Purchases in Memoriam

I'm ashamed to admit that last year after Alexander McQueen died, I joined the crowd that felt the need to try to reach out and grab any residual bits from his empire while they lasted. However, I did this with the thought that he was somehow involved in the McQ line, rather than just supplying the affiliation and inspiration for the brand. Whatever. I wanted McQueen any way I could get it, as some were questioning the very continuity of the entire brand. So I bought some things. First up was this wool/silk blend safety pin scarf.


I appeared as though the online shops selling McQueen were acutely aware of this sudden appeal and prices sky-rocketed. No more $200 McQueen dresses to be found. Maybe the label will finally make some money?

Second item was the next best thing to a $200 McQueen dress - a $200 McQ dress. Unfortunately they only came in S, M, and L...


The dress...fit. But damn it is tight around the bust. I make do and wear it out. This dress assisted me in celebrating my birthday this last December in a dark underground nightclub in Tokyo. Renegade? This is what the brand is supposed to be. I'm going to try to live it.

That Thong Tha-Thong-Thong-Thong

And here is my first purchase with none of the passion that usually accompanies one of such magnitude. It’s no secret I’m a crazy fanatic for Alexander McQueen and most everything that marches out under the brand. But I bought these sandals last year and I just can’t get excited about wearing them. You see, I was at work one day and was about to rush off to a meeting and these were in my cart…and my credit card information was already in the system and so…well, you can guess the rest.

My foot just feels so naked.







I’m sad. They are just so hard on my feet!

Case Study 1: Creating an "eye"

What looks good? Why? How do people ever figure out how to look stylish and fashionable with what’s available in their price range? I’m not a professional, but I do know what looks awful and why.

Let's do a short case study. Here's two photos and I want you to think about who is fashionable and who's a fashion victim.



It's too easy, isn't it? But why do you think so?

Here’s my two cents on it. Dear Solange in the pink tights looks like she’s combining a bunch “trendy” things to say “look at me!” – the belt, the tights, the booties, an awful shiny shirt – but our friend in black has worked with proportion, details, and a hint of gold. I would fix Solange (ha ha ha – I’m getting self-righteous here), by changing two things – the tights and bag. My personal choices for substitution would be these:


Pamela Mann tights - $13.30 (I own these and love them.)


Alexander McQueen clutch – more than $13.30 (I have no idea and I’m not going to check! But Solange has enough money, so…no excuses.)

The easiest way to start seeing what works and what doesn’t is to look at yourself in the mirror every morning, basically. Don’t you get that feeling when something doesn’t “work”? Trust it. Make sure you feel good about it when you leave the house. Believe me – it will put a bounce in your step.

source

source

Holy Grail

I'm getting pretty darn good at these online sale things. Or, maybe not, but I got it when it counted. As you may know, I love Alexander McQueen (pause)..yes yes. As you may or may not know, he creates beautiful things and my favorite-est ones are his scarves. This may sound melodramatic but, I die a little every time I check the price tag on them. Well, I got me one, and it is perfect.

Brass Knuckles

So I'm not a clutch person. Not sure why that is...I'm more a giant-ass shoulder bag kind of person. I feel that constantly having it in hand would get it all sweaty-palmed and since it would expensive (naturally - this is me we are talking about) that it would get discoloured. Am I grossing you out? I don't mean my sweat is chemical-y or whatever...eh, I'm digging my grave here. Anyway, onto the sweet, heavy-metal look of this brass-knuckle type clutch from my fashion hero.

Silhouetta

I like the skirt on this skin-hugging dress...the cut, the shape, the flow. This is my last gush about A.McQ for a while as I really need to find something new to prey on. That is, of course, until he unleashes another undeniably fabulous collection on us and we all are blinded it awe. It's been known to happen.

Warm Yet Cold

I think its great when designers pair a barely-there summer shirt with a scarf. Yes, scarves are fashionable, but functional with a sleeveless shirt? I'd wear it.


I still like polka dots.

L.B.D. for the Millionth Time

Truthfully, I don't know your atypical little black dress. Where would I need to wear it? Work? The library during homework? Visiting the relatives for a BBQ? No, my life does not require a L.B.D. beyond the giant black jumper I wear when I feel fat. I still like this one though.

Can't Quit You

So I've been shopping again in the last few days, but don't tell anyone. It's just low-budget type things: McQ crops and a Harajuku Lovers hoodie. Pictures to follow...and here they are! Ah, good old casual fare for summer.

Swing Kids

Is coral a hot new colour? I didn't see that one coming if it is. If the style of this dress looks familiar to you, it probably is. I think this "Grecian Goddess"-style dress has been stuck onto the bodies of more Hollywood "it girls" than Brody Jenner or Wilmer Valderrama put together. Thank goodness for that.

My Kind of Flashing Coat

I am a big-time jacket whore. It's hard for me to see a nice jacket and say no to it - this is why I have a closet full of jackets. I can justify a need for every type of jacket under the sun. I love trenches, but they always have so many damn buttons that fall off that I spend far too much time sewing on buttons.

The Pink Ladies

New goal - become a stick and buy pretty sheath dresses.

This Girl Needs Heels

So due to my lacking imagination and abundance of Alexander's, here's a mini-series dedicated to his creations that have come to life. True, I yanked most of them off of the same site, but it had so much to offer. I could spend bazillions.

Presenting Once Again...

So I'm back to doing stuff here again. At least for now. I don't know if I can keep pace with daily updates, but I'll do stuff. You know, stuff stuff.

Anyways, Alexander McQueen has quickly become by absolute favie designer in quite a short time...not that it was hard to do. His stuff is just so completely wearable and features no Pamela Anderson advertisements.

Here's my newly-wanting shirt dress.

Inhaling Smoke

I've never been a big clutch fan. They seem like handbags but hold less things and you actually need to have your hand on them at all times. What if I want to eat while standing up? This would not work. I might be willing to starve, however, if I had this in my hot little hands.

Unbalanced

More goodness provided by Alexander McQueen as the S/S 2009 collection rolls into the stores. I'm currently on the hunt for a longer dress so I'll pass this one up (I'll just pretend I can really afford it, OK?)

A Wanderer

I kind of always wanted to be a wandering mistral, a drifter, or a gypsy, if you will. Now a perpetual traveler of wherever I can afford a ticket to, I want luggage that is as fashionable as I try to be. Enter Samsonite's pieces by Alexander McQueen. If the thought of the baggage-handling gorillas hadn't entered my thoughts, I just might have proceeded with the purchase.

PFW - Part 16

This here is the precise reason why I love fashion. In the most perfect and elegant way to bow out of this seasons' fashion weeks, welcome to the artistic show that is Alexander McQueen. Be afraid.

Pink vs. Red

Now that my Louboutin mini-series is over and I like theme-of-the-day schticks, I decided to focus on a pink sole and more Alexander McQueen. Tee hee! Who am I trying to impress? No one, really. I just post these things so I can come back and drool...and besides, who doesn't like to stare at sky-high stilettos and let your eyes glaze over? Oh yes, they are called men.