the sheer thing
Wednesday, January 11
As you may have gathered from previous posts, I am a big fan of lace and its peekaboo properties. So, it should come as no surprise that I am fully embracing this spring's sheer trend and all the diaphanous dresses and skirts that are about to flood stores. The Topshop organza dress (above) is a good one because the silhouette is conservative, which offsets the sexiness of the transparent fabric. And it's styled perfectly, with opaque tights and boots providing coverage on the bottom. You could also wear a red or white slip underneath this dress to amp up its playfulness. Here's another example of shrewd under-sheer layering:
Photo: Phil Oh
The take-home message: try layering sheer looks with the unexpected, from retro lingerie to sporty boy shorts to simple camisoles. And never bare too much skin. Never.
pile them on
Tuesday, January 10
A stack of big, bulky bangles. Yes! Wear them with...
1. River Island bangles, $24, riverisland.com
2. Diane Von Furstenberg print silk dress, $445, netaporter.com
3. 3.1 Phillip Lim canvas and elastic cross-strap sandals, $695, forwardbyelysewalker.com
4. Tylie Malibu embroidered clutch, $99, tyliemalibu.com
P.S. Learn the art of stacking mismatched bracelets at Luckymag.com
the stylist's shoes
Monday, January 9
We shot Lucky's April cover over the weekend (I cannot disclose whom we shot yet!), and it was there and then that I decided I must own these Prada brogues. These shoes have been selling like hot cakes, since they came out last summer. Reportedly, Prada received only 68 pairs altogether in the US, and they sold out instantly. Wisely, Prada decided to make these shoes a carryover, which means the designer is going to keep producing them--and they'll never go on sale (they cost $950). At the cover shoot, both the New York-based stylist and her assistant were wearing them in brown (pictured above)--and I should add, in very different ways. The stylist--one of those inimitably stylish, totally ahead-of-the-curve women who just exudes uber coolness--wore her brogues with cropped khaki pants, grey socks, a perfectly worn-in denim blouse buttoned to the top with a teeny rhinestone choker, and a grey sweater. Very downtown tomboy chic. The assistant wore hers with a metallic Balenciaga mini skirt and a striped turtleneck. So cute. I see myself wearing them with jeans or cropped pants--and appreciating the extra edge they'd bring to any outfit. But I'll have to wait until a size 40 turns up somewhere in the US, because, as fate would have it, they're sold out. In the meantime, I might just buy this version from Topshop.
flouro dress
Monday, January 9
The quintessential fun dress. Wear it with...
1. MSGM fluorescent lace dress, $246, matchesfashion.com
2. Iosselliani mixed set of rings, $275, forwardbyelysewalker.com
3. Proenza Schouler framed leather clutch, $1175, netaporter.com
4. Ivanka Trump platform sandal, $145, piperlime.gap.com
* You could easily throw on a cropped crew-neck sweater and wear it as a skirt. Or layer a fitted, cropped black jacket over it to tone down the neon-ness. I also like the idea of wearing something contrast-y underneath, like a black or pink bra or slip; this will counterbalance the dress' sweetness.
major biker jacket
Friday, January 6
To be perfectly honest, I hesitated about sharing this H&M find with the world, which I snapped up yesterday. It's just so good, I kind of wanted it all for myself. What's particularly amazing about this jacket is its length (hip-length versus cropped, like most moto jackets), hefty hardware, and pliable soft leather (it's real!)--and it is everyday wearable. But about one hour after I left H&M (on Sunset Plaza) yesterday, jacket on my back (despite 80-degree heat!) and swollen with pride, I couldn't help but spill the beans to my twin sister, who promptly ran out and scored one for herself. Now I am fessing up to you: these jackets arrived in H&M stores on Tuesday, cost $199, and, I promise you, within a few days, will qualify as one of those elusive, sorry-it-already-sold-out gets. Don't say I didn't tell you so...
sweet top
Friday, January 6
The black lace is flirty, graphic and so Prada right now. Wear it with...
1. River Island lace tank, $38, riverisland.com
2. Forever 21 earrings, $3.80, forever21.com
3. Chloe jade green Marcie hobo, $1795, mytheresa.com
4. Guiseppe Zanotti T-strap sandals, $359, farfetch.com
5. Warehouse leather skirt, $142, warehouse.co.uk
This outfit is inspired by Prada's Spring 2012 collection, specifically this look.
great asos
Thursday, January 5
Asos has done it again, re-interpreting high fashion--in this case, Erdem's most in-demand spring look--for the mainstream. I adore the sexy lace detailing (Erdem had me with all the vividly-hued lace dresses from last spring!), and while I like the asymmetrical hemline and clean lines of this shirt dress, I think it actually works better as a shirt rather than a dress. I'd wear it tucked into a pair of wide-legged jeans or even my lace Zara pants, or if I am going all out, a playful print skirt. What do you think: dress or top?
these are jeans!
Thursday, January 5
Spring's blossoms are popping up everywhere--like on these awesome jeans. Wear them with...
1. Citizens of Humanity high-waisted straight leg jeans, $190, netaporter.com
2. American Vintage cashmere sweater, $150, stylebop.com
3. Foley & Corinna leather mini tote, $102, endless.com
4. Michael Kors buckle sandal, $275, michaelkors.com
* These jeans will be so great this summer, rolled up around the ankles with gold sandals and a filmy white tank or button-down.
on tap at topshop
Wednesday, January 4
Everyone who knows me well can attest that I wear at least one article of Topshop everyday. I love Topshop. I dream about Topshop (sad but true!). This spring's collection deepens my obsession. It nails all the right trends and yet re-imagines them too. The styling is also truly inspirational. Of course, I want everything. Here's a peek at my favorite looks.
classic coco cardi
Wednesday, January 4
An inveterately chic sweater that you'll wear for seasons to come. Wear it with...
1. Dorothy Perkins knit cardigan, $49, dorothyperkins.com
2. Christopher Kane top, $518, matchesfashion.com
3. Proenza Schouler PS 1 nude leather satchel, $1595, proenzaschouler.com
4. Guissepe Zanotti studded black flats, $455, netaporter.com
5. Topshop peach zip jeans, $76, topshop.com