Shop Therapy

All Knotted Up in Style: Twist-Front Dresses

August 18, 2010 by Laura Smith

When it comes to fashion inspiration, sometimes I find the best ideas not by flipping through a magazine, but by looking to the past. There’s a reason they called Old Hollywood fashion timeless, it’s because the styles and silhouettes are classic. While I do love vintage, no one wants to look like they stepped out of a Halloween costume store or their grandmother’s closet. It’s all about putting your own twist on vintage styles to make it modern. Recently I watched a film with one of my favorite actresses of all time and well, personal role model, and original sass-giver-outer, Katharine Hepburn.

While Hepburn was famous for her killer pants, and masculine style, in the movie, The Philadelphia Story, she gets to dance about in gowns while the leading men fight for her affections. One of my favorite outfits from the film, was an elegant twist-front dress she basically wears as a swimsuit cover-up. I can’t say I’m quite as glamorous at the beach, but she looks like a Grecian goddess in white robe. This type of knot-front draping has been popping up all over the place in different interpretations. The draping and style make a flattering cut for anyone since gives you the appearance of a small waistline and the extra twisted fabric gives you some breathing room in the front since it’s usually made from stretchy soft jersey fabric and not body-hugging satin.

This knot-front dress by Akiko is a great modern twist on Hepburn’s style. Obviously it’s showing off a lot more skin, but hey this ain’t 1940 anymore. I also love the vibrant color and pleating on the bottom for even more vintage influence. This is definitely a more cocktail-friendly version, but you don’t want to go too long in length or else people might ask if you you’ll be attending a prom theme party later that evening.

For something a little less flashy but with the same attention-grabbing twist, this knot dress by Nanette Lepore is a virtual vertigo to the eye. I never thought I could even dream to afford Lepore, but her new laid-back line, Oonagh, is chocked full of budget-friendly and no less fashion forward pieces. The pattern on the dress is really interesting and the colors are muted so as not to be too loud. And it’s a great alternative if you don’t want show off so much skin. I guess you could do this one for day and the turquoise one for night. After all, if Ms. Hepburn can undergo multiple costume changes in one day, why can’t you?

Categories: Pronto Style

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Back to Cool: A Fall Fashion Wishlist

August 16, 2010 by Laura Smith

I’ve been a terrible lazy blogger lately, what with it being summer and all. It’s hard to get a tan when you’re cooped up inside. So I haven’t done my “lust list” in a while and I considered it well overdue. Not that I haven’t been shopping, or web window shopping, there’s been plenty to lust after this summer. Jeffrey Campbell shoes being numero uno, lots of retro swimsuits, and flirty sundresses galore. And though sale season is upon us, I know that fall is right around the corner and everyone has to go back to school or back to reality and a desk in my case. While my Trapper Keeper shopping days may be behind me, I still get excited at the prospect of doing some back to school shopping. It may be on my dime, but I can’t help but get a little excited when I start to see tweed blazers, corduroy everything and knee socks start popping up in stores. So here are a few things that might make the end of summer a little less bittersweet.

As a brand I used to only associate with my high-school years and casual watches, Fossil has really been stepping up their game. I flipped through their fall catalog and fell in love with this Jerri print Dress. It’s got a vintage style that I love and I can imagine myself wearing it to work and cocktails with some sweet mary-jane platform pumps. You can take the librarian out of the library but you can’t take sexy out of the librarian. They also had some great leather satchels I wouldn’t mind stocking up on. The dress comes into two different prints, but the purple print one gets my vote.

Leave it to Urban Outfitters to have some cheeky school supplies. The line is called “Trompe-l’œil”, which is French for ‘deceive the eye’. Which is an artistic technique for using realistic looking pictures to make something appear to be three dimensional. So you’ve got laptop cases that look like keyboards, and flat pencil cases which appear to be office objects like scissors and pencils. It’s a cute theme and makes for some pretty nerdy-chic accessories. My favorite is this laptop sleeve patterned off old school composition notebooks. It makes me feel like I’m still just a hardworking student at heart.

That’s right folks, the “bootie” trend is not going anywhere. It’s here to stay, just in different incarcerations. I’ve been in the market for a pair of ankle boots that have heels but don’t involve me risking my life and livelihood walking up the subway stairs. I like to imagine that if I were a lumberjack by day and style maven by night, these boots would be a nice compromise between my two polar lifestyles. They’re by Dolce Vita so naturally I wanted them instantly. I already own a couple pairs of boots from them and they have never let me down. Not only is their style spot-on, but their shoes stand up to the wear and tear, rain or shine. This brown lace-up pair has a nice collegiate feel to it and would look great with some ribbed tights. I have a love/hate relationship with tights, but I am scarily actually looking forward to wearing them. I’ll probably curse the day they were invented in a later post. Stay tuned.

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Dress Up Your Bathroom: Stylish Hand Towels

August 10, 2010 by Laura Smith

I never thought of myself as a domestic type but lately I’ve caught myself spending more and more time on sprucing up my apartment and fussing over little details that I used to never give a second thought to. For instance, hand towels. Not exactly a conversation starter is it? They’re practical to have and yet we don’t have any. I like to think when we have guests over they don’t have to wipe their hands on their pants and so in the name of hospitality, I’m going to do the adult thing and buy some. While I won’t be getting a monogrammed set any time soon, (I’m actually sort of against monogrammed anything), I still want to get something that will spruce up my bathroom. It’s any easy way to add some color and life to a room that usually has a sterile quality to it.

Having already mastered the perfect print dress, Tracy Reese works the same magic in the housewares department. Her budget-friendly spin-off line, Plenty by Tracy Reese, includes this set of folk-art inspired hand towels that come in an array of bold colors. And at less than $15 a piece, I can afford to buy the whole set. It’s always good to have back-up towels so you don’t gross out your house guests.

Being a sucker for graphic prints, of course I scooped up these Vintage Kitchen Utensil hand towels. Each towel pictures a different kitchen gadget which your Grandmother probably got as a wedding present.

I love the whimsical style of the illustrations but at the same time I’m glad I don’t have to wield any of these actual tools in my kitchen. I can barely work my garlic press let alone this medieval looking egg beater. They even tell you what each tool is, just in case you’re worried about having instruments of torture hanging on your towel bar.

Now that I can actually dry my hands in the bathroom, the only thing I missing is more square footage! I think Delta airlines has more bathroom space than me.

Categories: Pronto Home

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Blow Faux Dry Shampoo

July 29, 2010 by Laura Smith

Everyone has their go-to beauty products. But to finally find something that works takes time and patience. I’m gonna save you a lot of time and money and tell you exactly what you need to keep your hair from turning into a sweaty mess in the summer. Trust me, you’ll thank me later. Whether you’re hair is thick, limp, curly or straight, this product knows no bounds and works for any hair type. I present Blow Faux Dry Shampoo.

Ok, I know what you’re thinking. Dry shampoo really? Isn’t that for people who are too lazy to wash their hair everyday aka me? Or for those times when you’re backpacking through Europe and spray a little Psssssst (instant shampoo), since there’s no time to wash your hair while you’re seeing the world?! Unlike the dry shampoos of old, all the new products out on the market today are much more sophisticated than your basic baby powder.

Faux Dry by Blow is a lightweight powder that seamlessly blends into your hair, absorbing grease and moisture, and gives it new bounce and life. It’s perfect for in-between washes, or if you just need a little pick-me-up before going out for the night. Even if you’re hair is clean, spray a little at the roots to get increased volume. It’s also great for giving washed hair some texture, and makes it easier to style. It does it all! And unlike a lot of dry shampoos, it won’t look like you have grey or white hair after you mistakenly over apply a la Kate Moss. So now that the cats out of the bag, you know where to find your own bottle.

Categories: Pronto Beauty

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Get Your Space Into Shape: Geometric Patterns

July 21, 2010 by Laura Smith

Home design aficionados and amateurs alike shed a tear of two over the folding of Domino Magazine. They managed to bring high concept design into everyone’s reach with budget finds and a fresh take on what used to be just for designers and housewives. My roommate owned their coffee table decor guide, the Domino Book of Decorating, which as dry as that may sound, provided endless colorful eye candy. While the magazine may have gone under, the fresh ideas did not. Domino’s former Market Assistant, Michelle Adams joined forces with her photographer friend, Patrick Cline to launch a new online home style bible, and Lonny Magazine was born.

Just like its predecessor, Lonny is filled with page after page of beautiful homes, beach bungalows, and endless inspiration. After flipping through their most recent issue, I fell in love with this room. A lot of times when people hear the word modern when applied to home decor, they immediately think all slick white interiors and uncomfortable looking furniture. I’m glad there are rooms like this, to break the assumption that color can’t be used in a fun and modern way. First of all, I would probably take out a loan just to make these studded headboards mine, and secondly, these stand-out shape print pillows make we want to decorate my whole apartment just using my old geometry book.

These silk pillows from All Modern, reminded a lot of the ones from the magazine, with their bright contrast design, and intricate shapes. They’re a great addition to any blah bedding, or to throw on your favorite chair. Its design is something akin to a kaleidoscope or a magic eye, I can’t quite decide. Either way, it’s certain to stand out in your house. Since I’m a lover of bold color, these will go with my orange sheets nicely. There’s a reason so many athletic teams have brown and orange as their team colors, they’re a dream team when combined.

Categories: Pronto Home

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Summer Styles You’re Gonna Love

July 12, 2010 by Laura Smith

As much as I love fashion, I think I love fashion illustration even more. I love a good photo spread but sometimes the photo-shopping that goes on in the industry sickens me a little. I understand it’s all about “aspiration” and fantasy, but sometimes I’m just like, “Come on”. With illustration, there are no limits to how you present the clothes, and it frees you to think about them as a fun costume you get to wear for the day. One of my favorite fashion bloggers/artists, is Kristatomic. She’s an illustrator from England with a great eye for fashion, and a fellow redhead. I love all of her work, and I was inspired by the styles in one of her recent drawings. I wish I could transform myself into one of the characters and it turns out, it was a lot easier than I thought.

Look at this gang. It makes me want to pack a suitcase and assemble some partners in crime for a mystery getaway. While I love all of these summer styles, the one I covet most the the red-headed gal in the middle with the killer heels. While I’m not one to sport cropped trousers with a tube top, I’m willing to give it a try. I also wouldn’t mind some vintage steamer trunks and a cat to walk on a leash.

Initially I tried to track down a starch white strapless top, but every one of them was embellished with zippers, bows, you name it. But I think this Eyelet Corset Top will do just fine to help recreate my perfect summer outfit. It has a great 50’s inspired sweet heart neckline and some great boning underneath to give it its slimming shape. Plus what’s more summer inspired than white cotton eyelet fabric? Nothing, that’s what. Leave it to Anthropologie to make a lady feel like a lady.

Now that the top is taken care of, it’s time to work our way to the bottom part of this ensemble. Cropped trousers are the for those of us who are scared of harem pants but still don’t want to have to wear jeans as our only alternative. They’re sharp. come in varying lengths, and their high-waist style is suitable for many body types. These Sarouel Trousers from ABS Luxury perfectly mimic the illustration’s Katherine Hepburn style pants. It’s the kind of traveling while elegant style, everyone should aspire to. The balance of ladylike frills on top with gentlemanly bottoms, is a style match made in heaven.

Ugh yes I know, MORE red shoes. You would think I was Dorothy the way I collect red footwear. While I was leaning toward these drool-worthy tie-up heels from Loeffler Randall, I decided to stick with the theme and find something to match the cartoon version of myself. Modcloth is known for their decidedly retro style, so of course they’re the first place I looked to find some vintage looking, pin-up pumps. Plus all of their product names are ridiculously adorable, such as these ‘Pump Up the Jams’ Pumps. Just an FYI, if you have a knack for coming up with nicknames and you like free stuff, they often host a “Name It and Win It” Contest, for who can come up with the best product names. Anyways, while the idea of traveling in heels may not seem ideal, I can attest to the fact that anything with a stacked heel like these are a breeze to walk in, there’s a reason why they were so popular back in the day. They’re just as sassy as stilettos minus all the trips to the podiatrist. Now that I found some illustrated style inspiration, I may resort going back to paper dolls for fashion practice.

Categories: Pronto Style

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Steal of the Day: Summer Shirt Dress

July 7, 2010 by Laura Smith

Being on a limited budget, I’m a sucker for versatility. Unless you work in the corporate world, nobody wants to throw away their hard earned cash on separate wardrobes specifically for the office. So when I come across an item that satisfies both my 9-5 needs and my weekend wear, I snap it up as fast as I can. As you can probably tell already, I love menswear style clothing for women. I’m not going to deck myself out Annie Hall style, but I appreciate good tailoring and anything that’s button down. One style that embodies both masculine style with a feminine twist is the shirt dress. Perfect to wear for any season, you can accessorize it as you please to suit any weather.

I’ve had my eye on this Daytripper Dress, (from QuikSilver no less), for some time now, and now it’s on super sale. Who knew the same people who outfit surfers and supplied me with endless hoodie options during adolescence, would churn out such a stylish womanswear line. It’s the perfect option for summer, made with lightweight material and a loose cut, to allow some breathing room during this sweltering summer. The length is long enough so you won’t have any unfortunate wind-related accidents, and the roll up sleeves let you customize their length. Now all you need is a woven belt to wrap it all up.

For a more luxe version of a similar shirt dress, there’s this Belted Caftan from Brochu Walker. The similarities are striking to be sure, I guess this is the more grown-up version, made with 100% cotton and paired with Proenza Schouler heels. Like the one above, this caftan has some series slits up the side similar to a bathing suit cover-up. But the casualness is balanced out by the dress shirt style pockets in the front and the belted waist. Both options are great, I guess it depends on what your fashion budget is. Some of us are bargain hunters and others collect designers like they were vintage baseball cards.

Categories: Pronto Style

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Cross My Heart, Hope to Buy: Cross-Body Bags

July 1, 2010 by Laura Smith

Back in ye old 2009, handbags were on the verge of becoming luggage. Like our cars, meal portions, and homes, the handbag was getting bigger and bigger. Terms like “shopper” and “hobo” were thrown around, and you could probably live off the contents inside your bag for a week (I know I could). But then the bubble broke, and style got pared down. The flashy bags of old are now considered ostentatious, and clutches starting making a comeback. The the biggest bag trend of them all, is the compact crossbody bag. You’ve seen them swung over the shoulder of every stylish lass in town, usually on the small size with little ornamentation.

Fantasy

The French labels were really the kickstarters of this trend, with Celine and Chloe leading the way, did any of us really stand a chance of resisting the simple chic design and supple leather? I know huge label bags are on the out (i.e Louis Vuitton) but if someone wants to give me a gift certificate to Net-a-porter for this Chloe Cross-Body Hobo, who I am to say no? What’s great about this trend is due to their size, a weight is literally lifted off your shoulders. Who says fashion requires trips to the chiropractors. With various styles, colors and accents, there is literally hundreds of options to choose from.

Reality

Ok, I know Marc Jacobs isn’t exactly a steal, but it’s certainly a fraction of the cost of the Chloe one with just as much style and swagger. While the bucket bags are all the rage right now, I’m a big fan of the understated turnlock bag from Marc by Marc Jacobs. It’s simple flap design and lock remind me of the cherished hand me downs I’ve received from my Grandmother, a true clotheshorse. It’s probably one of the few things in the Jacobs family that’s under $200 and I could see myself wearing it everyday, for it really does go with every outfit. Or you can chalk it up to me being a Scorpio and my fascination with locks and secrets. Fate, innate style, whatever the case may be, I know a winner when I see one.

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The Boyfriend Shirt You Keep

June 27, 2010 by Laura Smith

Lately I’ve been lamenting the lack of basic tops in my closet. I have tank tops from the Gap circa pre-millennium, and some old concert t-shirts that are not so work friendly. Even casual Friday does not allow my worn-in t-shirts promoting the awesomeness of Wildwood, New Jersey. While your standard white button-down will always be a classic a la Carolina Herrera, I want something a little more casual that I can wear to work and play. Enter: the boyfriend shirt.

As the same suggests, this style features masculine tailoring but cut to flatter a woman’s body. They also seem to be a fashion bloggers’ staple du jour recently. Whether it’s fine silk or crisp cotton, the boyfriend shirt never falls to make you look put-together. I love anything with a wide collar, a loose fit, and a pocket in front. There are certain designers that are known for killing it in the menswear for woman department. Rag & Bone make beautifully tailored garments at “investment” prices. Theory also makes basics, not so basic anymore. And somewhat newbie label, Equipment is churning out some enviable pieces as well, as shown above.

For a similar look that’s a little more wallet friendly, there’s this linen blouse from Banana Republic. It comes in an array of colors and at $60, you could probably afford to get one in each color. It’s been hotter than I humanly thought possible in New York City the past couple of weeks, so when I see words like silk, linen, sheer, I can already feel myself getting cooler. So as much as you love your boyfriend’s button-down that you sneak away when he’s not paying attention, it’s now time for you to invest in one of your own.

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Trend to Try: Crochet

June 25, 2010 by Laura Smith

You don’t have to be a flower child to wear crochet anymore. What used to be associated with Grandma’s knitting club and Hippy apparel is now one of summer’s must-have essentials. The type of knits are much more sophisticated and come in every type of color and style imaginable. Perfect for layering on a cool summer night or throwing over your swimsuit, you can dress up crochet in any way. Just don’t make the mistake I did and layer a nude colored camisole underneath, people thought I was going for the half-nude bold look. Which is NEVER in style.

Have you noticed I love the color red yet? For someone who has red hair, I have an inordinate number of red items in my closest. This over-sized pullover sweater from DKNY combines two of my favorite trends this past season: off the shoulder and knits. It has a bold nautical vibe and would certainly add punch to any outfit. I love her breezy white pants too, but I’m too much of a slob to keep those things stain-free. What can I say, I love condiments. It also comes in black, if you’re looking for something a little more appropriate for night time.

If you’re really looking to show some skin, this cropped crochet tank leaves little to the imagination. The intricate knit pattern is really quite beautiful and if you’re not ready to bear it all with just a bra underneath, add a skinny camisole of any color for your own take on it. The designer, Kelly Bergin is known for her retro-inspired lines, and this tank definitely reminds me of a modern day flapper. I tracked it down at Revolve Clothing, which I now lovingly refer to as: the place where all my money goes.

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