By Erin Weinger on February 24, 2010
Each day, while making my way home down Hillhurst Avenue in Los Feliz, I look through the window of
the Steven Alan Annex store and say (yes, even when alone), “Holy crap, that corduroy skirt is cute.”
And wouldn’t you know that the high waisted number happens to be on sale — only $98 from its standard $158 price tag. Though now I can’t decide between said skirt or a pair of bright yellow cord shorts from the just launched Levi’s for Opening Ceremony collection. priced at $125, the shorts’ vibrant hue seems more relevant as a spring/summer piece when compared to the skirt’s more drab (but practical!) navy, olive, tan and gray offerings.
Damn decisions. Which piece would you guys buy??
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By Erin Weinger on January 28, 2010
In our world of shock and awe conceptual fashion, it’s always nice to see clothes that are just plain cute. Enter Boulee, the two year-old line by local designer Debbie Morad. We were sent her summer lookbook and found a bevy of fun, colorful pieces that make us long for pool parties, barbecues and 80 degree temps. No muss or fuss in shapes we can’t explain. Morad’s clothes are easy, simple and, most importantly, convey a jovial feeling. And isn’t that what summer dressing is all about?
Luckily the pieces don’t hit stores until April/May, which gives us time to get our figure looking, uh, cute as well.
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By Erin Weinger on January 13, 2010
ur friends at Pleasure Doing Business, the popular L.A.-based line of bandage skirts designed by Pasadena-area native Simone Gonzalez, just sent us pictures of the brand’s latest foray: Bandage dresses. They’re super cute and allow wearers to channel Herve Leger for under $300. And if these babies contain even a sliver of the super cellulite sucking power packed inside Simone’s famous skirts (think high-styled Spanx that you don’t have to keep secret), we’ll take one in every color (it isn’t everyday that we can turn heads and bounce quarters off our butt after eating In-N-Out and skipping the gym, after all).
The dresses are scheduled to hit stores including Ron Herman, Kitson and ShopBop.com in February.
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By Emili Vesilind on December 8, 2009
Design duo Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen are always ahead of the curve (I know, I know, but it’s true.)
And for Spring 2010, they’re tapping Burning Man-style hippie-ness for their lower-priced Elizabeth & James line.
Check out the Dogtown-meets-Dave Matthews look at right, featuring a tie-dyed shirt, surfer beads and bracelets, a flannel (wrapped, natch), clam [...]
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By Erin Weinger on November 23, 2009
Plaid pajama pants hold a special place in my heart. The soft, snuggly bottoms are what I used to wear to sleepovers and summer camp, and nary a seventh-grade weekend went by that I didn’t leave a Bar or Bat Mitzvah with a pair confirming that I did, in fact, Rock With Rachel.
Fast forward to last weekend when I meandered in to Ron Herman at Fred Segal on Melrose, where an entire wall was devoted to the plaid pajama
pants of my youth. Only these babies were by Stevan Alan. And on mannequins, the pants were paired with jean jackets and Dr. Martens for an early 90s nod to punk–not a comfy option for the recess kickball court.
As I thought about all the places my drawstring delights could take me, I checked out the price tag. $135. Uh, I don’t remember my University of Michigan flannels costing that much.
But I’m still way into the idea of wearing pajamas in public without judgement (not to mention the geniusness of that drawstring when Cecconi’s truffle spaghetti comes calling). So I did some digging and found much cheaper options for those of us that buy our white T-shirts in a 3-pack from Target.
Pair your pants with heels or boots so you don’t look like you actually stumbled out of bed. Or out of a Bar Mitzvah.
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By Erin Weinger on November 9, 2009
Come Sunday, foreheads won’t be the only things frozen on the Westside.
Enter Chill, the W Westwood’s new eco-friendly ice skating rink open for business until January 24.
For $10 you get an hour ’round the rink and a pair of skates, no reservation necessary.
But what does one wear to tear up the ice (the outfits are the best part, after all)?
We personally spent ten years of our childhood spinning and twirling for no reason other than the thrill of designing glittery costumes from scratch.
Those not in the mood to break out the sewing machine can head to Top Shop, where the short, shiny confection at left–appropriately named ‘Ice Skating Dress’–will make up for that gold medal that never was.
For added inspiration, see a gallery of our favorite figure skating dresses through time–after the jump.
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By Emili Vesilind on October 29, 2009
…….If you sweated those studded boots from Isabel Marant’s Fall 2009 collection as profoundly as I did, you’ll be thrilled to see that Aldo has knocked off the shootie (yup, adopting it) in its “Zabrocki” boot ($150.)
Yes, the studding is less hardcore, the shaft is a little shorter and there’s no punk-rock strap encircling the ankle. But damned if the silhouette — and triangle heel — isn’t spot-on. Sold to the cash-poor fashion writer in the back!
Photos: The real deal (left), and Aldo’s homage (right.)
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By Andrew Harmon on October 27, 2009
Anyone I know who has ever gone into American Apparel for their Halloween costume has likely backed up that decision with four grueling prior weeks at the gym. Because chances are they’re showing major skin. Studio 54 waiter clad in white short-shorts and lime-green sweatbands–that’s you, Max.Or 80s-inspired “Body Fuzion” instructors in teal leotards and pink headbands (brava, Robin).
But not quite my cup of tea–I’m currently estranged from LA Fitness. So I was surprised to see some cool costumes courtesy of American Apparel’s blog, ones that screamed neither go-go boy nor jazzercise. Rather, the L.A.-based company chose a Royal Tenenbaums motif, using AA-manufactured attire or vintage pieces from the brand’s California Select project. The vintage pieces–two-button suit jacket on him, lemon spring skirt on her–make the costume. But refreshing looks nonetheless, and a new take on the brand’s basics.
Sex sells, as Charney’s ad campaigns have proven. But a little class inspires. Especially when it’s in homage to Wes Anderson movies.
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By Emili Vesilind on October 27, 2009
The last time you thought about donning a pair of denim overalls, you were probably working out what to wear to that Alice in Chains concert.
But the humble coveralls — which last clomped into vogue during the grunge era — are easing their way back into high fashion.
No mystery why: Grunge is back, Pearl Jammers, in all its plaid flannel, Doc Marten-shod glory.
Laurie Pike, Los Angeles magazine’s savvy style director, first clued us into the reemergence of the hayseed staple in the November issue of the magazine, positing, “when overalls get the runway treatment, a solid trend is afoot.”
She cited Ralph Lauren and Yves Saint Laurent among the high-end brands who’ve flirted with the one-piece recently, along with sportswear labels including Volcom and Joe’s Jeans.
I think overalls are adorable on tall-and-thin gals. But if you’re at all busty (like me), you might want to sit this trend out. Because there’s nothing cute about sporting a mini pup-tent on your chest.
Photo: Ralph Lauren’s overalls for Spring 2010. Courtesy of Style.com
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By admin on October 23, 2009
Alber Elbaz is a genius. Given. His spring 2010 collection for Lanvin was superlative. Obv. His resort collection, however, attempts to be “accessible” with beautifully crafted (if resembling a creation courtesy of Crayola) T-shirts…that retail north of $300. There are added details, of course, like chiffon edges. But if we’ve learned anything in the past year, isn’t it somewhat sacrilege to pay three figures for T’s? Especially when this Lanvin/Acne Jeans military denim jacket retails for only a few bucks more (now 50% of) and will retain its cachet far longer. Nice try, Alber. –Krista Jennings
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