It’s time for Fall fashion.

As usual, around mid-July I start thinking about cultivating a “look” for  Fall. No, said “look” is never fully manifested; and yes, it’s as ridiculous as it sounds, especially since I’m wearing Daisy Dukes and a tank top as I type this–but it’s, like, nature and stuff. Totally out of my control.

This is what I’m thinking so far:

Images: Style.com

All of which is to say that not much has changed since last Fall. Designers and retailers aren’t stupid–they understand that consumers are tighter with their cash and aren’t interested in dropping copious amounts of dough on styles that will look outdated in a year.

As usual, black is the new black–but surprisingly, I’m no longer interested in the leather-clad powerbitch getups that have been stomping down the Autumn/Winter runways for the past few  years. Aww…maybe I’m growing up?

Nah.

When do you start to think about the upcoming season? Do you have a plan or do you just wing it?

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These black and gray checked shorts used to be black and gray checked teacher pants, but at 97 degrees and 142.784% humidity, it’s just too hot for all that. I cut ‘em, cuffed ‘em, and went about my business!

Shorts, thrifted; top, Forever21; booties, Jeffrey Campbell; no-name bag & earrings

Do you switch things up when the weather is just too hot to bear?

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These pants (a result of the lazy DIY, if you recall) are so cool and breezy–perfect for the hot and humid weather we’ve been having. I added some cognac-colored leather accessories and gold jewelry for interest.

Tank, H+M; pants, thrifted; shoes, Ash; belt, The Limited; bag, Coccinelle; leaf necklace, Forever21; tassel necklace, vintage.

Man, I love summer!

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When I do feel that way, I look elsewhere for style inspiration–usually to my fellow bloggers or recent designer collections. I was procrastinating doing research and checking out some of my favorite blogs, when I came across a photo from Dries Van Noten‘s Spring 2010 collection.

I immediately remembered a sarong I received as a souvenir from a friend’s trip to Thailand and thought, “I can do (something similar to) that!”

I just added my trusty gray sweatshirt and some “exotic” accessories:

Elaborate earrings purchased as a direct result of my ongoing obsession with Indian bridal jewelry.

A combination of beaded African bracelets and a few wooden bracelets I picked up at the hair store. No, the hair store–the place where they sell weaves and wigs. Don’t underestimate the selection in those glass cases in the front of the shop, okay?

A beaded bag and nude shoes (Attention apparel manufacturers: light beige doesn’t equal “nude” for everyone.) I love the little gold elephants marching across the sarong.

Sunglasses I got on sale years ago. I’m surprised I still have them–I usually lose sunglasses within, like, a month of purchasing them.

It’s not a difficult look to replicate. The idea is to take a bunch of varying cultural influences, toss them together, and see what happens. Don’t be afraid to mix things up a bit!

1. J. Crew sweatshirt  2. Bracelets, Ainamoja.com 3. Skirt, Milliana.com 4. Chloe sunglasses, Aloha Rag 5. Earrings, Kaneesha.com 6. Rosegold heels, Shopbop.com

Sweatshirt, American Apparel; skirt, souvenir; earrings, Bombay Jewelry; shoes, Steve Madden; bracelets, random; purse, Miss Selfridge; sunglasses, Gucci.

By the way, bellydancing costume boutiques are my new favorite places to shop online.

Where do you find inspiration when you’re in a style rut?

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The lacy blouse is was a Gunne Sax-ish Little House on the Prairie dress I picked up at a thrift store a while ago, which wound up hanging out in my trunk (aka “storage”) for the better part of a year. I finally dug it out and attacked the dress with a pair of scissors in a half-hearted attempt to create a skirt and top I could wear separately. Except I cut through the back zipper. Oops.

This is why I don’t DIY.

Vintage blouse, clutch, necklace and heels; thrifted trousers; VS blazer

Have a great weekend!

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Have a great weekend!

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We set out early on a very rainy Saturday morning to get our hair and make-up done by Millicent at The Wild Hare Salon. Millicent also happens to be a fine artist, and has written a children’s book that I’m trying to convince her to self-publish. We left the salon looking pretty hot, if I do say so myself.

The shoot was held at Bromwell’s (though finding a location was–as always– the cause of some drama for poor Emily).  At street level, Bromwell’s looks like an unassuming fireplace showroom.  Wrong! As many times as I’ve walked past that building, I never knew about the fun stuff going on above the store. I really need to start looking UP.

We dragged our stuff inside, took the old (I’m talking hand-operated old) elevator up to artist Evan Hildebrandt‘s studio on the 3rd floor, and started to get settled in.

Photographer and fine artist Colin (who, coincidentally enough, went to school with Millicent! ) took the time to show us around, and let me tell you, this place is huge. And gorgeous. Loads of natural light comes in through the insanely large windows, the original wood floors are still in place, there are old safes and unused elevator shafts and metal roll-down gates that serve as reminders of the building’s dusty-but-not-forgotten history.

We put on some music and Colin started shooting, which meant I had to hold in my stomach and try to keep my eyes from crossing. I tried to pay attention to what he was doing with lighting and angles and whatnot since I need to learn this stuff, but honestly, sucking my tummy in and willing my hair not to frizz took all of my concentration.

Luckily, the other girls didn’t seem to have those problems. Emily even braved the fire escape in the rain and wind and heels, which just goes to show how dedicated she is. You couldn’t drag me onto my fire escape on a sunny day in the middle of June.

We used as much of the building as possible, including the rear stairwell (complete with peeling paint–score!), Bromwell’s art gallery on the 2nd floor, and the amazing 4th floor living space of Bromwell’s owners, the McLorey family. I’d be insanely jealous if they weren’t so darn gracious. Hmmph.

We took a crepe break between takes, and were pretty pooped by the time we finished the shoot more than six hours later, at exactly four o’clock. My camera was tired too, as it ran out of batteries just as I realized I wasn’t in any of my pictures.  Ah, well. It was bound to happen sooner or later.

What did you do last weekend?

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Based on this post about changing style direction from leather and studs to softer and more feminine, I decided to pull a few items from the back of the closet to see if I could reappropriate all the gray and black into something a bit more douce.

Dress, Victoria’s Secret; sweater, H&M; tights, Forever21; socks, American Apparel; belt, vintage; earrings, The Little Mahatma

I see lots of grays and taupes in my future…What do you think?

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NYFW, Fall 2009

It makes me tired thinking about it, and I’m a pretty hardcore strong-willed bitchy type. Maintaining such a defensive stance is exhausting!  Shoot, even Xena had her vulnerable moments.

All the leather and bleaching and shredding was fun for a while, but now I’m thinking it would be nice to feel pretty, instead of pretty tough. I’m ready for something softer, and while I’m not necessarily looking to drape myself in mountains of florals and bows and pastel ruffles (though it worked for Chloe Sevigny), it would be nice not to feel like I’m an armored truck heading into combat 24/7.

Soft and pretty on the red carpet at the 2010 Golden Globes

Light and feminine on the Resort ’10 runways

Some days, yes, I will be in Power Bitch mode just because sometimes I wake up in the takin’ names and kickin’ butt mindset.  Other times, though, it would be nice to dress in a way that conveys more vulnerability–not necessarily weakness, but…openness. All the hardcore fashion feels a little closed off, which is understandable in times of hardship when you need increased protection from the uncertainties of life. While things are still pretty uncertain (when aren’t they?), I’m exhausted. I’m ready for a change in direction.

Um, let’s keep the stripper shoes, please.

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