How to wear leggings

I often see girls walking around in leggings, tunicless. The truth is that leggings do not look good on anyone if they are not covered with a tunic. Unless you are at home, working out, or are wearing a pair of leggings that are a couple of sizes to big, please refrain from wearing them without a tunic. Here is how you can wear leggings successfully: 

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You see how much better that looks! I prefer this sort of look with flats but high heels work too.

The dress is from Cholé and you can find it here, the leggings are Missoni and you can find them here, and the shoes are Brian Atwood and you can find them here.

Tunics that can be found around here:

Both of these tunics would look good with flats, the second one would look best WITHOUT the flip flops and the beach bag and bathing suit. These are both from J.Crew. If you cannot find them in the store you can find them here.

 

Kisses!

My new dresses

I dreamt my closet was four times its size.

All photos by Johns Congdon!

This weekend I went downtown with my mother, her friend, and her friend’s daughter. We went for tea at this really great new tea place Sapa (which sells tea and chocolates, candied fruit, and Madeleines. It is right between The Daily Planet and the Golf Shop, where the Army Navy store used to be….. You should all go! It is so delicate.) and went shopping. I picked up two new dresses and a scarf! So exciting! I was not even expecting to find anything! Kisses! 

First dress: American Apparel

Scarf: American Apparel 

Slingback shoes: Talbots

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Second Dress: From Bella Donna 

Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo 

Hat: My own

Bag: Louis Vuitton

Thoughts

 

Photo by me!

Today I went downtown to go have tea (at this great little new Vietnamese tea shop called Sapa, it has an amazing selection of teas…especially Jasmine ((I did not really look at anything other than the Jasmine tea selection, it was on the first two pages, so really, I am sure they have a great selection of everything else as well)) and they also sell chocolates and candies, candied fruit, and madeleines….. if you live near Burlington, Vermont you should really come for tea here, it is where the Army Navy store used to be, next to The Daily Planet) and go shopping with my mother and her friend and her friend’s daughter. While downtown I noticed the same horrible things I notice every time I am there. I do not want to sound mean or anything, but there are somethings that I see time and time again, that make people look horrible. The worst part is they seem as if they do not care! Someone recently said to me ‘I think the people here make looking ugly into an art form’…. sometimes I do not think they were wrong.

The first one that I want to mention is fleece. Why anyone would wear fleece when they were not camping or are over the age of 12 really confuses me. I just do not get it! It makes people look horrible! How often do we need clothes to absorb water anyways? It is also synthetic and you look like a dog bed wearing it. There are many alternatives to fleece…seriously, If I have to list some I will. 

The second is flip flops. Flip flops are not comfortable. They are tacky and look cheap. They also do not provide your feet with enough protection, two common places that skin cancer is found are between the toes and on the scalp. This is one of the many reasons I think flats are better. If you do really love sandals then put sunscreen on your feet! Unless you have just gotten your toes done please refrain from wearing flip flops. There are many alternatives to flip flops, sandals are a much better choice. 

 

These Ones are from Stewart Weitzman….. you probably think they look the same but they are different. You can probably find something similar at The Shoe Shop.

These ones are from www.bergdorfgoodman.com, They are a variation on the flip flop I guess you could say, and MUCH better. The first shoe is gladiator style sandal from Tory Burch, the second shoe is also from Tory Burch, the third shoe is from Jimmy Choo.

Personally… I prefer flats from Repetto over all. Those can be found at Stella downtown!

Since we are on the topic of shoes, the following shoes are disgusting: Merrells, Crocs, Tivas, and Uggs when it is not winter and you are not at home or you are not changing shoes when you get to school. Merrells are so horrid, I see people wearing them all the time. I do not understand why anyone wants to look like a yodeler. There are plenty of better options.  Crocs are distasteful. They lack class and style in every way. They are not okay and they never will be. We are not all gardeners or nurses. Tivas are just ridiculous. Uggs are too boring to talk about. 

Girls wearing high heels when they cannot walk in them. If you cannot walk in them there is no point in wearing them, It looks like you are trying too hard.

Draby clothes. 

Girls wearing tight jeans and layering a shirt over a tank top. What is this? Why is this popular?

Boys in baggy shorts, gross shirts, and junky shoes. Why?!

I think boys need the essentials…. This includes a nice pair of shoes.

There is so much more but I am sleepy! Kisses!

 

Japanese Schoolgirls!

If you are in Florence? Than you should go check out the China: at the Court of the Emperors exhibit!  At Palazzo Strozzi, Piazza Strozzi, Florence (?), It is there till June 8th. Someone brought me back pictures of Japanese Schoolgirls that they took (of the pictures) at the exhibit!  SO exciting because I am obsessed with Japanese fashion….. especially schoolgirl looks and gothic lolita! I wish I knew where I could find a Japanese Schoolgirl outfit. At Bella Donna, a store in Burlington (Across the hall from Queen Anne’s Fine Lace Lingerie) I found a top that had a sailor theme…but nothing as great! Does anyone know where I could find a Japanese schoolgirl outfit? I Hope all is well! Kisses.

Queen Anne’s Lace

Queen Anne’s Lace Fine Lingerie

73 Church St

Burlington, Vermont 05401

802-652-5223

One of my favorite stores in Burlington, Vermont is Queen Anne’s Lace Fine Lingerie. The pink and white walls, the fire place dressed with lace, and the racks and tables adorned with delicate dainties, luxurious robes, and sweet pajamas allow anyone’s imagination to get the best of them….. there is so much sugar in this store it is hard not to walk out with something!

May 12th

Ed came over and we went over the photos I had taken over the week. I decided that I no longer needed the scrim and lights up and he took them down. My living room looks kind of lonely now.

Monique

 

This model wears a high-wasted orange and white print skirt, a grey halter top, a brown shrug, a gold bangle, wooden earrings, and orange and yellow t-strap high heels. I really like this outfit on her. It reminds me of old 50’s beach postcards. A similar outfit could probably be put together with clothing from Sweet Lady Jane and shoes from Stella. 

 

Model S and How to fold a scarf 2

Here the model is wearing an outfit that is simple. It can almost be seen as a blank palate. I think this outfit would look nice with black knee high boots (with the legs of the jeans tucked in) and a silk scarf. You could tie it like this: 

You can also you use this same method of tying a scarf but reversing it, so the triangle is in the back (when folding it in reverse make sure to tie the ends if it is a normal sized silk scarf).

Grown Model

So he poses like a butler….. but I am not used to photographing grown men… The first pose is dashing though, don’t you think? 

His outfit reminds me of the 10 tips menswear designer for Hermès Varonique Nichanian gave for men in the last issue of Details: 

 

FOLLOW THE RULES: VÉRONIQUE NICHANIAN

The menswear designer at Hermès on the myth of French style, avoiding trends, and why you can never have too much cashmere.        

Photograph by Thibault Montamat

1. The right proportion and fit are a matter of centimeters—millimeters, really. When you choose clothes that are perfect for you, you feel strong, comfortable, and more self-confident.         

2. Style is a question of charm, not nationality. It’s not true that French men have more allure or style than American men. It’s just that they dress with more personality. They don’t follow dress codes, and sometimes they mix things in a way they shouldn’t. Like how Serge Gainsbourg dressed, with his reptile shoes with jeans and blazer and white shirt—that’s charm. 

3. For a weekend away, a man should bring a simple shirt, two cashmere sweaters, three polos, and one pair of jeans. For shoes, either sandals or light leather moccasins—just the essentials.

4. In relationships, you must show proof of love and do something passionate. I once had a boyfriend fly from New York to Paris just to have dinner with me. It was very smart.

5. Age is not important. A man, no matter if he’s 20 or 60, can wear a tee and jeans if he has the right body.

6. You should have one watch for the weekend, one for the week, one for suits, one for sport. I love watches. Watches are for men what perfume is for women. They are very personal, and you can wear them according to your mood.

7. Wearing a scarf is about attitude. A man should just wrap one around his neck, maybe two times—but not tightly like women do. It should be nonchalant.

8. Men make a mistake when they follow fashion instead of their own personality or their own body. When they dress in a very slim shape even if they don’t have the right body, it’s all wrong. It’s awful. With my husband, I tell him, ‘Stay yourself and I’ll take care of you.’ He’s the most spoiled man in Paris.

9. You can never have too many cashmere sweaters. There are so many kinds of fits and colors. You should have a lightweight one for summer and a heavier one for winter. Whether you wear darker colors like navy or brighter ones like green or yellow can depend on the way you wake up.

10. The most timeless article of clothing a man can have is a leather piece. An Hermès leather bomber.

You can find the online version of the article here.

 

Love and Kate

I talked my friend Kate into letting me take her picture. We spent the afternoon listening to music (Uffie!) and drinking tea. Later I forced her to watch the AMAZING Japanese movie, Kamikaze Girls, which she fell in love with as well. Kamikaze Girls is a great movie for fashion lovers, especially if you are into the Lolita, gothic Lolita style (the plot is amazing as well though of course).She thinks she is not photogenic but she is wrong! 

I caught kate reading in a vintage skirt, a white tank top [a similar one could be found at American Apparel or Gap], and a jacket from Banana Republic. Her dress is from Sweet Lady Jane and the headband is from American Apparel. 

If you are interested in buying Vintage in the Burlington, Vermont area, I know a couple of stores: The clothing line (163 Cherry St, Burlington, VT (802) 651-8877), Old Gold, Battery Street Jeans (7 Marble Ave, Burlington, VT 05401, (802) 865-6223), And apparently a store called Pam’s Place or something I am not quite sure. 

Model: Kate

Skirt: Vintage

Tank Top: Own

Jacket: Banana Republic

Dress: From Sweet Lady Jane

Headband: American Apparel