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category archive listing Category Archives: seasons change

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 jeansbw

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.

turquoise blazer fashion toastgray cardiyellow cardi

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.

sherbet tonefacehunter

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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Lucky Brand Jeans

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

Wilco: Journey into the Greek Theatre with an Anchor Steam and a Camera

August 27, 2007 – 1:16 pm

wilco-005.jpg

It was my buddy Steve’s (pictured) birthday and he wanted to see Wilco. I was thinking it was going to be in the 70s in Berkeley so I wore this.

Top: Charlotte Russe like 4 years ago: $19

Cropped and buttoned jeans: Nordstrom Rack on my birthday: $16

Woven brogues: Thrift Town $4

Teal beret: Sac’s Thrift Avenue $2

Sunglasses: Target $12

(Oh in case you’re wondering, Steve’s t-shirt says, “Guns don’t kill people, people with mustaches kill people. Steve swears that he got more looks when he had a mustache. I say mustaches are so late 90’s europop.)

wilco-020.jpg

Knowing I should be prepared for a rogue cloud or cold front, I changed. Down vests! Perfect for the bay area, where the air is crisp and foggy, but not “cold”. Nobody saw my blossomed top. Except you guys.

Down vest: Sac’s Thrift Avenue $2

Favorite Tee: Gap outlet: $4.50

It was only an hour between when we got there and when the show started, so I didn’t get as many as I wanted, but here are a few of the painfullyhisters I saw:

wilco-019-small.jpg

SO cozy! Fleece and knit. Look at that bag!

wilco-022.jpg

Look at the pretty shawl! Cozy! I wanted you to see the guy-on-the-left’s shoes, but that hill was pretty steep so I was all topsy-turvey when I took the picture. Or maybe it was the Anchor Steam in the plastic bottles:

wilco-016.jpg

wilco-025.jpg

Shoes, bag, Heiney and a nice smile. Her boyfriend offered to move out of the shot but I liked his shoes too.

wilco-024.jpg

Blondie is ROCKING the oversized sweater and wide-legged jeans. And the lady on the left had really cute boots, I promise. That leather jacket is to die for. Is that Richard Grieco in the background?

Anyways, it was a great show.



Your Ad Here

By Eve | Also posted in Street Style, hip hunting, trend alert | Comments (2)

fall trends according to Copenhagen

August 13, 2007 – 5:16 pm

one of my very favorite streetwear sites to browse is copenhagen street style. those copenhageners (copenhagenites? copenhagenese?) have true, fearless and unrepentant personal style. well, last week was the Copenhagen International Fashion Fair and i absolutely love their take on this year’s fall trends (click illustrations for description).

retrofuture.jpg
eclecticchic.jpg
neowork.jpg
bequiet.jpg

(source)

which of these looks would you be most likely to pirate for your own?


By amber | Also posted in Street Style, fashion, folk style, men's fashion, trend alert | Comments (1)

Fall/Winter 07: the runway done my way

August 2, 2007 – 6:03 pm

i hate the fall. not because of the weather, the weather could be worse, but because it seems like october/november is the time of the year when ALL the shit hits the fan. no kidding. have you noticed? maybe it’s a vancouver thing, but fall’s the time when couples break up, people get sick, move away. everyone’s all moody and melodramatic… i’m always still in denial come september. however? this year is a little different. i’m really looking forward to…

    wooly knee socks
    bright and jewel-toned mixed prints
    textured fabrics
    grey as the new black
    tartans
    more metallics
    cozy oversized cardi’s
    voluminous trousers
    scarves
    LAYERS LAYERS LAYERS.

inspiration: MIXED PRINTS
mixedprints1.jpg
mixed prints for fall
striped knit top: $22.80
print babydoll mini: $19.80
pleat back swing trench coat: $39.99
over the knee nubby socks: $6!
T-strap wedges: $39.99
gold rimmed clutch: $28
caramel drop pendant: $8


By amber | Also posted in fashion, runway robbery, shopping, trend alert | Comments (0)

thrift stars! (my pix from wardrobe remix)

July 6, 2007 – 9:40 pm
    THINGS I LOVE ABOUT SUMMER FASHION THIS YEAR
    (my pix from wardrobe remix):


candy stripes and pin stripes!
stripes suspenders
i never would have thought of this combo, but it’s perfect on her.
stripey tee
don’t look so glum! you’re a young and in technicolor!
kitten tee and striped skinnies
neon kittens are hip??? i believe.

loose and floaty cropped shortish-sleeved blousey thingies used for layering!

lovely!! i kind of want to punch her right in the face. the jeans are sent from heaven!

there are way too many pretty girls in vancouver. love the shoes.
(these 2 photos from the commodified)

layered jumpers!
4th of july romper
could her hair be any cuter?? seriously about to start puking up bunny rabbits.
jumper
who knew an old grampa v-neck could look so hot? i want her hair.
glasses and stripes
super sweet! i need some white raybans.
striped apron jumper
this girl is so striking, it took me a while to notice the wicked wheels behind her. love the white jazz shoes.
jumper
this girl knows how to properly rock a jumper.

dresses, dresses, dresses!
thrift store dress and ankle boots
the accessories are making me swoon: glasses, necklace, boots, clutch!
dress
this dress is amazing!
dress layered over skirt
great way to lengthen a too short mini-dress- wear it over a circle skirt!
white sundress
once again, the accessories make the outfit. i love the opaque tights with the sandals.


short, short shorts!
sailor shorts high waist
these shorts look a lot like my sailor shorts, but mine have loads more buttons. i have to undo a minimum of 10 buttons to get them off. therefore? i can never wear them to a bar. and just so you know? oversize cardi’s are an absolute MUST. i wear mine constantly.
short shorts
these shorts are killing me. gigantic patch pockets to put the world in!
adorable
ok seriously, stop being so damn adorable.

wacky prints and polka dots!
mixed prints and yellow flats
how many times have i seen that exact sweater in a thrift store and didn’t look twice? so cute.

adorable couple
ok, NOW i’m puking up bunny rabbits. i want to put them both in my gigantic patch pockets and take them home with me.

RELATED POSTS:

Category: THRIFT STARS of the week (ALL)

By amber | Also posted in Street Style, fashion, folk style, thrift stars | Comments (14)

lovers of fashion: another beauteous photo blog

June 21, 2007 – 10:37 am

sorry about the lack of posts in the last couple days, and also in advance for the next few days, but yesterday i flew to california (well- car, greyhound to seattle, citybus, plane and car- shuddup, it was $225 cheaper than flying non-stop from vancouver) for my brother’s wedding in san diego. went straight from the airport to a backyard party/laughathon/twin hammock relaxation amidst the candlelight on a 70 degree evening. after a morning of homebrewing and sitting in the sun listening to Caribou with my favorite brother-in-law, i’m in an excellent mood. when i’m in a mood like this, i only want to look at happy things. like giddy, fashionable couples, squinting in the lovely warm sun.


have a fantasmic day.

By amber | Also posted in Street Style, etc, fashion, folk style | Comments (1)

itsy bitsy? teeny weeny? tan or creamy?

June 15, 2007 – 2:34 pm

although i got a gorgeous green Michael Kors one-piece for my birthday, i’m always on the lookout for loverly bikinis. preferably ones without gigantic florescent hibiscus flowers and/or camouflage. this is often more difficult than it sounds, especially since i have a mental block against paying more than $40 for a tiny piece of fabric that i’ll only wear a few times a year if i’m lucky…
ok, i promise i won’t complain about the weather again in this post, but complaining about the weather is a favorite canadian past-time so really i’d just be showing my patriotism. that’s pretty patriotic for an ex-patriot.
seriously though, it’s actually a really good time to look at swimwear (among many other things, but that’s another post) because there’s a wicked summer SALE (up to 70% off) at YesStyle! who knew they had such cute, cheap swimwear??


70sbikini.jpg
hello! this is so deliciously “Boogie Nights” and only $28.80! i wantee! although it’s probably all wrong for me since i be sportin’ some C cups and have boyhips. this style is much better for small chested girls with wider hips. there’s also a similar style in different colors for only $31.50.

blue floral bikini
this purdy lil’ 3 piece for only $37.80 includes a tiny wee sarong which is handy if you haven’t had a wax in over a fortnight. but mostly i just love the description on this: “The two layers of frilly bkinni brief expose your appeal when you twist your body.” most of my “appeal” is in my crotchal area.

missoni.jpg
usually i hate fussy things like “beads” on a bikini, but the Missoni style print on this $37 bikini is pretty irresistible. again, the caption just says it all: “The beading on the center front and the end of the nect tie with the zic zac print enhance your hippymode on the beach.” Hippymode! is now a permanent part of my vocabulary.

two tone bikini
yikes, the YesStyle models are a little to, eh, vapidly gorgeous for my taste. it’s kinda like, why do i even bother? they should really go for only mildly hot models. anyway, this is so sweet for only $25!. i love the style of the top (is it bandeau or string? i’ve got my top scientists on it but we may never know for sure) and is that a purple link on the bottoms? adorable.

ruffled tankini
this is so cute and only $40.50! if i had this i could go to the beach on my worst water weight day after a night of binge-drinking nothing but Guinness! i’m not totally convinced about the print, but i love this style. this would also be so great for maternity swimwear, but who am i kidding, i’m preggers with a beer baby every day.

By amber | Also posted in fashion, go shopping already!, mmmm. . . SALE! | Comments (1)

check me out: a sunny disposition

June 8, 2007 – 4:29 pm

i’ve never been much of a girly girl. but as i get a bit older, i’m noticing i’m enjoying femininity a little more. i found this adorable lavender tent minidress a while ago because i fell in love w/ the crisp cotton fabric, patch pockets and open back, but it was just so girly for me that it’s been sitting in my closet for a month.

well, it’s been raining and cloudy since monday and i got the urge to wear a sundress to chase away the gray. voila. turns out if i wear it with my black toggle hoddy, tights and brown boots, its palatable for the tomboy inside and i can pretend it’s nice out whilst keeping my feet dry and toasty.

purplemini.jpg

black wool toggle hoodie: gift from mom
lavendar cotton tent dress with open back: $18 at Winner’s/TJ Maxx
black opaque tights: $4 at Canadian Superstore
black short shorts (just to avoid flashing my granny gonch - it’s laundry day): a hand-me-down from Eve
brown embossed leather flat boots by Nine West: $100
black beaded organza necklace: a gift from my friend Stacey. i love the length!

By amber | Also posted in check me out, fashion | Comments (1)

floating in the breeze on the côte d’azure

June 1, 2007 – 4:23 pm

what goes up must come down. and although i think mini-dresses will be sticking around for a while (or at least until the return of that sad sod, jack frost, the sumbitch), long floral halter dresses are just divine, no? what a great way to stay cool even if you haven’t had a chance to get thee to the tannery.

there’s a hell of a lot to be said for leaving something to imagination (it’s funny how in vancouver, the minute the mercury hits 80 degrees, out come the short shorts, headband-sized skirts, tube tops and shirtless men). and there’s something so easy and effortless, yet eye-catching and daring about an ankle-length sundress. you could go straight from the beach and wander into an awards show undetected. and yet, nobody will ever know that you’re completely commando under there. c’mon now, nobody likes sweaty panties.

long green dress

only $29.80 for glamour galore. and no need for jewelry even, the tie at the neck is beaded. i’d wear this with flat strappy leather sandals and maybe a bangle and a cotton tote.

long floral sundress

$29.99 for hippie chic. i’ve been eyeing this dress for a while now. i absolutely adore the print and the colors. and that subtle little ruffle on the bottom makes my wee heart flutter.

long silk floral dress

only $24.99 for gaga gorgeousness! i cannot believe the price on this beauty. and it’s SILK! suddenly you’re a socialite vacationing marrakesh.

PS empty your caches, hipsters! we’ve got a new masthead!

By amber | Also posted in fashion, forever21, formal wear, shopping, trend alert, urban outfitters | Comments (5)

check me out: the cropped vest

April 23, 2007 – 8:51 am

cropped vests are great because they can be ridiculously flattering (giving the girls a boost and hitting right at the smallest part of the waist) and can bring an otherwise drab outfit up a few notches. lazy? throw on yer jeans, a t-shirt and a teeny vest…

spring is starting to work itself out. but winter won’t go down without one helluva fight. i swear everyday has been a monkey’s wedding. big ol’ voluminous clouds, a bit of an icy breeze, scattered showers and the sun just fighting its hardest for a peek-through. casual friday, on the other hand, was gorgeous. finally a well-lit shot:

cropvest.jpg

long blue tee w/ ruched sleeves: $4 at Hanger’s Discount Store
cropped vest (with an adorable satin bow at the back): $2 at Target
wooden necklace: $2 at Target
grey skinny jeans: $16 at Target
tan peeptoe wedges: $10 at Zeller’s
beer gut: priceless (it takes hard work and determination)
total: $34

and here’s a menswear-inspired office look:

1menswearinspired.jpgvest1.jpg

black cap-sleeve tee: $7 at Target
cropped navy vest: $1.50 at Value Village
navy pinstriped trousers: $24 at Reitman’s
black peeptoe sandals: $3 at Value Village
silver bracelet of the gods: $2 at Value Village
cheapass camera: more trouble than it’s worth

total: $37.50

By amber | Also posted in check me out, fashion, super scores!, target | Comments (3)
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