the new pastel palette
Tuesday, January 3
Photo: Candice Lake
Designers from Jason Wu to Phillip Lim are banking heavily on pastels this spring, churning out collections rife with sea-foam greens and creamy pinks. I am going to take a cue from Tank's Fashion Director Caroline Issa (above) and wear multiple sorbet shades all at once. The head-to-toe look is fantastically fresh and modern, but the key to pulling it off is mixing in edgier, grounding colors like black and red. The new pastel pieces I'm currently eyeing: J. Crew's persimmon jeans (I really think this pale pink will be spring's "it" denim color), an easy-to-throw-on peach shift dress by Marni, and an endlessly versatile rosy cashmere sweater.
And there's no need to wait till spring to go pastel. These soft hues will revive your (getting-older-by-the-minute) winter wardrobe.
print works
Tuesday, January 3
The print of the season on a short and snappy dress. Wear it with...
1. Warehouse mirrored print dress, $72, warehouse.co.uk
2. Tiger Lily crystal drop earrings, $98, couturecandy.com
3. Asos laser-cut clutch, $45, asos.com
4. Jimmy Choo neoprene peep-toe sandals, $795, netaporter.com
*I'd streamline the sleeves on the dress and make them a tad shorter and slimmer--an easy fix for a tailor. I'd also wear this dress as a top and tuck into a pair of sleek black trousers or a pencil skirt.
back to basics (again)
Friday, December 30
Photo: Phil Oh
Not to sound cliche (and redundant), but there's a lot to be said about sticking to the classics. In the above case, it's a navy and white striped t-shirt and a crisp trench coat, and you can see that the result is impeccably chic--and, despite fashion's incessant forward march--very up to the minute. Along with a good trench and a striped tee, the basics I can't live without include a black cashmere sweater, a fitted army jacket, a pair of go-with-everything ballet slippers, and an evergreen tote bag. What are yours?
going south?
Friday, December 30
Black and white stripes + tassels = Chic beach babe. Wear it with...
1. By Malene Birger bikini, $136, shoplesnouvelles.com
2. Lemlem smock shirt, $200, shoplesnouvelles.com
3. Karen Walker sunglasses, $250, shoplesnouvelles.com
4. Calypso straw bag, $125, calypsostbarth.com
5. K Jacques sandals, $275, calypsostbarth.com
6. Girl by Band of Outsiders shorts, $100, shoplesnouvelles.com
* My dear friend in Virginia requested this warm-weather round-up. Let me know if you want to see a specific outfit.
lace on lace on lace
Thursday, December 29
What do you think? Too much? I must confess I like the lace on lace on lace, and if it were me, I would throw even more texture into the mix, such as sequins or fur. It's fun and flavorful and ritzy, too. BTW: I have these lace pants, wore them the other night to a festive cocktail party, much to everyone's delight. They look like Erdem. But they're from good ol' Zara, my dear friends.
pastel purse
Thursday, December 29
Love the color combo. Love the price. It will liven up the most basic outfit. Wear it with...
1. Warehouse mini satchel, $61, warehouse.co.uk
2. Vanessa Bruno Athe, $335, netaporter.com
3. Steven Alan bracelet, $54, stevenalan.com
4. Madewell suede flats, $88, madewell.com
5. Paige skinny corduroys, $220, amrag.com
my camel blazer conundrum
Wednesday, December 28
Photo: Phil Oh
I have several iterations of the black boyfriend blazer in my closet--but not one in camel! This picture proves to me that I must fill this void in my wardrobe stat. I did a quick search on the internet, scanning the likely sources (J. Crew, Brooks Brothers) and didn't turn up much, save for this men's jacket from Jos. A. Bank. Hitting the boy's department at a big department store might prove successful but who has the time to do that? Anyone have any other bright ideas?
warm and fuzzy
Wednesday, December 28
Faux fur plus wool adds up to nice and toasty. Wear it with...
1. Caron Callahan faux grey fur front jacket, $370, shoplesnouvelles.com
2. Marni peplum blouse, $540, barneys.com
3. Marni metal chain and crochet necklace, $153, marni.com
4. Rachel Roy Fair Isle satchel, $109, rachelroy.com
5. Nine West patent pumps, $120, ninewest.com
6. MIH cropped black jeans, $175, netaporter.com
winter formula
Tuesday, December 27
Photos: Phil Oh
Street style star and Moda Operandi artistic director Taylor Tomasi Hill sticks to a compelling winter dressing formula that's not only photogenic but brings to life LE CATCH'S earlier post on the peplum mini. She pairs a bold thigh-grazing skirt with a cozy tomboyish sweater, then adds textural tights and vixenish heels. The thick opaque tights are key to making these looks wintry and they temper the frothiness of the minis. The heels keep things feminine and sexy.
peplum mini
Tuesday, December 27
Chic yet un peu risque. Plus, it's all about peplums now. Wear it with...
1. River Island peplum skirt, $28, riverisland.com
2. Preen kimono print silk sweater, $792, my-wardrobe.com
3. Coast pearl clutch, $110, coast-stores.com
4. Topshop jade and crystal bracelet, $25, topshop.com
5. Loeffler Randall mesh cut-out booties, $270, loefflerrandall.com
Three notes:
Winterize this look with black opaque tights.
You HAVE to roll the sleeves up on the sweater.
Keep a lookout for more pearls (and pearl clutches) that are not at all matronly this spring. Blog post to come with more on this...