In Spades

Style... in abundance

Top 5 Favorites – October 2020

Foundation Brush

I did a pro/con comparison between this brush and the Beauty Blender.  Read the full review here.  Let’s just say this foundation brush was one of my best purchases of 2020.

Skinny Jeans

This year I added quite a few new denim brands to my collection.  This brand offers 6 signature styles and I did a full breakdown on which style is best for different occasions (every day, dress up) and body types.

These skinny jeans are super comfortable and make a great everyday jean.

Leather Handbag

This ruched leather bag was part of Net-a-Porter’s seasonal sale and it really caught your collective eye.  The textured silhouette has Bottega vibes but is more practical thanks to the top handle.  Plus, it’s a fraction of the price.  I adore this color for fall.

Comfiest Bra Ever and Straight Leg Jeans

I think these last two should have a permanent spot on the list because they get repeated so often.

Anytime this bra goes on sale rest assured I’ll alert you.  It comes in 5 colors and is honestly the only bra I wear now.  I love the removable pads and fully adjustable shoulder straps.

These jeans flatter EVERY body type.  I wrote a full review here, but would say they run TTS.  If you are in between sizes, size down.

Would I Still Wear That?

For today’s Fashion Friday, I wanted to share another Would I Still Wear That?  All of these looks are from Oct, Nov and Dec 2014.

This is such a fun series for me.  Not only am I a sucker for nostalgia, but I love a good laugh too. 😉

Speaking of nostalgia, first up is this Alexander Wang x H&M look.

Alexander Wang x H&M

Alexander Wang x H&M Alexander Wang x H&M

What I love about this one is how anticipated this particular collab was.  In 2014 Alexander Wang was at the height of his career.  He was simultaneously designing for his own label AND Balenciaga.  The minute the lookbook hit the internet I meticulously selected what I wanted and made plans to wake up early to queue up for the opening.

Back in those days, if you showed up at a somewhat reasonable hour, you were pretty much guaranteed to get what you wanted. (I distinctly remember the collection when all that changed – Lanvin for H&M).  Sure enough, I was able to score this dress, number 1 on my wish list.

Wearing it with genuine Alexander Wang platforms and a black bra.  Probably the most revealing look you’ll find on In Spades.

Yes, I’d still wear this.

Pink + Platforms + Pajamas

Pink Coat

Oy vey.  The first thing (that hits me like a freight train) are those shoes.  WHY did we wear platform peep toes?  Eesh.  Coupled with the fact that I’m traipsing around the forest in them – I have no idea what’s going on here.

The only platform pumps I can get behind are the YSL Tribtoo.  The weird bull nose made them an ugly shoe I just had to love.  But these?  Clearly an impulse buy.

The silk pants are actually trousers from Barney’s and resemble a chic pajama vibe.  I think I was ahead of my time here.  I no longer have them (RIP Barney’s) but would absolutely still wear them.

The coat is old Banana Republic and I have to say, I’m digging the 60’s vibe.  I still own it but haven’t worn it in ages.

The Duvet Cover 

Cape Sweater Cape Sweater

Haha, another oy vey moment.  I blame Lady Gaga for this sweater.  When I saw it, it immediately made me think of her and something ridiculous she’d wear so I had to have it.  Remarkably it’s from Anthropologie, but it looks like an old duvet cover, carpet or tapestry.

The first photo – when I keep the cape down – isn’t so bad.  But when I place it over my head like a hoodie, it’s a combo of E.T. and Little Red Riding Hood.

I will say it was a fun styling choice at the time.  I was working my wardrobe for the camera.  If you can’t enjoy yourself and take risks on a personal style blog, well, then you’re missing out.

 

Holiday Gift Guide for the Hostess

I’ve always waited until after Thanksgiving to decorate for the holidays, but with 2020 being such a tough year, I decided to jump into all things holiday a little early.

Over the weekend I did some online holiday shopping and had to create this Hostess Gift Guide Under $40 for you.  I’ve purchased almost every single one of these items (shhh, don’t tell my family).

  1. Puzzle – puzzles are THE item of the pandemic and the fact that this one is double-sided and features Gray Malin’s artwork is a win-win.  Take me to Italy, STAT.
  2. Pizza cutter – this is the chicest pizza cutter I’ve ever seen!  It also comes in a leopard version.
  3. Trivet – the minimal Scandanavian vibe of this trivet is so rad.  It would make a great addition to any countertop (comes in three colors).
  4. Spice trio – I read an article on the Founder of this spice company and how she’s revolutionizing the game of modern cooking.  I just had to support this boss babe.
  5. Candle – I recently learned that how well a candle permeates a room is called throw.  The reviews for this one and its even throw are fantastic.  Plus it’s clean-burning and comes in multiple scents.
  6. Cacao turmeric and whisk – I shared my love of this turmeric powder to combat inflammation.  The cacao flavor is so perfect for the holidays.  Add this matcha whisk to it for the perfect gift set.
  7. Olive oil and breadsticks – as a Greek girl, I immediately fell for the cute packaging of this Yiayia & Friends olive oil.  Add a set of breadsticks for a yummy hostess treat.
  8. Food storage bags – for any mom or environmentally friendly gal, these storage bags are a must.  They come in 3 sizes and 5 colors.  Made from non-toxic material, they are dishwasher, microwave and freezer safe.
  9. Temporary tattoos – I’m a sucker for cute things and these whimsical temporary tattoos are so fun.  They also have an edgier set of lightning bolts, skulls and hearts.
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1947 Levi’s 501s

Levi's 1950 501sLevi's 1950 501s1947 Levi’s // Top (similar) // Heels

When it comes to denim, I’ve worn it all.

I was drawn to these 1947 Levi’s 501s because well, the history.  My purchase included a letter explaining the origin of this style.  Here are the goods:

  • 12oz Cone Mills Red Selvedge Denim
  • Two back pockets with concealed rivets
  • Big “E” single-sided Red Tab
  • “Two Horse” leather patch
  • Twin needle Arcuate
  • Watch pocket rivets returned after WWII

What makes these jeans so significant to history is they were considered a “dawn of the new era.”  After WWII, jeans became an everyday staple, and NOT just for those who worked in the trades.  The result was a slimmer silhouette and the removal of extra details like cinch and suspender buttons.

And voila, you have the 1947 Levi’s 501s.  Mine are men’s, size 29.

You can break these babies in a few ways.

One way is just to wear the heck out of them.  Another is to wear them in the bathtub – a trick I’ve done before for other jeans!  (They shrink to the perfect snug fit.)  You can also wash them, which I did here.  (They’ll shrink two sizes.)

I love experimenting with different denim styles and Men’s denim will definitely be a category I continue to dip my toe into in the future.

What are your favorite denim styles?  Have you tried Men’s jeans?

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5 Fashion Facts That Shaped The History of Fashion

Libertine FW18Last week I shared one of my favorite Fashion Friday’s ever.  It only made it to Instagram (I blame the full moon and Daylight Savings Time), so today I wanted to share it here.

I created a version of Fashion Jeopardy to discuss five key moments in The History of Fashion.

Are you ready?

1. Who won the fashion Battle of Versailles?  The French or the Americans?

If you have no idea what I’m talking about, the fashion Battle of Versailles took place in 1973 as a fundraiser to restore the palace.  Royalty and celebrities alike flocked to the scene to watch 5 French designers and 5 American designers duke it out on the runway.

Actually, it wasn’t meant as a competition.

But the Americans (Bill Blass, Halston, Stephen Burrows, Anne Klein and Oscar de la Renta) served it so hard the news headlines declared them the “winner” of the night.

Why was this event so significant?

Besides beating the crème de la crème of French fashion – Yves Saint Laurent, Dior, Givenchy, Ungaro and Pierre Cardin – runway shows prior to this were conducted in complete silence.  No music.  No theatrics.  You were supposed to focus strictly on the clothes.

The Americans brought both music and theatricality to Versailles and it dazzled the audience.  This forever shaped the way runway shows would be presented in the future.

Also of note was that the Americans brought 11 African American models (out of 36 total) with them to walk the runway.  At the time, this was groundbreaking (and awesome).

The level of innovation the Americans brought to the fashion Battle of Versailles was a turning point in how consumers experienced fashion.

2. Which designer is responsible for setting the fashion calendar as we know it?

Answer: Helmut Lang

The current fashion calendar is New York, London, Milan, then Paris.  The old fashion calendar used to have the Americans showing last.

Part of this was due to the fact the Americans copied European designers.  At the time, this was actually accepted by virtue of licensing agreements.  The USA wanted to see what their European counterparts were doing so they could make tweaks to their own collections.

But when Helmut Lang said goodbye to Europe and moved shop to New York, he decided to show first.  This created a trickle-down effect and all the Americans followed suit.  Americans became savvier and were willing to branch out on their own and take more creatives risks.  Helmut Lang instituted Fashion Week as we know it.

Also of note about Helmut Lang is that he is the first designer to stage an online runway show.  He did it in 1998!

It was actually an accident – he wasn’t trying to be innovative.  He canceled his venue 4 weeks before the show and had nowhere to host his runway.  Guests received a CD-ROM of the show in the mail and a link was also posted in their website.

1998 you guys!

3. Which designer had a 17-year career as a Vogue editor before starting her line?

Answer: Vera Wang

What I love about this fact is the message that it’s never too late to pursue something you love.  Vera Wang had a robust career before becoming a designer at the age of 40.  She also had no formal training in the beginning.  Her line started because she was getting married and couldn’t find a dress she liked.  When she decided to just design it herself, a seamstress quoted her $10,000 to make the dress.  She said “forget it” and took matters into her own hands.

So many designers started because they identified a void in the marketplace.  Vera Wang was a key component for shaping the bridal fashion world today.

4. Which designer served as the Creative Director for the most labels simultaneously?

Answer: Karl Lagerfeld

I’ve talked about this before, but the fact that Karl designed for Chanel, Fendi and his own label for decades until his mid-eighties is downright incredible.  He was the ultimate multi-tasker.

Designing for that many brands means he was creating 16+ collections per year.  Most designers can’t even handle 4.

A noteworthy second is Tom Ford.  He designed for Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent simultaneously.  When he took the lead at Gucci, they were in such a bad spot, their own Creative Director said “no one would dream of wearing Gucci.” 

By 1995 Ford had taken the company to a $4 billion valuation.  He also inherited the lead role at YSL and faced immense scrutiny.  YSL would send him nasty letters and disparage his work to the press.  It was a very unfortunate situation, both for the young designer and an ailing, unstable genius.

5. Which designer was fired from Christian Dior, sued them for wrongful termination, and won?

Most think the answer is John Galliano, but it was actually Yves Saint Laurent.

The craziest part is the reason he was fired.  He created a leather jacket for their couture collection.

At the time, that was so radical, the executives immediately ousted him.  He subsequently sued them and won.

It’s crazy to me to think that a leather jacket – something I absolutely consider a wardrobe staple – could be deemed termination-worthy.

The fashion world has certainly evolved.