Out in Park Slope/80s All The Way

Today I rocked a messy side ponytail, woot. Don't anyone try to tell me that's not cool cuz it is!

Ahem. Tank, Hanes via Monk Thrift Shop ($1) (been a customer since early college, somehow always end up back there); green thing is a cut-up J.Crew sweater; locket, SoHo jewelry vendor; Seven jeans.

Once in awhile...

...you've spent all day despairing at how many weird clothes you own and how you lack the discipline to buy staples/keep them in good condition, how you don't own a single black cardigan or a pair of jeans that fit, yet have bought something like five new dresses in the past month. And then...you go fishing in that pile in your closet and find a pair of completely acceptable Sevens, in a nice wash, that are neither too tight nor fall down embarrassingly. "Where did these come from?" you wonder.

I genuinely have no idea, but whatevs, I have jeans that fit. Also, I wanna show off yet another awesome $19 Beacon's find: an 100% cashmere William B (some strange, cool, discontinued designer brand -- or am I missing something?) tube top that instantly made me smile. I LOVE those pieces that feel so unmistakably you when you first see them. I think it's the soft cashmere, the classic RL-esque colors and the sexy, yet subtle, shape. These might not be the clothes that make history, but they do make me happy.

Another Lovely Beacon's Find

Slip, Anthropologie, on sale for about $20; cropped jacket, Rugby via Beacon's Closet, $19.

I think Beacon's is becoming my NYC Mustard Seed, except it's bigger, more expensive, has about 20 times the attitude, and they won't buy back anything they consider "too conservative" (ie Banana Republic), whereas good old MS adores that shite. (Wow, that sounds a little bit like a comparison between NYC and DC.) Still love it tho!

Tribeca Film Festival Party

Dress, Dolce & Gabbana via Tokio 7, about $70; leggings, American Apparel; necklace/locket, street vendor in SoHo, $20.

Monday Blues

Hmm, I was kind of obsessed with this knit Free People dress when I first got it (come on, it's frilly, light blue and has plaid in it -- so me), but now I'm a little over it. I'll wear it today and see how I feel though. Tank underneath, Banana Republic; black tights; ankle boots, Franco Sarto via DSW.

A moment later: Changed my mind. Think I'm going to go for a black Express tee under the dress instead.

Workin' Wednesday

Dress, Maude, New Orleans; tiny sweater, Forever 21 via Beacon's Closet, $8; black tights; brown ankle boots.

Another Saturday Night...

Dress, American Apparel; sweater, Prada via Tokio 7; tights, probably my mom's.

Yay for DVF and Her Crazy Prints

Long-sleeved shirt, Gap; jeans, Old Navy; top/skirt, Diane von Furstenberg via The Dressing Room, $30; necklace, Dana Buchman.

It's Mall Clothes Tuesday

Jacket, Wet Seal (it's hard to believe just how recently I was obsessed with that store!); skirt, American Apparel; leggings, Forever 21; earrings, LIV Collection Chicago (apparently closed now...), $6. That place was really cute and affordable. I like the unexpected shape of this outfit and the boyishness of the jacket...and that I'm wearing it instead of a shirt.

P.S. - I'm a fan of the 80s-style collar pop. Too bad frat boys had to steal it.

It's Rockabilly Monday

New dress! (Couldn't resist. I'm such a dress girl). I heart these pink buttons and the way it fits on the waist. Sleeveless, A-line vintage dress, Beacon's Closet, about $18; short-sleeved duster, Banana Republic. I also wore black tights and brown ankle boots to match the dress.

Guess the Label Part 1

Though I didn't wear anything interesting today, I decided I might as well have some fun on the blog. Today I wore this shirt and my trusty, dark-denim True Religions. But what ridiculously mainstream company made my shirt? Post in the comments. If you guess right, you will get to be my blog's "creative director" for an entire post, a day, or however long I feel like letting you. Contests ends whenever I feel like. Fire away!

Update: Hello dears. A darling fellow twitterer (who I know in real life, I'm not that much of a loser) has guessed that my shirt is from American Eagle, and she would be correct. Although I enjoyed laughing at all of your incorrect guesses, I appreciated that most of you thought the shirt was from somewhere more high-end than the ol' AE. Thanks for playing and check back soon for more outfits!

If you ever wondered what love is

Or why I love fashion...This is it. Julia Restoin-Roitfeld donning a Chanel jacket and no pants in Harper's Bazaar UK. [FabSugar]

SHOEFLY IN BETHESDA

This is huge news. Bigger than huge. This is the news that interrupts all regular blog posts and needs to be shouted from the virtual rooftops. Shoefly, the U Street gem that carries Seychelles, Jeffrey Campbell and so much more, where I used to play hooky from school/work/everything all the time (shhhhh!), is now in dear old Bethesda. Finally, a boutique in Bethesda that doesn't resemble Lilly Pulitzer.

Yup, I think my heart just skipped a beat. Also, I really miss Wild Women Wear Red...

Spring Silliness

It's my blog, I do what I want, so naturally I have the right to photograph myself in an outfit that took 2 seconds to put together but makes me happy (just look at the goofy grin). Also, that headband finally came in handy. You never know when a striped green headband will be Just The Thing, ladies. Headband, Sassanova in D.C. (so much love to their shoes), about $15; puffy vest, Banana Republic via Mustard Seed, about $11 (they get so much love from me they should sponsor me); tank top, Gap via Goodwill, $3; awesome and amazing yarn necklace with flowers, priceless. Actually, I don't remember where I got it, but I'm going to bet it was some crafts fair in D.C. I love it because it's all yarn!

Yarn is a reason to be happy.

Fashionista's Field Trip to Park Slope

Today I have the pleasure of being at Tea Lounge in the Slope with none other than Miss Sarah, a cutting edge New York Times web chick who takes her fashion inspiration from the late 50s and early 60s, and her tea straight and hot, just like her boys. She was gracious enough to take a few moments away from transcribing and grant me an interview.


Peach Armchair Fashionista: Miss Sarah, where did you get that fabulous mauve hat with a pearl in it?

Sarah: Village Scandal, the other weekend.

PAF: And what era would you say it's from?

S: I'd say Jazz Age, as interpreted by Jackie O.

PAF: Let's get real. What do you like most about this accessory?

S: Long pause as she thinks. I would have to say its femininity and uniqueness.

PAF: And with what outfit would you ideally pair this hat?

S: A black trapeze coat with heather tights and tall black riding boots.


P.S. - When I have babies, I am so moving to this neighborhood.

The things that happen when you dig up your early-college wardrobe...

I haven't worn this jacket (vintage via Mustard Seed, something like $15) in years, but it really brings me back to my Cure vs. Smiths dance-off days. Leggings, American Apparel; shoes -- I freaking love these! -- Forever 21 via Buffalo Exchange, which means all of $9.50.

Sunday Brunch

Jumper, vintage via Beacon's Closet, about $15; tube top, Dollhouse via Mustard Seed, bought in high school (i.e., about 7 years ago), about $5; black tights; brown shoes, Franco Sarto via DSW. Scarf, a street vendor in Prague, about $10.

Dinner + a Movie

Suit jacket, Calvin Klein via Beacon's Closet, about $20; top, some unknown department store brand via Mustard Seed, about $7; jeans, True Religion; necklace, Dana Buchman (I got it free through an internship).

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Gorgeous in green (which happens to be my favorite, and most flattering, color): Thakoon, Chanel, Marc Jacobs.

This look is so now

I'm obsessed with this look. Not the Starbucks thing, but the just-got-out-of-bed-but-still-look-sexy thing. I think these days it's what we all strive to cultivate, to varying degrees of success.

@#$%#@%

Dear World,

I just poured a weird lime-and-lemon drink all over my computer. While I'm very upset about the computer's death, the drink would also have been delicious. Apple store appointment tomorrow! (So...probably no new posts for a while.)

Sigh.

~ Armchair Fashionista

Readers' Poll

Hello dearies. Do not worry, your fashionista is still alive and kickin'. But she cannot for the life of her decide: For a night out at Mansion, clad in a not-very-Mansion-like $4.99 dress from Goodwill (that's right, I love this thing!), which purse should she choose?

This vintage-y number from Gap complements the dress. But it doesn't dress it up, instead complementing its very Williamsburg aesthetic.

















This college-y Coach bag fits a club night better, but it's ridiculously obvious and outdated, though I like it anyway.
















Which one do you like better? Tell me in the comments, and later I'll reveal which one I actually chose.

Freida Pinto in Galliano at the Oscars

Never mind what I'm wearing today (that would be sweats right now, though more interesting posts about my clothes are coming, I swear). It's rare that a dress truly takes my breath away, but John Galliano's creation on Freido Pinto this Oscar night did just that. It's refreshing, original, eye-catching, sophisticated while still youthful, and tasteful. Miley, you can eat your wedding cake. (Oh, but I forgive you, you're 16).

Happy Almost Valentine's Day!

Comin' atcha live from National Airport, en route to Chi-town. On Wednesdays, we wear pink.

Help a vagina today. Or, help your own vagina.

P.S. -- Tank top, The Gap via Goodwill.

Fetch me my riding crop!

Coat, H&M; scarf, Ralph Lauren; shirt, J.Crew; jeans, Lucky. This is simple, but I am completely obsessed with button-down shirts on women, especially ones that once belonged to men, or are designed for men. Also I love this shirt because it has a little ruffle instead of a collar, nodding to its female audience. (This is the part where I reveal myself to be a member of JCrewaholics Anonymous).

I have $100 to spend on a pair of black everyday flats. This is tricky, because with $100 you could buy 2 pairs of Steve Madden shoes in different colors, but are Steve Maddens ever satisfying and soul-elevating? Let's hear a resounding no. So, after scoping out the ubiquitous ShoeMania, I decided to leave the bargain brands and move on to designer sales -- and I was in luck, because Barney's had recently unloaded a bunch of Manolos, etc. on Loehmann's. When I got to Loehmann's, of course the merch was already picked over (the sale started a few days ago), but I did find 2 pairs of adorable Sigerson Morrison flats (one was way over $100, but still). The expensive one was a shiny satin with thin, black patent-leather buckles and barely covered the toe, which could have created interesting toe cleavage if I had nice feet.

Hello, I'm a sweet little flat that looks gorgeous by itself, but hideous on you! Mwahaha.
















The other was a brown suede ballet flat...so elegant and simple! But not so fast, Armchair Fashionista. Being a wide-footed freak, you can wear very few types of shoes without being in pain (those being flip flops and Uggs). Delicate little ballet flats with toe cleavage are made for people with slender little feet, not you, whose feet look like pigs in a blanket wearing them! Oh right, duh. So I walked away with no shoes, but will revisit this pleasant little conundrum on Thursday, when I hit some sample sales and see if consignment store Tokio 7 plans to pay me for the nice things I recently gave them. Then I'll see if they have any acceptable flats. Doubtful, but a girl can dream...

It's a Union Pool outfit

Dress, Maude, New Orleans; tights, probably my mom's; shoes, Urban Outfitters; earrings, somewhere random and cheap; ring, Bora via Union Square Holiday Market.

*Note to the uninitiated: Union Pool is a quintessential don't-call-them-hipster hangout that just happens to be a couple of blocks from my apartment. I don't go there that often, but when I do, I always notice/admire two things: 1) The balls it takes to wear glasses when you don't actually need them, 2) The way a handlebar mustache kind of looks like a caterpillar when soaked in PBR. All in all it's a pretty rockin' place though.

If going pantless in the winter is wrong, I never want to be right

Long cardigan/duster, Banana Republic; Belt, H&M; woolen tights, probably my mom's; boots, Franco Sarto via DSW; ring, Soho street vendor.

Not the most creative outfit

but it works.
Cardigan, J.Crew; top, American Eagle; 7 Jeans; necklace is a present. Didn't feel like being creative today.

I wore my boyfriend's T-shirt to a white tablecloth restaurant

My boyfriend's T-shirt, The Gap; high-waisted skirt, random find; leggings, Forever 21; bangles, Marc Jacobs.

Out at cocktail bars

Slip, Anthropologie on sale; sweater/dress, Kenzie Girl via Mustard Seed, about $80; leggings, Forever 21; shoes, Apepazza via DSW, about $100.

I got these shoes right when I graduated from college and I remember having to choose between two pairs at DSW; these and some totally character-less, tan buckled types I was being pushed to get because they're "sensible." Glad I got these kickass ones with the fringe and fake alligator skin.

$2 shirt bought in high school

Shirt, Goodwill, $2 (ROCK!); jeans, Old Navy, $20; ring, Soho street vendor, about $15; Uggs from eBay.

My shirt has little people on it!

Hipster Blues

Cardigan, American Eagle; tube top (can be worn as a skirt), American Apparel; leggings, Forever 21; necklace, random cheap airport store; ring, Soho street vendor -- about $15. Purple Uggs not pictured but yeah, I rocked them.

Topped off by a chunky H&M scarf.

Check out the AA skirt/tube top/etc. in my piece about reversible shizz.