Spring/Summer Fashion 2005

Can I add to my unhappiness with the hippie chic look? Especially as EVERY BLOODY MALLRAT IN THE WORLD has started wearing those silver-threaded Indian scarves which have been my trademark since about 1989. Grrrrr.

I went SPRING the other day with a big swooshy floral 50s prom-skirt (but with cosy boots keeping my shins warm) and got several compliments from the nice ladies in the office. Maybe this means I looked tastefully middle-aged or something.

New this year for me: COLOUR.

Yes! I thought I was the only one who just hates that stuff. So ugly and clunky and lazy looking.

Also, I bought (vegetarian) engineers/cowboy type boots. But I'd never ever wear them with a floaty skirt, I hate that look.

x-post

Oh, and I got an IPEX bra. They really are pretty awesome.

and i advocate that girls not order from anthropologie.

I agree that long shorts on guys just look frumpy.

xpost- I feel your pain, Kate.

i.e. I am a 14 on the bottom, but a 16 on the top due to my breasts. So anything that flatters my rear does not button over breasts, and anything that fits my breasts makes me look like a sack of potatoes from the waist down. :-(

x-post

I am wearing head-to-toe brown today.

http://www.woodlandfarmsantiques.com/patterns/1950s/pages/wpt17039vpg8695.jpg

(my fault for going to Uniqlo and H&M, I guess - do Japanese people just not have bosoms?)

Andrew M, I agree on short shorts for boys (gotta show off my one good feature) - but how do you avoid the inner-thigh-bits riding up? That's the problem.

(answer is probably liposuction on inner thighs, sigh)

http://www.pulpvintage.com/pics/items/01600088.jpg

I used to have loads of these in eye-boggling colours.

Which knee is it?

http://www.habithat.co.uk/images/New6214.jpg

World of x-posts - I don't like shirt dresses, neither do I like shirts. Gave up on them years ago. Can only wear when completely flat-chested which frankly right now AINT the case. Boobalicious.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/jel2004/IZZYZjpg.jpg

Yes to yellow shoes though!

::sputters::

I bought mine in Cape Town!

http://www.shoepad.net/vansslipon108b.jpg
http://img.epinions.com/images/opti/e2/81/pr-Basketball-Converse_All_Star_Lo_Casual_Shoe_Mens-resized200.jpg
http://www.chapterworld.com/outlet/4000/pix/xl/nastasesup4_036766_1.jpg

keepin it classy

http://www.zappos.com/images/A/Adidas179/Adidas179wnvd.jpg

Anyway, I've never thought of my small chestedness as being a blessing (last time I was in Vicky's Secret and they measured me, the sales lady said, "Oh my! You are SUCH a tiny woman up top there!!"), but maybe I should check out these traingle top dresses. They had one at Ann Taylor Loft that was actually kind of hippyish but not overwhelmingly so.

Agree with all on the Sienna hippie look. I sell vintage on teh eBay and it's going like hotcakes right now, so I sell it even though it's not my cup of tea - the disc belts, the wrap skirts, dashiki tops, etc. Meh. I do like the safari style, though, I could wear some of that.

I'm feeling kind of gloom and doom mode these days and though I've bought some dresses, which is rare for me (a permapleat faux Lanvin, a 40's rayon piece with neat asymmetrical details) they're all BLACK. Oooh, scary. ;)

You know this is a terrible problem with women's fashion. I would recommend the wrap dresses brought up above, those have consistently been my favorite type of dresses for the longest of times. The button thing on shirt dresses...well I've always gone around that by just not buttoning the top of it, basically. The thing is, it's not just like dresses where they have to fit both bum and boobs which can be two different dress sizes--it's regular button up shirts as well. I am NOT BUSTY, but cannot find button up shirts that both are fitted on my waist and do not gap hideously up top. Thankfully all of my agent provocateur bras means I have justification to leave all my shirts hanging open to show off my capitalism but really I am not sure what the deal is here, like they've decided women don't actually have breasts and waists.

Anyway I have done some shopping lately! I put my new shoes on the shoe thread but I bought silver platform wedge sandals and caramel colored cowboy boots from Steve Madden, then at Bluefly I bought a white halter dress with magenta flowers and a turquoise waist sash tie back thingy. Today I went to Old Navy and bought a pair of dark rinse low rise jeans and a pair of light ones, since none of my jeans fit anymore, a new light rinse denim jacket (cos my old, beloved denim jacket was STOLEN at a club several months ago :( ), a bright blue tank top and a white one, a magenta boatneck t-shirt and a pale blue one (gotta love their 2-4-1 specials), one of those tiny wrap around long sleeved blouses in blue, a "blousy" (dunno how else to describe?) black tube top, and a pair of bright blue surf shorts that say HAWAII on them. This is a significant amount of solid color action, I fear, but I really despise all the patterns that are hanging around this summer.

H&M was AWFUL, they had cutey things in the window but absolutely nothing cute on the entire floor, except for one kimono-inspired blouse I might buy later.

Oh and this has little to do with anything but any NYC or DC ilxors reading this: I have a lot of clothes. Like $10k worth of clothes. None of which fit me anymore, due to severe weight loss during a health issue about 6mos ago. The weight still ain't coming back so I'm thinking there's no reason for me to keep all these clothes anymore. They're all between size 6-10, maybe a few 12s. I don't have a better description of what is there because I haven't gone through them yet, ranges from like jeans to work clothes to some sexier going-out items. Willing to unload for v. v. cheap--anyone interested? NYCers, you'd have to be interested in looking by end of May, DCers any time after that.

It's driving me mad to have them in my closet at this point.

WTF. DKNY, Guess?, GAP and CK have all exhibited the exact same problems in the past.

I am having a hell of a time finding some jeans with decently tapered legs. This boot-cut stuff is nonsense, and yet ubiquitous. Is spending a lot of money on jeans commensurate with being able to find more flattering cuts? I hate the concept, but if it comes to that, I might have to raise my price ceiling.

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/images/us/local/products/productsall/p142036b.jpg

Loving my new Penguin polo shirt, which cost $50 (!) but looks fantastic. Totally frustrated with the new cut of H&M's button-downs. Wearing a lot of lightweight summer suits so far, since I've realized that working at this job allows me to buy beautiful expensive Super 150s wool suits for $25-50; what I really need now is a good pair of dress shoes to go with them.

I cannot in good faith vouch for shorts on dudes. Not only are my gams teh pasty, my good old ugly Dickies kept my knee from getting totally fucked up in my recent bike accident. I like to think that it was an omen, in case I thought about wearing shorts this summer.

I've never got that either! It's frustrating how inconsistent things like that can be.

I went into Urban Outfitters last week for the first time in ages. I wanted pretty much everything. This is frustrating on so many levels, number 1 level being the pseudo-hipsterism of the store, number 2 being that I have no money, number 3 that I am a sucker for fashion, and 4, the salvation army thrift shopping thing is getting old after 3 years of it so why do it when UO could do it for me? sigh, you see?

many xposts

If I lose 10 lbs I have less of a problem with button-up shirts, and I'm not overweight, I just have broad shoulders and strong chest muscles, making my chest appear bigger than it actually is. I don't even really have cleavage! I've had to resort to *duct tape* to hold the shirt together btwn buttons. It works! And then I think about it and shake my head.

The only thing I am drooling over is all of Miu Miu's spring 2005 line. The 70's textiley prints are amazing.

I have a 2nd job now working in a boutique that has many asian customers and they are so very very flat. I have to convince them while they are trying on a size 2 that they do not look fat. I feel really bad too when people come in and are looking for bigger sizes since they only run up to a size 10 only in certain dresses.

Ally, next time you are in soho come into the store i work, if you see something you like I can make teh magic happen.

It is A--- S-- on Greene and Prince.

WITH BOYFRIEND'S CREDIT CARD

I went into UO the other day and the H&M and.. meh, I keep looking at all these floaty summery clothes and suddenly I'm in this mode of wearing my skinny olive green cargo pants and a fitted black shirt just about every single day. Grr.

I was looking mainly for a (no flounces, non-ruffled) skirt whose hemline falls maybe mid-thigh. This may be an unpopular length? I have loads of knee-length stuff and now want just one shorter skirt--but I could not find anything between the ass-length (like jeans cut off right below the pockets) and the knee-length. It didn't help me that I seemed to be in topshop along with the tiniest-assed people ever...I maundered around like a cow, getting sad, and had to sit down and take a moment to remember that I probably look ok--it's just the clothes that can be weird.

I then tried on a pair of jeans that were almost perfect but for the weird faded spots on the *backs of my calves* wtf. I'm getting tired of the only paler denim finishes being all fake-faded in patches.

Mid-thigh can be a hard length to find - usually they're just boring office-worker pencil skirts or yeah, have all these silly flounces (last time I wore a flouncy skirt I was 14!). Go vintage/2nd-hand maybe? I wish you luck, sarah. And I totally understand about feeling like the giant person in the store - Montreal seems to be populated by tiny nicotine-and-red-hair-dye-addicted people with 12-inch ribcages and no asses. It makes me feel like a size 10 is massive. But it is not, nor is even a 12. I sometimes pretend I'm a tyranosaurus in the store - I will crush you aaaallll! - and I'm only 5'8. This makes me feel better, and eventually I find awesome stuff on sale that the tiny people couldn't pull off quite as well.

Um... all the ladies at work rock the Old Navy ones...

http://www.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=47812&CategoryID=236

There are some really cute Camper ballet-style shoes out right now in nice colours and patterns, but they are expensive :(

Ally, I am interested in buying clothes

1) We did this two years ago. Do you think we're that stupid?
2)Sienna Miller is not a style icon. She's only doing (in her insipid Primrose Hill Princess way) exactly what Jade Jagger and several Kates (Moss, Winslet, Hudson) have been up to for years. Booooring. Plus, she looks like a puppy about to be hit with a rolled up newspaper.
3)Big, ethnic jewelery is what old women in Hampstead who join creative writing circles wear. I am too young to be part of this.
4)No one takes you seriously.
5) It is so far from sexy on 98 per cent of the population.

Oh no! This is the only part of the look that I actually approve of!

But on me, not on annoying girls. I'm sure I will be an old woman in Hampstead running a creative gardening circle at some point or other.

So, I went shopping this weekend at Old Navy and got jeans (that fit really well and are long enough!?!!), 2 tank tops in mermaid-like colors, and a short sleeved sweater. Then I went to American Apparel and bought a plain green t-shirt (but the style is flattering and I like to wear plain t-shirts with necklaces) and yet another pair of undies I don't need. Yay, spring!

I think the ubiquity of it all has damaged my brane though because on Saturday I actually TRIED ON a pale pink/apricot dress with a ruched skirt and stupid ribbony knotted shoulder straps. My god.

I did do some GOOD shopping though, finding a lovely brown vest top in Primark (£2.50), a brand new red Top Shop vest top in Age Concern (£1.55), and a Hennes jacket in Oxfam (£8).

How soon can I start dressing like a total old lady? When can I dye my hair purple and look Hampstead Heath rather than Camden Market?

xpost - please god, anna, tell me that you are not going to wear open-toed shoes with tights.

I do like some of the tops I have to confess, but not the floaty ruched [sp] skirts. There are some gorgeous skirts I have seen at the moment which are nice. I'll see if i can find a pic or 2...

Of all places one wold not normally shop, Hobbs have some pretty good coloured wedge shoes in right now. One of the last times I was up there I saw Helena Bonham Carter combining boho with Comme and a space-age cat-hat.

xpost - yes, it's all about the gnarled nail on display.

xpost poor Madchen!

Do they in fact flatter podgy stomachs by sort of floating over them, or do they make one look preggers, as I fear?

I'm putting my faith in slinky fabrics and classics (a bit gorwn-up and boring, but just look at the alternatives) while hoping for the chunky jewellery horror to go the hell away.

Problem I also have is that I like Natasha Bedingfield's style but she is willowy and blonde and glam and I am not which is why I would look shitter than a shit thing in such clothes. And why I stick to jeans, tshirts, short-skirt-and-knee-high boots and nothing at all in any way varying from this.

Madchen, I get paid again soon. We should have another girlie day out and look at things to wear. I have another party to go to soon!

I would like all of your clothes please. I seem to recall that you are also a tall lass (I am 5'11'') and tres stylish to boot. I wear like a 6 or an 8 depending on the item of clothing--I do have hips and boobs, though, so I can't do anything cut for boy-hipped flat chested girlies. After I take all of your clothes than will you please take the rest of my clothing budget and buy all the shit I will need for the next year. Then will you please take polaroids of all the outfit combos so I can consult them when I have to get dressed in the morning.

Or you can just move in with me and pick out my outfit every morning. And do my hair makeup. That would roxor!

Yours,

http://www.stevemadden.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/STORE/FAST/WEAVERR.htm?L+G-STEVEMADDEN+zbyx1476+1115093908

Do you think there is any chance of forgoing humiliating falls while wearing these shoes?

Mary I am v. mad at Steve Madden online right now :(

this weekend's purchases: a pair of vaguely futuristic black miu miu sunglasses, a pair of black/canvas wedge sandals, and one of those racerback tops from top shop that everyone has (bright fuschia).

http://www.style.com/slideshows/parties/050105COST/47f.jpg
selma blair in wow.

http://www.style.com/slideshows/parties/050105COST/13f.jpg
karolina kurkova in wtf.

(not that i read this thread. or have ever.)

i never know when to congratulate women when they're pregnant or go "OH SHIT. OOOH GIRRRRL U KNOW WHO THE DADDY IS? U BETTER GET THAT MONEY .OOOOOH SHIT"

Congratulations, teeny!

(oh also I bought a cute full skirt this weekend that looks like it has silver bubbles all over it but they're actually little holes and there's an underskirt.)

It seems Rochas is the best designer since forever.

At Barney's Coop, I saw a green cloth jacket with a penguin on emblem/logo on it and nice polo shirts as well, but there was also a green t-shirt lettered with 'NEW MONEY' and I could not stomach their irony and felt ashamed.

Selma Blair's dress is wonderful.

It's mostly the bodice's boning and her pose, but it looks she's wearing her breasts on her back!

And faboo for you Teeny!

I bought this but in turquoisey blue, light blue and white, with black trim. Hand wash though, bugger

http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/graphics/2004/08/17/efmar4.jpg

(Congratulations, pregnoid!)

Today I got a pair of proper '80s straight-leg Calvin Klein jeans at the local charity shop, for a pittance, after I'd been searching for ages. CHUFFED. Am now wearing with Boy Scouts Of America shirt and red wedge ankle boots.

I think seeing the last collection from Rochas sort of killed my interest in fashion. I mean, I can't own any of that, but why buy any other new clothes? I have more than enough, and whatever I spend money on is not going to be Rochas.

I'm with gareth on waistcoats.

and against greg on shorts.

http://www.style.com/style/view/12/14/100071412.jpg

That Kurkova dress caused a wardrobemalfunktion (or whatever the word would be in German) whereby her dress became entangled in the entrance doors and she had to be extricated by Viktor and/or Rolf before the fashion procession could continue.

This was the first I had heard or seen of the impressive Mlle. Roitfeld. She looks very similar to Selma Blair in these pics.

Youn: I often feel outsmarted by the clothing at Barney's Coop, and ashamed for looking in there in the first place.

I think I hate everything in the shops right now.

Really.

It's all...

...awful.

Email me on suzysurname at yahoo dot co dot uk - hope everything's good with you.

Oh, and the reason yr French flatmate had such amazing style - according to my grandmother, who was from a Huguenot family, studied fashion design, and worked as a buyer from 1950-1970 - is they're drilled in never, ever buying anything but the best you can afford. So you make investments, like my Parisian friend who spunked her entire student grant on the very first Helmut Lang collection (I have a friend here who did the same on Westwood). Same friend has worked out her look so only has to buy a few things each year, takes good care of the archive, and keeps it simple by shopping for fresh vests at Muji which get chucked the second they go off-colour. I am trying to get to this point.

The flatmate will have had 20 years to find the best pair of black cigarette trousers there is for her body shape, or whatever. Whatever, most fashionistas I know maybe have 10 pieces that they wear for days on end in the office for a whole year and after that you won't see them until the revival.

Then I go and read things about Britain's innovative street fashions and try and forget the concept of elegance. I think it may claim me as I get older, you can't spend your whole life wearing a feather boa or pink fishnet stocking, well, not unless you are Viv Westwood or Zandra Rhodes.

I'm working on it myself. I've chucked out a lot of stuff that didn't fit properly or simply felt too far outside whatever look I usually wear, and yet I still have things like a couple of silk dresses that don't quite fit but might if I had them altered. One of them is soooo YSL and I just can't give it up. But actually I've spent most of the past month in my same slim fit cargo pants and black, especially this vintage Givenchy sport fitted top with a tie neck.

Anybody looking for anything particular in vintage? I have got to get rid of more of this wardrobe before I move. . I eBayed things for a while but then had a massive stressout over it and can't handle it any more.

I suppose being in a band with three such glamourous girls is making me feel a bit... dumpy. Ah well, I can just hide behind my laptop and my glittery guitar and no one will notice me anyway.

In other news, I've decided that Levi's straight slouch 504 jeans (juniors sizes) are like the best jeans on the market right now.

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_11/601-2772375-6755368?%5Fencoding=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B0009KQMWQ

Haha "faux suede." I would have preferred a less wintery material, but they are lots more comfortable and possibly less accident-prone than the slightly more style stlin' Steve Madden peep-toes rejected due to safety above.