EverybodyIsUgly's blog

by Kristine

This may not exactly mean the end of knee-high socks as we know them, but one thing is for sure: they might have to make room for a new style on the block. Ankle socks are peeking out over ankle boots as part of winter, spring and summer outfits. Versatility? Check.

Here is the scenario: You haven’t painted your toe nails in a week and you’re looking a little, dare I say, crusty. Summer gives you so little options when it comes to donning your beloved boots. One choice is to sweat it out, commando style: foot edition. The other is to brave the heat, knee socks pulled up with a confidence that fades as quickly as your foundation in the sun.

Enter cute little ankle socks peeking their fuzzy little heads out from your boots.

lydia, _ANITA and darlingdarling are the inspiration behind this trend. I couldn’t say enough good things about these girls who all have such a command over their personal styles and a great attitude to match. Check out their blogs to see what other inventive styles they may have, in lydia’s case, under a perfectly rolled sleeve.

by Kristine

Summer is in full force on this side of the world but keeping cool doesn’t always have to mean less fabric! While the heat has given shorts the freedom to become shorter, tighter and fringe-ier, I’m temporarily tossing out my cut-off shorts and all their just-below-the-cheek glory in favor of some with a bit more fabric. The challenge? Not looking like a soccer mom or someone wearing denim diapers. For the record, I think I failed on that last one, but I’m entirely okay with that.

Here are a few ideas for making this style work for you.

1. Casual State of Mind
Loose jeans make me feel like lounging around and taking the day easy, so pairing pieces with the same attitude only seems right. millie_b looks like she’s ready to go on a fishing trip or maybe plant some petunias in a garden. Either way, her basic long sleeve tee is both a smart and easy pick. Leave your bedazzled rayon tank top for another day… far, far off into the future.

2. Perspective & Proportion
daniellamaiorano & samanthalevi are hitting the style nail right on the head. Take a cue from them and bring out your favorite worn-in tee. With no worn-in tees in sight, I opted for a slouchy blouse. The trick is to make your shorts look like you meant to buy them in that size. When everything fits you just right, they might end up looking a little out of place.

3. The Not-so Little Details
Accessories can be tricky when you’re working around such a distinct piece. Choose one big accessory like millie_b or a few little ones like daniellamaiorano and samanthalevi to make everything feel complete. While choosing both big and small pieces may cause you to look overdone, the right combination makes your outfit look effortless. If you’re like me and are incapable of accessorizing, choose a detailed print and call it a day.

Have an idea for a style challenge you’d like me to try? Shoot me a message, kristine.kirong@chictopia.com

Whether it was through their awesome Target collaboration or through your favorite magazine, chances are, you’ve heard of the amazing clothing/shoe/bag/everything line Hayden-Harnett. I am personally a huge fan of their cute vintagey swimwear this season, and I’m constantly making eyes at their gorgeous yet functional bags.

Needless to say, I was super-psyched to be able to interview Toni and Ben, the founders of H-H for EIU. No surprises here; they are as awesome as their line is… maybe even more so! Read on, uglies!

<3 Wendy

Names: Toni Hacker (35), Benjamin Harnett (28)

As 10-year-olds, what did you dream about doing when you grew up?

Toni: I had many goals, but I’m quite certain at ten I wanted to be an astronaut who was a vet part-time and to live in Boston.

Ben: I wanted to be a famous author who discovered lost worlds.

Which do you think is more important? A great bag, or a great pair of shoes?

Toni: A great versatile bag can give you good mileage no matter what you’re wearing or where you go. It’s easier to cheat with shoes.

Ben: I think a bag is key.

If you had to pick one piece from your new line to wear everyday, what would you choose?

Toni: Our Athena tote in black.

Ben: I don’t wear our leather bags, but I carry a Maldives Nylon Weekender and the Lisbon when we travel.

Which celebrity would you love to see wearing your line?

Toni: Anne Hathaway. We just saw her in Twelfth Night at Shakespeare in the Park, which was so good. She’s not only lovely, but she’s absolutely brilliant and really talented. She deports herself with such classic charm and easy grace, but you can tell she’s totally hilarious.

Ben: Ditto!  She was and is absolutely radiant.

If your apartment caught fire, what would you be wearing and what would you take with you?

Toni: I’m sure I would look like a hot peasanty-slob mess in LEGGINGS and a huge linen shirt with our cats thrown over my shoulders. Ben would be carrying our bikes and the meteorite slab he bought for me.

Ben: But what would I be wearing??  Probably jeans, sneakers, a white button down (the soft one I’ve had for a long time), a faded, worn brown sweater, and a corduroy blazer.

What’s a trend you love? A trend you hate?

Toni: Love: leggings. Hate: leggings + the word “leggings”. I’d very much like to have new terminology for the object of my longterm love/hate. You never hear other articles of apparel called “trunklings” or “armlings.”

Ben: I am hoping that Ray Bans and Filson bags will go out of style, so I can feel less conformist wearing mine.

Got any secret talents?

Toni: Making prank calls and impersonating imaginary people.

Favorite Brooklyn hang-outs?

Toni: Ben and I are biking like crazy this summer, so we’re often resting from a ride at the Domino Refinery park on the East River off Kent. If not there, then we’re probably going to be in a movie theater or on our roof.

Ben: I love Prospect Park, but we don’t get down there much.

If someone gave you $1 million, what would you buy?

Ben: I’d probably give most of the money away to environmental and educational charities.  But I’d keep some and buy art books, and rare editions.

Toni: I would start another company, but something along the lines of researching simple and clean power sources like tides. Power lines and fossil fuels seem like a very primitive concept now that we’re one year away from 2010. Engineering and Industrial Design can make local energy happen.

One last thing: Show us your favorite YouTube video!

When rain isn’t pouring, blue skies and bright golden sunshine inspire my summer wardrobe to become just as colorful. Several Chictopians have already integrated bright brights into their wardrobes.

Colors have never been so paired as masterfully as in the dress and blazer combo a la imrwks. I would never think to wrap a green blazer around a yellow dress and cap it all off with purple and blue sandals. Is your mind exploding yet? Mine is.

Knock, one of my personal favorites and mainstay in the style gallery, is always incredibly creative when she puts together her ensembles. When working with color, she makes no exception. Cinching her floral printed dress with a wide studded belt, the bow-in-hair, red-lipstick maven looks as chic as ever.

Toughening up a floral red dress and cute yellow socks is l0602ee. I’m no stranger to New York’s frequent rains, but count on her to be a spot of color on the sleek city sidewalks.

If you’re having trouble figuring out how to best wear color, check out Wendy, and her series on color for CoedUgly.

xo,
Kristine

As the weather gets uncomfortably hot outside, getting dressed gets a little tricky. The same goes for putting on make-up. Just like heavyweight clothing makes the summer heat unbearable, so does heavy make-up. Here’s my summer make-up routine to give you a glimpse into how I keep cool in the summer sun.

PREP
Be sure to wash your face before you begin putting on make-up to wash away any oils that may have built up during sleep. If you have dry skin, which I often do, a light moisturizer is a great primer.

STEP 1: FOUNDATION
In the summer, I prefer powder over liquid since it’s lighter weight and doesn’t clog the pores, which thanks to the summer weather, sweat and oil already have covered.

Use a large brush to sweep powder all over your face. Use smaller brushes to spot treat problem areas like blemishes and dark circles.

STEP 2: EYES
Liquid liner is a little tricky, so change it out for a pencil if you haven’t yet mastered the art of lining.

In either case, pull the skin tight around your eye to make drawing a little smoother. Stay as close to the lash line as possible.

When I use a pencil, I like to smudge the line a little bit instead of wearing eyeshadow.

Finish with a lash lengthening mascara – this way you don’t need a lash curler. Less steps is always good in my book.

STEP 3: CHEEKS
I never feel complete until my face has a little bit of color, which leads me to over doing the bronzer or blush. Cream blush is a great remedy as you can start off with a little and layer, until you get the right color.

Use your finger to apply the cream blush to the pillows of your cheeks. It helps me if I smile while applying, even if it means I look like a weirdo.

Start from the pillows and work your way back.

When using bronzer, do the opposite – work from the temples of your face and brush downward toward the pillows of your cheeks.

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This is definitely my routine of choice for summer, daytime and lazy days!

xo, Kristine

After perusing through the style gallery and noting the number of Chictopians opting to shield their noggins from the sun, it’s become apparent that straw hats are the bees’ knees of summer accessories. Style cues from cinque, billiejean and kapokbloom are sure to steer you in the right direction. It seems they’ve seen fit to use straw hats as the cohesive component to cap off casual ensembles. (Can I get one point for alliteration?) Just one of the many ways Chictopians are keeping cool this summer.

xo, Kristine