Does My Butt Look Like a Cheetah in These Pants?

As another Labor Day weekend sweltered to a close in the LBC, I decided to escape the heat by retreating to the sweet sanctuary of TJ. The Maxx, I mean. Not the city in Mexico. I perused the purses, wandered among the ankle boots, and sniffed the shampoos. As I made my way over to the specialty household cleaners (don’t ask, and I won’t tell), I caught a pair of gray and white cheetah print pants eyeing me from the clearance rack.

Hel-lo, Gorgeous. Paige Denim. White with gray and black spots. My size. And marked down to $25.00. I picked them up, feeling instantly cooler. But was I really a wearer of cheetah print pants? It seemed like something you either were or weren’t. Like engaged. Or pregnant. I immediately thought back to the time I convinced myself that I was the type of person who could wear a silver studded, black leather fanny pack. How I had pictured myself swaying to the strains of some indie rock band in a dark dive bar in Brooklyn. In my bikini top. Because I was just that cool. Then I remembered my last concert: Sheryl Crow at the Orange County Fair. With my dad. Grumbling about having to get up for work the next morning. Wearing a fleece blanket from the trunk of the car. I was definitely not a studded leather fanny pack person.

But was I a printed denim wearer? Like everyone else who was in fifth grade in 1991, I too had floral printed denim that had had its day in the sun. Unfortunately for everyone involved, the 1991 version of printed denim came in the form of Bermuda shorts. That you wore cuffed at the knee with your oversized Hypercolor t-shirt that so cleverly displayed your classmates'  hand prints. Until your mom washed it, that is. Then it was no longer hypercolor. Then it was just a neon orange t-shirt that said “Hypercolor” on it. My Hypercolor t-shirt came courtesy of the Goodwill; all of its clever hand prints had been long ago washed away. But I digress.  Holding those cheetah (or was it snow leopard?) printed jeans in my hands, I pictured myself walking into my office in Newport Beach on a casual Friday. My skinny snow leopard pants paired with a black v-neck sweater. Sleeves rolled up to the elbows. Oversized Timex watch. Tory Burch Reva Ballet Flats. Authentic Bonnie Cashin vintage Coach bag. Because I was just that cool. How chic, people would coo. How gamine! How Audrey!  

I walked my beautiful snow leopard jeans up to the register, excited to become who I was. I bypassed the fitting rooms entirely. There was no way I was going to let an unfortunately placed mirror and cruel lighting ruin my good buy buzz!

Back at home, I tried on my precious snow leopard jeans as my roots processed. It’s hard to really feel secure in cheetah print anything when you are sporting a hairline of gray roots. Not impossible, but extremely difficult. One leg, two legs, zip, button . . . success! I stepped in front of the mirror. Hel-lo, Disappointment! I turned, examining the pants from every angle. Something wasn’t right. Does my butt look like a cheetah in these pants? Is my butt supposed to look like a cheetah in these pants? 

 

Where had I gone wrong? Was I actually too . . . old for cheetah print pants? Sure I had a few gray hairs, but that wasn’t my fault! I had definitely received some faulty pigment genes, but I wasn’t old, right? Right?

Quick, WWTTD? What Would Tina Turner Do? When questioning whether or not something is age appropriate, one should always seek guidance from everyone’s favorite miniskirt wearing, love questioning diva. Even Oprah has sought wisdom from the great wigged one, for crying out loud! Tina Turner’s big wheels have kept on turning in her microminis and sky-high stilettos for decades. Consider this: Tina became eligible for an AARP membership back when Bush was the Commander-in-Chief. The first Bush. Not W. I looked in the mirror. The problem was not the gray hair that I was in the process of covering. It was certainly not my 31 revolutions around the sun. The problem was the way those stupid cheetah pants stretched across my thighs. My moneymaker may have looked like a jungle predator, but my thighs looked like they had been stricken with a yet-unnamed disease. And therein lied the lesson. Tina can shake her tail feather in her short skirts and high heels because she doesn't compromise on fit. My cheetah print pants required a concession from my thighs that I was just not prepared to make. 

I may very well be a snow leopard print pants wearer. But I am not meant to be a wearer of these particular snow leopard print pants. And that’s okay. Like Tina, I will live to dance in my stilettos another day. I’m glad I didn’t throw away the receipt.       

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Award Season Winners and Losers: Part 2, The Stars

Have you ever started an argument by saying "first . . . ," only to realize that you didn't have a "second . . . "? Happens to me all the time. I begin an argument that I am sure is multi-faceted and multi-layered only to realize that I actually only have one point. With zero facets. And no layers. And no "second . . . " So imagine my surprise when it turned out that I had a "Part 2" to my "Award Season Winners and Losers: Part 1" post. But am I really making a second point? Or is this merely a facet of my first point? You decide (because I can't!).

Winner: Michelle Williams
I was slow to jump on the Michelle Williams train. She was Jen Lindley. I was Team Joey. She made multiple suspect project choices early in her career like Dick, Halloween: H20, and Killing Mr. Griffin. I make it a policy never to trust a Kirsten Dunst movie that doesn't start with "Bring" and end with "it On." Then something miraculous happened; Michelle started making good career choices. She met the late Heath Ledger on the set of Brokeback Mountain, and became one half of the most interesting celebrity couple ever to grace that magical land called Brooklyn. She gave birth to the cutest baby ever to come out of The Creek (sorry, Suri Cruise, you have nothing on Matilda Ledger!) and started toting vintage Coach around the city rather than the newest Balenciaga. Michelle exhibited quiet grace after Heath Ledger's death in 2008, all the while continuing to stretch herself as an actress. She has been nominated for three Academy Awards in the last six years with two back-to-back nominations in the leading actress category for 2010's Blue Valentine and 2011's My Week with Marilyn. She somehow also manages to say the most beautifully insightful things. Well played, Michelle Williams. I'm now very definitely a fan.

So let's talk clothes! Michelle has one of the most defined aesthetics in Hollywood. Don't believe me? Google "Michelle Williams street style," and you'll see what I mean. Michelle favors clean lines, minimal prints, and defined, but unstructured silhouettes.

"I feel like something has changed for me, but it's a new change, so it's going to be hard to describe. Maybe it has something to do with turning 30. I don't feel as shy or nervous or self-conscious. I have more confidence that I can handle what life brings me. I don't feel scared to have an idea or express it. I feel giddy about it because it is a complete transformation. It's like I've found my voice." -Michelle Williams

Loser: Shailene Woodley
Oh Shailene, how you have surprised me. If you had asked me two years ago what I thought about Shailene Woodley, I would have told you that she had the best hair on the worst show on television (ABC Family's Secret Life of the American Teenager). But Shailene's turn as George Clooney's eldest daughter in 2011's  The Descendants was unexpected. Turns out she just may have more to contribute to modern entertainment than a great head of hair. The bar has been raised, Shailene. I'll expect more from you now. I will also expect more from  your wardrobe, because your first foray into Award Season attire has been ill-fitting, poorly conceptualized, and positively schizophrenic. You really have nowhere to go but up in that department. Get it together, Girl. You're in the big leagues now!

"I fell into this business by accident. It wasn't something I ever aspired to be: an actress. It just happened. It has evolved into an insane passion . . . a creative outlet. But nothing more. It's my hobby . . . one of the ways I express myself as an artist. And the day it becomes a job . . . a career . . . I will quit." -Shailene Woodley

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2012 NY Fashion Week in Review: Top Trends for Fall

Sashay away. As the tents come down at New York Fall Fashion Week, let's take a quick look at what's trending for fall 2012. You know, because September is right around the corner.

Black and Blue: One of my favorite color combinations, black and blue looks were seen on the runways at the  DKNY (below), Carolina Herrera, and Preen shows.

Photo courtesy of Marie Claire

Burgundy: I'm not going to say "burgundy is the new black." But I'm not saying it only because Marie Claire already has. Burgundy went down the runways at the Alexander Wang, Nanette Lapore, Tory Burch (seen below), Christian Siriano, and DVF shows.

Photo courtesy of Marie Claire

All That Glitters: If it glittered, sparkled, or shined like the sun, you saw it on runways at the Jenny Packham, Carolina Herrera, Reem Acra, and Naeem Khan (below) shows.

Photo courtesy of Glamour

Winter White: White after Labor Day? Si se puede. Winter white went down the runways at the Derek Lam (below), Alexander Wang, and Peter Som shows.

Photo courtesy of Marie Claire

Military: Don't be surprised if you feel the urge to drop and give someone 20 this fall. Jason Wu (below), Suno, Prabal Gurung, Rag and Bone, Tommy Hilfiger, and Posh Spice Victoria Beckham all featured military inspired designs.

Photo courtesy of International Business Times

Luxe coats and outerwear, reptile prints and sheer designs were also trending on the runways for fall. I'll admit that I am not terribly excited to see military accents get another day in the sun. And I love winter white, but it does not love me. Nor does it love coffee. Sequins and glitter, however? Sign. Me. Up. If it sparkles like a bad Vegas nightclub, I am all over it. What say you, friends? Is there anything you are excited to see this fall?  

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Sneak Peak: Jason Wu for Target

If, like me, you count Entertainment Weekly, Lucky Magazine, and People among your sources for hard-hitting news, you probably already know that the first sneak peak of the new designer-Target collaboration was released today. If you are getting your news from, say, CNN, or the WSJ, then this is probably news to you, so keep reading! The Target designer collaborations have been largely hit or miss (point: I still count my 2007-ish Loeffler Randall for Target peep-toe flats among the most worn shoes in my . . . ahem . . . extensive footwear collection. I even SuperGlued them back together at my desk once. Now that's love! Counterpoint: Zac Posen for Target. What was that?). So who is Jason Wu? Jason Wu is most widely known for designing First Lady Michelle Obama's dress for the 2009 Inaugural Ball.  You know, this one:

Photo courtesy of de la Pen

Jason Wu has also outfitted Hollywood ingenues like Natalie Portman:

Photo courtesy of Style Frizz

and Emma Watson:

Photo courtesy of My Dress.My High Heels.My Style

Right now you might be asking, so, Kami, what makes Jason Wu so special? Why does everyone love the Wu? For starters, he tends to favor a more structured silhouette. This is good news for my curvy sisters. Are you busty? Hippy? Listen up! Look for items that define the waistline. It's the fastest way to take 10 pounds off your frame.

My biggest complaint with regard to all of the Target collections has been the quality of the materials used in them. I will likely continue to complain about the quality of the items in these high end-low end collabos because this is precisely where the corners are being cut in order to offer the designer items at the Target price point. That said, not every collection has disappointed. Tucker for Target, for example, put out several quality pieces that were well worth the $29.99 that I paid for them.

I have high hopes for you, Mr. Wu. Please don't let me down! Want to see what Jason Wu has come up with for Target? Here's your sneak peak at several items from his collection:

Word on the street is that both the navy blue minidress on the left and the pastel patterned dress on the right ring in at $40. The handbag in the center of the photo is priced at $50. Intrigued? Jason Wu for Target hits stores on February 5th. Which is a Sunday. Guess what I am doing on Saturday, February 4th? Did you guess camping outside of the Target? Because I am definitely not risking a repeat of that Missoni for Target debacle.

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The Stylish Women of Murder House

American Horror Story is proof positive that great style is not limited to the living. In honor of tonight's season finale, here's a look at some of the stylish women of Murder House:

Clockwise from left:

Nora Montgomery: Prohibition chic. The original first lady of Murder House is destined for all eternity to sport 1920's waves and red lipstick. Sporting a retro beaded or flapper-esque dress this holiday season? Look to Nora's polished face-framing waves and bold lip for some stylespiration (Style + inspiration =stylespiration. Cute, no? No? Oh well).

Violet Harmon: Smells Like Teen Spirit. Murder House's favorite daughter definitely has a Kurt Cobainy-Angela Chasey-grunge thing going on. If you are single-handedly trying to bring back the flowered baby doll dresses and combat boots, look to Violet for some seriously angsty style cues. Keep the hair long, loose, unstyled, and just a little bit dirty. If you are truly a grunge princess, you probably have not showered in several days so this won't be a problem. If you are a grunge poser, fake second-day hair with dry shampoo. I love this one, but there are also some great drugstore versions available if you are not interested in making the $21 investment. 

Moira and . . . Moira: The (literally) two-faced housekeeper of Murder House is all red hair and porcelain skin. Moira keeps her make-up simple and dewy with a cat eye and highlighted cheekbone. And let's be honest here, the rest is the outfit. 

The Black Dahlia: Ever wonder what happened to the Black Dahlia? The writers of American Horror Story don't. Murder House's most famous resident looks just as you pictured her. Especially if you pictured her looking a lot like Mena Suvari. Want to copy the Black Dahlia's signature style? That's a little morbid, but I ain't mad at 'cha. Start by spraying your hair with hair spray. Curl small sections of hair around small or medium-sized electric rollers and coat with a second spritz of hair spray. Let the rollers set while you do your make-up. Make-up should consist of a clean, lined eye and a defined red lip. Skip the blush. Skip the bronzer. The lips are center stage here. Gently remove the rollers and spray with, yes, a third coat of hair spray. I love, love, love this one. Carefully break up the curls and pin back the sides of the hair with bobby pins. Finish by pinning the flower of your choice behind one ear.
Vivien Harmon: The woman of Murder House. Ben's anguished wife has been holding it down (minus that little stint in the mental institution, of course) with long, flowing waves and neutral make-up. Want to copy Viv's signature coif? Separate your hair into three sections--like tiers on a cake. Comb out each section and spray with hairspray. Wrap 1" sections around a large-barreled curling iron and hold for 15 seconds. Open the clamp of the curling iron and pull the curling iron straight down, being careful not to disturb or pull on the wave. Let the curl cool as you continue curling pieces around your head. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. When you get up to the sections around your face, wrap the hair around the curling iron so that the curls are directed away from your face. Finish with another light spritz of hair spray before breaking up the curls with your fingers.     

Hayden: If you are a crazy chick, or you just want to look like one, look no farther than Ben's psychotic mistress for beauty tips. Hayden is all about the serious raccoon eye. If your crazy stare is what brings all the boys to the yard, circle your peepers several times with a thick black kohl pencil like this one (in Oil Slick for shimmer or Zero for matte) and let everything else go. Bonus points for the soft, romantic hair. Anything that keeps them guessing about just how coocoo for Cocoa Puffs you really are.

Spend the night with the women of Murder House tonight at 10 p.m., when the season one finale of American Horror Story premieres on FX. What say you, friends? Have you been tuning in to this creep show? Any theories as to how the first season will end? 

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What She Wore To Court: Lindsay Lohan

Finally a bit of good news for LiLo. Not only did she complete her required 12 shifts at the LA County Morgue and her required 5 psychotherapy sessions this month, but she actually dressed appropriately for her December 14th court appearance! Brava, LiLo! Here is what she wore, and what I thought about it:

1. When more is too much: the trouble with Lindsay's hair. My biggest criticism of Lindsay's court look pertains to her low, platinum pony. It's a mistake every bottle blonde, myself included, has made: taking it blonderexic. Here's how it happens, you go in for a few highlights. You know, something subtle and natural. When you're back in your colorist's chair 6 weeks later, you hear yourself tell her "you know, let's just go a little bit lighter . . ." 6 weeks later you're saying "let's turn it up, summer's right around the corner!" And the next thing you know, you are a damaged, washed out, blonderexic mess. Lindsay's hair here is clearly damaged, and worse, it doesn't go with her skin tone. It's too blonde. Return to red, Lindsay! It's nice over here! 

2. Lindsay kept her jewelry simple with a delicate pendant necklace. I love a pendant for everyday because it affords an opportunity to purchase a signature piece that murmurs something about who you are. I fully believe that your daytime jewelry, like your fragrance, should whisper, not scream. Score one for Lindsay. Bonus points for not allegedly stealing a necklace to wear to her court appearance.

3. Lindsay's loose cardy is a giant step up from this business, for sure. A courthouse is not the place to let it all hang out. That said, I think that Lindsay could have gone a bit more tailored on top to account for the looseness of the trousers. The key to pulling almost any outfit together is balance: a loose bottom is balanced by a more fitted top. A form-fitting top is balanced by a loose, flowing bottom. I also would have liked to have seen a color on top. I would have paired her pleated trousers with this sweater, but as with her supervised probation, it is nice to see our little Mean Girl making progress.    

4. So you probably hate Lindsay's pants, but I'll be honest, I ain't mad at them. I think that if she had better balanced the proportion on top, the pants wouldn't look as borderline sloppy as they do in this photo. As a side note, if you are little hippy, you are probably thinking that you need to stay away from pants like Lindsay's. The opposite is actually true. The pants create a natural curve without clinging to your curves. If you are thigh heavy, as I am, the generous hip and thigh cut of these pants actually pull the eye away from that area and direct it down the leg. 

5. Girl, you know I love a pointy-toed heel. Guess what? I love these ones too. 

6.  The call of the wild: if you feel so compelled to pop an animal print in court, your accessories are a completely appropriate place to do it. A leopard print bag, belt, or shoes is all style without the Snookie. Note: a leopard print bag, belt, and shoes is a little "Jerseylicious." Looking for a great leopard print bag? I lurrrrvvvee this one.

As I side note, I do take some issue with Lindsay's attorney's attire. When I think chic attorney, I think Shawn Chapman Holley. If you happen to be an attorney looking for professional style inspiration, I wouldn't hate you for following in Shawn's fashion footsteps. I would, however, recommend that you not do this: 

Photo courtesy of am New York

Whether your hearing is 5 minutes or 5 hours long, I don't believe that going sleeveless in court is ever appropriate. Had Shawn Holley thrown a cardigan (I would have topped this sweater with a little red cardy, but that's just me) or a blazer over the top of her black and white sleeveless top, I would have been all over it. Not every hearing requires the full Chanel suit treatment, but I do believe (and this may be old fashioned,  but I don't care) that if you are appearing before a judge, your shoulders should be covered. Also, girl, it was not that warm here on Wednesday. You could have worn a sweater. Just sayin. 

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Faux Fur for the Fur Fearing

Socks and sandals. North Face jackets and shorts. This is the fashion equivalent of peanut butter and jelly to my friends from the Pacific Northwest. Lest this sound judgey, please remember for a second, friends, all of the times you made fun of my pointy-toed stilettos and massive statement necklaces. Bygones. However, of all the PNW fashion trends that I found perplexing (really, if it is cold enough to require a giant ski jacket, it is also cold enough to require pants. Just sayin.), the most elusive was the puffy vest. After seven years, the puffy vest continues to defy all fashion logic for me. And I even purchased a puffy vest and wore it once. I'm still confused.

I had all but eschewed all vests for good when I stumbled upon the SoCal version of the puffy vest while on my weekly to the TJ Maxx: the faux fur vest. Suddenly, I felt that stirring in my chest that told me I had happened upon a game changer. As with most life changing discoveries, this one was met with some uncertainty. Could I really pull off a faux fur vest? I instantly flashed back to a moment this summer when a couple of sales girls at the Nordstrom Rack played on all of my unrealized Cochella dreams and convinced me to purchase a (rather expensive) black leather fanny pack with silver studs. And I don't even like silver accents on black leather! Luckily, my temporary insanity lapsed and I was able to successfully return that little fashion snafu. Bygones. Was I on the verge of making a similar mistake? Rather than give in to my faux fur insecurities, I decided to channel my inner Fonda and consult my inspiration board. I am showing you what I have marked for identification purposes as Kami's Exhibit 1: Jane Fonda circa Klute.   

Despite her character's profession, which, if you have not seen the film, is the world's oldest profession, Fonda looks oddly refined. Therein lies the lesson. Keep the overall look polished, and you can get away with almost anything! Behold, three ways to gloss up the Cali version of the puffy vest:  

1. Faux Fur Vest, H&M, $14.95.

2. Mossimo Women's Tissue Turtleneck Top, Target, $8.00.

3. Navy Lightweight Wool Skirt, Banana Republic, $79.50.

4. Kate Spade New York Deb Wedges, Zappos, $155.99.

1. Faux Fur Vest, H&M, $14.95.

2. Halogen Tie Neck Blouse, Nordstrom, $78.00.

3. Braided Trim Trouser Jeans, Old Navy, $39.94.

4. Michael Michael Kors Harlow Sandal, Zappos, $69.99

1. Faux Fur Vest, H&M, $14.95.

2. Ya Los Angeles Chiffon Maxi, Piperlime, $49.97.

3. ASOS FOUND Leather Toe Post Plait Flat Sandal, Asos, $27.27.

4. Foley and Corinna Mid City Tote, Amazon, $395.00.

And with that, I rest. What do you think, Oregon friends? Have I persuaded you to abandon your puffy vests for the fuzzier version? Or are you more convinced than ever that quilting is queen? 

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Glee Takes On: The LBD

On Monday, I mentioned in "What I'm Running to Now" that I am running to Adele's "Rumour Has It" this week. On Tuesday, Glee premiered the episode"Mash Off," which featured the same song. Freaky rando coincidence? Not so much. I was definitely inspired by the early release of Glee's take on two Adele hits ("Rumour Has It/Someone Like You"), but after dragging my little running feet to Coldplay last week, I could not afford to do the senior shuffle during the "Someone Like You" sections of the Glee version. Plus, there ain't nothing like the real thing. Baby. I am still, however, enamored by Glee's take on Adele's signature style: monochromatic black attire, low side pony, and winged eyeliner. Missed the episode? Here's the clip:

Need something to wear this holiday season? The LBD (Little Black Dress) is always relevant. Lest you think that the LBD lacks imagination, Glee deftly demonstrates that there is a different little black dress for every size, color, creed, and mood. Take a closer look.

Santana: The Ruffled LBD

kate spade gala dress, $495. As a side note, I love that kate spade heavily features super pale models in their ads, on their runways, and on their website. I'm pretty sure that I would look like I just returned from Cancun if I happened to stand next to this girl, and my life dream is to have a "white off" with Julianne Moore! For the record, I firmly believe that if it makes you feel better to spray tan it, then by all means, Mystic Tan away! If, however, you just washed your white sheets and don't feel like staining them orange, please please embrace the pale! All skin tones and colors are beautiful--whether you are Casper or cocoa or any shade in between!

Mercedes: The V-Necked LBD

j.crew louisa dress, $225. This is a terrific option if you are on the busty side of the street as the thick straps allow for the wearing of a supportive bra. This dress also nips in at the waist and floats away from the body, which is key if you believe Stacy and Clinton (which I do!). If you are less than excited about your hips/butt/thighs, the A-line skirt also provides excellent camo. The best part about this dress? You can have a Spanx-free evening and enjoy the canapes!

Brittany: The LBD with the LBB (Little Black Bow)

'60's mod party dress, etsy, $85. A note when buying vintage: beware of size inflation! A size 6 today was often equivalent to a size 8, 10, or 12 in the days of yore. Use measurements (bust, waist, hips) rather than size to evaluate fit when you cannot try the dress on in person.

Background LBDs: The Covered Uncovered LBD

a.b.s. by allen schwartz, bluefly, $249.

The Strapless LBD

max and cleo, nordstrom, $158. Love your arms? Go strapless. But if you feel like your shoulders could rival those on the Seattle Seahawks' O-line, skip the strapless or go with a strapless dress with sheer overlay like the A.B.S. dress listed above. There is minimal extra fabric, but the sheer paneled "straps" create the illusion of a daintier shoulder.

The Sequined LBD

michael michael kors, nordstrom, $150. The sequined LBD is for the girl that wants to sparkle. Because the material itself is the star of the show, many sequined dresses tend to have more forgiving cuts than their glitter-impaired counterparts. This dress is pattered after the classic wrap dress, which is extremely figure friendly. One note on sequins: if you don't want to look like a refugee from the Vegas Strip, keep all other style elements simple. I would wear this dress with my hair up, winged black liner, or a red lip and a smile.

The Financial Statement: The little black dress is a wardrobe staple. It will be your go-to for the last minute dinner date, the holiday party, or the evening wedding. It will be your answer to nearly every "what do I wear to the cocktail or semi-formal event" question. Take your time, find a LBD that you love, and be prepared to pay more for it. When you look at the tag, run a quick price per wear calculation to determine the real cost of the dress. Example: if the tag says $300, and you know you will wear the dress to two holiday parties and on New Year's Eve, divide $300 by 3. The price per wear is $100 if you only wear the dress three times. The more "wears" you can squeeze into that dress, the lower the price per wear. Please note that the key component to the price per wear calculation is honesty. If you know that a dress is perfect for NYE, but you doubt you will ever wear it again, don't kid yourself. You are paying $300 for a dress that you will only wear once. If you can afford that, great! If you know that you can't, put the dress back and either keep looking for a more versatile option that lowers the price per wear or look for a similar dress at a lower price point (i.e. F21, H&M, Zara, Target, thrift, etc.).

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I Just Met a Girl Named Maria

When I was little, my dad used to travel for business. A lot. When he was away, my mom was left to entertain my sister and me on her own. One summer my mom organized "camp outs" in our living room every Friday night. We ordered pizza and had picnics on the living room floor. We braved the wilderness of the den and spent the nights sleeping on the couch foldout. And every indoor camping excursion centered around the movie of the week. There was a different 1960's movie each and every Friday night. That summer I watched Gidget and Moondoggy surf and fall in love, Annette and Frankie sing, and every beach-blanket-how-to-stuff-a-bikini flick that my mother could get her hands on. But my favorite film was West Side Story. I was so obsessed with Natalie Wood's Maria that I would ask for a pass from swim lessons on days when I was able to replicate Maria's trademark hair flip. In honor of West Side Story's 50th anniversary and new release to Blu Ray, here is my interpretation of Maria's outfit in the film's tragic final scene. Here's the clip:

Here's the outfit:

Step 1: Start with a red shift with 3/4 length sleeves. Check out the Jules dress from J.Crew in fresh strawberry here. Note: If were planning to wear this dress to work, I would also add a thin black belt and opaque black tights. And yes, black tights do work with the shoes in Step 4. Just make sure not to purchase a pair with a seam that runs across the front of the toe. And for the love of all that is good and holy, please please do not substitute pantyhose for tights. And yes, there is a difference.

Step 2: Add a delicate pendant necklace. I love this delicate horizontal cross from Dogeared and the sentiment on the card included in the packaging. See a similar necklace on Kourtney Kardashian here.

Step 3: Top with a dark knit scarf. Score this chunky grey knit from Gap for under $30!

Step 4: Finish with a kicky black heel. Check out the heel detail on these Zara peep toes!

If you have never seen West Side Story, please please please Netflix it, purchase it on DVD or Blu Ray, or steal it from a friend. Fall in love with the music, dancing, and candy colored dresses. You. Will. Not. Be. Sorry. Te adoro, West Side Story.

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