this is not hip

So I went to Italy like over a month ago and I just now uploaded them fotoz. As in the rest of Europe, the locals actually put time and effort into their dress and don’t throw on sparkly sweatpants from Aeropostale to go out on the street.

I’m not a legit fashion blogger and was on a trip with the fam so I could not ask the people to pose for me. Instead I took photos of them like a creep. Here are my favorites.

I snapped this dood waiting in line outside the Vatican. Seeing well dressed men on mopeds is commonplace in Rome, but I loved it. I think his shoes are fabulous as well.

Normally the cardigan over the shirt thing is kind of dull, but somehow he makes it look really casual and cool. I think it’s the way he just flung the sleeves over his shoulders. And the brown belt is genius.

This dood is like American college students if they cared just a little more. I love the colors.

I spotted this fantastic older man when we were getting on the tour bus. Everything is great about this from the bike helmet to the great shoe/sock combination.

Orange pants are usually so JCrew, but somehow this guy makes it cool. I think the friend with the cigarette helps.

I saw this couple sitting on some steps in Venice and I thought they looked so great, especially together. They both are wearing gray pinstripe bottoms and brown shoes. I think the man’s trousers with the shoes and no socks looks fab. They look so simple yet put together, and I think they are a good representation of what Italian fashion seemed to be about.

And this was the standard American tourist in Venice. Makes me kind of sad.

For some reason I have been all like OMG I NEED RED SHORTS and I’m not really sure why. I know such a purchase would be so impractical because it’s july and fall clothes are coming out and everything and I’m really looking at boots and jackets right now, but I want them so much. I would wear them with so many things.

I tried on these at American Apparel and I loved them. They are $44 dollars which is more than I would like to spend on a July summer clothes purchase, but I could wear them with tights and things in the fall/winter right?  I’m just afraid bright colored shorts will be all passe next summer and I will have to give them away.

Stretch Bull Denim Short Shorts

Speaking of tights and shorts, I saw this photo on the flickr group wardrobe_remix and I liked it a lot.

I cannot figure out how she did fishnet tights and heels and looks cute and not trashy. I want to be able to do this so much. I am envious of people who can make fishnet tights cute. I have not bothered to buy them because I’m afraid I will just look a little skanky. Also I am jealous of heels girls. Who isn’t? But its really my goal next year at school to dress up a little more. I will stick out a lot, but I think it is nice to dress up. I bought some red wedges I did not need at all and I want to wear them out all the time.

And completely  unrelated, lookit how cute this boy I pulled off Face Hunter is!

The blush or whatever he has going on it fantastic! It totally would not work in the states, but it works in Paris! Maybe it should be able to work in America.

So I just wanted to say that I love these shoes so much

Encinitas Crisscross Skimmer $38 at Urban

I think I haven’t bought them yet because they seem like they might look worse in real life than they do on a screen. I’ve seen other versions of these shoes around that i love way more, but nothing for a reasonable price. I really want sandals like this though. Someone please find some for me.

Also who is not surprised that Urban ripped off the Mexican Embroidered dress that has been mad popular at thrift stores and on ebay the past few months?

Lux Embroidered Mexicana Dress $78 at Urban

Thing is, seeing has I haven’t found the original to be especially flattering on me and this one has tailoring that actually shows a waist I’d consider getting it if it wasn’t ridiculously priced.

But personally, I am shocked and appalled that Urban has not come out with a version of the hipster headband clearly seen all over lastnightsparty and the cobrasnake for months now.

Or the grandma glasses that I am seriously tired of seeing on the same sites.

Seriously, Urban Outfitters, you know the rule. If Cory Kennedy does it, you should too.

So I’m on a clothing diet right now. I haven’t bought anything in a while and I’m just trying to figure out how to make my current wardrobe work. I don’t wear like 70% of it most of the time anyways and I need to figure out how to.

Also I feel pretty uninspired lately, though there are a couple things I want.

I want a cool leather jacket.  Preferably brown. I just think it would totally work with everything I have and the style I’ve currently been getting into. It is so hard to find a quality jacket that isn’t ridiculously expensive, but I will be keeping an eye out.

Also I want like 3543 American Apparel items, but I don’t really want to order online since they aren’t that cheap and I have never tried anything on there. I really just want to save up a ridiculous quantity of money and then go wild on basic shirts, skirts, dresses, socks, and maybe a lame bathing suit. On most style sites I look at, like 50% of each girl’s outfit is AA. Maybe I will just go after school is out and drive up to rmond for the day and shop.

So I feel inspired lately by newest wrinkle to have more interesting, beautiful pieces.

I often buy cheap or basic items, which are nice, but it would also be nice to have a few really beautiful pieces.

Here are some pictures from the post that inspires me the most:

Nothing I would wear but I love the delicacy and the quality. This girl gets most of her things from anthropologie and  built by wendy, neither of which I can afford at all, but I think it will pay to start saving for nice items in the long run. Also, I have a $50 banana republic gift certificate I have not used yet that could come in handy for these purposes. Maybe instead of trying to get a few basic summer tops with it I should spend it all on one really nice item.

Forserious.

I like to look at clothes and look at people who dress well, but why can I not dress myself that wellll. I am mad jealous right now because of a girl who just posted on newestwrinkle had the cutest yet attainable style. I’m going to be a creep and post pictures of my favorite outfits of hers.

So effing cute! She makes me want to go buy a million things.

Okay so I don’t really dig Free People usually. I cannot really afford their clothes unless they are on mad sale at a boutique, and I’m totally not into the whole boho-hippie-chic thing. But then sometimes they pull things like this and I am like omgIwishIhadmoremoney

Embellished Bali Hoodie $128 w/ Rainforest Bloomers $68

Also, I usually hate the horrible chunky boots they try to make you buy to wear with awful boho skirts and whatnot, but I think I really like these canvas boots. I could see them being cute with jeans or shorts with tights.

Baggy Canvas Boot $78

But just when I am starting to think about getting into boho fashion, Free People pulls something like this.

Fuck you, crazy hippies. I will not look horrible and frumpy in the guise of being unique and holding secret artistic and vegetarian and possibly crazyfeminist values.

I mentioned before I am most heavily influenced by street fashion blogs. Here are the blogs I read the most often and highly recommend reading daily:

The Satorialist showcases the best of New York City style. The subjects often lean more towards high fashion than I can aspire to, but it is a great read nonetheless. The Satorialist pays meticulate attention to detail, especially when it comes to his many captures of men’s suits.

Face Hunter captures Paris street style. This style tends toward edgy rockabilly and the looks are very interesting and definitely achievable.

Hel Looks is probably the most interesting and inspirational fashion find on the net. It captures fashion on the streets of Helsinki and its subjects have innovative style, often wearing items thrifted or altered by them.

Style Bytes is not really a street fashion blog, but it is probably my favorite fashion blog. Agathe, the writer, gives excellent style tips and updates, links to interesting indie designers, and shows daily pictures of her own outfits and purchases which is my favorite part.