The Spirit of the Sale

Jason Wu for TSE 

Usually, by mid-season I have my wardrobe down -- my uniform and my favorite pieces are set. If I haven't found something in particular that I was looking for, I've given up and moved on.  I tire of shopping.  Then the end of season sales start and I am reinvigorated. I love perusing the marked-down racks here and there and seeing if anything catches my fancy. Nothing specific, no pressure, just enjoyment. I always end up finding great pieces that I work into my wardrobe one way or another. 


Summer sales are the best.  So far I've done pretty well and bought pieces that I would not have necessarily considered otherwise and not necessarily because of the price: A Jason Wu for TSE striped cashmere sweater -- love it for all year round; a little Rebecca Taylor dress with a boho vibe; a short, satin-y, no-name tank dress; some tunics; a Chanel-like jacket for fall... and a few other pieces that have found their way into my closet. It's shopping for the fun of it.


Now, a little fashion break before we start planning for fall...

The Beauty of the Black Dress

Alexander Wang

I recently had a crazy day. I went from a funeral to lunch (and shopping) at Barneys. I then headed uptown to Exhale spa followed by cocktails at the Carlyle. Then there was the mad dash downtown to dinner at Nobu. Oh, it was a 85+ degree day in the city. Quite a full day, to say the least, and I managed to pull off the whole excursion in the same black dress. While it may seem of little importance, it felt great and freeing to throw something on in the morning and not have to think about my outfit again, feeling appropriately dressed at each stop.


My dress was a simple sleeveless cotton frock -- slim on top with a slightly empire-waist and a short but full-ish skirt. It was basic enough to allow for some accessory switcheroos along the way --  I wore ballet flats and a patent bow belt in the earlier part of the day and then switched to satin sandals and a jeweled waist-cincher for evening, which I had stashed in my (medium-sized) bag. 

Ralph Lauren

  

Unfortunately, I just attended another funeral and I was so relieved to have that same easy, no-brainer black dress to wear. Each one of my friends also had on superversatile frocks -- from a structured wrap dress to a form-sitting sheath. Coincidentally, my friend noted in her eulogy to her father, how his good pal Jackie Kennedy once told him how essential it is for a woman to have black dress and a houndstooth suit on hand.

Michael Kors

After these experiences, I have really come to appreciate the beauty of the basic black dress. Now, I just need that houndstooth suit.

Milly

SJP: Mommy Chic

SJP and babies. Vogue.com / Photographed by Mario Testino

Love these images of Sarah Jessica Parker and her family from Vogue.

The Broderick/Parker fam. Vogue.com / Photographed by Mario Testino

Pucci Please!

Peter Dundas with Eugenie Niarchos in Pucci on Dundas's rooftop deck

Legendary label Pucci gets a sexy makeover courtesy of designer Peter Dundas.  Read all about it -- and check it his amazing Florentine palazzo (shot by Bazaar) -- on my post on the Well Appointed House blog.

Summer Girl

Gwyneth and her son in Porto Cervo, Italy

Gwyneth is the chicest/coolest. Flowy printed dress, simple leather sandals, wayfarers -- and an electric-hued clutch. A perfect summer look.  Love the way she tied up her hair in a basic, post-swim knot, too.

Perfect Platform

Lanvin

Leave it to a sister to know your needs and wants. In my case, it was a sexy sandal, with a superchic platform. This perfect shoe is sure to amp up my look. I'll wear it with everything from a white cotton cocktail dress to wide-leg jeans. Thanks to my sister for the birthday wardrobe booster! It made my day!

Pretty Little Thing

JORDAN ASKILL

July heart birthstone ring, $325

openingceremony.us

I like to keep it simple in the summer in terms of day to day accessorizing... but I am not sure I can resist this sweet ring (I spotted on vogue.com) -- especially because it features a petite ruby, my July birthstone. A little something can go a long way. 

I just might have to treat myself.

The Other Royal Wedding, cont...

Kate in Galliano and Jamie Hince in YSL

The Other Royal Wedding

Happy Wedding Day Kate the Great!