Girl Drama

You’ll have to PTI (que?! sports reference?!  what is WRONG with me today?!), but I’m making a departure from my gift-giving series for the day.  I have one or two gift-giving posts for the upcoming week, but you’ll have to wait, because–true to form–girl drama is going to take precedence.

Let me explain: My father loves the phrase “girl drama.”  I think it’s his way of compartmentalizing the chaos that comes of a house full of girls (five girls, two boys in our family) and laughing at it — his way of categorizing and cordoning off “all that noise” into a tidy little two-word sum that rolls off the tongue.  He’s so tickled by the phrase that he named one of his racing horses “Girl Drama.”  (Imagine the announcers: “And…here comes-Girl-Drama-racing-around-the-bend…”)  For some reason, his affinity for the phrase is hilarious to me, because he is staid and seriously cerebral (his version of pleasure reading consists of tomes on the World Wars, biographies of Winston Churchill, and other seemingly dry reads).  It’s almost like imagining James Earl Jones using the phrase with glib abandon.  So wrong, and yet so endearing.  But, as much as the phrase reminds me of my father and his perception of our rumbly tumbly sisterhood, this post is not about girl drama in the cat-fight sense.  It’s about fashion drama — looks that make you go WOW.  Funky shapes, interesting textures, out-there styles — like this kickin Sass & Bide dress ($1,320, Net-A-Porter) with some magenta drops ($34, BaubleBar).  The feathers are O.O.C., and I live for it.  Borders, potentially dangerously, on the Michelle Kwan (can kind of see her flying around the ice with this on), but in all the right ways.

Perfection with platformed black velvet pumps ($87, Zappos) and a KAPOW clutchski ($88, J. Crew):

Finish with a swipe of fuschia lipstick (Tom Ford, $48, Berdgorf’s) and — for extra drama — Chanel’s Black Satin nailpolish ($25, Cusp — I know, I know, I’m a total BRIGHT polish devotee, but I recently, finally, tested out Essie’s “Carry On” and am kinda loving the darker hues):

Orrr, try it halvesies: a feather skirt (Milly, $385, Net-A-Porter) with a crisp white blazer (Robert Rodriguez, on sale for $150, TheOutnet) and a tangly pearl-and-crystal necklace ($195, Bicyclette Boutique) to affect the tuxedo look:

WOAH, dra-ma.  Love that stark winter white blazer against the frilly black bottom.  Hot-chi mama.  Finish with a gemmed clutch ($140, Moyna) and some intense platforms (Zanotti, $695, Barney’s):

Now, keeping in this dramatic palette, get ready to GASP at the amazing-ness of this gold-festooned skirt by Opening Ceremony (on sale for $169, Bergdorf’s), which I envision pairing with a dramatic black blouse ($230, Reiss — or, for the bolder out there, check out this sheer style by Equipment, which could be layered over a feminine cami) and a statement necklace, worn just under the collar ($60, Modcloth) alongside a pair of dark-glitter studs ($118, Alexandra Beth):

I’d finish with these intense (!) glittered peep-toes ($99, Nordstrom):

— and this fierce clutch (House of Harlow, $210, TrendBoutique), which reminds me of an Alexander McQueen style, but at a fraction of the price:

Or, add a little SPARKLE to your life with a dramatically draped blouse ($75, TopShop) paired with a pizzazzed up skirt (Haute Hippie, $695, Farfetch) and an awesome statement necklace ($365, Suzanna Dai) and coordinating studs ($27, Zappos):

Finish with some sick, uber-high heels (Elie Saab, $595, Boutique1):

And then, finish with a sparkly little clutchski ($128, Armani Exchange):

Finally — and this is a very non-Magpie look, but I’m kind of loving the idea: sparkly studs ($108, Charm & Chain), a simple nude blouse ($200, Stylebop), a bow necklace (cute take on a tuxedo, eh, eh?! — $165, Tarina Tarantino),  black cigarette pants ($79, J. Crew), and studded flats ($165, Solestruck):

Would look AWESOME beneath this feather cropped topper ($135, TopShop — or, if you want the Real Deal, check this Adrienne Landau coat out), and finished with this mini crossbody ($168, BCBG):

LOVE the glam, dark swan drama of it all.  This is DEFINITELY getting me geared up for my trip to NYC tomorrow (visiting my hilarious little sassy pants sis and her darling boyfriend, with Mr. Magpie in tow).  WOO WOO.  Love Thursdays that are actually Fridays.