This is what makes fashion blogs so great.  We all get to struggle with these challenging fashion ideas, and see how other “real” people adapt them and make them their own in the most wonderful of ways.  My latest fashion challenge has been dropped-crotch trousers (for some reason, I always call them trousers even though in the US most would say pants).  I haven’t even tried on a pair, simply because I can’t imagine that I could ever pull them off.  And yet, once again, a wonderful blogger (a “real” person!) has given me hope.  That person is Queen Michelle of Kingdom of Style.

As I am relatively new to the blogging world, I feel I’m always late discovering the true gems amid the astonishingly large (and rapidly growing) fashion community.  So I’m sure I’m a bit late to be raving about this particular Queen’s personal style.  But rave I must, because she just yesterday posted the best use of drop-crotch trousers I’ve ever seen.  Michelle’s style is one that probably wouldn’t work on anyone else — it’s so intensely personal and unique that I feel that almost anyone who tried to emulate her outfits would just look completely silly.  Which is precisely why I find her blog so intriguing.  So thank you, Queen Michelle, for inspiring me to give drop-crotch trousers at least one half-hearted attempt (must find a pair to try on this weekend).

Obviously this does not mean she’ll post again, but how wonderful of her to make her old photos and such available for all of us again.  Whether or not she returns to fashion blogging, Agathe’s contribution to the fashion blogging community has been huge, and once again we can all be inspired by her quirky, chic, and totally original style.  I think I speak for almost everyone who has ever read a fashion blog — thank you, Agathe.  We all miss you dearly and we hope you’re doing well, no matter what you do.

I am totally bewildering the other students at my college.  Today I got in the elevator with a girl wearing khakis and a pink North Face (apparently colored North Face fleeces are very popular here) and she took one look at me and started dancing in front of the door, waiting to get out.  In fact, she was so anxious to escape she actually dove off the elevator on my floor and realized she still had another one to go.  It was funny.

We watched Mall Rats last night and I guess I was subconciously channeling the 90s when I got dressed this morning.  Anyways, I like turning summer dresses into winter dresses and I think this turned out well.  My face, on the other hand, refused to look anything but goofy so I ended up just cutting it out.  It’s one of those days, I guess.

PICTURED ABOVE:
- UO dress
- random grey t-shirt
- H&M grey stockings
- random grey and shredded tights
- Doc Martens
- Truth + Pride leather jacket

I had a presentation in my Technology & Culture class about the dehumanizing effect of technology on society.  I talked about medical advancements — did you know that a New York professor has proposed an idea for a “Google” brain chip that would allow people to search their brains for memories?  What a weird thing to think about.

Anyways, I’m a terrible public speaker, so whenever I have to talk in front of the class I try to dress up a little bit.  It was cold today, so I layered a pair of lace tights over some plain grey ones but the effect wasn’t as noticeable as I had hoped.  I think I need a more sheer pair of lace tights.  Suspenders always make me feel sharp for some reason… I think they worked, because my presentation went pretty well!  The shoes I’m wearing are the ones pictured here.

For some reason the pictures I took didn’t turn out too well.  I really need to get a tripod and take pictures outside of my dorm — or just get my boyfriend to take a few.

PICTURED ABOVE:
- H&M ruffle sleeve shirt
- H&M high-waisted skirt
- UO suspenders
- Paolo Linea “Brooks” Boots
- random grey & lace tights

LINEBREAKLINEBREAKLINEBREAKLINEBREAKLINEBREAKLINEBREAK

Today when I was walking to class, I heard a girl talking shit to her friend about another girl who wore Uggs and sweatpants to class.  I am, of course, morally opposed to Uggs but the thing that annoyed me was that the shit-talker was wearing a baby blue Northface and Tory Burch flats.  Riiight, because you’re sooo fashion-forward.

On my campus, the above fashion choices are the norm.  I’m pretty sure that fashion choices such as 5 inch heels, leopard print blazers, and leather motorcycle jackets kind of freak people out.  It’s irritating to get blatantly pointed at in the library for wearing a top hat and Doc Martens, but hey — someone’s gotta do it.

PICTURED ABOVE:
- AC/DC concert t-shirt
- Guess leopard print blazer
- H&M black pants
- Sam Edelman boots
- Truth + Pride motorcycle jacket
- H&M hat

I’m not much of a fan of being cold, but one thing I do love about fall/winter weather is that it brings with it the opportunities to wear some of my favorite things — namely, anything black, anything leather, and anything with lots of zippers or buckles.  As I’ve spent most of my spending money on concerts this semester (The Who, Alice Cooper, & AC/DC within two weeks) I’ve been limited in my spending, but I have gotten a few things that I absolutely love.

The boots and the motercycle jacket were birthday presents, and I have been wearing both to death already.  I think I’ve worn the jacket almost every day.  The picture here does not do it justice, though I cut off the ugly model’s head, which helped a little — I will post a picture of me wearing it very soon.  The “leather” pants were purchased in a moment of weakness.  They should be here any day now, and I am so completely excited.  I only hope they fit as I had to buy them a size larger than I normally wear, but then I don’t want them to be skintight anyways.

PICTURED ABOVE:
1 — Paolo Linea “Brooks” Boot, $170
2 — Truth + Pride “Riders” Jacket, $498
3 — Topshop “Leather Effect” Trouser, $90

I feel like most designer collaborations with high street stores tend to be… “dumbed down” for the masses.  Most of Target’s GO collections, for example, aren’t exactly groundbreaking.  I suppose designers think that runway fashion just won’t translate well for street wear.  That doesn’t seem to be the case for Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons.  Her newest collaboration is anything but safe, including drop-crotch trousers, edgy jackets, lots of polka dots, and the beautifully ornate lace dress pictured above.

The collection is, like all of H&M’s designer collaborations, higher priced than their other merchandise.  The clothes hit Japan yesterday, and are scheduled to arrive at US stores on Thursday.  The competition for the clothes is sure to be fierce, and H&M is apparently instating a two-item limit per customer (probably to limit resales on eBay).  I was all geared up to be at H&M bright and early on Thursday, but naturally the Boston store isn’t carrying the line.  Major disappointment.  If you’re lucky enough to live in NYC, LA, Chicago, or San Francisco, however, you’re in luck.  Somehow I don’t see the drop-crotch pants selling very well, so maybe we’ll get some leftovers here in Boston. To view the full collection, visit H&M’s website.

PICTURED ABOVE:
1 — Jacket, $129
2 — Showpiece Dress, $349
3 — Dress, $129
4 — Drop-crotch pants, $59.90

If you’re new to the site, I can tell you right away that I am not particularly knowledgeable when it comes to fashion.  I am often slow to pick up on runway trends, mostly because I am slow to catch up on runway shows.  I don’t understand why everyone is all excited about SS09 when I am still in FW08.  But I do know that nothing makes one feel better than stepping out of the house feeling like at any moment you could be stomping down a runway (in fact, when no one’s around, I practice my “runway walk” in the hallway).

This site will read more like a fashion “diary” of sorts than a trend reporter (as there are many, many sites out there that can report trends much better than I can).  I will be posting my own outfits, projects, and wild fashion desires that hopefully will resonate with people.  I take my inspiration from street style, rock stars, old movie stars, my grandparents, and whatever strikes my fancy when I’m shopping.  I hope that you will find something here that you will enjoy.  Please check back later, as I will be making a real update later on.