Ariel, Burlington, VA

One of our favorite CultIndie members, Ariel, recently posted this guide to wearing flannel this season. Ariel is a fashion lover from Burlington, Virginia so we’re assuming she knows a thing or two about bundling up and how to rock one what’s quickly becoming a staple amongst the hipster set.

We fell in hearts with the post and decided to share it with the rest of you indies. Enjoysies…

Recently flannel has made a reappearance on the fashion scene. Hipsters, Cobain devotees, and Grungers are all attempting to make sure the leisurely, working class hero look remains.  But there is a way to wear it and way not to wear it. Flannel should be original in its design, in that, it is not part of a corset or fitted top. If you’re going to take a step in the grunge direction, you might as well go full force without looking like a complete poser.

You can find a good lumberjack-style flannel shirt at any large vintage warehouse. The best part? Its dirt cheap! I found one online for less than $20. Because they are old, you can snag high-end brands like Ralph Lauren at rock-bottom prices.

Can’t figure out what size would look authentic on you? If your a girl, shop the mens department in the same size (So if you’re a medium in womens, look for a medium in mens). This way you can rock your flannel in the loose-fitting I don’t give a SHIT attitude that both Kurt and Eddie sported back in their heyday.

The last thing I want to see is someone wearing a tight fitting shirt in a tartan plaid print that bulges around her chest and over her muffin top. Wear it open with a cami and jeans, or buttoned mostly with a sexy bra underneath and leggings (if you want to be daring downtown at night). Oh…and whatever you do…make sure not to pair this one with stilettos…sandals or Docs should fit the bill for a complete flannel-based look.

Thats all for now.

Ariel

With all the fashion going on we have our homework cut out for us …so much to review so little time (until the next season). So now all we need is a cute pair of glasses to start studying all the clothes of the future. Let’s embrace our inner McLovin with these so-geeky four-eyed accessories.

Everyone and their mother have already trashed Vicky Beckham for this look, and for the first time in my fashion career I am going to disagree with the media and defend this outfit. She looks sleek and sexy, people have to be aware of the fact that not everyone can wear white, and she looks flawless in this dress. The fur on her back does not look like wings, it looks fashionable and modern, but I happen to like fur. Her hair is up, and the silver Louboutins happen to add a nice touch of color to the all white look. I believe that people are so used to bashing her that they look beyond her clothing and judge her actions, which should not be the case. I think she looks amazing…

Thanks Jezebel for the pic

Women of Mortal Combat, mama’s got a brand new bag…err shoe! Seeing these super sexy shoes from Rodarte made me choke on the pretzel I was eating as I gasped at their beauty and mind-blowing design. The super stiletto heel, dominatrix spikes and polished black leather is everything I could wish for in one pair of footwear. I will never use the term “killer shoes” in the same manner. Santa, make sure these ones don’t tear my stocking.

Thanks Harper’s Bazaar for the photo

So what exactly is the definition of vintage? We’ve been wondering ever since a buyer friend of ours tried to claim her H&M skirt was vintage cause she bought it two seasons ago. We found an answer to the question on Catwalk Creative, an online UK shopping site that specializes in goodies from a past era.

As a relatively new term, its meaning is open to much interpretation. Dealers haven’t officially established what defines and differentiates vintage from antique, recycled (secondhand) and retro. Consumers – and some dealers – use the word ‘vintage’ as a collective term that defines anything old. For clarification, purists would categorize ‘old clothes’ as the following:

• Antique clothing refers to any garments that pre-date 1920 (the nineteenth century; the Belle Epoque era).
• Vintage is anything that dates after 1920 and up to the mid 1980s.
• Retro mainly refers to Sixties’ and Seventies’ casual wear.
• Recycled (secondhand) is anything post early Eighties – not strictly ‘vintage’ clothing in the generic sense of the word.

If you can’t remember all of the above, remember only this: anything less than twenty to twenty-five years old is NOT ‘vintage’.

So rocking a pair of bleached overalls you found at Goodwill that look like they fell of the set of Saved by the Bell doesn’t make you a vintage queen. Keep that in mind indies as style quickly falls into 90’s.  You’re not rocking vintage, you’re rocking recycled.

Boots have always been in style. However, this fall will see a recreation of the simple boot. Slouchy and scrunchy boots have hit the runway. From Balenciaga to Givenchy, this trend is evident. It has a relaxed street chic element yet maintains a refined quality. These boots would pair perfectly with a dress or fall peacoat. If you want to make a statement, pick up a pair! 

Thanks to The Fashion Spot for the pics!  

Find more photos like this on INDIES UNITED

Lately, I’ve become obsessed with 1940’s style of dress. I’m guessing it’s cause the Mad Men posters are all over New York, or it may be because I am secretly a “t-shirt and jeans as fashion” hater, either reason, I was instantly hooked on these photos when I spotted them on the blog of self-taught photographer Joseph Bleu.

The make-up of the dapper man requires a few tricks to pull it off correctly…

1. Buy a blue suit. Black is too funeral/wedding. You can rock it alone or mix it with a pair of plaid, tweed, or camel slacks.

2. Pick up a few pairs of tweed pants. Find complimentary colors to the blue jacket of the suit. Skip the double and triple pleats and opt for a light weight fabric. The pants should fit a bit looser, the style is casual not constraint.

3. Grab a button down that fits. Don’t go over baggy, the idea is to look polished so it’s important to wear a fitted shirt that won’t add bulk to your look. White is always classic, but feel free to play around with patterns and colors. You’re goal should be to be a modern version of the classic dapper.

4. Skip the fat tie. Thin ties work best with this look, bow ties a close second.

5. Thin Long Shoes. Pointed toes are the necessity when attempting the dapper. Black works, but a deep brown is preferred.

6. Upgrade You. The little details will make all the difference when pulling off this look. Break out the cufflinks, add a pocket square, match the belt with the shoes, skip the tube socks, get the tie pin, have the pocket watch, rock the fedora. The details will take prep to dapper in seconds so add them wisely.

7. Speak Like You Have Some Sense. While this look brings with it a silent knowledge, the better spoken you are the more likely folks will think you’re style is more than just a surface thing. Nothing is more stylish than someone who is well versed so skip the magazines and complete this intellectual look with a copy of Hemingway or Steinbeck. Also, this look doesn’t go well with a can of Pabst. Discover a couple of the great standards like a Rob Roy or a Gin & Tonic.

Thanks to Joseph Bleu for posting these photos

Charlize Theron has been quite the globetrotter these days, promoting Hancock in Moscow, Paris and London. And Dior Global Makeup Advisor Shane Paish has been traveling with her, dressing up her face with…Dior, of course. Shane used the same basic products on Charlize every night, with a twist to reflect the surroundings in the different cities.

Read on for the key products used to create all three:

• The basics: Dior L’Or de Vie skincare, DiorSkin Airflash Spray Foundation, and DiorShow Unlimited Mascara

• Moscow: Charlize’s bold red lips were created with Rouge Dior Lipstick in Red Premiere #752

• Paris: This smoldering bronze eye is courtesy of the 5-Colour Eyeshadow in Sunset Cafe #440

• London: For an edgy, chic eye look, Shane used Dior Crayon Eyeliner Waterproof in Trinidad Black #094

Source: BeautyAddict

Agyness Deyn was spotted with the same bag in three different outfits over the past week. It’s the Chanel Union Jack bag and it goes for 980 euros. It’s painful to admit, but I want it. Yes, I’m a dude, but it’s a pretty flippin cool bag worth it’s weight in cred points.

I love the way Aggy can mix high ticket signature items with unknown mixed pieces. The look it priceless and the style of a true trendsetter.

To do it right it requires a little work and a good amount of cash.

1. Pick up some insanely priced “must have” item. Christian Louboutins don’t count, but a Birkin bag or oversized Louis Vuitton number should do the trick. Just remember, it has to be current and potentially in every single magazine known to man.

2. Buy a number of lesser priced items that don’t really match the style of the bag.  Stay away from colors that match the bag, just create a completely different look from the aethetic of the bag.

3. Rock the look and make sure to stress the “must have” item as much as possible. People will identify you as a bit of a trendsetter for being so angsty against the bags preordaned direction.

Come on indies, weigh in. Love it or hate it?

Image source Fabsugar.uk

Welcome to a new feature on Style Indie called Anatomy of a Look.

This feature is reserved for those who rock a certain look, but fall several steps short of chic. I will dissect the look like it’s 9th grade science and then show how the outfit could work. Everyone has a style, however most times it just doesn’t work out.

For our inaugural edition we have Rumer Willis trying to rock the art-girl look.

The ‘art-girl’ look is hard to pull off because most people think you can just put what whatever you want together as an outfit and it’s artsy. Oh no! The truly chic ‘art girl’ knows it’s a delicate balance between quirkiness and polish. It’s so easy to look like Bjork’s twin when trying to rock this look.

Where to start? See the analysis, art-girl icons, and the look done right under the cut