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!

Teen Vogue at Neiman Marcus

Teen Vogue came to Boston today! The Natick Collection's Neiman Marcus, to be specific. Neiman Marcus always feels like it's targeted toward a bit of an older crowd, to be honest, but today it was decked out for hoards of teenage girls. We're talking neon couches, bowls of candy, and waiters passing around trays of colorful mocktails, petit fours, and other dainty treats. Yum!

I arrived with two friends a half hour before the main event of the afternoon - a fashion show - was scheduled, and was saddened when it appeared to be already in session. I only managed to watch a couple of models traipse down the runway before the show ended, but it was still fun.

Next came the most welcome surprise, in the form of the radiant Amy Astley.

As you can see, I was able to rope her into posing for a picture with me. Not that it was so hard - she was more than willing. What an incredibly nice woman! We had a great little chat.

I was, of course, keeping an eye out for some stylishly dressed girls. I mean, what better place to find them than a Teen Vogue event? Two lovely Teen Vogue staffers and a casual-chic model caught my eye:

I'm loving those tribal prints! Must find and wear!

When I was done snapping photos, my friends and I headed out for a quick bit of shopping peppered by a lot of laughter. All in all, a great excursion!

Hair Secrets

My hair, as you've probably noticed, is brown. It's always been brown. It's not black, as so many deluded people seem to believe, and it's made up of a single shade (no natural highlights.) In fact, the closest I've ever come to dying it was the unfortunate year or so when my nine-year-old self found excitement in dragging several goopy hair mascara wands over my poor locks. (Remember that stuff? Ughh!)

Anyway, I've been harboring a semi-secret. You see, I've always had a bit of a desire to dye my hair some unnatural color. I'm terrified of bleaching it, which is probably why I've never done it. I know that my hair wouldn't stay bleached, since I would dye it afterward, but the idea of being blond for even a moment freaks me out. Not to mention it's supposed to be pretty damaging to your hair. So yes, I'm a hair-dying wimp. I have no problem letting a hair stylist hack off all my hair into a pixie, but the instant the bleach bottle comes out, I'm shaking in my boots. Call me crazy.

The result of this irrational fear is a resolution to dye my hair "some day." When I announced my intention to a classmate recently, I believe the response was something along the lines of, "You want to dye your hair? Like a punk?" accompanied by a grimace.

Which made me think about how lately I've been noticing unnatural hair colors becoming more mainstream.

Photo credits (starting at top from left to right): Numero via R.O.F.Y., Style Scout, ElleGirl's The New It Girls, Anna Sui Spring 2008, source no longer available, Samantha from Sex & the City (okay, it's a wig, not dye...but doesn't she look amazing?), Miss Gala, Teen Vogue's Love Song, Anna Sui Spring 2008, Facehunter, The Sartorialist

I don't mean that I expect it to be showing up everywhere sometime soon, but I do mean that it seems to be a bit more popular with the fashion crowd. It's no longer just for "punks" - as my classmate put it - but for the kind of people who appear in teen fashion glossies and get snapped by the Sartorialist. And let's face it- that's a pretty elite crowd. The Sart definitely has a taste for impeccable, well-tailored, why-yes-I-am-a-fashion-editor styles.

So will I be dying my hair anytime soon? Probably not. But it's something to think about.

Oh, and you wanna hear another hair secret? I absolutely adore dreadlocks. . .

My Two Cents

Harper's Bazaar isn't a magazine I ever really look at, but my grandma has a subscription, so she gave me few recent copies to read when I visited last weekend.

As I flipped through the most recent issue, a page filled with pictures of an abnormally svelte, strangely dressed Hillary Clinton caught my eye.

After the initial shock, I calmed down enough to realize that these pictures were the product of Photoshop. "Dressing Mrs. President," declared the header at the top of the page. "Top designers and Robin Givhan give America's would-be first woman president tips on how to get ready on day one."

Hmmm.

It's a fun thing to think about - what Hillary should wear if she becomes president - but I am constantly bothered by how much pressure is put on Hillary in regards to her appearance.

As for the article, well, I'd first like to say that the outfits picked are all wrong. Torn fishnets, sparkles, and leopard print berets? Really? Since when has that been appropriate business attire? And, judging by what Hillary has worn in the past, I am in no way convinced that any of these outfits are "her."

But that's pretty much besides the point.

The question that mostly overwhelmed my thoughts as I gazed at the row of designer-clad Hillary's was, "What do we really care about?" Do we want a president who will take the time to keep up with the trends and push the fashion envelope? Or do we want a president who will spend her time running the country?

I know what makes more sense to me.

There is no doubt that it is important for our future president - whoever that may be - to dress in a way that garners respect. The president, as someone who will represent our country, should definitely look clean, professional, and competent. But that, I think, is where the dress obligation ends. Fashion is something that everyone should be free to enjoy and experiment with, but it is a personal decision. The public scrutiny is getting a bit ridiculous.

What do you think?

Springtime Frolic

I bought a few new things while on a mini-shopping spree with my Bubbe on Long Island.

Because today is vacation and the weather has been beautiful, warm, and sunny, my friend Katie and I spent a lazy day walking in the woods, picnicking, and chatting about all sorts of nonsense. I managed to drag her out into my backyard to get a few good shots of some of my new gear, instead of the shoddy indoor ones I normally take with the self timer.

We had fun!

Here I am modeling my new shirt from H&M, my Jovovich-Hawk skirt, and some shoes I just bought for under $10 at Steve & Barry's. The shoes were from the SJP line, and are surprisingly cute! The collection is known to be plain, but these wedges feature studs and a heel that is just short of four inches - which is far from plain. I am surprised I can walk in them without wiping out. I wouldn't call my walk graceful, though. More like pitiful.

It feels very spring-like, no? Bare legs and flowers all the way! Actually, I'm a little uncomfortable in such a short skirt without leggings or tights, but I tried to balance it out with a baggy top. The studs on the shoes hopefully toughened up the look a bit and kept it from looking overly girly.

Speaking of the shoes, here is a close-up of them:

Ignore the smudge of dirt from my backyard frolic / photo shoot. Cute, right? Not the most comfortable, but good enough. They were somewhere around $8.50, after all.

Have you bought anything great recently? Do tell!

Surprise!

The surprise I've been hinting at is that there is an article about me and this blog in today's issue of the Boston Globe. For the most part I think the reporter did a fabulous job. I was really nervous about this, but it came out very well. Thanks, Susan!

Also, I am nowhere near as hideous as I appear in the accompanying photo. I have no delusions about my appearance, but that is not how I normally look, I swear. The photographer was creative and seemed very good at his job, but I guess I should leave the modeling to Agyness.

What, you mean I've been rambling on and on about something you haven't even seen yet? Here's the link to the article. . . I may or may not have gushed about Susie Bubble an embarrassing amount. . .

Arts Connection

So today we had the second of several fantastic workshops that have been taking place at my school. Run by the amazing Iyeoka, the workshops explore the connections between music, dance, art, and writing. I have a bit of a nonsexual-yes-I-still-like-boys girlcrush on Iyeoka - it's rare to meet someone so confident with such a rhythmic, powerful speaking voice and an even more beautiful singing voice. I kind of want to be her. She just exudes this aura of strength and self-love, and you can tell in an instant that music and language are something she lives and breathes.

Anyway, the workshop got me thinking about how fashion falls into all this - and fashion definitely does fall into this. Fashion shows are a good example; the clothes are the art, and they are accompanied by walks that fit the concept, as well as music to tie it all together. Movies are another example; Sophia Coppola's Marie Antoinette would have been nothing special without the combination of a fabulous soundtrack, decadent costume, scintillating dialogue, and the deliberate movements of the actors. I love it. I believe all forms of art and creativity are connected in some way.

Instead of rambling on in this vein (as I am apt to sometimes do), I'd like to share the poem I wrote during today's workshop. Keep in mind that I had only a few minutes to jot something down. No edits or anything. The prompt was "I believe in," and when I read it out loud to the group, I was accompanied by drums and a trombone, as well as some dancing.

Twilight:

I believe in
the tune of the wind's fabric
as it whispers like silk
and trembles silver branches
across the sky.

I believe in memories
and faraway places
and the power of lost dreams
that fade hazy from inner depths
into smoky, ethereal wisps
of starlit cities.

I believe in
the peace that comes
in moments snatched from time
and moments stolen
and moments lost,
in forgotten alleyways
and untouched forests
and history that lives.

I believe in love
and hate,
but not evil.

I believe in twilight.

. . . And that was it. Applause not necessary.

What fashion or art images do you connect with that poem? I think of these images that have been inspiring me lately:

Picture sources (in no particular order): Beautiful Things (a current obsession), Foto Decadent, Vogue Girl Korea, and a Sonia Rykiel ad from the most recent online V Magazine.

What music do you think of? I suppose I think of the dreamy sounds of Eisley.

What kind of dance/movement? I picture graceful awakening from slumber and little girls spinning circles in the rain.

Aahh, I'm in a dreamy mood today. . .

Side note: Am leaving for my grandma's house tonight. I don't know whether I'll be able to blog there, but normal posting will resume Monday. I have a surprise coming in on Sunday, though, and I'm super-nervous/excited! I'll share it as soon as I can. I'd like to wish my fellow Jews a happy Passover! Choke down that matzoh with some good old Manichewitz! (Actually, don't. Manichewitz is gross.)