Top Fashion Picks from Vivienne Westwood

Here are some item's from Vivienne Westwood's online store that I liked. All these items are ridiculously overpriced, but at least looking can give us ideas for our own style. You can always find similar items at down to earth prices, or even make your own.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="425" caption="Bambi Bag, $350"][/caption]

Cute cream colored Bambi bag in vintage inspired shape. You could probably find a bag in this shape at a thrift store if you looked hard enough. I am going to keep my eye out because I really like this shape of handbag -- reminds me of what nannies or Mary Poppins carried.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="425" caption="Heart-shaped Bag, $342"][/caption]

I have seen similar bags like this at normal stores. This bag is similar to some of Betsey Johnson's designs, and frankly I like her's better. I guess Vivienne is known for being a bit more refined, but I prefer Bestey. (She is my favorite designer.) Hot Topic has similar designs right now on their website.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="425" caption="Patent Leather bag, $643"][/caption]

I have a bag very similar to this -- slightly less wide, doesn't have a chain for a strap, and obviously lacks the Westwood orb -- and I got it for only a few bucks and it's 1960s vintage.  Beats paying $643! Purses like this are very classy and pair well with black outfits. Gold and black are a very hot combination.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="425" caption="Too Fast ring, $163"][/caption]

This is a really neat ring that puts you in the mind of Sid Vicious and other young figures of punk rock who died too soon.  I have to admit, I really want this. You probably couldn't find something too similar to this, but there are club rings and class rings floating around in thrift stores and pawn shops that would create a similar effect.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="425" caption="Pewter-like Cemetery Ring, $252"][/caption]

Just really neat, but it looks kind of cheap. They have stuff like this at Hot Topic and Spencer's for a more reasonable price.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="425" caption="Heart necklace, $130"][/caption]

These kinds of necklaces look good with scoop neck shirts. You can probably find something like this at Claire's.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="425" caption="Westwood Heart Orb Studs, $97.80"][/caption]

I like the pop of neon pink in these studs. Studs work well if you've got other dramatic jewelry on, as wearing a dramatic necklace and dangly earrings can seem to busy.

What I Wore

Black and gray cardigan, $4.99, Ross.

Slayer t-shirt, resewed by me.

Fuchsia plaid belt, $5, PacSun.

Fender Skull belt buckle, $10-15 (can't remember), Spencer's.

Jeans, $20, Aeropostale.

Green creeper sneakers, $40, T.U.K.

Vintage Tibetan prayer necklace, $0, my friend Kathleen.

Black and white cuff bracelet, $4, Kohls.

[caption id="attachment_79" align="alignnone" width="420" caption="Close-up of necklace."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_80" align="alignnone" width="420" caption="The belt buckle."][/caption]

Thrift Store Finds!

I went back to my favorite little thrift store, The Mustard Seed, yesterday, and here's my haul...

[caption id="attachment_68" align="alignnone" width="241" caption="90s Heathers-esque dress ($6)."][/caption]

Pretty much in love with this long sleeved black dress. My photos just cannot do it justice. It fits me amazingly -- shows off the smallness of my waist but also makes it look like I've got hips. It's got mega padded shoulders. I would post pics of me with it on, but I plan on wearing it to my reading this coming Tuesday so I will wait until then.

[caption id="attachment_69" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="Closer look at the detailing..."][/caption]

It has buttons all down the front and that other neat cording detail. The neckline is pretty unique as well. Reminds me of the dresses Lady Gaga, Beyonce, and Rihanna have been wearing lately. (Click the names for photos!) Padded shoulders have been cropping up a lot lately in couture runways. I think I might wear it with opaque black tights. (Got mine from Target.)

[caption id="attachment_70" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Leather mini skirt, ($2)."][/caption]

I got this gorgeous vintage leather mini-skirt for only $2!!! It has really neat triangular elastic detailing that not only looks cool but is functional. It fits well enough for a $2 skirt. Not sure if it's real leather or not, but it feels buttery soft.

[caption id="attachment_71" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Close-up."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_72" align="alignnone" width="177" caption="With it on."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_73" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Jeans, ($3)."][/caption]

Just normal jeans, but they were only $3 and fit pretty nicely.

[caption id="attachment_74" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Faux leather cinch belt, ($0.75)."][/caption]

It's redder than it looks in this photo. Very soft feeling fauz leather, and looks really good worn at the empire of your waist, natural waist, or hips. I was looking for a belt like this, and for less than a dollar, I'd say mission accomplished.

Unfortunately there was no new jewelry... I need to post some of my own jewelry creations soon. Let me know what you think of my finds with a comment!

Street Fashion Round-up: Pillbox hat, Klaus Nomi, Parisian Style

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="360" caption="From The Style Scout."][/caption]

Beautiful red plaid coat and matching scarf! Her piercings and hair style are excellent as well. I have a coat similar to this. I love her pill-box hat. There are a lot of patterns and textures going on in this outfit but she pulls it off well.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="380" caption="From The Style Scout."][/caption]

I could be wrong, but that jacket looks to be Klaus Nomi inspired. Not a huge fan of it paired with the skirt (or dress?), but separately, they are both great pieces.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="358" caption="From Easy Fashion Paris."][/caption]

Just such an exquisite outfit from head to toe. I love all black outfits that mix different textures of black -- like the gloss of leather against the matte look of cotton. Lovely. I want to marry this girl. Seriously.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="358" caption="From Easy Fashion Paris."][/caption]

This woman is striking! Fabulous hair, great earrings and bell-sleeved jacket she's sporting is to die for. Plus, she's found a way to wear beige and make it look daring.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="432" caption="From Lookbook."][/caption]

I am a t-shirt girl at heart, and this galaxy t-shirt is great. I have a vaguely similar shirt, but it's nowhere near as cool.

Featured Fashion Icon(s): Echo & the Bunnymen

Having been born in 1988, I can't say I remember Echo & the Bunnymen from back then, but when I first heard one of their songs in the movie Donnie Darko, I was hooked. However, it wasn't until recently that I realized just how stylish they all were. Take a look for yourselves.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="460" caption="Skinny jeans, lots of hairspray and moccasins."][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Great hair..."][/caption]



If they were to dress like this today, they'd be quite in style and fashion forward.

My Style - Last Thursday

I got photographed for my school newspaper's fashion section! Here's the photo:

[caption id="attachment_57" align="aligncenter" width="174" caption="Yours truly, making a strange face."][/caption]

The bag is vintage (got it from a flea market for $1!), and the cami is from Forever 21 ($2.50!!!!!). The cardigan was purchased at Ross (about $10). The jeans are kind of blah and baggy on me but I got them from Aeropostale on clearance ($20).

It's not the most flattering picture in the world. I look pretty bloated, but that aside, I like my cardigan.

Alexander McQueen

As I was going through my daily list of street style blogs, I saw via The Sartorialist, that Lee Alexander McQueen was found dead today. I didn't beleive it at first. I've been fascinated by his designs for awhile now. He has a spot with Gareth Pugh on my personal list of amazing designers. He made clothing more than fashion; his designs are art.

For anyone who is not familiar with his work, he has won "British Designer of the Year" four times.  Lady Gaga wears many of his pieces in her music videos.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="403" caption="Lady Gaga wearing his designs in her video for "Bad Romance.""][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="409" caption="The famous lobster claw shoes."][/caption]

Daphne Guinness (rich socialite I'd never heard of either) has been spotted wearing McQueen's extreme shoes on several occasions.

McQueen's death has come only days before London Fashion Week, but McQueen was not scheduled for any shows. McQueen's mother passed away earlier this month, so it seems the designer was under a great deal of stress and anguish. He and his ground-breaking designs will be missed.

Snow Day -- Winter Wear Picks

My classes are canceled today due to snow. (We had a bilzzard over the weekend, no lie. And now it's happening again.) So, here are some cozy duds to keep you warm...

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="140" caption="Black Drape Hoodie, $28"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="200" caption="Gasoline boots, $29.98"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="200" caption="Faux leather fringe boots, $24.98"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="140" caption="Purple leopard print fake Doc Martens, $54.99"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="140" caption="Chunky Demonia boots, $64.99"][/caption]

These remind me of those puffy black Chanel bags...

More of my own style coming soon... I've been dressing horribly because of all the snow here.

Street Fashion Round-up: Bycycle Sunglasses, Geometric Prints, All black.

Here are some neat outfits from lookbook.nu!

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="293" caption="Bicycle sunglasses!"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="477" caption="Nice patterns."][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="360" caption="All black..."][/caption]

That's all for now. I'll be posting some winter fashion picks real soon.

Top Fashion Picks from betseyjohnson.com

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="330" caption="Betsey Johnson"][/caption]

Betsy Johnson is one of my favorite designers.  She's a designer who has been around for a long time, and isn't afraid to play with wild patterns and color combinations. I think I'll do a feature on her in the future... but for now here are my top choices from her online store. (Not that I can actually afford any of this stuff, but it's fun to dream.)

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="250" caption="Stretch Cotton Velvet Jacket, $278"][/caption]

This velvety jacket has pyramid studs for buttons and is a really interesting cut for a jacket. I want it so bad, I can't even describe it. It has a Victorian feeling to it, with the puff sleeves and high collar. There is a longer version as well for sale.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="250" caption="Rose covered clutch, $88"][/caption]

This clutch comes in both black and pink. I like the fabric roses that are covering the entire bag. I'm going through a rose phase, don't know how or why but anything with roses involved seems to catch my interest.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="250" caption="Cat earrings, $40"][/caption]

These are pretty cute. Almost too simple for me (I like obnoxious jewelry). She has ones with skulls too.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="250" caption="Black cotton peplum dress, $358"][/caption]

I really like peplum dresses because the accentuate the waist and hide any problem areas around the butt, eliminating the threat of panty-lines. Also, they just look cool.

Thrift Store Finds Round-up

Here are some great items I picked up...

[caption id="attachment_23" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Banging Black Bootie Heels"][/caption]



These faux leather stiletto boots were only $2!!!! I got them at a local charity thrift store a few blocks from my college.  They are a little steeper than what I am used to, as I am usually a platform wedge kind of girl, but I'm going to have to just practice walking in them. They are in great condition too. I need to get some shots of them on my feet.

[caption id="attachment_29" align="alignnone" width="201" caption="Cake-slice necklace."][/caption]

This is a vintage (probably 1980s) necklace that reminds me of those tiny little cake cubes they serve at fancy parties. It was only $1! I picked this up at a local antique store called "35 South."

[caption id="attachment_30" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Sweet Jesus tapestry."][/caption]

This isn't a fashion item, but more of a home decor thing. This is an old Jesus tapestry thing (not really sure of what to call it.) It is much more beautiful in person, let me tell you. I paid $6 for this at a local flea market called "The Firehouse." I had seen it there a few times and really wanted it, so I just bought it. What am I going to do with it? Not sure, yet... I have it hanging on my wall in my dorm room, but not sure where I'll put it once I graduate and move out in the spring.

Fashion Icon: Kat Von D

I am pretty much in love with this woman. I watch her show religiously. (Speaking of which, the new season of L.A. Ink is premiering later this month!)  She's a talented tattoo artist and is branching out into other mediums. She does beautiful photography, designed a make-up line with Sephora, and writes books. (They may not be great American novels, but the point is, she's becoming a mogul.) To top it off, Kat has an amazing style.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="352" caption="Wearing over-the-knee boots before they blew up in popularity."][/caption]

I've been wanting a pair of over the knee boots, and that photo just makes me want them more. One could definitely argue that her style is a hot mess, but to me, it's just messy enough that it looks great.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="330" caption="Cropped jacket, lame pants."][/caption]

I've been guilty of wearing the lame leggings as pants... Only once, and it was part of a costume. But I do love those leggings. I wear them under torn jeans and under dresses and tunics.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="387" caption="Leather vest, spandex leggings."][/caption]

Maybe I like her because she shares a lot of my fashion loves: platform wedges, leather (well, I try to get pleather or vintage leather), studs, etc. When you look at her, you can just tell that she is confident in herself and her style.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="170" caption="Big, bold sunglasses."][/caption]

Big, bold sunglasses (that suit your face) can really make an otherwise boring outfit look great. I love sunglasses, but unfortunately I've been cursed with glasses. I should try contacts again... Until then, I just slip sunglasses over my normal glasses. Probably a major faux pas but I don't give a crap. In any case, Kat Von D is clearly a girl who enjoys accessorizing. She might not be running around in pink, but she is a girl who seems to enjoy clothes.

Like her? Hate her? Let me know with some comments!

My outfit, 2/05/10.

[caption id="attachment_15" align="alignnone" width="252" caption="My outfit from 2/05/10."][/caption]

Part of the reason I created this blog is my goal of improving my daily style. I tend to get lazy and look like a schlub pretty often. I'm trying to work on strengthening my fashion sense. Here's what I wore last Friday (above). I hate to admit it, but both my vest and my shirt are from Avril Lavigne's clothing line, Abbey Dawn. I really dislike Avril Lavigne and her music, and I admit that most of the clothing in her line is hideous. There are a few cute items in her line, and all of it is pretty affordable. (It's sold at Kohl's.) In the photo above, I'm wearing two Abbey Dawn pieces: the checkered top and the vest I'm wearing on top of it are both Abbey Dawn. I got the vest for $4 off the clearance rack and I think the top was $20, which was a bit painful for me, but I really liked it. I made the necklace from a vintage bone bead that my friend gave me. The earrings are from Body Central ($4), the bracelet is also from Kohl's ($4), and I'm also wearing a bunch of rings, the big black one being from Target ($8).

[caption id="attachment_16" align="alignnone" width="205" caption="My shoes."][/caption]

I'm wearing T.U.K. creeper sneakers (around $40) and skinny jeans.

[caption id="attachment_17" align="alignnone" width="260" caption="My bracelet/cuff and big black ring. (And hair tie...)"][/caption]

Green and black checkered Abbey Dawn top on the runway.

What do you think about this outfit? Comment, and let me know!