What is Fashion?

Designer Alexander Wang tells the New York Times that he sees fashion as "just clothes to be worn." His opinion that fashion should be approachable is exactly how I feel!

To read more, check out the entire article here:
New York Times Thursday Styles

And a Holiday Skirt

To follow up on my post from yesterday - one more piece for the holiday season - this sequined skirt from Silence & Noise, a collection from Urban Outfitters. A steal at $88, it will not last long.

Urban Outfitters

Holiday Dresses

It is time again for holiday parties - and therefore holiday dresses. Below I have highlighted three of my favorites (two sales, and a splurge). All of these are straight from the runway! If you have two or three events, with two or three different crowds, do not be afraid to wear your favorite statement dress twice this season. You will be the only one to know.

Vena Cava Mandala Dress
Originally $495, now $299
Barneys

Alexander Wang Cage Dress
Originally $645, now $451.50
Shopbop

Thakoon Strapless Bow Dress
$1950
Saks Fifth Avenue

First Thoughts of Spring: Balenciaga

Balenciaga is truly a gift that keeps on giving. Their runway collections never cease to amaze, and yet their more consumer friendly product line keeps me just as captivated. For Spring they are debuting two new exciting offerings. First the now iconic motorcycle bag in an easy spring raffia perfectly juxtaposes hard and soft. And second, their debut perfume, mixed Olivier Poige, the perfumer credited with Victor & Rolf's classic hit of 2004, Flowerbomb. While the perfume will certainly be more wallet friendly than the bag, it is hard to not want both.

Use J. Crew to Get Burberry Prorsum

Like the look in my last post? J. Crew has a great pair of cropped pleated trousers in the vain of Burberry Prorsum Fall/Winter 2009. At $118, they are fun and fair buy.

jcrew.com

Try This Look

I think that runway looks are great ways to get inspiration. Try out this one from Burberry Prorsum Fall/Winter 2009. It includes three pieces you probably already have. A white men's style dress shirt, high heeled boots, and a scarf. The cropped dress pants may be a little harder to find, but try picking a pair up on the cheap either consignment or vintage and then having them altered to the length you like, or perhaps you even having an old pair you don't wear anymore. This could be just the inspiration to give them new life.

Photo: Marco Madeira, style.com

Another Collaboration Brings More Boots for Fall

Increasingly famous blogger Jane Aldridge has just released her second collection for Urban Outfitters. While some of the styles remind me too much of Jane's favorite Chanel or Givenchy originals, this oxford boot combines the best of what's going on in fashion with Jane's youthful point of view. Check out Jane's blog Sea of Shoes to see the source of her inspiration.

Urban Outfitters
$128

Pierre Hardy for Gap

Next week Gap will launch their Fall/Winter 2009 collaboration with famous Parisian shoe maker Pierre Hardy. The shoes, priced under $200 are a welcome addition to Hardy's main collection, often priced over $1000.

Pierre Hardy Fall/Winter 2009
$1185
Barneys

Pierra Hardy for Gap Fall/Winter 2009
Under $200
Gap, 680 5th Ave, New York
212-977-7023

Via:

http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2009/10/best_bet_get_the_boot.html
http://www.vogue.fr/Mode/News/090727-nouvelles-chaussures-pierre-hardy-p.aspx

Wear Spring/Summer 2010 Trends Now

The fashion schedule runs months ahead, but that is not to say you can't work next spring's runway trends into you wardrobe right now.

Dries Van Noten
Stay warm this fall with an oversized v-neck sweater layered over a print dress. This is a great way to wear a print you may wear too much, or even one you are bored with, in a new way. To transition into winter replace the flats with tights and boots.

Anne Demeulemeester
The top half may be very Paris Fashion Week (and very cool) but hard to work into your everyday wardrobe. The long skirt however transitions nicely from runway to life. Even with a tank and a leather jacket, you have a polished and edgy look.

Lanvin
Here is a runway look who's pieces you probably already have in your closet. A tailored jacked, a soft silk skirt, and a statement necklace go from the office, to dinner, and even out. I especially love the double breasted, but any blazer could work here.

Gucci

Ethnic motifs have been popping up all over the runways this season. I love the mix of hard tailoring with the organic Ikat printing here. Look for a tribal printed piece and mix it with something unexpected, a strong shouldered jacket or tough modern heels.

all photos from style.com

Check Out This List

Website Refinery29 has put together a great list of fall picks under $100. Go ahead and pick one that works for you.
47 Finds under $100

My Picks

Looking for a new fall bag at a fair price. Check out this option from the J. Crew handbag collection. I really love the combination of navy suede and black patent leather. The size, somewhere between big and small, and the function, there are a number of pockets inside, make this a go everywhere piece. And at $235 who can resist.
Large Andi Bag

Great Links

Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's The Row has built a following on beautiful (and expensive) basics - The New York Times

A number of stores are offering new, great, lower priced denim options - The Wall Street Journal

The Fashion's Night Out PSA - Vogue

Versace will relaunch lower priced line Versus this season with British designer Christopher Kane at the helm - Reuters

5 Boots Under $500

A great pair of boots is an important purchase for winter. While $500 may seem steep, each of these options could offer you wear day after day for years to come. When you buy a pair of boots, make sure you are comfortable wearing them with different types of outfits, skirts, dresses, jeans, etc. This is the key to getting optimal use. If you love any of these, but find the price out of your range, use them as inspiration, try taking a trip to a vintage or second hand store in your town.



Jeffrey Campbell Everyday Flat Boot - $171.00 - Revolve Clothing



Alexander Wang Frankie Creeper Boot - $480.00 - shopbop



Frye Dorado Boot - $498.00 - Free People



Madewell Flat Boot - $298.00 - shopbop



See by Chloe Wrap Around Strap Ankle Boot - $495.00 - Saks Fifth Avenue

Great Links

The New York Times' Guy Trebay on the influence of the 1980s on fashion today - link

Style.com's street style from Mallorca, Spain - link

Glamour has launched a new video blog, "20 Outfit Ideas from America's Most Stylish People". The videos will be daily - link

A Treasure of Inspiration

Are you looking for a great resource for inspiration? Check out Scott Schuman's, recently published book The Sartorialist. Schuman has been documenting street style for years on his now famous blog of the same name. For his first book he has selected his favorite images from these years and compiled them into a beautifully bound volume.

The photos are exciting not only for their artistic value but also because these are outfits that can provide inspiration for getting dressed each day. They are not from the runway or the pages of a fashion magazine. What is great about Schuman's taste is that his subjects are real people. His lens has captured everyone from bankers in Milan to artists in Sydney.

Check out the book or the blog, find a look that you love, and inspire yourself to try something new. Who knows, maybe you will make it into his second book.

www.thesartorialist.com

Fashion Week For Everyone

In years past, to attend the events of New York Fashion Week you had to be, a magazine editor, a store buyer, or a celebrity. This was inevitably a disappointment to all the fashion lovers out there who work outside the industry.

This fall, for the first time ever, the public has been invited to participate in Fashion Week. On Thursday September 10th, the first night of Fashion Week, Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, NYC and Company, and The City of New York will sponsor Fashion's Night Out.

Aiming to jump start the consumer economy and make fashion fun, hundreds of stores across the city will participate in Fashion's Night Out with extended shopping hours, limited edition products, designer and celebrity appearances, food, drinks, and maybe even a concert or two.

Bravo to the New York Fashion Community not only for finding a way to keep people excited about fashion, but also for opening Fashion Week to the tens of thousands of people who support the industry every day.