Monthly Archives: August 2011

I’m in eLove with: Black Fashion

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Every once in a while I stumble upon something so perfect, so tailored to me that it reminds me of exactly how it feels to be in love. The first time I heard “You go to my head” (the Louis Armstrong version) was one of those times. I closed my eyes, and knew that I had found the sound that perfectly fits my version of love. Most people would use this type of passion to describe being in love with a person, but I think you all know me well enough to know what I’m most likely talking about. I can spend hours browsing through tumblr pages. Some about hilarious nonsense, some about natural hair and some about of course my favorite topic of all, fashion. Last week I had the “it must be destiny” pleasure to find www.blackfashion.tumblr.com. This site is everything I want my life to consist of. People of all shapes and sizes taking advantage of everything that fashion and freedom of style has to offer. I have spent the last 2 plus hours looking at this site, and only stopped to write this post about how in love I am. Sometimes the beauty of expression needs no words. And I guess I shouldn’t say that since I own a style blog where I talk about fashion – but there are times when a picture is worth more than a thousand of these things we’re reading. There are some fashion choices in these pictures that I would instantly shut down, but to me that is the beauty of the site and the beauty of personal style. It’s not about what I like, it’s about what takes you to that place where you remember who you are and what it feels like to be unabashedly in love with something. Style does this for me like not much else has. It’s my bumper sticker, it’s my t-shirt with a witty joke on the front, it’s my name tag. My style is how I tell people who I am without ever saying a word. So today I want you to stop what you’re doing, and spend time scrolling through this tumblr – you will not be sorry.

So tell me what you think? Ready to write I love Black Fashion all over your Trapper Keeper with me?

Enjoy your Wednesday, almost to the weekend! And see you lovelies back on Friday.

Stylish hat over perfect pumps,

Fashionably Tardy

Cooler than the flip side of a pillow

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Those of you who follow me on le twitter know that I spent the weekend in Virginia visiting my grandpa. Yup, the stylish one from “Old school is the new...” fame. My grandpa lives on 20+ acres in a town with not much but trailers, farms and ticks apparently. Our hotel was a bit more in the city but still very southern country life. The signs advertizing Hardee’s new fried bologna biscuits kind of alerted us to this. Well besides surviving Irene’s windy wrath and counting cows with my niece and nephew, I also learned some valuable style lessons from the country this weekend. And I snapped a few pictures so you all could get full “sticks” effect. So spray on some mosquito repellent and grab a glass of sweet tea as we travel back to my weekend in the country, and I share the lessons I learned.

1. Fashion can be judged but style is personal.

This picture is from the town’s magazine where our hotel was. These women are recognized as the fashionistas of their community. The style snob in me wanted to laugh at this page (well okay, I did laugh at first), but then I started to think. Every environment has their own definition and acceptance of fashion, and within each of this definitions stands a person who is always seen as getting it “just right” when it comes to style. These women are clearly in the upper echelon of style in Roanoke Valley. And who am I to say that they are not? If people come to them for style advice, and look to them to see what the newest trends are, then that makes them fashion forward. And even though they included a little girl dressed just like and American Girl doll, who am I to judge? Style is personal. And when you can get others around you to look at your personal expression and agree that it’s something worth talking about then you have moved right from fashionista on up to style icon. You betta werk, ladies.

2. Don’t be afraid to mix textures, prints and occasions.

Now this man was maybe the highlight sighting of my weekend. Waiting to be seated for lunch at Denny’s this man came strolling on by my family. The picture is a little fuzzy but I’ll explain to you what you are looking at. This vision is wearing Dickie shorts, black dress socks, black dress shoes, what looked to be an old track jacket and a camouflage hunting hat. Under that hat was slicked down gray hair, and under the jacket was a very large gold chain. He knew and flirted with all of the waitresses at Denny’s – it was clear that this man was dressed this way by no accident. This was a deliberate outfit. And once the laughter subsided, it got me to thinking about the bold mixes of prints, textures and occasions that I’m always trying out - and always pushing others to try too. I love to mix stripes and floral prints. A corduroy blazer with a flowing skirt. A casual outfit with great dressy pumps. Sharp Sam was doing exactly what I tell you all to do – bust out of that fashion box as much as possible. If pairing a print shirt with basic black bottoms seems like the best option, then push yourself a little more and coordinate it with another pattern or a color not found in the print. Live loud when it comes to you style, and don’t let anyone convince you that you have to dress according to what’s in for the season. Your style is just that – your’s.

3. When you find something that works for you, stick with it.

While heading back on the road today we got to see a lot of people as church services were letting out. Old man Sunday chic is always something to be witnessed, respected and learned from. I saw many bright-colored, six button double-breasted suits today. Some with pin stripes, zoot suit long jackets, and matching vests showing underneath. It’s clear that many of these suits are throwbacks. Sunday’s best from the 70s that still fit on these distinguished gentlemen all these years later. While not the best fashion choice in my opinion, these men remembered that this look always worked for them. That lady they have had on their arms for the past 40 years, fell head over heels for them in that exact suit. And if it’s ain’t broke, then we know we shouldn’t try to tinker with it. I feel the same way about some of my style staples. Pearl earrings, cardigans, vintage hand bags. These are looks that have always served me well for all of my fashion needs. So I stick with them. Signature style choices are always great to have – that go-to little black dress, those perfect slacks. Hold on to them. Great love and good fashion finds are heard to come by in this life. Cherish them both.

Anything to add to the list? Any style lessons you have learned from some unexpected sources?

I hope everyone stayed safe over the weekend, and that little to no damage was suffered from the storms. Enjoy your Monday and see you back on Wednesday!

City mouse in the country,

Fashionably Tardy

Queen of hearts

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Break ups are never easy. This weekend, one year ago, is when the twisted series of events that culminated in my first and only break up occurred. I remember thinking that I could never be happy again, that I would never find love again. And while I am fine to hold off on the love part, I’m more than ecstatic to say that the happy part has happened. Heartbreak seemed to be exactly what I needed to put my dreams and goals back in to focus. But since the beginning of the post break up period, being single is something that I was sure I would despise. A year later, I am loving the single life and excited to see what is heading my way. This got me thinking about other things that I was sure I’d hate in the beginning then ended up loving. And of course by other things, I mean style things. There are some trends that I just dread seeing peak over the fashion horizon – the same thing happens with music, it takes me awhile to warm up to something new. Some of these trends I never grow to love (like tie-dye), while others I can’t believe that I ever doubted. Below is my list of not so love at first sights, who now I can’t imagine life (slash my closet) without.

Half moon manicures. I think I first saw these in one of the Sex and the City movies. Samantha had a red and gold half moon manicure, and I even mentioned to my sister how weird they looked. I am very picky with what I’m “in to”, and even the more popular trends don’t get my acceptance if I don’t feel connected to them. I’m not sure what happened to make me fall so madly in love but I swoon for these funky nail arts now. I love when they are done with nude or blush colors, with the half moon following the natural contours of the nail bed. They are just so burlesque vixen and bold. They are sort of like the opposite of the french tip that we’re used to seeing. I’m sorry I doubted them but glad that we found each other.

Lace-up spectator pumps. Another one that I’m not sure why (or how) I ever didn’t love them. When Oxford shoes and the schoolgirl look started coming back it was just too cheesy Britney Spears to me and I couldn’t tolerate it. Then the spectator pumps slide right on in behind the oxfords and I was quick to judge. Now, I’m drooling over them – especially the great ones coming out for fall with gorgeous autumn colors, and sometimes ankle straps instead of the laces. So lovely. I have a burgundy and cream pair without the lace-up part. I am still hunting for my perfect pair tho. With a pair of cuffed jeans and a comfortable cable knit sweater, this is everything I need when the leaves start to fall. Same thing happened with lace-up granny boots, and now I pick up and ebay stalk pairs every chance I get. I’m getting exicted just thinking about it.

Suspenders. Despite my affinity for fly nerd wear (and fly nerds), I was never a big fan of suspenders. I think it just took my bowtie, big glasses Steve Urkel fantasy a little too far. But I’m a changed woman now and I am very pro-suspenders when paired with the right outfit. Both dressed up and casual. I am still not sold on the ones that look like harnesses, or lederhosen, so I haven’t fallen completely head over heels – love isn’t that blind. But if it fits your personal style, a simple suspender adds a nice touch in my opinion. I’ve seen women do the right thing with a casual outfit and suspenders too. Menswear for women is very big right now. And besides, Kelly Kapowski and Jessi Spano used to wear them – and we know what kind of important life lessons we can learn from them.

Man Bags. or Satchel, or Man Purse, or ”Murse” if you like (I’m sure you don’t like). So Zach Galifinakis’ character in The Hangover is teased for carrying a man bag. Although he makes an extremely valid comparisons to manly characters like Indian Jones rocking the same trend. I’m not suggesting you go out and buy a purse, but I do enjoy the nice messanger and breifcase bags floating around for men nowadays. I mean I’ve already revealed that I carry a nice sized bag to work every day equipped with my survival items. Fellas, don’t you all have some things you would like to have around during the day? Sometime to hold you commute reading or tech toys. I’m pretty sure that a bag becomes a purse only when a women is carrying it – so these would just stay bags on your manly arms. Come to think of it, Dwayne Wayne used to carry bags all the time, and wear suspenders – now I know why I loved him so.

So ladies and gentlemen, what are some things you yucked at first but have made their way on to your yum list? Anything that you want to like but just can’t pull yourself to try?

Everyone on the East Coast stay safe and out of Irene’s way this weekend. Enjoy your time away from work and I’ll see you on Monday!

If it’s broke, fix it -

Fashionably Tardy

Rescued by the Chime

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I learned a lot from watching Saved by the Bell. I learned not to take over-the-counter caffeine pills, that’s it’s okay for everyone in your friend group to kiss at least once and that if you and your principle are close, it’s fine for him to follow you from middle school through college. And thanks to a twitter convo with the lovely Charm Shoppe, I now remember that I can add earthquake survival to that list. Slater taught me to stand in doorways wearing nothing but a towel so that lockers won’t fall on me, Tori taught me to wear my motorcycle helmet in doors…but where was my fashion survival advice? Why didn’t Lisa have a scene where she showed us just how to make it through high school looking great in acid washed denim? The tremors we felt in Pittsburgh today got me thinking about survival kits. And since not much of my thoughts can exist without fashion being involved, I started to think about style survival kits. What things are essential to make it through a rough day looking as great as when you first stepped out? Well I’ll give you my list of must haves so you won’t need to any bell saving from fashion disasters.

I carry a pretty large bag during the work week. I like to be sure that I have just what I may need to fix a style mishap or be ready for whatever the work day throws my way. Here is what you can always find in my bag:

1. Flat shoes. I wear heels, a lot. So I always make sure to throw a pair of flat sandals or flats in my purse just in case my feet decide to rebel against all of the work I make them do. I found these sandals at Target for $14, and they are usually a great choice to throw in the bag before heading out. When it gets a little colder, I like to throw my vintage 70s Ferragamo sport loafers in my bag to switch out with my more casual outfits. Neither of these shoes take up much room, and still complement my outfit. So find a pair of flats that go well with most of your ensembles and throw them in your bag on days that you’re wearing heels. You’ll be so thankful you did when your feet call it quits.

2. Cardigan. Even on the warmest of days, I have a light sweater in my bag. This is for many reasons. You never know when they’ll kick the AC (no Slater) up in your office, or when you’ll spill something down the front of your shirt, or when you’ll be caught in a torrential downpour that will soak through your not so thick top. The lightweight cardigan is perfect for all of these mishaps. My favorite to throw on is a 3/4 length sleeve, bright red scoop necked NY&Co cardi that I found at Gabriel Brothers for $5. Besides red being one of my favorite shades, this cardi just fits perfectly and falls right at my hip bones. It brightens up any outfit. But I addictively have 35 other cardigans to choose from in case this one doesn’t go. It’s smart to give yourself an outfit option, rather than having to present at a meeting with a coffee stain right on your boob. Not cute.

3. Bobby and Safety pins. Taking care of our hair is a full-time job in itself. I have huge hair, and when it’s not getting caught in tree branches or being grabbed by old ladies who think it’s adorable, it’s going awry from the elements. Bobby pins are crucial to keeping it under control. Toss a couple in your wallet pocket where you keep the change. It helps when you want to tuck back stray hairs or if your hair ties breaks and you need to re-do the do. Kohl’s has these very cute designed pins for $4 that add a nice touch. Safety pins are also clutch for keeping a look together. They wrap dresses together on a windy day, discreetly keep that button down from gaping open as it loses the battle with the bosoms. And heaven forbid you wear to tear or snag on something, safety pins can usually help make things bearable until you can get home. The Girls Scouts of America motto is “be prepared”. So be like a girl scout, and save me some thin mints while you’re at it.

4. Earring backs. Or the hood equivalent, a pencil with an eraser. There have been many times that my earring has fallen out and I have been able to retrieve the earring but not the back. For awhile I tried to keep earring backs in my wallet, but then after I wore them I never remembered to put them back for the next clumsy day. Then one day I found a pencil in my bag. I cut the eraser off and used a chunk of it to hold on my earring during the day. Just call me MacGyver. It’s not an ideal earring holder but it will certainly do until you can get home to right this wrong.

Ladies, What’s in your style survival kits? Fellas, what about you – is there anything that you have to bring along to keep fresh and fly during the day?

I hope that everyone who was affected by the earthquake today is safe and sound and no large damages occurred. Enjoy your Wednesday and meet you back here on Friday!

S.O.S (Save Our Style),

Fashionably Tardy

You’ve been peeped

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The first guy must've been out this weekend too

I enjoy people watching. It’s really the main reason that I like doing things like riding the bus, walking somewhere close instead of driving, or sitting outside at a restaurant. I feel like it gives me the full effect of what people are doing (and wearing) around me. Well this weekend presented me with some interesting and disheartening models of trends and fads that are spreading like wildfire through Pittsburgh. I want to start an anti-everything I’m about to talk about in this post, start putting the work in to clean up these streets. Won’t you join me? Won’t you work together so that the next generation doesn’t have to fall victim to this foolishness? Every little bit helps.

I like Converse. And I like a good knee-high boot. I also like spaghetti and cereal – but don’t ever have the urge to just mix them all together and chow down. These sneakers make me really upset, and I can’t imagine that they are all too comfortable. I saw a girl with these, paired with the shortest shorts created and a white tee-shirt. Seems like a lot of effort to lace up these nightmares only to put zero effort in to the rest of the outfit. I don’t even have a suggestion to an alternative to these things. Just don’t buy them. Or any other knee-high sneaker/boot combo. I want to say that you know better – but the fact that I saw these multiple times in one weekend let’s me know that is not the case.

Responsibility is an important thing. And I think that the first step to fixing a problem is to find the root of that problem and assign some responsibility. I blame Nicki Minaj for making every hood chick think that half pink, half black hair is appropriate. I blame MTV for making failing at life look cool. And I blame Christian Audigier for this eyesore that you see on the left. Some of you may be saying “what is wrong with rhinestones?” If you are one of those people, shoot me an email – the list to answer that is way too long for this post to hold. But my biggest problem with these bedazzled jeans is that I saw them on men this weekend. A vision in rhinestone, I saw a man in baggy rhinestone front jeans, a huge black tee, a black bucket hat (with strap), and more “diamond” chains than I could count. I really wanted to ask him for a picture, but I knew that I couldn’t keep a straight face long enough to get through that. He was in line for the club and looked like he meant business. Ed Hardy has made every straight man who falls for it embrace the glitter, rhinestone designs that we used to only see on women’s jeans. Thanks, Ed Hardy. As if we didn’t already have enough issues with the debt ceiling and global warming, now we have everyone running around looking like a glittered kindergarten fingerpainting.

I have been seeing a lot of hairstyles that just look like Halloween costume wigs, on both men and women. I notice that the Poetic Justice braids are making a comeback. I hope it’s a short-lived one like Kim Zolciak’s singing career. But I saw a guy this weekend who had this exact wig atop his head. Except that I’m pretty sure that he wasn’t playing dress up. I don’t know what’s going on but it’s spreading like poison ivy, and I keep seeing more and more of these confusing hairstyles. I love the 80s as much as the next person, but some things need to stay in the past. And I’m pretty sure that anything connected to Milli Vanilli can be added to that list of things.

Well, that’s my rant for the day. I am always an advocate for personal style but sometimes things are just wrong. I point them out because I care. And props to my twisted sister in life, fashion and crime for being the inspiration for the post title. She’ll peep you in a heartbeat.

What crazy fads have you peeped recently? Something that just made you want to call it a day and go home?

Enjoy your Monday and see you back on Wednesday!

Don’t get caught sleeping on the job,

Fashionably Tardy

Dainty Damsel

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Personal style is all about a feeling. Each outfit has an intention and putting pieces together gives you a chance to let your outsides match your insides. My outfit today made me feel just like the dainty damsel in distress from old cartoons like Dudley Do Right. Those of you who follow me on twitter know that I was very excited to wear my new to me Anne Taylor light peach lacy top today. Lace is such a perfect emotion fabric – always makes me feel very lady like, with a little sexy thrown in for fun. When deciding to wear my latest thrift store find, I originally thought to pair it was a solid brown 80s Liz Claiborne pencil skirt. I figured it would be a nice structured compliment to the soft lace. But that seemed too expected to me, and I always like to push myself out of a fashion comfort zone. So I instead chose to pair it with something a bit more busy. This is an early 80s Evelyn de Jonge floral skirt that I found at my favorite neighborhood thrift store for $5.00 (same place that I found the top last weekend for $3.00). I felt instant girly when I put these two pieces together. The first word that popped into my head was “lovely”. I almost didn’t get this skirt. To be honest, it’s like a size too small for where it falls on my waist – but you should know by now that I will usually find a way to make a vintage piece work. Fortunately, leaving the top button open and folding it over the belt worked just fine to give me some breathing room and give the skirt a more casual feel, as well as give the lace some space to shine. As you can see, I was super happy with how this ensemble came together. And as you can also see, I am a native Pittsburgher and the Steelers game was religiously blaring in the background of my parent’s apartment-but clearly I had other things on my mind. I am very glad that I decided to skip the safe outfit and try something a little risky with these mixed prints and textures. My intention was classic feminine, and I think that’s exactly what I got. So that’s my style advice for you – think about what makes sense and then do one step past that. Think a black and white patterns looks best with black pants? Go that extra step and put on a pair of colored cords on instead. Or go an extra step and put on something brown. Fashion is so fun and style really is all about choices. So don’t stay stuck in what you’ve always done, try something new. In the words of the great (and often cooky) Coco Chanel, “Fashion fades, only style remains the same”. At the end of the day, it really has zero to do with the pieces of clothing you have on, mannequins wear clothes too. It has everything to do with how you wear it, the confidence you give and how you allow each piece to tell a story about who you are.

Do you usually have a feeling or intention connected to your outfits? Style strategies that you use to keep your wardrobe double the freshness, double the fun?

Enjoy your weekend! And see you back on Monday (hopefully with some more headway made on this e-store. I’m trying, I’m trying).

Time to bust on out of that fashion box,

Fashionably Tardy

You’re not the boss of me!

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Most of the great life advice that my mom has given me is also some of the greatest style advice I’ve been given. My mom is the master of analogies and always managed to teach me how to be good and look good at the same time. Growing up I always worried about what other kids had that I didn’t. I wanted to dress like everyone else, talk like everyone else, be a carbon copy of the people around me. This included wearing name brand clothes like everyone else around me. In middle school my mom told me that a name on the inside of a shirt didn’t make it any more or less stylish when no one could see it. Simultaneously she taught me that the labels people put on us shouldn’t dictate who we really are behind all of the layers, good people are good people no matter what the label that others put on them say. With people it’s what’s on the inside that counts, with clothes it’s what’s on the outside.  Smart woman huh? Well I carry this philosophy with me in my shopping madness to this day. Just because a world-renowned designer says its fashion, doesn’t make it so. Some of the things we peep on the runway are in no way, shape or form fashionable in my opinion. The runway is a stage for creative expression – we need to use it for inspiration, not imitation. So let’s play a little game of “Designer Says”, and I’ll show some catwalk looks that I never want to see you rocking on the sidewalk. Then, as always, I’ll give me $0.02 on ways that you can make these trends real life appropriate. So get ready to put your thing down, flip it and reverse it (i.e., Work it).

Alexander McQueen says: Butt Cleavage

The late, great Alexander McQueen is often attributed as the creator of butt cleavage. He designed jeans that showed a little plumbers crack, and introduced the runway to the illustrious booty boobs. Now Heidi isn’t rocking a McQueen in this picture, but she was a celebrity who was bold enough to let a little crack out on the red carpet. Don’t you dare. The back is a very sexy thing, but too much of a good thing will make you sick. So stop well before that too much starts to creep out. A sidewalk alternative to this is a dress with a deep open back. Middle of the back is where I feel comfortable. But if you like to push it down a little further then be my guest, but don’t get crazy. But keep the front of the dress subtle and covered up. You want to pick one side to expose – back out, front in. Stripper chic isn’t a good look for any of us.

Vivian Westwood says: Bondage straps

We have seen all of these cage looking outfits on Rihanna and Kelly Rowland lately (mmhmm when she let the nips slip), and I understand the Mad Max and the Thunderdome sexy appeal that comes with it. But when you show up to the club with tights covered in straps you look a little more like a hammock and less like a fashionista. A way to do this for the real world is to use it as inspiration for an adorable pair of cage (or gladiator) pumps. Or try one of the very sexy new bodycon dresses that are popping up everywhere (here’s an example of one). This still gives you that mummy, strapped in look without you really looking like a mummy who is strapped in. Guys, I have seen some looks for you with all these straps, and I think the best way for you to use that for inspiration is to pay attention to the texture of what you’re wearing. Try a corduroy when the weather is right, instead of just throwing on jeans or dress pants. Also look for some ribbed cardigans to throw on up top to give your outfit some tactile appeal. This trend is about texture, so give us something we can feel.

Dolce & Gabbana says: Military

I’ve always been a fan of military inspired looks. The key is the “inspired” part. You have to pair a look with something simple in order to let it stand out, but to avoid looking like you’re wearing a soldier’s costume. Guys and girls, I think that a nice alternative to getting this look it to try on some structured pieces with more casual outfits. Pair a boxy blazer with simple jeans or a dress. Throw on some motorcycle boots with a tee and jeans or a skirt. Military inspired is all about a structure and a presence. So you want to keep one piece as a statement and let the rest of the outfit fall in line. You know, you wanna be about face or at attention, or whatever soldiers say *shrugs*.

Gucci says: Cut Outs/Slash

Ugh I see this too often. Girls equate skin out to being sexy, and a lot of the time that is far from bring the case. This isn’t a Gucci dress in the picture but they had a collection not too long ago that was full of these cut outs and slash styles. This was one of those things that I didn’t like on the runway, much less in the grocery store. I think the only option for carrying this look in to real life is to get a subtle (let me say this again, subtle) cut out dress with sheer under the open areas. I’m talking two to three cut out areas tops. Maybe one on the side, a small area in the back and some cleavage open space. ASOS has had some adorable dresses with reasonable cut out back sections. Idread even suggesting it because I know there are also some who want to push the limits and have their dress look like you just had a slow dance with Edward Scissorhands. The minute I see your ribs, buns and thighs hanging out of these dress I will deny you and this section of the post. Please don’t be the reason that we can’t have nice things. Just keep it simple and stuffed in.

Now you, do you have any examples of doomed rounds of “Designer Says”? Disagree with my put downs of advice from the fashion higher-ups? Well tell me about it!

Enjoy your Hump Day and see you back on glorious Friday, once we’ve all made it through another week.

Two snaps and a sashay,

Fashionably Tardy

Making your own rules and new news

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I’ve never been really good at sticking to the rules, especially ones that didn’t make sense to me. Since I was about 3 years old I refused to wear matching socks. I liked the variety of pairing two different socks together and didn’t understand why people spent so much time hunting around for the match to something that no one saw. And yes, to this day you will mostly see me wearing not matching but coordinating socks (one gray and white polka dots, one solid gray). Makes sense to me, and at the end of the day that’s all that really matters. Well I want you to break out of the sock matching chains too, and start using fashion in the way that fits you best. Ladies, here are a few accessories I break the rules with – plus a video on super cute DIY hair accessories.

I mentioned in “It’s the motion in the ocean“ how size can’t always be the determiner of something working for you. As long as something isn’t big enough to make you look like Bozo the Clown, there are many ways to make things fit even when they don’t. I like buying belts that are by definition “too big”. Most people would have extra holes put in these belts by a cobbler. While this is an option, it’s not necessary. Here is another belt that was just a bit too long to be the right sized belt. I looped the extra slack around the back of the belt and through the loop. It’s also possible to loop the extra tail on the side and have a similar looking knot by your hip bone.

Another accessory I never wear quite as they’re meant to be is a scarf. I take all lengths, shapes and sizes of a scarves and twist them around until I like how they look. I loosely wrap it around and fold in the loose ends, fold in a triangle and tie it in the back, or knot it in the front and rock it pirate style. Lately I have been taking my smaller square scarves and wearing them as hair bows. This scarf on the left is a pretty large square silk scarf. I fold it in half, then fold a stripe as wide as I want the final hair band to be, until I have just one stripe of scarf to work with. Then I put the band around the back of my head and tie a bow around the front. I love love wearing big bows in my hair, makes me feel like a little girl playing dress up all day. And this way, I don’t need to go out and buy hair bows – I get to use my favorite scarves in a new way and save money on cute hair accessories. Being cheap is fun!

And here is a DIY tutorial for making feather hair accessories. I mentioned in “Birds of a feather…” about hitting up a craft store for feather accessories, well these kids use at-home pieces too so check it out.

How-to Make a Feather Head Piece

And now for the new news…Anything but style is working on its own e-store! All vintage, all riches at poor man prices. I love vintage finds, even if they aren’t for me. So I thought it would be great for all of us if I started to sell some finds that I scoop up. I’ll have as varied sizes as I can find and will try to get the stuff that you all like in stock. I’m in the taking pictures and writing descriptions stages now so hopefully it won’t be too long before we are up and running. So start saving your pennies now and I will let you know as soon as stuff gets going. It will just be women’s stuff to start but fellas I will for sure be getting stuff for you soon after we get rolling. So stayyyy tuned!

Well don’t just sit there, tell me some stuff that you would like to see available in the store. Anything you’ve been dying to have but don’t know where to look? Keep me posted and I’ll be on the hunt!

Make it through this Monday and I’ll see you back on Wednesday

The thrift that keeps on giving,

Fashionably Tardy

Hear ye, Hear ye: Volume 2

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I mentioned in the first “Hear ye, Hear ye” that I had spied with my stylish eye a whole lot of head, shoulders, knees and toes mistakes going on as I’m out and about. Back then I ranted about the horrendous headgear horrors. Well I’m back with some more about, you guessed it, mister and misses – the shoulders. I have seen some sights stretched and strewn across people’s backs and I just have to try to do all I can to start righting some of these wrongs. So put you’re listening ears on, and get your kleenex out – because I’m about to hurt some feelings.

1. Honey, I blew up the baby. I know a lot of people like them. But I have a real issue with these super cropped cardigans. They’re about as necessary as most of the stuff sold on the Home Shopping Network. And on top of that, I just think they make every women look like the incredible Hulk after someone said something bad about his mama.It’s just not doing anyone any good. Looking for a sexy sweater? Try a fitted cardigan with some gathering at the bottom, that hits just at your hip bones – or even one that is cropped to your belly button (Like this one). It’s possible to pull off the sexy librarian look without looking like your sweater lost in a scuffle with the dryer. Put that sweater back on the Bratz doll you borrowed it from and we’ll get you something a little more human sized.

 2. You can go, but I’m stain. I didn’t think that I should have to tell anyone this, but real life tells me that I do. It is not okay to wear stained shirts, hoodies, sweaters, blouses, anything out of the house. If you spill something on your shirt on the way to work then I guess you do the best you can with a wet paper towel and I’ll give you a pass. But if I consistently see you coming to work (yes, I said work) with a stained sweatshirt on (and yes people, I said sweatshirt to work) then there is a real problem. I understand that the dirty laundry can pile up sometimes. My apartment is 7/8ths clothes so I know how it can get. BUT we’re adults now and we need to make something out of nothing for the sake of looking that way when we step out of the house. Invest in a Tide to Go Stain Remover stick, a bib and some etiquette lessons. Let’s nip this in the bud and figure out why so much of your wardrobe has your meals on it. But until we get all of that settled, just change your shirt. You big nasty.

3. You just call on me, sister. Ladies. Let’s be honest, as great as it is to be a women, it is a full-time job. We wear a lot of hats and there are a lot of things we have to keep looking right and tight. And one of those things is our undergarment maintenance. I have a mother who is a stickler for all clothing fitting correctly, even those things that no one sees during the day. She always says that if it doesn’t fit then you will be pulling at it all day and everyone will know that it doesn’t fit. We are going to apply this lesson to our bra game today. I should not be able to see the tops, sides and bottoms of your breasts spilling out of the two cup sizes ago bra that you are smuggling under that t-shirt. I also should not be able to see your underwire breaking free from said tired old bra. Bras can be expensive, I know – but stores like JC Penney and Macy’s often have great sales on super supportive and cute bras. You want to keep the twins looking their best, and no one looks good with four alien babies popping out from all over. Keep them contained, give them the support they need and they won’t turn on you so quickly. We all need somebody to lean on.

Fellaaaas…these are for you, cuties – never want to leave you out of the fashion tough love.

4. Slim Jim. Gentlemen, I know that I mentioned this same epidemic in Foolishness and Canuckery, and I really don’t want to keep assaulting an injured Mr. Ed about it – but I still see it, a lot. So I thought maybe you guys needed to let some feelings out, get to the root of what’s really going on. I have a few psychology degrees and thought maybe we could talk it out, and why you want to look like Roscoe from Martin. And I understand that not everyone is in to the more Euro tight-fitting jeans and shirts fad, and I want you to stay true to your style – but you wearing Goliath’s clothes is not your style. Learn your measurements for dress shirts, make friends with a good tailor, try things on before you buy them. It’s just best for everyone that you stick with clothes that can’t fit the whole crew inside. Here is a good test: if you can take your pants off and your boxers are still covered by your shirt – it’s too long. If you reach for a pen and your entire hand is covered by your shirt sleeve – it’s too big. Do something about this please, this is the second time we’re having this talk and third time we’re fighting.

5. I pity the fool. Now Mr. T is a bad man. Tough, strong, masculine. But there is a reason that he was a character on an 80s tv show, and these same reasons shouldn’t find their way in to your daily wardrobe. I can name a dozen stores in Pittsburgh that sell these gold-plated chains with huge dollar sign pendants, and the grocery store quarter machines aren’t even included in this list. This is really unacceptable. I know I pushed you all to start adding some accessories to your wardrobe but you have really gone overboard with this. Keep it simple. Get yourself a thin chain with a dog tag. Or even a little more understated chain with a reasonable sized pendant. *sigh* Seeing this, in 2011, really lets me know how slowly we have moved out of the foolery of our past. I know that you know better, give Vanilla Ice his riches back and stop looking like a daggone fool.

6. WHYkiki? Now maybe this last one is just a product of my work environment. I work in the computer science department of a major university and these eyesores are what alert me to the first signs of nerd summer. These and socks with sandals with the velcro. I pretty much avoid looking around the entire work day because I can’t hold my tongue about this any more. Hawaiian shirts are never a viable outfit option. Do you hear me? Never. I’m not even sure I would like these if I lived in Hawaii. Fanny packs, visors and cameras around your neck are the only accessories that match these unlovelies - and if you’re wearing those then I have stylishly disowned you and cut you out of the will. A solid, striped, plaid, or checkered button down will give you the exact same shape with less of the Quagmire look. And I know that Elvis wore Hawaiian shirts, and he was quite the ladies man, but he was in Hawaii singing about being in Hawaii at the time. I can’t control what you pull from the bottom of your hamper and throw on for work, but I can make posts that rant about them and hope to get enough people on board to shame you out of making this horrible decision. And that’s exactly what I intend to do.

Geeze, the list of don’ts got longer this time. Just think about what you put on your body, and stick that extra effort in to make sure it’s not wrinkled or stained before you do. You will do better. And if/when you don’t, best believe I will be right here to lay down the law.

So what do you think? Am I wrong about any of these terrible offenses? Anything else to add to the list?

Have a great weekend everyone! Enjoy some sun and see you back on Monday with something sooo cool, can’t wait to share it with you!

Dirt isn’t the only thing you need to get off them shoulders,

Fashionably Tardy

Birds of a feather are worth two in the bush

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I have a pretty addictive personality about some things. When I like something, I like it will full fervor for a substantial amount of time. When I tell you that I like cereal, it means that I could (and sometimes do) eat cereal for every meal of the day. And my love affair with feathers has been pretty continuous and at times obsessive since it first started in college. So you can only imagine how pee my pants excited I am to see feathers in, on and around everything this season. I love feather prints, feather hair accessories, feather accents, just plain old feathers from a bird. I have a feather tattooed on my side, have had feather extensions in my hair…you get the point, right? Okay, so I just wanna push my feather addiction on to you, and let you know some sale spots I found that have some of these lovelies. And gentlemen, this is for you too. I mean Yankee Doodle stuck one feather in his hat and look how famous he is now - it’s time for you to jump on board.

Feather accessories have been so crucial this summer. The simplest outfit gets an instant upgrade when you add some hanging feather earrings or a feather headpiece. Feather headbands instantly make me think of the pieces worn by Billie Holiday in the 40s and 50s – which I’m sure explains some of my love for them. She is seen mostly in floral pieces, but just the elaborate touch that a large hair accessory gives is very classic jazz to me. This headband is from ASOS.com. They have many options, some as low as $4.31, and they have “free shipping” which is basically my cue to go shopping crazy and feel no regrets. This site is so amazing – hoping they get wind of how much I push people to shop there and set up a little exchange program with me. They also have super cute jewelry pieces with actual feathers or feather charms. This tank is from Forever21 - they have some very adorable skirts and graphic tees with feather prints, as well as accessories (sale section of course). So take a looksie. Don’t spend too much on feather accessories tho, because they are super simple to make for almost no money. Go to your local craft store, like Pat Catan’s or Joann Fabrics and find some feathers that you like. They usual come in bags with a variety of colors and sizes. Then get your trusty hot glue gun and stick your favorites to a headband – hard or the stretchy kind. You can also do feather earrings. I have found some feathers at the craft store that have plastic loops at the end, get these and some fishhook earring loops. Fasten the earring loop through the hole and DIY voila, you have feather earrings. Get creative and layer feathers and colors. It’ll be minimal money well spent and you’ll have one of a kind earrings to showstop in.  And we all know how much we love to step out and stop all the shows.

Guyyyys. Summer is quickly leaving us, and with it goes your opportunity to throw on a nice straw fedora and get your Miami drug lord on (and I love these hats for women too so…drug ladies?). The feather just gives this fedora a little something extra. They also have some options for you at ASOS.com. And same as I told the ladies, there really is no reason for you to spend extra on a hat with a feather. Go to the craft store, find a feather you like and go on and stick it in your hat. Call it macaroni if you like. Or steal a feather from your girl while she’s making her earrings, since I know most of you don’t frequent or care much about craft stores. There are also some graphic tees that I’ve stumbled upon that incorporates the feather trend for you all. This shirt is from a site called Iskra Print Collective. They are artists who are dedicated to the art of printmaking. The site has prints and a few t-shirt options. Also look at Dogfunk.com, they have some manly feather options. I’ve never shopped at (or heard of) either of these sites before doing this investigation so I can’t vouch for anything – but they are both cool places to browse through, even if you don’t buy anything. And google “Men’s feather shirts” and look at your options – they’re out there. What I like about the men’s version of feather prints is that they make them way more Native American warrior, and less dainty bird than the women’s shirts. So you’ll be like bald eagle manly, not tweety bird.

I mentioned earlier about my beloved feather extensions. Here is a picture. Many salons do them now at a not too bad price for three feather strands. They stay in for a month or so and you can wash and curl them like hair. Mine were a birthday gift, and I loved them. But if you want something a little less permanent, check out these Snap-On Feathers. I mean some might think it makes you look a little Ke$ha, but do what you want. I like feathers.

So speak up, what do you think about the feather trend? Have you been seeing it everywhere? Or is it just me dreaming that everyone loves feathers as much as me?

Enjoy your Wednesday everyone – and see you back bright and early on the bestest day of the work week, Friday!

The curly bird gets the worm,

Fashionably Tardy