Category — Outfit of the Week

Okay, I know the Outfits of the Week have been a little music-centric lately, but I’ve been trying to update my stale playlists and there are just some amazingly inspiring chantreuses. I really like how Janelle Monae, like Patti Smith, has a very calculated and streamlined look. In fact, I’d go so far as to call Monae’s “look” a uniform: tuxedo shirt, oxfords/saddle shoes, tuxedo pants, coifed hair.

View the full Polyvore set here. That tuxedo shirt is a K by Karl Laggerfield for under $100 (as is everything in the set)! I’m a little unsure if Monae would actually where these Kenneth Jay Lane earrings, but they are black and white and add a nice texture to the crisp tuxedo pants and shirt.

Cath and I have a soft spot for Monae not just because she is talented and creative, but her artistic birth happened in Atlanta, and she’s a shortie like us. She’s a five foot powerhouse, and featured in the April 2010 shape issue of American Vogue (see below).

Now, I promise this video of Monae’s latest single will totally make your Monday. And if you get a chance to see her in concert, you should (Big Boi joined her on stage to perform “Tightrope”)! We saw her uber theatrical performance last Tuesday. The best $14 I’ve ever spent.

Let me know what you guys think! And happy Monday!!!!

I know not everyone is enjoying spring/summer-like conditions this week, but we’ve finally hit the 80s in the ATL. The sun and warmth had me digging out my summery dresses and shorts. But even if you aren’t wiggling your toes in the sunshine and clinking glasses of sweet tea, I think this week’s outfit helps you feel like you are.

This week’s inspiration: the new Goldfrapp album! I got my copy from one of my favorite stores in Decatur, Heliotrope (check out their online store here).

Large sunnies, a dash of sequins, a brightly colored jumpsuit/romper, and a pinch of electronica je ne sais quoi, and you’re good to go!

Check out the full Polyvore here. I’m eying the magenta Matt and Nat clutch and the oversized studded clutch/purse from moxsie.com.

I love Alison Goldfrapp’s style, especially in these album shots below (all images courtesy of their blog):

What do you think?

I hope this brightens your Monday morning a bit! Give Goldfrapp a listen here if you do need a lift at work or school and forgot your magenta romper at home.

P.S.- I hope you all had a lovely weekend! Cath and I spent it with friends and family eating my mom’s fabulous cooking and knocking Easter eggs (a post with complete explanation and photos to come soon!).

I can’t think of a lady whose style is more unlike our last three Outfits of the Week (Tim Walker-esque, Happy-Go-Lucky and Unabashedly Girlie). Patti’s style is also the most unlike my own, but I think her style is a good salty to our sweet.

After reading this article about her in the New York Times last week, I realized that her calculated “look” reminded me of so many other fashion icons we admire. It’s not that Audrey Hepburn walked around in cut-up jeans and Ann Demeulemeester blazers like Patti favors, but (at least according to the Times), her disheveled punk gamine look is as consciously “put-together” as Audrey’s cigarette pants and boat-neck tees. And I like that.

Consciously choosing a “look” reminds me that fashion can really be a tool to express who you are (or want to be, or feel like being on a particular day), and that doesn’t necessarily happen just by accident. I mean, some days throwing on whatever you stumble into in your closet really works, but usually that method means I end up wearing something ho-hum (jeans, oversized tee and platform booties).

I love this photo that accompanied the article about her in the NY Times. The article is a must-read to feel inspired to do your own thing- deliberately (but make it look effortless).

Ooo I love the black desert boots from Need Supply and that gorgeous bronzy looking ring from Shopbop. Check out the details of the entire polyvore set here.

I’m also really itching to read this recently published book about her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe (more art history nerdiness – woohoo!).

Do you guys choose to present yourself to the world in a certain way? Or do you do the throw-something-on-and-look-fabulous thing? I wish sometimes I could do the latter, but I’m much more intrigued by the former. Discuss.

Lar and I have been big Tim Walker fans well before Juicy Couture got a hold of him. Sure all of his work has an over abundance of fantasy, tulle and giant props leaning up against a manor house interior wall, but he brings a fresh level of creativity to every project. For example, his most recent editorial with Italian Vogue:

See the rest of the editorial at The Fashion Time blog.

As much as I would love to be able to wear deconstructed Marie Antoinette wigs and flouncy tutus, the impracticality of those items force me to find cheaper, more everyday-like clothing on Polyvore. All the items below are under $100 and a watered-down version of the Tim Walker spread. My favorite find is this pair of shoes from Modekungen – I wonder if they ship to the U.S. I have no idea how I’d wear them, but they’re delightfully weird.

The weather is finally warming up here in Atlanta so I didn’t even include a jacket in this set. But come to think of it, I should have probably included an umbrella. It seems like it’s been raining every other day here.

Tim Walker Inspired by AsianCajuns featuring TopShop

Can you think of one current (i.e. trendy) fashion icon that dresses in an unabashedly girly way? I don’t mean the occasional feminine blouse with brogues (a la Alexa Chung) or a floral mini dress with black leather and hardware (thank you, Chloe Sevigny). I mean, really girly: ruffles, hour glass silhouettes, lots of color, big rings (with nary a cross or pyramid stud), heels without the clunk.

I miss it. I really do. I mean, Cath and I still lust after Alexander Wang tees and fell for the tomboyish bodycon charm of Erin Wasson. But after a few months of wearing leggings and oversized sweaters and heavy chains, I’m yearning for something a little more like this:

Today’s inspiration comes from Ms. Lindsay Price (aka Victory Ford on the now defunct television series ‘Lipstick Jungle’). Apart from her girly wardrobe, Cath and I are also fans of Price because she’s a biracial baby just like us (KoreanGermanIrish vs. our ChineseFrenchDanishGermanIrish). There really aren’t a lot of women on television who look like us, so we always get a little excited when we someone kind of AsianCajun-ish. For many years, the only celebrity people could think to compare us to was Michelle Kwan.

Back to the girliness… here’s your Polyvore for the week:

Photos: Style.com

I’m not super crazy about Alexander Wang’s velvety/goth look for the fall (see the complete collection here), but I do love the deconstructed suits and drape-y sweaters. Plus, there’s no denying the fact that Wang is probably one of the most popular/well-known designers of the moment. So in honor of all things fashion week(s), Wang’s show is the inspiration for our Outfit of the Week. . . this week. . .

Everything pictured below is under $100. Velvet might seem a bit heavy for the spring, but it’s still February, we did have snow IN ATLANTA less that two weeks ago, and the mornings can still be a little chilly. So, I think velvet is a perfectly appropriate material for Atlantans in February. Who’s with me? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Alexander Wang RTW Fall2010 on the Cheap by AsianCajuns featuring J.newyork sweaters

I like Valentine’s Day regardless of whether or not I’m in a relationship and despite the fact that it’s nothing more than a greeting card holiday. However, I’m not big into wearing a lot of pink – especially when dressing up for the evening. So when I saw this outfit on Style.com I thought, “If I had all the money in the world, I would buy that outfit for Valentine’s Day.”

Well, I don’t have all the money in the world, but I do have a Polyvore account! This outfit is a little skimpy for the weather in Atlanta this week. I’d probably wear a coat – or two – over the jacket.

We never get compared to the Olsen twins. This kind of surprises us because even though we aren’t blond and don’t own a multi-million empire of any sort, we are petite and we love fashion and, well, you know, we’re twins. Maybe it’s the Asian-ness that throws people off the scent. I think it’s more likely that most of our friends aren’t quite as fashion obsessed as we are. They still think of MKA (that’s Mary Kate and Ashley for you less obsessed) as that little girl on “Full House.”

Like most fashionistas out there, we think MKA are some of the most inspiring ladies in the fickle fashion world, even if they wear things that don’t look uber-flattering. They wear what they want and they hardly ever follow trends. In fact, they set most of them. So while you might not slum around NYC in a raggedy house coat and old loafers (both probably thrift finds, one cashmere and the other real leather), those piles of rings and bangles you wear and the perfect baggy tee you love is all Olsen.

All photos below are from Olsens Anonymous.

I have a lot of these things below in my closet (the cheaper, Target or H&M versions mostly), but I particularly have had my eye on that oversized black Moxsie purse. It’s currently out of stock, but they are usually pretty good about getting more of an item back in quickly.

Hurray! It’s suppose to get warmer in Atlanta this week and I’m going to enjoy it while I can (who knows when the next cold snap is coming). We’ll have a couple of rainy days, but I’m not going to complain since the high this week is going to reach 61 F.

I created a very spring-friendly outfit, and similarly to what Lar did last week, tried to keep everything under $100. The Longchamp bag is the only ridiculously over-priced item in the bunch, but I love the punch of orange with the purple umbrella and relatively neutral outfit. Lar and I are really into lace tights with boots this season, so expect to see that pairing in upcoming outfit posts.

Happy Monday, Everyone!

Atlanta Forecast by AsianCajuns featuring Juicy Couture accessories

Items in this set: