Outfit Of The Day (Click Click Saddle Up, See You On The Moon Then)

So unless you have been hiding underneath a rock, you have probably already heard about all of the Target/Jason Wu collab news. Another designer! At Target! February 2012! 

And If this collection goes the way of the Great Zig Zag Zilch of 2011, Target, I’ll motherfucking cut you.

(I mean, after I politely go through the check-out and pay for my items and then spend my usual two minutes standing next to the weird teenage Target security guard, studying my receipt and wondering why I can’t ever seem to get out of there without spending at least $100 even though I swear I just bought two packs of gum.) (Oh! And after I fashion a shank out of some old clearanced Isaac Mizrahi for Target shoes.  Obviously.)

So let’s discuss the goods! Jason Wu is a relative newcomer to the fashion scene so a few of you might be saying, “Wu, Chloe, who?” In brief: he got his start designing dresses for dolls, launched his ready-to-wear collection in 2006, won the Fashion Group International’s Rising Star award in 2008, and designed Michelle Obama’s inaugural ball gown…all before the age of 30. Wait! Oh. Ohhhh geez, hold on here–my own lack of accomplishments in life has suddenly become obnoxiously distracting.

I have discussed Mr. Wu on this blog before; usually around the fashion weeks because his collections are just so pretty and some of my absolute favorites to oogle.They exude everything that I both love about fashion and try to apply in my own adventures in personal style: his designs are pretty, feminine, sophisticated, and chic…with a fun bite of sauciness.

(it’s a lot harder than it looks.) (via style.com)

The problem? Price points for pieces from his collections range anywhere from $1,000 to $6,000 (unless you get this lace top for a steal at $850!), which makes it fairly unaffordable for most of the real world.

And while there are a million different arguments as to why high-end designer collabs with low-end stores like Target and H&M are both good and bad, as most of us learned during the recent Lanvin and Missoni mishaps, I do love the idea that I will soon be able to support one of my favorite designers without having to dress Petunia in her hotdog costume and send her back off to Ellen Degeneres to make some extra cash. Last time I did that she came back home with A BAD ATTITUDE…and some bizarre, incoherent story about Ellen dating Selena Gomez. Whatever.
 

On to the outfit! The tie-neck blouse is perhaps one of my current feminine faves; I think that I literally own dozens. This is mostly because it pairs well with all sorts of things, from high-waisted trousers to skirts to peeking out from underneath blazers and cardigans. Want to keep your look from looking too sickly-sweet?  Try pairing the blouse with leather shorts, skinny jeans, moto jackets, studded jewelry, or even a pair of fierce booties as a fun juxtaposition from the fluffy-froo-froo norm.

Since I had been looking for a black bow blouse to add to my arsenal, I picked up the Secretary Blouse from J Crew when it first popped up online.While it is definitely a splurge, the bow is removable (and can also be tied in different ways) and the splash of dots keeps the blouse from looking too gloomy and dark. I love it!  (Not a fan of the price tag? You can head here to see 15 bow blouses that are more wallet friendly, too!).

Take a bow, guys, take a bow:

Top: J Crew Secretary Bow Blouse (buy it here) (similar style here at ASOS) (and here at ASOS) (and here for under $100)

Skirt: Forever 21 (buy it here) (a longer style here) (and another style at Topshop)

Belt: Forever 21 (similar style here)

Pumps: J Crew (similar style here) (and here) (and here on sale + take 25% off!)

Clutch: ASOS (buy it here + take $30 off on orders of $150 w/ code “FALL2011”)

Bracelets: Forever 21 Zig Zag Bracelet (similar style here)
Watch: Michael Michael Kors Rose Gold Runway Watch (buy it here)

Also! My twin sister and I are gearing up to celebrate a big milestone and so I will be sharing some old (fun!) pictures in my posts this month! And just so ya’ll recognize, I’ve been side-pony-tail-giddy-upping since ’85. As if you doubted:

(I’m the one photo-bombing on the right.  You know–in the prettier dress with her inexplicably weird-and-awkward-gangsta-game-face ON. It’s like I was born to be a fashion blogger?)

(Currently listening)