5 Days Of Skirts

In the midst of 5 Days Of Skirts, a conversation with a friend about style made me think about the name of my blog: Hell or High Fashion.  "High Fashion" is very different from run-of-the-mill fashion.  Something can be in "fashion" without being "High Fashion"- bandage dresses and other forms of club-wear come to mind as "fashionable" things that the "High Fashion" world would scoff at.

There are a bunch of subjective definitions of "High Fashion" floating around on the internet (I even found this pretty ridiculous WikiHow article on "How To Look High Fashion"), but the most clear definition I could find was "the art of the application of design and aesthetics or natural beauty to clothing and accessories. It is influenced by cultural and social attitudes."  Essentially, High Fashion is art.  It's creativity. High Fashion encompasses the avant garde trends that trickle down to the mass retailers, who then process the trendy content and push out socially-acceptable versions of high-fashion concepts. 

To the layperson, High Fashion is Vogue.  It's the Paris runway shows.  It's clothing that doesn't care about practicality.  High Fashion is not what you find at Forever21- although those pieces are inspired by High Fashion.  

So how come my blog is called Hell or High Fashion (even though I wear Forever21 pretty much everyday)?  Because even though I'm rarely wearing High Fashion pieces, I always aim to incorporate High Fashion concepts into my everyday wear.  In 5 Days of Skirts, I'll show you exactly how I do it!

Day 1

Ostwald Helgason SS14, Stella McCartney FW13

Blazer, H&M.  Set, shoes, and bag, Forever 21.

On Day 1 of skirts, I drew inspiration from both the Fall 2013 runways and the Spring 2014 runways.  Matching sets are a huge trend in the high fashion community right now- I loved Ostwald Helgason's interpretation for Spring- so I reached for my matching floral skirt set from Forever 21.  Even though it's LA, it's still too chilly to walk around outside in a mini skirt and a crop top, so I threw a navy and grey pinstriped blazer from H&M on top.  This pattern and color combo was a huge Fall 2013 trend, most notably at Stella McCartney, and when I saw this blazer for just $50 (compared with McCartney's $1000+ price tag) I couldn't resist!  A cross-body bag and leopard pumps broke up the dark look.

So, even though I ripped trends from the high fashion runways, the look is 100% me.  Why?  I mixed and matched them in my own way!  Combining Fall and Spring trends in a fresh way ensured that I didn't look like a walking ad for the latest runway looks. 

Day 2

3.1 Phillip Lim FW13

Sweater, Banana Republic.  Shoes & Skirt, Zara.  Necklace, Forever 21.

Day 2 was the day that got me thinking about Hell or High Fashion!  I paired a patched-up denim pencil skirt from Zara with a simple black Banana Republic sweater- I loved the way this look mixed street wear trends with a polished silhouette.  When I met up with a friend that day, she (lovingly) teased me about my outfit, saying the skirt gave me "a mom butt" and that I looked like "a 90s Rachel Greene."  Little did she know that this patchwork skirt is actually on the cutting edge of high fashion!

The skirt was inspired by the Fall 2013 3.1 Phillip Lim runway- the designer showed jeans, shorts, and denim jackets covered in biker-esque patches and I loved the idea!  When I saw this (blatantly knocked-off) skirt at Zara, I was excited that I could incorporate the look into my wardrobe on a budget.  My friend and I clearly had different opinions of this piece- but that's why high fashion is great!  The avant garde ideas on the runway aren't made to please everyone- they're meant to speak to a select group of people, who can take those ideas and run with them.  The 3.1 Phillip Lim runway show spoke to me, and I put my own spin on the designer's aesthetic with this look.

Day 3

Burberry SS14

Top and skirt, vintage.  Shoes and Jacket, Topshop.

Day 3 was Burberry day!  When I saw Burberry's Spring 2014 runway collection, I knew it would inspire me to break out some of my favorite vintage pieces.  Burberry's designer Christopher Bailey sent a gorgeous vintage-inspired black and white print down the catwalk, and I actually owned an authentic vintage crochet top with the same print!  Ahead of the trend and I didn't even know it.  

The Burberry show featured a lot of pastel colors, like baby pink and powder blue, so I paired my vintage top with a pretty pink polka dotted skirt (also vintage).  At night I added my floral leather jacket to the mix, but wore it over my shoulders (another big high fashion trend- read my blog on it here).  I love that the Burberry show drove me to wear things I already own in a new and exciting way!

Day 4

Tibi FW13

Turtleneck, H&M.  Sweater & skirt, Forever 21.  Shoes, Steve Madden.

Things got dark & moody on Day 4, because I woke up late & my apartment was freezing.  I wanted to throw something out that was easy and warm, but I didn't want to forget about my 5 Days Of Skirts challenge.  I decided on a cozy turtleneck worn under an oversized, embellished sweatshirt, a leather skirt, and black pumps.  

Like I mentioned in 5 Days Of Pants, turtlenecks are back in a big way!  They were seen all over the Fall 2013 runways, but my favorite turtleneck looks were those from Tibi.  Tibi gave the formerly-square turtleneck a dark, edgy vibe by pairing them with loads of leather and oversized coats and sweatshirts.  Tibi's version was a little too dark for me, though, so I made sure my sweater sparkled and I showed a little more skin than their models!  A leather mini with punky zipper detailing and classic black pumps made the look less "Tibi" and more "Jessica".

Day 5

Sister by Sibling (2) SS14, Burberry SS14

Skirt, Kymehra.  Top, Kate Spade Saturday.  Shoes, Steve Madden.

On Day 5 I debuted my new stylehaus skirt!  I LOOOOOVE this skirt.  I think it marries classic sensibilities with a modern dose of sex appeal and it's perfect.  It also happens to echo some pretty high-fashion concepts from the Spring 2014 runways!

One of my favorite runway shows for SS14 was Sister by Sibling's London show.  A throwback to 50s/60s style, Sister by Sibling updated vintage silhouettes in modern materials, like fishnet, with grungy styling.  Sheer skirts worn over cute undies were seen at Sister (and at Burberry), and my skirt took the trend and made it wearable (skimpy booty shorts are socially acceptable, undies are not).  I added a striped tee with a high neckline and my go-to black pumps to add some conservative touches to the otherwise revealing outfit.

So what did 5 Days of Skirts teach me about my relationship with High Fashion?  While I may not be wearing genuine high-fashion garments, every look that I put together is inspired by high fashion.  The high fashion world is a bag of tricks that I can pull from when I get dressed ("I love the turtleneck look at Tibi") and supplement with my own personal style ("BUT Tibi's runway was too dark for me").  

A lot of people are quick to mock the more out-of-the-box runway looks (Jimmy Kimmel's piece on Fashion Week was hysterical if a little judgmental), but most of the time they're not meant to be worn literally.  If you want to get inspired to expand your personal style, just look to high fashion.  Style.com is a good place to start; click on the "Fashion Shows" tab and go nuts.  You're welcome.  

Grin and Bare It

Jacket, AG.  Top, Forever 21.  Skirt, American Apparel.  Shoes, Zara.  Bag, Vintage.

It's definitely started to feel like Spring here in LA!  The days are longer and the temperature has been sitting pretty in the 70s for a few weeks now.  My extensive collection of little sundresses gives me a lot of great outfits to choose from, but they can get boring after a while.  Normally a one-piece, quick and easy dress devotee, I've been playing with separates more and more to create a unique Spring/Summer look.

One common complaint from my personal shopping clients is, "I don't know what to wear during the summer months."  The heat really seems to mess with people- I'm constantly hearing "It's too hot to put in effort!" or "I didn't have the energy to look further than a tank and cut-offs".  Hot weather isn't an excuse to forget about fashion- it IS a great excuse to challenge yourself though!

Head scarf, American Apparel.  Earrings, Forever 21.

This season, I've been focusing on creating a wardrobe of fun mix-and-match pieces that can be combined in infinite ways.  In fact, I haven't bought a dress in quite a while!  Crop tops, long printed skirts, and bright cardis and blazers have taken over my wardrobe.  With so many options, I'm guaranteeing that I'll never feel bored with Spring/Summer fashion again.

One of my favorite finds so far is this fun midi-length skirt from American Apparel.  This style is 50% off right now and available in tons of different colors, so go scoop one up now while you can!  "Midi" skirts (also known as "tea length") are really having a moment right now.  Because the length is so conservative, you can really have fun with color, print, and the other pieces you pair it with. 

I took that conservative/wild approach and paired my long, high-waisted skirt with a cute little cropped top!  I picked up this gem from Forever 21 last summer (with high-waisted short shorts to match) and it's been waiting for the perfect outfit to come along ever since.  I feel OK about baring my midriff to the world in this look because I'm covered up everywhere else!  I wouldn't dream of wearing a belly-baring shirt with a mini skirt or even with tight pants- a balance of tight/loose or short/long is what keeps a daring outfit classy.

That being said, sometimes the sun got a little too hot to handle in this jacket!

The 50s/60s flair of this look inspired me to do something a little different with my hair!  I grabbed a head wrap from American Apparel and channeled Brigitte Bardot in this iconic pic:

A little straw basket purse and mod floral earrings tied everything together for a classic but funky way to handle the spring heat! 

Fashion Tips from "Grin and Bare It":

1.  The weather is no excuse for sloppy dressing.  Cooler days give you the opportunity to experiment with layering, and hotter days should challenge you to come up with fun, unexpected combinations that won't weigh you down.  Jewelry and shoes are great ways to add more "oomph" to your summer look: you can wear your traditional summer uniform of short shorts and a tank, but elevate them with bright layered jewels or funky wedge sandals. 

2.  This season is the season to bare it!  Cropped tops and underwear-as-outerwear are huge in the fashion world, so there are plenty of options for you to try out.  Just remember that when you decide to show off one part of your body, you should conceal another- that sense of "peek-a-boo" keeps your look mysterious and classy instead of party-girl crazy.

3.  Separates are the best way to punch up your wardrobe.  While dresses are fun and easy, they don't offer as much variety as separate pieces do.  Have at least one bright shirt, one striped shirt, and one floral shirt in your wardrobe to pair with different colored jeans, printed shorts, and fun skirts- you'll never run out of options!

Now that we've covered warm weather wardrobes, what other common complaints do you have?  I'd love to help!

Pink Lady

On New Year's Eve, I did the unthinkable: I rang in the New Year sans lipstick.  

I spent all of New Year's Eve day planning outfits in my head, and I took a lot of inspiration from the 1960s.  I knew I wanted to do heavy, Twiggy-esque eye makeup and tease my hair up into a bouffant, and I had just purchased some Pepto-pink pumps that I wanted to wear.  This combination left no room for my signature red lips, and the New Year is all about change, right?  So I went bare-lipped, and it was so freeing! 

Sweater, F21.  Skirt, Carolina Herrera.  Bag, Vintage.  Shoes, Aldo.

While I've still been rocking red most days of 2013, my NYE experience has opened me up to more pucker possibilities: glossy lips, nude lips, purple lips- but most of all, pink lips!  I've been so obsessed with this new look that I planned a whole outfit to match my mouth- there's just something so classic and classy about one head-to-toe color!

My newest heels (a great find at Wasteland) were an obvious choice, and a vintage Carolina Herrara skirt (that I wore WAY back in 2011 here) completed the pink trifecta.  Because head-to-toe pink seems a tad over the top, a mod black and white sweater provided some contrast but still kept up with the 1960s mood I've been feeling lately.  I added a vintage bag handed down to me from my Nanny, teased my hair up a little bigger than usual and swiped on my new favorite lipstick and my outfit was almost complete!

Earrings, F21 (customized by me).  Ring, Alexis Bittar.  Brooch, H&M.

I had some fun with my jewelry and decided on a "garden" theme- bugs and flowers aplenty.  Collecting animal jewelry is one of my hobbies, so I had plenty of garden creatures to choose from.  Today I added a fly brooch, flower earrings, and a beetle ring to my 60s look.  It's so important to have fun dressing up, and little add-ons like an animal pin, a printed scarf, or even frilly socks make a fashion statement so much more personal!

Fashion Tips from "Pink Lady": 

1.  Find part of your look that is the same everyday (for instance, do you always part your hair in the middle? Do you throw the same hoodie on over everything?) and change it up!  Maybe it won't stick, but the spirit of change will inspire you to see yourself and your style in new ways!

2.  Anything can be a jumping-off point for a new look or outfit, so be open to anything!  The idea of a 60s bouffant hairdo translated into a mood/lipstick/trend change in my wardrobe- maybe an 80s song on the radio will inspire you to break out your legwarmers, or a finding a new recipe to try out might trigger a 50s housewife phase.

3.  Want to try a matchy-matchy look?  You have some options!  To test head-to-toe color, vary the shades: classic denim paired with a bright blue tee shirt and a navy blazer makes for a modern monochrome moment.  For a look that is similar to the one I wore here, try wearing a dress and shoes of the same shade and break it up with a neutral belt at the waist. 

4.  Pencil skirts (a straight up-and-down cut that usually stops below the knee) like the one I wore here are traditionally worn with tight fitting tops, button downs, or blazers.  Try an oversize sweater or even a peplum top for a new spin on a classic piece. 

5.  Make your hair and makeup an extension of your outfit- this one goes for guys too!  The same way an interview-appropriate outfit can be ruined by messy hair or an unruly beard, a fancy updo or freshly trimmed mustache can elevate a basic look.

My next post is going to be about taking inspiration from a personal style icon.  Who are your favorite fashionistas (or fashionistos)??

Well Read

Shirt, F21.  Sweater, Ralph Lauren.  Pants, 3.1 Phillip Lim.  Bag, ASOS.  Necklace, vintage.

A few weeks ago I got a request from a reader for a post on how to wear wide leg pants, which may have actually been the highlight of my life as a blogger!  One of my goals as a stylist is to help people feel more comfortable making their own fashion statements, so if you have any questions at all about how to wear a piece of clothing or try out a new trend, please ask!  I'd love to make Hell or High Fashion as interactive as possible.

 

I picked up these white wide leg 3.1 Phillip Lim trousers at Crossroads (a second-hand shop) a few weeks ago and have been dying to wear them ever since.  Skin tight pants have been popular for so long that wearing such a loose, relaxed pair felt really refreshing!  One thing to remember with a long pair of pants: heel height is everything!  You want the bottoms of the pants to just about touch the ground, so heels are usually a must.  Tailor your pants to a length that works for your favorite high-heels.

 

My white pants seemed to be giving off a sailor vibe, so I went with nautical stripes up top.  The layerd sweater/collared shirt combo was very menswear, so a sparkly tie necklace finished off the look perfectly! I think a feminine touch is important when attempting to pull off a daring pant, and a dainty, sparkly take on a traditional male accessory seems to say, "I may be wearing pants, but I'm still a lady!"

 

The most exciting part of my outfit though was for sure my new BOOK CLUTCH!   I've seen these amazing purses disguised as books everywhere lately; Kate Spade has a collection of classics and Charlotte Olympia has made some too.  Those retail for $300 and over- totally out of my price range.  So when this little beauty popped up on ASOS.com for $35, I couldn't say no! 

 

I am thrilled with my purchase; I took this book-bag to a bar yesterday and got complimented by the bouncer, the waitors, and friends alike.  One girl even thought I was carrying around my Bible!  Love it.

 

Another way to wear wide-leg pants in to pair them with a crop top!  It's recently become acceptable again to show a little midriff in public, so I say go for it.  A look like this is bursting with confidence, and that's really all you need to pull off and out-there outfit.  If you wear your wide trousers and belly shirt with pride, no one will have a negative thing to say!

 

Here are a few other way to wear a pair of pants like this:

 

- Tuck in a fitted button down and finish off the look with a wide leather belt

- A shell blouse (a shirt with a boxy cut) would lay flush with the width of the pants for a cool 60s vibe

- A tight shirt with a shrunken blazer on top is the perfect business-appropriate pairing

 

Fashion Tips from "Well Read":

 

1.  Don't be afraid to wear something weird!  If you fall in love with a piece of clothing that isn't a regular part of your wardrobe, research different ways to wear it- or just ask me!  Never let fear stop you from indulging in fashion.

 

2.  If you're attempting to wear long, wide trousers, make sure the length of the pant is perfect.  If they are too long you'll look like a little kid playing dress up, and if they are too short you'll look stumpy.  Fit is everything!

 

3. Usually all you need to authentically pull off a look that you're not used to is a smile!  Confidence is ultimately the most important accessory- so if you feel cool in your outfit, everyone else will think you're cool, too!

 

 

 

What else do you guys want to ask?  Let me know and I'll do a personalized post for every question I get!

 

Borrowed From the Boy

Welcome back to Hell or High Fashion!  

I wore this menswear-inspired look to the flea market today and was stopped by a street-style fashion blogger wanting to take my picture. I thought, "Why don't I just blog my own picture??"  So here it is, the first blog post in months!

I have been in a real Diane Keaton phase lately, which mostly means that I've been borrowing clothes from my boyfriend a lot lately. 

 The way Ms. Keaton defined the menswear trend is so inspiring- she wore pieces tailored to a woman's body but with a man's sensibility.  I've put this idea into action quite a few times in past weeks, including a stint with suspenders,  a bedazzled tie-shaped necklace, and men's pants worn with feminine tops.  I think my favorite menswear outfit was the one I put on today!

The trick to making menswear look like womenswear (in my opinion):  for every one part masculine, you add two parts feminine.  To balance out my navy tie (borrowed from my man), I wore form fitting skinny jeans.  To counter the buttoned-up-to-the-top button up, I looked for a shirt in a quirky, girly print-- polka dots!  Because I topped off this outfit with men's sunglasses, I ended it with sexy leopard print pumps.  

For the extra womanly touches, I wore my curls big and bouncy and a red lip sealed the deal.  I might be wearing boys clothes, but the look is totally femme.

  Finding inspiration in fashionable men and exploring another part of my sartorial sensibilities has been unbelievably eye-opening; I never knew I could pull off a look like this.  I can't wait to share my next borrowed-from-the-boys adventure!

Fancy Pants

Top, DVF.  Pants, Zara.  Clutch, MCM.  Jewelry, Marc by Marc & F21.

I’m currently going through one of those phases where I feel like I have nothing to wear, even though my closet doors are threatening to burst open with overflow at any moment.  Both of my jobs require different work wardrobes, and I feel a bit like a style schizophrenic-  I bounce betweeen florals and tutus for my day job at Betsey, and skinny jeans and rocker chains for my internship.  I feel like my own fashion identity is getting a little lost these days, but I'm using the opportunity to spice up my style and experiment a bit.  First new trend I'm trying?  Pants!

 These wide-leg polka-dot trousers have been waiting for their day in the sun for awhile; I scooped them up at Zara's seasonal sale for $19 and promptly forgot about them.  These particular pants aren't too far out of my usual skirt/dress comfort zone.  Because the legs are so wide and flowy, they actually appear to be a long skirt from certain angles.  Super comfy too!!  I paired them with a simple DVF tee. 

The low scoop in the back of the shirt really makes it for me!  As regular readers know, I am powerless against a garment that shows off my tatttoos.  :)

This look is very simple, so I added some suble contrast by putting spotted leopard pumps against the dotted black pants, and added my MCM clutch to tie in the brown-and-black theme.  I love the subtlty of small, mismatched patterns!

I always worry about wearing pants, because I'm afraid they'll make me look stumpy.  This pair changed my mind though-  I feel tall and slim, and I've never been more comfortable.  I'm glad to say that I now wear the pants!

Head To Toe

Top, Michael Kors.  Skirt, Carolina Herrera.  Shoes, F21.

Lately I've developed a slight obsession with the color pink.  I don't know how or why it happened, but suddenly after years of having no interest in the color, I can't seem to go shopping without picking up something in this girlish hue.

This Michael Kors top is easy to mix-and-match with different bottoms, and since it's made of stretch silk it feels a bit dressier than your basic tee.  I paired it with this amazing vintage Carolina Herrera polka-dotted skirt from Second Time Around- a match made in heaven!

Bag, Ferragamo.

This outfit felt very 50's/60's, which inspired my good friend and hairstylist Anna Kathryn to give me some sweet victory rolls!  I absolutely loved this hairdo--  so much so that I didn't even mind that my ears were showing (usually a no-no for me)!  The victory rolls added 'oomph' to the look, and I'm going to try to make my hair an extension of my outfits more often.

I found these fantastic strappy sandals at Forever 21 last week.  They look a lot more expensive than they were, which is always a good thing!  I've been wearing them non-stop, because the blush tone matches absolutely everything- a great alternative to a nude pump!

XOXO!

Patent Pending

Dress, vintage.  Shoes, Mossimo.  Belt, Betsey Johnson.  Bag, Mulberry for Target. 

I took advantage of having three consecutive days off of work this week and spent a few wonderful days with my family in New Jersey!   One of my favorite parts of hanging with the fam is having my outfits critiqued by my very opinionated and stylish younger sisters- I always make sure that I bring home my newest, most interesting pieces to get their uncensored feedback.  Sometimes they can be harsh, but this printed 50s sundress got the OK from both of my girlies!

Sunnies, H&M.

I scored this flirty 50s frock from Cafe Society in Brookline, MA for only $25!  The top is a bit more blousy than what I usually like to wear, so I tried to cinch in that extra fabric with a wide patent leather belt from Betsey Johnson.  I added matching patent shoes and handbag (borrowed from my younger sis, Valerie) and finished off the look with my new favorite sunglasses!  I think the exaggerated cat-eye shape suits my new haircut.

I was also drawn to this dress for another reason:  it's cut super low in the back, which makes it the perfect outfit to show off my NEW TATTOO!

I got some fresh ink last Monday, and couldn't wait to show it off to my family!  These letters stand for all of our first initials:  Hector, Cindy, Jessica, Joe, Rachel, and Valerie.  As some readers may know, I'm quite the Scrabble champion, so I thought the initials in the Scrabble tiles would be the best way to show off my family love.  The tattoo came out beautifully; it's a permanent fashion statement!

Thanks to Momma for the pics!

Target Practice

Dress, Zac Posen for Target.  Shoes, Prada.

I've always been a huge fan of the Target Go! International designer collaborations; they bring specialty pieces made by world renowned designer labels to the masses.  This pink polka-dotted purchase from Zac Posen for Target only cost me $35, while a Zac Posen collection garment will run you upwards of $1000.  What's not to love??

There are just so many outstanding details!   My favorite part is the pink ribbon outlining throughout the dress- it's placed to highlight the best parts of a woman's body.  The ribbon shows off the waist, hips, and chest, creating the perfect silhouette.  That's the work of a talented designer-  you're not going to find that kind of intricacy in regular mass-market fashion fare.  Zac Posen is a genius!

I also can't get enough of the shoulder cut-outs.  It's so unique and different from anything else you'll find in my closet!

This is probably the first time I've ever worn head-to-toe pink!  That's how you know the dress is amazing :)  Paired with my favorite Prada pumps...which were subsequently swallowed by the sand on the beach.

Thanks to Momma for taking these pictures!!