Life In Style

Spring Fling

It's light out at six o'clock these days.  Save the dates for weddings are popping up.  The air has that good orange scent.  It's spring. 

As I make a wish list for spring and summer, I'm keeping an eye on the reports from Fashion Week and what's coming down the pipe for the coming year.  Recession / depression shopping means any purchase has to go the distance - through the summer and even into the fall.  (Something not terribly hard to do when you live in Southern California.)  Some of my favorites from the shows...

   

    

  

 

Lovely things by Oscar de la Renta, Teatro and Versace.  In that order.  I Heart Fashion.

More like it

Post rant fashion findings.  Forget rompers, punk, and disposable.   This is more like it:

   

    

Images courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman.  And The Row, Ralph Lauren and Dior...

 

A Wednesday Rant on Thursday

      

The sloppy 80’s glamazon look is back and it is so confusing.  I recently read this month’s ELLE, which is consistently my least favorite fashion magazine on the stands, but I’d read everything else.  What is going on here?  Ridiculous photo shoots full of loud and unflattering Desperately Seeking Susan mesh punk, out of touch sheer dresses on languishing models and completely out there jumpsuits with booties that that have no place in a modern woman’s closet.   

I am dumbfounded why editors continue to talk about encouraging their audience to be resourceful in these uncertain times, and yet offer up crazily expensive pieces that we all know have no more than a couple months shelf life in them, at best.  The only thing worse that cheap disposable clothing is expensive disposable clothing.  To borrow a word from the financial and environmental sectors – we are looking for sustainable.  We are looking for something smart and chic that doesn’t break the bank and will offer up major ROI in the coming years.    We are desperately seeking responsibility from our leaders, ourselves, and yes – our clothes.

 

Images courtesy of Elle.

In the Swim

Loving the new swim suits from Stella McCartney and Pucci...

The Spring Crew

      

          

There is only one chain shop left where a girl can get a modicum of style for a decent price - J. Crew.  A few favorites from the first batch of their spring arrivals...

Antthropologie is the exception to that statement. Although they have had a really bad year.   I Heart Fashion

Loving the Lululemon

 

 

Have you noticed how cool the workout clothing has gotten lately?  Is it possible that we're finally moving beyond the Juicy Age of matching velour sweat suits and into seriously smart athletic gear?  Leading the pack are Stella McCartney for Adidas, North Face, and this very cool line called LuLuLemon.  There are almost too many choices to look through - but surely you will find something that will change your life among this incredibly flattering line of yoga pants, tops, jackets...  Or let me put it this way, your butt never looked so good.  Check it out.

Thanks to my tall friend Kate for the recommendation.  I heart Fashion

Fall 2008 Picks

Here are my first picks from Fashion Week's Fall 2008 collections - from Mr. De la Renta, Diane Von Furstenberg, the smart boys at Proenza Schouler, Michael Kors and a little bit of Rock & Republic to boot...more to come.

    

    

    

    

For a look at the shows, go to New York Magazine's site here.  I Heart Fashion 

Donna Karan for today

Donna Karan changed the way working women outfitted their closets in the mid eighties with her iconic Seven Easy Pieces formula.  Since then, it's been a bit hit and miss as Karan has navigated her way through the death of a beloved husband, the raw food movement, and an intensely spiritual yoga quest.  However, her last few collections are evidence that we will all be the beneficiaries of this explorative journey.  Karan's latest work marries the trademark strong woman sensuality with an unfussy modern edge - indicative of a woman who knows exactly who she is and what she wants.  And as a p.s. - no one does underpinnings better than she does. 

   

   

Collection available at Bergdorf Goodman.  I Heart Fashion

A Shopping List

Every season I make a shopping wish list of the items that I need to reinvent myself for the season to come.  I take a very close look at my closet's state of grace and dedicate a decent amount of daydreaming to conjuring up the essential items that I will need to enjoy the coming spring, summer, fall...  I recently came across another fashionistas wish list for spring and found it enchanting.

- from Sally Singer and the pages of Vogue...

"Womanliness may be the landscape's defining, and uniting quality.  Thus, whether you're inclined to be patterned or plain, you're going to want a longer, more demure skirt; a neat little jacket; some hint of lingerie (but not of the risque sort); a bag of personality but little hardware; and a wild shoe that only a girl could love."

I'm keeping a wish list on my desktop.  It seems to be growing.  I Heart Fashion

First Look at Resort 2008

         

 

Beautiful new looks from the Resort Collections...I Heart Fashion

Samurai Shopper Goes Online

This fall has been the biggest fashion let down in years.  After a big buildup in the magazines and on the runway, the real world stores are a complete disappointment.  There is no focus, no inspiration, and worst of all- nothing of any real lasting impact.  It's time for the Samurai Shopper to make an appearance...online. 

Though it's sad to give up the hands-on experience and cardio benefits of canvasing the town looking for that perfect item, when the local wells dry up it's time to act globally. For those of you that love the thrill of the chase and the satisfaction of a bargain, this means eBay.  Ebay is daunting and boring unless you really know what you are looking for and have the follow through to nab it.  A fellow samurai with a black belt in on line shopping recently revealed his secret move: Powersnipe.

Powersnipe is an on line bidding engine that securely bids for you automatically in the closing seconds of an eBay auction.  You do not need to be present, your computer can be off, and you avoid engaging in a bidding war which ultimately drives the price up.  A year's subscription is $45- a smoking deal and a fail proof way to accomplish your mission.  With fall well underway and nothing good to be found on the ground, it's time to snipe.

I Heart Fashion

 

New York Fashion Week - Stormy Weather

If you close your eyes, you can hear the clinking glasses of champagne, snappy pops of cameras clicking, and stomachs grumbling for something more than the morning's non-fat latte.  It's Fashion Week in New York. Bryant Park is filled with editors, models, celebs, and hard working production staff bringing an onslaught of structured, intelligent clothing to the American fashion flock. 

However, besides the rows of pretty people lining up to view the collections- there's not a whole lot of pretty in the clothes.  There is a severity and frankness that seems incongruous with dreamy fashion week.  Though the craftsmanship is outstanding, the overall tone seems aggressive, stiff, and slightly depressing.  It could be that what we are seeing is actually a new era of dressing in which serious women dress seriously and the somber charcoals, blacks, and navys are de rigouer for the changing political and social climates. 

Though this seems a bit much for a little post on a blog with a grosgrain header and pink background, it appears that fashion may indeed be donning the "wake me when its over" cloak and battening down the hatches until the storm clears.  If you intend to steer this course along with the rest of us- stock up on the necessary provisions: black tights, mannish trousers, exaggerated knit dresses and sweaters in shades of gray, and of course patent.  For a pop of color- reach for clutches, over sized wrapping scarves, and a divine coat. A good coat makes it all better. I Heart Fashion 

Fall Focus

Take note of the well-balanced proportions in each of these looks.  If the trousers are full and wide, then the top should be fitted.  If you're showing some leg- keep the decolletage to yourself.  On your face: if the lips are red- the eyes are bare.  Fall is about focus. 

Images courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman. I Heart Fashion

Dior's New Look - New Again

     

In it's time Dior's famous "New Look" revolutionized the contemporary silhouette to emphasize the small waist, straight shoulder, and long neck of it's wearers. In addition to the striking face with creamy skin, thick arched brows, and red lips- there was a tremendous amount of attention paid to the accompanying accessories- including kid gloves to the elbow, flattering millinery, and of course matching shoes and bags.  If you are a woman who's heart sings for full tilt ensembles with felted wools, fitted waists, and alligator pumps, - this is your fall.  This is the feminine intelligentsia at its best.  Fall's woman is not casual, nor is she overly familiar.  She is purposeful, direct, and draws strength from the snap of her collar, tightly drawn belt, and strong heel of her pump.  The look is savvy and wry and when worn with confidence- heads will turn.  If you're up for it- it could be one hell of a glamorous fall.  Start your lists.

I Heart Fashion.   

First Looks at Fall

   

       

First looks at what's coming your way in September...Black is back.

All images courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman online.  I Heart Fashion

Need vs. Want

Kate Moss for Top Shop, Madonna for H&M, Proenza Schouler for Target, and now...Sarah Jessica Parker for Bitten.  It seems affordable fashion is all about the Guest Star these days.  When you consider that each of the afore mentioned collections was sold out on the first day of sale, it's clear that the public is hungry for celebrity endorsed, cheap style.  It's quite a dichotomy at work here.  On one hand, does the world really need more disposable clothing?  Though we love the quick fix of a new tank top, bikini, or tunic that costs us less than a trip to the movies- does it last?  Does it enhance or evolve your look?  No.  It's immediate gratification for hungry consumers. 

On the other hand, why should designer style be relegated to the wealthy 1% of our country who can afford $900.00 Chloe pants and $600.00 Jimmy Choo slingbacks?  It's unrealistic and insulting that retailers continue to inflate the cost of well made clothing, making it harder and harder to find quality at a reasonable price point.  In the past, the savvy fashionista could always turn to vintage stock for a chic alternative, but as those resources dry up- we are left with a vast divide between chain store mass distribution and high end sticker shock.  In the end, the only solution is a good old fashioned need vs. want internal debate.  If we are to look fabulous, we must become more judicious in our choices and keep our eye on the prize.  This year, that prize will be an alluring pant suit for fall, spectator pumps and ironic tights, a sumptuous coat, and for those of you who didn't catch the samurai's directive last month...red lipstick.  Repeat: life is not on sale. 

I Heart Fashion

A Samurai in Summer

If you are a samurai shopper, you know that now is the time to start studying the fall trends.  Though most magazines and websites are swimming in articles about maillots and faux glow skin products- the ninja fashionistas are scanning the fall collections for key autumn wardrobe staples.  Here are is a big one: say goodbye to lip gloss. Even as you recoil in disbelief and get ready to dismiss the notion- take a look around at the truly chic standard bearers on the pages of Vogue, New York Times, and on the runways.  The new look is smarter, sharper, more carefully created and mercilessly edited. The overly smooshy, juicy lips of the last ten years seem a little ho hum beach bum next to the purposeful, "listen to what I say" lipsticked mouths of September. It's the end of an era. Start the search for your brand of red now, and when you find it- buy two.  Remember the grasshopper who sang all summer ...  I Heart Fashion

The Fashion Police

As the summer season of weddings approaches, most of us enjoy the anticipation of celebrating the joy of marriage and the fun of a wedding.  However, if you happen to have the honor of being a bridesmaid- maybe not so much.  It's a beautiful gesture to include one's friends in the flurry of fizzy activities that lead up to the big day, and of course, an honor to stand up in the ceremony.  However, it is not an honor to spend hundreds of dollars on an unfortunate bridesmaid dress and ridiculous shoes.  There are many silly little books on this subject at Urban Outfitters and the chic lit. section of Borders, but let's just say this:  in the year of two thousand and seven there is no place for matching bridesmaid dresses.  The fastest way to alienate a good friend is to assign an unflattering, poorly made dress in a color that should only be reserved for tablecloths.  Like bumper stickers and men's short sleeve dress shirts, identical bridesmaid dresses should have never survived the millennium. Period. 

I Heart Fashion.

Hello Jackie O.

 

Get ready for her return everyone.  Chic, edited, and uber-American posh is back in an updated Jackie O. fall.  Michael Kors has freshened up the icon's trademark black & whites, sheath dresses, and smart coats for a gloriously lady-like autumn.  Bad news: hemlines are high.  Good news: tights will save us.  Get ready to dress again.

New Michael Kors collection available at www.bergdorfgoodman.com.  I Heart Fashion

Smart Shopper

Long overdue, the fashion industry is joining the campaign to go green.  For the past few months, the pages of Vogue, Elle, Home & Garden, and Bazaar have been filled with subtle, and not so subtle ways to make an eco-friendly, stylish choice.  Though many of these options such as buying organic cotton tunics and "green" jeans seem to be more of a symbolic gesture, there is one area where fashionistas truly do know best.  They know bags.  While we await a changing of the guard in the White House and the much needed tax on plastic grocery store bags, do your part by bringing your own canvas totes to market for your weekly staples.  Everyone is in on the action from Chloe, Marc Jacobs, to J.Crew and the classic L.L. Bean tote. Considering our society's national consumption rate is now estimated at well over 500 billion plastic bags annually, or almost 1 million per minute and and the average American family alone accumulates 60 plastic bags in only four trips to the grocery store- that's a lot of bag for your buck.

"I'm Not A Plastic Bag" by Anya Hindmarch, available for $15.00.  I Heart Fashion

Sole Mates

Life In Style is thrilled to welcome our newest contributing writer, Ellen Shanman.  A forward thinking screenwriter and talented novelist, Ellen lends us her razor sharp wit and warm insight as she prepares for the launch of her much anticipated book, Right Before Your Eyes. If you haven't already pre-ordered your copy, get thee to Amazon and get excited.  The book is certain to land on the top of your Must-Read list for summer...

Sole Mates

by Ellen Shanman

You spend forever searching for your perfect match. You fall in love, spend a beautiful season together, and just when you've decided that you'll be together forever...your heel breaks. I'm talking shoes, people.  And though you don't want to admit it, it's your frequent, pavement-pounding expressions of affection that hasten their early demise. Think you'll never see your sole-mate again? Not so fast; they might be just a click away. Ebay can be an incredible source for brand new pairs of last season's favorites, at half the price you paid on the shelves. Here are a few hints for snagging a bargain and avoiding an auction mishap:

1) Search the precise brand and model name. You'll weed out the wrong pairs immediately, and chances are good that a seller willing to take the time to enter "Cole Haan, leather Air Cym Sandal, Bronze" has also taken care to offer a genuine, quality product. Make sure that the item in the photos is the one you're buying and not just a catalogue scan, and be sure that the lighting and photo quality are high enough to show you what you're getting.

2) Condition: NEW. Ebay's shoe department allows you to narrow your search with a series of drop-down menus. Be sure to select NEW in the "Condition" field, then look for more specifics, like "new with tags" and "new in box." Personally, I like to know that my feet will be the only ones these perfect pumps will ever know.

3) It's worth the time to research your seller. To the right of the seller's ID, you'll see a number rating, and perhaps a colored star or "Power Seller" icon. Ebay offers a key to decoding the various icons, and keep in mind that the higher the rating, the more transactions the seller has completed. Just below the seller ID, you'll see a percentage and a date, like "94% positive since April 2003." Click to read the seller's feedback. Seek out a positive percentage in the high 90's and make sure that any negative comments don't say things like "Complete rip-off, item not as pictured, seller is a stinking liar."

Remember, online transactions are nearly impossible to reverse, so if something smells fishy, don't place your bid. You might be afraid you'll never see those Christian Loboutin strappy sandals again, but have some faith that if you check back next week, there might just be another pair available. After all, if it's meant to be, you'll find each other again.

Right Before Your Eyes is available in stores on May 1, 2007.  For more information, please visit ellenshanman.com    I Heart Fashion

To Sir With Love

   

Dear Mr. De La Renta...we love you so.

Images from Oscar de la Renta Spring 2007 Collection.  I Heart Fashion.

A Birthday In Style

Oh joy!  A special delivery arrived by post on Friday.  To my ultimate surprise and delight, I opened the package to find the long lusted after IN VOGUE.  Happy early birthday from my Scottsdale family!  Elegant and smart, this weighty book chronicles Vogue's 100 year+ history and its innovative contribution to the world of fashion.  I am inspired again and again by the artistry and storytelling, and of course, the clothes. If you have a fashionista in your life- take a page from my thoughtful father-in-law- it is the perfect gift! Brilliant book- welcome to my home!

Thank you! Thank you! to Bill and Raina for this incredible keepsake. In Vogue is published by Rizzoli and available on Amazon.  I Heart Fashion.

Prettiest Dress In The World

A ballerina party dress for the fashion forward girl.  I find this gorgeous tea length to be perfectly timeless and edgy in the smartest way.  Or maybe it's just pretty.  Someone invite me out for black tie and champagne...

Prettiest dress in the world by Rosa Clara; put forth to my world by the always inspiring Oh Joy!  I Heart Fashion