oh golightly!: August 2009

Maybe it's because of the burlesque show I'm involved in, or maybe it's because of the new boy (ooh la la!)--but I have been mildly infatuated with lingerie. What's been catching my eyes the most, are lovely flashes of thigh/ the thigh high stocking and the garter belt.

(photocred: google and chicismo.com)

(photocred: google)

(photocred: weheartit.com)

Wear the look (aka how to rock visible garter belts without being too scandalous): layer garters and thigh highs over stockings. Play peek-a-boo with belted oversized men's dress shirts and brogues. Go grunge by wearing layering too small slips with ripped thigh highs + garters and throw over an oversized blazer, flannel shirt or cardigan.

Since I'm formally making my big stinkin'-grand-pooh-bah return to Halifax next week, I've been stressing about what to pack! since Halifax rarely goes over 23 degrees, it's time for me to say goodbye to summery dresses and hello to chunky knits, luxe fabrics and possibly my absolute most favourite accessory after the waist cinching belt--the scarf.

Yet, this post won't focus on one of my favourite things ever, but more about overall, complete looks for fall.

For the most part, I'm extremely indecisive when it comes to what I wear/pinning myself down into one discernable style category (I basically have three "rules": can I belt it? can I scarf it? Can I wear clunky boots with it?). These three "rules" aside, I can't seem to pin myself down to any one particular style. So in Fall, I kind of go crazy--existential collegiate vs. luxe goth vs. urban hippie?

Since I am unable to contain my insane love for Fall in one single post--welcome to the first in a series of posts focusing on fall fashion/what to wear/etc.

The first real "inspiration" I have for fall is "collegiate" style. Under this, I categorize librarian chic, secretary chic, professorial, menswear-as-women's wear and the "school girl" look (they all share an emphasis on tailoring/similar fabrics and for some odd reason in my mind I just clump them all together). Strange enough, this is the LAST look I'd ever thought I'd fall in love with. Why? I went to all girls schools in Toronto all my life and spent a significant portion of time in middle and high school attempting to rebel against the extreme stringency of uniforms and dress codes. Oddly enough, when I reached university, I began to pull out my old uniform items such as blazers, skirts and cardigans and paired them with oxford heels, interestingly patterned tights, scarves, etc.

One of the reasons I love this look so much is the fact that it always looks tailored, a little bit rebellious (in the sense that in a sea of gauzy dresses, slouchy sweatpants and bad attitudes, a little bit of primness just looks a little subversive) and very intellectual. With collegiate style, one can even highlight a "punkier" item like a dramatic eye, a studded purse, or strong heels to make the look stronger, OR, one can go a little softer with more "feminine" accessories.

photocred: style.com collage made by me.

For instance, at Chanel they did an interesting take on the skirt suit by adding ruffles and goth accessories for a very prep school vampire look. Whereas, Marc Jacobs mixed basics with punkier accessories to make a look that was more Cindi Lauper than Cher Horowitz. Detache keeps it fairly conservative with tartans and knee socks, while Yves St. Laurent adds a bit of dominatrix to a secretarial/power suit with hints of leather. And possibly one of my favourite models for street style--Irina Lazeranu gives us a quirky take on Annie Hall esque menswear.

More of my favourite "collegiate" looks: