What does this remind you of?

I love the quirky humor of much of Moschino's fashions but $3600 for a cow print dress requires someone way more brave or way more foolish than me.

You are either setting yourself up to look like the Chik-fil-a cows or your just begging for cow insults.

Who's To Say?

Image vis Flicker - Paine666

Last night Miss Tavi shared a smart and funny satirical article titled "Look Like This: The Social Network!". 

The article had some great quotes and images including these two that jumped out at me:

"With reprints of the 60s Japanese Style book “Take Ivy” flying off faux-distressed mahogany hunting mantels in pre-fab mall stores across the world, it is clear that we are entering a brand new age where we are finally looking to rich white people to dictate what is fashionable."

and

"While obviously the romanticization of pre-Civil Rights era Ivy League white men and the fetishization of their trappings depicted in sepia-toned and Kodachromed photos should be totally and utterly divorced from their glaring historical context (we just really like the clothes, ok?!), it’s clear that Americans are yearning for a time when white people were unquestionably in charge and keeping other, less stylish, people down."

Fashion is a barometer of the times, as we all know, and with all the news about the Tea Party, immigration and socialism, this revisiting of a rose-tinted view of the fashions from the past is everywhere.

So I shared the link to the article, retweeting the source.  At that point I received a response stating "Who would know better than her?" and then that same person retweeting it again as a "Hypocritical tweet to savor." 

And that's fine.  I'm all for freedom of speech and irony and humor.   I don't think I am the most PC person so, the comments didn't phase me.  But they did get me to stop and think about a larger issue...who can criticize?

What I take from the comments above is that Tavi, as a middle-class to well-off white girl, has no right to agree with the article because she is one of those "rich white people dictating what is fashionable" (please correct me if that was not the implication).  That because she is, on the surface, a member of this group by virtue of her birth and upbringing and current circumstances that she has no right to agree with the satire.

Is that true?

Taken to the next step, I should not be agreeing or passing it along either.  I too am a privileged white person.  I'm not putting that in quotes because this is not a euphemism; I know that I am in that same group.  So much so that I didn't even understand until recently how the term "privilege" was being used in the context of race discussions.   I have had many advantages growing up and now and am lucky enough to have a comfortable lifestyle now. 

But does that mean that I cannot be critical of these discrepancies?  Taken on a superficial level, maybe some would feel that I shouldn't.  That it could be seen as disingenuous.  But what if I use the advantages and opportunities to work for change and to support that change however I can?  Should I be criticized for opening my eyes and realizing that I need to learn more and working to share information and make changes?  I hope not.

Perhaps I am giving Miss Tavi too much credit (I'm sorry to have to keep using you as an example, Tavi).  I only know her through our brief conversations online and perhaps she is a spoiled child who doesn't know how good she has it.  But for some reason, I doubt this.  Yes, she has definite advantages in her life but that doesn't mean that she isn't interested in changing the world around her to be a better place.  Who's to say that she won't be out there, tomorrow or in ten years, actively campaigning for social change.  And why would we discourage her now?  But Tavi is just here as a reference example.

Growing up I had little access to all of the information and discourse that is available to us now.  I didn't have a variety of people to learn from.  But even with that insulated life, I still knew what was right and what was wrong.  And now I've been taking the opportunities to broaden my views and the perspectives I receive.  I want the discussion and I want to know where my privilege has clouded my perspective because I want to learn and change where needed. 

Updated:  Tavi forwarding the link and the commentary here around that was the start of my thinking for this post but I also want to talk about the larger issue.  Not if Tavi has a perspective but more, does it seem unseemly for a member of a certain group to criticize that same group?  Comment either way!

Let's foster the discussion.

Fashion Forward?

I had sort of a sad encounter yesterday.

I was at Panera grabbing a bagel and a lady commented on the fact that she liked my tights. I love to wear tights, especially colorful ones. They are the easiest way to create a new outfit or add a pop of color and, frankly, I wear tights and stockings all year round. So, getting a appreciative response is always fun.

I said "Thank you" and went on to say how I had wanted to dress cozy and comfortable that day. It was raining/snowing out and (being still sick) I had dressed pretty simply - black sweater dress, the tights and black patent mary janes. Nothing to crazy or over the top at all.

The tights I was wearing were this pattern:



The lady went on to say how she wished she could wear tights like that and I said "of course you can! I have a ton and wear fun and bright tights all the time!" But she dismissed this saying she was worried she would look like she was trying to look like her teen-aged daughter.

I tried again to assure her she could wear them - heck, she couldn't have been that much older than me - but she acted as if there was no possibility she could pull it off. This made me so sad.

First of all, I don't think colorful tights are that crazy or pushing the envelope. I mean, you are just as covered as if you were wearing tan hose or black tights, which most ladies would not bat an eye at. Plus there are all ranges of colors and patterns. I can see how some patterns could be considered too strange but there are people I know who are unsure about wearing solid color tights in any color outside of black, brown or grey.

Is it that colors outside of the "safe" zone are too attention-grabby? Is that a bad thing? Why do you think many women feel they can't or shouldn't wear fun colors and resign themselves to blending in versus standing out? Even when they want to?

Financing Fashion

After reading an article today about France creating loan and other support programs for major fashion houses, I was bit, well, not quite appalled but certainly not wholly supportive.



After reading Deluxe and from my own professional background, I would say some of the troubles boil down to:

1. Higher prices and cheaper manufacturing are not a guarantee for profits

2. Many of these brands have over extended themselves through stores, hotels etc.

3. They've diluted their brands by licensing too much and extending their product lines too much

4. Deceiving your customers is not a great way to build brand loyalty

What do I mean by #1 and #4?

Well, what I am seeing and have read is that many of these brands are taking their manufacturing overseas and having it made cheaply with a few finishing touches added on in France and Italy to keep the "Made in" label. I've bought shoes from high-end lines and on the first wear the insole is coming up and squishing down. Not the experience I'm looking for.

Also, I've been surprised how much prices have gone up in just a few years. Yes, prices will rise but almost double? And when combined with poorer quality goods it really makes people reconsider if they should spend the money.

As design gets better in places like TopShop, Target and Payless and designer labeled products become less well made, these houses are going to suffer more. The main thing these companies have to differentiate themselves is heritage, creativity and quality. If they can't maintain the latter two and if they betray the former, they are going to lose their customers and their businesses.

The industry has changed, and not necessarily for the better.

Fashion Influences (?)

While other bloggers were having fun at Lady Gaga, I was sitting in a town government commission meeting. This week was crazy so it’s been a little light on the blog front. Plus, as you can guess from the first sentence, my life can be straight up boring. It’s hard to find time to eat or sleep, much less do some thing fun like read or write.

But this morning I did finally get the chance to do a bit of link clicking and went over to Miss Tavi's site to read her post discussing fashion and responding to Tanya Gold’s Why I Hate Fashion article.

Before I launch into my thoughts about Ms. Gold’s article, I want to say that I think it’s great that I, a 37 year-old, can have an intellectual discussion with a 13 year-old. Many would relegate Tavi to a mere "child" status and discount much of what she has to say. I think that is very biased. I'm generally not a "kid person" but I am a fan of smart intellectually curious and engaged kids... just ask my amazingly smart and talented friend Miss Bridget who's been impressing the hell out of me since she was approximately 6 years old. I don't think it’s weird or surprising that Miss Tavi has an interest in and great knowledge of fashion and actually forms educated opinions about the arena. Heck, I remember at 13 I was given a list of classic books we were going to be reading in high school and college and was appalled that I hadn’t read some of them already. I then spent my summer reading most of the list. That age is the perfect time to be passionate about something and totally immerse yourself.

But back to the article and, in theory, my point for writing. I see both ladies’ perspectives here.

But I have another.

I appreciate artistry, especially in this day and age of increasingly disposable fashion. I appreciate the designer's eye and vision. I understand they have an aesthetic they are trying to achieve. I'm sure that is the rationale behind choosing the models they do. I can also see how a consumer seeing very thin girls and not seeing a range of sizes and shapes represented in ads, on the runway or even in stores can make you feel like you are pushed out of the realm of the "fashionable".

The way I have kept from being overly influenced and possibly feeling bad about myself is because I am a superficial consumer. I mentally separate the designer's fantasy from my purchasing criteria as much as I can. Tanya seems to be more ifluenced by the messaging they are sending. But what I think is great about fashion is creating your own vision with the pieces that are put out and less trying to fit into their fantasy. Sure, in my younger years I was probably more impacted body image-wise by advertising - ironically during my most effortlessly thin timespan - but I've worked to move on from that.

As I've gotten older, I just care about what I like. And while I'm not thin, I'm not outside of the range of "regular" sizes either. So while Ms. Gold feels liberated by no longer fitting in with fashion and therefore having an "outsider's" perspective on what she feels is the absurdity and dangers of the fashion industry, I'm still sort of in it. But what surprises me is why she lets it get to her. I've always tried to subscribe to the Eleanor Roosevelt saying: No one can make you feel inferior without your consent and WendyB’s: Wear what you want. Tanya should, especially as a 36 year old, be able to enjoy what she wears and not feel like she has to be or act a certain way because of a marketing campaign. Maybe that is a difficult task for her and many others.

It's not like I don't have body issues and self-conscious doubts like anyone else. But I try not to let that hold me back. I've never been easily influenced by outside pressures. I don't buy things because others are or becase they're in style or because of a devotion to a designer or brand. I only buy what I like. I just want what I want. I've said it before but it bears repeating- I don't care about a pedigree, if I like it, I like it. End of story. Maybe I've always been more self-confident and strong-willed than others. Heck, you could even call me cocky rather than the kinder "self- assured". And that great for me, right? Is it being to simplistic to say that everyone can feel this way? Do I have too high of expectations of people and expect others to be as strong willed as I am. Is that unfair?

But I have faith in people. I don't think you HAVE to feel bad about yourself, no matter what the ads and society norms say. You can be whoever and however you are and still have fun with your clothes. Yes, you can get mad and be frustrated when you see something you like or want and you can't get it. That sucks, believe me, I've been there. But when that happens, don't get mad at yourself or your body shape. Get mad at the companies ... And let them know! I can't tell you how many times I've called and bitched at a company for not making my size. You can do it too. Don't just sit there moping that fashion hates you and women and is nothing but something that makes us all miserable. Fashion is, at least for me, just fun. That's probably why I have a schizophrenic eclectic all-over-the-damn-place wardrobe. One day I'm in a vintage-inspired lady who lunches look and the next I'm in black sequins, bones and knee-high combat boots. I'm enjoying it, even if I get some crazy looks.

I am energized and inspired by my blogger friends. Them much more so than any industry type. Editors and models that have access to everything do little to impress me with their so called "style". Individuals creating unique personality-filled looks with pieces thrifted, vintage and from regular stores are much more inspiring.

If you enjoy who you are, you can enjoy clothes and accessories too.

UPDATES for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

1. YES! I'm going! Are you going? Tell me!

2. I'll be there from 9/9 - 9/15

3. Looking forward to 2.0 party, Fashion Night Out, IFB party and meeting my online friends!

4. I need to get a list together of shows I'm going to and ones I'm hoping to go to.

5. There will be cupcakes and macarons and champagne as always

6. I have no real packing plan yet and for a long range planner like me I'm totally freaked out

7. Aaack!

Original Women

I know we think stuff coming down the runway is avant garde but watch this clip from 1939s The Women... Galliano, Lacroix and Margiela have nothing on these designs.

I'm particularly fond of the picnic dresses... and all the accessories! Clear acrylic hats, graphic feather hats, and the white swimming costume at 1:28! Unbelievable.

Look at the wrap at 00:58, reminds me of this Comme des Garcons shirt. Nothing's really new. I should be watching more of the past to see the future.

IFB Links a la Mode

Here are some great links to start your week off right

Links à la Mode :January 29th

39thandbroadway.com - Luxury fatigue is, being over it; just saying no to the latest “it” bag and no to spending half your paycheck on the newest designer labels.

A Few Goody GumDrops - A Few Goody Gumdrops glosses her pouty lips with Nars most sought after colors!

Being High Maintenance, not Bitchy - Get singing in the rain, with a free umbrella giveaway from Umbrellas.net!

Capitola Girl Jewelry Blog - Handmade (and delicious!) bites of brown…

COUTE QUE COUTE - TAKE A LOOK AT THE NEW FACE OF COÛTE QUE COÛTE!

Debutante Clothing - Interview with Antique and Vintage Jewelry Boutique PastEra.com

Dogmom’s Dish - Rain Rain Go Out And Play

fashion fille - Fashion Fille creates an inspired-by-Whitney flower headband.

fashion in my eyes - Funny fashion facts

fete a fete - Guerlain Spring 09 beauty collection!

Hello, Lover… Shoe Daydreams - Being Beautifully Green

Independent Fashion Bloggers - Announcing the IFB NYFW Event… fashion bloggers are wanted!

Juicy Watermelon - Holy Grail of Undereye Concealer - Touche Eclat from YSL - Find out why it’s worth splurging on this little gem!

Mademoiselle Robot - Getting inspired by my life in Paris while in London

Nico Assatly - Hot New Clothing Label~ Clockwise Clothing!

Poor Little Rich Girl - Really inspired by my innate hippie feelings that day but its just an outfit!

Retro Chick - Ethical ways to wear silk

Shopping and Info - Shopping and Info found Angelina Jolie’s favorite Lanvin flats on Sale PLUS Christian Louboutin flats on SALE!!!!

Style Symmetry - Eyeliah wants you to check out Emma Brown!

THE COVETED - Jennine - IFB The Coveted! Toting around the Vivienne Tam HPmini

the musings of ondo lady - Is there life after Sex and the City? Former writers, Greg Beherendt and Liz Tuccillo have proved that there is.

Perfect Pairings

I am very excited to see Baz Luhrmann's Australia. I was totally enamored with Moulin Rouge... more so than I ever expected to be. Much of that was due to the music but the fashion was, of course, amazing.

An Australia looks to be just as gorgeous.

What has really excited me was when I read that Salvatore Ferragamo was creating all of the shoes for the movie.

What is interesting, is that Ferragamo is not interpreting the styles of the era (as Manolo Blahnik did beautifully for Marie Antoinette) or using actual vintage shoes (pulled from the La Rose dead stock for Down With Love) but rather brought out styles from their actual archives to add a unique authenticity to the costume design:

"We are extremely proud and honored to work with the visionary filmmakers, director Baz Luhrmann and designer Catherine Martin. We were very confident that, through their passion and creativity, they would realize an unprecedented vision." states James Ferragamo. "My grandfather, Salvatore Ferragamo, began his career working in costume design for the American Film Company, a precursor to Twentieth Century Fox, so it is only fitting that we carry on his name and our company's heritage by collaborating once again on a film from Fox."

Ferragamo continues, "In fact, in The Covered Wagon (1923) one of the first films that my grandfather worked on, he created a pair of riding boots. These archival boots were referenced when creating the riding boots for Nicole Kidman's character."

In conjunction with costume designer Catherine Martin, the Ferragamo design studio referenced many shoes from the archives, including some worn by aristocrats during the '30s and '40s, characters similar to Lady Sarah Ashley. The color palette and design details, while created to help realize the filmmakers' fantastical vision, were also authentic to the designer and the period. The deep Ferragamo red that features in the evening sandal worn by Kidman's character during the pivotal Governor's Ball scene was already something of a House signature in the '40s. And the ribbed wedge detail featured in the shoe worn by Lady Sarah Ashley at her homestead on Faraway Downs derives from a style created originally for Katherine Hepburn.

All the shoes were made by hand, including this lovely evening sandal, in ruched deep red velvet with stingray accents. The sandal will be sold as a limited edition at Ferragamo stores worldwide. The shoes come in distinctive and collectible packaging and are accompanied by a certificate of authenticity that tells the history and unique features of the shoes.




While I love Victorian and Georgian style of dress, I am completely in love with the Post-Edwardian styles they have used to portray Lady Ashley. The structured, tailored looks with amazing detail work have a very strong appeal for me. I think I would dress this way all the time if I could.



This is in large part due to the equestrian elements that much of these styles are derived from. I rode dressage and did jumping for years and love the look. I actually feel more comfortable in a buttoned-up look like this than I do in something like jeans and tee's.



This movie is going to be EVERYWHERE over the next few months, but if you are eager to begin your immersion, here is even more to get you started:

Interview & Images in July 2008 Vogue

Gallery of images from Australia

I'm very excited to see what shoes they do end up selling and how they are received. Will this movie kick-off a trend for extreme tailoring as Moulin Rouge re-ignited a love of corsetry and decadence?

And just for some added fun, if you love horses, Australia or amazing filmwork, I hope you have seen The Man From Snowy River. This is one of the most amazingly filmed location movies ever and this scene in particular always gets me choked up and fills me with awe:

IFB Links a la Mode

Some great links from the IFB gang to keep you busy!

39thandbroadway - Ever wonder where fashion trends come from and how they develop, long before they hit the stores?

Being High Maintenance, not Bitchy - Being High Maintenance, not Bitchy gushes over Freeman’s Replenishing Body Lotion - the effective, but stinky moisturizer

Capitola Girl Jewelry Blog - I’m saying no to gift cards this holiday season, and looking to the indie sellers on Etsy for some great guy gifts.

Clutch 22 - Tackling Black Friday and Cyber Monday this holiday season.

Couture Allure - Couture Allure shows how to dress up your holiday hairdo with vintage accessories.

dapper kid - Essay on the impact of the Industrial Revolution on Men’s Tailoring.

Diary of a Style Addict - Diary of a Style Addict Reviews Paint Cosmetics fab mineral eyeshadows

Dirty Laundry - 37 Things to Love: The Definitive List (And How I Have Way Too Much Time)

Dogmom’s Dish - Five little luxuries for the holidays, ranging from Free to Sugardaddy Suggestible.

dramatis personae - Why Dieting is a Dirty Word

fashion fille - What is YOUR opinion on the trendy scarf? Fashion Fille debates keffieyahs.

fashion in my eyes - Love of a lifetime,Coco Rocha and Roberto Bolle

Fashion Pulse Daily - We’ve got the skinny on the upcoming Target accessory designer collaborations — including Felix Rey!

Hello, Lover… Shoe Daydreams - Recognize the things that trip your relationship up and keep you from having the “real” fairy tale.

Independent Fashion Bloggers - IFB announces the new newsletter!

Iole in fashion - Inverno a colori / Colored Winter

Mademoiselle Robot - Outfit ideas for Thanksgiving.

Pencil - a look at Suphanut Suwansanya’s, a London Fashion Designer, Autumn/Winter 08 collection and his inspiration.

Petite Bourgeoisie - Interview with Kristen Calavas of TheLookbook

Retro Chick - Putting on the Glitz, working your sequins for Work, Rest & Play

ShopDiary - ShopDiary invites you to access chanel-exclusives.com, the first ever online Chanel boutique, and discover a limited edition selection of Chanel accessories.

Some Like It Fashion - The shape of things to come: have your say on what ‘look’ will come to define this recession.

Style Discovery - Style Discovery goes burlesque.

Sweety P Style FIles - Since I haven’t been shopping in three months, I find myself in a wardrobe recession.

Tainted & Sweet… - Thank you Daddy Karl!!!

The Bare Skinny - Eco Friendly and Fabulous…Fashion Goes Green

THE COVETED - Feathers, Lashes, and Courtney Brooke Hall… vintage fashion photography

The Sunday Best - Contest on TheSundayBest! Big fun! Big prizes! Big…pandas?

Your Style Star - Shop on Black Friday like a pro

IFB Links a la Mode

Welcome to the weekly round -up of IFB links. Amazing stuff as always!

39thandbroadway - The truth behind your size label and your vanity!

A Few Goody GumDrops - A Few Goody Gumdrops is drooling over the all diamond necklace from Mauboussin!

Being High Maintenance, not Bitchy - How to capture classic 3.1 Phillip Lim style for less

Capitola Girl Jewelry Blog - The Steampunk-stylings of two indie jewelry artists who take wire-wrapped rings to another dimension…

Debutante Clothing - Debutante Clothing finds vintage inspiration from couture safety pins

Diary of a Style Addict - is coveting Rihanna’s look on her new “Rehab” video

Dogmom’s Dish - Tokidoki’s Simone Legno In San Francisco

dreamecho - Weapon of Choice: Cultural Commentary, Trivialization and Personal Responsibility in Fashion

fashion fille - A realization of the blogosphere’s current sequin obsession.

fashion in my eyes - In Maglia E Meglio,Christian Louboutin for Rodarte

Fashion Pulse Daily - Fashion Pulse can’t wait to get its hands on the Hayden-Harnett handbag collection for Target in December; get a sneak peak now!

Flights of Fab Fashion Fancy - Flights of Fab Fashion Fancy is loving these young, easy, chic looks from Sandro-a trendy-chic Parisian brand!

Hello, Lover… Shoe Daydreams - A special limited-edition collaboration between Pantone, the definitive guide to color and SeaVees, the purveyors of California casual

In Life and In Fashion - Why I am inspired by the woman who invented the wrap dress.

Independent Fashion Bloggers - Geek Chic: Best Tech for Fashion Bloggers

Iole in fashion - Sex and The city…again!

Little Black Book - Fashion Palette: a must for aspiring designers and persons hoping to make it in the fashion industry.

Mademoiselle Robot - With Christmas approaching, it is useful to know how to wear sequins without looking like a Christmas tree!

Or False Glitter - - Cherry Lip Lolita: youthful yet provocative beauty

PONY RYDER - A story behind Laurel S. sign up with NY model management.

Retro Chick - Baby it’s cold outside: A Guide to buying your perfect Winter Coat.

Shopping and Info - Shopping and Info found some great clutches that look like Angelina Jolie’s from the Changeling Private Screening in London

Some Like It Fashion - Going for Gold: The metallic look has evolved and given birth to a new trend. Some Like It Fashion discusses the merits of metal within clothing.

Style Discovery - “Transformation: Fremantle High Street Collective 2008″. Local fashion delight brought to you by Style Discovery from Perth, Western Australia.

Style Symmetry - Eyeliah calls cream and yellow a trend to watch!

The Bare Skinny - Hitting the Trenches to Find the Perfect Coat

THE COVETED - Faking Confessionals…and reasons why not to do it….

The Ongoing Project - Developing your personal style, part 3

The Subadult Years - A personal look at the effectiveness and limitations of the eco-friendly fashion trend in Toronto.

Your Style Star - 5 Simple Tips For Surviving Holiday Parties

For Your Consideration

A while back I got this really cute sequin skirt from YOOX. It was a good bargain and you just never know when you are going to need a black sequin skirt, right?

Well, I haven't worn it just yet. My vision was to wear it with a white t-shirt and Chuck Taylors or something but that's for another day. Now I'm thinking of taking it with me to New York and can't decided on the right top to wear with it.



For some reason I'm totally spacing on what to pair it with. I was thinking the deep v-neck American Apparel t-shirt in black (which I don't own, but could get) but I'm not sure. I would typically go for a 3/4 or longer sleeved shirt. I have a whole bunch of black tops that would be okay but I wanted something a little better.



I want something fun and not too boring. Any inspired ideas out there?

A New Designer? Kira Plastinina

I may be totally out of the loop and horribly old fashioned, but not only had I never heard of Kira Plastinina but, now that I have, I'm kind of appalled.



It seems Miss Plastinina is a 15 year old Russian girl who has fashioned herself a "designer" and has somehow been able to create her own line and open almost 30 stores in Russian. She also has plans to open stores in the US this year.

Okay, I know how she was able to do this. And I don't think it's because she's some amazing talent or a fashion prodigy. It just so happens her father is worth something to the tune of $700 million.


Thanks, Daddy!

Her clothes are, obviously, targeted at the tween-teen-twenty-year-old, with lots of pink and purple, cutesy hearts and lots of bows and ruffles. What appalls me the most is not the fact that she really thinks she is a designer of the caliber of other trained designers, but that mainstream news and other fashion media are actually giving her coverage.



Here's your opportunity to check out all the pink shiny fabulosity. BTW, what is wrong with those models. They can't walk the runway at all. Dang.



Sadly, although obviously, the poor girl has decided that yet another useless celebutant is her fashion icon and has decided to design clothes that appeal to her tastes. Awesome. I really can't wait to see more younger girls embracing Paris-frickin'-Hilton as their muse.



And just like here in the US, it's not surprising that kids with more money than talent are able to play at designing. What's worse, is that there are those who embrace it, which will cheapen the entire industry.

Learn More:

Kira Plastina's site

Miss Couturable's take on privileged kids and the fashion industry

Shut Your Trap already!

I never was a big Vogue reader until shortly before I started writing here. Then I subscribed. I was always more of a "practical" mag reader, like Better Homes and Gardens, Domino, Blueprint, Martha Stewart, with some shopping mags (Lucky, InStyle) and some Sauver, Travel and Leisure and National Geographic thrown in.

And while I can appreciate where they're going with things, much in the same way I view a Couture show, more and more I find them vulgar, out of touch and repugnant. And now I feel they are ignorant as well.

I know this is an "aspirational" magazine for most and the way things are written and what are featured are selected as such but when I read the articles I am, at best, amused and, at worst, sickened.

Recently there was the feature story on Kate Hudson. In the article the sycophantic suck-up writing the piece made a point of praising her "tiny" jeans and gas-guzzling Escalade driving. This just seems so ridiculous given today's issues of anorexia and the conservation green movement.

But I find Anna Wintour and André Leon Talley the worst. Their manners and writing expose them as the most vain, self-centered and self-important people I've ever seen. While I'm sure they hold sway in the fashion publishing arena, outside of that they should really keep their traps shut.

Talley I merely find to be a one dimensional caricature with his know-it-all pomposity but Wintour has truly outed her ignorance in February's Editor's letter. In it she chides Hillary Clinton for refusing to "appear" in the mag (and probably to styled in some ridiculous designer fashions) and that she is pushing back feminism because the country is ready for a woman Senator/President who dresses femininely and Hillary shouldn't dress as conservatively (a.k.a. masculine) as she does.



Is she kidding me?

The US, on many levels, is anything but progressive and open minded. Has she even been to a "middle" state? I'm sure there are fashion-forward, progressive folks there but many are not.

And politicians certainly are not or feel they can not be. Sadly we're barely ready for some of these candidates much less a campaigning woman in flow-y pants. Maybe if Hillary is elected she will "loosen up". And I'm sure Anna Wintour and the fashion mags and industry are dieing to get their mitts on her and turn her into a billboard and vehicle to sell more stuff. But they have to remember, these are politicians not starlets. They have jobs and degrees and represent bible-quoting constituents.

This is D.C. not LA.

Anna, you may have your little fiefdom, but Hillary Clinton owes you nothing and probably cares even less about your opinion on how she should dress. And this is politics, as in the real meaning of the word, not office politics about who was caught wearing last season's whatever. So leave the assessment of what you think this country is ready for to the experts. Because, clearly you are out of your depth.

Go back to your sandbox.

Photo source: NY Magazine & Getty Images

What Compels You?

If you haven't visited the Independent Fashion Bloggers site, you should definitely check it out and add it your list of bookmarks. The group and site is moderated by Jennine from The Coveted and she does a great job bringing together diverse voices throughout the fashion blogging world.



I wrote an article for the group which she has posted today. I'd love to hear what you think, either here or on the IFB site.

And make sure to read some of the other posts. There's some great reading there!