Best Costume Ideas for Halloween 2011

Post 'em if you got 'em.

Here's my current fave: Gum on bottom of shoe

Boy Style

Check your calenderz. Fall's here (maybe, in some parts of the country). Time to ditch the flip-flops. All the stores are throwing boots at us, but what about when you want to wear actual shoes and/or don't want to own boots? I have not loved the shoes out there the past few years, but this year has some bright spots. Obviously lots of trends out there for the ladies, but one that keeps appearing is what I like to call the Preppy Boy/Witch Style shoe aka Oxfords. Urban Outfitters has a good representation.

I'm kind of on the fence about these and need some guidance - are people going to actually wear them this year? I think they were starting to appear last year because they seem very Twilight-ish, but now even Jennifer Aniston is wearing them on a Star Tracks. (Someone needs to dissect this photo asap - holy 90's!)



I think the socks on display throws me off. It's kind of cute, but overall I'm not won over...yet Where would I wear them other than work (with tights) or to run errands? They also don't look like they would work with skinny jeans. Would I end up feeling like a witch?

One shoe I have considered buying is the heel loafer (my term). Real Simple did a menswear for women's story and featured this outfit.
I probably wouldn't have liked this style otherwise, but these shoes look great! Enlarged are some other options from Nine West and Marc Jacobs. These are not in my closet yet because I'm still on the hunt for the "perfect pair" - heel not too high, comfortable, maybe a tassel?




For occasions other than work and fall parties what are you wearing? I'm considering buying a pair of Vans this year. In high school they were the skater shoe of choice, but now I kind of dig the simple design and thicker sole look. Perfect for a weekend morning when you want to grab breakfast at Neal's only to remember that they stop serving bfast at 10:30am and usually run out of biscuits an hour before that. You need quick shoes for those instances.

Nick Minaj: Killin' it at the VMAs

This is what subversive fashion looks like. Suck it, Gaga!

Sept 1st

Worst Dressed Men

Raleigh's racking up some more accolades - this week out of 40 cities we won the "35th worst dressed city for men". Congrats to all the City of Oaks males who made this possible. I think it's a little general to just say everyone looks like they're going to a golf course. Did GQ even check out downtown Raleigh? What about the small but growing hipster population? Boston won the #1 slot.

Fashion 2.0: Blogging Your Way to The Front Row- The Insider's Guide to Turning Your Fashion Blog into a Profitable Business and Launching a New Career, Vol. 1 (Volume 1) [Paperback]

On Shelves Now!


"In this first of its kind insider’s guide, Yuli Ziv, Style Coalition’s founder, reveals the secrets behind her own online success and that of her network, which represents more than 50 top fashion and beauty bloggers, in partnership with ELLE. You will find practical business advice on how to: - Brand yourself as a top blogger and sought-after influencer - Build valuable relationships with PR companies and brands - Secure invitations to important industry events - Work with advertising networks - Develop new revenue streams - Land spokesperson deals and large scale sponsorships - Position yourself at the forefront of the fashion blogosphere Full of action driven exercises, helpful resources and inspirational chapters by top fashion bloggers What I Wore, College Fashion, Gala Darling, Second City Style and Corporette, the book is packed with all the advice and motivation you need to take your blogging career to the next level!" ('ZON)

Style Icon: Fran Drescher

The other night, we were watching This Is Spinal Tap, and I found myself craving a cigarette. "But I hate cigarettes!" I thought. Then I realized: Fran Drescher is just making smoking look SO COOL. More about this look: the off-the-shoulder dress = hot. Earrings: perfect. Makeup: perfect heavy eye/light lip balance. And her hair! Normally I'm really not crazy about a total pullback, ballerina-style, but the gold comb she's wearing in her bun really sets off the look.

And her attitude! See left for the classic Drescher 'tude, about cancer, holding an adorable dog in a t-shirt. Style file: case closed.

Outfits I'm Digging This Week

They're all pretty basic in hindsight, but who doesn't love pics?

This is the 23042347 summer in a row that I have been on a hunt for the "perfect white dress". This is a nice contender, but I really love the bag.

This one kind of reminds me of the Ashley Olsen pic Clamz posted. I think Shania wears it well. Bonus it kind of has a "crazy mom!" feel.

Airport Style is all about layering for the stars. I like Gwen's color blocked shirt, but I really love her bag.

Fact - All fashion tumblrs written by girls in their 20's are obsessed with Olivia Palermo's style. I don't get it? She was always the out of touch mean girl on the Hills. BUT - I do like this outfit because it's really simple/I own a black shirt too!

best in show

Ashley Olsen in the NeWz

My favorite part of clicking through star tracks on People.com is the paparazzi shots of celebs in the street! Come on, you wanna know what they are wearing or what they look like when they are not being filmed or on the red carpet. That being said, I'm always the most pleasantly surprised when I can stumble upon a picture of one of the Olsen twins.

These two pics of Ashley were taken recently. Although "street" pics may fool you into thinking that these people aren't thinking about being photographed, this is simply not the case. I believe Mary Kate herself said that the reason she loves large, oversized sunglasses was because somedays she didn't wear make up and never knew when she was going to be photographed.

I'm a big fan of the above outfit. I would have to be feeling pretty spicy to wear so much of a color that loud, but yet Ashley doesn't overdo it by adding a graphic print and/or too much make up or overdone hair (another thing I love about her style). There's style in looking like you don't care, people! I wish I could rock the all over baggy look without feeling, well, like I was making myself look fat. Sorry, I know thats not P.C.

I'm not as in love with this second outfit, but I see more of Ashley's free spirit here, which is what I love. I'm not talking about the "peasant" skirt so much as I am the skirt paired with the sweater, paired with the kind of uncomfortable looking Chanel bag. Again I love the lack of make up and 'just got out of the shower' look. Both Ashley and Mary Kate ultimately dress for comfort when they feel like it. And hey, I respect that.

50's Revival (in the 80's)

Do you guys remember the 50's revival in the late 80's/early 90's? Yeah, me neither because we were merely babes in toyland/barely conceived.

Having caved into Netflix I often fall victim to their recommendations. Last night I watched "Gas, Food, Lodging," and no, its not about a roadtrip! The writers really pulled the wool over my eyes on that one. Having now completed the movie, the title still doesn't make sense.

There are a lot of beefcake guys involved in this one as teenage Shade (a young Fariuza Balk) tries to find a man for her mom, and also for herself, oh and also her sister is looking for a man. It has one of the cheesiest love-making scenes I have ever fallen victim to watching that takes place in a cave with glittering and raining sparkling geodes. The story was good, but the script was bad, and the fashion was one of the best parts. Probably because Shade mixed the 50's with Southwestern flair and still managed to look so early 90's!

This movie also conjured up memories of Pretty in Pink. Andy, Duckie, and Iona also did the 50's very well.

source: refinery 29

Gone

Miniskirts are OUT says Brinkley

"Show your shoulders" crows Billy Joel ball-and-chain

The Disappearance of the Miniskirt

Move over, Sandra Bullock in the Miss Congeniality preview. Step aside, promiscuous ladies in rap videos. Fashion legend Christina Brinkley has declared in no uncertain terms that women need to keep their miniskirts in the closet for the foreseeable future. Brinkley, universally considered the world's most attractive woman for over 25 years, had this to say about the trend: "To the fashion-conscious, minis can come off as overdone and just plain old."

Popularized by Jayne Mansfied in the early 40s, the miniskirt has long been considered a staple in female fashion and a strong symbol of woman's liberation from man.

The Net actress modeling hopelessly outdated clothes for Michael Caine

And for any stubborn women out there who still insist on being sexy, Christina's friend Ms. Stevens said this: "If you're going to be sexy, show your shoulders," said Ms. Stevens.

What do you think GF' ladies? Is she on to something here?

Flare

After years of skinny jeans, flare is the "new" jean "trend". Not sure how I feel about this yet. The flare jeans on the Sartorialist seem extreme. What kind of shoes do you wear with these without tripping?

Love it or Hate it Tuesday

Related: Which Olsen is this?

Dressing Your Age

Does this stress anybody but me out? Its something thats been on my mind a lot the past year. I do not want to be perceived as "dressing too young." And now that we are in our upper twenties, guh, I feel like I have to at least look like an adult.

I find myself occasionally admiring the way some "50 and older" women dress, and hoping I can look that good one day. I've even contemplated a blazer. WHAT?? yes. Note I didn't say pants-suit or pinstripes. I don't want to look like a square. And no, I won't be wearing pearls with that!

photos: j. crew

What's the deal with sweat pants?

T-shirt Tuesday

via

The Satirist

This....



reminded me of this:

You know!

SHOE CRISIS

So it always comes back to shoes. Right now I need a new pair like I need [something I don't need], but here I am anyway, in the dead of winter and with Christmas $$ in my pocket. Help me pick out what pair to buy or not!

My Camper fetish continues. I have actually wanted a pair of these for the last 6 years (since I first saw them in France, 2005) but can't commit.


These, however, are more realistic (if only because my size is in stock). Yet...



I also like these. They're cheaper than the other two, and fill my need for a brown lace-up boot. Not super crazy about the black zipper, though. Or the buckle: when will I ever embrace non-functioning utilities on shoes and clothes?? (answer: never!)

While I'm at it, when will the boot community figure out that many of their key market are students or live in urban areas and need to walk a lot, not in heels? I'm starting to feel crazy after scrolling through hundreds of stacked heels and stiletto winter wear.


Anyway, hello old friends! I already have you in my closet. Why don't we give up on this whole shopping thing and just...psych! You give me clown feet.

Finally, here are these. They are on sale and I think they're cute, if a little bit too light.

What should I do????? One or more? Zero or fewer (would you like those Doc Martens for $30? Size 8?)? Let's talk boots!