Detail I am loving now: tiny feather embellishment. I love how these looks (DVF, Fall 2009 and Burberry Fall 2008) use feathers as a textural detail and color pattern, not as fluff like you see in red carpet gowns. So luxe and chic.

inspiration photo

Recently I've been finding this picture of Yves Saint Laurent, with one of his muses, Betty Catroux (left), so inspiring. On the right is Loulou de la Falais. The safari-style dress, loose belt and big sunglasses are so retro, and yet so modern. Love it.

style guides

There are many many many style guide books out there, especially that have come out in the past few years. I like these two because, while the tip every style guide ever gives you is "be yourself", these books actually show you how to do just that. No matter how "yourself" you're being, just about everyone needs to have a look they're channeling, an idea, a mood, an ideal version of how they see themselves. The Lucky Guide helps you find that by showing 10 classic "looks" -- gamine, boho, bombshell, and everything in between -- how to achieve them, and then how to mix and match so you don't look cliche. The Mizrahi guide has an elaborate system of finding your own style that he goes through, from creating a look board to going through your own closet critically to creating polished dream looks. And each of the women he helps in the book ends up with their own distinct style that you can tell really matches them. 

I'm not so crazy about all the "A to Z" guides, because they basically just list fashion elements and describe them, rather than helping you pick and choose for yourself. Not everyone can walk around in a classic white shirt, trench coat, scarf, stilettos, and so on, and not look boring or just plain bad. So in my opinion if you already know what dolman and peplum and poplin all mean and are looking for a little more guidance, these guides aren't for you.

Are they any style guides you like or use? It's always great to find a new one that really works. 

january jones

I love January Jones, not just because of my minor obsession with her show "Mad Men," but also because of her style. She experiments with a lot of different fashion-forward looks, and these are some of my favorites. Above, at a GQ party, below at the Met Costume Gala 09, and other awards shows and premieres, including wearing that MiuMiu dress last June at the Mad Men Season 2 premiere.

love fashion?

I recommend checking out FashionAir,  a new style website, which differentiates itself with a lot of video content -- yesterday I watched a style profile with Julia Restoin Roitfeld, and a couple of great "7 days of style" videos. One of my favorite features is how products mentioned in the videos (or similar styles) pop up to the side for easy linking of things you like. It's still in Beta, so it can be a little confusing to navigate, but if you head over and sign up your email, they'll send you a password.

Hope you enjoy! 

late summer style

Late summer style...

The perfect time for white blouses, cat-like eyes, the beginning of layering, 

and bright colors, because we're not quite ready to stop having fun...

pictures from Loeffler Randall 2008 lookbooks

visit for their newest collection

I often wish I could wear hats without looking a little bit silly, or maybe it's just that when you're not used to them you get self-conscious. The tan straw hat with thick black ribbon (top right) might just be cute enough for me to give hats another try...

these styles and many more from brixton.com

just because...

...I love this photograph

Twiggy, photographed by Gosta Peterson, 1967

style profile: Giovanna Battaglia

One of my absolute favorite parts of the week is Sunday morning, curling up with a huge cup of tea and the New York Times' Style section. This week they featured Giovanna Battaglia, editor of Vogue's Italian jewelry and accessories editions -- and frequent favorite subject of street style photographers like The Sartorialist and Garance Dore. Here is the little interview they did with her about her style:

"WHAT I’M WEARING NOW My skirt is Dolce & Gabbana. My shirt, I designed. I had it done at a shirtmaker in Milan. It’s very Milanese to do this, and put your initials on it. Now I’m starting to have them made at Charvet in Paris. The shoes are Tabitha Simmons. The necklace is De Simone — it’s an old family from Naples — and the watch is a Patek Philippe Calatrava. It has my name on it. I’m quite obsessed with putting my name everywhere. 

STYLE CREDO I’m classic. I’m not a rock ’n’ roll chick. And I like to mix old and new. I’ll never wear a full look from a fashion show. It has to be personalized. Accessories have always been a big thing for me. I have 352 pairs of shoes. I’m not kidding. I have a wall filled with them, and then another for handbags. I never throw anything away. 

FAVORITE RECENT PURCHASES Three bathing suits from Norma Kamali — the ’50s “Dolce Vita” style. I got it in black-and-white, red and white. I photograph them all the time, but I never owned one. 

FALL TRENDS I LIKE The ladylike, sexy Parisian woman. Like the Balenciaga look. I’m more into sensual, simple clothes now. Lots of silk and cashmere — stuff that makes you feel good. I love fashion and fun, but at the end of the day, the dress has to please you and your boyfriend. 

FALL TRENDS I DON’T LIKE Crazy ’80s style. I shouldn’t say that because it’s a big trend, but who’s going to wear a shoulder like that? It’s fine for a picture, but I don’t like when a woman dresses too much like a fashion show. She looks like a clown, I think. 

ON MY WISH LIST A Lanvin stole and a leather Alaïa skirt. Alaïa dresses are the best investment. You buy a sexy Alaïa dress, and you’re sure you won’t be alone."

I have to say, I completely agree on the 80s style trend and especially the Balmain shoulder craze. 

Click here for more NYTimes Style

The special thing about female designers of women's wear is that they can design for themselves, and be their own best advertising. And while most wear the tamest of their own creations (Carolina Herrera, Miuccia Prada, Consuela Castiglioni of Marni...) I really admire how out there Stella McCartney went with this jumpsuit at the 2009 Met Ball. It certainly took a lot of moxie and belief in her own work. (Kate, Liv, and Kate are also all in Stella McCartney)

Everyone has many facets to their personal style and taste... and these two photos (from Garance Dore) perfectly encapsulate one facet of mine. I guess it might seem sort of unexpected, since I just posted about Kate Spade, a totally different aesthetic and mindset.

But I love the mix of black and cream colors visually. And I love a black skull t-shirt in a closet next to Chanel. How it's all pristine but not OCD-organized. And a little black feather fascinator -- so British, so fun, so elegant and whimsical at the same time.

see more here

kate spade ads

via ms. muse

What I love about Kate Spade ads I think is how they aren't deliberately about the product, at first glance you aren't even really sure what it is. It's really just selling a lifestyle, quirky personality, cute attention to detail and color, with a heavy dose of nostalgia. 

via flickr 

 

via google

old favorites

Kate Moss in Vogue Paris

via because i'm addicted