Negative Space

Photo credits & Where to Buy: Chloe Sevigny in I.D. Magazine c. 2000, Sass & Bide c/o Circa Now for sale on her Ebay now, Johnny and Kate from Johnny Depp Fan, The Haute Pursuit, Georgia in ru_glamour c/o Le Fashion, Shakuhachi via Circa Now, you can buy the top version here.

And lots of affordable options (left to right): Hot Topic stockings ($10), Miss Selfridge dress (45 quid), Top Shop slash mini dress/top ($40).

Back in the Day

beforetherewaserintherewaskate

Friday: DIY Day

Two great D.I.Y inspirations for the weekend:

Doo.ri beaded tights ... directions here. Thanks Cup of Jo!

Tiffany Hsu's custom boots c/o Jak & Jil ... just add spurs, which you can find here and here. Just make sure to install them upside down (so it's important that the heel is high).

Happy weekend!

I bought something

I got these shoes a few days ago. I was looking at Roberto Del Carlo shoes and the salesgirl was really giving me the hard sell on them ... but I kept turning over every shoe to look at the price and handing them right back to her. They were like $300-something! And then I said, wait what about these? I looked at the price and they were very reasonable. I told the girl that they were obviously the Poor Man's Roberto Del Carlo and she reluctantly agreed. Then I got them! My one pair of shoes for the summer.

My sister asked me how I can walk in them. It's easy; they aren't that high. I do walk down stairs kinda funny though. Importantly, my feet don't get dirty walking around NYC as I am raised above the Earth as if on my own personal litter (that's a thing one lies on when one has slaves to carry ... one)--

I checked out the website of the brand (Antelope) and these aren't on there, furthermore the shoes that are on there are quite hideous. Strange!

Accessories: Copycat Sturgis

So I have to admit, I was really obsessed with these very expensive, very fine Katherine Sturgis bracelets. I thought they were ingenious, commended her craftsmanship on this blog, even wrote to her studio ... And then I found these at a totally affordable price at Urban Outfitters.

A-W-K-W-A-R-D!

But I bought them. I feel a little guilty but hers were just completely out of my range. If hers were half the price (which is still a lot), I would have considered them. So, I don't know ... is there a lesson here?

Accessories: Tie Food

These are so cute! Take a look at each outfit: each is made up of fairly basic items worn in a simple way (cardigan or v-neck over white collared shirt - what's new) but the tie makes it special.

American Apparel is selling some gigantic weird tie thing and I'm sure there's a video where they show you how to use it as a scarf, belt, bow tie, resistance exerciser, sex toy, etc., but I refuse to even link to it because you can save the money and use something you already have, or make one, or thrift one.

Photo credits (left to right from top): Ebba N. on Lookbook.nu, Brook & Lyn, Molly M. on Lookbook.nu, Sheryl O. on Lookbook.nu, Léa B. on Lookbook.nu.

Shoes: Gladihaters

The gladiator sandal reappeared as a trend in contemporary times in the years MMIV- MMV.

Yes, it was over four years ago that Tara Subkoff did them for Easy Spirit, and the powers that be (WWD Accessories being one offender) are still trying to tell us that they are NEW for Spring. Listen, when the main sections of ALDO's website are "Pumps," "Shoes," "Sandals," "Boots," "Gladiator Glory," you know this style is not so edgy and NEW.

Anyway, I am not in Rome and I am not doing as the Romans/every girl on the L train. I couldn't even buy a shirt at Top Shop because I kept thinking of all the other people that would own it. So here are results of my search for something flat, sandalish, and mildly original (left to right from top):

1. Tapeet Vicini thong sandal $394.95

2. BCBG stretch sandal $198.00

3. Alexandra Cassaniti Summer Bummer slides $165

4. Roberto Del Carlo pink wedges $398

5. Pedro Garcia slides $360

6. Steve Madden bronze snake slide $49.95

P.S. I think the Birkenstock silhouette is the next Gladiator. Image credit: Iliyan Petkov.

The First Thing a Girl Gives Up in the Recession: Her Pants

The evolution of jean shorts in nine easy pieces:

The Retro: similiar here, here, and low-waisted version here.
The Eightie: buy it here.
The Nerd: similar dork-chic here.
The Waisted: here.
The D.I.High: similar here.
The Classic: similiar here.
The Barely: similar here.
The Undie: Make your own using these or these, or buy similiar here.
The Thong: make your own please.

I know I am missing some real winners like the long skinny short and the garter short (from here), but I'd like to retain my eyesight, thanks very much.

So you're already over the jean short? Want to stay ahead of the pantsless game? Here are some inspirations for this summer and beyond.


And remember, in the future when you're wearing hotpants like it's totally normal, no one can hear you scream (except this guy ... when you wake up next to him).



Photo credits (left to right from top): Stylesightings, Pixie Market via Knightcat, Willabelle Winchester on Lookbook.nu, Cobrasnake, Pretty in Leather, Stylesightings, Fashiontoast, Vogue France via The Fashion Spot, Cobrasnake, Katy Perry via MTV, No Magazine, unknown pub. Knightcat, Lady Gaga via The Insider, Greg Kadel, Cobrasnake.

Reality Show

I am saving up my energies for an epic post about shorts, coming soon to a Holier near you, but I didn't know what to do in the meantime, so I've decided to tell a little story.

Today I went tanning. It was 42 degrees in NYC and raining, if that tells you what kind of tanning I was doing. It's true! I admit it. I couldn't help myself. It's wrong, but I've just been feeling so pale - how can I spend hours laying out pretty shorts collages and looking at bronzed legs without giving in?

Tanning is considered the tacky pastime of Britney Spears (I just had to look up how to spell Britney, ya'll!), but have you guys see Daria Werbowy lately? Her golden tan in those Isabel Marant ads? That girl's bio literally reads "Polish-born Canadian-Ukranian model," which I translate as "Pale-bodied Chalk-Model Permission-to-Tan." Oh Daria. When you do it, it's faux tanning.

So in honor of the noble art of approximating reality, I give you these brilliant items:


This amazing t-shirt was made by Malie Huffman and is for sale at her brilliant blog. I won't say the price because I'm hoping she raises it - she deserves more.

This quilted cotton bag is $100 at slowandsteadywinstherace and is worth every penny only because it's such a weird art object. I own it and trust me, it ain't no replacement for the real thing (... neither is this pale-pink cast I have going on today, but it felt good).

P.S. Fake tanning (unless spray tan, which scares me) is bad for you so don't do it. And don't assume Daria's skin is pale white just because of her countries of origin, maybe she really is golden brown by nature, who the hell knows.

Les Filles Les Fleurs

Maybe Chloe Sevigny's collection for Opening Ceremony (last Spring) was just a little ahead of its time, because aspects of the floral jumpsuit (I said aspects!) are appealing right now.

The tops and skirts seem like a versatile alternative to the skimpy Alicia Silverstone circa "Crazy" dresses that the Erin Wassonites are rocking, especially if you aren't 22 or a model.

And I love that you can find these little bustier tops hidden in a rack at Charlotte Russe - I think that's kind of the point of the look. After all, the technical name for these prints is ditsy florals (really).


I guess if you must (and can) do the dress, just go full-on nostalgia and get what you would have dreamed of wearing to a dance if you were in 8th grade in 1994- the Betsey Johnson. She's selling her own vintage now and there are definitely finds on the web. See here and here. And ok, ok, the Erin Wasson x RVCA is here if you haven't looked already.

As for the tops (from top):

1. Charlotte Russe $22.99

2. Top Shop $65.00

3. Forever 21 $16.90

And as for the skirt, hers (bottom right) is from H&M Europe, so happy hunting!

Photo credits (left to right from top): Alessandra Torresani by Todd Selby, Bronka B. on Lookbook.nu, The Cobrasnake, Fashion Toast.

Till Monday: Thrift List

A few years ago this bitter hipster guy went off to me about the demise of thrift stores - how 10 years ago they were so great, full of 60's and 70's stuff, and now they were all 80's clothes. Like dude, Time is such a bastard!

Whatever. One man's existential pain is another girl's perfect pleated pant. A few items for your second-hand pleasure below.

What's on your thrifting list?


Photo credits (left to right from top): Stockholm Street Style, Le Blog de Betty, Streetpeeper, Jak + Jil Blog.

Accessories: Net Assets

Girls, now you CAN hide those lyin' eyes --


Put Kenley Collins out of your mind. There is something kind of creepy and demure at once about wearing a veil, and they look good sitting around your bedroom.

Left to right from top:

1. Sparkle veil pill box hat $45.00
2. Vintage Jean Patou question mark hat $695.00 (but how friggin' awesome)
3. "Rome Fascinator" $38.00
4. "Sophie" vintage bow head piece $129.00

The rectangular net panel that just goes across the eyes (worn by that pink panther in the first top left image) is called a Venetian veil; (here's one). Kanye West can trade in his Venetian shades for this to usher in his new demure phase.

Photo credits (left to right from top): Glamcanyon, Vogue Fr via Capuccino Bar, Top Shop, Face Hunter, Lula Magazine.

Oh Mickey

It makes perfect sense to me that the only tee graphic with any authenticity left (after Urban Outfitters ruined "vintage" tees forever) is from the most tightly controlled licensor in the world. Maybe your BFF Miley can get you a soft grey tee with vintage Mickey doing jazz hands? Because they are impossible to come by.

Since Disney doesn't understand girls over the age of 13, the only covetable item available anywhere on the web (and believe me, I looked) is this men's grey sweatshirt. But I bet size small would be perfect.

Get it here.

Photo credits (clockwise from left ear): Unknown (girl with ears), Nast (leaning girl with vest), Bec Parsons company1.com.au via In Search of Little Sadie (girl on beach), Drew Barrymore in POP Magazine via src783, Yen (girl with blue dress, ears), Cobrasnake (girl in blue glasses).

Dandelion

Yellow is a good color, especially for "vintage" wayfarers that are $4.99.

Photo credits (left to right from top): Sequin Magazine, Face Hunter, Garance Doré .

1. Knockaround $7
2. Vintage wayfarers $4.99

Accessories: All in the Wrist

Presenting my complete obsession with signature wrist-wear in 12 pieces (plus some serious deals if you want to shop it):

Photo credits (from top, the girls): Erin Wasson for RCVA, Dree Hemingway in Vogue France, July Stars, Adriana Lima in Elle, Miroslava Duma on Garance Doré, Cobrasnake.

1. Cross and charms bracelet $10.95

2. Tara Tarantino skulls bracelet $100.00

3,4. Custom rolexes, Chrome Hearts and John Isaac Designs. Price upon request (sadly)

5. Paola Loves 2 Shop braided charms only $5.25 each with code HOLIER at checkout!

6. Disaya zipper cuff $113 (50% off dude!)

7. Fred Flare Faux-Lex $30.00'

8. CC Skye studs wrap bracelet $185.00

9. Hermè s Kelly Dog cuff, $890 (in stores).

10. Braided black and silver bracelet $16.00

11. Mary Kate Steinmiller rainbow and rhinestone bracelets $60 (at Charlotte Ronson but not online)

12. Fred Flare rainbow cuff $15.00

Rooms: Closet Addict

This weekend I'm going to open up my Spring clothes trunk and reorganize my closet so it looks like ...

Photo credits (left to right from top): Annakim Violette (stylist) by Todd Selby, Tracee Ellis Ross pub. unknown, Jenna Lyons in Domino, Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti in Domino, Willamain Somma, Erin Wasson by Todd Selby, Fergie in InStyle, Corinne Day Vogue UK, Tracee Ellis Ross pub. unknown, Vanessa Giovacchini & Marylouise Pels (designers and DJs) by Todd Selby.

Basics: The New Little Black ... (I can't actually write that)

The one item I wanted from Top Shop was not at the NYC store and sold out online. It was a perfect black silk one-piece with a tie waist. I must have deleted the image in a fit of rage. But I'm still obsessed; I think the silhouette is a new basic.

Finding these online is a treasure hunt because the webmasters don't have a category for the hybrid. I guess the UK determined they'll last because Top Shop and others have a category for them, be it jumpsuit, onesie, romper, playsuit ... (further enabling your regression to age 4).

That being said, there are some actual dresses below too - all the style of a romper with none of the crotch!

Left to right from top:

1. Thakoon, $800 (a dress).

2. Top Shop, $90. Go! Don't let bad shopping timing happen to you!

3. Miss Selfridge, UK 35.

4. Heartloom, $145 (another dress).

5. Forever 21, $22.80. That extra 80 cents'll kill ya.

6. Vivienne Westwood, $915. That extra $800 bucks ...

Photo credits (left to right): Adeline R. on Lookbook.nu, find her here, Cavali campaign from the sun.co.uk found on In Search of Little Sadie, That's Chic.

Hair: A Girl Can Dream

So I started this post off like: OK, whatever, I will just show a surf picture and write some words about how I wish the sun would come out and I know it's only April, but a girl can dream.

But as an offering to the weather gods, here's summer in a bottle. You can buy it on the internet. You won't have to freeze your ass off in a totally inappropriate outfit; just do the hair.

(I don't know how much more people can write about beach hair, but I'm testing the limits tonight baby!)

1. Kusco-Murphy Beach Hair: $35. This product is from Australia, has sand in it, and smells amazing but not like suntan oil. It is perfect.

2. John Masters Organics Bourbon Vanilla & Tangerine Hair Texturizer: $21. It's like honey ... in a jar ... that you put in your hair. Somehow it makes your hair look and smell awesome without making it greasy or sticky. Plus they have free shipping.

3. Rebecca Bacon Beach Bag Elixir. $25. I have never tried this but read the testimonials on the site dudes!


Photo credits: Top image unknown, from Bazaar US. Bottom images (left to right from top): Nast, Christa Renee (both).

Dresses: Long Shot

They should come up with a better name for the long dress, because I personally don't want the word "maxi" associated with my summer wardrobe.

Old Navy calls them "town gowns," which brings to mind some lady stumbling out of bed at noon to buy supermarket wine in her nightie. (They call the short ones "midtown gowns," which, if you live in NY, is the most unattractive-sounding item since "UGG boot").

I think no one cares about these guys because too many have Forever 21 syndrome. They're too often made from some kind of horrible viscose blend and/or the print is slightly off.

But a good long dress is totally effortless and awesome, and I'm here to say there is redemption to found this summer in Maxitown:



Gala: Pucci, $3720 (jeez ... or you can buy a car).

Beach: Vintage, Fashion Dig, $125 (awesome, one of a kind, buy it or I will).

Office: Max Studio, $198.

Club: United Bamboo, on sale for $395.

Date: Charley 5.0, $278.

Lunch: James Perse - no - C&C California ... psych! Old Navy, $29.50. But it sold out online literally in the time it took me to write this post, so go to the store if you don't want it in solid black or pink stripes.

Outerwear: Leather or Not

On reviewing the Top Shop celebrations at Balthazar last week, something I read back in February came to mind. This obscure passage, from an (apparently) overlooked opus entitled "How to Rock in 2009" by Capuccino Bar, is translated from the mother Spanish by the author:

I don't know what a trend is. Maybe it's the result of people following a chosen set of momentary icons because they have no ideas of their own, or maybe it's just a vibe that, for some reason, everyone feels at the same time. But whatever a trend is, the leather jacket BE ONE.

Do these photos represent two nights at Balthazar or back-to-back performances of West Side Story by an all-girls school? And what happens if you lose your coat check ticket?

Anyway, here are a few alternative looks to inspire your quest to stay warm on chilly days and nights this Spring.

And here is a good one from ADAM.

Or you could just put on that jacket you bought last week ...

Credits: Opening image: Image by Holier, words by Capuccino Bar. All Balthazar images by from Style.com. Alternative jackets (left to right from top): Style.com, Brook&Lyn, Karla's Closet, Le Blog de Betty. Final image: Text by Holier, photo by Hilde (A Doll's House).