Hair.

and the girls

Hermes or Otherwise

A girl I went to college with had this wonderful little vintage book created by Hermes on how to tie their scarves. The book was literally tiny - maybe 6"x6" it was hard cover and had the most lovely illustrations inside. It was such a special book, I think passed down to her by her grandmother, and I have been searching for my own ever since. The closest I have found are eBay auctions for Hermes "knotting cards" from the 80's that are selling for upwards of $100. This book was so special though, I am certain the universe will lead me to stumble upon it in a used book store or flea market one day or another. In the meantime - here are some images and tips that pay homage to that little mystery book.

Some great live songs by some great lookin people

Smith "Baby It's You" Live (cover song)

I gotta say, I'm kind of into the whole sitting around the band looking too cool for school/bored out of their minds. Nowadays, if you get that close to the band you'll most likely go home deaf and blind from the blast of bass and booming overpowering lighting effects. Only Gayle McCormack could wear that cowboyish indian period piece sleeved shirt and get away with it -- maybe Janis Joplin too. Gotta love the way she dances too...kindof like she's trying to let you know that she likes the drugs when she's not performing.

Jackie Wilson "Baby Work It Out" Live 1964

Oh Jackie. Look at those moves. It has been told that when Michael Jackson was backstage singing with his brothers in The Jackson Five, he saw Jackie Wilson dancing and swinging his hips around and realized that he wanted to dance just like that -- and so he did...kindof sortof...minus all the crotch grabbing and moon walking...

I'd like to dance like/with Jackie Wilson.

Ike and Tina Turner "Proud Mary" Live

You HAVE to watch this video the whole way through...or at least until they all start dancing.

Tina's backup girls are probably the best backup singers/dancers to have, ever.

Look at those dresses! If I can even call them dresses...Look at those long tank tops!

Oh and um, check out the faces on Tina when she's "rolling, rolling, rolling on the reeeaavaaahh"

The Rolling Stones "Start Me Up" music video

I don't know what this says about me but this is how I learned to dance and surprisingly enough, it's won me quite the batch of ladies! Only Mick Jagger can get away with looking sexy in purple leotard and white gypsy pants. Prancing around like some kid who just learned to walk on a sugar high. Keith looks like he's been revived from the dead a few times. Ronnie looks like a drag queen, and Charlie looks like their father.

Start me up Mick.

Monday's are a drag....queen.

  

FIERCE. Meow.

Sometimes, there's nothing I love more at the end of the day than a good old shitty reality show starring gay boys who love to dress up as fantastic (and sometimes frightening) queens prancing around in 6 inch heels, wearing things only a 42nd St Hooker could pick out. Yes, ok, they may be 10 foot 4 in those platforms, and sure the butt and boob padding may seem a bit fake at times (especially when accompanied by too much "illusion clevege" that just ends up looking like two drips of coffee ended up in the wrong place...what was I saying...I lost my thought...I'm pretty sure I left a bracket open back there....Anyway. Nobody does Queen Bitch better than last years Rupaul's Drag Race winner "Bebe Zaharah Benet"

Oh! I didn't see you there!

from Camarooooooooon. There is something to be said about large black men who master the art of "femininity" or rather..."extreme overtly sexual in your face bitchy attitude womaness RARRR" --- that's more like it. It's quite alarming to see what the contestants look like when they all take off their "costumes." Some of them are quite the "dudes" others, sort of look like they just don't have their make up on. Some leave the mannerisms for the stage, but most do not do anything of the sort! These raging queens are hilariously entertaining to watch because they not only have to "lip sync for their lives" at the end of each show (of course to a chosen RuPaul dance song) but they draw, make, sow, sing, dance, act and do pretty much anything in these "characters" they've created.

Mr and Mrs and Mr ...and Mrs Obama and Michelle.

Anyway, Monday's are a drag -- but hey! There's HOPE! Just look at Obama Ru and Michelle Paul.
(By the way his real name is Ru Paul....googles it.)

Lovely.

Not sure where this image came from originally, but was passed on to me by my friend, Josh.
Oh so very chic - takes a refined lady with a regal neck to pull this one off.
*Sigh*

Bill Cunningham New York

If you haven't seen it already, SEE IT! Seriously, not only does it open your eyes to the god father of street fashion, but it paints a lovely, if not sad, profile of a man whose work is so prolific it is recognized world wide. In the words of Anna Wintour, "We all get dressed for Bill".

I could give a full review, but the documentary and Bill's legacy speak for themselves.
Check it out.

Hearts on Chains

Our friend, Terese, a talented makeup artist and jewelry maker, is embarking on a new creation - chained headpieces. They are a beautifully unique accessory.

Check out her blog: Hearts on Chains

Still Mad About Plaid?

After the plaid resurgence of the early to mid 2000's, I thought we had put the trend to rest. Those years of Williamsburg hipsters bringing back grunge and plaid-ing it up, have made the print seem somewhat apropos. Apparently I am mistaken. Plaid has been named one of the number one fall trends this year -- but isn't it every year?

The difference now is that we are seeing more than just the lumberjack look of years past. We are now seeing sleeker styles and more elegant looks in the print. Also coming to light is the mixing of plaids. Now this can be a dangerous endeavor to say the least. There is SO much potential to go wrong here. In my opinion even the runway looks pictured above take it too far. I mean plaid shirt, skirt, AND boots? That's just plain plaid overload if you ask me!

What inspired this post is a picture I saw of plaid mixing done well. One of my favorite street fashion blogs, The Sartorialist featured a gorgeous image of a gorgeous woman taking plaid to a new high.


From the asymmetry of her blazer layered over her longer shirt, the look is a perfect example of sloppy chic. If you are going to mix and match you plaid, limit it to just two elements of your outfit. Any more is just too much. Also take a tip from this lovely lady and have some other corresponding elements to your outfit. For example, tan elbow patches that tie into your tan shoes and camel colored purse. That way the mixing of plaids is offset by a nice balance of color.

I still feel quite strongly that the 2000's saw a plaid OVERLOAD and I would be quite happy to only wear plaid for the sake of warmth in the winter months from now on. But if you are still into it, may I suggest just a bit of peek-a-boo plaid? Say a shoe like these Paul Smith booties...

Or just remain with the classics - keep your plaid plain with a classic scarf. May I even suggest sticking to a more muted plaid color pallet. This allows the print to bring dimension to a garment without overpowering the effect. Like it or leave it, seems like plaid is here to stay - so mix and match or keep it simple my friends.

Maximize Your Maxi

Long skirts are in.... and Jewish women everywhere rejoice! Long hemlines once reserved for the modesty of Orthodox Jewish women and frumpy hippie chicks, have taken over the runways this fall. Apparently the leggy look of the micro mini is out and the modest maxi look is in.

For Orthodox Jewish women who are required to wear skirts below the knee, this trend means that their mandatory dress code just got a whole lot hipper. For the rest of us, this is a nice way to avoid wearing tights as the fall weather creeps in.

Personally, I am on the fence about this look. For shorter women, like myself, wearing a billowing shirt down to my ankles is not the most body flattering look. I would opt for a below the knee pencil skirt, or a flowy a-line skirt that hits mid-calf like this oh-so-gorgeous gal.

I have heard complaints from the opposite sex regarding the maxi skirt trend. My answer to that -- add a slit to the look! Nothing sexes up an outfit like a little peek-a-boo of leg. So as fall approaches let your hemline down, but be sure to wear something fitted on top to counter balance the billowy silhouette.

The Roaring '20's Roar On

This past weekend we attended a Jazz Age lawn party on Governor's Island. From the vintage Model Ts parked on the lawn, down to the bottomless St. Germain cocktails being served, it was a decadent Gatsby-worthy bash! In my opinion, costumes should have been mandatory for entry, as the occasional band-tee and blue jeans really killed the illusion. Although those who did dress up (and most did) made for a roaring good time.

The 1920's was an important decade in women's fashion. 1920 was the year that women first got the right to vote and this new-found liberation is reflected in the dress and attitudes of the era. Both hemlines and hairdos got shorter as women discarded their corsets in exchange for flapper styled fringe dresses and feathered headbands. The drop waste came into popularity and, as this was the first decade when women could show off their legs, shoes became an important part of every outfit. Mary Janes with a buckle strap, rounded toe, and a small heal (just thick enough not to sink into the grass at all the prohibition era lawn parties) came into style (similar to the "character shoes" of today).

Hats were all the rage in the 20's. For women, the floppy wide-brimmed sun hat was popular towards the beginning of the decade, while the clouche hat took over the mid to later years. I myself invested in a lovely gray felt cloche hat this weekend, complete with the twisted brim and decorative flower. The intention of the cloche hat was to show off your 20's style bob haircut (of course!). You can find your own 1920's inspired hat at the Village Scandal and shop for other flapper style garments in the village at Angela's Vintage Boutique.

And don't forget to get your tickets to next years Governor's Island Jazz Age Lawn Party!