FUCHSIA FLUSH

A little while ago I decided to give 'The Traditional Club Look' a test drive by stepping out in a fuchsia peplum bodycon dress from Fairground. I'm usually the type to wear something most people would consider "unflattering" to an event in which neat silhouettes and feminine styles are encouraged. Validating a dress code is most definitely my worst fashion nightmare. But after some indiscernible quantity of public appearances in garishly unorthodox ensembles, the novelty wears off. And it paradoxically becomes even more head-turning to wear a look that does conform to expectation. So after enough hesitation, this outfit coalesced... and it turned out to be much more of a sartorial surprise than a look that would have actually been true to Bebe Zeva character. You know, like harem pants and sneaker wedges and an iPhone 5 charger wrapped twice around my neck. Instead of the usual response -- hands on hips and a lighthearted "you would..." -- I was met with (for the first time ever) a "you wouldn't!"



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Gold necklaces - ROMWE, Daily Look
Fuchsia peplum bodycon dress - FAIRGROUND
"Modern sandal heels" - Daily Look

Maybe I'll just start dressing like this forever? Like literally just showing up for class in ass-accentuating mall dresses and ostentatious costume jewelry... this seems like a good segue into a conversation I'm going to force my readers to have with me about the Female Dialectic. I'm expected to honor an aesthetic wherein my "feminine qualities" like boobs, hips, and a butt are highlighted, otherwise I'm considered unattractive. And as a woman, my attractiveness is directly proportional to my worth as a human being. But then when I actually wear this shit out in public, I get slut-shamed for trying to draw attention to my body and appearance. I'm labeled 'superficial' and 'trashy.' As a consequence, lots of women instead opt for "the natural look" or pride themselves in resembling "one of the guys." But I find that behavior to be problematic as it encourages assimilation to androgyny and a concentrated movement away from symbols of femininity. I don't believe that women should ever reject clothes or products they associate with a "socially constructed idea of womanhood." I don't believe that is productive to the feminist cause. I believe that embracing what is associated with womanhood sends the message that there is nothing to be ashamed of. High heels, heavy makeup, tight clothing, so what? Shaming these symbols because they are "fake" is like expecting a POC to reject elements of their own "socially constructed culture" because it contributes to their oppression. NO. SHAME and REJECTION contribute to oppression. Celebration does not. Agency does not. Subverting what society encourages us to move away from because it is 1) a threat to conformity and 2) a reinforcement of diversity is empowering.

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

FORTE

Believe it or not, I used to be a bodycon dress kinda girl. I loved a snug fit, a silhouette that accentuated my shape - probably because I didn't have one. Now I'm more full-bodied, and while a bodycon dress might especially flatter some of my qualities, I'm not used to my curves and have been opting for amorphous shapes and boxy cuts. Guess it stands true that your style changes as you do, physically. I've always advised people to stay true to "their look" no matter their size or shape, but I understand now that it's hard to look the same when you feel different. The last thing I ever want to do is hide, so even if I'm in a transitional phase where I'm unsure about what silhouettes I fancy, I always want to step out with a bang. For me, thinking outside the box means wearing one.

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Square sunglasses - Retro City

Cuff necklace - OASAP

Box dress + transparent heels - YES STYLE

Hope everyone has a happy Friday! Do something bold with your weekend.

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

DYSMORPHEUS

A couple weeks ago I woke up in an optimistic stupor and immediately put my gym clothes on, ran six miles, showered, changed into this outfit, and walked to a local recycled clothing store where I traded a bunch of 'unnecessary' winter sweaters for $20 to spend on a shopping spree at 7-Eleven. This is unfortunately not a joke, and I have the receipt (and gas station food wrappers) to prove it. My uncharacteristic motivation that day seems banal to you, and I guess I'm only mentioning it to illustrate how boring my life is outside this web page. Why do all the people in boring outfits have such exciting lives meanwhile I'm rocking a NOT boring geometric overall dress lamenting that the most exciting part of my day was sucking the creme out of a Cadbury egg? And now that it's April 1st, I don't even have seasonal eggs to look forward to. What on earth am I supposed to spend $20 on for the next 11 months? Two orders of the 40 piece Chicken McNugget platter? I'd still have 58 cents left over, even after you calculate tax. Feel free to share your social sob stories in the comment forum below! 

About The Look: very clearly inspired by a nu-millennium hacker aesthetic, minimalistic, low-maintenance, hyperfunctional, and design conscious. Would have loved to incorporate more futuristic fabrics into this look to emphasize that innovation is *the most contemporary* accessory. But. Ya know. Cotton, pleather, and jersey knit will have to do. Just want to acknowledge that the concept of this dress is rad as hell: it's like a skirt with suspenders and a grid bodice attached. Linear on top, free flow on bottom, a subtle silhouette juxtaposition that I MOST DEFINITELY 'f*ck wit.' It's from Swaychic, a beloved and trusted online retailer I've supported since 2011, and officially called the "SUS TO DEATH" dress. SUS to death? That is literally the tightest shit. I did feel pretty stealthy in this monochrome ensemble. Potentially to death. We'll have to see how many SUS levels I ascend the next time I show off this little lattice number IRL.



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Sunglasses - Ralph Lauren
Silver cuff necklace - OASAP
White turtleneck - American Apparel
"SUS TO DEATH DRESS" - SWAYCHIC
Ankle boots - YES STYLE
Backpack - YES STYLE

P.S. I named this look after my greatest tweet ever. 

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

NET FORCE

Have you noticed that sporting knockoff versions of designer logos is even trendier than sporting the original logo this season? I found this imitation Céline sweatshirt - with the C substituted for an S - on Yes Style, and figured that the graphic was a well-executed representation of the most prevailing fast fashion trend this year. 2013 (and late 2012, too) loves a good graphic parody. It's clever. It's eye-catching. It's exempt from copyright infringement laws. It appropriates the prevalence of the original logo's look and creates competition out of it. Irony! Imitation! Postmodern juxtaposition!! Fashion is sooo crazy and meta these days!!!! Maybe I'll start wearing black head to toe next week. All this aesthetic analysis is hurting my brain... I just want to lay in my bed wearing sweat pants and NOT THINK for once. Maybe. 

Imitation logo aside, this sweatshirt features cut-out sleeves which are ideal for layering with unexpected textures like mesh. I knew I'd need some sort of black netting to pair underneath the sweater as soon as I realized my arms would be exposed. My next must-have: real mesh. Jersey mesh. More athletic than cybergoth. And "fitness friendly". My shorts are another seasonal staple: quilted leather is a classic design with futuristic appeal. Love the way they paired with suede wedges and minimal accessories. One chain this time -- I'm getting good at the whole 'less is more' mantra.



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Chain necklace - Forever 21
Rouge lip - Lime Crime
Séline sweatshirt / Mesh netting top / Quilted leather shorts / Black wedges - YES STYLE

^^^^ I hope there's some appreciation for my tiny braid going on right now. Seems transhuman. H+ very chic in 2014... prepare for a prosthetic arm fad. 

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

Leave Me Like You Found Me

The sadder I get, the more inclined I feel to wear minimalist looks. My idea of minimalist is one statement piece and black everywhere else. I chose this camel coat from OASAP as my centerpiece for this outfit -- the delicate flare of the waist, the tiered hem, the way the belt cinches my waist and defines the silhouette -- it's all enough to command a presence without going overboard on the accessories and layers. I had a pretty classic "beat poet" look on underneath, which felt a little cheesy as I was reading in public, but. You know. Wardrobe black like my soul.



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Beret - YES STYLE
Circle sunnies - DAISY POTION 
Sweetheart coat - OASAP
Stallion booties - Wanted

I just got back from the MAGIC tradeshow right here in Vegas where I joined about 30 other fashion bloggers for a 3-day session of content generation, exploration, discussion, and discovery. Hundreds of instagrams... from scoping out the convention floor to partying hard at the Palazzo... I'd be a fool not to share them with ya! Keep your eyes peeled for my coverage next week. Infinite thanks to Kelsi Smith and the Two Point Oh! LA team for making my attendance possible! :)

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

DESTINED FOR GRAYNESS

Balancing sport with sleek is becoming a perennial challenge for me on those early mornings when I’m getting dressed for the gym. I’m not usually the type to wear fitness apparel all day – I need a solid look to throw over my sports bra and running shorts, especially when it’s cold, and especially when I intend to meet with friends later at Café Rio. This outfit meets all my necessary qualifications: comfortable, casual, chic. The loose knit and circle scarf keep me cozy, and the sweats – with their matching gray panel pockets – keep me active. Chunky platform sandals are perfect for a post-cardio stroll, and it doesn’t hurt that they complete my sports luxe 2013 look with a dazzling leatherette finish.

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Circle scarf - YES STYLE

Knit sweater - ROMWE

Paneled sweat slacks - YES STYLE

Platform sandals - ROMWE

Skull backpack - OASAP

Check out the rest of Romwe’s sweater and shoe selection, or Yes Style for scarves and pants. Most of my wardrobe is comprised of heavy knit tops and slacks… trying to get a good wearing out of the novelty garments, then resell them so I can invest in more staples. Guess this means I’m becoming an adult. Or a jaded fashion blogger exhausted by excess. Wink.

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

METRICE

I’ll never forget the time I wore this Romwe sweater for two straight days… I thought I’d lose my mind if I had to look down at that dizzying pattern for one more hour. But in moderation I admit that neutral hexagon print affords my knit top a comforting chicness, especially when paired with cuffed denim skinnies and stilettos. I love a little monochrome symmetry. I also love that this Valentino rockstud clutch looks kinda like a classic quilted Chanel. It’s homage with attitude… couples well with a messy ponytail and oversize aviators.

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Pyro sunglasses - RETRO CITY
Hexagon print sweater - ROMWE
Cuffed skinny jeans - Seven For All Mankind "Gwenevere"
Rockstud clutch - Valentino
Transparent heels - YES STYLE

I loved Olivia’s interpretation of the sweater, jeans, and heels combo in January, and I think what she said about American classicism is true: “It’s all about that chunky cable knit paired with worn in denim, and a classic pair of sunglasses that matches pointy pumps that is reminiscent of all things Americana.” Certainly is, and just goes to show that you can wear jeans to lunch without looking underdressed. Sometimes the most sophisticated looks incorporate famously casual elements.

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva