Faux Pas

Friday Faux Pas: Prada Spring 2013 Sock Shoes

12 October, 2012 Nelia

As a huge fan of Miuccia Prada’s work and an obsessed Prada-lover, I really wanted to like these Spring 2013 Prada “Sock Shoes”, but they are just too awful to even begin to try. Unflattering, uncomfortable (looking), and just plain hideous…these so-called shoes are a huge departure from Miuccia’s usual blend of chic and quirky. As much as I loved her “car shoes”, her “rose heel shoes”, the “Chiquita Banana” collection, along with pretty much everything else…I just can’t with these fugly silver/gold monstrosities.

What do you think of these Spring 2013 Prada Sock Shoes? Can they be saved with a couple of tweaks? Will you buy a pair when they inevitably get majorly discounted and pop-up at your neighborhood Winners/Marshalls? Are these so bad that they somehow become good? Am I super wrong to hate these? Share your opinions below. Would love to hear what you think.

prada-sock-shoes-spring-2013

More after the jump!

[Read more…]

Friday Faux Pas: Another Blatant Charlotte Olympia Knock Off

31 August, 2012 Nelia

charlotte-olympia-kitty-flats-knock-off

I realize that a lot of fast fashion brands tend to “borrow” ideas from the more expensive brands, but this particular knock-off really takes the fake cake. Unlike Jeffrey Campbell with those Fruit Pump knock-offs, Go Jane hasn’t even bothered to change up Charlotte Olympia’s nearly iconic kitty flats design. The cat face is undeniably similar to Charlotte’s kitty, and though this pair will only cost you $19.40, these cheap faux-suede loafers certainly don’t look nearly as good as the original pair.

But what do you think about this? Is it wrong for Go Jane to blatantly rip off an original design, or do you think it’s not a big deal? Take the poll below, or comment to share your opinion.

[poll id=”37″]

Photo Credits: Charlotte Olympia, Go Jane

(Yves) Saint Laurent Paris – New Logo Released

24 July, 2012 Nelia

When I first heard about Yves Saint Laurent being renamed to Saint Laurent Paris, I bristled. Actually, I might’ve dramatically exclaimed something like “Blasphemy!” and “Nah-uh!”. Just like thousands of YSL fans out there, I was not happy (to say the least).

But, unfortunately, the brand, the logo, and the decision are not mine to make, so…here it is – the new logo of Saint Laurent Paris – simple and minimalistic – going back to the brand’s RTW Saint Laurent rive gauche roots. Do I like it? I guess it’s ok…But I honestly don’t think that it’s even half as good as the amazingness that was the original YSL monogram.

What do you think of this switcheroo and the new logo? Are you sad that the brand’s ready-to-wear will no longer be adorned with the now iconic YSL monogram? Share in the comments.

Photo Credits: Saint Laurent Paris Facebook

The Met’s Costume Institute Gala: Worst Dressed

8 May, 2012 Nelia

kirsten-dunst-rodarte-met-2012

After unsuccessfully trying to narrow down the Met’s Costume Gala 2012 Worst Dressed list to 5 celebs, I gave up and included all 6 outfits that I found either too boring, too ill-fitting, or too reminiscent of Santa’s wifey.

Yeah, I’m referring to Kirsten Dunst in that last one. When I first saw her Rodarte outfit, I actually kinda (really) liked it. And I almost put her on my Best Dressed list, until…it hit me! She looks like Mrs. Claus!!! If this was a different color combo, I would’ve loved it…but in this light, in this photo, it looks like Kirsten is rocking a look straight out of Mrs. Santa’s closet. Once I saw it, that’s the only thing I could focus on.

gwyneth-paltrow-met-2012-prada

Oh, Gwyneth. I love you…and generally, you bring some serious style-porn. But not this time. This Prada dress made your boobs look saggy, and though you’ve got some gorgeous gams to show off, I found this dress ill-fitting, and a bit too short for you. Oh well, can’t win them all. Great accessories though.

coco-rocha-met-2012-elizabeth-taylor-givenchy

I wanted to love Coco Rocha’s vintage Givenchy jumpsuit, previously owned by Elizabeth Taylor. I tried to like it…but I just just couldn’t. I think it might be the awkward length, that probably worked like a charm on someone petite (like Elizabeth Taylor), but looks all wrong on Coco. And let’s face it, had we not known that this jumpsuit belonged to Elizabeth Taylor, would this outfit have gotten as much attention? I don’t think so. Also, that dyed-to-match hair? What was she thinking?

anja-rubik-met-2012

So, Anja Rubik…we get it, you’re a gorgeous model with a banging body…but when your slit goes all the way to your hip bones, and we can almost see your “humanity”, and when even Angelina Jolie thinks that you’re posing a bit too hard…perhaps it’s time to stitch that shit up…at least a couple of inches.

sjp-met-gala-2012-valentino

It breaks my heart to rag on SJP, but it has to be said…”Oh, honey, NO!”. Ok, now I feel better. Maybe on a leggy supermodel, with an up-do, and a few minor alterations, this vintage Valentino could be…interesting…but SJP drowns in it, looking more like fashion roadkill than fashion inspiration.

kristen-stewart-balenciaga-met-2012

And lastly, we have what probably is one of the most controversial outfits of the Met Gala 2012 – Kristen Stewart in Balenciaga. I won’t lie…I kinda like the dress, and I really like the shoes…but not together, and not at the Met, and not on Kristen. With her body and youth, I am sure Kristen’s options were plentiful…and out of everything she was offered, she chose THIS? Sorry, Kristen…maybe next year.

Photo Credits: Fabsugar

Friday Faux Pas: Jeffrey Campbell Fruit Slice Heel

17 June, 2011 Nelia

Friday Faux Pas is back! Yay?

This week’s faux pas is Jeffrey Campbell’s knock-off of Charlotte Olympia’s amazing “Bananas Is My Business” fruit pumps. Yeah, yeah, JC is known to copy other designers, and then selling his shoes for less. But in this case, blatantly copying something so original and unique (or at the very least recent) is definitely disturbing. And though his fruit bowl shoes look like a sad, sad…saaad version of Charlotte Olympia’s gorgessity (clear plastic, really?), I still can’t believe that Urban Outfitters agreed to carry these in their stores.

So what do you think? Are these knock-offs a buy or a faux-pas? Take the poll below.

[poll id=”23″]

Photo Credits: 1st photo – Charlotte Olympia, 2nd photo – Urban Outfitters

Friday Faux Pas: How Thin is Too Thin?

21 January, 2011 Nelia

First of all, let me get this out of the way…I love Revolve Clothing. I love their product selection, their sales (Hello, D&G shoes for under $200!), their easy layout, and the fact that they ship to Canada (sometimes even for free). But something really bothered me a while ago, when I was browsing their site for the nth time. It wasn’t the fact that I missed out on that lovely Alexander Wang bag on sale, no, what bothered me was this bobblehead girl, with limbs as thin as my favorite egg tagliatelle from Buca. It was extremely unsettling seeing someone so unhealthy-looking, modeling clothes, while looking like a human hanger. Upon further prodding, I realized that said girl was featured in many other photos, looking slightly less scary when covered up, but shockingly thin in tank-tops and other revealing outfits.

What’s more, I realized that this sad-looking girl was also the same model who got picked on for being too skinny by the People’s Revolution maven Kelly “Don’t You Dare Effing Cry Inside” Cutrone during the one episode of The City that I ended up watching. I’m guessing that Kelly’s concern went unnoticed, seeing how this girl is still shockingly thin. But what’s more shocking than that, is the fact that she’s still somehow getting work.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not out to bully this particular model, or vilify the collective skinny, but my question is…how thin is too thin? Shouldn’t retailers realize by now that they aren’t promoting a healthy image, when booking models this skinny. And though some might argue that clothes look better on rail-thin girls, whose main job is to sell a product…In my opinion, models should look good in their outfits…and that would make me want to buy the clothes much more. It’s always a model in a size small or extra-small in the garment photo on every site, wouldn’t it be amazing if they had a medium, or…gasp…a size large model demonstrating how a particular item fits?

I guess, after a year, during which diversity was so widely celebrated, skinny is still the golden standard. And after getting so used to seeing the already thin girls at each and every online shopping site, I’m worried that eventually we’ll get used to seeing this as well. If we aren’t already. I’d love to hear your opinions on this. Take the poll below or leave a comment.

[poll id=”22″]

Photo Credits: Revolve Clothing

Style Fille: Gwyneth Paltrow

16 December, 2010 Nelia

I know many of you will find this dress tasteless, too revealing, and beneath the usually elegant Gwyneth Paltrow. But to me, this outfit is perfect on so many levels…from the amazing shoes, to the simplicity of the dress itself, to her lovely hair – it all makes me wish I could pull off something like this. Alas, we aren’t all fitness fanatics, as Miss Goop is, and wearing something so unforgiving would be a terrible disaster for some of us…but to me, on Gwyneth, this Emilio Pucci dress kicks ass!

What do you think? Take the poll below.

[poll id=”21″]

Photo Credits: Dlisted

Friday Faux Pas: Vogue Italia’s Oily Editorial

6 August, 2010 Nelia

Really, Steve Meisel? Really now? Models covered in fake oil, spitting out feathers, while wearing expensive couture? Is that supposed to be shocking, or is it mostly tasteless? I lean towards the second. Are we really supposed to look at this photoshoot and admire the beautiful oil-stained clothes? Are we supposed to glamorize oil slicked hair and feathers galore? Am I not getting something?

While the oil is still gushing into the Gulf, tone deaf editorials as this Vogue Italia spread make me really question whether some people would do just about anything to attract some attention. And though this oily shoot is nothing much but slime, I guess if any press is good press, I think their mission is accomplished.

What do you guys think? Am I being too harsh? Is this not insensitive, but creative? Let me know in the comments.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane…?

21 July, 2010 Nelia

The above picture is sheer horror. I mean, not everyone would even know what the hell that even is. But to the savvy few, I am sure this sight will give nightmares for nights to come.

If you’re into my polling obsession, please take the poll below to see if you know what the above thing is. If you hate polls with a passion and they make you want to stab at your eyes, jump to find out without the annoying voting.

[poll id=”15″]

[Read more…]

Friday Faux Pas: This Guy

14 May, 2010 Nelia

If the weather warrants the warmth of a fur coat, perhaps flip flops are not such a good idea? Actually, I don’t think flip flops on guys (other than on the beach) are ever a good idea, due to an abundance of other (classier) options! Unless you live in California and are a surfer dude, that is. This guy is neither. So…Just.Don’t!