27 August 2007

Only she could make me rethink pink

It's embarrassing, it's regrettable, but it's true -- ask anyone who knew me between 1994 and 2002, and they would all say, without a whit of hesitation, that I had the market cornered when it came to wearing pink anything.

Pink velour track pants? Check.

Pink turtleneck sweater? Check.

Pink strapless cocktail shift? Check.

Pink tie-front bandeau bikini? Check.

Charlotte ringer tees in Easter pink, raspberry pink, electric pink and red-faded-into-Hawaiian-punch pink? Check, check, check aaaand check.

I wore so much pink so often during high school and college that literally, one day shortly after graduation, I woke up, looked at my two-thirds pink wardrobe arranged neatly from dark-to-light in my closet, turned away and said, "No more."

And since then, aside from my Georgetown University entrance ticket (i.e. the super-fitted, baby pink Izod polo), I haven't put a single dollar toward anything remotely resembling the color of fabulosity, according to Kimora Lee Simmons. Not an eyeshadow, not a nail polish, not a lip gloss, not even a pair of for-the-bedroom boyshorts.

After five solid years of living a pink-free lifestyle, I neither missed it nor honestly thought I'd ever wear it again.

But then, out of nowhere, came this:This serene scene of the lovely Katie in a rich berry, thick-knitted coat-dress and catch-your-breath beautiful black Giuseppi Zanotti knee-high stiletto boots carrying a sleeping Suri en route to a flower shop after a taxing two-hour private tour at the Louvre not only affirmed the sentiments I've shared with you in posts like this, this and this but also opened my eyes for the first time in years to the possibility of reintroducing pink to my wardrobe.

Naturally, it would be a different kind of pink. A grown-up pink. The kind of pink a woman would wear not to boldly assert her femininity but rather as an every-now-and-then alternative to classic black that would allow her to feel "brightened up" but still well within the confines of her hallmark prim, elegant aesthetic. I may not have reached Holmesian-level perfection with the rose-hued, funnel-necked, structured-twill trapeze dress I liberated from Zara after work last Friday - the exposed zipper, for example, would not have been my first choice - but considering the perfect fit, the coveted neckline, and of course, its palatable $99 price tag, I'm confident I came as close to her gold standard as a girl on a budget could.


The dress:

Whether I wear the new frock with my vintage croc-embossed pumps, my rosette-adorned satin peep toes, or, after I finally nail down a good time to take that two-week hiatus to have an egg harvested and earn that easy $25K for which I have only three more years of eligibility, these cognac almond-toed Alta Arielle Talon stiletto boots, I'm confident I'll feel just as sophisticated and sleek in pink as I do every other day in my signature all-black.

So, for the rest of you think-you-hate-pink people out there, I urge you to give this hue another chance. Not a nostalgic throwback-to-the-pep-rally chance, not a frilly feminine chance, but a thoughtful, adult chance. Go for deep mauves, clean and subtle ballets, rich matte magentas or, if you're not ready to take the full leap, at least indulge in a pop-of-pink item like this dress from Milly or this blouse from Harkham.


Before I go, I should also mention that what truly made acquiring this precious-'n'-pink dress so satisfying was that I found it shortly after leaving behind a different one, one I loved so much I actually seriously considered reallocating a quarter month's rent toward its purchase.

Where? At Cusp, of course, where everything - except these - is a wishlist item and nothing aside from Spanx, a few pairs of Sam Edelman flats and the judgmental, "Why should I give you a fitting room if you and I both know you're not going to buy anything?" eyerolls costs less than $295.


Which dress? This sweet, sequined-belted, bubble-hemmed tweed cocktail dress with keyhole back from Vera Wang's Lavender Label collection. Recognize the pleated neckline? Yeah, I did, too. I wanted so badly to give my two sateen-cotton girls a wool sister, but alas, sometimes finances force families to stay small.


"$430 isn't that much...I mean, I could totes class up my bralessness with pearls and clear gloss and make it office-appropriate, right?"
"The sequined belt isn't detachable? Fiddlesticks, I guess that would make it a bit too may-juh for behind a desk on a Tuesday."
One day, sweet overpriced dresses, one day we will be together...

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oooooh LOVE the Vera Wang dress! And it looked so good on you! What's rent when you've got a fabulous dress that when you really look at it, is neither work nor nightclub appropriate?

You could wear it at home with Monte :)

The pink looks great with your skin and the neckline is fab too, just not *quite* as fab as the Vera Wang.

Anonymous said...

I would sell an egg for those boots, too, though since I don't have an IVY LEAGUE degree, sadly, I could probably only get half of that $25K.

I'm happy to see you in pink again! Meeeeemmmorieeees...

Anonymous said...

She's got leeeegs and she knows how to use them...

Anonymous said...

Less pictures of your face, please. I would like to keep my breakfast down, thank you very much.

Johanna said...

KYAHT-

I know, I know, STOP telling me how gorgeous it is. You think it was easy for me to walk away from it? I'm still reeling over the loss.

bff-

Oh, I don't know, I think they'd pay you a bit more than half. Somewhere between half and 2/3, anyway :-)

I hear they like blondes more than mixed bloods, so you may have me cornered there. You never know 'til you ask!

don't get used to the pink...

anonymous 8:35-

Tee-hee, I'm totes gonna listen to that song on my way into the office now!

anonymous 8:36-

Sorry, I didn't mean to induce vom -- perhaps you could tape a picture of Britney circa 1999 over the many pics of my mug in today's post. That, however, may cause a severe nostalgic reaction.

best,
J

Anonymous said...

pink3.jpg, with its mona lisa smile, is an especially beautiful picture.

Lady Tiara said...

i love that pink zara dress. i briefly considered buying it last weekend, but i had to admit to myself the cold hard fact that i already own more pink dresses than any woman really needs.

Anonymous said...

How can you expect to have credibility with your readers when you yourself can't dress to flatter your figure? You keep choosing that neckline that highlights your bony, unhealthy looking upper body and then again with that knee length hem that makes your heavy legs look exactly that: HEAVY. I think you should try longer sleeves and more pants. Cover those things up.

Anonymous said...

Oops! Nips!

love the Zara dress. That neckline was MADE for skinny bitches like you.

Anonymous said...

Welcome back to the pink team! Pink has been my signature color--and no, I did not pronounce it signachuh cullah--for about 10 years now. Why? Because my mother always used to advise against me wearing it when I was little because I was a redhead and she thought it was unflattering. But what started as sartorial spite turned into a love affair.

Brooke said...

Anon 9:18- I would kill for Johanna's bony upper body! And if I had those kind of shoulders and upper arms I would definately show them off. I think your intent to insult might actually have the reverse effect, Johanna works really hard on her muscles and you have complimented her hard work!

P.S. Are you implying if she had chubby arms and bony legs she could then were these dresses? You are so off!

From now on haters should be required to submit a picture of themselves so that A) they could stop being the cowards they are and B) the group can analyze if you really have the perfect body you speak of!

Anonymous said...

I tried that dress on last weekend at Zara and it looked nothing like that on me. Good for you and don't listen to your detractors. They clearly don't see what everyone else sees!

Anonymous said...

The Vera Wang is lovely, to be sure. I lusted after it, too, but found it a tidge too spendy for me. But I found a similar (but technically less deluxe) version at a shop on U St. It has a detachable belt that you could swap out for a sequined one. It could be a possible candidate for "since I don't (yet)..."

Anonymous said...

whoever made the "heavy legs" comment must be crazy. I agree with Brooke that haters should submit their own pics so that we can disect them!!

Unknown said...

Didn't "Legally Blonde" kill pink forever?

The last pic with you looking at an angle makes you look rather naughty. I've decided that yes, indeed this is a good haircut for you. I know you needed my approval.

Lishyk said...

I think that choosing the right pink for one's colouring is difficult to do, but you seem to have hit the balance right on with this dress. I dig it!

Anonymous said...

I wish my legs were that "heavy."

Did that dress come in any other colors? Love the style but pink just doesn't work with my skin tone.

Anonymous said...

I'd have bought it. It is just SO you.

Anonymous said...

whoopsie daisy, I meant to sign my name on that last comment...

BabsieD said...

Wow--that VW dress is incredible. And brilliant on you. You can def work sequins on a Tuesday!

Anonymous said...

I don't understand you women whose goal it is to afford $430 dresses. It's just a dress. How about this novel idea - save your money and buy something meaningful like a house or a car or a college fund your children. Your materialistic attitude is what's wrong with your generation. Thankfully, you're probably too selfish to ever have children of your own. If you ever did have any, they'd probably grow up to be just as useless and superficial as their mother.

Anonymous said...

Voice of Reason: Why are you even reading this blog? If fashion is so terribly below you, how did you even find ASJiNE? I'm terribly confused.

Lishyk said...

voice of reason--excuse me, but I think that anyone can spend their hard-earned money any way they damn well please. Also--the desire for designer dresses a poor mother does not make. There's no need to extrapolate fashion preferences so deeply into the realm of the hypothetical.

Unknown said...

Oh, dearest Voice of Reason, did it never occur to you that some of us can't afford a $450 dress *because* we are saving for a house and the future? Though, excellent work modeling those wiser, older generation's values by... sitting on the internet snarking on a fashion blog anonymously. Truly, these are the virtues that built America.

Anonymous said...

katie holmes dresses like she is 40!

you are too young and chic for that!

Meg said...

I love pink, but didn't think I could wear it until I found a few shades that work well with my pale complexion. Now I adore it. Sometimes I wear it very girly. Othertimes, it's simply a set of elegant pink pearls.

I hope you'll consider submitting this or another color related post to the upcoming edition of the Fabulous! Festival (the deadline to submit is Sept. 14th). I'm hosting it and the theme is ... what else... color :)

For more info, check out http://www.allaboutappearances.info/fabulous-festival/

Anonymous said...

i've never understood your aversion to color. i think it suits you. in fact, i think you need a shot of color. maybe a jewel toned silk blouse with a black or gray pencil skirt. i think burgundy and teal would be especially flattering. and lavender, that would be a nice color on you.

Anonymous said...

voice of reason- if you feel that way, why are you wasting your time posting on a website dedicated to fashion? obviously the person who writes a blog on fashion and the people who read it value beautiful clothes.

Anonymous said...

and eggplant and dark purple are beautiful on you, too, like the proenza schouler blouse you posted on if i had a sugar daddy