thoughts on style

Whether you're like me and have a weakness for all things nautical or not, nautical stripes in all its variations is an essential foundation in ones wardrobe due to its timelessness as well as its ability to look great in many combinations of pieces. I have versions in dresses, tanks, and tees and find myself wearing them season after season whether its summer or winter. Here are some of my favorite versions. Also, not featured here but perhaps the most classic of them all is the Saint James brand. Check it out at http://www.saintjamesboutique.com/.

The finishing touch on your fall outerwear, leather gloves are both functional, and a more stylish alternative to knit (yes, even if they're cashmere). My favorites this season are short, fingerless driving gloves for day (makes it soooo easy to grab my morning coffee or dig my iphone out of my handbag while on the go), or long, dramatic styles with special details like fringes and zippers. I saw the Ann Taylor grey suede version in the store and they are perfect, and also some fabulous pairs of driving gloves at Club Monaco in various colors and even faux snakeskin.

I'm afraid I feel a new addiction coming on, but like the ladies of Ab Fab always said, "you can never have enough hats, gloves, and shoes." Agreed.

Chilly times are on their way, and I can't think of a better way to face them than with a wear-with-all fur vest. In faux or la verité, and either is acceptable these days, this piece can go day or night (I am dying for a black fox fur vest for night), and with anything from jeans and a tee to a dress, shown above. In browns and sables they can go bohemian, but in luxurious greys and blacks, a fur vest can be very elegant. It's truly a piece that can work for anyone on any budget.

With only 12 days and counting to New York Fashion Week this September, folks in the fashion industry are busy gearing up not only their 5" platform Louboutins to trek from show to show, but also their Towns Cars and Escalades to chauffeur them from Bryant Park to Milk Studios, back and forth from show to show. Aside from dying to see the clothes themselves, I find myself wondering what drama will ensue between the two locales. What kind of logistical challenges will this present? Whose shows will be late and who will be late to the shows? Will this split represent the divide between the new and edgy and the old-school designers? This season I will be answering these questions, as I will be reporting from inside both the tents and Milk Studios. Stay tuned for more insider updates to come, from yours truly, Thoughts on Style.

So what are your thoughts on Fashion Week? Where will you be, and whose shows are you dying to see? Post your comments below.

Due to the recent stormy weather here in New York, I've become almost overly prepared in the summer for that afternoon drizzle, thunder storm, or total downpour (ewww). Although the rain is awful for those of us who love our white sundresses and closetfuls of sandals, we cannot let a little rain stop us from looking fabulous, can we? So I've put together a dull-proof rain look with croc-embossed Hunter boots by Jimmy Choo (I sooo want these!), a playful floral romper from Free People, and a a YSL bag in rain-resistant patent leather, because fashion people do NOT go gently into the rainy night! And I love Rag & Bone's Poche vest, which has a convertible hood to throw on if you're caught sans parapluie. Throw in a few girlie accessories to keep the look from getting too utilitarian, and voila! You're ready to face the elements.

I came across a great idea while browsing through the August issue of Lucky mag over the weekend - I must be honest, it wasn't my idea (see photo from the pages of Lucky mag on the top right), but a great idea that MUST be shared. One of the big trends for summer that will most definitely still be going strong this fall - studs - are showing up on clothing, accessories, jewelry, and more. While the actual fabrics and silhouettes need not be avant garde (and may already be crumpled in the back of your closet), the careful addition of several or even hundreds of small metal studs makes l'ordinaire into l'extrordinaire. So pull out some of those tired pieces from your wardrobe, those plain black tees, or even your blah black leather clutch, and transform it. Studs can be found all over the place online, or if you're in NYC, stop by M&J trimmings on 6th ave in the 30's and pick up a few bags of studs, in various colors and shapes (my fave is the gold pyramid stud), and bedazzle away. If you don't own a bedazzler, and are perhaps too young to remember the ridiculous infomercials, nows the time to forget about such taboo of old ladies and small-town craft fairs, and morph the things you already own into something more interesting, not to mention trés chic.

Because if nothing else, making your old clothes new again is a form of recycling, and we all want what's good for the environment, right?

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?

I have always been an advocate of classic style - buying investment pieces as a foundation for one's wardrobe, then building upon that with interesting accessories, and less expensive trendy items to keep it looking fresh from season to season. This spring, as cold weather hangs on with all its strength here in the city, I have had a whole lot of time to shop the stores and a have found few pieces to store in my closet for warmer days ahead. So here are my picks for spring - inexpensive ways to incorporate trends into any wardrobe, all under $100.

1. Florals: this Old Navy scarf is best added to a basic ensemble (tee and jeans or crisp white shirt), or to make a more dramatic impact, layer it over white jeans and a white top, letting your accessories do all the talking.

2. Fringe: I chose this Kenneth Cole Reaction heeled sandal because in neutral beige, it matches back to any existing wardrobe, but the fringe detail gives it a more updated feel, so as not to read dullsville.

3. Bib Necklaces: This delicate, vintage-inspired bib necklace from Anthropologie pairs well with a pretty floral frock or a ruffled blouse and blazer with boyfriend jeans, to add a feminine, flirty touch. If you are afraid of this season's large-scale, chunky jewelry, this bib necklace is one way to be on-trend without going overboard.

4. The Romper: Yes, we've all seen it in infinite variations in the stores already, even though I have yet to see a real, live New Yorker in one yet (I am dying to see how my fellow fashionistas will put the look together). Anyhow, I prefer the short version of the romper as opposed to the pants version, since I see this shape as something young and fun, and would not want to take the look too seriously as it may not be a la mode for long. So be forewarned, do not waste several hundred dollars on a designer version of the romper unless you see yourself in it for more than just one season.

5 . The Maxi Dress: I practically LIVED in a black version of this dress last summer, as it is incredibly easy to throw on for a picnic in the park or a day out shopping. Furthermore, it is very easy to accessorize. For a more casual maxi dress like this one from Nordstrom, I recommend to keep the look low key with flat sandals (perhaps some classic K. Jacques if you favor high/low dressing), and some great jewelry. That, and a giant straw bag and sunglasses and you are out the door.

6. African-Inspired Pieces: It was all over the runways (check out the nytimes style pages ), and since it really just means taking one element of tribal style and incorporating it into a modern look, this clutch with a wooden handle is a safe (albeit quite tame) way to make it work.

7. Gladiator Sandals: Yes, they were already the "it" footwear last summer, but they are not over just yet - I promise! This Sam Edelman version is fantastic, even if it is a shameless knockoff of the K. Jacques version (my favorite sandals, and yes they are worth the high price...I climbed a Mayan temple with them and they got me to the top and back). So if you cannot or will not spend the $$ on the K. J's, go for Sam Edelman, they make some great shoes if you are one for fast fashion.

8. Cutoff Denim Shorts: To be perfectly honest, you can probably cut off your own jeans and rub them with some sandpaper to achieve this look via DIY...but speaking from experience they never quite end up straight at the legs when you put them on. So leave it to Levi's to give you the prefab worn-in look. I suggest pairing them with a floaty peasant blouse with some folksy embroidery, or just any long, loose top that isn't overly revealing. Since these shorts are already showing off so much leg, it's better to keep the top half a little more demure. This look also works perfectly with flat sandals, especially gladiators.

Now all we have to do is pray for warmer weather, because at the very least, our wardrobe will be ready for it.