The Bag to Buy?

Chloe Marcie tote

I've been asked a lot lately about fall bags... what to buy?! Seems to be the first thing everyone wants to purchase for fall.  It's the best way to refresh a wardrobe and get excited for the new season.  I have to admit I am not totally sure what the bag-to-have it is... (I am still thinking of a new Balenciaga bag or just pulling out my old ones.) There are so many factors to consider -- work, kids, style, lifestyle...  But usually, it just comes down to lust. 


I do know I am loving the Chloe Marcie totes -- especially the ones in a rugged-brown leather.  Ditto the Proenza Schouler PS1 bags.

Chloe Marcie tote

Proenza Schouler PS1

And an Alexander Wang Emile bag continues to be at the top of my wishlist -- so chic and so cool.

Alexander Wang Emile tote

Oftentimes, once you fall in love with a good everyday bag, your new season's wardrobe just evolves around it. Decisions, decisions.

My IT Bag

I remember years ago, how I lusted, lusted after the original Balenciaga "Le Dix" motorcycle bag. I thought Kate Moss was the absolute coolest toting around that black leather prize.  I had to have it -- even though I couldn't afford it.  I carried that bag everywhere. And I love it to this day, as well as the bright pink one I subsequently bought.  


My mouth still waters at every incarnation -- the colors, textures, hardware.  My friend has a gunmetal-y metallic in a larger size that I know would make my life complete. The bright green, electric yellow, baby blue... Oh, have you seen the versions in croc? Beyond! I had to hold myself back from splurging on the canvas version I saw earlier this year. And then the raffia one.  Not sure what it is about the Balenciaga bag, but safe to say, it is my all-time favorite.

I saw an oversized one today on a superchic but casually-dressed woman -- a matte light gray with bright silver hardware. I think this might have to be my new fall bag. I've been wanting the Emile tote from Alexander Wang, and I really like the latest from Proenza Schouler. And of course, those understated Celine bags are amazing. But for me, I think, the Balenciaga motorcycle bag is still IT. 

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

Gwyneth-Palooza

Gwyneth Paltrow in Stella McCartney

Gwyneth is out promoting her new cookbook, "My Father's Daughter" and is on a fashion parade, which is always fun to see. (A friend of mine bought the cookbook and it seems good!) 

in Alexander Wang

in The Row pants

in Vionnet

She looks amazing.  (I must try the Tracey Anderson dvds asap!) And always provides a little inspiration, whether in the closet, the gym or the kitchen!

A Designer's Luxe Loft

Get the deets on fashion favorite Alexander Wang's downtown digs at the Well Appointed House blog. 

White Time

Calvin Klein Collection / Photo: Monica Feudi / GoRunway.com

It's finally warming up... and that means it's time to start thinking white. My (usually season long) quest begins to find the perfect whites -- jeans, shorts, tees and tanks -- for sunny days. 


A little inspiration from the spring 2011 runways...

Thakoon / Photo: Monica Feudi / GoRunway.com

Alexander Wang / photo: Marcio Madeira/firstVIEW

Michael Kors / Photo: Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com

Akris / Photo: Simone Leonardi / GoRunway.com

And check out my post on the stark shade on the Well Appointed House blog.


Has anyone found any good basic spring/summer whites yet? 

Feeling Gray (Again)

Gwyneth with a gray Alexander Wang "Emile" bag

I had lunch at Bergdorf Goodman with my good friend, the talented and superchic designer Elyn Kim.  Her Airess collection is a staple in my wardrobe -- I live in the soft silk tanks for day and night, love her ethereal blouses and always feel polished in her tailored separates. She also makes striking, unique jewelry.  She is a very fashionable working mom with amazing taste.  While browsing Bergdorf's, she showed me a purchase she was considering -- a gorgeous, gorgeous Celine envelope clutch/bag in pale gray with petal pink lining. I had crazy bag envy.  And it reenforced my current love of everything gray -- especially accessories.

Celine

Blake Lively with a Chanel bag

Tom Brandy and Gisele with a Miu Miu bag

I've been carrying a gray Chloe clutch a lot lately (thanks to my sister).  I love that it is not black -- it's more neutral, a tad more subtle and seems a bit cooler.  For my next big bag buy, I was thinking of going for a tote in  a pinky-nude shade but now I am back to considering gray....  and I am loving these Alexander Wang bags with the rose-gold hardware.

Alexander Wang Darcy hobo in Smoke

Alexander Wang Darcy Hobo in Sage

  

Shades of gray? Or pinky pale? Decisions, decisions...

Alexander Wang Darcy Hobo in Latte

Alexander Wang Emile Tote in Eggshell

Alexander Wang Emile Tote in Dove Grey

Which basic shade do you think has the most longevity and versatility?

Dreaming of Studs

In the mist of yet another snowstorm here in New England, snow piling on top of snow (with more blizzards in the forecast), I strangely can't stop thinking about studs. Studded sandals, that is.

A pair of Prada strappy flats studded with pointy spikes caught my eye the other day at Saks and I immediately imagined my jet-set-with-an-edge summer look. Maybe with my sailor top and white jeans, with khaki shorts and a basic tank, with a little black short shift -- adding a slightly hardcore twist to the classics. I'm obsessed.

Prada sandals at Saks

Now all I see are studs. I also love the Valentino gladiator style and think the brown or nude leather version might be more versatile for summer than the patent black.

Valentino sandals from saks.com and bergdorfgoodman.com

Oooh. But the Balenciagas are slightly more downtown -- I like that and love the creamy color. And the powder blue option is adorable if I had the budget for more than one pair.

Balenciaga sandals from Balenciaga.com

I definitely cannot picture myself in the dominatrix-y platform Louboutin that the celebs seem to be into (think Kardashian). Although, when styled with simple looks, the result is pretty cool. But the flat version is more my speed.

Louboutins on display at Saks

Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, and Heidi Klum in studded Louboutins

Louboutins from Net-a-Porter.com

And I am kicking myself that I never bought the Alexander Wang bag with the studs subtly peaking out from the bottom when it came out a few seasons ago.

Mary-Kate Olsen with an Alexander Wang bag, also right.

Burberry showed trenchcoats bedazzled with studs in the spring 2011 collection. Doesn't quite jive with my mom-on-the-go look but the concept is cool nonetheless.

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2011 Ready-to-Wear from style.com

Emma Watson in studded Burberry from popsugar.com

While I wouldn't wear more than a single studded piece at a time, I am not sure I can buy just one. A girl can never have too many studs in her life, after all.