Reader Lauren wrote in that she loved the silver and gold hardware on Reece Witherspoon’s bag, but couldn’t find the designer.
This is when we put those swollen college brains to the test! I asked my intern Giselle to track it down and brilliant DG at USC did! The designer is……
**PHILLIP LIM**
Not a surprise now that you know right? Buy it here for $895.
Thanks Giselle!
- By Kallah Maguire, The Stylist
The Nutritionista and I were chatting away this weekend plotting a delicious contest for all you MTM readers, and eventually (as women will) got around to the topic of fashion and style. Miss Nutritionista mentioned that she feels she hasn’t developed her personal style as much as she would like to, and that she’d love to know how to go about doing so.
Therefore I’ve put together five steps that will help most anyone find their own style, while having fun in the process!
Step 1) Buy a notebook to keep tabs on your style inspiration.
Grab shots of your favorite looks and trends from magazines, quotes from designers that you find particularly fabulous – like Coco Chanel “Fashion fades, only style remains the same”, and start building your own personal look book.
Visit your local book store or library and check out some fashion history books. Note the celebs and designers of yesteryear that had timeless style because trends are not everything, and Jackie O. and Gilbert Adrian can still probably teach you a thing or two!
Step 2) Borrow clothes from your friends so you can try new looks.
It’s cheap, easy, free and fun to borrow – not to mention a great way to test drive some new styles. Don’t forget to ask your friends if they’ll dress you up because they may have some great ideas about how you can rock their unused grandpa vest or summer dress!
Experiment with your newly fortified wardrobe over the next week or so and see what is “so the new you” (like the Hello Skinny Jeans, or the Oliver Spenser Jacket), and what’s not. If you fall in love with something that you’ve borrowed perhaps your friend will be kind enough to sell it to you, or let you take them out for a drink. At the very least they’ll tell you where they got the fab piece that you’re coveting.
Step 3) Take the look book to the next level with daily photos.
My clients love this! After a shopping trip I’ll incorporate all of the new pieces into their existing wardrobe and take pictures of them in the new combinations complete with shoes and accessories. You can do this, or you can simply snap photos of your outfits every day before you head out the door so that you can remember all of your best outfit combinations, and improve on ones that were lacking a little. Make notes next to each pic about what worked and what didn’t. This is also a great way to get a really accurate list of what you need to add to your wardrobe.
Step 4) Conceptualize your burgeoning new style and write it down.
This does not have to be perfect, and you can start out small. Descriptive words are you best friend when it comes to picturing your new outfits, so feed your imagination well. Start with the core outfit: “blood red fitted calf length skirt 50’s skirt, with asymmetrical top” or “flat front trousers, with a loose fitting linen button down.” Then as you get more of a handle on what you like, start adding shoes and accessories to each outfit. If you get stuck, roam around The Sartorialist for inspiration from some of the most stylish people around the globe.
Step 5) Be patient, fearless and have fun finding your own personal style!
When I start working with a new client it takes about a full year of seasonal, lifestyle, and event updates to really cultivate a great wardrobe. So, will it take you a year to change your style? No. Will it take you some time to figure things out and collect all the bits and pieces that you need once you start to define your style? Yes.
BE DARING! Try new outfit combinations that you’d normally steer clear of, keep the amazing finds until you can make an outfit out of them, make mistakes, and don’t be afraid to refine / redefine your look. You’ll feel more and more confident about yourself though this process, and confidence is always sexy!
xooxox,
~K
Images courtesy of The Sartorialist
Many of my friends are now Mommies so I’m going to post more on Maternity-wear….or I will just link to Georgina, who is super stylish and practical.
In the following post, she offers you her favorite purchases thus far.
Take it away G.
via georgiegirlnyc:
I think it’s really hard to know what to splurge on and what not to splurge on when it comes to maternity clothes so I thought I would share some of my best buys with you.
1. Jules & Jim Prada Pants
I have been wearing these pants 2 – 3 times per week since I was 16 weeks pregnant and could no longer get into my pre-pregnancy work pants. They were the first maternity item I purchased and by far the best maternity item purchased. They used to be available for about $87 on Belly Dance Maternity but they don’t seem to have any at the moment. Check back because I’m sure they are just currently out of stock.
2. Ingrid & Isabel everyday cami
You may have heard of the Ingrid & Isabel Bella Band as being a must-buy. I bought one and hated it. I found I was forever adjusting it. What I found worked much better was the Ingrid & Isabel Everyday Cami. It fits comfortably throughout pregnancy – it just keeps on expanding with your belly. I also find that it is tight enough to work similarly to a belly band without having to constantly adjust it. I only bought one in white but if I had my time over I would buy two in every color. Instead I have been making do with some old pre-pregnancy Charlotte Russe camis. However I’m fighting a constant battle of pulling it down to cover the bump and pulling it up to cover the cleavage. Usually the bump wins and then I’m left red-faced when I realize the inappropriate amount of cleavage I’ve been walking around my office with. So…..do yourself a favor and get some of these Ingrid and Isabal camis instead.
3. Liz Lange for Target maternity T
I bought one in black and one in white and couldn’t be happier with them. They are great for layering, obviously. But the reason I really like them is that they are so soft and only $14.99. Check them out here.
4. Wrap dress
A pregnant woman’s best friend – the wrap dress. I have the one above from Isabella Oliver. I also have a wool one from Gap (they don’t have the winter version on their website anymore) and I’m still fitting into my pre-pregnancy Banana Republic wrap dress.
Guys, these are a steal!
andrewwoj:
steve madden boots.
part of GQ’s 10 best american work boots. at $160, completely affordable as well. others included these artful dodgers for $265
By Brandon Trentham
Well the time for stress, fake smiles, ugly sweaters, and fruitcakes is quickly coming upon us whether you like it or not. So I figured I would share what myself and most STRAIGHT or GAY men would love to have. Most men are simple and don’t love to return things, so if you get us something we really want, then your a keeper.
Regardless if he’s a friend, boyfriend, husband, or father, these items interest and excite us all.
1. A nice double breasted wool over coat — with wide lapels, it’s is trendy and functional. The one pictured is Prada, but you can get one at any price.
2. The Logitech universal remote — now not only can it control the tv, dvd, and surround sound, but now the touch screen operates our PS3.
3. Sunglasses that stand out, but aren’t offensive — The gold framed Limited Edition Dita Midnight specials.
4. The Big Book of Breasts – A coffee table book ALL men love (maybe in different way)s can be for the frat guy’s home or the bosses gag gift.
5. A bowtie – The perfect stocking stuffer that’s trendy yet manly and can be worn dressy or casual.
6. A woven bracelet – An easy and elegant simple gift for someone you just can’t read is the woven bracelet. I love this one from YSL.
7. Tell him he’s “The One” – Voted #1 best smelling fragrance of the year is also named “The One” by Dolce and Gabbana.
8. The English Riding Style boot – A winter boot that can be worn both inside or outside the pant. The pair above is from Ralph Lauren.
9. Send him to the moon! – If your bank account is bottomless and you want your guy to be the coolest guy on the block, here is the out of this world gift. For $250,000 he can be one of the first people ever to fly to outer space and back on Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic.
What money can’t buy….
So although men are easy and somewhat predictable, we can also have a sensitive side that isn’t shown on the surface. It’s not just the money you spend, the wrapping and bow on it, or how many are around the tree, but the thought that went into it. We, like women, love things that show you were thoughtful and put your heart into it. If you never cook maybe write “Cook for me baby” notes and wrap it in a box for him to use when he wants. If you’re a workaholic maybe plan a weekend getaway (especially if its camping or something you wouldn’t pick but he would). The point is to show him what he means to you whether in a box or a Mrs. Claus Frederick’s of Hollywood nighty.
jaclynday:
Tracking Trends : Jeans for the Tall Folk
To be honest, I’m stunned at the selection of jeans available in 36” and 37”-inch inseams these days. Go back 4-5 years and you had maybe 4 or 5 styles available. Now? Hundreds! Sure, you have to do some serious searching, but at least they are there—available—purchase-able! It’s nice being 5’11”, but dang! My legs are long and it’s hard to find jeans especially. Here are some of my picks:
- Anemone Straight-Leg Jeans – $216
- Banana Republic Trouser Jeans – $90
- American Eagle Skinny Jeans in “Pure Medium” – $40
- Neottis Treated Jeans – $253
- Bamboo Skinny Jeans – $216
- Truck Jeans Stretch Skinnies – $40
- Spoon Jeans Extend-Tab Trousers – $35
- Vigoss Stretch Bootcut Jeans – $40
- Alloy “Rip & Repair” Skinnies – $40
- GAP Real Straight Jeans in “Medium Wash” – $60
I’m sending this to my Mom who is 5’11”. She has the hardest time finding jeans that are long enough.
This also gets me thinking I have been meaning to go into Gap and try on their new cuts to see what all of the fuss is about.
Great work Jaclyn!
Doesn’t Leslie look lovely?! Head to Toe: Oliver Peoples sunnies, vintage Gucci dress, Gianfranco Ferre bag, Brian Atwood shoes. Muy linda!
If Levis Can Do It….
mascarah:
[Love: Covet] The Gap Makes a Comeback.
My Gap Challenge.
Like you for the past few years, my relationship with The Gap has been lackluster, at best. The Gap has seemed to always be not as ______ their competitors. Not as on trend as H&M or Urban or Topshop, not as smart as Club Monaco or Zara, not a staple for basic t-shirts like American Apparel, and for denim well…. just simply not as good as Seven/AG/Joe’s/J Brand or any other line from the premium denim world neatly folded with superb care at the local Bloomingdale’s.
Enter Patrick Robinson. I first read about the resurgence of Gap’s denim in Harper’s Bazaar and was intrigued, slightly. Then, I started to see the heavy Born to Fit campaign popping up all around Manhattan and was reminded to give it a whirl. Over the weekend, I did.
…And I can honestly say the hype rings true. The Gap’s denim is completely reimagined. It is quality with the right amount of stretch and density. Their new denim has great texture and washes a la all of your favorite premium brands. The cut is smarter (“Perfectly Straight”), sleeker (“Perfect Bootcut”), more chic and sophisticated (“Always Skinny” – my fav – fit as good as J Brand for me, I know…bold statement) or perfectly relaxed and worn-in (“Boyfriend”).
They feel like a $200 pair of jeans. The pricetag? $69.50.
I know this sounds like an infomercial and I honestly wish someone paid me or gave me a few pairs to write this. But alas ,this isn’t the case. I’m just massively impressed. I will be purchasing those 4 styles listed above in at least one wash each for this fall/winter season.
I challenge you to put aside all your stereotypes about the lameness of the Gap and give them a shot….and let me know what you think. I’m pretty sure it’s the best single $69.50 I’ll spend this fall.
Agree? Disagree? Think they’re still lame?
