2010 Outerwear Spectacular: The Fur Coat

 APART coat, Dries Van Noten cut-off sleeve sweatshirt, Marc Jacobs leather pants and shoes

It was just a little bit sunny outside...

While romantic coats are great for bringing out the sensitive misunderstood vampire in you, the fur coat is nothing but straight-up pure vamp.  Whether faux or real, nothing says glamor like nice big luxuriously fuzzy coat.  You can dress it up old-Hollywood style, or dowtown-ify it à la Kate Moss--either way it's hard to find a quicker way to add instant allure to an outfit.  One caveat--the look is probably best left for nights and weekends, lest you show up too fabulous to work (although those who are extra-daring may be able to pull off a cropped fur, maybe).  This faux fur is from a label I was just turned on to called APART.  Its massive, fun furriness totally reminds me of A/W 2010 Chanel, but in a less crazy/ugly Chewbacca way.  APART is fairly new to the retail scene in the U.S., but has been going strong in Germany and Europe for the past few decades (since 1977 to be exact).  Style- and price-wise, the line lands somewhere between fast fashion and contemporary lines.  While the styling and photography on the website may be admittedly lacking, don't let if fool you completely--the modest web surroundings belie the quality and cut of the clothes and there are some real gems to be found.  I think it's a great resource for the fashionable working girl and worth checking out if you haven't yet--there are super cute pieces for every part of the day at very reasonable price points!  I was lucky enough to get involved in a small project for the brand (more details later) and got to play with a few of the pieces--some of favorites are the Dip-Dyed Shag vest (I am seriously DYING for it--it's a fabulous dégradé Mongolian lamb vest that comes in blue or purple, and looks VERY expensive on), the Optical Blouse, the Sheer Tux Blouse (it fits like a dream, a very cool dream), and the Draped Silk Pant.  The main site can be found at apartstyle.com.  Hurrah for new shopping options!

2010 Outerwear Spectacular: The Romantic Coat

Nina Ricci coat, Marc Jacobs boots, Proenza Schouler clutch, Target handwarmers

Even though the 75 degree weather outside is attempting to thwart my 2010 Outerwear Spectacular, never fear my friends, I shall not and will not let it get the better of me!  The second in the coat series is the romantic coat-- and I mean the original romantic:  think the Bronte sisters, Byron, Shelly and the like.  The romantic coat never fails to add little [positive] drama to a dreary winter day and is an instant pick me up even if you aren't prone to brooding across sweeping vistas or pining away in some damp stone manor  Full skirts, capes, capelets,  exaggerated collars, bell sleeves, draping, pintucking--pick one detail (or several) and you'll be your own heroine faster than Heathcliff gets his obsession on in Wuthering Heights (and that's fast).   And since it's a classic in the most literal sense of the word, you won't have any trouble incorporating into decidedly unromantic everyday life.  I picked up my coat-cape hybrid at the latest Decades Two pop-up shop in NYC, decadestwo.1, and I think it may rank as one of my top 5 deals ever.  Nina Ricci NWT??  Possibly/most likely Olivier Theysken era??  90% off????  YES PLEASE.  It may very well have been the most romantic moment of my life. :)

2010 Outerwear Spectacular: The Military Coat

+J coat, Ralph Lauren Blue Label ruffled plaid shirt, J. Crew corduroys, Ralph Lauren Collection boots, Rag & Bone scarf, Ray Ban sunglasses, Marc Jacobs shearling bag

Happy and a little confused to be outside

Such clean lines

...And that's why you don't play in the middle of the street

Even though New York City weather hasn't quite decided which way to go, the calendar is more than enough to tell us that we are firmly in coat season!  To celebrate the turn of season (seriously, especially after the 90+ degree weather this summer), the Working Girl is going to go outside.  In coats!  I figured I might as well take advantage of this brief time when the weather's not too hot or too cold, and what better way than with a mini-showcase of outerwear! Finding the right assemblage of winter coats can be exhausting, but I think I've almost pinned it down.  First up: the military-inspired coat, which I think is THE one coat every lady should own--no other coat is as versatile and smart.  Whether it's a  classic pea coat or something more modern and streamlined, a well-made military coat can easily take you  from work to errands at Trader Joe's to dinner at Jean-Georges.   The military coat above is from the current A/W 2010 +J line (Jil Sander for Uniqlo) and it's probably going to be my go-to for the winter.  The cut and fabrication far outstrip the modest price ($189.90) and the military flourishes add just the right bit of attitude.  It's also available in a range of classic (winter) colors--brown, navy, camel, and this muddy gray  The whole line, out now (while supplies last), is really fantastic and can be seen in its entirety here on Uniqlo's website.  If you don't happen to be near a Uniqlo (or near someone who's near a Uniqlo), there are a very select number of hagglers re-selling  +J wares on Ebay, but, of course, only if you're willing to pay a modest mark-up. 

Robe and Slippers

 

 Dries Van Noten sweater, Marc Jacobs blouse, Ralph Lauren Blue Label corduroy skirt, Marni tights, Lanvin ballet heels

Today, the second set of pictures of the much-anticipated H&M x Lanvin collaboration, due to drop November 23,  were released.  While the first preview shots were great--very chic, very classic Lanvin LBDs--, the floral prints in this latest promo are just insanely amazing.  Of course, final judgment will be reserved until the real pieces are out on the floor (stylish photography is way too good at concealing sub-par material, but H&M collabs are usually pretty good in that respect).  But, of course, that's only assuming I can even get near them in real life.  I have a feeling the lines will be very long on release day.  And that those gorgeous floral numbers won't spend but a minute on the racks. To ensure that the hoopla will be indeed momentous, H&M and Lanvin's Alber Elbaz will also be putting on a "Lanvin Loves H&M" fashion show at The Pierre in NYC on November 19.  Oh, and if you happen to be in Vegas on the 20th, you can shop the collection a whole 3 days earlier than the rest of the world in conjunction with the opening of a new H&M store in Caesar's Forum.  Here's to hoping the Ebay re-selling vultures don't snag everything good opening day!

Lanvin for H&M preview photos (via cutblog.com):

High Romance

Random ruffled shirt from mall department store, J. Crew turtleneck, Chloe woven skirt, Cynthia Rowley tights, Celine snakeskin shoes

Love the seaming on these almost-ballet tights

My bf calls these my "[lady-part]" shoes...I try not to get it. ;)

Erdem Moralioglu was personally presenting his Spring/Summer 2011 collection at a Barney today, and after falling all over myself gushing about the collection in this post, I thought it would be only appropriate to continue the gushing in person.  And gush I did.  I think I gushed so hard I didn't even speak in complete words, let alone sentences.  But Mr. Moralioglu was more than gentlemanly and even pretended to be humored by my nostalgia for Canada (he is originally from Montreal), and in particular, the future of Canadian currency vis-a-vis the American Dollar's new sad state.  Yes, we really talked about that.  In any event, the clothes which were exquisite in photographs are simply magical in real life.  The quality and workmanship were beyond words (and these were the runway samples proper, which means I sadly was not able to fit in more than 1 piece).  Most disappointing was not being able to try on Look 6, which in person is absolutely breathtaking.  There was some solace to be had, however, as Mr. Moralioglu informed me that they had to scour agencies to find a model to fit the tiny sample. When they did, find her, she has a 31" HIP.  I have never since the age of, oh say, 7, had a 31" hip.  So, the fact that even my half-decayed skeleton would not have been able to fit in it made me somehow not feel as much like a massive heifer.  It also turned out for the better financially, as these magical creations understandably carry a hefty price tag for the fine lacework, embroidery and sumptuous fabric.  Definitely the stuff of dreams, but what enchantingly lofty and idyllic dreams those are.

Some blurry dressing-room shots, including THE outfit of S/S 2011 (#1):

AAAAAhhhhhhh SO IN LOVE

 Simply ethereal

 Beautiful

Braidy Bunch

 Proenza Schouler dress, Modern Amusement men's cardigan, J. Crew belt, Club Monaco necklace, Prada thigh-high boots

 

Satin and leather is one of my favorite combinations.  Nothing is more sensually luxurious, especially when coupled with the fall weather.  Unfortunately, those are not words and images that go along with workplace.  Never fear, as long as you keep the styling on the more casual and less tart-ish side, it can be done (and make you feel pretty cozy at your desk at the same time).  Just remember (and this may be the ONLY time I EVER say this), be conservative, be conservative, be conservative.  If you're going to do a lot of leather, do it in a classic boot or with discreet leather accessories.  Of course thigh-high boots aren't exactly conservative, but a flat-heeled boot of any kind can go a long way to minimize extraneous sauci-ness.  A grandpa cardigan or something similarly oversized is also an easy fix to tone down the nighttime tendencies of satin.  If you still need some camouflage, choose to accessorize with a classic motif.  I chose to pick up the cabling from my sweater with the necklace, but other preppy themes also work well--equestrian themes in particular are great to conserv-atize any outfit that is heavy on the leather.  So go get ready for some days in white satin...

Two Tales, One City

Dries Van Noten sweater, vintage skirt, Chloe boots

The peplum gives it an almost pannier type effect

What better way to put some closure on Paris Fashion Week than with Chanel and Alexander McQueen?  Though the two share little fashion zeitgeist, they are but two sides of the same couture coin--one steeped in tradition and the other based in experimentation, both part of a fashion fantasy world beholden to the notion of true artisanry. To be honest, I've never been the biggest fan of Chanel.  Although I have appreciated the workmanship and quality, I find myself often thinking it either a bit too staid, or alternatively, too coquettish for my personal style.  To my pleasant surprise, the Kaiser's latest collection for Chanel finally felt to me to be exactly in touch with a modern woman (and not just a pretty girl, or, as was the case for A/W 2010, Chewbacca).  Maybe it was because there were so many outfits that one could find an outfit for any woman, but that doesn't matter as much as the fact that they were just beautifully wearable clothes that conveyed the luxury of the brand without slapping you in the face with it. Nothing looked contrived or gimmicky.  And I am totally in love with the shoes.

While Chanel is a house based on tradition and an aesthetic spirit largely conceived a century ago, McQueen seems at first to be the exact opposite:   thoroughly modern and based on macro levels of innovation.  The tradition and legacy of McQueen is evolution and experimentation in and of itself.  Preservation is left for technique and tailoring and twisted historical references.  But the two houses share an important similarity that binds them together : a commitment to quality and often exquisite handicraft, the kind of which elevates artisanry to art.  As two of the waning number of houses who honor the idea of haute couture, Chanel and McQueen unfailingly understand the history of fashion, which is something that unfortunately sets them apart in these fast-fashion times.  There is no doubt Sarah Burton had a difficult task is assuming the heavy and loaded mantle of the genius McQueen, especially after his far too tragic death.  In the end, I think she did a fine job considering the pressure she faced and she successfully produced some beautiful and ethereal pieces.  Though not as daring and subversive as McQueen, her softer, less sardonic, approach was refreshing and her commitment to tailored flourishes did McQueen well.  Although, the tension between honoring the legacy of the namesake designer and imbuing the house with her own sense of design was apparent.   She shows great promise, but hopefully in the future she will incorporate some of the wit and subversiveness that made Alexander McQueen's designs truly transcendent.  All in all, Paris was a mixed bag, but it's good to know that some fashion stalwarts are stalwarts for a reason.

Chanel S/S 2011 (pictures via vogue.com:

Alexander McQueen S/S 2011: