Changes...

I started Up All Night for a writing class.

My professor asked for us to create a blog and write a post on a specific topic each week.
I chose style inspiration.


The class that required frequent updates to this blog are over, but... I fell in love.


I'm planning on re-working Up All Night into something more than an assignment for school.

Lots of fashion, music, films, photography and other inspiring, pretty things are around the corner...

photo- Kate Spade

Here Comes the Sun

Summer Music Festival Fashion

Summer is right around the corner. Only a few short weeks of classes until days can be spent lying in the grass, listening to music with the sun shining brightly overhead. Summer has always been my favorite season with its lazy, sun drenched days and warm, starry nights.
Lying by the pool, taking beach vacations and road trips, dining al fresco and camping out in the backyard are all ways I while away the summer days. One of my favorite (and most expensive) summer hobbies involves live music. And there is nothing quite like seeing and hearing live music while eating a massive piece of watermelon at a music festival.

The music is what matters, but one of my favorite parts of a festival is the fashion. People -watching/ style-wathcing is a great pastime between sets. At such events, styles tend to get fairly avant-garde. Often times, guys and girls alike take the bohemian, or gypsy, route with their manner of dress. People pile on the wooden and beaded jewelry, paint their faces, and wear headbands with flowers or feathers ala Jimi Hendrix for they are doing their best to play the part of groupie. Festivals encourage freedom of expression after all so it’s common to see girls in bikinis or shirtless guys wearing short-shorts.

Grand U.S. music festivals like Coachella, Bonnaroo, and Lollapalooza all provide a variety of inspiring style options. The relaxed atmosphere calls for laidback, “oh, I just threw this on attire” when in fact, festival fashion decisions are a big deal. It likely that the girls in the crowds have been planning what to wear for months deciding whether that dress and boots really look effortless. After seeing the amazing style in pictures from Coachella, which took place this past weekend in Indio, California, I am getting awfully excited for the sunny weather and summer music festivals to come.

Here are some of my favorite style inspiring looks from Coachella 2010-

Esquire's Style Tribes

Ok, I confess, I judged the March issue of Esquire magazine by its cover. I assumed that the issue featuring a rather dapper looking Leonardo Dicaprio holding a cigar and tossing a tumbler of gin toward the photographer would be a charming read. I assumed right. And I was even more pleased to discover upon purchase and perusal of the publication, that it featured an amusing section on different kinds of male style in America. It further expresses that personal style is alive and well. I feel the need to share the information from the article because I found it both interesting and inspiring.

The article entitled “American Tribes: A Fashion Story” is the “definitive guide to twelve distinct cultures of American style.” Esquire points out that the feature will not include minor tribes of “the Guy Who Always Wears Sweatpants,” “the Skinhead,” “the Circus Clown,” the Civil War Reenactor,” “the Muppet,” “the Supreme Court Justice,” or “the Nudist,” just in case you were wondering why said tribes were omitted from the official list.

The “American Tribes” features twelve different kinds of male “style tribes” and attaches said style to a specific dress code, first historical sighting of style, favorite book, and music on his iPod. I thought it was interesting how Esquire chose to categorize the men’s personal style by something more than clothing. Proving, I believe, that personal style is not limited what you wear and it has history. I have selected 6 of my favorite “tribes” and will share them now.

First there is “The Wasp” is also known as “the collegiate,” or “the preppy guy.” He can be seen wearing a double-breasted blazer and pressed trousers. “The WASP’s” first sighting was White Anglo-Saxon Protestants in 1920’s Harvard Yard. Today’s WASP’s include non-WASPs everywhere. The name stuck. Naturally, WASPs enjoy Vampire Weekend. I love the classic style of “the WASP.”

Next is “The Woodsman” also known as “the outdoorsman.” This guy is rugged, yet sophisticated. He wears waxed-cotton jackets, corduroy pants, and all manners of tweed.”The Outdoorsman” was first sighted in English hunting lodges in the 1920’s, while today he can be seen in line for a Wes Anderson movie. Hall of Fame “Outdoorsmen” include the British Royals and Peter Beard. His favorite book is Hemingway on Hunting and he listens to Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Then there’s “The Rake” also known as “The Ladies Man” or “The Playboy.” He was first sighted in 1960’s Las Vegas and wears tailored blazers and dress shirts with the top three buttons unbuttoned. Tom Ford and Joe Namath are hall of fame “Rakes.” He can be spotted at the after-after party dancing to MGMT.

Next we have, “The Trad” also known as “The New Englander” or “The Professor.” First seen at the original J.Press shop in New Haven, Connecticut, “the Trad” wears tweed blazers, botton-down oxford-cloth shirts, and rumpled khaki chinos. Recently sighted in hipster coffee shops across the globe, “the Trad” listens to Talking Heads and enjoys the book The Stories of John Cheever.

“The Rocker” or “The friend of the band” is next. This guy was first spotted on the Sunset Strip in the early 1960’s. Jim Morrison, Johnny Deep, and Lou Reed are hall of famers in this tribe. With his signature accessory of sunglasses, “The Rocker” can be seen dressed in leather items mixed with denim and tailored garments. Recently sighted in the VIP area at Bonnaroo, “the Rocker” has multiple iPods and his favorite book is Psychotic Recreations and Carburetor Dung.

Last, but not least is my favorite, “The Roller” also known as “the man of leisure” or “the easy rider.” First spotted on the French Riviera in the 1920’s, “The Roller” wears unstructured blazers, cashmere sweaters, and white jeans. “The Roller’s” signature accessory is a beaded bracelet. He listens to James Brown and his favorite book is A Moveable Feast. My favorite thing about “The Roller” the pickup line Esquire designated to the tribe “I’m free all day tomorrow. And the next day. How about you? I love the laidback attitude and the style that coincides.

Photos by: Alan Clarke

Photos via: Esquire.com

Travel Style

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about free time and travel. I’ve found myself daydreaming about summer vacation since the semi-decent weather returned.
Though I grew up enjoying the sweltering heat, blue skies, and lazy atmosphere of Illinois summer days, I think there is something special about packing your bags and heading to a different destination during the season.

Trekking to a place, during the summer, where the traveler is a stranger in a strange land, one can be whoever they desire. Because traveling provides a sense of freedom, it opens us to new opportunities and adventures. Vacation is a prefect occasion to take chances and risks.

However, if you aren’t the cliff diving type, you can always drastically change up your personal style while on vacation. While on vacation, you can wear things that you could only dream of wearing at home. You can wear completely different clothes and be a completely different person. Feel free to don that massive-brimmed sunhat and red heart-shaped sunglasses or those six inch espadrilles and high rise shorts, you're on vacation, no one knows you.

While laying in the sun and sand and celebrating throughout a moonlit night, you are able wear what you truly like or always dreamed of wearing. Pack your bag with items that allow you to take a vacation from your day to day wardrobe.

Whether for an overnight trip or a week- long expedition, I love to pack. And pack. And pack. Because you never know what sort of situation may arise while traveling, I feel it is crucial to be prepared with odd, tribal printed tunics and 25 pairs of sunglasses of various styles and colors.

I tend to buy and pack some odd things before a vacation. As I have mentioned before, I am a neutrals girl when it comes to my wardrobe, but when preparing for vacation I buy bright colors. I purchase hot pink shorts and red floral tank tops with beads and carefully place them in my suitcase knowing full well I may never wear them upon returning home. But I don’t care; I spend a lot of money on “vacation clothes,” as I like to call them. These are items I purchase to wear ONLY on vacation. It is an absurd concept, but I have done it for at least 8 years. In fact, I should just leave my “vacation clothes” on the island for the next style-adventurous traveler.

Here’s the thing, we all feel different when we are on vacation. We let our hair down and take it easy. We don’t concern ourselves with the outside world. This I believe is why some are adventurous with their fashion decisions on vacation. When some are in a place where freedom and leisure reign supreme, situation calls for a floor-grazing bohemian dress and a flower in hair.

Spring Fever

Today is St. Patrick's Day and the weather is beautiful. The sky is a crystal-clear blue, the air is warm, and the sun is hot. After withstanding an icy winter, the 58 degree temperature feels like summer and is a promising preview for the season to come.

Today's sunny, Spring-like weather conjures up images of sundresses and bare feet. Since January, sneak peeks of new spring trends have filled magazines and flowed throughout the online atmosphere. According to the calendar, Saturday brings the first day of Spring and I must admit, I feel pretty enthusiastic about the outlook for the 2010 season.

Spring is one of the most important of the fashion seasons. Designers, models, editors, photographers, and other fashion royalty gather each September for Spring Fashion Week in New York. Although it is not until March, when the weather begins to warm, that true excitement for the new season comes. This is the way I feel about spring fashion at least.There are many new trends for springtime 2010. In the spirit of today's spring-like weather, I'll offer a few styles I am excited to wear as the temperature continues to rise and the days grow longer.

Probably my favorite item of clothing for the spring and summer months is the dress. Over the past few years, we have seen the reemergence of the dress as a casual warm weather staple. I particularly like short tank top dresses and styles featuring liberty print florals or watercolor motifs. When I think of such dresses visions of afternoons and evenings spent in a flower-filled backyard pop into my head.

I love stripes in any season, and I particularly like them for spring because they have a playful feeling. I like Breton Sailing tops and dresses for spring 2010 for there Parisian vibe.

Two of my favorite colors are baby blue and yellow. I often stick to neutrals like black, white and especially gray in my wardrobe, but I think this year I may take a cue from a sunny sky and wear yellow and blue.

Oxford shoes have also caught my attention this spring. They are a welcome change from the boots i have been wearing since October. I am also planning to continue wearing ballerina flats for they are the most adorable shoe.

I am eager to stash away my sweaters until next Halloween and looking forward to wearing these warm-weather styles.

It appears spring 2010 fashion will offer a breath of fresh air after a long, cold winter.

Images via:

Kisses and cross stitches

A chick named hermia

Tumblr

Google Images

All images used do not belong to me

Strangers With Creativity

In the recent weeks, I have expressed my adoration for style and fashion. In fact, I consider my interest in style one of my defining personality traits. I talk about personal style inspiration frequently. I am quick to compliment others on their looks. I think friends of mine probably find it obnoxious because I consistently compliment strangers on their charming attire. It does not matter where I am or who I'm with, if I like your boots I will tell you. I find fashion inspiration in the people around me.

I get style inspiration from strangers in restaurants or on the train. Because great style exists in the everyday, blogs like The Cobrasnake and Last Night's Party have become popular with fashion innovators. These blogs offer photos of people at events and parties and usually their style is cool, if you pay attention. I always keep my eyes open for creative style ideas or details when I go out. It helps keep my style fresh. This brings me to my inspiring weekend adventures in Chicago.

This weekend, I attended a journalism conference in the city with the staff of my college newspaper. Other colleges and universities from Illinois were in attendance as well. With the exception of the crowd at Lollapalooza, those at the Illinois Press College Press Association conference were the most eclectic-looking bunch of college kids I have ever seen. I participated in a great deal of people watching while listening to professional journalists and walking to and from various conference rooms. Not only was I inspired to write at this conference, I was also creatively inspired to try new things with my wardrobe. Though I hate leaving the city more than anything, I was pretty excited to get home and shop my closet to put new outfits together.

Ok, it is important to point out that many of the kids I encountered over the weekend were hipsters. I was not particularly inspired by the hipsters because I think hipsters are pretentious. However, that doesn’t mean I failed to appreciate their ironic shoes. Those that were inspiring were those bucking the whole urban hipster thing. They were dressed up, but themselves, at least from my vantage point.

One guy in particular caught my eye and I will be forever disappointed I did not photograph him for this blog. He was eye-catching and I told him so. Dressed in a perfectly tailored, lavender Oxford shirt and cigarette jeans, paired with Prada gym shoes and a sweater “effortlessly” tied around his shoulders, this guy had insane style. His outfit made quite the impression. In dress, he reminded me of a character from a film. His attire was sort of a mix between Jude Law’s Alfie and Robert Redford’s Jay Gatsby. It was the tailoring and pastel shirt. I was happy to see someone so young in touch with his personal style.

The keynote speaker at the conference explained that in order to succeed as a writer, one must always be alert and searching for the next story to tell. I think the same notion can be applied to fashion. Keep your eyes open to influences and inspirations from strangers on the street. You may find the missing piece to complete your personal style.

Images via-

The Cobrasnake

The Great Gatsby

Alfie

From Runways to the Road

I realize that since I began this blog a few weeks ago, I have been arguing that personal style does not have come from what the designers or the magazines are saying, but I feel it is now time to point out I still truly follow each of those entities frequently. For years I have been intrigued by the world of unattainable fashion. (Though it doesn’t rule the way I dress.)

I page through magazines like Vogue and Marie Claire, eyes wide, marveling at the beautiful advertisements and photo shoots of things I cannot afford. For the most part my funds are always low. This causes me to simply dream of the days when I will be able to afford such luxury items as a Bottega Veneta dress, Burberry trench, or a Herve Leger bandage dress.

I remember the first time I encountered a designer item in person. I was a freshman in high school and a girl in my gym class had a Coach purse. I could not believe she, a 14 year old girl, had a Coach purse. “Those bags are so freaking expensive,” I thought to myself as I complemented her marvelous accessory. She was relatively unimpressed by it; as if she had 20 of them at home in her closet. Me, I was thrilled by the concept that something so “exclusive” was actually attainable.

Over the years I have grown to love designer fashion. I view it as a form of expression. I have encountered plenty of people who get depressed when they look at high fashion magazines. Some think couture is frivolous and absurd. To me it is art. It would be a sad day for me if the dreamlike high fashion world disappeared because I find inspiration in the avant-garde.

Growing up in a Midwestern suburb, I have sort of lived in my own little world as far as fashion goes. Reading magazines, studying designer collections, advertisements, and photo shoots was the just of my experience with couture. Though, as I have gotten older, I have been able to expand my fashion horizons because, thankfully, the city of Chicago is but 40 minutes up I-55.

Though not often revered as one of the most prominent fashion capitals of the world, Chicago’s high end fashion selection doesn’t suck! Of course, I am just browsing, but it is really wonderful to see the designer items in person rather than on the glossy pages of a $ 5 magazine.

One of the best stores in the city for designer clothing is Intermix. There are locations on Rush Street and on Damen in Wicker Park. The staff is polite and helpful. The music is inspiring. And the clothes are amazing. I had never seen a Diane von Furstenberg, Stella McCartney, or Chloe in person before. I would also like to thank Intermix for allowing me to openly lust after a Herve Leger bandage dress.

That established, I feel it is fully possible to appreciate high fashion without taking it too far or losing your sense of self. It is acceptable to read fashion magazines and feel inspired to create your own looks. It is art after all. I think life is too short to concern oneself with the serious all the time, it is perfectly reasonable to want for a wardrobe that can take you from the runway to the road.

Shop Intermix at- http://www.intermixonline.com/home.do

Images-

Stella McCartney

Bottega Venetta

Bottege Venetta

Burberry Ad

Chloe Ad

Intermix storefront

Herve Leger Bandage Dress

DVF Spring 2010