Chanel: Black and White

I really like the black capped Chanel boots sent down the Fall '07 runway.

They're are so chic, dipped in black, a rebellious statement on otherwise dainty boots.

Charlotte Casiraghi of Monaco wore the short version of the boots perfectly with a look that you could find on most stylin' college girls (most sans Chanel shoes).

Steve Madden has flats channeling the same style as the Chanel boots with a luxe quilted tip. For $70 you can glam up your summer staples of ripped Earnest Sewn jeans and trapeze dresses.
++
SB

Chole: The Young and the Fashionable

I'm obsessed with the new Chloe ads (Spring/Summer '07). These ladies (Anja Rubik and Raquel Zimmerman, the third is a mystery to me...if you want to enlighten me please comment!) are living a young and fast life dressed in the most exquisite gam baring dresses.

Chloe singlehandedly inspired me to buy blouses with details like puffed sleeves and delicate little buttons trailing down the front.

The first ad's key feature is the sunglasses that have been spotted on loads of celebs, the youthful set (olsens) and even a few old birds.
She's holding up her hand like "I'm so fabulous, stop and check me and my super mod bangs out." The hair! So voluminous and shiny with one eye lazily peeking out. The lime green and yellow eyeshadow sexes up the lacy blouse.
I love that there's a high energy model next to a mellower model in one shot.

This ads left me with with some longing for Chloe in my closet so I checked out Net-a-Porter. Sadly, I don't have a home so I can't take out a second mortgage to finance my shopping dreams.
There were a few pieces that were potentially possible to buy.

This smock dress would be perfect with sky-high wedges or simple thong sandals and a brown leather belt to create a waist, or even by itself and let the dress just drape. The balloon sleeves are a nice touch too. Pick it up for $335.
Chloe has a lil peach tunic with enough rouching to distinguish it from the run of the mill American Apparel sundresses. This coverup is $185.


++
SB

Gem Theory

A lil bling goes a long way. I'm not really a huge fan of draping yourself in jewels a la Elizabeth Taylor. You shouldn't be a reflective surface when you're young.
Leave that to fading movie stars and Texas trophy wives.

That said, I'm feeling the baubles popping up all over the runway.

I love the belt Lagerfeld created in his Fendi Fall '07 collection. It cinches the coat well and is the perfect accessory to rock over a simple black dress. I'm also enamored with the bright blue wedges Lagerfeld used for this look. The accessories are stellar and are given the spotlight while the coat and tights serve as the foundation.


An easy way to add some glitz to your get up is with a headband.
The front headband is from Marc Jacobs, he knows what a girl wants. This shot from Teen Vogue shows a quick way to go from an average student in leggings to glamorous.

This net headband is probably more than you spent on books this quarter so check out this number from Fredflare.com for only $5. You'll look super glam and could even buy a few for your buds.

You can slip on this light blue ring from Banana Republic adding Wattage to your manicured nails for $42.


++
SB

Jimmy Choos You Can Afford

Please don't welcome Spring with gauchos or your little brother's YMCA tee.
It's no long kitschy cool, lets at least pretend we're stylish young adults.
The following are the playlist for your Spring, what you need to check out and perhaps tap into the "emergency" credit card you have for books or food...I won't tell the rentals.

1. Fashion and music collide with "The Jimmy Choo's" by Harvard band Chester French.
They sound as if the Beach Boys, Weezer and Ratatat had a love child. Their tunes are catchy and ache for you to listen on a sun drenched beach with your buds.
An added bonus is that the 2 guys behind Chester French are adorable! Who doesn't have a soft spot for a prepster with a guitar?

2. Step into some sandals and let your feet get some sun! I love these lovely leather shoes from J.Crew and Frye. You can pick up the first from J.Crew for $118 and the Frye from shopbop for $140. They're versatile, you can wear 'em in the evening with a jersey dress or during the day with linen pants or a jean mini skirt.
The buckles on these shoes add a fresh take on such a simple style.
I'm impressed by Frye's ability to produce the perfect boot and now the perfect sandal, cornering the market on all seasons.
3. You can find the ultimate party dress from Alice + Olivia. It's similar to the FCUK gold and navy shift that was everywhere fall/winter '06 but has an updated pattern: the giant chevron stripe that is odd for a dress but it works!
It's pricey but its hard to find clothes with sequins that don't look like they belong in the closet of a five-year-old or pole dancer. You can find it at shopbop.com for $396.

4. My favorite model, Liya Kebede, is starring in an ad campaign for H&M with Erin Wasson, another stunner. Liya wears a blouse with puffed sleeves and a ruffled button front. It's the perfect spring top and can be yours for $30. Hurry to H&M before the crazed masses find it after rushing for Madonna's new line.


5. Update your Macbook's background with Jeffrey Fulvimari, pop artist extraordinaire, prints
at jeffreyfulvimari.com. His artwork has a teasing air, poking fun at the beautiful people.


++
SB

A Spring in Your Step

It's the season between flip flops and winter boots. Spring's almost here!
A good transition shoe is the flat but I'm sure you lovelies already have some variation of the ballet flat. Here's an alternative to the ballet slipper, they would be perfect with cut off tights under a sundress.

If you're in the mood for patent check out these flats from shopintuition.com for $205.


Laura Poretzky is the designer for Abaete, one of the brands who popularized the mod shift, and is now doing a shoe collection for Payless. This metallic style is only $20 and is just as cute as the expensive version above.

So go get your feet somethin' nice to wear, don't go barefoot like those nasty celebs and please get a pedicure to cure your feet of a winter of Uggs.

++
SB

Zip It

We've been plagued with so many trends in denim over the past couple of years. The flare, the skinny, the wide leg, the acid wash, the "I paid $200 bucks and all I got was this mangled piece of cotton", etc ad infinitum.

I'm still on the skinny jean bandwagon but I'm feeling the side zipped jean.
The zip refreshes the style adding a little rock and roll to your look.

Ksubi, formerly known as Tsubi, is the current gold standard of jeans.
Everyone from Madonna to the glitterati crew (i .e. La Lohan) has been spotted in Ksubi. If you've recently 1) won the lottery 2)hooked up with a investment banker or 3) had a birthday you can pick these up from Barneys for $215.


For a more reasonable alternative I'd recommend going to your local Urban Outfitters and looking for side zip Lux jeans.
I scoured the net for a pic but couldn't find any but I know they're in stores so go now.
I estimate their price to be about $60 and I promise you they are lovely!
One of my faves, NZ sported them last weekend in the dark rinse and the fit rivaled pricier options.

If you don't think this look has staying power, I'd recommend checking out the home of all that is cheap and trendy. Forever 21 has a pair of side zip jeans (in black also) for $33.
++
SB

Back Again: Theyskens

Olivier Theyskens is known for his talent creating exquisite clothing.
However his purist policy (i.e. not deigning to create an "it" bag that mere mortals can purchase) did not spell out financial success and his gig at Rochas came to an end when the house closed.
Thankfully, he's back working for Nina Ricci and we have stunners like Reese's dress for the Oscars.
Eat your heart out Ryan.
I love the layers of regal purple forming the perfect train and how the dress softly cascades down her body without making her look like a deranged barbie doll (see penelope cruz, oscars '07).
From Theyskens fall '07 runway, these were my faves.

This jacket is sublime. I love the muted grey and the waves that cut across the front. The ruffles could be too girly but their definition adds a steely touch. Paired with grey jeans, this is an outfit I wish I could sweep off the runway.


This deconstructed dress is a little bride of Frankenstein. I can imagine it being picked out of an old chest, fraying at the edges, slightly decrepit. But I think its enchanting.
I wish there was a grey mist swirling around the model because this dress is frightfully beautiful.
Even with a yellow pattern there is an undercurrent of tension in the gown, a hardness that is very appealing in a world of pretty frocks.
++
SB

Colorful in Chloe

I've been thinking about this Chloe dress since I saved it on my style.com lookbook. There is so much going on but I love it. It captures the look every PYT should aspire to.

I 'm all about the all black ensembles but don't fear color! Anyone can look good in black, its the great equalizer. The ability to execute color separates the pros from the amateurs.

This mini dress is the perfect lime and would be perfect on a sun drenched day with Grecian sandals. The rows of circular baubles reminds me of a belly dancing scarf, I wonder if she was jingling down the runway.

The landscape on the top adds a touch of attitude to the dress and this is why Chloe is such a powerhouse.
I love how the sleeves seem nonchalantly cut, draping over her arms.
++
SB

Such Great Heights

The chunky shoe has grown on me. I used to loathe them and refused to buy anything that wasn't whittled to a point.
I've changed my stance and see the wedge and stacked heel as the more comfortable way to increase your height. Stilettos are sexy but bad posture and pain are not.

So in honor of the beautiful spring weather today (look mom no gloves!) I present to you 2 lovely sandals

1. Every girl needs a simple black wedge. Wear it to the beach, with jeans or a flirty sundress.
If you have more money than brains go ahead and get this number for $320 from your neighborhood Saks. 2. This pair is just as functional (maybe even more since your feet won't be slipping out) and you'll pay 4 lattes versus 64. Find 'em at Target for $23.

take it easy & more Paris posts are coming

++
SB

Crystal Clear

Giambattista Valli's show in Paris was filled with strong shapes and lovely bursts of color.

I call this look "little yellow riding hood" because the model is wearing a modern day cape with a bold knotted front. The bottom of the cape curls upwards creating a cocoon silhouette, another it shape.

This dress was the most stunning piece. Im sure all of the Euro socialites and American pseudeo socialites (scarjo, biel, olsen twins) mentally noted to make their assistants get the look. Swarovski crystals dot the swath of material covering her neck.
I love that the crystals stop after drizzling down the front and leave most of the dress unadorned so the shape is the main focus.
++
SB

Quick Wardrobe Update

One of the shapes popping up for spring is the trapeze shape.
However, there is a fine line between looking like you are wearing a nebulous garment to hide the winter weight or wearing this style as a way to update the skinny jeans you bought for fall.

Nordstrom has a new take on the trench with this trapeze coat for spring. I am enamored with the buckles on the neck and arms that add utilitarian flair to an otherwise feminine cut.
The pleat in the back adds structure and increases the "every day" quality of the jacket. And for $48 from Nordstrom you could easily add this essential style to your wardrobe. ++
SB

I Want It I Need It!

This is what you need.
Don't hesitate, take out that credit card and get yourself somethin' nice cookie.

You should smell like:
Tom Ford Black Orchid.
Two of my favorite people, my mother and the ever fashionable FA rock this amazing scent. It is a rich, sensuous perfume that every 7th grader in westchester with daddy's credit card will be frightened by. This is NOT your grandma's Chanel no. 5, its daring and still delicious.
Get it at Neimans, 50 mL for $90

You should wear:
Eyelet is huge and so cute in the spring, especially in this mod number. Get it from forever 21, that warehouse of cuteness and cheapness for $25.
You should dangle:
KILNemamel has beautiful handmade baubles like these Peacock earrings.
AND until March 6 everything from their site is 40% off, so enter "anythinggoes" at checkout to get these earrings, originally $76 for $45! www.kilnenamel.com
You should check out:
Helmut Lang is now at shopbop.com. These clothes are on the right track for spring/fall '07 and are made for the girl who expects her staple wardrobe to have simple yet eye catching details.


++
SB

Versace wasn't Tacky. People Around the World Gasp!

Hello darlings, I am so sorry for my absence. Since I am not a celebutante (yet) I've been studying for finals and dealing with a cold that has only one positive result: my voice is hoarse and sexy like La Lohan.

I know we're already in Paris for Fashion week, but I still want to tell you about Milan!
Versace had a really interesting concept that didn't involve models in platform clogs weighed down by metal beams and lights (you know who you are).
The show was simple and color was the theme per segment.

While this ensemble is pretty boring, I am enamored by the fit of these pants. The tailoring is super sharp and the length is great, barely grazing the floor. I think every girl needs pants like these that flatter your legs to perfection. ++
SB