Is Ignorance Bliss?

I suppose this isn't the kind of thing I really need to tell people, but I'd like to give a friendly reminder that negative comments are discouraged. I mostly don't delete them, but they detract from the positive atmosphere I try to promote here. You don't have to read my blog. If it bothers you, then don't waste your time with it.

This friendly reminder is thanks to a recent anonymous commenter who made me laugh yesterday. Apparently an old post on Karl Lagerfeld's style offended them, since they wrote, "You are such a retard, you wouldent know Karls style if it bit you on the ass!and if you think $150 is un-affordable, you have no place in fashion! "

They say that ignorance is bliss, but if that was true, I think the commenter would have sounded a bit happier, no?

Thanks to the many positive commenters who constantly make my day. You are appreciated!

Mmmm

Looky here - Old Navy's June collection preview:

I found the photos on Old Navy's new "Old Navy Next" site. Check it out for more previews and some other goodies.

Boy, Patrick Robinson is really doing his job, huh? It just gets better and better!

If there really is a fashion god, then the above shoes will be on sale at Old Navy as well. I especially like those very Prada-esque ones. . .

In Which I Play With Clothes Again

Has anyone checked out Rogan for Target yet? I had only a short time to spend at the local store yesterday, but I managed to grab the zebra print leggings. They're so fun/comfy, and I have to admit I love leggings, if done right. Of course, now I'm lamenting the fact that I didn't have time to test out the romper that Camille managed to make me covet. Must return to Target!

Not to do two outfit posts in a row, but I played around with the leggings today. The stripes didn't come out so well in the photos, but look online or in the store to see what they really look like.

First I went for a sort of black-on-black effect, with a denim vest and necklace to brighten it up:

Black tunic: Costa Blanca, vest: H&M, leggings: Rogan for Target, shoes: Bitten SJP, necklace: American Eagle

Next I played up the safari aspect of the print:

Top: Old Navy, skirt: Urban Outfitters, belt: Nordstrom, leggings: Rogan for Target, Shoes: folded-over sweater boots from a few seasons ago, headband: H&M

I think I look strange when I wear headbands like that, but the look was screaming for it. The look was not, however, screaming for the colorful band aid on my arm; I was due for a tetanus shot at my annual check-up today, and the nurse gave me that lovely souvenir.

What did everyone think of the season finale of Gossip Girl? I can't believe I'm so upset that it's over. Why do I always get addicted to these shows?

Primal Shopping Urges

Last weekend my friend and I had a fabulously successful shopping day. We were vaguely in the market for some kind of dress to wear to Senior Night (I'm not really sure what it is, but I've been told the dress code is semi-formal.) Mostly, though, we were just shopping because we felt like shopping. It's a primal urge among fashion bloggers, I've been told.

My purchases: A pair of light blue, thin (and therefore perfect for summer), comfy, baggy jeans on sale for $4.99 (!), a gorgeous halter top discounted to a reasonable price, a cute belt, the world's softest white tee, and a dress that I had to have, even if it's not as summery or casual as what I was looking for.

I've been meaning to photograph my two favorite purchases for you all week, but I only just got to it. Better late than never, eh?

Here's that amazing halter top:

Gorgeous, right? I'm in love! In addition to the beautiful pattern, there is beading below the bust and the straps are made of braided fabric.

My other new love is my dress:

I really had no choice in this purchase. My friend tried it on and it didn't work on her, so I tried it on for the hell of it and was pleasantly surprised. It was amazingly comfortable, reasonably priced, and made my butt look bigger. And when I say bigger, I mean in a good way, not an I-ate-too-many-Cheetos way. Seriously, they should label the thing "Insta - Badonkadonk."

Or not. I mostly just said that because I wanted to use the word "badonkadonk." You know how it is.

Oh, and by the way, I didn't just suddenly lose my bangs. I like to wear them pushed to the side occasionally, just for a change. And yes, I really am that pale.

It's so Medieval

Because I'm a senior, I got to do a final project for my Medieval Literature Class instead of taking a final exam. Woot! The assignment was pretty open, so being who I am, I decided to focus on medieval fashion. I spent hours poring over fashion history books, searching for any mentions of clothing in the books we had read in class, and looking at obscure internet sites for additional information. I ended up making a bunch of paper figures (they took a lot of time) and writing a paper. I have to present my findings in front of the class on Monday.

So why am I telling you about my assignment? Because it's relevant in fashion today! Huzzah!

Here are some (majorly downsized) scans of the little paper figures I outfitted in different medieval garb:

Above you can see (L-R from top left corner): King Arthur & Queen Guinevere in Britain around 500 AD; King Charlemagne in France around 800 AD; a young female noble in Italy in 1343 AD, a young male noble in Italy in 1343 AD; a well-off craftsman's wife & fashionable page & rich but not-so-well-dressed knight away from battle, all in England in the late 1300s. These are all characters from books we read, if you care to guess which ones!

Of course, medieval clothing is not so practical today. Long capes get caught on things, shawls are cumbersome, and tall headdresses get in the way. But there are some aspects of medieval fashion that have stayed with us over the centuries. Here you can see modern outfits clearly inspired by medieval ones:

From left to right: Fall 2006 Dior Couture, Fall 2006 Dior Couture, the Sartorialist, Antonio Berardi Fall 2008, Fall 2006 Jean Paul Gaultier Couture, Project Runway final collection: Santino Rice.

These outfits borrow things from both men's and women's medieval clothing - specifically, armor, shape, high necks, long tunics, outer corset lacing, leggings, voluminous sleeves, long skirts, and fur. Expensive furs were a major status symbol throughout most of the late medieval period, and I'm tickled that this is still the case today.

Here are some more wallet-friendly medieval-inspired garments to bring a whiff of history to your wardrobe:

From left to right:

♥ Jovovich-Hawk for Target corset front dress: Outside corset lacings were in vogue for a portion of the medieval period among the ladies.
♥ Irregular Choice boots: Pointy-toed shoes were in, baby! Among some nobles, the points grew so long that the tips of the shoes had to be tied to the knees in order to walk. Eep!
♥ Forever 21 cinched tunic: Simple tunics were often worn under more elaborate pieces.
♥ Lux entwined dress: This kind of garment would have been worn over chain mail/armor for a knight or over a dress or tunic in the early feudal period.
♥ 12 x 12 jewelled headband: Elaborate hairstyles came in the late medieval period, but circlets came in and out for hundreds of years.
♥ Forever 21 leggings: Men wore leggings (they called them hose) a lot. On a slightly-related note, have you all seen Mel Brooks' Robin Hood: Men in Tights? If not, you should! "We're men - manly men! - We're men in tights...")
♥ LA Made heathered Prague jacket: With its high neck and voluminous sleeves, I have no trouble imagining a fashionable 14th century noble wearing this. Just, you know, without the zipper.
♥ La Redoute sequined shirt: Can you get any closer to armor without straining those upper body muscles? I think not!

Well, fare thee well, dear readers. Thine queenly writer must retire to the royal bed chamber until early morn.

I Never Learn

I am always sucked into these designers for Payless collections, even though they always disappoint me.

But honestly, who wouldn't be sucked in by these shoes? Granted, there's an extremely good chance that a) they will look horribly tacky in person or b) cause excessive wobbling/twisted ankles, but I figure they're worth a trip to the local Payless.

I am excitedly awaiting Alice & Olivia's Fall collection for Payless as well. I want these in the grey (suede?) material:

Stacy Bendet seems to have quite a penchant for sky-high heels, no? I like the look, but the loss of an inch would be a life-saver. Or rather, a foot-saver.

Bras 'N Things

While clicking through Style.com's coverage of the Met Costume Institute Gala like a good little fashion fiend, I was shocked to find that Zac Posen's Clark Kent outfit was one of my favorite of the night. (How ludicrous is it to attend a superhero-themed fashion extravaganza without looking the part? I'm talking to you, Almost-Everyone-But-Zac-Posen!) I was also shocked by the picture on the above left. Why? Well, the woman who can pull off the visible bra is a rare creature. She must execute her outfit carefully and perfectly, because any mistakes can lead to jeering telepathic messages of "SLUT!" being transmitted by nearby humanity. But in the pictures above there are no mistakes, only sheer sartorial perfection.

I think the reason for this is that smaller boobs = no cleavage in these looks = more tasteful. I don't get the idea that either of these women are trying to be sexy by showing the side of their bra; it seems more like part of the look.

With my larger chest size and everything (and this is where I started to debate posting this on the internet, seeing as people I know now actually read this...), this look isn't for me. And as for other underwear-as-outerwear concepts, well, let's just say I was not a fan of that notorious Marc Jacobs collection. But the thing is. . . I see no need to wear underwear as outerwear. That's not to say I don't enjoy the look of of corset tops and slip dresses as much as the next girl - I do, believe me - but I think there's something to be said for keeping it hidden. I like lingerie, and I like to wear pretty styles. I recently picked up a lacy, pale green bra from Gilly Hicks, and I feel amazing wearing it. But I buy these things for me. One of the things that interests me about fashion is the way it can influence your mood and the way you act. Pretty lingerie puts a smile on my face and boosts my confidence because I have a cute little secret (that, incidentally, I'm now sharing with thousands of readers) hidden away beneath my clothes. I don't need other people to see it; I just need to know it's there.

An odd excuse for a money-wasting habit, but there you go.

I feel a bit odd posting about this. I should just hit "publish" before I change my mind.

P.S. You know the printed dress worn by the blond Teen Vogue staffer in my last post? Well, the girl's name is Mary Kate Steinmiller, and she just told me that the dress is Hurley and will be available in the Fall. Hurley- can you imagine! Three cheers for cute, affordable dresses!