about the navel

A few brunches, chatty girlfriends, and fabulously overpriced heels away from a Sex in the City style situation. 

(shirt and jeans: Urban Outfitters, tee: American Apparel,  shoes: vintage)

Inspired by a recent obsession with 90s era television shows on Netflix and some ridiculously good concoctions from Derek Lam's Spring 2013 collection (see here and here), I decided to pull out some classic American Apparel tri-blend and play with the crop top look again. I think I prefer them with ridiculously high rise bottoms (for some semblance of modesty), but I threw on a flannel to make it look slightly less insane in late winter. I took the look for a spin through the far-reaches of Pasadena, specifically an eerily abandoned community center-adjacent playground, and other than a few understandingly judgmental glances people seemed relatively unfazed by the excessive midriff exposure. Portlanders tend to be a bit more sensitive to beach-suitable clothing, but since moving down here I've spied at least a dozen women wearing what could only be bikini tops in non-coastal places like mid-city grocery stores and hill-nestled taco stands, so I'm guessing my fashion risks kind of pale in comparison.

At least I resisted the inclination to pull a full-on Carrie Bradshaw and pick up a hip-hugging, calf-length skirt or the like yet, although admittedly she totally rocks the look.

I am into the whole fanny pack concept though. Hmmm...