5 WAYS TO WEAR A BETSEY JOHNSON DRESS

It's safe to say that most girls would probably look at this Betsey Johnson dress and think, "what a wonderful frock to wear at next year's Winter Formal!" And they'd be dead right- it is a wonderful frock. But why limit yourself to a school dance for which you'd wear such a lovely little thing? What a lot of men and women alike don't realize is that just because something's fancy doesn't make it formal! And even better yet- just because something's formal doesn't mean it can't be worn casually!! Using just one teal Betsey Johnson tulle dress and an array of carefully chosen accessories, I crafted five completely separate looks that ANYONE can imitate with the right amount of fashion fodder.

LOOK ONE: TEEN WITCH

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Hat- Urban Jungle

Cape- Party City

Socks- Forever 21

Pumps- Salvatore Ferragamo

LOOK TWO: FREE-SPIRIT

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Hat- August, Macy's

Scarves- Vintage

Bag- Betsey Johnson

Shoes- Nine West

LOOK THREE: PUNK PRINCESS

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Bowler hat- Saks Fifth Avenue

Leather jacket- Diesel

Doc Martens- Buffalo Exchange

LOOK FOUR: RETRO DIVA

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Scrunchie- Vintage

Sunglasses- Oakley

Blazer- Parao, Vintage

Heels- Ralph Lauren

LOOK FIVE: JARETH MASQUERADE

(This one's for all my readers who take fashion cues from Sarah in Labyrinth.)

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Blazer- Forever 21

Belt- Vintage

Socks- ICING

Heels- Ralph Lauren

Not every garment must be worn in the way it was originally intended. And who knows what the designers' original intentions were anyway? Perhaps Betsey specifically visioned this dress being worn to a cosmic roller disco. So next time you're getting all dolled up for a special event- don't just wear the dress, own it! Because any creative conglomeration of styles you put the pizazz into is YOURS TRULY.

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

SUR LA PLAGE

When I was fourteen, I played the role of an air-headed, trust-funding French flapper in a musical called The Boyfriend. You may have already heard of it- it's a play that dissects the dynamics of poor little rich girls in the South of France during the Jazz Age. Though our production ended a while ago, I still vividly remember each scene and it's respective theme of costume. One of our songs was titled "Sur La Plage" (on the beach), and it featured the girls in black one-piece bathing suits with bits of pink tulle wrapped around our waists and hair. While this outfit I wore two days ago isn't quite the same, I think it captures the essence of being on "la plage" on a summer day in Nice.

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Knit hat- secondhand

Sunglasses- 80s Purple Rotunda Clubmaster, www.80spurple.com

Lipstick- LIME CRIME

Oversize striped shirt- Secondhand

Shorts- Actually, my vintage Israeli bathing suit is peeking out underneath a pair of black spandex shorts! I wear these babies everywhere- dancing, exercising, picnicing, and shuffling around my bedroom.

Loafers- Etienne Aigner

Just for kicks, here's a screenshot of me being Nancy 4 years ago (I'm the one in the middle) [don't ask me why the girl to my right is wearing anachronistic sunglasses]:

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

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BE †RUE

If you're like me and a fan of Audrey Kitching and Almost Famous, then you were probably crazy inspired by this 1970s roadie get-up she threw together using a floppy hat, drapey jacket, and leopard print dress. I decided I likewise wanted to try my luck at channeling the frisk and funk of groupie superstar Penny Lane. I ended up going a little more organic than I had originally intended, but at least the 1960s can hold a respectable light up to the style of the Seventies.

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Turban- totally forget where this came from but it's worth finding out so I'll keep you updated!

Sunnies- Party City

Oversize scarf- Anthropologie

Knit sweater- Ralph Lauren

Top- Guess

Shorts- True Religion Premium Boyfriend Shorts http://tinyurl.com/3fng2f8

Shoes- Qupid, www.lulus.com

Time for a gratuitous polaroid picture...

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

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FUNER▲L SONG

I know that the concept of 'funeral chic' may have overstayed its welcome since my obsession with gothic trends has consumed this blog, but once again I find myself presenting you with another mostly black ensemble. From some angles it looks like something you'd wear to a somber Church affair, from all others it looks like an outfit for frisking around a graveyard and trying to seduce a corpse from the depths of its coffin.

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Hat- Secondhand

Sunglasses- 80s Purple, www. 80spurple.com

Necklaces- Vintage, Adri Law, Juicy Couture

Dress- Secondhand, Urban Jungle

Socks- Forever 21

Pumps- Ralph Lauren

In spirit of its dark and drapey glory, I grant you the pleasure of listening to this song by a Brooklyn band called "MINKS", who I may or may not be in love with simply by judging the looks of this hot ass album cover.

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

WI†CHY WOM▲N

The past three times I've gone out with my friends dressed like this, passersby have asked "so, are you guys in a play?" or "what's the occasion for your outfits?" Is it really so hard to believe that we just enjoy dressing non-conventionally? I'll never complain about the attention we receive because, ultimately, that's the purpose of fashion. To make a statement. I never reply with a sharp tongue, a simple "this is our normal style," and flash of my business card tends to suffice. I call this look "Mourning the Death of Mankind's Collective Dignity" (I shouldn't have to affirm that this is tongue in cheek). I don't feel confident unless I look like I'm attending a funeral.

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM;

Hat- Random hat store

Necklaces- DIY, Adri Law, vintage

Shirt- Savers

Skirt- Secondhand

Pumps- Salvatore Ferragamo

Bag- Lanvin Paris

If ya can't tell, I'm REALLY bored with the whole Mulberry bag + high waisted khaki shorts + socks + clog wedges + blouse + polka dot blouse + floppy hat combination. Not that I don't appreciate how inherently stylish the outfit is, I'm just annoyed with seeing it 50 times a day on various fashion blogs. Anyone else think that most staple style bloggers are starting to look the same? It's pushing me further into this visceral desire to dress bizarrely.

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

KEEP ON GOING

Seems like every song about 'moving forward' will either tell you to bury your past or burn it. And while the idea of having a life so fast-paced and grandiose that milestone events can be completely eradicated from the recesses of one's mind makes my eyes twinkle, I can't say that I could ever commit myself to moving forward in the way that song lyrics obviously want me to. Maybe the reason is that I find tragedy everlastingly romantic. Why would I ever want to forget my past, especially if it was painful? It feels like experiences that impose the most vivid strains of suffering manifest themselves as creative fuel for the future. Nope, my past is sacred and mine for the keeping. ALL THAT SAID, the golden rule for overcoming emotional strife is becoming better than your problems. I'm first to acknowledge my obstacles and last to dwell on them. Find a solution and keep on going...

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Hat- Vintage, Urban Jungle

Jean jacket- Levis

Plaid flannel- Abercrombie (can't wait to hear your sass on this one)

Shorts- Volcom, www.lulus.com

Doc Martens- Buffalo Exchange

Quick question for Doc Marten wearers- DO THEY EVER STOP FEELING SO PAINFUL?? These are my all-time most uncomfortable shoes. How can I minimize the discomfort?

Last but not least, for anyone out there brooding over your passe problems... I FEEL YA! This video is for the heartbroken 12-year-old in all of us.

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

MY OTHER FISH VEST

I have a serious question: why does the fashion universe put such an emphasis on being 'all-business'? I actually feel angry thinking about how pressured people feel to dress in a way that exhibits how seriously they take aesthetics. I'm first to admit that I value classicism, but I likewise value the element of irony and gimmicks. I'm hoping that one of these days a celebrated designer of couture takes cues from someone like Jeremy Scott and weaves humor into their collection. On that note, here's my beloved secondhand fish vest, gifted to me from budding fashionisto Travis McFarland.

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Vest- Secondhand

Shirt- Wildfox Couture, http://www.wildfoxcouture.com/

Shorts- Guess

Thigh-highs- DIY

Wedges- Jeffrey Campbell

Jewelry- Adri Law, Juicy Couture, Vintage

Fish vest aside, 1960s bedhead is my theme du jour.

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva