What I Wore: Steel

Peplum Jacket: YSL
Belt: Lela Rose
Jeans: MiH (Made in Heaven)
Flats: Chanel

The jacket is darker in real life--more like a steel gray color--than it is in the photo. It's from the same collection as the teal vest I wore earlier.

A close up of the belt:

And of the flats, which feature tiny charms fastened in an interlocking C configuration:

What I Wore: Fifties Housewife

Cardigan: Anthropologie
Strapless Dress: Lanvin
Bow Necklace: Urban Outfitters
"B" Belt: Fendi
Suede Boots: Enzo Angiolini
Unseen Brown Feather Headband: Jennifer Ouellette

After taking some shots, I realized how difficult it is to get a good one (I'm not crazy about this one, but it was the clearest one I had). I'm terrible with the lighting, angling, etc. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

A close up of the boots and the dress, which I hemmed (it was originally much longer):

These boots are ancient--I can't even remember when I bought them. I use them, I abuse them, and still they remain the most comfortable 3" heels I have. Pretty remarkable for an inexpensive pair of boots!

What I Wore: Dressy/Casual

Tux Blazer: H&M
Ruffle Blouse: H&M
Poinsettia Necklace: Banana Republic
Medallion Belt: Burberry Prorsum
Jeans: Silence + Noise
Platforms: Chanel

I love the idea of pairing something really dressy (a tuxedo blazer) with something really casual (jeans). In a look like this, however, the accessories are what take center stage.

My beloved medallion belt:


And my Chanel platforms (notice the skyscraper heel):

Here's a clearer shot. I apologize for my terrible photography skills:

Giles Fall 2009: The Muppets Do London

Look carefully at the above logo, emblazoned on the chest of this unhappy model. No, it's not Chanel; nor is it an ersatz Chinatown copy. My mouth literally dropped open when I saw this on the Giles runway show--apparently, it's a tongue-in-cheek version of the ubiquitous logo with interlocking "Gs" instead of "Cs." Tacky and tasteless, this look was followed by a series of laughable ones:

1.Probably the most painful dress ever. Guys, don't go near this one:

2. Look, ma! It's Finding Nemo!

3. If Oscar the Grouch were a dress...

4. Even the banana guy looks brighter than this mummified version:

5. This may actually be eligible for the top ugliest gowns of all time. It looks like something Mrs. Snuffleupagus could wear to the opera:

What I Wore: From the Boys

Striped Blouse: Banana Republic Monogram
Vest: H&M
Jeans: Levi's
Pumps: Chanel

This isn't my favorite look, but it is a departure for me in two small ways: 1) I rarely wear stripes, but I liked the billowy sleeves on this one; 2) I rarely wear vests, but the other post makes it appear otherwise (I have only three vests, one of which I never wear). This H&M one is a recent acquisition--at under $25, I couldn't resist.

A close up of my favorite Chanel pumps:

Hands Off!

THE ORIGINAL: Comme des Garcons Fall 2007


THE COPYCATS:

1. CATHERINE MALANDRINO: Note the double hands around the waist:


...And one creepy arm on the top:

2. RICHARD NICOLL: It's hard to tell from this small photo, but hands make up the design on this shirt:

...And feature as trompe d'oeil details on this jacket:

Anybody else think this is blatant copying?

What I Wore: Uptown, Deconstructed

Military Jacket: Zara
Dress: Yigal Azrouel
Nude Leggings: Unknown
Knee Boots: Tod's

If you look closely at the dress, you'll notice that there are hundreds of little gold threads hanging from it. (You can't imagine how many times I heard someone say, "You have a thread hanging..." and then stop herself.) I like the contrast of the deconstructed element on a ladylike shape.

Here's a shot of the dress without the jacket:

And my trusty boots, which I've had for over six years. You can't see it from the picture, but there are zippers on both sides of the boot:

Tory Burch Fall 2009: Ladylike Goth

To me, Tory Burch has become synonymous with a classic, preppy sensibility that is heavily reminiscent of my high school days (think J.Crew, kilts, logos, and WASPs to get an idea of what it was like). This season, however, Burch reinvented herself somewhat--I say "somewhat" because while she introduced some gothic-girl elements (leather leggings, masculine motorcycle boots, and a darker palette), she stayed true to her winning formula of girly-girl ensembles fit for a Madison Avenue queen like Blair Waldorf.

1. The jacket is borderline goth, but the boxy shape and matching clutch inject a touch of civilized style:



2. A casual prepster look is amped up by a chunky necklace, a nubby vest, and rocker boots:

3. I love the wintry princess quality of this look. The metallic finishes and fur transform this into a fantasy outfit perfect for a Narnia without Aslan:

4. I love the severity of the fur vest. If you're going to buy anything this winter, buy a long fur vest! It will transform every outfit (pair with leather leggings for an edgier version):

5. This is perhaps the most typical Tory Burch look (cardigan, blouse, skirt), but the texture and print here are what make them different:

What I Wore: Problem Solved

Turtleneck: Sisley
Skirt: Proenza Schouler (I wrote about this troublesome skirt earlier, and my tailor brilliantly inserted a hidden zipper but left the buttons as decoration. I can't tell you how easy this skirt suddenly became to wear!)
Unseen Leggings: Old Navy
Eel Knee Boots: Devi Kroell (these are fast becoming my favorite winter boots; the 2" heel makes these very comfortable)

Here's a close up of the boots and the sequin detailing on the skirt:


Thanks to all who are commenting. I really appreciate all of your kind words!

What I Wore: Purple Crush

Jacket: Vivienne Westwood knit
Dress: Burberry Prorsum ruched silk from spring 08

Belt and Platforms: YSL (I'm giving new meaning to the tabloid tagline "I really love my...")

Tights: Spanx

The following picture captures the purple hue better, but I admit that the headless photo is kinda creepy--very Sleepy Hollow:

Here's a view of the dress on the runway, without the jacket on top:

What I Wore Today

I thought I'd post some pictures of myself (no face, of course! I'm still too shy for complete public exposure). I welcome comments! (This is an experiment. I want to see if I can lure some of you lurkers out there to comment.)

Vest: YSL peplum from winter
White Blouse: Banana Republic
Jeans: Silence + Noise
Belt: YSL Cage
Platforms: YSL Tribute

(I know--I went a little crazy with YSL today. I love everything Stefano Pilati does.)

A close up of the cage belt--isn't it adorable?!

These Tribute platforms are amazingly comfortable. The total heel height is 4", but with the platforms, the shoes are only 2 1/2" high. I wore them all day long!

The Devil Is In The Details

Marc by Marc Jacobs Lace-up Boots, $550 at Saks

Although I am naturally critical of anything Marc Jacobs, I actually liked these gladiator wedges: the caramel tone, the low wedge heel, the gladiator/bootie mix all appealed to me. And then those atrocious, cheap, sneaker-like laces ruined it for me. (I contemplated replacing them with my own laces, but my laziness combined with my less-than-urgent need to have them out-reasoned that idea.) The same thing happened when, at Club Monaco, I spotted a geometric, arty, chunky circle necklace, which had unfortunately been held up by a rather thick, dirty piece of white sailor rope. (The thought of repeatedly wearing that necklace in the height of summer made me shudder.) When it comes to accessories, details matter. Leather laces and a thick gold chain would have decidedly elevated these pieces--it's too bad somebody wasn't paying attention.

New Designer Alert: Bibhu Mohapatra

Any former design director of J. Mendel is sure to produce an elegant, tasteful, and succulent collection, and Bibhu Mohapatra delivered. (The above Persian lamb coatdress is lust-worthy, as are those killer boots!) More of my favorite looks:

1. A la Burberry, this belted look combines a slightly sporty sensibility with complex texture and color:

2. I love the idea of a long furry vest over something equally decadent: a saffron and navy silk dress:

3. Somehow, Mohapatra transforms a typically-dull shade into something conspicuously elegant:

The New Clothing Accessory: Leather Leggings

Above: Alexander Wang: worn with a simple black, menswear-inspired shift/vest-skirt

Perhaps it's a natural result of the depressing economy lately, but this new grittiness that's reflective of the fashion zeitgeist is hard to ignore. New York designers have turned out a plethora of gothic, edgy, and messy looks that feature a whole lot of leather, zippers, and black. The black legging has been replaced by the leather legging--a fiercer, sleeker version that can be worn with nearly everything. Take a gander at some of its incarnations:

1. Elise Overland: A metallic version complements the adorned liquid top:

2. Jeremy Laing: Simple leather leggings play up the oversized/fitted dichotomy well:

3. Ohne Titel: The knee slits are simultaneously demure and racy, and they offer some interest to a sleek blazer:

4. Preen: Paired with a chic winter coat, these leggings look perfectly polished:

Bondage

Thakoon Crepe Shibari Shift Dress, $1,495 at Net-a-porter

Fendi Suede Basket Front Shoe Boots, $760 at Net-a-porter

Spring's dominant new shoe style is the bondage/caged sandal-bootie, and Fendi's 5 inch-with-a-2-inch-platform option is one I'm seriously considering (I'll have to try it on and see if it's wearable for everyday). Thakoon's dress version came alive on Anne Hathaway in the January issue of Vogue, but I'm not sure it's that wearable--it strikes me as a little too S&M. What do you think?