sweating it

I've been wanting to pair some sweat shorts with thigh highs for a long time now. I love the slim and laid back look it creates on the bottom especially when balanced with a heavier and more voluminous top. Looks like I finally have a use for my sweat pants! This scarf is one of my favourites. It's actually a cape but I like to use it as a humongous scarf instead. I can wrap it around 3 times until my head disappears into its folds. It's my monster scarf. RAWR.

Wearing 3 layers of F21 tanks, H&M blazer, sweat shorts, 2 layers of sheer tights, Zara thigh highs, gray jersey scarf, black knit scarf/cape, Chanel purse.

details

I need to post more often! Argh. Lately, I've been in school from sunrise to sunset making it difficult to get back home on time to snap photographs with ample sunlight (if any) left. By the end of the day, my eye bags are also practically drooping to the floor. Not a good look. Here are a few detail shots from today. Less of me, more details.

Talking about details, last night the boy and I went to see A Single Man. It is a breathtakingly beautiful film of the protagonist's last day. Perhaps beautiful to the point of distraction. I found myself narrowing my attention on minutiae: the scenes bouncing between fully saturated to nearly monochromatic, how the last button on cuffs were left unbuttoned, the perfectly folded pocket squares, the pink cigarettes. If that wasn't enough visual candy, Jon Kortajarena plays an aspiring actor/prostitute from Madrid. Aline Weber also appears briefly in the film as a sultry student in Professor Falconer's class. So good.

Wearing Kimchi Blue scalloped tweed jacket, vintage silk blouse, vintage leather shorts, Chanel purse, Jeffrey Campbell wedge boots.

subdued volume

These are the reasons why I don't want winter to end just yet. Above are a few selected looks from Tim Hamilton's F/W 2009 collection, his debut in womenswear. I'm still in love with the proportions, not overdone and just right. Heavy feminine shoulders, volume on the top, streamlined and thin to the bottom. This will be setting my mood for the remainder wintry days.

today's look

Some time has passed since my last outfit post mainly because Boston has been absolutely frigid. I figured posting photos of me waddling around in down jackets and double layered pants would be frightening. So much so you'd feel the need to revoke my blogging privileges. Today was quite different--we reached a whopping 47 degrees F! Some Bostonians celebrated by wearing shorts. I, on the other hand, celebrated by wearing my new shoes. The celebration was cut short when I stepped in a mud puddle the instant I left home (note the mud in the close-up shot). Smooth. Anyway, if you're digging the shoes, you can get them here.

lethal steps

Another pair of shoes to add to the collection, but I'm sure this one wins in the "most lethal" department. I wore them out a few times already and people's eyes instantly drift to my feet. Then they quickly look away, probably thinking, "This girl is crazy. Don't make eye contact unless I want to get into a fist fight." These shoes kind of remind me of a large truck I once saw on the highway with these ultra-pimped rims. I let him pass me because his rims scared the living bejesus out of me. He was also rather menacing looking. OK, what was I talking about again?

man-made

Speaking of Christopher Kane, I know his Resort 2010 is old news but I couldn't help but feel a lingering feeling reawaken today and finally have put together the words in my mind to voice them. The other day I was browsing through some images on ffffound and was drawn to one image in particular: a photograph of a piercing neon yellow cloud. It was beautifully destructive and I saved it. I was reminded again of Kane's Resort collection with the mushroom cloud graphics and harrowing clouds carrying radioactive rain drifting across his dresses. At the time, I was surprised at how many people thought the dresses were beautiful must-haves. All I could focus on was the fact that some of the images used are actual photographs of the aftermath of the atomic bombs dropped over Hiroshima and Nagasaki. How is this beautiful? Is this fashion? I'm not going to say too much more because I'll only be opening a can of worms, but it's just some food for thought on a Saturday night. I still wonder why those images were selected, what was the inspiration, what was he trying to express? Hey, I'm just sayin'... :)

Related readings: National Post & Frockwriter

i spy kane

The Christopher Kane x Topshop alligator tee is ubiquitous, worn by fashion insiders, outsiders and everyone in between. I purchased mine the instant it hit stores but consequently grew too discouraged to wear it anywhere outdoors fearing I'd look like another sheep in the Christopher Kane flock. I guess I worry too much. This is what happens to all good and beautiful things. So I wear my alligator tank indoors while lounging around eating pistachios and catching up on my magazines. Stylish afternoons, indeed.

MMM

One of my new year's resolutions was to wear less black. Clearly, I am already failing on day 7. Pat on the back. But I'm not too bothered by this. It's classic, effortless, and energy efficient. You're probably wondering what the latter even means. Y'know, black absorbs sun rays and heat, and on these inhumanely cold days I could use as much of this sun-basking ectothermic / poikilothermic action I can. Excuses excuses.

The faux fur vest I'm wearing here has been a recent favourite of mine--it has more or less assumed the role of second skin. Based on how long winters last here, I started thinking of more of these furry investments. The immediate images that popped into my head were the Martin Margiela wig coats from as early as 1995. The Spring 2009 reiteration was genius. I'm so fascinated by it, that I'm certain if I do purchase another furry (or hairy) piece of outerwear it'd be as disturbing as Margiela's. Perfectly put by SHOWstudio, "it is an adornment which repels and yet, oddly, manages to seduce."

Now, where on earth would I be able to purchase a piece like this? Naturally, my DIY mind started envisioning solutions, the Fashematics way.

Do I have the guts to purchase bagfuls of black wigs to wear on my shoulders? Maybe on a day when I'm more caffeinated and feeling more heroic.

#121

I'm pleased to announce the winner of the leather disc cardigan is entry #121, Maike from Unicorn Elegance!

To the other readers who stopped by and said hello, I just want to say a huge thanks. I wasn't expecting such a warm response--big hugs and kisses to all of you. I hope that you will be back in the future as I enjoy reading all of your blogs and comments. Love.

So I was thinking we could turn this into an interactive post. What are some DIYs you've been thinking of trying? Post a link or share an image. Maybe we can all together help each other with suggestions (where to find the supplies, techniques, etc)!


Image source: Vogue China, July 2009, photographed by Camilla Akrans

leather discs: GIVEAWAY

New giveaway finally up! After an embarrassingly long time, I've mustered up the energy to complete this leather disc cardigan that I first started here. Many moons, wrinkles, red fingers and strained eye muscles later, it's done done done--please pardon me as I cackle out of delight, muahaha.

Putting this together was as straightforward as it could get, but it was the grunt work that really did me in. Originally I thought I could purchase pre-cut leather circles, but no such luck. Undeterred, I bought a box of leather scrap from a pursemaker, traced and cut out what felt like hundreds of identical circles. To sew these discs on, I needed a circular hole within each, so I then, begrudgingly, cut even smaller circles within the circles (out of naïveté, I thought I could just hole punch the leather with a hole puncher which is like wishful thinking on crack). The result is this delicious cardi. I decided to pair it today with some silk trousers (which I altered in a rush), Jil Sanders, and a sheer tank.

Jibber jabber aside, let's do a GIVEAWAY. Leave a comment on this post and I'll select one on Tuesday, January 5th at 8pm. Don't forget to leave something by which I can contact you by if selected.

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