There's snow sitting outside my window right now. Obviously I have no idea how to deal with this at all. Uggs and sweats don't cut it. So expect a post about all the warm things I wish were sitting in my dorm right now in the next week or so, along with a few different holiday gift guides (when did December start? eek!). As for today, there's more coverage from the Pre-Fall collections, some shopping, and a little Chanel Couture.
All Alexander Wang: Alexander Wang is going to work. Of course, his version of office wear is nothing like anyone else's version of office wear, and is thus totally covetable. I have to be honest, unless you're tucking them into boots I'm not a huge fan of the legging/pant because they're less than flattering, although the way the pants meld into the shoes is interesting. But that blazer/mini-skirt/white tee combo is spot-on, the perfect combination of masculine and feminine, fitted and oversized. And how hot are those shades? That collarless motorcycle jacket is pretty fantastic as well. It hits at the perfect place on the hip, right above the waistband of the non-pants, the sleeves are long and fitted (which is great for giving length to a short torso), and the collarless cut is a new take on the current trend. This sequined dress might be my favorite. Alexander Wang does the juxtaposition of corseted and draped so well, and the fitted bra top against the soft ruching of the body of the dress is so perfect. It's boudoir meets retro-glam. Without the awkward pants this would be the ideal holiday party dress.
All Diane von Furstenberg: I HEART the DVF pre-fall show. It was all about cozy, oversized cardigans and jackets over little boho dresses. It's a really fresh look, but it's also intensely practical. How many cute little summer dresses do you have piled up in the back of your closet that you can't wear during the winter? This is the perfect solution, and it works for so many different aesthetics. This first look is very Jackie O, the little party dress under the '60s-inspired car coat. The combination of all those different patterns works because the palette is entirely neutrals, and the mussed hair keeps it from being stuck in the past. I would sell my liver for these next two looks. They are pitch-perfect from head to toe (speaking of toe, I love those shoes. Those are some fierce sandals). The semi-plaid jacket with the dramatic collar is such a perfect wintery coat; the lines are very urban and modern, but the print is very earthy and organic. I love the way it engulfs that little dress. There's something so appealing about that look, in it's mixture of masculine and feminine elements. This third outfit is a more boho/feminine take on the same theme. The sweater is so tactile and cozy and the dress has the perfect summery cut. Like with the first look, the mixture of patterns works because of the unified color palette, except here the pop of color in the heels adds a younger touch.
Diane von Furstenberg, Diane von Furstenberg, Zac Posen: This first look is a more office-appropriate take on the same trend, and the blazer adds just the right amount of structure to the peasant-inspired dress. The tufted detail at the hem is the ideal counter to the hardness of the leather belt, and again, the color palette works together nicely. The paillettes on this green dress kind of remind me of Marion Cotillard's Oscar gown. I like that even though the paillettes are a statement all on their own, they're layered in different colors for a very interesting, three-dimensional effect. Matching the studded belt and clutch lets you play with statement accessories without distracting from the dress itself, and the nude heels are the perfect balance to all the action going on up top. I'm usually not a Zac Posen fan, but this dress is stunning. The contrast between the black bodice and the white skirt is very graphic, almost a little Chanel, but the jagged edge connecting them gives it a whole other quirky, organic twist. I really love the way the top and bottom are total opposites: fitted vs. flowy, opaque vs. sheer, black vs. white. It shouldn't work, but these opposites do attract.
Mason by Michelle Mason Strapless Leather Mini Dress, $605 at shopbop.com, Elizabeth and James Draped Cutout T-shirt, $185 at net-a-porter.com, Herve Leger High-waisted Bandage Mini Skirt, $600 at net-a-porter.com: It's no secret that I'm a bad vegetarian with a serious penchant for leather. Ever since Angelina Jolie busted out that fab black leather mini dress for the Inglorious Bastards press tour, I've been on the look-out for a more realistic version, and I think this Michelle Mason dress may be the answer. The clean lines of the dress balance out the shock factor of the material, and there's an interesting (but not too revealing) cutout detail at the back that takes it up a notch. I know a lot of people would write this off as cheap and vulgar looking, but with the right accessories (a Lanvin-esque pearl/crystal necklace and a cocktail ring), a fierce but understated pair of heels, and minimal makeup I think it could really work. I love shoulders. They're one of the only parts of your body that aren't effected by weight gain/loss (always a plus), and I think playing up your shoulders is a great way to be a little sexy without showing too much skin. The cutouts on this tee are genius. The way the fabric drapes around the shoulder is stunning (it gives a new meaning to cold shoulder....hehe), and it manages to highlight the arms while still hiding that tricep area that bothers so many people. If I could only wear one skirt for the rest of my life, it would be a Herve Leger mini skirt. No joke. I think they're equal parts retro and futuristic-chic, they're crazy flattering, and they're basic but never boring. The violet hue of this skirt is so gorgeous, especially against its simple lines. And as someone who owns a LOT of neutral tops, I think a vibrant skirt would actually be really versatile, especially against my white/gray/navy/black wardrobe.
Chanel Fall 2009 Couture: If you've seen me lately you know I love a good cat-eye. The shape is very retro, but the graphic nature of the clean black lines feels so modern. I love the way the cat-eyes looked at the Chanel Fall Couture show. A lot of times cat-eyes are paired with red lips for that old-school glam look, but I think it's so much fresher with clean skin, a pale lip, and slightly mussed hair. There's a stunning contrast between the done-up eyes and the simplicity of the rest of the look. As much as I love gel-liner, unless you have fantastic brushes and mad skills for a look this graphic you need a liquid liner (for a daytime, softer cat-eye gel-liner is just fine). I'd try Lancome's Artliner and layer a little concealer on the lips before applying a soft, baby pink lipstick.
Image Sources:
Alexander Wang: style.com, DVF: style.com, Zac Posen: style.com, Michelle Mason dress: shopbop.com, Elizabethn and James tee: net-a-porter.com, Herve Leger mini skirt: net-a-porter.com, Chanel fall 2009 couture: style.com.
Super short on time today lovelies, but I just had to share my favorite looks from the Pre-Fall 2010 collections so far. There are only a handful of collections up on Style.com, but they're pretty stunning so far.
All Burberry: I love the way Burberry is doing military. It's not the glam, sequined and blinged out military that we've seen at Balmain, it's an austere, hard-edged, almost retro/30's military that feels surprisingly fresh. Who doesn't want to look like a 1930's femme fatale spy? Just me? Ok. The collar on this grey coat is the perfect mix of dramatic and functional, this white dress has the perfect waif silhouette with chic, modern shirring, and I love the sheer detailing at the neckline of this LBD. Very on-trend, but very classic at the same time. And can I say delicious shoes?
Versace, Rachel Roy, Michael Kors: Oh hi, Versace gown. Can I has you? I've fully embraced the mullet hemline. This is such a fab, showstopping dress, and the graphic detailing on the bodice is the perfect counterpart to the flowing, Grecian skirt. This Rachel Roy dress is heavily inspired by Alexander Wang's spring sequined dress (the navy one), but I like her metallic take on it nonetheless. I think Michael Kors' idea of making leather peplum belts is so genius. It looks like it's part of this dress, but you would work it with so many other pieces it your wardrobe--plus it has the perfect classic cut meets modern fabric thing going on.
Michael Kors, Chanel, Chanel: I want to be buried in this Michael Kors gown. That's all I have to say. Except: LEOPARD!!! I'm drooling. The Chanel show was jaw-dropping. It was Shangai by way of Bladerunner with a little stopover in Russia. Those are leather leggings! At Chanel! I love the luxe, tangled jewelry against the sci-fi touches, the crazy boots, and really, those shots are just insanely gorgeous, especially the second one.
Madewell Grosgrain & Rhinstone Necklace, $68 at shopbop.com, Olivia Harris Studded Ball Leather Hobo, $495 at saks.com: I love this shot from the Sartorialist. That girl is working a neutral palette like nobody's business. NEED the shoes. And the bag. And the scarf. This Madewell necklace makes me want to squeal like a 5 year old. It's pink, braided grosgrain ribbon AND layers of rhinestones. I adore that so many brands are playing with Lanvin's jewelry aesthetic, of mixing things like ribbon with luxe materials like pearls and gems, for a polished but edgy effect. I found my favorite new boots yesterday, and today I found my favorite bag. This kills me. It's the perfect size, I love the chain strap against the leather strap, the subtle studs, the ball and tassel detail, the exposed zippers. It's boho meets rocker chic meets a bit of Chanel inspiration.
Image Sources:
Runway: Burberry: style.com, Versace: style.com, Rachel Roy: style.com, Michael Kors: style.com, Chanel: style.com. Sartorialist pic: thesartorialist.blogspot.com, Madewell Necklace: shopbop.com, Olivia Harris bag: saks.com.
I feel like the Target preview pics for their Go International collections usually come out a LOT earlier. Like months in advance. Whereas the Rodarte collection comes out in two weeks and the preview just came out online. Grrrrr. At least there's still plenty of time to figure out the stand-out pieces from the collection. I'm actually pretty impressed. Overall it's wearable, but it still has that macabre but romantic vibe that I expect from Rodarte. I feel like there are a few pieces missing from this preview though, like the black halter dress that's been in a ton of magazines this month. Maybe there are more pieces that we'll see in store? I hope so.
Leopard Dress: $44.99, Lace Tights: $12.99. Black Slip Dress: $39.99, Leopard Bow Belt: $12.99. Lace Cardigan and Skirt in mustard: $29.99 each, Lace Cami: $19.99. Sequin Dress in Grey Leopard: $44.99, Lace Cardigan in black, $29.99. Swiss Dot Dress in Blue: $39.99, Cut-Out Knee-Highs in tan/peach: $9.99. This leopard dress will be mine. I hate, hate, hate the styling here (hello, Courtney Love), but the dress itself is the perfect combination of a fashion-forward, but clean cut with a great, statement-making print. I also really like this second dress, although I don't think it's quite as wearable. I like the lace tights and the leopard belt on their own, but I think they need to be with simpler outfits to really stand out. The yellow ensemble is interesting. I think the pieces would work really well separately, but that's a lot of yellow for one look. The black lace cardigan is so hot. It isn't practical at all, but this is a fantastic, easy way to work the sheer and lace trends into your wardrobe without exposing too much skin. And the sequined leopard dress is a fab little party dress. I'd love this Swiss dot dress with a masculine, brown leather belt, and without the sunnies. And the gloves. And the Doc Martens.
Denim Jacket: $39.99, Tulle Bow Top in navy: $24.99, Lace and Tulle Skirt in navy: $29.99. Sequined Rib Dress: $44.99, Striped Tee in black/navy: $16.99. Lace Print Dress in Tan: $34.99, Lace Cardigan in Tan: $29.99. Lace Tee in Navy: $16.99, Asymmetrical Cardigan in grey: $44.99, Lace and Tulle Skirt in navy: $29.99. This first look is not up my alley at all, but I think it could work on the right person. The same goes for this ribcage dress. I actually really like it. You'd have to have the right attitude to pull it off, but I think that with a little leather jacket would be a show-stopping outfit. I love the lace cardigan in black, and I think the nude version is a nice, more feminine re-interpretation. I can't see much of the dress underneath, but the print and cut look really cute. As for this last look, who wants a cardigan that makes them look like they got dressed drunk and in the dark? Not me. But overall, I think it's a relatively strong Go International collection, with pieces for a lot of different girls and looks. What are you guys planning on getting?
Veda Kendall Leather & Lace Jacket, $605 at shopbop.com, Prince Peter Like a Prayer Tee, $65 at princepetercollection.com, Proenza Schouler Luxe Leather Wallet, $165 at proenzaschouler.com: Yeah, it's another little leather jacket. But this one has lace trim, which gives it a fantastic, slightly twisted romantic vibe and adds a lovely feminine edge to a typically boyish piece. The balance of the long sleeves against the cropped body is really flattering, and the slight draping at the collar is so on trend. I LOVE this shirt. The Madonna trompe l'oeil thing is really working for me. It's over the top and in-your-face, but also cheeky and ironic at the same time. The fact that there are like 20 different chains and part of a leather jacket screen-printed on this tee just makes it even better. Did I mention that it's only $65? This is such a great deal. Speaking of great deals, you can get your hands on a Proenza Schouler wallet/clutch for less than $200 and in a ton of different colors on the new Proenza Schouler website. It looks so much like the PS1 bag (LOVE), but for so much less. It would work equally well as a wallet or a clutch, the royal blue hue is versatile, but fun, and the logo is subtle. This would be a great Christmas present for any little fashionista. I'm not even trying to drop a hint about myself this time.
Frye Melissa Button Boots in Dark Brown, $298 at fryeboots.com. I've officially found my perfect pair of boots. I know I've posted of ton of motorcycle-esque boots, which I really do love, but I think for my first pair of big girl (AKA non-Ugg) boots I need something simple and versatile. And what's the simplest, most versatile boot of all? The equestrian boot. Except these don't just look like any old pair of equestrian boots--the dips in the front and back of the cuff give it a bit of a cowboy boot-inspired sass. The dark brown is the perfect shade, because it's deep enough to wear with jeans and work with a bunch of different outfits, but the richness of the brown (instead of a black) means I could rock these with a little white dress and have a Taylor Swift moment.
Image Sources:
Rodarte for Target pics: nymag.com, Veda leather jacket: shopbop.com, Prince Peter tee: princepetercollection.com, Proenza Schouler wallet: proenzaschouler.com, Frye boots: fryeboots.com.
I think I've found my favorite jewelry line of all time. Don't get me wrong, I'm a sucker for Tiffany's and classic, girly pieces, but my absolute favorites are always polished, but very quirky. Verameat is full of the quirk. They have necklaces with tiny astronauts and T-Rexes and pirates on them. What's not to love? But they also do more wearable, subtle pieces. Aside from that, there are a few basics-with-a-twist that I really love, and then two fab pics of my current favorite model, Lara Stone.
Verameat: Rose Studs, $68 in silver at verameat.com, Dead or Alive Necklace in Copper, $300 at verameat.com, Vampire Luck necklace in silver, $110 at verameat.com: Yes, I realize this is like the 10th (okay, maybe 3rd) pair of rose stud earrings I've featured, but...so pretty. And they come in oxidized silver--no pics, sorry--so the feminine shape of the rose would be perfectly balanced out by the tarnished finish of the metal. These might be my favorite pair of earrings yet. I'm not ashamed of my vampire obsession. I LOVE True Blood, I'm a huge Rpatz fan (not Twilight. Just Robert Pattinson), Lost Boys is always on my Netflix queue and I even watch Vampire Diaries. I'm a little ashamed about that last one. But obviously vampire-inspired jewelry is right up my alley, hence these two necklaces. The silver version is smaller and a little more delicate, so I think it might be more wearable, but the copper version is just so in your face FANGS. I would rock both of these with just a white v-neck and a pair of jeans to highlight the awkward, Gothic amazingness of the necklace.
Verameat: Rose Bud Necklace, $68 in silver at verameat.com, Taste Sea Earrings, $52 at verameat.com, Burberry Prorsum Leather Trench Coat, $2,795 at net-a-porter.com: Yeah, another rose bud. The necklace is actually really small, so it's the kind of thing you could wear everyday. The rose is very sweet, but the smallness of it keeps the overall effect from being too saccharine or over the top. These earrings are so, so tiny, and I think that makes them perfect. Just like the rose necklace, they're the kind of odd little basic piece that you could rock day after day. From a distance they look like silver studs, but up close there's a sort of organic romanticism to them. I'd definitely call this coat a basic piece with a twist. Because it's, you know, LEATHER. It's a leather Burberry trench. awpetjawpoeitw-etjpwlsdmg. I'm sorry, my brain just exploded. It's got all the classic chic of a Burberry trench with all the edge of a motorcycle jacket. This is the kind of coat that just gets better with age, and that you could pass on to your grandchildren. So yes, I did just justify being a $3,000 leather trench coat. That Intro Psych class has served me so well.
Erin Kleinberg Boyfriend Tee with Chiffon Cuff in Heather Grey, $225 at revolveclothing.com, 3.1 Phillip Lim Merino Wool-blend Military Cardigan, $350 at net-a-porter.com, Marc by Marc Jacobs Into the Wild Twill Skirt, $ at net-a-porter.com: Here's a basic boyfriend tee with a glam little twist. The baggy cut against the chiffon cuffs and sequined pocket is the ideal contrast of masculine and feminine. Just throw that on with a pair of jeans and you're good to go, and it would look just as good tucked into a high-waisted skirt. This cardigan is so awesome. It's a basic staple because it's a cardigan, but the military/band-jacket-inspired placket makes it so of the moment. It's the easy way to do the Balmain fall look, but as Michael Jacket taught us, the band jacket never goes out of style. This pencil skirt might be my favorite thing of all time. It's a leopard-printed pencil skirt. If my brain hadn't already exploded it would have again. The juxtaposition of the clean lines against the vibrant animal print makes this such a wearable way to do the neon AND animal print trends. I know it doesn't look that versatile, but you could really do it so many ways--with a plain white tank, a black tee, a slouchy grey tee, with and without tights, with a moto jacket, with a trench--the options are endless. And the price is pretty decent for Marc by Marc. Did I mention the exposed zipper in the back?
So I watched the Victoria's Secret fashion show. They actually have really legit models now, like Caroline Trentini (she didn't do any jumping though), Chanel Iman, Selita Ebanks, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and one of my faves, Abbey Lee. Abbey Lee and her little gap teeth reminded me of my other favorite model, Lara Stone, and her gorgeous spread in the August issue of W. There's something so interesting about her face. The bleached out eyebrows, the INSANE cheekbones, the gap teeth, and she actually has a body. With curves. Model curves, but still.
Image Sources:
Verameat: rose studs: verameat.com, Dead or Alive necklace: verameat.com, Vampire Luck necklace: verameat.com, Rose Bud necklace: verameat.com, Taste Sea earrings: verameat.com, Burberry Trench: net-a-porter.com, Erin Kleinberg tee: revolveclothing.com, Phillip Lim cardigan: net-a-porter.com, Marc by Marc skirt: net-a-porter.com, Lara Stone pics: gossiprocks.com.
There's a lot of random today. I'm watching the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show (LOL) and pretending to write a Spanish paper and my brain is like vhoosh--all over the place.
MAC Cream Color Base in Pearl, $16.50 at maccosmetics.com: One of the other things I got on Black Friday was this MAC Cream color base in Pearl. I got my first cream color base, Root, a few months ago, and I loved the texture so much that I sprung for another one. The Cream Color Bases are meant to be multi-use, so you can use them on the lid, to highlight, to contour, even on the lips. The consistency is like a very firm cream blush--it takes the heat of your fingers to warm the product up a bit and make it easier to apply. Pearl is a sleeper hit. In the pan, it looks a little pale and chalky. But on my skin, it's a lovely, sheer pale gold with slight shimmer that adds just a hint of luminescence. It's easy to layer, hard to over apply (trust me, I've tried), and looks insanely natural. It doesn't make you look oily or like a discoball--it just makes you look like you've got a great, lit from within glow or are permanently in candlelight. And that's just on the cheekbones. It works wonderfully as a base for other eye shadows (make sure you use a primer first, as these love to crease), because it adds a wonderful intensity to any shadow without lightening it or taking away pigmentation. In short, this is amazing. And it's a really good buy, because that pan is going to last you at least a year, and for $16.50, that's pretty darn good. Plus, it's even better than NARS Copacana (yeah, I said it).
I just had to post these two pics from The Sartorialist and Garance Dore. The Sartorialist pic is such a cute friendship-meets-fashion moment caught on film: the shoe swap. If only all my friends were my shoe size. And if you don't read Garance Dore, you need to. Not only is she a fantastic street-style blogger, but she's a really talented artist. See adorable sketch below:
Jacquie Aiche Hummingbird Waif Ring, $88 at shopbop.com, J. Crew Cordova Boot in Graphite, $168 at jcrew.com: How cute is that hummingbird ring? It's so delicate and feminine, but also a little quirky and organic. How perfect would this be on a ring finger? I'd never take it off. I saw these J. Crew boots in the December catalog today, and I kind of died. They combine so many of my favorite things: suede, grey, shearling, slouchy boots, moccasins, boho ties, in a nomad-chic, semi-practical, and very comfy looking pair of boots. I think they would look equally good with a straight leg pair of jeans or a fab pair of tights for an adorable snow-bunny look. And they're less than $200! They'd be a great Christmas present...(hi mom!).
Oliver Peoples Zoey Square Acetate Sunglasses, $175 down from $350 at net-a-porter.com, Herve Leger Stretch Pencil Skirt, $455 down from $650 at net-a-porter.com, Stella McCartney Oversized Chunky Knit Cape, $1,186.50 down from $1,695 at net-a-porter.com: NET-A-PORTER IS HAVING A SALE. I repeat. NET-A-PORTER IS HAVING A SALE. I mean, they have all the things that I want to buy, and their sales are actually worth waiting for. See examples 1-3. Yes, these Oliver Peoples sunglasses are 'inspired' by Ray-Ban Wayfarers, but the shape is a little more modern, and I think the extra width might be a little more flattering. Plus, the purple shades are killing me. So unexpected, and so chic. There's a high-waisted Herve Lerve skirt on sale!!! My brain just exploded. And it's grey! Oof. I love the subtle pattern--it's so flattering--I love the combination of the classic shape and the modern elastic, and I love the zipper detail, although I wish it was in the back. This Stella McCartney cape is already sold out, but I had to post it because I really, really like it. It has the drama of a cape, with the coziness and look of an open-front cardigan. I've always secretly wanted to dress up like Little Red Riding Hood, and I think this might be a publicly acceptable way to express that.
And last but not least, it's time for our regular installment of: What on Earth Is Taylor Momsen Wearing? I like the coat, the tights, and the shades. I hate this outfit. First, the terrible extensions. She went from Joan Jett to cracked out Malibu Barbie in like two months. It's weird. The shades are cute, but it's clearly nighttime, honey. You aren't Bono. The coat and faux thigh-highs don't make up for the fact that she isn't wearing any pants. That is a men's button-up top. It's not even pretending to be a tunic, it's just a top. The addition of those tights just makes it look even less like any sort of appropriate covering. And the Doc Marten-esque shoes with the lacy tights? It didn't work on Courtney Love, it doesn't work now. Le sigh. I just want to help her. And take that coat as the fee for my services.
Image Sources:
MAC Cream Color Base in Pearl: makeupandbeautyblog.com, Shoe Swap: thesartorialist.blogspot.com, Illustration: garancedore.fr, Jacquie Aiche ring: shopbop.com, J. Crew boots: jcrew.com, Oliver People's sunglasses: net-a-porter.com, Herve Leger skirt: net-a-porter.com, Stella McCartney cape: net-a-porter.com, Taylor Momsen: gofugyourself.com.
