Watercolor Stripes

I'm not a stripey kind of girl. Stripes have too much of an athletic connotation for the way I like to dress when I'm not working out or playing a sport. I do, however, love this striped top, and for a very simple reason: I adore anything that looks like it was painted with watercolors. I crave the softness of the hues and the way they blur and blend. Usually, and this instance is no exception, the fluid drape of chiffon communicates the feel of that sort of paint best. The loose cut and light and silky fabric look wonderfully comfortable. I like the wide scoop neckline, too, to show a little skin. I'd probably wear this top to gussy up a pair of jeans (or short shorts come summer, the exercise gods and my thighs willing).

Image from InStyle, November 2007.

Perfect Restraint

As you can see, in this case, less is definitely more. The skirt and top seem to be the epitome of simplicity, but the effect is breathtaking and the look utterly classic. Let's begin with the fineness of the knit and the gorgeous drape of the skirt. It's neither voluminous, nor clingy, and projects complete ease, while suggesting the lines of the body. The knit detailing at the collar and sleeve cuffs is feminine without being frilly, womanly as opposed to girlish. Again, the long short sleeves and shawl neckline were born to flatter. The simple diamond studs are the perfect counterpart to the clothing: when something is so perfect, it doesn't need embellishment.

I wonder if this kind of matched knit skirt and top could usually be worn in place of a suit. Admittedly, the soft lines of knit fabric are instantly more casual, but the conservative silhouette and neutral matched color of top and skirt gesture in the direction of suiting. The look is quiet, polished and pulled-together, but with a gentle confidence that would only perhaps be out of place in the most formal and aggressive environment.

Image from Vogue, October '07.

Vera Wang at Kohl's

I'm very excited about the new collection that Vera Wang is designing for Kohl's. I've marked my calendar accordingly for September 9th, the drop date, and plan to be at my nearest Kohl's first thing that morning. The fact that the prices aren't bargain basement cheap actually makes me more optimistic that the collection is going to be a strong one, since it hopefully means Vera Wang had some leeway in buying reasonable quality textiles and workmanship. I do wish there had been more or better magazine coverage, beyond the rather lackluster ad campaign in which anything that seems remotely interesting is photographed too close up to actually be able to get a sense of the item's details.

I did, however, come across this straightforward, eminently practical skirt in Blueprint:



It's supposed to be jersey, which should mean a close and comfortable fit, which is obviously key with a pencil skirt.

Then there's this blouse:



This is exactly the kind of delicate, feminine yet modern piece that attracts me to her style. Hopefully the wide, fairly bulky short sleeves would be flattering....

What do you think so far? Are you planning to hit up Kohl's for Simply Vera Wang?

First image from Blueprint, September/October '07. Second image from Vogue, September '07.

Head to Toe Black in Ad Campaigns

There are a couple of ad campaigns out right now that are making great use of head-to-toe black outfits. These first two images are in all the magazines right now because they're part of Gap's Fall '07 campaign:





I like this dress so much that when I first saw the ad a few weeks back, I went looking for the dress at my local Gap. It wasn't in stores then, but maybe it is by now. I'm craving a sweater dress this season, but nothing too trendy. For the past few seasons, because of the empire waist fad, it's been hard to find dresses that are fitted at the natural waist. (Shopping for summer dresses this year was such a challenge!) I think this Gap version is a simple, surely inexpensive way to work around the problem. It's so utterly basic that it could never hurt to have it on hand. At the same time, it has the potential to become a foundational favorite, depending on how it fits and the quality of the wool. I like the cap sleeves, which make it office- and winter-appropriate when topped with something long-sleeved. I think I'd be pretty quick to belt it, though it might look surprisingly good belt-free.

These next two pictures are from Moschino's Fall campaign:





Even though the first is an empire-waisted dress, I could see trying to work this item, since it doesn't scream "shapeless sack" or "maternity wear". I think what's helping it is the drape of the fabric, bubble hem and the gathering beneath the bust. There's a little more structure there than with the average empire-waist dress and the bare arms and decolletage would give some sense of the proportions of the body within. For me, it would likely remain an evening look, a way to refresh the silhouettes of my little black cocktail dresses.

Even better than the dress is the skirt and top combo in the second look. The blouse is just great: form-fitting, with delicate ruffles. I also like the textured fabric of the skirt and the overall shape.

I have a feeling that every August, after wearing pale colors all summer, I tend to look forward to the elegant simplicity of black. These images offer some nice ideas and inspiration for ways to wear the look this fall.

All images from Elle, September '07.

Obi-Wrapped Blouse

This extravagant obi-wrapped blouse further fuels the fire of my obsession with silk scarves worn as belts. The top itself is gorgeous. Really pretty soft colors, delicate fabric and a graceful neckline and drape to the sleeves.

I'm more interested, though, in the waist-cinching sash. The extra-long belt is terrific, wrapped around and around so many times that it almost becomes the main piece of clothing instead of simply an accessory, transforming the blouse into an underpinning. It get me wondering how many tops in my wardrobe could be rejuvenated with a similar, extremely wide swath of opulent fabric. Rich, dramatic, and oh so figure flattering.

Top by Foley. Image from Lucky, August, '08.

Pleated White Blouse

I don't wear white shirts and blouses as much as I feel I should. Style gurus are always saying that a flattering white shirt is a wardrobe essential. Designers I admire, like Carolina Herrerra, are constantly being photographed in them, looking crisp and elegant. Each time I see one of those photos, I think about how great she looks, and how wonderful an idea it is to pair a haberdashery classic with a shiny satin floor-length skirt, and maybe a silk scarf tied at the waist like a belt.

I do own two well-fitting white shirts. But I never wear them. Sometimes I'll try one of them on when I'm getting ready to go out for a weeknight dinner and am trying to figure out what to wear over a pencil skirt. But, to my mind, it always just looks too business-y and I end up swapping it out for a camisole and cardigan or for a short-sleeved cashmere crewneck.

Have you ever been similarly perplexed? Do you think white shirts really are the wardrobe staple that fashion mavens make them out to be? How do you like to wear yours? Any tips for femming them up?

The blouse in the photo above is nonetheless gorgeous and just the kind of piece I would feel I ought to buy as a staple. I've vowed not to buy any more white shirts until I've started to wear the ones I already have but I'm still pleasantly mesmerized by this one's elaborate fold and tucks and its unusual sleeves.

Shirt by 3.1 Phillip Lim. Image from Vogue, July '07.

Amethyst Silk Blouse

This blouse is ultra-glamorous and from the way the silk hangs, it looks like it has a heavy, decadently sensual feel. The rich, gem-like color doesn't hurt either.

I like the way the sleeves have a some volume, but in a really controlled way. They stay streamlined over the upper arm and balloon near the elbow, letting those with less than twiggy upper arms participate in the current trend towards exaggerated shapes. Even if you're proud of your triceps, the key to wearing the trend without looking like a fashion victim is in the balance of loose and fitted, with fitted predominating.

I picture the blouse worn with a high-waisted navy pencil skirt, maybe a pair of nude fishnet stockings and peep-toe heels. A delicate gold necklace would be pretty, too.

Blouse by Lanvin. Image from Harper's Bazaar, July '07.

Hourglass Tulips and Lace

This look is wonderfully feminine because of the outfit’s hourglass shape and the décolletage with its touch of innocent eyelet. It takes a lot of confidence about one’s hips to wear a paper bag skirt, but I think this works perfectly because of the very wide neckline on the blouse, which balances it out, and because snug fit through the torso. The slight texture of the blouse is another enticing detail but I wish the skirt was a polished, straightforward cotton, instead of the denim. I’m not a fan of the necklace, which seems too cheap, young and casual. I think I’d let the cleavage speak for itself and go with delicate filigree gold earrings instead, to draw the eye up. The finishing touch might be peep-toe or pointy-toed d’Orsay pumps.

Image from Lucky, June ‘07