Hi y’all, As I recall we talked online dating last time I posted, and that was a couple weeks ago, so I think we are long overdue for another Recessionista Report.  And since I already annoyed the heck out of everyone here at the office with my ”look at me I’m a fancy world traveler” pics of Italy, I figure we should stay more local on this round. But don’t worry there will still be pictures. And there will still be Golden Rules. And of course there will vintage fashion.

In fact let’s start off with a recap:

Golden Taryn Rule 1: Never ever miss an opportunity to hit a local flea market when you travel!

Golden Taryn Rule 2: Never underestimate the power of a full skirt!

Now, let’s move onward.

Amber

One of the easiest ways to not spend money (or a negligible amount), is to go green. Welcome to  Golden Taryn Rule 3: Recycle and Reuse.  Outside the 101 Coffee Shop on Franklin in Hollywood, we see this rule in action.  Please note the pic below, where my super wonderful friend Amber took an Urban Outfitters eyelet lace dress that she’d already worn the living heck out of for years, and gave it a new life with a little RIT dye.  It was becoming the outfit we made bets she’d show up in at every party, so retiring it was crucial. But I barely recognized it the other night when it made its debut in a new blue-gray shade. Extra points to Amber for imagination! Her outfit is completed with an adorable sparkly Topshop cardi that she picked up at Crossroads Trading Co. The purse was a gift from me that I found at the sale rack at Old Navy, but I bet she’s just finding that out for the first time right now. I’m a Recessionista across the board ladies!

Taryn at the 101 Cafe

Let’s head back to the Westside now to introduce Golden Taryn Rule 4: Always combine your mass market cheapie finds with something vintage. This one is an absolute must if you want to get away with rocking stuff from Target as often as I do.  This combo that I wore for a post work dinner in Manhattan Beach includes: a little silk dress I spied at Anthropologie on sale ($29.95 major score!); a jacket from Forever 21; fake vintage earrings from Target; and my mom’s early 80’s Italian leather boots. Just took a quick trip to my shoe guy to get these babies re-dyed and they look good as new.  Apparently my mom borrowed money from my uncle for them, because they were so gosh darn expensive my dad would have divorced her when they showed up on the visa statement. If your mom isn’t as awesome as mine, or if you don’t wear the same size (seriously if it’s just one size smaller what’s a little pain for fashion you big baby?), you might want to start kissing your other older female relative’s collective asses at every family event you’d normally  use work commitments to bail out on .  I promise you it will be worth every single hour you put into it if you luck upon a something you end up loving as much as I worship these boots.

Taryn in Manhattan Beach

And while on Rule 4, did everyone jot down that Jimmy Choo’s H&M line debuts on Nov 14?! Im considering myself mega lucky that this happens on a Saturday, because I imagine anything in a size 5.5 will be gone almost instantly.  If this is the first you’re hearing of it, head on over to Fabsugar and do some research!

Until next time!

xoxo,

Taryn

Icebreaker, Courtesy of Ed Kavishe/fashionwirepress.com

Paris, Milan, New York…Portland? Yes, Portland has a fashion week — and no, it’s not on par with or as influential as the three biggies, but the City of Roses’  Fashion Week, is actually worth knowing about.

My first reaction to the idea of a fashion week devoted to sustainable, eco-friendly designs was not necessarily a positive one.  I mean, I’ve been lusting after some of the fur vests I’ve seen for the fall, and am thrilled with my recent purchase of leather Jimmy Choos.  I was not at all sure that anything sustainable and eco-friendly would also be fashionable, but I was not about to pass up the opportunity to fashion week right here in my backyard of Portland, Oregon.  (For those of you who aren’t familiar with the fashion scene in the Pacific Northwest, it’s dominated by REI, North Face fleeces, backpacks and Nike.)

Lizzie Parker, Courtesy of Ed Kavishe/fashionwirepress.com

And guess what? I was impressed.  I have to start with the venue – it’s out on Swan Island, which is generally home to a large truck manufacturer and other things that require huge cranes and big chunks of metal.  To get to the parking area, you pass through Vigor Industrial Shipyards, home to large ships being built.  And you park right next to the water.  It was pretty impressive, like something out of The Departed.

Once inside, it was all about the clothes.  Opening night included a New Zealand line, Icebreaker – the Kiwis didn’t disappoint.  It was mostly active wear, but very cute active wear. I can’t say the designs were that ground breaking, but were cute and wearable, especially for being sustainable.  The Swedish company Gersemi was also part of the opening night show, and started the week off with a bang.  But lest I give the impression that only foreign companies were present, the local designers of the first night – Tony Dimitri and Defyance, both from Portland – were bold, strong, and edgy.  Other treats throughout the week included designs from the students at the Portland Art Institute, Emerging Designers Competition Finale, Lizzie Walker, Portland brands Idom and Amai Unmei, as well as known Portland swimwear manufacturer, Jantzen.  The only criticism I had was that it seemed to me that several of the designers found a signature look and then just showed different versions of that same look – I’d like to see a little more variety, frankly – because if I didn’t like one thing, chances are, I wasn’t thrilled with the whole thing.  And the clothes weren’t geared toward a season – I thought spring clothes were shown in fall?  Okay, that’s two criticisms, whatever.

Jantzen, Courtesy of Ed Kavishe/fashionwirepress.com

Stylish designers committed to eco-friendly and sustainable design.  Hey, if I can look good while doing good for the planet, count me in!  If you have more sustainable brands to recommend, please do!