Style Insider: Tamar Anitai of Fashion Binge

How do you describe your style?

The hardest question ever that isn’t a math problem! I absolutely have no one singular discernible style that defines me or that I like to define myself by. I love style more than “fashion,” and I live by no style rules except for these two: getting dressed should be fun, and you don’t have to have or spend a lot of money to look good. 

Style is kinda like porn as defined by like Miller vs. California: you know it when you see it, and everyone kinda defines it differently. But themes I’ve always loved: neons and neutrals, ‘80s power dressing, Oxfords and animal prints, over-the-top accessories (especially plastic bangles), and little unexpected variations on the everyday (leather sleeves, studded sneakers, animal print on camouflage).

What influences your style?

I write about pop culture for a living, and it absolutely influences my style and the way I dress. Anyway, just like most of us don’t have just one friend (no offense if you do!) or eat just one food all of the time or read just one book, I don’t believe in one brand or one style. I believe we’re a stylish snowflake-like mix-and-match combination of many designers, stores, styles and ideas. 

The Internet kind of ruined singular style for us, and for that, I thank it. We’re all kind of like a giant flea market of style ideals.

What is the most exciting moment you've had as a blogger?

Two things: Making really solid friendships that transcend fashion or blogging (I’ve adopted pets and vacationed abroad with some friends I’ve made through blogging) and hearing that my writing makes people laugh.

What do you love most about boutique shopping?

I like that I’m supporting small businesses over the faceless big dudes sitting facelessly in their ivory towers. My dad’s a small business owner, and you really see exactly where your money is going.

What are your three most prized possessions?

My wedding and engagement rings (I wear them together, so I’ll count that as one thing!), my Pada Vavre horse necklace, which is the closest thing I have to a tattoo, and, sadly, I have to say that I truly do prize my Old Navy denim jacket, which I got approximately 12 years ago. It’s so perfectly worn that it would take me another 12 years to wear another one in so well.

What inspired you to create your blog? What do you love most about blogging?  

I had a really boring job in 2006 (back when you could still have boring jobs -- now I'm at MTV, which is the opposite of boring), and I worked in a tiny office with no one to talk to about my Windows-shopping (what I call online shopping -- get it?), so I started FashionBinge, and six years later, here I am, talking to you about blogging in a slightly meta way!

What are your favorite boutiques in NYC?

I’m a big fan of what Erica Kiang does at Babel Fair in Soho. Pixie Market usually blows my mind -- it’s like they snuck into my brain and created a store fashioned out of my most primal style desires. And sometimes I wish I didn’t live so close to Dear Fieldbinder in Brooklyn, because I’m so magnetically drawn to Laura’s excellent selection. And, sadly, it’s no longer a brick and mortar, but they are New York-based: Fred Flare. Chris and Keith are two of the sweetest souls that didn’t belong to a kitten, and I love that their primary mission is making people happy with their fun, quirky housewares and gifts and great clothes at really reasonable prices. FredFlare.com is one of my first stops when I’m shopping online for gifts. Where else can you buy spiked heels and a horse head mask?

Follow Tamar on Twitter and her blog.