Mia Pali Riding Boot $59.95
Stay in style with the Mia Pali. This vintage inspired riding boot is one of fall’s most versatile and hottest trends. Faux leather upper with ruching details.

Nine West Revvedup Women’s Dress Boots $96.75
Get yourself all revved up and ready to go when you throw on these bangin’ boots and hit the streets! Easy pull-on construction. Ruched suede upper. Man-made lining. Lightly cushioned man-made footbed. Hidden wedge heel.

Seychelles Athens Sweater Boot $99.99
Seychelles Athens Sweater Boot, perfect for everyday wear as well as for a casual night out on the town. Overview: Lace-up boot from Seychelles in soft leather. Sweater knit-lined ankle cuff. Corded cotton laces.

See More:
Hiker Booties, Wedge Boots, Riding Boots

1. Sue Sylvester
Grab that old track suit, put on your sneakers and all that’s left to buy is this megaphone currently on sale, to recreate the most popular character from the Emmy’s this year. To go the extra mile, you may want to purchase this whistle necklace which is also on sale.

2. Joan Holloway
Want to be someone a little more seductive? A short cocktail dress, retro accessories and this red wig will instantly transform you into Joan Holloway of Mad Men fame. For that extra something, try adding on this gold tassel necklace which is on sale for a limited time.

3. Lady Gaga
A Halloween favorite every year, this one is easy – just select the most outrageous outfit you can find such as this leather mini dress and pair it with equally outrageous accessories such as these over-sized sunglasses, black gloves and three-finger ring. It also wouldn’t hurt to wear your highest heels.

4. Angry Birds
If you’re looking to do a group theme, have a look at this selection of angry birds costumes. Angry birds are the hottest trend this year and with these one piece costumes at affordable prices, you have no reason to not dress up!

Remember, some of these retailers can take up to 10 days to ship so place your orders sooner rather than later! For more Halloween costume ideas, check out these lists from style experts at Pronto Style.

Well, the good news is, it’s entirely possible to dress up a graphic tee. The key, really, is creativity. Luckily, we’re here to help, for those of you who might need a little jump start.

One of the easiest and quickest ways to start is by throwing on a high-waisted skirt. Especially if the graphic on the tee is a bit overpowering, a high-waisted skirt can act as a neutralizer in that it may cut off part of the graphic, making your tee seem more like a blouse with a pattern.

The more of a pencil-type skirt, the better, like this one from Z Spoke by Zac Posen. Though it isn’t a true pencil skirt, the shape still works just in terms of where on the body it cuts off, plus the pin stripes are simple and small enough to blend well with any graphic. Brown, tan, and navy are great colors also, in terms of blending.

Pencil or more fitted skirts have more of a formal or business casual vibe, plus they’re pretty versatile such that you can pretty much wear almost anything with them, including, obviously, a graphic tee. The more simple and solid, the better, as you definitely don’t want your neutralizing skirt to compete with your tee.

Once you have your skirt, you’ll want to think about a sweater or blazer. A 3/4 sleeve sweater might be a bit more comfortable and less overused than a blazer, generally speaking in pairing with a graphic tee.

A cardigan with detail like this short-sleeved one from Magaschoni is ideal because again, it will cover up a great deal of your tee, while not covering it up entirely. Plus, you’ll be adding a touch of prim and properness with the ruched collar, which will again counteract the casualness of a tee.

Generally, the more dainty and ladylike you go with your cardigan, the nicer contrast you’ll have. Ruffles and embroidery can be nice and retro as well.

To put the final accent on your formal graphic tee outfit, you’ll need the proper shoes and jewelry. Pearls or chunky necklaces with ribbons and broaches are a go-to here for putting the final touches on the upper half of your outfit.

With shoes you can go 2 ways—you can either get some heels with a sporty but business-casual edge (something with tweed, perhaps), or you can get some very matronly-looking shoes with a twist of a very high heel. These Ellen Tracy tweed heels combine both of these elements quite nicely.

Though we advise against combining tweed with pinstripes, generally speaking, the more creative you get with your trial and error in throwing pieces together, the closer you’ll get to creating something amazing. Even if it doesn’t totally make sense to throw disparate pieces together at first, it could inspire you to think of other things that work even better.

Take, for example, sweater coats. Not only can they be used on their own over a tank or tee in the fall, but in winter, you can layer over, say, a long sleeved shirt and a smooth cashmere sweater. If you get a sweater coat with a chunky knit, voila, you’re on trend. The effect will be more of a comfortable, soft one as compared to wearing an ordinary winter coat.

This chunky-knit wool sweater coat from Stella McCartney definitely fits the bill. Comfortable and versatile, its sleeves look even more chic pushed up.

The fun thing here in terms of creating your silhouette, you can essentially turn up or down the volume of structure, depending on the size and texture of your knit. The more knotted and bulky the knit, the less rigid your structure.

If you want something a little more geared towards fall, this featherweight, short-sleeved cable-knit long sweater from St. John is ideal.

The russet color and cowl neck are especially nice. Overall, it’s perfect for wearing over long sleeves and leggings, and it’s got the thick knit thing down without burning you up too much in the fall.

Nordic patterns, Scottish Highland plaid, and long shaggy trim details are just some other trendy directions to go with winter sweaters. One especially unique twist that can work great right smack in the middle of the fall-winter temperature transition are sweater blazers. MARC by Marc Jacobs has a great Scottish Highland plaid print sweater blazer.

The subdued collar may even work as an underneath-layer, rather than a top, if you’re feeling saucy. One of the highlights of this piece too, is that though Highland plaid is on-trend, it’s still a classic print that will last through any year and practically any season.

Obviously the width of your bag should coincide with your laptop, as well as any 8 1/2 by 11″-sized documents you’ll probably be carrying around. The aim here is to be able to carry all the things you need while still being comfortable with your bag, all the while maintaining a professional appearance. Nothing looks more incongruous and awful than a business professional outfit with, say a sparkly sequined hobo bag from last night’s club outing.

The more basic the bag design, the more safe you are, generally. This Hamilton leather Tote from Michael by Michael Kors is a great example of something very basic, professional, and functional.

Leather is a go-to for purses when it comes to looking professional. The strap choices here are great, as you can carry it both handheld, and over the shoulder- especially handy if you’ve got your laptop in there.

If you want something a little more versatile, and potentially less sweaty (you know how waiting for a job interview or giving a presentation can sometimes be), perhaps it’s better to go with canvas or another fabric. Be careful, though, because fabric can sometimes tend to be a little too casual.

This Mira canvas tote from Hermes is the perfect size for books, computers, and folders galore, yet has a very clean, no-nonsense look.

The other great thing about this tote is that because it’s not leather, it’s more versatile for use on vacations or just casual outings. You’ll still look elegant and chic, but not out of place or overdressed. Though we can’t stress enough how this silhouette is to die for, perhaps something a little more out of the “box” is more your style?

Though a basic square or rectangle makes the most obvious sense for storing work items on the go, maybe your job requires a bit more whimsy or fun. Even if it doesn’t, it’s always great to inject a bit of it into your life, especially if your job is quite the opposite. This Nylon Q Mabel Tote from Marc by Marc Jacobs has an eye-catching reverse-bell shape, and can even be classified as sporty.

Don’t get too scared, though. Details like the signature gold plate, pleat details, and dark color make it suitable for the office. Especially during the rainy and snowy months, this bag will be great at protecting your documents from the elements, given the poly-nylon fabric.

]]> http://blog.prontostyle.com/bags/work-bags/feed/ 7 http://blog.prontostyle.com/bags/summer-fashion-for-fall-2010/ http://blog.prontostyle.com/bags/summer-fashion-for-fall-2010/#comments Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:54:54 +0000 Anna Graizbord http://blog.prontostyle.com/?p=1601 Isn’t it a drag to have to put your favorite summer pieces away once it starts to get cold? This summer has certainly seen its share of fun trends, but it’s no reason to send your wardrobe into a complete upheaval the second you spot the first brown leaf on the sidewalk. Here are some awesome summer picks that can easily be translated into fall.

The bra, bralette, bustier, and general trend of underwear as outerwear was very hot this summer, most likely due to the unusually, er, hot summer this year. In the midst of summer, they’re cute with shorts and skirts, being an ideal piece to keep the heat out. But for fall, they can easily be layered under a flannel, a soft sweater, or jacket.

This cropped bustier top from Rare Opulence is ideal for layering under big, soft sweaters, with its beading giving an elegant and dainty accent. It’ll be a real treat especially for indoor areas that go overboard too soon with heating.

White was also a hot color for summer, with all-white ensembles especially being on trend. Just as much as white can evoke a very resort type of vibe, it can also add a bright splash to an outfit without actually adding color or putting off darker fall or earth tones too much.

We love accessorizing pared-down summer outfits with the ultimate summer accessory of a chunky necklace. And what better way to add a splash of a little white something to a fall outfit while not letting go of your big statement piece from the summer?

This chunky white collar necklace from French Connection would add the perfect twist on a regular pearl necklace to a tailored blue shirt or an olive green shiftdress.

Another hot color from the summer was yellow. Though of course one can easily transition regular old yellow from summer to fall in a variety of ways, gold is actually the hottest shade in the family of yellow for the fall.

This Garden Grove bag from Kate Spade is the perfect balance of the subtlety and sophistication of fall and the fun and flirtiness of summer. The laser-cut flower detail is an especially nice delicate touch with the leather. We can picture this paired with a nice camel-colored cardigan and maybe a dark pleated skirt.

So, you really don’t have to say goodbye to summer entirely, especially when color and fitted tops are concerned.

And just because it’s always fun to draw inspiration into the mix of incorporating upcoming trends into your look, here are 3 most excellent 90s pop cultural picks for inspiring you into the Fall 2010 groove.

Though a bit of an obvious choice, you’ll have to admit- Clueless’s Cher did have some wickedly playful preppy style. Particularly sharp here was her crisp oxford shirts mixed in with mini skirts, knee socks, and headbands. Over-the-knee highs are going to be very hot, even going into winter. But, oxford shirts will definitely always be a staple in your closet, like this 3/4 sleeve from Land’s End.

We love layering oxford shirts, especially 3/4 sleeve, over tees with formal shorts, tights and flats. There’s something about this color blue, also that goes with practically anything, and always seems to add that bit of polish perfect if you think you might be going a little too casual for work

If you were a pre-teen or teen during the 90s, the daytime teen soap Swans Crossing might have been on your radar. If you’re a Buffy fan, you might have recognized a young Sarah Michelle Gellar starring as Sydney Rutledge, young, conniving, yet sophisticated socialite of said hollow, Swan’s Crossing. A pre-Sweet Valley High Brittany Daniel played Sydney’s bubblegum blonde rival, Mila, but we prefer Sydney’s precocious sophistication that almost smacked of “European teen on vacation”.

Sydney, perhaps as a visual foil to Mila’s omnipresent pink and white polka dots, always somehow seemed to work stripes and darker colors into her ensembles. This Hali Crewneck shirt from Lauren by Ralph Lauren definitely has a Sidney Rutledge vibe.

Whether tucked under a black or gray high-waisted skirt, or worn with dark jeans and boots, you’ll be halfway to playing hardball at your next meeting, or just be looking extra sharp for a jaunt about town.

Though this is sort of cheating, because it’s a movie from the 90s about the 70s, Mila Jovovich’s character (did anyone actually address her by name in the movie?) in Dazed in Confused is right on trend with her fringe vest. True, she didn’t have a huge part, but it’s undeniable that this movie wouldn’t be complete without her aesthetic presence.This messenger double layer fringe handbag from Prezzo invokes the 70s by way of the 90s quite nicely in reinterpreting for Fall of 2010.

A bargain at $25.45, it’s also not as scene-making and fussy as some fringe bags can be, with its straight up and down, somewhat contained ad subdued fringe, making it a little more versatile for any age upwards from 17. The various shades of brown available too, are perfect for transitioning from Summer to Fall.

So what’s the secret to not having to completely overhaul the styles you like to wear? Clearly, you’ll need to find shoes that will transition well from  at least one season to another. This can be tricky, however, because although it is possible to wear some types of open toed-shoes or even strappy-ish heels with tights or with long pants, not every single type will work.

The key is finding shoes in darker or earth-tone colors, with thicker straps and/or more coverage in the toe area, even if they are an open-toe style. Generally, you’ll want to avoid cork and espadrille in the heel area, though sometimes they actually can work well, but you’ll have to choose and accessorize carefully.

These Sunpower Stripe shoes from Fred Perry are a pretty classic example of a good transitional shoe from summer to fall. They’re open-toed, canvas, and partially white, making them ideal for summer, but they’re also partially black, and have fairly full coverage for an open-toe. You can easily throw some black or gray tights under these.

Strappy wedges that practically scream Summer are a bit more difficult to disguise or pull off. These funky Melrose shoes by Coconuts look like they could’ve been found in Chrissy Snow’s Santa Monica closet. However, even though they’re relatively strappy and ornate, because they’re patterened with primarily earth colors, you can pull off wearing these with olive green, dark brown, chestnut brown, or even tan-colored tights. You can even try a total 70s throwback by wearing these with some olive polyester bell slacks with a slim-fitting thin solid-color blouse (maybe in gray) tucked in for work

The most versatile shoes, however, that happen to also be the biggest shoe trend of 2010, are clogs- I hope you’ve been on the Clog Watch as we have. They’re durable, they’re stylish, and are great in virtually any climate or temperature– even in New York winters, believe it or not! Elie Tahari makes these gorgeous Savannah leather heeled clogs with a breezy back for summer and tough sole for winter.

Maybe there’s a connection between 1970s fashion and all-season-friendly shoes? Maybe it’s time to re-watch Annie Hall and Saturday Night Fever for some more inspiration before it starts getting too cold!

Fortunately, khaki, with its breathe-ability and warm color-range perfect for any season is an ideal solution for transitioning your existing wardrobe or informing your in-between-season clothing purchases.

Dresses and skirts are the least worrisome in terms of transitioning, as you can essentially throw some tights under them once fall rolls around. Tory Burch certainly seems to be getting into the between-season khaki dress and skirt spirit. This Pepper drawstring dress is ideal for their breeziness and mutable ability to be worn with boots.

Khaki pieces are also so perfect from summer-to-fall because they seem to the perfect material for sudden rainstorms that unexpectedly cool things down. Roll-up sleeves can be key here, as virtually no other type of material adds that casual-yet-groomed appearance, plus they can add or reduce just the right amount of warmth depending on which side of a sudden rainstorm you’re on.

This Anorak piece from Ali Ro has rainstorm written all over it. Its unique design is meant to mimic a raincoat of sorts, featuring a back flap, a lovely spread collar, and deep pockets with zippers- which is our favorite feature, as it’s always ideal for keeping your ID and money safe, especially if you’re caught at an outdoor concert during a flash storm.

Khaki, though, shouldn’t be necessarily limited to the actual material. The range of colors that khaki encompasses can be utilized on any type  of fabric, as unfortunately, one can’t always wear khaki to any sort of occasion, however versatile it may be. For a more formal occasion, Tory Burch’s Oleander dress is ideal for throwing on a pair of gray tights underneath or for wearing on its own for an end-of-summer bash.

Similarly to to dresses, and even more so with skirts, shorts can be utilized for fall by wearing tights or leggings underneath them. Darker shorts, however, seem to work a little better just in terms of color continuity for fall colors, and won’t look out of place during hotter temperatures, either. Paired with strappy wedges or boots, you can even lose the tights fairly easily and still look awesome, should that prove to be overkill, temperature-preparation-wise.

These shorts from Diane Von Furstenburg are great, because they’re not too tight, but have the cuffing option to be short enough to show off even more of your legs.

Layering, or course, is virtually essential in any summer-to-fall transition, and, even moreso during this particular seasonal transition in which the range in temperature may vary dramatically, any day-to-night transition. If tights are the go-to layering item for the waist-down, then wraps and jackets are your most obvious layering item for the waist-up.

Isn’t it awful when your office air conditioning system has failed to catch up with what the actual weather is like outside? This linen khaki-colored blazer by Vince is a perfect for remedying this unfortunate office reality, or any other situation that calls for a number of stages in upper body coverage. Khaki blazers give a touch of formality while remaining super versatile, blending well with a 3/4 sleeve top, a tank, or even a graphic tee.

Khaki material and colors don’t even have to be limited to clothing. A great way to save money while still remaining season-appropriate and chic is to get accessories in earth tones. What better way to go earth-toned than with khaki?

Bags are almost like coats in the sense that if you don’t find one that can easily blend or don’t get sick of looking at constantly, you can be sort of feel begrudgingly stuck with it. This canvas khaki-colored roll-up tote with leather accents from Clava is pretty to look at in virtually any season, but is especially suitable for, say, a Nantucket sailing trip, and for a jaunt through an apple orchard.

Whatever clothing or accessory item you choose either in your shopping journey, or from within your own wardrobe, khaki is a definite essential color and material when it comes to making your way from summer to fall.

]]> http://blog.prontostyle.com/this-season/fall/khaki-perfect-transition-pieces-from-summer-to-fall/feed/ 1 http://blog.prontostyle.com/must-have-accessories/simple-summer-accessories/ http://blog.prontostyle.com/must-have-accessories/simple-summer-accessories/#comments Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:36:51 +0000 Blair Pfander http://blog.prontostyle.com/?p=1560 We love throwing on a a pile of bracelets in the summer–as we always say, as the clothes become “less,” the accessories become “more,” and vice versa.  Here’s a few easy picks to get you through the rest of summer and well into the autumn.

First up is this bangin’ braided bracelet from Banana Republic.  The beaded leather and mixed metal details are killer, and we’re liking the idea of mixing it with a big mens watch, or some jangly vintage silver bangles. For $24, this is a style steal you can’t afford to miss.

House of Harlow has been cooking up some killer accessories this season, and these heavy gold bangles are covered in textured leather and tiny pyramid studs.  We love that they’re simple at first glance, but still designed and elegant upon closer inspection. $113 each.

Last but not least, we’re ordering these purple rhinestone leather bracelets from American Eagle post-haste.  The criss-crossed yarn details and amethyst-like color would be perfect with a gaggle of mixed chain bracelets, or a great big cuff. Props are definitely due to American Eagle for stepping up their game–and for their buy one, get one 50% off promotion!

Kain label’s ikat cutoffs are cut “up to there” and come with a quirky embroidered print.  There’s even a touch of hillbilly charm with the exposed pocket liners and super low-slung styling.  We think the unusual print would look great with a pale blue button down or a gauzy white henley.

If you prefer something a little more classic, check out J Brand’s white cutoff short-shorts, which come in a subtle pale gray wash with just enough distressing along the front pockets (we’re sick to death of that ripped-to-shreds denim look. We can pulverize our own jeans, thanksverymuch). We also love the soft frayed hem, which is we guarantee will continue to fray and warp with every wash. Pair with lace-up sandals, a chunky bracelet and silky top for beat-the-heat summer style.

A lightweight summer scarf is perfect for reasonable climates when, come 5 o’clock, the temperature drops ten degrees and you need an extra layer to wrap around your shoulders.  For some reason, summer scarves also look fantastic worn over simple tank tops–almost like a giant necklace. Our first pick is this crepey fringey scarf by Chan Luu, in a crinkled viscose.

Summer scarves are also excellent “transitional’ pieces, which means you can go from Indian Summer to full-blown Fall with the same accessory tied about your neck.  We like a soft print or floral pattern, like the above pale lilac option from Ann Taylor Loft.  At just $40, we guarantee this little guy will see you through months of use. For now, though, maybe only wear it indoors, with the air-conditioning blasting.

The mango butter lipstick is a super hydrating formula that keeps our lips soft without getting goopy or slimy-looking.  As an extra bonus, the lipstick has protective SPF 10, so you can do some serious summer lounging without fear of burning.  Available in eight natural pink shades, we guarantee you’ll be reaching for this tube again and again.  Personally, we go for the Natural Pink 13 as a day-to-day color, but the Fuschia comes out on special occasions, or as a pop of color with an all-white outfit.

If you’re more of a lip balm type of gal, be sure to to check out Korres’ super-soft Lip Butters. We love the Jasmine as a neutral to wear over a more saturated lip color, and the Quince is handy if you’re looking to add a hint of color without looking overly made-up.

Happily, everyone was loving stripes this season, so there are automatically about two thousand fashionably festive options to choose from. If you’re doing something a tad ritzy this weekend, go with Jean Paul Gaultier’s couture, which features sequined stripes on a classic white A-line dress. This would pair wonderfully with a picnic basket and some white d’orsay pumps.

For a more colorful (not to mention more affordable) option, check out the striped cotton knit dress from See by Chloe.  We like that it still incorporates the stripe trend, and keeps things summery with a splash of yellow and cream. Pair with a panama hat, some beat-up brown sandals and slices of watermelon. Now on sale for $82.50, this little number is sure to go in a hurry.

These flirty shorts from Nordstrom look straight out of Dirty Dancing Havana Nights. With a bold, fluid tropical print, you can wear them to a concert in the park or to your favorite cocktail spot. Just make sure to add on a pair of strappy platform sandals and some bangles if you’re sporting them at night.

This pair of stripe pocket shorts is casual, comfy, and ready for the flea market or even the beach. The soft, faded cotton would pair perfectly with slouchy tank, fedora, and flat sandals. There are many flounce shorts out there to fit your style, from dressy silks to casual cottons. So go grab a pair and sit, stand, romp and wait on the street corner with confidence.

It seems there are more sun hat options available than ever, from colored fedoras with embellished ribbon trims to big, floppy caps hats to dainty cloches a la Coco Chanel.  We see no reason not to embrace all summer sun hat styles, since they’re all suited to slightly different occasions (do not wear a giant hat to your office unless you like strange looks) and slightly different outfits.

In the floppy category, we’re loving Roxy’s budget friendly “sandbox hat” for just $28.  Pack along with a teeny polka dot bikini and some strappy sandals for your next beach escape, or just loll about in the park with a good book.

As for the uber-hip fedora, we were shocked to find a sweet, logo-less option from American Eagle for $26.50.  If you’re not prepared to spend a lot of money on a fedora, try to keep the style as simple as possible. Too much design on a bargain-priced hat can start to look cheap and–yikes–a touch tacky, if you’re not careful.

Last but not least, we were thrilled to discover that Talbots is currently offering a chic straw cloche, complete with adorable belt buckle detail, for $34.  Coco would be proud.

Our primo pick is the cargo ankle jean by Vince. At $241, they’re definitely an investment, but consider how much you’ll wear them this summer (they look spectacular with everything from wifebeaters to dressier blouses) and the cost feels justified. For a casual day in the park, be sure to pair with a beat up baseball hat and creamy white converse.

Of course, the notorious pair of skinny cargos that set off the whole frenzy was Houlihan by J Brand, on which Cathy Horyn based an entire post on her New York Times blog, On the Runway.  Sold out for months, the style has only just returned to shopbop, where they will no doubt sell out again if you don’t act quickly.  Alas, they’re also priced steep at $231, but you can’t put a price on looking this effortlessly hip.

We’re fans of Urban Outfitters’ surplus jacket with big cargo pockets and a front zipper.  The cushy oversize design leaves plenty of room for layering in the the fall or winter, or let it hang loose as a light summer jacket. As an extra bonus, it’s made from recycled materials, so there’s a bit of a “green” incentive to make your stylish new purchase.

Also of note is Scotch & Soda’s perfect army jacket in khaki canvas. We love the crumpled texture, tapered waist and snap front closures. For the guys: pair with cuffed chinos, a pale blue oxford and some white Vans. For the gals: try with a pencil skirt, silky blouse and a statement necklace.

Mega-talented head wear designer Eugenia Kim is famous for her stylish caps and fedoras, made even more popular by a recent Target Go International collaboration. Less known are her fabulous cloth headbands, which are subtle, silky, and feminine. We’re loving her “Rosie” headband in a red plaid, perfect with blousy top and some destroyed denim. Now on sale for $55 (marked down form $110), this is a summer accessory must.

Also of note is the super chic “watersnake” knot headband by–believe it or not–Juicy Couture.  Whoever is heading up their accessory development has been hitting it out of the park lately. We think this simple headband would be great for keeping hair out of your face at the beach, or worn with a high bun.

One of our favorites is this cropped grey pair by Robert Rodriguez, a designer who’s never afraid to experiment with over-the-top trends. The shorter length makes them a tad more season appropriate (like everyone else, we typically associate sequins with holiday pieces), and we dig the relaxed fit and neutral grey sequins.  Try with a silver metallic clutch and a baggy blue button-down for a super chic look that’s totally “now.” And good news: they just went on sale for $192.50.

If we had a magic fashion genie that granted our every style wish, we would ask for Stella McCartney’s sequin midnight blue harem pants in lightweight cotton.  Net-a-Porter styled them with a crisp black blazer, simple black shell, YSL tribute sandals and a big oversize tote bag.  Personally, we’d try ‘em with a cute cropped sweater and some buckled sandals.

Which is why we’re so grateful to brands like WeSC (“We Are the Superlative Conspiracy”) who make fuss-free layering pieces in cotton season after season. This white 50’s inspired “Filipa” cardigan features a micro houndstooth panel and a black rib knit flower–perfect for adding some retro flair to a breezy beach outfit or over a simple floral sundress. Now marked down from $118 to $55, it’s practically a summer layering steal.  We love the slouchy arms and thin black placket.  All it needs are some cat-eye sunglasses, a big mixed chain necklace and a deep dark tan. When you look this cool, you don’t even care that it’s supposed to be 80 degrees all week.

It’s impossible, right? That’s because Kidrobot has struck upon some weird fashion technology that is universally appealing in spite (or because of) all the goofy cartoon faces.  You might think you’re too sophisticated for Kidrobot, but as it turns out, Kid Robot is too sophisticated for you.  This particular T-shirt not only features a love-able bunny with facial hair, but it features his rear-end on the back, too.  Scientifically engineered to make you giggle.

Or, if you prefer a more politically charged fluffy bunny t-shirt, why not go with the timely “Oil Slick Dunny” (“dunnies”, we just discovered, are what they call bunnies in the Kidrobot universe) tee.  Sure, he’s a little scarier than the mustache bunny, but oil spills are a heckuva lot scarier than mustaches, so they’re just being realistic.

We often keep a pair on hand as “rescue shoes” when we can take no more of our 4-inch heels.  They’re also the footwear of choice at our local laundromat, and lord knows, nothing beats ‘em when it comes to giving yourself a much-needed pedicure.  Available in literally every print, pattern, and color under the sun, one could feasibly match everything in their closet to a pair of Havaianas sandals, if they were so inclined.

It’s pretty tough to choose a favorite among 500 fabulous flip flop options, but we are (predictably) enamored of these preppy nautical stripe editions, dubbed “the lighthouse sandal.” Since the pattern is underfoot, nobody will have to know that we’ve actually matched our nautical-stripe tee (which, at this point, is a little bit like our uniform) to our flip flops. That might be too nerdy to actually handle.

One such mega-brand is Derek Lam, whose impeccable taste has never once steered us wrong.  This season we’re head-over-heels for his tropical print one-shoulder dresses, which are just begging to be taken for a test run on some distant sandy beach, accessorized with a mojito and SPF 15.

His hibiscus-print sun dress will work beautifully during the day with a pair of metallic sandals and a denim jacket, but could just as easily translate to night with a pair of sky-high wedges and a big gold cuff. Pair with a tote during the day or a little straw clutch in the evening, or, for a more office appropriate look, style the dress with a thin black belt and fitted linen blazer. You won’t need much in the way of accessories, so let the print do most of the talking.  It occurs to us that this would look absolutely stunning with one of the season’s bright coral lipsticks.

Marc Jacob’s budget-friendly diffusion line, Marc by Marc Jacobs, jumped on the bow trend asap-ity with their soft leather clutches in dozens of candy colors.  We adore the bright interior lining, perforated leather details, and the fact that the bow is actually incorporated into the flap of the bag.  Logo-lovers will relish in the dangling MJ charms.  Best of all? The clutches are priced under $300, making them fabulous rough-and-tumble evening bags.

For a slightly different (though equally adorable) bow-bag option, check out Marc’s charming snap-closure clutch.  Though a little smaller in size, this second clutch still packs a statement-making punch with bright grape leather and brass hardware. We dig the demure little bow and the spray-painted silk lining. Try with a jumpsuit, a silk navy blazer and a bright purple manicure for a fun, eclectic evening look.  Maybe even slip a bow clip in your hair for good measure.

One trend we’re loving this season are buckle-up heels, which are pretty much exactly what they sound like: heels with buckle straps all over them.  Some of the more popular ones we’ve been seeing around feature a few too many straps, and are only guaranteed to stay in style ’til, oh, July.  Happily, Mr. Kors has whipped up a trend-proof pair featuring a modest six straps (some of the competing styles have more like thirty) in shiny patent leather. Plus, with their generous 4″ 1/4 inch heel, you will literally be towering over the competition.

As far as styling concerned, these puppies are a no-brainer: pair with anything from skinny jeans and a big cardigan to a flimsy summer dress.  We like this soft jersey knot-front dress by Phillip Lim in dark navy.  Add a pile of tangled-up jewels at the neck and a slinky black blazer and you’re good to go.

It is important to understand that this is no ordinary shampoo: you see,  it is a hair experience. The main ingredients are peppermint (to “awaken the senses”) and rosemary (the oils from which are said to protect hair follicles against environmental damage).  The result of these two power-ingredients being combined is that it smells good enough to drink, and better yet, the shampoo actually delivers on the promise printed on the bottle–specifically, to add body and shine without stripping hair of its natural oils!

Personally, we suffer from fine, limp hair that generally lays completely flat and lifeless atop our head unless we abuse it with the hair dryer. Not the case with the Rosemary Mint shampoo: somehow, this magic elixir manages to inject hair with major volume and shine that lasts all day long (even with this humidity) and never goes flat.  Hustle to the pharmacy and pick up a bottle, or peruse the complete Aveda product line-up. You can’t go wrong: as far as we can tell, everything this company makes is spectacular.

But just because they’re classic does’t mean they have to be dull.  Take this full pleated skirt from Marc by Marc Jacobs, now on sale for $118.80.  An uneven pattern and fun coral color keep the polka-dot modern and quirky–and without making you look like you work at the circus.

Likewise, this adorable bra-and-undies underpinnings set by Marni features an off-kilter polka dot pattern in a soft sheer mint.  Wear under a tank with deeply cut arms as a meant-to-be-seen accessory, or keep things under wraps with a matching nightie.

For a slightly more retro look, check out Phillip Lim’s tie-back sundress in an elegant coral and navy polka dot. Perfect as a beach cover-up or as a breezy summer layer, you can never go wrong with Lim’s quirky/classic style.  Be forewarned–this baby is serisously short, and might even require bike-shorts underneath depending on your comfort level.

]]> http://blog.prontostyle.com/trend-alert/covered-in-dots/feed/ 8 http://blog.prontostyle.com/accessories/reinvented-wayfarers/ http://blog.prontostyle.com/accessories/reinvented-wayfarers/#comments Mon, 10 May 2010 18:53:51 +0000 Blair Pfander http://blog.prontostyle.com/?p=1445 Ray-Ban’s signature Wayfarers have enjoyed a major surge in popularity these past couple years–which is a-ok with us, considering they go with positively everything in our closet.  As sales continue to rise, Ray Ban began producing a wide range of “fashion” colors (you’ve seen the white ones on everyone from Reese Witherspoon to Cory Kennedy),  so that customers could feasibly match their sunglasses with, say, their mango-colored lipstick if they’re so inclined.

We’re not be so extreme with the color-outfit coordination, but we are indeed feeling these new honey-colored frames in an updated Wayfarer shape (typically, Wayfarers are square along the brow line, but these new versions feature a high arch). The clear amber hue makes them a perfect summertime upgrade, but is still neutral enough to wear year-round.

Even more exciting are these snazzy collapsible editions in tortoise and classic black. Folding down to next to nothing, you could keep your new sunnies snug in the pocket of your jeans or jacket and bust ‘em out at a moment’s notice.  Ah, the wonderful world of marketing–we never realized regular-size sunglasses were so inconvenient until we found out they could get even smaller!

Which is why we’re loving belt bags so much this year.  No, not fanny packs–belt bags! Like the name suggests, you just string these puppies through your belt loops and use the little cargo pouch for all your essentials. Plus,  some of them even double as a adorable mini-satchels. We’re obsessing over the Double Wrap Belt Bag from Newport News for just $29, which comes with a removable pouch, double zip pockets and buckle closure.  It’s made of faux-leather, so you don’t need to worry about ruining your fancy new accessory in a sudden summer downpour.

If you prefer  a little designer street cred with your belt bag, look no further than Be & D’s glamorous studded belt variety, which can also be worn as a shoulder bag or clutch. Of course, anything by Be & D is a little more spendy than $30–this one comes in at  a whopping $488. Sadly, ’tis the price we pay for “convenience chic.”

Today, we have good news: after an exhaustive clog search, we succeeded in finding a pitch perfect knock-off by Jeffrey Campbell…and they might even be a little cooler than the original Chanel version (gasp!). The Stampede Open Toe Clog for $135 features a grommeted sole, leather upper, and slick wraparound ankle straps in black patent–a design detail that’s totally absent from the Chanel versions. Daisy Duke herself couldn’t do better.

Another drool-worthy clog option is Miu Miu’s dove-print version in ochre yellow. These babies are impossible to find in stores, but happily, Saks is now carrying them online.  Perfect with a pair of cuffed linen shorts and a cropped sweater, it’s very possible that these kickin’ clogs will become your choice summer accessory.  If you’re in love (we empathize), it’s advisable to act fast: we guarantee this second batch won’t last long.

There’s truly no better way to show off newly acquired curves than with one of Leger’s signature body-con cocktail dresses–and we really mean body con. Leger’s pieces use a combination of nylon, rayon, and spandex that hug every angle and play up your most alluring spots.  This little batik-print number features a web-like texture, sleek shoulder cutouts and a plunging back. Maybe it’s not exactly suitable for your grandma’s barbecue, but there was never a better confidence booster. Save it for a chic cocktail party or a fancy dinner on the town, paired with a big cuff bracelet, a smart jacket, and some peep-toe Manolo Blahniks.

Now excuse us, we have some sit-ups to do if this dream is ever going to become a reality.

But just because they’re classics doesn’t mean they have to look exactly the same year after year.  We always look for a few on-trend updates when buying a new pair of espadrilles (we tend to run ours into the ground during the summer), like a new color or design detail. This season, we’re loving See by Chloe’s preppy pomegranate espadrilles with a front tassel and charm.  These would go great with everything from a flimsy floral-print romper to a pair of high-waist khaki shorts and a men’s button down. No matter how you style them, we 100% guarantee espadrilles will be your go-to sunny weather kicks.

If you prefer something more traditional (and hey, there’s nothing wrong with timelessness), look no further than Colin Stuart’s collection of candy-colored espadrilles for Victoria’s Secret, which at just $40 are both utterly chic and awesomely affordable. We love the contrasting canvas upper and leather front strap–and you must admit, the lemon-yellow color is by far the cutest.  Though we might be persuaded of the blue, too.

Instead, we’ll leave creative cut outs to the geniuses at Opening Ceremony, who consistently hit this trend out of the park.  Their white cotton/linen sweater is a play on the classic argyle pattern–only there are holes where there should be color.  Yeah, we told you: they’re geniuses. Alas, for $545, you won’t just have holes in your sweater.  You’ll have them in your pockets, too.

The beauty of this design is that it’s also crazy comfy and practical for summer. We like the way they’ve done the styling at Saks: a simple black bandeau top with a swept-up chignon and jeans.  The sweater would also make a fabulous cover-up on a sunny beach somewhere.

Alexander Wang also threw his cap into the cut-out ring this season, but we’re not as crazy about the burnt sienna stripes on this mockneck tunic. We do, however, love the asymmetrical hem in the back.

Frankly we’re not sure of our stance on it yet. Surely style isn’t supposed to be this easy?

Image by Garance Dore

In our opinion, the secret to the successful wear of sweat shorts and sweat pants lies entirely in the styling. Remove all notions of cheesy-poufs and your old sororiety t-shirt from your mind–this is not Saturday-morning-on-the-couch fashion. Above, our favorite Parisian blogger, Garance Dore, styles some DIY sweat shorts with with black booties, a pale blue oxford and black blazer.  Crisp, simple, and casual.

You can get the same look via–who else?–wunderkind Alexander Wang’s slub terry sweat shorts for $96–or you could just go to Walmart and buy a pair by Hanes. Trust us, $96 is a big improvement from the $300 version Wang released last year. We think a cuffed hem gives the shorts just an extra inch of sophistication, and we highly, highly, recommend wearing heels. You know, to avoid looking like you just came from the gym.

Right now, you can pick up anything from a designer tie-dye sweatshirt to a pair of tie-dye clogs (don’t ask us how they pulled that off, production-wise).  Maybe we were late to get the memo, but judging by the offerings at trend-setting online boutiques like Shopbop and Opening Ceremony, tie-dye is definitely going to be “it” for summer.

Since tie-dye itself is faintly ridiculous–as everything with a strong politico-fashion history is–we think it works best when it’s a little bit snarky, like these preppy Top-Sider boat shoes by Sperry.  Favored by the likes of JFK and J. Crew models, boat shoes do NOT traditionally communicate peace-love-and-happiness; more like yacht-club-and-screwdrivers.  These are two distinct style movements that have pretty much nothing to say to eachother.

Which is why it’s totally brilliant to combine them in a single shoe. Don’t think about it too hard, because it basically makes no sense, but we love the idea of contrasting “yuppie” and “hippie” design elements.  Wear these to a summer barbecue with your college buds: we suspect they’ll spark some lively conversation (they did at our apartment).

Spring  jackets are tough.  We’ve mentioned this before: the weather is still sorta/kinda chilly, so you definitely need an extra layer, but what to do if your outfit requires a little more polish than a simple cardigan or wrap?  Lightweight jackets in jersey with a sharp cut are hard to find, but if you snag a good one, you’ll be set for seasons to come (you may even want to pick up multiple colors, if they’re available).

Spring is also a great time to start experimenting with fun, feminine patterns and shapes before the summer.  We tend to think of Spring as a test run: try a few trends that you’re interested in, like a pastel or a funky print, and you’ll figure out what works for you before the really hot weather settles in.

There are oodles of details to love about these call-of-the-wild kicks: the rope edge detail along the sole, the slim silk laces, the funny miniature cap-toe, the hand-painted canvas.  Oh, and did we mention they come in leopard, too? That’s right: you can choose your preferred zoo style personality! We see zebra prints a little less often than leopard…but go with your gut. The good news is that it’s a rare win-win fashion situation.

Paramount Pictures

Um, duh! This week, we’ve seen everything from crop tops to knee-high socks on the sidewalks of NYC.  Whether fashionistas know it or not, they’re borrowing directly from Cher, Dionne, and Tye.

We’re not really into the general bearing of belly-buttons, but worn with a pair of high-waist shorts, this tie-dye navy top by Velvet could be super cute (in a 1993 way) for spring.  On sale for $46 at Shopbop.com.

Standing in line at Dean & Deluca this week, we noticed a girl wearing a cute pencil skirt with a pair oftall knee socks and Chloe mary-janes.  Granted, it’s a tricky look to pull off: one wrong accessory and poof, you’re a Catholic school girl. But the Dean & Deluca girl made it work with sophisticated separates and a grown-up chignon. We recommend earthy colors that can blend in with your outfit–not pop out against it. Cher would be totally proud.

The heart-print umbrella by Moschino is sure to sweeten that dour rainy-day mood, and collapses to fit right inside a purse or backpack.  You’re not likely to be putting on a heart-print dress anytime soon (especially now that Valentine’s day is over), so why not indulge a girlish flight-o-fancy with your raingear?

This adorable yellow-check umbrella from Barney’s has a classic U-shaped handle and oodles of spring charm.  For $125, it’s definitely a more significant investment, but we think the cost is worth the “Ooh! Wow” moment that will surely come when you emerge from the subway, open your umbrella, and blow everyone away.

And, of course, we saved our favorite for last: the flamingo print umbrella from Target is just kitschy enough to be cool (not creepy), and will make us smile rain or shine.

Sweet Charity Lip Gloss, by Nars Cosmetics, has cool, blue undertones.

Our mother’s tried-and-true of establishing skin tone is to pull all your hair into a ponytail, wash your face, and wrap a white towel around your neck.  Supposedly (and there’s no science to this, but we think it works), the contrast of the white towel against your skin reflects its undertones.  If your skin appears more yellow next to the towel, then you’re a “warm”; if you’re slightly more blue, then you’re “cool.” You can also inspect the veins on the inside of your arm: if veins appear greenish (indicating yellow undertones), you’re warm.  The opposite is true if your veins appear true-blue.

YSL’s Pomegranate Red Lipstick has warm, orange undertones.

Once you know whether you have yellow or blue undertones to your skin, you should gravitate towards lipsticks with the same pigment bases. Makeup with cool, blue colors (there is such a thing as a blue-red lipstick, by the way) will, of course, look killer on someone with cool skin, and not-so-hot on someone with warm. On the flip-side, warm skinned people should check out lipsticks that are more in a “coral,” or orange-y family. And of course, classic red looks good on everybody.

We would be thrilled to look down at our feet and see these gorgeous wood and canvas sandals by Chloe strapped around our ankles. A bit more classic and refined than the uber trendy lace-up brown wedges of late (favored by Chloe Sevigny, Lou Doillon, etc), these are sure to you through more than a single season. Best of all, you can wear them this very minute, styled with a pair of opaque black stockings, pleated shorts and a snappy jacket.

We love the two-tone brown and beige leathers and double-banded ankle strap–it’s the little details that keep Chloe’s timeless footwear styles so edgy. Come summer, we’ll wear them with a pair of slim chinos, a baggy t-shirt and cropped, lightweight cardigan (like this slubbed square cardigan by the knitwear experts at Vince).  Accessorize with a tan and a picnic blanket.

One petite disclaimer: Hunter boots are famous for a protective white wax that comes to the surface after a few months of use.  Don’t be alarmed if you start to see white cloudi-ness forming on your new Hunter boots–they’re supposed to do that, and it’s precisely why they last for so long.  Just take a damp washcloth and remove the white residue if it’s bugging you.

A faux-croc texture is about as “exotic” as we get, but should you be even more prone to taking fashionable risks, we recommend Stuart Weitzman’s leopard print “puddles” boot. Sure, they may require a little more styling consideration, and we wouldn’t necessarily recommend matching them to your parka, but they’re an easy way to incorporate a bit more fun into gloomy, drizzly days.  For a head-to-toe jungle cat look, try wearing with a coordinating umbrella by Sherry Cassin.  You may get a few funny looks on the sidewalk, but folks are sure to appreciate your stylish take on the climate.

If you tend to stick with “safe” black and brown colors for your handbag, it’s fun to experiment with a loud pop of color or unexpected texture in a wallet. Unlike real python, the faux leather treatment actually ages much better, and won’t ruffle at the edges (real scales can even fall off), so you can beat it up without fear of losing your investment. The slightly oversized design boasts a whopping ten card pockets and interior zipper pouch for receipts and business cards; a strong metal frame closure ensures that change doesn’t end up in the bottom of your bag. Choose between two fun color options: “coral,” which includes splashes of white, brown, yellow and orange, and “mint,” a mixture of greys, limey greens and chartreuse.

We typically covet all of Mr. Wang’s pieces, but this one has left us a touch befuddled.  Is it supposed to look like we tied a sweatshirt around our waist–and, if so, isn’t it easier/less weird for Alex to actually make a sweatshirt and style it around a skirt? It’s the same statement, and the customer could wear the separate pieces for more than one season.

We get the whole trompe l’oeil, avant-garde effect: in fact, we’re big fans, and recently purchased a twisty “faux wrap” top from Phillip Lim.  So, yeah, we’re usually on board with this particular design movement. Yet, for some strange reason, we can’t wrap our head around this bizzaro skirt.  It’s great if you’re someone that can afford the whole look–which consisted of an oversize stripe sweater set in earthy brown, grey knee socks and open toe booties–but would you wear this come, say, September? Or even next spring? Is Alex so of-the-moment that he can’t design past a few short months? Inquiring minds want to know.

If you don’t already own a good raincoat (and no, we don’t mean your Patagonia jacket from highschool), we suggest you make it a priority this spring, when you’ll undoubtedly be spending more time in cute rainbooties than your fancy new heels. We’re loving this sweet toggled option from Obey in classic raincoat yellow.  For just $80, who can’t afford to stay dry?

April showers bring May flowers, and why not look ahead to nicer weather with your rainwear choices?  The cherry-blossom printed SunShower coat by Land’s End (seriously!) is great option for staying your rainy-day blues and keeping on-trend with a bold graphic print.  Wear with a chunky cream sweater and a slim pencil skirt (with some sturdy Hunter boots, of course) for unbeatable rainy day chic. You’ll look so good, you’ll wish the weather was this cruddy all the time.

You know what a snow storm gets us in the mood for? Spring. And you know what Spring gets us in the mood for? Shopping–go figure. There’s not a season you can throw at us that doesn’t make us want to spend dinero on things we sort-of-kind-of already have, but can easily justify buying newer, cooler versions of.

One such item is a parka (which we actually don’t already have, come to think of it): a mid-weight jacket that will transition easily from the waning days of winter (if winter would ever start waning) into the early days of spring. This hiking jacket by The North Face is a classic pick for the the rainy season, and we’re digging the roomy front pockets, contrasting zipper detail and wait-cinching detail. Black is our preferred color, five other options are also available.  Try with a pair of shiny black rainboots and some beat-up frayed denim, or a high-waisted skirt and a slick oxford shirt.  April showers never looked so good.

Known more for their selection of weekend and duffel bags, we were excited to discover Filson  started producing small carry-all totes (sort of like camera bags–and actually, they would work great as precisely that) in recent years.  The proportions of the messenger and laptop cases tend to be too large and bulky for women–but we think this little guy will suit us just dandy. Leather and canvas are the perfect compliments to Spring’s nautical themes and classic proportions.  It’s advisable to keep your top strap short at first, because we guarantee it will stretch out if you plan on using the bag often.  If you really want to see the leather break in beautifully, wear the bag out during a rainy day.  We realize not everyone is into this, but we love it when the leather fades and crackles at the edges.

You can expect plenty of peter pan colors, tailored blouses and girlish skirts. If you can’t wait til Fall when her collection comes out, check out Madewell’s limited collection for Shopbop.

Send In the Troops

I have a tendency to buy whatever catches my eye but it’s important to invest in key pieces.  The must-have piece for spring is a classic Military Jacket. They come in all different washes and weights from drapey anoraks to structured zip-ups. Madewell’s version is great for chilly weekends and toughening up any outfit.

Make a Statement

Besides being an amazing denim store, I can always count on Madewell to have some fun accessories to tie it all together.  This year jewelry has been getting bigger and bigger using interesting shapes and bright colors. The bib or statement necklace is still on the most-wanted list and that’s fine by me.  A perfect example, is this chunky gem necklace made of faceted glass pieces that form a beautiful abstract pattern.  Layer it on any outfit and it’ll pick up and reflect any color you wear.

“It” Girl Bag

How do you know you’re an “It” girl?  I’d say when you get a luxury bag named after yourself. For the hardcore Alexa fans, British fashion house, Mulberry aptly named this playful clutch the “Alexa Bag“.  Featuring a leopard print pattern and chunky hardware I can see this under the arm of any It girl in training.

This is another example of something you want to find at a vintage store–and maybe, if you had two years to scour the the country, you would–but is very difficult to locate in the right size and proportion.  Denim jackets in the eighties were, like everything else that decade, massive and shouldery, and will likely make you look a bit massive yourself.  More flattering is a simple cropped denim jacket with two breast pockets in the classic Gap tradition.  Yeah, it’s a little Brokeback Mountain, but the rugged outdoorsy trend is huge for fall–and those dudes had some serious style.

LA-based denim label Current/Elliot has made some of our favorite jeans in the past two years, and happily, they started producing cool, ultra-simple denim jackets. This Shearling-lined jacket is actually a pale blue corduroy, but looks close enough to denim to suit us. Plus, it’s two seasons old, and currently on sale for $110. Believe us, this is a deal to hop on–you’re going to kick yourself in six months when you end up spending $300 on the very same look.

Let’s Get Graphic

From left: Oscar de la Renta, Peter Som, Isaac Mizrahi

Who knew such a simple concept could look so good. Spring doesn’t always have to mean pastels and espadrilles. Black and White is the perfect transition color scheme that could really work for any season. Whether it’s eye-poppin shift dresses or stylish separates, this trend easily translates from the runway to reality.

Style Muse: Janelle Monae

I didn’t think it was possible for saddle shoes to make a comeback until I saw Janelle Morae. This soul star only dares to wear black and white combinations but the result makes for one stylish uniform. The female version of Andre 3000 for these times, she makes menswear and ascots look futuristic.  So in honor of Ms.Morae and my favorite fallen publication, Jane Magazine; I’ve chosen some options to try this trend yourself and included an accompanying “getting ready” playlist, to make dressing up even a little more fun.

Embellished shoulders are all the rage these days, but not everyone is ready to bust out the shoulder pads or break out the bedazzler. This simple body con dress from Topshop, is not your average little black dress. With just a few choice accents on top, you’ve got a mod look even Edie Sedgwick would be jealous of.

For a more casual take on the trend, I love this cute graphic tank from Sauce. Bows have also been big this year, but at the risk of looking like a school girl I like to avoid out-there headwear. Nicky Hilton here has the right style idea, pairing it with some black jeans. For a more date-night appropriate look, it’ll go great layered under a full skirt.

How could I even dissect this trend without mentioning the designer who basically invented the look. Chanel’s iconic black and white designs show up on everything from skirt suits, quilted bags, and of course, shiny flats. While the only thing Chanel most of us can afford is the nail polish, these patent pair of flats from Sam Edelman are close enough to the real thing for me. Slipping these on give you the instant sensation of being a “lady” even more than carrying a parasol or wearing white gloves.

One of the easiest ways to try something new, is to start small, like with accessories. Lizzie Fortunato makes mini-masterpieces with each piece of her jewelry. Using unconventional materials and interesting textures, each one of her pieces makes a statement. I love this Tuxedo Necklace made out of distressed gold and silver plated discs.  It even makes a plain white button down look subversive.

{Getting Ready Playlist}

New Young Pony Club- Grey
Velvet Underground -White Light White Heat
Burning Hearts- I Lost My Color Vision
White Town- Your Woman
Madonna- Vogue
Doves- Black and White Town
Nancy Sinatra- Bang Bang
Janelle Monae- Many Moons
White Stripes- Blue Orchid

Of course, in order to execute our grand weekend escape plan, we need some sort of luggage or carryall in which to pack our essential escape artist tools–specifically, the aforementioned new bikini and a good book. It needn’t be a behemoth suitcase, just something light, functional and classic that we can carry on a train and/or plane and bring with us as we dash to the shoreline.

Our top pick is the Mulholland Brothers Shorthorn Weekend Bag for $415.  Made of sturdy, leather-like polyvinyl, this old school weekend bag is fully waterproof and resistant to the cracks, scratches and scrapes one might pick up mid-excursion.  A padded and adjustable shoulder strap makes it easy to tote all over the world, and an exterior pocket with buckle closure is perfect for keeping the essentials close at hand. We love its old fashioned charm, and plan on beating it until it looks vintage over the remaining winter months.  Bon Voyage!

We’re currently sitting in the swanky W Hotel blogger lounge, a burger in hand and a box of miniature cupcakes reportedly “on the way” (thank you, Fashion Gods), checking out the footwear on our fellow style devotees as we wait for the next show.  The blizzard yesterday certainly didn’t make getting dressed this morning any easier (like that’s ever easy), so we’re seeing a torrential amount of practical over-the-knee boots.  We’ve reported on these before, but feel it’s a perfect occasion to reiterate their awesome, must-have-ness.  We had over twelve inches of snow in the city yesterday and were certain that wellies and galoshes would be ubiquitous at the tents today, but simple OTK boots have emerged as the true Fashion Week victors.

Our pick for today is a simple brown suede boot from Paul Green. It seems like everyone has a pair in black–and as always, it’s a very wise color choice–but we’re choosing the brown specifically because they’re NOT on every second human being we’ve seen today. The design is clean, simple, and season-less, without any hardware that could potentially cause an unfortunate outfit clash.

McQueen was found dead at his flat in London this morning having hanged himself. He had been depressed following his mother’s death last week. He is survived by his partner, documentary maker George Forsyth.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

Think of an evening bag like a piece of jewelry. Unlike your everyday bag, skip the black or brown neutrals and go with something bright that features heaps of eye-grabbing detail. We’re loving YSL’s extra roomy pale orchid clutch in eel-embossed leather. Lilac colors were all over the spring runways, and while it may not be the most flattering of tones to wear in a dress or coat, it works well as a springtime flourish in accessories (be sure to check out Elie Tahari’s patent lilac flats).

Working in the same color palette, we spotted Prada’s new champagne clutch with pink and violet rosettes in their Broadway store window and immediately added it to our spring wish list.  We think it would be refreshing to sport something unabashedly feminine and romantic in the wake of all the leather, shoulder pads, and silver studs that saturated this winter season.

A classic two-piece flannel night suit is a timeless choice, and we guarantee you’ll be reaching for your set again and again.  Exceptionally suited to nights on the couch with a piping mug of hot chocolate, some basic flannel pj’s will keep you toasty no matter how hard the snow is falling outside. We like this snappy white set from Target for $15 (but try and avoid spilling the hot chocolate, please).

If you prefer nightgowns in your pj drawer–and we don’t blame you, come to think of it they keep you a bit cooler at night–then check out Naturica’s lovely Flannel Nightshirt, on sale at Macy’s for $26. Just look at how much fun their model is having in this thing: clearly, the key to the good life can be found in yards and yards of Scottish plaid flannel sleepwear. Somehow, we sensed this all along. Don’t you just love fashionable epiphanies?

Which is why we’re always on the lookout for safe, simple jewelry buys that are neither too flashy nor too subtle.  Staples we can wear every day and look sufficiently accessorized without fear of losing our fashion footing.  An easy purchase is the “stackable,” or multi-piece bracelet set, like this collection of bangles by Rachel Leigh for Target.  A good set like this one allows you to mix-and-match the bright and simple bangles on a whim, and will blend in seamlessly with other pieces you likely already have in stock.  We like tying in “found” jewelry like old pieces of leather, or flea market finds, like 1970’s enamel bracelets (which seem to be kept in stock at any vintage store). Leigh’s Target collection is a double whammy since you get the bragging rights associated with wearing a Rachel Leigh design, but only have to cough up Target prices to do so.  Oh, we didn’t mention before? It’s just $34.99 for the whole set.

The primary considerations in selecting a day-to-day handbag are size, shape, and color (approximately in that order). As far as size goes, we’ve warned before about the dangers of choosing a massive hobo bag (somehow you’ll always find a way to fill them to the brim). Likewise, there’s not much use in choosing a clutch for everyday use, so stick to something in-between, a bag that will hold your daily essentials and maybe a book or water bottle.

For shoulder bags, we’re fans of the classic square or “bowler bag.” They’re not especially trendy, which in this case is a good thing since you’ll keep it dangling from your arm that much longer. Where color is concerned, go with your gut: if you’re a bright-color person and use a lot of bold color in your closet, try a red or cobalt blue handbag.  If, on the other hand, you tend to be a bit more reserved in your fashion palette, stick to can’t-miss blacks, greys and browns.

This gorgeous Botkier Leather Tao Satchel meets all our daily criteria: it’s a nice medium size, has plenty of pockets, sleek satin nickle hardware, and offers a bit more versatility with its detachable shoulder strap.  And of course, zipper detailing.  Can’t seem to get enough of the zipper detailing these days.

If you need a little more help, try our leather handbag buying guide.

First up: Reindeer Cufflinks, possibly the most painless option the internet has to offer. They’re cute, they’re cheap, and if anyone slaps you on the back and says “I can’t believe you didn’t dress up!” you can waggle your wrist in their face and say “Oh yes I did, SEEEE!!”

Then we have these quaint velour lounge pants and matching antlers from Webundies.com (actual tagline: “It’s not underwear, it’s fun to wear”).

Next up is the very adult and possibly least embarrassing silk tie from Jos A Bank. Get two for $20 and force the second onto an unsuspecting intern.

On second thought, scratch that “least embarassing” nomination: by far the least degrading reindeer accessory available is the one you put on your dog.  Strap a pair of antlers on Fido and everyone will be too distracted by the puppy’s holiday gear to notice that yours is severely lacking.

Our dazzlingly girly choice? Urban Outfitter’s Silver Tulle Headband for a whopping $15. With a pulled back ‘do and a sleek, simple dress, we can see wearing this little doozy to a Christmas Eve dinner, or saving it for New Years celebrations. If tulle is a bit circa 1912 for your taste, give the oversized, Alice-in-Wonderland bows a look.  Pair with a sharp leather jacket and grey miniskirt for a festive holiday look that packs plenty of hip, downtown-girl punch. Ooh, and speaking of punch…isn’t it about time to make some? If we learned anything from Sex and the City it’s that holiday outfits are best accessorized with a very pink drink.

No harm whatsoever, if you ask us.  Perk up your ears, Santa, because this Christmas we’d like nothing better than a pair of Christian Louboutin’s hot pink glitter pumps falling down the chimney.  Oh, the delicious impracticality of bright fuschia accessories! You will likely wear a shoe like this once, at most twice a year, but make no mistake: these show stoppers would slaughter Dorothy’s ruby red slippers.  And it’s not often that we call a $675 price tag cause for celebration, but considering that similar Louboutin styles run upward of $1500, we’ll take the pseudo-bargain when we can.

Shoes like these require no further outfit embellishment, so we suggest only a few applications of a hot pink lipstick to “finish” the look–and savor a little extra pink-ness. YSL’s soft and silky Rouge Volupte formula was named the best bright lipstick by Allure magazine last year, and it looks like #010 in Provocative Pink could be a perfect match for our dreamy pink piggies.

And besides, we’re not too keen on shelling out $400 for a sequined dress we can just as easily pick out at Forever 21 for $40 (we admit, there are exceptions).  This squealworthy little black velvet dress from Jil Stuart hits all our holiday party criteria: a short flirty hemline (to show off your matching Wolford tights),  a universally flattering sweetheart neckline, and festive design details (we don’t know anyone who couldn’t use a few massive platinum bows in their life). Equal parts Veronica Lake and Betsey Johnson, we guarantee this quirky chic cocktail dress will see you through the next two weeks of holiday parties and into the new year.  Pair with a jewel-tone shoe, a bright clutch, and peaked-shoulder jacket for dead-on December stylin’.

One of the easiest ways to transition from your office party to rooftop cocktails is to pack a show-stopping accessory in your bag. It can take your simple black sheath dress to a whole other level of chic. One of our favorite accessories for this season is the bib necklace. These necklaces feature rows of chunky stones, flowers, sequins, you name it, in a miniature bib shape. The amount of baubles on these guys means you will have to tone down the rest of your ensemble, but with several stops to make in one night, trust us, you won’t mind.

This sequined number by Vera Wang is one of the more whimsical takes on the bib necklace we’ve seen, and we couldn’t be more in love. The clustered sequins are reminiscent of a holiday wreath, but the uneven shape of it makes it wearable. Plus, you can choose the length by tying the bow in back higher or lower to suit the neckline of your outfit.

Speaking of necklines, another great aspect of the bib necklace is its versatility. It looks just as good spicing up a low cut dress as it does paired with a simple white tee. When layered over a shallow scoop neck, it has the appearance of being a decorative collar. Voila! An embellished tee, perfect for apartment parties and more casual affairs. Just don’t try to pair it with your Rudolph sweater.

The whole Workwear/American Revivalist trend–or perhaps movement–has resurrected a number of previously uncool, old-timey brands from the clutches of fashion obscurity. Levi’s, Carhartt, Belstaff, even Dickies have all benefitted from GQ’s affinity for bearded men in chinos and flannel shirts.

What makes us suspect the demand for traditional brands is something more than a trend-mongering behavior is, like everything else, the recession.  As consumers reevaluate their spending habits, many are becoming more educated about what they choose to purchase. Shoppers are looking for consistency and quality, pieces they will keep for years and won’t mind buying again should a seam eventually bust from over-wear.  It’s a bit of a chicken-or-the-egg scenario as far as which came first, the Recession or the Revivalists, but either way this trend (or whatever it is) will likely prove a wise, generally un-regrettable fashion moment that we look back on fondly in years to come–that is, assuming it ever goes away.

Dockers, which actually falls under Levi Strauss’ generous umbrella, has guaranteed variety, flattering fit and reasonable prices for decades, thus fostering a rare cross-generational brand loyalty.  If your father wore them ten years ago, it’s highly likely he still does, and you eventually will. The brand’s new “Wear the Pants” campaign summons men “to answer the call of manhood” and “wear the pants again”; we’re not so sure men ever stopped wearing the pants, literally or metaphorically, but we can appreciate that these are some truly awesome chinos, and that for $55, you should strongly consider checking them out.

Since we’re entering the frantic two-week shopping period before Christmas and the gettin’ is truly good, we thought we’d give our Dear Readers the inside scoop on a few steals and deals to be had this weekend in NYC. Of course, if you’re not in the tri-borough area, never fear: we have a couple slammin’ holiday products that are order-able online to get your festive little heart beating to the rhythm of “Jingle Bell Rock.”

Rumors are true that so-hip-it-hurts downtown boutique Opening Ceremony will be hosting a sample sale starting early tomorrow morning and lasting through the weekend.  It’s strongly advisable that you arrive in the 7-8am range, cold and wretched though it may be, because there are mega scores to be had in the form of Rachel Comey dresses, Alexandre Herchovitch tops, and Vena Cava jackets.  We’re curious to see what’s available from the in-house label:  we’ve been stalking this Shirred V-Neck Cardigan from the fall 2009 collection, and word on the street is that knits will be marked down up to 90% off retail.

Also of note is Rag & Bone’s genius sample sale on Christopher Street, which is offering its signature crispy denim for under $100.  Scoop up a shrunken men’s jacket or prim an proper button-down oxford while you’re at it.  Not going to be in town this weekend?  Check out Shopbop’s online Rag & Bone boutique for the season’s latest, including the spectacular backless Eva Dress that we positively need for our holiday parties.

Visit Rag & Bone at 104 Christopher Street, or Opening Ceremony at the corner of Broadway and Howard.

Like a kid mixing new colors in her paint set, the “library” of scents from Jo Malone present the user with an opportunity to create totally new and utterly distinct signature scents, all depending on the whim of her very own nose. Not feeling the “raspberry” accord? Try suffusing the classic Pomegranate parfum with a bit of smoky Guaiacwood, or add a soft floral note with Casablanca Lily to create something totally custom to you.

The Fragrance Chronicle is one of those rare, awesome gift finds that can be purchased without knowing precisely who you’ll give it to:  we guarantee that both your 14-year-old niece and your mother-in-law will appreciate having a little more input in their favorite perfumes.  Besides, there’s no reason the extra “accord” scents that accompany  the kit can’t be used with the other fragrances in their arsenal. Also consider the summery Lime Basil Mandarin kit, which comes with accords of Sweet Basil, Mandarin and Amberwood.

Shop for more fragrance gifts for this holiday season.

You’re going to be seeing a lot more lace this coming spring, and we always like taking our trends for a test drive as soon as the opportunity presents itself.  Worn under a simple sheath sweater dress and paired with a plain black or solid color pump, a little peeking lace can be festive and tres chic.

Also worth mentioning is Banana’s spectacular holiday jewelry spread, which is officially our new go-to source for costume jewels and little trend embellishments.  The real accomplishment of the collection is that each piece looks “real” until you pick it up and discover that what you thought was cast copper is in fact a copper-coated ribbon, etc.  Our favorite is this pearl and crystal bauble ring for only $36. Well played, mainstream retailer.  We tip our beanie to you.

Obviously, salon and spa treatments, even if they’re rare, can quickly become insanely expensive ( you’d be shocked at how much a 20% tip on a facial in New York City can cost), which is why we’re big fans of tried-and-true products that offer spa results at home. One such favorite is the Nars Mud Mask, available from Saks Fifth Avenue for $45.

This deep-cleaning pore opener is meant to be used once a week, and features yummy skin nutrients like seaweed and phytoseed complex.  Mostly though, it just feels like mud, and dries to a hard, totally bizarre feeling mask when left to dry for twenty minutes. Follow with a rich cream moisturizer immediately after use–if used too often, cleansing masks can become extremely drying, and nobody wants to encourage scaly skin in the winter. Enjoy your silky smooth, squeaky clean complexion for the week, and repeat the ritual regularly!

Our ears are always the first thing to suffer when the weather gets chilly, and we like that earmuffs keep them toasty without mussing with our “hairdo.” Perfectly suited to ice skating soirees or shopping excursions, these little guys will fold neatly into your bag, and lend a little bit of that Paddington Bear appeal.

Should you feel your furry outfit is somehow incomplete, check out these reasonably priced mink-trimmed cashmere gloves to keep your fingers nice and cozy.  Sure it’s a little bit matchy-matchy with the earmuffs, but these kinds of old school glamorizing accessories often are.  Just think of Jackie O, queen of the coordinating accessory.  Do you think she’d have second thoughts about stepping out looking like a panda bear?  Not if it was a chic panda bear, she wouldn’t!

(Just to clarify, none of these things are made out of real panda bears).

We generally leave Mobama-mania to the rest of the blogosphere, but just this once, we feel serious snaps must be given to Michelle Obama in her choice of a Naeem Khan gown at the first State Dinner.  We’ve always been impressed with Mrs. Obama’s progressive fashion choices, but it’s the way she brings her closet to life that’s so extraordinary.

If you’re as inspired as we were, then check out Naeem Khan’s leopard print boatneck gown before it sells out (and it will).  This uber simple silhouette is flattering on every figure–and besides, there’s nothing like a little Executive Branch stlye at the holidays, right?

“Indie” tote bags have been gaining in popularity ever since the recession hit, when suddenly that Givenchy hobo you were saving up for looked, well, a bit ludicrous.  Generally priced between $300 and $800, designers like Rebbecca Minkoff, Alex Wang, and Botkier are all known for their affordable, stylish, and generally durable handbags that don’t require three months rent to even get in the ball park.

So our latest obsession, Boyy, is arriving on the scene a pretty good time, with their signature “Slash” handbag retailing for only $595. Hugely popular overseas–particuarly in Thailand, Wannasiri’s birthplace–we’ve spotted the Slash slung over the shoulders of many a sophisticated, international It girl. We love that it’s riddled with secret pockets and zippers to hide all your daily necessities, but it’s still compact and dainty.  The python embossing is our personal fave, but be sure to check out the slightly more subdued brown calf.  Admittedly, the calf is a little more practical, but who can resist slinky serpentine style every now and again?

But there’s good news, fellow “revivalist” fashion wack-a-doos. Lands End, the inimitable catalogue empire your mother (assuming she was anything like ours) crammed down your throat until you were twelve, has unveiled their “Oil Cloth Engineer Coat.” The $150 Belstaff competitor, whose tag line reads “built for work, but ready to play,” boasts English-made wax cotton, snap front “bellows” pockets, and reinforced shoulders and elbows. We miss the belt, but think the dark olive is a bit more fun than plain ol’ black–and granted, it’s cut for the boys, but it’s not like that ever stopped us before.

Erm, could someone please remind us why we were going to save up almost a month’s rent for a Belstaff, again?

By now, most women should understand the virtues and failings of highfalutin hobo bags, like Louboutin’s Marianna Nappa Hobo: yes, a hobo will hold every earthly thing you could possibly need to take to the gym, to work, to a bar and back home again, but alas, it turns out that so much cargo is, as Carlin put it, way too much stuff.  Plus, the leather always gets stretched out. If you’re a total bag lady and can’t divorce yourself from your daily burden, then by all means, have at it, but we recommend choosing something a little slimmer. Really–your shoulders will thank you.

Our favorite of Louboutin’s practical, more petite offerings is the Zip-Detail clutch, which comes with a detachable chain strap (great if you’re like us and can’t be counted on to keep track of a clutch at a bar). The exposed zipper trend has been going strong for awhile now, and we think this is a slightly subtle, sophisticated way to incorporate a little edge into your evening wear.

J Crew Timex Watch

And you know what? That ol’ internet never lets us down–unless we’re talking about the shoddy cable set up. A quick search revealed the Timex/J.Crew collaboration, and we have to admit, J. Crew may be a mainstream retailer, but the no-fuss black face design is precisely what we had in mind. Inspired by a classic American military design from the 1940’s, the watch features a few wise updates, like a glowing hour and minute hand that probably would have come in handy in the trenches, although perhaps one doesn’t wonder about the time when guns are blazing around your ears. And by all means, ladies, don’t think you’re excluded from the military watch trend. The medium-size face makes it a perfectly unisex timepiece.  Maybe it’s one of those gifts you can conveniently re-appropriate for yourself down the road?

The most covetable raglan showpiece to emerge this season was by far Marc Jacob’s pleated shoulder sweatshirt dress, the mark-up for which (the dress retails at $1200) would probably force your mind to explode.  Happily, a more affordable and no less designery option is available in the form of Alex Wang’s mega-trendy sweatpants.  During Fashion Week, we saw these babies styled so awesomely and in so many different ways we’re thoroughly convinced they’re the most versatile trend item of 2009. Try with a pair of open-toed platform heels, your boyfriend’s ancient white t-shirt and a leather moto jacket for a fierce “sloth chic” look.

Enter the tough bootie. Combating rain, frost, and the general gunk of the streets, these hot new boots are just the ticket to solve our autumnal shoe woes. Tough booties are much more than your high school Doc Martins. With a smattering of laces, buckles, and studs, these boots come with a variety of details to make them rugged but still fun. Laced up styles are reminiscent of combat boots, but the little details take them from boot camp to city chic. Tough booties also come in a variety of heel heights. A higher heel can transition well into night, but our favorites are the ones with a heel low enough to do some serious pavement pounding.

The trick to wearing tough booties is pairing them with the right outfit to balance the ruggedness of the boots. The perfect mate to the boots is a flowy floral print or brightly colored dress. The range of fabrics and the obvious femininity of the dress will offset your new studded and laced up tootsies. To complete the look add on black tights, a leather jacket and a cozy scarf. Or, wear your boots with skinny jeans and a long chunky sweater. Either way, you’re ready to combat whatever the day can throw at you.

Actually, we’re total failures when it comes to knitting–never graduated from the chubby needles–but it’s okay, because brilliant knitwear label Nikita has us covered (literally). The Maria Neckwarmer in Teaberry is a bit more fashion-forward than other scarf loops, which are typically one solid color and, more often than not, executed in a cable knit. Not that cable knit isn’t dandy by us, but winter is drab enough as it is, okay? Why not incorporate a little flame orange–with squiggles–into your wardrobe? Granted, this is not going to match anything you own (unless you’re Rafiki, the witch doctor monkey from The Lion King), but it’s critical that we embrace the ol’ clash factor on occasion.  Fashion is supposed to be daring, after all.

For a few years now we’ve been spritzing Narcisco Rodriguez for Her on our wrists as a wintertime fragrance.  We’re suckers for those warm silky scents once the weather turns cold, but when we spotted the new ”for Him” version on a recent trip to Saks, we thought the men in our lives might share our affinity for Egyptian musk.  “For Him” features the same intoxicating musk base as “For Her,” but includes top notes of lavender, pink pepper, mahogany and amber, so you won’t smell exactly like your boyfriend.  If the hombres in your circle aren’t big cologne wearers, opt for the deodorant stick instead.

Nike’s new Dri-FIT fabric helps keep the wearer dry during those particularly brutal sessions of Bikram–also known as “hot” yoga–and the ribbed ankle cuffs keep everything in place, even in the most compromising of handstands.  If nothing else, you’ll look cooler than those snotty girls at the front of the class that “also came to the 7am session, but were so energized that they just stayed for the 9 o’clock, too.” Namaste, suckers.

So we’ve settled on charcoal grey for the upcoming winter months, and bleak though it may sound, we’re finding it to be a very classy, grown-up neutral that doesn’t clash with any of our bright winter outfits (always a danger with the red).  As is the case with most beauty products, chintzing out will only hurt you in the long run.  Inexpensive nail polish tends to dry much more slowly and be generally more chip-prone than upscale brands, and since we don’t have that many extra hours in the week as it is, you can bet we aren’t spending them maintaining a fussy manicure.  YSL’s signature nail lacquer in tuxedo grey dries quickly to a tough-as-nails finish, and the soft metallic effect is subtle, not florescent.

The really good news about a backpack is that your spine will thank you for the evenly distributed weight but you don’t necessarily have to edit down your daily burden (even though you really ought to). But the trick to selecting the perfect backpack is finding one with the wherewithal to survive a commute to and from work, but still suitably chic for post-work drinks.

The answer? Leather.

The worse you treat a leather backpack, the better it will look. The Mulholland Brothers Drawstring Backpack will endure a serious beating and still look like a fine piece of luggage. Plus, all the other creaking, hobbling ladies at the bar will gasp with jealousy when you open your bag to reveal you’re carrying just as much as they are for one-sixteenth the spinal damage.

Dermatologists and facialists alike will warn you that tough granules and harsh chemicals can ravage the skin and actually increase dryness. We’ve dutifully heeded their counsel for years, but we still prefer a face or body scrub to have a bit of bite–not too much!–but enough to feel like we’re doing some good and sloughing off some cold-weather roughness. Red Flower’s Bioactive Berry White Peat exfoliant has a nice balance between smoothing (sea salt) and moisturizing (algae butter) elements, and will leave you feeling soft and velvety upon emerging from a steamy shower. The blend of arctic white peat, plant sterols, minerals and soil nutrients produce a delicious warming effect upon contact with skin–plus, the bioactive berry ingredients offer major doses of vitamin c and omega fatty acids, giving skin a dewy, radiant appearance. Personally, we think everyone could benefit from a little more “dewiness” in their day.

And here we are week later, our toes snug within our boots, and not once have we whined to our neighbor, coworker, dog, cat, etc about chilly piggies. Not only that, but these are truly the best running socks you can buy.  It seems counterintuitive that a warmer sock would make sense in an athletic shoe, but smartwool resists moisture and keeps your feet dry, so you can forget about that ripe Post-Workout Parfum du Pied. Plus, they come in four colors–black, chocolate, purple and navy–so you can mix and match as you please depending on your outfit and footwear.

We tend to go with way too much black as soon as the weather turns chilly, but these scarlet red ankle strap heels from Moschino are sure to add a little extra interest to our monochromatic palate. For some reason we’re very much reminded of Mad Men’s Betty Draper, the vixen housewife to advertising wizard and general hunk, Don Draper, who carries out her daily motherly routine and still manages (with the help of a TV crew) to look like a supermodel circa 1965 . We fully intend to break  in our wicked new pumps whilst baking apple pies in pearls and a red-checkered apron–in honor of Betty, of course.

Do avoid over accessorizing when it comes to the color red–a little goes a long way and all too quickly you can wind up looking like Clifford the Big Red Dog. Stick with simple blacks, grays and warm neutrals and let your beautiful ruby red shoes do their thing.

Our most recent perusal of the Gap revealed a spanking new selection of “winterizers”–that’s retail lingo for cuddly warm knits and accessories–that are beyond cute and priced to fly out the door (or the e-door, if you will). The above beanie fills our annual–nay, clinical–need for a pom pom hat, and the chunky cable knit pattern will look great with a coordinating pair of gloves. Then there’s the marvelous scarf assortment, which threatens to drain our bank account with its temptingly low price points and irresistible candy-stripe patterns.

And lets not forget the “done deal” that is the wool buffalo-plaid duffle bag for $49.50. We’re suckers for anything that makes our daily schlep a little more stylish, but this will be too perfect for dragging our lives home and back during the holidays.

Wrong! Have you learned nothing from this blog if not that a change in the weather is due cause for shopping? If, like us, you suffer from stiff, icy-cold fingers, unfreeze your Amex and your mitts by slipping into these elegant silk-lined nude leather gloves from 3.1 Phillip Lim. Yes, that is a real black lace overlay, not a screen print, and it will look exactly as lovely as you think it will paired with your favorite sharp black jacket and slouchy slacks. In fact, we suspect that all of our forthcoming winter ensembles will benefit from this dainty touch of old-world glamour. Snow predictions be damned–we’re putting our best foot–er, hand–forward this season.

Our favorite (if slightly unwelcome) cold-weather dressing staple is a good old fashioned dog-sled style parka, complete with waist-cinching drawstring and comfy cozy hood. The Tony Parka from French Connection will come in handy as the temperature makes its inevitable descent into ice and misery, and might even make us happy to have a reason to sport so many layers. Try wearing over an easy polar fleece jacket when it gets a little too nippy, or just save it to wear during the chilly early days of spring. The good news is that you can’t go wrong either way: we’ve always marveled at these babies’ ability to make everyone from runway models to soccer moms look totally on-the-go chic with just jeans and a pair of cool riding boots.

Lucky for us, this season presented a new rash of luxury handbag options in deep dark blues and violets.  Chanel, of course, produced its iconic chain-strap quilted evening bag in the moody hue, but we think Lanvin and Fendi’s versions may have one-upped Kaiser Karl’s (which isn’t really true, of course, since Mr. Lagerfeld mans the helm at Fendi, too).

We love that this Lanvin handbag in marine comes in sumptuously soft velvet, and the signature diagonal quliting and and rectangular turnlock favored by the house add just enough “designery” bling to let those in-the-know that you’re with Alber,  so to speak.  Of course, if you’re really dressing to impress, then few shoulder bags are so recognizable as Fendi’s maxi baguette, here pictured in a bright-sky navy.

And just FYI: we know you’re used to thinking of black and brown as the only closet neutrals, but try wearing your true blue tote the same same way, and don’t stress about “clashing” with your tobacco-colored belt. The very best thing about blue is that it adds color, but is mellow enough to pair with practically anything.

Spike-heel extraordinaire, Christian Louboutin, produced these mouth-watering leopard print ankle booties in pony, and we can’t wait to add some of their king-of-the-jungle ferocity to our next all-black outfit.  Sure, they may cost the same as your rent, but surely the bragging rights–not to mention a claim on obnoxious purr sounds–are well worth the price tag.

If, however, your debit card can’t quite handle the strain of your newly discovered jungle fever, opt instead for Charles David’s more affordable version at a mere $92 (yes, really).  You may not be purchasing a piece of fashion history, but rest assured, you’ll be just as fierce marching to work in your kitty cat kicks as the more financially equipped fashionistas.  Just a word of advice: to avoid the much-feared “over-accessorization” syndrome that can accompany such high impact footwear, we suggest pairing leopard with something simple, like jeans and a cuffed white shirt, so that your spankin’ hot heels can leave their strongest possible impression.

By far our favorite evening wear trend to emerge this season is that of sharply cut geometric mesh. The above crowd-pleaser by prodigy Christopher Kane (we know it’s phenomenal, but try and control yourself–that one comes in around 3k) looks like it required heavy reliance on a protractor and Algebra I stencil-set to design. Of course, you remember the algorithm, y = m(x) + Totally Hot?

And if fashion is indeed taking cues from its school days, then it’s no surprise that deigned Prom King Alexander Wang’s chic vector-shape cutout dress is making so many Fashion Week party photo cameos (just a side note, but we saw Mr. Wang in the West Village a couple nights ago and squealed so loudly he turned around and asked the tall modelly-type next to him, “Did you hear that?” So much for our dignity).

But should you be looking to participate in the trend for less than your monthly rent, Top Shop can always be depended upon to produce wallet-friendly versions (NOT duplicates) of high-fashion favorites .  When the guests at your next dinner fete ask where you picked up this ferocious little number, just wink–they’ll never guess it set you back less than the appetizers.

More Alexander Wang dresses.

Most Awesome Use of a Steel Toe: Temperley London

Temperley London’s spring line offered tons of cinematic feathers and fancy lace party dresses to suit their “Circus Tent” motif–but we were totally preoccupied with the shoes, bags, and sequin-encrusted top hats that garnished the manicans.  The steel-toe ballet slippers and spectator shoes were a special favorite, and we noticed the designer herself sported them to her presentation.

Best Embellished Denim: Rad Hourani

The concept of “casual denim” was pretty much completely thrown out this season in favor of embroidered, beaded, and fringed trousers that wouldn’t look entirely out of place at your next black tie occasion.  We’re obsessed with Rad Hourani’s silvery stovepipes–they certainly eliminate the need for jewelry.  Now, if only he’d made a version in color…

Best in Leather: Elise Overland

We were, admittedly, a little exhausted with all the leather this season, but Elise Overland managed to inject some life into the beat-to-death concept of vachetta dressing. Her ultra-structured dresses in black and nude leathers will be fabulous day-to-night pieces when the weather is starting to warm up but hasn’t quite lost that chilly edge. We’re also nuts over those baggy peach stockings, although we’d constantly be resisting the urge to pull them up!

Kamali may not have been the first designer to jump on the collaborative train, but she may well have done it the best.  Her presentation yesterday at Soho’s Apple Store included a talk on technology and its impact on the fashion business–Kamali even unveiled an adorable iPhone app that made us regret momentarily our choice to resign a Sprint contract.  “Lecture” and “Fashion Week” arent typically compatible undertakings, but, suffice to say, this unlikely hybrid turned out to be pretty cool.

When “class” let out,  Kamali guided guests to the outdoor presentation of three distinct Spring collections on cobble-stoned Greene Street, where the happiest models we’ve seen in a week stood giggling in the morning drizzle. The first group, Kamali’s collaboration with Walmart, featured simple black and deep burgundy tops and dresses made-to-sell in soft jersey fabrics.  The second collection for eBay targeted a much savvier Kamali shopper, and featured ultra-structured grey puffer jackets, terry gowns and a handful of signature swimsuits. All of Kamali’s trendier pieces came with friendly price points–like a floor length puffer jacket for just $300 that cult-followers will undoubtedly scoop up as soon as it hits the website. The OMO collection consisted mainly of Kamali’s classic parachute silk gowns in clean white, and was by far the funkiest, most deliciously 80’s and probably “Kamali-est” of the three.

Like Madonna, Kamali is a master of reinventing herself and her business to suit the style of the times while retaining that essential comfortable, sporty aesthetic. We look forward to clicking through these collections many more times before the week is through, and while we can’t quite bring ourselves to look at full-blown winter coats quite yet, that puffer jacket is sure to lurk in the back of our fashion consciousness.

Our favorable opinion of Ms. Ferretti’s presentation may have been influenced by the generous amount of caviar and champagne being lavished on attendees–but lets assume it was just the clothes. The collection, a sherbet-hued range of beachy shorts, dresses, and sheer tops, all featured an appliqued motif of kiss marks, butterflies and (we think) eyeballs. We’re not generally advocates of the excessively cute–and this collection could easily have tipped the brand into “pre-teen” territory–but somehow Philosophy always manages to maintain its cool-girl edge.  (Check out the full slideshow.)  The signature shoe–a low-heeled multicolored lace-up oxford in a range of color options–looked as though Rainbow Bright herself stepped in to guest design, but we mean that in a really good way. It’s refreshing to see a little cock-eyed optimism in the midst of so much black, black, grey, and black. We’re particularly looking forward to that little canvas sand-pail that walked alongside a few looks.

Fahrd Foste at Roosevelt Park this afternoon claims to have boombox carrying models. We’re totally intrigued. Hopefully nobody gets rained out!!

Man or woman, child or household pet, we don’t know how any self respecting urbanite can get away with not owning a leather jacket in this, the sanctioned age of Punk Rock Gone Casual. The motorcycle jacket–along with its close cousin, the Leather Skirt, and all time BFF, the Leather Pant–has been reinvented, reinterpreted, re-envisioned and generally rehashed too many times to count in the last six years.  Somehow, designers haven’t gotten bored with this thing–and endure it, we must (even if we’ve become bored with it ourselves).

Championing the all-leather, all-the-time movement is relative newcomer Rad Hourani, who presented a spring collection composed almost entirely of–you guessed it!–motorcycle jackets: tied around the waist, cast about the shoulders, cut into vest-form, Hourani was meditating heavily on biker chic this season.  Besides the obvious, the connective material of the collection seemed to be a harsh androgyny: both male and female models sported low greasy pony tails with their genderless jackets and skinny trousers. Hourani’s strongest looks–not that they reinvented the wheel–were those accented by glistening gunmetal fringe, like a pair of stovepipe trousers with silver panelling, or a leather vest with a fringed metal scarf.  We predict both will be highly successful as short-lived Summer trends when they’re inevitably matriculated into the catalogues of Urban Outfitters and Forever 21.

If nothing else, Mr. Hourani’s mastery of the ubiquitous motorcycle jacket  displays a strong technical, if not particularly inventive, promise.  The man knows how to make quality, on-trend, sellable pieces: what he needs now is some inspiration. Check out the full gallery.

Temperley London’s digital installation at Milk Studios this afternoon sounds promising–we love the “circus” theme alluded to on the invite–and Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti  rarely disappoints! Watch for updates on Twitter!

See the slideshow.

You can always tell which collections were designed by women and which were designed by men.

We could probably rattle off 15 or so exceptions to this humble conjecture straight off the bat, but hear us out: women designing for women tend to make things that the ladies actually want to wear. Not that we don’t appreciate the edgier avant garde stuff, and we do get that, as “modern women,” we’re not supposed to be dressing for the boys, but isn’t it nice to feel sort of, you know, pretty?

Thuy Diep seems to think so.  Her eponymous label had a strong showing yesterday at the tents, where models were sent down the runway in slinky cocktail dresses and flouncy skirts paired with candy colored metallic motorcycle jackets.  The daytime pieces picked up on the ubiquitous striped linen trend that’s carrying over from this summer, most notably in the opening look, which consisted of a stripe gather-front skirt and meringue yellow bomber.  The evening looks were mainly composed of easy, wearable cocktail dresses in satins and lace with just enough structure to stay interesting.  Regal splashes of purple and gold accented the otherwise pastel collection, injecting some much needed fantasy into a collection that, though beautiful, felt a little too easy.

Rad Hourani at Milk Studios promises to be interesting, tune in for tweets!

As per usual, go on to the slideshow.

Continue through to the slideshow.

Longtime industry favorite Karen Walker presented yesterday afternoon at the Altman Building to a gathering of fashion professionals that seemed, if only for fifteen minutes, to be perfectly at ease.  The mellow vibe made sense for a designer marked by her unpretentiousness–the typically front row ‘it’ girls took a (literal) back seat to writers and editors who for once appeared serene, calmly munching their navy “KW”-logo sugar cookies, confident in Ms. Walker’s predictable success.

We always enjoy hearing Walker’s free-association riff on the season’s inspiration. Spring 2010 looked to “The Prisoner,” a 1960’s British cult TV show set at “a holiday resort that serves as a prison for retired spies.” Never heard of it, but judging by the resulting Psychedelia-meets-Edwardian-Seaside collection, it’s definitely one to add to the Netflix queue.

The overarching nautical theme in classic navy and white played to our infatuation with sailor stripes (looking forward to wearing even more next summer), but was brilliantly juxtaposed against girly ruffles and bright green acid-trip florals.  More than once we exclaimed, to our neighbor’s dismay,”WOAH, WANT THAT.”

Also of note was the obsession-inducing collaboration with English footwear brand, Pointer, specifically the “Alice Boat Shoe” which we fully intend to pre-order this February. It’s so cruel that every Fashion Week makes us crave the season that’s just ending. We have to wait an entire six months to even try on our favorite pieces from this collection!

Looking forward to Thuy (that’s pronounced Twee–took us forever to get that) at 2 and Elise Overland at 6!

We knew that supermodel/stylist Erin Wasson’s collection for RVCA would draw a major amount of media attention, but what we didn’t expect was the hour long celebrity fest that preceded the models on the runway. Angeleno nightcrawlers including Cory Kennedy, Harley Viera Newton and Mark “Cobra Snake” Hunter plopped down in the front row alongside Alexa Cheung (who was exactly as cute and awesome in real life as we had hoped), Taylor Momsen, Kate Lanphear, and the phenomenally gorgeous Brooklyn Decker. Shows have been starting late this year, but a full hour of photo-ops and fame mongering was about 55 minutes too long; come on, Erin, shouldn’t you know better than anyone how tedious that is?

Once everybody was done stroking one another’s ego the show could actually begin—and we’re happy to report that it didn’t disappoint. Gang Gang Dance rocked out beneath a psychedelic video installation shot in the California desert while models stalked down the runway in suitably So-Cal ensembles.  Freja Beha Erichsen opened the show in a silk polka dot blouse and low slung jeans, effectively asserting the entire collection’s laid-back, beer-sipping tone. Wasson traded in last season’s rocker-chick sensibilities for her signature soft, boho-vintage look, and frankly, we prefer this more romantic side of her aesthetic. Of course, it’s easy to feel rather frustrated by Erin Wasson’s refusal to design for anyone other than Erin Wasson.  Rather than continuing to cook up her own personal dream closet each season , we’d be interested to see her vision reinterpreted for women that live their lives in something other than crop tops and cheek-skimming hot pants–an enviable fashion privilege that Erin and maybe .6% of the female population enjoy.

Check back soon, the Karen Walker show starts at 4 and newcomer Ivy H. will present at 5:30!  Hopefully the weather holds out so we won’t have to wear those big clunky rain boots again.

Click through for the slideshow.

We rolled out of bed not-so-bright and early this morning for Yigal Azrouel’s 11am showing at Bryant Park, still feeling that third glass of free, delicious Guinness that was so liberally distributed at Rag & Bone’s converted Irish pub last night. What a peculiar and wonderful thing Fashion’s Night Out turned out to be…hopefully we’ll remember to remove our eyeliner before going to bed next year. But more on that later.

Nothing wakes us up in the morning like a skim latte from Le Pain Quotidien, a fresh copy of “The Daily” and a long-awaited presentation by Yigal Azrouel, the experimental Israeli designer responsible for some of our favorite closet staples. Today’s presentation was explained as “a study in geometry,” with graphic, bold shapes and razor-sharp slash detailing. The tone of the Spring collection was sophisticated yet energetic, executed in a muted palette of grey and beige enlivened by splashes of flame orange and pistachio–the latter of which has popped up on a number of runways, so be prepared for it come April.  In general, it seems Mr. Azrouel was interested in tidying things up: signature draping techniques still played their part, but in general the layering was more restrained than in past collections, which bordered on the Rick Owens-esque. Daytime pieces were versatile and easy in beach-ready linens and summer weight leather; evening looks were equally elegant and fuss-free in lacerated jersey dressed up with divine scalpel embroideries–one of our favorite things about Yigal is that his girl is chic but always, always comfortable.

Tao Okamoto, our absolute favorite model to emerge in 2009 and the face of Spring/Summer 2010, walked three times (imagine those changes!), and we silently cheered for her at each turn.  Our preferred look was by far Tao’s third, which included an insane lacerated motorcycle jacket in nappa lamb (with “IT” written all over it) paired with pinstripe linen cotton trousers.  Le sigh.  When is the sample sale??

Stay tuned for our coverage of Erin Wasson x RVCA, presenting tonight at 8pm! We hear this one is going to be a doozy (video art has been mentioned).  We mostly just want to see (and be) Erin.

Click through for the slideshow.

Our coverage of New York Fashion Week starts here with photo coverage of Alexander Michael Snyder and the uber-gothy Odyn Vovk! Check out the slideshow!

These days with so many people starting up clothing lines and slapping their names on the butt’s of jeans (yes, you Justin Timberlake), it’s hard to keep up with new designers who are making a statement and draping the backs of our favorite celebs. With Fashion Week upon us, this one is not to be missed!

Bryan Reyes designs have been on the likes of Rihanna, Ashley Greene, Kristen Bell and Rachel McAdams. Reyes describes his work as a “modern take on glamour. His attention to detail combined with that mantra result in beautiful cocktail dresses and garments with beading that are out of this world.

“Inspired by nature to create unique colors, prints and textures” Reyes says, are why stars are flocking to his super chic collection and donning them all over the red carpet. Keys to take away from Brian Reyes, it’s always in to wear clothes that are strong yet feminine and as with everything, it’s all in the details!

Shop all of Bryan Reyes current fashions.

Beads beads, they are good for your shoes, they sparkle on your handbags and they make that cocktail dress look oh so twinkly! How brilliant that they are now adorning fall’s coolest accessory, bangles! I love it when a staple accessory is geniously updated and re-worked making it a current-yet-timeless must have! I don’t have to tell you that bangles go with just about anything but I can tell you my favorites stem from designer Rachel Leigh who had put a fabulous twist on the bead by using gold accents. And if you mood is a little blue, Priya Kakkar makes this amazing set that is a perfect date for your jeans a t-shirts. Stack them high or wear them individually, either way these bangles are the prefect twinkle in your outfit’s eye.

1) Bigfoot (or is it Big Foot?  Not like we can ask him the preferred spelling.)

2) Yarko, the Nepalese Sherpa

3) Little Bo Peep’s merciless, underworld doppelganger

You’ll notice none of these are included in our usual repertoire of style inspiration (most recently Jane Birkin, 1970’s pool parties, and dirty frontiersmen), yet we remain intrigued by this soft, poofy figment of fashion imagination. So much so that we decided to ruminate on its potential in today’s post.

Haute Hippie is a “nouveau-boho” brand designed by five people in a New York City apartment. Their clothes are consistently evocative of Penny Lane, the flaxen-haired fan/muse played by Kate Hudson in Almost Famous.  Their collections, a mash up of lace, fringe, and the aforementioned “poof,” seem to be designed for a customer who withers without the nourishing warmth of a spotlight blasting in her face. We prefer to keep rather left of the center of attention–let someone else do all that glowing. And so, finally, we’re left with a decision to make.

The vest will look spectacular–this we realize.  So spectacular in fact that any hope of lurking in shadowy corners at a party  or generally disappearing on a sidewalk will be lost. One thing is certain, though: if vests had mouths, this one would insist, loudly: LOOK AT MEEEEE!!

And maybe that isn’t so bad.

It’s been mentioned before that we’re keeping our eyes on “investment pieces” this season–sacrificing cheaper, trendy items in favor of the big purchases that will not only see us through the current season, but keep us stylin’ for ten years plus. This opulent hardcase crystal clutch from Judith Leiber will lend its jewel-encrusted goodness to the simplest of evening ensembles. Pair with an excuriating neon pink manicure and sparkly heels for a girly night of cupcakes, drinks and dancing, or let it glimmer alongside a clean black Saint Laurent suit for an Elizabeth Taylor level of the ball–or, at the very least, in your own apartment. sophistication . Either way, you’re guaranteed to be the shiniest of belles at the ball–or, at the very least, in your own apartment.

Though pricey, we think a simple croc or alligator belt is the perfect “recession era” investment–they last a lifetime, and will truly never go out of fashion (if you don’t believe us, know that Ralph Lauren has been manufacturing the same skinny alligator belt since 1960).

This glazed American alligator belt from Brooks Brothers boasts a covered gator buckle (great if you’re worried about clashing with jewelry or the hardware on your handbag) and leather lining.  It comes in both black and cognac, but we think black will serve most women a little better in the long run (although it’s a particularly beautiful shade). Believe it or not, the Bro’s $800 price point is pretty reasonable if you consider the similar styles at $1500 from Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales.  Buckle over a long shirtdress for a casually chic weekend look or with slim trousers and a long cardigan.

Which leads us to today’s post on our new and decidedly less humiliating time-telling device:  Swiss Military Navigator Chronograph Watch.  Petite and chic it is not, but what the Navigator lacks in “cute” it makes up for in “hardcore” and “totally badass.” We don’t necessarily need all the bells and whistles that come on this thing, but it’s nice to know that if we’re 100 meters under the ocean and are suddenly compelled to check the time, we can accurately do so. The black-on-black coloring will prevent unfortunate outfit clashing, and on the offchance that the draft is reinstated you can take comfort in being the most fashionable woman (or man) in uniform.

Psych! You probably knew where we were going with this, but–taaa daaa–this storied wonder-top does, in fact, exist…and it only costs like 50 bucks.

Chambray is a delightfully lightweight, denim-esque material used in everything from shoes to dresses. We’re hopelessly addicted because they’re breathable enough for summer but still look fantastic year-round, much like the aforementioned perfect t-shirt (only kind of a lot cuter). This boyfriend-style chambray from the Gap–which, by the way, is also churning out some spectacular $69 denim–will be our go-to top this season…and probably the next. Try tucked into a slim leather pencil skirt with a high-heeled oxford, or go ultra-casual with a cuffed chino and pair of white converse. This may be one marvelous instance in which your boyfriend asks to please, pretty-please borrow your shirt for a change.

Since its founding in 1924, Belstaff has been wildly popular in the UK for its signature breathable but completely waterproof waxed cotton jackets. Apparently, the jackets are a staple of most Brit wardrobes, but never quite caught on stateside until recently when the “workwear trend” was pushed by American mens’ magazines. It seems that US women–specifically this US woman–are only just catching on to the century-old phenomenon.

Not that we’re hoping for damp and drizzle this October, but Belstaff’s Roadmaster Jacket is sure to make every gross, rainy day in our meteorological future a whole lot more fabulous. Allegedly these things last a lifetime, so be sure to get good and soaked. Try with a cashmere sweater dress and pair of waterproof Frye boots for ‘cross-the-pond style puddle splashing.

But, feminism be damned, over-the-knee boots still top our fall shopping list.  Besides, if Miuccia Prada says they’re OK, who are we to disagree? Delicious over-the-knee stompers made appearances on every major runway last February, and we don’t intend to sit this trend out like some sad wallflower prude during the long-awaited homecoming dance that is F/W ‘09.

These stunning four-inchers from Candela aren’t so thigh-high as other available options, but that probably means we’ll get more than a single season’s use out of them.  When it comes to a major investment piece like a boot it’s wise to err on the side of  “classic.” We like the cute equestrian ankle-strap and easy pull-on design.  They’ll look amazing with tights and a long shirtdress, but the more adventurous fashionista may find herself in need of a whip.

Amen to that, George.  Once the weather turns a cooler corner, fashionistas are likely to be noticeably more stroke-able due to an influx of velvet designer offerings: shoes, bags, headbands, hats, gloves, dresses, skirts…you name it, dseigners “velvet-ed” it…and oooooh, do we ever love them for it.  If ever there was an appropriate time to drape your body in velvet, it’s now. Well, almost.

Before you get yourself tangled in a set of Pottery Barn drapes–and subsequently banned from every PB and Crate & Barrel franchise in the triborough area…not speaking from experience, of course–we recommend starting with a a simple velvet legging or pant. If you choose a neutral color like black or grey you can layer a bit of luxury under practically anything you wear this fall, from tweedy jackets to baggy t-shirts and blouses. These “Falina” velvet leggings by Joie feature brass stud detailing at the pockets and come in an interesting (but still neutral) olive color.  We think they’d look great with the season’s thigh-high boots and a long fitted blazer. The only problem is having to take them off…but who says you have to, anyway?

I’ve never been one of those smart shoppers that can stock up on fall and winter items in the summer–I need instant gratification from my my purchases, and have been known to wear particularly favorable ones out of the store. For the past few weeks, I’ve been avidly searching for a pair of shoes that transition perfectly from summer to fall, trying without success to find a pair that I could wear immediately through the 80 degree August heat but hold onto for cooler September, chilly October, downright cold November and freezing December.

I have finally found my Renaissance Woman shoes–these Jeffrey Campbell ‘Di’ Booties (center) come in black and brown, and are currently on sale at Pronto for 40% off–$111.00! I have paid for express shipping and handling and am eagerly awaiting the second these booties arrive on my doorstep. The large wedge heel is thick enough for everyday wear but tall enough for special occasions, the peep toe allows for the perfect amount of summer pedicure to show through, and best of all, these will look just as cute throughout fall and winter with black or patterned tights.

Some other year-round shoe options that tempted me to click the big red “Buy” button? These Juicy Couture ‘Naja’ Lace Up Booties (left)which come with not only a peep toe but also an open heel, and these Platform Lace-Up Christian Louboutins (right), which are perfect in absolutely every single way but fall into the realm of all quadruple digit price tags–unattainable.

I can’t wait to tie up my new black Jeffrey Campbells with denim shorts and a sheer tunic for now, and a chunky sweater and leather leggings later!

Get your own perfect all-season lace up booties.

New York City is (really, really) hard on shoes, but we fancy these “Grizzly Mountain” Boulet Boots will see us through many a filthy city mile. Be sure to wear good, thick socks, as heavier boots tend to require serious breaking-in time.  Once you get past the painful first few hours, you’ll be left with a cushy custom fit (per ect for preventing unwelcome borrowing attempts). Try with a red bandana and cowboy belt for prairie-ready chic.

We go through this routine every year, occasionally with a premature glass of apple cider in hand, our clothes strewn about the bedroom in “yes” and “no” piles, but the first urgent need that consistently emerges is that of a fabulous new fall jacket.  This is not a convenient necessity, as they’re often the most expensive of our September purchases. Somehow, however, we’re always won over by a smart new riding jacket or long belted coat and succumb to the cost of looking awesome.  In the words of Carrie Bradshaw, “I have an addiction, sir.”

Without further ado, we present our “need” jacket of Fall ‘09: Nanette Lepore’s tweed “Hemingway” Riding Coat is a perfectly feminine take on a menswear hunting classic, with sharply tailored angles at the waist and  satin ribbon detailing peeking under the lapel. This mega-flattering silhouette will look spectacular over a black sweater dress or with boyfriend jeans.  Try with a vintage satchel, a shearling scarf and a bright red apple for a timeless “back to school” look.

This week promises to be the hottest of New York’s lukewarm summer, and of course I happen to have several outdoor events to attend. I am an expert at summertime outfits when it comes to indoor, air-conditioned events, but can’t imagine dressing for 90+ degree events in anything but a bikini.

My favorite season may be drawing to a close, but on the East Coast at least, August tends to be the hottest, muggiest and sweatiest month of the year–which is why I’ve put together a mash-up of my top must-have summer whites for these almost unbearably warm last dog days. These white hot items emulate this summers hottest trends and will keep you cool no matter the temperature on the thermostat.

From left to right, top row: Nanette Lepore ‘Be A Star’ Blazer, Charles David ‘Entourage’ Gladiators, MICHAEL Michael Kors ‘Brooke’ Wedges, BCBG White Cotton Eyelet Maxi Dress, Alpin Valley White ‘Charlotte’ Short.

Bottom row: YSL White Vintage Loafers, Ray Ban ‘Clubmaster’ Sunglasses, J Brand Torn White Skinny Jeans, Marc by Marc Jacobs ‘Blade’ Watch, Full Tilt Eyelet Collar Top

My favorite thing about white is that you can never wear too much of it–try any of these pieces together for a carefree, lightweight, summer look. I would wear the Full Tilt blouse tucked into the J Brand skinnies, strap on the Charles David sandals and and top it off with the Nanette Lepore blazer and the Ray Bans for a clean, polished date look. Or how about the Michael Kors wedges and BCBG maxi dress with no accessories but the Marc by Marc watch for those sweltering summer days?

Mix and match for yourself in summer whites.

Now here is a trend alert that your stiletto worn tootsies have been waiting for! These unisex loafers are the perfect compliment to the new masculine wave sweeping female fashion. Christian Louboutin, TopShop and Repetto have all designed a fabulous brogue that is an excellent finishing touch to those boyfriend jeans, leggings and 60’s inspired dresses. While stiletto’s will lengthen your silhouette and take your look sky high, old-school oxfords and classic loafers are an updated flat-style statement (an alternative to the ballet flat) that can take your look from day to night.

Now I know that these kind of look like a tribute to Michael Jackson and can be tricky to incorporate into your ensemble, but try a lace up loafer with more delicate outfits and pointed black patent slip on with skinny jeans and a blazer. Both looks are a fashion dichotomy that are smart, chic and quite  flattering!

See other new loafers by Rupert Sandreson and Rocco.

I’m not a big fan of florals–they don’t tend to match my city uniform of black, white, grey and tan–but this summer I have had to reconsider. The recent influx of teeny tiny flower-print dresses on the runway, in the magazines, and throughout the blogosphere has got me thinking about incorporating some flower power into my primary-colored wardrobe of structured silhouettes.

I decided to take any styling advice from the pro fashionistas themselves. The above ladies all do a phenomenal job of making their florals look anything but prissy. Peaches Geldolf (left) rocks her hot pink and white printed dress with black tights, severely toning down its giriness factor, Demi Lovato (center) toughens up her pastel colored confection with a tiny leather jacket, and Ashley Tisdale (right) makes her LFB look cool rather than cute with military boots.

My predominantly black wardrobe certainly has its fair share of black tights, black jackets, and black boots, so I am lucky enough to have a starting point. Add a barely there floral frock and I can see myself in any of these getups. If you too are a city chick afraid to be mistaken for a southern belle in florals and pearls, try these hip chicks’ tricks (say that five times fast).

I see this Anna Sui Scallop Floral Dress looking awesome with this Theory Tame Borie Cropped Leather Jacket or with black Doc Martens–in fact, I’d wear it with both. This even girlier Milly Botanical Floral Garden frock may look sweet and demure, but imagine it paired with black matte tights and sky high heels. Finally, even this uber-sugary Ella Moss Floral Print Maxi Dress could look rocker-cool with an embellished leather jacket (try this faux-leather one from Target) and dramatically large sunnies.

Freshen up your wardrobe with florals…and don’t forget to pile on the black, leather, and studs.

Bondage, bandage, tight wrapped, whatever you want to call it, these dresses are sexy and all sporting a new trend – seams! Brought to you originally by Herve Leger (Max Azria’s fancy line) and making it’s first appearance on the red carpet on Lohan, these dresses seemed to wrap the body (tightly) in all of the right places. And now this infamous bandage dress is showing seams in all of the right places.

I know what your thinking, anything looks amazing on Hally Barry, but I promise you ladies, try one on and you wont be disappointed. The construction with smartly placed seams is not only an excellent design feature, but a detail meant to enhance and flatter.

My favorite example is this Narisco Rodriguezb on Kate Winslet as she is one of our super famous chicks with a beautiful and realistic body type. So go ahead try it out and sport a line or two or three on your next dress.

There’s nothing that ruins a great outfit quite like a bad hair day. I have learned the hard way that no matter how fabulous your summer dress and It bag, hangover hair completely mucks your appearance and leaves you looking like a slob.

Luckily for those of us who stayed out too late last night, summertime offers many the option to hide, if not tame, our raucous curls. Headbands and ponytails are my usual go-to, and for days when a simple band won’t do it, I recommend the scarf trick–select a simple silk scarf in a bright color and tie it on either as a thick headband or a full-skull turban. But the absolute best way to disguise frazzled or flat hair requires no elaborate knotting, no dry shampooing, and no aggressive moussing.

Ladies (and gentlemen), I present to you: the fedora. The fedora is not your grandmother’s wide brim sunhat nor your little brother’s baseball cap, it belongs not on the beach or the outfield, but rather, topping off your most fashion-forward outfits. Whether you leave your hair loosely flowing underneath it like Reese Witherspoon (left) or tucked neatly underneath like Kirsten Dunst (center), this hat will hide your locks’ worst faux-paux and fool everyone with its chicness.

While our favorite starlets prefer traditional styles like this K-Fedora from Modcloth (KFed-ora…get it?), I like hats with a little more pop. This Armani Exchange fedora in grey rather than tan straw adds a bit of a city feel to the daytime hat. For an even more polished look, try this Banana Republic Canvas fedora–it couldn’t be further from casual. Finally, if you’re feeling really fiesty, try this RVCA Legacy Fedora in daring red.

Get in touch with your inner Indiana Jones with a  fedora.

Sometimes the sexiest outfits are those that aren’t trying to be. Case in point: Rihanna’s menswear inspired getups above. We all know by now that boyfriend jeans are undoubtedly stylish, but Rihanna takes the trend one step further with charming results.

Nobody wants to wear jeans during the summer. As July swelters into August, why not try the cropped version of this daring trend–boyfriend shorts? Do like RiRi (middle) and wear them with a lightweight cotton t-shirt tucked in for. I’d love to try this faded Rich & Skinny pair for effortless and comfortable style.

If you’d rather go tight on the bottom and loose on top, try a boyfriend shirt instead (left) . A trick–buy an extra-small men’s buttondown instead of a deliberately oversized woman’s shirt. It will likely be less expensive and look adorable with the sleeves cuffed. I like this Ben Sherman Daventry style in white or light blue. Plaid, like this LRG Tailwhipper Buttondown, is always a smart and stylish pick as well. With a shirt this large, you can wear your shorts as small as you’d like.

For a more dressed up look, throw a boyfriend blazer over your favorite evening dress (right). I’m loving this three-quarter sleeve Vince blazer, but at $440, it will have to remain adorning the bodies of celebs like Rihanna. A more budget-savvy but equally chic option is this Aqua ruched-sleeve blazer–for only $108, it will be mine. I would wear this with anything body-con, like this phenomenal phenomenal printed ASOS dress.

Shop your boyfriend’s closet or buy your own boyfriend shorts, shirts, and blazers.

I am definitely what you would call a creature of comfort. I will go to great lengths for fashion, as long as it doesn’t constrict my breathing, moving, or walking–so there was nobody happier than I when leggings re-surfaced as acceptable outside the gym several years ago. I made it a rule to wear these soft, comfortable pants in lieu of jeans whenever possible.

This seasons’ new influx of evening wear leggings has turned “whenever possible” into “all the time”. Leggings have gone from basic black spandex to every color, texture, and variation imaginable. While I live in basic black Splendid leggings on weekend afternoons and after-work evenings, I have invested in several fancier pairs that have all but replaced the pants in my closet. My favorite are liquid leggings by Members Only (left) that add a rockstar vibe to any simple shirt. I’m equally obsessed with this faux-denim Members Only pair (center left) made out of the softest jersey fabric imaginable–they look like perfectly tailored skinny jeans, but feel like your favorite pajama pants.

I’ve been dying to incorporate this seasons zippers and fringe into my legging collection. These Purple Label Zipper Leggings (center right) would look amazing with a black jersey top and sky-high strappy heels. The wild child in any of us would stun in these David Lerner Half-Ripped Leggings (right)–I’m not a huge fan of purposely ripped clothing, but the well positioned and discreet tears on these look fashionable, not trashy, and would add flair to any outfit. How much cooler are these than pants?

So much cooler. Give your jeans a break and update your wardrobe with leggings.

If, like us, you commute via bicycle to work each day, then you’ve likely already had this epiphany and swapped your American Apparel sweatshirt for something more practical. But in case you’re slow to adapt–we clung with both hands to an Alexander Wang motorcycle jacket that we thought was “just perfect” for biking until we ripped the shoulder–here’s an excellent option from Castelli that will see you through fall into chilly winter months. The Quantum Radiation Cycling Jacket sounds exactly like something from a science fiction novel–which is awesome–and will keep our lower back/butt region dry while leaning over the handlebars. A removable “radiation” liner makes the jacket perfect for summer months, but zip it back in come October to keep in a few extra degrees. The waterproof/windproof fabric is delightfully stretchy and moves with your body.  Best of all, though, is when your friends ask: “hey, what’s that unbelievable new jacket you’re wearing?” You get to answer, “Oh, no big deal, just the Quantum Radiation Cycling Jacket.” And then you will blow their minds.

Go for the gold with a new pair of cycling shoes.

In our own uncool defense, we had legitimate reservations: don’t those things get filthy? Wouldn’t you trip going up and down subway stairs? Are they (gasp) maybe a little frumpy?

As it turns out, our fashion fears were unfounded .  A walk down Bleecker Street in the West Village reveals that maxi dresses are not only the summer’s comfiest trend, but by far its sexiest. This swishy turquoise maxi dress in flat chiffon from Catherine Malandrino boasts meticulous ribbon detailing around its key hole neckline, and its slightly shorter hemline will help prevent embarrassing sidewalk missteps. These babies look as good on the beach as they do in the city, but wedges and espadrilles are highly recommended for additional stumble/tumble insurance. Raid your local Salvation Army for a big straw hat and at set of clangy silver bangles to achieve a superb, 1970’s-pool-party vibe.  Ya dig?

Who among us hasn’t spent an hour perfecting a shiny/smooth ‘do only to be thwarted by the thick, merciless air hovering outside the apartment? Fly-aways, uncontrollable curls and hair flips, hopeless flatness–these are the beauty challenges we face each day. Sigh. Sometimes, the temptation to give up and spend the entire summer in braids and high, messy buns can seem too great to resist.

But resist we must! Aveda, one of our all-time favorite natural beauty brands, has whipped up a magical concoction to soothe sad summer frizzies around the world.   The anti-humectant pomade–NOT to be confused with the humectant pomade, which does precisely the opposite–combats humidity to leave hair feeling sleek and silky instead of…well, just gross and wretched.  Sweet relief! Smooth onto palms and run through damp hair for sexy, un-frizzable locks that last all day long.  And try not to be weirded out when your friends keeps petting you–it’s pretty normal.

Hair care products are on sale at Pronto Style.

I’m not normally one to endorse a specific product, but exceptions make rules and this bag is begging for an exception. This Botkier Morgan Satchel has been on my wishlist ever since it was spotted on the arm of the lovely Vanessa Hudgens, but alas, I couldn’t bring myself to spend almost $800 on a purse, even a perfectly slouchy rich leather caryall embellished in (my favorite accessory) fringe. So on my wishlist it remained for months, until the Pronto Style Sale Alert informed me that I had dropped a whopping 48% in price to $400!

Pronto’s Sale Alert lets you select your favorite brands from a list of hundreds (some of my selections: BCBG Max Azria, French Connection, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Splendid & Theory) and emails you  when products and brands you have selected (shirts and tops, pants, dresses, skirts, shoes and handbags) go on sale. Thanks to this convenient feature, this fabulously fringe-y bag can be mine for half the price.

As I decide if I can part ways with $400, even for a bag of this coolness caliber, I’m going to check out some more budget savvy cowgirl chic options, like this $30 Modcloth Fringe Purse. I love how a suede or leather fringed bag looks slouched over the shoulder or draped across the body–it exudes casual confidence but tells everyone you’re willing to take a bit of a risk. Decisions, decisions…

Channel the Wild Wild West with your own fringe purse.

I may have an eye for all things fashion, but my vision is quite blurry. Being handed the fuzzy eye sight card a birth, I always struggled with wearing glasses. It began with my first pair in third grade, age 8, picture the tallest girl in class with frizzy hair and bright purple bi-focals! I looked like a shrunken old lady minus the liver spots and gray hair. The point to this story is that for some years wearing glasses has had a taboo assigned to it (mine stems from being taunted through childhood). But lo and behold, being a geek has become chic.

In an independent study conducted by yours truly, among the four women I know who wear glasses on a regular basis, results show that they get more attention from men and they find that the right frames are a perfect accessory to any fashion statement. Kirsten, Foxy Lady, ScarJo and my personal favorite Justin Timberlake, are all sporting this hard to deny trend.

My favorites are the newer vintage inspired chunky black frames like these from Ray Ban and  and this sassy pair from Marc Jacobs.

Whether you need reading glasses or magnifying glass strength tri-focals, I say the bigger the better to rock out with your inner nerd!

Take a long look at designer sunglasses.

Happily, there’s a simple way to avoid this common workplace faux-pas. “Neoprene” may not be silk, but this red laptop case from Case Logic is a cute alternative in a market saturated with black and…less-black varieties. You won’t have to worry about your water bottle spilling and frying your hard drive, and it’s a perfect counter to the sharp, wounding edges of your compact mirror.  We see it as a good opportunity to up the ante on all our desktop accessories–next up, one of those nifty leather ink blotters.

We’ve always been suckers for a ruffle and a stripe, so you can’t reasonably expect us not to squeal with glee at the sight of this fabulously frilly Moschino two-piece. It sort of reminds us of a candy striper that lost her skirt and her syringe, but in a good way. Pair with a big woven tote, kitschy towel and pitcher of jalapeno margaritas for incomparable poolside style certain to earn a few meaningful winks. Just one parting word of caution: flirting in one direction for too long may lead to uneven tan lines, so be sure to keep moving.

Speaking of tanning, don’t forget sunscreen.

I am not usually one for prints, preferring to mix shades of solids in geometric blocks, but there is something about the return of the leopard print that has me going wild (no pun intended) .

I love the leopard print as a refreshing alternative to summer florals. There is something daring and sexy about it, despite the dark, muted colors and small spots. The problem with leopard is that it inevitably brings a Mrs. Robinson-esque seductress to mind–an easy problem to avoid if you keep in mind these three tips.

1. Leopards do not play well with others. Keep the rest of your outfit solid–black, white, red, burgundy and tones of grey and brown work fabulously with leopard. A loose, chiffon Moschino top (left) looks sophisticated with black pants or a skirt.

2. Adhere to nature. There is a reason these great, ferocious cats boast their pattern in shades of black, brown, and grey. A leopard couldn’t pull off its signature spots in hot pink–neither can you.

3. They might be predators, but you’re not. Keep the leopard-print article of clothing (or accessory!) casual. A loose, flowing leopard print dress, like the above one from Alice + Olivia (right) works. A skintight sheath might not. Similarly, this bold print looks endearing on a one-piece, like the pictured monokini from Charlotte Russe (center), whereas it would be offensive on a tiny string bikini.

Hunt for your own leopard print.

Let’s start from the top and work down.

The Skin:

It’s a personal decision but I say loose powder is your best bet. It isn’t too heavy, it will absorb excess moisture AND it will let your natural beauty shine through. I and several of my beauty obsessed friends love Laura Mercier’s loose setting powder, it comes in all colors and a bronzer.

Conceal – some secrets are best kept just that, secrets. I can go on all day about enhancing natural beauty, but if you have dark circles, or blemish scars or discoloration – by all means cover it up. For brightening raccoon eyes I love YSL’s radiant touch concealer, for blemishes and discoloration, I hit up old faithful Neutrogena healthy skin smoothing stick (in my skin care regimen for 10 plus years).

Eyes:

They are the windows into your soul (cheesy but true) and the one place on your face that you can get creative! I am loving simple cream eye shadows, they don’t wear off and they keep you looking fabulous all day long. I think the shimmer is always the best way to brighten up, but a great subtle coral works on most skin and eye tones – snatch up this one from NARS. Instead of dark liner on the bottom, try a neutral or eye-brightener stick like this one from Benefit, it makes you look wide awake after a night of  sipping cocktails (this one you should use all year round!).

Cheeks:

Don’t be afraid of staining them, they aren’t your white linen dress! They are meant to be blushed (hence the term!). Cheek color is my personal must-have and cheek stains are all the rage right now for good reason. If you try anything this summer this is it, it stays on, it ads color and dimension to your face, and it makes you look alive! Tarte makes a great stick and it can double for your eye creme shadow also! (Using a pink lip gloss can work too, just go easy so it doesn’t look greasy).

Lips:

Moisture Moisture Moisture, not only is the sun out (it’s out all year long) but the UV combined with the head will chap you right up! No matter what you are, a lipstick girl or a glossy chic, start with a light base of lip moisture like Burt’s Bees. Get a two in one with Cargo Plant Love Lipstick – it’s great moisturizing color and you pick a color based on it’s celeb muse! Color of the moment – sheer rose plum.

Some afterthoughts; always prime with SPF anything and finish it off with some brow gel, your choice of waterproof mascara and prepare to be hot in the heat.

Find all of the make-up you could ever need.

We understand that harem pants aren’t exactly figure flattering. In fact, the first time we went to try on a silky, cropped olive green pair at Ralph Lauren, our boyfriend (otherwise very polite) furrowed his brow and pointed out, as delicately as possible, that the pants gave us a bad case of diaper-butt. We explained to him, with equal tact, that he could “shut up.”

Conventionally sexy they are not, but we’re confident that history will prove the harem pant to be the most intimidating and ultimately marvelous trend of Summer ‘09. Because they do literally nothing to help your shape—seriously, nothing at all— the successful harem pants wearer is compensated instead by the large amount of cojones required to pull something like this off. We’re talking confidence, people. If you can wear these things and look hot, you can wear anything you want. Forever.

Harem pants are available in every fabric, pattern, and length imaginable, but these days we’re sticking with the most weather-friendly options. This short black jersey version from the cotton experts at Splendid would look unbelievable with a pair of peep-toe booties or some of those mega-strappy birdcage sandals and a white wife beater. If you’re still not convinced, watch a few episodes of I Dream of Jeannie for inspiration. We guarantee you’ll be prancing around in slippers and a crop-top in no time.

Bows have been everywhere lately, from the screen (hello, Gossip Girl), to the stage (what’s up, Lady Gaga), to the runway (hi, Marc Jacobs, helloooo, Proenza Shouler)! Actresses, performers, and models alike are wearing these fun and funky embellishments and looking gorgeous and youthful, we get it–but how do us common folk wear bows without looking like toddlers? Or worse, trendsters trying too hard?

My answer–go black. As a a loud and proud New Yorker, I believe that one can never go wrong with black. The color is so classic, universally flattering and understated that any wild fashion experiment can succeed if the mad scientist just remembers to lay low on the color spectrum. Yes, I know, black isn’t exactly the quintessential summer color, but the best thing about bows is that they generally limit themselves to one article of clothing or accessory, leaving the wearer the rest of her outfit for color palate research.

The above options are perfect baby steps into the world of bows. Charlotte Russe’s Bow Headband (top left) comes in every color, but why not finish off an outfit with the chic and classy black? Pink Tartan’s Leopard Bow Neck Blouse (top right) combines our two favorite colors, black and white, with a hot summer pattern. Pair it with a black pencil skirt or skinny black jeans for a look that is polished in the office and fashionable at happy hour. These Gap True Black Peep Toe Ballet Flats (bottom left) are a fun spin on traditional black flats (and at $46.50 a pair, I might even pick them up in another color)! Finally, my favorite tied-up accessory–the B-Low The Belt ‘Marcy’ Belt, is a timeless essential. Wear it over any dress to cinch your waist and add a pop of flair.

Make Blair Waldorf herself proud and add a bow to your favorite outfit: shop headbands, blouses, shoes and belts.

]]> http://blog.prontostyle.com/must-have-accessories/bring-on-the-bows/feed/ 5 http://blog.prontostyle.com/what-to-wear/the-new-power-dressing-sleeveless-blazers/ http://blog.prontostyle.com/what-to-wear/the-new-power-dressing-sleeveless-blazers/#comments Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:00:58 +0000 Blair Pfander http://prontostyle.blog2.pronto.com/?p=180

There’s nothing like a good oxymoron to add a little interest to getting dressed in the morning. Last Fall, Yves Saint Laurent sent models down the runway in stovepipe pants and long black blazers…sans sleeves. Sure, the most daring of fashion feats it was not, but rumor has it that upon spotting the mutilated version of her Vogue office staple, editor-in-chief Anna Wintour choked on her Fiji water and Andre Leon Talley was forced to spend the rest of the presentation administering hearty smacks to the icon’s back. A blazer without sleeves? Does that even count as a blazer??

We know what you’re thinking, but no, a blazer without sleeves isn’t “just a vest.” It’s a statement! It’s authority that doesn’t take itself too seriously—like a really great boss. Sure, the power suits of the 1980’s—with their charming to-the-ear shoulder pads and glinting gold buttons—have all but disappeared, but the notion of dressing for success is alive and well in the sleeveless blazer. Besides, who really wants to wear jackets to the office in this weather?

This sleek sleeveless blazer by Helmut Lang features a low cut V-neck and single button closure with welt pockets at the bust and hip, and will undoubtedly prove the most versatile piece in our wardrobe. Wear it year-round with a sharp leather pencil skirt and lace-up booties or dress it down with shorts and an oxford shirt. Your look is guaranteed to say “I mean business” no matter how you style it. Ugh, we’re so fighting the urge to say “you go girl” right now.

We’re almost halfway into summer, and amidst a hot and sunny July, it seems like every occasion worth noting is being celebrated with a barbecue. Whether they&