Chiquita Banana

Toro! Toro! Toro!

I die.

Dress (Unknown SF brand via Anthropologie - old, similar here, here, and here), Tuxedo Jacket (Mango, similar here), SHOES! (Zara - face is melting, similar here), Necklace (Dogeared) 

Remember THIS SITUATION? 

Well I bought those Zara mothers. I bought the shit out of them. 

And after only two wears, they've already paid for themselves in gaspy, excited compliments courtesy of passersby. They are indeed a bold statement, but one that must be made. 

And with this dress? Forget about it. With pieces that are this Carmen-Miranda-y, separately and together, the tux jacket plays an important role here. Not only does it highlight the black and the white in the shoes, and tie it all together top-to-bottom, but it also serves as a crisp, calming force that balances out the look and keeps things in check. Also, I just plain love a good tuxedo jacket. 

There isn't really much more to say because the shoes say it all, and then some. All that can really be said is that it's wearing this pair of shoes when I feel most like myself. 

Photos © Rose Garrett

Potato, Poh-tah-toh: Wild Ones

(Left) Nicholas Kirkwood for Peter Pilotto here, (Right) Zara Multicolored Lace-Up Sandal here

I. LIVE. FOR THESE. SHOES. Livvvvvvv for them. They are everything: mixed prints, stiletto heel, lace-up, textural, higher than 4 inches, oh and motherfraggin' FEROCIOUS. Owning these two pairs would mean I could tap out—I could stop buying shoes altogether right then and there (Lying! I will never stop buying shoes).

Still, the fact is, this gloriously noisy duo is (upon deeper thinking) a paradigmatic representation of the harmonious relationship between high fashion, and what we call "fast fashion" today. Brands like Zara, J.Crew, Club Monaco, and Topshop, not only take cues from the pedestalled designers of the "1%," and make runway-ready styles available to and affordable for the masses (thank you!), but what makes these brands in particular stand out, is their ability to build on that inspiration, and create inspiring pieces and set trends of their own.

Case in point, the Zara sandal on the right that is clearly inspired by the Kirkwood pair; it's also borrowing that canary yellow from the Louis Vuitton Spring '13 collection, and that monochromatic patterning from the Marc Jacobs Spring '13 show, and then it's building on those quoted themes—that cerulean and the sort of tribal feel of the shoe are all its own. All the elements are blended together expertly to create something that is "inspired by" but still wholly unique and statement-making in its own right. (OK, I'LL SHUT UP ABOUT THE DAMN SHOES, NOW.) Bottom line, both of these pairs are fantastic in their own way, and if I don't manage to make it to the Nicholas Kirkwood/Peter Pilotto Promise Land, those Zara sandals will get me there at a fraction of the price. Hollah.