dr. martens for opening ceremony

   

Ah Dr. Martens, I've loved you so much in theory.... until now. Thank you Opening Ceremony for taking the classic Darcie 8 Eye and giving it a little more interest with animal print and abstract polka dots. Now I can wear you and feel like I'm not trying too hard to cop a style that isn't really mine.

OC always seems to update classic mainstays like Dr Martens and Levis - keeping the brand essence, but adding the unexplainable "it" quality and making it more appealing and/or relevant to consumers.

it's a skin thing

                                                                                   

                                                                                        VPL

Lately I'm obsessed with thinking about a better "relaxed" wardrobe. I've got great work clothes and great lounge clothes, but few solid in between pieces. BOF posted an article about Victoria Bartlett and her self described "innerwear, outerwear, anywhere” clothing line VPL (aka visible panty line) and I was instantly like, "yes... this is my relaxed look realized." Clothes that are comfortable,  but sexy are my favorites even if I'm running into CVS. A dash of sensuality goes along way in clothing.

VPL's Spring 2011 show got RAVE reviews and stopping by VPL's first boutique in Soho is a must when I get settled in NYC. This video explains it all quite well....enjoy!

I spent today watching old movies like Sabrina and catching up on my November magazines... late I know. Curiously they didn't make it to our mailbox this month... perhaps a glitch with my recent mail forwarding. Anyway, I've been going through a slight hat fascination (maybe more of a "I don't want to do my hair, but need to go out..." and the one worn above by Audrey Hepburn caught my eye.


It was 1954 so lady's fashions progressed from full skirts and "tiny" waists below a prominent, pointed bosom and the launching of a straighter, easier and softer silhouette. American designers relaxed waistlines, de-emphasized the bust and placed belts, sashes and drapery at the hip to give a new "long torso" effect.


This turban from Modcloth.com is the closest thing I found which is longer than above. 

rainy daze

I love a good rain boot particularly one that is both heavy on function and fashion. Today's NYTimes featured What I Wore with Paz de la Huerta. One of her outfits included Melissa boots, a new brand to me,  co-designed with Vivienne Westwood.

Not only did Melissa, a Brazilian footwear label, pioneer the movement of the fashionable plastic shoe, they are also the first company to apply aroma to their shoes: each shoe is made to smell like the bubblegum of your childhood to evoke happy thoughts.The shoes are made from big chunks of Melflex plastic, a patented non-toxic, hypo-allergenic, recyclable type of flexible plastic, to form their flats, wedges, and heels.

After a quick look, I'm smitten. Two of my favorites... perfect for a damp day.

fall item: pleated skirts

Louis Vuitton Fall 2010

While long, full and lady like made a strong skirt statement this Fall, I'm gravitating towards a pleated option that is equally feminine but a tad less costume like and a more seasonally transitional piece than a below knee length wool skirt.

My aunts traveled to Shanghi this summer and brought home Oggi, a Japanese fashion magazine, that reminded me this skirt is cool and versatile as well as an excellent substitute for this season's favored silhouette.

Outfits for inspiration...

From Oggi magazine

This week Who What Wear mentioned Proenza Schouler's wool blend take pictured below. Somehow I missed this piece on my daily scroll of what's new and it's now sold out on Net-A-Porter. $600 is a seemingly reasonable price when you consider it's a staple for years to come. Consider that it will cost far less per wear than the $100 trend skirt you buy from Club Monaco and wear once only to give away two seasons later.

Proenza Schouler Fall 2010