The Felt Fedora

Fedora.  Such a beautiful, mellifluous name for something that is hideous ninety- percent of the time.  What was once a symbol of refinement is now the accessory of choice for club-going, bulging-muscled meatheads and Don-Draper wannabes.  I chose to pay homage to one of my favorite fictional heroes, Indiana Jones, with this wide-brimmed felt fedora.  While my tastes are anything but simplistic or minimalist, when contemplating this type of hat, I recommend keeping it simple and clean.  Save the feathers, ribbon trimmings, and other embellishments for your other accessories.

Dress: 3.1 Phillip Lim (3.1 Phillip Lim)
Printed Blazer: MiuMiu (Miu Miu)
Fedora: Topshop (Topshop)
Boots: Frye (Frye)
Bag: Marc Jacobs (Saks)
Sunnies: Hand crafted by Bubbles Vintage (one of my favorite vintage stores in Tokyo)

The Seafoam Green Dress

 

 

 

Elizabeth Barrett Browning writes, “Open my heart and you will see engraved inside ‘Italy’.”  Italy is a matriarchy, a realm of passion and expression where women reign supreme.  However, looking stylish whilst frolicking around the Tuscan countryside is easier said than done.  This 3.1 Phillip Lim Grecian dress is spun from the lightest silk and allows so much movement; it’s the perfect go to dress that is comfortable enough for day and chic enough for night.  I layered with an oversized Kenzo cardigan and some insanely comfortable Jesus cruisers (more commonly known as Birkenstocks) for an easy outdoors look. 

Dress: 3.1 Phillip Lim (3.1 Phillip Lim)
Oversized Cardigan: Kenzo (Kenzo)
Necklace: Marella (Marella)
Sandals: Birkenstock (Birkenstock)

The Horizontal Stripes

There are certain basic sartorial mandates that we adhere to because they seem to be steeped in common sense: don’t wear white after labor day, never pair socks with sandals (only acceptable if you’re a German tourist), leave the last button on a suit jacket unbuttoned, co-ordinate your shoes and belt, and avoid horizontal stripes.  However, common sense is absolutely over-rated and taking risks builds character… and a great wardrobe.   

Horizontal stripes: The arch nemeses of all shapely women, making them deviously appear larger than they are.  There is only a modicum of truth to this tale; stripes should be embraced as a fun, flattering option.  It is best to opt for luxurious knits, a silhouette that is fitted through the bust and loose at the hip, and stripes in the same color scheme; avoid shapeless potato-sack dresses and cheap fabrics.  

Dress: Issa (Neiman Marcus)

Waistcoat: Miu Miu (Miu Miu)
Platform Boots: Jeffrey Campbell (Jeffrey Campbell)
Sunnies: Prada (Prada)
Gold jeweled necklace: (Anthropologie)
Mini-bag: Reed Krakoff (Saks)

The Vintage Vera Dress

 

This vintage Vera shirt-dress conjures up images of old Hollywood starlets (or Don Draper’s lovers) frolicking in the summer sun.  Vera Neumann’s bold colors epitomize sixties chic.  Relive the golden age of hippies and flower-power in this A-line testament to cool.  For me, vintage shopping is akin to visiting a museum and being able to touch and purchase the artwork.  For others, like my mother, visiting a vintage store means being forced to paw through racks of dirty, used clothing.  Whatever your opinion, there are a couple things to keep in mind when searching for that flawless frock.  First, disregard sizes.  Modern sizes simply do not translate to realm of vintage; always try before you buy.  Second, pay attention to the artful details that distinguish a piece.  For example, this dress has Vera’s signature and a right-hand pocket, specifically sized for a pack of cigarettes.  While smoking may be no longer be fashionable, this dress stylishly stands the test of time.

Shirtdress: Vera (Groovy Vintage-Palm Beach)
Stacked heel sandal: Chanel (Bergdorf’s)
Sunnies: Elizabeth and James (Neiman Marcus)
Gold and lucite cuff and cameo necklace: Vintage (Groovy Vintage-Palm Beach)
Luggage Tote: Céline (Saks)
 

The Winter Floral

Winter is a culmination of frigid unpleasantries: Frankenstorms, seasonal depression, brown grass and colorless trees...  Perhaps the only redemptive quality of the change in seasons is the opportunity to hibernate in cozy sweaters, textured knits, fur (faux or real, your choice), and all other fabulous  wintry accouterments.  As the vestiges of the cold slowly give way to Spring's lush, vibrant blossoms, I find myself savoring my favorite seasonal looks; most particularly, the winter floral.  This long-sleeved, deep-hued Isabel Marant dress is perfect for layering and looks great whether you are trudging through snow in your hunter boots or wishing winter farewell in woven platforms.

The Winter Floral: Etoile by Isabel Marant (V.O.D)
Woven Platforms: Robert Clergerie X Carven (Barney's Co-Op)
Studded Coco Bag:Alexander Wang (Alexander Wang)
Sunnies: Elizabeth and James (Neiman Marcus)
Head-wrap: Sessùn (Sessùn)
Polka Dot Jacket: Vintage Sonia Rykiel (Come on Eileen, great vintage spot in Paris)

The Neon Accessory

 

 

While there is something intrinsically chic about head to toe black, sometimes a girl needs a pop of color.  Incorporating bright accessories is an easy way to spruce up any LBD.  Pairing neon accessories with darker base colors is the best way to avoid looking like a walking glow-stick.  This geometric Marc by Marc Jacobs sweater dress is the ideal blank canvas to fill with vivid, imaginative hues.  Sometimes the best part of any outfit begins south of the ankles.  While I am partial to boots and platforms, I succumbed to the playful appeal of these tiger, suede, neon green Kenzo ballet flats. 

Knit Dress: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Saks)
Head Scarf: Hermes (Hermes)
Tiger Baller Flats: Kenzo (Colette)
Rings: Assorted (Saint Laurent, Anna Sui, Modewalk)
Bag: Angel Jackson (V.O.D)

The "It" Bag: Céline Luggage Tote

Generally, I believe trends are both fleeting and cyclical.  I try not to succumb to the appeal of “It” bags because, let’s be honest, a bag can’t be it forever (unless we’re talking about Chanel quilted lambskin).  More often than not, after their fifteen minutes of fame, they begin to pervade the perimeter of tacky (Think Stephen Sprouse Graffiti for Louis Vuitton or Kim Kardashian toting around a Birkin etc…).  However, despite my hesitations about “It” bags, I simply could not resist Céline's Luggage Tote with sumptuous suede siding and gilded golden hardware.  The best thing about this tote is its ability to make any ensemble ten times more stylish.  Dear Céline, if loving you is wrong, I don’t want to be right. 

On a side note, lovely Rebecca from the super chic blog The Plus Side of Me was kind enough to include me on her list of curvy bloggers.  Check it out HERE:

Dragonfly Wing Jacquard Dress: Alexander McQueen
Ankle Boots: Vince Camuto
Navy Jacket with Gold Buttons:Vintage Chanel (Gabrielle Geppert)
Leggings: Sassybax (Neiman Marcus)
Bag: Céline (Saks)
Polka Dot Jacket: Vintage Sonia Rykiel (Come on Eileen, great vintage spot in Paris)