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...

Radiant Red

Karlie Kloss with Jason Wu. Harpersbazaar.com

My favorite look of CFDA fashion awards: Karlie Kloss in Jason Wu.  

Love the color of the gown...the thin straps...the fabric...her natural hair and makeup...and the matching pout! Perfect.

Seeing Red

Jason Wu

While I would almost always choose black for formal evening (I usually play it safe that way), I must say, the red gowns that have been gracing the recent runways make a strong case to experiment with color. 

Costello Tagliapietra

Prabal Gurung

Derek Lam

I also like the pairing of red and pink. Like black and navy, it's sort of unexpectedly chic!  I might try it in a more subtle way (i.e. red shoe with a pink sweater) but I like it. It certainly turns heads.

Prabal Gurung

Prabal Gurung

Will I really start incorporating color into my wardrobe like I keep writing about?  I will try -- and happily start with a Louboutin pump.

Some eye candy for Valentine's day: 

Christian Louboutin

Love Lace

Photo: Marcus Tondo / GoRunway.com

As far as Fall 2011 fashion week goes, it looks like we are off to a good start. First Lady favorite Jason Wu (Michelle Obama wore the fledgling designer to her inauguration and many times since) showed a grown-up, sophisticated and very ladylike collection.  The reviews were raves for the most part...  The overwhelming theme was lace...on the sleeve of a coat or a sweatshirt, down the sides of a pencil skirt or a slim paint, for example.

hoto: Marcus Tondo / GoRunway.com

Photo: Marcus Tondo / GoRunway.com

Photo: Marcus Tondo / GoRunway.com

Photo: Marcus Tondo / GoRunway.com

Photo: Marcus Tondo / GoRunway.com

Photo: Marcus Tondo / GoRunway.com

To be honest, while lace trends come in and out pretty regularly, I think of the frilly fabric as a classic. I love a lace trimmed camisole peaking out under a sweater, or a lacy top underneath a suit jacket. While it is standard for evening, a little lace detail here and there looks great paired with jeans for day. Here are some lace picks that are in store now.

Alexander McQueen

D&G

D&G

J.Crew

J.Crew

Mason by Michelle Mason

Zara

Lace on the red carpet...

January Jones in Carolina Herrera

We shall see as the week progresses if this will become a full-fledged fashion moment. In the meantime, I am putting my lacy numbers back into rotation.

Black Swan Style

Natalie Portman in Black Swan

I finally snuck out to see Black Swan last night. It is so intense. And Natalie Portman is amazing. The costuming is also incredible. While the full-on ballerina creations were a spectacle, I was also loving the ballet practice get-ups -- the gray, white and powder pink layering, and the mix of cashmere, tulle, and satin. I wear a lot of heather and charcoal shades and petal-y pinks mix in so nicely - - subtle color.  I have a pale pink Marc By Marc Jacobs ballerina-style wrap top from years ago that I just pulled out to wear with my light gray jeans and will throw a gray cashmere cardigan over it (I will stop at leg warmers though).

Natalie Portman in Black Swan

Natalie Portman in Black Swan

Designers must have had Black Swan on their mind too. From Chanel Couture to Alexander McQueen, there were had hints of Swan Lake...

Chanel Couture Spring 2011

Chanel Couture Spring 2011

Chanel Couture Spring 2011

Alexander McQueen R-T-W Spring 2011

Some designers seemed more intrigued by the "black" side of the Swan Princess... making its way to the Fall 2011 runways (we're onto day three of NY Fashion Week). 

Natalie Portman in Black Swan

Jason Wu Fall 2011

Jason Wu Fall 2011

Jason Wu Fall 2011

I love the tulle, feathers and full skirts -- and the black gives it a sexier edge.  I'm incorporating a little of white and black swan into my wardrobe... and rooting for Natalie Portman to win the Oscar! (I can't wait to see what she wears.)

** More to come on the Fall 2011 fashion shows. The Jason Wu collection was beautiful...

First Lady of Fashion

Wow! Michelle Obama looks amazing in Alexander McQueen. Once again, the First Lady defies tradition by going for a non-American designer -- and for something bold and statement-making. The scarlet stunner was created by Sarah Burton, who took over at the label after Lee McQueen's death last year. It seems to be a variation of a gown from the line's recent resort collection. Red, of course, is a nod to China as the White House was hosting Hu Jintao, the "President" of China.

I love that she wears real fashion... major designers like McQueen, Alaia, Narcisco, Gaultier, Marc Jacobs; new fashion darlings like Thakoon and Jason Wu; and is not afraid to mix in some J.Crew and Gap!

It is so exciting that we are in a moment where strong female rolemodels embrace fashion. Michelle Obama runs in a pack of chic leaders' wives, including France's first lady, former model Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, who favors ladylike Dior. They don't mind showing up their husbands! (Although both Carla Bruni and Michelle Obama seem to wear flats or kitten heels most of the time, no doubt in an effort to not tower over their high-powered spouses).

British Prime Minister David Cameron's wife Samantha, the former creative director of Smythson of Bond Street and now an ambassador for the British Fashion Council, goes for a more casual look in Brit labels like TopShop, Paul Smith, Erdem and Osman Yousefzada.

And perhaps the chicest (and no doubt richest) of all is Queen Rania. She is certainly no stranger to high-end designer clothes!

Inspiring for the budding fashionistas out there...

It's a Classic

In the midst of yet another icy/snowy winter day, all I can think about is spring, summer, beach, vacation -- just some shining sun! So I found myself searching online for resort destinations and the wardrobe to go with it. On my list is a new sailor top. This classic piece is a favorite of mine -- with dark or white denim jeans or shorts (and with cargos). Even with black leggings. It is also easily transitions from season to season. A must for every wardrobe. I love the way Net-a-Porter styled the above Rebecca Taylor sailor tee. Chic. And the bright bag provides the perfect contrast.

Some inspiration from the runways: Jason Wu (I like the idea of it under a blazer), Prada (a little extreme but I'm into the dark-and-bright combo) and Jil Sander (for summer entertaining maybe?).

The Saint James boatneck top is the original. Think Picasso. It's a little heavier than a basic tee -- nice for a cool beach afternoon.

J. Crew is probably where I will end up buying one. They have lots of casual, easy options.

On the J.Crew site, Lauren Hutton picked one as a favorite and she had an funny comment: "Wide stripes tend to make you look short and squat, so I always go for a skinny stripe." Makes sense! I usually go for a skinny stripe but never thought about why -- maybe this subconsciously was the reason! But the antiquated theory about stripes making you look fat seems off-base to me. In fact, a (skinny) striped top can actually do a nice job of camouflaging what's underneath (think post-baby belly).

This supercute Old Navy take on the classic is only $6. I love the yellow twist!

And of course, for my mini-me's... How completely cute! (From Crewcuts):