I’ve been listening to Nirvana’s Nevermind album recently. When it came out in 1991, I got it on cassette after work and ran home to listen to it even though I had the beginnings of a headache. In fact, I listened to it over and over on full blast until my headache developed into a…
music
Foot Fetish: Hi-Wedge Sneakers
I’ve wanted a pair of high-wedge sneakers for a long time. Last year, I tried on these happy-looking See by Chloe sneakers, but they didn’t fit. I noticed this pair by Ash on Saks.com last weekend. They don’t make my heart sing so much that I want to order them, but if I wandered by…
Let Taylor Momsen Be Bad!
The fashion police — both online and offline — are mighty agitated over 17-year-old Gossip Girl actress/singer Taylor Momsen’s punk/Goth look. WTF! If she’s not your kid, why are you so upset? Personally, I’m not alarmed by a style that first épater‘d la bourgeoisie over three decades ago. I just see it as a great…
Foot Fetish: Fluevog, McQueen, Ferragamo
When I was writing my post about Madonna’s ’80s lace-up booties, I had to do a lot of digging because every scrap of Madonna shoe information seemed to be about her pink Fluevogs in Truth or Dare. Despite all those references, I couldn’t find a photo. Then came Lady Miss Kier to the rescue! The…
Oh, Give Me a Home Where the Buffalo Plaid Roams
I still love some of the fashions I wore in the early ’80s: Day-Glo Stephen Sprouse Clogs Skinny jeans Pistol belts Gladiator sandals Anything from Trash & Vaudeville or Fiorucci Lace-up boots Motorcycle jackets But I have no desire for jazz shoes. I’m also over buffalo-plaid shirts, despite my 1983-1984 enthusiasm for one blue and…
I Get Around and Say Happy Birthday to BarbaraB
I’m getting around at other blogs/websites. Turn up the volume on the Beach Boys while you read my interviews at … Poetic & Chic, where I use the word “stark” two times too many and tell you what trend I like the least. The Agenda, where I sum up my style in three words and…
Musings on John Lennon’s Birthday
Well, well, well. John Lennon would have been 70 today. It’s strange to think that it’s been almost 30 years since he was murdered. I remember getting up for school that morning. My mother, who was in the kitchen surprisingly early, told me, “John Lennon was killed,” and I said, “WHO?!” because I was so…
Lace Up Like Vintage Madonna (and WendyB)
I’ve got vintage music style on my mind this week: first, Janis Joplin, then Debbie Harry. Now, the lace-up booties and mid-calf granny boots I’m seeing are reminding me of Madonna’s 1985 footwear. Barneys has a cut-out style by L’Wren Scott that’s a higher-heeled, gray version of the black Peter Fox booties I had in…
Fashion Repeats Itself: Trashy Couture
NOW Singer Ke$ha in a garbage-bag dress at the MTV VMAs in September 2010. THEN Debbie Harry in a garbage-bag costume in Blondie’s 1980 Atomic video.* *Trivia about Atomic: The late model Gia Carangi appeared in the video. “Oh, your hair is beautiful” is one of the best lyrics of all time. OF ALL TIME!
Remembering Janis Joplin’s Rock-Star Style
Bluesy singer Janis Joplin died 40 years ago today from a heroin overdose at the age of 27. In the months before she died, she appeared twice on The Dick Cavett Show: in June 1970 (she teased Dick about his shoes) and August 1970 (Cavett declared he wore his “hip” jacket for her and she…