falling for asos
Friday, May 11
Asos' Fall 2012 look book got my heart beating a little faster, specifically the rich, tactile textures (velvet! leather! fur!), moody hues, printed pants, woven knits--and the sheer sophistication of it all. I visited the London-based brand's LA showroom yesterday to check out what's currently on offer, and again, my pulse raced. Here are my right-this-very-minute favorites, from these Prada-inspired flower and jewel drop earrings to these metallic print work-to-dinner trousers (for $36, no less!).
spring bloom
Friday, May 11
I think the whole dressy shorts trend can be a bit treacherous. For example, you don't want shorts that are too short, especially if you're wearing them with heels. And if you are wearing them with heels, it's crucial that the shorts are polished-looking. These floral shorts allay any fears. They're flowy and mid-thigh length, almost skirt-like. And the floral print keep things sophisticated and feminine. Wear them all summer long with..
1. Oak asymmetric satin blouse, $160, netaporter.com
2. Alexander Wang washed leather bag, $725, shopbop.com
3. Rebecca Minkoff suede wedges, $295, shopbop.com
4. Warehouse floral shorts, $53, warehouse.co.uk
parka lot
Thursday, May 10
Something about a sporty parka over a fancy dress makes me feel like an inimitably cool street style subject (or Jenna Lyons, on her way to some fabulous gala). Wearing a dress can telegraph "too precious", or "DRESSED!," so a jacket takes things down a notch. I love how this woman, recently photographed during Sydney Fashion Week, threw on a hooded jacket over her amazing artsy-edgy Helmut Lang dress. Here are a few other parkas I'm obsessed with: a zipper-trimmed, moto-inspired anorak from Michelle Mason, a khaki hooded parka from 10 Crosby Derek Lam, and this military jacket from Zara.
Photo: Xiaohan Shen
trophy jacket
Thursday, May 10
No need to wax on about the merits of this jacket, because the details--the peplum, the studs--speak (highly) for themselves. But I will say this: it's an all-purpose statement piece that can enhance any outfit. Plus, it's by London High Street designer Olivia Rubin, who is relatively unknown in the US, which lends it a sort of inscrutable, European air. Wear it with jeans, dressy black trousers, or try something a little East Village-unexpected and pair it with...
1. Olivia Rubin blazer, $298, oliviarubin.com
2. Topshop peplum top, $48, topshop.com
3. Jerome Dreyfuss snakeskin and leather bag, $970, shopbop.com
4. Rag & Bone boots, $495, netaporter.com
5. Thakoon printed crepe de chine shorts, $295, netaporter.com
the dress!
Wednesday, May 9
Over a week has gone by since that dinner party I threw for Lucky's editor in chief, but with all the photo shoots, deadlines, and T-ball games in between now and then, I am only now finally ready to report back on what I wore. The night was such a whirlwind: for starters, we had Look TV filming us getting ready (hair, makeup, the whole schebang), and I literally threw on my outfit as guests--including Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas--were arriving (see her pic below). I settled on a white strapless Herve Leger dress and Growze leather blazer (which Fergie died over!) pictured above in a screen shot from the video. Check it out here.
P.S. I know, I know: my outfit was far from my greatest ever, but it worked...Next time, I won't wait till the last minute!
the getaway dress
Wednesday, May 9
Sitting poolside at a nice hotel with a bunch of magazines and maybe even a margarita is my idea of heaven. When my husband and I went to a Mexican resort a couple of months ago, we did just that. It was so tranquil, you could literally hear a pin drop. The daily routine usually went like this: morning run, shower, breakfast, a little siesta under the poolside umbrella, then lunch time. It was around this time that I'd rouse from my chaise lounge to soak in the scene around the pool. I'd check out in a clandestine way what people were reading, and of course, scope out the fashion, too: the cover-ups to the sandals to the beach bags. Based on the ensembles, I'd figure out where people were from. Well, anyway, we are heading back to that Mexican Shangri-La in a few weeks and I imagine myself wearing this scarf print dress to the pool and then to the hotel's beach side cafe, and potentially even to dinner, too. Wear it with...
1. Max Studio scarf print dress, $118, maxstudio.com
2. Ecote suede pouch bag, $59, urbanoutfitters.com
3. Selima for J. Crew sunglasses, $128, jcrew.com
4. VC Signature buckle sandal, $175, nordstrom.com
bright eyes
Tuesday, May 8
I love statement sunglasses, I do--as long as they don't make you look like you're on your way to a costume party. With summer rounding the corner, the bold sunnies trend is cresting, and I'm going to delve in by taking a style cue from British-born, New York-based model Poppy Delevigne, pictured above, and work me some red sunnies. Poppy's Ray Ban Wayfarers are not too over the top, add a bit of unexpected edge and yet are everyday-worthy. Here's another eye-catching retro-inspired option from J. Crew.
fine lines
Tuesday, May 8
You know I am a sucker for stripes, and I seem to never have enough. The more, the merrier. I love how this sweater combines stripes of varying widths to a modern effect, and the dashes of red give it a cool graphic pop. It's a chic mixture of Nantucket preppy and Left Bank gamine. I'd wear it to lunch with the girls at Soho House with* (see below for loads more possibilities)...
1. Tommy Hilfiger sweater*, $39, tommyhilfiger.com
2. Topshop funnel neck jacket, $96, topshop.com
3. Zara mini shopper, $99, zara.com
4. Kate Spade python print pump, $199, piperlime.com
5. Mother metallic skinny jeans, $225, netaporter.com
Noteworthy aside: I was at a Lucky photo shoot, shooting a story for the August issue the other day, and we had a few Tommy Hilfiger motorcycle jackets from Fall 2012 on the racks and to say they were insanely chic would be an understatement: one came in rich, plush plaid and the other was a yummy red patent leather. They mingled with other pieces from Louis Vuitton and Mulberry and I was floored/shocked how well they all jibed. Check out these other current pieces--a sumptuous leather wrap skirt, a leather moto jacket, and these striped hem pants from Tommy. You would never know...
*I also want to add that I'd wear this Tommy striped sweater like crazy, with everything from army green cargo pants to cut-off denim shorts, and even, in a very J. Crew kind of way, with a sequined pencil skirt, or distressed boyfriend jeans. Yes, a lot of options, my friends.
mum's the word
Monday, May 7
My twin sister, who is a mother to two young children (not coincidentally, the same ages as mine!), has been longing for a signet ring. So for Mother's Day, I got her this one by Bare from Des Kohan. The teardrop shape gives it a modern twist, and it can be monogrammed with one to three letters (I thought it'd be cute to do the first initials of both of her kids). It comes in white, yellow and rose (my favorite) gold and costs $124, plus engraving. I like the idea of wearing it as a pinky ring. She will love it too.
hot rocks
Monday, May 7
Sometimes when I am getting dressed in the morning and feeling uninspired (or overwhelmed), I choose an accessory first and dress around it. Going for a statement necklace like this further simplifies things because it becomes the outfit's focal point, which means the rest of the outfit can be rather basic. Made with pops of neon and robust rhinestones, this Ann Taylor choker gets it right. Wear it with..
1. Acne silk and cotton sweater, $230, netaporter.com
2. Ann Taylor necklace, $148, anntaylor.com
3. Topshop clutch*, $32, topshop.com
4. Madewell sandals, $138, madewell.com
5. Juicy Couture shorts, $140, netaporter.com
*This is actually an iPad case, but can be used as a clutch too. Genius.