The Lipstick Page Forums Fashion Blog: November 2006 Addendum... Posted by Dain, Sunday, November 26, 2006 7:19 PM (Eastern) I actually have nothing against coke and coke addicts. But I think the cult of personality that has accumulated around Kate Moss is starting to... it's ridiculous. Rescind my membership to the Kate Moss fan club. 0 Comment(s)    Email this post Now, I thought Kate Moss was a fashion icon too... Posted by Dain, 6:44 PM (Eastern) But this is ridiculous. I don't care if she's too cool to "give a fuck", I don't care if this is "fashion"... this is some tiny, coked out woman jumping around with her top off. That is not an intelligent lifestyle choice. What are we celebrating here? Ignorance? Lack of conscience? Cool. And as for her being a style setter? For God's sake, she's responsible for SKINNY jeans, wellies as everyday wear, and LEGGINGS. The woman clearly inspires trends. That is a given. But that does not mean these look good—on anyone but her. Oh, what does it matter? They're going to remember her as a post-millenial Marilyn Munroe. Except that one was celebrated for her figure, her smile, and her seductive sweetness, while the other is celebrated for possessing... the exact opposites. Lookswise, they haven't much in common, except for a carefully trimmed coif of blonde hair and a predilection for animal prints. Oh, and they look out at you with half-closed eyes. Marilyn, I think, is trying to express lust, and Moss? Dare I say it? Her eyes are half-closed from too much blow. Hmm... No contest. 1 Comment(s)    Email this post Disgusted. Posted by Dain, 2:40 AM (Eastern) I got the 90th anniversary issue of British Vogue today. $9.99. It is a waste of money. A rushed pictoral history, it looks like someone sat down and ate an archive and vomit all over the pages. WORST: the editorial "Magical History Tour". Combines two most nauseating trends at present: fashion looking back on itself (self-referential tailoring is getting out of hand) and, and... layering. With priceless antique clothing!!!! (*&%$*@*&()#!! I am telling you, layering is not a good look. Stay away from black leggings. It is kind of a treasure hunt, though. I like that. But it is ugly, and really tasteless. 0 Comment(s)    Email this post Resort: Part 1 Posted by Dain, Saturday, November 25, 2006 1:11 AM (Eastern) I'm craving a bit of an update—looking forward to spring (yes, already!). Would that I were going to some place peaceful and warm. But sometimes a little commodity fetishism (it must be admitted) is just the ticket out, albeit a virtual one. For that matter, these clothes are virtual. The formal perfection of Grace Kelly. The inspiration for this look. How to dress around a beige (the color for spring) skirt. I generally work around a bottom as a "foundation" to building a wardrobe. It's the item you most consistently wear over a season. I try to choose something that, (1) is very, very flattering on my body, (2) stands up to everyday wear and tear, and finally (3) is neutral, almost plain, so it goes with absolutely everything. Barneys New York Pleat Skirt with Pockets: Thus. Crisp shimmery pleated silk taupe. Khakis gone formal. Airy enough for warm weather, but tailored enough to stand up to the softest shirts. 0 Comment(s)    Email this post Thanksgiving... Posted by Dain, Sunday, November 19, 2006 8:17 PM (Eastern) It's vacation, and I'm gonna be working very hard, so I will not see y'all till the end of the week. (Save November's Beauty Scrapbook.) So I leave you with this to ponder, speaking of exquisite dresses. These two are from Alexander McQueen, I think FALL 2006. Happy Thanksgiving! Alexander McQueen Embroidered Tulle Gown $8,280 How unbelievably and heartbreakingly beautiful is this? Gothic romanticism. The shape is classic, the shades demure (nude and black), and yet, only a woman of character and mystery could wear it, one who can carry a froth of silk and tulle and lace and still look powerful. And the proper accents? Who cares? Can you look at anything but this dress? Alexander McQueen Embellished velvet dress $2,195 Such a different dress, but so equally mysterious! The black velvet is dark as ink, the fit is perfection, and the embellishments, the feathers gold-beaded, the gold silk lining, the subtle pouf of pleats in the back... ach, honestly, what is the use of doing a description? Look at it yourself. 0 Comment(s)    Email this post And that, by the way... Posted by Dain, Wednesday, November 15, 2006 1:44 AM (Eastern) Is the first and last time I will write "*dies*" on this blog. But it was the word that best suit at that moment. 0 Comment(s)    Email this post Trends! Honestly... Posted by Dain, 12:13 AM (Eastern) I hate layering. You know, leggings, complicated dress, tunics, tailored jackets, whatever, all on top of each other. I don't care if you do it in neutrals. It looks stupid. I hate to see it whenever I flip through glossies (Lucky in particular reeks with too much layering. What is happening to this magazine? It's going downhill. Whatever happened to the Consumer's Digest of fashion? Now it's, vanity fair.). It's too multidimensionally significant. Too "interesting", rather than attractive. Clothes should look good, first and foremost. The trends I prefer: 1. Dresses that are interesting, not readily identifiable, and fit to perfection... that, I think, is a trend to yield clothes that will last you a lifetime. Because really, when will you ever hate a beautiful dress? Yes, they're more expensive than tops, but the amount of real wear you get out of them is far greater. Might as well snap some up while it's the fashion to design beautiful, well made, and interesting clothes. 2. Pristine, well-cut basics. This, I think, is an emerging trend. One that hasn't really shown its face yet. It's time. Yeah, $300 jeans are ridiculous, but these trends filter down from the top. GAP makes precision cut jeans, Express makes editor pants... and now tees and shirts are getting the treatment. What next? Sweaters are coming. A mania for precise, handcrafted artisanal sweaters. Things I'm not sure about: 1. Organic jewelry? But then, my taste is to the baroque. I don't know that I want gold and jewels to look as if they grew on me. And yet, to look at, they are, very pretty. 2. Really, I don't like the shoe trends. Architectural? Please. There are two shoes I'm contemplating this season, it's just that boring to me: The Steve Madden 'Carmila': So classic that it's eternally tasteful. They're not Manolos, but they are surprisingly close to well made for factory chaff. Doc Martens: I revere Christian Louboutin, but the ubiquity repels me. Before, Louboutin was something like a fledgling Roger Vivier without feathers (no pun intended). Now? It's like Louis Vuitton: common but expensive, beautifully made but still! common. (Is this elitist of me? Or fair to demand of an artist? Cobblers, presumably, artists.) I don't know, perhaps it is too much to say at once. All I know is a part of me is a little sick of seeing that red heel. The antidote? These. I do, sometimes, just love Louboutin, though: All the sex appeal of killer heels, but with the refinement of a tuxedo. It's a kind of joke, but one that you don't quite get until you really think about it, because the shoe looks so good on your foot (imagine it peeking forth from a simple skirt and cardigan combo). What am I craving? Rich, rich, colors: just a little "off" from true colors. Both Fall 2006 and Spring 2007 are playing off very neutral palettes, so I want, actually, the most intense color I can find. I suppose the makeup trends are bright enough? E.g. Instead of cobalt blue, you have this quasi-violet-toned ultramarine, in lush suede: This is Brian Atwood, Spring 2007. One Big Trend: An Analysis Neutral, neutral colored accessories, in rich skins (or plastic, as the case may be), a parade of shoes, and bags. Wear with sharp, tailored clothing: Can you imagine this Calvin Klein python bag slung on your arm? *dies* My god, I could not stop salivating when I saw these. Beige: boring. Crocodile: always grosses me out slightly. But together, so... rich. Perfection. Sculptures by Alexander McQueen. Normally, I would not advocate Chanel, because I find it so tasteless, but the Naked Bag is such a self-referential, self-aware take on tacky-expensive that I actually find it very clever. It makes fun of itself. A huge tote is something that always appeals to me, maybe because I always carry around so many books. Marni makes this one in patent leather (still going strong), black leather accents, and resin handles. Smokey snakeskin, in classic, universally flattering and versatile styles. Just right with the LBD (Little Black Dress) and berry lipstick. Salvatore Ferragamo and Tods. VBH's white leather with brown accents, such a chic combination. It's pristine, but not cloudlike and formless. But reinvented in a very modern slouchy, egg shape. But... Imagine the one slung on your arm as you step out into the night. Imagine the other as you jet off to someplace glamorous and sunny (sounds so good right now, in this dreary Connecticut November). Some things, come what will, will always be true to a signature look. In spite of trends. Which I respect. What is it that the Manolo says? "Pucci always makes the smiles." 2 Comment(s)    Email this post Top #2 Posted by Dain, Tuesday, November 14, 2006 5:49 PM (Eastern) J. Crew Solid Washed Oxford Shirt $59.50. What could be more classic than a white buttondown? Simple, chic, infinitely variable, universally flattering. The platonic ideal of "basic". Plus, it is intentionally rumpled, so I won't have to worry about ironing. I personally really like the fit of J. Crew shirts. I have a very narrow waist, and find most buttondowns insufficiently slim-cut. The quality of the fabric and stitching, while it may not be Thomas Pink, is enough to stand up to everyday wash and wear and tear, but is still reasonably within budget. 0 Comment(s)    Email this post Bauble o' the month... Posted by Dain, Monday, November 13, 2006 3:13 PM (Eastern) I'm thinking of treating myself to one piece of jewelry per month. As my clothes, soon enough, will be very plain, I like the idea of throwing something extravagant and ornate into the mix. Banana Republic Multi-Colored Pavé Ring $48 Banana Republic Simulated Pearl Brooch Bracelet $42 Anthropologie Miniature Earrings $98 I want all of them! But just one. It's funny that I chose a pair of earrings. I don't even have pierced ears! I'm really not one to wear jewelry. I thought it was about time to start. 1 Comment(s)    Email this post Found! Banana Republic Wool Shawl Collar Cardigan $108 Posted by Dain, Sunday, November 12, 2006 7:17 PM (Eastern) This is perfect! Is it not pretty? It has personality. The knit goes horizontal instead of vertical on the body, the slightly belled sleeves, and the cardigan-cum-cape styling. At the same time, it's very subdued, so it won't compete with whatever I wear underneath it. 1 Comment(s)    Email this post Updated thoughts and thoughtful updates Posted by Dain, Wednesday, November 08, 2006 2:54 PM (Eastern) I've been trying to get away from the mentality that I need more clothes than I functionally need. It is much harder than I thought. First, it's all fine to speak of fashion as commodity fetishism, artistry in fashion, and fashion as a social expression. All of these things, our site is devoted to. This is not the suggestion that anyone ever wear anything unflattering simply to make a statement. I just don't see the need to buy everything that Lucky or Vogue suggests I buy. And, I've never really explored basics. I've never so much as owned a white t-shirt. Still, it's hard. I'm used to very complicated clothes, one way or another. It's no coincidence that the first thing I chose was this henley from Urban Outfitters: Hmm... so maybe my strategy might be to buy a handful of interesting tees? After about a day to two days, it starts to get dirty. So I should have at least eight or so. Trouble is, "interesting tees" is a category like "interesting flats", always open. I'm only going to buy ones that look just right, however. And they'll all be very different from each other. I really haven't found a sweater/jacket/sweatshirt layer that is "just right" yet. It's hard to say without wearing any. Adam + Eve $295. Grey is neutral, this must be supersoft, molds to the body good. I like how it's kind of grandpa-ish, but sleek. I have grey pants. Wish this were in... what color? White? Lilac? Something that brightens my face. Hmm... this is very clean, sculptured, ladylike. It's basic, but clearly made with love. Hard to say, really, until you try it on, but I do know that high cinched waists always flatter me. I almost want to say it's too much, though? It seems I'm not the only one who is craving a more basic palette. Just got a new issue of Vogue today and what do I see? A countdown of the most luxe basics (See by Chloé pants, shirts by Nili Lotan, Trovata, Brooks Brothers, Pink and Steven Alan, knits from Alexander Wang, Adam+Eve, and even J. Crew, tees from Neal Sperling and Splendid, and the T. Anthony tote. I kind of want them all. In addition, there are articles on Katayone Adeli (the pantsmaster is back!) and the Olsens' new line of hyperluxe tees, The Row. 2 Comment(s)    Email this post Staying ahead of the pack... Posted by Dain, Monday, November 06, 2006 7:07 PM (Eastern) In high school, I used to call my style "boho chic", long before it became common parlance. I wore everything embellished/laced/embroidered/beaded in any combination of colors. I kept it fairly simple otherwise, though, I always wore these flashy tops with a pair of olive khakis. I lived and breathed the Anthropologie catalog. Nobody wore clothes like me. Nobody wanted to. Then, the boho thing became huge. HUGE. Suddenly, everyone looked like me. So I went to... Banana Republic and J. Crew and Club Monaco. Found tailored things: beautiful buttondowns, crisp lightweight sweaters, pumps, skirts both a-line and pencil. I started, you know, dressing like a grownup. And now, the tailored, polished look is in. Consider: Balenciaga, Roland Mouret, YSL Rive Gauche. So what am I going to do? Another direction? I've been thinking. As women, how much of our time is spent worrying about what to wear, when to wear it, what to wear it with, and how often to wear it? How often do I flip through the pages of Lucky and think, "Yes, I really ought to try a cream blazer with a floral blouse."? I wonder how much more liberating it is to be a boy, uncaring whether he wears the same clothes day in, day out. Surely that frees up a lot of brain space, and a lot of wallet space. This is my new project. Casual, functional, comfortable clothing. The stuff that other people wear. But I still want to be pretty. That's the condition. Where to start? A pair of trousers. I usually only wear two pairs at a time, and one of them will be a pair of jeans, which I already have. Mine are dark blue low-rise flares (Blue Cult), which are probably the most versatile iteration. But I'm not one for jeans, in all honesty. I prefer a pair of pants, and I think mine are J. Crew (they make good chinos, they look good but at $58 you're not afraid to let them wear): I bought a henley from Urban Outfitters the other day. It's a henley, so it's comfortable, casual, functional... warm. It's great for layering. But this one is in such a psychedelic Pucci-esque print(white/blue/pink/green/yellow) of hearts and stars that it's full of personality. I've always maintained that if the fit is right, it looks expensive, no matter how low key it is otherwise. And what to wear over it? Maybe this hoodie? It matches everything (being white), it's pretty (white lights up my skin) and soft and warm. It's more luxe than a sweatshirt. Let's see... that's a tee, a sweater, and pants. A pair of shoes... these are as functional as you can imagine, classic Doc Martens in brown. I could get those skull Chucks, though. fashion, style, shoes, clothes 1 Comment(s)    Email this post The scoop on all things stylish--from couture to ready-to-wear to handmade. [Current Blog] Profile Site Feed (Atom) · Forums · Product Reviews · Image Library · Beauty Blog · New Releases Blog Articles This Month ·· Addendum... ·· Now, I thought Kate Moss was a fashion icon too... ·· Disgusted. ·· Resort: Part 1 ·· Thanksgiving... ·· And that, by the way... ·· Trends! Honestly... ·· Top #2 ·· Bauble o' the month... ·· Found! Banana Republic Wool Shawl Collar Cardigan $108 ·· Updated thoughts and thoughtful updates ·· Staying ahead of the pack... Archives TheBroadroom.Net's Fashion Blog (archive) April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 Links TheBroadroom.Net's Beading Blog L.A. Story The Sartorialist