April 2008 Archives

Coachella was this past weekend, and I'm still kicking myself for not being able to make it down there. A good handful of celebs showed up though, taking time from their busy schedules of partying and posing for pictures... to party and pose for more pics, at Coachella!

It was 100 degrees in the hot hot desert, but somehow, these plastic people still managed to look cute. My vote for best dressed celebrity goes to Dita von Teese. How is it possible that, in the desert sun, does her skin manage to stay so radioactively pale? You gotta give someone style points for someone whose skin emits its own 75 SPF. Worst dressed celebrity? David Hasselhoff. Like, seriously, a visor? Really? And an iPhone strapped to your belt, above which your 70-year-old man-gut threatens to make its horrifying escape? Accessorized with what looks to be a wall knob from Restoration Hardware, on a leather strap? Nice.

Don't even bother coming to Ritual Coffee unless you dress up. This coffee shop recently made it into the New York Times under the headline "San Francisco Style," and there's always a line that goes out the door and down the street. But while Ritual has the reputation of being the hipsterest cafe ever, here you'll get props - not for having the latest It Bag - but for having the latest It Gadget. At Ritual, carrying an Air (or, if you're feeling frisky, an OLPC XO), iPhone, Zune, and Sidekick is the equivalent of carrying a Louis, Fendi, Chanel, or Dolce. According to the Times, "Beneath the huge modified hammer and sickle painted on the wall behind the counter, body piercings are outnumbered only by the laptops open throughout the room." Apparently, Flickr used to hold weekly meetings here before getting bought out by Yahoo.

Ladies, if you're planning on landing a tech millionaire by coming to Ritual, make sure that you put that Chloe bag away. Stash your Dell XPS M1750 in a Chrome laptop bag, put on your sneakers, and come nurse the best soy cappuccino in town. You never know who you'll meet.

Why get this (albeit mouth-watering) Alberta Ferretti frock - priced at $2,995 on Net-a-Porter, when you can get this one at Target for just $39.99? Much ink has been spilled on fashion blogs everywhere about Steve Madden's Balenciaga knock-offs. A lot of people on their high horse are lambasting Mr. Madden for ripping off Nicolas Ghesquière's visionary style, but I say imitation is the highest form of flattery. I salivate for a black quilted Chanel Classic Flap Bag. Unfortunately, my bank account tells me that I need to pay my rent. Forever 21 - always coming to the rescue of working women everywhere - has a version for $20. It's not quite a Chanel, but it's significantly less than the $2,500 you'd be charged at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Oh scarves, how do I love thee? You make any outfit look unbearably sharp in an effortlessly chic, bohemian way. Wrap them around your neck bandana style, tie them in a little knot, fold them over your shoulder, wrap two clashing scarves in a twist and fling it all about you, wear it stuffed into your coat cravat style. You should buy many, many scarves because without one, you're just not as hip as you thought you were! They are cheap and warm and found in excess at thrift stores.

If the eyes are the windows to the soul, what's a girl to do when the sun's too bright for her to go out without squinting? Sunglasses. Sometimes your eyes don't have to do all the talking for you - and that's when your shades come in and help pick up the slack. Here's a look at some of the trendy sunglasses that have spotted on our San Francisco streets.

Jackie O: These puppies hide saggy eyes after a hard night on the town and make you look glamorous even when you're hungover. Wear them to brunch in an outdoor cafe in Hayes Valley, or while you hit up those Pac Heights boutiques. Bonus points if you wear them to a court hearing on child custody, like Britney Spears.

70s-era porn star shades: Long ridiculed by the public as creepy, these bad boys have been popularized by American Apparel and the revival of the 70s amateur porn aesthetic. Wear them in Haight-Ashbury while vintage shopping, at an outdoor concert in Golden Gate Park, or while roaming the streets of the Mission.

Wayfarers: This is a trend that been around since Tom Cruise made it big in Risky Business. Wayfarers are strangely loved by hipsters and prepsters alike. They are the only sunglasses you can wear in Dolores Park while drinking a Colt-45, AND on the Marina Green during a game of croquet.

Next Up: More Shades in Part Two... stay tuned boys and girls!

If you're going to fork over $18.75 to see a band, they'd better look as hot as they sound, right? There are so many bands with members that only know 3 chords, but it's the way they express themselves that makes you want to buy vinyl, put up posters, and maybe even get a tattoo." Here are some of my favorite girl bands with smart style. And, yes, they rock too!

Sleater Kinney - One of the most influential girl bands of our generation. Check out their "don't give a damn, cool, girls can look like boys" look.
http://www.sleater-kinney.com/photos/1.html

Electrelane - Notice the adorable mod haircuts. Amazing. Did I mention they are actually fantastic musicians too?
http://www.myspace.com/electrelane

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - This is not an all girl band, but the lead singer, Karen O, has a big voice and big style to match. She sports a very eccentric but oh so adorable circle bob - Jet black, super sleek... Looks like her stylist literally put a bowl over her head before cutting it. She wears outrageous outfits designed by her friend, Christian Joy. Take a cue from her haphazard ensembles and don't take fashion too seriously. Wear crazy colored tights, slashed mini dresses and red lipstick. Embrace your inner rock star.
http://site.yeahyeahyeahs.com/gallery/default.aspx