double, double, toil and trouble

Nine West, Seychelles, Aldo and Jeffrey Campbell are what a lot of us would call "trend" brands – lines that take inspiration from the runway and elsewhere. Seychelles is probably the least obvious/infrequent offender, while JC shoes in particular look like everything from the established Frye boots to the more independent Tashkent by Cheyenne.

Up until now, I'd only vaguely sensed the similarities between Jeffrey Campbell and Aldo. I'd never given it too much thought, though, mostly just fusing the two brands in mental haze. This past month, for sizing and other reasons, I ended up ordering online three pairs of a certain Aldo boot. (Thanks to ex-blogger Lauren of Fops and Dandies for the tip and discount code!) The peculiar thing was, when I opened up the three boxes of shoes, all three boxes had a warning note inside. The slip of paper concluded with, "Please visit www.jeffreycampbellshoes.com." Say what? I ordered shoes from Aldo, not JC. So why is there a warning from another brand inside there?

On a whim, I decided to do a little web sleuthing and found that JC was making almost the same exact boot I had bought from Aldo (which in themselves were both versions on the Marc by Marc Jacobs boot). Still confused, I started recollecting fragments of similarities in other models. More browsing revealed what I had suspected: Not one, not two, but many of JC's and Aldo's shoes were, for all intents and purposes, identical. Sometimes there's a little variation, such as a faux snakeskin versus a plain patent leather, but often even the minor details are the same, down to the shape of the footbed, the hardware or the type of closure.

I tend to be more of a Jeffrey Campbell person myself but have no particular allegiance to one over the other. (Although, I will say that the number of JC shoes on my shoe rack probably outnumber Aldo 2:1.) I also harbor no illusions that either brand is entirely original. What I wonder, though, is how are they so, so alike? Aside from the visible labels on the shoes, can you tell which shoe is which in these collages? (Answers below.) Also, what's up with getting JC warning labels in my Aldo shoe boxes?

If there's nothing else to learn from this comparison, at least we walk away with the knowledge that, when all JC purveryors run out of that black leather, wrap-around, zip up sandal-cutout-boot thing in our sizes (and both heel heights), Aldo might still have some in stock. Or vice versa.



Answer: In each pair or set, all Aldos are on the left and JCs are on the right.

Shoe images: Aldo, Jeffrey Campbell, Revolve Clothing, Sole Struck, Karmaloop, David Z, Urban Outfitters, Kitson, Jildor, nitro:licious, Fashion Toast.

Backgrounds: Office paper copier, Xerox machines for sale.

this is why "dressing for your age" is total bullshit

I just whooped over my newest streetstyle blog find, but the best thing ever that I found on Gade Mode so far has to be the photo of this woman. First off, I love the graphic clash of silky navy, yellow and white stripes under a sunset-hued houndstooth jacket. Clearly she knows her way around decoration and details; notice the mixed stones bracelet, the circular brooch and the silver buckled flats. And the best part? Dark blue skinny jeans, possibly even leggings. (Now here is a case of leggings without pants that I can admire.) Whatever they are, they have this gorgeous sheen to them that make them ever so slightly aglow.

She's got assorted prints, contrasting textures and is accessorized to the hilt. Sometimes I can't even do that! This woman is the perfect example of why I think age-appropriate dressing is a crock of poo – often, the limits we have are simply the limits we put on ourselves. Yes, our bodies change and it's useful to be aware of how to adjust for that. But, age should never stop a person from being and dressing quirky, edgy or, heck, even sexy. Both she and Michela Gattermayer of Velvet Magazine are representative of not just how I want to dress in the future, but how I want to dress now.

just when you thought you knew it all....

If they haven't already, streetstyle blogs, like fashion blogs in general, are reaching saturation point. Every metropolis has at least one, if not, I don't know...five or six? (I'm looking at you, New York.) Along with many other bloggers, I consider myself decently up to date on streetstyle sites. So when I chanced upon the collaborative effort Gade Mode (via Moderniteter), I couldn't believe my eyes. Where the heck did this blog come from? I mean, it's clearly from Denmark and has apparently existed since the summer of 2007 (like dreamecho!), but I'm in minor shock at this unearthing.

I appreciate that Gade Mode features people of all races and ages. The photos are good quality, and the details in the outfits are often inspiring – note that I do not use the "I" word frivolously. For instance, red and black plaid skinnies with pearls, a creme beaded cardigan and a floral doctor bag? Or plaid, florals and saddle shoes without looking overtly rockabilly? Nom nom nom. Just when I was getting jaded over the same old, same old blog world, I manage to find a new site to eat up.

perspicere

A couple of months ago, editor from into construction featured her sheer, beige crochet skirt. In that characteristically candid manner of hers, she reflected on the internal/external inhibitors that keep her from wearing it more often. She explained her aesthetic preference for wearing the translucent skirt without a slip, opting to let a hint of modest, black underpants peek through instead. However, though editor herself felt comfortable with that level of exposure, she would become apprehensive at the attention she received while wearing it as such.

As I was mulling over her questions of tolerance for the risque, I couldn't help but also be drawn to the see-through properties of a loosely knit crochet skirt. Quite simply, I was inspired.

I forgot that I had such a skirt at first; my initial inclination was to debate whether to hunt one down on eBay or seek out a cutout lace option, a la Prada FW08. Then, while still sitting at the computer, I began mentally rifling through my dresser drawers, clothing rack and storage bins. Hold on there just one second.... Yes! The old noggin – it remembered! Indeed, stored away in a plastic tub was one dusty rose, crochet skirt, circa 1998 (i.e., high school).

My plan was to use the skirt, with all its apertures, for texture and dimension. It was to be more of a decorative piece than shelter from public eyes. At first, I considered cutting off the built-in slip. When I realized that I could pull the slip up, out and over (making for that opaque, pale pink layer around my hips), I decided to leave the skirt as is. For versatility and all. For now, anyway....

As for the rest of the outfit, the knit halter is actually a cardigan – this cardigan, to be exact. I chose the metallic leggings for contrast through the skirt's lattice. In a way, I suppose donning the leggings as such is just one step away from the ever-polarizing "leggings as pants" look. I can't say it's my personal cup of tea for my day-to-day life, but I love the look on someone who wears it with self-assurance and sass. Of course, quite frankly, the outfit above is also not doable for my day-to-day life...but that certainly doesn't stop me from wearing it whenever possible.

Outfit: Gap beige/white striped cardigan as halter, To the Max! dusty rose crochet skirt, AA gold lame leggings, Moda Spana taupe suede wedges, H&M pleated creme scarf.

project east 2008

Finally, time for the Project East recap! Thanks to Roxanne, the ticketing manager (and author of Pandora's Closet!), I was able to attend the event as press. Opting out of the cushy seat, I was instead positioned at the end of the runway, ready to snap, snap, snap pics as fast I could along with the other 10 or so photographers. I was also lucky enough to have backstage access before and after the show, and during the intermission.

The show was broken up into two parts: Parsons recent graduate and student designers were allotted the first half of the show while the work of "fully-fledged" designers were paraded down the runway in the second half. Designers in the former portion included Jisun Yoon, Kim Taeyeon, Lisa Ou, Sarah Law, Wen Shi, Yoon Nam, Aiden Yoo, Angela Gao and Bo Bae Lee. In the latter half of the show, Angela Chen, Chris Han, Giuliano Fujiwara designs were featured along with heavyweights Jen Kao, Manish Arora and Issey Miyake.



Sarah Law's hand-drawn illustrations on everything from umbrellas to tops to sneakers were infused with a sixties sort of cheerfulness, even swirling in that rainbow, quasi-psychedelic way. Meanwhile, Bo Bae Lee's intricately braided knits offered quiet coziness.



Don't mind the blurriness in the photo of Wen Shi's Grecian-inspired frock. (It was at the start of the show and I was still getting the hang of runway photography!) Fortunately, the contrast between slouchy, white fabric and the harsh, black velvet strips comes through loud and clear. At center is a candy-colored, confetti explosion completely characteristic of Manish Arora. The decadently glittered puzzle shift is another of Arora's creations.

Expertly draped, the black dress at right was crafted by Angela Chen. Her line, Orange, is inspired by the duality of rain, and the beautifully abstract tension that lies in between rain's many variances: "soft and constant, strong and brief, melancholy yet full of energy." Impressively, her work has been featured on Refinery29 and can be purchased online at both Oak and Etsy. Backstage, I snapped a pic of rising star Jen Kao's besequinned separates. Her detailed designs take cue from Japanese folklore and have been featured everywhere from Style.com to Nylon.



Project East's great highlight (and coup) was Issey Miyake; this was the first time the brand had been on a runway anywhere outside of Paris.



One of my favorite pieces from the show was this Miyake geometric top and skirt – it brings new meaning to the concept of clothing origami that I've been dabbling with.

The only disappointment of the night was the lack of flooring. You would think that even if it wasn't raining out, mats or tarps would be par for the course for a fashion event on a grass field – stilettos would sink into the dirt otherwise! Unfortunately, the day and evening's drizzles made for a soggy terrain, and by the time the hundreds of attendees had tramped up and down the aisles, the ground was basically a mud pit. Instead of being able to stomp and strut one's stuff, guests, press and staff alike had to teeter around, heads down so as to avoid mud patches with quicksand properties. Needless to say, many a shoe was trashed.

I wasn't the only Boston fashion blogger at the show that night: Beyond Boston Chic snapped a few show-goers and models, while The Fashion-y Blog managed to get in shots of several outfits that I missed. And, as the audience was filing out at the end of the show, I had but the briefest of pleasures unexpectedly running into a third blogger. After a months of thinking I had seen her around the city (and likewise for her), I had to do a double-take when I was finally face-to-face with the actual Oh Lady E. Gussied up in a teal ruffle coat, she, like everyone else, was looking downward while making her way carefully through the mud. She must have felt my quizzical gaze, however, for she looked up and did her own double-take. "Are you dreamecho?" "Are you Oh Lady E??"

A classic blogger-meets-blogger moment.

Related post: Gravitation towards Cerulean: What I Wore to Project East.

these are a few of my favorite things

In this increasingly vast fashion interweb landscape, those who think, act and dress independently are few and far between. NOGOODFORME, however, is one such rarity. Its authors write from the heart, with a hope and confidence that both intertwines with and transcends their crushes on all awesome things fashion, music, literature and film. Enthusiastic, spunky and clever, NOGOODFORME is one-of-a-kind and, quite simply, one of my favorite blogs.

Given my sentiments for the good site, I was floored and honored when founder Kat asked me to answer a few questions for their Love Yr Blog series. To read about my a few of my favorite things, click here – and then be sure to hang around their site and check out some of their favorite things. Where to start? Their 12 Style Icons, of course – a series wherein the NOGOODFORME ladies crush and expound on everyone from artist Eva Hesse to Vogue Paris editrix Emmanuelle Alt to aviatrix Amelia Earhart to musician Kazu Makino of Blonde Redhead.

with the powers of two hipster forces combined, redux

For the second year in a row, Nylon and Urban Outfitters have teamed up to give us a free, one year subscription to Nylon!

I am beyond thrilled by the offer, but it got me thinking once again about the evolution – or deterioration, many would opine – of the publication. Once I got to mulling on that topic, the floodgates opened, and out surged related issues like the dropoff in sales of fashion magazines and the so-called death of print. I've already typed out most of my ponderings, but I'll be making a separate post out of it so as not to rain on the freebie parade. For now, let us bask in the much appreciated glory that is a 2009 filled with complimentary Nylons for Americans and Canadians alike.

peeps – always in season

I've just been charmed by Peeps, a line put out by Amelia Lindquist. Via Teen Vogue, via Refinery29, I studied up on this Parsons-attending, one-time Jeremy Scott intern and her entrepreneurial ways. Now, good breeding is dandy and all, but what captures my attention is the minutiae of her nineties-influenced wearables. Yes, there is the requisite bodycon dress, but oh! It comes in a giraffe print and has layered cap sleeves. A grommeted, rope lace-up skirt is tempered by a coattail hemline and fusty floral print. The simplest pair of chambray shorts winks sweetly with a heart-shaped waist. And those metallic white hands embroidered onto a nude mesh top? Both naughty and jesting, it harkens faintly back to Comme des Garçons's 3-D hands and is probably my favorite of the bunch. Best of all, everything is under $100, with most items being half that price.

Peeps reminds me of With Hearts in My Eyes and a little of Sophomore (both sold on Bona Drag) in its wearability; it's all very "throw it on, look adorable and go." However, whereas Sophomore focuses on downtown, modern basics and With Hearts does an edgy darling-ness, Peeps merges the two, and then injects a teasing giggle and a dose of humor. As separates, everything works, and I see the ideas congealing together. What I'm really looking forward to, though, is a fully developed, coherent collection – I shall be peeping her (she puns, quite cheekily) with high hopes in the future .

free to grab life by the reins

In college, I was briefly resentful of having to truck around a monster backpack. Like a frugal turtle with her home on her back, day in and day out I lugged around electromagnetics textbooks and lab notebooks, a 32 oz. reusable bottle of water and home lunch. How I longed to be a liberal arts student, if only to traipse about campus with a deflated shoulder bag or an emaciated knapsack. Of course, it was ridiculous that I was bemoaning a situation I had created for myself, a choice I had made. I didn't really want to be enrolled in a humanities program; studying engineering was my passion and my decision. In due time, I got over the superficialities of the matter and bore the bulging backpack badge of an engineer with pride. Sometimes, with fellow nerds, I'd even partake in some lighthearted scoffing of liberal arts students and their near-empty bags. (Engineering required not just mental endurance but physical endurance to shoulder the burden of textbooks, we'd console ourselves while holed up in the computer lab.)

Now that I've been unleashed in the "real world" for a few years now, I have no intention of deep-six-ing the backpack-wearing habit. I love being able to carry my myriad and hefty belongings while still engaging in the world with both hands. (This is not unlike the benefits of fannypacks, of which I will forever wax lyrical.) It's been high time for an upgrade, however, from the nylon, high-tech bag I've been occasionally sporting. Or – perhaps "alternative" is a better descriptor, because I really do adore my fierce, pitch black North Face pack.

Though it takes a bit of wading through the "over 35,000 bags" on eBags, the site comes through with choice pickings on streamlined, non-descript (read: logo-less) leather backpacks. Clava offers a few scrumptious versions, while Piel turns out the five iterations that I've featured above. The vague French-factor of a leather knapsack, not to mention the rugged earnestness it adds to any outfit, can't be beat. Most of all, though, I love that the packs free up my hands, enabling me to grab life – and whatever trinkets and doo-dads my sticky paws desire – by the reins.

Background credit: An attic in Milwaukee.