Oh, those Germans

This was a race on Kudamm in Berlin, Gemany. It was sponsored by Glamour Magazine. Women were required to wear shoes with heels no shorter than 7 cm. and no wider than 1.5 cm. The winner ran the 100 meter stretch in 12 seconds and recieved a 10,000 Euro shopping spree. I think it's fantastic.

Catherine Malandrino

Fall/Winter 2006 Women's Ready to Wear

Thursday Thirteen

Lace top, $65 at Victoria's Secret


















Nives by HUGO Hugo BOss, $498.95 at Zappos.com















Angora pocket crew, $49 at Banana Republic
















Woodside trench, $268 at Anthropologie




















Regatta dress in red, $148 at Anthropologie

















Laura houndstooth extended-tab cuffed pant (long), $89 at Ann Taylor Loft









Levi's boot cut 525 jeans, $44 at Levi's store online
















The Hole Story Satchel by Kenneth Cole New York Handbags, $291.95 at Zappos.com










Papillon by Lacoste, $123.95 at Zappos.com











Manhattan crop pant, $88 at White House Black Market
















One-shoulder tunic, $48 at Victoria's Secret















Lightweight wool work dress, $148 at Banana Republic



















Multi-tweed pleated skirt, $69 at Ann Taylor Loft

Country-Wide Disparities

Why is it that we identify the U.S.'s East Coast as the well-dressed side of the country, the Midwest as kind of dowdy, and the West Coast as the badly-dressed side? Let's leave the Midwest out of this for a moment.
Is there a written rule that you must study, take a test and obtain a license to dress well in the western portion of this country? If so, why is everyone too lazy to take the damn test? And if not, there should be some sort of rule to that effect--but it will have to concern all those who wish to leave their homes.
And why do we have to travel to the East Coast or Europe to shop for nice clothing? Is it because all the good stores are repelled by the dissheveled dress of westerners?
There is something to be said about the carefree way most people on the West Coast throw themselves together and leave the house without thinking about it most days. Yes, it's a less stressful way to live, but it projects a poor image in an overbearingly looks-based society.
I am definitely an advocate of ending this country's role as a society dominated by media-dictated standards of beauty and materialism. With that in mind, there's still just nothing wrong with looking nice and projecting a presentable, approachable image of yourself.
Dressing well doesn't have to mean dressing UP every day; it means wearing clothing that looks good on you. Don't think about comfort when you buy clothes. Think first about what flatters your body. The comfort will come after wearing the clothing (but only if you buy quality clothing--you pay for what you get).
People of the West Coast, I implore you. Stop wearing your pajama pants, slippers and scuzzy tee-shirts in public. Put on some real clothes!

Gucci

Wild prints. Metallics. Fantastic suits. Gold, white, black. Red, purple, pink. Fabulous--Gucci's Fall 2006 Women's Ready to Wear.