NYFW Street Style Success Stories

Is street style dead? Dude, I don't know. I know there are plenty of articles out there bashing the The Most Photographed people for wearing head-to-toe designer outfits in uninspiring ways, but to proclaim that street style is dead because only a few elite are uninspiring is pretty fucking naïve. As if the rest of us — the folks who get dressed up for jobs and things and also too give a shit about what we look like — are chopped liver. Shameful. I think there are plenty of problems with the business of blogging and remaining authentic, but it's certainly not mine, and therefore not my concern. In fact, when it comes to enjoying fashion month from the comfort of my computer at home I find even the train-wrecks and the sell outs inspiring as a cautionary tale for what not to be. So let the ever impractical Anna Dello Russos and the "OMG-so-busy, such-meetings" bloggers run around the globe, peacocking for the camera. I'll be here sipping my coffee/cocktail silently filling outfits I hate in my mind and publicly admiring the ones that I love here. 

Style.com, Vogue.com, W Magazine

Wear This Now: Parisienne

TOPSHOP bomber

MAX MARA skirt

BALENCIAGA ankle boots

The Leather Pants I$$ue

Wearing: Zara coat and leather pants

Photos by Nick Smith

As expected, Zara's leather pants have become the easiest thing to wear in my closet. I throw on a top — preferably something that covers the crotchal area, since these are leggings and not actually leather skinny pants with a front zipper and what not — grab any sort of jacket and literally walk out the door. It's more practical than you think, really. Taking inspiration from the #1 leather pants wearer, in my opinion, Rosie Huntington Whiteley, and you'll see what I'm talking about. They can look really good. The best part is that after waiting for about a year wondering how I will be able to justify such a hefty purchase of said leather pants, I'm proud to say I found a budget friendly alternative to my dream pair; J Brand leather pants with zip detail. After all, they are just pants, right? A coat, maybe, I can see costing north of $900, but pants? No. Not yet. So if you're game to try a starter pair, I recommend these. Shop the Zara pants here.

Zara September Lookbook

Images: Zara

I love how Zara is beginning to introduce the Isabel Marant western style shirts, the Altuzarra golden and intricate embellishments, and the Dolce and Gabanna sweet needlepoint baroque details. What I really want right now though, is a good oversized knit from them. That should hold me over until the most coveted items in the lookbook are available.

Rag & Bone Details

Wearing: Rag & Bone Rani wrap dress, Barneys ankle boots, vintage belt, Kathleen Whitaker earrings (courtesy of Kathleen Whitaker). Beauty: Chanel #18 plum lipstick, YSL creme blush

Photos by Nick Smith

A Fiery Karlie Kloss by David Sims in US Vogue, September

Image: fashin

Looking Forward to Monday

Wearing Rag & Bone, and Kathleen Whitaker earrings.
Photo by Nick Smith

I just could not resist posting a little preview of Monday's post for next week. It's all about them turtlenecks we talked about that that delectable Rag & Bone Rani dress. It is still a little too hot to be wearing all the layers, yes, but it was an experiment and hence worth it. It was also one of the few instances, as an individual looking for my own style, that I realized this dress from the Rag & Bone fall looks just perfect as it was styled on the runway. You'll see what I mean on Monday. In the meantime, happy Friday!

Sandro Sensibility for Fall

Images: Sandro

What better image to end on than the epitome of cool leather + fur jacket? The entire lookbook is full of sporty and feminine options, with an unmistakable Céline vibe. It's monochrome, clean, urban, and most of all, completely wearable.

Tiger Beat

Hard and soft, young and bold. The combination of Theory leather skinny pants and all its bold implications are perfectly countered by the youthful charm of a Mulberry sweater. Covered up á la French with an Étoile Isabel Marant Diego wool coat, and topped off with some luxuriously leopard J. Crew half calf ballet flats. The YSL structured bag is completely revamped in a punchy green, which is surprisingly versatile, but (admittedly) not as fun as the blue one. Which is on wait list. Sad.

I'm personally going after that Diego wool coat because I felt so bummed after missing out on the perfectly wool draped, oversized French appeal of Isabel Marant's outerwear last Fall. Not this time! And let it be known that J. Crew ballet flats are the best. Period. I have a pair of patent leather Mary Janes that are about 5 years old and still an everyday staple.

NYFW: 3.1 Phillip Lim

This couldn't be any further away from the pastel creation that was the Spring 2012 collection! But I love, none the less. I love how some of the same elements have carried over to this fall collection, like the sheer layering, the collars, and the pants, but I kind of miss the intricacies of the the kite inspired tops. The oversized coat with the menswear inspired fabric is definitely something I want to be wearing next fall. The sheer pants under the skirt? Definitely love that combination of scantily clad and covered up. Just as I was getting used to color, Phillip Lim comes back with a strong argument for well structured silence.