The end of season sales bonanza continues, and I just did an edit of Elyse Walker's sale (whose storefront happens to be located a few blocks away from from my house). Among the most desirable items imho are this highly coveted Valentino studded clutch (available in black), these summer-ready JBrand jeans, this head-turning Rodarte dress, plus this, this and this. You can peruse all the options here.
Photo: Vanessa Jackman
I feel weird toting a big leather bag around when it's a zillion degrees out. It just feels.... wrong, or more specifically, too heavy. Enter Alexander Wang's sleek city-to-country canvas tote that can be responsible for carrying my life around and look easy breezy at the same time (and, oh, it's half off, too).
1. Madewell silk bow blouse, $88, madewell.com
2. Sensi Studio hat, $125, netaporter.com
3. Kelacala Q necklace, $194, shopbop.com
4. Topshop bangle, $80, topshop.com
5. Alexander Wang canvas tote, $364, theoutnet.com
6. Alexander Wang sandals, $351, bergdorfgoodman.com
7. Mango paisley print pants, $44, mango.com
Is it just me or are this season's bathing suits more daring than ever? There are cut-outs, crochet, mesh and laser-cut accents, graphic prints, high-waist bikinis, you name it. I'm inclined to think that a statement-y suit can (can being the operative word here) help draw eyes away from other body parts you don't necessarily want people focusing on, you know what I mean? But since I am not that adventurous, I may just dip my toes into this trend and start off with some more-attention-getting-than-usual-but-not-crazy-over-the-top suits such as this Amore & Sorvete black beauty, this French Connection one-piece and this leopard print bikini.
Photo: ATG Swimwear
It's just about beach o' clock in these parts, hence the recent parade of summery dresses. This one has the wherewithal to go from beach to street (and perhaps a music festival or two) and look fun and fresh throughout.
1. Miss Selfridge lace dress, $80, missselfridge.com
2. Ray Ban mirrored sunglasses, $165, shopbop.com
3. Ginette NY rose gold signet ring, $685, charmandchain.com
4. Sophie Anderson handwoven bag, $350, modaoperandi.com
5. Isabel Marant sandals, $1035, netaporter.com
People, it's a big week for sales, and based on my web travels this afternoon, it seemed like a public sales announcement might be in order: Neiman Marcus is basically Bargain Basement right now... well, not exactly, but the expensive things are less expensive, and in some cases, a lot less. Most compelling are the bags, such as this Reed Krakoff cross-body, above (reduced from $590 to $395), along with temptations of the Alexander Wang, Gucci, and Marc Jacobs variety. Over at Barneys, there are incredible Saint Laurent sandals, Isabel Marant gladiators, and Proenza Schouler PS1 messenger bags, plus a whole lot of primo designer clothing. For shoes, check out Nordstrom's sale for the Miu Miu, Prada, and Dolce & Gabanna options.
They're definitely going to be a thing this summer, these suitably relaxed-fitting shorts. Think of them as the above-the-knee equivalent to boyfriend jeans: comfortable, slouchy, casual. They're also longer (read: more forgiving) than your average shorts and come in a variety of fabrics from denim to leather to cotton. I am seeing them just about everywhere from The Gap (in denim and no-fail army green) to J.Crew. The shorts pictured below are by Theory, and they're available in black (and on sale!) here or in baby blue at 60% off here. To avoid looking sloppy, I'm teaming my boyfriends shorts with more fitted tops and a cute pair of either flat or heeled sandals.
Photos: French Voguettes, Vanessa Jackman
Super short and seriously cute--and perhaps the easiest way to stay cool this summer. At least in my book!
1. Three Floor dress, $157, shopbop.com*
2. Bountki turquoise earrings, $92, charmandchain.com
3. Jules Smith bangles, $105, shopbop.com
4. Pauls Boutique clutch, $33, asos.com
5. Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent sandals, $198, shopbop.com*
* Shopbop is having a crazy sale (this dress is 40% off and the sandals are 20% off). Check out the mother lode here.
If there's one thing I've learned while working on LE CATCH it's that shopping the Net-A-Porter sale (which launched this morning) requires a sound strategy. You have to act fast (i.e., even if you've put something in your shopping basket it can still sell out by the time you check out--a tragedy I experienced this morning with a Chloe skirt I had been lusting after!); you also have to remember you can return anything free of charge (so buy multiple sizes if you are not sure which one fits, as all sizes will eventually sell out); and go big! I use this sale to buy items that would normally be out-of-reach and/or not everyday practical, like a super fancy evening dress, such as this one by Halston Heritage, or a pair of statement shoes, like these iconic Valentinos, above, or this pair that now costs just over $100 bucks. Some other crazy good finds include this wear-with-everything Alexander McQueen clutch, this party-perfect Milly dress, this vibrant Altuzarra skirt, this forever stylish Missoni bikini and these highly coveted Chloe boots. Click here to see more.
I came across this this score of a skirt over the weekend. Not only is it striking (an up-to-the-minute mirror print! zippers!), it's (almost shockingly!) well priced--i.e., one does not need to wait for it to go on sale to grab it. But while you're there (at Net-A-Porter) check out all the amazing stuff that just DID go on sale (up to 50% off like the clutch below) this morning! I'll publish a full round up of my favorite sale picks shortly...
1. Topshop snakeskin effect sweatshirt, $240, topshop.com
2. Avant Garde Paris star earrings, $50, shopbop.com
3. Kotur lace neon clutch (50% off), $280, netaporter.com
4. B Brian Atwood sandal, $284, bergdorfgoodman.com
5. Michael Kors print skirt, $125, netaporter.com
These filmy ethnic print dresses are exactly the kind of thing I'd throw over a bathing suit (or sport for a post-beach shopping spree in Malibu, East Hampton, Capri, etc.), but now I'm convinced they'd fare just as well in the sweltering city, in a relaxed-glam way, along with the right extras, such as a sophisticated wedge or metallic sandal. The one pictured above is by Mango, which debuted here back in March and is now sold out, sadly!) I'd also like to breeze around in this Free People, or this one, or this one, or this Mes Demoiselles.
Photos: Collage Vintage, The Blonde Salad
This partly sheer lace skirt channels the delicacy of a wedding dress--but is appropriate for any type of engagement. I like it toughened up like this...
1. Madewell chambray shirt, $59, madewell.com
2. Noir earrings, $79, shopbop.com
3. Kenzo clutch, $205, netaporter.com
4. Sole Society ankle strap sandals, $59, nordstrom.com
5. Topshop lace skirt, $130, topshop.com
Inspired
by these snaps, I dug up an old ID bracelet given to me by a high
school boyfriend. I still love it as much as they day it was given to me--its man-size chunkiness, its old-school, classic vibe, and how it connotes "I'm taken!" (but in this case, taken by someone other than the actual giver, but no one needs to know that... except you). I also adore these versions by Luv AJ, Nicholas (in rose gold), and Marc by Marc Jacobs.
Photos: Stockholm Street Style, Sincerely Jules, Camille Over the Rainbow
This cute cropped swing trench makes me want to do a rain dance. I'd wear it in any summer shower with...
1. J.Crew short sleeve sweatshirt, $59, jcrew.com
2. Warehouse cropped trench, $116*, warehouse.andotherbrands.com
3. Luv AJ ID bracelet, $110, shopbop.com
4. Anya Hindmarch bucket bag, $275, theoutnet.com
5. Manolo Blahnik loafers, $725, bergdorfgoodman.com
6. Etoile Isabel Marant jeans, $355, netaporter.com
*Get 20% off by typing in DASH20 at checkout through May 26.
A longtime music festival staple, the kimono jacket is making its way, big-time, on to the hard city streets and looking suitably sophisticated. (Zara is even going long on this lightweight cover-up, currently offering no less than 15 on its website!) I like a kimono jacket paired with more modern pieces, so it looks less hippie-dippy, and a print that's subtly striking, such as this black and white one by Asos, this lace Anna Sui, this beaded topper from Zara (or this vibrant one) and this pastel Blu Moon.
Photos: The Sartorialist, Fashion Salade, Chicismo
The heeled gladiator is shaping up to be the summer shoe, as I previously noted here and here (BTW: I am obsessed with my new black Mangos). So, I'm thinking a brown, neutral (read: super versatile) pair wouldn't hurt either, especially as it happens to be 2o% off ($198) right now.
1. Stella McCartney lace top, $1016, matchesfashion.com
2. Sole Society sunglasses, $24, solesociety.com
3. Gorjana friendship bracelets, $66, shopbop.com
4. Freida & Nellie woven bracelet, $198, shopbop.com
5. Anya Hindmarch fringed clutch, $325, theoutnet.com
6. J.Crew studded sandals, $248*, jcrew.com
7. J.Brand boyfriend jeans, $178, jbrand.com
*Enter SHOPNOW at checkout to get these for $198 through May 26. Sale discounts on all other purchases too.
Unlike me, Moda Operandi creative director Taylor Tomasi Hill is an equal opportunity employer of accessories, utilizing everything from jewelry to bags to sunglasses to chic outfit-making effect. But what's particularly noteworthy is her allegiance to belts (as demonstrated in the pics above and below)--an accessory that's usually an afterthought in my book. Clearly, I am going to have to rectify this and I may just start by adding some of these versatile waist-cinchers from McQ Alexander McQueen (very TTH-edgy), Club Monaco (studded and double wrap), Asos (for slinky dresses), and BCBG (Alaia-ish, but under $100!) to my styling arsenal.
Photos: Streetfsn.com, Vogue, Candace Lake, Pinterest
A little Chloe-inspired patchwork business takes these jeans beyond your basic blues. Wear them (all the time!) with...
1. Chloe blouse, $1195, netaporter.com
2. Karen Walker sunglasses, $250, shopbop.com
3. SunuharA Malibu ring, $55, shopbop.com
4. Sophie Anderson bag, $630, modaoperandi.com
5. J.Crew sandals, $110, jcrew.com
6. Topshop jeans, $84, topshop.com
The Glamour Magazine girls came over the other day to check out my closet, my office and ask me questions ranging from how I got started in fashion to my recent and all-time favorite purchases. You can see it here along with a few close-ups of the aforementioned favorite purchases like this bag.
Photo: Miha Matei
This shoe nails the stylish summer sandal triumverate: sexy, strappy and jeans-to-dresses versatile. Wear it with...
1. McQ Alexander McQueen dress, $575, netaporter.com
2. Mania Mania ear cuff, $170, shopbop.com
3. Shashi beaded bracelet, $62, shopbop.com
4. Jules Smith cuff, $85, shopbop.com
5. Dezso by Sara Beltran clutch, $75, modaoperandi.com
6. Topshop leather heels, $120, topshop.com
The Celine Trio has all the elusive qualities that define an "it" bag: an elegant, streamlined shape, an understated logo, scarce availability, and a high price tag. And, of course, it has spawned some less expensive but very viable lookalikes, such as this one from Steven Alan. It also comes in black.
Photo: Streetfsn.com
I walked in late for a lunch with a friend--a start-up CEO--who was already sitting at the table, wearing an office-friendly blue blazer over a silk blue blouse. We ate, talked, laughed, and paid the bill. Then she stood up and, to my surprise, she was wearing graphic print shorts and wedges, making for an outfit that was all business on top and party on the bottom. Nice! With this as my inspiration, I'm feeling these shorts, which though a little bit more beach-friendly, are equally cool and statement-making.
1. Dagmar knitted sweater, $295, netaporter.com
2. Elizabeth and James sunglasses, $185, shopbop.com
3. Bauble Bar earrings, $24, baublebar.com
4. Coach tote bag, $448, coach.com
5. Madewell lace-up sandals, $59, madewell.com
6. J.Crew print shorts, $54, jcrew.com
* Get these shorts for $43 (and 20% off all J.Crew women's clothing) through May 21 with the code LOOK20
My newly purchased vintage Yves Saint Laurent sandals (above) and I made a cameo on Refinery 29, where I talk about my strategy for wearing lace-ups. Check it out here.
Photo: Jessie Webster
Meet my newest partner in crime, which will see me through this summer's cosmo-swilling soirees.
1. Three Floor lace dress, $234, asos.com
2. Lulu Frost earrings, $190, shopbop.com
3. Dior Addict Extreme Lipstick in Princess, $31, nordstrom.com
4. Edie Parker clutch, $1395, modaoperandi.com
5. Gucci buckle sandals, $695, netaporter.com
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