State of My Wardrobe Address

State of My Wardrobe Address

Designers, members of countless fashion networks, distinguished visitors, and fellow bloggers:

My blog structure declares that from time to time, the editor of Define Lust shall give to her visitors, information about the state of her wardrobe. I have yet to fulfill this duty. But when I started my blog, I promised I wouldn’t just write about what was popular, I was going to write about what was necessary, what I found interesting enough to share and put myself into these posts to show real, not the imitation of real. The state of my wardrobe is real and in complete disarray.

It is tempting to look back on my wardrobe decisions and assume that my progress was as expected – that my wardrobe has always been smart and in moments, trendy. But when I started digging deeper into the dark crevasses of my closet, much of my fashion sense came into doubt. The pink, blue, and yellow strappy sandals, no skirts to speak of, the abundant amount of one-wear heels, the miserable examples of boots, sweater dresses, and the lack of a proper winter coat, my wardrobe was anything but fashionable or organized. And despite all my shoe missteps and sartorial oversights, my wardrobe conquered these struggles because I chose to move forward with the tools I had in my closet and make them work for me.

I know the anxieties that are out there right now. They are not new. These struggles are the reason why I started my blog. These struggles are what I have dealt with for years, what my readers have dealt with. I hear them in my post comments and in emails that I read every day; have a bunch of clothes but nothing to wear, seeing different styles but not know how to make it your own, or being overwhelmed by extent of content in your wardrobe. 

So my wardrobe faces some big and difficult challenges in 2011. My most urgent tasks for this New Year is to understand my body type and identify my preferred style choices, explore up-and-coming designers, tackle DIY trends, discover shop-girls and their cute boutiques, and enjoy life outside of my wardrobe. This is not easy to do. If there was one thing that unified my wardrobe it would be the disconnect of pieces and the numerous unworn garments, in retrospect, I never really liked. This year will be different.

Now, as I attempt to stabilize my wardrobe, I must also take steps to get my random and impulsive shopping under control, restrain from as many shopping days as possible and help my wardrobe recover from over indulgence.

The ever changing world of fashion will sustain my wardrobe for more than enough years to come. I have finished a difficult assessment. I have come to a difficult conclusion. But a new year has come. A new wardrobe of stylish expectations stretches before me. I won’t miss it.

Let us all seize a moment to start anew, carry the confidence forward, and strengthen the state of our wardrobes.

Inspired by Mayor Bloomberg's State of the City and by President Obama's State of the Union address and their amazing speech writers, respectfully.

Refinery29 is on the Hunt for Keisha Salmon, The Next Style Blogger!

Hello everyone, My name is Keisha and thank you so much for visiting Define Lust. I hope you return to Refinery29 and give a vote for me (you can vote once for as many bloggers as you choose), so be generous! I appreciate the support.

HOW TO VOTE FOR KEISHA @ DEFINE LUST!

1. Go to the official contest page here, Refinery29.
2. Find the photo of me shown to the right (might have to search a few pages).
3. Click on the little pink  heart next to my name.
4. You'll be prompted to log in to Facebook to vote.
5. Wish me luck!

Last day to vote is February 10

Take it or Leave It

Take it or Leave It, Home Traveller

Meet Hamburg based product designer Anne Lorenz and her 'Home Traveller', a combination of a storage chest and a handbag design. The 'Home Traveller' is on preview as part of the [D3] design talent (a young designers contest in Germany) at IMM Cologne.

Lets talk about this soft leather chest/handbag hybrid. It measures 2.3 x 2 x 1.3 feet with a wooden base. I have never measured a handbag in feet before, I love it already. It is considered as a portable furniture; storage unit at home or luggage bag for the road.

I like that it has such a large interior and it does not sit so low on the ground. I would love that base for my NYC transit commute. I do not see this bag being treated well at the airport but this bag would travel well on a road trip to Vermont or a weekend to the Long Island winery with the hubby. And if long trips in the car is not your style, then the Home Traveller still gets your attention as a unique cabinet unit (minus the shelves) in your home, imagine the color options. I hope Anne Lorenz wins!

The bag looks funny when carrying it but it is a creative design concept for a competition. Can you see yourself at in a hotel lobby with this piece of luggage?

Images by Anne Lorenz.

Break the Floor... Jumpsuits are Back!

Haider Ackermann

Karl Lagerfeld

Derek Lam

Givenchy

Fendi

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Lanvin

There are some trends that I am ecstatic to see go and then there are jumpsuits; a short lived trend that always seems to make an impressive and exciting returning every few seasons. Jumpsuits are like a beautifully recurring dream. When they are in they are always the season’s must-have. For Spring 2011, the one-piece look is back with my favorite and playful style; jumpsuits and rompers. Hooray!

The biggest success of the jumpsuit reoccurrences (regardless of how short lived) is the ability to wear a jumpsuit just about any way possible. Length is the first option that runs the spectrum of style for jumpsuits; some like them short, some like them long, and those that like the in-between state at knee length of mid-calf.

For the curvy women, the same idea in choosing a dress and transition in choosing a jumpsuit, a belted waist or halter jumpsuit would play up the silhouette beautifully. I love wearing jumpsuits for an evening out and the silk or leather fabrics with details always draw the right attention, like on the runway of Lanvin. But, this seasons jumpsuit offer such varieties that they can be worn by anyone and anywhere, with the right addition and accessories you can fuse together a brilliant outfit.

Just like any other look, finding the right jumpsuit to fit your figure is the most important, but as said before jumpsuits have an infinite amount of wear and appeal to any body type. If you have not fitted yourself into a jumpsuit before then take the time this year to find out why this trend is considered an investment. That’s the beauty and fun!

What jumpsuit style are you? Me personally, I like my jumpsuits loose and long for an night out on the town or short with a strong fabric for an afternoon with the girls.

wedges h.

http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/julian-louie-spring-2011


tribal print wedges


http://www.trendhunter.com/results?search=wedges

One Jeans to Rule Them All

On Huffington Post earlier today, I read that a student wore the same unwashed pair of jeans for 15 months. The bottom line of the 15 months jeans study, states that jeans are safe to wear without washing for a prolonged period of time. The bacteria level shows little to no difference in pre-washed and post-washed jeans. They even have a Facebook page (Wearing the Same Jeans Everyday) for this study.

This article had me to thinking if I had to be stuck in jeans for that length of time, which pair would I choose.

Jeans are a staple in my wardrobe and I would have a terribly hard time in choosing between my no name jeans that make my butt look oh so cute, to my $200 True Religion jeans that I just had to have because they made me look tall and slim and go with every pair of shoes.

There are so many types of jeans but to be stuck in one for 15 months (gross), one has to really love the jeans and they should fit like a glove. This is my favorite jeans that gets the most rotation of all the denim in my wardrobe. I wouldn’t mind being stranded in my VIGOSS Jeans for 15 months; my VIGOSS jeans and white t-shirts, my survival outfit.

What all of this means... more time with my favorite jeans and less laundry! Now that we know it is not scientifically gross to wear the same jeans forever; do you have a favorite pair that even without wash it will never fail you?

One Jeans to Rule Them All

On Huffington Post earlier today, I read that a student wore the same unwashed pair of jeans for 15 months. The bottom line of the 15 months jeans study, states that jeans are safe to wear without washing for a prolonged period of time. The bacteria level shows little to no difference in pre-washed and post-washed jeans. They even have a Facebook page (Wearing the Same Jeans Everyday) for this study.

This article had me to thinking if I had to be stuck in jeans for that length of time, which pair would I choose.

Jeans are a staple in my wardrobe and I would have a terribly hard time in choosing between my no name jeans that make my butt look oh so cute, to my $200 True Religion jeans that I just had to have because they made me look tall and slim and go with every pair of shoes.

There are so many types of jeans but to be stuck in one for 15 months (gross), one has to really love the jeans and they should fit like a glove. This is my favorite jeans that gets the most rotation of all the denim in my wardrobe. I wouldn’t mind being stranded in my VIGOSS Jeans for 15 months; my VIGOSS jeans and white t-shirts, my survival outfit.

What all of this means... more time with my favorite jeans and less laundry! Now that we know it is not scientifically gross to wear the same jeans forever; do you have a favorite pair that even without wash it will never fail you?

Just Throw it in a Basil Racuk Bag

My Home can be a Fashion Icon