel Confidential, a fabulous blog written by Payal and Priyanka about Indian celebrity fashion (both male and female). The commentary is fun, but I enjoy the roundup of awesome photographs. Indian fashion is gloriously colorful and forever interesting.

The featured fashions vary from traditionally-inspired…

..to modern...

(Images owned by High Heel Confidential)

*the* flat for Spring 2010

I’ve had my eye on these handmade oxfords (in colors to suit anyone!) from goldenponies for awhile. Good thing, since Vogue is saying that the oxford flat isn’t “just for winter any longer”. As soon as the seller gets back, I will be sure to get a pair of my own.

As a side note, to wear these fashionably one must pair them with either blue jeans or a sufficiently short (above the knee) skirt to avoid frumpiness.

P.S. I’ve used some of my book budget $$ to subscribe to Vogue, and added a box on the side to keep track of where that money is going. In reality it is $10 of the $200 per month of my regular budget, but in the interest of full disclosure I will show it separately.

To Die For

Is everyone else loving Danni Li in her gorgeous gown and floor-length pearls as much as I am? Photo from the April-May 2010 Issue #69 of the City Newspaper, via Asian Models.

Mixed Bag

I’ve been awful about posting to my blogs lately – so sorry! Hopefully I can get back into it soon because I miss my favorite hobby. Life has been crazy lately with many exciting changes.

That said, I have a couple questions for my (scanty) readers:

1) What do you think of harnesses as fashion?

(from iheartnorwegianwood)

I am kind of digging it – seems like a nice way to define your waist.

2) My priest-fashion post was pretty popular: should I feature some more fashion-forward priests on my blog?

In budgetary news, I’ve used my book budget for the past two months to subscribe to Vogue for a year. Can’t wait for my first issue!