Everybody, Everywear: Pink + Red 2.14.12

Vintage thrifted blazer and blouse; Gap cargos; vintage thrifted necklace; vintage thrifted Bruno Magli heels; Forever 21 bracelets

Today I'm wearing pink and red for Everybody, Everywear! Whether you're celebrating Valentine's Day, or attempting to ignore it, I hope you're having a great day!

Everybody, Everywear: Sequins and sparkle

Vintage thrifted dolman-sleeve sweater; vintage thrifted skirt; We Love Colors tights; Urban Outfitters boots; earrings from some little boutique in Dallas; Michael Kors rose gold watch

I was thrifting last week in a dusty little Goodwill when I discovered this sweater, tucked into a rack of snap-front western shirts and 80's mock turtlenecks. As soon as I dug it out, I knew we were meant to be together. You see, I have a strange affinity for sequined, sparkly, and glittery vintage tops. We're kind of a thing. When I wear one, I like to imagine I'm a young starlet on the set of some eighties soap like Dynasty. As such, I'd sail through each episode in sequined evening gowns and a cloud of Dior Poison. I'd craft elaborate schemes to destroy my enemies and survive kidnapping attempts with nary a lacquored hair out of place. Sure, I'd have no real reason to be costumed in rhinestones and sequins. But I would, because it's the eighties and that's what eighties starlets did.

This sweater is all eighties glitz and glam - chenille woven with gold thread. It's kind of perfect.

Everybody Everywear: Lucky legwear (Colored tights edition)

Gap Outlet sweater; thrifted vintage skirt ($0.99); Urban Outfitters tights; Urban Outfitters boots; Vintage Martini vintage clutch; Forever 21 bracelet

Let me begin with a list of trends from this past year I have managed to avoid:

• High waist jeans.
• Statement necklaces and earrings.
• Nail art.
• Rompers.
• Overalls.
• Platforms (and flatforms, whatever they were.)
• Colored tights.

I do not hate any of the above items. I do not drink of the haterade, as it were. But I hate the word "trend." It implies a slave-like devotion to a product without much thought as to whether said product is flattering or even rational. Colored tights seemed to fall into this category. Why, I wondered, would I want to make my legs look like they belonged on a cartoon character? How does a grown woman wear colored tights without looking as if she has raided a preschooler's closet? WHAT DO YOU PEOPLE WANT FROM ME, ANYWAY????

Never a woman to admit defeat, I decided to meet this month's Everybody, Everywear theme with fortitude. So I went to Urban Outfitters and perused the colors they offered. White would make me look like a nurse; blue a Smurf. Pink was too...pink.  I choose green, the color associated with good luck and money. This was purposeful. There's nothing wrong with money. I love money, you love money, you will love my green tights.

In he end, I think I pulled this trend off with success. Keeping the rest of my outfit simple helped my tights give an interesting pop of color without making it look like rainbow threw up on me.

Everybody, Everywear: Pattern Mixing (with an exploration of the shapewear industry)

I have a little secret. Under today's pattern mixed outfit (for Everybody, Everywear) lies a weapon strong enough to defeat the bloat of last night's chicken fried steak. Constructed of Lycra, Tencel and Spandex, this seamless instrument quietly does it's work. It fears little. Two slices of pizza? Salty snacks? Nachos scarfed at the rodeo? It scoffs at my vain attempts to stretch it's reserves. It boosts my confidence and inspires me to wear clothes I wouldn't dare consider without it.

I am speaking of shapewear.

The shapewear industry is worth $812.5 billion, according to WWD. Annual retail sales of shapewear — undergarments that control and smooth figure problems — grew 10.6 percent to $848.3 million from March 2009 to February 2010, and unit sales increased 3.8 percent during that period, according to The NPD Group research consultancy. A leading area of growth was plus sizes of XL to XXXL or larger, with sales gains of 14.8 percent last year.

Undergarment company Maidenform Brands Inc. this month reported a quarterly profit nearly doubled from last year which CEO Maurice Reznik put down to innovation - namely shapewear. Reznik said Maidenform has the largest market share in shapewear and is optimistic in the continued growth of the category. Women are now building shapewear wardrobes of basic and specialty pieces like control camis, waist cinchers and all-in-one body shapers, much in the same manner as they’ve made bras and tank tops wardrobe staples.

Body-shapers have long played a supporting role in fashion trends. The ancestor of shapewear, the corset, was "the most controversial garment in the history of fashion," says Valerie Steele, director and chief curator at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, who wrote a book about the garment. The girdle grew popular in the early 20th century, eventually becoming a key component of Christian Dior's nipped-waist "New Look," unveiled in 1947.

The popularity of shapewear began declining when the miniskirt emerged in 1965, and the introduction of seamless pantyhose made obsolete the need for control briefs with garters. In 1998, an office copy-machine saleswoman named Sara Blakely cut the feet off a pair of sheer control-top pantyhose so she could wear cream-colored pants to a party. Two years later, she founded Spanx, and celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Alba, Oprah Winfrey and Queen Latifah started confessing their love of the shapers under their evening gowns. It picked up steam last year when Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Beyoncé were seen in provocative corsetry and other lingerie looks at the Grammys and the American Music Awards, as well as in magazines.

As reported in WWD, Guido Campello, vice president of marketing and innovation for Cosabella, an Italian-made intimates brand sold worldwide, said the company began receiving e-mails from retailers requesting shapewear following Grammys and the American Music Awards. “We didn’t expect we had a market for shapewear, especially in Italy,” he said. “But it’s because of the entertainment artists, such as Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Beyoncé, and even Eva Longoria in ‘Desperate Housewives,’ which has taken over ‘Sex and the City’ worldwide.”

The trend also has been propelled by shapewear and corsetry featured in popular TV shows like AMC’s “Mad Men, and HBO's miniseries "Mildred Pearce."

Underwear makers have discovered that men have an interest in shapewear as well. Since Spanx released a new line of “shapewear” or “profile-enhancing underwear” for men in February 2010, the “body compressing” tanks, crews and v-necks have become undeniable “retail hit,” as reported in the New York Times. Spanx isn’t the only company tapping into men’s growing insecurities about their midsections. According to the New York Times article, Equmen, Sculptees and RiptFusion have also released popular products for men, including a sort of “push-up bra” for men.

As I yanked on my Spanx this morning, I wondered why so many women (and men) are flocking to shapewear now. Is it because more women are struggling with obesity than ever before? Are fashion trends dictating the need for the smooth silhouettes shapewear creates?

I have a different theory. Vanity sizing, and a lack of sizing guidelines in the Unites States, have created confusion among female consumers regarding what clothing size they are. It is nearly impossible to accurately determine what size you need to wear to guarantee optimal fit.  This chart proves with empirical evidence how women's dress sizes do not conform to any standard. Furthermore, even when women's clothing does rely on measurements to determine size (such as waist size for jeans) one brand's size 28 in one style might not fit equally as a 28 in a different style.

I suspect more women are turning to shapewear because they have no clue what size they wear, are purchasing clothes that do not fit properly, and require a more supportive foundation garment as a result.

Now I ask you: Do you wear shapewear? What caused you to purchase it? When did you start wearing it? Why do you think the industry is booming?

Thrifted Ann Taylor blouse; thrifted Anthropologie skirt; Old Navy belt; Michael Kors platform espadrilles; vintage estate sale clutch; Forever 21 and Charming Charlie bracelets; Michael Kors rose gold watch

Prints cited: Polka dot top + floral skirt

Everybody, Everywhere: Thrifting - Trendy pastime, time-tested addiction

This week, Everybody Everywhere focuses on a special feature regarding thrifting. Imagine my delight when I, thrift queen and author of a 23 part series on shopping for vintage and thrifted clothes, discovered this. Swoon.

I discovered thrifting as a high school student back in the late 80's. Back then, thrifting didn't have the appeal it does now. Shopping at thrift stores was a secret activity, born from necessity. You thrifted because you could not afford to pay retail price for clothes. You didn't brag about it; you didn't bring friends along; and you certainly didn't gloat about your finest score (as I am likely to do.) I was drawn to thrifting because it was a cheap way to buy clothes, and it made me feel unique. I loved knowing I was wearing something no one else had.

There is no doubt that our culture had become much more accepting of thrifting. According to the National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops, the industry is growing at a rate of 5 percent a year. The association estimates that there are 25,000 such stores in the United States. Furthermore, Britt Beemer, the founder and chief executive of America’s Research Group, a consumer behavior research firm, stated that 16 to 18 percent of Americans shop in thrift stores, while 12 to 15 percent visit consignment stores.  Thrifting is so popular that it has it's own Wikipedia page, StumbleUpon category, and an infinite number of blogs devoted to the art of scoring and wearing thrifted items.

The recent popularity of thrifting is most likely due to the tough financial conditions our country has faced in recent years. More people have turned to thrifting since the economic shift, as The New York Times noted back in April of 2008. However, the popularity of the vintage movement has had a certain amount of impact on the thrifting trend as well. The resurgence in the interest of vintage is due mostly to celebrities' desire for the glamorous, classic styles of bygone eras. Julia Roberts' choice to wear a vintage Valentino dress for the 2001 Oscars signaled the love of vintage clothing among celebrities. And since celebrities are today's biggest trendsetters, their support of vintage clothing has also infiltrated the mainstream, encouraging women to consider incorporating vintage clothing into their daily wardrobes.

A key component of the vintage movement is creativity - specifically, the mixing of vintage pieces along with modern-day accessories and garments. It takes thought and planning to wear thrifted clothes without looking as though you're dressed for a theme party. It's a fun, affordable way to play with fashion, and mold it to express your individuality. And it's a great way to exercise your creative muscles.

So thrifting is about affordability, creativity, and personal style. But my favorite reason to thrift is for the adventure. Pulling up to a store always gets my blood pumping, because I have no clue what to expect. Maybe I'll unearth a 1980's peach velour jumpsuit discarded from the set of the Golden Girls. Perhaps a 1940's vintage bathing suit will beckon. I might uncover a selection of vintage hats, or gold lame lounge wear, or vintage sequined blouses. I might leave with armloads of clothes, or nothing at all. I love that moment when I spy an employee rolling out a rack of new-to-me merchandise, and I stalk it like a famished cheetah circles a herd of axis deer. Thrifting makes me unbelievably, gleefully happy.

My entire outfit today (aside from my shoes) is from thrift stores. And I couldn't be more proud. For the other parts of my extensive thrifting 101 series, which covers everything from fashion history to cleaning tips to styling advice, search my blog using the label thrifting 101.

Thrifted vintage Wrangler top; thrifted vintage skirt; vintage Buffalo Exchange bag; Lucky Brand wedges; Dolly Python leather cuff; TIKKR watch; thrifted turquoise and silver bracelet

Everybody Everywear: Florals (with a bit about bra shopping)

If you are a woman, and you are wearing a bra, you are probably wearing the wrong size one. That's what they say. According to "experts"  and "surveys," anywhere between 70% to 85% of women are mistreating their breasts, either shoving them into too-small cups or allowing them to flop freely in stretched-out, ill-fitting bras. Origins of this statistic are mysterious - some websites blame it on a Victoria's Secret poll, others something from the Wacoal brand, and some a particularly stressful episode of Oprah. Even worse, in 2008 Jezebel referenced a study by "esteemed" U.K publication The Daily Mail which claimed that wearing the wrong bra size can permanently damage breasts. The terrifying notion that we are wearing the wrong bra size has been quoted back to me by my mom, friends, and basically every women's magazine I've flipped through. "Eighty-five percent of American woman are wearing the wrong bra" is the "more likely to be killed by a terrorist than get married" statistic of the new millennium.

The problem is so dramatic that Oprah devoted two full episodes addressing it. She lauded the importance of the professional bra fitting, proclaiming it "the beauty secret that literally produces miracles." According to Oprah and her team of experts, a bra fitting can reverse aging and "make you look ten, even twenty pounds lighter." The correct bra size also makes your clothes fit better, and  improves your posture. Squees Oprah, a professional fitting culminates in a bra-ha! moment, that magical experience where your boobs are lifted and supported and exotic white doves burst forth from the dressing room in a double rainbow display of ecclesiastical joy. Hmmm. By Oprah's description, getting professionally fitted for a bra falls somewhere between winning the lottery and finding a golden lamp with a wish-granting genie inside. Wrong Bra-Sizegate is so critical that Oprah's website includes a "Bra Intervention" section, profiling unfortunate creatures in before-and-after photos. And it can't be denied that these women look ecstatically happy in their new bras, grinning beatifically at the camera in their lacy concoctions.

Okay. To summarize, wearing the wrong size bra makes me look old, fat, and will permanently masticate my boobs. AND YET you could not pay me enough to get professionally fitted. Bras are my most dreaded item to shop for. There's too much uncertainty, too much itchy lace, too many complicated straps and hooks and pokey underwire and it's so cold that my nipples might poke someone's eye out and OH MY GOD WHY CAN'T I JUST BIND MY BREASTS DOWN WITH ELASTIC LIKE THE FLAPPERS DID THIS IS TORTURE STRESSYTIME AAARRRGGGHHHHH!!!. Just the THOUGHT of some other WOMAN prodding my delicate ladybreastesses with her sure-to-be-freezing hands makes me break out in hives. Nothanx.

Some women hate shopping for swimsuits. To them, baring pasty winter skin to the hash light of a dressing room is akin to torture. For others it's jeans; and for some, it's shoes. Regardless of what women's magazines want us to think, shopping is not always the fun, carefree experience they gleefully preach. When your feet are a size eleven, finding properly fitting shoes is an exercise in patience and fortitude. Petite women struggle to hunt down pants that don't sweep the floor; plus-size women endeavor to locate flattering wedding gowns.

I know I'll have to get over my fear of the professional bra fitting, and expose my bosoms to a department store saleslady eventually. I don't want to look fat, or old, or give cause to my clothes not fitting as well as they could (though this pretty vintage floral dress seems made for me - new bra not necessary.) But for now, I'll avoid bra shopping, and focus my stress on something infinitely more challenging: deciding on a new bikini. Pass the Prozac.

So how about you - what's your most dreaded item to shop for? How do you deal with the challenge of shopping for a dreaded item?

Vintage thrifted 1970's silk dress; White Mountain clogs; vintage thrifted satchel; Charming Charlie and Forever 21 bracelets; Loft coral ring; Betsey Johnson gold watch