A Blogger & Her Books

In the days of modern technology and the ever-evolving world of social media, in order to be recognized for one's creative endeavors one must also be as visible to the hungrily watching world as possible. There's a firm reason "models" are discovered via their Instagram platforms today rather than noshing at the mall as they were mere "ages" ago. Millennials and kids in modern times are easily bored and always on the hunt for the next best thing to mimic, admire, or hate-on. Satiating them with something to "share" and talk about on a regular basis is the #1 way to win "likes", followers, and gain traction for that lonely blog, along with everyone else these days. So, what's a thirty-something blogger to do in the age of advanced technology and over-saturated media feeds in the hopes that she eventually collects admiration from the hiring kind? Well, she best get snappin' and sharin', that's what. 

I've been following all of the most profitable fashion bloggers for a while now and sure, some of them consistently deliver lust-worthy street-style photos and stylized tablescapes to hover over. Meanwhile, a lot of them also provoke the eye-rolls with their excessive photo-shopping and forlorn, albeit bored glances; always looking in the same direction, trying to depict a paparazzi shot and never a staged photo-op. That's fine and good for said bloggers that have already made a name for themselves this way, long before I decided to show up. But for me, no. Can't I have more to my little Instagram pics than vapid look-at-me shots even though I definitely want you looking at me? What does one do with their face during these shoots, if the goal is to simply showcase one's everyday style leisurely. I want to be accepted into the smart girls club, not just the most fashionable cliques. And, to be perfectly honest, I don't care if anyone recognizes my face at all. I'd still need a trademark stance that brought focus to my intelligence while also focusing on my styling abilities. Was this even possible? Well, dammit, I'd make it so. 

I've been a writer since I can remember. However, I started getting paid to write--or at least took on assignments (plenty of times for free) more than six years ago. I didn't get to where I am today alone, I had many influences. From Nabokov to Steve Martin, Patti Smith to Grace Coddington. Great writers with great personal styles to match. I'd use these guys to help me adapt and develop my own street-style ensembles without having to give so much silly "face" all on my own. 

And that, my friends, is how "ClothesAndProse and #ReadsAndTweeds was born. 

See ya on the social side. 

~ x Robyn 

Sleeves, Please!

Somewhere, someone with a dose of fashion authority decided to wear their jacket cape-style; thrown over their shoulders and literally every fashionista from east to west decided, "OMG I'm gonna do that too, like, all the time for now on!! I'll never utilize the sleeves in my jackets ever again!" Street-style stars are the biggest repeat offenders. Which means that all of their million+ followers are suddenly following suit (slight pun intended), and poor useless sleeves have never been sadder, nor more neglected. Well, today, I'm taking a final stand on behalf of sleeves everywhere. Enough is enough, fashion-flock. 

Allow me to explain why this "style" needs to be addressed. Two years ago I was sitting (hooray for a seat!), waiting for a runway show to start during New York Fashion Week when I noticed 92% of the room was full of other guests all wearing jackets as capes. Now, for those of you that have yet to attend a NYFW show, the room is carefully coordinated by pecking order via highly paid PR. The first prized two rows of seats are dedicated to fashion's elite and celebrities. The following rows towards the back are where you'll find lesser known editors, photogs, bloggers, etc, and lucky "seat fillers" once the show opens. Depending on how popular the designer is, there could be rows of standing individuals in the very back mostly consisting of fashion hopefuls, hoping for a seat assignment in their near futures. Attend enough of these shows each season and it becomes a fun game of pinpointing who in the crowd has to be there for work, and who's desperate for the work that requires their attendance. Know what the biggest giveaway is? The desperate dress "desperately" and the A-list, well, don't. This means that when trends hit the streets they also saturate the back two rows and all of standing at every show. The closer you get to the front the more original the ensembles start to get. Now, this isn't to say that every eighth guest sitting FROW (fashion speak for "front row") doesn't also have their jacket thrown over their shoulders, or their 2.55 Chanel bag, floppy hat, gold oversize Rolex watch on. But not every celeb has a brilliant stylist and even still, some trends over others just can't help but scream "I'm just really trying to get my picture taken!!". Trust me, please, and quietly put this trend in storage where it belongs. Few things scream desperation as loudly as wearing your fitted biker jacket or blazer over your shoulders, especially to any fashion event. Why? Because it's just not gd natural, that's why. 

Before the fashionista in question that gave everyone a bad idea, wearing a jacket cape-style was incredibly chic because it was utilized unexpectedly during only special events. When your fancy mom and pop attended cocktail gatherings or black tie events which required a mostly sleeveless gown to accompany a gent's three or four piece suit, for starters. Mom would almost always return home with pop's tux or suit jacket thrown over her dainty shoulders to protect her from the cold night air. His jacket was far larger than her, so using the sleeves wasn't nearly conducive to her well-fitting and carefully selected attire as it was as a cape. Also, given its boxy exterior and larger girth, his oversize jacket stays perfectly put, without her having to hold it in place. The same style does not work nearly as well on a smaller jacket, meant to fit the body of its owner. There's a reason capes are almost always a bit floaty and swingy, with plenty of room at the bottom to allow the hands and elbows to move about freely, without it falling off entirely. Another time it's perfectly acceptable to don an oversize (oversize being the key ingredient here) coat thrown over the shoulders is when you're bolting from one locale to another in the rain and you want to save yourself from getting wet but also plan on ditching the coat as soon as you're back safely indoors. These two examples, ladies and gents, are the only acceptable times one should neglect their coat sleeves. Follow me? Great. 

Every self-respecting fashionista should truly want to hone their own signature style at some point in their lives. Experimenting with trends is always encouraged on this journey but take heed of your surroundings along the way. If everyone starts to look the same, well, where's the fun in that? Originality and diversity are key ingredients in actually getting noticed in fashion. When trends start to become forced, or tired, it's time to start experimenting again. Change keeps things interesting, not repetition. Karl Lagerfeld and Anna Wintour might not have changed their appearances nor wardrobes in the last three decades (or Anna, like, ever), but they entered the party as their own unique selves. Neither one of them borrowed their looks from anyone other than their own minds. There are followers and there are leaders. One cannot exist without the other. Whether you identify with the former or the latter it's perfectly fine. Own it and enjoy it. But if you are in fact a follower I just kindly ask that you give sleeves a chance from time to time. Please, and thank you. x