Friday, September 14, 2007

Shopping Friday

After yesterday's long and somewhat serious post, I think I will lighten up today. What's more trivial than fashion, right?

For the last year or so, I have not been a big fan of the current styles. They are too young for me or unflattering for my body type. Baby doll dresses and skinny-leg jeans do nothing for my hourglass figure. Cropped cardigans just look strange on me. Those long, plastic beaded necklaces look like something my grandmother used to wear. I like flats, but they aren't nearly as fun to wear as 4 inch heels. And bubble skirts are just a little too late '80s for me. I was starting to fear that I am getting *gasp* old and no longer like what "young people" wear these days. "Oh, gawd, I'm going to turn into an old frump now! I'll be one of those women who still dresses like she did in college, even though she's 40!!" I lamented.

I have been making an effort to try out some of these new trends, to no avail. Aside from one necklace and a couple of headbands, I have yet to feel "in style" lately. So I've been kind of bummed out about it.

But then, I opened up the latest issues of Vogue, Marie Claire and Cosmopolitan. And I took a leisurely browsing trip to the mall. What did I find? Total bliss in the form of feathers, jewels and hats (oh my!!). Patent leather purses, satin blouses and high-heeled spectators. Cobalt blue, lipstick red and --my favorite -- a blistering hot pink. In fur, no less!! Clutches are encrusted with glittering jewels and shoes look like they were designed by Crayola. Black pencil skirts, fishnets and opaque tights, my old friends, are back again. And not a hint of 80s drag queen or bag lady to be found. Someone pinch me.

As if that's not enough, red lipstick and liquid eyeliner are back, too. Can I just tell you how excited that lipstick is back??? Be still my beating heart.

I breathed a sigh of relief and joy: I like fashion again!!! These are looks I can wear!!! Bye-bye, Hippie Girl, hello Modern-Day Vixen!! This is as good as Christmas. I have been soaking it all up. Check out what I found at Arden B, Express, Cache, Nordstrom's, Bebe and on other sites on the web:













Ah, I am drooling! Chomping at the bit!! In fact, I think I will wear my pencil skirt tonight, complete with a bitchin' pair of pumps. And if I had a cloche with netting and feathers on it, like this one, I'd wear that, too.

Although fall weather doesn't really hit SC until about Thanksgiving, it hasn't stopped me from lusting after fall clothes. Unfortunately, I don't have any spending money right now, so I will be forced to admire them from afar and in the pages of magazines.

Oh who am I kidding. I know I'm going to break down and get something from Arden B....they take Visa. That hot pink satin top has my name written all over it.

17 comments:

Lisa said...

Ohh.... I do like that satiny pink paisley-ish top.... OH! And those snakey-skin boots! OH!!! And those DARLING peep toe shoes!!!

My former tomboy self would be so ashamed....

Phantom Hater said...

Ah, good to see that the "1920's French streetwalker" style is back. I've missed it so.

Virginia Belle said...

dude, i think that's the top i'm going to buy when i hit the mall on sunday....WOOT.

i've been thinking about it since i saw it two weeks ago. that means, i really REALLY want it and will wear it a lot. so perhaps i'm due for a treat....

my favorite shoes are the ones that a model is actually wearing (hot pink suede with wood stacked heel). they are at arden b and are like, $125. ouch.

Jonathan said...

and in men's fashion, I am stuck in 1989, jeans or khakis and t-shirt and boy have I stuck out in the past 10 years or so. The long hippie hair does not help either.

Virginia Belle said...

PH-- are you trying to insult me??? you obviously have poor taste. but i guess we already knew that, mr. EEEEGF.

jonathan -- yes, but you are a librarian, and therefore exempt from fashion police rules, due to your highly intellectual nature. ;) don't beat yourself up too much.

coffeesnob said...

beware of ruching. it has a daftness factor 5.

Susie said...

Oooh I will actually miss babydoll tops and dresses and skinny jeans...but I do LOVE that pink paisley-ish top, and the stacked heels are adorable!

meish said...

my self-imposed shopping moratorium is going out the door!

PomJob said...

Re-freakin'-joice! Pretty clothes are back! Although I like the empire waist, I also love the satiny, ruffly tops, polka dots and cute shoes like you've found. I'm soooo excited!

PS-You have good taste :)

KingBob said...

I definitely like the 3 tops at the top of your post. As for the shoes, only the really tall red ones with the stacked heels and maybe the black ones but only because I like pointy. As for the feathers, SAY IT AIN'T SO!

GrewUpRural said...

You are not the only who is looking forward to the new fall clothes. Up here in New England, fall is here. I can't wait to buy a few new items.

kimmykins13 said...

I agree that the hot ping satin top is the cutest ever. That is definately something I would wear!

kimmykins13 said...

oops pink

Phantom Hater said...

"are you trying to insult me??? you obviously have poor taste. but i guess we already knew that, mr. EEEEGF."

Why do you think I was trying to insult you? I told you I absolutely love the 1920's French streetwalker "Frederick's of Hollywood" look! I think it's great! :)

Personally, I think I have impeccable taste, EEEGF aside.

Gypsy said...

I am loving the gorgeous jewel tones for this season. Peacock, cobalt, amethyst. So lovely.

Although I can't wear heels. Sigh.

Lisa said...

I LOVE those heels. Am salivating over the red/black ones! And great to hear the more curve-fitting stuff is coming back. YEAY!

Jonathan said...

you are right, as a librarian I am exempt. maybe, just maybe I have been exempt all this time. T-shirts and khakis forever!