Breaking Down the Button Down

While NYC might be a mecca of cutting edge fashion, it can be shocking how some New Yorkers make absurdly plain choices.  This is never as apparent as when one enters one of the many pseudo-trendy bars or lounges and notices the number of low quality button downs... Apparently, many men feel they must sport this basic in order to achieve the look demanded of them by impressively ambiguous dress codes.  While quite a few guys out there aren't guilty of this (good job, kids), far too many fall victim to their own ignorance, or perhaps they allow themselves to be far too cavalier when it comes to this wardrobe staple.

While the following may be more arbitrary than definitive, we'd like to separate the world of button down analysis into general aesthetic categories... Let's start with what seems to be the hot look this season...

(1)  Plaids (or any other sometimes abrasive patterning)

Bets and I been saying this for the past year... plaids and flannels (in shirt form) are on their way back.  True, they're a cyclical sort of textile, wafting in and out of the fashion world's sensibilities.  The great thing about these styles of button-down shirts is that you don't necessarily have to worry about high-end fashion in order to rock it effectively.  This look is more about ease and comfort rather than style, but luckily handles all needs.

(2)  Classic White (the same rules apply to solid colors in general)

Now I know what some guys think... there isn't much difference between one white button-down and the next.  However, because it's such a basic, there's an incredible variety out there of these basic whites.  This also means that what is appropriate for the workplace isn't necessarily ideal for a night out.  While you might jump to a Banana Republic white dress shirt for the office, it's advisable to think more tailored or interesting designs for when night falls.  Now, it's not just a matter of upgrading the shirt to, say, a slimming Charles Tyrwhit.  One of our friends opened our eyes to Trovata and the simple yet effective details that it provides their men's whites.  The quality of fabric also plays a large role... while it's nice to know that you're rocking a beater underneath that crisp white shirt, no one needs to see the outline of the entire thing through your shirt.

(3) Miscellaneous Detailing

The most obvious differences one can determine are when a shirt has added detail... it could just be what looks like someone scribbled on the shirt via a sewing machine... or it could be ornate embroidery of any design.  Now don't get confused... just because a shirt (or anything else, really) has that little something extra does not mean it's a good thing.  Designers have found it far to easy to keep adding more and more, how should we say, wiggity wack trim, but it's up to us, the consumers, to separate the proverbial wheat from the chaff.  Examples: good - simple detailing on the reverse side of the cuffs, creating a pleasant contrast when the sleeves are rolled up.  bad - embroidery and stamps resembling mallards.  Hideous.

Celebrity Time Machine: Umbrella Remix Edition

There had been something bothering us about Posh Spice-Beckham lately. We couldn't quite put our finger on it and only just realized the distinct truth that Spice-Beckham has stolen Rihanna's fashion soul.



Frightening.

Ode To Simplicity

Light gray belted t-shirt dress:



Jeans, v-neck, blazer:We love the simplicity.

Question of the Day: Why Wasn't Our Prom Dress This Awesome

And as a follow up why is Joy Bryant wearing a corsage on the red carpet?

Redacted v.2.0

We may have made a joke or three about the fact that while it's a shame that people are speculating over Keira Knightley's weight and/or potential anorexia, at least she is showing solid fashion sense.


Right. Well, perhaps it's time to take the "tablecloth" out of the wardrobe and have ourselves a little cheeseburger, no?

Celebrity Time Machine: Eva Longoria Parker

Actually, it should be called celebrity twin machine. All those years in the Swiss Alps have been good to Shania Twain.

Dear Stylist: We're Pucci'd Out

Dear Stylist,

Christina Aguilera is wearing way to much Pucci lately. It's just so very Carmela Soprano at a cocktail party.


To avoid looking like the very rare yet widely available on ebay for $7.99 Christina Aguilera Barbie, we suggest limiting the Pucci wardrobe to scarves and headbands only please.

Thank you.

Yours truly,
The Aesthetes

Question of the Day: Is Heidi Klum Wearing Jazz Shoes

Um. Yeah. We're going to go ahead and look in other direction.

Michelle Williams: Brilliant on the Red Carpet

We've always thought Michelle Williams has been brilliant from the start in her red carpet choices. We offer you a brief journey back in time of some of our favorite highlights.

The 80s Look Great on Ashley Olsen

We love the 80s.

With the Cosby Show, Alex P. Keaton and Miss Jackson (if you're nasty), the cultural riches from this decade of our youth are endless (shout out to Taylor Dane, Rick Astley and Tony Toni Tone).

What we're not loving is every hipster wannabe embracing the fashion of the decade like Milli Vanilli clutching feverishly to their Grammy (that means you Vanessa from Gossip Girl). Yet once again, the enigma that is the Olsen twins strikes again and this time it's Ash.




Domo arigato Mr. Robato, the 80s look great on Ashley Olsen.

Happy Birthday Blog!

After over 150 posts we find ourselves one year older if not so significantly wiser (we still don't understand stirrup pants, Rumer Willis and the appeal of '90s fashion). A Question of Taste turns one year old today! To all our friends and fellow Aesthetes: thanks for reading.

Denise Richards: Mallrat

Why is Denise Richards wearing so many bad mall outfits lately? This phenomenon seems to have started around the debut of her new reality show Denise Richards: It's Complicated (yes, we're admitting to watching if only to bathe in her deep, authentic, midwestern accent).

Apparently she picked up a crocheted dress at JC Penney, matched it up with a jacket from Wilson's Leather, took a break at Wetzels Pretzels before scooping up a dress at Rave and a hat at Delia's right before stopping by Spencer's Gifts and Things Remembered to get that perfect, personalized, engraved gift she'd been looking for.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Crossroads

We like to pretend we don't see bad chick flicks. We like to pretend that we didn't find ourselves in the theater in opening night of Crossroads or that we aren't on pins and needles for the premiere of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. But we have to admit, if nothing else, chick flicks are often fertile ground for future starlets to hone their skills, talent, and fashion sense. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants sprouted some of our favorites.

America Ferrera (SoTP/Ugly Betty)


Alexis Bledel (SoTP/Gilmore Girls/Sin City)


Phat Tony has spent years unabashedly loving the wonder that is Alexis Bledel. Of course, this was, in every possible way, limited to Gilmore Girls, a fading, but true hybrid of ABC Family and Family Guy (literally... Daniel Palladino was a writer and producer for both)


Blake Lively (SoTP/Gossip Girl)

A Question of Taste: Nature vs. Nurture

Apparently an Aesthete is born at an early age. Even back in the days of Smurfs and Muppet Babies, Betsy and Phat Tony had distinct fashion points of view. Sadly, other, differing opinions were often foisted upon us by meddling parents. We remember clearly the irritation when the offending items were introduced into our wardrobes. For Phat Tony it was the dreaded cardigan while Betsy feared the floral dress.


While there's nothing inherently evil about said garments we nonetheless had violently negative reactions to them. To this day, neither of us can stomach either of these trends which have recently become a part of mainstream adult wardrobes.


As you can see fair reader, there's nothing that horribly offensive about either item. Aside from the danger of looking like Mr. Rogers when wearing a male cardigan or like a librarian in a floral dress, most laypeople can pull off wearing both. For us however, we're just not going there. We're too busy playing Mario Kart and Zelda anyway.

Whining Over Wine: Episode Three

Hello all, Phatty Tonz here (go with it, it's new, I'm trying it out)... true, it's been a while since I've blogged, but please know that while I cannot sufficiently apologize for my absence, I have been taking this time alone to be taking part in some introspection. And of course, by that I mean blatantly self-serving and bizarrely self-important judgment. Welcome to my world. Jump on in, the water's fine.

That being said, before I attempt a re-genesis of sorts, I felt it best to discuss arbitrary items with my cohort, and let's face it, my muse. And by "muse," I mean a wonderful individual who fully validates everything I say, so matter how absurd. Thanks Bets, you're major.

But I digress... here's a glimpse of the amazing nothingness that helps make our friendship so deep, so real. It's special. Obviously.

9:45 PM
Phat Tony: Bets, seriously, while I love So You Think You Can Dance (hereafter, SYTYCD), I'm kind of over the audition process. While the rest of the world might be all about bad dancers thinking they're good, in large part to misdirected and unintelligent stage parents who don't understand when "being supportive" equals "ruining someone's life via fake compliments and rainbow sequins," I can't help but hurt for all the potentially talented folks who are making bad reality tv decisions. For example, Xtina should not be an inspiration - 10 too many red and blonde hair extensions aren't going to make Mia Michaels love you.
Betsy: Wait, so her hair is too long or too voluminous?
PT: Too voluminous... we're talking Ricky's, here.
B: Like the Jessica Simpson and Ken Paves line "hair-do"
PT: it was a hair-don't.

10:35 PM
PT: Lisa on Top Chef has the worst haircut ever. it's one thing to get the most butch haircut in the world if you just don't want to deal with doing your hair everyday. It's completely valid, it's an efficiency argument, you don't care how your hair looks so you don't want to take the effort. Fine. But she clearly uses product, but it looks horrible. And she looks like a truck driver.
B: I AGREE!
B: There's so much that bothers me about her. I hadn't put my finger on the hair though.
PT: And also, I don't care how into your craft you are... if you're the type to want to do reality tv, don't spend your time at SuperCuts. She should know better. Anyone who so obviously likes watching themselves should know better.
PT: On another note, I'm SO over the barbell eyebrow ring. If you're gonna do lesbian-chic, try harder.
B: Were you really ever into it? Of course, aside from the three weeks in 1994 that Manic Panic hair dye seemed like a good idea.
PT: You're right... but I think I was supportive of people who were. But generally only the people who spent their entire high school career in art studio.
B: Yeah, there was always a lot of scowling and Doc Martins in those art studios.
PT: And a lot of really really straight hair.

10:49 PM
B: One thing I never understood about Top Chef is how every season has had a contestant with a mohawk.
PT: I believe the faux hawk is an easy solution for folks with thick straight hair who are sick of hair that sticks straight up for no reason.
B: You know when you put it that way, I'm definitely not going to hate on that solution... mainly because there's nothing I hate more than a dude who spikes his hair straight up in the air.

Bromance

Brody Jenner: Hey Dude
Kevin Federline-Spears: Yo yo Brody, what's happening?
BroJ: Oh nothing man, just trying to get up in that reality show limelight as my own person. I just signed a deal with MTV to do my own show called Bromance. FINALLY, I can get out of the long Lauren Conrad shadow.
KevFed: I feel you dude. I've been trying to get out of the wife's shadow fo'eva.
BroJ: Don't you mean ex-wife?
KevFed: Whatever, she's still the ball and chain weighing me down. Why can't I go to rehab? Where is the paparazzi when I go shopping at Ed Hardy? Where are my record sales? Popozao.
BroJ: Gesundheit, I think you could probably go to rehab if you really wanted to.
KevFed: Ugh, she just makes me so mad. No one's letting me perform at the Music Video Awards drunk with no rehearsals. No one says boo when I shave my head.
BroJ: Well, at least you've got that Asian inspired shirt.
KevFed: Yeah, I like yours too. Lightning! It's like Fire. Bold choice man, bold choice.
BroJ: Oh look! I think we're being photographed. It's the shirts man, I think it's finally working!

Question of the Day: What Former Project Runway Contestent Was Recently Unleashed on Hollywood

Seriously, where are Michael Kors and Nina Garcia when they're needed:


ill fitting,


unecessarily complex


and badly constructed have come to town, and there's nothing anyone can do to stop it.

Dear Stylist: Short Girls Have Style Too

Dear Stylist,

No one is saying that Jessica Simpson is not a pretty, sort of semi-talented, girl. We watched Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica too, we're not immune to her ditzy charm, although, perhaps the bloom is off the rose. Let's just say we've been noticing that Jessica has made certain sartorial decisions lately that are questionable at best. Starting with the decision to purchase the majority of her wardrobe at Katrina's Crazy Caftan Emporium.


We can just hear our critics now. "She's short! She has fashion limitations." Please, we all have fashion limitations. For women these can be summed up in three little words: high waisted pants. For men, let's just go ahead and say the word mesh. Millions of women outfit their small frames in stylish and proportional ways every day. Take for example Rachel Bilson who provides an exact counterpoint to the wardrobe insanity that is Ms. Simpson.

Bilson follows and Simpson overlooks one of our cardinal rules: "When one wears pants, one must also appear to be wearing shoes."


When Jessica wears dresses, they seem to be either too young or too old. Rachel has mastered the gray area of "just right."

Also, by the way Jess, the poncho is not the only way to keep warm. Maybe it's time to invest in a scarf or two to avoid looking like Hoss from Bonanza.



What's that Jessipoo? You're not going to finish your tuna sandwich because you're running out to the mall. Thanks, but we don't eat Buffalo.

Yours truly,
The Aesthetes

Jump Around

Have you ever thought to yourself, sweet jesus, this trend has gone nuts (think back to capris circa 1998, or poncho's circa 2002). Enter jumpsuits. I mean, they're EVERYWHERE.


We've even seen people even wearing them. Regular people who can't under any circumstances pull them off. People are also blogging about them and not in an entirely sarcastic way.

We can't help thinking, where is the tipping point? Where do we cross the line from ridiculousness into absurdity. Well friends, we think we've found it.

A pastel, floral, lace trimmed, skintight jumpsuit. Just when you think fashion can't go any more wrong. Thank you Chloe Sevigny.

Question of the Day: Is Rumer Willis Just Trying to Hurt Me?

Because, we get rolling out of bed and down the street for a much needed latte. We get sweatpants, hoodies, hats, and flip-flops, no problem. But when you wear zebra printed leggings. We KNOW you did that on purpose.

Redacted

We may have poked a wee bit of fun of the Prada Spring 08 line of calf length floral skirts.

Then we saw this:


We'd like to offer our sincerest apologize to the gods of Italian fashion. We get it now.

How To Wear Plunging Necklines

There are many items of clothing that are just South of flattering (ie: Alicia Keys Jumpsuit). The plunging neckline seems to be one of them. Note carefully Cynthia Nixon (second from right) and then Charlize Theron.



Why does the Charlize Theron version work for us and the Cynthia Nixon version not? A few observations:

1. The bold purple works to lend a lighter note to the look because serious, and this dress is cut down to the navel, don't really go together.

2. Ms. Nixon's dress is floor length. (See above re: seriousness)

3. As loath as we are to endorse ruffles, in this case, it draws the eye up and prevents the wearer from looking a bit, well, saggy.

We don't pretend to have the power to stop all of humanity from making bad fashion choices (crocs, et al) but should you happen to choose to journey down this path of plunging necklines, just remember, there are rules and you've been warned.

The Madden, The Man, The Accessory

Does anyone else think it's creepy that the on-again, off-again, best friend, reality show duo of Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton are dating identical boyfriends?


Apparently the new hot accessory in Hollywood is a Madden brother. Unfortunately, they are VERY limited edition with a waiting list longer than Hermes'.

Question of the Day: Is Janet Jackson Starting her Own Religion?

If so, sign us up. Way better soundtrack than Kaballah.

Dear Stylist: Are Those Dance Tights?

Dear Stylist,

We recall the halcyon days at the McDowell School of Dance with a certain reverie to be sure. It is as if just yesterday we were bombershay and brush stepping around the tap studio with unbridled glee. I mean, we were 9, a time where one is highly prone to unbridled glee as well as embarrassing enthusiasm. It is also with some embarrassment that we recall our favored post dance class outfits. Well, at least one of us does. While Phat Tony could be found wearing a sensible ensemble of cropped sweats, denim jacket and legwarmers* (it was the 80s), I was given to wearing shiny dance tights, a short skirt and a beret of choice (sometimes with puffy paint laden scrunchie, sometimes without).


Oh....awkward, um, hi Beyonce, great music. We certainly rock out to Upgrade U at almost every workout, and we've been practicing our shuffle, shuffle, hair toss, in case we have to perform with you at the next Grammy's (we've since, in turn, assumed that the crawl-crawl-hair toss move circa Crazy in Love is SO over). We've just been a little confused re: the outfits lately. Clearly, you have the option of looking like this.

Yet often you choose to outfit yourself like Coco from Fame. I mean, are you always on your way to rehearsal?


And you and your new husband Mr. Carter clean up quite nicely.


Yet, on TRL it's one big denim on denim monstrosity.


Maybe we do get it. Maybe you're just that big of a star and you are so bored that you are keeping us guessing on purpose. Sort of like the magic spell that Brangelina has pulled on the public, are we pregnant, are we not, are we going to deliver our next child on the international space station.

Well in that case, Shazam!


Yours truly,
The Aesthetes

* See also Phat Tony's upcoming book of short stories "Bitch Tore My Leotard."

We Love Capers

Are we the only one's who love capers? Never being able to claim loyalty to either the sweet or salty camps we appreciate an order of nachos just as much as a scoop of ice cream. When we are in the mood for saltiness, capers add just the right flavor to salads, sauces and most recently pasta. We came across an easy and superbly tasty recipe from the Kitchn for Lemon Pepper Pasta (curtesy of Trader Joe's) with capers and a lightly creamy sauce. Enjoy!

Lemon Pepper Pasta with Capers

3 large garlic cloves, minced
Zest of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1/4 cup cream
1/4 cup capers
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 8-ounce package Trader Joe's Lemon Pepper Pappardelle Pasta

Slowly cook the garlic and lemon zest in the butter and oil, in a heavy saut pan over medium heat. Stir frequently to keep the garlic from browning. When the garlic is soft, add the broth and turn the heat to high. Simmer until reduced by at least one half, and add the cream and capers. Turn the heat back to medium and simmer until thick and syrupy. Taste and season.

Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to directions (2 quarts of salted water, 8-10 minutes). Drain and toss with a dribble of olive oil. Pour the cream sauce over and toss. Serve immediately.

My So-Called Fashion Sense

It's official. The 90s are back and we're not the only ones who have noticed.

You think you can hide out there Mr. & Ms. General Public? We see you in your floral prints, your little backpacks, belted cardigans and your chunky shoes.

We have a prediction for you, babydoll dresses, reddish-brown lipstick and rollerblading will soon seem like a great idea.

Oh and also, you will be totally in love with Jordan Catalano. And you will almost touch his shoulder during a pop quiz.