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The Lipstick Page Forums Fashion Blog: May 2005
Hmm...
Posted by Dain, Saturday, May 28, 2005 1:26 AM (Eastern)
"Elegance doesn't mean getting noticed, it means being remembered." –Giorgio Armani
Amen to that!
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Voyages...
Posted by Dain, Friday, May 20, 2005 2:02 AM (Eastern)
Packing for trips is always something of a quandry. Thank god, I pack light (which is a sort of gumption one must be born with). But it requires massive foresight, and a reasoned eye to judge what will be useful, and what will only hinder. Of course, there is a vast difference between, say, going home for Thanksgiving break, and going to Europe for a month. But I've some tips all the same. I will not attempt a comprehensive guide to travel (which would be a long article indeed), just a few random aphorisms and favorites, including some very expensive ones. These may seem like odd choices, until you realize that getting frazzled over traveling is entirely a state of mind. The less you worry whilst in transit, the better you'll feel about the whole ordeal.
Serve it Forth, by M.F.K Fisher: Great writing, but soothing, nothing to overwhelm the mind. Magazines are great for this, too! Other suggestions: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, by Betty Smith, Brideshead Revisted, by Evelyn Waugh, The Once and Future King, by T.H. White, The Complete Poems (1927-1979), Elizabeth Bishop, Catch-22, by Joseph Heller. On location, I prefer something weightier and serious, i.e. something you can sit down with for an entire afternoon: Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand, The Palm at the End of the Mind, by Wallace Stevens, Foucault's Pendulum, by Umberto Eco, The Magic Mountain, by Thomas Mann, Infinite Jest, David Foster Wallace, Far From the Madding Crowd, by Thomas Hardy. The perfect mix? Two of the former lightweight books (by "lightweight", I mean literally light in weight, and lighter in mood, rather than lighter in quality), and one of the latter for moments of sheer solitude.
Kneipp Herbal Bath ($17): It's a small bottle, and the rewards are vast. There's nothing like a soothing bath to relax you after you arrive at your hotel. This tints your bath water a pretty hue, and smells deliciously of some therapeutic herb or another.
Hermès Globetrotter Zip (~$760): A Hermès agenda is extravagant, to be sure, but it holds EVERYTHING paperworkish—cash, change, credit, receipts, passport, ID, a notebook in which to pen (which is the most essential of all, in my opinion), even a small map.
Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock SPF 30 ($8.99): This isn't your highly modern, matte-finish, sheer, micronized formulae. Nay, this is the sort of old-fashioned creamy physical sunblock (titanium dioxide) that seem unpopular these days. But I have rather dryish, rather sensitive skin, and the scent of chemical sunscreens makes me nauseous. So this suits me, to a tee. (I warn you, this is not waterproof. But I'm not one for sun and swim, so again, I don't mind.)
Louis Vuitton Keepall 60 ($820): Vuitton luggage is hardly essential, but hell, this is a fantasy trip, innit?
Normally I loathe the monogram, but the luggage doesn't bother me at all (funny how that works), probably because no one else has it. This is chic, sturdy, large enough to accomodate "stuff", by itself alone, for two or three weeks (a month is too long of a trip, unless you're stationary), and no more. The worst thing in the world is to have too much, and this forces drastic minimalism upon you. You bring the stuff that should be brought, and a great way to schlepp it aroun'. For newly acquired purchases, I'd recommend packing a lightweight bag into your regular luggage—something easily foldable but durable enough to serve as a second piece of luggage on your trip back (Marni's gorgeous purple polka-dot print bag, anyone?).
audiovisual privacy, iPod and sunglasses: Aye, for obvious reasons. Of course, you'll want the sunglasses to hide your jetlagged eyes, bleary hangover eyes, or maybe just avoid eye contact with strangers. And an iPod, stocked with plenty of Franz Ferdinand, John Coltrane, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Clapton (if you're me, anyway) will soothe away the hours spent waiting in endless terminals.
soft scarves/shawls: They're these lovely soft viscose scarves, which are wide enough to double as a shawl if you're chilly. They come in brilliant colors, and cost a mere €6. I don't know if you can find them stateside, but they're rampant in Paris (so pick one up if you happen to be there). Hmm... I can't even begin to expound on the versatility, comfort, stylishness, bargain-ness, etc., of these scarves. You'll get far more use out of these than a cardigan, and they're not as bulky.
eye mask & sleeping pills: If all else fails, you can just sleep through the damn flight: hence, the eye mask and drugs.
Picture courtesy www.eluxury.com.
Dain's picks (Spring 2005)
Posted by Dain, Tuesday, May 17, 2005 2:55 PM (Eastern)
This is entirely a meaningless, wishful-thinking, castles-in-the-air type of post, but it's fun to do, nevertheless. I'm a minimalist at heart (while I can devote endless energy poring over makeup, fashion tires me out, though I do love it), and I try to create a "capsule wardrobe" of about six or so items (read "The Definition of Style" for a fuller picture) each season—six items is miniscule, which forces me to seriously reckon with the wearability of each item (Herculean versatility and sheer adoration, therefore, are required criteria), in the context of what clothes I do own.
a classic Chanel bouclé jacket: In that slinky, belled-sleeve style that always looks so effortless even though it's the "hautest" of the haute. I'm thinking of a muted teal, which is a very unique shade (and entirely in my head, because Chanel is certainly not offering any such outlandish shades), but strangely flatters all the colors in my wardrobe. It's not a perfect match (which is too cookie-cutter for me anyway), but it's the perfect contrast. Just "something" light to throw over jeans, or contrast with vintage tees, or add a conservative edge to flirty skirts, or infuse a bit of eccentric polish to a ruffled chiffon blouse and a pencil skirt. This is merely a figment of my imagination, so let's give the average ready-to-wear price for a Chanel jacket, about $3000.
Viktor & Rolf Spider Blouse ($652): Diaphanous silk chiffon in an austere Atlantean green-grey. Has a high neck, a delicately pleated front, the back leads up to a keyhole with rows of hook buttons (like a Victorian dress), with a crystal spider embellished on the shoulder, and silk bows at the cuffs. Phew! Lots of detailing. Do I own a fancy, secretary-type blouse? High time I did. (This is actually Fall 2004... I think.)
Express Camisoles ($34 or something): If you've got any bent whatsoever to dressing ladylike and feminine, how can you resist a lace-trimmed silk camisole? These may not be Khurana, but you're not paying $275, which seems like a fair enough trade to me! I've my eye on a fresh orchid pink with melon lace, and the black with ivory lace.
Chloé Wide-Leg Jeans ($445): They make so many tight, low-slung bootcut jeans nowadays, haven't you gotten sick of it? Oof. This is wonderfully retro, evocative of the wide-leg (not flares, exactly, which expand out from below the knee, but genuine wide-leg, which start from the thigh) from the 90s (remember that hoodlum skater look?) with the slightly more contemporary update of a fitted waist and butt. I'm all for baggier jeans. The wash is a refreshing shade of sunny denim, evocative of more freewheeling times in fashion (everything's so contrived, these days... just look at what I'm doing!).
Joystick embellished cashmere sweater (~$278): Just something charming, soothing, and pretty, that doesn't require much in the way of highjinks to wear. Can be worn over a pretty buttondown, of course, with stylish trousers. Otherwise, it's the perfect touch of refined whimsy to the otherwise haughty line-up I've arranged here.
GAP Africa Tote ($20): I'm still loving this bag, and I'm still loving this price. The only item I'll probably actually own from this list. ; ) Summery, chic, and very functional.
Dolce & Gabbana zebra flats: I'm usually not a fan of animal prints, indeed, they're a little too "sexed up" and bold for my taste, but what is more austere than a pointy flat? Especially when paired with sober, clean-cut, polished clothing, or even to jazz up a casual outfit with dark vintage-style jeans?
Labels: chanel, chloe, dolce and gabbana, express, fashion, gap, jeans, joystick, personal, shoes, style, viktor and rolf
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Posted by Colleen Shirazi, Sunday, May 15, 2005 11:26 PM (Eastern)
I can admit I'm a Buffy neophyte. I did watch the show when it first came on...at the time, it was a series based on what was roundly considered a bad movie.
The virtue of Buffy are not those first few episodes...it's what happened as the show continued on. The characters developed, changed...grew, even. It was not the same show, particularly toward the end.
Since I'm new to the phenomenon, I suppose I've been blind to whatever fashion influence the show has had all of these years.
There is a Buffy style. It's quintessentially Californian; you never see Buffy sweating in shorts and a tank top, nor laden with a heavy winter coat and earmuffs.
For the record, I've never been disappointed that the women on Buffy (and Angel, for that matter) always appeared in new outfits, on what was supposed to be a limited budget. I would have been bitterly disappointed had that not been the case. I did find it odd they didn't swap clothes though. Even two women of the same size constantly trade clothes, and Buffy featured Buffy, Dawn, Willow, Tara, Anya...it should have been a veritable clothing market.
The first few years, Buffy herself did not have a style as such...perhaps that was fitting though. How does a vampire slayer really dress? During this period, Buffy sported a series of cross-shaped pendants, the occasional really odd blouse; sometimes too much frou-frou, sometimes an impractical-looking skirt.
Somewhere toward season 5, I'd say, the Buffy style finally emerged. It occurred to me at one point. Buffy dresses the way an engineer would, if an engineer knew how to dress.
Season 5 Buffy onward, featured a sublimely stripped-down, minimalist style. Buffy wore pants. Not just any pants. These were the perfectly fitted pants, suitable for moves that would make Jet Li look like, well, a little girl.
Buffy's shoes got heavier...more practical, certainly, but not any less sexy.
The seemingly endless series of Buffy blouses improved...more and more feminine, sheer and beautiful, while actually showing less skin. (Again with the practicality; balancing demon-kicking with the desire to look nice.)
I've never seen another television character who managed to evolve such a style. Perhaps the closest would be Chris Noth's Mike Logan on the old Law and Order...with the series of plaid ties, the American flag pin (long before 9/11), and long brown leather coat (the same one, always, looking slightly more battered each season)...but that doesn't really count. Melding style with functionality is much easier for men; the work is already half done.
Cheap Thrill!
Posted by Dain, 6:08 PM (Eastern)
I'm a hopeless bag snob, and 'tisn't necessarily label-wise, because I don't like, say, Longchamp (the ubiquitous nylon totes) or Louis Vuitton for the sake of LV (though I like the idea of monogrammed luggage). My current drool-over bag is the impossible-to-find, $1380 investment, the Chloé Paddington.
Imagine my surprise when I stumbled across the Africa Tote at the GAP. Originally $45 or so, it was on sale for $20. Dirt cheap. It's the right size, too, large enough to hold an Exacompta folder, but not unwieldy. Made of ivory canvas (there was a black, as well), with hardware, wood ring details, and an exotic-print interior.
Of course, the pale canvas will get dirty very soon. But I'm of the philosophy that bags are meant to get beat-up, from a $20 bag like this to a $5000 Hermès Birkin. They're like shoes, meant to be worn, meant to be used; they signify everyday life. It's a little preposterous to keep things pristine.
I'm just happy to have found the perfect casual bag, one I needn't worry needlessly about, with spot-on details, and a unique style.
Labels: bags, fashion, gap, handbags, personal, purses, style
Spring 2005 Couture: Christian Lacroix (part 1)
Posted by Dain, Wednesday, May 11, 2005 1:08 AM (Eastern)
RIGHT Very simple elements—a jacket (reminiscently Chanel, how French!), a blouse-ish element, and a skirt—in the simplest color combination available, black, white and silver. But each is an intrigue in itself, from the exaggerated jacket that sits more like a camisole (giant buttons, giant lapels, and plenty of embellishment at the hems just in case your eye glossed over its jacket-y outlines), to the silver mesh shirt, to the gathered and ruffled and rose-d up and nearly ungainly skirt.
LEFT This makes me laugh! Look, it's a Burberry plaid trench, a bastion of classic style, and it's been made to float in the breeze like a ephemeral raincoat! Paired, with all things, a violently patterned and sexy plunge blouse and very plain long shorts.
RIGHT I love this jacket. Its lines are simple and clean, but the hem, the cuffs, the pockets, and the collar are frothed asunder with lace and beading and what all. What an amazing jacket that is. The gold lamé dress is cute, too, but o, the jacket, the jacket.
LEFT More Burberry-inspired tongue-in-cheek. A classic trench, from the masculine lapels, the nondescript khaki, and the waist-cinching tie, but it billows and ruffles like a jacket for a 17th-century fop!
RIGHT What a pretty shade for a jacket! It's got a lot of structure in some places (the collar, the shoulders), and the embellishments are just right, from the sparkled cuffs and stiff collar, to the inconsistent bows. I love the cute, frothy pouf of a skirt, too (rather like lemon meringue... with uhh... flies).
LEFT This dress kind of reminds me of a candle, it kind of reminds me of a flamingo (the colors and the feathers), and kind of 20s-era flapper style. Though it's a complicated dress, it gives the sense of simplicity, and... I don't know... it's a pretty dress, and it wouldn't be impossible to wear.
RIGHT Wow! The little black dress in sculpture! The spare bodice (sparkly, but very minimal), the simple but altogether complicated gathered skirt (talk about "full"), and the petticoat underneath, which doesn't so much resemble lace as ivy leaves growing willy-nilly. It just hits the right extremes, and doesn't fall apart doing so.
LEFT Tiered ruffles, done to the max, but with a delicate, soft material that only hints at structure (if the previous dress resembles the stiffness of sculpture, this dress is more like a rough sketch), in a shade of crimson beautiful to behold. (And only one strap! Did you notice? How odd.)
RIGHT Just marvel at the gorgeous fabric (luxe!), the nigh architectural gathers, and all the little details (lace frothing up at the collar, the anticlimactic drawstring hem, the Mahometan-style trousers (in tinted, sequined, and tiered chiffon, no less), the skin-tight vest, etc.).
LEFT That's a great jacket. The mandarin style touches in the front, cropped to the point of being a bolero in the front, but look at the back (see picture below) and it's long, slit, and pleated à la Sun King style. The dress is pretty too, layers of ruffled watercolor chiffon.
All pictures courtesy of www.style.com.
Labels: christian lacroix, couture, fashion, personal, style
Spring 2005 Couture: Christian Lacroix (part 2)
Posted by Dain, 12:14 AM (Eastern)
RIGHT Goddamn, doesn't that look like a giant, walking orchid to you? And yet, it doesn't. It also just looks like a pretty dress. But it's perfectly evocative of a giant, showy flower, without sacrificing its clothes-ness. (Whatever that means.)
LEFT Hmm... I really like the boudoir feeling about this dress. A silky sheath of satin, overlaid with sheer black, some sort of gold medallion over the stomach, reaching some sort of pelvic culmination at the crotch (giftwrapped with a bow, even), before billowing open like a robe.
RIGHT Wow, isn't that amazing? It must be awkward to walk around in, but that's just magical. It looks as if some violent watercolor were draped onto her body.
LEFT I think this is just lovely. It seems like a gorgeous but ordinary enough dress, exquisite tailoring and all that, in a lovely color. But then, turn to the back, not only for a plunging back, but that surprising blue hem!
RIGHT Oh... I think this dress is spectacular. The color, the satin, the embellishments... how it's so form-flattering and billowy at the same time. The material and the color make it soft, but the shape is so constructed. She looks like a walking flicker o' flames.
LEFT How cool is that? Now there's a ball gown. How can a single piece have so much going on (sleeveless, gathered bust, sheerness, velvet bows, pewter embroidery, chiffonic extravagances in gathers and poufs and layers, and most likely, a train), and yet still seem austere?
RIGHT I love the orange (it's really a very special sort of orange, don't you think?), the regal draping (even down to a cape), with a bit of tongue-in-cheek asymmetry.
LEFT Flamenco, done ballroom style. Gorgeous, from the dense, decadent bodice (rather resembles a breastplate, don't you think?), exploding into scarlet silk, which looks precariously wrinkled but is actually stiff with structure (and then you realize it's something like a glorified apron over a gold-embroidered gown), then the waves of embellished petticoats coming to life below, and, if that weren't enough, topped with bows.
All pictures courtesy of www.style.com.
Labels: christian lacroix, couture, fashion, personal, style
Birkenstocks, Shmirkenstocks - UK all the way!
Posted by Colleen Shirazi, Tuesday, May 10, 2005 4:12 AM (Eastern)
I've concluded one thing. Doc Martens makes the best shoes.I've never been much of a "shoe person" in the Sex and The City, Manolo Blahnik sense. I went through a flirtation with pumps when I was fourteen or fifteen...granted, in those days, they didn't make flat dressy shoes for women. Either it was heels, or it was, well, sneakers or espadrilles or what have you...I can remember the first time a company made fancy flats. It was Sam and Libby.
I could wear low heels and liked the look, but ultimately...I secretly dislike the idea of not being able to walk or stand endlessly, or break spontaneously into a run. I understand the symbolic value of not being able to do so; really I do. I just don't like it.
Enter Doc Martens. I dread the day they outsource the manufacturing of these shoes, should they ever dare commit such treason. The sheer genius of Doc Martens is that they're UK made, i.e., they don't fall apart after a year.
Labels: dr. martens, fashion, personal, shoes, style
I Am Cuter Than Your Girlfriend
Posted by Colleen Shirazi, 4:03 AM (Eastern)
I went mall-crawling recently...the title slogan was found on a tee shirt at Rave.
Had I been twenty years younger, I might have bought that shirt...and other items at Rave and Anchor Blue.
At the latter, they had lovely tee shirts printed with Cheech and Chong, Bruce Lee, Che Guevara, and Marilyn Monroe. Here I would definitely have sprung for Marilyn Monroe (they had about five different designs; the best was genuinely stunning, on a black shirt) and Cheech and Chong.
Sigh! Normally I don't fret about getting old, but I can admit I felt a slight twinge. I really am too old for this stuff. They had great cheap jeans at these teen-targeted stores, cheap cropped denim jackets in the back of the store...fuzzy white slippers with a red lips design on them...all sorts of things really.
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