The lovely Alison Kranz.

Looking for something fun and fabulous to do in Sacramento? This week’s “Closet Case” fashionista is your go-to gal. As the assisting editor at Sacramento365.com, an event website dedicated to all things happening in Sacramento, Alison Kranz is one über-informed lady when it comes to this fine city.

“Anyone who ever says there’s nothing to do around town needs to look at the site. It’ll prove them otherwise in a heartbeat!” exclaimed Alison, clearly passionate about what she does. “I love it because it keeps me involved with the local community and art scene, plus I get to write and edit which are, all combined, a few of my favorite things.”

Alison also happens to be a fellow blogger—maintaining not one, but three sites (maybe even more!). One of her blogs appears to be dedicated to all things panda (Dance! Panda! Dance!), while her primary blog baby, For You to See, is a collection of “sentences, fragments, pretend poems, real drawings, perfect photographs and undying humility.”

Alison’s third blog, the aptly titled Not Very Pretty, is dedicated to unflattering photos of herself—you know, the kind of pictures most of us try to keep from ever seeing the light of day. That’s right, this 5’11″, 25-year-old beauty keeps an online library of those images where her eyes are closed, her mouth is open and her wardrobe choices are beyond bad. Of course, Alison is all about posting unflattering pictures of other people as well. Those brave souls willing to contribute to the blog can go here for submission guidelines.

Despite the occasional bad picture, Alison truly is a fashionable lady with a great eye for style and an uncanny ability for finding affordable vintage wears. She’s modeled for various photographers and local boutique Cuffs, and has done runway work for the fashion line Van Der Neer. Her feminine, vintage-inspired style is girl-y without being overtly sweet or childlike. On top of all that, Alison is just a super cool lady with a great sense of humor, a brilliant mind and a heart of gold.

And now for a look at her wardrobe…

All kidding aside, this fashionista even laughed at my horrible jokes! Here's Alison sporting a thrifted blouse, nude fishnets from Nordstrom, Charles Albert boots from Ross and a brown wool skirt by Saks Fifth Avenue that she scored at a thrift store.

Pocket protector.

If the boots fit...

Describe your personal style.
Vintage-y modern with a dash of grandma.

Who are your favorite fashion designers?
I don’t really follow fashion designers, but I absolutely adore Lady Gaga as a fashion icon. Every outfit is a piece of art for her, in the most precise and extreme way possible.

If you could raid anyone’s wardrobe whose would it be?
My grandma’s closets from when they were my age—great style & great history!

Central station...featuring a poster by David Horvitz, one of Alison's favorite artists.

A gaggle of vintage goodies.

Sparkles!

Wardrobe weapons.

The bangles.

Where do you turn for fashion inspiration?
I follow a couple fashion blogs and pay attention to what people are wearing out and about, but ultimately I know my style and what I want. I love nothing more than heading to a thrift store and digging around for amazing pieces at super-cheap prices. I’m not much of a shopper, so I suppose just getting in the mood to shop is inspiration enough! I always joke that my outfits are “99% of the time less than $20, 100% of the time awesome” (although the latter is up for debate, the former is pretty much on-the-dot. My dad always makes fun of me because anytime he compliments something I’m wearing I’ll reply with “Thanks! $2!” or whatever the price was).

Is there an item you’re currently eyeing?
Nothing in particular, but whenever I’m thrifting I’m always on the lookout for cute, cozy coats and walkable shoes that will also work for work.

Back in black.

A leg up: Black Lux shirt picked up at Buffalo Exchange, red moccasin flats (thrifted), leggings from Target and a handmade and handed down skirt from her grandma.

Strike a pose.

Oh, Alison, my aim is true...

What was your most recent wardrobe purchase?
Some low, slouchy light brown boots for $16.99 at Ross. I went in shopping for Christmas presents and left with them instead. They’re great, but they have this weird plastic-y smell that won’t go away!

What is one item in your closet can’t you live without?
Based on usage: My constant go-to coat, which is grey, with black velour strips, and a lion’s head knocker button. It classes up every outfit whilst keeping me warm. I splurged on it ($30—way out of my normal price range!) at a vintage store four years ago or so, and it’s been worth every penny and then some.

Based on sentimentality: My grandma’s skirt, which my mother transformed into a mini-skirt during her high school days, and which was always an item in my “dress up” box growing up. It was the piece of clothing that made me finally realize “Hey, I can wear whatever I want” during my senior year of high school. I still wear it to this day.

Laugh, and the world laughs with you.

Coat encounters: Alison picked up this Tracy Reese coat at Wasteland in San Francisco.

Shoe view.

What’s in your closet that you’ve never worn?
I’m frugal with my shopping and don’t go so wild as to purchase a lot more than I will actually wear. There’s only one thing I have that I have yet to debut–a brown & gold fancy dress. I’m just waiting for the right occasion!

How often do you purge items from your closet?
Even though my closet is brimming to overflowing, it’s stuffed with things I actually wear. I’m pretty meticulous about getting rid of excess and letting go of items I no longer adorn myself with. I used to find myself hanging onto certain items purely for sentimental reasons, so I started taking photos of the clothes I had a connection to but didn’t wear anymore, and then donating them. That way I still have the memory, but with a little excess room in my closet.

Bust-ed.

Style-wise, is there a current trend you can’t stand on women?
This is a bit specific, but I really don’t like when girls wear leggings as pants with shirts that don’t cover their butt. I don’t mind leggings with longer shirts, skirts, dresses, etc, but whenever the shirt is too short I tend to do a double-take—”Wait! That girl’s not wearing any pants!”; it never looks right. My friend and I used to joke that if that trend kept up, we’d have to reintroduce the codpiece into fashion as a women’s accessory. Guess it’s about time we did that!

What are your favorite styling products?
Is it embarrassing to admit I use CoverGirl because that’s what I started using when I was 14? I’ve never really been a make-up and hair girl. I’m all about simple and out the door. My one requirement when I get a haircut is that it’s something I can get out of the shower and do absolutely nothing to. The haircut I have right now I have to straighten and it’s driving me mad!

Feeling nude-y.

Play black.

Two tone.

Black and gold.

Have any shopping spots you’re willing to divulge?
Most of my goodies come from Thrift Town. Their prices are just right, and every day a different color tag is half-price, making the hunt even more fun.

What are some of your favorite spots in Sacramento?
Since I already outed Thrift Town as my fave shopping spot above, I’ll stick to non-fashion for these five:
1. Fleet Feet on J Street — Because they do free, 3-mile fun runs every Tuesday which keeps me motivated on my marathon mission (26.2 miles at 26.2 years is my goal for this year—to be executed at the CIM in December!).
2. Ten22 — Because they have fresh, creative food (at reasonable going-out-to-dinner prices), a good happy hour, killer patio, and it’s quiet enough to carry on a conversation.
3. Pete’s Restaurant & Brewhouse — For tasty pizza & delicious beer.
4. The Merc — For those crazy going-out nights (and cheap, strong drinks).
5. Old Soul at the Weatherstone — For yummy coffee, eats, beer, and cozy seating inside and out.

In the first lace: White lace dress (Lush) and tights (Betsey Johnson) from Nordstrom Rack.

Oxford comma: Black Oxfords thrifted from Thrift Town.

Laughing matter.

Unrelated to fashion, but because I am interested…what’s on your iPod?
Xiu Xiu, hyphy music, remixes, pop music, and electronic gems. A little something for every occasion.

Vision in white.

Lace and light.

Perfect timing: Compass necklace from Cuffs.

Divine being.