defiant fashion

A cat print dress and houndstooth coat equal one excellent look! Local fashionista Degas Lopez exemplifies modern vintage chic with her adorable frock and outerwear at the Seashell Radio show at Plush in Tucson on Saturday, November 26th.

Posted in Inspiration
Tags: street style

As much as I love TV (and I really love TV, especially when accompanied by beer), I usually can’t bring myself to buy TV-themed fashion. However, my recent discovery of The Only Way is Essex, which is basically the British version of The Hills, prompted me to search on Zazzle for the “I (Heart) Essex Girls” shirt that the dude is wearing in the speed dating episode, and while I didn’t find that (no surprise there…having worked in the souvenir field I can tell you that the “I (Heart) New York” people are notoriously litigious when it comes to people ripping off their shirts), I did find the same design on a tote bag (see link here). Sure, some people may think I’m a lesbian, but that’s a risk I’m willing to take for a vague TV reference that nobody will get. Note that there is also an “I (Heart) Essex Boys” version, but anyone who’s seen the show knows that the Essex boys are way less hilarious.

My next goal when I have a little more money is this t-shirt, naturally:

Since I was already in a TV memorabilia mindset, I searched for True Blood and found a few good things. I always thought the Merlotte’s shirt was cute, but that’s a little much even for me. “Team Eric” seemed a possibility for about a second until I realized I wasn’t 13. Then I discovered it: a Lafayette-themed shirt (link here) that says exactly what my mouth is usually saying without me having to say it! This will save me a lot of time.

I’d better not run into Pam when I’m wearing it though, because she hasn’t done that in a long, long time…

Posted in Shopping
Tags: apparel

Shooties and bootines? Okay, now Payless is just makin’ stuff up.

Posted in Shopping
Tags: shoes

Verve recording artist Lucy Woodward has been performing with the Portland-based band Pink Martini lately, but she has been dazzling audiences with her amazing vocal talent and delightful fashion sense for years. I got the chance to chat with the songstress at Pink Martini’s concert at Central Park’s Summerstage on July 17th, where she wore the fabulous green and white dress pictured above. The dress, which is from Shareen Vintage, went perfectly with the sun-dappled backdrop of the park, and it exhibits one of my favorite summer trends, bold tropical prints.

Here’s a look at some of Lucy’s other great looks!

Posted in Inspiration
Tags: Stars with Style

Well technically, the title should say “eight shoes,” since you wouldn’t get very far with one of each. Shoes are an expensive habit if you constantly follow the trends, but you only really need a few good basics, which leaves you free to splurge on the occasional ridiculous trend (I’d like to point out, however, that I refuse to purchase espadrilles this summer. You can’t make me do it!). Here are four classic shoes that will take you into winter in style.

The Slingback Heel

Everybody looks sexy in slingback heels. It’s just science.

The Mary Jane

Fans of the comfort and cuteness of Mary Janes will be glad to see that there are dozens of varieties available nowadays besides the chunky-heeled, black patent leather kind that look like tap shoes without the tap. Here are just a few cute ones.

The Ankle Boot

Still as popular as ever, ankle boots are just a great way to look put-together without being too dressy. They’re also a great way to get through the ups and downs of autumn weather with dry feet.

The Ballet Flat

Maybe it’s not that new or fresh, but come on, who doesn’t rely on ballet flats year-round? There are lots of cute ones around this year too.

Posted in Shopping
Tags: shoes

If you like to wear quirky outfits that make a statement, then defiant fashion is the website you should look at. This site has everything from clothes and accessories to celebrity fashion and men’s wear. It is a modern website which is easy to navigate around. A collage of words act as links to various items to browse through.

Defiant fashion shows items which seem to combine the old vintage look with a modern twist. Tweed caps, which are normally popular with the older generation, have made a striking comeback. The material is tightly fitted in to a sleek bonnet shape with a small cap. It is lady-like and small, yet certainly stands out from the crowd.

As you scroll down, it is like you are being taken on a trip through the ages. We see a hint of the sixties in a vibrant colored psychedelic dress. It is a bright blue and pink striped outfit which flows beautifully across the figure with an added feminine touch of a floating hemline as you twirl.

Styled with a hint of vintage seventies, we see a short dress which is made twee with a flowery decoration. The dress is figure hugging yet looks comfortable to wear, perfect for a relaxing day if you just want to lie down, play Foxy Bingo and put your feet up. You can look great, even if you are just sitting around the house. But a dress would be nothing without the perfect accessory.

Besides the beautiful dresses, there is incredible jewelry which look like tiny pieces of art. The Hardware collection is themed around items you would find around the garage. There are two gold wedding rings, designed for his and hers by the nut and bolt theme. A romantic touch which shows not only to the nut and bolt fit perfectly together, but so does the couple.

You are sure to improve your posture with the spirit level necklace or maybe the screw styled earrings are more your taste. This designer has been very inventive with what is easily found around a typical garage. Or maybe it was a man’s way of avoiding buying expensive jewelry for his girlfriend….

Posted in Inspiration
Tags: sponsored messages

There are plenty of runway trends that will inevitably trickle down to the streets this fall, some of them regrettable (ponchos, anyone?). And why are designers always trying to get us to wear jewel tones? It’s not gonna happen! But these are a few pieces I’m looking forward to seeing a lot more of this fall, if my predictions are correct.

Caps

I’ve already stated my weariness with the fedora trend, and I’m not suggesting anyone go Samuel L. Jackson or Newsies with a newsboy cap. I’m talking about floppy tweed caps, with or without a buckle. There are military-style caps with a flat top and equestrian-looking caps like the second one pictured. They make just about anyone look good, and they have a retro appeal that’s subtle, rather than overwhelming.

Sweaters with skirts

Speaking of caps, Jean-Luc Godard wears an excellent one in the photo below, which also displays one of my favorite fall looks — a sweater with a knee-length schoolgirl-esque skirt. Tights or long socks, ballet flats or oxfords — whatever you choose to wear below the knee is up to you. But keep the sweater baggy like Anna Karina does to avoid coming off too much like a schoolgirl of the X-rated variety.

Floor-length hems

Sure, it’s completely impractical in a city like New York (I shudder to think of a walk through the subway in one of these), but floor-skimming dresses and coats make a dramatic impression. Yes, that means you can dig that maxi dress from 2009 out of your closet and give it new life. It’s a recession, some trend recycling can be forgiven.

Red hair and natural makeup

This photo of Alyson Hannigan pretty much says it all. Red hair, natural makeup, check. Unlike last year’s trend of bright red lipstick and pale skin, vampire-style, this year it’s all about looking healthy and alive. Interesting to think about what that means in terms of us and the direction our culture is headed. Perhaps things are looking up?

Minimal jewelry

When fall comes, it’s time to put away the oversized, clunky necklaces that go so well with summer’s exuberant personality and focus on simple pieces that speak of timelessness. Simple pendants that have sentimental value (like cameos and coins, pictured below) are perfect for this time of year, which is all about getting serious again after a season full of reckless abandon.

Posted in Inspiration
Tags: accessories, apparel, beauty, jewelry