Last December, while contemplating the trend of sheer clothing and underwear as outerwear, I fell in love with the 3.1 Phillip Lim Spring 2010 collection, not because it was sheer and scandalous, but because it had the essence of being barely there without showing the world what ya’ momma gave you. Lo and behold. While perusing the Modcloth website, I stumbled upon magical a skirt that was more than inspired by the collection.

It has the same perfect broomstick pleats (or as Modcloth calls them “accordion pleats”), rarely seen in modern clothing— I’ve loved the way they flow since I bought my first and only 3.1 Phillip Lim dress on consignment for a whopping $300.

Yes, it does make me sick to think about paying that much for a dress.

To be honest, the Midnight Foil Skirt [affiliate link] might just be crossing the line from inspired to replica. I’m still unsure as to which side of the real/fake battle I’m supposed to take. On one hand I believe that fashion is art, and it being so, any recreations should at least be termed replicas. On the other hand, I’m in no way wealthy enough to afford most full priced high-fashion pieces of clothing and being able to find something similar at a price I can afford is wonderful.

All plagues on my conscience aside, I’m completely infatuated with this skirt and might just have to buy it before the holidays. It’s a perfect Christmas party/New Year’s Eve skirt, no?

Last week, I decided to watch How to Marry a Millionaire with my mom followed by a Mad Men marathon, to get me out of a funk. After, oohing and ahhing over the clothes, I realized if I could go back in time, one of the only eras I would visit is the 50s/early-60s.

I love over-the-top circle skirts, and the way girdles made everyone’s waist look like it was the size of my pinky— I’m not a fan of the pain, though.

I started thinking about where I could get that look without heading to a costume shop. My mind quickly flashed to the Louis Vuitton Fall 2010 collection. I’ve been tweeting obsessively about the big, bold and sometimes leather, skirts for almost a month. They make me want fall so badly, but for over $2,000, I’m going to have to pass on the LV version.

Here are my top, less expensive, picks:
1. We Love Vera Licorice Lanes Skirt, $78
2. Sparkle & Fade Full Voile Skirt, $58
3. French Connection Otis Skirt, $54

I’ve grown up in a time of platform sneakers and boy-bashing tees, bell bottom jeans and cropped tops, and of late, shoulder pads and metal overload. The only thing I’ve yet to truly experience in my short lifetime is pretty sophistication. Sure, I had pretty as a baby with my itchy crinoline dresses and patent leather mary janes, and there is always some level of sophistication, but it’s never been trendy, and in 2010, I hope my cravings for what I lack will be satiated.

For spring, it seems the fashion industry is divided. The editors will quite obviously fill their magazines with the underwear as outwear trends seen all over the runway, while the rest of the world looks on in horror or at least confused amusement. New York Magazine‘s The Cut Blog even describes spring’s look as “a lot of panty bottoms and feminine ruffles and bras we’re supposed to wear as tops. You know, conventional femininity of yore, skank gear [...]“, but I’m not exactly sure that’s what spring will be.

Sure, that may be what slinky models wore down the runway and what will be on display in a Vogue of your choice, but I’m not sure designers or editors, for that matter, are as incredibly out of touch as people are making them seem. I’m sure they realize the proletariat masses aren’t going to be seen wearing a boudoir style bra while walking down Broadway— unless it’s a work uniform of course.

I think… I hope… the boudoir movement is less about getting naked and more about how it feels to be naked, the sexiness and apprehension you feel when peeling off your clothes for another person, the delicateness of a woman’s body. We’ve experienced an eternity, at least in fashion years, of geometric silhouettes, skinny jeans, and sharp shoulders, but now it’s time to be pretty. It’s time to strip away all the armor and replace it with amour, to work with the natural, soft, feminine beauty, and this doesn’t mean every fabric worn should be sheer, garters should show, or actual shirts should disappear. It just means, the clothes created and worn should feel good against your skin and make you feel as if you’re baring it all without having to bare anything, all things I personally feel Phillip Lim, though a young designer, does quite well.

Lim’s spring 2010 collection is going to be my personal guide to nudity because not only are the designs pretty, something I’ve longed for, but they evoke a certain boudoir feel without actually going that extra mile and put panties on preview.

I first took notice of MYNE only a few days ago, after seeing Rachel Bilson sporting one of their perfectly patterned skirts. I headed to their website and fell hard for their fall 2009 collection. The cut of the the tops, bat-wing sleeves and all, are exactly what I’ve been looking for,while the structured skirts and silky fabrics would be perfect for work.

My three favorite pieces from the line are the Frankie top ($176 on Shopbop.com), the Skylar skirt, and the Stella dress.

Click here to see where MYNE is sold. ]]> http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2009/10/26/my-birthday-wish-no-2/feed/ 0 http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2009/08/18/styleq-practically-your-own-stylist/ http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2009/08/18/styleq-practically-your-own-stylist/#comments Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:07:52 +0000 Chelsea Rae Simmons http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/?p=1216 I was reading Daily 10 stylist Monica Rose‘s blog the other day and she posted about a website called StyleQ. It is a newly launched webstore that “[offers] unprecedented access to the hottest looks worn by the most fashionable celebrities.” They also invite celebrity stylists to create a lookbook for them in the aesthetic of said stylist.

Monica Rose, who also styles Kim and Khloe Kardashian, was the first celeb stylist to be selected to create a Stylist Lookbook for StyleQ. “I actually went to NY and became a buyer for the clothes that they would sell on their site. Everything I choose are items that I would put on my clients,” said Monica.

You may be able to purchase every specially picked item in Monica’s lookbook, but it was a skirt that wasn’t in the stylist’s lookbook that really caught my eye.

I haven’t lusted over a skirt in a while, at least as far as I remember, which is about last night, so it must be fate that this ‘Banded Zipper Skirt’ by Nuj popped onto my computer screen. I generally don’t like mixing too many trends in one piece of clothing, but the bodycon bandage style works so well with exposed zippers I can complain about the über-trendiness.

p.s. My runner-up skirt lust is the ‘Basketweave Skirt’ by Thread Social ($375). ]]> http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2009/08/18/styleq-practically-your-own-stylist/feed/ 2 http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2009/07/11/leave-it-to-topshop/ http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2009/07/11/leave-it-to-topshop/#comments Sun, 12 Jul 2009 02:41:22 +0000 Chelsea Rae Simmons http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/?p=1144

I’m almost to the point of not being able to live without this skirt.

I found the most amazing acid wash denim skirt at this vintage store near my old house last week. When I saw it I knew it needed to be part of my wardrobe. What girl doesn’t want a high-waist acid wash denim skirt?

I think it will be my answer to the ever-present cut-off shorts— I’m so tired of that trend. If acid wash denim is a summer must, then this is the best way to rock it.

Excuse the cruddy mirror shot inside a store. Apparently, my entire family has shaky hand syndrome because every picture they took of me was blurry.

p.s. Happy Memorial Day!

Here are my picks…

1. Pleat Detail Tulip Skirt $39, ASOS.com; 2. Pleated Linen Skirt $18, Forever21.com; 3. Floral-print swing skirt $49, Newport-News.com; 4. Rooftop Party Skirt $43, ModCloth.com; 5. Pleated Miuccia Skirt $20, FredFlare.com; For more Sweet Spring Skirts, CLICK HERE.

I’m slowly settling back into school— unfortunately— but, I can’t seem to let the great times of this summer go. Though I pretty much worked everyday, I still enjoyed every minute of it and every dollar earned and spent on new clothes. While rummaging through my closet today, there it was, just staring at me, the bridesmaid dress I wore to my parents vow renewal— another mark of a summer well spent, but what do I do with the dress now?

The pearlescent fabric makes it completely useless for day-to-day wear as a dress, but with a bit of folding, some shimming to get in on, and a belt to keep it in place, the dress makes quite the skirt. The only problem with having loads of extra material under the skirt is it gives me an ass like Kim Kardashian, but I guess some guys like that, right? To be honest, life would be much easier if I just cut the top of the dress off and the seam, bit I can’t cut the dress up just yet because (A) I’m still a terrible seamstress, (B) I only bought the dress in June, and (C) I’m the type of person who saves things for good, and I might one day have to wear this dress somewhere— at least that’s what I’m telling myself.

I also went to Target the other day to buy school supplies, and though I did my fair share of frolicking through the aisles of pens, notebooks, and folders, I ended up in the shoe section where I picked up these cute purple moccasins. I’m still sort of in shock as to how much I actually like the shoes because when I was little, my grandma tried to get me to buy moccasins, and I bitched and whined about how gross they are. Oh, how things change!

Fashion week officially starts tomorrow, and unfortunately I won’t be heading to the tents this season, but that’s okay because the exhausted student in me would much rather sleep my free time away. I am however really bummed that I missed the Fashion Indie Brooklyn Bridge fashion show, you can read all about it on Fashion Indie.

What clothes do you plan to take with you from summer to fall or even into winter?

I know it sounds really ironic, a TV show based in the 50s about a bunch of misogynistic ad men is giving women an inspirational message? Well the thing is there are a few choice female characters that really get it. They realize the power they have as women, and use that to their advantage even though in the show they do hold more of a background power, its still better than going for the power and never getting it. My favorite line of all the episodes I watched was when Bobbie Barrett (Melinda McGraw’s character) tells Peggy Olson (Elizabeth Moss’ character) that she needs to act like the woman she wants to be and then become that woman. She also says she needs to stop trying to be a powerful man with the corner office and be a powerful woman.

So, how do I just be a powerful woman and not a woman trying to be a powerful man and not just that but, “who do I want to be?” and “how do I act like that person?”

Since the movie August was fresh in my mind I let my mind venture into the who I have to swindle to become Josh Hartnett’s girlfriend, but a couple days and one potential sex scandal later and I’m thinking otherwise.

Then I decided I wanted to be someone who’s out of college, but realized by acting like I don’t have to go to school and intern skipping class, that wouldn’t actually help me get out of college so that went out the window too.

Finally I just decided I wanted to be the best damn me I could possibly be and if that happens to mean I end up dating some gorgeous hopefully financially secure whatever then so be it, and if I happen to end up with this t-shirt Natalie Portman wore arriving at the Westin Excelsior Resort at the the Venice Film Festival on Monday, then lucky me, and if I happen to become this awesomely successful publicist/stylist/fashion blogger— please, please, please— then that’s life. The one thing that I did settle on, was I’m going to become the owner of a marvelous 50s style skirt and I will pair it with a slouchy burnout tank preferably from Alexander Wang and lots and lots of cheapo metal bangles because who doesn’t like being a human tambourine!?

Who do you want to be?

Sure, Miu Miu started the trend with their layered tutu-esque circus skirts, but the awesome merchandising director at Forever 21 did it cheaper. Every time I go into Forevs, a handful of mannequins are dressed in crazy combinations of layered skirts or a fluttery liberty print skirt under one of there basic dresses. Miu Miu’s layering was more of the voluminous skirt over a bodycon skirt. Since I’m still not quite sure of my feelings about bodycon, I’ve fallen for the look of layered voluminous skirts.

I tried the layered skirt look a couple weeks ago when I got my new oxfords, but yesterday, I went shopping and bought a few things to add to my fall wardrobe including two skirts for Forever 21. The ‘Dotted Circle Skirt’ is so cute and the colors are muted enough for fall, and could be matched perfectly with a great bright top. The ‘Academy Weave Skirt’ is a bit preppy, but can be dressed up or down for school. On their own each skirt has great qualities, but together, the skirt they create is simple with a touch of wow!

I sort of wish I could layer the gray skirt under the polka dot one, but it’s shorter than the polka dot skirt so it wouldn’t be seen. Oh well! At least I’ve readied my skirt-filled wardrobe for fall!

p.s. I it’s so hard to have a jumping picture when the camera is set on a timer. Secretista, queen of the jumping pictures, I bow down!

I find great pleasure in working. I know that sounds quite odd, but the fact of the matter is, I like to shop and with out money I can’t shop and without work I have no money, hence the reason I like work. Did that make sense? I have two quasi jobs, one is an office job and the other is being a hostess/whatever else needs to be done at a bistro by my house. For the most part, working in an office and a restaurant doesn’t leave much room for outfit creativity, but for both jobs I do try to bring my own personal touches into the standard semi-professional look.

The general rules I, and I assume most people, was taught about dressing professionally are:

1) Black is always a good choice.

2) Don’t wear crazy color nail polish (i.e. Black, Bright Orange, Electric Blue, anything fun).

3) Pantyhose…

4) Cover your shoulders “The office is always freezing anyway…”

There are more rules, but for the most part I don’t follow these four so why would I follow the others? Actually, I do follow the first, because black pretty much works with every situation. Sometimes I feel bad about wearing navy nail polish to my office job, but it happens anyway. I hate pantyhose, especially when they’re flesh tone, and I only make sure I’m wearing sleeves at my office job, though it isn’t always cold in the office.

The outfit at left is a classic example of something I’d wear to both jobs, with minor adjustments (fyi…sometimes I like to sing MGMT’s “Time to Pretend” before work and act like I could be as frivolous as the song says). Sure the skirt is black (actually black and brown), but the pattern is really fun and fits into my tribal-themed summer. Wearing it with a burnout tank top makes it a little more relaxed, and throwing on a sparkly headband and the bright yellow necklace my little brother made, keeps me feeling and looking young and fun.

Now for the adjustments. For my office job, I would wear a grandpa cardigan over it. It doesn’t really matter what color, since the skirt is black and the top is white, so anything would match. And, for my hostessing job, I’d have to change my cute gladiator heels to flats for practicallity’s sake. Standing in 5″ heels for 6-7 hours straight is a bitch!

Which office dress rules do you follow when you head to work and which ones do you like to kick to the curb?

p.s. I’ve been invited to join a few new sites including: Indies United (from Fashion Indie), Lookbook.nu, and Modpass so if you’re on any of them add me. I promise I’m going to figure out someything cool to do with them other than just having them sit and gather webdust!

Most days I scold my mom for wearing matching pants suits, and she reciprocates by telling me I have on too many different colors, that black and brown doesn’t match, or that I should be wearing pantyhose to work— blah! Though we may have our differences when it comes to clothes, she has an awesome shoe collection, and more often than not, I find myself playing in her shoes like I did when I was little. Then there are those times when I think, wow, my mom is so jazzy— because that’s what I want to be when I’m 40-something, jazzy— and yesterday was one of those days.

After bulldozing through the pile of clothes that I call the floor of my closet, I found this adorable one-piece swimsuit that was my mom’s from a little more than 20 years ago. Aside from the fact that I had to stretch out the straps a bit because one-piece swimsuits don’t ever fit my long torso properly, I loved the suit and knew it would be really cute under something, but I didn’t quite know what. It actually looked fantastic under most of the bottoms I paired it with, but I settled on my hot pink skirt, because, why not… right?

When my mom saw me in her swimsuit, her initial reaction was “Where did you find that?” and then she said something along the lines of “You look like a little girl dressing up like a princess.” I personally don’t see it, and was slightly offended considering she told me a certain guy is afraid to date me because I was A) younger and B) “the princess of the family”— what does that even mean? In light of the princess comment, I decided Disney should model a princess after me and she can save the world one headband at a time!

Are you ever surprised how fashionable someone in your family is?

p.s. Lulus.com is giving all PRC readers a 15% discount on their purchases until July 15th, 2008. Just punch in the promo code, pink rock candy at checkout!

IIt seems to be a bit of a consensus among fashionistas, that we’re quite tired of the current spring trends. They’re like your ex-favorite song— the one that used to be amazing until your local radio station decided to play it every other song. Though I know, during these times of trend-exhaustion there’s always a upcoming season to obsess over, after watching Unzipped, the 1995 Isaac Mizrahi documentary, for the millionth time, I decided to take a little trip down Style.com’s memory lane. Though their archives don’t date back to 1995, I still managed to stumbled upon the skirt of my dreams!

Let me reintroduce you to Emanuel Ungaro’s Spring 2005 Ready-to-Wear collection. It consisted of large tiered skirts, billowy tops, and loads of prints. Though much of this collection was intended to inspire thoughts of the gorgeous Greek Islands, this particular look above reminded me of a pirate (not the trashy kind in the picture above). I thought I’d be able to get through this summer without falling for any swashbuckling trends, but as soon I saw the sash tied around her hips, I just needed to say “Arrr!”

After careful consideration and a bit of rationalization, I realized this look wasn’t completely pirate-y. There was no billowy shirt, no eye patch, and no parrot. The voluminous skirt and skin-tight shirt actually brought back memories of my ballerina days.

So I wondered, if I were to find a skirt similar to this, throw a leotard on, and tie a sash around my waist, would I be dressed as a ballerina in a pirate costume or a pirate disguised as a ballerina? After thinking about that for a couple days, I just decided I’d simply look like a gypsy which isn’t a pirate in the least (except in the case of Johnny Depp, who has played both a gypsy and a pirate). Perhaps this summer, I won’t be swabbing any decks after all!

Long live the past! Now, where can I find a skirt like this?

The constant rain this week made my first full week off from college a real downer, but today, it’s gorgeous and sunny outside and finally feels like its spring. I know it’s technically been spring for about a month, but the weather is completely spastic and doesn’t know if it wants to be 70 degrees and sunny or 45 degrees, windy, and pouring— I choose sunny. Today, being the fantasmicly gorgeous day it is, I decided to throw on one of my many skirts— apparently I’m rebelling against pants this spring and summer— and wander around my house taking pictures.

The skirt is actually my sister’s. She bought it from Target a couple years ago, and we, yes WE, break it out every year because it’s so cute, but after my first wear of the season our conversation goes something like this:

Blythe: “Hey, that’s my skirt!”

Chelsea: “Yeah, well, that’s my (insert item of clothing)! You know what? I swear to God I just ironed this dumb skirt, like, 10 minutes ago.”

Blythe: “Yeah, that’s what happens when you wear linen. Ironing is futile. Just go with it!”

Never will I buy another linen skirt! They’re usually the only pieces of clothing I take the time to iron, and by the end of the day I look like I just rolled out of bed. The t-shirt, on the other hand, is from Glamour Kills, and I happen to love it more than anything. It says “Stay Fresh!” at the bottom, making me smile every time I look down and decipher the upside down words.

While I was meandering around my abode, I found this little container of water behind a couple of bushes. About a week ago, there was a stray cat hanging around my house, except she didn’t really act like a stray. She came right up to me an let me pet her and she hung around our house all day— I called her Ginger. She was really emaciated and shaking so I went to the store to buy cat food and used that container I just found to give her water. I only was able to take care of her for a couple of hours because my parents wouldn’t let me keep it, but there was a lady who is helping to fix the “historic house” next door to me, and she offered to take the kitty home. A couple days later, the lady came by to tell us the cat was doing great, and she named her Molly, which isn’t as cool as Ginger, but that’s just my opinion.

Anyway, finding the container made me wish I had a pet, that I could walk in such nice weather. I guess I’ll have to add that to my list of things for the future, but for now, I’m going to concentrate on enjoying this warm spring day!

Behind the cut is a picture of the kitty I save.