What To Wear On A Blind Date?
This question became a recent discussion based on an article about NBA player, Gilbert Arenas ranting on twitter about what his Blind Date wore. Please read the article with his tweets, it's rude, hilarious and embarrassing all in one. I wouldn't wear or encourage my friend to wear any wild print anything on a blind date, just keep it simple. In a perfect world you like to placed the attention on who you are not who made your shirt when meeting that blind date.
There are endless outfit possibilities so I will leave you with some tips: 1.) Avoid any trendy looks i.e. color-blocking, boho chic, tribal. These looks might be appreciated by your girlfriends or your favorite gay male friend but to the average straight guy (or Gilbert Arenas) it will probably be distracting. 2.) Stick with basics, basic colors, basic silhouettes, basic details. The "Queen of Zamunda" shirt that Gilbert's date had on was a zebra print with an embellished neckline of beads and shells, le sigh. 3.) Use accessories as your statement. A really great bag, shoes, and even earrings can spark up an outfit without being so brash.
WISH + Chic Inspector Giveaway
After some much great feedback from my Get To Know: Australian Labels story, it wouldn't be fair for my readers not to get a piece of some of the Australian action. To three (3) hopefully readers, here's a chance to win this Axel Top by WISH. Perfect for the summer, perfect to go hang with your girlfriend or boyfriend or whatever is your preference, it can be yours if you follow the directions below. 1. LIKE WISH on Facebook 2. Then head over to Chic Inspector on Facebook and LIKE that page as well! 3. In the comment section below or on Chic Inspector's Facebook Wall answer, how would you style this Axel top? The quirkier the response, the better! 4. Optional: If you have a twitter handle, supply that in with your response and I will announce it on Twitter. Social Media is quite fun, I tell ya'! The winners will be announced next Wednesday, August 3.
Saturday, February 12, 2011 Do It Like the Editors Do: Gap Shoes
Katherine from WhoWhatWear.com
Joanna Hillman, Harper's Bazaar Senior Market Editor So far, early in the Fashion Week grind I noticed both of these editors were wearing shoes from the Gap that was designed by Pierre Hardy. Make this a lesson to you kids dreaming of hiking it to the Tents, you don't have to buy the most expensive shoes to look chic.
Get to Know: Australian Labels When people think of fashion New York or Paris comes to mind, but I recognize a trend as late of an emergence of Australian designers and labels appearing in the States. Australia also known as the land down under, is gaining momentum with a raising amount of new and fresh fashion talent. We all know Sass & Bide which is an Australian brand and very successful here in the US. But here are a few other Australian labels to watch out for:
Label:Robb & LuLu Designer(s): Robert Zagame and Lulu McDermott About: Robb and Lulu both used their skills of fashion design and illustration to create unique designs and fabric creations for their label. Robb and Lulu has a range of pieces for men and women but the stand out element of the collection is the highly colorful and detailed illustration prints that is all hand sketched. With only one collection under the label's belt, some of the pieces has caught the attention of major retailers here in the States. Where to buy: more info at RobbandLulu.com
Label: Oscar The Third Designer(s): Jessian Polk
About: Only 8 years old, Oscar the Third is an organically grown collection, that has many references point from around the world. Jessian works with a specific farm in South India that produces the organic cotton that she uses for Oscar the Third. The label focuses on hand dyed fabrics, flirty dresses and chunky knits. The brand is growing and garnering attention much with the Australian press. Where to buy: Shopbop.com
Label: WISH Designer(s): Annette Can-
About: WISH was established by the Sydney fashion pack and it definitely has all of the elements; ultra feminine, utilitarian, edgy basically everything a city girl needs. WISH produces a jam pack six collection a year, Smokey Shadows their recent collection just hit stores. The collection has wearable skirts dresses in nudes and prints that is perfect for the summer time. Where to buy: Revolveclothing.com, alibionline.com.au
Label: Maurie & Eve Designer(s): Kelly Davies About: Currently being produced in Bali, Kelly uses the top of the line fabrics such as suede and sheep leather for her label. Maurie & Eve is the quintessential of the two worlds of being edgy and feminine; there are many elements of boyish quality with a balance of feminine shapes. More than 9 years later the brand as emerged out of Australia and into other major markets around the world. Where to buy: Shopbop.com, RevolveClothing.com
Label: Jessie Hill Designer(s): Jessie Hill About: Beginning her career at the ripe ol' age of 17 it didn't take that long for Jessie to get recognize to be head womenswear designer at Buddhist Punk, a label located in London. Soon after her stint there she ventured on her own with her namesake label. Jessie Hill is a mix of naughty and nice, sweet and spicy. Jessie's know how to balance her edgy sensibility with sophistication which makes it perfect for that hipster customer. Where to Buy: The-StyleStore.com
Label: Goddess of Babylon Designer(s): Chantel Barber
About: Goddess of Babylon is where bohemian lives and thrives. Chantel Barber, head designer gets her inspiration from Bali, Indonesia and Byron Bay, Australia. These are two places that the cultures are uniquely different but consolidated together makes a collection very grounded and earthy. Each season the collection have the basics of organic cottons, leather, suede and details in pieces that are handstitched. Where to buy: Gloriajewel.com
Label: Marnie Skillings Designer(s): Marnie Skillings
About: This namesake label is all about what a every day woman wants to wear. Marnie, the designer knows a thing and two about making clothes for the chic sophisticated women. Her first collection debuted at Australian Fashion week and since then she has evolved her collection around tailored pieces. Marnie uses her design training and experience to infuse modernity, shapes and luxe fabrications as her signature each season. Where to buy: Frockshop
Last Weekend on Tumblr I posted step by step on making a clutch drawing inspiration from Taylor Tomasi Hill's Celine clutch and the American Apparel pouch. I started with the tutorial from StyleScrapbook.com, but I dived head first into this project. Materials: Fabric Zipper scissors pins sewing machine zipper foot (optional) Cut the fabric to the length of the zipper, give some room for seam allowance. Flip the zipper upside down and pin the zipper down to the right side fabric . Sew one of the side of the folded fabric. Attached the zipper foot (optional) and sew the zipper on both sides. Make sure you unzip the zipper completely at the end of the zipper. The bag need to open. After sewing both sides of the zipper, sew the other end of the
Winter Essentials Inspired by Love Story
I recently watched the movie, Love Story starring Ali MacGraw and Ryan O'Neal and I'm completely inspired by Ali MacGraw's character, Jennifer. Currently, I'm a little miserable with this snowy and wet weather but watching this movie Ali MacGraw really did look chic in her winter outfits throughout the movie. So I have decided not to be so bum about this winter and embraced this weather with some basic inspirational muted pieces and accessories.
Fruits in Fashion This won't be the first time that wearing fruit is a big trend. We've recently seen Prada send models down the runway in banana printed dresses and Anna Dello Russo wore a Piers Atkinson apple hat during a fashion show. So, let's take a look back of the fruits of the loom that got us here. ----
Josephine Baker in 1927 performed in Paris wearing a skirt of banana. Now known as the "Banana dance".
In 1943 in the movie, The Gang's All Here, singer and actress Carmen Miranda wore the famous Fruit Hat, which has become a favorite popular culture costume.
Lucy Bell during in one of the episodes of I Love Lucy, wore a Carmen Miranda inspired costume.
Singer, Katy Perry wore a Carmen Miranda Fruit Dress designed by The Blonds during the 2009 Grammys.