Valentine’s day is kind of like New Years - overrated! Every Valentine’s in New York was bitter, bitter cold - one year I even had to trudge through 2 feet of snow in a pair of enormous Lanvin-esque platforms to find a cab. Behind every cynic there’s a disappointed idealist, I’ll admit - sure, I’d love to be whisked away to the Maldives, but those things only happen if you’re dating a 50 year old hedge fund something or other. Fortunately or unfortunately, the jury is still out - I prefer 28 year olds. It also seems I prefer 28 year olds with no income (also called business school), so why not do he and I a favor and go for Naughty Secretary Club over Tiffany this year? That’s LOVE!
And, I am a complete sucker for things like this: “What movie kiss are you?” from Quizfarm.com. I scored Mary Jane from Spiderman!
Naughty Secretary Club laser cut Austin heart $24
Victoria’s Secret tuxedo babydoll $88
Paul Pape “Wii Belong Together” chocolates $20
Marc Jacobs mirror compact $5
Victoria’s Secret actually came through with a diamond in the rough bikini this season! So simple, so feminine, and one of the best things about a minimal bathing suit - you don’t look like you’re trying too hard.
$32.50 Shop Victoria’sSecret.com
Like I said – I had no idea I would fall so hard for this menswear movement! Now that my job here in Austin requires a bit more subtlety in terms of dress – (i.e. straight men, not the garment district, etc) I plan on LIVING in these types of bottoms for the next year. To me, this is half of the new power suit – and the beauty of the balance is that the pant is the anchor, you can go with a feminine or basic top depending on the occasion - and the pant still looks effortlessly chic and pulls it all together, and so on trend with the shows. As much as I miss running around Polo in a bubble skirt, towering heels, and endless baubles - I just can’t walk around the new office sticking out like a sore thumb anymore. The first time I tried this pant in my new environment – it was for a huge presentation (which, I nailed) – and I wore black ankle Audrey pants (like the UO pair below) with a black fitted collar shirt (tucked in, sleeves rolled) & a pair of strappy and complicated sky-high gladiators. I felt on top of the world! There’s definitely something to be said for dressing the part – just don’t call it business casual.
Victoria’s Secret $69.50
Urban Outfitters $58
JCrew $79.50
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
Earmuffs are a winter accessory I swore by as a kid, and still do to this day. Last winter I had attempted to pull off those from-Russia-with-love furry bomber hats, after seeing many a girl in New York look great in them – but it just didn’t work - I could barely see because my peripheral vision was blocked and the (faux) fur was all in my eyes! I also have a jungle of hair so it just made for major tangles. In New York – some of the most fashionable women are of Asian descent, for reasons unknown, they always have the best bags and eclectic outfits. Whenever it would rain, I would see a bunch of girls with their cute little bubble umbrellas & Hunter rain boots, while I was using a $5 one I bought off the street & some form of leather or suede.
I think that’s where most of the envy lies, being unable to look completely polished in a torrential downpour. Regardless – I fell in love with outrageous, exaggerated fur earmuffs from this subculture of crazy stylish girls. It’s too bad muffs would be absolutely ridiculous here in Texas - we’ve barely hit the 60 degrees!
Jcrew $68.50
Victoria’s Secret $38
Ugg Australia $75
Kate Spade “clever” orange muffs $65
Blazers are great for any climate - for those of us in the South, it’s all we need to go out at night, and gives dresses a smart, tomboy look. For those of us in the North - a lightweight blazer under your winter coat is adequate warmth and coverage, and looks more polished than pairing a cardigan with a bare top. In New York I always hated coat check - wearing multiple layers to stay warm and then having to figure out a way they wouldn’t be lost in addition to your coat (i.e. shoving the cardigan in the coat’s sleeve) - and it’s just too much hassle. At least with a blazer you can wear it as a complete outfit and look effortlessly chic - I for one am SO excited that this day has come and gone (for 2 years at least). And when I say blazers - I mean boyfriend style, preppy, with preferably interesting hardware - not a business suit blazer, one with puffed sleeves, or cropped (yikes!). You want to look equestrian Ralph Lauren, not oldie Liz Claiborne.
Urban Outfitters $48
Victoria’s Secret $59
Forever 21 $24.80
Ok - working there definitely made me a biased Ralph lover for life - but c’mon this jacket is gorgeous! I haven’t actually been wearing too many jackets, but my girls in the NE say I need to address the fact that winter is happening and I’m missing it this year. Tear.
A close replica of this jacket is hard to find…yet - but there are enough jackets with ruffle & peplum detailing to hold you over until it’s at the closest H&M. (For me, sadly, that would be the next plane ride home).
FYI - Commes des Garcons goes live at H&M November 13th!
Urban Outfitters $138
Victoria’s Secret $148
Gap $78
