CEMENTED

Today I'm sporting a plaid flannel maxi skirt -- yes, one of the most genius UNIF garments to have ever been invented -- over my light-wash PacSun jeans because, obvious. Layering is what's up. Not because it's cold outside or anything. It's that wearing as many clothes as physically possible while still respecting sartorial social norms is a testament to how much you love getting dressed. Throwing on another layer is like... maximizing your apparel experience. More to touch, more to appreciate. Also helps that this little flannel number gives me a grunge vibe so aloof I gotta compensate for it with this weird thing called "effort." That's where the small details come in -- a tattoo choker I've worn more times than I can justify in the past couple months, and a layer of Lime Crime's "Glamour 101" opaque lipstick that I can justify wearing a million more times this dreary winter season. My pucker could use some punch.

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Snapback - YES STYLE

Cropped sweater - DAILY LOOK

"Gwen skirt" - UNIF

Ripped skinnies - PACSUN

Platform boots - UNIF HELLBOUNDS / SOLESTRUCK

Backpack - OASAP

Shout outs to DAILY LOOK for hooking me up with this cropped sweater! There are few things I like more in this world than boxy knits with cropped hems, and all of those things are illegal so I'll settle for this little beast instead. ;) I'll be rocking TONS of Daily Look this year so keep ya eyes peeled for more greatness. And sign up for an account at their site -- they'll email ya on the 'Daily' with clever collages for outfit inspiration, but not in a pesky-newsletter kinda way. PROMISE.

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

FLAME AND STUD

Some years ago, I knew a guy who took crazy photos and made t-shirts and hated everything (including me eventually) but was nonetheless quietly inspiring... I've always been tempted to hate him back but to this day feel reluctantly endeared to his poetic cynicism. Love, hate, same difference. The point is, he designed this t-shirt which my friend letter shredded and passed off to me. Its lasted me many a wild eve... which might be why it's now almost completely held together by safety pins. Sometimes life distresses your own clothes for you. I paired the huge tee with a tiny Meemee vest and cropped jacket from Wendybox. Throw some reflective lenses and flannel into the equation and you've got A Look. The "Flame and Stud."

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Flames beanie - GYPSY WARRIOR

Sunglasses - 80s Purple

Shredded tee - Outline LA

"Distressed denim stud waistcoat" - MEEMEE

"Locomotive Zipper jacket" - Wendybox

Flannel - A&F

"Charcoal glitter leggings" - DAILY LOOK

"Sid Vicious Boots" - TUSC BOUTIQUE 

"Punk rivet satchel backpack" - OASAP

Since this is my first of many posts featuring Daily Look, an innovative online retailer with whom I'll be regularly collaborating, I want to give them a special salute and officially welcome them into "my world." Or maybe I should be officially welcoming myself into THEIR world?? I'm down for that, too... heaven is living in a virtual loft somewhere between a series of trendy stock photos. Anyway, forget my non-sequitur retail fantasies for a minute and check out their inventory if you're in the shopping/browsing mood. 

My flames cap is from Gypsy Warrior, another hot brand that's spoiled me with treasure... particularly of the faux fur and leopard print variety. Can't wait to show you what else is in store for the month! X

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

1993

LAST POST OF 2012 SO WHAT BETTER WAY TO HONOR THE OCCASION THAN WITH AN OUTFIT HOMAGE TO THE DECADE IN WHICH I WAS BORN?!?! I'm repping '93 and the golden age of grunge. Surely the concept of a superficial fashion post about the aesthetic elements of an anti-corporate movement comes across as irritating and ironic to 90s OG's, but since I'm already pretty progressive, I think I can get away with this one. ;-) I went with the most classic vintage (or vintage look-a-like) pieces in my wardrobe to capture the essence of a generation that survived on garage rock and microwaveable burritos. My greatest accessory: a sticker-coated Walkman and Pavement cassette in tow.



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Sunglasses - Buffalo Exchange
Tattoo choker - Cobrashop
Guitar pick necklace - Gift from my friend Leigh Alexander, my #1 90s style advisor
Cargo aviator coat - Chicwish
Calvin Klein crop top - Vintage from Shoppalu
Plaid shirt - Ralph Lauren
Denim circle skirt - Chicwish
Skechers boots - Buffalo Exchange

There's a million and one other sartorial ways to do the 90s justice. Crew neck sweaters with a single navy stripe across the chest, paired with Dr. Martens and light-wash boot cut jeans. Middle-parted brown bowl cuts for the dudes, pixie 'dos with maroon lipstick for the chicks. Inspiration is endless. What's even crazier is that the next generation will look back at us, pioneers of fashion in our own respect, and admire the styles we take for granted in 2012. Here's to 2013 -- savor every trend, relish your youth, adore the present like it's a page out of tomorrow's cherished history textbook (or nostalgic Tumblr reblog in the future of URL). Doesn't always feel like it when it's happening, but maybe your golden age is right now. So respect the shit out of it. It's a concept as obvious as it is underappreciated... so make a change and take advantage! You never know.

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

CROSS YOUR FINGERS

Blonde and goth... this is new to me. What I love about having short hair is NEVER having to curl it overnight. Gone are my days of sponge rollers. I love how slick and efficient the blown-out side part looks. Even under a beanie, it's easy to manage. And during a windy photoshoot like this one, the rogue flyaways don't give me as much trouble as they used to. Or maybe they do, and I'm just so happy with having blonde locks that I don't care about a few strands getting stuck to my glossy mouth. #Bloggerproblems????



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Beanie - H&M
Chain necklace - Forever 21
Cross sweater - ROMWE
Skull bomber jacket - ROMWE
Leatherette shorts - ROMWE
Ankle boots - YES STYLE
Studded bag - THIS IS TRANSITION

Romwe really brings it hard with their winterwear selection. Though not the warmest choices, I layered a grungy, cross-print sweater with a skull design silk bomber jacket. It's an obvious pairing for a gal who swears by baggy knits and satin. And the simple shorts fill in the spaces in between -- they'll certainly command a presence this spring and summer when it's warm enough to pair them with cropped tees and bandeaus. For now, they look perfect with opaque tights and ankle boots. I could get used to this!

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

BREAKIN' THE LAW

This might be one of my FAVORITE ever outfits. In fact, I tweeted about it in early October: "thinkin bout never publishing photos of my fave outfit so i can keep wearing it around different ppl without anyone accusin me of A Repeat". Well, I've finally gotten around to blogging about it so I SADLY can no longer wear it... unless you guys are understanding of how much I adore it and grant me permission to repeat the look, Wish Upon A Star sabotage style. You BETTER understand that Disney Channel Original Movie reference. Or else we have absolutely nothing in common.



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Beret - YES STYLE
Sunglasses - 80s Purple
Jacket - Diesel
Beavis and Butthead tee - Secondhand
Plaid skirt - 9 CROW STREET
Skechers boots - Buffalo Exchange

So, reasons why I'm bleepin' obsessed with this look: beret and lace-up work boots combo. That is NOT normal for me, and in fact the marriage of such random items was an accident. Came together as I dragged the Skechers out of my closet and into my work space, where I had thoughtlessly dropped my little hat moments earlier. Shrugged my shoulders and accepted that fate clearly wanted this pairing to happen. UNIVERSE, YOU GOT IT RIGHT. Second reason: BEST GOSH DARN PLAID SKIRT I'VE EVER OWNED. And who do I thank? None other than 9 Crow Street for hookin' it up! Maybe you remember the collages I put together a couple months ago hilighting their online vintage selection. They've since added TONS of new secondhand stock, from tie-dye dungarees to studded biker jackets fastened from authentic leather at a discount price. CHECK IT OUT *HERE*. Third reason: Beavis and Butthead. Too obvious. This tee was a gift from one of my awesome friends, always lookin' out for 90s relics that I'll appreciate (and wear the hell out of to prove it). I hacked off the sleeves so I could wear it any season with a bandeau top underneath. My sister likewise marvels at its grungy greatness. Of course Beavis and Butthead are rockin' out with the words "BREAKIN THE LAW" emblazoned across the top and bottom... if ya too cool for school, drop out.

Everything is infinite

Bebe Zeva

HERSHEY GRUNGE

I jestingly threw out the title "Hershey Grunge" while editing these outfit photos after I noticed that my American Apparel tee featured two shades of chocolatey brown. Paired with the platform Skechers boots and torn Levis cutoffs, I had myself an aggressive ensemble coated in cocoa. What's a street urchin without a little sugar, anyway? Everyone's gotta sweet tooth, even the greasy-haired garage rockers of 1994 who inspired this low-maintenance look. Much love and many thanks to The Cobrashop, for keepin' the vibes authentically vintage with their tattoo chokers, and to American Apparel, for gifting me this cozy cotton t-shirt (perfect for flexing a muscle). 



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Beanie - H&M
Sunglasses - Cobrashop
Tattoo choker - Cobrashop
Leather jacket - Diesel
Brown tee - c/o American Apparel
Braided belt - YES STYLE
Shorts - Levi's
Boots - Skechers, secondhand

I will use the remainder of this space to remind all y'all who STILL seem to think that 'soft grunge' is an actual derivative of the anti-fashion, garage rock movement that you are miserably wrong. It is not. If it is fashion, it is not grunge. This outfit I wore here? Not technically grunge. Good attempt in the inspiration department, but not authentically... authentic. Creepers are punk, not grunge. Pastel hair is post-scene, not grunge. Flower crowns are bohemian, not grunge. Spiked chokers and black lipstick are goth, not grunge. Anything with a "☯follow here for more soft grunge☯" promo caption on Tumblr is adolescent, desperate, and annoying. NOT GRUNGE. Sorry bout it!

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva