20 Years Old & Still Playing Dress-up

I'm twenty years old today. I guess I have to remove the "musings of a teenage fashion blogger" bit from my header.

The other day I was doing some last minute Hannukah shopping at Target when, lo and behold, the Rodarte collection was already on the racks! I didn't have much time and I was supposed to be shopping for other people, but I managed to snag a skirt. I think it's quite beautiful. Clearly lingerie-inspired, and the way the tulle hangs over it is raggedly floaty enough at the hem to give off that Rodarte vibe. A pleasant surprise!

I also tried on the coral-colored slip dress, which I thought was fantastically gorgeous, but alas it is meant for someone with a smaller chest. The lace-print dress was nice, just not very Rodarte-ish nor especially flattering in fit. The lace cardigan was pretty, if you can deal with the fact that it's scratchy. As for the stuff I didn't try on, I'm kicking myself for leaving behind the yellow skirt, the legwear was not present, and nothing else really did it for me. And that's my take on the whole thing. Still, I liked the collection a lot more than past designer collections for Target, and I really love my new skirt.

God, I can't believe I'm done being a teenager. It's about time.

Oh, Anna

ANNA SUI FOR TARGET?!!!!!!!!!

She is, like, my favorite designer. I think I can die happy now.

This Is How It Goes Down

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

Okay, children, here's the deal. A bunch of us will agree to shave our heads like the brave and gorgeous people above. We will all do it. You know the whole "strength in numbers" thing? Well maybe a large number of fellow partial-head-shavers will give me the strength to actually go through with it. 'Cause damn that's a cool look.

Okay, probably not happening. Never say never, though. Wow, I'm on a roll with the overused proverbs tonight.

In other news, I checked out Alexander McQueen for Target today.

Most of my dressing room pictures sucked (bad lighting and all), but here you can see the studded shorts, black cropped blazer, and one-shouldered swimsuit. Alas, the swimsuit didn't accommodate my overly long torso, the blazer was not something I'd get a lot of use out of, and the shorts were a bit pricey for a tiny scrap of denim. Oh well. I also quite liked the cropped black trousers and printed gray dress. If I buy one piece from this collection, I'm betting it will be that sweet studded denim jacket, but I didn't see it in the store. Oh, and the harness bikini. I'll check back, though. The quality and cut of all the clothing actually seemed pretty high.

Alright, I've got a stack of magazines to flip through (including the new Teen Vogue and a copy of Indie, which I've never read before), so I'll catch you cool cats later.

Target Musings

The Target Go: International collections haven't done it for me lately. I haven't been to see Thakoon in person, so I suppose it could be better than expected, but I'm honestly just not interested. Not really my style, thankyouverymuch. Private Label Collection 5, however, appeals much more to my slightly punkier sensibilities. I'm not gonna pretend it's anything special, but it looks a lot more promising than Thakoon, at least for me. Asymmetrical hemlines, grungy denim, fitted tops, zippers, studs, and black - yes, please.

Although if I'm gonna be honest here, I could reaaallly do without the horrendous puffed-ponytail-and-hoop-earrings combo the model is sporting with a lot of the looks. Target isn't so on target (har har, Target on target) with the styling, methinks. 

While we're talking about Go: International, I guess I should mention that BETSEY JOHNSON FOR TARGET WOULD BE BLOODY BRILLIANT!

Whoah, I said "methinks" and "bloody." I am turning into a Brit. I blame my daily reading of Style Bubble.

T to da Hakoon fo' Targizzle

Ooh, rap title! Ya betta dig it, yo. 

Ahem.

I haven't been too excited about Thakoon for Target, to be honest. It just seems a bit silly to put out a resort line at a bargain store during an economic recession. Sure, the kind of people who shop at, say, Neiman Marcus may need to buy some pieces for a trip to the Caribbean, but the timing just seems odd when these pieces are sold at Target instead. Well, maybe I'm just a bit bitter because a portion of my winter vacation will be spent in Washington, D.C. instead of someplace warm (note: am actually excited about this trip; am seeing les Miz), but mostly I think it's just frustrating that I won't be able to wear some of the things I buy until the season changes. That said, this presents an interesting styling challenge should I choose to wear the pieces at the end of December.

Anyway, I kind of went off on a tangent. This post was meant to say something like, "The preview photos of Thakoon for Target weren't so impressive to me, but check out this majorly cute video!"

Anyway, I am now more excited for the collection, and since my birthday is coming up (the 20th! Yay!) I should have some birthday cash to drop on any Thakoon items that catch my eye.

Well, only three more weeks til we can make a more comprehensive judgement. Poor Thakoon; the Alexander McQueen and Rogan Loomstate for Target collections are kind of stealing his thunder.

P.S. I realize I've been really bad about replying to your wonderful comments lately. I just responded to all the comments from the last page of articles or so; I really do appreciate what you have to say!

MCQUEENFORTARGETMCQUEENFORTARGET

I'm finding it hard to believe images from Alexander McQueen's Target line are already out, but they are. Well, two of them anyway.

The first image doesn't do much for me, but the second one. . .Well, I quite like it.

And the rest of the collection, as described by WWD, sounds promising:

"The collection has a muted color palette of black, white, gray and tan with accents of cobalt blue and bright pink. Studs and mesh give items an edge. There are studded jeans, shorts and denim jackets with asymmetrical closures, short tuxedo jackets and matching shorts, dresses in a blue and white painterly fabric, a one-shoulder dress in a gray-and-black zigzag pattern with a thick black belt, and a T-shirt with the image of Moss. 'The manufacturing is well finished and second to none in that price point,' McQueen said of the collection. 'It’s not expensive at all, but you get the execution of a well-designed collection. Because of the use of materials and the feeling, [Target] knew where the collection would go.' The designer’s favorite pieces in the line include 'the pink and black pieces and the little prom dresses.'"

Excited yet? I know I am!

Holy Crap

Alexander McQueen for Target?! Could it be?

Let us all bow down together and pray. And then put on pretty dresses and jump around for joy!

Oh wait, I've already done that . . .

News like this reminds me why I should try to stay more up-to-date on what's going on in the fashion world.

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?

How Mysterious You Are, My Dear

These pictures have been lurking around the Target press room, titled "GO International Private Label Collection 1."

Hmmm. Might they be a preview of Richard Chai for Target? Some aspects of this collection are reminiscent of some of Chai's previous collections. . .

I do like it, though. Not all of it, but that first dress is quite pretty, for example. The final dress reminds me of a Korean hanbok.

More pictures here.

Update: Fashionista reports that "the clothes were created by Target designers in an attempt to 'bring top apparel trends to Target in between each limited-edition GO International designer collection.'"

Oh. I can't decide whether this is good or bad. On the one hand, Target is bringing us more fashionable clothing (yay!), but on the other, do I really want to pay what I would pay for a Luella for Target jacket on something that's just Target for Target?

Hmmm. Discuss.

Polka-dotted & Chic

Don't these Lela Rose for Payless pumps look so classy with the neutral outfit?

I love this look.

I never realized that polka-dotted pumps could actually be chic.

Jovovich-Hawk Preview

A very pretty smattering of Target ads in the latest issue of Teen Vogue alerted me to the fact that Target has finally released the Jovovich-Hawk preview photos!

As expected, the line features floaty, feminine dresses with a whimsical edge. Hopefully they will be as lovely in stores as the appear online.

I Might as Well Fail With Pretty Nails

I'm sitting here, attempting to study for the Medieval Literature midterm that I'm woefully unprepared for, but my brain would much rather talk about fashion.

Sometimes this obsession is a wee bit inconvenient.

If I massacre Dante, Milton, and Boccaccio on Tuesday, I blame Vogue.

Anyway, I thought I'd update you on what I noticed on a Target trip yesterday:

♥ Loeffler Randall for Target = not so great. The bags are super-shiny in a cheap way; the rosette flats (the only L.R. shoes I saw in the store) are in bright, tacky-looking metallics.

♥ N.Y.C. nail polish in tight blue denim is mighty similar to that dark blue Chanel polish that's been big lately. Only it's less than $2.00.

♥ Other people seem to like Boots moisturizer as much as I do; it was clean sold out.

♥ Ditto the Erin Fetherston clearance.

That's pretty much it. Not so exciting, but at least my nails are a deep, glossy blue. If I fail my midterm, I can take comfort in that.

Jovovich-Hawk for Target

Nitrolicious just posted this scan of the first peek at the Jovovich-Hawk line for Target! Aren't those shorts the cutest?! Excitement!

Abaete for Payless Vintage Holiday '07 Collection

I'm kind of enamoured of the most recent shoes from Abaete's Payless collection.

I especially love the crinkly ones:

I'm sure that, like all the other designer diffusion Payless lines, the shoes looks cheap in person. However, I'm lusting after the pumps and just might have to check them out.

I like the description of the line, too. "Laura Poretzky’s limited edition Abaeté for Payless Vintage Holiday 07 Collection honors the glitz and glam of ’50s American film."

Christian Lacroix for Avon

The news about Cynthia Rowley for Avon was all over the blogosphere. So why is it that Christian Lacroix for Avon has been so under-publicized? I was just browsing the Avon website when I came across Lacroix's new Avon perfume, Rouge:

The perfume is a pretty good deal at only $32. Supposedly the scent is "a burst of citrus and spices" with "a floral heart wrapped in the most sensual cashmere woods." Mmm, sounds lovely, no? Customers gave it rave reviews, using words like "classy," "rich," "sophisticated,""sensual," "romantic," and "fresh." I absolutely adore the bottle - it looks so glamorous and mysterious at the same time. And the name, Rouge, just enforces the mysterious glamour.

The icing on the cake is this Christian Lacroix Parfums for Avon cosmetic bag, which is free with every unit of perfume purchased:

I'll be adding this to my wish list!

Excitement

Marimekko for H&M?! Woohoo!!!

That is one designer collaboration I will be lined up for.

Patricia Field for Payless: For Sale!

Remember Patricia Field's Payless line, scheduled to be released this holiday season? Well, two of the designs are available for sale at Patricia Field's website!


Saki Pump, $40


Sushi boot, $55

I don't love the Sushi boot, but I think the Saki pump is pretty cute, even if it's an ankle-breaker. The designs strike me as very playful, and very Patricia. I love the names of the shoes, too; so far I know that three of the shoe names are Saki, Sushi, and Tempora. Super fun!

What do you think?

I'm hoping that Payless steps it up this time. I saw Lela Rose's line in the store a few weeks ago and was sorely disappointed at how cheap it looked.

Dollhouse: Erin Featherston for Target

Here is the video that was screened right before the Erin Fetherston for Target fashion show at Teen Vogue's Fashion U. I thought some of you might want to see it. It's kind of odd, but also kind of wonderful, and it showcases Ms. Fetherston's clothing!

DOLLHOUSE

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Cavalli for H&M Sketches

Oooh! Aren't the Cavalli for H&M sketches wonderful?! Excitement!

February Payless Collections (Yay Alice + Olivia!)

Fabsugar has pictures of Payless's new designer collections due out in February. Abaete and Lela Rose have fairly nice collections, but my favorite is by newcomer Alice + Olivia:









I also quite like these shoes from Abaete for Payless:


And these from Lela Rose:


See the rest of the Payless collections here.