The New Normal

The Gap ads had me feeling a whole lotta perplexed last night as I made my way to their gridlocked, tourist-trapped trenches on 34th Street. I work on 26th so this GAP felt like a hop and a skip, without the jump. I went looking for the perfect denim jacket at the perfect price but ended up scratching my head a thousand and one times. The tagline to 'Dress Normal' emblazoned proudly across the glossy ads, featuring the likes of Anjelica Huston and Michael K. Williams.

Dress normal? Why in the world would this be their new attempt to capture ADD-ridden consumers in the digital age? No shade to Gap as I've spent a pretty penny there unearthing hidden treasures in their Sale section but these campaigns just seemed dead wrong. It's 2014. Who wants to be normal? We have Man Repellers skating around the city in clod-hopping shoes and garments that scream with style. We have street style stars unabashedly adorned in the most zany of zany runway looks without the blink of an eye. We have Lady Gaga for Christ sake. This is the time to dress with unapologetic pizazz. This is the time to dress with the same fearlessness as Katniss Everdeen. This is the time to piss off grandma.

From a style and marketing standpoint, I didn't get why Gap would be pushing this message. But then I did my blogger due diligence and found this on AdWeek : "'Dress Normal' boldly instructs individuals to shape their own authentic, personal style—and intentionally challenges every one of us to dress for ourselves." It took me a minute to process and then EUREKA! Gap is actually championing every sentiment I am exploring in this blog post. They are pushing an idea of redefining what normalcy is and capitalizing on how an individual can explore themselves through their clothes and their vision of 'normal.' It's really quite genius. I squealed like a drunk guinea pig and simultaneously gave them a Standing Ovation. It was awkward.

This idea of redefining normal is the basis for today's Outfix (your daily fix of outfit inspo, in case you so forgot). Nix the done-a-zillion-times LBD and opt for a jet-black skirt and a rustically-charming cargo jacket for a night out. Pair with a sensational DANNIJO sparkler, a neon YSL bag that screeches 'look at me! I am fashion!' and strappy heels that could remove the eye of an aggressive cat-calling construction worker. You're welcome. Shop below:

Jacket by Barbour, $623 (similar for under $70 here)  /  Skirt by Isabel Marant, $505  / Necklace by DANNIJO, $770 (similar for under $50 here)  /  Handbag by Saint Laurent, $1,490 (similat for $120 here)  /  Heels by Zara, $60

The Wild Wild West (or How to be a Walking Ad Campaign for Isabel Marant)

In 2009, I fell in love with Isabel Marant. This Style.com slideshow was the shot heard round the world - or perhaps just around New York City and Paris. Nonetheless, it was a shot fired and one that would lead me down a rabbit hole of niche French designers to fall for (Vanessa Bruno's eponymous line and Jean Toitou's A.P.C. come to mind).

Isabel Marant's luxe-bohemian, Wild Wild West-twinged look was a new frontier in fashion. It nixed the frilly-dilly of bohemian looks in years past and gave it a sleek sophisticated je nes se quoi. Even the Wall Street Journal could not ignore the emergence of Miss Marant.  And when Isabel Marant would brought her vision to an H & M collaboration, it was the equivalent of seven Ben & Jerry's pints after a Master Cleanse - yup, that goood. But now that this is an thing of the past, it's time to try recreating the quintessential Marant look with some careful styling, attention to detail, and one piece from her lower-priced sister-line Etoile Isabel Marant. It's totally cowgirl but replace tumbleweed Montana with fashion capital Milan. Catch ma drift? 

Shop this Outfix:

Shirt by H & M, $10  /  Skirt by Etoile Isabel Marant, $300  /  Hat by Zara, $60  /  Clutch by Valentino, $1,595 (similar for under $200 here)  /  Shoes by H by Hudson, $285

Denim on Denim (on Denim)

According to Urban Dictionary, also known as the intellectual Zeitgeist for millenials across America, racks on racks on racks means "being rich as f@#$, ballin' outta control." This look has next to nothing to do with racks on racks on racks but hey, it's Denim on Denim so let's pretend for the purposes of being a bit more spicy this Monday morning, that it does. Anywhoo, now that denim is the most undisputed and timeless staple you will have in your closet (think of how long you've been wearing jeans? Your entire life, except that string of Bar and Bat Mitzvahs you attended in your first ill-fitting dress?! Thought so!). Now, the new wave of wearing denim is a modern take on the Canadian tuxedo - pairing denim in the same indigo shade and clipping on some Chanel-bling. Why? Because Rihanna and Beyonce freakin' say so. And no shade to the Queen Bey, but Riri did wear this nifty little look first so I'm showing you how to steal her style below with 1000s of Rihanna's wearing denim on denim (okay, it's 12 Rihanna's).

Steal these lovely ladies style with this Outfix and shop the below:

Top by J. Crew, $78  /  Skirt by Zara, $60  /  Vintage Brooch by Chanel, Ebay (selection between $50 to $300)  /  Bag by Stella McCartney, $960  /  Lipstick by MAC Cosmetics, $18  /  Shoes by Nina Originals, $79