Reunionizing

Dries Van Noten cropped pants, Ralph Lauren Blue Label shirt, blazer from Boys' Department of Dillard's, Ferragamo shoes

As one of my friends puts it, I will be reunion-izing at my 5th year college reunion this weekend (it's here! it's happening!), wearing too much orange and black (our mascot is the tigers), drinking too much cheap beer, and having too much fun!  Needless to say I will be out of blogging commission.  Hope you guys have as good of a Memorial Day weekend!

I'm not kidding about the orange and black! 

LOLcats

Marc Jacobs dress with Obi belt, Prada shoes

Hallelujah, kitten heels are back!  I know they kind of have had a bad rap as old-lady-ish and even outré, but  the latter at least can stop being a consideration for the more trend-conscious because the fashion world is turning practical once again.  From Marc Jacobs to Marni to MObama to the fabulously chic Italian Vogue editor Giovanna Battaglia, kitten heels have popped up everywhere.  And for the practical working girl there could not be a shoe more heaven-sent.  Although it is true a kitten heel can leave you as wobbly as a 6-inch platform, a good sturdy pair, like these Pradas I've had for years, can give you just the lift you need to elongate a work ensemble and keep it on the dressier side while saving you from the embarrassing hunchback-of-notre-office look that afflicts many of us when we dare to wear heels more than a couple days in a row.  Just stay away from subway grates.

It's About What's Good

 Marc by Marc Jacobs pants, American Apparel t-shirt, blazer from Boys' Department at Dillard's, tennis racket woven belt from Urban Outfitters, AP watch, Kenneth Jay Lane tiger bracelet, Ferragamo flats

The next week and a half is going to be a busy one, so I'm probably not going to be a fountain of insight (am I ever?), but I'd like to try to post something so I don't totally fall out of the habit (I'm not ready to give up yet)! In that spirit, below are some of my favorite quotes from a great and thought-provoking interview with Alber Elbaz, designer of Lanvin, about the future of fashion (from Style.com):

"And fashion is not always about what’s new, it’s also about what’s good. And I think if you need to see what’s good, you have to be there."

"We don’t have the time to think, we don’t have the time to project, we don’t have the time to digest."

"I do in fact believe that the best traveling you do is from your couch while you eat potato chips."

"It has to come from your heart and your brain at the same time. You know, a dress without a zipper, even if it’s gorgeous, if there is no zip, you cannot get in."

"Everybody wants to do everything, everybody needs to do everything, and everybody feels that he can. And I’m still feeling that a dancer should dance and a chef should cook and a singer should sing and a designer of clothes should do clothes. Because the moment we try to do everything for ourselves, we’re becoming very mediocre in what we do, and we don’t go to extremes and we don’t touch excellence. And I prefer to touch excellence."

The complete interview is here. Even if you don't agree with his points, it's wildly entertaining and worth a read!

Clowning Around

Brooks Brothers button-down shirt, Uniqlo jacket, Marc Jacobs pants and shoes, Cynthia Rowley socks

So, I was a bit hesitant about posting this outfit when I put it on in the morning.  Although obviously I liked it enough to put it on and wear it out of the house, there was a nagging voice inside that I was going into the world as the most fashionista court jester of them all.  But when a very pretty gay bartender at a work cocktail party complimented my "suit" with verve, I let go of my clownish insecurities and decided to upload away!  As hard as it may be to commit to a day of aesthetic uncertainty, it's always good to push yourself outside of your comfort zone every now and then.  While I worried that maybe cotton candy-colored velvet pants, shirt, and socks would not place me in high esteem at one of the most-attended (and black-suited) work functions of the year, I actually got quite a few positive responses completely unsolicited.  And while that may not make much difference about anything in the end, it was a nice break from the ordinary routine.

The Bicycle Thief

Marc by Marc Jacobs top, DKNY skirt, J. Crew Cardigan, Ferragamo flats

This outfit makes me think I should be bicycling down the northwest coast of France or on the narrow paths of some maritime province on an every-so-slightly overcast day.  Maybe the bicycle would even have one of the now often trite, but in the right situation still perfect, woven baskets.  A crusty baguette and some wine could finish out the lovely cliché.  What is making me so wistful these days?!  Probably the impending 5th year college reunion, which besides being the definite highlight of the summer, will also be a nagging reminder of how the passing of time inevitably narrows the field of opportunities available to you no matter how hard you try to keep your options open.  On a less depressing note, it also means lots of new outfit....!  Perhaps a Working Girl: Off Duty is in order.... 

Balenciaga.

Balenciaga skirt, T by Alexander Wang shirt, J. Crew cardigan and necklace, Marc by Marc Jacobs boots

Love that the lining at the edges resembles tape and that the "wool" panels have a kind of neoprene backing! 

Balenciaga is one of my favorite fashion houses period.  From its inception, the house has been truly innovative in creating fresh silhouettes and new perspectives on what's considered sexy and attractive.  A curved back with an exposed neck and wrist, a flourish of ruffle at the end of an otherwise streamlined suit--all of these show a keen eye for new proportions and an altogether unique approach to the female form. There's a wonderful balance between the dainty feminine--those wrists, those little nips at the waist and ankles- and a masculinity steeped in the exaggerated and geometric, but clean lines of the future.  Luckily, Balenciaga's current designer, Nicolas Ghesquière, has proven to be a worthy successor, able to both respect his predecessor's weighty legacy and also inject his own aesthetic into the brand--an aesthetic notably marked by a more literal foray into futurism through the use of many new and nontraditional fabrics and trimmings.  I know every time I put on something Balenciaga, I get an immediate feeling of empowerment and freedom, even if it is the sweetest and softest silk dress.  I chalk it up to liberation from that ever-familiar and "ideal" hourglass form championed by the devotees of Christian Dior's  "New Look" mold.   While I doubt I will ever be lucky enough to get my hands on an original Balenciaga, Ghesquiere and the Balanciaga Edition line (which re-issues popular styles from the Balenciaga vault) do just fine.  Viva la Balenciaga! 

Do You Want Fries WIth That?

H

H&M sleeveless striped top, Catherine Malandrino sweater, Raventailored pants from Gabay's Outlet, Marc Jacobs shoes

Young Victoria

If you're feeling a bit hungry all of a sudden and wondering why, maybe you have unconsciously noticed that today's color scheme seems to have been derived directly from the McDonald's/Wendy's Value Menu.  Jr. cheeseburger anyone?  I would prefer, though, to attribute the combination to a recent viewing of "Young Victoria" in which the movie's namesake dons a yellow and red statement of a dress for the coronation ball.  Yes, it's not as though the Victorian era was known for it's fashion savvy, but I will give props and be properly inspired by any female monarch that managed to rule for over 63 years and reign over a not inconsequential amount of industrial, cultural, political, scientific, and military progress (as well as most of the world).  Just in time for Victoria Day too (which used to be my favorite holiday when I was growing up in Canada)!

Pinky and the Womb

J. Crew argyle cardigan, Gap turtleneck (from 5th grade, no joke, I was portly child then), Thakoon pants, Stuart Weitzman shoes

Although it may not be the most creative choice, I will admit that I am a girl that is very fond of pink, particularly when it comes to office clothing--and not just for it's feminizing properties.  Yes, pink makes me feel pretty and whatnot, but it also makes me feel happy and comforted.  Is it because of some kind of pseudo-Freudian womb complex?  Is it because I was that girl who had a pink room from birth through puberty?  Are the answers as important as the questions?  I don't know.  What I do know is that pink always adds a little pick me up to any working girl's outfit and serves as an effective reminder that the office doesn't have to be a man's world.  (And for the record, purple has always been my favorite color).

Graphic Explosion

 Ralph Lauren Blue Label floral shirt, Club Monaco skirt, J. Crew ribbon belt, Bally shoes

So, it seems as though patterns are the theme of the week here!  And skirts!  I've just been in an easy kind of mood, and I can think of nothing more comfortable than a skirt.  It's one of the reasons I'm happy I'm a girl.  Seriously.  With the exception of Marc Jacobs and some Scottish men, guys are really missing out!  Skirts are so light and free and airy and well-ventilated!  Is that kind of gross?  I won't go on.  But yes, I LOVE skirts.  In other news, although today ended up being one of the most annoying days I've had in recent memory, I was smart enough to sneak out to an early lunch before the deluge and grab some great [$50] finds at the Thakoon sample sale.  I really have a thing for those $50 pieces huh?  What can I say, I'm a cheapskate!  My purchases included this runway trench:

(via style.com)

Don't know exactly what I'm going to do with it, but the style.com review agrees it's fantastic. ;)

Candy Girl

 Brooks Brothers skirt, Theory striped shirt, random cardigan, Banana Republic belt, Rochas shoes

Pearls galore!

Jewelry is always a touchy subject when it comes to the office.  I still get uncomfortable stretching things too far, and I obviously am a person that doen't have very many inhibitions about that when it comes to clothing for the office.  Things seem to have become even more difficult, as the layering and piling on of beautiful, sparkly strands of preciousness around one's neck and wrists and fingers becomes increasingly popular.  Even MObama does it!  I personally love the idea of layering jewelry (even if it's a favorite of J. Crew ;), so have attempted it in small doses.  Here, I quietly tried it out with the ever conservative pearl necklace--I doubt anyone even noticed it was more than one necklace, let alone three--but I think the layering (as well as the candy coloring of the pearls) adds a much needed touch of insouciance to an otherwise sweet and innocent outfit!

Pic-a-Nic Basket

Steven Alan shirt, Brooks Brothers khaki skirt, J. Crew necklace, Rag & Bone oxfords

Real! Live! Action! shot

I love flats, especially in the summer, as I tend to walk a lot more--which means my feet aren't very happy campers most of the time (they hate nice weekends in particular).  Not being a TOTAL masochist though, I give my sore, swollen puppies some respite ever so often in the form of flats. I love all the different riffs on the flat that are out there:  the ballet, the boat shoe, the moccasin, what have you.  But there is nothing as natty and spunky as a girl in a pair of oxfords.  Oxfords are a great way to add kick to an office outfit without really taking any risks.  Especially when paired with skirts and dresses, the oxford is a great way to add an element of the unexpected to traditional pieces.  Just make sure you get some that show enough ankle so that you don't end up with stumps for legs!  Go get some already.  Your feet will thank you.