Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog

Never Is the Next New Thing

What Wendy Wore: Violating the Anti-Head-to-Toe Rule

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I broke a fashion rule yesterday by wearing one designer head-to-toe (with the exception of a few accessories). I’ve never understood the proscription against the head-to-toe look. Yeah, it would be too rigid to wear one designer head-to-toe every day. And it would be blinding to be completely covered in an ostentatious logo. But who the hell knows where a particular pair of black shoes comes from except a Condé Nast editor? In fact, if I were a clothing designer who did a wide range of product, I’d demand that everyone I know wear my look head-to-toe. I were Calvin Klein, for instance, I’d check everyone’s underwear and jeans to make sure my name was on them. As it is, if any of my friends acquire a new piece of fine jewelry that’s not mine, I throw him/her the shank-eye before saying, “Oh, that’s cute!” in an obviously fake way.

What Wendy Wore
Top: Prada (2011)
Skirt: Prada (2011)
Shoes: Prada (2010)
Purse: Studded Sonia Rykiel (2009), accidentally held backwards
Watch: Hermes (2002)
Earrings: My own Cleopatra design
Necklace/rings: All my own designs

I’ve never owned any clothes by Prada before — just accessories. I got the top and skirt during a hunt for daytime separates that weren’t jeans and black t-shirts. The constant wearing of jeans and black t-shirts is starting to get me down. I don’t like where the top is hitting me, so I’m going to have Jean of Ghost Tailor hem it a little.  Other than that, I feel enthused about the non-t-shirt look.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. I love the pattern on your skirt! And I think you’re right — no one will know it’s all one designer unless everything had a really big logo. And like you said, just about every designer would love everyone wearing their designs head-to-toe.

    Your anti-spam words crack me up — mine this time was 4thelolz, which is often why I come visit, well — that and the awesome jewelry and fashion, of course.

  3. Beautiful as always !! Of course your jewelry just makes the whole look PERFECT !!

    • Never thought I’d have any Prada clothes — they’ve never appealed to me. But who doesn’t love a blue pineapple?

  8. I usually try to avoid wearing one brand from head to toe too, but I might now if I had enough Prada to make an outfit. Or any Prada at all.

  9. Omg! A pineapple skirt. A blue pineapple, at that! Wendy, you just won the internet. Thanks for accidentally joining Fruits Week!

    • I swear, people observe a worst-case scenario (like the LV-logo jumpsuit some singer wore years ago — I’m sure — but I can’t find a picture) and invent some rule to deal with it. But most people aren’t the worst-case scenario, and the worst-case scenario people are in denial!

  11. OMG that skirt is fabulous! And you look great. No one would know that its all one brand, and who cares anyway.

    I feel like having a blue pineapple by the pool right now.

  12. Absolutely, why not? You look so polished and cute!!
    By the way, I’m not much of pumps kind of girl but those are fascinating me. They look like perfection–the squareness and then roundness is really simple yet beautiful. x

  14. It’s light and pretty, like the garden flowers. Very good choice. It is so hard to get away from all black or black and white. Navy is so friendly to black but a lot more carefree. Like it a lot.

  15. Hooray for breakin’ the rules! I also hate the ‘don’t wear vintage head to toe’ mantra that some bloggers have. In case you look costume-y, apparently. Well, I see no problem with that!

  16. That’s great that you ended up with clothes from a designer you hadn’t bought from before; I love it when I find cute clothes from unexpected sources. That pineapple print is fantastic!

  17. Are you in Cali?? Was just in Berkeley and think I recognize this tree.
    Lovely as always, doll!

  18. I love that top, and the skirt would be nice with a black t shirt too.. LOL xooxox

    And I have a thang for prada shoes, too.. sorry, i just do..
    xoxo

  21. You look radiant and so sophisticated! You did Prada your way and that what matters. By the way I adore Sonia Rykiel; I used to have 5 of her 80’s dresses.
    Also where are you? California?

  23. I think the only time anyone can tell is if you’re in head-to-toe vintage or head-to-toe Gap. There’s something about the Gap.

    Oh well if you like a designer that much why not wear all your favorite things together.

  26. Hey, whatever happened to the trademark “Wear what you want” motto? You looked fab, and the top length looks just fine to me (but that’s just me!).

  31. Back in the day I used to be so envious of the girls who wore head to toe Contempo. Now I am envious of you! Not only one designer, but from the same year! kaboom !to the rules, you look as usual fabulous.

    • Oh, I was jealous of head-to-toe Esprit. I only had one outfit like that! Some people had one for every day! Ah, memories.

  33. WENDY!!!! I have been following you on Twitter, yet never had the pleasure of checking out your posts!

    I LOVE breaking the rules and I am such a proponent for breaking a few rules for self expression and I absolutely LOVE this skirt you have on! FABULOUS darlin!

  36. You look lovely. Could have used some cool as shit shades (maybe Prada… nah, vintage would have suited you perfectly).

  39. I recently saw those same exact Prada 2010 black shoes and i LOVED them! I didnt know who brand they were, so thank you for helping me out. Great outfit!

    x mordrian