Cher Horowitz by Topshop

Cher Horowitz by Topshop by elbonner featuring a black cotton skirt

As scholarly and intellectual as I may seem (shut up, Emily), I cannot deny that one of my favorite movies ever made is Clueless. It's a modern take on Jane Austen's Emma and I love its ridiculousness and naive self absorption that consumes the films protagonist, Cher Horowitz. Plus, it's really funny and I love getting all nostalgic about the mid-nineties. One of the best and most memorable things about the movie is the fashion. Cher and Dionne have some of the cutest/most ridiculous outfits and I often find myself wondering how to create my own similar ensembles that won't get me laughed at in the world of today. Luckily, I have found a place that has allowed me to do that through the magic of Polyvore: Topshop! Topshop hails from the motherland (UK) and has always been the place to get cool stuff. Above I have put together a few 2013 friendly outfits that Cher Horowitz's of today would totally be into. The nineties are back and there's nothing you can do about it! Have fun and revisit some fun memories via wardrobe; sunflowers included!!

Everything available at Topshop

Neoprene: Fashion and Function

Neoprene: Fashion and Function by elbonner featuring a sleeveless dress

Well, because it sometimes seems like sometimes I just can't  win, this was accidentally posted like nine times because it never showed up on my Blogger page once I exported it from Polyvore. Sorry for having to look at this same collage a million times without any witty commentary!

Neoprene is a pretty cool fabric. Or warm I should say; I've enjoyed neoprene as an integral part of my wetsuits that keep me from dying of hypothermia in the ocean and now, neoprene has grown legs, dragged itself out of the sea, and made it's way to ready-to-wear fashion. Now, even wetsuits are becoming something you can make a fashion statement in. After seeing all of these new designs and colors, especially ones from Kassia Meador's collection for Roxy,  the stupid-cute pieces from Seea,  and the sexy long sleeve suit from Rip Curl a la Mariah Carey's "Honey" video. I look at my ten year-old wetsuit and wonder if it's just time to take it behind the shed and end its suffering. We no longer have to wear a full-on boring black suit; they've even made spring suits more flattering which at one time I thought was impossible.

Neoprene clothing has made a huge splash (haha!) this season and is being used for dresses,skirts, jackets, leggings, bags, shoes. It's a really good material for modern-looking pieces. Like something stylish alien people would wear. They mostly come in obnoxiously bright neons which are right up my ally and just make you look cooler. Why get a boring cotton jersey skater skirt that will ultimately fail you and show your butt at the slightest wind gust, when you can get a neoprene one that will stay put a little better and make you look like a fashionable Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century?

Neoprene is fun, different, and not just for peeing in to keep you from freezing anymore. I'm looking into a new wetsuit with a better color palette than just black and maybe a neoprene beach bag for the summer. Get funky and get some neoprene!

Wetsuits:
Roxy- Kassia Cypher 3/2 Suit
Cynthia Rowley Spring Suit
Rip Curl  G-Bomb Spring Suit
Seea- Reunion High Waist Pants

Clothing:
Tibi Neoprene Sleeveless Dress
J. W. Anderson- Neoprene Jacket
Topshop Neoprene Backpack
Givenchy Panelled leggings

People I Enjoy: Elaine Benes

Elaine Benes by elbonner featuring a navy blue vest

Of the 5 hours I've been awake today, 3 1/2 of them have been spent watching Seinfeld. It really id one of those perfect comedies that has remained relevant since it aired. I don't find the jokes hokey like some older tv shows and the characters are just perfectly cast. One of my favorite characters on this show is Elaine Benes. She's got a sweet job as a publisher (minus her stint with Mr. Pitt), she's got a shabby-chic apartment all to herself, and her own signature style. When I think on Elaine's style I think floral dresses, big coats, oxfords, and earth tones. This type of look seems to be coming back, but there's a way to channel Elaine's look without going full, regrettable perm, nineties. Get a big button down, throw on a vest and some leggings and you've got an outfit that will look great whether your getting a big salad at Monk's or getting down on the dance floor with your little kicks. Embrace the nineties, sans-scrunchie, and do the Benes!

Winter Brights

Winter Brights by elbonner featuring ski sweaters

It has been unseasonably warm the past few weeks and it's keeping winter from literally sucking any joy or moisture out of me (suck it, winter!) and it's wonderful. My only qualm (ONLY) is that I can't wear any chunky sweaters. Chunky sweaters are a godsend during the holiday season. They give you the room to disguise all of those break room gift basket binges that we all do. Everyone does it, don't act like you're above me! I'm loving all these bright, geometric-print sweaters and cardigans. They're fun and keep you from having to wear a bunch of layer to keep warm. A coworker and I vented about our hatred of layers because all they do is ride up over your love-handles and remind you of how out of shape you are. So go for one layer instead of lots of bunched up tanks and long-sleeves. Ain't nobody got time for that!

L-R
BB Dakota
Mara Hoffman
Quiksilver
J. Crew
Topshop
Mango

Mexi Melt

Mexi Melt by elbonner featuring fringe handbags

Knit sweater / Free People denim jacket / Big Buddha boots / TOMS shoes / Free People fringe handbag / Miss Selfridge gold jewelry

I really, really like all of this Mexican blanket/aztec print stuff that has slowly been trickling out for the past few weeks. There's a plethora of southwest inspired bags on Free People that are perfect, but a bit on the pricey side. If you've got cash to spare then go for it, but this trend is growing so don't be surprised to find similar things popping up in Target. I love the denim jacket and the ring. Toms has come out with a bunch of tribal print shoes that are great for long fall walks. And seriously, how cute are those ankle boots form Big Buddha? COME ON! They've all got a sort of California/Baja cool that I may never fully achieve in this lifetime, but with pieces like these I can look in the mirror, shoot myself the double guns, and feel more awesome than Uncle Jesse.