Living Without a Closet

For the past two and a half years, I have stored all my clothing and accessories in unconventional ways. As soon as I stepped into this apartment and saw that closet space was absolutely non-existent, I made do with hanging everything on rolling racks. That got a little old (and crowded) pretty fast and I felt like I was living in a little boutique, slowly drowning in my own possessions. Taking back my apartment by getting creative with my storage options became the challenge. How to keep things mostly out of sight but still accessible? I came up with an assortment of solutions.
This dresser from CB2 has been my main "closet" for some time now. Storing clothing in a container like this is hardly revolutionary, but things get a little more interesting in just a moment. The top drawer holds all my underpinnings, the second holds dresses and skirts, the third drawer holds jeans and trousers and the bottom drawer holds t-shirts, more sweaters, and blouses. I have no iron or ironing board, but keep a garment steamer under my bed and steam things before I wear them.
I found this vintage sideboard a few years ago, and always used it for keeping books, DVDs and junk like that. I cleaned out the two top drawers and divided it up with shoe boxes. Pins, brooches, sunglasses, bracelets and belts are in the top drawer.

Scarves and necklaces are in the other.

There was not much to do about the shoe and bag situation. I got a tall, cheap bookcase from Ikea and some extra shelves. The shelving is adjustable, which allowed me to pack in the shoes and tilt everything down for easy viewing.

Flats and heels live together in color families.

Clutches live in this corner.

All black shoes and pink/flesh colored shoes sit on the next to last shelves. All my boots live on the very bottom.

This clothing storage navel-gazing came about due to the fact that I am moving to a new apartment in two weeks. An apartment with two walk-in closets. Living in my current place has taught me a thing or two about creative storage solutions and how to utilize every inch of space to maximum effect. But it won't be squandered on more square footage or closets I can skip through. I know what it's like to live without - the gift of two big closets is something I'll never take for granted.

Jot This Down

I have a heavy crush on old fashioned lick-em-stick-em stamps, and piling them all together to create the amount of necessary postage on cardstock of a complementary hue. Sometimes I feel like a card with a cute image on the front does the trick, but other times I'd prefer letting my own words do the talking.
On a recent chilly April evening, I had the pleasure of meeting Kate Zimmerman Skogen, a Bay Area business owner who helms Jet Kat Design. Through a stroke of luck, I won a sampler of her handiwork in a raffle later that same evening.
Matching vintage stamps with brand new, pretty yet sturdy paper is far from being Kate's sole talent. Check out her gallery of work to get a broader idea of all the lovely images she creates, or browse her Etsy. Then grab your favorite writing instrument and get back in touch with those old pen pals. I know that's what I'll be doing.

Checkered Past

Blouse - H&M

Jacket - Elizabeth and James

Skirt - Yves Saint Laurent

Shoes - Christian Louboutin

This Hurts Me in My Heart

I got an email from my beloved Net-a-porter this morning at 6:12AM. They send me notices when new Miu Miu comes into the shop. I saw this and clicked immediately:
Total perfection. The epitome of what I've been searching for (and saving for) since January. So off I went to select my size when I was greeted by this:How is this possible? It was just announced! Are there people out there who are more ravenous for anything from this Miu Miu collection than me? Are their mouse-clicking fingers more nimble, more quick?

Blarg. It's such a silly thing to complain about that I feel I am reaching the point of being a loathsome combination of both comical and boring. I have been trying for months to get some Miu Miu kitty cats not just on my feet but on my actual human body. My birthday is weeks away. But I'm not giving up! I'm going to make like Mariah in my high waisted jeans and make it happen.

I Was Worn To Love You

I was zoning out on the bus about a month ago when the light bulb went on in my brain: why isn't there a fashion magazine in existence that combines thoughtful, smart writing, photo editorials with an emphasis on vintage, but bypasses vapid celebrity culture and has more attainable items within its pages as opposed to month after month of the same $8,000 crocodile clutch 'aspirational' piece? A formally printed, well-executed fashion rag that was a delicious mix of Bust, Lula and Pop without the predictable corporate regurgitation of mainstream publishing's juggernauts.

Let me pause for a moment so I may be clear that there is a big part of me that adores the big corporate glossies. Part of what appeals to me so much about fashion is the fantasy. As laden with the same celebrity cover girls as they can often be, the editorials on expensive sets in exotic locations sweep me away to a fashion dreamland, and I love them for it. Through their hefty ad revenue they can also afford to pay top notch writers, photographers and stylists to create beautifully realized images, be it with words or clothes.

So anyway, speaking of fantasy, I have recently learned that the totally imaginary, perfect-in-my-own head fashion magazine I described in my first paragraph is not a dream at all. It actually exists, and not only that, but it recently published it's ninth issue and is doing quite well. The magazine is Worn, it is based out of Toronto, and it is dazzling.

For me, Worn takes everything I love about fashion magazines (intelligent reporting, imaginative editorials, opportunities for me to actually learn), sifts out the crap (breathless yet boring socialite profiles, self-congratulatory pats on the back when featuring anyone who is not young, white and thin) and adds stuff that you normally don't see (lots and lots of vintage).

The writing style of Worn's contributors does not come in the singular flavor of Carrie Bradshaw. It's academic, yet totally approachable. Another essential element missing from this fashion magazine is an obsessive focus on not only what is now, but what is next. Worn cares not a tick for trendy things, so it's subject matter doesn't date itself. Those interested in submitting work are encouraged to do so, but are also met with a page of gentle but firm advice, including the following broadside:

This isn’t a mainstream fashion magazine. Don’t push products, advise on what to wear, or pretend you’re on Sex in the City. This journal is not about hype.

The editors also kindly suggest using alternatives to words and phrases like discourse, dichotomy, dialogue, fashionista (really anything with an "-ista" added to the end), bling, and blank is the new blank. You know, those bits of our language that are either way overused, or are often thrown in when someone is trying to sound intellectual or hip but just ends up sounding clunky and forced instead.

Worn is available at a healthy amount of indie storefronts, but can also be obtained online as well. I ordered the two most recent copies to acquaint myself, and fully plan on getting all other copies that are still in print. Worn is a fashion journal that nestles perfectly into a place in my brain as well as my heart. How many other magazines still in print can you say that about?

Team Ginger

I finally did it.

I joined the club whose members include Christina Hendricks, Karen Elson, Vivienne Westwood, Grace Coddington, Geena Davis in A League of Their Own and Daphne on Scooby Doo.

I love my new hair. The word here is love, people.

Finally, membership to the Ginger Club is mine.

Of course, the catch is that I'm an absolute imposter. You didn't hear it from me, though.

Sail Away

Sweater - vintage Givenchy

Skirt - Gap

Shoes - Cole Haan

Marc Jacobs, Jem, and Me

If yesterday's mish mash of Balenciaga and Soul Train caused you to throw me some side eye, I have one thing to say: Wait til I get going!

I firmly believe that the internet was invented for two reasons: to house Style.com, a never-ending digital fashion catacomb, and YouTube, where oodles of Jem videos engage in a constant battle of the bands. Yes, that Jem! While watching some old Jem clips I started to notice that the way she dresses reminds me of various Marc Jacobs shows through the ages.

I feel that now is the time for you to join me on a little journey. What I specifically mean is...this:

and:

this:

and:

this:

and:

And finally, this:
and this!
Surely I am not the first person to notice this, right?

Into the Woods

Blouse - Roberto Cavalli

Trousers - Banana Republic

Necklace - H&M

Shoes - Christian Louboutin

Soul Train + Balenciaga

They say that life imitates art, but I argue that sometimes, art imitates art. I think Nicholas Ghesquière would agree, especially after seeing this still from Episode #7 of Soul Train, which originally aired in 1971.Does this lady's outfit of shin-high cut out sandals, cropped floral jacket and matching miniskirt remind you of anything?Sometimes I think I have fashion on the brain a little too often. I start seeing it everywhere, and something will remind me of something else, and off my imagination goes. Here is the full clip from the Soul Train episode that started my trip down this Balenciaga S/S 08 rabbit hole.

She Talks to Rainbows

Dress - Marc Jacobs

Sweater - Theory

Belt - vintage

Stockings - Hue

Shoes - Manolo Blahnik

Cat Power

Ladies and gentlemen: What the Easter Bunny hath brought.

And by Easter Bunny I mean Barney's shoe department.

Although the platform heel version is lovely, when it comes down to the needs of my life, a flat like this is just more practical. The Mary Jane-ish straps were verging on too girly girl for me but then I had to remind myself that, hey, guess what? These shoes have powder blue kitty cats on them - poo-pooing over the top girliness is kind of redundant at this point.

So. A piece of my Miu Miu dreams have come true. I don't want it to end here though. I cannot recall being more enraptured with any collection as I am with this one. And you know Grace Coddington would co-sign these shoes in one hot minute. Meow.

Let Us Now Pause for Louboutin Sneakers

I would have thought the whole spikes and stud thing would not be appearing on shoes anymore, but many are still riding that sharp pointy animal through yet another season. Last year Christian Louboutin hit a high point with those infamous Rollerball loafers, which I coveted like mad but never saw upon my own two feet.
Today I was at Barneys attending to some important matters when I saw these sneakers. They're a mid, so not exactly a high or low top, but hitting at the ankle bone. Although they are comfortable, don't let the look of a sneaker fool you - there is no support. It's much closer to wearing Keds than Air Jordans. They come in black too, and while the soles are plastic, they are still red.

So Chanel has done sneakers for years, Lanvin just recently began, and now we have Louboutin as well. Will others follow suit? Moreover, have spikes had their moment and reached critical mass or will they carry on for years and years?

This I cannot answer. There are many people in this world for whom spikes are a part of their wardrobe on an almost daily basis. Although everything goes in cycles, fashion fell hard for spikes a couple years ago and I am honestly kind of surprised that they are still very much around. As for the reasons behind my being at Barneys in the first place, that will be revealed tomorrow.

But this photo on the left is a hint.

*wink*

Disheveled

That is how I both feel and look. It has been a whirlwind week. I will bet money that I will fall asleep before sunset tonight.

Dress (worn as top) - Tsumori Chisato

Jeans - Stella McCartney

Necklace and bracelets - H&M

Shoes - Lanvin

My Birthday is in Five Weeks

The Miu Miu S/S '10 love continues. When Hall & Oates composed this little ditty, they must have been talking about this purse. Am I right?
So like I said, my birthday is in five weeks. And with a few quick keystrokes, any number of you could make-a my dreams come true. Ooh ooh. Ooh.

Why Garbage Dress Kicks My Ass

When people ask me to describe my personal style, I've started to say that it's Nancy Reagan meets Nancy Spungen. For those of you who are more familiar with my website, you know that most days I tend to gravitate more towards the demure pearl clutching preppiness of the former, with whiffs of glam gutter punklette every once in a while.

Zana Bayne, writer of Garbage Dress, is neither of these things. She holds her own, and her high fashion soft bondagey goth futurism glamour blows me away. On those occasional days when I feel like wearing nothing but black and studs, her unique aesthetic is something I try to reference.
But as you can see, when it comes to Ms. Bayne, it's not just a throw-on-all-black-and-walk-out-the-door approach to dressing. She melds draping, texture, color and proportion so well.

I love her Helmut Lang jacket.

And those shoes didn't just come with studs. Those were customized.

Ms. Bayne knows her way around leather and tools. She made this belt, which is now available on her Etsy.
She also makes body harnesses. How cool would it be to play with layering and something like this:

Ms. Bayne also recently added purses to her shop.

My birthday is coming up next month, you know.

I love Garbage Dress as a blog because it combines the personal style of the author and also gives a glimpse into her life in terms of how she views fashion, how she articulates and explores her passions, and how her love of costume and dressing bleeds into her everyday life. It's not the way I dress every day of my life, but it challenges me in all the right ways and opens me up to a world of new possibilities.

All images lifted with love from Garbage Dress