I was almost offended to see this AKA New York tank in the new Harper’s Bazaar under the “Smart Shopping” title. I say almost, because it’s offensive that someone would spend $225 for a beater & grosgrain - but also because you can’t deny it’s completely adorable, and requires only a quick trip to Mood and some resourcefulness.

This is my definition of smart shopping:

American Apparel tank $17

M&J Trimming grosgrain ribbon $2.98

Joann Fabric embellishments $2.39

1. Cut the ribbon in two separate pieces that will tie at the back of the neck

2. Cut 5 (2 inch) wide grosgrain circles - the less perfect, the more fray, the better.

3. Glue rhinestones onto grosgrain circles

4. Glue one grosgrain circle to anchor where the two separate pieces of ribbon will meet (very tip of necklace)

5. Glue the rest of the grosgrain circles onto the ribbons close to one another

And, after all the cutting & gluing - the description of this top states that the necklace is removable, so all you’ll need to do is hand sew a few snaps around the shoulder straps to keep the necklace in place.

How’s that for alliteration? I grew up in a very small town (cows) - and the only way to suppress my desire to leave was by expressing myself through dress (men’s ties as headbands, thick glasses) . I remember being asked junior year what I wanted to go to college for, and so said fashion - nothing but crickets. Then when I did go, my AP (thank you) English teacher actually asked why on earth I did such a thing. Thus the reason why I shun public schools. So much for supportive educators, but thank god for New York! I’m sure you can feel the teenage angst in my tone - the clothes just bring it back! I don’t think I’ll ever let go of the punky aesthetic, I’m a cynical New Yorker at heart and I can’t resist a dangerous looking pyramid stud for the life of me.

Punk chic connoisseur Burberry has really reinvented itself over the past several years - and in doing so has become a modern represenatation of the British punk movement, as well as a huge motivator for mass to translate it in a forward & feminine way. Christopher Bailey (of Burberry) has paved the way in reinterpreting how the tartan, motorcycle jacket, and stud read. Vivienne Westwood as well, the original curator of underground punk dress (she dressed the Sex Pistols) - brought safety pins and shredded garments to the likes of Bergdorf’s & Henri Bendel.

Forget the fishnets, mohawks, and Hot Topic - updated punk is Blondie chic. Think black jeweled heavy bib necklaces, backless dresses, skinny leather, and metal hardware. Heavily embellished accessories paired with a streamlined silhouette, or tartan/animal print/striped pieces with a metallic shoe or bag are easy ways to interpret punk without losing your femininity. And when I say femininity - I do mean looking completely bad ass.

Forever 21 studded tote $34.80

Newport News studded boot $39.00

Asos tulip skirt $35

Alex & Chloe Le Crane necklace $48

American Apparel latex legging $42

My time spent in Barcelona was short & sweet. It was my first trip of many outside of Italy during my semester abroad – and I went to visit a high school friend of mine studying at University of Barcelona. Their fast fashion was very affordable, and I happened to have extra money left over from opting out of buying books for the semester. This trip was my first introduction to Mango, a mix between Zara, H&M, and Forever – but with more color, texture, and personality. It was also my first trip to Top Shop, which I had been dreaming about for years prior, as well as Corte Ingles (which is it’s own little phenomenon). The main shopping street is called Las Rambles, and luckily my dear friend lived close by (as well as 5 min walking distance to the Mediterranean). Dressing in Barcelona is a bit flashy, uber colorful in the flavor of Custo Barcelona, and all about form fitting silhouettes.

Outside of shopping, there is a ton of partying. Everyone always says that about Barcelona, and it is definitely true. There are specific venues that serve only Chipitos (shots) of varying combinations and themes. The Chipito bars were insanely crowded, but that just added to the flavor and experience of it all – it was like the college version of going to a wine tasting, an endless menu of shots.

Maybe it’s because I was with a gay man, but that trip was especially interesting for many, many reasons. Although it is very Western and comfortable – when I went I kept badgering my friend about how lucky he was to have normalcy, because Rome is VERY authentic – I still loved it. It was nice to speak English and use the Spanish I had learned in high school but never utilized – even though Catalan (dialect) really puts a hitch in your step. Looking back, 85% of my time studying abroad was spent partying, and thank god. There’s a reason why they made concealer for under eye circles - so you can live in the moment.

Mango fringe dress $109

Forever 21 clutch $24

American Apparel legging $52

El Corte Ingles ring $45

Get Creative - don’t just go to Ricky’s and pick up a costume in a package, unless you’re a dude! Marie Antoinette is one of the most fascinating icons in history - due in large part to her dress and how it drove the French crazy, in more ways than one. Of course it’s hard to achieve 3 foot hair, but the Sofia Coppola version of Marie Antoinette can be easily interpreted into best dressed girl on Halloween.

If in need of a little more inspiration, one of my favorite books “Queen of Fashion: What Marie Antoinette Wore to the Revolution” (Caroline Weber) - goes into detail about what was worn from her first steps at Versailles, to when she was beheaded - and all of the history in between. Fortunately, I learned way more about the revolution from this book than from public school in PA.

For the readers in Austin, an AMAZING place to buy/rent costumes, hats, & jewelry is Lucy In Disguise With Diamonds in SoCo. Jewelry is grouped by genre (Greek, Hip Hop, Victorian), and there are fabulous sales people who help you find exactly what you’re looking for - be it sequin hot pants or a Top Gun style bomber jacket.
Forever21.com $5.80

Forever21.com $4.80

AmericanApparel.net $34

Asos.com $58