tvo: i love summer! but…

i found this while perusing WhoWhatWear.com (photo courtesy of WhoWhatWear)

Rihanna hasn’t looked this edgy and polished in a while! Totally going for that this fall. In the mean time, I’ll be doing an internship this summer that requires me to be dressed business casual most of the time. I’ll post my looks as they come!

-tvo

The DUB #02

For this week I’ve found an awesome watch company. If you want to feel like an industrial badass making Hummers or something…wear a Welder. These watches come in infinite colorways with a plethora of functions, complications, and materials.

I love everything about these watches. They’re big, bold, and the hands don’t just point at numbers on a face; a Welder watch gives you time plus attitude. The design of the faces is particularly interesting. Welder is not afraid to paint everything completely black, omit numbers, or place complications in unorthodox locations. The crowns are also serious focal point, able to be used with even the thickest of gloves on. And the fat polyurethane bands ensure a clean, sporty fit as well.

The watches might be a bit large for some, so twig wrists best look elsewhere. But if you want to make a statement with a sweet piece of modern, industrial-inspired time-telling, get a Welder.

Catalog

www.welderamerica.com

- Schyler

Introducing…. ROSE!

I love clothes and shopping and I LOVE SHOES!!!! (Like honestly its like an unhealthy obsession) I take inspiration from anything and everything when it comes to fashion and shopping; old Hollywood movies, people on the streets, magazines, and books I read. I do have to admit though, that there are those days in college where I would much rather be in sweatpants all day than dress up cute to go to class! I think that no matter what you are wearing you have to feel confident in it, because if you don’t like it then it will really show. Each person has a fashionista in them somewhere and they just need to unleash it. I think that fashion is more than what you put on it’s how you wear it, there are some girls and you could give them the most beautiful of dresses, but if they aren’t workin’ it then it just doesn’t look right, however there are other girls and you could give them a trash bag and they could knock someone’s socks off…. its all about being confident with yourself.

These two girls are two of the most confident and fabulous people I have every met, and trust me it shows through their impeccable sense of fashion. The Classy Kanook and I first met in our dorm freshman year of college. I will never forget the first thing I noticed about her… leopard print on her toe-nails!!! I know right then and there that I found not only a fierce fashionista, but also one of my best friends for life.

I met tvo through The Classy Kanook, ever since the first time I met her I thought to myself “Omg! I love her clothes” She always looked so put together and stylish! Through numerous hang-outs and shopping trips I have gotten to know tvo better and can call her one of my closest and definitely best dressed friends in college!

I have many different aspects to my life that had added to my style and sense of fashion now. I am the oldest of three kids, and since I have two younger brothers (who are very “boy” if you know what I mean sports, sports, and SPORTS) I have been raised very very girly. The more over-the-top, pink, and sparkly it is the better. I think that this has to do a lot with the fact that I have been involved with dance and theater my whole life.

I think of shopping as something that is an experience; going to the store, picking out the cutest clothes, taking a glance at the sale section, trying things on, asking your very best friends for their opinions, deciding on what to get, going to see what accessories you like, and finally ending up in the shoe section where you find one-too-many pairs that you like, and decide that maybe this new pair of heels is better then another LBD!

The pinker the better!
Rose

Precious Metals

People love shiny things. Ever since the semi-barbaric BC days we’ve been piling on the gold and silver to show off status and make ourselves feel sparkly.  I personally, am like a barracuda. If I see sparkly, shiny objects… It’s physically impossible for me to turn away. Doesn’t matter if it’s tacky, gaudy, too much… I WANT IT. Lucky for me, Fashion Week was churning out look after look of shiny-pretty-metallic wonders! Check out these gorgeous styles by Badgley Mischka, Luca Luca, and Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation…. The most dazzling way to feel like a star, literally…

*All photos from Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

Hello Cleopatra

Hello Modern Day Beauty

Hello Sexy Alien From Far Away Time

As you can see, this kind of fabric-bling is timeless!

Here’s how I’d rock it…

Sparkle Top

Okay so this shows up pretty white-ish in pictures BUT in real life its fabulous silver.

I’ll have you know I paid a ridiculously cheap price for this top at the Goodwill, I’ll also have you know I had to wash it 3 times to get the smoke-smell off (note to Goodwill Treasure Hunters: be prepared for stunning pieces with weird circumstances)

-The Classy Kanook

ny fashion week! tvo’s favorites so far…

All photos for this entry from New York Magazine.

Yigal Azrouël

Fantastic structure—I still have a lot of fashion terminology to learn and at that, I can’t speak too deeply on what is so special about the structure, but I can say that I have always been a fan of volume, flow, and strong angles. It all looks so comfortable but so… crispy. Yes, crispy. At the moment, though, I find it really difficult to imagine myself going somewhere in those clothes besides a club or the office (not the dress of course)—perhaps it’s because the Southwest isn’t a common place to wear such things for kicks. Perhaps I shall change that!

3.1 Phillip Lim

There’s something really vibrant about this collection—bright textures, unexpected features (check out those knee-high not quite slouchy boots with the belted closure at the top!) and the color combo of the spring pastels with gold and sparkles. I want to wear that ALL the time but it just doesn’t seem appropriate (because it’s spring, DUHHHH).

Also—90s, please don’t come back. I really don’t like the excess denim and below the knee skirts just make NORMAL people look short, frumpy and dorky. she’s a lucky 6-footer (if she is Asian like I think she is, she’s got some fortunate genes)

Oscar De La Renta

I have to say, the warm lusciousness of the line reminds me so much of when my mother would go out to my father’s company dinners during the holidays. She had this deep green (the woman loves green… green walls, green van, GREEN LEATHER COUCH) trench coat with a brown suede collar… knee length, says “why yes, I do have a grand masterpiece underneath that does not involve just my birthday suit”. And Sasha looks fantastic in that olive green dress with the puff hat. So in this case, no, I don’t mind the 90s if it brings back positive memories.

Tommy Hilfiger

Delightfully American as usually, but it’s been quite some time that I’ve actually liked the brand’s creations in a while. Last time, it was *gasp* the 90’s that I had any desire to take a mere look. 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grade, their junior’s baby tees were the IT item on the playground. It was such a treat for my deal-finding-master mother to bring my sister and me the best of the markdown’s at Dillard’s—a red one with a red, white and navy star that said “tommy girl”; a white one with a ring of red, navy and light blue flowers around the sleeves; and a white fitted polo (my first!) with a red and navy lined collar.

Beautiful Chanel Iman. Of course the other women are beautiful with their lovely angular faces, but Chanel is a doll. But that’s basically universally known fact.

I just might say that the difference between my grade school years and TH’s fall line are a partial reflection of my style evolution.

Next entry by tvo will either be an attempt to do one of these looks, or more fashion week commentary! Or maybe one of my sharp-dressed friends. I could go all day, but that’d be (1) one long blog entry or (2) incredibly taxing on my other academic and professional duties. Your commentary, please!

-the word of tvo

The DUB #01

Alright so this is my first post, and I figure I should give just a bit of background on myself before going into my style pick this week. My interest in fashion arose a few years ago thanks to my older brother, Daniel, as well as my mom. My mom always had a good eye for sharp, clean looks, and my brother was the one who actually got me interested in good clothes.

My personal style is pretty much 100% grayscale, as opposed to earth tones. Nearly my entire wardrobe is centered around black and gray, instead of chocolate brown or green. I tend to accent the black with bright, vibrant pops of color like red, sky blue, or turquoise. Military designs are also a big influence on my style, as are slim, fitted shirts and jeans. I listen to a lot of metalcore, so I have to admit I love getting my “scene” on from time to time and wearing black-on-black Vans slips. Some of my favorite designers and brands are: Hugo Boss, Diesel, Alfred Dunhill, Nom De Guerre, Ralph Lauren Black Label, Thomas Pink, Theory, Jack Spade, and John Varvatos.

This week I’m featuring a brand new line of bags and accessories from Jack Spade. Navy waxwear hit stores last week, and I have to say I’m seriously digging these bags. For those who don’t know, Jack Spade’s waxwear material is a special canvas cotton that has been waterproofed with a special paraffin wax formula. This material is extremely durable, yet soft and supple. I’m also a big fan of waxwear because it breaks in nicely with time. Small scuffs and marks (I call them “battle scars”) get worked into the wax, leaving an aged, vintage look. The navy waxwear is totally new for Jack Spade, who previously only released waxwear in black and gray. The bags are also finished with caramel leather accents and die cast metal fittings. They’re simple, classy, durable, and functional; the ultimate bag for any serious student, businessperson, or traveler. www.jackspade.com

Jack Spade Navy Waxwear Soft Duffel

The Classy Kanook

I hail from America’s gargantuan northern neighbor. I like taking off on airplanes, I love eating everything… all the time (minus cheezits), and I am obsessed with overpriced handbags and clean pillow cases.  I am not fond of snakes or camping, but, luckily, both can be avoided. Since I was a little diva child, wearing outrageous outfits with immense pride (which I still do on the rare occasion that I grow a pair), I felt that fashion was my calling in life. I would create sketch upon sketch of emaciated models adorned in over the top gowns and “ready to wear” outfits. I would force my “fashion sense” on every friend during every dress up game, eventually making it an impromptu fashion show. Clothing was my FAVORITE part of every game of house, every Barbie soap opera. Alas, my dreams of creating clothes have not become my real life career. The transformation from dress up box to sewing box didn’t seem fit and I have not become the next Coco Chanel. Despite this, my fashion hungry void, has been filled with an obsession for money-saving shopping. A hearty serving of fine fabrics, perfectly formed into an amazing piece of clothes, all for a small guilt-free price. Shopping savvy is my forte. My hopes for this blog is to share my love of clothing and obtaining it without an ounce of guilt, to go where every fashionably-minded soul should go, a place where the insane beauty of fashion and the practicality of saving money and flattering your body become one. Welcome to the Dress up Box, let’s play.

So how did I meet my fellow fashion followers? I met roses on my first day of college, and like any other soul mates, we’ve been inseparable ever since. Soon after, I met TVO at a birthday dinner. I knew we’d talk fashion when I spotted her ADORABLE blue boat neck dress with her sexy brown crocodile belt and (the most amazing) thick chain necklace topped off with the perfect steve madden wooden wedges. Through TVO I met  SchylerOrrElse  . First thing I spotted was his a-maz-ing watch (made me want to be a man so I could wear it). All together  we make one mean fashion machine!