Fall has always been my favorite fashion season. And now that I’m back living on the East Coast, I’m excited to reunite with the seasons (OK, maybe not winter…). After two-plus-years in LA, I’ve quickly become fair-weathered and I’m cold whenever I’m not in direct sunlight and extreme heat. There will be many scarves, hats, and jackets in my future. Let the layering begin as we fall into fall.
10 – a weekend getaway vest - I’m on the hunt for the perfect black vest (ideally hooded, and maybe leather). Until I find it, I’m coveting this shiny patent-esque crimson style by J.CREW. Great over black, white, or gray. Works well to-and-from the gym; brunch; in the city or country.
9 – black waxed skinny jeans – I don’t hide my love for black skinnis, I own many pairs. Two of which are wax coated (J Brand) – the perfection way to achieve the style of black leather pants without the discomfort, or price! They wear well with flats during the day, and dress up perfectly at night with heels. Just throw on a simple top, sweater, blazer or blouse and you’re instantly chic.
8 – mesh top – I bought this Theory silver mesh sweater in LA and I constantly get complements. Depending on your height (I have a long torso) – it may be cropped – like it is on me… I wear two Theory white cotton tanks layered underneath (I wear two because I hate seeing the button from your jeans through the cotton – the added thickness also provides flattering snugging benefits). I love it against my crimson Rag & Bones. Bright denim is still big this fall, but you can also opt for black or darker hues like J Brand’s cherry skinny cords. Smaller holes work well too.
7 – suede wedge boots / booties - fashion meets function with a wedge heel. Petite women can get the extra height they covet, without the back and foot pain. And the rest of us can enjoy some subtle lift with an all-day-heel. I love myself some black, brown, and grey suede boots and booties.
6 – polka dot - anything! Polka dot is to fall 2011, what stripes were to spring and summer. The same could be said for stars… but I prefer a more classic print. So mix some dots into your tops, scarves, skirts, hosiery, and more. Big or small circles are everywhere. Smaller is typically more flattering, just be careful the print is clear and you aren’t channeling the chicken pox.
5 – bright outerwear - Just add water. Seriously, it’s that easy! With a bright coat, you’ve got instant color-blocking – and instant chic. Guaranteed to brighten up even the dreariest of fall / winter days… The gold metal hardware and double breasted style can’t get any better. I love “Heather Camel”, “Heather Majestic Purple”, and “Vibrant Flame” all equally. J’adore.
4 – chunky knits – Looking out the window is enough to make me cold these days. I crave all-things warm and cozy – aka, chunky knits! The chunkier, the better. Stella McCartney can do no wrong in my opinion, and while her pieces are clearly an $investment$, I can picture this scarf and I being very happy together for eternity. Or at least until spring.
3 – tweed and tartan – textures are big this season. Think tweed, tartan, hounds-tooth, pine-stripe – very British – very prep-school. The looser oversized boyfriend fits of recent years are gone, and we’re back to fitted shrunken blazers and coats (because a waist is a terrible thing to waste). Classic blackwatch (green and navy plaid) is a safe bet. The more daring may try technicolor or mustard (because I’ve never met a condiment I didn’t like).
2 – dark cords – skinny or wide-leg - the ’70s drives the wide-legged pants we’re seeing everywhere. The great news is you can dress for your body type. Skinnies, and wide-legged pants are in – pick your pleasure! Just remember, all pants are more flattering when worn with heels.
1 –bright statement pumps - a shocking suede pump lights up your outfit (and hopefully your life). Kelly Ripa shows us how to wear blue suede shoes with all-black. You can also color block your way into an opposing hued pant, top, coat, dress, skirt… most successful blocks involve two or three (MAX) colors. As the temperature drops; select darker, richer, and jewel-tones colors.
Kate’s first outfit, an off-white REISS dress (the same one she wore in the couple’s official engagement photos), a patriotic maple leaf brooch borrowed from Queen Elizabeth (presented to her by the Queen mom when she first visited Canada in 1939), and a crimson red maple leaf fascinator by Sylvia Fletcher at Lock and Co. Normally we’d consider her bright red pumps matchy-matchy, but worn in the Nation’s capital on Canada Day – they’re the perfect finishing touch.
Moving from Ottawa to Yellowknife, Canada, Will and Kate joined the locals in a street hockey game. Her linen dress is by Danish-born British high street designer Malene Birger. Catherine opted to stay on the sidelines and cheer for the Duke, reportedly explaining that if not for her nude L.K. Bennett heels, she would have joined in the game herself. She had me at nude heels…
Lastly, her Highness wore a navy lace dress called “the Cecile dress” designed by Erdem. The dress can be found in their pre-spring 2012 collection. Kate paired her stunning navy lace dress with her L.K.Bennett Sledge2 patent nude pumps. Her style is so classic, and so-spot-on PRINCESS PERFECT!
My love of all-things orange is no secret. Here’s another way to wear it – color blocking and all!
I have five weddings in the next five months (not one is in the US…). They kick off this weekend in my homeland’s capital city, Ottawa (6.11!!). Above is my outfit for wedding 1.0. Inspired by Gucci’s spring/summer 2011 collection of bright color blocking green, orange, and purple – and celebrities like Kim K and Jessica Alba owning this trend – I bought the above pairing at Zara. The high-waisted “skirt with slit” is such a deep tangerine, it almost looks red. It’s fuchsia partner isn’t shown online, but the skirt would also look great with this deep jewel-tone-purple blouse tucked into it – aka, “blouse with tabs”. My clutch is my black Marc Jacobs quilted go-to, purchased in Vegas three years ago. The “quilting – Eugenie leather clutch” is still going strong as part of his signature collection. The finishing touch, my shoes, are my new Stuart Weiztman black patent round-toe pumps, purchased at Browns on a recent stint in Toronto. Stuart Weiztman is my #1 high-heel. He makes classic and stylish 2-5-3.25 inch pumps (NB: avoid anything less than 2 inches, just go for a flat – “kitten heels” don’t flatter anyone) that are wearable for hours without wanting to cry, they are to my feel what Jbrands are to my thighs. LOVE. Stay tuned for outfits 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Sarah Jessica Parker can do no wrong in my books… while some fashionistas criticize her casual UGG-loving day-wear as she walks seven year-old son James Wilkie to-and-from school in New York’s East Village, I love that she doesn’t feel the need to wear head-to-toe couture everyday (despite being named Halston Heritage’s Creative Director in January 2010). Even Victoria Beckham’s seen wearing the odd sweat pants and boyfriend jeans, but when these girls dress up: WOW.
Polka-dot hosiery are a popular look on the runway, celebrities and trend-setters across the globe. An instant update to your office skirt suit, or evening cocktail dress (hello Holidays…) – they’re a subtle detail that won’t go unnoticed. They’re tasteful and classy, think of them as the new fishnet.
Whether you opt for a mini SJP-style, short shorts à la Gwyneth, or a longer pencil-skirt style – polk-it-up.
I worked in corporate offices for six years, long enough to discover KEY items where beautiful fashion meets function. Here are some corporate woman mainstays to get you started. Enjoy!!
9 – commuter ballerinas: wearing your heels more than necessary wears the soles out, not to mention your feet. Wear comfy commuter flats (boots in winter months if your city sees snow), and change when you get to your office. Cole Haan’s Nike Air flats have incredible cushion, they’re like a pillow for your feet. Be careful of suit pants that are hemmed for extra height, you’ll need to fold or pin your pants so as not to ruin their bottoms. However you handle it, opt for a little black shoe that gets you to and from wherever you need to go. Your legs will thank you.
8 – sheer blouse: a neutral sheer blouse is a great staple under a suit, or on it’s own with a pencil skirt, trouser pants, or even dark denim on a casual Friday. In more conservative offices, wear a solid cami underneath so as not to give off any vibe other than all-class and perfectly-put-together.
7 – dark straight leg jeans: Denim rarely has any place is a corporate office, but there are a few exceptions. One being a corporate-wide casual Friday, or dress-down charity day. On these days, keep your denim dark. The darker, the dressier. Keep it clean with no rips, tears, or bleach stains – regardless of how trendy that look may (or may not) be. Make sure the fit isn’t tight (tread with caution with skinnies, straight leg is safer), and stay away from low rises that might put on a show while sitting at your desk. Pairing your look with classic flats, or heels works well – and in the interest of mixing and matching: wear a blazer to show you’re very aware you’re still on the clock.
6 – statement pencil skirt: a pencil skirt is almost universally flattering, and as much as I love basic black, navy and gray – every corporate wardrobe needs a few items that pop. One being, a statement skirt. This season has great options in tweed and wool. I’m loving this “Bronzed Ochre” by J.Crew; worn with white, beige, black or gray it’s the perfect statement.
5 – detailed hosiery: one office I worked in had a rule against bare legs. I became quickly acquainted with hosiery, fast favorites being DKNY, Wolford, Calvin Klein and Hue. My advice is to stay away from fishnet, it channels a bit more “working girl” than “corporate woman”, but any type of pinstripe or argyle prints are fantastic. Worn with a basic black suit skirt and classic pumps, you’ve instantly brought your look into 2010. It’s a subtly sexy detail that can take you right into an after-work date, lose your blazer and wear a sexy embellished tank underneath and you’re golden.
4 – Longchamps carry-all: I’ll admit to having two Longchamp totes, and one “Pilage Duffel”. I’m a big fan of these bags. They’re classically gorgeous with all their colors and styles, and genius: folding up for easy storage (quite often in another bag). I used the smallest “Le Pilage Mini Handheld Nylon Tote” to carry my lunch and snacks (on days when I snuck out to a nearby food court, I casually brought my food in a “purse”). The “Planetes Tonal” is amazing to get everything in your life and from the office. I often wore it on one shoulder, full of a portfolio and gym clothes. (it also fits a laptop). Leaving your other arm free to carry a smaller purse with your essentials.
3 – gray, black or navy suit dress: every corporate woman needs a go-to suit dress in a basic color she can rely on for different looks every week. Worn in cooler months with tights, and warmer with patterned hosiery this dress will garner a lot of mileage. I wore mine with different blazers (white, black, tweed, schoolboy, canary), a fitted cashmere turtleneck underneath, or on it’s own rotating between flat-heeled boots, pumps or classic flats. It never gets old.
2 – business card holder: regardless of your profession, you’re likely forever giving out business cards. This may be one of the few things someone notices about you in a brief interaction. So make it a chic professional statement; so they remember your name, face, and style.
1 – go-to black pumps: Most offices don’t appreciate heels higher than three inches, bear this in mind when choosing your pumps. Today’s heels are often over-the-top in their height and designs. Leave these for nights out and special occasions, and instead select a classic style you can reach for everyday if you choose. Patent is a great detail adding a soft professionally-appropriate flare.
I’ll admit I watch “Gossip Girl” for the killer clothes (OK, and maybe Chase Crawford, Penn Badgley and Ed Westwick…). It never disappoints with a weekly dose of Upper East Side glamor. So when Katie Cassidy joined the cast this season (coming over from the CW’s one-season-revival of the 90s “Melrose Place”), we are happy to report her wardrobe is almost all true perfection… 10′s!!
Playing Juliet Sharp, there appears to be more (or less) to this new Upper East Sider than meets the eye. We’ll let the story unfold every Monday, while we simultaneously love her style. Above, Katie’s sporting a gorgeous gray monochromatic look in an Alexander McQueen gold-zippered-dress; Alexander Wang blazer, and Ginvency pumps. Subtly offsetting her gray, is her tan Salvatore Ferragamo hobo. Gray is a celeb-fav for good reason. It wears more practically than white, and offers more softness than black. Whether you opt for an all-gray outfit, or one item: gray is great.
Looks like Nate agrees… eyes up here, close your mouth dear.
Drew Barrymore loves her Balmain brass belt so much that she wore it to her London and LA “Going The Distance” premieres. We can’t blame her! This classic brown and gold belt gives her waist the perfect cinch over her gorgeous brocade Catherine Malandrino resort 2010 gown in LA, and just days before it was magic with her olive-green-jersey Alexander McQueen mini in London.
Along with Drew’s Balmain Fall 2010 RTW Gold Metal Placket Belt – her gray suede YSL Tribute Two pumps also made both cuts, and have proved to be her go-to favs for the past few months – “Drew’s gray suede shoes”.
A belt is the quickest way to update your look – one go-to can travel from one outfit to the next. This season opt for cognac, dark brown or black leather with gold details. Ornate yourself someSTUDS.
Which look are you feeling, LA or London? Which side of the pond are you on?
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