The forecast looks good for summer’s It-accessory. Sunnies are really having their, well, day in the sun with so many fun styles to try on! Here, in a supersized edition of my shoppable trendspotting feature, I've collected and curated everything from retro, pin-up-worthy pairs and jetsetting stunners to sporty, neon and quirky, patterned picks, like bohemian ikat and sweet florals.
So, which styles will be the focus of this season’s editorials and street style shots? I’ve zeroed in on six key trends to look out for: Retro-Rounded, Pastel, Neon, Cat's Eye, Printed and Embellished Luxe.
I spy my favorite -- the purr-fect pink cat's eyes from Kate Spade--do you see yours? Shop more of the season's eye-popping best below.
Above top to bottom:
Row 1 Retro Rounded: House of Harlow Round Dainai; Victoria Beckham Round; Diane Von Furstenburg Elizabeth & James Wooster at Shopbop
In case you haven't heard, Tangerine is 2012’s Pantone’s color of the year and a bright orange-y coral hue got the royal treatment in March when Princess Kate cut a stylish form in a casual pair of JBrand skinny jeans. In fact the world was all atwitter! Across social media, bloggers swooned, posted and pinned, and media outlets didn’t blush in the least to broadcast her pic as the news of the hour. Kate is truly the People’s Fashion Princess and her pick was definitely right on trend as usual, as reddish/orange shades rule all summer long as the season’s hottest hues for lipstick, home decor, denim, bags and more. Here, get your coral on royally with another installment of my new feature Fashion/House! Plus, shop more fashion in the color du jour below.
I've always loved Kate Spade's fun, quirky and ladylike approach to fashion, but I'm crushing even harder now that she's expanded her line to include swimwear as a result of a collaboration with swim design maven Malia Mills, and with gorgeous patterns from Florence Broadhurst! Ms. Spade's website has been lauded as the best design in town, peppered with all sorts of fun links and now with two too-good-to-be-missed promotions: a free pool ring with swim purchase and a chance to win a Florence Broadhurst patterned Vespa scooter! All you have to do is let your imagination run wild and create a pinboard on Pinterest about where you'd scooter off to looking so chic in Ms. Broadhurst & Spade's colorful designs! Read more about the contest, Kate Spade & Malia Mills collaboration, and follow The Artful Shopper on Pinterest here!
When it comes to hemlines it’s all about the high-low drama! Designers couldn’t quite make up their minds this season opting for maxis cut short, minis and pencils that are well, midi i.e. a tad longer than usual, grazing just below the knee, or, hems that are altogether asymmetric. Luckily, the new statement-making lengths are all decidedly pretty and are the perfect complement for not-quite-warm spring days and breezy summer afternoons. There is a bevy of sunny hues, bold stripes, abundant florals and crisp pleats to choose from. Here are three of my favorites ways to try on the trend. Plus, shop more of the season's hottest hemlines below. Tip: Add a wedge heel, ankle-straps sandals or even knee-high boots to high/low, half-moon shapes for the most drama!
After a long day of "pinning" away on the virtual pinboard site Pinterest, I am seriously pining away for one of my favorite finds, this Monique Lhuillier tie-dye gown, with frothy lathers of silk, inked out in dreamy, deep blue waves.
But when it comes to fashion, The Artful Shopper is not one to rest on her fashionable laurels merely daydreaming. So, I've assembled some fetching finds for your closet and home in a new feature called Fashion/House, that will turn my style "pinspirations" and yours, into a very shop-able reality! So, if you like what you see, be sure to follow all of my boards on Pinterest!
Here are ten pieces to bring blissful beach vibes into your surroundings daily. You can get the look on your own by incorporating deep indigo and tie-dye, of course, but also with silver mercury, shells, raffia or anything that reminds you of the elemental magic of the sea.
Espadrilles, huaraches, raffia wedges & heels in cool under-the-cabana brights rope us in with their charms conjuring tiki huts and margarita mixers in the sun. I’ll be wearing mine with Essie’s Go Overboard polish & some Colbie Caillet playing on the radio.
Every girl loves an arm party but sometimes a strong singular cuff is all you need to make a statement that’s chic. Sleek gold or silver polishes things up or get a bit edgier with the latest hardware encrusted with semiprecious stones, crystal, druzy and pyrite. Kelly Wearstler’s Pyrite Cuff is my absolute fave but check out Max & Chloe’s pyrite offering for a slightly more affordable version plus see more of my top picks for the season's best statement-makers below. And be sure to tell me what you think as I'm thinking I'll make Artful Alternative a regular feature!
So, I don’t know about you, but I’m in the mood for love! Especially, after seeing Tracy Reese’s Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear collection! The palette of salmon-y pinks is soft but so electric, the drape and sheerness of the fabrics so airy, it’s like that heady feeling of new love personified!
Now here’s a girl I love: The Odessa pump from Jean-Michel Cazabat. Odessa has such big personality don’t you think? It's like she’s donned her favorite ruby dress, pulled up the ruffed color for some attitude, as she sits smiling coyly from behind it. Can you see what I mean?
I have this Kate Spade Book Clutch with the Emma cover and boy what a charmer! There’s so much whimsy to it that I find myself getting all daydream-y just thinking about wearing it. I imagine pulling out my compact from inside and applying a fresh coat of the most feminine, red Dior lipstick while sitting at a sundrenched outdoor café, dressed to the nines (of course), feeling bookishly smart and smartly bookish, and so dramatic and darling all at once, that a simple drop of a ladylike handkerchief could land me my own dashing, modern-day Darcy. Phew, I do get carried away. Well, I strongly recommend you get one for yourself. What fun!
And, go get yourself some NARS blush if you don’t already have it in your beauty arsenal! It’s legendary in the beauty world. NARS blush in Orgasm does wonders for your complexion and is great for date-night to get you in the mood. Makes you blush just to say the name.
Silver, black & gold cast a magic spell over the season. Join fashion's illuminati and dress for the party 24/7 with a flash of sequins and plenty of panache.
I’ve got a crush on the bow. On Alice & Olivia’s “Miranda” satin pumps a polished black beauty of a bow sits coyly at the back of these sexy satin heels as if to say “hey, I’ve got a sweet side too.” While this lovely little add-on seems to come and go, designers are bringing back the bow this season on dresses, bags, baubles, collars and every accoutrement in between. So, what is it about the bow that has us all tied up in its charms? Worn tightly prim or left lush and loose, tie one on and a bow lends a playful twist that ranges from quirky and cute, to delicate, polished, even showy. While the boys may borrow the bow tie, and make a dashing display themselves, like sugar & spice and everything nice, nothing’s so decidedly-girl as the bow. Kate Spade, Tory Burch and Betsey Johnson are just a few of the designers who make a show of it this season. Here’s a look at some of my favorites and a little bow-how on where this adornment best makes its mark.
clockwise from top left:
1) Prabal Gurung Exploding Bow Blouse at J.crew -sold out
If you're like me & stocked up on lots of Missoni for Target, you could go trick-or-treating as Margherita Missoni in all her zig-zagged glory this Halloween. Or, you can go the completely opposite direction & don all black as a purrr-fect dark & sinister creature of the night, which is so much more Halloween-ish wouldn't you say? While you're at it, grab some ghoulish, yet oh-so-stylish housewares from Pottery Barn! Yes, that's right, Pottery Barn! And host your own masked ball or dungeon-themed dinner. Or, you can go the traditional PB-route and keeps things prim, yet festive, with a little fall foliage and some pretty pumpkins placed just so.
I've admired their seasonal offerings each year and often had my eye on something only to find these items sell out quickly, so either PB keeps a limited stock, or these items are really popular sellers. Either way, Pottery Barn seems to have ramped up their Halloween goodies even more this year with six full themes on their site: A Bountiful Display, Pumpkin Patch, Pumpkin Party, Spellbinding Style, Ghostly Gallery and Spooky Party, and include reminders to order by Monday, the 24th by 5 pm to receive items in time for the holiday. For all you decorators and Pottery Barn traditionalists, what do you of their spooky seasonal decor? Personally, I love how these haunted house-wares add a bit more polish to holiday decorating that can easily be enjoyed by grown-ups & kids alike. I'm inspired to host a whodunnit Halloween dinner as Miss Scarlet: Game of Clue, anyone? Or, a masked fete by candlelight! Browse more from the collection then cast your vote below!
Vests, boleros, shrugs & teddy coats! Faux fur is bearing down on stylish ladies everywhere, on shoulders, wrists & feet, as adornments on hats, boots, gloves and and every other accessory you can think of this season. Play the heiress with a shrug, get Nordic with a vest, go boho with an oversized teddy coat or play a modest hand with fuzzy gloves & not a touch more. I've compiled some pretty little fakers and some that are the real deal. There are certainly a ton of sumptuous options out there, but it's cool to be kind, so why not go faux?
When considering living room furniture or how to outfit a small space you hope to entertain in, seating is an important piece of the puzzle. Ottomans, poufs and storage cubes are three ways I've found maximize space while maintaining design quality.
Poufs are by far my favorite way to add some savvy style to a room, as they are not only on-trend, but are totally versatile. Look for leather, metallics and velvet for a Moroccan flavor on a patio --or in any chic space for that matter, as a plush footrest, and comfy addition to a living room or child's nursery. See Petit Tresor, here and here, Serena & Lily, and Posh Tots in particular for some charming options that work well for children's spaces.
Donna Emma and Larry Davis’s Manhattan apartment, designed by Adam Rolston
photo credit : Josh Mchugh for ELLE Decor
An ottoman is a great traditional coordinating piece with a sidechair, to rest your feet, but also serves well as extra casual seating, pulled up next to a coffee table for a party or intimate gathering with the fam, and is super-cozy and inviting beside a fireplace. Ottomans are great in grand spaces as well and can add drama too, as shown below in ELLE Decor's feature on Nanette Lepore's home, who is absolutely one of my favorite designers! Jonathan Adler designed most of the space, which is so feminine and effortlessly chic, like Ms. Lepore's clothes, and so Parisian! The poodle is optional of course. But I've got mine so I like to think I'm halfway there!
I discovered storage cubes and storage ottomans offer a practical and pretty alternative at a vanity table. I bought mine, a lovely buttoned style in ivory for my vanity table (currently sold out but see Urban Outfitters for some cool affordable choices), from Rachel Ashwell's Simply Shabby Chic line at Target. It stores my hairdryer, hair accessories and more, and is comfortable and compact.
Nanette Lepore's poodle Bunny in the Dressing Room of her Manhattan home
photo credit: William Waldron for ELLE Decor
Nanette Lepore's Manhattan home designed by Jonathan Adler
photo credit: William Waldron for ELLE Decor
Ottomans get really glamorous in larger sizes or in velvet or with fringe, in a bedroom, dressing room, living room or even a closet. Under a window, in a pair at the foot of a bed, or as a table stacked with some lovely reads, are all chic ways to arrange ottomans, poufs and cubes when not in use. I'm craving the floral-lined storage ottoman by Lily Pulitzer shown at the top of this post as its made to store many a glamorous pair of heels or I'd love a dramatic plush velvet one like Ms. Lepore's but first I need to supersize my closet! Until then, my vanity cube from Target works as an affordable buy & nice alternative to a traditional chair. Now, pull up a seat and have a look at some of my favorites ottomans, poufs & cubes out there now.
all photo credits this post (except noted): Andrew Schwartz/HBO
As you probably have heard, Kate Winslet scooped up her first Emmy for 'Mildred Pierce,' but have you seen HBO's four-part remake of the 1940 classic? The acting, drama & fashion of this film noir are all superb and should definitely not be missed! Since The Artful Shopper is devoted to bring you artful fashion in its many forms let's take a look at Mildred Pierce's period looks for the art of Dressing circa 1931.
From the start Kate's character, Mildred, impressively plucks herself up by her T-straps, reinventing herself from housewife to working waitress to business owner --all after a divorce that leaves her without substantial income. Accordingly, her costumes start as modest fashions and subtlely become more glamorous as the picture, and Mildred's wealth progress; the pinancle being a beautiful lame gown shown on Winslet above. All of her looks possess great vintage detail by costume designer Ann Roth, including fox fur, feathered cloches and nods to Schiaparreili.
On the other hand, Veda, the bratty extravangence-mongering daughter of Mildred, and villain of the film played by Evan Rachel Wood, dons the most flattering & exquisitely vintage garb that you just love to hate her even more! I just loved her flowing silky tops, sharkskin ivory skirt suit and effortless, tailored gold pantsuit. Even her more humbled housedress, clearly bought by Mildred, is stunning, a charming subdued choice for Veda, who clearly wouldn't appreciate the darling pattern of her imported printed dress.
this photo, credit: Bauer/Griffin
this photo, credit: Bauer/Griffin
See more pics from the film and read commentary here of costume designer Roth's painstaking attention to detail as she handpicked the fabrics & stayed up late crafting the looks & many designs herself! InStyle also gave a great interview with the hair & makeup artist Linda Melazzo explaining her makeup color choices, how she acheived the shape & color of the era's trademark red lip, along with her discover of authentic coifs from old Sears catalogs and issues of Life Magazine from the time. Pure perfection! Tell me which looks are your fave. Of course, you can get this retro style for yourself as faux fur, feminine silhouettes, longer hemlined dresses & pencil skirts and art-deco baubles have all made a comeback this fall! Browse a few vintage pieces below for yourself that I think look like they've come right out of the film's wardrobe closet.
I’d like to share with you some pretty, fanciful ways I display jewelry and accessories, using hooks, jewelry trees and shadowboxes to save space & decorate a bit at the same time. Not only is it unique and utterly girly, but it gives a bedroom a boudoir-y, glam dressing room kind of feel. Or, the vibe can be very boho depending on what type of accessories you use, like printed scarves, hats or beaded necklaces versus shiny pendants and pearls. Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters, where I bought mine, always have great hooks for this purpose. And I think the Pottery Barn shoe ladder is a pretty way to display my most prized heels! Don’t you? If you’re looking to save space in your jewelry box or have a few extra pieces that just won’t fit, a jewelry tree is the way to go. You can see some of my own jewelery displays below. Tell me what you think.
I like hooks displayed alongside my closet for ease and a vintage vibe. I created a corner, that I'd like to think, Penny Lane from Almost Famous would be comfortable in, using hats & scarves hung next to some oversized dark blue velvet drapes. I got this last idea to line shadowboxes with wallpaper hung over my bed from one of my favorite blogs, Ish and Chi, out of Australia. I took the idea one step further though using pretty scrapbooking paper then pinned some shiny danglies and floral studs for a fun twist. Shop more gorgeous ways to display your jewelry below.
So with the return of ladylike glamour for fall, it's time to make a dutiful checklist of the chic staples to have on hand. Here are the six little black dresses your closets needs now!
The Alice & Olivia fall collection has arrived at Shopbop and they are featuring a fun little clip of models in all their fall finery. And finery it is, as a return to glamour is back! Designer Stacey Bendet, calls it "uptown-chic and ladylike but in a fun & playful way." And one can see the finer details of several fashionable eras at play in this collection: a throwback to dalliance of '60’s sophistication, '70’s chic and '20’s & '30’s glamour. Glitz, glam & polish are the key to these pieces that radiate fun while being fabulous! Take a look! And in keeping with The Artful Shopper's Artful Philosophy, remember, "Life is a party! Dress up! Fashion is serious business. Wear it well."
The Artful Shopper has made the Independent Fashion Bloggers weekly roundup of the best 20 link submissions this week. I attended IFB's Blogger Conference on Sept. 7 and had the chance to meet some blogging all-stars including Nubia's Nonsense of IFB, who provides me with weekly inspiration, the witty I'm Too Fancy, who made the roundup below, and Marley Simone who gets the Most Fashionably Dressed award for the day from me & at Fashion Week from New York Magazine here, plus blogging trailblazer Grechen of Grechen's Closet! The Artful Shopper was in some great company that day and in this week's roundup below. Read on to discover some great new blogs (I discovered Fashezine, LUV!), street style, and if you're a blogger yourself, how to participate!
xoxo,
Christina
The Artful Shopper
Inspired by IFB, FNO & NYFW!
Edited by: Taylor Davies
The week of New York Fashion Week is one of the busiest of the entire year for the industry. It’s also one of the most inspiring for the IFB community. This week’s Links a la Mode features helpful posts about blogging that remind us of topics from our IFB Conference, as well as fun round ups of Fashion’s Night Out, NYFW shows, and designer inspiration.
The IFB Weekly Roundup: LINKS À LA MODE: September 15th
If you would like to submit your link for next week’s Links à la Mode, please register first, then post your links HERE. The HTML code for this week will be found in the Links a la Mode group will be published later today. ~Jennine
All-over brights & pops of color have prevailed on the runways & in fashion editorials now since early spring. If you think things are about to take a subdued turn for fall, think again. While we may be used to summer shocks of color fading into more earthy neutrals, browns & reds to match the changing scenery, this seasons ablaze with rich & radiant color, so there's no hope of fading into the background. Here are five ways to capitalize on the color trend, mix things up, and make it work for you.
COLORBLOCK GRAPHICS
MONOCHROMATIC
JEWEL TONES
ACCESSORIES
BLACK & WHITE
PHOTO LOOKS: JASON WU AT NEIMAN MARCUS; BCBG MAXAZRIA AT NEIMAN MARCUS; SACHIN + BABI COLORBLOCK AT NEIMAN MARCUS; JILL STUART COLORBLOCK DRESS AT SHOPBOP.COM; MONOCHROMATIC AT BCBG.COM; MONOCHROMATIC AT CLUB MONACO; MONOCHROMATIC AT CLUB MONACO; JEWEL TONES AT BCBG.COM; MILLY DRESS AT BLOOMINGDALES; HALSTON HERITAGE DRESS AT BLOOMINGDALES; ACCESSORIES FROM NINEWEST.COM; BLACK & WHITE ALICE & OLIVIA DRESS AT SHOPBOP.COM; BLONDE AMBITION PLATFORM AT SHOPBOP.COM; 2011 FALL FASHION COLLECTION AT YSL.COM
SHOP THE TRENDS COLORBLOCK GRAPHICS, MONOCHROMATIC, JEWEL TONES, ACCESSORIES AND BLACK & WHITE...
In case you are worried about what you missed while you were sleeping, here are some screenshots of the 11 items that were available on Target's mobile site early(!) including 2 sets of downloadable zigzag wallpaper for your phone! What fun! Plus, some of the real-time updates on how it all went down overnight! Thank goodness I ordered the lovely bedding for some fashionable ZZZ! You can shop the Missoni for Target commercial shown above scene by scene at Target.com so not to miss a thing!
*Real-time update as of 7:00AM EST: some items no longer available especially in clothes on Target.com; Free Shipping when you spend $50+ .Real time update 6:04AM EST: You heard it first at The Artful Shopper! Show your love and follow me: Create a profile, on twitter @byChristinaK, or on BlogLovin'! Starting to see items on Target's mobile site including online-only exclusives. Free Shipping when you spend $50+
*Real-time update: Straight from the horses mouth, @TargetStyle on Twitter.com tells The Artful Shopper, the collection will launch online in the morning of September 13, estimated time 8AM EST with a preview at 4AM (they will send out a tweet when available), with online exlusives that include swim, crib bedding, poofs, the patio set, large rugs, women's rain boots, comforter/duvet sets, etc. Real-time update 2:23 AM: The mobile site is shoppable now, as of 2:23AM EST with a limited selection of Margherita's must-haves! Starting tomorrow, girls and boys, at least some of our far-off Missoni-wearing-decorating dreams can come true, thanks to Target, but remember only for a limited time, through October 22. With all the hooplah, it's wil surely sell out way before that mark so get ready. See the full line at Fashionologie here.
On the eve of Missoni for Target launch, I found myself scoping out my local Tar-jay to get yet another sneak peek at what will be the stores greatest collabo yet! Never before has a Target launch caused such a stir. Everyone's all a-Twitter, self included, about what to buy! Not only because such an iconic line will be on the shelves and racks of our local stores, but it's also at a phenomenal price point! A typical Missoni dress is around $2000 and at Target you can score one for $54.99.
I have had the Missoni Lancillotto throw below, featured on Saks.com, on my Amazon wish list since Dec.10, 2010. If I recall, judging from the date, a pre-Xmas fervor must have come over me, having such high hopes that Santa would ever consider bringing such an expensive gift. Now it feels like Christmas in September as I tried to sneakily poke around at the store and surely will find myself dreaming of Missoni-zig-zagged-printed bicycles riding around in my head versus sugarplums. Of course, the shelves will be stocked after store closing tonight and I found out from associates that my local NJ store has received only the bedding, the stationary, cosmetic accessories and some housewares, so far. Hopefully they will keep restocking so all doesn't sell out at once. Fingers criss-crossed.
According to the WSJ though, stores on the east & West Coast will be stocked more heavily and in urban areas with higher sales, stores like those in Birmingham, Ala.; Fort Union, Utah; and North Jackson, Miss., also will get large selections because they have had high sales rates for past collections, Target says.
In other Missoni-related news, I recently came across some Missoni scarves while out at Anthropologie, strategically placed front & center on a display table in a brown paper Missoni envelope. There were only a few available to purchase but turns out they are also available online in four different styles. Free People is also offering a few vintage Missoni pieces, five that I can count at this time. A search for Missoni on their site yields what appears to be several more but don't be fooled: If you read the description these are "Missoni-like" prints & the prices are at the typical designer price point of over $700. Still it's exciting to own a piece of vintage Missoni and the lookalikes are great vintages pieces wouldn't you say?
This is not Missoni but is described as "Missoni-like Vintage" at Free People
In anticipation for the Missoni for Target launch, I've assembled a few Missoni pieces on sale below $200, including the Anthropologie scarves. Happy shopping!
Attention all Etsy lovers! If you love artsy-craftsy projects & home-sewn details, you'll love this lil' stop-motion film of the World of Dot. Watch Dot as she runs and jumps through a world of yarn, spools, buttons, coins & the other bibs & bobs. See her world unfurl to reveal all is not as bad as it seems with the charming conclusion! I first caught a glimpse of Dot on fellow OnSugar blogger Eva Rose's site (a fantastic follow!) and have been replaying it from my YouTube faves playlist ever since! Be sure to also check out the Making of Dot that follows the vid above to see why this little film, the world's smallest stop-motion film, and the technology behind it, serve an extra special purpose. Bring a little cut & sew charm into your world with my Dot-inspired picks from Anthropologie (love!) and more...
It's official! Rhe business cards are printed and I've claimed my spot on OnSugar as The Artful Shopper's home! This means I've decided to update my url from http://christina-k.onsugar.com to http://theartfulshopper.onsugar.com, so now it's easier to find me by search! Thanks to all my followers for my growing success, the OnSugar community for your support and to FabSugar and CasaSugar for featuring four of my recent posts.
Also, be sure to follow me on BlogLovin'! If you don't know about BlogLovin', it's a great place to follow all of your favorite blogs, all in one place, whether on you iPhone, iPad, smartphone, tablet PC, or any home computer for that matter. Click the Eiffel Tower to check it out, follow me and your favorite fashion bloggers now!
Last night was the premiere of a new season of The Rachel Zoe Project, and with the birth of Rachel Zoe’s son Skylar, the launch of her line, and her birthday this week, I’m sure it’s been happy times for Rachel! So I’d like to celebrate her style with a look at her new fall collection and the amazing things she’s taught us about fashion over the years…
1)The 70’s Is Not To Be Ignored. The seventies has sometimes gotten a bad rap. Everyone looks back on the era of “excess” i.e. disco, drugs & some extreme fashions like bellbottoms, short shorts, big feathered hair & sequins, with a bit of nostalgia & a chuckle. Rachel Zoe’s style has reminded us that the edged-out rock ’n roll looks and Dance-Fever-aesthetic of the seventies have made many a fashion icon in its day; names like Ali McGraw, Diane Von Furstenberg, Mick and Bianca Jagger. What’s more, she’s taught us that if you are a lover of fashion, fashion in a lil’ excess can be good! Read on to hear specifically what Mama Fash has done to make us all sit up, listen and unable to look away.
2)Supersize It! When it comes to shades, maxis, baubles & bling, more really is more. When she first came into the limelight, styling Nicole Richie, Mischa Barton and Lindsey Lohan, Zoe bowled us over with uber-fabulous, oversized shades and billowy fabrics languidly draped over modelesque, some say too-thin frames of herself and those she styled. We noticed and haven’t looked away since.
3)Play with Proportion: Voluminous on top, go streamlined on the bottom. Flared and full on the bottom, go slinky and sexy on top. Case in point: Tell me if this sounds familiar. A simple ultra-skinny pencil jean and a a filmy floral blouse, accessorized to perfection with a shearling vest, giant chandelier earrings and larger-than-life sunnies. It’s the everygirl Fashionista uniform! You may have even pictured Zoe herself.
Another oft-imitated look: the easy, high-waisted sailor pant, a streamlined top, wedges and a big bucket bag of course. Zoe taught us that the “everything in moderation” maxim can and should be ignored -- you just have to know when to pull back. Sound complicated? Well, hire a stylist! They don’t call her the best for nothing.
4)Menswear belongs to the girls! If there is any doubt to this statement just check out this double-breasted blazer dress on Jennifer Lopez. No one pairs feminine shapes with the sharp lines of traditional menswear to make a gorgeous garment that is all-girl better than Zoe. Check out her blazers, dresses and trousers to see just how well she handles menswear.
5)Know Your Vintage: Zoe brought names like Van Cleef & Arpels and Judith Leiber to the red carpet year after year, and then with her show name- dropped them with such reverence and regularity, we’re all using them at the dinner table.
6)Aim for the Sky, Sky-high Platforms that is! Five inches on the red carpet and off seems to be the golden rule. Her new line can attest, as heel after heel teters coolly above the rest.
7)Friend of Faux: Fur is a Must! Boleros, shrugs and shaggy vintage vests --luxury is a wardrobe staple, and its cool to be kind, so faux is a do! I would bet there are probably more pics of Zoe at an evening affair or just heading out in the fall with fur on than not.
8)Be a Groupie for Fashion: Like Penny Lane in her 70’s-flare-jeaned glory, Rachel’s signature styles is a mix of her her fabulous influences. She takes it all in –- those fabulous influences and the fashion that surrounds her daily, mixes things up in her own beautiful mind, and out comes her own brand of boho chic! Remember the episode of The Zoe Project where Rachel was waiting backstage at Marc Jacobs and dared to try on the pumps that had just come off the runway? She’s a fan of the greats and isn’t afraid to show it and teach us who reigns supreme.
9)Fashion Can Kill You:Chanel The Divine – Whether encountering the influence of the venerable Coco & vintage Chanel or a new design by the daring Karl Lagerfeld, Zoe has uttered her signature expression “I die” to demonstrate the power the all-powerful House of Chanel has on its minions of devout followers. And so, we fell in love with her relatable swooning and then stole her slang for ourselves. May-jor!
Check out this episode from season 2 of The Rachel Zoe Project on Bravo where Rachel visits Coco Chanel's Paris apartment and actually "dies" and goes to heaven...
10)Reinvent the classics. Menswear, maxis, floppy hats and big shades. It’s all there in our fashion history from the 70’s and beyond. Zoe has taught us more than anything to get schooled in fashion and reinterpret it your way as us bloggers and followers of fashion are doing now to try to make our mark. As a a close-study of fashion, she’s been a teacher for us all; the groupie turned stylist, turned designer, turned sage. Get a piece of her fashion empire for yourself or just browse her collections below. "It's everything."
You’ve heard of superfoods, well, the super-accessory is here! Fall's must-have capes & swing coats pack fashion punch & elevate any look with a single swoosh. Part urban sophisticate, part schoolgirl-chic, throw one on with jeans or a skirt & look smart. This season don't hit the city streets or an evening affair before getting your cape on. Go ahead give it a whirl!
“In fashion, either you’re in, or you’re out.” In the 6th grade, I wanted “in” and that meant joining the so-called “Preps” so, I assembled a wardrobe of V-necks, cableknits and Palazzo pants. And one of my most coveted items of them all? Wait for it … penny loafers.
Who can forget the novelty of buying their first must-have pair of shoes that all the other kids are wearing? Maybe yours were some pretty heels, or a cushy pair of UGG's, or a stylin’ set of Nike Airs, but penny loafers? Sure, there was the novelty of having Big Sis help me make them look all shiny, and adding the little charm of a penny, but who can forget the thick, awkward block heel, the unflattering height and the typically dowdy association with straight-laced school marms and perhaps, those least interested in fashion, “gulp,” nuns?
The older, wiser, more fashionable me, looks back with just a wee bit of horror. And know the loafer is back, but not at all to haunt me. Reconstructed and more feminine then ever, the new it-shoe has sexy lift with a built-in platform, contoured heels and comes in a brilliant array of shades and styles that say “I may be bookish but I’m comfortable standing out.”
