urban california youth
As someone who owns about a million t-shirts, I constantly find myself questioning their relevance in relation to fashion. I’ve worn t-shirts forever, so when I consider wearing one, I fear that I’ll appear démodé, dowdy, or downright lazy. But I’m here to tell you that t-shirts are not just for pajamas or weekend projects. Oh no. With comfort and a huge assortment of options (band, graphic, embellished, long-sleeved, short-sleeved, cropped, patterned, etc.), the t-shirt should be a staple in anyone’s closet.
You see, there is no need to question its use (or yourself) when a t-shirt is possibly the most versatile garment. A t-shirt really is what you make it! Though I’ll weigh in with my Wardrobe posts, I’ve crafted this regular installment to ask friends, bloggers, and fashionistas alike: How do you style your t-shirts?
For the “Down to a Tee” premiere I asked my friend and fellow blogger Jessica Egbu (from JessELaModa) to create a t-shirt-based look infused with her own personal style and to contribute her thoughts on the subject.
Ciao everyone. It’s Jessica from JessELaModa, sharing with you how I would style the simple luxury of a t-shirt. I was personally asked by the lovely Noe to share how I like to wear them. I’ve been living in the states for almost 10 years. Specifically, Southern California, so “The T-Shirt” is definitely something I had to coordinate with my style, especially with the scorching weather. I recently moved up north to San Francisco for college, and although the weather is a little milder, I still consider my style to be moderately the same when wearing a tee.
the gift of glamorama
(Top, a ruffled, mustard-colored dress by designer Tracy Reese; bottom, a look at the screen).
There was an explosion of color and energy at San Francisco’s Orpheum Theatre last night, as dance, fashion, art, and music came together for Macy’s annual Glamorama event. Benefiting various HIV/AIDS charities, the show encompassed presentations of various Macy’s label fashions, dance routines directed by choreographer Myron Johnson, and musical performances by well-known pop artists Far East Movement and Bruno Mars. In addition to the entertainment, Kathy Ireland spoke in tribute to the late Elizabeth Taylor and all of her AIDS activism over the years. Naomi and Tarquin Wilding, two of Taylor’s grandchildren, shared a brief sentiment as well.
The womenswear lines covered all the bases with Bohemian separates, sophisticated styles, and luxe gowns, providing casual and evening looks for the eclectic Macy’s woman. Menswear stuck to variations of a sleek, dapper, and urban élan, with a crowd-pleasing finish of undergarments.
For a more detailed, visual, and informative look at the Glamorama fashions and fun, continue on.
pretty grungy girls
My best friend Kali surprised me yesterday with a phone call saying that she was coming up to San Francisco. And later that night, we were reunited! The next day, I felt obligated to take her to my new favorite place in the city, Polk Street. After lunch at Toast, Kali, my boyfriend, and I visited stores like Terrasol, Belle Cose/Molte Cose, Picnic, Favor, Cris Consignment, and Out of the Closet. We meandered down Polk (and stumbled across some cute French bulldogs) and finally found our way to Ghirardelli Square, where we briefly encountered their annual Chocolate Festival! We taste-tested a few chocolate cookies, but forewent the $20 ticket for 15 samples. Afterwards, Kali and I visited The Magazine on Larkin St., which has loads of old glossies for fractions of their original prices. And across the street, a beautiful alleyway with painted flowers was too pretty to pass up.
red to toe
(Left to right, Elie Saab, Elie Tahari, Christian Cota, Rodarte, Reed Krakoff)
Visions of riveting rouge rule the runways.
Last fall, neutrals overwhelmed single-toned outfits with slinky separates and luxurious furs. This year, the trend comes back around in full force with one major revision: the electrifying red hue that permeates almost every collection in some form or another. Mixing textures and variations of the bold color prove popular at design houses such as Rodarte and Elie Tahari, where gradients go head to toe and back again in maroon to cherry-red shades. Slim silhouettes, infinity scarf toppers, and belted waists make the looks relevant and sensual, perfect for any modern day woman in search of a compelling and showstopping effect.
(Photos, via Style)
botanical beauty
Greetings from the Big Island of Hawai’i. I’ve been here exactly a week and have been loving every minute of my tropical trip. From swimming with sea turtles to discovering delicious Kona coffee shops, there’s never been a dull moment. Staying in a house right on the beach in Puako is the most invigorating part; surrounded by lava rock and rolling dry-grass hills, the view of the ocean keeps your mind refreshed, relaxed, and optimistic. There’s really nothing like traversing the big blue in search for colorful fish or getting caught in a sudden rainstorm at ‘Akaka Falls. I’ve never had a Hawai’i experience quite like this, and it won’t be one I’ll soon forget.
But, to the point. Nature never ceases to amaze me. A couple of days ago, we visited the Hawai’i Tropical Botanical Garden in Onomea Valley, and I was shocked by the rare beauty of the flowers and plants within: stark contrasts in color, intense reds, neon pinks, corals, and fuchsias, lush greens, perfectly patterned leaves, delicate ombré stems, buttery leathery textures, tie-dye burnout effects, Rorschach orchids and brush stroked-petals… it goes on and on. And as we trudged through the contained jungle, the only thing that was going through my head was how I could translate the greenery and floral wonders into sartorial statements.
Now, I’m no fashion designer—sewing does not come easily to me and I’m always improving on my less than anatomically correct and strangely clad sketches—but when inspiration hits you, it’s like a train going at full force. Between catching up on the latest issues of Elle and Nylon and admiring all that this island has to offer, I’ve soaked up so much creative fuel that I hardly know what to do with myself. With dreams of a magazine, boutique, fashion and textiles line, and jewelry collection in my mind, I feel like I’m going to burst if I don’t put something into motion. I can’t wait to get back home and just create, just make something.
So without further ado, a multitude (40+!) of life-affirming photos await…
