Gathered Short Skirts

Lately, I've been into full skirts that hit mid-thigh. They're fun to swish around and add volume to a silhouette. I like to wear a loose-fitting top untucked and belted, or a fitted shirt tucked in with the waistband near my bellybutton. This all started with the american apparel skirt I found myself wearing three times a week. Forever 21 seems to have a lot of great skirts out. And, of course, there's always the thrift stores. Those full, knee-length skirts that were popular about 4-5 years ago could easily be hemmed. The scrap could even be made into a petticoat!

eBay Buy of the Week

Vintage Striped Wrangler Top


Karen Walker High-Waisted Jeans


Marc Jacobs Platforms


or for the more budget conscious, Vintage Peep-Toe Woven Wedges


*Posted every Tuesday.

What to Wear: Beer with a Boy

Situation: beer with a boy
Place: outdoor bar
Definitely Wearing: high-waisted jeans and flats
Overall Vibe: down-to-earth, retro, easy-going, fun

I used polyvore.com to compile the outfit around the jeans & flats combo. I looked for a lightweight top since time will be spent outside in the summer. The tank is from Forever 21, so it's convenient to get. I'd tuck it in and add the skinny belt to show off a tiny waist. I really like the contrast of a full, blousy top with high-waisted bottoms. The exaggerated top half of the silhouette makes the lower half seem even smaller. I think I'll be doing that a lot this summer.

The bag is vintage from eBay. I gave it to my friend as a birthday gift. It can be used as a clutch, or the handle can slide up with a SNAP! I like to have at least one vintage/homemade/unique item per outfit. I think it rounds out the slight 70s' vibe to the look.

Tights as Pants? (or How to Show off your Booty without looking like a Whore)

There has been a lot of debate lately on whether or not hosiery can be a replacement for trousers. Some even went as far as to create a website (tightsarenotpants.com) to express their views.

As for me, I'm perfectly fine with leggings/tights as leg coverings in day-to-day life as long as you cover your ass. Seriously. I've seen nice behinds clad in only spandex, but it seems too obvious. You're bragging about your butt. And while dudes may appreciate it, do you really want that kind of attention? The callipigious among us can tastefully flaunt the goods in a pencil skirt or well-cut trousers. And then there's the bad. The not-so-nice rear-ends that are dumped into (usually) pale-colored leggings that reveal every little lump and are (usually) positioned in my direct line of vision. Me, on a seat in the subway. You, standing across from me with your back to me. So please, cover your ass and leave some things to the imagination.




Other booty-flaunting options:
1. Silk skirt or dress cut on the bias. Always curve-enhancing.
2. Fitted pencil skirt. (as seen above from american apparel)
3. If you're going with high-waisted pants or shorts, look for a back yoke or some sort of seaming above your butt and below the waistband. The tailoring helps the fabric pull in at the right places to make it look like your behind pops out more.
(as seen above by lux)
4. Shiny or metallic fabrics, butt be careful! The potential for tacky is great. Look for a subtle sheen.
5. Well-tailored pants. Look at the profile. If they follow the curve of your rear around to the base of your butt, then they're winners.
6. High-heels. They shape the muscles in your legs and butt like magic.