skip to main |
skip to sidebar
I'm in the middle of another fashion obsession: the aviator jacket. Or, more accurately, a combination of a Howard Hughes style aviator jacket and a motorcycle jacket. It's cropped, fitted, and has a wide collar, often with a fur or shearling trim.
Balenciaga Fall 2004: This aviator/motorcycle jacket was all over the fall runways, and it was definitely inspired by the Balenciaga Fall 2004 collection. Models have been sporting these jackets on the streets all over the place. My favorite's on the far left, but look at the middle pic. That's Karolina Kurkova! In a Balenciaga show! Weird.
Vena Cava, Roberto Cavalli, Rue du Mail: Here are some shots from the Fall 2009 shows. I think the Vena Cava jacket is the most 'aviator,' but I love the dramatic collars at Cavalli and Rue du Mail. It's such an effortlessly chic but slightly badass look.
Hermes, Catherine Malandrino, Antonio Berardi: These three are the most like what I'm looking for. The Hermes and Malandrino jackets are the perfect mix of aviator and motorcycle, and I feel like this is such a classic look. Any one of these jackets would be an investment you could sport for years (I mean, the aviator thing started almost 100 years ago, and is still strong today--hello, Top Gun). My favorite jacket is from Antonio Berardi. I love the drama of the black suede with the shearling lining spilling out. It's very simple, but has a bit of an exotic vibe. I just want that jacket so. badly. I actually dreamed about it last night. Sadly, I'm not kidding.
I've having some trouble tracking down an actual buyable version of this look. So far all I've turned up are reproductions of WW-II aviator jackets, which are cute, but not quite what I'm looking for. eBay's not helping all that much eBay. I don't know what to do. My Googling has gone to unhealthy heights here! I'll update you guys if there's any progress, but it's looking pretty dim.
Image Sources:
Hermes: style.com
Vena Cava: style.com
Rue du Mail: style.com
Robert Cavalli: style.com
Catherine Malandrino: style.com
Antonio Berardi: style.com
Balenciaga: style.com
I can't help but love Gwyneth Paltrow. She is a pretty good actress, (unintentionally) hilarious, and very committed to showing off her amazing post-children body, which I can't blame her for. But what I might love the most is her newsletter, GOOP. She tries so hard to help people, but sometimes she forgets that people are not, well, like her. People do not generally follow all-juice detox diets, or shop their own closets and find a new way to wear their old Burberry. Her newsletters are hilarious, but not generally that...helpful. However, I uncovered a little gem in her last newsletter. She's cleaning out her closet and selling it on eBay for charity!
Now, if you're not a clothes size 4/6 or a shoe size 6, then you won't find much but a couple purses, but otherwise, it's a field day here! Stuff is starting pretty cheap, but I'm sure there will be some pretty intense bidding wars, so get your butt over there! Here's the link to the GOOP eBay store.
Given that three out of the four schools I'm considering are in considerably colder places than I'm currently living (that's like the entire country compared to LA, but still), I figure that I will need a coat. A nice, warm, fuzzy coat. Of course, if it's an ugly coat, I'll freeze to death because I'll refuse to wear to it, so I need a nice, warm, fuzzy, pretty coat. I want something very versatile and semi-practical, but in my alternate universe where weather is never an issue and my bank account statement has lots and lots of zeros in it, I want one of these coats:
The cut on that first coat is spectacular. It's just so slightly gothic but kickass but kind of old school Hitchcock heroine at the same time. I love the dramatic collar, and I love the navy hue--it's just as basic and versatile as black, but it's much softer and more flattering (I think it's navy, but I can't tell for sure). The stand-up collar on that second coat is fantastic as well--not quite as dramatic, but very chic. I like how this is literally the simplest coat ever, but it's full of these tiny details that completely make the coat, like the graphic snap buttons and the inset band at the waist. This last coat might be my favorite (probably because it's styled so perfectly). It's the perfect cropped trench, and I have kind of an obsession with khaki trenches. So chic.
Unfortunately, a khaki trench a la Burberry is most definitely out of the budget. I already have a J. Crew peacoat that looks just like the coat below from Boy by Band of Outsiders that I just found in hidden in my room (talk about shopping your closet). The sleeves are a little too long, but I think that if I get them hemmed to 3/4 length it would work pretty darn well (I have serious issues with long sleeves. Loose fabric around my wrists makes me freak about, and I feel like when you have that much fabric on, a long sleeve can look frumpy). My question is, is one very thick wool peacoat enough for an East Coast winter? For reference, it gets down to like 10 degrees there in winter, but it gets down to 30 degrees here in LA in winter (that is totally legit, I have a thermometer in my car, and we've had hail/ice!). I can survive in 30 degree weather with just a thick sweater, but does 20 degrees make that much of a difference? I think I've talked myself into a corner here. Help?
Image Sources:
First three coats, in order: garancedore.fr/en, thesartorialist.blogspot.com, thesartorialist.blogspot.com
Boy by Band of Outsiders: style.com
I'm kind of in love with maxi dresses. They aren't the most versatile pieces, but when an occasion calls for a maxi dress, nothing else will do. I mean, just picture yourself floating around some tropical island in a maxi dress. It's vacation perfection, no? Aside from being the perfect get-away outfit, I love them because they're perfect for day-to-day things as well. I'll throw on a maxi dress to go shopping or go out to lunch because the long skirt is so high drama that you don't even need accessories. It's an outfit in itself. Right now, I'm feeling this maxi dress from T-Bags.
It's so Grecian goddess, with the one shoulder and rope sleeve detail. I love how the rest of the dress is kept super-simple so that all the focus is on the asymmetrical top. The cinched waist keeps the volume from overwhelming or hiding your frame, and that is such a flattering shade of blue. Unless you can stand dealing with strapless bras during the day, this is probably better left to nighttime events or parties, or even as a swimsuit cover-up! I'm in love.
T-Bags One Shoulder Maxi Dress, $220 at shopbop.com
Image Sources:
T-bags dress: shopbop.com
Anthropologie is always reliable for clothes that make me want to pack up and move to Ibiza. Immediately. Which can be a little depressing, since that's not really an option, but it's still nice to dream. And in my Ibiza day-dreams, I'm wearing one of these three bikinis. Or maybe all three (hello, wardrobe changes!). I haven't made up my mind about my imaginary outfits yet.
Heartbeats Halter, $68 at anthropologie.com, Heartbeats Bottoms, $68 at anthropologie.com: The zig-zag print on this is adorable, and combined with the brown beads it has a bit of a 'tribal' vibe--very big for Spring. I love the double string at the neck, and the way that the pattern is subtle enough not to date the bikini, but interesting enough to elevate this from basic to chic. So. Cute.
Pleasure Cruise Bandeau, $88 at anthropologie.com, Pleasure Cruise Hipsters, $88 at anthropologie.com: This is obviously the nautical option, but the stripes are thin enough that the nautical vibe isn't too obvious. I can totally see myself wearing this bikini with some giant sunglasses and lounging on a beach somewhere (especially since it's so gloomy in LA right now). My only issue with this is the bandeau cut of the top. I think it's totally adorable, but it has literally no support. I've only seen this style work on flat-as-a-rail girls, so for now I'll admire it from afar. Le sigh...
At-The-Races Triangle Top, $98 at anthropologie.com, At-The-Races Bottoms, $98 at anthropologie.com: So this is definitely not a basic bikini, but it's so cute, I can't help myself. I mean, the giant floral print on its own is adorable--so tropical and fun! The white, lace trim adds another layer of fantasticness, and would look really great against tan skin, and the ties have tiny pony charms on the ends. It's totally random, but still, tiny pony charms? Who could resist that?
Image Sources:
Heartbeats top: anthropologie.com, bottom: anthropologie.com
Pleasure Cruise top: anthropologie.com, bottom: anthropologie.com
At-The-Races top: anthropologie.com, bottom: anthropologie.com
I'm always on the hunt for more basic tees. Hanes and American Apparel are great, but sometimes you want something a little less mass-marketed, something you don't see on every single street corner. Enter two of my favorite brands, Petit Bateau and C&C California.
Petit Bateau Basic Short Sleeve Crew-neck tee, $35 at barenecessities.com, Low cut tank, $39 at petit-bateau.us, Mariniere, $58.10 at petit-bateau.us: They're French. French tees are exponentially better than American tees because they are French. It's just a fact. This is the perfect example of how a basic tee can look so much nicer when done in high-quality cotton. Take that crew-neck and that tank for example. Not, they're not cheap, but the way that nice cotton fits and drapes on the body is kind of priceless. And how adorable is that striped sweater? It's so...French. But I like how it's not blue and white, so it's not beat-you-over-the-head nautical. The buttons at the shoulder are so cute!
C&C California Bold Tank, $34 at candccalifornia.com, Vavoom V-neck tee, $36 at candccalifornia.com, Placed Tie-dye Tank, $64 at candccalifornia.com: I'm definitely partial to C&C. I bought my first 'nice' tee from them, and I've held onto that baby for years. It's covered in holes and runs (definitely my fault), and not really wearable anymore, but I haven't been able to part with it. The newest C&C tee I'm lusting over is this bold tank. Whenever you see Angelina Jolie wearing a black tank, it's this one. That shouldn't make me want it, but it does. It's the perfect mix of sexy tank and a wearable basic piece. I'm also loving this Vavoom tee. It's extremely flattering, the longer sleeves keep the deep-v day appropriate, and it's just so...chic. Drool. And I know that the tie-dye isn't exactly basic, but I really like the way the tie-dye here isn't over the top. It doesn't even really look like tie-dye, it's just a subtle pattern and an easy way to incorporate some hippie-chic into your wardrobe.
Image Sources:
Petit Bateau: crew-neck, barenecessities.com, tank, petit-bateau.us, striped top, petit-bateau.us
C&C California: bold tank, candccalifornia.com, Vavoom tee, candccalifornia.com, Tie-dye tank, candccalifornia.com
It's officially the year of the statement necklace. Of course, we've all heard that one before, but this time it's not just any statement necklace that makes the cut. We're talking bib necklaces here. Bib necklaces hit somewhere around the breast bone, and literally look like a bib--thinner at the top and thicker at the bottom. These were all over the Spring and Fall runways, and the reason I think that they're becoming so popular is that the'yre an easy way to make an entire outfit. Add a statement necklace to jeans and a tee, a tee and a skirt, really any outfit that's basic and involves a t-shirt, and it suddenly elevates the entire outfit, taking it from casual to chic. Plus, a versatile bib necklace can work with a lot of different outfits, so for a small amount of money you can inject a breath of fresh air into your entire wardrobe.
Super Candy by Candace Ang Studded Satin Necklace, $68 at urbanoutfiters.com, tuleste market Tiered Hexagon Chain Necklace, $145 at shopbop.com, Rachel Leigh Cleo Teardrop Collar Necklace, $132 at shopbop.com: this first necklace is kind of odd, but I really like it. It's a little arts and craftsy, and a little punky in the combination of satin and studs, but the pink keeps it feminine. This is a more subtle take on the bib necklace, versus the more dramatic statement of the tuleste market necklace. The triangle shape of the stones elongates the neck (which makes you look taller, always a plus), and the juxtaposition of the luxe stones with the sparse chain is just so glamorous and a little bit rock and roll. I love the turn of the century/early 1900s vibe that this Rachel Leigh necklace has. It's so over the top opulent that it would look fantastic with just a plain white tee and jeans (I think I'm drooling a little).
Livia Necklace, $48 at anthropologie.com, UO Mesh Lace Necklace, $78 at urbanoutfitters.com, Beaded Collar Bib Necklace, $48 at urbanoutfitters.com: this Livia necklace is a great deal. For $48, you get a gorgeous Indian-inspired necklace that's full of tiny details but still delicate enough to be subtle. The mesh necklace from Urban Outfitters is a bit on the edgier side, but the lettuce edging keeps the overall look from being too 'hard.' Plus, since it' sheer, you get a peek of the fabric/skin underneath through the necklace, which adds a ton of visual interest. This beaded bib necklace from Urban Outfitters is also sheer, and I think the sheer underlay fabric tones down the plethora of beading--it makes the beads look as if they're floating around your neck. So pretty!
One thing to remember with bib necklaces is that they should be the dominant accessory in your outfit. Skip the earrings and bracelets, maybe add one little ring, but any other extras will just detract from the impact of the bib necklace itself.
Image Sources:
Livia Necklace: anthropologie.com
Rachel Leigh Necklace: shopbop.com
tuleste market Necklace: shopbop.com
Candace Ang Necklace: urbanoutfitters.com
Beaded Bib Necklace: urbanoutfitters.com
Mesh Lace Necklace: urbanoutfitters.com
