WTF!?!? Of The Day: American Apparel

Dear American Apparel,

I have let several things slide. I let the Vegas lame legging slide. I also let the unitards slide. But there comes a point when I must say enough is enough. Since this time last year you all have started bringing back thee worst of the vintage trends that existed. The newest and latest in shockers from the company comes in the form of the item entitled "Shiny Too-Short" Tube Dress. It's as if your Vegas leggings spread to the upper half of the body. And just when I thought this was the worst thing you all could have possibly developed, it declined even further in the form of the shiny bodysuit. It's hurts my eyes! AAAHHHHHHH! American Apparel, please stop reliving the 80's. That's what we have re-run TV for. If you do not cease and desist, I will be force to call Anna Wintour and beg her for your prompt and immediate removal from Los Angeles.

Sincerely,

Lexie H


I don't know. Let us know what you think.

New OId Vintage

I have always been a fan of my mothers closet for several reasons. One of them being that my mom was always the best dressed woman I knew. She stayed ahead of the trends and more often than not set them. And let's not even start on her shoe collection {one that could rival Choo and Manolo}. So imagine my dismay when my mother abruptly overhauled her closet and got rid of majority of her clothes and shoes. Luckily I managed to salvage two pairs of shoes and a dress. Considering that when growing up, our mothers closets are the pinnacle of our childhood dress up days, it's not surprising that vintage clothing is popular this season. {Which im kind of upset about}

There's a certain feeling that one gets when you have walked into a store and purchased a vintage article. Exclusivity. You leave know that you are one of a select few -or the only one- to own that particular item. Not to mention that majority of the older pieces are so well made. However, all vintage is not good vintage and you need to be able to tell the difference between the two. For starters make sure you buy from someone with a good reputation. Also make sure that you ask the seller the history of the clothing, like who's owned it and where it came from. There are a few vintage stores, as well as online stores, that I love. Below are a few {Click on pictures to go to the online store versions}:

CURRENT FAVE: Nasty Gal Vintage




American Rag {in LA}


Nelda's Vintage Online Store



For a full list of all of our Vintage Resources visit us at The F*Word on Myspace

The Other Side Of The Knee

Let's face it, sometimes summer gets a bum wrap. Sometimes it's too hot or too many thunderstorms. Or the women are showing too much skin and men don't understand the difference between golfing shorts and regular shorts. Well I can't fix every problem that summer might bring, but I can fix the one about the women not knowing when to cover up. I guess between the feminist movement of the 1970's and now some women have forgotten that its okay to cover up when things heat up. Yes, they really do make fashionable, sexy, conservative clothes for the summer. Everyone wants to rag on clothes that extend to the other side of the knee when its 90+ degrees outside, but I find that more often those are the very things that keep me the coolest. This is one of my tricks of the trade {besides, it fits in with the why men like the librarian vs the girl with the short shorts}

Diane von Furstenberg Rewa Silk Gown
Marni Long Dress
Matthew Williamson Long Cheesecloth Dress

Alexander McQueen Long Pleated Feather Print Dress
Etro Strappy Chinese Flower Dress
Marc Jacobs Long Chiffon Dress

Diane von Furstenberg Long Franz Halter Dress

Yves Saint Laurent Strapless Viscose Dress

**Items featured above are available at Browns Fashion and Net-A-Porter

When I Grow Up...

I used to get that question all of the time when I was a little girl. I even got that question as I graduated from both high school and college. My response to that question was, "I want to be everything." And since most of you all did not grow up with me, I'll tell you what that meant. Everything in my mind encompasses fashion designer, dream maker, visionary, singer, dancer, director, actress, entrepreneur, CEO, Creative Director, scientist, activist, psychiatrist, surgeon, lawyer, motivator, general practitioner and the funny thing is I don't even think that was the whole list. {Seven of these things, I already am but there's still more to do} However, enough about me. I remember when I finally caught the MTV Movie Awards I saw The Pussycat Dolls perform their new song "When I Grow Up" which got me to wondering what the video for it would look like.

Put it like this, remember when you were younger and people would tell you to "be careful what you ask for because you just might get it." Well I got it all right and so did The Pussycat Dolls, something they say about 90 times in the song BTW {by the way}. While for some odd reason I can't explain why I actually like this song, I do hate the video. It has 80's flashback written all over it.

Valentino Will Be The Death Of Me

Human existence. It's a defiant little thing isn't it. Filled with ups and downs, sorrow and joy. But what makes it worth living are those precious moments. Those beautifully rare experiences that are not only memories, but monumental events that normally only come around once in a lifetime. For example, your own wedding, losing your virginity, the birth of your first child and then there is the time you come in contact with a beautiful piece of artwork that you would completely {and utterly} sell your soul and possibly your family to own...

Valentino Petale Dome Bag

Valentino Rosier Tote

Valentino Large Bow Clutch {In that beautiful signature Red}

Okay, so maybe these purses aren't that important. Oh what the hell, who am I kidding. Yea they are.

Practical Bags

I wanted something that was different, yet practical, stylish yet, "everyday wear." I think I found it in the following selections. Kind of traditional, yet stylish enough to wear them now. You can't really tell whether or not these bags are 'inherited or new." I assure you they are all "new" designs.

Abas
Hannah Vintage Clutch

Patent Croco : Lime
Revisit the past with this hand held vanity inspired by the classic style of the 1920’s, the Hannah Vintage is slim and comfortable to carry, its unique swing frame provides easy access with a disarming security…slip your hand into the back strap and revisit those carefree days…offered in a variety of materials and colors.

Abas

Cylinder Clutch

Patent Croco : Lime
• Versatile clutch; elegant for dress occasions, dynamic enough for a simple night out. • Double magnetic closure and zippered interior pocket.

Designed by Pratesi, a famous Florentine leather manufacturer since 1948, this dark brown handbag combines the beauty of superior quality leather with maximum functionality. Dust bag included, Made in Italy Available At: Forziere

Gucci

Treasure Dark Blue Patent Leather Doctor-style Handbag
Fall Collection: 2008

Exuding feminine elegance and upclass distinction, a structured and classic shape with top lizard-stamped frame and handle glows in blue patent leather with raised horsebit design and chrome buckle clasp on front pocket. Logo dust bag included, Made in Italy

"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated."--- Confucius

Lovin Life, Truth Is

The House That Donna Built

You can't live your life without at least one person you look up to. You must have at least one person you can model yourself after and then add your own twist and improve upon that. Personally, I have several women that I look up to my mother, Diane von Furstenberg and Donna Karan, of course. I always told myself that I want to be like them. They are aesthetically cool and never seem to care what others think about them. They just are. Unfortunately, I'm only talking about one of these women today and that would be Donna.

When the glitz of New York Fashion week had dissipated, you can find Ms. Karan working diligently on her brand new baby entitled the Urban Zen Initiative {and she's partnered up with Madonna for her Spirituality for Kids Concern} It's through her non-profit foundation that she wants to show people that effecting change in not the responsibility of others, but its your responsibility. In an interview with Prestige magazine Donna Karan discusses her ambitions about social responsibility and philanthropy and the future of her brand. Read the full interview here.

If you would like more information on Urban Zen Initiative you can visit their website.

Booties Even I Would Wear

Apparently these little Booties are going to be in this Pre-Fall. As usual I saw this first pair of Christian Louboutin's and immediately fell in love. Something about the man and his artistry! He always winds up making me absolutely fall in love with a particular style that I did not quite care for. I saw some Dior's that I like too. I guess you can come to like a particular style if you get the right intrepretation of it.

Absoulutely floored me! I saw these and I immediatly proclaimed I finally liked the ankle boot!

By Christian Louboutin, Available at Christian Louboutin and Pre-order at Neiman Marcus.

Get out of here! Any man that can get my attention twice on a style I don't even like is no less than certifiably "All-of-That, and a Bag of chips!

Now this is a pair of Christian Dior boots that I would actually wear. They're not available in stores yet. You can go to the website to see theses puppies.

These are by Giuseppe Zanotti and are avaiable at: Nieman Marcus

Tortoise Patent Bootie

A must-have bootie is perfect for coming out of your shell. Brown/black tortoise-mottled patent leather. 3 1/4" stiletto heel. Made in Italy.

"I cannot believe that the purpose of life is to be happy. I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be compassionate. It is, above all to matter, to count, to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at all."---Leo Rosten

Lovin Life, Truth Is

Facchinetti's Quintessential Woman

Alessandra Facchinetti has produced two remarkable collections since taking the helm of Valentino after his retirement. And her third collection, which happened to be resort, was definitely reflective that she will continue to "amaze" us for many more seasons to come. Facchinetti's resort collection embodied the quintessential woman. I am a pants person, so quite naturally I was in love with the pearl gray high waisted trouser matched with periwinkle dress blouse. But every article is a new genius piece of artwork. If I were a teacher, I would give Alessandra a star and smiley face sticker.

Old Navy's Stunning Summer

I remember when Old Navy was a company that was know for its wholesale-like manner in selling poly-cotton blends to oodles of people each summer. {Remember the annual flag shirt with the year it was made on it} Old Navy was the best discount store. You could find all of what you essentially needed for summer if you were in your preteens and not a cool kid {let's face it, kids ask for the darndest things}. Years later, hundreds of fashion DO NOT'S later old Navy has started to revamp it's image for the modern woman. I've slowly been taking notes on what their doing, but the past two collections have really caught my eye. {each month they feature a new collection} July's collection is entitled "Stunning Summer." Take a look at the collection and let us know what you think: