Bay Area Fashionista


Soft structure

DSC0901 DSC09041 DSC09061 DSC0908

The best thing about transitional attire is that it reflects the trends of the new season yet offers lightweight construction. This makes transitional clothing better for the Bay Area than traditional fall attire which tends to be too heavy to wear in 60 and 70 degree weather.

I love this new dress from ASOS which is made from a lightweight, airy fabric and is perfect for transitioning from summer into fall. The black and white design is on-trend and the silhouette offers an airy feel which is perfect for 70 degree temperatures. In the morning when the fog is still in, a black motorcycle jacket or denim jacket is the perfect topper to keep warm.

What are some of your favorite transitional dresses? Join me on Facebook to share!

Outfit details:
Dress: ASOS
Earrings: c/o Twisted Silver (use code INSIDERS for 15% off)
Lipstick: c/o Laura Mercier “60’s Pink
Tote: Alexander Wang
Chain bracelet: c/o Twisted Silver
Leather wrap bracelet: Ralph Lauren
Nail Polish: Chanel Paparazzi
Shoes: Camilla Skovgaard (similar here and here)

Photos: Bay Area Fashionista 2013©


Kao Pao Shu pop of red

DSC0949 DSC0957

Outfit details: Earrings: Kathy Kamai / Tee-shirt: Gap / Sweater vest: c/o Calypso St. Barth / Clutch: c/o Kao Pao Shu / Jeans: Gap / Bracelet: c/o Twisted Silver / Rings: John Hardy / Leather wrap bracelet: Tory Burch / Lipstick: c/o Dolce & Gabbana “Gentle Monica” / Nail Polish: Chanel Paparazzi / Shoes: Valentino (past season-current versions here and here)

In today’s society, it is a chore to try and find goods sold in the United States which are also made in the United States. When it comes to handbags, the majority of manufacturers are located in China, while a few remain in Italy, the majority are in China. And as for the United States? Good luck finding a handbag made here!

I was thrilled when Los Angeles based handbag company Kao Pao Shu contacted me about their products. Not only are their handbags designed and made in the United States, they are from California! Love that! These beautiful handbags, which are non-leather and perfect for vegetarian and vegan Fashionistas, are from right here in the Golden State.

I am in love with this beautiful red clutch from Kao Pao Shu which offers an asymmetrical silhouette and edgy vibe. The clutch easily fits my wallet, iPhone, car keys and lipstick. The fabrication allows the clutch to be worn with jeans, as I styled it above, during the day, or paired with a dress for a night on the town. Day into evening = love!

Kap Pao Shu offers a full line of handbags for both men and women. The color palette is classic allowing Kao Pao Shu handbags to easily be worn during any season for years to come. To view Kao Pao Shu’s collection online, please visit kaopaoshu.com.

Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 

Photos: Bay Area Fashionista 2013©


The return of Grunge

The fashion world gasped when Saint Laurent (formally known as Yves Saint Laurent) sent models down their fall/winter 2013/2014 runway wearing ensembles reminiscent of the “Seattle Sound” era. Eventually Fashionistas everywhere regained their breath and took a second look. There they were. Models with a “who cares-I hate the world” attitude pranced down the runway in dresses reminiscent of Courtney Love’s “Doll Parts” music video combined with thrift store pieces. This was it; Saint Laurent announced to the world that grunge has returned for the fall 2013 season.

I have a love/hate relationship with grunge. The “Seattle Sound” and grunge look was popular when I was graduating from high school and during my early years of undergrad. The grunge look became popular instantly and college students who would normally be classified as “preppy” would throw a flannel shirt over their tee shirts and jeans; calling it “grunge.” Lug soled shoes, Doc Marten boots and plaid shirts were everywhere; diluting the whole message behind the anti-establishment movement.

The grunge style was originally conceived through thrift store purchases by musicians in Seattle who were barely scraping by and living hand to mouth. To see this on the runway was a true testament of going from the street to the runway; and then back to the street. Could grunge be classified as the original “street style?” Can you think of another major trend which originated on the street and then took the fashion world by storm on the runway? Why has this trend returned to the runway? The “Seattle Sound” era has ended and only remains in the CD archives of GenX-ers who occasionally want to listen to Soundgarden and Pearl Jam songs to remember the “good ‘ol days.” So why are we re-living the fashion of the time?

I will admit to being one of those “preppy” college students in the mid-90’s wearing a DKNY plaid flannel shirt over my Gap jeans and lug soled shoes from Macy’s. I will also admit to loving everything that came out of Seattle in the 1990’s and I still have many of those albums on my iPod. Will I wear grunge again? Probably not. The big question is, will you wear grunge? Did you wear it the first time around? Will the globe catch on to this trend or will it remain on the runway? Thoughts to ponder. . .

c600x375