Back to Vass Fashion

We’ve had one day of classes now, and I loved seeing what people wore for their “first day of school” outfit. Its good to make a good impression. Since I have to see these people at least twice a week for the next semester I might as well take this opportunity to look good the first time we meet (and hopefully most of the other times we meet). Plus its not like we actually have work yet so I have plenty of outfit planning time.

The weather in Poughkeepsie is still pretty warm, with overcast skies and lots of humidity. Also, there is a vast difference between indoors (poor air movement) and outdoors. These will all be taken into consideration when making my outfit choices.

I decided to go for skinnies and an over sized but tucked in shirt, that is a purple-red thin stripe with sailor-esque neckline. With this I wore some tan leather strappy sandal flats that went with the bag I wanted to use.

Other first day of school outfits I spotted around campus included a lot of the color red, white summery dresses and skinny jeans. I was actually really surprised with the amount of people in a plain colored t-shirts and jeans, keeping it really simple for the first day of school. On the opposite spectrum, there was a girl in one of my classes who was wearing a headband with Martian antennas (oh Vassar), a little bit more on the eclectic side. Mostly everyone looked put together, and excited to go to class. Here are two other examples of this cuteness:

I like Carrie’s use of the floral print, her mixing of prints (flowers and then snakeskin shoes WOO), and her red belt. There isn’t that much red actually in her shirt, but the red goes nicely with the other colors there. The snakeskin and floral pattern work here because of the neutral color of the shoes. It was a bold choice, but Carrie pulls it off well. Also, her dark skinny jeans (very flattering, especially in a darker hue), compliments the volume of the shirt well. The use of the belt defines her skinny waist, and brings attention to it with its eye-catching color. Also, notice her hot canvas New Yorker bag. All together a job well done.

Mitchell uses color very well here. He sticks to the primaries: blue yellow and red, in a very non-basic way. He goes with red jeans on the bottom and a blue and yellow single stripped polo on top. If done in other colors this outfit would be very simple, but the bold colors move it to the next level. He’s looking very collegiate. Also, his shoes, from an Andy Warhol inspired collection, are far from boring. His look is full of visual interest, never underwhelming, which could be a risk when pairing together such simple shades. Another job well done.

Here’s to new beginnings, new seasons, and new reasons to get dressed up!

Summer is for enhancing the wardrobe

For this weeks post, we unearthed a summer's worth of reciepts and shopping bags to see if we can really call ourselves fashionistas. The findings are in and well, check it out for yourself. We did some quality damage.

Maddie's batting leadoff...

My lack of consistent work this summer has landed me into the world of boredom, and thus ultimately contributed to my role in society as a consumer, (and to the fact that I’ve watched Bring It On: All or Nothing an alarming amount of times). I just tell myself I’m giving back to the economy, or something (sorry bank account!). So, as fall is approaching, lets reflect on our money well spent: besides my hundreds of dollars worth of books and art supplies for school next semester, here are my favorite items acquired this summer.

1. Blue Blazer. I’m all about this blazer. I found my new blazer at Cambridge, MA’s pain-in-the-ass-to-get-to vintage store Garment District. The jacket is from United Colors of Benetton (can’t go wrong with those basics), with a single button, and a navy silk lining. I roll up the sleeves, throw it on over a blousy top and shorts or skinny jeans, or with a little black sheath dress. Very versatile, and does a blazer ever go out of style? The answer to that, my friends, is no way.

United Colors of Benetton Blazer, Urban Outfitters Skirt, Gap Striped Shirt, F21 Belt, J Crew hair pin

2. Daisy Ring. This gold and white vintage piece from Modcloth says charming, sweet and classic. My camera has captured the summer blooming of countless flowers, and I’m afraid this obsession has run over into my wardrobe. I’m all about the florals. And I love enamel jewelry, the way it shines, almost like nail polish. The daisy ring is also understated, not a huge piece of flashy jewelry, but a subtle accessory, so it fits with almost any outfit. A good investment for the future of my fashion, for sure.

Daisy Ring from Mod Cloth, third ring from the top

3. White Shirt. On the surface this big white shirt looks like nothing of interest. Pulled out of my grandmother’s closet when she was in the process of moving, I realized that this oversized button down was actually a maternity shirt. Convinced I could turn it into something, I took it (I’m sure my Gigi won’t mind, she won’t be pregnant again anytime soon). So, I snipped the sleeves, rolled them up a bit, and paired the shirt with a black vintage belt, over a tight high waisted skirt sheath(I keep referring to this item as this, its basically a long tube top in a stretch cotton that can be worn as a skirt). So it’s basically a dress. Because it’s a maternity shirt, the way that it’s darted allows for a voluminous skirt when belted. I was pleasantly surprised with this creation. And I paid $000.00 for it, a major plus with my college-student monetary situations.

Vintage Shirt, Urban Outfitters skirt, J Crew Flower pin on Pocket, Adidas Neon Sunglasses, Vintage belt

4. Brown Romper. This is one of my most exciting purchases. Every time I go into the BCBG boutique, I walk around eyeing things longingly, and one time I got the courage (or stupidity) up to try and seek something out to actually try on, I was beat to the punch by some other girl my size to grab this tantalizing one-sie. Well thank god for department stores, because weeks later I amazingly found this same piece, for a much marked down price. Okay, so enough of my bargain-hunting bragging. Although, I practically stole this off the rack at the price I paid. Anyways. It’s almost safari-inspired, super flattering, and perfectly my size. It has a high waisted element to it, which, for me, adds to its appeal. Its light brown color contrasts well with my summer tan, and will not clash with matte black tights in winter (planning future outfits already!). Adding to it in an interesting way is the quality of the fabric, which has almost a metallic shimmer (think the brown in Natalie Portman’s Lanvin dress previously posted), but not quite obviously, which is just perfect for me. I’m in love. Expect to see me in this far too often.

BCBG Jumper, Marc Jacobs Sunglasses (!!) (p.s. I know how toolin' I look in this pic no worries)

5.Evil Eye pendant. At the beginning of the summer I had a huge craving for long necklaces with a cute and playful pendants on the end. I have invested in some since then, but my jewelry box was not complete until I stumbled upon this beautiful piece of glass. Note that I also have a mild obsession with the evil eye symbol (inspired by another Samantha). It’s simple, the color combination (navy, white, and sky blue, usually), is perfect. I found this, weirdly, in an antique shop in Maine that my dad insisted me go into. What a happy accident. I have yet to find a chain that matches the brass, but alas, I will still wear it with a chain borrowed from another necklace for now.

Vintage Evil Eye pendant, Vintage Hamsa pendant, Modcloth vintage Swan clock necklace

Sammy's spiel... It’s hard to imagine that the summer is already coming to a close. As always it went by too quickly and there is a list of “shoulda, coulda, wouldas” that floats in to my head whenever I try to fall asleep. However, that list does not include one article of clothing that I had to leave behind, because unlike Miss. Madeline, I did not do a lot of shopping this summer (to my bank accounts surprise and to my dismay). Without further ado, here are my five favorite summer buys (and sorry for being a snob and making my first 3 designer purchases)…

1. Marc Ring. Although this item made its original “Safe in My Pocket” debut last week, the fact of the matter is this purchase might become one of my favorite purchase of the year, YES, YEAR. Since it is bas-i-cally one of a kind, what else could top this FAB Marc Jacobs statement piece? With its every day accessibility, I know my bow ring will add flare and a sparkle to any outfit. I know you’re probably thinking “she just spent her entire summer pay on that ring”, well actually, no. This precious ring was affordable even to my college budget which is why it gets my number one top buy of the summer.

2. Betsy Jacket. The moment I laid eyes on this jacket in the Nordstrom’s catalogue, I knew it had to grace my body. Its simple elegance makes it wearable from day to night. Besides having killer buttons and snaps (I love the simple things), it has a bow in back making sure both your entrance and exit make statements. Coming in three colors, black, camel and red, I chose the black as a basic, although any of the three colors would boost a wardrobe. Bring on the fall leaves and the chill in the air- I want to wear my new coat!

While my legs were once that thin (in the womb that is), this lovley lady is a paid professional for Nordstroms.com

3. Tory Flat. Two words: SHAM. WOW. When Nanc (my beloved mother) brought home these stunning three-tone Tory Burch flats from the Nordstrom’s semi- annual shoe sale, part of me melted and went to shoe heaven. While they were purchased to wear to a friend’s wedding, I am sure these shoes will continue to make a statement whether I am rocking them to class or to a fancy dinner fiesta. So thank you Tory, you furnish to all my needs.

Photocred to Nordstroms.com...they can do things my digital camera only dreams of.

4. Jean Romper. Not going to lie, when I made this purchase from Forever 21 I worried that a plethora of people were also going to have it, well, because who doesn’t want a jean romper adorned with ruffles and buttons?! This one-piece is beyond adaptable and can be worn from bay to play. When my brother told me I looked like a hick in it, I knew I was making a statement and hey, that’s what fashion is all about.

Here the romper is paired with a CrewCuts floral headband. Motto: ALWAYS make a statement.

5. Full piece Nike Bathing suit. Random, I’m aware, but being a pool director, I was looking for three things in a one-piece swim number. One, it had to be affordable, who knew what the chlorine levels (that I was in charge of mind you) were going to do to it. Two, it had to have a built in bra. For those of you who know me, you know how just plain RE-DIC-U-LOUS my boobs are. Lastly, I wanted rockin’ tan lines and this nearly backless suit provided me with that. With my checklist in tow, I hit up Marshall’s where I found “Purchase of the Summer” #5 for a slight $18.99 (regularly $89. Bargain. I think so.).

I am going to spare you all from taking a model shot of me in my one piece, believe me, you're thankful. Send all thank you's to Nike.com!

Summer is officially being brought to an end very soon (school!) but there are only great things to come, meaning Fall Fashion, duh.

10 Little Piggies Inside Those GORG Tory Flats

As Madeline prepares herself to head off to the glamorous world of education I am left to prepare this weeks blog splendor alone. Let the games begin, and bear with me…this is my first solo blog.

Websters Dictionary formally defines a shoe as "an external covering for the human foot, usually of leather and consisting of a more or less stiff or heavy sole and a lighter upper part ending a short distance above, at, or below the ankle." I on the other hand would define a shoe as "a personal expression of one’s emotion which happens to be worn on the foot. A necessary accessory that has the sole (no pun intended) power to make or break an outfit."

When I first became interested in fashion, it was the shoe that truly defined who I was. While I have definitely grown to appreciate most articles of clothing (however, I will never truly understand the poncho), shoes are where my love for design and fashion stemmed. This week I hope to enlighten you as we march through five necessary pairs of shoes any woman must have in her arsenal.

Shoe one, the athletic sneaker. Have you ever tried running in a shoe that just doesn’t fit? How about a shoe that simply is not made for exercise? While I have never done such a thing (really, I haven’t, my older brothers are sneaker Nazis), I have a vivid member of a former friend running in platform puma sneakers that were all the rage in 6th grade. My toes will forever cramp when I see either her, or those g-d awful shoes. If you are going to exert ATP, invest in a shoe meant for the activity you will be taking part in. Both Madeline and I fully support the New Balance sneaker which is both supportive and festive in color. Madeline rocks the delectable salmon while a vibrant fushia keeps me running at my prime. If New Balance doesn’t strike your fancy, there are countless other brands (Nike, Reebok, Asics) to explore who can ensure a comfy, supportive and attractive look.

From left to right: Nike Air, Nike ID shocks, New Balance, Nike, Mizuno

Shoe two, the dress flop. Everyone has the $2 target sandal which is perfect for a day of beach bumming or showering in a college cesspool but a dress sandal/ flop can truly make an outfit. I’m not dissing the plain havanna at all, being a pool director this past summer I lived and died by my flip flops, but going on a date or to a small backyard BBQ calls for something with a little more pizzaz. Every outfit should make you feel special, and sometimes putting on that rockin’ sequined Birkenstock can do just that. Go ahead, explore the gladiator, the T-strap, the espadrille and see how your confidence explodes when you pay attention to those ten little tootsies.

From left to right: Gap Flower Power, Miami Boutique special, Steve Madden mock Birkenstock,

Naughty Naughty Neon, Jack Roger

Shoe three, the black heel. A girl without a black heel is like Hawaii without sunshine. Invest in a black heel that makes you feel like the cat’s meow. Both versatile and classic the black heel is a HUGE player in the shoe arsenal. Go ahead, drop a chunk of change on this shoe because you will be wearing it for years to come to everything from your cousins glitzy Bat Mitzvah to Aunt Eda’s 90th birthday bash.

A DSW find a few years back…not too high of a heal, but personally I love the round toe.

Shoe four, the boot. Previously Maddie and I stressed the importance of a cowboy boot but if you can only choose one pair of boots, go with a classic boot and find yourself a cowboy. I found my favorite boot last year at Nordstrom’s (their shoe department is heaven); a flat purple suede slouch, I wore this boot with everything. This adaptable piece complimented any outfit and since it wasn’t the classic brown or black boot, you’d be surprised how many people took notice (never be hesitant to explore color!). Biggest advice for boots: be sure to waterproof them, especially if you live in the wacky tundra of New England- nothing is worse than ruining boots stomping through slush.

Purple boot: Steve Madden, Cowboy boot: GoJane.com special a few years back (who knows if the website was even legit)

Shoe five, the everyday flat. Whether this flat comes in the Tory Burch form, or an everyday Nike slip on (I admit, I have Nike Velcro slip-on from the kids section of the outlet that are a personal fav), convenience and style blend to form one of the five essentials in any one person’s closet. A flat is easily slipped on for that quick run to the grocery store or when your feet just can’t stand the thought of standing in heels at that cocktail party. Don’t be afraid to wear a colorful or patterned flat, they too will make any outfit pop.

Up, Down : Minnetonka Moccasin, Go Max Pink Bow Flat, Tory Burch Two- Tone, Volatile Cow Print, Dr. Scholl’s sparkle, Rampage gold Moccasin, Vintage Sailor Shoe

A horse would be miserable without his shoes, and so would I.

What would I borrow from your closet?

After a long, enjoyable day of one-on-one Sammy and Maddie time, we thought what would be more fitting than to delve into each other's closets. Hold on tight, here are our top 5(ish) favorite pieces from each other's wardrobes.

Where to begin with Miss. Madeline’s wardrobe? Picking only five was quite a challenge, and lets be serious…I might have chosen six or seven items because, well, being decisive isn’t my strong suit.

Item 1, the classic cowboy boot. Every girl (in my opinion) MUST own a pair of cowboy boots or have a cowboy (let’s be serious, cowboys are g-ds way of showing us He cares). Madeline’s eel skin boots are perfect for a jean jumper or dark wash pant because they are simply a genius color. Great Uncle Zap knew where it was at when he purchased these bad boys many years back.

Item 2, the sparkly number. People who have seen me get dressed know that, when in doubt, I throw on a sparkle. This dress is not only an affordable H&M number but when worn properly it certainly achieves the dress to impress look. Who cares if it may be a little short, we all have those Lady GaGa nights when we want to dance around on a disco stick. A sparkle, a ruffle, and a little black dress… someone knew what they were doing when they designed this number and Madeline knew what she was doing when she paired it with a zip up ankle bootie. A fun and saucy look for a night on the town.

Item 3, the all around adorable dress. We all have them (or should have them!), the dresses we can wear to Grandma’s Thanksgiving feast or to an opening at the MFA. My third pick from Maddie’s closet is the Ann Taylor fitted dress because it is malleable while looking put together and down right stunning. Paired with a brown turtle neck and brown opaque tights, Madeline was ready to walk the “ready to wear” catwalk when rocking this stunning look.

Item(s) 4, crazy/ awesome/ fun leggings. If it were still the 80’s I would probably be the happiest mofo around. Not only does my hair look like I tease it 70% of the time but what other era could you wear leggings like this without people thinking you’re on crack. Although I have never met GiGi, she is high on the list of people I would embrace upon first interaction. Who else would have these awesome leggings, an Andrew Marc leather jacket and countless other goodies lying around for their granddaughter?

Quick breakdown: Cow legging. Genius. Animal prints are a personal favorite.

Neon number. Absolutley fab. Bringing me back to the days when people wore onesies on the ski slope (and it couldn’t make me happier).

Item 5, cowboy boot earring. As said previously, a cowboy or a cowboy boot are a necessity making the earring form beyond ingenious. These earrings are my number five because they add something unique to any outfit. It’s not everyday that you see adorable white cowboy boot earring with just a hint of gold. Thank you Aunt Maria for making Maddie wild for the west- the earrings are precious and make Maddie’s ears one of a kind.

Item 6, the yummy chocolate Ralph boot. Ralph Lauren should be hailed for his boot design. While walking into his store is like walking through the stables of a Nantucket barn, who cannot stare at this delicious brown riding boot graced with a gold buckle? Possibly also one of my favorite summer purchases by Madeline these boots scream “WEAR ME AND STOMP IN FALL LEAVES!”… and I can’t wait for Maddie to do just that.

My Favorite Things in Sam’s Closet. My list could go on and on, but here are the winners.

1.Green Flower Dress. The moment I saw Sam in this dress, I knew she had style. It was the day of our Eighth Grade Semi-Formal, our first formal dance, and while everyone else was sporting Macy’s or Filene’s (wow, that’s a flashback) juvenile little numbers, Sam rocked it out in this Anthropologie strapless dress. The details are impeccable; the corduroy flowers are so delicate and cute. The dress is timeless, and I will always remember Sam in it!

2. Tory Burch Clogs. Unexpected pops of color like the fire-engine red patent leather clogs by Tory Burch are what define Sam’s fashion sense to me. Sam is a perfect artist when it comes to getting colors to go together (stress: not matching colors),. These may not be an everyday wear, but they are a spectacular statement piece, perfect for sparkling up an outfit, or feeling cheery on a rainy day. And they’ll get you noticed!

3. Jean Romper. Denim is iconic, and will never go out of style. But keeping it updated is key. Dark denim is smart, new shapes and details, as illustrated by Sam’s jean romper from Forever 21, are inventive and eye-catching. Dress it up, dress it down, and it has potential to be beach- or winter- chic.

4. Patterned Blazer. A jacket with a classic shape, and a twist. Elegant, perfect for going out to dinner, going to a party, putting some color in your outfit, and staying warm. Structure in an outfit never hurts. And Sam’s been rocking the big buttons since she fell out of the womb. I love it. I even think she bought this pre-Marc Jacobs obsession.

5. Nail Polish. From fairy dust to electric metallic blue, Sam’s fingers and tootsies are always shining with a fabulous shade. This is not your average nail salon selection were talking about. She makes neon green look like a neutral when it shimmers on her nails. And another thing, something Sam and I have in common, like our pride in our natural, never colored brunette locks, is that she keeps her nails short, and healthy looking, not long and trashy. Long nails in a hot pink or sparkling silver scream stripper: so not Sam’s style.

6. Bow Ring. What can I say, Sam and I love bows, we rock them in our hair, on dresses, and even on our fingers. Sam’s new two tone metallic Marc Jacobs bow ring is a winner, seriously. We both flipped a shiz when we saw this, and don’t kid yourselves, you know you want it. But you can’t have it. There are only four in Boston, and that many more in New York. Fabulous. Sam says “My fingers just feel so happy” and “basically it’s a joint purchase, because I wouldn’t have bought it with out you.” Aw, we’re happy fashion friends. And Marc is always there for us too.

All Kinds of Bitchin Brunettes

While Sam is jetsetting off to Chi-town, this is Madeline's list of her top 5 favorite brunettes. Celebrity brunettes that is. Women who inspire, through their work, and what they wear.

1. Natalie Portman. She stole my heart in Garden State with those goofy headphones and loose curly hair (a little like Sam’s, anyone?)

Clearly her acting skills are unforgettable, and you rarely see her in the tabloids, marking her a classy lady in my book. And fashion-wise, she takes smart risks, never playing it completely safe. In the picture above Natalie is dressed in a head to toe metallic dress, a definite step outside the box, but keeps it classy in the Grecian styling of the Lanvin wonder, while keeping hair, jewelry and make up simple. Something about her diamond headband and the color of the dress just scream class to me. And she allows the dress to speak for itself. Her acting performances are anything but mundane, and her wardrobe rarely keeps me yawning. A powerful brunette indeed.

2.Alexa Chung. This girl is marvelous. Maybe its her accent, but I find her uncontrollably hilarious, and she seems so down to earth! Her fashion choices are always daring, and compelling. The other day on her MTV talk show: It’s On with Alexa Chung, she wore a loose faded denim shirt over a short sleeve tee and a skirt. And I thought to myself: brilliant.

She brings a bit of high fashion and fashion forwardness to MTV, and to mainstream, always in a classy and modest way. I would love to raid her closet, and the effortless ease of her hair, and bangs especially, make me want to chop of some inches that I’ve been waiting for months to grow out. Also, I’m not usually a huge fan of heavy make up, or make up at all really, as I rarely wear any, but Alexa does the cat eye eyeliner perfectly, playing up only her eyes, with little shadow, and little else on her face to take away from the provocative eye shape. She's not afraid to make an ugly or funny face. Admirable. But really, I’m just happy that something finally worth watching replaced TRL. Thank god for Alexa Chung.

3. Kat Von D. This girl is badass. And since she has let us into her life via her reality show LA Ink on TLC, we know that not only is she badass, but she is respectable. Or at least in my eyes. I don’t think I will ever find myself with a sleeve of tattoos, but there is undeniably intriguing about someone who has truly found their calling, and spends their life devoted to their craft. I find tattoos fascinating, personally, and can connect to the way that Kat says tattoos have changed her life, by helping her to learn people’s stories and their way of coping with the different experiences in their life. She is unbelievably smart and truly proves that knowing a person goes beyond appearances. Now, you may not find me copying any of her outfits, but I respect her image and unique point of view.

4. Jeanine Mason. For those of you that might not know this fabulous chica, she is the most recent winner of the dance reality show So You Think You Can Dance. Obviously she has talent, but did you know she has soul? She seems genuine and relatable, gracious, and gorgeous, from the inside out. And she knows how to dress her body, which is sick. She made some really tacky dance costumes look fabulous, with her confidence and cheerful attitude (Sam and I always say, confidence is the best accessory). Check out some of her solo videos on youtube. One of her dances, to Jason Mraz’s If It Kills Me, quite frankly, kills me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GY5_re0HLI&feature=PlayList&p=4D37CF68118F6E36&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=26

5. Miley Cyrus. Have you seen her new Elle spread? She looks fresh. Her makeup suits her perfectly, and the set stylists really let her hair do its work. Let me first clarify that I Love Miley Cyrus. Isn’t she honestly living the life that all little girls wish they could? I know my childhood was full of singing in the shower (just my childhood? Who am I kidding), and wishing that someday my rendition of the Hercules soundtrack would dazzle the world. Anyways, I think she’s fabulous, and has done a relatively good job of handling the transition from child star to teen wonder. Recently she’s gotten a lot of crap for what she wore to the Teen Choice Awards, or for the fact that she was holding on to a pole in her performance. If you want to point at what she was wearing, blame the trends, because according to my observation of typical teenage clothing trends in the recent, Miley was dressing fairly normal. And not to mention, did anyone notice how stellar her voice was in this performance? Girl can sing. And Party in the USA is catchy. Read her article in Elle, it may change your mind about where this girl is going, or the possibilities that lay at her feet.

Have a happy Tuesday! And get excited for Christmas in August on Thursday- aka the season premiere of the new Project Runway (!!!).

mz