I've been intrigued by these origami-like skirts ever since Proenza Schouler trotted out its Asian-spirited asymmetrical-hemmed minis last fall. My obsession deepened during Netaporter's end of season sale, when one of Proenza's beauties slipped through my fingers, because I neglected to put it in my shopping cart as I browsed other options. By the time I got back to the on-sale skirt, poof, it was gone. So, I've been on the hunt. Here's what I've turned up: a silk wrap skirt from Topshop; a more minimalist, less layered Asos; a sleek color-blocked Nicholas; and Zara's white skirt-shorts hybrid that's a close kissing cousin to the one above (happily, it's already en route!).
Photos: Tommy Ton for Style.com, Pinterest
A few weeks ago I scored a pair of vintage mint-condition Yves Saint Laurent lace-up heels from the '70s and I literally have been trying to wear them everyday since! Okay, so they're 86ed for walking my kids to school, but they are more versatile than one would think, and the proof is in these pictures, above and below. You might just be tempted to try this sexy leg-climbing shoe, yourself, whether with jeans or a dress. And, if that's the case, here a few options from Gisuseppe Zanotti (featured above and directly below), a leg-lengthening Aquazzura, and an out-and-out alluring Jimmy Choo.
Photos: Harper's Bazaar, Pinterest
This clean, pristine white top has all the ease and wearability of a t-shirt, but is exceedingly more elegant, thanks to it sharp lines, scoop back shape, and luxe fabric. It's poised to become one of my wardrobe workhorses, the kind of thing I could dress up, dress down and never go a week without.
1. Whistles top, $123, whistles.co.uk
2. Balenciaga biker coat, $1599, matchesfashion.com
3. Topshop cuff, $30, topshop.com
4. Asos beaded clutch, $59, asos.com
5. Jimmy Choo patent leather pumps, $495, netaporter.com
6. Lela Rose printed pants, $695, bergdorfgoodman.com
With spring break within sight--and an 80-degree weekend forecast in LA!--these Rag & Bone beach blankets* are looking especially compelling right now. (Just an aside: one of these blankets would also make for a fantastically practical and chic hostess gift!) The attached canvas straps allow for easy transport, too.
*There's a sale at Shopbop through Thursday 2/28: get 10-20% depending on how much you spend over $250 by using code SPRINGEVENT.
There's a super fancy jeweler located near the Ritz in Paris who makes the prettiest, most glamorous diamond rings that spell out your name (or whatever you fancy!), so that the letters wrap elegantly around your finger. These statement studs are a riff on that romantic idea--but they're beaucoup affordable and everyday wearable.
1. Iris & Ink cashmere sweater, $198, theoutnet.com
2. Bauble Bar love studs, $24, baublebar.com
3. Dorothy Perkins bracelet set, $27, dorothyperkins.com
4. Sara Battaglia metal clutch, $1210, stylebop.com
5. Pour La Victoire sandals, $375, shopbop.com
6. Altuzarra ikat skirt, $775, bergdorfgoodman.com
Found: the perfect spring jacket. This one is durable yet lightweight, water-resistant and warmly quilted. It's ideal for layering--i.e., over a jean jacket or thick sweater, or underneath a fur or leather moto vest. Love the wear-with-everything neutral army green color too. And it's on sale.
The last time I featured a sweater from British High Street store Monsoon, it quickly sold out. I ended up having to buy it when I was in London last fall (as it turned out, it was the last one in the store!) This mixed floral print jacket epitomizes vintage bohemian chic--and Monsoon's lockdown on this look. Fortunately it's free shipping! (But if you have to return from the US, it's probably $25 USPS.) I'm still thinking: better act fast.
1. Saint James striped t-shirt, $90, jcrew.com
2. Monsoon floral print jacket, $122, monsoon.co.uk
3. Mawi embellished clutch, $666, my-wardrobe.com
4. Belle by Sigerson Morrison sandals, $260, shopbop.com
5. J Brand distressed boyfriend jeans, $209, netaporter.com
When I left New York for LA years ago, I vowed that I would keep dressing like a New Yorker--i.e., proudly wear heels to the supermarket and never, ever leave home in sneakers for any reason other than a morning jog. Initially, I remained true and wore my heels everywhere like a champ, but over time a few things happened that altered the course of my history: LA's omnipresent casual vibe began its inevitable subversion of my fashion thinking; I had kids; and sneakers (the right ones) became much cooler, colorful and, well, chic. And so it began, the integration of sneakers into my everyday mix. Make no mistake: these are not your school run-to-workout-to-running-around-doing-errands sneakers. They're bold, bright kicks that go, yes, from school runs to yes, laps around the supermarket to a hike up Runyon Canyon and then, marathon-like, on to photo shoots, clothing showrooms, meetings at Soho House, and other fashionable jaunts around town (further justification shown, above, and below). Thankfully, there's a myriad of seriously good options from New Balance (similar to above, but for a more aggro version, try these), Madewell, Nike (vintage style!) and Sam Edelman (sporty meets high fashion love!). Don't be afraid. They are so comfy, you might not want to ever take them off.
Photos: They All Hate Us, Marie Claire, Pinterest, Stockholm-Streetstyle
This past week, I did a quick ski trip to the Sierras with my family and forgot to pack....my ski jacket. Luckily, my husband had an extra, which I borrowed. The oversize jacket effect was very snowboarder on skis, and since I have never snowboarded, I looked even more amateur than usual. But, I was warm, thanks to some smart multi-fleece layering, and really, isn't that what matters in the end? All of which brings me to this Rebecca Taylor boucle vest. Though it is not essential for snowy mountainous parts, it's exactly the type of thing I would try very hard to NOT forget to pack for getaways both wintry and otherwise. For colder climes, I could layer it over a sweater and underneath a jacket and accomplish the warm-and-chic thing. But it would also work in a warmer and/or city-setting, since the boucle fabric also gives this motorcycle-inspired vest a more polished look. For example, come this spring, I'd do it like this (in an ideal-for-layering size up)...
1. Topshop mesh panel dress, $190, topshop.com
2. Rebecca Taylor boucle vest, $395, shopbop.com
3. Stella McCartney sunglasses, $225, shopbop.com
4. French Connection embellished clutch, $127, asos.com
5. Alexander Wang lizard-print sandals, $540, saksfifthavenue.com
I pretty much always wear my hair up--and this gorgeous gold hair band gives me one more reason to keep doing it. Love.
Wearing these strappy buckle-trimmed heels would make me feel so much cooler than I actually am--but still like me. Now that's a feat! On top of that, they're endlessly versatile, thanks to their neutral shade, and they'll look so spring-fabulous with..
1. Etro printed crepe wrap dress, $1830, netaporter.com
2. Tom Binns spiked hoops, $176, shopbop.com
3. Proenza Schouler bag, $987, farfetch.com
4. Topshop strappy sandals, $130, topshop.com
My new favorite jeans happen to look not very new. But that's the point, of course. But what really distinguishes my distressed denim is that they strike the perfect balance between looking lived-in and too lived-in (i.e., ratty), and this is why I adore them. Plus, judging from the pics, above, and below, these worn-in jeans seem to be a thing... Here are some other great options from J.Brand, Asos, and R13.
Photos: Harper's Bazaar, Pinterest
Rendered in mid-weight cotton, this animal-print sweater gives everyday (winter-to-spring) dressing a ferociously good lift.
1. Marc by Marc Jacobs sweater, $188, netaporter.com
2. Ciate nail polish in Fade to Greige, $15, nordstrom.com
3. Iosselliani ring set, $322, forwardbyelysewalker.com
4. Topshop clutch, $28, topshop.com
5. B Brian Atwood ankle strap sandals, $450, shopbop.com
6. Rochas floral skirt, $785, netaporter.com
There was so much to love about Phillip Lim's Fall 2013 collection: the biker-inspired leather vests, zipper-trimmed sweatshirts, quilted mini skirts--and perhaps, most of all, the gold hippie-chic chandelier earrings. As Harper's Bazaar put it, the earrings "provided a chic lesson in
contrast." The
shoulder-grazing 10-karat and oxidized gold statement-makers were
designed exclusively for Lim's show and will retail for $395, starting in July. In the meantime, you can get your fix with these dopplegangers from Wendy Mink, A Peace Treaty, Anthropologie (only $38!), and Monserat De Lucca.
This white jumpsuit masters head-to-toe sleek--and rush-hour dressing. And it's in step with the styles (Band of Outsiders, Yigal Azrouel) that paraded down the Fall 2013 runways in New York. With extras like these, you're done.
1. Reiss jumpsuit, $370, reiss.com
2. Rose Pierre drop earrings, $65, shopbop.com
3. Kelly Wearstler clutch, $795, kellywearstler.com
4. Charlotte Olympia sandals, $875, netaporter.com
Thanks to Pierre Hardy's vividly graphic clutches, anyone can now look a little more head-turning-street-style-star-chic. All you have to is pick a color.
Earlier this week I took a very successful spin around Topshop's just-opened and highly anticipated two-floor LA store. It certainly met my expectations, replete with exclusive pieces on the racks and a plethora of sizes. Among my where-did-you-get-that finds? This studded sweater that had my friend (a former Women's Wear Daily editor) and I swearing it sparkled like a Miu Miu. I also snapped up this tiered chiffon Chanel-channeling dress that can go anywhere from a Katy Perry, Alicia Keys, J. Lo-studded party (which it did on Wednesday night!) to a casual backyard barbecue (where it will go this weekend). Today I'm debuting this sweater, along with these right-on extras...
Captured flitting between shows during New York Fashion Week, this model provides a glimpse into the eye-popping lipstick shades on the horizon. But why wait to do a bright lip? I consulted my friend, makeup artist and The Beauty Department co-founder Amy Nadine (who happens to be responsible for Rachel Bilson's pretty pout, among other famous starlets) about this exact hue and she pointed me to Nars Schiap. I am all over it.
Photo: Models on the Street
The unexpected combination of bohemian paisley and a flash of neon shifts this statement jacket into a whole new sphere of cool. I'd sport it on a crisp spring day like this...
1. Simone Rocha lace blouse, $1095, netaporter.com
2. Miss Selfridge paisley jacket, $105, missselfridge.com
3. 3.1 Phillip Lim clutch, $295, shopbop.com
4. Jimmy Choo lace-up sandals, $1095, saksfifthavenue.com
5. Goldsign x J.Crew jeans, $214, jcrew.com
During my time in NYC last week, in addition to previewing trends coming our way, I picked up various other tidbits of fashiony knowledge ranging from random to useful. A few worth sharing: (a) Phillip Lim's re-invention of a souvenir t-shirt is now a cultish style statement, thanks to high-profile show-goers, such as Maria Duenas Jacobs, above, and Candace Lake, below.
I
love it, too (it's the native New Yorker in me, I guess!), especially
paired with a sharp pencil skirt, or a great pair of tailored pants. The white version is already long gone, but black is just as cute (and besides, black is the new black next fall!). Get 'em here. (b) The hot boite du jour is Acme. I had the pleasure of dining there with various fashionista types last Thursday night and particularly
enjoyed the whole grains with foraged mushrooms and the salt-baked carrots. The
drinks were pretty delicious, too. (c) The Nomad Hotel has a fabulously serene library room, which is a perfect place to meet for a drink
and have a good in-depth conversation. And finally, (d) even when your twin sister tells you to wear snow boots to fashion week shows during a blizzard because that's what the locals do and anyone who doesn't will look out of place, don't follow her directions, because she's wrong, and you will be the only one wearing snow boots.
Photos: Style, Grazia
This patchwork-inspired top nails that distinctly cool Isabel Marant-louche vibe--especially with...
1. Madewell sweatshirt, $85, madewell.com
2. Ray Ban sunglasses, $109, shopbop.com
3. Topshop spike stud earrings, $15, topshop.com
4. Tory Burch cross-body bag, $425, toryburch.com
5. Derek Lam sandals, $498, saksfifthavenue.com
6. Mother skinny jeans, $195, netaporter.com
I saw a number of great shows last week, but the one show I missed turned out to be the newest designer to watch. Delpozo, a Madrid-based label, staged its first show during New York Fashion Week, and I heard from insiders like Lauren Santo Domingo that it was indeed a show-stealer. The line's creative director Josep Font, who drew inspiration from architecture and the Victorian era, featured pretty, elegant dresses (such as the one above), sculptural, voluminous skirts, jackets with sculpted shoulders and tops with exaggerated sleeves. There were also eye-popping color combinations of fuchsia, emerald green, burgundy and cinnamon, along with floral appliques, beading and embroidery. You can view and shop(!) the entire Fall 2013 collection at Moda Operandi. (The trunk show runs through February 19.) Below are more highlights from the show.
Photos: Women's Wear Daily
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