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

June 1, 2011 by WendyB

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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Filed Under: outfit post, pictures of me, prada, What Wendy Wore

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Andrea says

    June 1, 2011 at 4:01 pm

    you look beautiful! love the bag and shoes!

  2. joann, sidewalk chic says

    June 1, 2011 at 4:02 pm

    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.

    • WendyB says

      June 1, 2011 at 4:06 pm

      Hmm, that reminds me it’s time to add some new anti-spam words! I like to keep them fresh.

  3. Tammie says

    June 1, 2011 at 4:08 pm

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

    • WendyB says

      June 1, 2011 at 4:42 pm

      Aw, thanks!

  4. lisa says

    June 1, 2011 at 4:11 pm

    Pretty in Prada! I like.

  5. Pam @over50feeling40 says

    June 1, 2011 at 4:12 pm

    Wendy, there is no way this look breaks any rules..you look amazing!! I love it!! How cool that its all Prada!

    • WendyB says

      June 1, 2011 at 4:43 pm

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

  6. Kasmira says

    June 1, 2011 at 4:20 pm

    Looking FABULOUS head to toe, lady!

  7. Rocquelle says

    June 1, 2011 at 4:20 pm

    Such a lovely look! I adore navy instead of black, and that skirt is beautiful!

    • WendyB says

      June 1, 2011 at 4:25 pm

      Yes, navy really does brighten things up a bit!

  8. Rebecca says

    June 1, 2011 at 4:32 pm

    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. Megan Mae says

    June 1, 2011 at 4:34 pm

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

    • WendyB says

      June 1, 2011 at 4:35 pm

      A Blue Pineapple sounds like a fabulous frozen drink to have poolside, doesn’t it?

      • Megan Mae says

        June 1, 2011 at 6:43 pm

        Indeed!

  10. Sally says

    June 1, 2011 at 4:38 pm

    Yet another style rule that makes no sense … good on ya for eschewing it!

    • WendyB says

      June 1, 2011 at 4:40 pm

      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. Mardel says

    June 1, 2011 at 4:39 pm

    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. Annie Spandex says

    June 1, 2011 at 4:44 pm

    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

  13. The Seeker says

    June 1, 2011 at 4:57 pm

    Oh you look FANTASTIC!!!!!
    And you can break all the rules, you always pull it of 🙂

    xoxo

  14. Madeleine Gallay says

    June 1, 2011 at 5:10 pm

    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. Miss Peelpants says

    June 1, 2011 at 5:23 pm

    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. Audi says

    June 1, 2011 at 5:35 pm

    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. Kathy says

    June 1, 2011 at 5:38 pm

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

    • WendyB says

      June 1, 2011 at 9:08 pm

      You have mad botany skillz. I’m indeed in Rancho Palos Verdes.

  18. nathana says

    June 1, 2011 at 5:48 pm

    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

  19. Susan Tiner says

    June 1, 2011 at 6:30 pm

    My anti-spam word is gawjuss, just like you!

    Rules are made to be broken.

    Which necklace are you wearing?

    • WendyB says

      June 1, 2011 at 9:41 pm

      It will be revealed in July!

  20. Helen F says

    June 1, 2011 at 7:30 pm

    And why on earth shouldn’t you.
    Gee if I could afford it I’d wear head to toe Chanel

  21. Ofelia says

    June 1, 2011 at 9:03 pm

    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?

    • WendyB says

      June 1, 2011 at 9:09 pm

      Yep! Rancho Palos Verdes.

      • Ofelia says

        June 1, 2011 at 9:35 pm

        I lived in San Diego for a year and during that year I traveled all around the State.
        Enjoy the weather and the views!

  22. Tina says

    June 1, 2011 at 10:52 pm

    You look like a tall drink of…blue pineapple!

  23. Fajr | Stylish Thought says

    June 2, 2011 at 1:44 am

    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.

  24. Eli says

    June 2, 2011 at 1:44 am

    This would have been a perfect time for the James Jean Prada fairy purse!

  25. Vix says

    June 2, 2011 at 2:15 am

    There’s no way you’re breaking any rules. You look gorgeous. xxx

  26. Lynn says

    June 2, 2011 at 3:00 am

    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!).

  27. Smaggle says

    June 2, 2011 at 7:06 am

    You amazing. Those shoes are doing dirty things to your legs… just thought you should know. 🙂

  28. brett says

    June 2, 2011 at 8:28 am

    Does wearing head to toe TAR-JAY count LOL
    I adore that skirt!
    brett

  29. The Style Crone says

    June 2, 2011 at 9:27 am

    Absolutely stunning and irresistible. Rules are made to be broken anyway.

  30. Lara says

    June 2, 2011 at 11:16 am

    It feels so good to get out of a daytime clothing rut! You look adorable!

  31. patni says

    June 2, 2011 at 12:17 pm

    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.

    • WendyB says

      June 2, 2011 at 12:18 pm

      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.

  32. Kristin says

    June 2, 2011 at 2:34 pm

    Head to toe large and in charge logos…ick. Head to toe beeeeeeeeeeautiful Prada…thumbs up!

  33. Marie Denee says

    June 2, 2011 at 7:46 pm

    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!

  34. Kath Noll says

    June 2, 2011 at 7:50 pm

    A stunner in blue! Ever fabulous, WendyB!

  35. Tiffany says

    June 2, 2011 at 10:53 pm

    Love it! You look fantastic. Love the pineapple! You should’ve completed the look with a Prada bag 🙂

  36. stacy says

    June 3, 2011 at 12:06 am

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

  37. Tracy says

    June 3, 2011 at 2:28 am

    For Prada, you can make an exception. Right? Very nice. Gorgeous blue on you.

    Tracy

  38. Emma at Daily Clothes Fix says

    June 6, 2011 at 4:56 pm

    Yay for (subtle) pineapples. I love the cut of your top too. And the shoes are amazing. So I fully support your top to toe look. There goes another fashion “rule”.

  39. Mordrian says

    June 9, 2011 at 10:13 pm

    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

  40. Bonnie says

    July 5, 2012 at 1:04 pm

    If you are going to wear any designer H to T, Prada is the way to go. You look phenomenal.

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MEET WENDY BRANDES

Award-winning designer of fine jewelry inspired by women's history and pop culture. A former journalist who writes about jewelry, fashion, medieval history, news, feminism, dogs, cats and whatever else is on her mind. Blogging since 2007.
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