The new basics

Everyone knows the basic kinds of shoes a girl (or guy) can have: Converse, Vans (slip-ons or sneakers), flat boots, and--if you're in California like me--Rainbow flip-flips. I own all of these, but I've been trying to step things up a notch. Presenting Louise's new basics! All should be available online right now, in fact--on a college kid's budget. Lucky you.

First come my silver flats form Urban Outfitters. I love these for the color: they're not an obvious, Tin Man silver, but more of a muted pewter. They make even the most casual outfit a little more interesting (see my last post for what usually constitutes for my casual days). The only problem I had with them was that I dented the slightly pointed toes, but that can probably be avoided by people who aren't as klutzy as me (i.e., most people).

Pair #2 would be my fringed sandals, also from Urban. I saw these and fell in love/hate at first site. For some reason, I am extremely drawn to things that look "weird", including this sandal that appears to be the love child of one of Kate Moss's (or Serena van der Woodsen's, if you really want to go there) Minnetonka boots and a gladiator sandal. I always found sandals boring, so the only way, for me, to make them more interesting without doing the actual gladiator sandal thing (I haven't seen any that aren't too strappy for me... I'm picky) is having swingy fringe. Kind of like the bangs I wish I had. Or a mop. Or one of those things that slaps against your car in a car wash.

Finally, my platform heels from Old Navy. I got multiple compliments on these shoes and I've received interesting comments upon telling people they're from Old Navy. If you've been reading fashion blogs in the past month or two, you've probably already seen the wedges that ON came out with in three colors; however, I already have similar wedges, so I stuck with the heels. I love, love, love, platform heels because everyone is in awe over how high they are--little do many people know, the front platform decreases the angle that your foot is from the ground, meaning you feel less pain than you would in the average stilettos. The higher, the better. Also, I love how these work with brown or black outfits (although they also come in an ivory color). Even more good news: they're on sale.

Unrelated to shoes...

I have proof (from my phone) that SoCal has consumed my soul:

It's my new piercing! I heart Outer Limits in Costa Mesa.

Walking from Outer Limits to South Coast Plaza:

THE UNIFORM

I'm going to start off with something that isn't related to fashion for a change. Actually, Karen O has everything to do with fashion because she--and Christian Joy, who designs her and Klaxons's stage outfits--basically rules all. I drew this during one of my classes a few weeks ago so it was pretty quickly done. I'm not really a "fan art" kind of person, but I saw a picture online and just had to draw it:

A shot of my sketchbook. These are the times when I need a scanner!

Back to the clothes...

This is actually more of an inside joke between my boyfriend and I, but I decided to share it with you lovely readers... you may either find it funny, repulsive, or neither (which means you're a hipster too. Just kidding!). How to dress like the hipster ghost that lives in my dorm room:

1) American Apparel hoodie

2) American Apparel v-neck

3) Dark skinny jeans

4) Vans or some other type of dark sneaker

5) Wayfarer-esque sunnies

Wear with an Alex + Chloe necklace for full effect.

Yes, all of these articles of clothing belong to me, but no, I never wear them all together... unless I'm doing it ironically. But wait--attempting to convince someone that you are not a hipster by ironically wearing hipster clothing (all at once) makes one even more of a hipster, yes? Oh, the confusion! The befuddlement! The bafflement of my sweatshop-free vestments! I must discuss this on my blog! *Whips out the Macbook*

(I'm scaring myself at this point... at least that's a good sign.)

Now if I could only find these in a store...

I have found the latest bag of my dreams: the Foley + Corinna City Clutch ($444):

The size is absolutely perfect because I am relatively Olsen-sized, and, unlike said twins, do not enjoy schlepping around totes that cause people to speculate if I'm harboring a stowaway sister. The bag can be folded in half (hence its classification as a clutch, although to me, the unfolded version seems like adequate-sized handbaggery), which doesn't actually look as appealing as the folded version of the larger yet equally priced Mid City Tote. 

Folded City Clutch in Fuschia:

Folded Mid City Tote:

As you can see, the handle reaches a bit lower on this larger tote, making it a wee bit more attractive than the clutch version when it's folded. Unfolded, though, I'd still choose the clutch. Here's the Mid City Tote:

  

The slightly-more-wallet-friendly Glazed Mini City Tote ($413) would be more to my liking because of its smaller size; however, the shopbop.com exclusive tote only comes in this yellow color, shown here. That's a shame, because shine + black + smallness = perfection to me.