NYFW staple
Monday, September 10
While it's looking like a very white affair on the spring runways (with some railroad stripes thrown in--at least so far), the show goers outside Lincoln Center are showing their allegiance to shorts. Long, short, leather and denim varieties abound. New York is, after all, basking in the throes of Indian Summer. But, of course, this warm weather staple is being accompanied by some fancy bling. Thank goodness I ripped (literally!) this choker off my sister's neck the other day, as I decided it was a NYFW must--and exactly the right touch for a show-bound outfit*.
1. 3.1 Phillip Lim blouse, $550, netaporter.com
2. Forever 21 necklace, $12, forever21.com
3. Asos clutch, $43, asos.com
4. KORS Michael Kors booties, $375, shopbop.com
5. 3.1 Phillip Lim leather shorts, $675, netaporter.com
*Addendum: Strange but meaningful coincidence--I spotted Garance Dore in this blouse at the Diane Von Furstenberg show on Sunday!
new york bound
Friday, September 7
I am heading to New York Fashion Week tomorrow, so expect posts about the highlights, shows, my outfits, trends, and other fun details in the next few days. I am excited to be back in the city, but it will be a completely different experience than the one I had last month, when I was vacationing there with my family. Here are some snaps of our late summer fun, out in the Hamptons, with a quick visit downtown (the Freedom Tower above). Have a good weekend and talk to you from the Big Apple!
Heading to the beach.
Cool in the shade--our backyard.
On the bay.
Alfresco dining at Sunset Beach Hotel on Shelter Island. The action starts apres-beach.
Of course, I checked out the hotel's chic boutique.
The breakfast menu. Yum!
Summer love.
Fall is here.
shake your bootie
Friday, September 7
My current default shoe is a black ankle bootie. It works with just about everything and it's all day- (or night) long comfortable. The cut-out lace and scallop detailing got me hooked on this pair. And, of course, the giddily affordable price tag. I'd wear them with*...
1. Derek Lam dress, $432, theoutnet.com
2. Joseph shearling coat, $1051, theoutnet.com
3. 3.1 Phillip Lim clutch, $575, shopbop.com
4. Modcloth bootie, $57, modcloth.com
* Can you tell I'm thinking about what to wear to New York Fashion Week?
the winter coat
Thursday, September 6
As an LA resident, I own more winter coats than I should. It's sort of bordering on insane, but I am intrigued by the power of a coat because even though you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, the cover matters, and it's your coat. It defines your style, and any editor will tell you that it's the most important buy of the season, because a coat is something you wear day in and day out (in my case, it's more days than you'd think, as it really does get (relatively) chilly in LA). Every year I like to invest in a new one, while keeping my old ones in rotation, too, just to mix things up. This season's trendiest coats are trimmed with leather and fur, or both. Some feature military accents, contrasting sleeves, vivid color blocking, sleek mannish tailoring, along with countryside-inspired tweed and checks. Here are some of my top picks for the imminent deep freeze: an endlessly versatile zipper-trimmed convertible navy coat by J Brand; a swingy, easy leather-trimmed Porter Grey; an officer overcoat-like Asos (bought it, love the Chloe-inspired quilting); a sleek black leather-sleeved River Island (similar to the one pictured above) or BCBG's version in always-elegant camel; an off-duty fur-trimmed parka by Three Floor, a tweedy cocoon-like Topshop, and, the ultimate, Preen's shearling and color-blocked statement maker (pant, pant!). And some inspiration below to get stylishly warm!
back to work
Thursday, September 6
A pretty blouse that will work overtime at the office? Check. And stand up to post-work drinks as well as off-duty? Check and check. I'd employ it with...
1. Club Monaco lace-trimmed blouse, $149, clubmonaco.com
2. Bauble Bar drop earrings, $48, baublebar.com
3. Reed Krakoff leather tote, $1590, netaporter.com
4. Alexander Wang ankle-strap heels, $485, shopbop.com
5. Topshop quilted A-line skirt, $90, topshop.com
a touch of fur
Wednesday, September 5
One of my key winter accessories is a mink fur stole, which my mother gave me many years ago. (PETA don't hate me--it was a hand-me-down!) I wear it with light jackets, blazers, and my heaviest dead-of-January coats, and like Taylor Tomasi Hill (pictured above), I also wear it on its own, like a scarf. Topped over a filmy cocktail dress it looks especially luxe. With fur huge (again!) this coming season, I think a little bit goes a long way. Here are some furry accents to check out--all faux, of course: a (very this-season) patchwork snood from Asos (which I recently bought and love), another from Asos and Rachel Zoe.
a sequined staple
Wednesday, September 5
I recently borrowed my twin sister's gray cashmere sweater to take on a trip. It's something she wears all the time with just about everything, from winter-white pants to a ladylike pencil skirt to everyday jeans, so as soon as I returned to LA, she demanded it back. (The nerve of her!) This one has the same ease and versatility of her sweater but the sequined sleeves make it something you don't want to just borrow, but steal. I'd wear it with...
1. Oasis sequin sleeve sweater, $95, oasis.andotherbrands.com
2. Chan Luu beaded bracelet, $150, shopbop.com
3. House of Holland houndstooth clutch, $332, asos.com
4. LAMB platform navy suede sandal, $325, piperlime.com
5. Marc Jacobs metallic boucle pants, $975, netaporter.com
white on
Tuesday, September 4
Whenever I go to New York, I often feel like I'm arriving at a party that's in full swing, and I am hustling to catch up. At least that's what it felt like when I saw my sister a few weeks ago in the city (where she had spent most of her summer shooting) and noticed the white slippers on her feet. Of course, Celine's Phoebe Philo is responsible for this emerging shoe trend and her pointy toe white wedges from Fall 2012 will surely be a cult item. Initially, white shoes did not strike me as practical/viable. Then I spent a whole day running around with my sister, who actually executed them successfully, kids and scooters in tow, and without too many scuff marks, I might add. They looked fresh and clean (i.e., not at all nurse-like)--and made her look like a knowing up-to-the-minute New Yorker. Here are some fall-friendly options to consider from Tibi, Madewell and Dolce Vita.
back in black
Tuesday, September 4
Every editor worth her Louboutins will tell you that the best black pointy-toe stilettos are the ones you can wear everyday. Such is the case with this black ponyhair pair, which features side scallops and gold heels, and is designed by Christian Siriano for Payless. I'd wear them with...
1. Paul & Joe Sister wool sweater, $200, netaporter.com
2. River Island trench coat, $134, riverisland.com
3. Tory Burch cross-body bag, $425, toryburch.com
4. Christian Siriano for Payless, $54, payless.com
5. Mango trousers, $69, mango.com
color blocked capris
Friday, August 31
You may recall how I am coveting these Celine pants from Resort 2013. It will be a while before they hit stores, but in the meantime, J. Crew's Jenna Lyons tempts with these color-blocked capris, suitable for now and well into winter. The only thing is I can't decide which color I like better. Thoughts?