Pajama Jeans--The Apocalypse Has Arrived

Lord have mercy.  Humanity has discovered a way to make jeggings even worse.  This is known as "pajama jeans".

I was watching Top Chef and minding my own business when this horrible commercial came on.  "Jeans" for you to sleep in.  Complete with fake fly affixed.  Apparently, someone thinks that jeans are hard to get on and uncomfortable--my advice is to then buy the right size and quit trying to wear something you stole from a 14 year old.

Here is why I think Pajama Jeans are only fit to be thrown away, a completely stupid trend.  Your pants should not pretend to be something they're not.  These pants are not jeans, they're spandex tubes that you probably shouldn't wear.  They're not going to do you any favors--no way they hide cellulite, lumps or saggy bottom disease.  They make it worse.  Also, you do not need to look fully dressed, complete with jeans when you are sleeping.  Worse yet, there is no need to wander around in public in your pajamas.  PLEASE DON'T.  No one wants to see you in your pjs.  That's why we make regular pants.  Regular pants aren't scary, they are your friend and you should wear them.

One of my favorite things is that the UK chain store Tesco has banned shoppers from wandering their aisles while wearing their pajamas.  Seems reasonable enough.  But, for some bizarre reason, people have decided that they must circumvent this rule and have decided that Pajama Jeans are the way to go.  Now, what on earth makes people try to avoid wearing normal pants at all costs?!

Sharon Wauchob--Pearls & Stitches

One of the most exciting things to see in fashion is a designer who is obsessed with their materials.  Sure, designers who are all about shape and color are cool.  There's a real place for them.  But, textiles are the THING that is fashion and I think many designers kinda forget to pay enough attention to it.  Sharon Wauchob's obsession is with excellence in textiles and innovation in fabrics and materials.

Wauchob is an Irish designer who attended St. Martins and currently has both the creative director for both the Sharon Wauchob line and Edun.  The Sharon Wauchob line is based in and shows in Paris; the line is finished in Paris but the textiles are fabricated around the world, with many being made in Japan.  She previously worked for Louis Vuitton and Koji Tatsuno before she started her own line.

The black dress she had in her 2011 Spring show is something to be really excited about.  It looks like...pearls are embroidered on?!  I can't tell from the picture if it is pearls or embroidery, but this particular collection included such dresses and this looks like it should be one of them.  See, I've been quite taken with the idea of clothes with real pearls applied to them for quite some time and I've just never seen this done--this makes me sooooo excited!!  Its beautiful, classic but wearable, it's exactly what I want to wear this spring.  The colors are ones that look great on everyone, the neckline is interesting and the print-effect of the fabric is beautiful.  Love this dress!!

Another look in Wauchob's collection that was really something was the brown tone on tone suit.  I know, it's very simple.  But, its flattering and YOUNG looking.  Its friggin hard to find a nice, beautiful suit as a young woman.  They don't make them.  But, here is one of those unicorns--a suit any woman can wear without making them look old and fashion-backward.  The blazer is incredibly lovely and makes the model look slim and modern.  The blouse is simple and feminine.  The pants are flattering and comfortable looking.  Also, the fabrics of the pieces look BEAUTIFUL.  You just want to reach out and touch them.  The look luscious and expensive.  Sure, the look is simple but its really something work wearing.  Wauchob is known for her "alternative" looks, but in this she shows that she can do all things, even classic.

The Sharon Wauchob line is absolutely lovely, not just for the basic design elements, but for the attention to detail and work put in towards using the best textiles.  I mean, a dress with stripes made of pearls?!

Pictures from Style

Merry Christmas!!

I hope that you and yours have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

And, of course, if you're going to partake in the eggnog, make sure you find some reindeer to get you home and don't try to do that yourself!

Be safe, have fun, and hug your mom!

2010: A Retrospective

2010 was an okay year for fashion.  There were some very clear trends.  Not necessarily my favorite, but none of the designers asked my opinion!

One major trend was SEQUINS.  God knows why.  They do no one any favors.  For some reason, everyone wanted to either look like they themselves were a giant disco ball or that they were at least carrying one.  To the right is the Louis Vuitton AW 2010 bag that best illustrates this--Marc Jacobs, for whatever reason, took a perfectly great exotic skinned bag and coated the main part of it with black sequins.  Hmmmm.  Is it just me, or is this bag going to be quickly pawned off on little nieces or sold on ebay when people come to their senses?

See, what makes me dislike sequins so much is not only the fact that they look cheap and shiny.  Its that they don't last.  They fall off.  They break.  It's totally defeats the purpose of investing in some wonderful piece of fashion.  Bah humbug!!

Another trend were the DRAPED SWEATERS.  Not so bad!  The one on the left is by FrostFrench and is a nice cashmere blend.  Sure, many people appreciate buttoning their sweaters, but there is something nice about a well-draped sweater.  This trend won't go on forever, but it's like everyone jumped on the Rick Owens bandwagon and considering I love Rick Owens, I'm okay with this.  It's interesting, its comfortable and it at least feels like fashion instead of some of the cheap looking dreck that comes out regularly.

One of the other major trends was to put BOWS on everything.  Personally, I hate bows.  Yuck.  Bad childhood memories of turtleneck shirts and skirts that my mother made me wear.  But, apparently everyone loves the things.  The Lanvin Printemps 2010 one pictured isn't so bad.  Alber Elbaz has at least stuck it on the shoulder where it sorta blends in with the draping of the dress.  So, it can be done in a less offensive manner so even someone like me with childhood trauma will consent to wear it.  But, it's one of those trends best done in moderation.  And, considering that it's just a trend and not any sort of "staple", make sure none of your investment pieces have it--my guess is that sometime over the next few seasons, you're going to find yourself pointing and laughing at people festooned with bows and you'll want a clear conscience that you don't secretly have a closet full of the stuff!

2010 wasn't so bad.  There was a lot of new talent on the scene, it felt like more so than in previous years.  The kind of innovation that they bring is fun and great for fashion!  Luckily, there were minimal amounts of things that I saw that were outright shameful (other than JEGGINGS.  I don't count those as clothes) and lets hope that they new year brings many more fun, beautiful and elegant things!

Photos from style.com and frostfrench.com

Merry Christmas!

Wow, it's crazy to think that I've neglected to update my blog for so very long!  I'm so sorry!  To everyone who constantly clicks on it, THANK YOU!

I had no idea so many hundreds of people visit me a month.  Apparently, people read what I write!  So, for the new year, I am going to be making a better effort to update my blog.  I won't do it all the time, I'm sure. But, I will be making a more concerted effort to post updates.

So, enjoy the holiday season and all of the occasions to celebrate beauty in this world with those that you love!

And, remember to check back once in a while because I'll start tracking down, cool unusual designers again and commenting on crap that everyone hates (UGH, JEGGINGS!!!  AND JEGGINGS FOR MEN!!!!  BAHHHHHHHHH!!!!).

Much love--SHOULDERACHE