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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, fashion, men's fashion, painfully helpful, seasons change, thrift stars | Comments (12)

latest obsession: the high-waisted high-watered baggy trouser

March 13, 2008 – 6:11 pm

I don’t think I’ll be getting rid of my skinnies anytime soon, but lately i’ve been craving something slouchy, comfy and ankle-freeing like these high-waisted, obnoxiously pleated, high-water trousers. Especially loving them rolled up at the hem…

(from the most enviable blog de betty)

( it girl rag doll from wardrobe remix)

(everyone’s got a soft spot for piksi )

jasmin a on wardrobe remix

The best thing about these is that they’re a no brainer. There must be millions of them at thrift stores everywhere. Although i’m pretty sure you have to be a (previously pictured) certified hottie in order for these to be flattering, everyone needs a pair of slouchy, comfy trousers and I’m definitely gonna give these a try. They’re excellent shoe-shower-offers as well.

Painfully Hip’s “Major Hip Replacement” Clothing Swap in Chicago update!

Ok, so this is the way we’re hoping it will work with so many people (so far we’re expecting approx 30-50). Bring your cast-offs separated into 2 different bundles - Things You Still Sort of Love and Things You Really Couldn’t Care Less About Because They’re Off to the Goodwill Bin Next Week Anyway. On the way in the door, you’ll be tossing the latter into a big pile to be dealt with later.

Because we didn’t want it to be too organized and we wanted the swapping to be more organic, we’re going to be swapping in a sort of bartering system. Example: you see that Fiona over there has the exact leather jacket you’ve been pining for? You may have to swap for 2 nice pairs of jeans and a floral sundress to get her to part with it, but to you it’s more than worth it. Or perhaps you’re lucky and she’s feeling generous enough to give it to you in exchange for a Pabst Blue Ribbon, you never know! So needless to say, there will be wandering and mingling, therefore laundry baskets (ideally labeled with your name) for easy carrying/digging through would be a good idea. So bring your best cast-offs for this part of the evening and take home what you don’t find a good replacement for.

Toward the end of it all, we’ll have an all-out (hopefully slightly enebriated by then) GRABfest with all the unwanted leftovers in a pile in the middle of the room. I suggest wearing a leotard or bathing suit under your clothes so if you’re bashful you can try things on right there without fear of nip-slippage (the loft is inhabited by some very sweet and non-creepy boys, so it’s possible there may be a few testosterone-laden beings wandering about - fair warning). But for the especially shy, there will be a bathroom/changing area. After the grabfest and most likely throughout the evening, we’ll be taking photos of all the best swapped outfits for PainfullyHip.com.

We will be providing rum-laden honeydew limeade, music, inspiring visuals and some snackage (nothing fancy), but of course you’re more than welcome to bring your preferred beverage if pink drinks (or in this case green) are not your thing (we understand - the Painfully Hip twins usually tend to be strictly beer-drinkers). We’re trying to make this as laid back as possible, so don’t start asking me about “rules.” Don’t forget to RSVP! Hope to see you there!

By amber | Also posted in diy, painfully scene | Comments (12)

Baby, your stars shine bright.

March 3, 2008 – 9:50 pm

Another “Jem” of a post from our fantastical guest-blogger, Sarah. Pure love.

Perhaps it’s way-layed delirium since I have spent the last several days in feverish, food-lacking seclusion due to some horrible mystery illness - but I when I saw this photo on thecobrasnake, I could not stop looking at those (I presume, though I can’t seem to find reference to them on official sites) YSL earrings:

I found myself aching for a pair. And accessories this large are so very not me. Still, I have to hand it to Stefano Pilati for the Yves Saint Laurent s/s 08 collection. It is one of the first I’ve seen with such a modern and synthetic feel with which I am completely smitten. In general, I tend to favor things with a more hand-crafted, vintage-y feel - but there’s something both wearable and over-the-top encompassed in these simple garments and outrageous accoutrement:

And perhaps that is just it - no matter how I try, I cannot conjure-up a clever way to DIY this collection. I guess I’ll just have to desperately seek knock-offs in the meantime. I suppose I always did want to be a bit more like Jem.

By Eve | Also posted in Street Style, fashion | Comments (7)

going tribal on yer ass

February 17, 2008 – 6:09 pm

My most favorite spring collection so far must be the indispensable Matthew Williamson. A joyous mix of MIA-licious tribal prints and splashy, feminine, citrus colours making me totally weak in the knees (images courtesy of Style.com).

So now, of course, i’m completely obsessed with smothering myself in a lovely, clashing mess of batik, chiffon and scarves. And although I think I’ll have much better luck altering some early 90s thrift store finds, there are a few lovely tribal-inspired treasures to be found online. Let’s go shopping, shall we?

Aztec Bag $51 with 15% PAINFULLYHIP discount code

Tribal Top $31 with 15% PAINFULLYHIP discount code

Impressionist Tunic $31 with 15% PAINFULLYHIP discount code
feather earrings
Chained Wings Earrings - Etsy $30

Greta Top $34.50

By amber | Also posted in delia*s, etsy, fashion, runway robbery, shopping | Comments (10)

Ask Painfully Hip: I need a sweet leather bag that’s as roomy as my summer tote

January 28, 2008 – 11:07 pm

Parmida, my friend in Vancouver, sent me this question along with a plethora of links to gorgeous floral and print totes.

So my darling, here is my dilemma: I love totes because they have so much space, but I want a big nice black leather purse to serve the same purposes. I now work and live in a shmucky area of town, so I can’t carry around my totes like I used to. But most oversized purses are quite ugly to me. I like simplicity, classic looks. Can you suggest anything?

When I read this question, I immediately thought of the adorable Irene Adler and her stunning collection of large leather vintage satchels.

I was lucky enough to find a similar bag in burgundy mock-crock designed for laptops for $30 at Winners (aka the Canadian version of TJMaxx), but I’ve also seen a few at thrift stores here and there including one with the tags still on which said Balenciaga, but I’m going to stick to my guns and pretend I was right about my assumption of it’s falsity. I would also do a search on eBay for “vintage satchels.” Try to find one that includes a shoulder strap just in case you’re totally high-maintenance and require the use of both hands, for whatever reason.

But if you’re not as lucky as I am lately (I’ve been bowing down to the gods of karma and begging them to keep that other shoe from dropping), there are some pretty boss new versions to be had online. I’m including leather-like goods as well for the sake of wallet-weakness (and the karma gods).

Lauren’s big brown bag $33 with 15% painfullyhip discount code

Geo retro doctor bag: $61 with 15% painfullyhip discount code YUM.

embossed snakeprint satchel $20

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By amber | Also posted in ask painfully hip, fashion, shoes & accessories, shopping | Comments (8)

Let me tell you ’bout the birds and the bees.

December 20, 2007 – 12:20 pm

I suppose this new-ish fashion obsession began quite some time ago. When I was formulating this current blog in my mind, I remembered an old blog entry: Tuesday May 30, 2006. And one [reason] why I am glad I came back. “Anglo Mania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion.” At the MET. Yesterday. The Stephen Jones Raven Headdress was debilitating.

I had just returned from studying in Italy and was none too happy about it. After traveling to New York to visit some friends, my spirits had been lifted. Perhaps it is within this euphoric fashion rush that my current fascination first took unconcious root. I am sure that many of you have seen the stunning images from the Alexander McQueen s/s 08 collection. Here are just a few that best display the fashion topic at hand:

Feathers in general are HUGE this spring, but Philip Treacy and Alexander McQueen created the most elaborate themed accessories, bar none. From steel headdresses with giant dragonflies to swarms of butterflies to feathered faces to flock-like dresses, they did it all. And if there is one thing I adore most, it’s fashion at it’s most artistically forward. Nevertheless, aesthetics must still have function in fashion for the average wearer. And just as quickly as I was pondering about the flora and fauna’s wearablility, one of the most trend-setting Swedish bloggers on the Internet re-interpreted these Isabella Blow-worthy pieces into something much more delicate and everyday. Amanda of The Moderniteter:

Now, since I cannot read Swedish, I cannot be completely sure of what material these particular butterflies are made. I do know that while thrifting the other day I stumbled across a bag of old florist butterflies. Which are made out of feathers! (And I paid only a quarter a piece!) Once home, I wired them to a small barrette with rose buds (also purchased at a thrift store) and voila! - killed two birds with one stone. Metaphorically speaking, of course.

By sarah | Also posted in art, beauty, fashion, shopping | Comments (2)

Packing My Bags.

November 7, 2007 – 9:37 pm

Good lord, do we have a treat for all y’all. It’s our favorite of the Remixers, come to dole out some of her most succulent wisdom of thrift couture and DIY fashion. We are honored to feature our most regular Thrift Star of the Week, Sarah (aka Sherbet Tone), our new regular blogger.
Enjoy…!
signing off,
Amber & Eve

After watching the Darjeeling Limited the other evening, I found myself craving even more the one thing that has been on my mind all winter: Vintage Luggage. Anyone who has seen the film will probably recall the delicious custom, hand-painted Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton pieces that play a central role. (Unfortunately, I was unable to find a quality photo of these gems.) Though, I am not talking luggage for travel, I am talking luggage for life. It seems that so many of the-way-out-of-any-twenty-something-post-college-girl’s-budget “it” bags recall the shape, texture, and details of vintage travel totes and train cases. Take for example this lovely girl (from Facehunter):

Based-on the details of that tiny suitcase and the pattern, my best guess would be vintage. And it’s absolutely perfect. I think the key is getting one that is just the right size. I recently purchased a children’s vintage suitcase from House Vintage in Portland, OR. (The reason am touting vintage, in particular, is because it tends to have qurky and whimsical patterns and hues that make it stand out.) It was exactly what I had been desperately searching for:

However, the possibilities go well-beyond suitcases. There are also the brightly-colored, wonderfully roomy totes of the 60s and 70s. Anyone who is a fan of wardrobe remix will have noticed everyone from lewis.samuel to ringo, have a banana to mystery bugs carrying varitions of just this thing. And with a little DIY, those bags could have anything the carrier desires painted on them as well. So, in short, don’t be afraid to roam with excess baggage.

By sarah | Also posted in shoes & accessories, shopping | Comments (8)

bootie patootie - a motley variety of ankle boots for under $50

November 2, 2007 – 12:03 pm

My love for the ankle boot knows no bounds. I want one in every flavor, era, genre, race and creed! Please, oh please, just gimme somma these…
I like ‘em futuristic:

Alloy - $39.50

old timey…

slouchy…

Alloy - $49.50

ModCloth - $36 (with PAINFULLYHIP discount code)

delia*s - $35

sporty…

Yoox by Adidas - $39 (only in sz.6.5/9/10)

Looove me a moccassin…!

Piperlime - $40

Alloy - $49.50

…and am i completely insane? I sorta love the following bastardizations of nature. The incestuous, retarded lovechild of a bootie, a peeptoe and a double strap maryjane:

Newport - $25
I think maybe I need help being more judgemental or one day I’ll be kidnapped and murdered by an ankle boot I picked up hitchhiking.

Technorati Tags: ankle boots, under 50, shoes, affordable, fashion

By amber | Also posted in fashion, shoes & accessories, shopping | Comments (5)

the return of the fanny pack?

October 26, 2007 – 2:49 pm

My mother once got mugged in paris. They knocked her down and stole her fanny pack right off her fanny. Not funny at all. But the funny part was that on the police report, they wrote that her “centre banane” was taken. “Center Banana.” It’s funny on so many levels!
Have you noticed a resurgence? First there were the wide belts, then the wide belts started to get pockets. Now, these little bits of MomChic are popping up on hipsters everywhere! No matter how much we deny it, the early 90s just won’t stay in the past. Check it:

Ivy Frozen wears it well:

Here it is in Helsinki…

i prefer it worn backwards…

or over the shoulder like MTLST’s ElektrikB:

what do you think? center banana: painful or hip? if you think hip, you’re lucky. these things are ridiculously convenient, especially for keeping your cell phone and lipstick handy while clubbing. Plus they’re a dime a dozen in any thrift store. think on it.

Technorati Tags: fanny pack, street style, trend, nineties, fashion

By amber | Also posted in Painful or Hip?, Street Style, fashion, men's fashion, shoes & accessories | Comments (7)

gotsta get me some: oversized geek specs

October 1, 2007 – 4:39 pm

painfully hip is all about effortless chic. how can you be truly hip if you have to try so hard? previous examples of easychic pieces were the printed scarf, the cropped vest, the romper and the perfect jacket. well, i’m adding oversized geek specs to the list. they’re the perfect dose of confident “i don’t give a f&@k” if you’re feeling too pretty, put together or plain. they can make the outfit. it’s ok if you have perfect vision, just pop out the lenses of some sally jesse worthy vintage frames. they can be strictly an accessory. if you don’t believe me, ask iekeliene stange:

check it (click photos for sources):