Masculine

Tux Jacket: H&M

Striped Blouse: Banana Republic

Belt: Max Azria

Jeans: Silence + Noise

Pumps: YSL

Dressing these days has been an absolute conundrum; this morning it was a frigid 45 degress, but by the afternoon, it was a balmy 70-something. I passed women on the street in high boots and winter coats and women in shorts and sandals.

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Speaking of shorts...I saw the most amazing woman on the street today (unfortunately I saw her from the bus so I couldn't get a candid shot of her) wearing a black blazer, a simple white tank, short jean cut-offs (the length of the blazer just hit the bottom of the shorts), an Hermes belt and Birkin, and t-strap flats. Although this outfit was somewhat basic, she looked so chic and pulled together that I couldn't help but stare. It didn't hurt that she was gorgeous. Personally I'm a bit of a prude when it comes to showing skin--perhaps it's a result of Catholic schooling or being a teacher--so I avoid short shorts like the plague (or swine flu, take your pick). But the idea is quite tempting...

Under the Sea

My husband and I decided to revisit the New York Aquarium on Coney Island--quite a trek from the city! I managed to snap some shots of our favorite aquatic friends before my camera inauspiciously died (so I don't have any outfit pictures, either, sad to say).
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We saw a sea lion show, but I'm not sure if it was THIS sea lion. Although I know all about conditioning (I had to take a boring college class on it), it still amazes me that humans can train animals to behave like performers.


Aren't they scared?!

Eyeing me suspiciously...

Talk about giving someone the evil eye...

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

Stunning, isn't it?!

A "red striped sea nettle":

After our pleasant visit at the aquarium, we took a stroll along the boardwalk and had some funnel cake (something about it brings back nostalgic memories of summer beach days) before it began to pour.

Rocky Road

Blouse: Banana Republic

Corset Belt: YSL

Skirt: Oscar de la Renta

Sandals: YSL

The weather warmed up again (I swear it's bipolar)--a perfect day for ice cream! Instead of Rocky Road (one of my favorite flavors--next to Mint Chocolate Chip, of course), I indulged in a vanilla soft-serve cone with chocolate sprinkles (or "jimmies," as we Philadelphians call them).

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Have a wonderful weekend!

Ruffles and Sheen

The actual shade of the skirt:

Blouse: Chloe

Corset Belt: YSL
Skirt: Martin Grant

Pumps: Prada

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I apologize for the lack of outfit posts recently; I've been enormously uninspired lately, and dressing for two seasons with almost interminable bouts of rain has given me the case of the fashion blahs. It doesn't help that I had an awful day at work. Well, some Korean comfort food and a good movie sound like heaven right about now!

Ladies, Get Your Pre-Sale On!

YSL Cage Necklace in Silver

YSL Platform Pump in Black Patent

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For those of you who have eyed runway goodies since September but who have been blinded by the astronomical prices, here's your chance to get your pre-sale on! Although "Pre-Sale" can mean different things to different brands (for some, it means instant sale; for others, it means being allowed to reserve things until the sales actually begin), it's an advantageous opportunity for any recessionista. Pre-sale at YSL begun yesterday, Missoni last week, and many others are slated to begin this Friday. Call your sales associate to reserve items now!

Creamy

Jacket: Mason

Dress: Prada

Belt: YSL

Sandals: Prada

Have a restful weekend, and let's celebrate our wonderful mothers!

Orange Sherbert

Blouse: Alice + Olivia

Pants: Banana Republic

Pumps: Salvatore Ferragamo

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I wore these pants uncuffed (they're wide-legged) during the day, but when it began to pour, I immediately cuffed them to prevent staining. Oddly enough, I like them better cuffed!

Tiffany & Co: Key Chains

Tiffany Key Collection

In the 1990s, every self-conscious fashionista adorned herself with something that originated in that precious blue box: a silver heart pendant, a chunky chain bracelet with that unmistakable tag chain, a mesh ring. In those days, I remember falling prey to the Tiffany craze, alongside prepubescent spoiled girls who had loaded their arms, fingers, necks, and ears with a treasure chest's worth of baubles. Eventually, the craze had invaded almost every age bracket that eventually, I tired of seeing what now had become generic until I altogether retired those items to some dark crevice in my jewelry box. Despite those romantic posters of a glamorous Audrey Hepburn in front of an equally glamorous window, Tiffany's had, at least for me, lost its luster.

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Until now. The sight of these vintage-inspired, elegant Victorian keys--something Miss Havisham would have used--is touching, poignant even. I love the symbolic aspect of these keys, but at the same time they carry a casual tee-shirt and jeans quality to them that attenuates any preciousness they might have originally imparted. They work best, I think, as an old-world accompaniment to a modern outfit: reminders of an enchanted time in a secret garden.

Big Shoulders

Suede Jacket: Barbara Hulanicki for Topshop

Blouse: Chloe

Jeans: Levi's

Platforms: YSL

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This past weekend I finally visited Topshop (it opened here almost a month ago but the three-hour line discouraged me from stepping foot in it), a store I remember fondly from my London days as a poor study abroad college student. Although I grabbed several promising goodies, I was yet again discouraged by a ridiculously long changing room line, to which I muttered "forget that" and disarmed quickly. As I grunted my way to the escalator, I noticed a stunning gray jacket with exaggerated shoulders in the corner. Barbara Hulanicki is pretty well known in England (she's the genius behind Biba from the 1960s and 70s), and her modest but gorgeous capsule collection is quite reasonably priced, all things considered. Of course, although I admit that the jacket reminded me a little of Balmain, I've always liked an exaggerated shoulder so long as the rest of the jacket is quite fitted. For us pear-shaped gals, the bold shoulders balance out the larger bottom half.

Ethnic Mix

Sweater: Club Monaco

Necklace: H&M (currently available in stores)

Skirt: Vivienne Tam

Sandals: YSL (click on this for a close-up of the shoes)

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Don't hesitate to mix different ethnic elements, so long as you balance the look with something modern, like a pair of YSL shoes or a clean silhouette.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Cagey

Leather Jacket: Rick Owens

Dress: Cynthia Steffe

Cage Belt: YSL

Tights: Unknown

Furry Pumps: Prada

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What do you think: is the cage belt with the striped dress overkill? (I admit that I actually prefer "matchy-matchy" elements. Of course, sometimes it's best not to.)

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These pumps are ancient, but I still love them.

A shot of the architectural heel:

Grecian

Dress: Fendi

"B" Belt: Fendi

Alhambra Bracelet: Van Cleef and Arpels

Patent-Leather Sandals: Prada

The Grecian trend is one that has slowly morphed into a permanent classic; designers find it a safe avenue to tread every spring. We've seen the current incarnations--the gladiator sandal/bootie and the asymmetrical shoulder--before, but they've taken an edgier, sexier turn lately. These pieces were purchased quite a while back, but they feel au currant. Of course, it doesn't hurt that they're extremely comfortable, chic, and lightweight--perfect for this unexpected heat wave!

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This shot captures the true hue of the dress (it's more of a dove gray; the above shots washed out the color) and the gorgeous draping on the back:

Every woman should own a pair of white sandals for summer. White in summer is the new black! And I don't know about you, but I can't stand really high heels in 90 degree heat--my feet ache more than usual when it's this hot. Today, I took comfort in these low wedges:

What I Wore: Bronze

Blouse: Banana Republic
Skirt: Fendi
Sandals: Miu Miu
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Of all of my skirts, this one by Fendi has got to be among my top three favorites. Season after season, Fendi produces high-quality, super-wearable and versatile clothing for the modern (professional) woman--and I emphasize woman as opposed to teenager or teeny-bopper. Even though Lagerfeld does inject a bit of whimsical fancy into some of his collections--take the current one for example with its emphasis on cut-outs and doll-like designs--each piece is decidedly grown-up, sophisticated, and, above all, exquisitely made.

Some close-up shots of the skirt:


The silk weave on this skirt is incredible and extremely tactile. Once, a male student of mine almost automatically reached out his hand to touch the fabric--eliciting, of course, a stunned cry from me. ("What are you doing?!" I screamed in horror, not realizing that his intent was not to actually grab me but my skirt.)

A sign of quality workmanship is the lining: the unseen part of the garment that matters only to the wearer. This silk lining, in a brilliant emerald shade, is as equally stunning as the rest of the skirt (note the little "Fendi" words all over it):

And my bronze Miu Mius, which I bought separately with no consideration of the skirt. I later realized that the colors matched perfectly. I love the beautiful details: the subtle two-tone palette, the swirly, holey patterns, the peep-toes:

What I Wore: Taste of Summer

Tank: Club Monaco

Skirt: Lela Rose

Sandals: Guiseppe Zanotti

The heat was on this weekend in NYC, and it reminded me how much I love summer!