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)