Boy Booty Shorts?

As it seems, Spring has in fact Sprung in New York City. There really is no nicer time in Manhattan, well to us fashion aficionados fashion week ranks very high up there. Now because I have already seen several people wearing shorts I feel it is the perfect time to voice my opinion on this particular topic. I can not comprehend why I have been seeing so many men wearing shorter shorts than even some of the women I know would wear.

I don't know who started this trend but it really needs to end ASAP. Just because you feel comfortable wearing something doesn't mean I should be forced to loose my lunch over it. It really isn't a good look for a man to be showing off that much thigh. Personally, I have no problem wearing shorts that hit above the knee. I actually like the look of a short that hits right above the knee. I feel it adds a little preppy/nautical twist to your outfit. The cutoff is one, MAYBE two inches at absolute most. Call me old fashioned but I do not think it is in good taste for a man to be showing off 6+ inches of pale white thigh. I mean come on guys, we all know we have some "baggage" down there. No one wants to deal with the embarrassment of a wardrobe malfunction and having to call someone to bail you out of jail because of a public indecency charge.

Now I understand that several designers of menswear have been showing this style of short for a few seasons now. Just because they are showing them, and they are for sale at a retailer does not mean they are meant for you/will look good on you. I mean personally I DO NOT believe they look good on anyone. What customers have to understand is that men have significantly less options then women when it comes to apparel. There are only so many things designers can do to make items look new and fresh. One of them happens to be playing with hemlines. Hence the Thom Brown style of pants that are basically men's Capri pants.

Gentlemen please do not buy/wear short shorts. No matter what the sales associate tells you they do not look good on you. I understand some of us guys like to be fashion forward but there are other, more attractive ways to do it during the summer months. If you are someone who is already an offender to wearing short shorts, get rid of them QUICKLY. After a few weeks everyone will forgive you for wearing them. Although, you may have to wait until next spring for them to stop making fun of you for it.

Clear Skin Is Always In

Skincare is something that has always been important to me. Now I understand that some people don't have the best skin in the world . . . but that is no excuse. If you have problem skin you just have to work harder. We live in a very shallow world and nothing is worse that meeting someone new with a mountain range on your forehead.

Even though I have somewhat good skin, I still have my occasional break out. The trick is you have to attack it head on. No fear. Break out the heavy artillery and show your skin who is boss. After many years of trying almost every product I have found my secret weapons to good skin.

Step one is St. Ive's Apricot Scrub. I prefer the invigorating one, It is perfect to scrub deep down and clear out your pores. I also use Clearasil Daily Pore Cleaning Pads. I think these pads are really something that people do not give enough credit. They can really help clear your skin, and if you don't believe me use one and see how their color changes from white to a nasty brown color. Yes, that nasty brown is all the dirt and oil that was on your face. Now the Burt's Bees Herbal Blemish Stick is literally a miracle in a bottle. Apply it to any problem areas as much as you want/can during the day and you can literally feel it cleaning the nasty out of your pores.

I am also a huge fan of a good face mask. I try to do one at least once or twice a week. Ask any of my friends, I have no shame in inviting my close friends over under the warning that I am currently in the middle of my beauty regiment. Listen people face masks can be rather expensive and I'm not a wasteful person. My new love is this peel off cucumber mask, your skin looks amazing when you peel it off plus it is fun because it looks like you are peeling off a layer of your skin, hahaha. Now personally I do not listen to the recommended time on the bottle, I leave that face mask on as long as I possibly can. In fact I have found it effective to use a face mask as a pot treatment on problem areas. All I do is apply the face mask to the area, wait for it to dry, go to sleep, and wash it off in the morning. Just because you are sleeping does not mean you can not be proactive about your complexion. Now the Burt's Bees Herbal Blemish Stick is literally a miracle in a bottle. Apply it to any problem areas as much as you want/can during the day and you can literally feel it cleaning the nasty out of your pores. Now for years and years my friends have raved to me about this next set of products, and I have to admit I was skeptical. I could not justify spending $65.00 on what is essentially face wash. I will say that i am so sorry to everyone that I did not believe you.

The Clinique skincare system is probably the best development in skincare. This three step process of face wash, clarifying lotion, and lotion really works wonders. Plus, it really helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles.It comes in a few varieties based on skin types. I would highly recommend this to anyone, and the price isn't actually that bad because the kit will last you about 3-4 months depending on how aggressive you are with it. I have myself on a regiment of using it once a day. If you have difficult skin give this a try. Also if you know someone with bad skin get it for them as a gift, if they wont be offended.

Having good skin is something that some people are naturally born with. If you happen to be a normal person having good skin is something you have to work on. Even though you have to put in some effort, it really is worth it in the long run. When you have clear skin you feel better about yourself and you know people aren't staring at the second head that is forming on your cheek.

Gallia - no , no , no

Now that a few weeks have passed and the dust has settled, I believe I am ready to accept the fact that John Galliano is not perfect. Who would have thought that a fashion designer could make a mistake? Isn't that a completely ridiculous idea? Fashion designers do everything right!

Now, I am not about to go on record as saying John Galliano was right in saying what he did, but I don't necessarily think he was wrong. I firmly believe that everyone, at at least one point in their life, has made a racist or antisemitic comment. I am not proud of it but I know that I most certainly have. So what is the difference between us and John? He is a world renowned fashion designer who is behind some of the most creative and interesting designs in history, and on the contrary we are not famous, for the time being at least. If you are in the public eye, you have to assume everyone is watching, at all times, you can't get drunk and say what you want to say.

Now, I have to admit I love the comment "Your ugly, and your bag is f****** ugly." I mean that is probably the biggest insult you could ever get from the ex-creative director of Dior. I would be reduced to rubble. I am surprised she even had the strength to hold back the tears and file charges. You must be out of your mind if you think her and her male friend didn't say any rude comments back to him after that. We know he has a very, lets say unique, way of dressing. Your telling me your going to let someone wearing a floor length blond wig, and a pirate costume, complete with parrot and eye patch get away with calling you ugly without making a little comment back? Now that is an outrage, how much possible ammo do you need? Do you want him to hold up cards that say comeback options, I mean he practically already is?

Personally I think it is a very strong coincidence that a week after these charges were filed, this mysterious video of John, drunk, saying "I love Hitler" just happens to surface. I have seen the video, and even though his response to the question "Don't you want peace across the world" of "Not with ugly people" is somewhat comical, he was obviously drunk, they were obviously egging him on, and he took the bait hook, line, and sinker. I mean how hard is it to realize you are the main star of a show with someone holding a camera in your face and asking you interview questions? I don't understand why whoever John was with didn't stop this from happening. I don't believe that John Galliano has to go to a bar by himself, if so John get in contact with me, I'll go out for a drink with you, after you get out of rehab that is. Now that we understand he was basically set up do you really believe that John loves Hitler. I feel bad if he actually does because I am positive Hitler would not love him. I don't believe costumes, wigs, and accessories were part of the Nazi uniform. I'm not sure, I'll check it out though.

So after all of this DRAMA what has happened? For the second year in a row we have lost an amazing designer, and one of the last true showman in the fashion industry. Who will take over at Dior, the answer still remains unknown. Hopefully John will be able to recover from this publicity nightmare. He wouldn't be the first celebrity to do something wrong and then come back stronger than ever.

Viral Virtual Shopping . . . Literally

Why, why, why . . . shopping online is amazingly easy and convenient, except when it isn’t. Because I have the privilege of being a Sales Associate at Banana Republic (one of my several jobs) I had a 30% off friends and family coupon to all Gap, Inc. stores (Banana, Gap, Old Navy, Piperlime, and Athleta). Now I ALWAYS order sale shoes off Piperlime when the friends and family coupon comes out. I mean why wouldn’t I? Add another 30% to shoes that are already on sale, sign me up. So I ordered a pair of Sanuk shoes (Even though their slogan is “THESE ARE NOT SHOES, they are sandals” but not the point) and waited the 3-5 days for the standard shipping, finally they arrived yesterday, and much to my dismay the stitching around the toe is defective on the right shoe FAIL. So now I have to deal with sending them back to Piperlime, waiting the 3-5 days for them to receive the shoes, wait who knows how many days for them to process the order and send out a new pair, wait another 3-5 days for them to actually arrive at my apartment. So with any luck I may be able to wear them for the summer. At least they have free shipping! The things we do for a bargain.

It's Back

After a yearlong hiatus I am finally back into the world of Blogging. This time I am serious . . . I promise. I am going to post at least once a week.

Oh and I created a twitter . . . pause for dramatic effect . . . follow me www.twitter.com/LVCNY

To Be You? To Be Me? No, No, "To Be G"

Straight off the pages of WWD (Thank you Heather) Brothers Guccio and Alessandro Gucci are starting their own handbag line to be launched next spring. The Great Grandchildren of fashion legend and icon Cuccio Gucci, founder of the Gucci fashion empire, want to establish and execute their own vision separate of the Gucci brand.

For some unknown reason they wish to create their own name in the fashion industry. Ironically Guccio has has worked as a coordinating development of product and research of hides for the past 12 years at Gucci. I think this background in leather may help them create a luxury leather handbag line. Because he was involved in product development we may start to see some similarities in the shapes and designs of the bags. The bags are planned to retail between $900.00-$9,000.00

Either Guccio and Alessandro Gucci actually have a strong desire to design and show their own personal point of view they feel they can not execute at Gucci, or they are planning to milk the Gucci name for as much as they can. This is a brand I am going to keep my eyes on.

Capes, and Cloaks, and Capelets . . . OH MY!

Whatever you want to call it the cape is a fashion item that says a lot. Personally I have always been a fan of the cape. I think the cape is one of the most forgotten about pieces of outerwear. I will even go as far as saying the cape is a staple wardrobe item. To me the cape is as timeless as the little black dress and can never go out of style. Put on a cape and you immediately look stylish and fashion foreword . . . even though the cape has been around forever. I am so excited to report that many designers are showing capes in their Fall 2010 collections! This is a trend that I want everyone to embrace but I dont want it to become as over saturated as lets say . . . the pea coat (lets keep this convo in the outerwear family). Not everyone can pull off a cape. You have to have a certain look about you. It is not a fashion item you can just throw on (literally you can because it doesn't have sleeves, but you know what I mean) you have to wear it will dignity, or you will look like a Harry Potter/Lord of the Rings groupie reject. So go out get your capes and a coordinating pair of gloves and strut the street with pride.

These capes are from Zara, Rag & Bone, and Marc Jacobs.