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
summer style
Monday, July 9
I went to a wedding in Palm Beach this past weekend and spent much of my time cooling off in the 82-degree Atlantic and the hotel pool. It left me thinking that seaside (or poolside) style is not so much about your swimsuit as it is your cover-up. From evening dress-glitzy, to bohemian-embroidered, to barely there-gauzey, there are many statements to be made with your kaftan choice. I think this one above is very Palm Beach-chic, with its playful fringe and candy-bright hue. I'd wear it with...
1. Woo kaftan, $39, ilovewoo.com (*enter promo code TODAY at checkout to get this price)
2. Forever 21 straw scalloped edge hat, $14, forever21.com
3. J. Crew paisley bikini top, $60, jcrew.com; paisley bikini bottom, $52, jcrew.com
4. Miu Miu sandals, $750, barneys.com
black and white
Friday, July 6
I own seven pairs of white jeans, each of them slightly different in their cut, length, and comfort. They're all fail-safe though, appropriate for the most summery activities, from picnics to breezing around foreign monuments. I tend to wear them casually, like everyone else, with flat leather sandals, but this picture inspires me to amp them up a bit and try them with tough black strappy sandals, kind of like these.
Photo: Sincerely Jules
slip in
Friday, July 6
I bumped into a stylist (of the uber Hollywood ilk) friend of mine the other night, and as usual, she looked unerringly hip, in black cropped leather-like jeans, a white t-shirt and red ballet slippers, which dutifully worked to give her basic outfit a jolt of French girl-chic. Since I've seen her, I've been steadfastly wearing my red flats out and about with...
1. Vionnet asymmetric silk top, $770, netaporter.com
2. Topshop sleeveless blazer*, $90, topshop.com
3. Alexander Wang washed leather chain handle bag, $923, mytheresa.com
4. Gap ballet flats, $39, gap.com
5. Current Elliot gray leopard jeans, $79, barneys.com
* Wear this sleeveless blazer unbuttoned and open for a swingy vest-like effect..