leather-like jeans
Friday, June 29
I bought a pair of zipper-trimmed wax coated black jeans from Zara last summer and they have hardly seen a day off since. The finish looks like leather, the cut is incredibly flattering, and they're as comfortable as can be. I know that I have inspired at least a dozen friends to buy the same pair and in multiple colors. They are that good and, thankfully, still available in store and online in dwindling supply in grey. Now comes this winning pair from J. Brand--zipper-free, but cut and cropped in all the right places, just like Zara's, and rendered in fall's hottest hue, oxblood. Miraculously, they're on mega sale at Barneys. I'm going to wear them into the ground right now with a simple tee, and come this fall, with...
1. Raquel Allegra t-shirt, $185, netaporter.com
2. Topshop knitted sweater, $76, topshop.com
3. Club Monaco fringed leather tote, $275, clubmonaco.com
4. Rag & Bone booties, $495, shopbop.com
5. J. Brand waxed jeans, $89, barneys.com
celine chic
Thursday, June 28
If I had to choose one absolute must-have from all the resort collections, I'd, without a doubt, pick Celine's wide leg, contrasting hem trousers. I promise you: everyone is going to be clamoring for them. I suspect that H&M will come out with a derivative pair and that denim brands will design their iterations as well. In the meantime, Zara has a cropped, warm-weather friendly version for just $89.
the drop waist dress
Thursday, June 28
I was on a Lucky photo shoot yesterday and there were more than a handful of drop waist dresses on the racks from designers like Diane Von Furstenberg and Marc Jacobs. (We can thank Victoria Beckham for bringing back this ladylike silhouette.) I seriously love this black leather one. Leather is going to be everywhere this fall, and here it yields something all-purpose, yet cool, fun and edgy, especially with...
1. River Island leather dress, $168, riverisland.com
2. Lulu Frost crystal and resin earrings, $190, netaporter.com
3. Marc by Marc Jacobs clutch, $268, shopbop.com
4. Gucci open-toe sandal bootie $960, nordstrom.com
the denim vest
Thursday, June 28
There were a dozen denim vests hanging on the racks at Lucky's last cover shoot and many of them were layered over sparkly Marc Jacobs dresses and lacy Louis Vuitton frocks. The combination was unexpected yet thoroughly cool. Here's how I'd wear mine...
1. Kain t-shirt
2. Topshop denim vest, $76, topshop.com
3. Asos beaded clutch,
4. Whistles sandals
5. Topshop pleated skirt, $56, topshop.com
a clean slate
Wednesday, June 27
There is no look that's more summery-elegant than head-to-white. It's so fresh-looking--and so simple to pull off. The woman, pictured above, looks like she's wearing a basic Hanes t-shirt, tucked, albeit, into a gorgeous asymmetrical skirt. She sticks to a clean, minimalist theme with nude strappy sandals (which also happen to make her legs look like they go on forever.) I am sure you could recreate this look with things you already have in your closet, but if not, here are some summer whites to consider from Ellery Camaraderie (an edgy peplum skirt, no less), Robert Rodriguez and Zara, and for the shoes, these beige Ann Taylor sandals will do the trick.
Photo: Tommy Ton
the printed jacket
Wednesday, June 27
One of the biggest trends to emerge from the Resort 2013 collections is the printed jacket. Lanvin, Prabal Gurung, and Stella McCartney all featured bold patterned blazers, brandished with everything from animal spots to vibrant florals. I'd go for it like this...
1. Topshop striped blouse, $56, topshop.com
2. Topshop animal jacquard blazer, $90, topshop.com
3. Givenchy Pandora bag, $1695, ssense.com
4. Alexander McQueen suede loafers, $645, netaporter.com
5. Rag & Bone waxed jeans, $255, netaporter.com
camo moment
Tuesday, June 26
My fashiony friends across the pond are all saying that camouflage is huge in London at the moment. Perhaps the trend is inspired by the heightened pre-Olympics security? In any case, it is a fresh update on the staple army jacket. And you know it's just a matter of time before the militant print makes its way across the Atlantic. Topshop has a streetsmart, zipper-trimmed version that will do the trick, as well as a snuggly camo cardigan. For a more subtle take on the trend, try Repetto's cute camouflage ballet slippers.
Also, in case you missed it last week, you can see me sporting my recently-acquired camo sweater here.
Photo: Tommy Ton
farm fresh
Tuesday, June 26
On Saturday evening, my husband and I and two other couples went to Malibu Farm, owned by chef and author Helene Henderson. She stages quarterly 80-person dinners in her four-acre backyard, filled with goats, chickens, lush orange trees and vegetable gardens. (Most of the organic rustic-gourmet fare is made from the just-picked herbs and vegetables grown on Henderson's farm!) The only hitch to the fantastic evening was figuring out what to wear to the farm. Flats and jeans, for sure, but since the dinner was al fresco, and knowing how Malibu can get very chilly at night, I wanted to wear a blouse that looked summery and festive and yet was easy to layer. I so wish I had this vibrant print tunic, because it would have been perfect for the occasion. But now I am thinking it will work some magic on July 4th, paired with shorts, of course...
1. J. Crew silk print blouse, $225, jcrew.com
2. Eugenia Kim hat, $260, netaporter.com
3. Linda Farrow for The Row sunglasses, $363, shopbop.com
4. Nine West feather-trimmed sandals, $49, piperlime.com
5. Old Navy cut-off denim shorts, $17, oldnavy.com
sparkly collar
Tuesday, June 26
I love how the sparkly collar punctuates this stark white blouse--and its $49 price tag. H&M. So good. I would also layer a crewneck black sweater over it and let the sparkly collar sing. It's in stores now.
best beach blankets ever
Monday, June 25
Usually I write about things you can wear, but I just had to share this with you. We had some friends over this weekend and along with a bottle of Domaine Ott, they gave us two gorgeously striped beach blankets, like the ones above. They're big enough for several people to sit on yet compact and easy to roll up and tote in your beach bag. Now that's what I call a genius hostess gift.