metallica
Monday, April 16
A shimmering metallic sheen dresses up this motorcycle jacket and makes it the perfect counterpart to everything from a flowy evening dress to black skinny jeans--and pretty much everything in between. Wear it with...
1. Lela Rose polka dot tulle dress, $2495, netaporter.com
2. Topshop metallic motorcycle jacket, $140, topshop.com
3. Lanvin shell minaudiere, $2190, barneys.com
4. Valentino velvet ankle-wrap sandals, $695, bergdorfgoodman.com
the unlikely hero
Friday, April 13
Never mind the lizard print Mulberry bag or the slick Marni for H&M jacket. The greatest thing about Swedish blogger Columbine Smille's outfit here are her turquoise Converse sneakers. Considering the fact that fashionable sneakers are having a big moment, a pair of bold-hued Converses are in order--and, thankfully, a lot less expensive than the Alexander Wang and Balenciaga variety). I'm going for a pair in red, a punchy color that's easy to pair with other colors. P.S. Head-to-toe black is always a stylish foil to casual kicks.
(Photo: Columbine Smille)
laser cut skirt
Friday, April 13
A perforated floral pattern is the perfect feminine counterpoint to the grey leather-y finish. It's also very Alaia. Wear it with...
1. Marc Jacobs beaded collar blouse, $795, netaporter.com
2. Warehouse bomber jacket, $98, warehouse.co.uk
3. Christopher Kane leather clutch, $695, netaporter.com
4. Givenchy buckle sandal, $880 barneys.com
5. New Look perforated skirt, $61, newlook.com
the big thing
Friday, April 13
Boxy, oversized jackets dominated the fall runways, from Proenza Schouler to Balmain. For me, it will be a silhouette that will take some getting used to,
the gray sweatshirt
Thursday, April 12
I've been giving my old gray J. Crew sweatshirt lots of love lately. And I am glad to see Vogue editor Meredith Melling Burke, above, doing the same. It's just so easy and comfortable--the beauty of a basic--and best when deftly paired with more polished pieces (lest you look slovenly), like a long tailored blazer (demonstrated above), layered over a silk or print button-up blouse, or teamed with a metallic pencil skirt. Here are some variations of the wardrobe staple, from a classic, perfectly-cut version by Madewell to a luxe you'll-want-to-live-in-it cashmere one from J. Crew to a summer-friendly short-sleeved style by Splendid.
bright stripes
Thursday, April 12
This vibrant top is by Heidi Merrick, an emerging LA designer and a through-and-through California surfer girl. In fact, her designs draw inspiration from her father, the most famous surfboard shaper in the world. Hence the sporty, splashy, fun vibe. Wear it with...
1. Heidi Merrick blouse, $350, shopbop.com
2. Maybelline Super Stay 10 Stain Gloss*, $8, drugstore.com
3. Kotur brocade clutch, $395, shopkotur.com
4. Manolo Blahnik pumps, $595, barneys.com
5. Karl sequin pants, $335, netaporter.com
* This lip gloss is my new obsession. A makeup artist used it on me last week for a video shoot in a gorgeous plum color. It goes on like a gloss but stays on like a stain. Brilliant.
woo is me
Wednesday, April 11
LA-based line Woo is known for its vintage print dresses, gauzey tops and lace-trimmed lingerie--all very Santa Monica Canyon-boho-cool. (Full disclosure: Woo named a dress after me a few years ago, which continues to be a best seller--how cool is that?) My new favorite pieces from Woo are the pom pom-trimmed beach-worthy dresses above, in both black and white. I can't decide which one I like better, but I do know I'd wear both into the ground when the weather warms up.
short order
Wednesday, April 11
This summer's stalwarts (and for the rogue LA heat waves in between). Wear them with...
1. Paul & Joe cotton sweater, $255, netaporter.com
2. Cutler and Gross round sunglasses, $495, jcrew.com
3. 3.1 Phillip Lim leather tote, $795, barneys.com
4. Mango sparkly sandals, $69, mango.com
5. Old Navy printed shorts*, $22, oldnavy.com
*Old Navy's shorts tend to run small, so I always order a size up.
fancy pants blazers
Tuesday, April 10
I love the contrast of teaming a super fancy blazer with more casual pieces. You could be wearing a lived-in t-shirt and jeans and then throw on a Chanel or even a Zara boucle jacket and tada... you're ready to go. So easy. It's a formula that always works.
(Photo: Hanneli Mustaparta)
lacy and ladylike
Tuesday, April 10
I love the combination of the structured peplum silhouette and the dainty lace--so polished and feminine (read: very Oscar de la Renta elegant). Wear it with...
1. Warehouse lace peplum blouse*, $62, warehouse.co.uk
2. Veronica Beard military jacket, $995, farfetch.com
3. Fendi beaded clutch with fur trim, $1905, my-theresa.com
4. Guissepe Zanotti studded sandals, $1195, netaporter.com
5. J. Crew capri pants, $89, jcrew.com
* Keep in mind that Warehouse uses UK sizing, so a size 10 equals a US size 6.