Pink Rock Candy – Top fashion trends, news and shopping of 2010

I finally made it to Topshop in NYC, yesterday. I decided I needed to make a pilgrimage to 478 Broadway and convinced my little brother to drink the Kool-Aid with me.

It was just as I expected, amazing! Four floors of  major fashion lusts.

I ended up buying a basic tunic with pockets in bone— cream is my new gray for the summer— and a giant ring that my brother calls my ‘war ring’, only to be used in case I need to fracture someone’s skull. I also bought him a white collared shirt for putting up with being dragged around the city.

Suede Wrap Stone Ring by Topshop, $30  •  Pocket Tunic by Topshop, $32  •  White Stripe Shirt by Topman, $50

I’ve always had a fondness for the imaginative, playful designs of New York Couture, but have never truly gone out of my way to lust after them because they aren’t really practical. I know that “couture” isn’t really practical, but let’s face it, when things are priced so reasonably they aren’t really couture, and how many people truly walk around in tutus, one-sided monokinis, and dresses that look like pandas?

I personally can’t think of one person I’ve actually seen walking around the city like that.

That being said, I still think there are some pieces Cassie K. makes for New York Couture that can actually translate into everyday life. Take this white tank top with a latex bow, for example. The latex bow and kiddie drawings add a bit of whimsy, but paired with something simple, i.e. not a headband with ruffles and hot pink lamé leggings, the shirt could be cute for work or play or even just lounging.

I’m not really trying to bash the design aesthetic of New York Couture, because every girl deep down wants to look like a scene Barbie, but I just can’t help thinking about practicality now-a-days. With work and school and what-not, I have to learn to balance my nutter inside with professional outside.

Finding the perfect graphic t-shirt is like finding the perfect pair of black leather pumps— almost impossible unless you’re willing to majorly shell out. Don’t get me wrong, there are multitudes of amazing t-shirts and t-shirt companies, but none of them really seem right in the context of my situation. I know I can’t be the only person with this simple yet utterly frustrating problem.

I could go through thousands of t-shirts online and even read every single t-shirt blog around and its very doubtful I’ll actually find a tee with the perfect design and fabric quality with a fit to die for.

Why exactly is it so hard to find that perfect tee? I guess part of my problem is I don’t know exactly what I want the shirt to represent. I know I don’t want anything lewd, rude, or childish. I don’t particularly like anything gruesome splashed across my chest, but can deal with a skeleton or two. I don’t want to be a walking billboard, so generally shirts with the brand name on them are out. I don’t really like when there is an emblem splashed across my chest i.e. guns, cartoons, sassy phrases, etc., and I’m not too fond of large pictures with defined edges splashed across the tee.

When it comes to fabric texture I like soft— always and forever— and, when it comes to fit I like something only slightly more fitted than an Alexander Wang t-shirt with a v-neck or a low scoop.

So where does that leave me?

Shit out of luck, and though this topic may seem trivial, I’m completely tortured.

So, instead of driving myself completely nutty, I’ll leave it to you. What t-shirt brands do you suggest? Maybe, through your suggestions I’ll find the perfect tee!

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!