Category: Fashion

Exploring Lakeside Cafe: How to Dress in Pinup Style

Posted on July 18, 2015October 5, 2015 by stilettocity

There are so many hidden gems around Los Angeles it’s almost impossible to know them all. That’s one of the many reasons I enjoy being part of the Art Deco Society and their monthly Cocktails in Historic Places. Not only is it a good excuse to dress up vintage and pinup style, but I get to discover some of the city’s best kept secrets.

The latest gathering took place at The Lakeside Cafe, a newly opened restaurant in Encino located adjacent to the charming grounds of Los Encinos State Historic Park. A little gateway leads you out to a path to explore one of Southern California’s most historic sites.

The exceptionally nice park ranger on duty took us on tour along the beautiful natural spring and duck pond and into the newly-refurbished De la Ossa Adobe, where displays showed how the families lived here in the late 1800s. We were able to get a peek at the decorative, French country-inspired, hand-painted finish on the walls, revealed through severe damage suffered in the Northridge earthquake. Learn more in this little film on the restoration.

In the 1920s, the bunkhouse became a restaurant where locals were able to sip wine with their meals away from the watchful eyes of prohibition agents, that is until they were caught!

The Rancho remained vacant until 1944, when it was saved from developers by the Encino community and turned into this lovely café and grounds.

What I Wore

For the evening I wore my Tatyana Megan dress. I waited FOREVER for this dress to come back in stock and it was so worth it. This slim-fitting retro shift dress comes with to-die-for details of a little keyhole in front and surprise of flaps revealing a low cut back. I paired the monochrome look with black and white heels from Pinup Girl Clothing and a Tiki-print, bamboo handled bag from Viva Dulce Marina.

What To Wear for Pinup Style

If you happen to make it out to Lakeside Cafe or any other romantically set restaurant in Los Angeles, here’s an idea of what to wear* with a little pinup style. You’ll turn heads in this emerald green retro dress with gorgeous details. Some cherry earrings are classic 1950s style. A pair of nude retro shoes with a high heel will put some elegance in your step, as will a cream-colored, vintage-style purse. (Click the links to shop* the look!)

Make history,
Kastle

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Tags: bars in Los Angeles, Kastle Waserman, pinup style, restaurants in Los Angeles, retro style, things to do in Los Angeles

Category: Fashion

Getting Nutty at the Edison in Punk Pinup Fashion

Posted on July 11, 2015October 5, 2015 by stilettocity

It’s not often I venture out clubbing on a weeknight but every once in a while the stars align for a cool event at an early enough time that I can still get my beauty sleep.

The Edison is one of my favorite bars in Downtown LA for the visual pleasure alone. Featuring award winning interior design by Andrew Meieran, the nightspot is located in the subbasement of the historic Higgins Building and retains the architectural and mechanical artifacts of the original space that served as Downtown LA’s first private power plant. The design works around industrial generators and furnaces lavishly layered with a combination of art nouveau touches and gothic textures and lit in deep shades of gold and red. It just feels decadent and elegant at the same time. Check out the scene:

The bar often features live music and performances that fit the atmosphere in the form of cabaret, burlesque and jazz acts. On this particular night I went down to see the band Nutty, who call themselves a “hard-swingin’ octet” who create jazz arrangements around classic pop and rock song performed with the swagger and style reminiscent of the Rat Pack. I especially liked their versions of “Ballroom Blitz”, “Detroit Rock City” and “Pleasant Valley Sunday.”

Singer Sonny Moon definitely got looser as the night went on the and the drinks went down, dancing with the girls on the dancefloor and struttin’ his stuff on stage. His cocky character fit the bill perfectly and got a few laughs when he stopped in the middle of their version of “Knights In White Satin” to do a little spoken word read from “The One Hour Orgasm.”

What I Wore

For the night I decided to do my own outfit mashup of punk pinup fashion, combining a vintage dress, retro hair, studded belt and spike earrings. My gal pal Eva went for a vintage Polynesian look and sampled the bar’s fantastic cucumber cocktail.

How to Dress in Punk Pinup Fashion

Punk and Pinup style seem to be go well together. I know lots of pinup girls who love punk rock as well as rockabilly and both looks go to the extreme in their subculture aesthetics. For a look of punk pinup fashion, try pairing a sweet, retro dress like this floral one or search for a vintage dress on Ebay. Juxtapose punk accessories with it to toughen it up. Here, a studded black belt plays off the grey tones in the floral print for an edgy fashion statement. A leather barbed wire accented bracelet cuff toughens the look further. For shoes, slip on some classic black pumps with studs to continue the punk theme that says you’re a rocker chick with an elegant touch. Then carry all your necessities for the night in a black, leather-style purse with silver chair detail. (Click the links to shop* the look!)

Try out this fun fashion statement next time you head to the bars in downtown LA or wherever you are!

The Edison is located at 108 W 2nd St #101, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Check the website for upcoming events.

Go get nutty,
Kastle

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Tags: bars in Downtown LA, bars in Los Angeles, Kastle Waserman, pinup style, punk style, vintage style

Category: Fashion

Dressing Vintage Style at the HMS Bounty

Posted on July 4, 2015October 5, 2015 by stilettocity

TGIF! There’s nothing like going out with friends after a long week at work, getting dressed up in a great vintage style dress and wearing it out on the town. On a recent weekend I gathered my pals to meet at the HMS Bounty in Koreatown.

The Bounty is an old-school, barfly bar. With its red circular booths and classic nautical décor, it feels like the kind of place Charles Bukowski would have hung out in coming up with his next great novel.

The bar is adjacent to the Gaylord Apartments, a beautiful, Italian Renaissance-style building from 1924. To use the ladies room you have to pass through the lobby of the Gaylord, which is a treat in itself and great for photos ops! The area was once the hub of the famous and powerful with the Ambassador Hotel across the street and the Brown Derby restaurant around the corner. Later, The Bounty became the off-the-beaten path place to be for Hollywood rock ‘n’ roll scenesters. Now it’s in the middle of the bustling nightlife of Koreatown nightlife as the sidewalks fill with bar hopping 20-somethings. But inside The Bounty, things are mellow with local hipsters just there for a drink and conversation and maybe some of the classic meals such as a Monte Cristo sandwich or fish ‘n’ chips.

What I Wore

It was the perfect setting for some vintage looks and classic drinks. I wore my vintage style Bettie Page by Tatyana Sierra dress that I was lucky enough to score on eBay since they don’t make it anymore.

How to Put Together a Vintage Style Look

Round up your friends and head out in a vintage style wiggle dress like this plaid number with flirty little keyhole cutout. Add a pop of bright color to stand out in the dark bar with yellow retro style shoes and some girly fun with this purse shaped like a pretty perfume bottle. (Click the links to shop* the look!)

Hope you add some vintage style to next night out for a drink! Looking for some bars in Los Angeles? Be sure to check out the Where to Go section in Stiletto City!

The HMS Bounty is located at 3357 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010

Make mine strong and on the rocks,
Kastle

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Tags: bars in Los Angeles, Kastle Waserman, retro style, vintage style

Category: Fashion

Mods Rule at the Lambretta Jamboree 2015

Posted on June 28, 2015August 15, 2015 by stilettocity

It was Mods weekend as the Lambretta Jamboree rolled through town, a four-day scooter rally put on by the Lambretta Club USA that included festivities from group rides to live bands to dinners and pool parties. I attended Friday night’s party scene at T. Boyle’s Tavern in Pasadena.

It was a rowdy night of scooter boys and groovy girls with the band The Bassics revving things up with a rawkin’ mix of early Who and Jam-inspired music. I couldn’t help but take pix of some of the best ‘60s era looks of the night. I had to debut my latest outfit from Tatyana, a form-fitting shift dress with crisscross straps on top and shimmery dark blue material with gold detail.

Check out the scene:

See ya “In the City”
Kastle

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Tags: 1960s, Labretta Jamboree, MOD, vintage fashion

Category: Fashion

Unique Vintage Fashion Show with the Satin Dollz and Hollywood Hotshots

Posted on June 14, 2015August 15, 2015 by stilettocity

Summer in California can be magical. The sun is so bright it seems to make everything sparkle. On a Saturday afternoon in Santa Monica, the vintage-loving crowd didn’t really need any help looking bright and cheerful in their retro threads as they gathered for a rare daytime event that included a fashion show from Unique Vintage and entertainment from the Satin Dollz, and wild, swingin’ dance moves from the Hollywood Hotshots.

Taking place poolside at the Shangri-La Hotel, with the sweet sounds of the Dean Mora Band and DJ Dr. Nate playing in the background, the acts rotated from singing numbers, the fashion show and dances. It was never a dull moment and I’m not even counting the great people watching in the fine-dressed crowd. The leader of the Satin Dollz took a moment to thank everyone for coming and marking their 10^th anniversary by stating Los Angeles has the country’s best vintage scene. Well I can vouch that it certainly is a lot of fun! And it was a good opportunity to wear my new Voodoo Vixen spectacle-print dress with the cross-strap detail I love! Check out the pix:

Outfit of the Day - Dress by Voodoo Vixen — Outfit of the Day – Dress by Voodoo Vixen

The Hollywood Hotshots, Satin Dollz, Dean Mora Band and DJ Dr. Nate are available to book for events. Shop Unique Vintage* at the Burbank store or online.

Until the next event,
Kastle

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Tags: Dean Mora Band, DJ Dr. Nate, Fashion, Hollywood Hotshots, Kastle Waserman, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Fashion Blog, retro, Satin Dollz, Stiletto City, Unique Vintage, vintage fashion, vintage inspired fashion

Category: Fashion

Rock Those Heels: Chris Francis Shoe Designs at CAFAM

Posted on June 1, 2015August 15, 2015 by stilettocity

Most ladies know, a good pair of shoes is an art form. But self-taught designer Chris Francis takes shoemaking to a whole level. Creating awe-inspiring footwear from a variety of materials and found objects, he turns mere shoes into sculptural pieces.

I attended the opening reception for his current exhibit at the Craft and Folk Art Museum (CAFAM), and felt like a little girl in a candy store – so many beautiful, theatrical pieces that stretch the boundaries and blow your mind as to what a shoe could be. From big chunky leather platform boots to delicate pieces with colorful textiles, each piece was a delight.

I especially loved the punk-inspired shoes, layered with scraps of leather to look like a motorcycle jacket, dotted with a Sex Pistols button, and giving attitude with broom bristle spikes. Reminded me a bit of my own mohawk back in the day (see image here!)

It’s not surprising to see such a piece from this designer, a former punk himself, he still carries himself with rock ‘n’ roll style and many of his clients include rockers such as Runaways’ Lita Ford and Motley Crue’s Mick Mars – whose last (foot mold) was seen hanging in his shop, set up in the CAFAM front room for the duration of the exhibit.

And I had to take a moment to pause in front of the shop to examine his tools of the trade. (Of course I had to wear my shoe print dress and killer heels for the event!) His shop looks like it’s a trip into a time machine of the type of craftsmanship almost left to the history books. Brushing aside the current techniques of mass production to create shoes, Francis instead uses vintage tools and makes each shoe by hand.

The results are clearly pieces made with love and passion for the art of the shoe.

Be sure to stop by and take a look at these masterful shoe creations and visit Francis in his shop there at the museum through the duration of the exhibit. Check the CAFAM website for his schedule.

The Craft & Folk Art Museum (CAFAM) presents Chris Francis: Shoe Designer through September 6, 5814 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA Admission $7.

Kastle

Shoe photos courtesy of Chris Francis/CAFAM

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Tags: CAFAM, Chris Francis, events, fahion, Kastle Waserman, Los Angeles, museum exhibit, punk, shoe art, shoes, Stiletto City

Category: Fashion

Mad Men Finale Party at The Offbeat Bar

Posted on May 24, 2015February 11, 2016 by stilettocity

The time had to come. The end of “Mad Men,” the show that had everyone hooked on the styles, the social political revolutions and the changes in the corporate advertising world through the decade of the 1960s. We got to know all the characters, we identified with them, whether it was their personality, their aspirations, their defeats, or just their love of a drink and a great outfit. After seven seasons and numerous awards, the show cannot only say it changed the cultural landscape in the TV genre but impacted people’s lives.

Since I’ve been watching “Mad Men” via iTunes downloads, I knew I couldn’t wait until the required next day to watch the finale. I wanted to be among friends, to say goodbye to these characters I’d come to love. So I gathered my ‘60s loving pals to go to a screening party.

I wore a primary yellow with red pinstripes ‘60s vintage shift dress, vintage gold drop earrings, vintage watch pen necklace (a tribute to Joan who always wore something similar), vintage patent leather red heels and a folded magazine purse to give a nod to our advertising champs.

We entered The Offbeat Bar where they went all out to make a great night – a drink menu with cocktails named for the characters, two big screens to watch the show on, photo ops with cut-out faces of each of the characters and “Mad Men” logo backdrop and a drawing for prizes for those who dressed up. All this with no cover charge! My kind of place!

We grabbed a cocktail to loosen up before the show. I had a “Roger That” – a strong mix of whiskey, soda and fruit.

Then we gathered in front of the screens as the last episode EVER played before us. It was so much fun to be in a room full of people who adore this show. We cheered for Pete and Trudy when they boarded the plane to their new life. We turned into mushy messes when Stan and Peggy got together. We clapped for Joan and her strength to start her own business. And we cried with Don when he talked to Betty about her cancer diagnosis. We were with them for every moment! And now we’ll miss them that they’re gone. Thank you to everyone with the Mad Men cast and crew for an amazing viewing experience!

Then it was time for the prize drawing as my friends and I twisted the night away to some great ‘60s tunes. I won a print from the character Lou Avery’s “Scout’s Honor” comic book, from part 1 of Season 7, signed by the artist Christian Cordella. And of course I had to take some snaps of all the people with great outfits! Check out the photos:

It was the the perfect way to spend the evening and say goodbye our beloved series. Thank you to the Offbeat Bar for creating a great night. Be sure to check out this groovin’ little place in Highland Park. They offer different theme nights around the sounds and pop culture of the ‘60s, revolving art installations and cocktail specials.

The Offbeat Bar, 6316 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Dance to the beat,
Kastle

Tags: 1960s fashion, bars in Los Angeles, Kastle Waserman, Mad Men

Category: Fashion

Cocktails in the Historic Tap Room

Posted on May 16, 2015September 19, 2015 by stilettocity

I always love a chance to dress up and head out to an elegant setting. Recently the Art Deco Society had a gathering at the Tap Room, located inside the historic Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena. A rare, surprise cold snap in LA had me ditching what I was going to wear and reaching for my velvet dresses. I opted for this slinky, black Film Noir Dress from Pinup Girl Clothing, black fishnets, stilettos and a vintage orange hat with pearl and rhinestone details.

I met my friends inside the lovely lounge setting designed after the hotel’s original bar, which opened in the 1930s, shortly after the end of Prohibition. The Tap Room features innovative cocktails and upscale bar food. The room opens up onto a terrace deck area that overlooks the sprawling hotel garden framed by palm trees and hilltop view of LA.

If you are interested in having a sit-down dinner before or after Tap cocktails, be sure to check out the hotel’s award-winning steakhouse, The Royce.

The Langham Hotel just celebrated its 100th anniversary last year and thankfully has not gone the path of so many modern-obsessed renovators. It’s maintained its style and preserved its history. There is a choice of classic rooms, historic suites, and cottages. I can tell you first-hand, it’s fabulous place to kick up your feet. I had a staycation there a couple of years ago and it really feels like you are away from the bustle of Los Angeles and in the heart of luxury.

The Langham Huntington Hotel is located at 1401 South Oak Knoll Ave in South Pasadena.

Kastle

Bar photos courtesy of The Langham Huntington, Pasadena

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Tags: bars in Los Angeles, hotels in Los Angeles, retro style

Category: Fashion

Endless Summer Style

Posted on May 11, 2015August 15, 2015 by stilettocity

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.

Looking for awesome summer style? When it comes to summer essentials like women’s tees, tanks, sundresses, and shorts, ModCloth has you covered. Never before has ModCloth added SO MANY summer styles to New Arrivals all at once. Dive in to an endless assortment of playful patterns, colors, and silhouettes that’ll have you lookin’ fierce till fall!

Now I always like to kick off the summer with at least one new light and playful dress for the season. Here are some of my favorites, click the image to shop*

Rock the retro look in a bright color for summer with the Topiary Tour Dress or put on a colorful a cheerful print like the Haute Flair Balloon Dress.

You can’t go wrong with classic black and white polka dot print dress or skip through town in the playful sun umbrella pattern of the Day in the Shade Dress.

Enjoy fun in the sun in style!
Kastle

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Tags: fashion blog, ModCloth, summer dresses, summer fashion

Category: Fashion

Rebel Bingo: Old Game with a New Twist

Posted on May 9, 2015 by

For many people, hearing the word bingo brings to mind images of silent septuagenarians hunched over stacks of bingo cards and straining to hear the numbers on their cards get called. It’s a game that’s much more commonly known as an idle, quiet pastime, and having existed since the 1500s, it’s hardly anything anyone would call revolutionary.

A London-born version of the game, however, is set to change this and the way that we view bingo in general. Finding its new home in Los Angeles and New York, the elusive Rebel Bingo* had been an underground show for a while, before finally “coming out of the shadows”.

Calling Rebel Bingo the “Black sheep of the bingo family,” Freddie “Fortune” Sorensen and James “Flames” Gordon accidentally developed the game in a church basement, after chancing upon a bingo set. According to an article on the LA Times: “After the night was over and we would relax with a few drinks, we noticed there was an old bingo kit stored down in the basement, and one night we started fooling around,” says Sorensen, who prefers to go by Fortune. “We didn’t know the rules, so we made it up and gave away silly prizes. It spread through word of mouth and turned into this cult thing.”

How exactly is Rebel Bingo different from “traditional bingo”? Fortune says that the point is to be as different from traditional bingo as possible. More a show than an actual game, Rebel Bingo is standing up against the traditional, established form of bingo – the one that we all imagine as soon as we hear the word. Paul Bradley of the LA Weekly writes, “Fortune’s telling, there’s the bingo 99 percent and the bingo 1 percent, and this rigid order is kept in place by a boring old guard that’s intent on stopping the lively young upstarts represented by Fortune’s ilk who want bingo to be fun, freaky and flirtatious. “We do have pretty hard and fast rules … as every rebel should,” he says. No. 1 is “no old people” — followed by “no boring people.””

It may seem a bit odd that someone should have such strong feelings for bingo, but it’s worth noting that Fortune and his crew hail from the UK, where bingo is quite a big part of their lives. There are TV advertisements for online bingo portals, and the BBC reports that there are now over 350 websites offering online bingo to Brits. Information on Free Bingo Hunter, a website dedicated to cataloguing these bingo portals, shows that they often have events and promotions that play on world events. What is nothing more than an idle pastime for most of the world is a force to be reckoned with in the UK, and Fortune and his friends have sought to subvert the established order of traditional bingo and turn the game into something more in line with the interests of the youth.

Now what to wear to an event like this? In sticking with the non-traditional bingo theme, something sexy with a rebel spirit would be a good fit, like this form-fitting scuba knit dress with deep-V mesh neckline, paired with a bright blue moto jacket*.

Don’t forget accessories* like this fun bingo charm bracelet and tote bag.

Already having been held in 25 cities all over the world, Rebel Bingo continues to play shows in Los Angeles and New York regularly.

Though the show began as invite-only, you can get tickets to the show and sign up for their mailing list on the Rebel Bingo website to see where they’ll be playing next.

BINGO!
Kastle

Rebel Bingo photos courtesy of Flames and Fortune/Rebel Bingo

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Tags: bingo, events, Fashion, Los Angeles, Rebel Bingo