Shop This: J.Crew Sample Sale

Who: J.Crew
What: Semi-Annual Sample Sale!
When: November 27 – December 2, Tue -Sat.: 10am-8pm, Sun: 12pm-6pm
Where: 260 Fifth Avenue, b/t 28 -29th Streets 
Why: Savings of up to 60% off retail!

Mackage Sample Sale Haul

This Thursday eve, I hit up the Mackage sample sale on day 1 (no VIP day this year, so sad!) and WOW. I was blown away by the enormous assortment of wools and leathers, with some furs, shearlings and accessories in the mix. I guess we can thank a super warm winter for this bounty.

Prices were "meh," if we're being honest, generally hovering at around 50% off, but as I was in dire need of a new black wool coat (my oldest Mackage is about 7 years old, and looking a bit worse for wear) and basic black gloves, I picked up the Nola, originally $630, here $360, and the Ayama gloves, originally $135, here $65.

If you're in the market for a coat, be it a trench or a great leather for spring or a new wool or puffer for next fall/winter, the sample sale runs through tomorrow at 7pm - check out all of the pertinent deets here.

This Coat. You Need It.

Make no mistakes about it, I love winter coat season. I just love it when it actually occurs in WINTER, as opposed to, oh say, AUTUMN, as was the case this weekend. That said, SNOWTOBER, or whatever the kids are calling it these days, was a lovely excuse to break out my newest cold weather acquisition, the Mackage Doreen.

Snagged at the New York sample sale this past spring for about $300, the Mackage Doreen is a gorgeously DRAMATIC double breasted long coat with a full pleated skirt detail. And while the skirt makes things lean a little girly and even evening, the high collar and built-in leather corset belt add some undeniable edge, leading a gentleman friend to declare this morning that I looked like I belonged in a the fashion version of The Matrix.

For the record, I'm hard-pressed to think of a greater comp. Shop Mackage outerwear online at www.mackage.com.

Mark Your Calendars: Naeem Khan Tissavel Tiger Faux Fur Collection for HSN

Designer Naeem Khan's evening gowns and cocktail dresses are a thing of immense BEAUTY, and those are not words that I throw around lightly. So, imagine my anticipation when I heard that the designer was working on a faux fur collection for the peeps at HSN, as a follow up to the successful launch of Timeless, which sold out within MINUTES of airing.

And, thankfully, my (admittedly high) expectations were MET. The mood at last night's press and VIP preview in Naeem's Garment District showroom was nothing short of HIGH GLAMOUR and timeless Old Hollywood-style chic.  The Faur Fur collection (produced in partnership with Tissavel Tiger, a highly respected faux fur manufacturer) includes accessories, coats, jackets, and shrugs that mixed effortlessly with the designer's signature collection. Even style doyenne Iris Apfel (in attendance) seemed to approve. The collection will be priced (to MOVE) between $89.90 -$999.

Click through the gallery for a sneak preview, and mark your cals - the Naeem Khan Tissavel Tiger Faux Fur collection launches exclusively on HSN in November.

OOTD: A Burberry Hangover

As we all know by now, I believe firmly in investing in the basics - wardrobe classics that will take you day to day, season to season and year to year. Of course, a trench falls among the most classic items imaginable, but even I was not mentally prepared for the significant investment that I spontaneously made on Sunday, when I popped by the Burberry flagship on 57th Street after a particularly rigorous Physique 57 class.

There, I was (as one might expect) greeted by trenches of all varieties, and an extraordinarily patient Outerwear Specialist named Lisa, who allowed me to try on every single khaki or honey colored trench (among my only requisites) in stock in my size...despite the fact that I was wearing cropped Lululemon leggings and an Old Navy fleece hoodie for the occasion.

And while I almost caved on an uber-classic style, at the very last moment, I spotted the Leather Strap Trench Coat (seen above) out of the corner of my eye. As soon as I put it on, I knew - THIS was the trench for me. It's classic, but with just enough edge to allow me to still feel like myself. As Edith Piaf so sagely sang (cc Felicia Sullivan), Je Ne Regrette Rien (that's I Regret Nothing, for the non-francophiles among us.)

Head to toe, here's how I wore my latest acquisition in today's dreary, WINDY New York weather:

• Burberry Leather Strap Trench Coat
• J. Crew Funnelneck Cashmere Sweater (no longer available, other options here)
• 7 For All Mankind Skinny Second Skin Legging Jean in Clean White (no, it's NOT too early for white jeans, but thank you for asking)
• Loeffler Randall Claudette Platform Wedge (no longer available)

Photo snapped by Christine White of Court and Hudson, whose hair inspires me on a daily basis.

Mining for Style: Boden

Shop This: Mackage Pop Up Store

$620.00 by Mackage at Saks Fifth Avenue

My love of Mackage knows no bounds so I'm beyond excited to share that the brand is opening their VERY first retail outpost- a temporary pop up store in the Meatpacking District this September 1.

Situated on Washington Street between Little West 12th and Gansevoort, the pop-up location will offer the entire range of Mackage’s luxe wool coats, exquisite leathers, sleek trenches, unique puffys and packables for the month of September.

Stay tuned for further deets after my store preview next week!

Gisele Sexes Things Up for London Fog

Fashion news to share! Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen was today announced as the new face of London Fog®.

Debuting in the October issues of fashion, lifestyle and entertainment magazines (as well as via billboards and online), the ads feature Bündchen posing seductively (is there any other way?) in a classic London Fog trench, noticeably pregnant.

This is the first campaign that Gisele has appeared in since news of her pregnancy broke. The campaign was shot by fashion photographer, Nino Munoz at Smashbox Studios in West Hollywood in mid July.  

What do you think of the ads?  Is this too much Gisele or not enough?