fashion says, "me too," style says, "only me"

Espadrilles: Marc Jacobs; Black Jorts: Madewell; Cardigan: Kimchi Blue; Necklace: J.Crew

Photo Location: Napa Valley, CA

All photos by: Kira Wyckoff

For apparent reasons, or none at all, people get continually hung up on the "Rules of Fashion". Which I find inconsequential, my only rule is that there are no rules. Wear what you like, wear it where you want. It's obvious when something is worn as a trend and not a form of self expression. That's not to say self expression cannot correlate with trends, but trends should never be a pillar of personal style (unless you're LADY GAGA). My style pillars:

1. HEELS: I'm 5'9", most would gawk and say how ridiculous that I wear height enhancing shoes, to those people: I like to highlight my best assets, not hide them. Chunky heels, wedges, really any sort of platform elevating footwear. The edgier the better, my current favorite are these studded espadrilles by Marc Jacobs. Patent leather and studs? Does life get any better? Maybe, but only by a small margin.
2. STUDS
3. SKULLS

purple people eater

Nothing says, "purple people eater," quite like a headless human. Heads are overrated anyhow, right? I will always remember something my grandfather told me when I was 17:

“Want to lose 15 ugly pounds? Chop off your head.”

— Grandpa

Such a wise man he is, well look I did it! Am I skinny now? *sigh* #whatever. I'm sure each of us have a color that we naturally gravitate towards. If you don't know, just go look in your closet or armoire, or wherever it is you keep your dressings. In my case, I love purple. My predilection for this color started at the naive age of 4. Similarly at that somehow defining time in my life, a friend's Dad (lord only knows how I remember this; considering most of what happened prior to 2006 is a total blur) remarked, "Kelly, you know one day you'll like boys more than you like the color purple." I don't know mister, you see, my purple ensembles will never wake up one day and tell me they don't love me anymore. Thanks for that Carrie. Moving on, it is summatime and I am still rocking a cashmere blend magenta/purple-ish scarfy. As if there is any other color I could wear with this outfit?!?! CLOTHES > BROS, don't forget it ladies!

Scarf: J.Crew, Tank: Mandy Tachis' closet, Jeans: Adriano Goldschmied, Jackie Cardigan: J.Crew, Ring: Belonged to my late grandmother, Espadrilles: J.Crew, Photos: Kristine Constantino www.linkedin.com/in/kristineconstantino

Cheers to all my other purple people eaters out there, get on with yo badselves! ;-)

J.Crewzing

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Casually industrial in Silicon Valley, CA.

“I like being a woman, even in a man’s world. After all, it’s appropriate for women to wear pants, but not necessarily for men to wear dresses.”

— Whitney Houston

The colored pants phenomena: I love it. When it started in full force? I could not tell you. Now it is something so predominant within fashion you assume it always was this way. Myself, an avid fan. Currently have 20+ pairs of pants hanging in my closet (this is not including the plethora of pairs packed to the gills in my hamper!) Most of these lovely pairs are colors bleeding more exuberance than the classic denim. Some are fans of that whole, pants off dance off!  ideology. Ideally I say, it's just as much of a party with them on!

Tee, Espadrilles, Belt, Earrings: J.Crew

Pants: 7 For All Mankind