Bottle-Green Bottoms

Things we know: colored pants are still in, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds got married and I STILL can't find any pictures of it, and oxblood is the big color for fall. I don't know who decided to call the hue "oxblood" over "sultry maroon" (or something to that effect), but I wish luck to all of the advertising agencies who have to deal with it. My vegan best friend is probably in tears right now just thinking about all of those oxen. Personally, I just can't bring myself to invest in it, especially seeing as any girl with a magazine subscription will be wearing the same exact pair of fitted oxblood trousers.

The verdict: bottle-green is where it's at.

The color is fall-appropriate but versatile: pair it with lavender, white, or cobalt. Plus, it's subdued enough that you can treat it like a neutral, meaning it works in any number of styles, from legging to skinny jean to high-waisted to ankle-length. I may be as anti-legging as they come, but I love the slim lines of the Sandro. The Opening Ceremony have a retro feel to them, and the J.Crew, a subtle East-meets-West vibe that I want to take to tea and dinner and then drinks.

Which pair would you wear?

Dress Up

True confession: I showed up to a spring break trip in Puerto Rico with a suitcase full of pretty sundresses...none of which were suitable for a spring break club scene. I actually don't own anything that qualifies as a party dress, save an American Apparel number-turned-Jigglypuff costume. If you weren't aware, a Pokemon-themed outfit is less welcome at a club than a full-length muumuu.

My birthday is in a week and, in my frenzy to find something besides a drop-waist dress that I've worn for three previous birthdays (...I'm a girl of habit), I've come across the perfect style for Girls Who Only Rage on Rare Occasions—a party dress, not too short and not at all tight, that can nevertheless hold its own on a dance floor. Do you know what's sexier than an up-to-there hemline? An exposed back. Proof:

Is this not the most clever way to get a cheeky look without having to wriggle your dress down every five steps? (Seeing as we're on the topic of cheeky, anyway). An open-back dress is unexpected, and the sexy factor doesn't hit you over the head so much as whisper in your ear. It's gamine, not garish; think Audrey, not Marilyn (modern day translation: Marion Cotillard, not Kim Kardashian). I could go all day with this. The electric-blue hue of the Free People dress ($118; freepeople.com), bottom right, keeps the lace from looking too saccharine.

In this case, less is not more, but just enough.

Photo credits: Blair Edie/Atlantic-Pacific and La Lune

Classic Twist on Colorblock

There's Eastern Standard Time and then there's the little-known Magazine Standard Time, which is four months plus whatever the hell time it is in New York. This means that lately, I've been swilling peppermint drinks and celebrating fake New Year's Eve countdowns and listening to Bing Crosby.

Naturally, I've been going through my drawers to look at my neatly-stacked jeans and weep as I sweat in the sticky, relentless heat. I can't even LOOK at my sweaters (but only because the last time I did, I found a cockroach hanging on one. Is that gross? Sorry. New York and stuff). But whatever, I'm going to start early. My thoughts are halfway through November, and if Boy Scouts can prepare, why can't I?

Colorblock is big. Bright colors, try pairing hot pink and red like Sarah Jessica Parker did that one time (you know which outfit I'm talking about), blah blah blah yawn sneeze yawn. While splashes of fuchsia and coral and Kelly green will fly in the summer, fall is a different story. You just don't want to wrap yourself up in a cozy neon-orange sweater. (Trust me.) The fix? Take a note from Stella McCartney's Fall 2012 RTW show and try colorblock with a twist: neutrals.

Black and white. Camel. Maybe navy, if you really feel like pushing the envelope. I love how a simpler palette emphasizes the geometric foundation of colorblock; instead of focusing on the colors and how they work together, these pieces show off the shapes and illusions that can be so flattering. I'd wear the Rag & Bone blouse (top, click to buy) with skinny jeans and boots (boots!), or tuck it into a pleated skirt for an unexpected pairing. The Trina Turk dress (bottom, click to buy) would be perfect for the office and for happy hour afterwards. Plus, when the weather gets chilly, a cropped leather jacket would give it a little kick.

Neutral colorblock? Wear it now. Wear it later. Scout's honor, it'll work.

Confessions On Chambray

After much thought and deliberation, I've decided that I hate chambray.

It reminds me of denim, and though I love my Rag & Bone jeans as much as the next girl, there is no way that I'll ever be on board with denim shirts and jackets. I understand that chambray isn't denim, but the color and texture are enough of a reminder to keep me far, far away. I can sum it up like this: I dislike chambray as much as I dislike gingham.

But not polka-dot chambray.

If you ever need to convert me to something, just pop some polka dots on it and call it a day. The polka dots and playful jewelry add some whimsy and femininity to chambray, which, depending on styling, can seem a little utilitarian and stiff. This J.Crew blouse ($78; jcrew.com) is the perfect shape, too: fitted at the waist, but just slouchy enough to layer.

Don't worry, though. The day a jean jacket appears on this blog is the day you know girlfriend has been hacked.

Photos courtesy of: Gitman Brothers via Have Less Be More and J.Crew.

Summer Sweater

 Guys, the temperatures in New York are supposed to reach 90 degrees this week.

That is SWELTERING, sticky, sweat-down-your-back status, and about the moment that I desperately wish for fall: crunchy leaves underfoot, creamy lattes topped with cinnamon, and most importantly, sweater weather. Seeing as how much I like to wear jeans and indulge in my lazy-casual style, sweaters  are an obvious staple in my closet.

An oversized, cozy sweater just won't do in this heat (unless I want to shrivel up somewhere between my apartment and the 59th St bridge), but I've discovered the next best thing: sheer knit sweaters, also know as The Summer Sweater. See here:

The loose weave keeps it lightweight, breathable, and a touch see-through (come on, live a little!). Plus, the bright colorblock makes it season-appropriate—there's a right time and place for charcoal and navy, and mid-July is just not it. I love the punchy coral hue of the Knitted Kid top ($179; etsy.com) on the left. For a nicer price, scoop up J. Crew's fitted version ($80; jcrew.com). Pair it with denim shorts (or, for the brave at heart, a contrasting color like cobalt blue). Wear everywhere. Rinse, wash, repeat all summer long.

Top photo courtesy of: Sluchevskaya.

Kicking It with Marc by Marc

I missed the Isabel Marant sneaker-wedge boat (below, left). That's okay. Why? Because these Marc by Marc Jacobs kicks (right, $320; marcjacobs.com) are fresh out of the oven (circa today) and haven't yet been splashed all over the blogosphere. We are in love.

Sure, they seem a little clunky at first glance. But then you remember the wedge, and the subsequent extra height that makes your legs seem a touch longer. One point. And then there's the calf leather. Two points for that. And then there's the part where it's a calf-leather HIGH TOP SNEAKER. Eight points right there. Unlike every other pair of sneakers that I own (all Bensimon, save for one pair of limited edition Nike Dunks), these don't look better the more worn and dirty they become. But paired with skinny jeans and an oversized sweater (and kept nice and clean, of course), these could become a part of the greatest weekend uniform I've ever owned.

Photo courtesy of: The Blonde Salad

The Signature Look

I'm a huge fan of Garance Doré; I think she's witty, personable, and unbelievably charming. I'd like to make her my best friend at some point. One can usually spot her signature topknot hairstyle, and when I saw the above street-style photos, I got to thinking about signature touches, whether they be Alexa Chung's shoulder-length hair or Freja Beha Erichsen's (guys, you knew it was going to head in this direction) leather jackets.

I don't have a signature touch. Sometimes, I straighten my hair before work. When I remember to do so, I'll swipe on Nars lipstick in Casablanca. Mostly, I just let all of my makeup fall off before going home and washing off the remnants before bed. I feel like I should implement a signature something, but the intent to do so seems fraudulent and a little forced. One of my bosses has a perfectly frizz-free bob regardless of rain, shine, or monsoon, and the other wears bright red lipstick on the regular. One fashion editor likes to wear ankle boots with opaque black tights and flowing, floaty minidresses. I doubt any of them set off with the motivation of making each her signature look.

I can let nature run its course, but I don't want my signature look to be dark skinny jeans and chapped knuckles. Should I just let a "signature" happen or try to influence it with purposeful applications of mascara (for doll-like lashes) or orange lipstick (à la J.Crew catalogues)? Is a signature even a signature if you've lifted it from the pages of popular clothing store ad? Probably not. Earnest Sewn and a perpetual need for hand cream it is.

Do you have a signature look? I'm just going to wait for mine to develop on its own. Currently, I'm crossing my fingers and hoping to God that frizz-free, humidity-immune hair somehow happens.

Photos courtesy of: Chicago Street Style and The Photodiarist.

Style Icon

The other day, I was chatting with my boss about how she's influenced my personal style. So far, she's inadvertently shamed me out of wearing denim leggings (but they're Madewell! Almost real jeans!) and chipped nail polish. She also owns (and I've been keeping count): a pair of leather shorts, a leather maxi skirt, a leather jacket, and a leather tunic. Clearly, her own personal style is down pat: edgy but appropriate, and definitely cooler than me.

Besides my bosses, I develop style crushes on semi-celebs with ensembles that just pluck my little pants-and-tee-loving heartstrings. The evidence:

1. Freja? Check. I cut my hair into a pixie because of Freja. Then I grew it into a bob because of Freja. Then I grew it out to shoulder-length, thanks to Freja. Wash, rinse, repeat. In addition to her many hairstyles, Freja may be the reason that I have a black leather jacket. And why I wear dark colors so often. And why I wake up at 6:10 AM every morning to go to the gym.

2. An important lesson for which I have Audrey Tautou to thank: throwing a blazer over a rumpled t-shirt makes it look instantly polished. I have a go-to fitted grey number from J. Crew that I can wear over anything and—ta-da! I'm ready for work.

3. Chanel Iman is just cute. Also, I wouldn't EVER say no to a slouchy grey purse and black stiletto boots. Big smiles!


Whose style do you take note of? It's Freja, isn't it? I knew it.

Photo credits, from left: Pinterest, Cognac and Coffee, The Petite Brunette.

Burch Versus Burch

(Tory Burch's home in Southampton, courtesy of Vogue via This Is Glamorous)

On my lunch break, I read a NYMag article about preppy designer Tory Burch and her ex-husband, C. Wonder founder Christopher Burch. The similarities of their brands are uncanny and pretty obvious, but to be honest, I feel that I know neither person well enough to make a call on who is right. This is my public and diplomatic declaration. (Personally, I'm Team Tory. Tell no one.)

I have to say that I'm not a huge fan of the C. Wonder store, which is a kind of like a bright, colorful zoo of weird knick knacks, tourists who are NOT afraid to knock you down, and clothes that just cannot be of very good quality. And, if you read the article, you know that they're absolutely not great quality. Then again, you don't go to C. Wonder for the decent quality of the clothing. Save the ready-to-wear for Tory.

You go to C. Wonder for the affordable and cheeky housewares...especially those made of lacquer. Lacquer boxes, lacquer trays, lacquer everything. I love lacquer. I love lacquer more than I love petting strangers' puppies on street corners. And, maybe it's because I'm half Chinese, but I would love to see these little guys ($58; cwonder.com) on my bookshelf:

Team cute, quirky bookends.