Leaving on a Jet Plane – Packing for Air Travel 101

Leaving on a Jet Plane – Packing for Air Travel 101

April 4, 2012 by · 2 Comments

I just got home from a month and a half-ish trip in which I survived with only one carry-on bag (I KNOW), and I just took a trip home to New Mexico in which I did the same thing (I may be a glutton for punishment). Since I am clearly an EXPERT, I wrote up a couple of quick air travel tips to make your next air adventure be as hassle-free as possible. (Drinking the tiny bottles of liquor on the plane might also aid in this process).

Packing:

  • Don’t be afraid of wearing clothes more than once. The idea is to pack less clothes and bring more accessories; jewelry takes up little to no space, extra tops take up tons. My number one rule is to bring neutral clothes (uhh, yes, I realize that I did in fact get a hot dog shirt while travelling) so you can just accessorize and change things up.
  • I always roll my clothes instead of folding them–a tight roll (especially on things like jeans and t-shirts) will prevent creasing and weird wrinkles, and will actually save space in your suitcase.
  • Bring at least two more pairs of underwear than the amount of days you’re staying (up to two weeks; after that, girl, do some laundry). So if you’re going on a week-long trip, bring 9 pairs of underwear. Trust this.
  • Pack for what you know you’ll be doing, not what you think you’ll maybe possibly be doing. Beach vacation? Pack a couple swimsuits. Family wedding and staying at a hotel that has a pool so you might maybe want to take a dip if the weather’s good enough? Don’t bring a swimsuit…you can seriously improvise (hello, tank top and underwear combo).
  • Clothes that can do double duty are the best things. I have a couple of stretchy jersey dresses that I can wear with flip flops during the day and toss some jewelry and a jacket over at night so I don’t have to bring a ton of changes of clothes.
  • Wear the bulkiest items you have on the plane, so you don’t have to pack them. I am a fan of traveling in heels and my fanciest wraps (yes, really) because they don’t take up space awkwardly in my bag that way. Additionally, keep in mind that you’re far more likely to get free upgrades and other goodies if you look upscale, so this tip does double duty! (And wraps are nice improvised blankets once you’re on the plane.)

Beauty/makeup stuff:

  • Traveling by air – the less liquids/creams, the better. The non-negotiables for me were foundation, mascara, lipstick, and lip gloss. For cleanser I bought a pack of these Simple makeup-removing wipes since they’re TSA-OK!
  • If you can replace it for $15 or less, buy it when you get there. If you don’t need it immediately, buy it when you get there. Certain lady products can be purchased from any drugstore in the US, so why fill up your suitcase packing these things unless you need them during the act of travel itself? Same with things like nail polish remover, and even shampoo and conditioner. If your replacement cost is $15 or less, don’t bother with the cutesy travel sizes unless you’re doing a weekend stay.
  • Wear makeup that doesn’t need to be touched up too many times throughout the day you’re traveling so you don’t have to dig around through your TSA-approved plastic baggie all the time. Lip stains are awesome for this! I also put a little eyeliner pencil in my purse/laptop bag so I can touch up my eyes before I get off the plane.

 Random paper-y things:

  • I always have random paperwork with me as I travel, including itineraries, bills I need to pay, etc. I bring along a legal envelope with a fastener (you can use one of these doohickeys, too, they’re like a buck each at Staples) and toss all my papers in there. It keeps everything centralized!

 Books:

  • Unless you know FOR SURE you are going to need textbooks, for the love of all that is good in this world don’t bring them with you on vacation. Should study for that test next week? Girl, you’re in Puerto Vallerta. It ain’t gonna happen, so leave the room in your suitcase for the souvenirs.
  • Unless you know for sure you’re the type to read on the plane, don’t bring a bunch of books. Likewise goes for thinking you’re going to have downtime. Unless you know there’s going to be a bunch of time where you don’t have access to the internet (let’s be real, girl, you’re going to be Instagram-ing beach photos instead of reading Infinite Jest), don’t pack a bunch of books. If you have an e-reader or other device to read e-books on, fine, but don’t be hauling around some giant tomes. One is enough, you can always buy a new book at the airport. And when you’re done with it, leave it on the plane for the next person to enjoy!
Do you have any tried-and-true travel advice? Leave it in the comments!

Filed Under: What to Wear Tagged With: , , , , , ,
Falling in Love with People on the Internet – A Webcam Beauty Tutorial

Falling in Love with People on the Internet – A Webcam Beauty Tutorial

March 13, 2012 by · 3 Comments

I recently received some requests to include beauty advice on this blog, in addition to style. So here we go! 

I’ve been sort of introspective lately—I guess being in a new place without the normal entertainment go-tos will do that to a person(?). Surely you know the kind of introspection I’m talking about. It’s the kind where your mind starts to wander and you start thinking about how “stop eating so much candy” has been on your personal to-do list since Halloween 1997, or how your life would have turned out if you had accepted the proposal of that weird-ass theatre major you went on like four dates with in your sophomore year, or whether or not spending the past eight years hopping between freelance projects and alternating between a diet of ramen ($.18 a packet!) and prime rib ($36.95 last time, though I did get some nice gelato too) is really any way for a respectable adult to live.

Well, this time I started ruminating on some of my recent relationships (both real and desired) and how I have become that guy. The one who dates people she meets on the internet, like some kind of eHarmony commercial (but with less Jesus and the whole “this is going to last forever!” thing).

Only I don’t really hit up places like eHarmony (even the sites that are less creepy and discriminatory). Why should I? Being involved in as many online projects and communities as I am, I’m hardly at a disadvantage when it comes to meeting people. Still, it seems like kind of a weird concept to me, especially considering how many good friends and, uh, more-than-friends I have met online. Like, the majority of my relationships as a grown-ass woman have been formed over the INTERNET. Like some kind of WEIRDO SEX PERVERT. You know?

The friendship thing I’m totally cool with. I mean, a friend is a friend, doesn’t matter where you met them, because real friends are true blue, man. But like…dating? Really? I buy shoes on the internet. I buy embarrassing self-help ebooks that I’m too ashamed to have on a bookshelf on the internet. But like…people I want to make out with? It still seems weird, despite having essentially lived on the internet for the past eight years.

Despite all that, I am a webcammer—I love talking to people on Skype, face-to-face (sorta), and I like to look good doing it, dang it. I know there are tons of you out there who are the same way—people involved in long-distance relationships, whose friends are far away, even interviewing for jobs (I had my first-ever webcam interview a few months ago—totally awesome and weird)! So because of that, I thought I’d do my first beauty tutorial on something near and dear to me—lookin’ good on webcam.

Before jumping into the photos, here are the main things to remember when getting set up to talk to someone online:

  1. Smooth, matte face.
  2. Stronger everything.
  3. Shiny lips.
  4. Headset-ready hair.
  5. Lighting and cam placement.

OK–are you girls ready to start looking SO GOOD?!  [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beauty, Tutorials Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Reader Questions Part Two: Tights, Leggings, Jeggings, and Going Pantsless – the Definitive Guide

Reader Questions Part Two: Tights, Leggings, Jeggings, and Going Pantsless – the Definitive Guide

March 4, 2012 by · 4 Comments

Hello my darlings! Today it is time for more READER QUESTIONS, this time from the amazing Jenika:

Dear Beverly,

I have recently discovered how awesome skirts and dresses are, but it’s hard to wear them when it’s cold out. With that in mind, please explain tights to me. What is the difference between tights and leggings? How can you tell what’s going to fit right when each height/weight chart means something completely different? How can you avoid covering them in runs after wearing them for five minutes?

Considering it was just 2C here in Alabama last night, this is SUPER-TIMELY for me! First, let’s settle this here legging question. As alluded to on this blog about a zillion times already, there is a strong “leggings aren’t pants” sentiment going around lately. I would actually agree, KIND OF, if we could all come to some kind of a consensus as to what constitutes APPROPRIATE LEGGINGS vs. OH GOD I CAN SEE YOUR ASS LEGGINGS.

These fall under the "leggings you should not buy" category.

I think a good basic definition is that leggings are pant-like articles of clothing that are stretchy and have varying degrees of thickness. They also never have any hardware you’d associate with real pants–no buttons, zippers, etc. (except sometimes there are some for cosmetic purposes, to give the illusion of actual pants). If you put them on and can clearly see the outline of your underwear and…other things…you should probably be wearing them under something long enough to cover them, like a long shirt, a skirt, or a dress. However, I have a lot that are pretty thick that I wear as pants ALL THE TIME. I still wear something long enough to cover the butt with them, because it can feel kind of weird to wear them out in public with your booty all out on display (unless you’re into that?).

A good way to tell if leggings will be thick enough to wear without fear is to stick your hand up in the leg opening and stretch your hand wide. If you can see your hand through the fabric, they are NOT going to cover your butt! Additionally, something will be labeled as “LEGGINGS/TIGHTS.” Do not buy these. (You’re welcome.)

(A subset, “jeggings,” are pretty much what they sound like–jean leggings. They’re those pants that are meant to look like jeans, often with pockets and superficial zippers, but are stretchy and tight like leggings. I wear them when I feel the societal pressure to wear pants in public.)

This could be you. HEED MY WORDS!

Tights are wonderful and pretty much the best thing ever to wear with skirts and dresses. The difference between these and leggings is that they generally always also cover the foot (though you can get the footless variety, just like you can get leggings that sometimes cover the foot–so confusing, I know). They also can NEVER BE PANTS because they are way too thin, no matter how, opaque, and will show everything your mama gave you. The more opaque, the warmer they are, and in general more flattering.

The good thing about opaque tights is that they’re tough to get runs in. Of course, I’ve managed to do it, and you can mostly avoid this by filing your nails (yes, seriously) because those cause the most snags when you’re pulling them on. If you do get a little hole or the beginning of a run, cover the edges with some clear nail polish and that should stop it from running further, though you’ll probably have an issue the next time you try to wear them (as well as run the risk of shellacking your tights to your flesh).

As for sizing, well…ALWAYS READ THE PACKAGE because individual manufacturers have all kinds of crazy sizing charts. If you find yourself on the outer edge of a size (like the range is 5’2-5’7 and you’re 5’6, or 115-130 and you’re 125) GO THE NEXT SIZE UP. Trust this–you will be doomed to be pulling at your crotch all day (AWWWW YEEEEAH) because those suckers will NOT BE BIG ENOUGH. I don’t know how, it’s just spandex physics (which was my minor in college).

A few awesome tight manufacturers:

  • Hue (you can find these in pretty much any department store)
  • Wolford (expensive, but they do tend to last forever)

Some leggings resources:

  • Only Leggings
  • A sweet DIY make your own leggings tutorial at etsy (for added bonus hilarity, I encourage you to search for “leggings” on etsy. ENJOY.)

Cautionary tales:

Filed Under: Personal Style, What to Wear Tagged With: , , ,
A Night at the (Los Angeles) Opera

A Night at the (Los Angeles) Opera

February 11, 2012 by · 3 Comments

I was going to do Reader Questions Part Two today, but I just got back from a really amazing experience and it inspired me so much I had to make it the subject of this week’s post! All photos (except product photos) by me.

I was lucky enough to be part of the inaugural group of people selected for “tweet seats” by the LA Opera. Basically, since I am interested in social media (or in less kind terms, obsessed with Twitter zomg follow me already), I applied to have access to the last dress rehearsal of Simon Boccanegra, an opera by Verdi starring none other than Placido Domingo. Thankfully, I was accepted, so on Wednesday I got to spend a night at the opera!

Simon Boccanegra isn’t a lavish production, exactly, in the sense that it doesn’t have elaborate costumes and crazy sets. It really doesn’t need all that, because it’s moving (understanding the words helps) and engrossing in a pretty straightforward manner. I mean, love! Heartbreak! Misunderstandings! Assassinations! PIRATE-Y STUFF!

 

I was honestly really impressed with the whole thing. I had never actually been to an opera in person before (hey, I spent the bulk of my adult years in New Mexico, y’all, and not the cultural part) and I was completely taken aback by how accessible it was. There were supertitles (like subtitles but, uh, above us) that translated the lyrics, it had a just-right length (under three hours including intermission) and the scenery, props and costuming were all above and beyond.

The thing I found most captivating about the whole thing, though, was not so much the production itself (which was obviously wonderful), but the feeling I got from being there. There’s something so magical about live performances, doubly so when the setting is as breathtaking as the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (especially at night) and you’re surrounded by people you know really want to be there.

I think the thing that captures my imagination most when thinking about the opera is the idea that it’s one of the few (maybe only?) legitimate reasons to go all out when getting dressed up. There’s no better excuse to wear an elaborate getup than on opening night of a major production, and the inherent drama of the opera lends itself well to themed dressing without being cheesy. I don’t think a vintage kimono would be out of place at Madame Butterfly (part of the LAO’s 2012-2013 season, by the way!), nor would a poofy, princess-y ballgown at Cinderella (also part of the season!).

1. Vintage kimono-style dress, Youthstep Vintage, $150 2. Gold filigree earrings, Vintage Sparkles, $42 3. 1930s velvet opera cape, Secret Shop, $175 4. Gothic hair stick, EJP Creations, $41

1. Rhinestone hair clips, Bella Cesca Boutique, $30 2. Fox-fur stole, Candace Designs, $36 3. Vintage ball gown, Snap It Up Vintage, $142 4. Vintage cat-eye opera glasses, elksme, $45 5. Rhinestone clip earrings, Purple Daisy Jewelry, $36 6. Vintage Hermes leather gloves, Ms. Golightly Vintage, $300

If you love spectacle, you have no excuse to not be at the opera already. (Simon Boccanegra opens tonight. If you hurry, you might make it…GOGOGOGO!) I know that I’ll be heading back as soon as possible! Maybe we can make a date?

Filed Under: Inspiration Tagged With: , , , , ,
Reader Questions Part One: How to Find Jeans that Fit DAT ASS

Reader Questions Part One: How to Find Jeans that Fit DAT ASS

February 2, 2012 by · 1 Comment

You guys, it’s reader question time again! This time we have a question about denim from Kelly via Twitter (ask me here!):

Help! Where can I get jeans that actually fit my butt?#stylenotfashion#firstworldproblems

Who needs the right jeans when we have Booty Pop?

Dude, I feel you. If it’s not one thing with jeans, it’s another. Either you’ll find something that fits your hips and butt but is loose on your waist, or fits your waist and squeezes your butt into the dreaded pancake butt. It is AWFUL. To compound the problem, every jean manufacturer is different and will often switch up their different styles/fits and not tell anyone about it, meaning that one season’s glorious ass-hugging “curvy” fit is next season’s hellacious sausage casing.

I read something, somewhere, from Tim Gunn that recommends buying low-rise pants if you have a smallish waist but larger hips, but I just can’t see that working for me (and maybe a lot of other people?). Like, I don’t want my fat rollz hanging over my waistband, you know? And the only way to wear low-rise pants is to wear a shirt that’s long enough to cover it. Add a long torso into the mix and it sends my proportions way off, with stumpy little nub legs and the torso of an invertebrate. (And when was the last time you heard someone compliment a lady’s long torso? “See here, boys, she had a torso that went on for DAYS!”)

Add a few more turns on this sucker and basically you have my torso.

This is my suggestion: If you have a short or average torso length (compare the length of your hip-to-shoulder against your hip-to-foot and see which is longer; if it’s slightly over half and half or less, you have a long torso and if your legs are way longer, you’re probably normal and I hate you), go for low-rise that fit your butt, and you won’t have to worry about it additionally fitting your waist because GUESS WHAT, THERE IS NO WAIST IN LOW-RISE PANTS! YEEEEEEAH! But please, for the love of all that is holy, invest in a good belt.

If your legs aren’t particularly long compared to the rest of you, I would go for higher-waisted pants. I think they look way better because as a general rule, the higher your back pockets, the better your ass looks. However, high-waisted pants that fit both your hips and waist are hard to find. You’re going to want to find some that fit snugly on your butt (keep in mind that jeans ALWAYS stretch with wear) and compensate for a loose waist with a belt. If you look for jeans with a higher-than-average spandex content, they’re going to hug your body a little better (but keep in mind, spandex DOES wear out over time and will lead to sagging, so get those suckers replaced every six months or so). I actually really like some of the cheapo half-legging half-jean pants they have at Forever 21; they’re like $15, last six months and hug DAT ASS like you wouldn’t believe.

General rules of thumb:

  • If you find yourself with your butt hanging out half the time (like when you sit down), look for jeans that are cut higher in the back than the front. Seems obvious but(t) how many pairs have you seen/do you own that look practically identical from the front to back?
  • The heavier the denim weight and lower the spandex content, the stiffer they are going to be. This is actually advantageous when shopping for higher-waisted jeans, because they stop things from jiggling and actually kind of suck in your stomach (downside: you want to take them off after each and every meal).
  • If you have kind of a flat butt, back pockets are kinda non-negotiable. The kind with flaps (not like those old-timey coal miner pajamas, I mean like, pockets with flaps) or details kind of add shape when you don’t have any.
  • If you have a legitimately large butt (AWWW YEEEEAH) that sometimes seems disproportionate compared to your legs, I would probably stay away from straight leg jeans or “skinny” cuts (that hug your leg all the way down) and go for more of a boot cut or even a flare (what’s up, 1997!).
  • If you’re petite, you’re going to drown in a high-waisted style. You can get away with a lower rise and it will look better on you than, well, pretty much anyone (DAMN YOU).
  • When trying to gauge a pair’s fit off the rack, remember that the longer the zipper, the higher the rise is going to be. Between 4″-5″ is a good rule for regular-rise jeans.
  • If you are a grown-ass woman and have hips and a butt, stop buying in the junior’s section right this minute. Junior cuts are meant for not-yet-widened hips and are pretty much never going to fit right. If you’re not sure which section your pants come from, remember that all uneven sizes (3-5-7-9-11-13-etc.) are junior sizes and even numbers (2-4-6-8-10-12-14-etc.) are grown-ass lady sizes.

There is a really great fit guide at Jeans.com that is incredibly helpful. The rise I advocate most is the regular rise because it’s the most universally flattering! Also, there are some good tips over at Oprah’s website (I KNOW, but I promise it’s actually a reeeally good guide).

So, what do you think? Do you have any tried and true jeans-buying advice?

Next time: Reader questions part two – The difference between tights, leggings, and pants (Venn diagram may or may not be required).

Filed Under: What to Wear Tagged With: , , , , ,
Death to Trends

Death to Trends

January 24, 2012 by · 2 Comments

What exactly is a “trend” and who sets them? They’ve become increasingly prevalent in magazine features and they’re driving me nuts. Possibly because I’m old, I’ve become increasingly wary of things I’ve been told should be popular lately. Really, though, I feel justified. Often the “trends” being touted by major publications are just recycled, rehashed junk from magazines desperate to provide “new” content in order to keep advertisers buying ads.

You'd better get that parka, or THIS is your fate.

And how do they keep their circulation numbers high enough to continue to entice advertisers? Why, by making readers feel that there is VITAL FASHION INFORMATION we are missing out on, and that we’re going to be tragically unhip and never ever manage to ensnare boyfriends (only boyfriends, lord forbid any of you are into the ladies) unless we know the TWENTY WINTER TRENDS YOU SHOULD BE TRYING RIGHT NOW OR YOU’LL SURELY DIE ALONE (CATS DON’T COUNT).

I hate it. Seriously, go to the front page of any magazine’s website and you’ll see it–for this experiment, I tried Glamour.com–and there will be some stupid trend piece. I found “20 Winter Trends That Look Good On Everyone” with minimal effort (and, for the record, it’s terrible. TERRIBLE. Puffy ski jackets are apparently everybody’s friend!). Even sites like Huffington Post and the New York Times (SERIOUSLY) feature this kind of lazy-ass trend reporting designed to pander to advertisers and score pageviews on their shitty, too-long slideshows.

I expect to see an unironic, multi-page story on this hot new trend in the NYT next week.

Do I sound bitter? Maybe I am. I’m just tired of this idea that we need to constantly be reinventing ourselves in order to be relevant. Like we don’t have enough to worry about without whether or not we’ll be trying this week’s BIG MAKEUP TREND or whether we’re inadvertently making FASHION MISTAKES TO AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE. What exactly is wrong with wearing your hair and makeup and clothes the way that, you know, makes you happiest, arbitrary trends and rules be damned?

Well, clearly there’s nothing wrong with that. You know it and I know it. I just, you know, get a little down seeing all these trend pieces that are designed to make people feel like whatever they’re doing isn’t enough, not because it’s actually true, but because MAKING US FEEL BAD SELLS MAGAZINES (substitute “sells magazines” for “gets pageviews,” “entices advertisers,” and you have pretty much the full picture). And that makes me INCREDIBLY ANGRY.

So what is there to do? Well, I’ve stopped buying magazines and started looking for independent blogs that talk about the things I’m interested in. A quick search through Tumblr’s tags leaves me with tons of inspiration (recent crazypants searches: “Rose McGowan,” “cat eye,” “vintage booze”). Already Pretty, Agent Lover, Rookie (yeah, it’s for teenage girls, but it’s seriously amazing) and tons of others feature the kind of badass, “THE THINGS YOU LIKE ARE AWESOME” kind of message that is such a refreshing change from being told what I’m doing wrong all the time.

Come on, you guys. Can't I get a little break?

As far as what I’m actually doing wrong, well, I could probably write a book about THAT. I make fashion faux pas on the daily, from my “YEAH! LEGGINGS AS PANTS” stance (maybe I should devote a post to that in the future?), dedication to wearing cowboy boots to go to the grocery store, and my fundamental inability to leave the house without wearing a face full of perfect makeup (red lipstick is a must). And honestly, I am past the point of really caring what anybody thinks about that these days (see above: I AM OLD).

Surely I’m not the only one, here. What do you think about trends? Do you fly boldly in the face of convention by wearing something you’ve been told is out of style? Have you cowed to pressure (like my Great Cardigan Sweater debacle of 2011), or have you always been strong enough to do your own thang? This is something that’s really been on my mind lately, and I wanna know your thoughts, people!

PS: Semi-relatedly, I made my first YouTube video the other day on this completely ridiculous beauty trend piece I found in the New York Times. Read that article and you’ll have a really great grasp on why I am so full of HATEFUL LADY-RAGE today.

Filed Under: Rants Tagged With: , , , ,
Upgrading Your Style + Starting Over without Living in a Montage

Upgrading Your Style + Starting Over without Living in a Montage

January 16, 2012 by · 4 Comments

There are few things in one’s life that are more tantalizing and more dangerous than the urge for a movie makeover moment.

If that sounds melodramatic, well…OK, it is melodramatic. But seriously, that urge you get to trash everything and start afresh is, if acted upon, one of the most counterproductive things you can do to yourself, style-wise (and money-wise, too, let’s be honest).

"Yeeeah, girl. Good luck with that."

Once you’ve decided that you’re becoming a Seriously Fashionable Person, you may begin doing things like picking up Vogue while you’re waiting in line at Target (Wal-Mart is for plebs) and throwing out every t-shirt and pair of jeans in your closet. This is a dangerous time. You’re going to start holding yourself to standards that are impossible to meet, not wanting to leave the house until you’re in full Dita von Teese drag.

This is normal. (Well, it’s not normal normal, but we’re getting there.) It’s really hard to strike a balance between feeling like a complete slob and feeling like you look amazing but oh god do other people really wear four pairs of Spanx every day. The thing is, when most of us decide that it’s time to upgrade our style, we feel like we need a huge change from what we’re already doing. It’s why makeover montages in movies are so prevalent; they visually represent the changes that are going on below the surface.

 

While it’s really, REALLY tempting to toss everything you own and make a completely clean start, it’s not really feasible. For one, the cost of getting a completely new wardrobe, even the boring type of “capsule wardrobe” that every fashion book recommends, is prohibitive to most of us (especially IN THIS ECONOMY!!!1!). Additionally, the time that you feel like you need a complete wardrobe change is when you’re making life changes in other areas—after a breakup, when you’re just starting or just graduating college, after you’ve lost your 9-to-5 conservative office job, etc.  And let’s face it—our judgment is not exactly the clearest during those moments.

Natalie, girl, we've all been through the drastic post-breakup hair.

It’s not that we have inherently bad judgment, exactly. It’s that when new, exciting (sometimes painful) things are happening in our lives, we want to experiment. We want to try new things, to break out of our constrictive, established routines. This would be a good, healthy reaction in most areas of our lives—but not when it comes to dressing ourselves. Because when you may go to, say, an open mic poetry reading during the course of “finding yourself” and decide it’s not your bag, you’re not really out much (other than the ridiculous cover charge and the pain and suffering of being hit on by a dude in a beret for four hours). But when you decide you really love, like, the Gothic Lolita look and then realize later that it’s not really in alignment with the type of person you want to be, there’s real cash money on the line.

My soul is, like, trapped in a fashion cage. A sexy, sexy fashion cage.

Unless you have always known exactly what you want to look like—and some people really do!—gradual wardrobe upgrades are the way to go. It sucks, because you’re going to want to do it all at once, but force yourself to hold back. Like quitting smoking or running a marathon (only, uh, way more fun), you’re going to have to take it a step at a time. And also like the above examples, there will be setbacks—the sartorial equivalent of smoking at a dive bar because you’re druuunk or sitting on the couch all day eating chips instead of hitting the pavement. You will end up with seriously expensive, crazy-ass cage boots that stay in your closet forever and you feel really guilty when you look at them but you don’t want to get rid of them because they cost so much and they are super fierce and maybe the right outfit for them will come along?

Anyway, the point is, baby steps, my friends. And while you may have a set starting point—I am going to put in more of an effort dressing myself starting today—there is no end. It’s a constant process because, as humans, our interests are always expanding and evolving. I know I’m not the same person I was in college, and my clothes definitely reflect that (terrible Forever 21 poly-spandex blends, begone!). And yours will, too.

I'm a badass bitch til boys are involved. Then this happens.

Even now I’m personally going through some lifestyle changes that are making me reevaluate the contents of my closet. For starters, I like a booooy. I also am, somewhat unexpectedly really, at a weird career junction where I finally have the time to do what I want to do—I just have to get in gear and do it. Both of these things are opportunities to further refine the stuff I throw in the laundry every week, and here are a couple of my ideas thus far.

Most of my work is really casual—I mostly work from home, where I provide social media and design work for a ton of great small businesses, as well as contribute reviews over at Touch Arcade. Oh, and I just came off a year working for BioWare on a dang Star Wars MMO. Obviously, I’m KIND OF A GEEK. I do, however, have to face the outside world from time to time, and many of my clients are not, um, super-familiar with the nuances of geek culture.

With that in mind, I have kept the vast majority of my t-shirts and accessories (Star Trek headband, I LOVE YOU). I have added several pieces to keep me from looking like a completely hopeless dweeb, however. A good fitted jacket elevates pretty much anything. I also like to throw on a scarf because it is seriously the easiest thing you can do to make it look like you put in some extra time on your appearance. A good shoe also kicks (see what I did there?!) things up a notch. A good pair of heels with the right jeans is SUPER EFFECTIVE!

1. Buffalo horn earrings, Quecraft, $14.80 2. Vintage plaid blazer, She HEARTS Vintage, $36 3. Cat-print chiffon scarf, Prototype Design, $15 4. Fitted purple blazer, The Nu Black, $19.99 5. Vintage thigh-high leather boots, Have a Second Vintage, $35 6. Striped pumps, Gotta B Vintage, $33.60

Alternatively, if you need to wear somewhat conservative clothes regularly (if you work in an office, for a politician or are a priest), you might consider operating in reverse. Show The Man what’s up and go a little subversive with your accessories. Wear a scarf with a weird print (I have a Nightmare Before Christmas scarf from Disneyland that I love) or offbeat jewelry (my mom has a pair of plastic cockroach earrings and I swear, the woman has never been chicer).

1. Scented ice cream necklace, Tiny Hands, $28 2. Kitty hair pins, RaleighWood Treasures, $5.85 3. Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask necklace, knil, $17

When I buy new t-shirts (which is embarrassingly frequently), I’ve been trying to stay away from baby-doll tees (which make me look crazy round in the, uh, boobular region) and normal crew-neck shirts. A not-quite-normal neckline makes pretty much any t-shirt look fancier, whether it’s a scoop, v-neck, or boatneck (among others).

Pants also make a huge difference. Schlumpy jeans are the worst (you know, the kind that are a little loose in the waist and have pockets stuffed full of your iPod, cell phone, car keys, firstborn child, etc.) so I’ve been opting to go for leggings (yes, they CAN BE PANTS) and tight, straight-leg jeans because those look the best on me. I’ve also been embracing belts. Hallelujah, what a revelation!

1. Made-to-order Star Wars dress, RepurposefulPUNK, $55 2. V-neck Viking t-shirt, Dowdy Studio, $29 3.Stretch jegging with leather accents, Kya Kya by Markina, $70 4. The Shaft podcast v-neck t-shirt, $24.99  5. Vintage hand-tooled leather belt, ROCvintage, $15

Filed Under: Inspiration, Personal Style Tagged With: , , , ,
What to Wear – I Love My Tattoos and I’m Going to a Wedding

What to Wear – I Love My Tattoos and I’m Going to a Wedding

January 9, 2012 by · 8 Comments

You guys. I’m seriously blown away by your kind words and comments regarding this blog. For real, it warms the cockles of my black heart. Serious Grinch business up in my chest cavity. Anyway, imagine my surprise and delight to see that I had an honest-to-goodness question submitted to me via email (you can do the same here, if you’d like!) Here’s the question:

Hi! I’m going to a kinda-casual but still need to wear a dress/nice clothes wedding. I also have a lot of tattoos and I’m not sure what to do with them. Do I cover them? Do I show them off? What is this I don’t even. Any help would be appreciated!

Seriously, the fact that I have a question slays me WITH HAPPINESS. And it’s an excellent question, asker who has requested to remain anonymous! But before I get to it, I’d like to share some backstory, and I’m dragging you all with me.

I’ve been friends with Brynn Sladky for like FIFTEEN YEARS, back when she had awesome puffy bangs and I was rocking my 1980s thrift store finds. (That would probably be cool nowadays, but let me be clear—there was NOTHING cool about the 80s when you were growing up in the 90s.) Growing up in the Pacific Northwest during our impressionable teenage years, we shared a love of Dragon Ball Z, Sailor Moon and Gundam Wing, Disney movies, and hitting up the Vancouver Mall. We were both artists, we loved (and continue to love) thrift store shopping (Value Village what whaaaat) and Harry Potter and Star Wars and pirates and basically all that is good and right in this world.

TRUE BLUE. Please note the Harry Potter blanket at top left, and the Pokemon/Power Rangers shirts at bottom right.

Anyway, my dear friend (who just had a birthday yesterday! Happy birthday baaaybaaay!) is now an uh-mazing tattoo artist and co-owner of Timeless Tattoo in Portland, Oregon. She also has, you know, a couple of tattoos herself. This is critical information, for you see, I have exactly zero tattoos. With that being the case, Brynn is my go-to tattoo guru (say that five times fast) and I look to her when it comes to how to dress for tattoos. (And seriously, the girl is stylish, so you’re in good hands by proxy.)

Brynn Sladky, co-owner of Timeless Tattoo in Portland.

You guys, brides can get kinda crazy, so just do as they ask, all right?

With Brynn as my muse, here’s what I think about Asked-to-Remain-Anonymous’ question:

I don’t really see any reason to cover tattoos unless specifically asked to by the person inviting you. Generally, if they like you well enough to invite you, they’re probably not going to have a negative opinion of you because you’re showing your ink. That said, if you normally cover yours up or they’re in a place that’s usually under wraps, the person inviting you might have no idea that you even have them. In that case, if you are planning on wearing something that’ll show them, you might want to call the person inviting you and ask if it’s OK, particularly if it’s a sort of conservative event like an office party or, in your case, a wedding. I know that sounds old fashioned-y, but unless you’re nominated for an Academy Award, the event isn’t about you and you should try to make things as easy as possible for the host.

Weddings in particular can be tricky, since the bride and groom’s families will likely attend. That usually means plenty of old people and we all know what that means—judgey little church ladies and old dudes who won’t thinking twice about mentioning how, back in their day, only ladies of the evening had tattoos. In these cases, it can take a ton of stress off of the happy couple to have the day go as easily as possible (as well as make your life slightly easier), so if it doesn’t offend your sensibilities too much, cover up a bit with a shrug or tights. (You can always take them off at the reception, bane of old people that it is.) I like vintage dress/jacket combos for this purpose—you’re coordinated with no effort and you can easily avoid run-ins with cranky old great-aunts.

1. Young Edwardian ruffled dress and jacket, Sucre Sucre, $72 SPECIAL OFFER – 15% off anything at Sucre Sucre on Etsy with coupon code StyleNotFashion ! Thanks Meghan! 2. Vintage floral maxi dress and jacket, Brightest Star, $98

Assuming that none of the above is an issue, however, there are TONS of options. I’m personally a fan of showcasing the work you’ve had done—in many cases, they cost you more than what you’re going to be wearing, so why not display them?

Angelina is perfection and I will FIGHT YOU if you do not agree.

The queen of formal tattoo-baring is, of course, Angelina Jolie. She usually keeps her clothing, hair and jewelry simple, generally wearing a solid color in a basic silhouette. You can follow her lead, though I personally tend to go for a “more is more” approach in basically all aspects of everything ever. That said, I like the idea of drawing attention to the specific area you have tattooed. My friend Nichcole has the area just under her collarbones tattooed—it would look really great with a shaped neckline, like the sweetheart-style top pictured here. A bolero-style jacket draws attention to chest pieces, too, by covering up non-tattooed areas and highlighting the center of the chest. You might even consider coordinating some of the colors in your tattoo to what you’re wearing–it can really make it stand out.

1. Off-the-shoulder Jessica McClintock dress, The Paraders Vintage, $45 2. Vintage sweetheart dress and bolero, Butch Wax Vintage,  $215 3. Ruffled strapless dress, Sartorialistas, $125 4. Sweetheart polka dot top, Mom and Pop Culture Shop, $17.99

The same principle applies to other areas as well. If you have some shoulder/upper arm action going on, a one-shouldered dress or top, like the one pictured to the left (Twirl Vintage Co., $55) would look amazing. If you have a large back piece, a cutout or low back would show it off. With leg tattoos, slits are always a good option (but, uh, you might not want to get one going too high if you’re at somebody else’s wedding).

If you have your hands or wrists done like my friend Nichcole does, I would love to see that accentuated with a bunch of accessories. Piles of bangle bracelets would look particularly lovely and draw attention to the area, as would sleeves that stop right below the elbow.

Arms – Nichcole’s, not for sale. Handmade leather and metal bangle bracelets, NOLAbead, $30.

So, Anonymous, I hope this helps! You go to that wedding and you get down with your bad self. Just don’t outdo the bride, or she will repay the favor later at your own wedding by writing a reeeeally embarrassing toast involving Spring Break 2002. HEED MY WORDS, ANONYMOUS!

Filed Under: What to Wear Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
Fashion Hero: Alber Elbaz of Lanvin + Faking the Lanvin Look

Fashion Hero: Alber Elbaz of Lanvin + Faking the Lanvin Look

January 5, 2012 by · 9 Comments
Albunny.

Don't worry, Alber. Some bunny loves you very much.

From time to time, I’m going to feature people that inspire me for some reason or another. Today’s post is kind of a double feature in the sense that the man featured is both awesome and a fashion designer. While the main point of this blog is to focus on style and not brand names and other nonsense, there are a few people whose work is so inspiring that they elevate the business they’re in. Alber Elbaz is one of those people.

I’m definitely no brand worshipper, but I’m calling it now: Alber Elbaz is the most delightful fashion designer ever. Alber (yes, in my mind we’re on a first-name basis) is the man behind Lanvin, the oldest surviving French fashion house, and is basically the most endearing man in high fashion. His designs have been worn by pretty much every celebrity ever (yes, even the dead ones) and are especially loved by Beyoncé, Amanda Seyfried, Emma Stone, and Natalie Portman (among a zillion others). He’s extremely talented, has an amazing sense of humor (check the links at the end of this post for some of his best interviews) and my dream is for him and Tim Gunn to live in my closet giving me fashion advice and ego boosts every day when I get dressed.

Even if you’ve never heard of the man or his work until right this very moment, you’re going to love him.  One of the things that make him such a cool dude (as well as an insightful designer!) is that he demonstrates a real understanding of women and their bodies. During a fashion show, he was so concerned with the models being in pain from the stilettos that he’d put them in, he had them switch to flats minutes before the show began (and, go figure, garnered praise calling the act “unimpeachably modern” and “powerful.”)

"If it's not edible, it's not food. If it's not wearable, it's not fashion."

He’s incredibly self-aware and full of self-doubt (aren’t we all?) over everything, from his talent as a designer to his weight. The latter translates into hyper-sensitivity when it comes to dressing women. “I do things without décolleté, nothing is transparent. I am overweight, so I am very, very aware of what to show and what not to show, and I am sure there is a huge link with being an overweight designer and the work I do.”

For those of you unfamiliar with his work, it’s often colorful, drape-y, with strong structural lines and feminine details. It’s unapologetically beautiful and seldom tries too hard (the horrible sneakers Michelle Obama was seen sporting are a notable exception, but I know lots of people who liked them, so do your thing, M.O.).

Celebrities in Lanvin

L-R: Pregnancé, Natalie Portman, Jennifer Hudson and Emma Stone look gorgeous in Lanvin and zomg don't you just HATE them!

If you love this man and his work so much you just want to marry him/it/both, you can get your hands on it at any Lanvin boutique (I know we all live next door to one), Lanvin’s website, Barneys, Nordstrom, and Bluefly. Considering the low end of Lanvin’s ready-to-wear collection is well over $500, you might want to consider some looks, um, inspired by his work instead, like the below options.

1. Red 1970s gown, Fabulous Mess Vintage, $125 2. Hand-stitched dress, Madame Chic de France, $325 3. Custom Mulberry dress, madabby, $198 4. Blue goddess jersey dress, Cheryl Johnston, $98.

The thing to remember about this style is that it’s romantic and ethereal, so you’ll want to look for lightweight, layered fabrics. It’s never overtly sexy and pairs nicely with slightly undone hair, flat shoes and the attitude of a Greek goddess. (No, the attitude is not optional.) When doing a search for this kind of style online, try using combinations of the following search terms:

  • Goddess dress
  • Grecian dress
  • 1970s dress
  • 1930s dress
  • Lanvin (yeah, that one’s a freebie)
  • Ballerina dress
  • Secretary blouse/bow tie blouse
  • 1960s purse

When searching for similar items yourself (I can never recommend thrift stores highly enough, especially when looking for this kind of style–there are tons of things from the 70s and 80s that will fit the bill for like a zillionth of the price), keep an eye out for the following details:

  • Draping
  • Vivid color (particularly jewel tones like deep reds, purples, etc.)
  • Romantic detailing (like crystals, chains and other frippery)
  • One-shouldered or strapless
  • Tops with ties at the neck
  • Large, long sleeves that tighten at the cuff
  • Wide-legged pants
  • Harem pants
  • Fur and faux-fur-trimmed jackets and shrugs
  • Flats

Belting super-drapey tops and dresses helps so you don’t look like you’re swimming in fabric. Most Lanvin models wear semi-wide leather belts. Lanvin handbags tend to be strongly defined, like purses from the 1960s, with flaps and stiff handles. You’ll also see large accessories paired with this kind of style—big hats, chunky metallic cuffs and necklaces, scarves, fur (or faux!) collars, long gloves, so adding a few (or all) of the above will make you feel ULTRA GLAMOROUS.

1. Vintage wide-brimmed hat, Recycling the Blues, $30 2. Long leather gloves, Vintagous, $25 3. Handmade yellow leather belt, SmplyAnwi, $25.56 4. Peachy secretary blouse, Red Fern Vintage, $20 5. Vintage Lanvin scarf, Sugar Dish, $34 6. Wide metal cuff, embeehat, $12 7. Vintage shearling collar, Bad Baby Vintage, $31.90.

In fact, you can add the above elements into daytime looks (sans fancy dresses!), like the fur collar over a tank top or the bow-tie top with some jeans. Lanvin’s more casual side, the side that designs wacky t-shirts and tote bags and ballet flats, uses a lot of color, bold jewelry, and fun touches (like t-shirts with Alber’s sketches on them). And really, Alber is no slouch himself. Often seen in a long white scarf, a bow tie in a bright color, and those awesome thick glasses, he’s worth channeling as much as his fashion line is!

 1. Vintage harem pants, aiseirigh, $33 2. Hand-painted t-shirt, The Glamour Gallery, $12 3. Vintage tortoiseshell glasses, Junk House, $45 4. 1960s leather and snakeskin purse, Golden Old Rags, $31.87 5. 1970s statement necklace, Scarlet Bird Vintage, $45 6. Unisex bow tie, bow tie co., $15 7. Hand-knit cashmere scarf, Dream List, $59.90

The fashion industry is, on the whole, completely terrible, full of posturing and designers unwilling to dress women larger than a US size 10 (and in many cases, a US 6 or 8). That’s why people like Alber Elbaz are so remarkable–he’s not pretentious and legitimately believes that it’s his job to make sure every woman that wears his clothes feels beautiful. In an industry like his, that’s really a refreshing change from the norm, and he’s nearly universally adored because of it. (Well, that, and he makes INCREDIBLE clothing.)

If for some reason, after all this, you’re still not convinced, well…at the very least, accept that the man has given us this amazingly awkward Dance Central-inspired promotional video:

Alber Elbaz in…

Filed Under: Designers, Faking It, Fashion Heroes, Inspiration Tagged With: , , , ,
Hello, darling. Won’t you make yourself comfortable?

Hello, darling. Won’t you make yourself comfortable?

January 3, 2012 by · 14 Comments

Fair warning: This is what you might refer to as a “long-ass post.” But I do urge you to read it! It’s the first post and it’s full of what to expect from this blog, so you might as well figure out now whether you’ll like it or not, rather than be surprised down the line when you see I’m not posting Gossip Girl recaps.

Hello, darling! I’m assuming you’re here for one of the following reasons:

  1. You’re my mom
  2. You’re my friend and have traditionally supported all my endeavors, even my ill-conceived attempt to rewire my kitchen
  3. You’re interested in personal style.
Look at this asshole.

Look at this jerk, telling people what to wear while wearing a Pokémon shirt.

Before I get too far, I should warn you that while I love getting dressed with a red-hot, fiery passion, I have zero “real” credentials other than a brief stint as the worst salesgirl Dillard’s has ever seen. Currently, I’m a freelancer working in the video games industry (because our lot are renowned for their style, obviously) and my work “uniform” has been known to involve a lot of t-shirts. Quelle horreur! If you’re apprehensive, I feel you. Seriously, what kind of asshole wears t-shirts to work and thinks they can lecture other people on what style is?

Well, first, I’m not here to lecture anyone. The idea for this blog mainly came from the fact that while, yes, I wear t-shirts and Converse and horrible hippie Teva sandals from time to time, I tend to look good doing it. Reeeeal good. (Also, my ego? Pretty much boundless.) I’m telling you this not to toot my own horn (which is best done in private IFYOUKNOWWHATIMEANITHINKYOUDO), but to give you context—I look good, man, which makes me the general go-to for my ladyfriends (and guys, too, but I haven’t decided whether to cover them on this blog yet!) who want to know how I can accessorize a t-shirt to make it look good, and how to tweak  their own style to be more in-line with the kind of person they feel they are.

Debbie Harry

Many days, I want to be Debbie Harry.

That’s the best part about embracing style—it helps your outward appearance match your inner, amazing self. And everyone has a vision of themselves as they’d like to be, even if we keep it hidden from others. You know what I mean—that often-hidden daydreamy version of ourselves where we’re snotty punk rockers or beautiful humanitarians or tragic poets or fierce activists or anthropologists-turned-pole dancers-turned President of the United States of America. Sometimes all at the same time!

The point is, everyone has an innate sense of wanting to fulfill their full potential in every aspect of their lives. By choosing what we wear each day we’re broadcasting to the world, and more importantly to ourselves, the type of person we’re striving to become. You may have heard “the clothes make the man,” which is basically what I’m saying—except in this case, it’s more like “the (totally awesome) clothes make the (totally badass) lady.” Like Nicole Kidman in a Baz Luhrmann film, our innate amazingness is exponentially amplified by what we’re wearing. (Seriously, have you seen Moulin Rouge? Australia? Maybe not the greatest films but GOOD LORD, the clothes. THE CLOTHES!)

I would kill someone for access to these wardrobe departments.

The thing is, not many of us know how to convey outwardly the type of person we are inside. Even for the most sartorially-assured among us, it’s a constant process. Very rarely do people attain the sense of enlightenment that comes with true, innate style. (Though if you know someone with this Buddha-like sense of purpose, please message me so they can be featured in upcoming posts!)

There are mistakes along the way. There is a lot of trial and error involved. Like riding a bike, dressing yourself in the way that will make you happiest takes practice (though considerably less training wheels, unless you’re into that). It takes time and practice to figure out which cuts work for you, which eras make you giddy, which amazing-looking 1960s maribou-feather jacket makes you break out in hives because of a recently-discovered feather allergy.

What a man.

A good daytime look for today's professional woman.

And that’s what this blog is for. It’s not a list of dos and don’ts to make you feel bad about your inner longing to cop David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust-era hair and makeup, or to tell you that chartreuse is the color right now (I’m not even 100% sure what chartreuse looks like). Depending on where you are in your personal style journey (ugh, I feel like such an asshole saying that), this blog will help you discover, hone, or revamp your innate sense of style.

It’ll feature semi-practical how-tos, like how to figure out that ever-mysterious concept of proportion and how to dress up a t-shirt without looking like a jerk. It’ll have interviews and pictorials with real-life stylish people of all sizes and stylistic preferences across the spectrum, like curvy rockabilly-lovin’ ladies, athletic geeks, waifish gamines, and other cool, confident women. It’ll also feature a hodgepodge of links to awesome resources, posts focusing on style inspiration, and other lovely things.

(Additionally, it will feature whatever you want it to—if you have ideas for a post, or have a column you’ve written and want to see published, message me here!)

Lookin' good, Angie.

There may be detours, but you'll be looking as good as Angie.

In short, I want this to be a judgment-free place full of inspiration and hopefully helpful advice. The idea is that you’ve already got all the tools you need to be as stylish as you want to be, it’s just a matter of figuring out how to get from point A to point B…while still taking plenty of detours along the way, of course!

Thanks for reading and I hope to see a lot more of your pretty face around here.

–Beverly

PS: I really hope that you’ll get involved in comments and post submissions, because if you’re picking up what I’ve been putting down so far, it’s obvious that you are already an amazing person that I’d like to know better!

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