thoughts on style

Who What Wear, one of my favorite fashion sites, posted a great spread today featuring celebs out walking their pooches. Being a new dog owner myself (my miniature dachshund is so precious!), I've found a whole new style occasion in my life: the daily dog walk. Living in Manhattan forces the dog owner to see and be seen more than almost any other place in the world, so while most of us will not be photographed on our walks like Olivia Palermo, Naomi Watts, or Kirsten Dunst,, we will pass by countless other Manhattanites on their daily commute, run around the neighborhood, or walking their own dog. My dog walking style pictured above is a comfy, downtown-meets-uptown look for summer, with Chuck Taylor slip ons for comfort and ease when my dog is pulling me out the door, a loose tee, and distressed denim which make it easier to walk (substitute cutoff shorts for super hot days), and a chic blazer and some haute accessories to keep it looking interesting, and to add a little uptown to the mix. Round sunglasses are my newest favorite shape, which give it sort of a vintage, dapper flair which balances everything out. Don't be afraid to mix & match with colors, patterns, and accessories with this look, it's a perfect time to experiment -- after all, it's just a walk!

When it comes to travel, style sites are always touting this bikini or that maillot for your next vacation, but it's not so often they cover the needs of that more exotic venture life may bring. Until yours truly came along. This summer I may not be hitting the Hamptons or backpacking across Europe, but I am going on safari in South Africa. And among other preparations, of course there is the decision of what to pack, and even more importantly (okay, it's all relative), what to wear.

So how does one safari with style? Let me show you how.

First let me explain the basics. Keeping in mind my newfound knowledge that camouflage is illegal in certain parts of Africa, and that one must never wear black, white, or blue (as to not disturb/attract the wrong animals/insects), and of course, to keep one's skin from getting sunburnt and bitten by malaria-ridden mosquitoes, there are certain boundaries. It actually seems like a wardrobe challenge, right? Well, at the risk of being cliché, I have to say that it's actually quite easy, because the most cliché safari gear is - big surprise - the most practical. Shades of olive, khaki, brown and naturals are best, as the local ecologists warn tourists to blend in with nature (it prevents us from being overly disturbing to lions, elephants, and giraffes). So as I shop for my own gear, and add in a few luxury items I only imagine wearing out in the bush, I find myself becoming somewhat of a style guru for first-time safari goers. And here is my recommended list of safari gear with style.

SURVIVAL-MUST-HAVES:
1. A hat to protect the chic safari-goer's precious skin. This one from Urban Outfitters is oh-so-Indiana Jones girl.
2. Long-sleeve, lightweight clothing to protect from mosquitoes. James Perse makes the best shirts (top right), with cozy ribbed cotton at the side panels that hug your curves and prevent your safari shirt from looking boxy and granola-esque.
3. Sunscreen. This powder/sunscreen is a two-in-one powder and SPF 30, to keep your baggage light - and your face fresh and pretty.
4. Sunglasses. The classic Ray Ban aviator. Do I really need to explain this one?
5. Good hiking boots. I've honestly never seen any worth picturing on my site. Have you?


STYLE-MUST-HAVES:
1. Scarves. Scarves and scarves and scarves. I don't care how many you stuff in your carry on, they will never put you over the luggage weight limit, so pack them in for wardrobe versatility, sun and bug protection, and temperature control. Plus they look incredibly stylish.
2. Filson bag. If for no other reason than to break in your bag and give this classic even more of a vintagey, well-worn patina. Soooo British Colonial, n'est pas?
3. Beaded bracelet, or something with a natural feel. This Elizabeth & James version is crafty looking, but if you can buy it from a local market, ditch the designer verison.
4. And the icing on the top of the cake, the ultimate luxury in safari gear, this cropped trench (top left) from Golden Goose. At over $1000, who cares if it's your first time on safari or your 19th. No one would be the wiser.


So what are your thoughts on safari style? I would love to hear from those of you with experience.

Move over corals, yellows, aquas and the hot and steamy brights of summers past, the new neutrals have taken over. My favorite of them all, the ladylike and delicate blush (a light pink starting anywhere from powder to a peachy, almost mauve tone), is the color of choice for supermodels, socialites, and celebrities alike from spring to early summer. And not only has it caught on for the ladies, even Brad Pitt was seen in an all-over blush (or some would call it salmon, but i think hardly) suit at Cannes a few weeks ago. While some have chosen to complement the color with a pop of orange (Blake Lively in Oscar de la Renta), a touch of old Hollywood glamour (Angelina Jolie with drop dead red lipstick), or sexy black (Birdie Bell in some kind of sheer lingerie with a blush fur shrug), others have opted for the trendiest combo of the season - blush mixed with various neutrals. Case in point, Claudia Schiffer accessorizes with a beige bag and shoes, and Rachel Zoe with a touch of muted gold (she looks absolutely stunning in this grecian number, top right), which works rather nicely in my opinion, while Olivia Palermo and Brad Pitt offset the girly shade with a touch of grey, Palermo with grey suede heels and Pitt in a grey scarf. The combination is pure genius.

So go out and don't be afraid to blush this summer, red carpet or not. Here are two looks that you can rock yourself for a little less cash (tried to keep each piece under $100, but couldn't do without a few key pieces that really pull the looks together), one for a day at the beach and perhaps a stop for an ice cream and a stroll down Main St, and another for a steamy night out. The Surf Lodge in Montauk perhaps?