a black and white basic
Wednesday, April 18
This blouse is as versatile as a white button-down (i.e., I'd wear it anywhere), but a million times chicer. And enduringly stylish too. (In fact, I'd say it falls squarely into that fail-safe French girl category.) I'd wear the outfit below to work, and feel comfortable going straight to dinner afterward.
1. CO-OP Barneys color blocked blouse, $225, barneys.com
2. Madewell camo print jacket*, $128, madewell.com
3. Coach Op Art tote, $348, coach.com
4. Zara platform sandal, $89, zara.com
5. Reiss tapered trousers, $210, reissonline.com
* This jacket is like your average green parka, but only better because it has a cool abstract animal print and it's cinched in at the waist. But it's just as wearable!
the someday dress
Tuesday, April 17
Though I have no upcoming occasion to warrant the purchase of this Zara dress, I am compelled to buy it. (Afternoon update: I bought it, but apparently so did many of you, because it's already sold out! My guess is they will restock this one, so I'll tweet it if I see it again.) That's because it's classic in design, undeniably elegant and could stand up to the swankiest of occasions. I know I will wear it at some point, even if it's in the way distant future. And, oh, it's $89! Added bonus: I could style this dress in so many different ways. I could go all out and accessorize it with crazy blingy earrings, or punctuate it with a sparkly belt, like this one from J. Crew, or go casual and clean and simply throw on a pair of lace-up sandals. Okay, this one is in the bag...
scalloped khakis
Tuesday, April 17
J. Crew cleverly reinvents a pair of khaki shorts with a feminine scalloped hem. (Just FYI: these are my ideal day-to-night shorts: great with a lived-in white t-shirt or a statement blazer.) I'd wear it with...
1. 10 Crosby striped tank, $225, barneys.com
2. Callula Lillibelle oversized satin tuxedo jacket*, $450, netaporter.com
3. Givenchy buckle sandals, $880, barneys.com
4. J. Crew scalloped shorts, $118, jcrew.com
*Push up the sleeves on the blazer to effect a more casual vibe.
french lesson
Monday, April 16
What is it about French women? Why do they always get it right? It seems to me that French women stay loyal to their signature styles and stick to them--in the face of all the neons, pastels, and floral prints out there. Take for instance, the French Vogue editors, who trotted out to every fashion show, from Milan to New York to Paris, in slight variations of the same basic outfit: jeans, high heels, a button-down blouse with a big jacket (leather or puffy) or sweater. (See pics of French Vogue editors above and below.) Perhaps this is what makes their style so distinguishable--so unmistakably, enviably, effortlessly, alluringly chic. The one constant in many French women's wardrobe is the button down blouse. It's obviously a classic, and while it can come across as conservative, the French make it look anything but. Here are some Parisian-polished blouses to consider integrating into your wardrobe: a denim color-blocked (Isabel Marant-inspired) one from Asos, another from Sandro, (a French line that nails Gallic cool, which explains why I also LOVE this one by Sandro too), and a pinstriped classic from J. Crew.
P.S. Take a cue from the French and wear the blouses unbuttoned, with the sleeves nonchalantly rolled up, half tucked in.
metallica
Monday, April 16
A shimmering metallic sheen dresses up this motorcycle jacket and makes it the perfect counterpart to everything from a flowy evening dress to black skinny jeans--and pretty much everything in between. Wear it with...
1. Lela Rose polka dot tulle dress, $2495, netaporter.com
2. Topshop metallic motorcycle jacket, $140, topshop.com
3. Lanvin shell minaudiere, $2190, barneys.com
4. Valentino velvet ankle-wrap sandals, $695, bergdorfgoodman.com
the unlikely hero
Friday, April 13
Never mind the lizard print Mulberry bag or the slick Marni for H&M jacket. The greatest thing about Swedish blogger Columbine Smille's outfit here are her turquoise Converse sneakers. Considering the fact that fashionable sneakers are having a big moment, a pair of bold-hued Converses are in order--and, thankfully, a lot less expensive than the Alexander Wang and Balenciaga variety). I'm going for a pair in red, a punchy color that's easy to pair with other colors. P.S. Head-to-toe black is always a stylish foil to casual kicks.
(Photo: Columbine Smille)
laser cut skirt
Friday, April 13
A perforated floral pattern is the perfect feminine counterpoint to the grey leather-y finish. It's also very Alaia. Wear it with...
1. Marc Jacobs beaded collar blouse, $795, netaporter.com
2. Warehouse bomber jacket, $98, warehouse.co.uk
3. Christopher Kane leather clutch, $695, netaporter.com
4. Givenchy buckle sandal, $880 barneys.com
5. New Look perforated skirt, $61, newlook.com
the big thing
Friday, April 13
Boxy, oversized jackets dominated the fall runways, from Proenza Schouler to Balmain. For me, it will be a silhouette that will take some getting used to,
the gray sweatshirt
Thursday, April 12
I've been giving my old gray J. Crew sweatshirt lots of love lately. And I am glad to see Vogue editor Meredith Melling Burke, above, doing the same. It's just so easy and comfortable--the beauty of a basic--and best when deftly paired with more polished pieces (lest you look slovenly), like a long tailored blazer (demonstrated above), layered over a silk or print button-up blouse, or teamed with a metallic pencil skirt. Here are some variations of the wardrobe staple, from a classic, perfectly-cut version by Madewell to a luxe you'll-want-to-live-in-it cashmere one from J. Crew to a summer-friendly short-sleeved style by Splendid.
bright stripes
Thursday, April 12
This vibrant top is by Heidi Merrick, an emerging LA designer and a through-and-through California surfer girl. In fact, her designs draw inspiration from her father, the most famous surfboard shaper in the world. Hence the sporty, splashy, fun vibe. Wear it with...
1. Heidi Merrick blouse, $350, shopbop.com
2. Maybelline Super Stay 10 Stain Gloss*, $8, drugstore.com
3. Kotur brocade clutch, $395, shopkotur.com
4. Manolo Blahnik pumps, $595, barneys.com
5. Karl sequin pants, $335, netaporter.com
* This lip gloss is my new obsession. A makeup artist used it on me last week for a video shoot in a gorgeous plum color. It goes on like a gloss but stays on like a stain. Brilliant.