my LA list

While I am devout New Yorker, I do love LA. Ten years in, I am still discovering the city, and The List Collective, an amazingly resourceful LA-centric blog by Elaine Brooks, keeps me dialed into everything new and noteworthy, and old standbys, too. The blog features lists compiled by the city's most in-the-know, who share everything from their favorite date-night restaurants to eco-friendly cookware. Of course, I was more than happy when Elaine asked me to contribute my list of LA faves. Check it out here.

the future prints

$80, warehouse.co.uk

Floral print pants: done. Next: bold geometric patterns. For Fall 2012, Prada is making strong statements by mixing, matching and layering them. Thinking it's a good idea to do the same. Wear these pants with...

1. Old Navy star print blouse,  $29, oldnavy.com

2. Topshop spike bracelet, $25, topshop.com

3. Diane Von Furstenberg checked-weave clutch, $395, netaporter.com

4. Manolo Blahnik T-strap heels, $755, barneys.com

5. Warehouse geometric print pants, $80, warehouse.co.uk

sneaking into my wardrobe

Since those sparkly Miu Miu's got away from me (I could not find a pair in my size!), I snapped up these studded sneaks from Kurt Geiger instead. They're kind of kooky and bold, but I think that's what makes them cool and endearing. Plus, I know I'll get major (comfortable) mileage out of them. And they look like Miu Miu's upcoming kicks. Totally justified.

denim tee

$65, madewell.com

A classic t-shirt rendered in soft, wear-with-everything denim. A slam dunk, in my book. Wear it with...

1. Madewell denim tee, $65, madewell.com

2. Forever 21 pearl and thread choker, $10, forever21.com

3. Miu Miu mini matelasse leather clutch, $1150, netaporter.com

4. Christian Louboutin pumps, $625, barneys.com

5. Peter Pilotto black leaf print trousers, $855, kirnazabete.com

gwyneth's gown

Photo: Celebuzz

Gwyneth's pristine white gown by Tom Ford was by far my favorite on the Oscar red carpet. It was minimally sleek and super sophisticated. No earrings even needed! And the gorgeous long coat was icing on the cake. Who do you think looked best?

color me celine

Photo: Tommy Ton

Style master and J. Crew's creative director Jenna Lyons wore these Celine color-blocked pants with a crisp white button-down and a jean jacket to go about her New York fashion week rounds. I am tempted to do the same--and go about my everyday life! Thinking I can emulate the look with these more subdued Michael van de Ham pants and these pointy toe Kate Spade heels.

twinkle toes

$35, zara.com

These glittery sandals are just right for summer days, but they work evenings with equal panache. Wear them with...

1. Etoile Isabel Marant crochet dress, $350, matchesfashion.com

2. Madewell sunglasses, $139, madewell.com

3. Asos perspex clutch, $32, asos.com 
4. Zara glitter sandals, $35, zara.com

tassel sweater

$75, riverisland.com

Is it just me or does this sweater not have an Isabel Marant vibe? The tassels, the Native American detailing, the fringe on the sleeves... In any case, it looks like the kind of sweater some uber cool downtown-dwelling fashion-y type would wear ever so nonchalantly to go about her day. Wear it with...

1. River Island cardigan, $75, riverisland.com

2. Topshop tank, $56, topshop.com

3. Forever 21 embellished clutch, $26, forever21.com

4. Alexander Wang burgundy heels, $595, alexanderwang.com

5. Current/Elliot pastel jeans, $180, netaporter.com

P.S. Check out my dear friend and Lucky co-worker Elle Strauss, wearing a tasselicious Isabel Marant sweater this past week in London.

wholly jeans

Photo: The Cut

Maybe it was the cold, the rain, the snow, or all of above, but casual dressing was in the New York air last week. Which explains the number of ripped jeans seen going to and from the shows. I had a pair that I wore a few years ago, and it was only last month that I banished them into retirement (i.e., gave them away). Guess that was premature. Oh, well. If I don't sit this one out, I might just go for these cheapies from Asos.

Photo: The Cut

Photo: Vogue

leather pocket dress

$320, gerenford.com

A few weeks ago I visited LA designer Geren Ford's new studio in Hollywood and came across this dress, hanging on one of the sample racks. I think I must have asked her five times, "When will this dress be available for purchase?" She replied (five times), "In the next week or so." Well, here it is, in all its zipped-up, leather-trimmed, color-blocked glory. Very psyched.

  

1. Geren Ford silk dress, $325, gerenford.com

2. Burberry Prorsum cashmere cardigan, $995, netaporter.com

3. Samudra pink coconut pouch, $60, shop.samudra11.com

4. Zara mesh booties*, $129, zara.com
* I just bought these shoes yesterday and they're ridiculously comfortable. They're perfect warm weather booties.

layering it on

Photo: Tommy Ton

So, more on this layering trendlet happening (check out yesterday's post on the jean jacket): if you want to up the ante, layer two coats or two jackets, or even a jacket over a coat (now that's novel!), as demonstrated in the pictures above and below, taken in New York and London. It seems everyone's doing it. (P.S. That's my friend and Lucky co-worker Ray Siegel sporting the motorcycle jacket over the the puffer. Cute!)

Photo: The Cut

Photo: Marie Claire

Photo: Marie Claire

stud muffin

$265, jcrew.com

Sexy, feminine, and a little rebellious, too, thanks to the gold studs. The neutral shade and kitten heel mean you'll get major mileage out of these shoes. Wear them with...

1. Sass and Bide bustier dress, $680, sheilastyle.com

2. Michael Kors hooded anorak, $150, netaporter.com

3. Lanvin satin patch clutch, $985, barneys.com

4. J. Crew studded sandals*, $265, jcrew.com
* Get 20% off your order of $150+ at J. Crew with the code FABFEB. Offer valid through 11:59 EST on February 22.

the jean jacket

Photo: Vanessa Jackman

The jean jacket is officially back, but this time it's essentially a layering tool, sharing an inextricably symbiotic relationship with your overcoat. The new way to wear this denim staple is buttoned to the top to ensure maximum warmth, with collars up, underneath a coat, thrown nonchalantly over the shoulders. Easy enough, right? Here's a good jean jacket from Rag & Bone, if you're in the market. 

Photo: Tommy Ton

boucle biker jacket

$89, dorothyperkins.com

A biker jacket rendered in boucle fabric is counter-intuitive--and totally amazing. Considering all the oversize jackets on the fall 2012 runways, I'd go one size up in this one. That way I can pack some serious layers underneath it and wear it into the ground.

1. Dorothy Perkin boucle biker jacket, $89, dorothyperkins.com

2. Tibi leather top, $575, netaporter.com

3. Proenza Schouler PS 1 tote bag, $1995, ssense.com 

4. Chloe triple buckle bootie, $1235, mytheresa.com 

5. Current/Elliot boyfriend jeans, $210, netaporter.com 

Marni party

It was an event I had been looking forward to for weeks. The invite said it was going to be a "private dinner party" hosted by Sofia Coppola, Marni designer Consuelo Castiglioni and H&M’s creative director Margareta van den Bosch" to celebrate the pre-launch of the Marni for H&M collection. But last Friday, the day of the party, my husband threw his back out and both of my kids came down with a cold. I was beat. I debated going out. But I love Marni. And I love H&M. And I knew the party would be interesting, to say the least. So, I rallied and cobbled together an outfit--a Vince sequin blouse, with a metallic silver pleated H&M skirt, a gem-studded vintage belt, Lanvin heels, and red-beaded earrings that I got from a Lucky cover shoot years ago. At the party, I found myself completely star struck. Not by all the celebrities in attendance (among them, Milla Jovovich, pictured above with me). But by the collection, itself. It's out-and-out dazzling, filled with striking African print dresses, metallic tops and bottoms, geometric-patterned coats and skirts--all very signature Marni. The accessories also made me swoon, especially the palette collar necklaces, bold shell-like necklaces and silver leather and rope sandals. The party venue, the John Sowden House in Los Feliz, was appropriately glamorous. Built in 1926 by Lloyd Wright, the eldest son of Frank Lloyd Wright, it is also known as the “Jaws House,” because the facade resembles the gaping mouth of a great white shark. Bryan Ferry belted out the Sofia Coppola-directed campaign video's theme song in the house's central open-air courtyard. I watched from under a heat lamp, while Mel Gibson danced to my right and Sofia Coppola and her husband swilled champagne in front of me. It was a very fun LA night. Now, I am looking forward to March 8th, when the collection hits stores. Lucky has a preview of the entire collection here.

going with the flow

$47, riverisland.com

As reported last week, wide-legged pants ruled the New York fashion runways. It's a flattering (leg-lengthening) silhouette--and a total slam dunk when worn with something simple, like a button-down blouse or a t-shirt.  This polka dot pair gets high marks for its spring-through-fall wearability. Wear them with... 

1. Topshop silk blouse, $70, topshop.com

2. Proenza Schouler PS 1 leather and canvas bag, $2050, netaporter.com

3. Madewell platform sandals, $158, madewell.com

4. Navy polka dot pants, $47, riverisland.com

statement sunnies

Photo: Tommy Ton

Wildly colorful, tricked-out sunglasses were pervasive during New York Fashion Week (case in point, above). While I love my classic Ray-Ban Wayfarers, I could contemplate another pair more offbeat, something veering toward daring and interesting, without being crazy kooky. So, here are some options I've come up with. Which ones do you think are cool?

1. Selima sunglasses, $385, selimaoptique.com

2. Diane Von Furstenberg color-blocked sunglasses, $165, matchesfashion.com

3. Cutler and Gross cat-eye frames, $530, netaporter.com

4. Karen Walker black and gold frames, $210, revolveclothing.com

not your basic tee

$95, reissonline.com

The asymmetrical hem transforms this t-shirt into a statement-maker. Wear it with...
 

1. Reiss peplum t-shirt, $95, reissonline.com

2. Stella McCartney chain link python print clutch, $895, mytheresa.com

3. Alexander Wang ankle strap heels, $595, alexanderwang.com

4. T by Alexander Wang mini skirt, $140, shopbop.com

suit up

Photo: Tommy Ton

The pant suit emerged as one of the most ubiquitous--and chicest--looks during New York Fashion Week. It's a good thing, because a suit makes getting dressed easy. All you need is a top and some flashy accessories. I love how this girl softened her sharp, formal black suit with a casual and unexpected plaid blouse. LA-based designer Jenni Kayne provides further inspiration with her Fall 2012 lineup. So good! 

beat the blah's

Madewell has been running a useful feature on its site about how to beat the winter blah's.  Last week they featured my style tips.  See them here.

bauble bag

$47, riverisland.com

Prada's resort collection was chock full of of opulent-looking jewel-encrusted clutches. But that's not the only reason to love this blinged-out evening bag. It's candy-colored decadent, unabashedly feminine and really, really pretty. Wear it with...

1. O'2ND one-shoulder navy jumpsuit, $395, barneys.com 

2. Tom Binns silver drop earrings, $135, nordstrom.com 

3. River Island beaded clutch, $47, riverisland.com 

4. Stella McCartney two-tone satin sandals, $1025, netaporter.com

j. crew fall 2012

Jenna Lyons adhered to her preppy-offbeat-colorful idiom with J. Crew's fall 2012 collection, presented yesterday in New York--and there's so much to love, from the spot-on styling to the vibrant prints to the fuchsia lipstick--and that fur coat! Here are my favorite looks. How I wish I could wear them now...