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We all know I love to shop. L.O.V.E. But, as I strive to get both myself and my finances into fighting shape, it’s time to say goodbye to the hallowed doors of J Crew, Reiss and Jigsaw. For now.
Instead, I’m looking for ways to update my summer wardrobe on the cheap. Summer being kind of a misnomer, because I live in San Francisco. But whatev. It’s officially the season to wear white and floaty clothes.
Here are three ways I’m thinking about extending my wardrobe and making it look like it’s summer:
1) Accessories. Ok, i admit it, I did invest in J Crew for this one. And it’s something I’ve rarely worn in the past but am now re-thinking. The J Crew Panama. I’m not a huge lover of hats unless they serve some practical purpose. And given that on any given day, my skin is paler than an eskimo’s camouflage suit, it was high time I got myself a good sun hat. Boy, did J Crew deliver. I love my new Panama sooo much. It’s made its way to Hawaii and Sonoma, and adds that jaunty air we all strive for. (Yes we do, admit it.) One of the great things about it is that you can’t squish it into a suitcase, so have to either wear or carry it through the airport, which always signals to everyone else that you’re on vacation and not taking the red eye to somewhere awful for business. So yes, I will take that margarita on the rocks even though it’s only 11:00am, thank you very much…
Hats are a great accent piece. Ditto delicate gold jewelry. Which for some reason just looks right in the summer sun. I love my hat.
(Credit: J Crew)
2) Proportion. One of the things I love to do is play with shapes and lengths when it comes to putting together good outfits. Taking a creative look at how something hangs together can reinvigorate even basic pieces. And you can do it with cheap clothes too, sometimes just by buying a different size than you usually wear. Think slightly cropped tops made swingy and voluminous by buying in a larger size, paired with neat, slim pants and heels. Or a fitted bodice with one of those beautiful 50s style full skirts that makes us all channel Mad Men (the good stuff, not the crazy Betty Draper behavior). This approach works really well in the summer, as you can fool people into thinking you have a ton of new cool clothes, when in reality, you just bought a $10 white T-shirt from H&M and made it look hot. Sneaky. But Effective.
(Credit: The Sartorialist)
3) The Wedge. Come Summer, there’s only one heel I want on my feet. And that’s the wedge heel. If you’re ahem, blessed with shorter legs than the average female, but don’t want to be constantly crying out in pain due to the vertiginous spikes that people call stiletto heels, then the wedge is for you. As we all know the wedge is not a winter shoe – it begs to be worn with bare legs and floaty skirts and tapered harem pants (yes, harem pants.) And a decent pedicure. I own three pairs of wedges in highly functional summer shades: black, burnished brown leather and gold. At no other time would I wear a gold shoe (ok, I might – I do love glitz), but in the summer, just like gold jewelry, it just looks right. And I wear them all the time. They just go with everything, make your legs look great, are comfortable, and will get you endless compliments from men (and women) that never usually notice shoes. So get some.
Enjoy the summer! And don’t fall off those wedges onto the sidewalk.
After a lazy Sunday spent doing a few chores, re-watching the awesome film “Amadeus” (inspired by spending Friday night watching the Smuin Ballet perform to Mozart’s Requiem in D Minor) , and catching up with a friend over too-good Strawberry and Rhubarb pie, I spent a delicious half an hour browsing my back collection of Lucky Magazine. I know that women everywhere who have a yen for shopping, have a very close relationship with this magazine! It’s shopping porn, and we all know it. I just can’t bear to throw any of the old issues away.
I was rewarded for my non-recycling efforts by a mesmerizing image of my ideal look! Rachelle Hruska is a 28 year old girl about town, with a generally fabulous Hamptons/New York lifestyle. In her Spring look (this was March 2011), she was all ethereal ballerina, with a hint of New york grit and a touch of California blonde.
After my Friday spent watching ballet dancers at the top of their game, this was an inspired piece of timing as I plan my “weekend in Sonoma” dream looks. See what you think!
Ballerina Spring Chic by Loulala featuring a sleeveless dress
I’ve put myself on a shopping diet. No more new clothes until I can lose some pounds and save some dollars. The saving $$ I can do. The losing pounds? A little more challenging, but I’m making some encouraging progress. As long as I stay away from surely, one of the greatest pleasures of modern life, the Pepperidge Farm Montauk cookie, microwaved for 25 seconds (yes, I like to be exacting in such things), until the cookie crust turns to sugared crunch and the chocolate chips just start to melt. Oh, sorry, got lost there for a moment. This was a post about fashion, right? Right. No more chocolate chips.
So, as I merrily file my Gap daily discount deals in the trash, and vow not to enter the hallowed doors of Anthropologie anytime soon, I’m resigned to merely daydreaming about my ideal Spring look.
In my dream world, I’m feeling a spare 70s aesthetic, almost preppy, with wide-legged trousers and pulled-together, pared-down separates. A little like this:
Or this:
Photo via Sterling Style
Or how about a cutting-edge Trench?
Photo via The Sartorialist
Or finally, the pretty much perfect spring go-to outfit for running around town and looking awwwesommmeee:
Photo via Sterling Style
I definitely moved closer to the goal of having a great capsule wardrobe last year. Is it perfect? No. I still pull out clothes every morning that have me shaking my head and saying, “Perhaps when I’ve lost 10 pounds”, “Oh, now I remember why I don’t wear this” and “Why do I STILL not own any perfect layering jersey in different colors?”
But, I did manage to prune my closet of a lot of the really bad stuff and give it to charity. And I also managed to buy a few new essentials, like a fantastic white “boyfriend” shirt from Banana Republic (goes with everything, can be dressed up for work, but you can also wear it as a beach cover-up), a fabulous pair of navy peg-leg trousers from Anthropologie (again, can be smart enough for work, but also look glam for a night out with killer heels) and a couple of really cute dresses. And another couple of navy striped tops. But of course!
This year, I’m determined to get even closer to my goal. It’s time for another big clear-out, and I’m going to use this guide from UK newspaper, The Times, to help me. Their take on “detoxing your wardrobe” is pretty extreme. But it all makes sense. Why have 100 things taking up space in your closet that you never wear, when the right combination of 20 perfect pieces could give you hundreds of outfit options?
When I’m done with the next round of closet clearance, well, it might just be time to shop again! Thanks to the wondrous Polyvore (an amazing tool for online styling fiends), I’ve already created my dream wardrobe for 2011.
What’s in it? Some classic neutrals, a hint at the wide-leg trouser (much needed after all the skinny hype), nautical accents and stripes, killer heels, a few pops of color, the odd quirky print and lots of sparkle!
New Year, New Inspiration by Loulala featuring black dresses
I’ve mentioned my love of this bright, electric blue before. Just a touch of it can lift a whole outfit, transforming it from “basic staples” to something a lot more special.
Here’s why I love it so much:
Image c/o The Sartorialist
Just pops doesn’t it? I recently indulged in a soft merino sweater from Uniqlo, and love the way it looks against classic neutrals like navy, beige and grey.
In a blue mood? Definitely.
If I could channel any looks for Fall, it would be these. Effortlessly chic, a little bit more structured and very Fall:
Jigsaw Fall 2010
Jigsaw Fall 2010
Great cape! (Via Sartorialist)
Continuing with a visual picture of my fantasy Fall wardrobe! From the structured, neutral looks of part 1, to more whimsical accents and accessories in part 2. I love a good print, and a bit of sparkle!
If you love the Tucker blouse as much I do, but the price tag puts you off (as it does me!), then head over to Target and take a look at their new Tucker for Target collection. I knew it was coming, but forgot the date, and happily stumbled across it yesterday! The floral print blouses in black and in red are definitely on my real life shopping list, even if this beautiful pale one stays on the fantasy wish list!
J Crew Mongolian vest
Tucker blouse
Elizabeth & James
I think it’s healthy to obsess over beautiful clothes a little, no? No? Here are some of the things I’m excited about for Fall, following the lead of one of my favorite bloggers, Caitlin of Sacramento Street. I concur on the J Crew thin sweaters by the way Caitlin! Some of my items will definitely remain on the wish list, as they’re waaay out of my price range (J Crew Mongolian Lamb Vest, I’m looking at you – and perhaps better in a fake version anyway), but they all serve as good inspiration for the changing season.
Fall is always my favorite fashion season. I just love the ‘Back To School’ feeling of it, plus the beautiful Fall colors. Makes me want to throw out all of my floaty, sparkly Summer clothes and commit to a clean, structured, polished aesthetic. We’ll see if I can achieve it this year! Except when I’m indulging in San Francisco’s legendary late summers though. I still plan to waft through a winery in white if the weather’s right, even post-Labor Day!
Here’s the first in my favorite picks for this season. More to come:
Michael Kors babydoll hooded camel coat
Anthropologie pleated trousers
Gap band jacket
Everyone has them. You might not admit to them. But there they are. Staring you accusingly in the face every time you open your closet and see 50 variations of the same garment winking back at you. Even as you add “just one more” to the collection. To the outside world, you have umpteen versions of the same item of clothing. But oh, you know the difference. A different-sized stripe here, a slight flare of the ankle there, enough differences to justify the purchase every time.
Yep, i’m talking about fashion obsessions. The one thing you always need more of, regardless of what sense, practicality and your finances tell you. In the spirit of sharing my secret shame. i’ve decided to out mine to the world. Here’s a peek:
1. Striped tops – maybe it’s the omnipresent image of Coco Chanel, so alluring in her Breton sailor top, but this one tops the list for me. And i STILL haven’t tracked down the perfect version. Until i do, i’ll keep adding to my ridiculous collection. And i’m not the only one. I spy that Jigsaw has one that could be a contender though… And check out style crush Alexa Chung rocking one at a festival:
2. Black dresses – a very common one this. My rationale is that they are the one thing you can always throw on and it will look good. I’m definitely someone that loves the idea of jewelry and handbags, but then in reality, ends up hitting the edit button and always ends up taking off pretty much every accessory. So for me, a good black dress with some nude or black shoes, is a real staple. I even wore one (ok, two), for my wedding. Check out this beautiful version from UK outlet, LK Bennett. I once spent a considerable amount of money on a wool black dress from their winter sale, and i can’t count the value i’ve gotten out of it in terms of cost per wear.
3. Retro style Anthropologie patterned dresses – ok, this one is quite specific! But i bet i’m not the only woman with this, ahem, problem. Anthro does a lovely line of floral, or quirkily patterned dresses, that are often 40s or 50s inspired, and very flattering to curvier figures. I’m a fan of a random pattern, like birds, or bicycles, as well as a lovely floral, so always find something there to feed my obsession:
So now I’ve outed myself completely! Feel free to laugh if you see me out and about in one of these three items. Or shoot me a warning look if you spot me at a cash register about to add to my collection!
Now I’ve shared mine – here comes the hard part. What are your fashion obsessions? Please share! (I promise i won’t tell…)
It’s a known fact that the star of American Vogue fly-on-the-wall doc, The September Issue (see my review of it here), wasn’t Anna Wintour, its fearsome editor. It was Grace Coddington, Vogue’s creative director. She is the soul and the heartbeat of the magazine.
So I was delighted by Vogue’s thoughtful article on one of its own, in the latest issue of British Vogue. Pure bliss for me, reading about inspiring style while getting over a nasty cold, in the Sonoma sunshine!
Grace is an original, and a rare person in the fashion world that hasn’t let changing times, new technology and commercial pressures, muddy her pure point of view. Grace creates the most inspiring fashion tableaux, and will to go any length to get the perfect shot. Driven purely by her artist’s eye, her pictures sell clothes more effectively than any number of Z-list celebs with a massive Twitter following could ever do.
One of my favorite ever shots of her, (sadly i can’t find it online to share with you), was of model Stella Tennant, snapped mid-dive into a swimming pool, wearing a tweed suit and rainboots, yet somehow the epitome of chic. How does Grace do it?? And how much work must have gone into getting that shot?
Here’s to an inspiring original.
