OOTD: A Little Drape Never Hurt Anyone

When it comes to department store shopping, I'm strictly a B-lister. Barney's, Bergdorf Goodman, Bendel's - THESE are the stores that I call my home away from home. But after a recent breakfast date at Lord & Taylor with my friends from Lucky Magazine, I feel forced to concede that I may need to expand my REACH to new letters of the alphabet - notably L&T.

At breakfast, I spent some quality time with editor and Lord & Taylor style expert Suze Yalof-Schwartz, who swooned convincingly when I eyeballed this Rick Owens-esque, draped faux suede vest from BCBG, found on the Contemporary floor of the NYC flagship.  So convincingly, in fact, that I simply couldn't RESIST taking it home with me (in part thanks to a lovely gift card given to me by the Lord & Taylor team.)

Here's how I rocked it for a Sunday afternoon stroll in my LES hood.

• Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer Sunglasses
• BCBG Fabian Faux Suede Vest
• American Apparel Sheer Jersey Deep V Tee
• Seven for All Mankind The Skinny Second Skin Jegging in Rinsed Indigo
• Charles Jourdan Andes Platform Pump (alt color here)
• Assorted bangles, including Alexis Bittar, Kenneth Jay Lane

 

While I couldn't find this rockin' vest online, you can check out the full assortment of BCBG at Lord & Taylor here, and frankly, they've got lots of other great goodies these days too - take the time to explore!

Photo snapped by my hot brunch date, Sarah Conley of Style It Online.

OOTD: A Thin Line Between Love and Hate

'A Thin Line Between Love and Hate' means many things to many people, but to me, it MOST aptly describes the pants I'm wearing today. Namely, the new Diesel Skinny Ankle Length Zivy Jean in Spearmint. These jeans are pretty much the most MINT GREEN things you've ever seen in your life, and frankly, they make me feel a wee bit like a Jordan Almond gone bad or more appropriately...naughty (in the best way possible, of course.)

These jeans are not, OBVIOUSLY, for the faint of heart. Frankly, they come close to STOPPING TRAFFIC on the street, much like an adorable French Bulldog puppy will. In fact, as you'll see above, a handsome young gentlemen couldn't help but stop and photobomb my OOTD today - that's how striking he found my pants.

I have to say that outfit photos are an amazingly valuable exercise for anyone that loves fashion, as you'll sometimes be immediately be struck by elements of your look that you'd have changed, and in retrospect today, I likely would have chosen a lighter shoe. Thankfully, I've got the Kyte from Sole Society in my office, and did a quick switcheroo for fresh take.

Head to toe:

• Ray-Ban Wayfarers
• J. Crew Cardigan (no longer available, similar here)
• American Apparel Deep V-Neck Tee
• Balinese silk scarf
• Diesel Skinny Ankle Length Zivy Jean in Spearmint (gift)
• Lia Sophia Cuff (gift)
• Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Speedy 30
• Cynthia Vincent Mason Platform Buckle Wedge (available on Swirl TODAY!)

OOTD: Fur, Glorious, Fur

As an obnoxious woman of the world, I often like to publicly declare my love of animals as such: "I love animals. Petting them. Eating them. Wearing them."

I made true on that declaration this week with my new Adrienne Landau Fur Vest.  This deliciously soft (like, seriously, it puts my cats to shame) and toasty vest was the perfect topper to a cropped white jean and a serious, serious shoe.

Head to toe:

• MAC Russian Red Matte Lipstick
• LOFT Collection Chain Necklace with Crystals (gift)
• American Apparel Sensualitee (no longer available)
• Adrienne Landau Rabbit Fur Vest
• Gap Cropped Skinny Jeans (no longer available)
• Jessica Simpson Collection Dany Platforms

 

OOTD: The Debut of My Alexander Wang Rocco

In a perfect world, every bag would be the Alexander Wang Rocco.

Well made, with aggressive hardware and deliciously supple leather cut to look like velvet (you can smell the dead animal from six feet away), it's recently risen the ranks to be among my very favorites.  So, today, I kept things uber simple and let the bag be the star.

Head to toe, and shopping for jam at Le Pain Quotidien:

• Tom Ford Jennifer Sunglasses in Black
• Nine West Scarf (Gift, no longer available)
• American Apparel Acid Wash Jersey Deep V-Neck T in Black
• Gap Cropped Skinny Jeans in White Wash
• Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent Mason Buckle Wedge
• Alexander Wang Rocco Mini Duffel in Cut Velvet Leather (Smoke)

 

Photo by Felicia #Pave Sullivan

Old Man Winter's Got Nothing On Me (Or) Thanks, American Apparel!

As I've mentioned previously, the chubbier I get, the more I appreciate a good legging. And in my book, there's no legging in the world that's superior to American Apparel's Winter Legging.

This thick and plush legging is almost like a ski pant without the disdainful shine. They keep legs toasty warm even in Arctic temps and perhaps best of all, the thick fabric essentially acts as Spanx Jr., keeping all flabby elements of legs, arms and lower tummy tucked in effectively.  Who could ask for more?

I have these babies in both black and charcoal gray, and frankly, that's not enough. I would wear them day and night, if that didn't raise a brow in the office.

Snag your own pair at American Apparel stores or online at American Apparel.

Introducing OOTD (Outfit of the Day)

This blog is about a lot of things but uber-personal style isn't really one of them.  That said, my friend Sarah Conley has really inspired me as of late, as she regularly integrates Outfit of the Day posts into her amazing blog, Style It Online.

Sarah's fearless when it comes to sharing her own style with the world, so who more apropos to make me a little more comfy with the idea? She was my photographer for today's outfit of the day:

Alternative Apparel Modal Silk Cowl Neck Tunic  (gift from Pure Addiction)

Yummie Tummie Strappy (gift)

Winter Legging ($38, American Apparel)

Forever 21 Zebra Ballet Flat ($22.80)

Blue "pashmina" ($5, street vendor)

Jewelry: Various, including the Rebecca Minkoff Loop Bracelet in Flourescent Pink ($48, Luna Boston)

For the Love of (Fashion) Multiples

With all this talk of Octomom, my mind has turned to multiples lately.  Multiples of the fashion variety, of course.

I don't know about you but when I find an item that I love, I tend to stock up. This has some pluses and minuses.  While it's good to have multiples of staple items, if you buy too many, you risk looking the same everyday (which anyone who has seen me in a cardigan and long camisole can attest to.)

Here's a list of the multiples in my wardrobe currently:

 

1. 25 Hanky Panky Thongs
2. 12 J.Crew Cardigans (different colors/prints/styles)
3. 10 Honeydew Mesh Boyshorts
4. 5 DVF Wrap Dresses (various prints)
5. 4 pairs of Old Navy Diva Skinny Jeans
6. 4 American Apparel Tri-Blend Deep V Tees
7. 3 Pairs of Low Top Converse All Stars
8. 3 Gap Ultimate Push Up Bras
9. 2 J.Crew Eliza Camisoles
10. 2 Norma Kamali for Wal-Mart Batwing Sleeve Sweatshirts
11. 2 Louis Vuitton Speedy's (Used to be four but I recently sold a red Epi 25 and a Damier 25)
12. 2 Pairs of Uggs

What fashion multiples have you succumbed to? Leave a comment and share!

Speedy Collage via www.ilvoelv.com 

 

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