check mate

My son's Back to School night had me and other eager parents meeting teachers IRL after nearly 18 months! Naturally, I dressed up for the occasion and put on my new fall must-have: the check blazer. It comes off as both polished and elegant yet it's t-shirt friendly, too. My kind of balance! The hero version, above, is by Balenciaga, but I also like these less pricey iterations from Veronica Beard, Zara, Maje, and Blaze Milano.

Photo: Lisa Aiken

undone

 

 

This fall's unbuttoned button-down warrants a closer look, because not only is the peekaboo effect alluring, it's effortlessly chic, too. (The blouse immediately below is by Tigra Tigra.) The key to pulling it off is a blouse with an extra long, thigh-grazing length. The additional coverage nicely counterbalances the skin-baring styling. Some great starter shirts come from Ganni, And Other Stories, Birds of Paradis, and Alex Mill.

Photos: Vogue, @J2Martinez

dream team

$388, the outnet

A classic pea coat teams up with a built-in denim jacket effecting fall-layering perfection.  

 

1. The Frankie Shop knit vest, $95, thefrankieshop.com

2. H&M trousers, $34, hm.com

3. Frame pea coat, $388, theoutnet.com

4. Chloe bag, $1490, bergdorfgoodman.com

5. Veja sneakers, $160, shopbop.com

august 44th

 

Looking over street style snaps from New York Fashion Week makes me want some new long dresses that straddle summer and fall. I want them on the dramatic side and can be layered when the chill blows in. The knit dress, above, is by Michael Kors, and the one. below, is Proenza Schouler. These dresses by Vix,  Loulou Studio, Jonathan Simkhai, Cult Gaia, Bondi Born and Vince scream WOW!

loafing

I've always been inspired by the way surfers dress: super laid-back yet highly functional. So, I took note the other night at an art opening in Montauk when a former pro surfer from Kauai showed up in a t-shirt, trousers and a curveball pair of old-school black penny loafers without socks. I knew then and there that I would have to get my own pair and wear them with everything (like above). They'd need to look like the Bass Weejuns I used to wear in the '80s, but are now difficult to find (one source here). I discovered these other good options from  Johnston and Murphy and Tod's.

Photo: Vogue
 

ab fab

 

Sun's out, abs out in NYC! The midriff top is revealing its hot status outside fashion shows. Since it's being paired with a high-waist pant or skirt, just a discreet sliver of skin is on display (read: I don't have to Pilates my way into one!). I'd work one underneath a blazer or coat for more coverage. I like these versions from Altuzarra (pictured above), ATM, Amanda Uprichard, Loulou Studio, and Zara.

 

 

new york, new york

 

 

New York Fashion Week is on, and the city, bustling and back in business, is putting on a show of her own, too! Also on display: lots of sun-kissed skin! I want to get in on the act with these pretty pieces from AGOLDE, The Frankie Shop, Mara Hoffman, Khaite, Alex Mill, and Arch4.

 

 

Photos: Vogue, Elle, @J2Martinez

denim done

 

Fall's must-have jean jacket looks more like a jean coat, and I'm digging it! The faux fur-lined iteration, above, is by Sezane. But I also love these versions by Denimist, And Other Stories, J.Crew and Nili Lotan.

kuler

 

Leave it to NYC-based designer Nikki Kule--A.K.A., the queen of stripes and my former high school classmate!--to soup up her signature with these fall updates! I love the kangaroo pocket on the crewneck and that poncho is everything!  

sweaters and skirts

 

 

I'm liking fall's new power duo: a slinky skirt and an oversized sweater! The look is relaxed yet feminine, but properly pulling it off lies in perfect proportions. The skirt should be calf-grazing long and slimmer fitting to counterbalance the loose yet not too-big knit. These sweaters from Anine Bing, Loulou Studio, Kule, and La Ligne are excellent places to start, teamed with these spot-on skirts (or slipdresses) by Vince, J.Crew, and Amy Lynn.