Camel Perfection

I hate to repost from another blog, but I saw this look on The Sartorialist and fell in love.  THIS is how you pull off the camel, cape, and lougewear pant trends all in one fell swoop.  Also, the bangs?  To Die For. This girl's effortless chic ensemble looks current and comfortable, and thankfully, easy to replicate. 

The base is a pale camel sweater in a lightweight knit paired with darker camel knit lounge pants.

J. Crew cashmere sweater, $168                                                     Mango pants, $65.34

A short grey cape, black suede pumps, and beige satchel finish off the look.

 

Nordstrom capelet, $118                                                   Pour La Victoire Irina pumps, $250  

Marc by Marc Jacobs satchel, $498

The pieces aren't as important as the palette--you can try this with any camel, grey, and black separates, as long as they have a soft, drapey quality. 

All That Glitters

Now that the holiday season is officially upon us, it is totally acceptable to wear glitter, in fact, it is recommended!  Glitter is a festive way to brighten up any outfit.  There are more glittery options this fall than ever, and I am ready to take the plunge and bedazzle myself from head to toe.  It is probably wiser to stick to one sparkly piece, or a couple of small coordinating items.  At the top of my glitter wish list is SHOES (isn't it always?).  These sky-high sparklers are showstoppers, and would look fantastic against black tights.

 Badgley Mischka Humbie II and Miu Miu loafer pumps

Kate Spade Charm and Tory Burch Corbet

I do not usually get excited about flats, but these are too cute to resist.  They would add pizazz to a basic jeans and t-shirt or leggings and tunic outfit.

Miu Miu oxfords, Pour La Victoire loafers, and J. Crew ballet flats

The sequined skirt or harem pant is a must-have this season, perfect for holiday parties.

See by Chloe skirt and J. Crew pants

For a smaller dose of glitter, a sparkly belt or bag is a great accent.

J. Crew belt and Halston Heritage Jenny clutch

Glitter can be incorporated into your beauty look with this eyeliner, which I am dying to try, or this sparkly nail polish, which is easy for anyone to pull off.

Urban Decay Heavy Metal Liner and Sephora by OPI Only Gold For Me

The Blanket Wrap



My favorite thing about fall/winter fashion (ok, besides the layering, coats, and boots) is the warm and cozy knits.  I am a sucker for an oversized cardigan or sweater dress, so you can understand why one of my favorite trends of the moment is the blanket wrap, a cardigan/cape/shawl fusion.  It literally looks like you've wrapped up in a small blanket, but with artful draping and sleeves.  The wrap is a chic replacement to cardigans and jackets.  I am craving a printed one--something bold and geometric.

The inspiration:

Diane von Furstenberg Pre-Fall 2010, Comme des Garcons Fall 2009, Lindsey Thornburg Fall 2010, Chloe Fall 2009

My favorites:

Anthropologie jacquard wrap, $148                                                          Anthropologie argyle wrap, $118

 ASOS sweater, $72.41                                                                     Dolce Vita sweater, $220

These are more cardigan-like in shape:

Sparrow sweater, $148                                         Eternal Sunshine Creations cardigan, $319

Haute Hosiery

Hosiery is a great way to punch up an outfit, whether it's with an unusual color, print, or texture.  Tights have really come into their own in the past couple years--there are so many more options to choose from.  They are the perfect way to breathe new life into your go-to black dress, or to take and outfit from day (solid opaque tights) to night (lacy sheers).  Plus, it is the rare trend that is accessible--tights are affordable and look great on everyone!

These leopard print tights are on trend, and still conservative enough to wear to work.


Gap tights, $14.50

Wolford tights, $65

Topshop tights, $20

These black and white showstoppers are not for the faint of heart.  They would look fantastic under a bold colored mini-dress.



Emilio Cavallini tights, $31.89

Eloise tights, $38

Hansel from Basel tights, $32

I love the strong architectural lines of these tights.  They can make an entire outfit--perfect for adding interest to a black dress and ankle boots.

ASOS leggings, $62.06

Topshop tights, $30

Topshop tights, $24

These Nordic Fair Isle prints are an affordable way to draw inspiration from D&G's fall collection.  They are begging to be paired with a chunky sweater dress and rugged ankle boots. 

D&G Fall 2010

Need Supply Co. leggings, $38

Gap tights, $19.50

These Aztec print leggings are reminiscent of the print used in Mondo's final collection for Project Runway Season 8.  Paired with a tunic and flats, they would make a great weekend look.

Mondo Guerra Spring 2011

Need Supply Co. leggings, $34

For a holiday party, either shimmery or lacey tights are a must.

Hue tights, $18

Anna Sui tights, $20

Spanx tights, $28

 These are just sweet and girlie.  They would provide a nice contrast to fall's tough leather skirts. 

Free People tights, $38

Tintoretta tights, $18

Free People tights, $38

The New Crop

I usually have a love/hate gut reaction to trends.  And once judgement is passed, I cannot be convinced otherwise.  For instance, when clogs were featured on Chanel's spring 2010 runways and subsequently knocked off in department stores, I vowed to never ever buy a pair, no matter how prevalent they became.  I have remained true to my instincts, and thankfully, I think the clog craze is fading quickly.

When the cropped top trend surfaced (technically re-surfaced, since it was a 90s trend), I had the same initial disgust, even anger.  Why would any adult woman want to show several inches of her midriff?  It inevitably looks cheap and sloppy.  But as the seasons have changed, so has my stance on this important issue.  You see, a cropped blouse is the perfect answer to fall's high-waisted pants, which can look awkward with fabric tucked into them.  Or, what if a boxy cropped sweater is layered over a prim button down?  It's the perfect contradiction and compliment.  Also, a cropped pullover looks great over a fitted dress.  Basically, the key to wearing this trend tastefully is to ensure that your stomach is covered.

Inspiration from the fall runways:
 

Proenza Schouler Fall 2010



Chanel Fall 2010 Couture

Here is is with high waisted pants and a skirt:
  

Surface to Air shirt



Opening Ceremony shirt

 Or layered over a button down:
 

Proenza Schouler



Timo Weiland

 
My favorite is this slouchy cropped Alexander Wang sweater, worn with a leather corset belt.


Alexander Wang

If you're hesitant to try the fully cropped silhouette, this BCBG shirt is a great compromise, which is shorter only in the front.

BCBG