CHICTOPIA SNEAK PEEK! Exercising Your Personal Style: Stylish Workout Wear

Okay, it's not a sneak peek really because the article went live yesterday, but in case you don't follow me on Chictopia or do not regularly check Chictopia, here's a little bit of my new article. You can, as always, read the rest by clicking on the link at the very end.

Exercise is just one of those things. You know what I’m talking about: one of “those things” that you have to do, like going to school or watching “Wizards of Waverly Place” at least once in your life. Okay, maybe it’s a little different. A lot of people don’t exercise; some of them are fine, while others really should because it effects them medically. But another thing that is inevitable is everyone’s daily interaction with clothing and fashion, which is why I’m so confused as to why the two never really meshed well. Gyms and airports are tied for the highest volume of unattractive clothing in one place, hands down. The reason is because you see the same type of apparel in each venue: sloppy, unflattering, (usually) dirty, and/or ill-fitting garments. It’s kind of sad, really, because fitness is a very large part of some peoples’ lives, and it is a shame that they look like overgrown camp counselors most of the time. Sadly, I fall into the category of those who dress well on a daily basis but look like a shlump at the gym. I guess my excuse is that I’ll be sweaty and nasty in my workout clothes so why bother wearing something nice, but that’s kind of lame. It doesn’t have to be like this! There are options out there for us fashionable people who suddenly transform into slovenly slobs as soon as they step foot in the YMCA. I’m on a mission to turn this all around, so I scoured the internet for the most high fashion activewear I could find. Below are my favorite selections.

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Just kidding, you can't view my favorite selections below unless you CLICK HERE to read the rest of the article. Which you should do, because the letters are humongous. 

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Talking To Myself

That's how I would describe this interview of Karl Lagerfeld. Here Karl plays the interviewer and interviewee: so cuckoo Chanel.

I usually don't have the patience for long videos (or really videos at all, that's why I rarely watch television on my computer), but this one is an exception. Karl's accent is so wonderful, and he's also hilarious. Old fashionable German men really are the greatest, especially when they're the head designer for Chanel. 'Nuff said. Note: some of the advice he gives is actually quite helpful because he keeps it rill real and honest.

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If The Clothes Fit

That is the title of an article written by Minh-Ha T. Pham for Ms. Magazine last week about feminism and fashion. Well, to be fair, the full title is "If The Clothes Fit: A Feminist Takes On Fashion," so I guess saying that initially would have saved me the extra sentence. That's irrelevant. The reason I brought this up is because I found it very inspiring (yes, so typical of a teenage girl, especially a fashion blogger, to say that a pro-feminism article is "inspiring," but don't judge me, just tellin' it like it is), so I wanted to share it with you guys. Instead of me unsuccessfully trying to explain myself and sounding like an ignorant fool, I'll just let the journalist who wrote the article speak for me.

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"My passion for fashion can sometimes seem a shameful secret life,' wrote Princeton University English professor Elaine Showalter in 1997.

And indeed, after these words appeared in Vogue, more shame was heaped on her. Surely she must have 'better things to do, said one colleague.

Fashion, like so many other things associated primarily with women, may be dismissed as trivial, but it shapes how we’re read by others, especially on the levels of gender, class and race. In turn, how we’re read determines how we are treated, especially in the workforce—whether we are hired, promoted and respected, and how well we are paid. That most ordinary and intimate of acts, getting dressed, has very real political and economic consequences.

...

The fact that even the most politically and culturally commanding women must walk a razor’s edge between looking powerful and still appearing 'appropriately feminine' underscores visual theorist John Berger’s concise description of mainstream society: 'Men act and women appear.' In other words, men are judged by their deeds; women, by their looks.

In U.S. politics, Hillary Clinton has experienced the damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don’t double bind for strong women. If she wears a power pantsuit, it’s a 'desexualized uniform,' but if she shows a hint of cleavage—as she famously did in 2007—it can ignite a media firestorm that eclipses her political platform."

***

I was shocked to read that part about Hillary Clinton--if she wants to embrace her femininity, who are we to stop her? Have you seen Kim Kardashian? Like, is this a joke? Okay, I get that she's a political leader and everything, but she's a woman, isn't she? Yes. She should be allowed to wear pants one day and a low cut top the next. It doesn't make her political views any different. It's just that our biased, male-driven societal standards make it difficult for a woman to express herself through fashion. That's really what fashion is about. The fact that a Princeton English professor was embarrassed to be passionate about clothing is a serious issue. Maybe it was fifteen years ago, but the Hillary Clinton incident was only five years ago, so clearly not much has changed. My stance on this is not really about the feminism part so much as the taking fashion seriously part. I hate that people still think that it's a waste of time, when you live your life in it. Do they think art is useless? No, they think it's sophisticated. Do they think music is unnecessary? Not at all; they listen to their iPod everyday on their way to work. In the words of Miranda Priestly in "The Devil Wears Prada" on the topic of Andy's choice of clothing, "You're trying to tell the world that you take yourself too seriously to care about what you put on your back...and it's sort of comical how you think that you've made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry when, in fact, you're wearing the sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room from a pile of stuff." It's inevitable that people will interact with fashion every day of their lives, so why are they so opposed to it? It is quite baffling to me. 

Anyway, enjoy the rest of your weekend. 

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Trending Next Spring: Safari Style

You thought I was done with East African expedition-inspired clothing a few weeks ago, huh? Me too. It turns out we were wrong, because next spring, the designers were feeling the hunter-and-prey vibe. Donna Karan channeled it into a lot of exotic body-conscious dresses in a brown and white palette, while our good pal Michael Kors outfitted his girls in garb that actually might be acceptable attire for attacking live animals. Giambattista Valli took a classic approach (if you can call a zebra-print fur skirt "classic") and used a lot of animal prints. 

If you're thinking of rocking the safari look, one thing is for sure: keep your hair away from your face. Not only because it's practical if you're actually going to be going on an expedition, but because all of the runways told us too. I think it's also because the prints are just so much that you want to keep everything else a bit more minimal to balance it out, or you run the risk of looking like one of your potential (animal) victims. 

Keep in mind, most likely due to its obscurity, this is a mini-trend, so don't be worried that you're going to have to walk around looking like this guy next spring. We have 22 other trends out there. This is the last one out of all 23. It's been real, guys. I'll be back soon telling you what to wear for pre-fall. And I'll know what to wear next fall in around two weeks, because I'm attending a few shows myself this season. I'm supa-dupa excited, you don't even know. I digress. Let's just skip to the pictures. 

Look like the hunter: 

                               Michael Kors                                                                     Oscar de la Renta

         

                               Michael Kors                                                                       Marni

    

Look like the prey: 

                                Michael Kors                                                                     Donna Karan 

    

 Giambattista Valli

And there you have it! You now know exactly what to wear as soon as March 22nd rolls around. Extra points if you get started on them now. Although I don't really understand why people do that, but they do.

Enjoy the last day of the weekend, everyone. Sundays are the worst. 

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If My Hair Were Shorter

...This is what I hope it would look like: a cross between fashion blogger Zoe (Girl With The Flower), Michelle Williams and Emma Watson, with a touch of Carey Mulligan. Mostly Carey Mulligans face shape, because it matches mine most accurately out of the bunch. I think. I've been spending a lot of time trying to figure it out. Let's just leave it my head shape is a mix between all four of theirs, because I really can't decide.

Photos courtesy of girlwiththeflower.blogspot.com and google.com. 

Zoe

Michelle Williams

Emma Watson 

Carey Mulligan

Ever since I saw Zoe's haircut (it used to be more around my hair's length, and also quite wavy/curly), I've been obsessed with this style. I may reach the same point that I did over the summer, where I just needed to cut my hair off. This time, however, my mom is not as willing to comply. It may take more of a fight. Or, I may not do it at all. I would LOVE to hear what you guys think about it: if you think I could pull it off, if I should do it, or if I should just stay away from mega short hair at all costs. There's a cute little comments box below for your remarks, statements, judgements and opinions (really, that's what it says, right there in the big capital letters underneath this post). You can also help me decide whose face shape is closest to mine. It's bugging me. 

P.S.: I've been working all day on a fantastic shoe DIY. I mentioned its existence at the end of my t-shirt DIY, but its been pumped up a bit since then. Literally. Think about that one for a minute. 

Happy weekend!

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Trending Next Spring: Glitter and Glint

I mentioned a while back that I'm not a huge fan of sequins. That's funny, because my nails currently have sparkles on them, and my aunt got me a black sequined Calvin Klein Collection shirt a few weeks ago that I love. Anyway, I better get over seeing sparkle and shine because it's going to be blinding come springtime. From metallic textiles to straight up bedazzling, the designers were really feeling the whole I-want-everyone-to-see-me-from-ten-blocks-away vibe.

Things to look out for when wearing sparkly and glittery apparel: have mega fun with it. You'd think I'd tell you to keep accessories, silhouettes and makeup minimal, right? That's what I would do, personally, but apparently people like Sarah Burton (for Alexander McQueen), Marc Jacobs, and Emilio Pucci thought otherwise. However, there are some designers who agreed with my take on sequins and shimmer, such as Bill Blass, Christopher Kane, and Reed Krakoff. Basically, do what you want. Either let the shine take center stage, or make it a neutral (hey, Kelly Framel, a.k.a. The Glamourai, has said that leopard print is a neutral, so...) and play it up with cray-cray makeup and accessories.

Let's take a gander, shall we?

All photos courtesy of style.com.

Wear lots of shiny disks: 


                                   Bill Blass                                                                     Givenchy
          

                                  Nina Ricci                                                                      Givenchy
          

                                   Nina Ricci                                                                     Yves Saint Laurent
          

Shiny, metallic and glossy (like a mermaid's tail!):


                          Alexander McQueen                                                                 Chanel
          

                            Christopher Kane                                                                Emilio Pucci

          
                                                           (Josephine Skriver next to herself! And above herself!)
                     
                           Alexander McQueen                                                                 Etro
          

                                 Kanye West                                                                   Haider Ackermann

          

                                        Etro                                                                           Paul & Joe

          

                                 Sass & Bide                                                                      Marc Jacobs
           
 
                                   Nina Ricci                                                                    Opening Ceremony      
          

                                   Paul & Joe                                                                  Louis Vuitton    
          

                                 Sass & Bide                                                                   Reed Krakoff

          

I'm not even much of a fan, but that looks fun. Especially the Christopher Kane and Reed Krakoff dresses. Notice how the model wearing both of those designs is Josephine Skriver. She's made (a record?) four appearances in this post. I personally think she's one of the prettiest models out there at the moment (behind Arizona Muse, of course, but it's a tight race), but that's a topic for another post. 

You better start stocking up now on this sparkly stuff, I have a feeling it's going to be a big deal once spring rolls around. It already sort of is, so just prepare yourself. Really, you might want to prep your eyes for another season of intense shine. Some of it is quite blinding in person, especially in bright sunlight (a factor we don't have to worry too much about during the winter). 

Have a happy Friday tomorrow! 

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Trending Next Spring: The Skant

What is a "skant," you ask? Why, it is a hybrid word (my favorite!) of "skirt" and "pant," denoting the act of wearing both at the same time. Think that sounds a little wacko? Maybe it is, maybe it isn't, but it's definitely trending. There isn't that much photographic proof from this season (there is oodles and noodles of it in Resort 2012, which I'm throwing in at the end of this post, since Resort and Spring are basically around the same time anyway), but the Man Repeller herself coined the phrase (all credit goes to her brain juice for the title of this post) and has tested the trend. The verdict is that she rocked it, of course. It gives me hope for the future, that I too can wear a skant. I think über long legs are necessary though, so I don't know how well that will go over for me. The only reason I think this is because all the models on the runway are like, 5' 10", and I'm...petite. Fine, I'm short. Being "petite" is for people who can't own up to their height. The word just means "small" in French, guys. It's not any less blunt.

I digress.

Let's skip back a few months to when Leandra Medine predicted the return of the skirt-over-pants trend. She was referring to the Resort runways, but she had some proof in the form of the Givenchy S/S 2011 show that this isn't some made-up hogwash. Jump ahead to Fashion Week in September, when she reiterated its revival. Then, in October, she tried it on for size (literally, because it's clothing) by throwing a Tibi skirt over some J Brand jeans. If you're not persuaded yet, then just check out the photos below.

All images courtesy of style.com.

Skant-alous: 


                                    ADAM                                                                         Altuzarra
          

                             Band of Outsiders                                                            Dries Van Noten

          

                        Maison Martin Margiela                                                              Lanvin

          

                              Dries Van Noten                                                          Maison Martin Margiela

          

 The Row

That may have convinced some of you, but for the rest of you skeptics, here's a few pictures from Resort 2012, which is what's on sale right now (this is current stuff, guys! Hop to it!): 

                                     Acne                                                                            Altuzarra

          

                                     Céline                                                                           Chanel 

          

                                                                              (Fine, those are shoes but they look like pants so just go with it.)

I thought at first that you needed tight pants and a poufy skirt to pull off this trend, but boy, was I wrong. Acne proved that I was way off, by pairing flared trousers with a fitted skirt. How about at Dries Van Noten, with those crazy little peplums, huh? These people never cease to amaze me. See how endless the possibilities are? Just throw on any pair of pants and a cherry skirt on top and voilà! You're a trendsetting tiger/tigress. Why you are a tiger, I do not know. Maybe this is a question you should be asking yourself, now that you are a feline. 

Happy skanting, everyone!

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Headbands Are So...2012?

Headbands remind me of childhood days of playing on swings and jungle gyms; they recall fond memories of striving to resemble Junie B. Jones; I'm brought back to the summer of 2009, when I wore something in my hair every day for a month. The one thing I do not think of, however, is the red carpet. Headbands may seem girly and childish (I mean, they are), but some of my favorite little celebrity munchkins (this is an endearing term, I promise) have rocked them at many an important event, such as the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes.

I will now proceed to show you all the chickadees that have worn fancy shmancy headbands that made them look quite grown-up (and definitely not like they should be swinging on monkey bars).

Photos courtesy of harpersbazaar.com. 

Michelle Williams in Jason Wu at the Golden Globes 2012. 

I love her so much. If you haven't seen "My Week With Marilyn," you absolutely must, because she is phenomenal in it. She is beautiful, talented and has the exact hairstyle that I want. So basically, I am openly requesting that I become Michelle Williams. 

Hailee Steinfeld in Marchesa at the 2011 Academy Awards. She's my age. I could be wearing Marchesa. But I'm sitting at home in Little Miss Sunshine pajama pants and a t-shirt with a cheetah on it. We're practically twins. 

Dianna Agron in Mary Kantrantzou at the celebration of her Nylon magazine cover. 

How freaking cute is she?! My friend Elly loves her, and I can see why. I don't know about anyone else, but I really dug her pink hair. She totally owned it.

Charlize Theron in Dior Couture at the Golden Globe Awards 2012. That's a diamond headband you're seeing atop her famous head. I don't think any of us will be wearing one of those, unless you are in fact Charlize Theron, in which case I loved you in "Hancock." 

Elizabeth Olsen wearing a headband. She's that Olsen sibling that no one ever knew existed. Did you know they also have a brother?! His name is James (hence the twins' brand Elizabeth + James--it's genius). 

Alessandra Ambrosio in what appears to be Missoni at a party during New York Fashion Week in September. I feel like I have the same headband. It's the one I wore here. Sketchy stuff--mine is Missoni For Target, she's wearing Missoni...suspicious...

Feel free to break out your old headbands, gals (and guys, we don't discriminate here). Of course, a turband is always a welcome option, as well is a cute little ribbon, or anything else you want to slap on your head. No one else is going to put accessories in your hair, so why not do it yourself? Have fun with it. In fact, have a party. Don't forget the Party Mix!  

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