Fashion is always repeating itself (hence why I hate throwing things away), and the decade we’ll be seeing again in a big way this year? The ’70s! But have no fear, it’s not quite your parents’ disco fever, white leisure suit, platform-shoes-with-fish-in-the-heels 1970s. The updated, 21st century take on ’70s fashion is much sexier…and with much better fabrics. (See ya never, polyester!)

There are so many ways to channel the disco era without feeling like an extra from Saturday Night Fever. The key is opting for one or two ’70s-inspired pieces, and not an entire outfit, to keep your look modern.

Ready to travel back in time?

Wide-legged pants are big (literally) this year. Many of them have a higher raise, which is a flattering way to disguise any of that freshman 15 (or Top Chef 20) you may have acquired recently. They also look hot with a shirt tucked in. Pretty blouses with billowy sleeves and pretty patterns are another way to incorporate the ’70s trend into your wardrobe. And if you want to show a lot of skin, hot pants are the way to go. Yes, ladies, they’re back, and, surprisingly, quite adorable! (Editor’s Note: just in case you need it, here are some good workouts to get your legs ready for ‘em.)

So let’s get in our fashion DeLorean and head back to the ’70s. Here are 15 pieces to get you started. Read More »

Each season the fashion mags publish their “Must Have Fashion” lists and each season I’m left drooling over Marc, Louis, and McQueen, wishing that my bank account was a little fuller. OK, a lot fuller. And it’s worse in the summer. Summer trends are among my favorite: the sunglasses, bikinis, embellished tank tops, and all the wonderful accessorizing opportunities!  It’s a party in my head… until I hit that one item that makes me want to vomit.

It always happens:

The go-go boot trend of ’03.
Pastel plaids of ’98.
Tech-Vests of ’01

Horrors!

Well, 2010 has rolled out quite a few tragedies of its own and instead of drooling, I’m left wondering WTF designers are smoking this season. Get ready to avert your eyes. Read More »

I like to think of myself as pretty fashion forward, but there are certain things I just cannot get into. They are as follows:

1. Hot Pants. After watching Katy Perry strut her girl-smooching stuff at the 2008 MTV VMAs, I couldn’t get over her outfit. While her hair and makeup was flawless, she was sporting some seriously short-shorts. Maybe it’s because my thighs would look horrendous, or maybe its because I just think shorts that look like underwear are not flattering on anyone, but hot pants are a definite no.

2. The Nicole Richie Headband. I don’t mind pushing your hair back when you need to get it out of your face, but that headband over your hair, Woodstock look that Nicole Richie and the like sport all the time, just doesn’t work for me.

3. Baggy Jeans and Heels. You can thank Katie Holmes for this one. Baggy, loose fitting jeans are for men, ladies. I’m not saying we need to wear ‘em skin tight, but the fall-off-your-hips look and saggy ass is so NOT flattering.

4. Scarves in the Summer. 100 degrees in LA and people are wearing scarves with T-shirts. I don’t get it. Scarves are for the winter peeps, leave ‘em there. Read More »

When the romper (or playsuit, or onesie, or whatever else you want to call it) started to make a comeback last year, my friends and I scoffed. Oversexed American Apparel models showed off velor strappy shorts-and-tank-top hybrids, and I thought to myself: dear God, this can not be happening.

Rompers are for the fashion weirdos, like Chloe Sevigny, but I feared they might start popping up on the general public as well. “You are not five years old”, I thought to myself. “You do not need a one-piece playsuit”.

Well, a year came and went, and now Spring is here and once again the romper is prevalent in stores such as Urban Outfitters and Brooklyn Industries. I popped into my favorite thrift store a few weekends ago with my best friend, and tucked in among the racks of dresses, I spied it: a red velor American Apparel romper. “I’m going to try this on, just to see how ridiculous it looks” I said, adding it to my pile of finds.

I tried it on and emerged from the dressing room, expecting my friend to burst into laughter. She didn’t. Read More »

The Setting: an American Apparel store in Brooklyn

The Characters: 2 girls, about 13 years old, and me

And, scene:

I am waiting to try on some cropped cotton pants, which will be perfect for the new gym I joined.

“Ugh, this is SO tight, I look SO fat!” says one 13 year old girl. She and her friend are occupying the only dressing rooms.

She emerges, in a backless leotard and a skin-tight mini skirt.

Her friend emerges as well, in gold lame hot pants.

“No, you look cute! I like it!”

“But like, you can see my back.”

“Yeah but it’s so cute! My ass looks huge in these,” she says, as they stand in the open dressing room, preening and posing in front of the harshly lit mirror. I am still waiting, but they don’t seem to notice, instead gazing like Narcissus at the river. How inappropriate, I think, that 13-year-old girls are trying on gold lame hot pants. Then I look around and see the life-sized photographs of underage models staring down at me. They look drugged out. They are overly sexualized. Suddenly I don’t want the pants anymore. I throw them down and leave. Read More »