romper room
Thursday, March 8
The simplest and coolest summer uniform. Full stop. Wear it with...
1. Old Navy linen romper, $29, oldnavy.com
2. Topshop sunglasses, $32, topshop.com
3. Asos cord and arrow charm necklace, $21, asos.com
4. Clare Vivier leather tote, $160, seevivier.com
5. Madewell sandals. $138, madewell.com
P.S. Since LA goes from baking during the day to (relatively) frigid at night, I'd layer this with a cozy cashmere cardigan, tailored blazer, or my new old favorite, a crisp jean jacket.
stripe out
Wednesday, March 7
Photo: Vogue
By now you must know how much I love stripes. For me, stripes are the equivalent to black: super versatile and enduringly stylish. I'm always trying to figure out new ways to wear them, since I have a stockpile in my closet. Lo and behold, some inspiration: stripes over an elegant snakeskin print blouse. Love. Must emulate. I will try this with the various silk blouses I have, from floral ones to solid styles. The possibilities are endless and all fresh and good.
fringe benefit
Wednesday, March 7
This woven tassel-trimmed top could just be the linchpin of my summer wardrobe. It has the ease and wearability of a t-shirt, but is something else entirely. It's light-as-air cool and the fringe peplum effects the perfect amount of edge. Wear it with...
1. DKNY fringe sweater, $345, netaporter.com
2. Helmut Lang blazer, $565, neimanmarcus.com
3. Accessorize flower applique clutch*, $58, accessorize-usa.com
4. Alexander Wang ankle strap heels, $595, alexanderwang.com
5. Topshop metallic jacquard trousers, $90, topshop.com
*I am really swooning over this flower applique clutch, because it's perfectly in tune with all the embellished accessories trotting down the Fall 2012 runways--and, yes, it's cheap and cheerful.
ridiculously good
Tuesday, March 6
This six-dollar (!) woven chain necklace might just be the biggest deal of the century. I came across it at Forever 21 moments ago and tweeted about it. Since I can't possibly post about everything great that I come across, I am going to start tweeting more of the "catches" I find and love. So, if you have an appetite for more, (I do!), then sign up to follow me on Twitter here.
blingy bags
Tuesday, March 6
Photo: Marie Claire
I love the idea of a wearing a blingy evening bag casually during the day. It's irreverent and playful--and if you're going to the office, not at all practical. But it's kind of like saying, "I play by my own rules." Which, in my fashion book, is admirable. Here are some blingy evening bags that could come out to play during the day:
major drama
Tuesday, March 6
French fashion week-goers were dripping in dramatic jewelry, so, oui, we must, too. These statement earrings combine another fashion week favorite--the friendship bracelet--with vintage rhinestones. Tres jolie. Wear them with...
1. Frieda and Nellie drop earrings, $162, friedaandnellie.com
2. Topshop dress, $295, topshop.com
3. Helmut Lang cropped leather jacket, $1390, netaporter.com
4. Guiseppe Zanotto sandals, $695, barneys.com
beach bags
Monday, March 5
We've seen jeans brandishing photographic-like prints--everything from a Hawaiian landscape to a far-away galaxy, with some snakeskin in between. Now make way for bags featuring postcard-like imagery, like Jimmy Choo's surf-inspired acrylic clutch above, and they are as cute as they are kitschy. You can be sure this is no flash-in-the-pan trend. An article in last week's Wall Street Journal highlighted high-end designers' new-found predilection for original patterns and how novel prints (i.e., Prada's hot rod cars for spring, Suno's vibrant tribal schemes) are taking the place of garish logos. Very interesting. Here are some other surf-inspired (and summer-perfect) sacks to ponder:
pattern play
Monday, March 5
It's a little Dries. It's also very Julia. Two unassailable reasons to want this skirt. Wear it with...
1. J. Brand striped cotton and cashmere sweater, $265, netaporter.com
2. Forever 21 lacquered bangle, $10, forever21.com
3. Zara suede messenger clutch, $79, zara.com
4. Valentino slingback bootie, $975, bergdorfgoodman.com
5. LeifNotes embroidered skirt, $198, anthropologie.com
sigerson morrison redux
Friday, March 2
Back in the '90s, every New York fashion editor knew the power of a pair of Sigerson Morrisons. The shoes managed to be distinctly feminine and downtown-edgy--until the line was acquired and the founding designers Kari Sigerson and Miranda Morrison departed in 2011. (I recall Sigerson's epic sample sales at the Nolita store and the line of models and actresses snaking out the door.) Earlier this week Sigerson Morrison relaunched under the creative supervision of former magazine editor and current Moda Operandi artistic director Taylor Tomasi Hill. You can expect an equally cool range of styles, from block heel sandals to T-strap heels (my fave), along with ethically sourced materials and a 30 percent price decrease. Shop the collection here.
spring jacket
Friday, March 2
Spring's erratic weather calls for smart layering, and this oversized Isabel Marant jacket might just be the ultimate wear-over-everything solution. Bonus attributes: it's a fresh update on the long-loved army jacket and it exudes ahead-of-the-curve hipness. Plus, its boxy silhouette is completely in sync with Fall 2012's coolest jackets. Wear it with...
1. Etoile Isabel Marant oversized jacket, $525, matchesfashion.com
2. Diane Von Furstenberg neon-trimmed cardigan, $245, netaporter.com
3. Etoile Isabel Marant lace sweatshirt, $570, barneys.com
4. Citizens of Humanity cropped skinny jeans, $200, netaporter.com
5. Repetto leopard-print leather slippers, $360, saksfifthavenue.com
6. 3.1 Phillip Lim black leather satchel, $875, shopbop.com