It’s true, one could opt for expensive tanning bed sessions or tan-in-a-can products to beat that ghostly winter pallor, but you don’t have to risk looking like Snooki of the Jersey Shore (not that she isn’t awesome–she is) to look healthy this season.
Photo from Celebrity-Gossip.net
A light dusting of of a neutral (aka not orange) bronzer over your forehead and cheeks adds just enough glow to keep you looking naturally warm in the winter. Even with expensive self-tanners you may wind up looking streaky–and who can stand that chemical smell? Opt with a talc free mineral bronzer, like our fave, Instant Sunshine by Philosophy.
The soft, pinkish undertone ensures that we look fresh and awake but never “baked,” and it includes a major dose of spf 15 to protect skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays. As an extra bonus, the handy mess-free packaging guards against those awful purse spills that you can never recover from (something we’re especially concerned about since we’re on a new handbag mission). We love ya, Snooki babe, but we’re on very different bronzing journeys. Actually, someone should just send her a jar of this stuff. She might be into it.
That Jenna Lyons is one smart cookie. Never in our fashion-obsessed lives have we visited the J. Crew store so often, but there’s no getting around the fact that they have some super cute goodies lately. Mainstream retailer or not.
Behold our most recent obsession: the perfect fitted gingham shirt. Chic, casual, and wrinkled ever so slightly, we can see ourselves ordering 2 or 3 colors of this (in particular the “wild blackberry” pictured above and “deep chartreuse”) to go with all the paper-bag skirts and tap shorts we have planned for Spring. Maybe paired with some bright red low-tops? Jane Birkin would be so proud.
But that’s not the only checkered J. Crew product we’re lusting after: check out their fabulously retro gingham bikini in navy. A removable top strap instantly transforms it from classic two-piece to bandeau (lovely if you’re avoiding tan lines). It makes us think of Marilyn Monroe on the beach in 1960 with a cocktail and a great big sunhat (which, by the way, is also available at the all-mighty J. Crew). We might as well go ahead and dub Summer 2010 the official season of Gingham. Now, if only the weather would catch up to our fashion agenda!
You may not have the fanciest of Valentine’s Day plans–we’re making macaroni and cheese was watching Twin Peaks– but isn’t it fun to take a peek at all the pink and red dresses anyhow? Designers will often produce one-off pieces just for the occasion, and while we may not have the budget for, say, Donna Karan’s latest, we can certainly fantasize about this more affordable option from Alexander McQueen’s mega-hip diffusion line, McQ.
For some reason, this dress reminds us very much of (forgive the reference) SJP’s pink Oscar de la Renta opera dress in the last season of Sex and the City. Obviously, this is significantly shorter and we wouldn’t actually recommend you wear it to the opera (you’d run the risk of getting kicked out). But to a night of dinner and dancing, with your Honey or with the girls? Yes indeed! Wear with a fancy, Audrey Hepburn-style up-do, a peep toe heel, and a glittery little bag. We also think it would look great with a slimmer belt, maybe in patent black, to wear into the Spring. No matter how you style it, we guarantee you’ll be the belle of the ball.
Nothing perks up a slow winter afternoon like a quick visit to Kate Spade’s Broadway Boutique, where it’s always blue skies and 71 degrees–as far as the sales people are concerned. Just take a gander at her signature Darcy Striped tote and we guarantee you’ll be fighting the urge to wear boat shoes into the snow and slush.
We don’t need to point out the obvious on-trend-ness (nautical stripe mania approaches) of this quaint little satchel, but it would certainly add some seaside flair to any all-white outfits you had planned for the spring season.
If you’re itching to wear some color after months spent trudging along in a black coat and grey trousers, we might recommend you check out Kate Spade’s adorable Westbury Bag, available in a range of mouthwatering candy colors including (but not limited to) yellow, pink, navy, turquoise, orange and green. Try coordinating with a chic pair of colored flats 60’s-inspired styling.
Of course, these are bags to get you through a season that is still three months off…sigh. For some immediate gratification, consider the El Morocco Lauralee bag, which isn’t quite a Chanel evening bag, but hey, it’s getting there. Pair with a knockout strapless cocktail dress and sleek satin heels for a killer Valentine’s Day dinner outfit.
One of our all time-favorite warm weather accessories is the classically chic canvas tote. Simple, understated, and fabulous in a Jane Birkin kind of way, you’ll never go wrong with a no-fuss, machine-washable handbag.
Take this green easy waxed-cotton option from Marc by Marc Jacobs: affordable but still designer, this tote offers practical extra features like an adjustable cross-body strap, interior zip pockets, and water resistance. We think it would look lovely worn over the season’s nautical striped shirts and baggy oxfords.
If you’re looking for something a little more designed–you know, with hardware, bells, whistles, etc–look no further than Michael Kors’ large Gasevoort tote bag. Executed in a natural mocha canvas with leather accents, this rough-and-tumble tote will see you through seaside afternoons and city-dwelling days. Don’t be afraid to get this one a little dirty: the color and fabric will mask wear and tear. Heck, it might actually look better with a few scuffs around the edges.
Of course, there will be about two hundred million more canvas offerings as designers get their Spring collections into stores over the next couple months. Look for YSL’s annual cotton tote, or the seasonal colors they conjure up at Prada.
There’s an undeniable trend resurrection occurring on the streets of Manhattan: women, young and old, both uptown and down, are sporting what appear to be big, bushy woodland creatures atop their heads. We’re not talking trapper hats here, we’re talking full on Russia circa 1983.
What’s especially strange is that it’s actually really warm and even Spring like in New York City this week–so why all the mink lately? We asked one woman where she found her furry cap: “Oh, this? My god, I think it was my grandmother’s.”
So there you have it, folks: grandma glam is back in full force, complete with matching fur stoles and dainty kitten heels. We can’t in good conscience recommend that you drop everything and go buy one right now–less due to animal rights, although a real concern, than because it sort of looks like a beaver is balancing on your skull–but we can say with confidence that you’ll be 100% on trend if you step out in this Mink Fur Roller Hat with Leather Top. Ridiculous though it may seem, fashion is as fashion does, and we are forever slaves to its mighty, if sometimes mysterious, will.
Now and again it’s fun to shop around and check out the bags that are in no way practical, or even totally absurd. Honestly, who wants to be so rational all the time, anyways?
This season, the trendy leather handbags from Valentino took the prize for outlandish–albeit drop-dead gorgeous–design. We have pictures of the “Rose Vertigo” bags stapled to our bulletin board, and occasionally glare at them, knowing that their $2500 price tag plants them firmly out of our shopping reach.
More affordable but no less outlandish is the blue faux-ostrich Dooney & Bourke satchel available at Dillard’s (seriously). We think this little attention-grabbing little guy would be quite charming worn over a more neutral outfit, or paired with olive and brown colors. The embossed leather “ostrich” effect is a convincing fake, and luxe details like a soft lining and central zipper divider will make you feel like you’re carrying something top-o-the-line.
As you continue your handbag search with Pronto Style, be sure and check out all the crazy leather handbags available — and there are many. If bright and bold is for you, then don’t shy away from a loud, statement-making bag. And if you’re a little overwhelmed by the selection, just stuck to colors you know you already have in your closet!
The insane Tory Burch mania of three years ago made us forever weary of the designer’s gold-crusted “T” logo, which wouldn’t be a big deal if she didn’t put it on EVERYTHING. Patent flats, tote bags, tops, cardigans, even pants–it seemed nothing was safe from Ms. Burch’s aggressive branding. This season, however, we’re noticing something splendid in her Spring lookbook: looks like Tory Burch is making cute clothes again without twitch-inducing logo.
Take this pitch-perfect striped top, for example. Worn with sleek, white cuffed shorts and a thick brown belt, a stripe top will be the de rigeur piece to keep on hand come summertime. We think the $125 price tag is a worthy investment considering how much mileage you’ll get out of it, and the super soft silk/cotton blend will feel that wonderful little bit more luxe.
Also of note is the totally revamped handbag collection, which had us applauding from our desks. We don’t know who flipped the switch over there — as far as we know, Tory is still the only person designing — but the Shiloh Leather Satchel represents a major break from the brand’s design tradition. Sure, there are still logos, but they’re subtle, peeking out at the base of the handles. There’s no way to knock a designer who takes her runway criticism seriously and makes such a dramatic effort to adapt. Bravo, Ms. Burch!
Come to think of it, we’d like to see the one-trick ponies at Juicy Couture could learn a thing or two from this lady.
It’s true: keeping your skin hydrated and soft during bitter winter is no picnic. We used to wake up most mornings to find our lips had cracked during the night, or our hands were sandpaper-y from dryness. The good news, however, is that a few well-chosen beauty products–if used routinely–can safeguard against even the most unglamorous of winter beauty pitfalls.
The top pick is Philosophy’s “Kiss me Tonight” Intense Lip Therapy, our handbag staple and preferred lipstick primer. The yummy rose fragrance is soothing without becoming overwhelming, unlike other lip treatments whose fruit or “candy” scents can even overpower your perfume. This wunderkind also boasts wrinkle-reducing and collagen-boosting properties; we recommend ordering one to keep in your nightstand and a second to keep in an on-the-go makeup bag.
The next product probably incorporates “magic” somewhere in the ingredients. How else can you explain Jojoba Oil’s uncanny ability to moisturize (without greas-ifying) the skin, hair, and scalp? Dab a little bit of oil in your palm with some warm water and apply liberally to the face, the ends of the hair (it’s great for preventing split ends), and the cuticles. It also makes a delicious bath oil. We love that it’s totally unscented and 100% vegan!
Leggings may be a little “yawn” these days–when your mom buys three pairs in cashmere from Helmut Lang, you know it’s time to move on–but, admittedly, there’s nothing quite so easy to throw on in a pinch or, in the case of this leather pair from Vince, when it’s bitterly cold outside.
Leather leggings and pants are perfect winter buys because they cut through wind and still insulate precious degrees of heat. Tucked into ankle boots, or even something so casual as a pair of high-top sneakers, leather will keep you looking tough-girl chic but still “weather appropriate” — a concept fashionistas seem to really struggle with. (If we see one more girl shivering in tights and booty shorts on a 20 degree day, we’re going to scream. It’s winter, ladies. Pack up the cut offs!).
The downfall of leather pants, however, is that they’re unavoidably expensive. Sure, you could buy “faux,” but you will lose out on the toasty warm benefits of the more serious fashion investment. Save up your pennies, and expect to spend between $600-$800 on a good pair that will last you for years. We’re also feeling Rag & Bone’s suede panel leggings, on sale at Shopbop for $625, for an unusual equestrian-meets-biker look.
