How’s that for alliteration? I grew up in a very small town (cows) - and the only way to suppress my desire to leave was by expressing myself through dress (men’s ties as headbands, thick glasses) . I remember being asked junior year what I wanted to go to college for, and so said fashion - nothing but crickets. Then when I did go, my AP (thank you) English teacher actually asked why on earth I did such a thing. Thus the reason why I shun public schools. So much for supportive educators, but thank god for New York! I’m sure you can feel the teenage angst in my tone - the clothes just bring it back! I don’t think I’ll ever let go of the punky aesthetic, I’m a cynical New Yorker at heart and I can’t resist a dangerous looking pyramid stud for the life of me.
Punk chic connoisseur Burberry has really reinvented itself over the past several years - and in doing so has become a modern represenatation of the British punk movement, as well as a huge motivator for mass to translate it in a forward & feminine way. Christopher Bailey (of Burberry) has paved the way in reinterpreting how the tartan, motorcycle jacket, and stud read. Vivienne Westwood as well, the original curator of underground punk dress (she dressed the Sex Pistols) - brought safety pins and shredded garments to the likes of Bergdorf’s & Henri Bendel.
Forget the fishnets, mohawks, and Hot Topic - updated punk is Blondie chic. Think black jeweled heavy bib necklaces, backless dresses, skinny leather, and metal hardware. Heavily embellished accessories paired with a streamlined silhouette, or tartan/animal print/striped pieces with a metallic shoe or bag are easy ways to interpret punk without losing your femininity. And when I say femininity - I do mean looking completely bad ass.
Forever 21 studded tote $34.80
Newport News studded boot $39.00
Asos tulip skirt $35
Alex & Chloe Le Crane necklace $48
American Apparel latex legging $42
Now is the time to forget about silly rules and pull out all of your white from your summer stash under the bed. Sure, a white sundress is totally inappropriate in the middle of winter, but white jeans, white sweaters, white handbags – are so polished and refined. I have a pair of white wide leg, 8 wale corduroy pants (on sale from $300 RL Blue Label, for $50) that I love to wear into fall and winter by giving it a spectator feel with black tops – the black and white combination let white appear less seasonal, more transitional.
Off shades of white are also good rules to live by in the winter – eggshell or creams – and classic silhouettes that don’t scream picnic or beach (turtlenecks, shift dresses). Some fabrication rules to live by: stay away from any cotton lawn, poplin, or gauze. Go for textured whites – corduroy, cables, & twills - the more substantial the fabric, the better. A white shoe is a lot harder to pull off than a white handbag, but can be done right by sticking to a matte finish & again seasonal shapes (booties, no open toes or wedges). If the shoe in question is not a bootie – a black opaque tight with a white Mary Jane screams tres mod chic.
Forever 21 crochet cardigan $27.80
Top Shop bracelet $40
Banana Republic Wilshire hobo $150
Newport News snake embossed shoe $39.00
Victoria’s Secret military coat $149.99
Even after complete immersion, it still baffles me how the most random things can create entire movements in fashion. Tuxedos have been around forever, and YSL really brought the aesthetic to the forefront of women’s wear. Forget Annie Hall, forget Dandy - the modern interpretation of the tuxedo is sexy & strong, with no grey area.
This trend is happening now and it’s happening in a gorgeous way. I’ve been seeing tuxedo pants – straight leg, ankle Audrey style pants with satin trim along the side seam – pop up everywhere, and even in denim. Not only bottoms - tuxedo jackets, boyish or even cropped – as well as feminine bib blouse interpretations and a bevy of bows.
About three years ago when I couldn’t find anything to buy that didn’t have a sparkle of some sort sewn onto it – I went into complete opposition mode and would only wear huge men’s sweaters and dress shirts with tights, a cinched waist belt, and a thick black headband (Prada played a big part). As much as I try not to regret my fashion choices – you’ve gotta live in the moment – this is not how I would do opposite sex dressing these days. Now it’s all about the same silhouettes you would usually rock - feminine & fitted - but with menswear inspired detailing (peaked lapels, bibs, french cuffs). Oddly enough - sometimes it takes dressing like a man to put a little swagger in your step - spitting and vulgarity aside.
Asos Jacket $85
Forever 21 Vest $22.80
Urban Outfitters dress $88
Victoria’s Secret pant $39.50
Newport News shoe $34.00
Let’s ignore the fact that the hemline on this dress needs about 3 inches – and concentrate on the rich color story. As Thanksgiving is only a day away, a lot of us are starting to plan our feasting outfits. I plan on scouring my closet for anything cranberry or squash colored, inspired by who other than Gossip Girl. Seriously though, autumnal colors like berry, rust, and evergreen are perfect for not only this time of year, but as an excuse to exercise your closet for the family. I remember when I was at V, I went home for the holidays and my mom said “Jennifer, you look like you’re right out of a magazine” – my mom is a lovable crazy, and so I say - well mom, I do spend most of my time at a magazine. She still has no idea what I do. As family dynamics seem to get more crazy as you get older – here’s to filling up your glass of wine and looking good while doing it.
Delia*s beaded skirt $38.50
Newport News ombre shoe $39
Top Shop blouse $65
American Eagle scarf $19.50
Nine West patent satchel $69
I am in desperate need of a new bag. I used to do nothing but spend my cash on frivolous accessories, and I used to think it was a serious problem because I couldn’t buy anything I actually needed. I still try and change my bag once a week, but the scenery is old school. Now that I’m in a new environment - and H&M isn’t a guilty pleasure on the way home from everywhere I go - my checking account has been doing fabulously, but my insides that get really excited about accessories have been wilting. It’s like all I see on the girls here are Chinatown bags - played off as cute and trendy, because nobody knows that yeah - that quilted kiss lock bag with the chain strap, is Marc Jacobs most well known bag, and it’s all over the 5 boroughs like a virus. I could get a way with a faux Hermes here in a second, and maybe I should.
First thing’s first, I need patent. Patent has been a strong finish in my closet since my time at V, and I think of it as a really classic element. I remember every single bag we got in was patent, and of course in that office things move at the speed of light - so it was one big visual trip of high gloss Valentino & Vuitton. Patent just seems so delectible, so smooth. And I do mean smooth, I’m not into cracked patent, even if it’s Chanel - it’s just not as polished - the great thing about a patent bag is that it’s on trend (not trendy), sophisticated, and usually structured. You can be on the Upper East and fit like a glove, have it as a great work bag, or as a key piece to your weekend shopping stroll. Weekend shopping outfits in New York are what I like to call silent fashion face-offs. It’s almost as good as the other game I call out-shining the bride. Joking.
Anya Hindmarch for Target $49.99
Newport-News $29.00
Spiegel $49.00
Nine West $14.99
Jumpsuits are so ghetto fab, I feel like putting my “Peace” doorknockers on and hopping on the train to… (wait - there is no subway and I actually have no idea where I would go for that scene in Austin). Anyway - if in my normal habitat I would trek it to Queens for some Quinceanera crashing (no lie it has been done) and pretend I was in Grand Theft Auto.
What’s so non-ghetto fab is that Stella McCartney is the reason why fast fashion chains have been re-interpreting satin one pieces for the masses. Maggie Gyllenhal and Gwyneth Paltrow are avid fans - and of course have the statuesque figures to pull it off. Stella has surprisingly sultry styling in her pieces, thigh high boots, super interesting hardware - my best friend slash designer extraordinaire would die for Stella, so pretty much every conversation we have revolves around said designer.I’m only 5 ft 4 in,so If I had my dream hybrid Escalade and was cruising - I would definitely go for the cropped version - very cute, very sexy - and definitely pair it with those Fall 07 Balenciaga Timberland-esque booties & multiple bangles.
There is a really freakin’ fine line though when choosing your jumpsuit - you don’t want to look like you’re on Flavor of Love or belong on the West Side Highway. There has to be some element of bloussant in it - whether it’s a fuller bottom or top, it just can’t be allllll skin tight. This isn’t the easiest, but I think it’s the most bad ass and you can style it any way you choose (below girly ghetto fab). If you can roll into a room pulling this off, you deserve a night of dancing.
Asos $100 (originally $800!!)
Bangle $2.99 Girl Props
Shoe $39 Newport News
Boho was predicted to be fall’s biggest take-away from the shows, but I haven’t really seen it as much as say, Ralph Lauren’s tartans. Gucci was the only real design house to completely embody it - maybe a little D&G - but on the whole I think bohemian is something that has been happening for the past couple of years, and is more of a lifestyle trend rather than a seasonal fad. I like to wear different fashion hats, and it usually changes depending on what company I work for, but I feel like I’ve always held onto a bohemian vibe through it all. The one design element that has been translated to the masses has been fringe - and it’s not just your typical Minnetonka bootie - it’s dresses, scarves (think Balenciaga), jewelry, and shoes (think Prada).
Bootie $22.99 GoJane.com
Messenger bag $29.99 Urban Outfitters
Chain scarf $29 Newport News
Heel $27.99 Target
It’s really taking everything in me right now to not post red, white and blue fur - eeek! However, it is now November - and I’m already planning my winter-esque purchases for my visit back home to Philadelphia (PA for Obama!). I’ve never lived in the south, barely visited - so my life is extremely novel now (I have a vintage mink hat I’ve been dying to wear since August, and it just keeps sitting, sitting, sitting in my closet)!
(Faux) Fur is so glam - you instantly revert to a 30’s starlet, so Katherine Hepburn. The great thing about fall is that it’s so in between, so temperate - you can get away with a 60’s shift dress and fur jacket, (bangs optional) without any other distractions. Although I know I’m going to miss snow and the strangely nostalgic feeling of being reared in upstate New York (below 0 temperatures) - it’s going to be wonderful to wear a cheetah chubby out for New Years - sans scarf + earmuffs + 2 cardigans underneath.
ASOS $70
Urban Outfitters $28
Catbird.com $60 Leg Warmers
(Sherpa) Close Enough - $74 Newport-News.com
From the wise lyricist and Apple Bottom aficionado, Nelly, you really can’t tell that these sandals aren’t Manolo’s. Newport News is now selling the chic t-strap flat sandals that Manolo Blahnik made popular. A genius- yes, price conscious - no. These pretty babies go for a cool $10, and shipping is even sweeter at $5.99. So, if you’re not a socialite and you have a decent head on your shoulders, go to www.newport-news.com and pick up multiples for the summer months.
End Note: As a personal playa hata of flats, I’m reforming after having a visual epiphany of ugly toes on New York streets as the weather warms up. I plan to buy 3 pairs to allow my barking dogs ample recovery time.
Photo taken from: Newport News
From the wise lyricist and Apple Bottom aficionado, Nelly, you really can’t tell that these sandals aren’t Manolo’s. Newport News is now selling the chic t-strap flat sandals that Manolo Blahnik made popular. A genius- yes, price conscious - no. These pretty babies go for a cool $10, and shipping is even sweeter at $5.99. So, if you’re not a socialite and you have a decent head on your shoulders, go to www.newport-news.com and pick up multiples for the summer months.
End Note: As a personal playa hata of flats, I’m reforming after having a visual epiphany of ugly toes on New York streets as the weather warms up. I plan to buy 3 pairs to allow my barking dogs ample recovery time.
Photo taken from: Newport News
