a more casual sienna

In recent months, when she's been seen around Sienna Miller has been in much more casual, everyday looks than she used to have -- probably trying to stay low profile and avoid more gossip in the tabloids. But I think there's a definite chicness in this simplicity, and it shows how you can be completely casual but still look nice. Most of her outfits have been mainly neutral colors, with nice tops and jeans, and small details to hint at her more obviously boho/60s past -- a printed peasant-y blouse, black stockings with a minidress, beat-up leather bags and belts, and the combination of white and off-white above, which I love.

some of fall's best looks, from paris vogue

What I really liked about this fall editorial from Vogue Paris was how it still did "total looks" from the designers, but alternated styling them in a typically editorial way, and in a street style way. It seems obvious, but it really brings a lot more life to the clothes, I think. For example I loved the fall collection from Alexander McQueen, with it's over the top frilly royal theme, but couldn't ever imagine it applied in practical terms. Below, Vogue put an embroidered royal vest over a simple blouse and jeans, and the clothes still make a statement but are thoroughly wearable. That's the kind of styling that I love the best. Here are my favorite sets, from Chanel (above), McQueen, Ralph Lauren, Dolce & Gabbana, and Gucci.

"I didn't really know what I wanted to do, but I knew the woman I wanted to become"

Diane von Furstenberg ad for American Express:



I'm not sure why I like this ad so much, I guess it's nice to see designers at work, and the way they blended images of water and leaves to show the inspiration for patterns. Of course I love Diane as well, I'm just starting to read her autobiography.

the next generation: elettra wiedemann

Elettra Wiedemann (daughter of Isabella Rosellini) made Vogue's 10 Best Dressed list this week for this dress (above) by Roberto Cavalli. I've been noticing her red carpet looks a lot recently, as they tend to be more daring, and with a more intrinsic sense of style than most model's outfits. She's one of my favorite relatively new models, who based on her mother's example I think will have a long career. I did read that she's going to London this fall to study something incredibly impressive like biomedical engineering though. I guess she's not your typical model in a lot of ways...

Elettra was also featured in a large spread in Elle Italia in August 2008, which I love for the naturalness of the pictures and colors, it makes all the looks very accessible:

view more pictures here

no real point to this but i love this photo

"Untitled" by Just Loomis
as seen in The New Yorker

i never wear animal print, but this is just too gorgeous

Dior, Haute Couture, photo NYTimes

all that glitters

Serena's character on Gossip Girl often has gold worked into her ensembles, but usually in a muted shade like these for a little more subtlety, and a little less ostentation. To wear gold practically for day, without looking like a disco-ball, I think this is the perfect way.


Was Serena's gold sequined dress in one of the first episodes inspired by this gold Burberry mini that Sienna wore to last year's Met Ball? Sienna also paired hers with black tights, the only thing missing is the black belt (well and Christopher Bailey, the best accessory of all).


Off-set, Leighton Meester is a golden girl in a structured taffeta dress, which I think is cute -- it makes her look like she was wrapped up like a present.



But I think my favorite gold red-carpet gown of recent times was this one Kate Hudson wore to the BAFTA awards, with the diagonal patterns in the sequins that are complemented by the quirky matching braid in her hair. Only Kate could pull off a braid on the red carpet!

summer hair on chic too chic

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