fashion — Painfully Hip

Category Archives: fashion

check me out: Schizo night on J St.

May 7, 2008 – 10:15 pm

Here it is, hands down our most colorful post to date…

I got to do another fashion show for a neon-themed party at Momo Lounge on Thursday night. The clothes were provided by a rad vintage shop called Bows & Arrows (L &17th) and included the most kitsch late 80’s / early 90’s flourescent confections I’d ever laid eyes on. The outfits were styled by the Trisha Rhomberg- designer of local reconstructed vintage line, the amazing Pretty Trashy (15% discount with code PAINFULLYHIP). Our hair and makeup was donated by GS Hair and was inspired by early 90’s rave. We looked a bit crazygonuts and the blacklights made us all glowy.

back

final walk

Afterwards, the ferocious HOTTUB brought things to a nice rolling boil:
hottub

chain gang

photo credits: Nick Avey

However, I missed them this time because I had tickets to see one of my favorite folk rock bands, Vetiver, right downstairs from the party- where things were rather sedate but also equally mesmerizing albeit in a much more subtle, close your eyes and soak up the ridiculous acoustics kinda way. So even though there were all of 40 people in attendance, the stunning melodies were not wasted on us. Wow, what a show…

harlows

Which made for an incredibly schizophrenic night all in all, but at least I got to show Andy Cabic (um, starstruck! that VOICE) what a crazy person looks like!

… And then proceed to go back upstairs to dance my face off… or try to anyway; I think turpentine finally did the trick with all that makeup.

Attention! Attention! Sacramentonians:

Andy Cunningham has a gallery opening this Second Saturday at the Inferno Gallery at 1109 22nd Street. Much of his work reminds us of a gigantic, colorful, and chaotic system, perhaps the one we might happen to live in. And as we drunkenly dance the night away, and marvel at the jumble of our own universes, we are constantly enthralled by his work. Do yourself a favor and check it out this Second Saturday.

*We have reason to believe that this blog is represented by the teal rectangular prism left-center*

By amber | Also posted in art, check me out, everyday is halloween, painfully scene | Comments (10)

dress yourself in the issues that matter

April 19, 2008 – 12:46 pm

Have you ever wanted to help a gigantic 80 year old tortoise be a little less lonely? Today’s your chance. Buffalo Exchange, the large purveyor of new and used clothing, is holding a $1 sale on all their sale wares and is donating proceeds to help bring Lonesome George some tortoise friends to his home on the Galapagos Islands. Lonesome George is the last Pinta tortoise in the entire world (I feel like America should be supplying the soundtrack to my day right now):

Awwww. Look at him! He looks just like Moorla on the Neverending Story! Except Moorla was sort of a dick and I’m pretty sure Lonesome George is the reincarnation of Ghandi.
Hang in there George, we’ll save you! Buffalo Exchange Locations here.

Another way to save the world by being hot is by buying an art screenprinted Quiet Hero Tee. They’re so effing hip and soft and flattering. “Art to Ride a Tiger in,” to be exact (best slogan ever). Operation Quiet Hero donates to such non-profits as the Central Asia Institute and Heifer.
I wore my deep-V spacehawk tee out this week and I managed to get myself a few looks…

Spacehawk Tee from Quiet Hero
grey Target skinny jeans
thrifted large gold geometric earrings
thrifted bright turquoise tennis shoes (not pictured)
80’s white digital watch from Furni

…Could be because this tee felt simultaneously comfortable and sexy, eye-catching and easy to wear.

Or it could be that after having drunk several Heinekens whilst watching 3 hours of hockey play-offs (GO SHARKS!) and then switching to $2 Pabsts afterwards at my local watering hole of choice (I realize that according to David Lynch that this makes me a beer hypocrite), I was feeling like a total Bar Star and dancing my face off.

I’m pretty sure I had a blast.

By amber | Also posted in check me out, painfully indie | Comments (8)

seven easy pieces in three short installments, part III

April 16, 2008 – 7:54 am

first things first, i owe everyone a huge apology for leaving this last (promised) installment hanging for so long… i had surgery last week (rather intrusive and painful, but not life threatening, so it’s unnecessary to turn your “poor diana” meters above a 6 at this point.) and no matter how prepared you think you are, you’re just not.

so…here it finally is though. the last installment. and i’ve finally posted my own “style concept” like i promised i would back when dinosaurs and grandparents ruled the earth, so if you’re interested you can read it. and if you’ve written one of your own that you’d like to share, please let me/everyone here know! i’d love to see what’s inspiring the rest of the planet right now…in my quest to create the ultimate closet-of-compatibility, i’ve pulled together these vintage patterns from my embarrassingly large stash for inspiration. they seem to merge all the lanes i’ve been exploring throughout this process - simplicity, distinct style and individually interesting pieces which also compliment each other when worn together. i feel like they also hold some of that “timelessness” i was pondering before, without crossing the line into shudder-territory. (please ignore the stains/tears/teeth marks on the patterns… they’re old, they came from thrift stores and they’ve been loved. and in some cases, tasted.)

how many places could you wear any of these pieces this summer and instantly be the most perfectly-dressed girl on the block? everywhere.

sleeveless? not sleeveless? maxi? mid-length? over pants? with a belt? without? over blouses? by itself? in my next wardrobe reincarnation, my closet will be filled only with variations of this dress.

buttonless jackets, jumpsuits and cute little skirts. um, these would be the first three of my seven pieces…

sigh… if someone else hadn’t already taken a bite out of this pattern, i probably would have , just out of pure adoration. it’s the compatibility of these pieces with each other that really attract me to them right now. the jackets and blouses work with the skirts, the pants and the jumpsuits, but it isn’t done in an overly cutesy, too matching sort of way.

ok, so now back to you… what do you think? i’m craving feedback on this subject, since i’ve been obsessing over it for quite some time now. please share your thoughts! (and happy planning!)
xo

By diana | Also posted in ask painfully hip, painfully helpful | Comments (10)

keep it green, Local Scene

April 11, 2008 – 1:16 pm

Hey Sacramentans,
Make sure you get outside (say what y’all want about Sacramento, but nothin’ beats our spring weather) tomorrow night for the Green Second Saturday Art Walk in stunning midtown (I’m not sure what they mean by “green,” I have a sneaking suspicion its just an excuse to party on Earth Day, what with the obviously unrecyclable glossy postcards that seem to be advertising it everywhere).

Considering all the pent-up winter blues everyone seems to be just starting to shake, I’m pretty sure its going to go completely unhinged! Besides an endless amount of parties being thrown, there’ll be “green-themed” local artist exhibits all over town and a “green” fashion show at Bows & Arrows including reinvented, screenprinted vintage couture by Trisha of Pretty Trashy, who sells her creations all over the planet and just launched her wicked online boutique!

If you find yourself there, scope me out walking in the show! I love to meet you guys…

UPDATE:
I don’t yet have a head to toe shot (GORGEOUS VINTAGE BOOTS), but here’s the one photo captured of me walking in the show (credit)…

…AND my eyes are closed. Awesome.

By amber | Also posted in art, diy, painfully indie, painfully personal | Comments (1)

check me out: i heart free shit

April 9, 2008 – 4:31 pm

Painfully Hip’s Major Hip Replacement clothing swap in Chicago was so fun, it was painful. Painful to see all the amazing clothes that people were letting rot in their closets…
I loved the way the swap worked out. We set it up with a bartering system so it felt a bit like shopping but without the guilt, and with an easy, mingly cocktail party atmosphere. The fact that you were sorta being held responsible for the quality of your wares totally upped the ante on the selection. Another cool thing that happened was that in an effort to make a “deal,” the girls were encouraging each other to try new things by specially choosing pieces from their stashes for one another that they thought might be a good fit.

In fact, I am so stoked on my new, free wardrobe that I decided to show off my favorite pieces with a really fun shoot by my friend (and talented fashion photog for hire), Nick Avey. Everything is from the swap except the accessories, which were all thrifted.

This pearl-encrusted dress, in perfect condition, was in the unwanted leftover grabfest pile at the end of the evening because everyone thought it looked a bit too “Jersey.” So I staved off the “nouveau riche” vibe with some black accessories and flat oxfords. Now it’s sorta got a Little Orphan Annie feel, which, come to think of it, is quintessentially nouveau riche. Ah well.

In spite of the sour mug, I do love this outfit. The tea-length boucle pencil skirt was scored off of one of my favorite Chicago bloggers, Whimsical Nerd, who traded it for my green floral cotton skirt which on me was frumpsville but on her almost 6 ft frame it magically turned into an adorable high-wasted mini skirt. I hope I see her wearing it on wardrobe remix, she’ll totally be a thrift star that day.

No idea what I’m doing in that photo, but this is probably my favorite single piece from the swap. My friend Andrea brought it because it didn’t fit her, so she didn’t even ask for anything in return! It’s in beautiful vintage condition and fits perfectly! I love this dress so much I would trade my own grandma for it. It has these profoundly deep and gorgeous pleated pockets which satisfy me to no end. God, I think I have a pocket fetish.

By the way, I’m thinking about setting up a Painfully Hip Major Hip Replacement Clothing Swap tour. Which cities are most in need? Please vote in the comments, and we just might see you in your city (but only if you wish on a rainbow)!

By amber | Also posted in check me out, painfully personal | Comments (58)

Go Jane: go seriously consider laser surgery

April 8, 2008 – 10:42 am

Here at Painfully Hip, we do try to encourage adventurous dressing, but I have to say that one of the most fun posts I’ve ever done was this rollicking slagging of the Go Jane aesthetic. I was disappointed to see that Go Jane had somewhat toned down their selection since then, but today when I stopped by -there really are a few gems to be had- I saw their new front page and got really excited at the sight of a crazy collage with the most vile shoes I’ve ever laid eyes on front and center.

Now, I have nothing against retailers who take chances and at discounted prices, but there’s a difference between quirky or fashion-forward and just plain crazy-go-nuts. Really, who would buy this shit? Seriously let me know, because I kinda wanna hang out with them.

fucking amazing. I mean with the ugly shoe trend that’s happening these days, I can kinda see the Balenciaga-ish thing they were going for but… Wow, it looks like someone took a hideous mule and frankensteined half a construction workboot onto it minus the overtly practical steel toe. Somebody should be arrested for bringing these Eraserhead babies into the world. EDIT: If you’re actually into these, you’re probably too painful for this site, but check em out in black. They’re less Brick-Laying Hooker and more Janet Jackson in Rhythm Nation. Good luck with that.

No sense! At all, makes none! Shiny formal ombre plastic gladiator spat stilletto?? What kind of dress from Hades would begin to go with these? So confused! Like yoda talking for the rest of the day, I’ll be.

I was wondering if the metallic leggings thing would translate to a wide-leg silhouette. I wonder no more. In fact, I think my wondering mechanism is broken forever.

I would totally wear this necklace if I was a plastic troll cannibal and I needed a DIY project for all the troll scalps I’d been hanging on to. Y’know, for old times’ sake.

I’m having a love/hate relationship with my eyeballs right now. Do I want them in my head forever, or do I gouge them out with a stiletto heel right NOW for submitting me to such abhorrence? Can you say “Ugg?”

OK, if I don’t stop now, I’ll end up hot-linking 50 more things and then they’ll be on to me. And I won’t be allowed to buy the cheap buried treasures I keep finding, like their much improved denim section. Goooo, Jane!

By amber | Also posted in Painful or Hip?, painfully funny | Comments (20)

Ask Painfully Hip: Spring Tips for a Tomboy

April 4, 2008 – 8:31 pm

Hi Amber,

My clothes were stolen from the dryer today when I was doing my laundry. It was almost everything I own and almost all of my good things that I wore out to lunches and dinners over the weekend. I have to go shopping this weekend to replace my dresses and jeans and sweaters, since it is still quite cold in England.

Do you have any tips for a tomboyish girl this spring?

Thanks, Morgyn

That is some tough luck. Petty thieves should be strung up by their sticky fingers. I’d be happy to help out a laddish lady in need, even if soon after this letter was written her lost wardrobe was recovered. PHEW! I’ll answer it anyway with my favorite boy-inspired looks for spring. Most of the time I like to dress girly but I notice that tomboyishness is my tendency when I really want to be comfy. Here are my top hip tips (click photos for sources).

Cigarette pants and jeans. Alter some old broken in thrift store jeans (colored or acid washed denim is what i’ve been looking for) into sexy tapered cigarette pants and capris (maybe roll them up a little) to wear with boyishly nonchalant oversized plaid shirts, comfy v-neck tees, crisp white button-downs, blazers, vintage floral tunics, chuck taylors, chunky boots or sandals.

Shrunken blazers and oversized cardigans. For chilly evenings and breezy days play with proportions and get thee to the boys’/petites section of your thrift store for tiny fitted blazers. The trick is to make sure they fit real good in the shoulders or they’ll look dumpy/butch. Then find an oversized cardigan with slightly fitted sleeves. Wear either with the sleeves scrunched up over girly dresses, tanks, and band tees with high-waisted short shorts, mini skirts or cigarette pants.

Masculine hats and accessories. I know it’s tempting to soak up as many precious rays as possible at the beginning of spring. (Believe. I’m a sun-worshipping California native who lived in the pacific northwest for 7 years!) but make sure you protect your youthful non-cancerous skin from the sun, everyone’s secret adulterous lover. Wear an old man hat, newsboy cap, fedora, or bowler (Brat Pack style) with practically everything. Seriously, it’s bitchin’ time: sunscreen disintegrates into nothing, even after only a couple hours and you know you’ll forget to reapply. Just wear a hat. Some grampa suspenders, fitted vest or a stripey tie couldn’t hurt either and are always good for a dash of schoolboy charm.

Thanks, Morgyn!

Hey hipsters, keep the questions comin!

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By amber | Also posted in Street Style, ask painfully hip, diy, men's fashion, painfully helpful, seasons change, thrift stars, trend alert | Comments (12)

hip replacement implementation a complete success

April 3, 2008 – 6:41 pm

We were having a time to out-do all others in Chicago, midwestern hospitality is the BEST. Painfully Hip’s Major Hip Replacement Clothing Swap was a ridiculous amount of fun so we’ll have to consider throwing more of these! Thanks to the benevolent help of complete strangers and friends alike, it turned out to be one of the most fun and stress-free parties ever! Mercifully so on account of the fact that we were blatantly hungover and exhausted from the previous night’s festivities; an epic house party thrown by our spectacular hosts.

Anyway, here are a few photos from the swap. I think we’d all agree that we made out like bandits!

The first photo is of the midwestern fashion bloggers that showed up: Michelle of LadyLanguage, Natasha of Whimsical Nerd -who has a great re-cap of the evening up- and Monica of Midwasteland (apparently we’re incredibly short).
and the best swapped outfit of the evening goes to…!
lil higgs

Lil’ Sarah Higgs in a teeny and profoundly adorable vintage dress and fur snow boots. She’s a russian princess about to break out in a carousing, vodka-induced rendition of “I am 16, going on 17” from The Sound of Music.

To everyone who attended: Please send us photos (painfullyhip at gmail dot com) of your favorite swapped outfits and you might win a prize from one of our sponsors! W00t!

We’d really like to thank the following peeps for making everything possible, hangovers included. Sarah for making lists and signs and getting shit done (happy birthday, kiddo!), Pat for your travel services and hospitality, Ira and Andrea for absolutely everything including the epic party and the gorgeous vintage dress that I adore, Billy, Tracy, Molly and your roommates for all your help and use of the awesome and totally perfect (i.e. right in the middle of the vintage shopping district) WoR loft, Michelle of Lady Language for driving so far and bringing your returned wares, taking so many photos and just being generally amazing, Danny for driving and support and logistical execution, Meg for the lovely cocktail party in your painfully hip apartment… and to everyone, thanks for coming! It was so great to meet so many rad chicagoans and to take so many hip duds off your hands.

By amber | Also posted in check me out, etc, thrift stars | Comments (9)

windy chic

March 27, 2008 – 10:00 am

Apologies for the scanty posts of late, we’ve been in Chicago the past couple days and our gracious hosts have been keeping us graciously busy. We are having an amazing time and are currently waiting for a cab to take us to deliciousness, a thing that is very prevalent in this awesome city. So in honor of the windy city, here’s a photo of a very ungracefully wind-swept SJP.

I love how she’s simultaneously completely helpless and totally chic. Demonstrative of the power of a pair of good pumps.
Don’t forget, Chicagoans, to come to out Major Hip Replacement Clothing Swap on Sunday! See ya soon!

By amber | Also posted in celebrity style | Comments (8)