You can never go wrong with wearing classics. Things that look as good today as days gone by. Things like…
The LBD – Sophia wears a strapless like no other. But we can give it a try.
The Jean Jacket
For your viewing pleasure here are some of my all-time favorites along with the people wearing them.
The worn-in Leather JacketThe TuxedoThe White Shirt (Victoria Beckham)
Jennifer Hudson & Kate Hudson (no relation).
A single-breasted, belted wrap coat is a classic style that flatters curvy girls in all the right places (the belt defines your waist, the diagonal line of the lapels minimizes your bust and the A-line shape skims over your hips). Kate Hudson is far from voluptuous but shows that a classic long wool coat looks great on everyone. (If you’re petite, opt for a shorter version so it doesn’t overwhelm your frame). Plus, a good camel coat looks equally chic dressed up or worn with your favorite jeans.
The Cashmere ScarfThe Ballet Flat (they don’t necessarily have to be Chanel) but these are Très Chic
Perfect white T & JeansThe Moto JacketThe MilitaryThe LBJ. Of Course…Coco A twist on the Classics can’t be all bad. Love the bag & distressed boots – both Chanel, Texas style.A Classic wearing a Classic.….sexy classisism!
Some might argue, fashion saves the best for last – as in the final days of fashion month are upon us.
Chiara Ferragni with Louis Vuitton bagMiroslava Duma in Leopard coat.Miroslava Duma in Snakeskin Coat. The girl loves Animals.
Make your own assessments with my picks (choices I find more adaptable) from Diego Zukko’s 250 “best off the catwalks street shots” from Paris.
Prada Bag & Red Coat. It’s nice to put a Face to a Bag!Casual Cool with FringeJoanna Hillman – Fringed jacket.Joanna Hillman in Versace with Mark Cross Leopard bag.Michele ElieBar Rafaeli in Stella McCartney jumpsuitEmmanuelle Alt
Caroline de Maigret
MORE: Details on How to be a Parisian – please click on the link to the video below which is not only funny but sadly true to fact. Watch and Learn from the co- author of How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style, and Bad Habits.
Unfortunately I’m only kidding….but I can imagine wearing this Quilted Versace Helmut (price upon request). versace.com on my little scooter.
AND then there are the Italian Stallions who Scott Schuman for “the Sartorialist” sums up very eloquently:
A lot has been written about “Italian style.” A number of “facts” have been detailed: the Agnelli-isms of unbuttoned shirt collars, unbuckled monkstrap shoes, ties over the sweater – your general *sprezzatura minutiae. But when it comes down to it, these things border on gimmick. To me, that’s not really about what Italian style is about, or what people relate to in my photographs.
Photos: Scott Schuman for The Sartorialist
What I think people are actually aspiring to is something much trickier to attain. It’s the same kind of thing that you’ve seen in all classic menswear icons, most perfectly embodied by Cary Grant and Fred Astaire. It’s grace.
Why people react to Italian style is the grace with which these gentlemen inhabit their clothes.
Now, some people will discredit this and call it “effortless style,” or write it off by saying, “These Italians are just born with it.”
But it’s quite the opposite. There is nothing effortless about their style, or their look. What’s unique is that they put an extreme amount of effort into their look when they buy the clothes, when they have the clothes altered by their tailor, and when they put them on in the morning. But once they put them on, they don’t think about them until they take them off again at night. It’s that graceful thoughtlessness that is so seductive.
Do me a favour. Look at these photos above. Look at the shoulder line. Look at how relaxed these guys are. Their shoulders aren’t uptight and around their ears. These guys are having fun. Then take a look at your typical Savile Row-tailored gent. Refined (read: restrained) to within an inch of his life, shoulders straight as a board and typically looking like they’re having as much fun as an American wearing a suit.
If there is one piece of advice that I could give to someone who wants to embody, in their own way, the very best of Italian style, it would be: take an extra half an hour when buying the clothes, and extra half an hour at the tailor to make sure they perfectly fit you, and an extra half an hour in the morning to make sure you are confident in your choices.
Then think about food, think about women, think about cars – and only think about your tie when you buy the next one.
*Word of the day: sprezzatura: a certain nonchalance, so as to conceal all art and make whatever one does or says appear to be without effort and almost without any thought about it”.
The Sartorialist by Scott Schuman (Penguin) is out now. £19.99. amazon.co.uk
It’s pretty straightforward. I want to live like an Italian.
There are too many likes. From the Renaissance paintings and sculptures of artists like Michaelangelo and Botticelli in Florence, to medieval villages, historical towns, castles and country churches scattered all over a vast territory of rolling hills. Romantic architecture abounds.
the house that was used to film “Under the Tuscan Sun”
Simply prepared delicious food: lunch on the terrace overlooking ancient vines and olive groves, wine, olive oil, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Aceto Balsamicos, and Gelatos.
Vespas and fast luxury cars like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani & Maserati.
Style in general which includes a well-tailored desire to look alla moda.
I want to live like an Italian.
I’m sure I missed a few things but this pretty much sums it up.
Springing ahead for a sneak peek but I’m ready to wear the ready-to-wear already. IT’S THATSIMPLE!
The Row Spring 2015
Yes, it’s already Fall and as usual it crept up just like that. While we’re busy getting our boots and blazers out of the closet, New York Fashion Week just wrapped and London Fashion Week has just begun to show us what’s in store (and what will be in stores) for Spring 2015. Unfortunately, having not attended the New York shows in person I was consigned like many to checking out what’s next on the internet. After perusing many of the choices I decided to focus on showing only one fashion house – that from “The Row” and their 28-year-old twin designers Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen who obviously have an amazingly grown-up fashion sense – well beyond their years. Girls to look up to and styles to put a Spring in your step. Here is what someone who attended the actual show wrote:
We love a Chic Twinset!
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are women of very few words. Ask them about the direction of their new Spring collection, and you get the shortest of briefs: “Raw silks.” That’s not much to go on, but no matter. This show, like most of The Row shows that have preceded it, was highly evocative. Monday morning traffic, the elevator you just missed, your buzzing cell phone… In the face of the serenity on their runway, all that stuff fell away. The setting, a raw, fifth-floor warehouse space in Soho, played a big part. Pouring through skylights, the morning sun glinted off the gold basket weave of a loosely tied coat, and shimmered on an organza top that looked as if it might’ve been dipped in tea or sepia-dyed. Angels, you thought.
That’s probably too literal an allusion for the Olsens’ taste, but there was an undeniable purity to this collection, with its mid-calf hemlines, full A-line silhouettes, and covered-up arms and shoulders. The Olsens experimented quite a bit with wrapping. Long swaths of fabric crisscrossed the torso, twisted around the waistline of dresses, and trailed down the legs, sometimes creating a gentle peplum at the hips. These were not clothes designed to seduce, but they were beguiling nonetheless.A woven tabard finished with braided fringe was especially lovely; not many other labels in New York are turning out this level of handwork. Equally tempting because it was more utilitarian: a crisp, collarless white cotton poplin shirt tucked into a three-quarter-length black skirt, accessorized with a cross-body “hunting” bag.
So Sleek, So CHIC!
The Row’s former design director Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski was in the news this summer when it was announced that she was appointed the artistic director at Hermès. She left the company last March and The Row reports it won’t replace her. This beautiful show positions them well for the future.
I just love Jessica Alba’s outfit – the balance between structure and romance. A no-nonsense ladylikeness.
I personally feel you can do so much with beautifully constructed basics and seem to be leaning more towards this look these days. So easy to mix ‘n match too. Don’t get me wrong though – I’m still willing to wear that studded collar shirt and skinny zippered cobalt jeans.
Source for NYFW: Nicole Phelps (September 9, 2014) for style.com Photos – taken from images
There’s so many things you can say about them….sure, they’re comfortable, sure they’re practical, they bring out your manly side (if you’re a woman) and your womanly side (if you’re a man – kidding!), your love of all things equestrian (even though you can’t remember the last time you were on a horse), and they look good with.…..with what? I’m referring to the original Gucci horsebit although there are plenty of other equally unattractive ones out there.
When I wore mine the other day a friend commented that it looked like something Martha Stewart might wear. No offense Martha, but I would prefer to be compared to your cooking style more than your clothing style. It’s not the same as saying “it’s something Kate Moss would wear” (even though Kate has been seen wearing them on occasion – I did the research). Well guess what? They’re baaack in a big way…but slightly updated with different colours, patterns (including leopard) and a cool studded version (ohhh studs!). Does that make them cooler?
he says “I love you even with your loafers”
So, what do you think? Love them or Leave them? I’d like to know.
Birkin, you are not entirely forgotten about (hardly) and I have not totally given up (to give up is to die) but I’ve found something that you cannot match…a Gummi Bear Clutch bag! Okay, it’s not luxurious but it is whimsical and adorable and big enough to carry all the essentials…phone, lipstick, credit card, gummy bears (preferably chocolate covered ones).
In this case I think it best to keep the rest of your outfit simple. Designed by none other than the original “girls just wanna have fun” shoe designer Charlotte Olympia Dellal. Dellal is committed to bringing the playfulness back to fashion. She is inspired by nature – things like animals and fruit and the thrill of making them wearable. I had the pleasure of visiting one of her boutiques in St. Helena, Napa.
Her sought after kitty flats are now iconic. Not to name drop but some clients include the likes of Natalie Portman, Gwyneth Paltrow and Alexa Chung. The shoes deserve a whole post of their own which I promise to do one day soon.
my new grey no fuss suede pull-ons for tucked in skinnies or pants worn over-casual/dressy.
We can expect a few more weeks of sunshine here and there but you know what’s around the corner. Time to put your best Fall Foot Forward….whether it be practical, riding (that’s not really a bootie but we love it anyway), motorcycle, funky casual or casual dressy. They all have a place in your shoe closet.
I’m looking for comfort, walkability (to some degree – at least two blocks) and Style.
my new distressed looking boots with fringe benefits – Ralph Lauren. Definitely to be worn with jeans. Funky/Casual.
Boots with fringe will be HOT in colder weather.
Here’s my pick for a great casual look for rainy days:
Sorel Medina Boot
SOREL Medina Boot
UPPER
Waterproof vulcanized rubber upper with waterproof full-grain leather detachable gaiter
Lycra lining on upper and felt lining on gaiter.
FOOTBED
Molded EVA footbed with arch support
Pigskin leather topcover
MIDSOLE
Vulcanized rubber
OUTSOLE
Handcrafted rubber outsole with herringbone design.
Price – $225. A solid, practical all around town Vancouver bootie.
Chelsea lately….Fashionable, Practical, Walkable – all around perfection with a solid heel. They come at all price points but shown here are some favourites.
A solid Chelsea boot should be a staple in every woman’s closet for the fall and winter seasons.
These versatile silk scarves are beautifully printed on both sides and so easy to wear. It’s longer in length much like a tie and stitched
Chic Headband
on both sides.
They have a playful side. A ladies necktie? A silk bracelet? A chic headband or ponytail holder? Many tie them to their handbags…even if they’re not Birkins.
Tied to a Birkin
It is one of my favourites from the famous french house of style. Now they have a longer version – called the maxi twilly but I prefer the tinier original. And who can resist the little orange box?
“Fashions fade, style is eternal.” – Yves Saint Laurent. YSL was a wise man.
Trends come and go and come back again, many times to haunt us. Luckily, now more than ever, we have so many choices at our fingertips. The fashion gods can dictate and we can agree to either follow them, ignore them, or rebel against them entirely. Today there are no set rules! Except of course you should strive to not look like a complete & utter slob. We can be guided into a current “hot” style moment but if you love something then wear it regardless if it’s a trend fresh off the runway or not.
Digital prints at Mary Katrantzou, Manish Arora and Antonio Marras.
Trends will always be there, always influence and always evolve – that’s the great thing about fashion. Real style is about how you adapt current trends into your existing wardrobe. It’s fun to play. Let’s get started!
A look at what to expect for Fall/Winter 2014: Abstract Digital Pattern – Textured Prints – Ombré Effects – Mottled Pattern Plays – Beautiful Illustrative Designs – Re-Engineered Houndstooth Prints – Sixties Edge – Over Scaled Prints – Painterly Form – Scribbled and Sketched Intense Pattern Mixes – OverLaid Paint Strokes – Pottery Design -Nature & Bird Print References – Dark Muted Tones – High Contrast Prints – Colourful Florals – Animal Patterns – and more.
Bottega Veneta – Pre Fall 2014
The captivating digital prints and patterns adorning nearly every type of silhouette are here to stay. As they progress towards Fall/Winter 2014 they are bound to grow bolder and louder, but in doing so they will still manage to hold on to some gentleness.
Preen By Thornton Bregazzi – Pre Fall 2014
Where Dolce & Gabbana got their INSPIRATION for Runway Fall Winter 2014-15:
Majolica pottery is the most iconic way of decorating pottery in the Mediterranean. Originally a glaze which was imported by the Moors in the early Middle Ages, since then it has become an art of Southern Italy, in particular Sicily.
Majolica is one of the first exports of luxury items made in Italy, with these intricately glazed ceramics taking pride of place at courts of all of Europe in the Renaissance. It is said Queen Elizabeth I was a huge fan of the glazing and ordered many samples to be made for her in Italy during her reign.
Majolica has continued to attract art lovers, and today fashion lovers since its inception, and remains a thriving art in Sicily. The coloured tiles, pots and vases decorate homes, and even roads in the picturesque town of Sicily.
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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