My dad doesn’t need Google for fashion advice

Posted on by

My dear readers I have a special treat for you- my first guest contributor! After reading my suit article, I got an e-mail from my favorite guy in a suit! My dad! (yes apparently he is reading my fashion blog- what a guy! haha) So with his permission, I’ve included his two cents! 

Miss Caroline,  As one who started his working years in the men’s clothing business, at a high end men’s retail and tailor shop, I know a little something about suits.  My personal preference is in the style.  There are different styles of men’s suits.  The traditional style calls for a three button coat, a single “hooked” center of the back flap, and lapped seams(rather than single seams).  In the summer time cotton poplin, linen, and seersucker are my preferred cloths, though a very light hard finish thin wool can be nice.  In the winter I prefer 100% wool, with a hard finish.  Soft finish, like thick cloth, for blazers is good, too.  The trousers can be either plain front or pleated, but traditional calls for cuffs on the trousers.  I prefer a 2 inch cuff.  A lot of the high vis folks you pictured were wearing more fashion oriented suits, but my favorite is still the classic traditional style.  Hope that helps.  I love you,  Dad

Thanks, Dad! He doesn’t need Google to know what’s up. Let’s take a look at his pointers.

Traditional style coat has three buttons:

images-4 NO

images-2Yes

A hooked back flap?

212

Oh! I get it now!

Wait, lapped seams? *tikka tikka tikka* I know these! I’ve been taught they are called “flat fell” seams. These are the kinds of seams you can probably find on the inside of your leg on your jeans! Look down! In fact, I used these on those flashy PJ’s I wore in “Breakfast-Casual” and Hairdryer Glamour Shots both on the shoulder seams and on the inside seams! If you weren’t wearing jeans and need a better idea of what I’m talking about then behold: the flat-fell/ lapped seam

c229fig6

My dad mentioned his preferences for fabrics, also, which is an increasingly relevant topic in my life. (I just started my textiles classes tonight!) And he’s not kidding– he boasts a sharp collection of seersucker suits. If you aren’t literate in fabrics yet, thats okay! I probably wouldn’t know what seersucker was called if I hadn’t seen him wearing it all these years. You’ve seen it- its a lightweight fabric that is striped in white and pastel.

images-3 << I think he has at least 3 out of 5 of these colors.

I neglected to clearly acknowledge the way the seasons correlate with fabrics as it relates to suits, so this was a great point to address.

Moving on to pants, here is a great photo showing both styles my dad mentioned in his note. The left is the pleated complete with 2 inch cuffs, while the right is pleat and cuff-less.

Pleats-vs.-Flat-Front

Even though my dad would pass up Justin’s “Suit and Tie” to listen to these suited gentlemen…

…he still knows what he’s talking about.

And you can take that to the bank!

Pics of my trrrrenday outfit 4.17

Posted on by

Got in some cardio doing some shopping today looking for some quick fixes for a headshot session tomorrow with the uber-talented Levy Moroshan and MUA Aimee J’Adore. Stay tuned- I’ve got some words about the process on my end, and eventually I will have new pictures. (Yes, ones that weren’t taken with a macbook. Don’t give me that look) I’ve been having some uncertainty in finding the right pops of color to rock this spring with my new flaming hurrr-do, and this helped me branch out! Watch out for hot pinks, pastel periwinkle, and electric lime!

images-1

Check out these groovy pants and perfect warm-weather shirt!

Top $15.80 Forever 21

Pants$17.80 (I KNOW, I KNOW- TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. IT’S TRUE PEOPLE) Also, Forever 21

Oh, and welcome to my living room.

ImageImageImage

These pants don’t have pockets, and quite honestly, I’m thrilled. It would have made them just few dollars more for something I don’t need. I’ve got cute purses for holding stuff! *A definite note-to-self as I think about making myself pants in the future*

Image

TIme for a pedi… don’t look at my toes.^^

Image

^^ This is totally what it would be like if we were gabbing on my couch

Image

AHH!!!!!

I’m off to go out in the cloudy weather! But I’ll be pretending its sunny in my new duds!

xo

I’m also wearing a suit, but you can’t see it. teehee.

Posted on by

Today I was listening to Justin Timberlake’s new album, “the 20/20 experience”. For some reason, part of me hadn’t really wanted to like it. I haven’t listened since I bought it weeks ago and was feeling fairly “meh” about the absurdly long songs. Well, it got me, and I don’t know if it was just because it’s actually catchy or I was imagining JT suited up.

As long as he’s got his suit and tie, the world is a better place to live in.

Image

Truth is, though, I really don’t know much about suits. I watched my dad wear one every day to work, I own a couple that I used on professional Miss O appearances, and I’m known to ogle at sharply dressed gentlemen (though they are less common in Portlandia). So I asked myself and subsequently googled: what makes a good suit? 

Image

Okay not that kind of suit… (you know I couldn’t resist)

What seemed to be consistent results were:

Quality fabric- I feel like this goes without saying, but I didn’t realize it’s wool or bust. One needs a suit that can breath. 

Hand sewn- this allows for the structure to be more fitted, and not flat from using a machine

Lining- this is the inner layer of fabric that lies closest to the body. It should be made of a breathable fabric. Nobody wants to wear a garbage bag.

Canvassed over Fused- this means there is a layer in between the lining and outer fabric that shapes the garment. Were it fused, there would be a material stuck with adhesive to the outer fabric to give it thickness, but it wouldn’t hang quite as well. 

Details- this is what takes a suit from being a uniform to an earmark of a dude who knows the word “debonair”. 

Fit- if the suit doesn’t look like it was made for your body, you’d be better off in your birthday suit. One of the key elements to a great suit is making sure all the hems and seams are right where they should be. Don’t mess around get it tailored so you don’t look like this:

Image

Sorry bro, that’s not going to get you a date to the office party.

The bottom line with suits is that you can’t fake quality. To get the perfect suit, one must know right from wrong and tight from long. Standing out means taking high-quality detailing to the next level, and you have to be prepared to dish out for those top-notch duds.

Let’s take a moment of silence (aka speechlessness) at some beautiful….. suits.

ImageImageImageImage

Hubba hubba!

Image

And of course:

Image

To all of my straight females and gay males reading out there: you’re welcome.

And for all of my fellow How I Met Your Mother fans: well… you know what to do.

🙂

Blearning Blog: Today’s Entry is Brought to You by the Letter “A”

Posted on by

As I go about my days wearing various cotton blends and sporting the signature Northwest scarf/boots combo, I aim to take solace in my mundane street clothes by living vicariously through slideshows of runway models. My coping mechanism is proving itself useful, and I’m slowly but surely becoming more literate in the design world.! So as part of my endeavors, I am instating a new regular feature called the Learning Log Blearning Blog.

The Blearning Blog entries will covers designers from A-Z with one from each letter of the alphabet. So you and I will be 26 designers smarter in no time!

Do me a favor? Don’t tell Sesame Street I jacked their spiel, I heard about what Big Bird’s legal team did to Mitt Romney.

So without further adieu, today’s designer is

Anrealange

I opened up a list of designers A-Z and I clicked the first one I thought sounded completely foreign. I might be more than a little frightened, and I’m glad that my Barbie and Ken dolls are safely halfway across the country. Check out these crazy and quirky looks for the Fall 2013 collection. This Japanese designer used fabrics that are said to change color. So crazy!

ImageImageImageImageImage

Image

I think there may be a couple guys in there. I can’t tell.

These outlandish fashion antics are no shock to Anrealage fans. Check out these photos of the Spring 2013 collection!

ImageImage

Kentucky Derby 3013?

I couldn’t find much information as I tried to research, but did find out the designer is Kunihiko Morinaga and has a boutique or two in Japan. The place looks quite stark and small, which would be intimidating for a shopper such as myself.

Image

I wish I could get my clothes to look that organized…. sigh… The site wouldn’t let me navigate into prices, but I assume it’s enough to pay for my tuition this term.

So there you have it, a little Saturday morning lesson for your fashion betterment. If you are smitten and looking to recreate the far-east stylings of our desinger “A”, you are in luck!

This Ken-doll costume piece can be yours for only $5.88 at wondercostume.com

Image

Dorkychickinlipstick.com is hereby not be held legally responsible for any and all nightmares relating to this floating head, or any ghostlike fashion models as pictured above.

Have a great weekend 😉

xo

Pics of my trrrenndayyyy outfit 4.10 and a word on kitchen safety

Posted on by

I prefer sewing with fabric, but today I got a little aggressive slicing cheese for a lunchtime sandwich, and my index finger got to experience what it means to be a textile. To be brief, I ended up getting 6 stitches to mend that slice back together and didn’t even get to eat my sandwich.

On the upside, I got a trrrrenday new accessory that matches my new Target steal that I’m highlighting in today’s fa’blogger installment of Pics of my trrrrrrenday outfit!!!!!!

I really hit the bullseye the other day at Target (har-har) and came away with a couple fun, affordable pieces to prep my wardrobe for warmer weather! This white sweater/jacket is made of sweatshirt-like material. It looks like a biker jacket, and is as comfy as PJ’s! I’d call it a total steal for $34.99, because I can wear it as it’s own statement or to warm my chilly shoulders at nighttime.

Today’s photoshoot is on location in my kitchen. Cue the photos!

ImageImage

Image

(s/o Iowa ^^)

Here’s a reenactment of how things went down. (Minus the sandwich)

Image

I know this high-fashion shoot has all the glitz and glam that marketing campaigns are infamous for, but don’t be fooled- having proper kitchen safety can be more important than you think.

On behalf of myself and my finger, just buy the pre-sliced cheese next time.

It is okay to be legally an adult and still play make believe

Posted on by

One of the most fantastic things about writing this blog and taking fashion classes is that I have a wonderful excuse to play make believe. I may pretend to do grown-up things from time to time like pay my rent, cook my own meals, and occasionally do my own laundry, but don’t be fooled! I like to get my markers and pencils out, draw pictures, and make up stories about them.

It’s all a part of my professional future 😉

Remember my fabulously aged muse? For a refresh, check out my blog Psychics ARE real and they work at Jimmy John’sImage

I was assigned to come up with three designs/a mini collection of clothes for a 65+ city dweller who’s style-savvy has been beyond her years and beyond her peers since she set foot on the scene. She’s got the means to have taste, yet has the mind to be playful with her own flair.

In addition to this fabu-lady, I needed to come up with some textures and images that I found inspiring and appropriate. Cue pictures:

images-2 2011_top_fashion_100_long_hair_blackimages-3 images-4 images-5images-6images-9images-1images-7 images-10images-8 images

Mix it all together and whaddaya got!?! You get this! 

IMG_0002_2

This madam is looking tre “ooh la la” in these three looks.

Look 1: The “Park Parka” This long-hair fur jacket is as warm as it is chic! A ruffled petticoat-like detailing on the bottom and hand-made glass buttons give it that extra sum’n-sum’n. Wool slacks taper into ankle cuffs to show off her bedroom slipper statement heels. She may live in a major metropolitan area, but she is just certain to run into somebody  she knows. Either that, or she needs to prove her class in case her pooch displays less than “top dog” behavior.

Look 2: A cultured woman, she absolutely must have something for attending galas and soirees. She needs something that says “oh hello, dahhhling!” For these occasions, I’ve designed what I call the “Gala Dress”.   Accessorized with her decades of collected baubles and vintage-femme turban. She’ll peer over her half-moon glasses at the “essence of humanity” as captured through oil pastel, and wonder if they meant to include that unmentionable in the skyline. Either way, it’s magnifique.

Look 3: Sometimes Fluffy needs fresh air, so a weekend getaway is in order! Exhaling the frantic city energy, a drawstring-waist jumper is  exactly what will keep her comfy on the train ride. Dubbed the “Weekender”, you’d find our lavish lady maintaining her signature dark silhouette while incorporating her flair for pieces of panache. She flaunts playful accessories to let the world know she’s on her own terms, as per usual. The collar is a standing ruffled collar with magenta, zebra detailing, because she is letting out her wild side. Her pooch is barking in her Hamptons-ready tote, but her look is very “me-ow”.

And she lived stylishly ever after.

THE END

There you have it! As fun as it is to dream about living the urban socialite life, I’ll have to put my pens and fantasies away for another day. She’s pretty fab and all, but I’d say when I’m that age I think it will probably look a lot more like this:

images-11

 

Have a rockin’ Wednesday.

xo

 

What you do with Elmer’s glue is none of my business

Posted on by

Didn’t shower but still want to go shopping? Want to sprout 14 arms to hold up all your potential purchases to see if the work together?  Want to play make-believe superstar NYC fashion magazine editor?!?!?!?!

I DO! I DO! 

Well today is your lucky day! If you haven’t been already, let me introduce you to Polyvore.com. Polyvore.com is probably the most exciting thing that has happened to procrastination in awhile. On this website you are able to make collages of clothing items that are priced and linked, admire celebrity style, and choose graphics to make your collage unique. From there you post it to an online social media network and see how other people get inspired. It is one big arts and crafts party with no glitter in your hair or Elmer’s glue up your nose.

These past couple weeks as a redhead, I have found myself struggling to transition my wardrobe. All I ever want to wear is black! That’s all I wear to work, so during my days I want to mix it up. Unfortunately, my budget doesn’t really account for a whole lot of new things right now, so I decided to check out Polyvore to create a style inspiration collage to launch……

OPERATION: CHIQUITA EN FUEGO

Translation: if I’m going to pay good American money to ensure my head is going to look like a firework launched from a barrel of strawberries, I can’t look like I’m going to a funeral.

(Dorkychickinlipstick.com is not a reliable language translation resource, and cannot be held accountable for any miscommunication with you and people who actually speak Spanish.)

Here, I took photos from the website of similar hair colors and found styles that I think would work! I did an evolution of my style at the bottom to help illustrate that a transition from blacks to electric yellows isn’t so crazy after all. My favorite find was that purple floral shorts-suit.. It is actually from JC Penney! I haven’t ever found anything at JCP, but think I might have to check it out just for this affordable, yet chic look! The fit and the fabric are two big factors, and there are some things you just don’t know until you try. I found myself picking out a lot of the same type of things. It is like when you go shopping with a friend and they say “here! this looks like you!” It was cool to get to see all of those things in one space, and gave me great new perspective on “my style”.

So take a peek at what I’ve done, and maybe get inspired to make your own!

Screen Shot 2013-04-05 at 5.04.04 PM

SO go forth, my stylish friends! Check out Polyvore.com! It is an awesome way to feel like a high-fashion magazine editor and find new clarity on what your personal style is!

Now I’m going to take a nap…. way better in my bed than on a food court bench 🙂

xo

“Breakfast-Casual” and Hairdryer Glamour Shots

Posted on by

I’ve been busy, busy, busy these past weeks working on projects for my first round of sewing classes at my new design school.  It was a fantastic beginning-level series that was a great refresher, and also added some new skills and techniques to my knowledge banks! In this series, we made the classic A-line skirt, pocketed PJ pants, and a collared, short-sleeved shirt. Last time I made a collared blouse was a failure of epic proportions that was anything but proportionate. This time around, I took my time and focused more, even though there were some ripped seams along the way. 

Wins: 

– used my new machine for buttons and buttonholes

– made a shirt that looks like a real live shirt!! (as opposed to the last one)

– reinforced skills and learned new ones

Notes to future self:

– use better elastic for the pants

– be more gentle with the neck reinforcements.. they look a little rumpled on the inside

– use non-interfaced side for top of the collar… whoops. thank goodness it’s unnoticeable on this project. 

THE BIG REVEAL:

For the shirt and pants, I opted to make a casual breakfast ensemble with a lightweight cotton that boasts a coral, over-easy egg print. This “breakfast cas” motif is so fashion forward and so luxurious, that it actually is featured as an editorial spread in this installment of Dorky Chick in Lipstick’s blog!! 

Image

Image(Caroline McGowan couture.. price upon request)Image

Image

To really capture the essence of that just-woke-up-looking-this-good feeling, the creative director of the shoot decided to go for the windblown look, and pulled out a hairdryer.

 

 

ImageImageImage

Image

You can look for this spread in next month’s Vogue!

I never said you’d find it…

😛

 

Drawing progress! 4.03

Posted on by

Here’s a little peak at a drawing I did for my illustration class project. A drop-waist leather (okay actually it’s pleather, but that’s all Joann had…) with a layered lace skirt. The fabric for the bottom was a sample of the scraps I found on my Goodwill Outlet trip! This dress is anything but casual, and is meant to be an alternative evening gown. The kind of thing I’d like to see a rockstar wear to the Oscars! It has a sort-of Kristen Stewart inspired style, that meets the elegance and feist of Cameron Diaz during her brunette phase.

Image

Image

 

Another part of the assignment was to name the style, and so in honor of these two fashion icons, I call this the “Kameron” IMG_0001

Notes to future self:

– Stick to one pen with for the outline. Here I used a Staedler .1 and a .7… wish I would have stuck to the .1

– Consider adding more intricate lace detail

– Use more contrast to highlight the leather sheen

Pats on the back:

– I didn’t have to change the ethnicity due to over-coloring! Yay for motor skills!

– I chose a style I would really consider making! I am happy I chose to take the time to really design something that is an honest reflection of my design style

– It didn’t take me 3 hours to draw the body!! This means more time for my Prisma color markers and creativity!

Progress has been made!! Cheers to sucking less :)!

Back to work for this red head. Thanks for reading!

xo