the beach bag
Saturday, July 14
My New York friends always ask me what I like about living in LA. Well, first on my list would be the fact that I can eat lunch or dinner on the beach pretty much any day of the year. I do take advantage of that fact, and to that end, I find myself using beach bags a lot to carry everything from a change of clothes for everyone in my family (you never know if the wind, rogue wave, spilled bucket of salt water, chilly fog, etc. will get you) to food to reading material to toys to towels to a bottle of wine (or two!). I have carry-alls in varying sizes, and depending on how ambitious our outing is, I have a bag to match. I've rounded up some more options, including the one pictured above (I love for its simplicity and East Coast preppy aesthetic!) to add to my arsenal.
sparkly shell
Friday, July 13
I first fell for this Diane Von Furstenberg top when I came across it at a photo shoot back in January, before it even hit stores. In fact, it has appeared in an outfit on LE CATCH before. So, I am happy to report that it's now on sale (reduced from $713!). I love its sparkly cocktail-party mood, and the flower appliques look like they were hand-set. The shape is retro-boxy but still fabulously feminine. The whole thing is just--and ever so perfectly--short of over-the-top. Wear it with...
1. Diane Von Furstenberg top, $355, matchesfashion.com
2. Zariin green druzies gold earrings, $150, endless.com
3. Proenza Schouler PS11 mini bag, $1675, proenzaschouler.com
4. Vince Camuto peep-toe slingbacks, $149, piperlime.com
5. J. Crew pleated silk cropped pants, $188, jcrew.com
* The sale racks at Matches are also stocked with major covetables from Isabel Marant, like these cultish high heeled sandals, lace blouse and crochet sweater.
white jeans
Thursday, July 12
After I posted about white jeans last week, many of you emailed me asking to share my favorite brands for white jeans. Well, I am glad you asked. Because white jeans can be tricky to shop for: some styles can be overly sheer, or too long, or uncomfortably rigid, or just plain unflattering--or all of the above! For starters, fit-wise, white jeans should NOT be skintight. I don't care how skinny you are, tight white jeans look super cheesy. White jeans should skim the thighs and hip (not strangle them). The style you wear--cropped, flared, skinny or straight--is such an individual choice (often driven by body type). I personally like all of the styles, but if you have short legs I do think cropped jeans can make your legs look shorter, whereas flared jeans are pretty much universally flattering. As far as styling white jeans go, I take my cues from Emmanuelle Alt, pictured above, who typically pairs her pants with boyfriend shirts or t-shirts and Balmain blazers. (P.S. Note how her jeans are slightly loose.) The French Vogue editor in chief lives in white jeans year round and, like me, swears by Topshop's Baxter jeans (as does her equally stylish co-worker Geraldine Saglio). Below is a rundown on my most beloved white jeans and why I like each one. And if you are weary of buying jeans online since you can't try them on before buying, just choose a store (like Shopbop) that offers free shipping and free returns.
Topshop's Baxter jeans have a cult following, and it's no wonder: they're comfortable, elegantly low-slung, and curve-flattering. They're not super skinny in the lower leg either (I dislike that calf-bulging legging effect), and for me, they're the perfect length (I'm 5'8"). They're the ultimate day-to-night jean. Topshop offers free shipping on orders over $100, but you will have to pay return shipping, which is usually under $10 for my typical return.
The cut of these Madewell Rail Straight jeans is fitted, straight-leg and mid-rise. They give you a nice long, lean line. They're so flattering I bought them in blue, black, and white. Madewell offers free hemming in-store, plus free shipping and free returns on all jeans.
J. Brand's Zoey jeans are my favorite cropped jeans. They're perfectly stretchy and, therefore, perfectly snug (they manage to somehow hold everything in, in all the right places!). They also have a distinct waxy sheen, which makes them look a little more high fashion, and the zippers add an edgy, biker-esque vibe. Shopbop offers free shipping and free returns on all merchandise.
Mother's wide-legged jeans are extra long (I have to wear my highest heeled sandals with them) but they make my legs look like they go on for miles. The flare cut also yields a serious slimming effect. The denim is very stretchy and lightweight, so they're also uber comfortable. They're also as versatile as can be.
Hope that was helpful, and please let me know if you have some favorite white jeans I should know about!
pumped up kicks
Thursday, July 12
A black platform pump is made summer-perfect--and way more compelling--with canvas fabric and espadrille-inspired rope-trimmed heel. Wear them with...
1. Tibi dress, $400, netaporter.com
2. Mikkat Market sunglasses, $14, mikkatmarket.com
3. Alexander McQueen leather tote, $1890, forwardbyelysewalker.com
4. Ann Taylor pumps, $99, anntaylor.com
the art of layering
Wednesday, July 11
One of my most favorite features in Lucky is the perennial Now and Later fashion story, which shows you how to wear something this very minute and a few months from now. I always glean ingenious layering tips, and the layers required are often wardrobe staples that I, thankfully, already own (i.e., trench coat, jean jacket, denim vest, crew neck sweaters, turtlenecks, striped shirts, blazers, tights, boots, etc.). These stories also point out the most ideal pieces for re-inventing, the ones that can be worn every season, with some simple styling tweaks. So, I was intrigued when I came across Shopbop's recent editorial on layering, which employed a cute swingy summer mini dress by Markus Lupfer. To make it autumn-worthy, a coat, sweater, socks and boots were added. I especially love how the sweater makes the dress look like a skirt. Very Jonathan Saunders. Inspired, I decided to hunt down some made-for-layering summer dresses that can take you all the way through next winter. Here are loads of options, some of which are (woo-hoo!) on sale: Proenza Schouler (on sale), Rebecca Taylor, Diane Von Furstenberg, Isabel Marant (on sale), Yigal Azrouel, BB Dakota (on sale), Tibi (on sale), and Asos.
fancy pants
Wednesday, July 11
I feel like I've been cheating on my party dresses lately, because I have been steadily going out with pants instead. I am falling in love with their ease and comfort, dressing up the options in my closet, from wide leg white trousers to silver metallic cigarette pants. Here's another slinky pair from Topshop to add to the mix--one that I could wear to many a cocktail party with a silver sequined top, or if it's casual, with a chambray denim blouse. Since they're made from chiffon, these pants are as light and airy as a summer skirt. Today, I'd wear them with...
1. Rebecca Taylor sleeveless blouse, $235, rebeccataylor.com
2. Noir gold plated earrings, $88, charmandchain.com
3. Zara studded bag, $35, zara.com
4. Chloe suede wedge booties, $690, netaporter.com
5. Topshop chiffon trousers, $70, topshop.com
leopard on leopard
Tuesday, July 10
Leopard on leopard? I say, why not--as long as you can manage to make it look nonchalantly thrown together, like the model above. (It also happens to be the print of the moment and seasons ahead.) The key is to mix different versions of the cat print and keep the accessories simple and straightforward. Check out these leopard standouts from J. Crew (on sale, to boot!), Rebecca Taylor and 3.1 Phillip Lim.
Photo: Tommy Ton
going for baroque
Tuesday, July 10
It's blisteringly hot outside but that's not stopping me from coveting this cardigan, festooned with the flashy baroque print that appeared all over the fall runways from Dolce & Gabanna to Mary Katrantzou. As soon as the thermometer dips this cool cardi will work with...
1. Topshop beaded blouse, $96, topshop.com
2. River Island baroque cardigan, $62, riverisland.com
3. Iosselliani set of rings, $155, forwardbyelysewalker.com
4. Christian Louboutin leather booties, $1395, netaporter.com
5. Rebecca Taylor leather skirt, $495, netaporter.com
the white button down
Monday, July 9
There is nothing more transcendently stylish than a white button down blouse. It is truly one of the sexiest (and easiest!) things a woman can wear. The above picture is solid proof. I love throwing one on over a bikini, and for that, the sheerer the shirt the better. Here are some classics to consider from J. Crew, Topshop, and Acne.
Photo: Vanessa Jackman