Style Icon: Jeff Spicoli
There’s no doubt about it, Fast Time at Ridgemont High was the pinnacle of teen comedies and exemplified life and style of the 80s. Filmed in 1980 (and based on the novel by Cameron Crowe) using real, bonafide teenagers, this movie launched the careers of such future stars as Judge Reinhold, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Phoebe Cates’ Lady Parts, but the diamond in the rough was truly Sean Penn’s Jeff Spicoli, in all his blond, burnout glory.
And who could ever mess with his too-cool-for school personal style?* To achieve this look, try rocking a pair of surf-inspired slip ons, your favorite vintage band tee, some beat up shorts, and the quintessential straw fedora. Polish it all of with a little straw bag and some ode-to-the-sea anchor earrings. Now you’re ready to skip class!**
Surf’s Up!
xoxo,
Sally
Shoes: Baja Slip On from SeaVees, sterling post earrings by Viv + Ingrid, hat by Goorin, bag by Shiraleah.
* No one.
** Don’t.
A Penny for Your Thoughts
Think penny loafers are just for an old-fashioned prep school look? Think again! These babies are definitely tomboy-chic, but they can be worn with just about anything. Especially now that they are popping up in such great colors! My current favorite is this sunny yellow Born we have at Pedx (also comes in a natural tan), which is perfect for this dreamy spring outfit:
Paired with one of the new leafy-hued Hobo wallets, as well as a Town & Reese ring, Minoux necklace, and Viv & Ingrid posts!
xx, Mica
In Defense of Colorful Shoes
Lately I’ve been feeling like I need to add some color to the sea of brown and black that is my shoe closet. Keeping things simple is always okay, but my feet were feeling like they needed somethin’ a lil different soon. And then (absolutely adorable) Jeffrey Campbell’s “Pony Up” came just in time.
My next problem was what do I wear green shoes with?? I worried about what colors would work, what outfits would match, and then it hit me… don’t match! Make the shoes a wonderful shining beacon of the center of attention.
With an amazing shoe like this, you definitely don’t want to distract from them anyway. So I worked on the art of dressing around the shoe, something we’ve discussed before. Keep the rest of the outfit simple and clean, but also structured. I also practiced werkin’ the oh-so-hot-right-now monochromatic look, in my current favorite: complimentary shades of brown and tan. Throw on some Viv & Ingrid posts, a Minoux necklace and a fabulous Christopher Kon bag, and you’re ready to go!
Ride in Style!
If you have eyeballs like I do, you probably have also noticed the oh-so classic equestrian style that’s been all over as of late. This look particularly seems to shine in the fall, as that is the time of year when you get the let the best part of the outfit really shine: THE BOOTS. Also, who doesn’t love a blazer and (surprisingly flattering) riding pants?
Keep in mind, though, that unless you’ve actually just left the stables, the horse rider theme shouldn’t be too heavy-handed. Definitely stick with keeping the skinny pants tucked in (these lovely boots are “Leslie Sharon” by Indigo), but maybe elongate the blazer and throw in a yummy autumn-ish color like rust. I also paired this with some awesome brassy jewelry (like this necklace from Betsy & Iya, and Viv & Ingrid horseshoe posts to keep with the theme) and a cute, floppy Coal hat.
See how easy it is? The trick is to just be inspired by the look, not go horsey head to toe. Now ride on, friends, and look fabulous doing it!
Seasonless Style
Some people like to buy lots and lots of shoes for every season. But some people are like me, who put tons of Virgo-thought into buying something, then are hell-bent on getting as much use out of them as possible. This has honed my skills on how to find ways to wear shoes all year long, just by working the outfit around it. So here are a few suggestions and tips on how to transition from summer to fall and back around with ease.
Tights, tights, tights! Socks, socks, socks! Right now in fashion is the perfect time for this, as socks with unlikely shoes is incredibly popular right now, and patterned ones are my fave. Also, my philosophy is that black tights go with just about anything— this works for wearing your summer dresses into fall, too. (shoe: Swedish Hasbeen 336, bird earrings: Daphne Olive, bag: Christopher Kon, polka dot socks: Happy Socks)
We already know I’m a big ol’ fan of oxford-ish shoes. I love this pair from Miz Mooz because the cutout makes them airy, meaning they pair great with cute dresses in August, but the closed toe means you can keep wearing them into September. (shoe: Miz Mooz Emory, bag: Hobo Full Swing, necklace: Minoux, wishbone earrings: Viv + Ingrid)
Boots and boot-like shoes can work in the hotter days too, often best with a dress or some shorts, something that counteract their inherent bootness with summery femininity. Make sure to keep at least one of the garments breezy for some air-flow! (shoe: Indigo Water Row, earrings: Minoux, hat: Delux, wallet: Hobo Lauren)
How would you wear some of your kicks throughout the seasons?
xoxo- Mica
Friday Night Swag
Friday night, as a single gal, is one of my favorite nights of the week. Pourqui? Because the possibilities are endless, especially in a town like Portland where there is a little of everything to get into. You can choose to eat a delicious restaurant like Lincoln, hit up a street fair festival (this weekend Portland Brewfest is going down on the waterfront) or you can catch a live performance of just about any variety, just to name a few activities on the menu.
I like to mix it up, tonight my friends and I are having a slip n’ slide party. Its going to ROCK! I have already started to plan a frilly outfit around my latest buy: Swedish Hasbeens (this is for pre-ridiculousness that will be our night). They are so comfy and transition nicely from work to an evening with friends.
This is more or less my Friday night fit. What are you wearing?
Rapture Survival Guide (this is only a test.)
Whelp, we either all survived The Rapture or there simply wasn’t one. Oh, oops, it’s actually in October, says Rasputin that same guy who said it was May 21. The good news is, now we have plenty of time to prepare before we embarrass ourselves like last time.
Surely those left on this here planet would appreciate the irony of a t-shirt proclaiming “I survived The Rapture and all I got was this crappy shirt,” but if you’d prefer to rock your own look, be sure and adapt it to the ways of the new world.
Comfort, of course, is the most important thing. And the ability to withstand the elements: scorching hot temperatures, zombies, who knows really? You gotta be prepared.
Here is a handy shortlist from someone who knows*:
Firstly, make sure you have a hat to protect yourself from the elements. Light scarves will also help in that respect: they can keep you warm, protect you from the sun, be used as bandages, ropes, blankets, or makeshift shelter. Who knows what the future holds? Could be the best $20 you ever spent!
I also recommend a sturdy bag (cross body is a must!) plus a watch so you know when to cast your eye to the sky (or afterwards, when the apocalypse has rendered cell phones useless and you need to know what time Glee is on.) And as fair warning, get yourself some post earrings, so the zombies have one less thing to grab on to.
And just to state the obvious, you ought to get yourself some comfy shoes, just in case you have to run for your life, or the spaceship, or… something. Remember those Heaven’s Gate people and their sweet new Nikes? They had the right idea!
If the armageddon has your style stumped, we’d love to help you out! Shoot an email to sally@pedxshoes.com!
Till next time (if there is one,)
Sally
* By which I mean, someone who has watched lots of apocalypse movies.
Top row, L-R: “Prodigy” fedora, Peter Grimm; “Miss Sara” cloche, Goorin Bros.; “Post” leather satchel, Cydwoq; “Serenity” shawl, Shiraleah; “Platform” leather watch, Tokyo Bay; SS and 14k post earrings, both Viv & Ingrid.
Bottom row, L-R: “Alex” leather sandal, Miz Mooz; “Plush Madras” ballet flat, Indigo by Clarks; “Jazzy Fab” canvas and leather oxford, J Shoes; “46376” leather mary jane, Camper. All available at Manifesto and/or pedX.
