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I was on vacation visiting family this past week, which afforded me the luxury of siphoning off my parent's digital cable--- Just in time to watch the Golden Globes. I along with pretty much everyone else looks forward to seeing what dresses everyone wears, a little more than the actual awards themselves (I'm a ashamed to admit). Even more enthralling is the promise of those monumentally tragic choices that will leave their mark on history for the rest of eternity. I hand-picked ten stand-out looks, both good and bad, gave my somewhat well-versed two cents on them. The Huffington Post provided a comprehensive overview of everyone who was anyone that evening (nearly 100 images total!). Huffington Post Click More Images!  (Wireimage) I'll start with the obvious...Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace. I can't recall a time she hasn't looked amazing, on the red carpet or off, however this particular look reiterates the fact that she can really do no wrong. If anyone else were to attempt this look, it would easily end up on every worst-dressed list out there; especially with the matchy-matchy lips, clutch, and neckline detail of the gown. But it works-- and she, as always, looks like an absolute dream.  (Wireimage) The thing I love most about Michelle Williams is that she has a personal sense of style which she never strays from, whether she's wearing Chanel, Dior, or this lovely blue velvet Jason Wu number with coordinating headband. I feel that many stars latch onto a particular look that may be trendy at the time, abandon it a few months later, and pick up on something completely contradictory immediately after (ahem, Madonna...and remember when Sienna Miller went mod for five minutes after the Edie Sedgwick biopic?). It's more about what's hot at the moment and less about who they are as a person, which really is no surprise. Michelle has had a very logical style evolution as she's grown as an actress, mother, and person in general, and the result speaks for itself.  (Wireimage) Say what you will about Tilda Swinton, but she's another of the rare few who are truly in tune with her looks and knows how to work them. Whether or not you're wild about the Haider Ackermann piece she wore, I think it suits her incredibly well; from the color (which works so well with her eyes and complexion), the contrasting materials and textures, the duality of masculine-feminine and, yes, even the hair!  (Wireimage) I had an aversion to Zooey Deschanel's entire get-up from the moment she stepped onto the red carpet. All of the parts seem to make sense, but when brought together as a complete look something seems terribly off. The dress itself, by Prada, is actually quite nice, however I think the Van Cleef and Arpels necklace is too much with the intricate beading on the gown. It also would have been nice to see her hair in an up-do--It seems to always pull a formal look together...and speaking of hair, is that a wig?  (Wireimage)  (Wireimage) So I hate to be a total downer, but I was completely off-put by what Lea Michele and Diana Agron chose to wear, or what was chosen for them, rather. The dresses themselves aren't the issue (Lea in a silver Marchesa gown with strategically placed filigree, and Agron in a red cutout number by Giles Deacon); I just didn't feel that the dresses suited either of the girls well at all. Perhaps it's that they seemed the slightest bit too grown-up for them, which is illustrated most prominently in Lea Michele's case. It's almost as if they're making an inadvertent heavy-handed attempt to transcend the 'Glee' stigma in order to be taken more seriously. The fact of the matter is that Glee brought them both to the Golden Globes, and I feel they should do a little more to embrace it, rather than hide from it. I think that given their age, personalities, and overall fanbase, something a little less grown up, and perhaps a bit more trendy (but still red carpet appropriate) would have been a much better choice.  (Wireimage) I've head more than enough criticism on Rooney Mara's rigidly consistent looks during this award season (cutouts, and head-to-toe black, in this example a Nina Ricci), and while I see that she's basically dressing up as a more polished Lisbeth Salander. I can't help but love it. The androgynous look really does become her, and she looks like no one else I've ever seen on the red carpet. While this aesthetic could start to look a little too goth for the occasion, Rooney is able to keep it in check with classic make-up and minimal jewelry, which draws attention to the cutout feature on her gown without cluttering-up the overall look (which happens far too often on the red carpet).  (Wireimage) Let me preface this by say that Amanda Peet is positively stunning; just not in this dress. The tiered lacy gown she chose (no designer name was provided--imagine that) is far too formless, making her look sectioned-off like a stack of freshly-laundered delicates, or a shower curtain from Anthropologie. The hoop earrings, slicked-back hair, heavy eye make-up,and chunky bracelet didn't do this red carpet look any favors, either.  (Wireimage) Now Sarah Michelle Gellar's look was just plain heartbreaking. She claimed her daughter chose this Monique Lhuillier dress for her to wear, and while I could in all honesty just stop there, I feel compelled to give my two-cents. My knee-jerk reaction to this dress was to think of toilet paper and that stuff that makes your toilet water bright blue. Or the panty liners in the commercials with the blue dye to illustrate the unthinkable. take your pick. And while there is a place for this sort of edginess, it belongs exclusively on the pages of vogue; only with better hair and makeup to complete the overall look.  (Wireimage) My favorite look of the evening was Piper Parabo in a paired-down Theyskens' Theory ball gown. The slightly exaggerated shillouette of the skirt worked beautifully with the material, which appeared to be a sort of lightweight, yet rigid organza. She made very tasteful decisions in the hair, make-up and jewelry departments which could be disastrous otherwise, given such a minimal gown. It made me think of some sort of futuristic Icelandic fairytale princess, which will forever be in style. Take Twenty One January 27, 2012 Every Week a new Taylor Take on Fashion © 2012 All Rights Reserved JLRadio.com ________________________________________________ We are already fairly well in to the new year, and if you're anything like me you have lofty plans for resolutions that you're slowly trying to ease into; it's almost like Lent with a little less pressure, however with a far longer commitment (not to mention shame when you struggle to recall that year's resolutions a year later). This year, I have about eight or nine resolutions that I am attempting to condense into one blanket resolution, a primary one being to finally clean out my closet, drawers, and every other space occupied by clothing. I know I've touched on this subject in a somewhat different light before, however I am beginning to realize that there is such a thing as having too many articles of clothing and it is high time to get rid of the dead weight. My approach has been a bit cold and detached thus far---literally anything I haven't worn in six months (with a few exceptions, of course...who am I kidding?) gets the boot. Difficult? Extremely. I have made a surprising amount of headway, considering. The most shocking part is that of the tens of bags I have taken to donate, I can't really remember what was in them. This is very telling because there were countless items I struggled parting with for whatever reason; everything from, "oh, I totally forgot I had that!", to "I can wear that to insert random occasion that is highly unlikely to occur for the next year". All of which were complete fabrications. What these pieces were, I could not even begin to recall as a write this now. What I can say is that things in general do feel far more lighter than they have in awhile both in and outside the realms of my closet, all stemming from this simple change. So, if you are still grappling with what you resolve for the new year well in to the month of January, try starting with your wardrobe; from my experience, everyone has stockpiles of varying proportions that could be edited down for the better. Whether your intention is to make room for new pieces or just make room to breathe, you'll find a sense of clarity in seemingly unrelated parts of your life--- and what better place to start than with how you present yourself to the world? Take Twenty January 9, 2012 Every Week a new Taylor Take on Fashion © 2012 All Rights Reserved JLRadio.com ________________________________________________ The holidays have descended upon us, and I can't think of a better time to reflect on one of the darker sides of fashion; the retail environment this time of year. It is no secret working in retail becomes one of the least desired occupations beginning the day after Thanksgiving through to the new year (in the states, anyway), however for someone who has never had the sheer pleasure of this experience I've created a list of all the crazy, and often overlooked little nuances the season brings a la The Twelve Days of Christmas. Sing along, if you must: Twelve children screaming: Children who are drug along for the ride (so to speak) grow exceedingly irritable this time of year--- more so than usual. I blame it on the marathon shopping sprees that are highly inappropriate for any kid under the age of fifteen. The one detail that negates this theory is when this scenario unfolds the moment we open our doors. Eleven thrifty shoppers: I've said it before (about five-hundred times), and I'll say it again; we don't go on sale until after Christmas. No matter how much you huff and puff, or how many times you come in and ask the same question over the period of several weeks, that isn't going to change. And, yes, I am absolutely sure. Ten gifts a-wrapping: People like to come in and buy about twenty small items and have them all individually gift-wrapped....fast. Nine times out of ten, they want them all in boxes with wrapping paper, ribbons and the whole nine yards, all the while dissecting your every move. On the bright side, I've been given some excellent tips on how to cut and tie ribbon, fold tissue paper, and use a stapler! Nine returns denied: I'm so sorry, we are unable to take back that shirt without a receipt (that, incidentally, was wadded up in the bottom of a bag and reeked of Jovan Musk). Eight phones a-ringing: I woke up to my alarm the other morning half-consciously mumbling my phone-answering spiel. Seven solicitors a-soliciting: Thanks for the offer, but I don't think anyone that works here would really be all that interested in taking a "free" group Alaskan cruise, or driving two hours away to experience the thrill of an indoor sky-dive simulator, but really, thanks for asking! Six hipsters a-protesting: As if Black Friday weren't insane enough, we had the Occupy brigade blocking shop entrances in an attempt to discourage people from coming in. What's most frustrating about this is that they're only hurting the people who work on commission--- the big companies will not even notice the difference. It may also help to do a little research on the targeted stores before unleashing the fury; as it turns out, not every business out there is a blood-sucking corporation. FIVE CUPS OF COFFEE (before noon, usually to aid in the washing down of all those Excedrin). Four declined cards: "What!? THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE! Try it again...and again....and again..." Three cheap skates: Contrary to popular belief, you can't haggle for a deal at an establishment like ours, or any other places for that matter. And, no, you can't wear it and bring it back in the hopes of a refund or price adjustment. You can probably predict the end of this scenario. Two douche bag guys: The classiest of people seem to just come out of the woodwork this time of year, or at least the nooks and crannies of southern California. We were asked if a certain item was so expensive because it included blow-job, while gift-wrapping it for his mother. I think I have to interpret the Partridge in a Pear Tree lyric as the icing on the cake in this scenario; cue the ever-present Christmas music droning in the background. There are fleeting moments of clarity amid these scenes, coupled with the dizzying effect of sleighbells and those all too familiar happy-go-lucky melodies, that could possibly be the onset of an epiphany of sorts; it's as if the over-saturated stimuli triggers an understanding of the meaning of life, or something equally profound--a near out of body experience, even...but then the phone rings. Take Nineteen December 21, 2011 Every Week a new Taylor Take on Fashion Taylor will return in new year © 2011 All Rights Reserved JLRadio.com ________________________________________________ Fashion can be intimidating. Not just the act of navigating the ever-changing world of style, which is terrifying in and of itself, but the sheer exclusivity of it. From the outside it can seem like a world that is open to only a very select few, who are highly critical of any and everyone that crosses their path. This, at least, has been my take on it as somewhat of an outsider, especially since. As I have become more and more invested in this complex and fickle world, I have done as much as I can to educate myself on the plethora of terms and rhetoric that come with it--- all in the hopes of keeping my head above water while learning something. With this is mind, I finally took the time to watch the Richard Press documentary "Bill Cunningham New York". Bill's work with the New York Times over the past forty-plus years is among the most important documentary photographic work in fashion, period. He has consistently created daily accounts of New York street fashion throughout this time period, which are considered to be as real as it gets when looking back on styles that were popular during a certain period in history, and how they were utilized on the runway where the work of the most esteemed designers truly comes to life; the streets of New York City. I have always just assumed in passing that Bill, as prolific and influential as he is, would fall into the New York fashion scene seamlessly; attending all the parties, being on a first-name basis with everyones who's anyone---just living the lifestyle. The funny thing is that, in some ways, he really does. He is adored like none other by some of the biggest names in style, namely the "devil" herself Anna Wintour, yet at the same time he is a man of unparalleled character in that his work comes first and foremost, and although his occupation places him prominently within the scene, he is able to keep some of its more disorienting qualities at arms length; something most people in his position would have a very difficult time denying. And to top it all off, he is probably one of the kindest people to have walked the earth. The documentary provided a rare look in to the most intimate and previously unknown areas of Bill's life, most notably his home. At the time, he resided in a small artist's space above Carnegie Hall with no kitchen, a shared bathroom ("Who the hell wants a kitchen or a bathroom?" he famously says), and literally no space to move around because of years of photo archives stacked from floor to ceiling in in flat-files, cabinets and boxes. Strangely monastic in a sense, the distracting clutter of everyday life was nearly non-existant in his world; all surrounds him pertains to his life's work in one way or another, to which he is completely and unabashedly devoted. It was honestly a little shocking, especially knowing what a presence he has been in New York for so many years--- you'd almost expect some semblance of extravagance somewhere. Not with Bill; from his humble home, his understatedly chic "uniform" (Simple pants, dress shirt, tie, and a blue windbreaker-style coat), to the bicycle he rides everywhere, he truly breaks the mold of what the legendary fashion photographer in New York City would typically be. Clearly, the money has never been motivation for him in the least. He was art director during Details magazines humble beginnings, and though he never got paid wielded complete creative control, which was payment enough for him. When Conde Nast eventually bought the publication, they cut everyone a check to effectively buy them out. Bill never cashed his. When questioned about this in the film, he stated (almost laughing) that if you ever take money, you give up your freedom. "They own you!" He does what he does simply for the love of it, forsaking everything else; he truly eats, breathes and sleeps his work without ever even noticing he's doing so. One of the best parts about Bill's work is that he pays less attention to "trends" and what the powers that be declare to be cutting edge, and focuses more on what he finds visually interesting and attempts to capture it in serial form. Though you'll see a famous face here and there in his archives (usually celebrities and socialites who are known for the striking sense of style), more often than not his subjects are unknown. It's all about the aesthetic, nothing more. He hunts down the underlying trends out in the world as worn by the every-day person, and displays the sequences to his captivated audience. I honestly believe that if there were more people in the world even a little like Bill, we'd be living in a far better place. Though his humbleness was surprising to witness at first, I feel that because he does what he loves to do there's no reason for him to be any other way; he's constantly surrounded by what he loves, and his work is never done. There is something to be said about the simplicity and honesty of his existence; it affords one such a lightness in spirit and makes space for creativity to flourish. Though such dedication has taken a toll on his personal life (he claimed to have never had a romantic relationship when interviewed--- a moment where he couldn't help but become emotional), he's chosen to spend his lifetime selflessly contributing to annals of fashion history; a priceless gift that will only appreciate through time. Toward the end of the film, Bill and the other residents of the Carnegie Hall artist lofts were forced to move out of their lifetime long homes. He is shown viewing an apartment overlooking central park with a real estate agent talking up all its blaringly obvious selling points. Preoccupied, Bill shot a few photos with his ever-present camera, along with a knowing glance to the cameraman about the ridiculous presence of a kitchen. Flash forward to the last few frames before the credits; Bill's in his element, on the street with his discerning eye of all that walk past as The Velvet Underground's "I'll be your Mirror " begins to play. It is not such a scary world out there, after all. Take Seventeen, November 22, 2011 Every Week a new Taylor Take on Fashion © 2011 All Rights Reserved JLRadio.com ________________________________________________ While braving the wasteland that is the internet the other day, I came across a meme-like image of a closet exploding with clothing bearing the text "I have nothing to wear". Story of my life. Seeing that this dilemma has reached internet meme status, it must affect the vast majority of people out there in some respect, whether it be directly (yourself) or indirectly (a boyfriend, girlfriend, sibling, etc.) So how is it that with such an excessive amount of clothing we find it so difficult to put an outfit together? Overstimulation is the culprit, in my opinion. This, of course, can apply to anyone in absolutely every single area of life, however the scenario of a closet full of clothes with nothing to wear is the perfect place to dive in. If you experience the world even remotely close to how I do, you will probably feel frighteningly overwhelmed by the amount of stimulus around you at any given moment. So much, that after a short period of time you just have to shut it all out and take in only what you can. It can be more than a little disorienting. Welcome to my, and almost every other female (and a good number of males also) out there closet. Over the years, articles of clothing accumulate. I tend to part with less than what I bring in, resulting in steadily growing behemoth. It is a lot like that pesky little rule of calorie intake-- if you take in only what you lose, you maintain an equilibrium. Balance. The antithesis of what I see every time I open my closet. It is challenging when you are a collector like I am, less than willing to get rid of things, and not particularly organized. As a result of this I tend to have a number of pieces I go to regularly, and mix them up when I'm feeling really adventurous. They probably make up about twenty-five percent of what I have, in all actuality. To remedy this, I have implemented a new tactic over the past week-- take a risk in every outfit you put together. It does not matter what it is, just anything that takes you out of your comfort zone. A good place to begin could be simply putting two colors together that don not match per se, but may be visually harmonious. A direct complimentary color pair, or perhaps two different shades of the same color can be good places to start. Or do what I did-- begin with a piece you love, but have neglected for some time, and go from there. And for those days you're feeling especially dangerous, try mixing contrasting patterns and textures as well. Keep an eye out for the unspoken resonance that happens when something just works, and you know it. Trust your judgment, but be willing to take risks. This philosophy can easily extend far past the confines of your closet and into various facets of your life.The results will astound you! It is so easy to get stuck in a rut and become closed-off when you have the same routine day in and day out, and making a change as simple as this not only keeps you on your toes, but keeps your mind creatively sharp-- believe it or not, getting dressed everyday can be used as an opportunity to be artistic (We may have had this conversation before). Take Sixteen, November 8, 2011 Every Week a new Taylor Take on Fashion © 2011 All Rights Reserved JLRadio.com ________________________________________________ Ah, Halloween... A time of ghost stories, self-induced diabetic comas, John Zacherley tunes, and, of course, dressing up. Legend has it that the tradition of wearing costumes on this day was first "exorcised" to further lift the veil between the physical and spirit realms; the living and the dead could literally walk alongside each other as one. In more recent years, costumes have evolved (and I use that term loosely...) to include the wide spectrum of themes and characters that we see today. Most notably, the seemingly endless array women's "sexy" pre-fab costumes; everything from cops to firefighters, cats to unicorns. Below I have compiled a list of this years most memorable costumes I have personally encountered; the good, bad, genius and everything you could hope to find in between: 1. Tippi Hedren as Melanie Daniels from Hitchcocks "The Birds". This interpretation was so great because she decided not to even mess with affixing fake birds to her person, and just went with strategically places feathers all over her boucle suit, windswept hair, and a tasteful amount of fake blood. 2. Mario and Luigi of Nintendo fame; briefly spotted negotiating crowds downtown while jumping on top of garbage cans and everything else in their path. 3. The Morton Salt girl--- A bit overdone, yes, but always charming. I love the recursive nature of this costume; she is depicting an image on the salt can she holds, which is again shown on the salt can the girl in the image holds, and so on... 4. The Coppertone sunscreen girl, as played by a male. Complete with stuffed dog attached to the back of his speedo, weighing it down just enough to expose those fake tan lines. 5. There seemed to be a quite few more hipsters out than usual, which leads me to believe some of them had to be costumes, since, well, they weren't outwardly dressed up...oh, the irony. 6. This was most likely not a costume, but was such a sight to behold I can not help but highlight it here; A tranny walking into oncoming traffic screaming at the top of her lungs the 1993 staple "Show Me" Love by Robin S. 7. Vanna Brown, complete with portable vowel and floor-length brown beaded gown to compliment the skin tone. By far my absolute favorite this year. 8. Halloween in San Francisco also means yet another great excuse to go naked in public. Does that even count as a costume anymore? 9. A guy with a noose around his neck wearing a burlap sack over his head, toting an art portfolio. Still can not decide if the portfolio was actually part of the look, but I am leaning towards yes. 10. A Luchador complete with upside-down tutu around the neck, pink lame stretch pants,six inch heels, and a cape. It looked a little more like something crawled out of the Mission District's jurassic period, but that only added volumes to the multi-faceted nature of the look. Take Fifteen, November 1, 2011 Every Week a new Taylor Take on Fashion © 2011 All Rights Reserved JLRadio.com ________________________________________________ As I sit here at my computer sans make-up donning my day-off uniform, I have begun to ponder that twenty to thirty (if I am lucky) minute part of my morning I seldom look forward to; you guessed it-- getting ready, and all that it entails. I, along with the vast majority of females I know, do not particularly revel in the process of getting all dolled up for work, or any other event that would require more than the bare minimum of this daily routine. Personally, I wait until the absolute last few moments I have in the morning to get myself looking presentable enough to face the outside world. It is quite the paradox to admit this, especially coming from someone like me who has an endless fascination with the sum and all corresponding parts of style. I suppose for me it is the process-- the long, monotonous process that takes precious time from my day that I could be dedicating to something else, like, say, eating breakfast (for once). This really got me thinking about vanity. I do not consider myself a vain person in the least, and I suppose the fact that I am even aware of the concept means it is pretty safe to say that I am not. I am very much a devout follower of fashion and style in general, yet it does not entirely define me. So, then, what makes someone vain? What does that word even mean, anyway? I assumed I had it all figured out, however upon seeking a bit of clarity and reading the definition I found that there is far more beneath the surface. According to the most reliable of sources, Wikipedia, vanity is the excessive belief in ones own abilities or attractiveness to others. Until the 14th century, narcissistic undertones aside, the word simply meant futility. Falling in love with ones own image is merely a symptom of vanity; It really is a loss of touch with reality--the fashion industry in a nutshell. Observing all the new lines on parade twice a year isn't unlike becoming completely engrossed in a piece of art of music. The only difference is that you're seeing a fantastical, idealized representation of the human form; what it should look like, how it should style itself, etc., which is far too easy to become consumed with unawares. The idea of being consumed with one's appearance is not a recent development, however, with everything (I mean, literally everything) becoming as accessible and at the same time far removed from reality as it is today, fixation on physical appearances is increasing exponentially by the moment. Think about it, it is now come to the point that people are selectively mutilating themselves to achieve looks they see in magazines (plastic surgery, anyone?) that literally do not exist in the realm of reality (as much good as it does, photoshop is a dangerous weapon if used irresponsibly), and that is just one example. After writing my column this week, I have attained a far different viewpoint on vanity. Unfortunately for us, we live in a hyper- competitive world that automatically sets us up for failure--- where looks, interests, style and personal achievements, even, are scrutinized like never before. You cannot open a magazine or even walk down the street without being bombarded with subliminal messages that you should be so much more than what you are. Keeping ones feet firmly planted in reality is the one way to stay grounded. No, you do not have to be perfectly made-up each time you step outside, and, no, you do not have to radically alter your appearance to slowly advance toward some ideal; it is not really there. You also do not have to strive for perfection in any area of your world. Although, it may look plausible on paper, the truth is that it does not really exist, either; to harken back to vanities roots, all attempts to do so are ultimately futile. Take Fourteen, October 25, 2011 Every Monday a new Taylor Take on Fashion © 2011 All Rights Reserved JLRadio.com ________________________________________________ As I sit here at my computer sans make-up donning my day-off uniform, I have begun to ponder that five to ten minute part of my morning I seldom look forward to; you guessed it-- putting my face on, as they say. Personally, I'm not one for wearing much make-up, if any at all. Like most females, I'll put more effort into it for work or related events that would require a bit more than the bare minimum (if I must). Around the beginning of Junior High, I started to feel that unspoken pressure we all encountered around that age to make an effort to "fit in", for lack of a better phrase. In my case, all the girls were starting to experiment with their looks, which meant it was time to raid moms make-up bag. Now, in reality, my mom would have been very open to mentoring me through this phase of my foray into womanhood, but being thirteen, I knew everything there was to know about everything and could do it myself. And the results were exactly what you would expect a thirteen year old girl putting on a forty five year old woman's cosmetics to be. Fortunately, I was able to procure a copy of Bobbie Brown's seminal book Beauty, which really put this whole wearing make-up business into perspective. Her philosophy on cosmetics was revolutionary in its simplicity; She believed in, and created products, that were meant to enhance facial features instead of masking them. Her ideas resonated with me in such a way that I was able to implement her techniques, and over the years adapt them to my personal tastes (a little red lipstick and colorful nail polish here and there never hurt anyone) to create a regimen that I could feel comfortable, and eventually begin to experiment with-- however reticently. I have yet to quite get to this point, and do not know if I ever will, but make-up can absolutely be seen as an artistic medium, a platform for self-expression. Bobbie Brown, as mentioned above, is a perfect example along with the likes of Edie Sedgwick, who was quoted that all the time and effort put into her face (three hours a day!) was similar to putting on a mask; it was a reaction to the upsetting events that took place in her life. Her quotes have always fascinated me-- its as if she was completely able to step outside of herself and thoughtfully analyze her every move, giving so much purpose to her actions. I think this is what made her one of the first performance artists, raccoon eyes and all. The verdict is still out for me on Tammy Faye Bakker, though, who single-handedly pioneered the tarantula-lashes-chic look. She was quoted saying, "I think the eyes are so important...I believe the eyes are the soul, I truly do..." in her 2000 documentary The Eyes of Tammy Faye. I can not help but think there is a bit more beneath the surface of that statement than meets the eye. Take Thirteen, October 17, 2011 Every Monday a new Taylor Take on Fashion © 2011 All Rights Reserved JLRadio.com ________________________________________________ They are popping up all over the place lately; from the runways to thrift stores, Myspace pages to guitar paint-jobs, polka dots are back with a vengeance and seemingly bigger than ever. As it turns out, the term "polka dot" is quite beholden to the pattern's history. Finding its etymology from the highly punctuated dance and music style that was popular around the same time, in addition to the invention of the morse code, polka dots are as tied to campiness (think Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini) as they are to the futuristic. This concept of the polka dot was addressed by Luella Bartley in her spring 2010 collection (view on style.com), and came to full fruition this winter in Marc Jacobs womens collection. With a nod to the sixties Star Trek-esque futurism through the work of Pierre Cardin and Andre Courreges, all while keeping faithful to his ultra-girly sensibility, Jacobs effectively created a collection around repetitive patterns--namely the polka dot. Like Bartley, but on a more extreme scale, Jacobs utilized the richest, most corpulent fabrics possible along with a noble, jewel-toned complimentary color pallet to hone in on the concept of structure that surrounds both the architecture of the garments and the pattern around which they are based. The result is a recursive, complex, and, above all, ingenious marriage of texture, weight and depth that can only be fully realized when experienced en masse-- much like polka dots. After all, what good is just one dot? If any of you out there ever get the chance, stop into a Marc Jacobs boutique this season to take in this collection as a whole; it is a multi-faceted experience that should not be missed. And if you are brave enough, try a few of the pieces on the get the full effect; it's like slipping into armor. Sumptuous, feminine, way-out-of-my-pricerange armor, if there ever were such a thing. They do have extremely cute umbrellas, donning the polka dot motif in a number of color combinations. Twenty-four dollars. I'm collecting them all. So what do polka dots communicate within a contemporary context? I have briefly explored their somewhat kitschy origins, to which they will always be tied, yet this season highlighted what a truly moveable feast this pattern is. It has become a response to our current surroundings; the constant repetitive-ness we find ourselves in from one day to the next, the undeniable excess in relation to our basic needs as human beings, an interpretation of the cells within our bodies, the people on the planet, to the stars in the sky-- their never-ending exponential growth, and the aching beauty of it all. Not to mention our longing for another time. The polka dot indeed has a newfound maturity that attributes a brooding sense of edgy loveliness previously unseen...a little more Polka Dots and Moonbeams that silly bikini tune. Take Twelve, October 10, 2011 Every Monday a new Taylor Take on Fashion © 2011 All Rights Reserved JLRadio.com ________________________________________________ Something very strange popped up in the Facebook news feed the other day, well, more strange than usual I should say. It was a photograph of what appeared to be a person, completely pants-less; as in entirely nude from the waist down working at Lowe's as a cashier. Upon closer examination, it was clear that the individual was wearing (again, what appear to be) a pair of trompe l oeil nude leggings, with airbrushed little nuances in all the right places to create the appearance of nudity when worn. Now, I have not gone through too much trouble researching whether or not this image is genuine or "photoshopped", simply because the mere thought of these leggings existence was enough for me. Not to mention the idea of their existence is not too far-fetched for the world we live in today. When preparing to write this week's column, I had to endure a trek through a digitized Sodom and Gomorrah to unearth the origin of this image (try googling any combination of nude, naked, leggings, pants, butt, and see for yourself...you're welcome) just to be sure that it was still actually out there. Finally, after entering "naked pants" and scrolling down a bit, there it was....in all its glory. In a practikel.com post dated September 15th, 2011, under the title NAKED PANTS: the best thing man ever created. So, if these leggings are indeed the real thing, would you really be all that shocked? And who would produce such a thing? Would they be something of a tacky joke, as in, "Haha, look. Naked Pants. Funny" sold at a shopping mall institution such as Spencers, or could the manufacturer go so far as to make them as social commentary on where personal style is headed, for example the god-awful widespread trend of wearing leggings as pants. Really the idea of these Naked Pants is not all that far off from this trend, say about a millimeter of a clingy spandex/cotton/mystery blend. Or even the butt-crack revealing low-rise jeans. I have seen more butt cracks in recent days that I care to mention, and something tells me that, by the looks of it, these individuals are not attempting to reference bottom revealing "bottoms" dramatic beginnings in Alexander McQueen's 1996 Highland Rape collection, where the Bumster made its debut. Keep in mind, the concept of Highland Rape was just what it sounded like; disheveled construction and styling of the models that harkened to the grunge era, along with plaids, that tied in the Scottish highlands. But McQueen was not really speaking in metaphor with the title of this collection; the models were to look like rape victims-- clothes undone, trousers slipping off, arms crossed, eyes downcast. Very sensational...Very McQueen. We must, rest his soul, hold him accountable for the evolution of the low rise pant, but I can not help but think that the typical context in which they're worn is not quite what he had in mind. Looking back on images from that show, there's something incredibly smart, and not to mention elegant about the Bumster; his reference to the Elizabethan neckline, likening the cleavage of the bottom to that of the chest. It could be the fact that supermodels are wearing them, but I believe the context in which they were shown is what made them work as well as they did. You'd be hard-pressed to find a place for the Bumster outside of the context of this show without the thought of them being trashy, clumsy, and ill-fitting creeping into your mind. We have the ultra low rise thong-revealing jeans that came after them to thank for that. Unfortunately, this trend just refuses to go out of style. I have resigned to the fact that societys fixation on showing their ass, in every sense of the phrase, is here to stay. To be perfectly honest, It would be less frustrating if people would just fully commit and become nudists; at least then it would be fulfilling a personal philosophy/ lifestyle choice. That I can respect. Until then, we have the Naked Pants. As elusive as they seem to be (I still can not locate a place to purchase them), now that this image has begun to raise a few eyebrows across the far reaches of the interweb it will be only a matter of time before we will be able to spot them on every corner. Take a look for yourself...It is definitely worth the five or so seconds of your time to see the photo: http://www.practikel.com/2011/09/15/naked-pants-the-best-thing-man-ever-created/ Take Eleven, October 3, 2011 Every Monday a new Taylor Take on Fashion © 2011 All Rights Reserved JLRadio.com ________________________________________________ As I sit here in the blazing heat with no air conditioning, it makes me yearn for the days I had almost no hair. I cut it all off about six yeas ago, and loved it so much I swore I would never grow it out again. Though as the years went by, much like anything, I started to grow tired of my hairstyle and decided to begin the tedious process of growing it out. Now, you would think that if you just leave it alone for about a year with minimal trims, it would be a piece of cake. Not so. After about three months my hair entered a terribly awkward phase where it was really neither here nor there, so I cut it off again. Fast-forward about two years later (and several repeats of the aforementioned growing-out process), and I can just about pull all of my hair back into a ponytail. A very small ponytail, of course, however it is all off of the back of my neck. It is kind of funny reflecting on the joy such a simple thing brings me, especially since it is the very thing that prompted me to cut off my hair in the first place. For the longest time it was difficult rationalizing having long hair if all I ever did with it was pull it back in a ponytail, bun, or some random incarnation of the two. When I really stepped back and looked at what I was doing with my hair on a daily basis, I found that I would really only wear it down once or twice a week. I think something attracted me to the silhouette of pulled-back hair; refined, minimal, and no bulk what-so-ever. So why have all that hair only to constantly fight with, and ultimately hide it? There are few things in the ways of style more powerful than a hair cut; the subject has been touched upon both biblically and secularly (Pavements "Cut Your Hair" comes to mind). There's always been something about girls having long hair as if it is just been that way since the beginning of time, so that is just the only acceptable way for it to be. However it has become increasingly popular in recent years for girls to sport super-short hairstyles. While it is most prominently a liberating experience to part with the excessive literal and figurative weight of long hair, it's also a means of exploring a different means of feminine beauty; a less conventional, textbook definition of how a female should present herself in order to be perceived as beautiful. The latter is by far the most interesting part for me. I recall the first time seeing Mia Farrow in "Rosemary's Baby" when I was about eight years old, and my shock when she walked in halfway through the film with a boyish haircut stating in a soft, yet almost triumphant tone that she had "been to Vidal Sassoon". "You mean you actually paid for it?", her husband replies. Mia is just one of the many who successfully pulled off a pixie cut; Jean Seberg in "Breathless" was the deciding factor (along with every other girl) in my going through with a super-short haircut, along with Shirley Maclaine circa "The Apartment". More recently young starlets have taken a cue these classic "it" girls, namely Carey Muligan, Michelle Williams, and Emma Watson, and have pulled it off exceptionally well, in my opinion. This haircut speaks volumes to me; even to this day it remains relevant, albeit in different contexts, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. I am continuing to grow my hair out, despite the heartache it has caused me for the past year. It was just time for a change, and it is never a bad thing to take on especially after five or so years of the exact same hairstyle with only slight variations. Every time I go to get a haircut, though, when my hairstylist asks what I would like, part of me wants to just say, "Get rid of it all!" just like Mia Farrow did on that fateful day at Vidal Sassoon, unbeknownst to her "Rosemary's Baby" cast. Why not? The old adage is true; It is just hair- It will always grow back. Take Ten, September 19, 2011 Every Monday a new Taylor Take on Fashion © 2011 All Rights Reserved JLRadio.com ________________________________________________ Let me begin with an apology for being so "fashionably late" this week. I do have a pretty good excuse, which managed to find itself a place in this week's column! I was traveling back to San Francisco this Sunday, feeling underwhelmed about the hastily-composed piece I had already written yet did not have internet access to send. On my way to work bright and early the following morning, I walked down the back steps and noticed an unmistakable smell; the smell of death. I was very alarmed by this, especially upon encountering the swarm of flies as I made my way to the gate. Later on, a neighbor informed me that a guy in the downstairs apartment had killed a black bear while hunting, brought it back to his garage, and skinned it there to make a bear rug (complete with head and limbs) and sausages. This is truly one of those stranger-than-fiction-moments. I do not think I have ever heard anything so bizarre- neither had the police, who came to investigate several days earlier. This situation made it impossible not to reflect on the use of fur, and where it ceases to be luxurious and turns into something more grotesque. Whenever fur is mentioned within the context of fashion, images of glamour and excess are usually conjured; upper-class women with more money than they know what to do with, who live in their ten-thousand-dollar minks. I immediately think of that scene in the film Mannequin where Jonathan and Emmy spend the night together in the department store atop a pile of fur coats....there had to be at least thirty of them in that pile! My perception of fur became tainted, however, when I opened my grandmother's closet to find her fox stole, complete with paws tails and head (with a little clip attached under the mouth....eek!). I suppose there's something about not seeing those highly indentifiable parts of the animal that give this material it's sex appeal; it morphs into a status symbol- increasingly objectified and exploited the further removed it is from its original form. Enter the morbid bear rug currently living in the garage below my apartment. Those rugs, alone with most pieces of domestic taxidermy, tend to err or the side of macabre. Perhaps it's because they're walking that fine line between life and death, where they're just a little too close to their original form; an uncanny valley, of sorts. Reid Peppard, a London-based designer, creates avant-garde accessories from roadkill that comment specifically on this subject; bird wing hairpieces, coin purses made from a whole mouse (which opens into its abdominal cavity), and large brooches with mouse heads at the center unabashedly embrace their dark nature, and, at moments, appear a bit comedic (think a lost prop from a Bunuel film). These pieces aren't attempting to be something they're not, in the sense that the animalistic features are the focal point. They celebrate the animal's form rather than attempt to make it more human. Along similar, albeit far more lowbrow lines, are little talismans like vending machine rabbit feet that were so popular years ago, and those ridiculous fox tails everyone seems to be sporting nowadays. I still don not know what to make of the living madagascar hissing cockroach brooches, complete with Swarovski crystals, though. Exploring this threshold has been interesting, to say the least. No matter how you approach the subject, the utilization of animal parts as a material is glamorized; leather, fur, appendages, or what-have-you, they are always highly sought after by their respective demographics, whether it be wealthy old ladies with a penchant for ermine or your neighborhood hipster obsessed with all things necromantic. I can't completely denounce the use of these materials as I do wear leather, eat meat, and have an old fur coat from my mother I wear once in awhile, but, for what it is worth, many designers and clothing companies are becoming far more aware of the ethics surrounding this subject, as they should. Rabbit meat, for example, is a staple in the French culinary industry, from which a number of designers procure their fur. The same goes for the majority of leathers, including some exotics. I hate getting into politics of any kind, however the dialogue on the animal's role in the clothing industry has always been of great importance, and is now taken far more seriously than it was even five years ago. I will acknowledge that the predicament of the black bear in the garage has caused me to re-evaluate my personal stance on the subject. Most people will go through their entire lives without experiencing the early stages of their kid suede leather boots or fur-trimmed coats; they'll always remain that pinnacle of sartorial achievement, as if they fell from the sky that way. Ignorance, in this case, really is bliss. Take Nine, September 14, 2011 Every Monday a new Taylor Take on Fashion © 2011 All Rights Reserved JLRadio.com ________________________________________________ I have been in Florida for five days, and have chronicled fashion statements I have stumbled upon the most thus far. The most interesting part is that, upon close examination, the overall style has changed very little (if at all) over the years. You can blame it on isolation or an overall small-town mentality resistant to change and new ideas; but no matter how you look at it we're really stuck in the doldrums of style here, despite the number of hurricanes that blow through. 1. Swimsuits in public- It is excruciatingly hot, I know. I am also aware this is a beach town; I grew up here. I have never found a good enough excuse to go out in only my swimsuit when two miles inland, which is a good indication that there probably isn't one. 2. No shoes- Again, the beach is one thing, but considering we are in the thick of a hurricane I have yet to make it there. I will give it to these people-- I am far more disturbed seeing the no-shoes fad in the Mission in San Francisco (which I do, almost daily) than here. 3. Scrunchies- Yes, they have made it to the gulf coast. But something tells me that out here it is not an exercise in irony, so perhaps they just never died out. 4. Sorrelli Jewelry- These pretty necklaces have been the "it" girl accessory since I was in high school, and considering I have seen a good bit of them over the past few days, appear to still be. Some things never change. 5. T-shirts- I do not think I have ever seen so many in my life, with fish and boats on them, that is. 6. Socks with sandals- Now this really confounds me. The one place it is perfectly acceptable to show some skin tends to become obscured by a white gym sock. When paired with a swimsuit, things start to get really out of hand. 7. Vera Bradley- I am actually fairly ambivalent toward these regionally trendy candy-colored floral bags and accessories. They are just literally everywhere here...kind of like mosquitos and cockroaches. 8. Camouflage- And I am not talking the military kind, although that can be found in abundance here as well. Northwest Florida is a strange place; you're always equally as close to the beaches as you are to the backwoods where people love to hunt, and wear their woodsy camo with pride while out on the town. 9. Trucks- I would be remiss not to acknowledge that a vehicle can in fact be a fashion accessory. Here, the vehicles of choice are trucks. BIG trucks with huge wheels. And gun racks. With confederate flag decals. Covered in mud. 10. Feather hair extensions- These are beginning to appear in smaller towns now, as the have been popular in bigger cities for a few years now. They are not my style, but they grow on me a little more every time I see them. Here, of course, they're seen as freakish and irreverent (by people who regularly sport certain permutations of the above mentioned trends, of course). My mom has one, and she is convinced people think she is crazy, and they most likely do. Take Eight, September 5, 2011 Every Monday a new Taylor Take on Fashion © 2011 All Rights Reserved JLRadio.com ________________________________________________ As I prepare for a trip this week, I reflect on the overwhelming "function over form" culture associated with airline travel. On a certain level, I totally get it- unless you're one of the select few seated in first or business class, dressing to the nines just isn't practical, and if anyone is familiar with the ills of sitting in coach it's me. I suppose my main point of contention lies in this simple question; when did dressing for comfort become directly proportional with not giving a shit? With this, I have come to examine comfort's lines of demarcation, which, mind you, are far more inclusive than your typical frequent-flyer would want you to think. A common offense is the whole pyjama/gymclothes thing. Would I ever be caught dead in public dressed like this? Unless I was on my way to yoga, absolutely not. There are just too many viable alternatives out there for this to ever be an option. I don't feel any less comfortable in a pair of tights and loosely fitting dress than I would in my PJs, for example, and there have been several occasions where I have fallen asleep for the night in the latter ensemble and never knew the difference. I'm not at all suggesting to dust off your sunday best every time you fly, but how difficult is it to only slightly modify what you'd wear on any given day? Perhaps it's just a really good excuse to be defiant and draw attention to oneself... "I'm traveling and I REFUSE to get out of my pyjamas to do so!" I heard someone say this while waiting to board a plane earlier this year, and it really got under my skin. I feel that people get a little too hung up on the idea of being comfortable in this day and age. Air travel is an overall miserable experience, and that isn't going to change no matter how "comfortably" you dress. It's similar to riding on a city bus, though far less abbreviated (in most cases, anyway). I look at it this way; once I get out of bed and leave my house for the day, life is no longer about uncompromised comfort. You should step a little out of your comfort zone when going out in public...it shows the respect you have for yourself, and, in turn, for those around you. When I look back at early images of airlines, the first thing I notice is how impeccably dressed everyone is! Traveling used to be a little more special, I suppose-- a good reason to look your best. Granted, the next thing I notice is how much more space per person there was, which does make a big difference--- just not enough to justify sweatpants over tights...or casual trousers, jeans, etc. Flight attendant's looks have evolved very little over the years, and they're in a far less comfortable position than passengers are. Can't we at least be bothered to put on proper clothes? Take Seven, August 29, 2011 Every Monday a new Taylor Take on Fashion © 2011 All Rights Reserved JLRadio.com ________________________________________________ The elusive Hermes Birkin Bag; one the most highly sought after and expensive purses out there. Eponymous with the English singer and actress Jane Birkin (who was also once married to french-pop legend Serge Gainsbourg), it has become the ultimate status symbol for women and men alike, in countries all over the world- as far as accessories are concerned. The story goes that then-Hermes chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas happened upon a plane where he was seated next to Jane. As she placed her flimsy straw bag in the overhead compartment, it capsized- spilling all of its contents onto the floor. She complained that she'd never been able to find the perfect weekend bag, and, thus, had settled. Clearly, this nonsense had to be stopped right then and there, so Dumas toiled over the next three years to design a bag that could live up to her name. As you would expect from Hermes, these bags are beyond exquisitely crafted. Each and every bag is handmade by expert craftsmen in France- from the painting and buffing of the leather, to the iconic saddle-stitching developed by Hermes in the 1800s. No two will ever be alike, even if are they technically the same size, style and color. Each craftsman will also use their personalized stamp on bags they have a hand in creating. A key feature of the Birkin is a lock and key that secures a leather flap over the top of the purse. I'd assume that this is simply to keep your personal items in place as a direct reference to Jane Birkin's quandary on that plane in 1981. I couldn't imagine that any remotely well-versed pickpocket would be the least bit interested in anything inside this bag! In more recent years these bags have gone off the charts in popularity and can be seen everywhere! At the onslaught of their extreme demand only a select few could obtain them, given the great deal of time and effort put in to each one (each bag takes approximately forty-eight hours to fully realize). To compensate, commoners like myself would have to sign up on a five to six year waiting list to receive one. Last but certainly not least; the price. The Birkin has evolved to suit a sprawl of styles and taste levels from the highest high, to the lowest low (which, I must note, are all very relative...); A bare-bones style of a simple leather with palladium hardware could set you back anywhere between five and ten thousand dollars depending on size and color, and a more "customized" style, i.e. diamond encrusted hardware, ultra-rare exotic skins such as ostrich or porous crocodile finished in neon colors will easily take you deep into the six figure range. Jane Birkin has reportedly stopped carrying the bag, her bag, because it has given her an awful case of tendinitis. I'm sure that carrying around such a big bag for years on end doesn't do wonders for your arms, however I can't help but think that the recent spectacle of the Birkin Bag played a role in her decision to put down a piece of history initially inspired by her likeness. Take Six, August 22, 2011 Every Monday a new Taylor Take on Fashion © 2011 All Rights Reserved JLRadio.com ______________________________________________________ Lately I've started to realize just how little pride people take in their appearances. It's seriously just depressing to walk to work every morning, knowing that I'm going to encounter some of the sights I'm going to encounter- and I always do, without fail: white socks with sporty sandals, unremarkable khaki shorts with lots of pockets (what are you really going to use all those pockets for on a day of shopping?) paired with ill-fitting t-shirts- just bland, dull outfits that are clearly less than an afterthought. By now you all know that I'm very open to different forms of self-expression through clothing, whether or not it's something I would personally wear. And, I genuinely, really am. I think the source of my frustration is that for the vast majority of society, clothing has just become a covering for the body so that you aren't walking around naked- purely utilitarian. I've touched on the idea of clothing and personal style being the perfect method of unspoken communication, and I can't stress this point enough. I feel that many think becoming wrapped up in what they wear so much that they actually have to put thought into an outfit is shallow, and that there are better ways to spend their time and money. A viable argument on a certain level, yes, however it really depends on how you look at clothing. Personally, I see it as another artistic medium I can utilize on days I'm not able to be creative in the obvious sense (go to my studio, work on music, etc); I feel that I can be expressive in a similar sense putting together patterns, textures and colors for outfits to wear to work....and in reality, looking at getting dressed as a daily mini art project also keeps my mind creatively sharp for other artistic endeavors. The great part about it is that some of my favorite pieces of clothing have come from thrift stores, so the idea that putting a little more thought into your wardrobe will break the bank truly is a misconception. Clearly there will always be a disproportionate ratio of tragically dressed individuals to those who put a little thought into how they present themselves to the world. I suppose that at the end of the day it doesn't really affect me all that much. But, is it really too much to ask to not have to witness another person wearing a pair of undergarments as pants? Take Five, August 15, 2011 Every Monday a new Taylor Take on Fashion © 2011 All Rights Reserved JLRadio.com ________________________________________________ This week while researching a topic to discuss in my column, I was inundated with viable subject matter- everything ranging from flat-out terrible offenses to things that made me stop dead in my tracks (in a good way, really)! I felt the best way to organize these thoughts would be in list form with commentary....think of it as a sort of play-by-play account of what I've encountered and processed over the past week; a bit of a fashion safari, if you will. Here are my top ten: 1. Longchamp Le Pilage tote bags- They come in a number of shapes, sizes and colors, but are always immediately recognizable. They're truly very nice bags, and at one point in time I really wanted one. However, I think that seeing about fifty on average per day slowly killed it for me. 2. Fox Tails- Yes, you read that correctly. There seems to be a strange phenomenon of people sporting fox tails as of late...They come on a clip that you can attach to your bag, belt loop, keychain, etc. Think of the rabbit foot fad back in the eighties/nineties except on a decidedly larger scale. 3. Scrunchies- They really are making a comeback. 4. Leggings as Pants- There is quite the dialogue on this subject lately...it's like the visible-thong-straps debate of the new century. To be honest, I've seen this done well and horribly (typically the latter). Usually this works best if in the context of a very fitted, substantially fabricated , and OPAQUE (opaque is key) pair of tights. Finished off with a flow-y, tunic-y blouse, this could be a good look. Sheer tights with a cropped top? I won't even go there. 5. Ballet Flats- They're taking over the world! I actually love this shoe; extremely easy to wear, can be casual or dressy, and above all, classic. 6. Toe Shoes- I had to do a little research on this one; Apparently they're made by Vibram, and are called Five Fingers. At any rate they freak me out. I understand their purpose, and I'll be the first to say that there is a place for them, however, that place is not an evening event at the MOMA. 7. Christian Louboutins- Believe it or not, I see these mile-high heels out and about on a regular basis...most recently at Starbucks on the way to work the other morning. They are immediately identifiable by their bright red soles. 8. Chanel Bags- You can't swing a dead cat without hitting one of these babies. They'll never go out of style, will continue to become tackier as Karl Lagerfeld slowly grows senile (aside from the classic styles) , and I'll never be able to afford one. 9. Really Big Flashy Headphones- Call me old fashioned, but my janky apple earbuds get the job done on my daily commute. 10. American Express Black Cards- The ultimate accessory. I see people flashing these around on nearly a daily basis. Best of all, they're made out of metal! Take Four, August 7, 2011 Every Monday a new Taylor Take on Fashion © 2011 All Rights Reserved JLRadio.com ____________________________________________________ The other morning while getting ready for work, in a moment of unprecedented outrage I snagged my brand new pair of tights. Granted they weren't anything too special, however they were about the seventh or eighth pair of the exact same tights I'd purchased within about a year's time. I quickly did the math in my head as I fumbled around for some clear nail polish, and figured I'd spent roughly one hundred dollars on these tights- all of which wound up being trashed after a matter of weeks, and, in this case, moments! I started thinking that it was time to invest in a pair of Wolfords. If you haven't heard of them, their fabled hosiery is said to be indestructible: Legend has it, they even come with a lifetime warranty. I was introduced to them last year by my boss, who had told me a story about a former co-worker of his that had fallen and skinned her knees on the sidewalk while wearing a pair of Wolfords: Her knees were bleeding, but the tights were left completely unscathed. Surely they could withstand my slightly un-manicured nails and every other prickly mess I tend to get myself into on a daily basis, couldn't they? The catch is that one pair will set you back anywhere between sixty to a hundred dollars. Most people would call anyone who invested so much money into something so frivolous absolutely nuts, however upon closer examination of the matter at hand, wouldn't it be more logical to invest in a far superior pair instead of continually purchasing ones that must be replaced regularly? In most circumstances, it is completely unnecessary to break the bank on clothing-related items; as fickle as the fashion world is, it would be impossible to keep up with the ever-changing trends, and let's be honest- an astronomical price isn't necessarily relative to its quality. I do, however, feel that there are a few staples like a good pair of shoes, a nice suit, the occasional bottle of Chanel nail polish, and (more recently) an indestructible pair of tights will quickly pay for themselves if you initially invest a little more into them. I have yet to take the plunge and purchase my Wolfords. With everything said, sixty bucks all at once is still a bit steep for me at this moment in time. Although, there is an awfully cute polka-dot pair in the window at Wolford I pass on the way to work everyday, and polka-dots never go out of style. At the risk of over-rationalizing this a bit, I could eventually pass them on to my daughter, then to my granddaughter, and so on. They'd be in the family for generations. Take Three, August 1, 2011 Every Monday a new Taylor Take on Fashion © 2011 All Rights Reserved JLRadio.com _______________________________________________________ I'm going to take this week's column as an opportunity to get on my soapbox, so be forewarned. I, and I'm sure the majority of you out there, have noticed hoards of women teetering about town, toppling down stairwells, ensnaring themselves in sewage grates facing oncoming traffic in heels that they just simply cannot function in. Maybe it's just my third eye talking, but something tells me that 'tragic' isn't quite the look they're going for while attempting to work their eight hundred dollar Louboutins. Don't get me wrong; I love shoes just as much as any girl, but I realized a long time ago that even my sensible three-and-a-half inch heels expire after about four hours of consistent wear, which excludes schlepping anywhere further than a block away. Picture it: A pair of black t-strap Chanel heels from the spring of 2009 - the embodiment of pure, understated elegance- I could see them coming from a mile away. The only problem is that as they slowly materialized, their fragile silhouette was interrupted by what appeared to be the gait of a ninety year old woman making her way to a departing bus. Keep in mind that the girl in these heels couldn't possibly be a day past twenty-one. "Those poor shoes", I thought to myself. "Coco is sure to be rolling over in her grave at the sight of all this". In all honesty, the most disturbing part to me was that she was so willing to endure such visible agony for a day-long shopping excursion around Union Square in San Francisco. I already know the defense of "you have to go through pain to look fabulous" or whatever- I've heard it more than my fair share of times. The truth is, you don't look fabulous. In theory, perhaps. Or maybe if you're standing still for an extended period of time. I will say that for every ten of these cases I see on the streets, there's one or two who defy the odds and can run errands for days on end in the same heels and no one would be the wiser. More power to them, I say; if you choose to invest in a pair of heels, regardless of price, wear them on a daily basis and can walk in the without appearing that you've just ruptured a disk, good for you! Just please be wary of those sewage grates. I suppose that if I were to have a personal philosophy on wearing heels- and at the risk of sounding extremely pragmatic- it would be that they're not made with function in mind and, thus, should not be worn for extended periods of time; It's only wreaking havoc on your entire skeletal system, and to top it off, in most cases it doesn't look good/sexy/empowering or any adjective you could possibly wield in its defense. Injured/vulnerable/and helpless seems a bit more appropriate, however that's a fetishistic Pandora's Box I'll refrain from opening today. I think there's also something to be said in that the most recurring typo I made while writing this was 'hell' for 'heel'. A Freudian slip, perhaps? Take Two, July 25, 2011 Every Monday a new Taylor Take on Fashion © 2011 All Rights Reserved JLRadio.com ______________________________________________________ Talking with one of my co-workers yesterday, I encountered a subject that laid the groundwork for my philosophy on style, and felt would serve as a great introductory column. We work at a high-end clothing shop in San Francisco and the client he'd just finished working with had purchased a couple t-shirts, one of which he changed in to. After he'd left, my co-worker reflected on how difficult our line of work can be. "Sometimes too much sincerity can really hurt you....I really didn't think those shirts looked all that great on him, but, girl, I have to sell them!". To be perfectly honest, I've never been a fan of the shirts he sold the guy. But for some reason my opinion didn't quite register as I watched him walk out wearing the two-tone pink striped one under his black blazer, all the while raving about his purchases. He looked amazing! This really got me thinking: how was it that the simple act of this guy putting on an otherwise revolting t-shirt become so transformative? First, he just wore it well. Simple enough, right? We've all seen this a million times; someone with just the right look, body type, attitude, etc can create the perfect equilibrium to make something seemingly ridiculous, hideous, or over- the-top become awe-inspiring. Case in point- Dior's Spring 2011 couture runway show-- pre John Galliano going off the deep end. It is truly the stuff of dreams, absolutely spellbinding...you can access the images on style.com to see for yourself. If I or any average member of society were to attempt these looks (as much as I'd love to), it would be frightening. These models are able to create the perfect environment for these pieces, so much that they become an extension of themselves....which is why they get paid so much to play dress-up all day. Clearly, this scenario is an extreme, and is not something you'll encounter on any given day. Perhaps the guy at my shop felt so strongly about these t-shirts that not only was he moved enough to spend over $200 on them (I mean, seriously!?), but also cast a bit of a spell over me and anyone he encounters, causing them to defy their opinions of the garment, and, in turn, see him as he perceives himself. This is something that happens everyday. Think about your favorite thing to wear; it doesn't matter what it is-- just something that you love. If you reflect on how you feel when you put it on, you're almost unaware of it. It just feels natural, effortless. I've always felt that developing a personal style is one of the best means of self-expression; it's something you can always have with you and can communicate to everyone you see without saying a word. You can tap into all sorts of different realms--what music you like, how you spend your free time, etc-- just by putting an outfit together: It's a very powerful tool. It is even capable of transcending the often hyper-critical personal tastes and opinions of others. Moral of this somewhat convoluted story: If you're true to yourself and you wear what makes you feel good, the effects can be magical. Take One, July 18, 2011 Every Monday a new Taylor Take on Fashion © 2011 All Rights Reserved JLRadio.com ________________________________________________ FASHION TRENDSETTER Click E-Zine -Fashion News!   |
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